Business risk and risk assessment: Apple Essay

I. The Company’s Core Business Processes and Strategic Objectives The Company’s products can be divided into two main categories, personal computers and related products and portable digital music players and related products. Based on the annual report, the â€Å"Company designs, manufactures and markets† (Annual Report 2005 1) many variations of the products mentioned above. The more popular products of the Company include the â€Å"Macintosh line of desktop and notebook computers, the iPod digital music player, the Xserve G5 server and Xserve RAID storage products, a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications, the Mac OS X operating system, the iTunes Music Store, a portfolio of peripherals that support and enhance the Macintosh and iPod product lines, and a variety of other service and support offerings† (1). Design is mainly a concern of the Company’s research and development. Because the Company is in the technology industry, research and development is a crucial component of its operations. It is the manner by which the Company keeps its competitive advantage. In its annual report, the Company admitted that â€Å"the Company’s ability to compete successfully is heavily dependent upon its ability to ensure a continuing and timely flow of competitive products and technology to the marketplace† (14). As a corollary issue to research and development, creation, protection and acquisition of intellectual property rights are also a major concern for the Company. The Company is in possession of several patents and copyrights. On one hand, the Company is concerned with the protection of its patent, copyrights, trademarks and service marks worldwide. In the other, it must protect itself from infringing on others intellectual property rights. The Company does not only rely on its ability to create intellectual property, it also relies on those owned by third parties which are acquired through licensing agreements. Because the Company is engaged in producing technology year after year, the manufacture of the Company’s products may create complications. The Company manufactures personal computers and accessories, iPod digital music players and accessories and a variety of consumer and business software applications. The raw materials for these products are sourced elsewhere. There are certain key components that are sourced from one or limited outside source (Annual Report 2005 14). In 2005 and 2004, the Company experienced delays in relation to one of its products, the PowerPC G5 processors (14). This led to the non-availability of certain Apple products from the market (14). After this incident, the Company announced its intention to shift its Macintosh personal computers from PowerPC G5 and G4 processors to Intel Microprocessors (Apple to use Intel para. 1). This transition is expected to be fully implemented in 2007. The Company’s development of new products requires custom made raw materials that are initially single-sourced until the Company determines the need to develop new sources (Annual Report 2005 14). The manufacture of raw materials and the assembly of some of the Company’s products are made in several foreign countries by third party vendors. The Company’s marketing is done through the Company’s website, company-owned retail stores, direct selling by the Company’s sale force and third party wholesalers, resellers, and value added resellers. The Company’s main markets are usually in the following fields: education, business, creative and consumer market (Annual Report 2005 12). In 2005, the US education industry accounted for more than 12% of the Company’s net sales (12). The Company is not dependent on any single customer for its income. In fact, no single customer of the Company accounted for more than 10% of its sales for three succeeding fiscal years, 2003 to 2005 (12). The Company is divided into four reportable operating segments, America, Europe, Japan, and Retail. It also has an operating segment in Asia-Pacific. The three geographical segments mentioned above do not include retail. The Retail segment operates in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Japan. (3) The Company intends to continue its substantial investment in research and development. The Company’s strategic plan includes the improvement of the Company’s existing products, as well as the development of new ones (7). The Company also believes in the capitalizing in the convergence of digital consumer products (7). This is in keeping with industry trend. For example, both the Company and Microsoft have patents that would improve or create wifi-sharing ability (wireless connectivity) in iPod, iPhone and Zune (Cheng para. 1). Zune, Micosoft’s digital music player, already has a wireless sharing capability which the iPod hopes to emulate. The new patent of the Company may also make it possible for the consumer to directly purchase media from a server through the iPod or iPhone (para 5 and 6). The Company also plans to continue to exploit the perceived advantages of the Company’s products. These advantages are â€Å"innovative industrial design, intuitive ease-of-use, and built-in networking, graphics and multimedia capabilities† (Annual Report 2005 2). Another shift in the Company’s product development is the shift to â€Å"a greener apple.† The Company announced its intention to continue to remove toxic waste from new products and aggressively recycle old products (Jobs). The Company claims that it is leading the industry’s efforts to create more environmentally responsible company and products. The Company plans to create more energy efficient products in the future (para. 29). The Company is not alone in this. Other companies also exerted efforts to show social and environmental awareness. Sometime in 2007, Google released a more energy saving â€Å"black screen† after a study showing that a blacks screen uses less electricity than a white one. As far as its marketing is concerned, the Company plans to expand the distribution of its products. In the past year it has focused on adding on to its direct selling capabilities and the improvement of its sales staff. The Company will continue this style by building more Company-owned store in high traffic locations (Annual Report 2005 8). It also aims to widen its consumer base by targeting first-time computer owners and those people who do not own a Macintosh computer (8). The Company also plans to continue building brand awareness by increasing investment in marketing and advertising as shown by the increase in selling expenses over the years. II. Business Risks Research and development is a major component of the Company’s business risk. It involve a significant amount of the Company’s resources, with research and development expenditures amounting to $534  million, $489  million, and $471  million in 2005, 2004, and 2003, respectively (Annual report 2005 13). The benefits are also contingent on several factors, including the ability of the Company to determine which products or innovations can be successfully developed, manufactured and marketed. There is always the risk of choosing the wrong innovation to focus resources on. The failure to produce marketable products regularly means loss of resources and market standing. Research and development also has a legal risks involved. The Company has admitted that because of the rapid change in technology and the pace by which new patents are being issued, â€Å"it is possible certain components of the Company’s products and business methods may unknowingly infringe existing patents of others† (15). Aside from suits relating to infringement of intellectual property rights, the Company is also facing various suits in relation to its products and a derivative suit filed by its shareholders involving unfair competition and false and misleading proxy statements. In 2006, the Company was placed under scrutiny due to stock option grants, some of which are issued to the Company’s CEO, Steve Jobs, in 1997 and 2001 (Iwata). There were allegations of stockholders that the grant was part of a â€Å"backdating scheme†, a scheme were it is made to appear that the options are transacted at a later date when the shares are valued lower (Apple comes under scrutiny). The investigation showed thousands of backdating grants including two made to CEO Jobs, the second of which did not observe the requirements for validity (Iwata). CEO Jobs was not held accountable for the irregularity of the grant. However, because of the irregularity in the stock options grants issued, the Company restated prior years’ financial statements. Because of these events, the Company admitted in its annual report (2006) the there is further risk of â€Å"litigation, regulatory proceedings and government enforcement actions† (21). The manufacturing of the Company’s products raises some special concerns. As stated above certain key components can only be obtained from a single or limited source (Annual Report 2005 13). Even key components that are not from a single or limited source are sometimes subject to â€Å"availability constraints and pricing pressures† (13). In facts, sometime in 2005 and 2004, the company already experienced delays in acquiring key components which led the Company to change one of the major components of one of its products. The Company admits that the loss of certain suppliers would have an adverse effect on the Company (14). Because of this, there is a risk that the Company will not be able to meet demands for the Company’s products or that the Company will incur delay in the delivery the products ordered by customers. The Company also relies on third parties to supply digital content in its iTunes stores and to develop certain software applications. The failure of third parties to supply digital content does not only affect the performance of iTune stores but also the dominant position of the Company’s digital music player. In the same manner, the failure of software developers to develop programs compatible with the Company’s computer platform due to bigger market for Windows and Linux will adversely affect the demand for the Company’s personal computers. The use of foreign third party vendors in the final assembly of the Company’s portable products and as suppliers of raw materials increases the Company’s risk of being adversely affected by political and economic conditions in these foreign countries. Political upheaval and economic crisis in foreign countries can affect suppliers’ ability to meet the Company’s demand. The Company faces cut throat competition on many of its products. In the advent of personal computers, the Company owns a significant chunk of the market. Over the years, the Company’s market share grew smaller and smaller. In July 2006, the Company’s market share is around 2.2% (Apple market share myth), a significant drop from its original market share. However, percentage figures do not account for the growth in the PC market since its birth in the 1980’s. The decline in the Company’s market share can also be attributed to the growth of numerous generic brands that are much cheaper than the Company’s Mac computers. The proliferation of â€Å"clones† led many companies to lower their prices and profit margin to gain a bigger market share. There is an on going price competition in the PC market, and the Company is striving to be competitive in this area. However, the Company’s business strategy seems to focus less in making cheaper PCs but more on developing products that appeal to its niche market, such as the creative market (Annual Report 2005 2). This strategy of the Company is a business risk because the limited market base makes it more vulnerable to economic factors. Decline in spending ability of one of its niche market can have a greater impact on the company than if it has diverse market. On the other hand, it removes the Company from the competition in market segments that are already saturated with other players. Some analysts believe that part of the upside of the Company’s strategy is that it has refused to compete in a market over which Microsoft already has a monopoly (Apple market share myth). Microsoft has acquired a monopoly in the industry by selling cheap PCs with expensive software or a system called â€Å"exclusive software bundling.