Using the example (simplified) bank balance sheet below show and explain why the Leverage And Capital Ratios are changed as a result of a 6m write-down in mortgages Essay Example

Using the example (simplified) bank balance sheet below show and explain why the Leverage And Capital Ratios are changed as a result of a 6m write-down in mortgages Essay The initial balance sheet shows that the total equity is  £16m and the total asset is  £305m. After the written-down of  £6m on mortgages, the mortgages have converted  £120m into  £114m so that the new total assets change to  £299m. In addition, due to the decrease of total assets, the total equity also turned into  £10m In order to make the total equity equal to total assets. As we know, the formula of leverage ratio and capital ratio is: Leverage ratio= Total Equity/Total Assets *100% We will write a custom essay sample on Using the example (simplified) bank balance sheet below show and explain why the Leverage And Capital Ratios are changed as a result of a 6m write-down in mortgages specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Using the example (simplified) bank balance sheet below show and explain why the Leverage And Capital Ratios are changed as a result of a 6m write-down in mortgages specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Using the example (simplified) bank balance sheet below show and explain why the Leverage And Capital Ratios are changed as a result of a 6m write-down in mortgages specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Capital ratio= Total Equity/Risk-adjusted assets *100% So, as the changing of total equity and total assets, the leverage ratio also change at the same time. Due to the changing of mortgages, the risk-adjusted assets of mortgages also change so that the total risk-adjusted assets turned into  £191m compared with previously figure  £194m. Therefore, capital ratio has changed attributable to changing of total risk-adjusted assets. In a word, the leverage ratio and capital ratio are changed as a result of a  £6m write-down in mortgages. Part B: In the event that this write-down in mortgage assets was widespread; explain what measures all banks would have to take in order to rebuild their capital ratios back to the required minimum of 8%. Answer: 1. The first method is by increasing total equity (with no change in risk-adjusted assets) 1. As we know, the capital ratio = total equity/ risk-adjusted assets *100% From the table, we can see the current capital ratio=5.24%.the target capital ratio =8%.given the risk-adjusted assets  £191, we suppose to find how much total equity is need to achieve capital ratio of 8%? Assume X=total equity. 8%=X/ £191m*100% X= £15.28m. In conclusion, total equity most increase to  £15.28m to achieve the capital ratio of 8% with no change in risk-adjusted assets. 1. From the table we can see, given the bank has £10 in total equity. From 1 X is given  £15.28m. X- £10m= £15.28m- £10m= £5.28m. In conclusion, bank needed additional equity  £5.28m from the existing equity of  £10m to achieve the total equity of  £15.28m so that the capital ratio of 8% can be achieved. 1. The second method is by decreasing risk-adjusted assets (with no change in equity) 1. With no change in equity, we calculate the total risk-adjusted assets. Using  £10m in equity The total risk-adjusted assets= £10m/8% *100%= £125m. In conclusion, assume total equity is fixed; the total risk-adjusted assets have to decrease to  £125m in order to achieve the capital ratio of 8% 1. Form the table, we can see, current risk-adjusted asset = £191m and the target risk-adjusted asset = £125m. The change of risk-adjusted asset =new risk-adjusted assets-old risk-adjusted assets= £125m-  £191m=- £66m. In conclusion: the total risk-adjusted assets must reduce by  £66m in order to get  £125m so that the capital ratio of 8% can be achieved. 2. We now have to change the composition of Assets to make risk-adjusted assets= £125m Because the risk weight of loans and advances is 100%. We need to make it smaller, old loans and advances= £125m, new loans and advances=old loans and advances +changes in composition of assets= £125m+ (- £66m) = £59m. In conclusion, to achieve the value of risk-adjusted asset= £125m, we need to reduce the loans and advances by £66m in order to get the new loans and advances = £59m 1. In order to achieve liabilities=assets, we also need to change the value of cash in tills. New cash in tills balance= current cash in tills + change in composition of assets= £5m+ £66m= £71m. In conclusion, to achieve the value of risk-adjusted asset= £125m, we not only need to reduce the loans and advances, but also need to increase the cash in tills by  £66m in order to get the new cash in tills = £71m. By reduce the loans advances and increase the cash, which will reduce the lending. The liquidity ratio will increase lead to the credit crisis. [C]New balance sheet with the capital ratio of 8% Liabilities  £m Assets  £m Risk Weighting Risk Adjusted Assets ( £m) Deposits Cash Current accounts 195 Cash in Tills 71 (0%) 0 Time deposits 94 Money at call 5 (0%) 0 Total Liabilities 289 Available for sale assets Gove Bonds ; Bills 10 (10%) 1 Other Bonds ; Bills 40 (20%) 8 Equity Shareholder Capital 7 Other assets Retained Profits 3 Loans and Advances 59 (100%) 59 Mortgages 114 (50%) 57 Total Equity 10 Total Liabilities + Equity 299 Total Assets 299 Total Risk- Adjusted 125 UK Liquidity Ratio 3.34% Leverage Ratio 3.34% Capital Ratio 8% Part C: Explain how, in rebuilding capital ratios, aggregate demand will change, as a result the economy as a whole, could slide into recession. Answerà ¯Ã‚ ¼ The bank starts to rebuild the capital ratios by reducing the risk-adjusted assets. Under the reducing the risk—adjusted assets, it will change the composition of the assets by reducing the loans ; advances and increasing cash in tills. It will cause the overflow of the liquidity. Bank is suddenly reducing profitability. Loans become lesser and lesser to firms, individuals and so on. The bank refused to give loans to others in order to rebuild the capital ratio to achieve a higher figure, which will cause the credit crisis. Assuming the entire bank do that, the aggregate will fall due to the falling of the consumption of domestically produced goods ; services and the investment. All of these are depend on loans. For people, they want to take loans from banks by buying cars and house. They also want to pay the educational fees. For the firms, they are in trouble they cannot finance the loans. Sometimes, they don’t have enough money to buy the new equipment and pay the sa lary to their employees, so they take loans from banks, the issue is they cannot take enough loans from banks so as to firms are tending to make less investment. Due to rebuilding capital ratio, banks don’t want to give loans to others, the Cd will fall down. As a result, the economic will go into the recession. The economic will experience a huge fall in terms of their aggregate demand. Also, the banks start to rebuild the capital ratio by increasing the equity. Through increasing retained profit, it can delay the payment of dividends and increase its loans rates ; bank charges, or by laying off staff and closing underperforming branches so that it will cause the increasing of the unemployment rate and reducing spending. Everything is tending to fall. Spending lesser and lesser, the aggregate demand will fall. Thus, GDP will fall leading to the recession.