† This makes it difficult for other companies to develop operating system’s that are competitive with Microsoft’s. The Company’s strategy in focusing on the improvement of what the consumers perceived as the functional and design advantages of the Macintosh platform opens the Company to the risk mentioned above but it also removes it from the competing in saturated markets. The digital music player market is expected to grow up to 286 million units in 2010 (Guza para.1). The Company’s own product, iPod, continues to dominate the market; however, many competitors are cropping up, challenging the Company’s dominant position. Analyst believes that the Company should not be complacent regarding its dominant position in the business since the digital music player market is young and has only penetrated a small portion of the market in the United States (Siklos). Although many competitors have tried to challenge the Companies and failed, the competition is not giving up. Competitor, Microsoft, came up with Zune, its own brand of digital music player that is compatible with Microsoft’s own on-line music store. Samsung, Sandisk and Creative have came out with products of their own. Software, hardware and on-line companies are working together to address technical difficulties in the initial launch of their own digital music players, and imp roving their services (Wingfield para. 4). There is a risk that the Company’s music related products may follow the road of its personal computers. III. Three Most Significant Financial Statement Accounts The three most significant financial statement accounts for the Company are research and development, inventory, and common stock. Research and development is significant because the Company is engaged in the production and marketing of technology. Not only is research and development expense significantly higher compared to other industry, it is also the cost which enables the Company to continue its existence. In the industry where the Company belongs, obsolescence happens very fast. If the Company fails to innovate, there will come a time that the Company itself will be obsolete since the consumers have switched to the more recently developed products. Many of the Company’s strategic plans are tied up with research and development, such as the plans to improve existing products and the move towards convergence of digital products. The plans of the company to improve and to add innovations to existing products will involve a significant amount of the Company’s resources. The amount of the company’s resources spent in research and development are expensed outright, except for the costs which are incurred after the innovation has been determined to be technologically feasible (Annual Report 2005 68). The failure of the Company to produce technologically feasible products may increase research and development expense, in the same manner that the success of developing technologically feasible products does not necessarily decrease research and development expense. If all the cost for development of the product was incurred before it was determined to be technologically feasible, all cost are expensed outright regardless of feasibility. Based on the Company’s financial statements, capitalization of research and development expense is minimal (77). Inventory is significant for the Company since its operations involved both manufacturing and retail. The Company’s inventory is subject to several business risks already discussed above. In relation to the supplies issue, the Company entered into long-term supply agreements with several companies which bound the Company to these suppliers until 2010. As part of the agreement, the Company is required to make prepayment amounting to $1.25 billion in the second quarter of 2006. (Annual Report 2005 91) Part of the Company’s objectives is to ensure a continuing and timely flow of competitive products and technology to the marketplace. The achievement of this objectives means that the Company’s inventory levels are always sufficient to meet demands for the Company’s products. This would also mean that the Company has successfully managed it inventory during the year. Proper management of inventory would result in a year end inventory level is not too high or to low. The Company’s common stock is significant for the year 2006 because of the discovered irregularities in the issuance of stock option grants issued in 1997 and 2001. These resulted in allegations of fraud and falsification of documents (Wearden para.4). The Company has already investigated the matter, and the result of such investigation has exonerated CEO Steve Jobs of any misconduct. However, restatements of prior years’ financial statements were made, including the common stock and other related accounts (para. 3). This account is not necessarily affected by the Company’s strategic objectives. The stock option grant issue itself affected the performance of the Company’s stock in the market and even raised the issue of possibly delisting from NASDAQ, but which turned out be without bases. IV. Management Assertions The management assertions relevant to research and development expense are completeness, accuracy, cut-off and classification. Completeness is a relevant management assertion because research and development is an expense account, and so, there is a risk that the Company will not include all research and development cost incurred in order to increase the net income for the year. Accuracy is relevant because there is a risk that transactions relating to this account are not recorded properly, resulting in under or over statement of the expense account and, in effect, of net income for the fiscal year. Cut-off is relevant for research and development so that there is proper matching of the expense with the revenue earned during the fiscal year. Failure to record expense in the correct accounting period can also result to over or under statement of the net income for the year. Classification is also a relevant for research and development because there is a risk that the Company will capitalize research and development improperly resulting in the over statement of net income for the year and inflating the Company’s asset even if there are no expected future benefits. Failure to record the amount in the proper account can also mean that there is no matching of income and expense. The management assertions relevant to inventory are existence, valuation and rights. Existence is a relevant management assertion because there is a risk that the Company will record assets that are not there in order to make the financial conditions of the Company look better to investors. The recording of assets that do not exist can also mean failure to record expenses which, in effect, results to overstatement of net income. Valuation is also a relevant because there is a risk that the Company may overstate the value of the asset to improve the financial statement of the Company. In either management assertions, there is a risk of management inflating the asset of the Company usually to improve the stockholders’ equity of the Company. Management assertions as to rights over inventory is also relevant because there is a risk that the Company included in its assets, inventories whose ownership has already passed to another, to improve the financial statements of the Company. The management assertions relevant to common stock are existence and valuation. Existence is a relevant management assertion because there is a risk that the Company records stocks which are not actually subscribed and issued or issues stock for which no consideration was actually received by the Company, also called watered stocks. Valuation is also relevant because there is a risk that the Company will over value the property received in consideration for the stocks issued, particularly if the stock is issued for consideration other than cash, making it appear that the Company is better off than it actually is. Both management assertions can be used by the Company to lure investors to invest in the Company under false pretenses. Although wrong management assertions can be a result of other causes that are not deliberate on the part of management, such as mistakes. The assertions mentioned above are relevant to those accounts because there is the additional risk of deliberate misstatement on the part of management. V. Environmental Risks There is a low inherent, control and detection risk in management assertions of completeness and accuracy of the research and development expense based on the Company’s conservative approach in recording research and development, as well as, the relative simplicity of identifying and recording research and development expense. On the other hand, the management assertion relating to the cut-off of research and development expense is assessed as having high inherent, control and detection risk because of the lack of sufficient data regarding the Companies processes and controls relating to this account. Because the risks mentioned above are assessed at maximum, more substantial test shall be performed to decrease audit risk. There is a high inherent risk in the classification of research and development expense because of the difficulty of determining technological feasibility. The determination of Technological feasibility can be extremely subjective. On the other hand, there is low control and detection risk in the classification of research and development expense because based on the Company’s past practices, the Company is very conservative in capitalizing research and development expenses. The percentage of research and development expense capitalized by the Company is very small compared to the research and development expense incurred every year. It is the Company’s policy to record all development cost incurred before determination of technological feasibility as expense, and the determination of technological feasibility is usually done after a large portion of the cost of development has been incurred so that only a small portion of the cost is actually capitalized and amortized. The inherent, control and detection risk is high for all assertions related to inventory because the operations of the Company is complex and international. The final assemblies of some of the Company’s products which are performed by the Company itself are in different locations outside the United States. There are also final assemblies of the Company products that are performed by third parties in different countries in Asia. The Company also takes advantage of several ways of marketing its products. It uses company-owned stores, direct selling, third party sellers and on-line selling. These make it extremely difficult to keep track of the movement of the inventory and to determine when ownership over the inventory change hands. The inherent risk is assessed as high for the management assertion of existence and valuation of common stock. This is because of the investigation which the Company itself initiated in relation to its stock options grant. The investigation caused the Company to adjust its income from prior years amounting to $84 million. The Company also has stock-based compensation plans consisting of stock options grants and stock purchase plans (Annual Report 2005 88) which calls for complicated computations. The control and detection risk is assessed as low for the management assertion of existence and valuation of common stock because of the Company’s efforts to investigate the matter as soon as the problem arose. It was the Company itself that announced the existence of irregularities in the issuance of its stock options grant. The Company has put in placed control mechanisms to address the matter. Moreover, records of the investigation conducted can help the auditor minimize detection risk.

The legalization of drugs

Legalization of DrugsThe argument over the legalisation of drugs continues to upset society as clip progresses. All of us have in some manner or another, straight or indirectly, been affected by drugs, whether it be from a household member or the economic load on society. Morton. M. Kondracke, writer of the essay â€Å" Do n't Legalize Drugs, † begins by saying â€Å" the following clip you hear that a rummy driver had slammed into a school coach full of kids or that a hopped-up railway applied scientist killed 16 people in a train wreck, think about this: if advocators of legalisation have their manner, there will be more of this † ( Kondracke, 358 ) . Supporters of legalisation, on the other manus, frequently look towards the fiscal benefits and insist that drugs, peculiarly marihuana, be legalized and taxed ; hence, the authorities makes gross, and helps towards the economic system financially. Gore Vidal, protagonist of legalisation and writer of the essay â€Å" D rugs, † states that all drugs should be made available and sold at a cost ( Vidal, 355 ) . All of this may be true and helpful in a sense for a short piece, but looking towards the long tally many other facets besides need to be put into consideration. Aspects include additions in dependence rates, offense rates, every bit good as drug maltreatment. America is a consumer civilization which frequently abuses its freedoms. Knowing this important fact a decision can be reached that it excessively would mistreat drugs ensuing in lay waste toing outcomes. There is no a manner to halt drug usage realistically for there are those few that choose to disobey the jurisprudence, nevertheless it can be enforced, and legalising it is non the best option. If prohibited and enforced most people would fear the effects and would believe twice earlier utilizing an illegal substance. While the legalisation of drugs may sound reasonable and have some positive consequences, they are merely imperma nent and overall it is unlogical and merely leads to more corruptness, go forthing a negative impact on the American civilization. Today we live in a civilization where due to drugs, offenses and dependence rates have escalated. Drugs are related to offenses in assorted ways. It can be considered a offense to utilize, possess, industry, or administer drugs classified as holding a possible for maltreatment ( such as cocaine, diacetylmorphine, marihuana, and pep pills ) . Drugs are besides related to offense through the effects they have on a user ‘s behaviour and by bring forthing force and other illegal activity in connexion with drug trafficking ( Spiess, n.pag. ) . Persons who produce, sell, traffic, or utilize illegal drugs have already established themselves as people who will interrupt the jurisprudence, and are likely perpetrating other felonies, such as robbery, colza, and slaying. If such persons are in prison because of these felonies, they are non able to travel out and perpetrate other offenses ; nevertheless, if they are set free due to the legalisation of drugs who knows the result that would ensue. At a lower limit, they are at least off the streets, unable to bring more mayhem. Statisticss have shown that offense rates in states that have legalized drugs, such as Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Switzerland have skyrocketed. Switzerland, ended their experiment with decriminalisation after sing an unacceptable addition in usage, force, offense, wellness costs, and effects. Leting a metropolis park to be used as a â€Å" drug legalized † country of Zurich, the figure of nuts escalated from a few hundred to over 20,000 within several old ages ( Cohen, n.pag. ) . Take a minute and believe about this ; that was merely a park, conceive of the effects on a whole state. America is already known for its offense and drug rates. Imagine the effects of legalising drugs and what that would ensue in. Aboard offense rates, dependence rates for teens and grownups have shot up every bit good. Drugs can be closely related and compared to coffin nails and intoxicant for they have all resulted likewise in negative effects that have impacted the universe greatly. As Kondracke discusses in his statement towards drugs, 10 to fifteen per centum of all drinkers turn into alkies ( 10-17 million ) , bing the economic system an estimated $ 117 billion dollars. Similarly, harmonizing to Dr. David I. McDonald, Ronald Reagan ‘s drug maltreatment policy adviser, surveies indicate that marihuana is every bit addictive as intoxicant. They conclude that 6 million people will go potheads and 8.5 million will go coke nuts ( Kondracke, 360 ) . These are merely estimations, but the consequences could be much greater. When British doctors were allowed to order diacetylmorphine to certain nuts, the figure skyrocketed from 68 British nuts in the plan to an estimated 20,000 diacetylmorphine users in Lo ndon entirely ( Walters, A10 ) . We have already seen the affects and maltreatments of intoxicant and coffin nails from a day-to-day point of view than why would we promote or even think about adding and legalising any other substances. In a manner the point of drugs is to acquire a â€Å" high † or some kind of poisoning. Unlike intoxicant, which may take a piece to kick in or acquire a bombilation, marihuana and other substances are about instant. â€Å" Of the 115 million Americans who consume intoxicant, 85 per centum seldom become intoxicated ; with drugs, poisoning is the whole ideal † ( Kondracke, 359 ) . Based entirely from basic cognition one can without uncertainty recognize why legalisation of drugs would be an irrational action. Drug maltreatment plays a major function as a portion of this argument every bit good. Peoples take drugs, in comparing to alcohol, to certain extents ensuing in serious conditions to even deceases. Aside from illegal drugs, people are besides mistreating prescribed drugs every bit good, such as cold and cough medicines to trouble stand-ins. â€Å" Drug maltreatment entirely costs an estimated $ 55 billion in 1998 ( excepting condemnable justness costs ) , and deceases straight related to drug usage have more than doubled since 1980 † ( Walters, A10 ) . Though medicative drugs are made for a good cause they still are abused and have side effects that can ensue in a assortment of issues. Medical marihuana, for illustration, has documented possible side effects including insomnia, depression, facial tics and scrawny growing ( Katherine, 39A ) . â€Å" In 2006, 2.1 million teens abused prescription drugs † ( Alcohol and Drug Use, n.pag. ) . If teens are mistreating legal p rescribed drugs at this age conceive of what they would make if illegal drugs were legalized. To give present twenty-four hours examples we can take celebrated figures such as Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, and Anna Nicole Smith who are merely a few illustrations of persons who have been involved with drug maltreatment ensuing in their deceases. â€Å" Michael Jackson ‘s flooring inadvertent decease in June was merely the latest in a twine of high-profile human deaths from the maltreatment of multiple prescription medicines. Actor Heath Ledger and the theoretical account and sex symbol Anna Nicole Smith died late in comparable fortunes â€Å" ( Clemmit, n.pag. ) . The above mentioned illustrations are merely a few of many to come if drugs are legalized. Supporters of legalisation have certain fortunes in which they argue can ensue in a positive impact if drugs were legalized and experience that drug issues originate due to the fact of them being illegal. These fortunes include legalising marihuana to do it a societal drug, and in bend would assist in profiting the authorities financially. Besides, legalisation would take to a lessening in offenses. So far this twelvemonth, about 4000 people have died in Mexico ‘s drug war – a horrifying toll. Most of the jobs stem non from drugs