Politics of Western Europe Essays - Michael Ignatieff, Free Essays

Politics of Western Europe Essays - Michael Ignatieff, Free Essays Politics of Western Europe November 17, 1994 Politics of Western Europe BLOOD AND BELONGING This is a critique of the book, Blood and Belonging, by Michael Ignatieff. This paper will explain the subject of the book and its relevance, discuss Michael Ignatieff's methods and conclusions on the subject and finally include a personal critique of the book by the author of this paper. The author of the book travels on what he terms "the six journeys." On these "journeys" he encounters different cultures, as he travels to six different coinciding areas of the world. He examines the unique expression of nationalism that each populace displays by interviewing various members of that particular society. The six areas that he travels to are specifically chosen for the clarity which nationalism is expressed in society. Nationalism is a factor contributing toward both present possible future instability in these areas. These areas are former Yugoslavia (specifically Croatia and Serbia), Germany, Ukraine, Quebec, Kurdistan and Northern Ireland. According to Ignatieff, in Croatia and Serbia there is a desire for a separate identity between the two nations. The fear of losing one's national identity has caused ethnic hatred. A terror so strong and historically persistent, it has driven people to a desperate state to do anything. This is a large contributor to the reasons for the extreme violence present there today. The author states, "A Croat, thus, is someone who is not a Serb. A Serb is someone who is not a Croat." This quotation profoundly expresses the short-sighted mentality present in their conflict. In his travels in Germany, the author points out an important question. Does the nation make the state, or the state the nation? This question by far does not stop here, especially when Germany is the subject. The essence of the German people is seen by some as aggressive and offensive, thus the existence of the German problem. If the nation makes the state then Germany will always be a threat. If the state makes the nation, then the aggressive nature of the German nation, which lead the world into two global wars, can be harnessed and redirected. The question has its roots and answers in the recent reunification of Germany. The Ukraine is concerned with not being Russian. It is here Ignatieff receives a complete vision of what nationalism is. He states, "I understand what nationalism really is: the dream that a whole nation could be like a congregation; singing the same hymns, listening to the same gospel, sharing the same emotions, linked not only to each other but to the dead buried beneath their feet." Quebec is a model that presents a possible future of the state system. Ignatieff uses the example of Quebec to illustrate the relationship between nationalism and federalism. He implies that "if federalism fails in Canada it can fail anywhere." If the balance between "ethnic and civil principles" is not maintained in Canada, who is not an impoverished country and has a large, successful economy; then perhaps the modern world has not transcended the grasps of nationalism. The Kurds represent a nation without a state, who find themselves surrounded by other nations who are more aggressive nationalists. The term Kurdistan is a definition of the areas used by Ignatieff to explain the area of major Kurdish populace concentration. There is no real borders, no flag, no government and Kurds must acknowledge the state in which they reside (i.e., - Syria, Turkey, Iran and Iraq), of which, is not Kurdistan. Finally, the sixth journey ends in Northern Ireland. He makes the observation that this is the ideal place to conclude his project. Northern Ireland contains a recurrence of the themes that seemed so prevalent in the other journeys. In Ireland ethnicity, religion and politics are all bound into one expression or identity. These are also evident in the five previous studies. Is Michael Ignatieff's work relevant? The answer to this question is, yes it is. The issue is important. Nationalism presents itself as a phenomenon. The questions of why people need to retain a cultural identity and the way they go about preserving it is still unanswerable. Evermore unfathomable is the violence permeated through nationalistic expressions, which are "necessary" by the parties involved. The very existence of the enigma