themselves, but from the fact that they are illegal. The obvious reply, so, is to do them legal ( Wilson, 32 ) . Supporters agree that if drugs are made legal like intoxicant and coffin nails society will accommodate and turn boring of it, seting it aside. It will be common and there wo n't be much ballyhoo about it. Harmonizing to Vidal, as stated before, all drugs should be made legal and sold at a cost ( Vidal, 355 ) . A huge sum of money is raised through authorities revenue enhancement from intoxicant and coffin nails. Supporters feel that the legalisation of drugs, chiefly marihuana, would make another point that could be taxed and can be good financially to the authorities. â€Å" Tax foreman Betty T. Yee, president of the State Board of Equalization, backs the program and says it could bring forth one-year revenue enhancement grosss of $ 1.4 billion. â€Å" I think the tide is get downing to turn in footings of marihuana being portion of the mainstream † ( Katel, 19 ) . They believe this can be a scheme to assist raise economic growing financially. As for the offenses, protagonists agree that since the drugs would be allowed, there would non be any issues of robbery or battles since the drug trusts would be ran out of concern. They argue that prohibition of drugs is what causes those offenses. â€Å" Prohibition as a policy has failed. Just expression at the US, where 100s of 1000s of people have been jail ed and, despite one million millions of lbs of support for Draconian policies, higher pureness drugs continue to deluge the market † ( Chand, n.pag. ) . These averments are valid to a certain extent, but overall fail and lead to more issues. In resistance to the averments made above, it can be argued that none of those fortunes would ensue in a positive impact. Marijuana would non go a societal drug, for the fact being that it would be adapted by many people. In add-on, though revenue enhancements could be charged, there would be other costs aside of it, and offenses would still go on to gyrate up. Marijuana would non go a societal drug because though many may acquire tired of it, the newer and newer coevalss would accommodate it and go on it as a tendency. Besides before it could melt off, there would be another drug. In add-on, to compare it with coffin nails and intoxicant, both of those are still alive and good abused today, so what ‘s the opportunity that marihuana would differ. The Indiana University Prevention Resource Center youth drug usage study shows pupils use intoxicant and other drugs more often and at younger ages. For the 3rd consecutive twelvemonth, marihuana usage increased among all pupils in classs 6-12 and in all steps of prevalence -lifetime, one-year, monthly and day-to-day usage ( Drug, intoxicant usage increases among Indiana pupils, 8 ) . Now imagine, that is merely one school out of 1000s across the US. Harder and harder drugs are being abused more earnestly as the ages addition and the consequences are lay waste toing. Prior research based on representative samples drawn from the general population suggests that people tend to follow a common developmental tract from usage of intoxicant as young persons through possible usage of marihuana as teens potentially taking to utilize of more serious substances as grownups ( Golub, 607 ) . As for the costs, they excessively would decidedly lift due to a necessity of new intervention installati ons and clinics. If legalising drugs save $ 30 billion now being spent on jurisprudence enforcement and offense, a doubling of usage and maltreatment agencies that other costs would lift to $ 140 billion or $ 210 billion † ( Kondracke, 360 ) . The money would come out of our pockets for the authorities would non be able to fund and supply for all of the installations and who knows how worse the economic system could acquire. Furthermore, while the legalisation of drugs may diminish offense rates in some countries, it will increase offense rates in others. Traffic misdemeanors and accidents are likely to increase. Besides, many people are incarcerated due to a offense that they have committed while intoxicated, so how will the legalisation of these substances assistance in anyone ‘s good behaviour? Legalization could ensue in an addition in offenses because the trusts would be idle and looking for retaliation. Aside from the trusts, many people while drunk may drive, or commit felonies that may ensue in hurts, or deceases which excessively are considered offenses. A recent illustration in July affecting a adult female intoxicated and under the influence killed eight including her girl and three nieces due to the fact that she had smoked marijuana right before driving. The toxicology trials revealed that Schuler had twice the legal bound of intoxicant in her blood watercourse and had smoked marihuana s shortly before the accident ( Tresniowski, 80 ) . These are merely a few of many illustrations of what legalisation of drugs could ensue in and go forthing a negative impact on America. While the legalisation of drugs may sound reasonable, it is full of mistakes which may greatly impact the society and those around it. Drug issues continue to promote and spread out, and legalising drugs will no farther consequence in a benefit. Legalizing drugs can take to an addition in dependence rates, offense rates, and maltreatment. These issues will go on and should be farther enforced. The argument on whether or non drugs should be legalized is everlasting, but this can be changed. Statistics every bit good as mundane illustrations have proven the affects drugs have on a society, than why farther promote them. Enforcing drugs and forbiding them will assist maintain a balance between those who have already been affected and those unaffected.Plants Citedâ€Å" Alcohol & A ; Drug Use. † CDC Online. 23 Mar. 2009. 11 Oct. 2009..Chand, Kailash â€Å" Should drugs be decriminalized? YES. ( Cover narrative ) . † BMJ: British Medical Journal 10 Nov. 2007: 966. Academic S earch Premier. EBSCO. Web. 13 Oct. 2009.Clemmitt, Marcia. â€Å" Medication Abuse. † CQ Researcher 19.35 ( 2009 ) : 837-860. CQ Researcher. Web. 13 Oct. 2009..Cohen, Roger. â€Å" Amid Turning Crime, Zurich Closes A Park It Reserved for Drug Addicts. † NY Times. 11 Feb. 1992: 10A. Web. 12 Oct. 2009.â€Å" Drug, intoxicant usage increases among Indiana pupils. † Nation ‘s Health 25.9 ( 1995 ) : 8. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 13 Oct. 2009.Golub, Andrew, and Bruce D. Johnson â€Å" The switching importance of intoxicant and marihuana as gateway substances among serious drug maltreaters. † Journal of Studies on Alcohol 55.5 ( 1994 ) : 607. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 13 Oct. 2009.Katel, Peter. â€Å" Legalizing Marijuana. † CQ Researcher 19.22 ( 2009 ) : 525-548. CQ Researcher. Web. 13 Oct. 2009..Katherine, Ellison â€Å" Medical Marijuana: No Longer Just for Adults. † New York Times 22 Nov. 2009: 39A. Academic Search Pre mier. EBSCO. Web. 23 Nov. 2009.Kondracke, Morton M. â€Å" Do n't Legalize Drugs † . Readings for Writers ( 13th Edition ) . Ed. Jo Ray McCuen-Metherell and Anthony C.Winkler. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2010. 358-362Spiess, Michele and Deborah Fallow. â€Å" Drug-Related Crime. † Mar. 2000. White House Drug Policy. 11 Oct. 2009.Tresniowski, Alex, et Al. â€Å" FAMILIES DESTROYED. † Peoples 72.8 ( 2009 ) : 80-84. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 13 Oct. 2009.Vidal, Gore. â€Å" Drugs † . Readings for Writers ( 13th Edition ) . Ed. Jo Ray McCuen-Metherell and Anthony C.Winkler. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2010. 355-356.Bruno walters, John P. â€Å" Do n't Legalize Drugs. â€Å" Wall Street Journal. 19Jul.2002, Eastern edition: ABI/INFORM Global, ProQuest. n.pag. Web. 13 Oct. 2009Wilson, Clare â€Å" Legalise drugs. ( Cover narrative ) . † New Scientist 203.2725 ( 2009 ) : 32-33. Academic Search Premier. EBSCO. Web. 23 Nov. 2009.