Cavalier Poetry

Cavalier Poetry is an early 17th century movement centered chiefly on Thomas Carew, Robert Herrick, Richard Lovelace, Henry Vaughn and John Suckling. Ben Jonson admired most of these poets. Cavalier Poetry takes its name from the supporters of King Charles I in the 17th century. These supporters at this period were called the Cavaliers; They were royalists during the civil wars. Aspect of Literary characteriscs, Cavalier Poetry is different from metaphysical poetry because it does not use complicated metaphors and unrealistic imagery. It prefers a rather clear expression. Although It did not confuse readers with deep meaning and allegory It reflected every thought. Its subject was mostly related to carpe diem (meaning seize the day). Using of direct language is the most common characteristic of Cavalier Poetry. This states a fairly individualistic personality. While writing, the Cavaliers admit the ideal of the Renaissance Gentleman who is a soldier, a lover, clever, a musician, and a poet. However They keep away from the religion subject except making several graceful speeches. They do not try understand depths of soul. Indeed, they treat life freely, and occasionally they treat poetic canvention freely, as well. Life is too enjoyable for them in a study. They must write the poems in intervals of living and their poems reflect things which are much alive and enjoyable than philosophy or art. English Lyrical Tradition was contributed by the Cavaliers. They displayed us that it was probable for poetry celebrating the small pleasures and sadnesses of life. The most comman format of poetry that comes to mind is a typical example of the Cavalier thought structure.

Music of the Disenfranchised & How it Changed the Nation Essay

Music of the Disenfranchised & How it Changed the Nation - Essay Example With this, Steel then succumbs to the 3d images and chooses the ones behind Titan are NOT them. As the show is carried out, Octus and Ilana rout the animal. The one day from now, the band concludes that they are well known due to Lance, and kick him out. Spear educates the two regarding this, however Ilana demands he is still a great musical artist, and afterward gets the thought of beginning their band at the "Galactic Trio". Whats more as Ilana is discussing what parts the three can play, the scene closes. The method for world is the way in which individuals commonly act or things ordinarily happen (Strayer, 2-3). In this disappointed music, the conventional spectator is invested with significant intelligence and information of the method for the world she was knowledgeable in the methods for the world before she had taken the cover/ he was amazingly blameless of the methods for the

English Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

English - Article Example The author is strongly against the state and other forces censoring the entertainment industry. He cites The Ed Sullivan Show as having been one of the greatest shows to suffer under the US suppressive policies in the 1960s. The author concludes by stating that the US democratic policies are always conflicting with freedom of artistic expression citing the barring of music composers and performers from performing as an example. Although Dylan made himself a name by his song ‘Talking’, he never realized his ambition of airing it in The Ed Sullivan Show. Though plans were underway for the particular single, Dylan never received an invitation. Thereafter, the organizers urged him to change his remove the song from the playlist, stating that it had some defamatory elements. Dylan blatantly objected to this kind of censorship, a decision that cost him all the concerts. Despite the fact that several radio and TV stations banned a popular single by the Rolling Stones, it finally gained unprecedented popularity in 1967. The Rolling Stones decides to work beyond the barrier of Censorship to launch their single "Lets Spend the Night Together" on The Ed Sullivan Show. This relentless attitude enhanced their status as artistic icons. Owing to the fact that in 1967, few groups had singles like the Doors, the Doors were undoubtedly more famous than any other group at the time. Their first hiccup started when their maiden performance at Monterey backfired followed by a series of concert cancellation by either the police or the promoters. The concerned parties cited gross misconduct and ‘indecent’ content as responsible for massive censorship of their music. Although the three examples were not the only reported cases on censorship on the US entertainment industry, the TV broadcast they received made them more pronounced. Particularly justifies is the Rock and Roll Style that most conservatives considered offensive and against the acceptable norms.