Statements of cash flows Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Statements of cash flows - Research Paper Example This explains why bank overdrafts are not part of financing activities. Additionally, the information presented on cash flow of IFRS is quick and easy to flow. Each entity is supposed to present cash flow statement in such a way that it gives an appropriate reporting of financing activities, investing, and operating. For instance, during the investing activities, it is expected that the firm acquires and uses the long term assets and other activities in the investment process that are not equivalent to cash flow. Additionally, it outlines investment activities as clearly cut and some of the examples of the investment activities undertaken during this time include paying cash to get the service or good to be used in the long-term service. The good or services involved in this case are the long term and intangible assets. Hence they break down into materials used during self construction, to acquire plant or machinery (Stephen & Norbert). Moreover, cash receipts received after selling an acquired asset should be part of investment activities. It generally involves the sale of a plant, property and equipment. Another thing considered is debt instrument or rather sales equity of entities and the interests acquired through the joint ventures. However, receipts from those entities that are classified as cash equivalent especially if they are held for trading and should be omitted. Furthermore, the advances of loans and cash from other parties are classified in this section together with their cash receipt repayment which includes loans to other parties involved ( AICPA). Other investment activities classifications includes cash gotten from securities like forward, option, future or swap contracts and they should appear on the cash flow statements. It only excludes these securities when the accounts are held for dealing and as a result, the payments are classified in part of financial undertakings. Noting here that, the account may be accounted as a hedge it is theref ore classified in this section of the cash flow. In the operation activities just like in IFRS cash flow method, are various methods that are described as the principal revenue producing operation. Therefore, a cash flow from the operation activities may result after transactions or other conditions bring in ways of profit determination or losses determination. Example of these operation activities are cash gotten from the sale of good or after the firm has rendered some services. It includes the cash received from loyalties, commission, fee and other revenues. Besides, it shows payment of cash on behalf of or to the employee. Also, it include activities like refunding of taxes or any other cash payments made by the company unless they are stated to specifically associate with the other cash flow activities. Actually, it is supposed to include cash received, all payments gotten from an investment, loan among other money contracts held during trading purposes and they are classified as inventory specifically acquired for resale (Stephen & Norbert). It is therefore evident that just like in IFRS, when accounting one should show some transaction under operation activities, which includes the firm selling machinery and this result to the firm gaining or loosing. Therefore, cash flows experienced from these transactions are classified to being from

Field Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Field Project - Essay Example During the interview, he cites practices that differentiate Judaism from other religions as described by Jewish ideologies. After presenting the differences, he dwelled on the history of Jews as a community. There are few similarities between Jewish practices with Christianity from the explanations. The argument here is that beliefs of the Jews are slightly different because they emanate from the teachings of the Torah (Old Testament) and not the New Testament as the case with Christianity (Grabbe 2008). Additionally, the interviewee’s revelations highlighted the significance of religious practices amidst the Jews. I chose to interview the old man because I believed he had practiced Judaism for years. This is a clear indication that he was a committed Jew. Prior to the interview, he stated that he had been practicing the religious principles since he was a teenager. The expression on his face suggested that he was passionate about spreading the gospel of Judaism even to Non-Je ws. Furthermore, he exuded confidence in his beliefs making it difficult to convince him to embrace an alternative religion. During the interview, the old man narrated with vigor the history of the Jewish nation, though it was difficult to separate the facts and concerns presented. The argument here is that interviewee highlighted that modernity has influenced the traditions of Jews significantly because it was difficult for the present day Jews to uphold the principles with ease (Deutsch and Avi, 2011). The interviewee was excited that authorities in non-Jewish states were planning to enact laws to recognize the rights of Jews to practice their religion without interference from the state. During the interview, the old man gave me a book containing information on the practices of the Jews. The important idea is that the book outlined the beliefs that were fundamental in the course of strengthening the relationship of believers with God (Sand, 2010). There are no specific requiremen ts that one had to meet in order to join Jewish faith. However, just like any other religion of the world, Jews ought to uphold the doctrines of Judaism with dignity. Furthermore, Jews should stick to Judaism with the intention of receiving insights from God. As portrayed in Christianity, Judaism is equally monotheistic. The Jews believe God is mysterious. According to the old man, Israel is the first nation that God created, meaning that the land where Israelites reside is holy because God gave it to them. Jews should offer their sacrifices from the land. Consequently, Moses made an agreement with God when stepping on the land. According to Jews, God is omnipresent, and his presence is not only limited to the perception of believers. Consequently, Jews respect and obey authority as a sign of adhering to the principles of Jewish practices. The argument here is that, Jews have a different understanding of the manifestation of God in the lives of human beings (Grabbe, 2008). Sections of Jews believe that God blesses and punishes depending on the behavior of individuals. The rest believes in the autonomy of man to have control over the universe and his judgments. Prayer is integral in seeking connection with the almighty God. The interviewee indicated that Jews are obligated to pray as a way of maintaining connections with the creator. Prayer is not limited to the expression of personal needs, but it is a commitment that allows one to keep in- touch with God. Jews also believe

Understanding Concepts of Strategy in Business and War Essay

Understanding Concepts of Strategy in Business and War - Essay Example In war, the strategy calls for a careful study of the weakest areas within the enemy camp, and in business one of the first steps in the struggle to succeed is to target the weak spots in the structure of a rival company. It is equally important to establish a final goal. Is winning enough? The strategy is not successful if a country or a company cannot maintain its position, especially in a global society. There must be a plan for follow-up when the initial goal is met. One example of the failure to establish a final goal is the â€Å"war† in the Middle East. The concept in both war and business is to be a winner and not a loser, but U.S. presence in Iraq shows no signs of reaching its unrealistic goal. Setting a target and meeting goals could be regarded as two of the external environmental factors necessary for success in both war and business. However, in addition to understanding the opposition, it is important in both areas to train a contingent of individuals, whether troops or employees, to learn the rules and work together to resolve any weaknesses within the organization or blog. Thornton (2006) notes that by establishing organized troops and having a vision of what he wished to achieve, Alexander the Great from the small country of Mesopotamia was able to defeat armies ten times his size due to his strong leadership skills. These are the skills needed by CEOs in successful companies and can be considered another of the inner environmental factors needed in both war and business planning.