Mandatory Minimum Sentences and Drug Policy Reform Essay Example for Free

Mandatory Minimum Sentences and Drug Policy Reform Essay The use of mandatory minimums within our judicial system is not winning the war on drugs. This country needs drug law reforms to turn the tide on the war on drugs, and minimize their impact on our society. This comes from rehabilitation programs that are more effective and less costly for our government. Introduction Our country has gone to extremes to try and win the war on drugs. There is no evidence to show that they have made any real impact in ending or even lowering the use of drugs in this country. In1986 the federal government enacted mandatory minimum drug sentences. These laws force judges to comply with a minimum prison sentence based on the nature of the drug crime. By doing this, the federal government has tied the hands of our judges to use their judgment depending on the case. Their argument for this is it will deter people from committing drug crimes in the future. My argument is that we are treating an addiction which needs both medical and psychological help to resolve, not longer prison sentences. Argument for Mandatory Minimums In 1986 mandatory minimums were enacted to put an end to the cocaine and crack epidemic that was going on in our nation’s inner cities. The focus was if they could apprehend the drug kingpins and lock them away for many years in prison, they would lose their realm of control of the drug world. The reality of the situation is that many gang leaders are in prison today, and have just as much control over the drug trade as they did when they were free men. Many say that the laws have inadvertently become a racial problem within this country. Laws on mandatory minimum sentences are much harsher on crack than cocaine. Since crack is predominantly used among African Americans within this country, they received much harsher punishments than cocaine users who are predominantly white. Argument against Mandatory Minimums We are not simply dealing with a bad behavior that is a scourge on society. We are dealing with extremely addictive drugs that a prison sentence will do almost no good in helping people kick their habits, and thus their old way of life. These people need medical and psychiatric help in order to rehabilitate them into the nine to five taxpaying Americans that our country wants them to be. Many drug dealers started out as users and began to sell the drug in order to pay for their own habit. Mandatory minimum prison sentences for people who are sadly destroying their lives to maintain their own personal habit are not going to be reformed in our nation’s prisons. Most of the people within our prison system are their because of non-violent drug crimes. They are not horrible people who are their because of rape, murder, armed robbery, etc†¦ People who argue in favor of mandatory minimum sentences for drug offenses say it is working by putting dealers behind bars. The fact is though that most of the people behind bars due to these laws are low level dealers. â€Å"In fiscal year 2005, 61. 5% of all federal crack cocaine defendants were low-level offenders such as mules or street dealers. Only 8. 4% were high-level dealers. † (Mandatory Minimums) Mandatory minimums only go by the weight of the substance that you were selling. It is clear by this data that the weights set in our current laws do not target high-level dealers as well as they were intended to. Rehabilitation Centers vs. Prison Rehabilitation of our country’s drug users not only has a higher success rate than that of our prisons, it is also more cost efficient. It is what you refer to as a win-win. The amount of people within our jail and prison systems is estimated to be above six million people. Approximately half of these inmates used drugs regularly the month prior to their apprehension. It is fair to say then that nearly half of our prison population is candidates for drug rehabilitation programs rather than prison systems. The average cost for incarcerating an individual for a year is $20,000. The average cost of treatment at a rehabilitation center is around $9,000. It currently costs our government around one billion dollars annually to incarcerate its prison population. By taking the half of the prison population that are habitual users and putting them in treatment centers, the government could save a quarter of a million dollars a year. Not only that, but the repeat offender rate for those that have gone through the treatment centers is only a fourth of that for prison sentences. Drug courts are a new movement going across our nation. A court system set up to deal with drug crimes only. Drug courts are set up to give first time offenders a second chance. Conditions of sentencing typically involve mandatory drug testing along with therapy. If first time offenders can successfully complete the treatment program in most cases their crime is removed from their criminal record. Since many first time offenders are juveniles or young adults, this allows them to receive federal aid through FAFSA. In turn it makes it easier for them to receive higher education services, which gives them a better chance at getting the skills they need for jobs. This in turn makes it more unlikely that they will revert to their old lifestyles of drug dealing now that they are treated for a drug addiction and have been given the tools they need to succeed. Drug courts are very strict though. If a participant in the program fails to attend a therapy meeting or has a positive return on a drug test, they are sent directly to jail. The program is only for those who want to change their lives. It is true that there are some people who do not want to change and they should be in jail if they do not want to reform to the laws of this country. The idea of drug reform in this country may be a daunting task, but it needs to be done. If we do nothing about the problem it will never go away, and as it has shown so far it will only get worse. The old ways of thinking are clearly not working. Something needs to be done about this problem. There is a reason why we have the highest incarceration rate of all industrialized nations. It is because half of our incarcerated citizens are non-violent drug offenders. If we can move towards treating an illness instead of punishing a crime, our country will be better off. Less people will be incarcerated and will be productive, moving our country towards a better tomorrow. Mandatory Minimum laws within this country need major reform due to the injustice that they create. While most of the injustice was done inadvertently, nonetheless it is still there. Our country has failed to take one step closer in winning the war on drugs. It is time for America to realize it has a drug addiction problem that cannot be fixed with lengthy prison sentences. Our country needs to change the mandatory minimum laws. Cocaine and crack need to be punishable equally. In this country it is estimated that there are four million people with addictions to either crack or cocaine. About half of the nation’s prison population is in there for non-violent drug offenses. With a prison population of one and a half million people, that’s three quarters of a million non-violent drug offenders not receiving the correct treatment. Cocaine use has continued to rise since the 1980’s while crack use has stayed steady. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit drug in this country. It has had research to show that it is a gateway drug. Users of marijuana are more likely to try drugs like crack and cocaine. Studies show that most users of marijuana have tried the drug before their sophomore year in high school. Educational systems such as D. A. R. E. are already in place as good educational tools against drugs. Our society needs to be honest about the dangers of drugs. Many anti-drug commercials of the past could go as far as to say a hit of marijuana will make you kill your parents. Many commercials of today are starting to show more honesty. Instead of saying that buying pot is the same as putting money into the hands of terrorists, they are stating the truth that it does typically make you less active. This in turn usually leads to people not completing goals, and not completing any of their goals. Alcohol is the second most illegally used drug by minors. Education about the dangers of alcohol is equally important. Alcoholism is a major problem within this country, which typically has major effects on families. Alcoholism can lead to violent households. More teens die from drinking and driving than any other way of death. Alcohol like marijuana is considered a gateway drug. This is why it is so important that we attempt to stop irresponsible drinking behaviors. Essentially drug addicts are addicted to the feeling of euphoria that comes upon them when endorphins flood the brain with the use of the drug. Drug rehabilitation centers have found great success at treating people with addiction to crack and cocaine with anti-depressants. The National Institute of Drug Abuse is taking a different approach to the problem. They are developing a cocaine-vaccine that virtually eliminates all effects of the drug. This would ensure that even if an addict were to have a relapse, the drug would have no effect, and the incentive to do the drug is taken away. Dealers of crack and cocaine usually were crack and cocaine users first. These drugs are incredibly addictive. For users to support their habits many of them turn to dealing the drug. If our society can find a way to break the cycle of addiction there is hope that we can start to turn the tide on the war on drugs. Our government simply has to recognize that we are dealing with an addiction crisis, and not necessarily bad people who are the scourge of society. Drug courts are a new movement going across our nation. A court system set up to deal with drug crimes only. These courts are now operating or have plans to be operating in all fifty states. The first drug court was established in Dade County in 1981. Drug courts are set up to give first time offenders a second chance. Conditions of sentencing typically involve mandatory drug testing along with therapy. If first time offenders can successfully complete the treatment program in most cases their crime is removed from their criminal record. Since many first time offenders are juveniles or young adults, this allows them to receive federal aid through FAFSA. In turn it makes it easier for them to receive higher education services, which gives them a better chance at getting the skills they need for jobs. This in turn makes it more unlikely that they will revert to their old lifestyles of drug dealing now that they are treated for a drug addiction and have been given the tools they need to succeed. Drug courts are very strict though. If a participant in the program fails to attend a therapy meeting or has a positive return on a drug test, they are sent directly to jail. The program is only for those who want to change their lives. It is true that there are some people who do not want to change and they should be in jail if they do not want to reform to the laws of this country. Along with anti-depressants and revolutionary new research being done to address this nation’s addiction to drugs the twelve step process is the most used system for drug rehabilitation. The twelve step process forces the user to admit he or she is powerless over the drug and that a higher power can help them restore their sanity. This has its own constitutional conflictions with the separation of church and state. The twelve step process is only one option that can be taken towards drug rehabilitation though. It could be set up where defendants could choose a faith based rehabilitation program through the state or a non faith based rehabilitation program. There is no one strategy that works for every addict. Each case needs to be dealt with on a personal basis. They need to get to the bottom of why they want to use drugs. There is typically an underlying issue in a user’s life that causes them to search for an escape. The escape that ends many people in prison for lengthy sentences happens to come from crack and cocaine for too many people. Our rehabilitation centers need to work closely with the patients’ family whenever this is possible. Most drug users have families that are drug users as well. It is a perpetual cycle that continues to go on. It continues to go on because the underlying problems within the family are not addressed and they continue to turn to drugs in an attempt to escape the issues. Families are typically the best support system for a user trying to go clean. Without the help of the family or a family like atmosphere, users find it difficult to see a reason why they should quit. They need to see the impact that it makes on their loved ones to make it real to them. The ugliness needs to be shown in order for the user to see the full consequences of his or her actions. I am not proposing that we get rid of prison sentences for drug offenders by any means. We should only offer rehab to first time offenders who will be able to show whether they truly wish to change their lives for the better. If you have been through the program once and reverted back, then you have not proven to society that you are willing to be a productive law-biding citizen. Everyone deserves a second chance, but not necessarily a third or fourth. Rehabilitation of our country’s drug users not only has a higher success rate than that of our prisons, it is also more cost efficient. The amount of people within our jail and prison systems is estimated to be above six million people. Approximately half of these inmates used drugs regularly the month prior to their apprehension. It is fair to say then that nearly half of our prison population is candidates for drug rehabilitation programs rather than prison systems. The average cost for incarcerating an individual for a year is $20,000. The average cost of treatment at a rehabilitation center is around $9,000. It currently costs our government around one billion dollars annually to incarcerate its prison population. By taking the half of the prison population that are habitual users and putting them in treatment centers, the government could save a quarter of a billion dollars a year. Not only that but the repeat offender rate for those that have gone through the treatment centers is only a fourth of that for a prison sentence. Rehabilitation centers have a success rate of sixty to seventy five percent. When those figures are applied to the prison population that means that at the lowest success rate twenty five percent of our prison population would become productive members of society. While the repeat offender rate for rehabilitation centers is between forty and twenty five percent, prison are seventy five percent. With our current system over half a million of our non-violent offenders will be back in prison for the same crime, while with rehabilitation at worst it would be around three hundred thousand. The key to success with our rehabilitation centers is to provide long term assistance. It will be much better off for the nation as a whole to treat the triggers of addiction before it gets out of hand. Yes it is the addicts fault the he or she is addicted, but this does not mean that we should let society hurt on a principle of stubbornness. We should help our fellow man stay clean if he wants to be clean. With long term assistance programs for patients of rehabilitation programs, the success rate can reach as high as ninety five percent. I am not naive enough to think that this high of a number will work just as well for prisoners. Some prisoners simply do not want to break their addiction. If they do not want to change their lives, there is very little that rehab will do for a patient. Society has treated the drug problem within this country with extremely harsh punishments. We have been blind to see that we have been approaching the problem with the wrong strategy. Rehabilitation and education are the two strongest weapons in the war on drugs. If we change the lives of drug offenders, we will be able to exchange a large portion of our prison population into productive members of society. This would turn people who used to be a burden on taxpayers into taxpayers themselves. This would ultimately help the economy of America and the overall quality of life. The idea of drug reform in this country may be a daunting task, but it needs to be done. If we do nothing about the problem it will never go away, and as it has shown so far it will only get worse. The old ways of thinking are clearly not working. Something needs to be done about this problem. There is a reason why we have the highest incarceration rate of all industrialized nations. It is because half of our incarcerated citizens are non-violent drug offenders. If we can move towards treating an illness instead of punishing a crime, our country will be better off. Less people will be incarcerated citizens are non-violent drug offenders. If we can move towards treating an illness instead of punishing a crime, our country will be better off. Less people will be incarcerated and will be productive, moving our country towards a better tomorrow.