Katrina Course work Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Katrina Course work - Coursework Example If people will not do something about it, chances are, the city will eventually vanish. Hurricane Katrina started as a tropical depression twelve due to the interaction of the tropical wave and the tropical depression. It transformed into the tropical storm status and in the span of 2 hours became a hurricane. The intensity ceased for a moment but came back growing from Category 3 hurricane to category 5 in the span of 9 hours. It decreased its intensity when it was absorbed by a frontal boundary. Yes, because the continuous rise of the intensity of the hurricane from tropical depression was nonstop. It started as a tropical depression on the 23rd of August, and within just a few hours, it transformed into category 1, to category 3, and finally made its strongest as category 5 hurricane. No, Hurricane Katrina was an extremely powerful storm. It was just too strong making it one of the five deadliest hurricanes in America and Katrina could easily change its intensity in just a few hours making it hard for the government and the people to make thorough

Seasory Perceptions Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Seasory Perceptions - Term Paper Example The nature has laid down this error free network of neurons in such a way that there is no reason left why we should not believe in the accuracy of our sensory perceptions. (2) The law of size constancy is another reason why sensory information is always correct. Even if the visual angle of the object changes, its size as perceived by our sense of sight always remains the same. Visual angle is the size of that inverted image that is formed on the retina of the eye by the light reflected from the object. This perception of an object size even after a change in its visual angle is accurate enough even in an infant of a few weeks. (3) Human ear is able to perceive sounds that are as deep as 16 cycles per second and as high in pitch as 28,000 cycles per second. â€Å"Some people have "perfect pitch", which is the ability to map a tone precisely on the musical scale without reference to an external standard† (Zamora, 2006). This makes us believe that sensory perception is very accu rate. Factors contributing to the accuracy of sensory data The biggest factor that contributes to the accuracy of the sensory data is Nature itself. Nature has provided man with best and perfect tools like eye for sight, nose for smell, ears for hearing, tongue to taste, and fingers and skin to sense touch. These tools and their senses are so perfect that nobody can dare to challenge the accuracy of these. There is nothing compatible to Nature. Other factors that contribute to the accuracy of sensory data perception involve genetics obviously. Genes tend to pass on traits from one generation to the next. It is seen that individuals are different from each other because of their genetic makeup granted to them by their parents. Some can perceive information in a better way than others. This is because their genetic traits carry such information in them that help those individuals to perceive and think in a better way. Also, the accuracy of sensory data depends upon the correctness of sensory organs too. If there is a fault in the eye like â€Å"certain corneal injuries† (Miller, 2006, p.54), the vision is disturbed. If an ear is faulty, hearing is affected. This is the case with all the senses. Thus, the accuracy of sensory information also depends on the accuracy of the sensory organs. Roles of â€Å"nature† and â€Å"nurture† in the interpretation and evaluation of sensory data Sleeper and Chudler (2007, p.14) assert that â€Å"nature refers to skills humans are born with, and nurture refers to skills humans learn.† Every human being has some inborn or hereditary qualities that are passed over to him through genes; but, there are a lot of other qualities that he learns over time through knowledge and experience. Some researchers support the argument that nature is responsible for the makeup of an individual’s behavioral patterns which help him perceive, interpret and analyze sensory data. Opponents of this approach argue that this interpretation of sensory information has nothing to do with genes because a human being and his sensory perception of knowledge can be modified into whatever kind the nurturer wants him to grow into. We believe that both perspectives are correct. As stated earlier, genes tend to gift a person such traits that help him to use his sensory organs in the best way. Also, a person’s sensory interpretation can be improved through artificial ways like training sessions,

Position paper over why marijuana should be legalized for recreational Essay

Position paper over why marijuana should be legalized for recreational use - Essay Example This comparison significantly influence public perception on the issue. In analyzing the arguments on for and against marijuana, supporting the legalization of marijuana has more benefits to the society than its negative effects. Consequently, marijuana should be legalized for recreational use. Most criticism on marijuana are based on the medical impact on the user. Similar to most drugs, marijuana has side effects. However, the side effects of the drug can be easily addressed. In comparison to legal and most abused drugs in the United States, marijuana poses the less significant health risks. In an argument by Brewer the health risks associated to cigarettes and alcohol cannot be compared to that of marijuana (1). For instance, numerous studies have shown the cancerous effects of tobacco. Apart from studies, it is proven that cigarette use is a major cause of cancer. This is dissimilar to marijuana. The drug still has zero proven cases reported as a cause of cancer. Still on cigarettes, tobacco is highly addictive compared to marijuana. Rampant users have difficulty in refraining from its use. On the other hand, marijuana addiction are rare as users easily cope with absence. Comparing the two drugs, Brewer is of the assumption that tobacco is hugely dangerous to human hea lth than tobacco (1). The author further asserts that tobacco has been a cause of death of 500,000 people annually in the United States (Brewer 1). From this provisions, one may assert that is cigarette is a legal drug, marijuana should also be legal. The argument is based on the adverse effects of tobacco on human health as compared to tobacco. The same comparison could be made on the effects of alcohol. As reported by the CDC, 25,000 deaths caused by alcohol overdose were reported in 201 (Brewer 1). In addition, 16,000 liver disease deaths were contributed to alcohol abuse (Brewer 1). These statistics display the impact of the health hazards associated with alcohol abuse. The same

Strategic human resource management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Strategic human resource management - Essay Example Strategic human resource management (SHRM) is a field of HR that highlights how the human resource of the organization contributes to the attainment of the desired goals by means of various HR strategies, policies and practices. This approach considers human resource as the primary factor contributing to the success of the organization It is as Leif Edvinsson (2002) puts it: â€Å"The only vital value an enterprise has is the experience, skills, innovativeness and insights of its people† (12 Manage). In addition to that, it is of the view that the success of any organization is actually dependent on the factor of best fit between the business strategies and its human resource strategies (Armstrong, p. 33). SHRM constitutes a mindset based on certain concepts rather than a set of techniques. It revolves around three primary propositions, which are as follows: The human capital of all the organizations is a primary asset, which when put to effective use, plays a strategic role i n its success and can be a major source of competitive advantage for the organization. The human resource strategies should be in perfect alignment to the business level strategies of the organization and its mission and vision. The human resource strategies at individual level should be coherent and should be designed in a manner that they provide a mutual support (Armstrong, p. 34). This paper aims to shed light on the factor of Strategic human resource management in view of the airlines industry, which have been subject to a deluge of turmoil over the past few years. In the light of the various economical crises, the situation has not only changed on the customer side of the picture, but it has had a huge impact on the industrial level as well. The organizations all over the world are in a state of struggle to keep with the needs and wants of the customer. This in turn, pushes the organizations to make their internal functions all the more effective and efficient and requires the m to not only be vigilant in their resource deployments and other such major strategies, but also in effectively managing their workforce. This whole study would be done with reference to the Canadian Airline established in 1987, which later ceased its operation in 2000 and was merged with Air Canada. Issues in the Airline Industry: An airline is an industry that is highly sensitive to economical changes. Such changes not only impact the productivity side of the industry, but also influence the side of the consumer, in turn affecting the profitability of organizations working in this industry. The industry can be observed on a continuous cycle of gigantic profits and mammoth losses. A few of the factors having a direct influence on the airlines industry are given as follows: Recession: The airline industry gets highly affected by the downturns in the economical circle owing to the fact that in such a scenario, the business travel that can also be constituted as the bread and butter of the airline industry gets cut down when the economy is facing a slump. The lengthy global recession of the past few years has now turned into the single biggest challenge being faced by the airlines industry. This has resulted in weak revenues and air travel (Reals, 2008). Soaring Fuel Prices: The industry that is getting most affected by the hike in the oil prices is the airline industry. It has now turned into a tedious task for the airlines to cope up with such colossal fuel prices that are so intense that they are even pushing several airlines to bankruptcy. Those that do continue to operate in such unsteady conditions are having to face immense financial burden along with thinning profit margins in these pricey fuel times (Fleming, 2011). Terrorist Attacks: The 9/11 attack on the world trade centre and the global conditions that followed served as a serious blow to the airline industry, which was having to through a tough time due to the factor of recession even before the a ttack. This