Blindness and Sight - Lack of Vision in Oedipus The King Essay

Blindness in Oedipus The King (Rex) What is sight? Is it just the ability to recognize one’s surroundings or is there more? Is it knowledge? Is it understanding? Can a blind man see? Can the sighted be blind? And beyond, when the truth is too terrible, do we choose not to see? The phrase "too see" has so very many connotations. One meaning is to know or to understand and the other is based on the physical aspects of things. As humans, we are distracted by the physical world, which causes us to be blinded by the most obvious of truths. Oedipus, the main character in Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex, could not see the truth, but the blind man, Teiresias, "saw" it plainly. Sophocles’ uses blindness as a motif in the play Oedipus Rex. Oedipus, known for his intelligence, is ignorant and therefore blind, to the truth about himself and his past. Yet, when Teiresias exposes the truth he is shunned. It is left to Oedipus to overcome his "blindness," rea... ...s the sight of Oedipus , it is by his own will. The blind man seer, Teiresias, could always "see" because he did not fear the truth, nor did he have reason to. Oedipus blind to the truth, brought darkness on his eyes when the truth is found. How ironic it seems, yet still the question lies unanswered, did Oedipus fear the horrible truth so much that he chose not to see it? Or was he really so oblivious, that the truth was revealed to him near the plays end for the first time? Blindness and Sight - Lack of Vision in Oedipus The King Essay Blindness in Oedipus The King (Rex) What is sight? Is it just the ability to recognize one’s surroundings or is there more? Is it knowledge? Is it understanding? Can a blind man see? Can the sighted be blind? And beyond, when the truth is too terrible, do we choose not to see? The phrase "too see" has so very many connotations. One meaning is to know or to understand and the other is based on the physical aspects of things. As humans, we are distracted by the physical world, which causes us to be blinded by the most obvious of truths. Oedipus, the main character in Sophocles’ play Oedipus Rex, could not see the truth, but the blind man, Teiresias, "saw" it plainly. Sophocles’ uses blindness as a motif in the play Oedipus Rex. Oedipus, known for his intelligence, is ignorant and therefore blind, to the truth about himself and his past. Yet, when Teiresias exposes the truth he is shunned. It is left to Oedipus to overcome his "blindness," rea... ...s the sight of Oedipus , it is by his own will. The blind man seer, Teiresias, could always "see" because he did not fear the truth, nor did he have reason to. Oedipus blind to the truth, brought darkness on his eyes when the truth is found. How ironic it seems, yet still the question lies unanswered, did Oedipus fear the horrible truth so much that he chose not to see it? Or was he really so oblivious, that the truth was revealed to him near the plays end for the first time?

Global Economy Essay

Below is a list of essay questions, the ONE question that you will be required to write on will be chosen from the list below. 1. Identify a current international political or economic issue and write on the cause(s) and impact globally. (500 word limit) 2. Select one project you have worked on in the past and write an evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the execution, including an assessment of your own contribution. (500 word limit) 3. Identify a key industry leader in Nigeria today and give reasons why you admire this person and outline the person’s contributions to the economy and society. 4. What is the relevance of the MBA degree in the current business environment? Is the degree necessary for success? If you miss this examination or would like to do the GMAT instead, you have until June 28, 2013 to submit your GMAT score in order to have an interview scheduled for you. For details of the GMAT, please visit www. mba. com I wish you all the best. Regards, Nubi Achebo (Dr. ) MBA Director

Marine Bio 4.03

r 1. Name two types of sickness you can get from phytoplankton in Florida, and describe how you can get them. What symptoms led to the diagnosis of our patients? Some of the major diseases are NSP, and PSP which typically come from Brevetoxins, Saxitoxins, Gonyautoxins, & many more. The typical symptoms includerespiratory distress, allergic reactions and skin conditions 2. Explain how an HAB outbreak can have a devastating economic impact.The impact can be devastating because there are assortments of the fish that are caught that may have been contaminated with toxic algae and many fish are killed as a result. 3. Why do you think it can be difficult to determine the causes of HAB related illnesses and events? Many of the symptoms are like every sickness which include sniffling, coughing, sneezing, running nose, itchy eyes and a sore throat. it may be confused as a common cold or fever. 4. Summarize how the conditions found in the Gulf of Mexico contribute to the overgrowth of phytopl ankton.The Gulf of Mexico is a highly polluted area, due to the run-off from the coasts. Run-off comes in the from fertilizers and pesticides from agriculture that often collect in rivers that most of the time flows right  into the Gulf. 5. Explain how a Harmful Algal Bloom can impact an ecosystem. Many of the harmful algal blooms release toxins as they grow larger. Algae blooms grow quickly. As they grow they starve the air of oxygen and  block sunlight which many aquatic plants and animals need to survive. 6.

Christianity And Islam Essays - Prophets Of Islam, Jesus In Islam

Christianity And Islam Essays - Prophets Of Islam, Jesus In Islam Christianity And Islam Christianity and Islam are two of the most significant religions since their creation. Islam means submission in Arabic, and a Muslim is one who submits to the will of God (Islam page 223). Christians were called so because of Jesus title Christos, which is Greek for Messiah (Christianity page 198). Both religions are very similar with only some of the beliefs and teachings being different. They also give separate messages to outsiders as to what their religions stand for. Both religions are monotheistic with a holy text and they both strive to conquer evil. Islam has a set of rules (5 Pillars of Islam) set forth to reach enlightenment while Christians basically just sin, repent, and then are forgiven for their sins. Christianity is a much easier religion to belong to because it is a lot more lenient to what you can and cannot do as well as when and where you can do it. Islam is also more closed doors because the do not really send out missionaries looking for people to convert to Is lam. For Christianity, Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah (the anointed one) Gods deliverer, whose coming the prophets had foretold (Christianity page 198). Jesus taught the good Word of the Lord, as was his duty as the Son of God. He is also said to have performed miracles such as curing leprosy and blindness as well walking on water. Roman and Jewish authorities were disquieted by the threat to the establishment that Jesus and his followers seemed to offer, and they conspired successfully to execute him by crucifixion (Christianity page 198). After Jesus was crucified for the sins of all men, he was believed by Christians to have risen from the dead and then ascended to Heaven. After the death of Jesus, his life and teachings were written with many tall tales (as I like to call them) about the great battles and accomplishments of Christians as well as success stories about the followers of Gods Word. All of these stories and some historical facts are written in the Bible, which is the ho ly text of the Christians. It explains how God created the Earth the creation of the Earth and man and it teaches how to be righteous. The founder of Islam was the Prophet Mohammed who was an orphan from the city of Mecca. Mohammed claimed to be visited by the Angel Gabriel who gave him the basis for this new religion. The Five Pillars of Islam are the basic laws to be a good Muslim. Declaring that there is no God but Allah, praying five times a day facing Mecca, fasting during set times, tithing for needy, and a journey to Mecca at least once in your lifetime. Some Muslims have a sixth pillar, jihad, which is translated into holy war (Variety page 234). Mohammeds teachings were not written until his death because there was no compelling reason to set his words down in some definite form. After the sudden death of Mohammed in 632, Caliph Abu Bakr ordered one of the prophets companions to collect, from oral and written sources, all of Mohammeds utterances (Quran page 225). They were written in the Quran which is basically the Muslim Bible. The Quran is the written version of the teachings that Mohammed preached while he was alive. A second source of guidance for most Muslims is al-Hadith (Tradition), a vast body of transmitted stories of what the Prophet said or did or what was said or done in his presence and therefore approved by him (Foundations page 225). Christianity is a very appealing religion because it seems to be so easy to understand and become a Christian where as Islam is very difficult. There are five set times a day in Islam where you have to stop everything and pray facing Mecca and Muslims go to church on Fridays. Christians are free to pray any way they want at any time they want and go to church on Sundays. The Bible is different in that it contains the teachings of Jesus, the direct Word of God, and many religious stories. The Quran contains only the teachings of Mohammed which is said to be the

Art Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Art - Essay Example He is a German painter, sculptor, graphic artist, and poet who spearheaded the principle of Surrealism which embraces unconventional art. One of his works that demonstrated surrealism would be â€Å"Oedipus Rex†, a painting of the hero in the Sophocles’ tragedy. Here one could see a picture of violence, seen through the depiction of the pierced fingers and walnut. The fingers are being speared by a bow-like device used to puncture the feet of birds so as to stop them from flying. However, the fingers do not bleed but the wound looks painful because of the penetration of the sharp object into the hand (Kuspit, D.). With all these said, the meaning of â€Å"Oedipus Rex† painting of Max Ernst is ambiguous, as opposed to the art of the 18th and 19th century. Looking at the painting, I would say that the person whose hand is being pierced is somewhat accepting the suffering he is undergoing despite the pain. Also, the fingers being pierced do not have any traces of bl ood which defies the concept of realism. All these sends contradicting messages that leave its audience wondering what the painter wanted to convey in the piece of art. Deducing Max Ernst’s â€Å"Oedipus Rex† painting and considering the transition of the changes from well-established principles of art to surrealism, I would say that this art attempted to veer away from realism, which is a principle which seeks to represent a subject matter truthfully. I would say so because though at first glance one would be able to immediately see suffering as a main subject in â€Å"Oedipus Rex†, one would start to see the irony of the scene when one looks closely on the details such as the pierced hand and fingers without any blood gushing out of it which is unrealistic. Aside from that, I strongly believe that Max Ernst tried to veer away from the confines of past artistic views of symbolism because he used strange symbols in his painting such as the walnut, birds in a box , bird with a horn, and a window which does not comprise of unified whole meaning. Also, Ernst’s bizarre painting resisted standards of rationality in such a way as the elements used in the painting could mean so many things because of its complexity. However, basing it in the predicament Oedipus was going through, the Sphinx actually refers to Oedipus himself giving the painting much depth as compared to works of art that embraces realism. On the other hand, the walnut refers to Hamlet’s statement, â€Å"O God, I could be bounded in a nut-shell, and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams" (Hamlet, II.2.247). The bird refers to Ernst pet cockatoo when he was a child which happened to die the same night his sister was born (Kuspit, D.). With all the complex symbolism Ernst used, one would only need to dig deeper into the elements of the painting in order to understand what he is trying to say. After studying Max Ernst’s â€Å" Oedipus Rex†, I would say that there is a huge change in his art as compared to the art in the 18th and 19th century wherein there are certain forms and styles being followed as opposed to the free flow of ideas and emotions being depicted in in â€Å"Oedipus Rex†. Though it is harder to understand, I would simply say that aside from it requiring a different kind of intellectual

Motivation at Workplace Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Motivation at Workplace - Assignment Example This paper illustrates that motivational scholars consider that for every last thing we do (actions and behavior) there is an essential cause or reason; as such it impacts our conduct', our decision of conduct and its perpetual quality, and the measure of exertion put into it. They additionally accept that energy about the reasons will empower forecast and hence take into account impact on those practices or activity. Contemporary exploration and hypotheses have developed and progressed subsequent to those of Skinner who considered execution taking into account inspirations from a behavioral perspective, while Maslow extended his needs pecking order to oblige inspiration regarding individuals trying to fulfill needs inside an orderly request that advances from physiological needs, to security, to social, to regard lastly acknowledgment toward oneself. His needs order represented the essentialness of fulfilling the needs of representatives if inspiration somehow happened to be affecte d and cultivated. Motivational research at the moment concentrates essentially on the determination of what great inspiration- what boost is obliged to expand inspiration - and takes both natural and outward inspiration into thought.