The statement of Goals for BSPH Essay Example for Free

The statement of Goals for BSPH Essay Different people have different ambitions in life. These ambitions can either make or break a person. Ever since I was a child, I have always wanted to indulge myself in public health. This volition was strongly influenced by the fact that my grandfather was the chairman of Red Blood, an organization based in Hong Kong. My grandfather impressed me in a lot of ways, especially in terms of his work. He shared with me his insights and the pertinent information necessary to succed in his field of work. After the SARS breakout in Hong Kong in 2003, I became more and more indulged into the field and in helping others. So I decided that I should now go out of my way to widen my knowledge about Public Health. As I indulge myself in this field, I plan to major in the Health Policy and Administration. With the kind of experiences that I have, I am proud to say that I demonstrate the qualities and the experiences required of a good leader. In my college days, I became one of the founding members of the Association of International Business and Economics Research (AIBER). The group aimed to provide students with quality research and information specifically on business and economics. I was then appointed as president of the group after half a year of active involvement. Our society was even recognized as the most outstanding extracurricular society in our college. My thrive to be successful did not stop there. I was also an active member of the leadership society of my college; at the same time, was also the activities director of International Student Association. My dream of becoming successful was finally taking place I was one of the youngest leaders in my school during that time. As persistent as I can be, I honed my craft even after college. I was an office clerk for Manulife Financial Limited in the summer of 2005. The best part of them all was the fact that I was recommended by my school and sent to Singapore to participate in its exchange program. The experience taught me not only to widene my perspective, but also crafted my intrpesonal, communication, and leadership skills. We all know that the health of individuals can be detrimental to the economic stability of ones country. With this in mind, I plan to use all of my acquired knowledge and experiences to the upheaval of my society. Studies will be conducted so as to have an idea on which areas to focus on. From this, new policies and rules will be stipulated so as to resolve the problems, if not totally eliminate them. For others, public administration is very simple and easy and I beg to disagree with them. It may be easy to handle a few people, but when you talk about taking care of a town, a city, or even a country – careful considerations must be given. We should be very careful when dealing with even the smallest detail, because these details may even be the cause of yet a bigger problem. When accepted at _____________________(Please put the name of your college), I know that the knowledge that I have acquired through the many years of experience will be well crafted by this school.

Human dignity

Human dignity Human Dignity 1 Introduction Catholic Social Teaching is developed of both Sacred Scripture and the Natural Law custom. In the philosophical Natural Law, we have a vocabulary that tries to hold on reasons. To this the Natural law says and declares that all Human Beings have all have a broad spectrum of right and wrong. In fact, Thomas Aquinas reasons that â€Å"some goods are natural and evident to all†. This uniqueness of nature is the groundwork of the liberties and privileges of every human individual. Although some countries dont recognise these rights or privileges, these privileges are the dignity of a person from the moment of conception. The dignitys objective, derives from the origin in God and Creator, which extends to the spirituality of the soul which is an element key . Nobody can remove the spirituality of the soul, and everyone should have respect in others and in themselves. This spiritual element involves equal dignity and it lingers in each stage of in period of the personal human life. Natural dignity is recognised in the order, as like Vatican II reminds us: â€Å"Furthermore, while there are rightful differences between people, their equal dignity as persons demands that we strive for fairer and more humain conditions† Dignity is possessed by one who is a person or human, and therefore this is the distinction which animals differ from humans. For this reason, what shall be left of humans if dignity is taken away from them? In his Summa Teologica which was up to 2,000,000 words and still unfinished at the time of his death, Thomas Aquinas wrote: â€Å"Is in order perfect himself in his specific order, the person must do good and avoid evil. The person must also be concerned for the transmission and preservation of life, refine and develop the richness of the material world, cultivate social life, seek truth, practise well and contemplate beauty†. The natural law, is described, in so far, as natural right and in order for a human to achieve common good, one must have full esteem for human dignity. In the International Declarations we find the protection of ever human beings dignity. It gives essence of the rights of men and the assurance of equality. 2 What is Humanity? Humanity can be seen in many forms, forms which are opposite and conflicting which are put forward by many people. Humanity is also referred to as uncertainty and sorrow or distress and the Church shows it concern about these hitches, in fact the Church itself can propound a clarification by which the shape of humanity may be illustrated. The Church also explains the vulnerability and difficulty of humanity in a manner which the dignity and calling/vacation be professed in the divine, true light. In the Sacred Scriptures we see that it illustrates how women and men were created â€Å"in the image of God† What are women and men that you are mindful of them, their sons and daughters that you care for them? You have made them little less than angels, and crown them with glory and honour. You have given them dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under their feet (Ps 8:5-8). 1 3 Of the dignity of human person and law The essential nature of the fundamental right of the human person, and amongst them the primary right to life, seems to have always consisted of the fact that they can be neither conceded nor derogated by any human power. This is because these rights have their foundation not in an act of human will, but in the very nature and dignity of men. The exact dignity of a human person is frequentlu recognizable by the various human cultures that brought the light of the fundamental rights of the Universal Declaration. In the porous of the declaration on reads: â€Å"the recognition of the personal dignity and the equal and alienable rights of all the members of the human family constitute the basis of freedom and peace in the world† and â€Å"All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights† The dignity of a person is set out in many situations. Some Christian Anthropologists explain how a person seen in the image of God, possesses the dignity of a person and is to be respected and treated as a person from the very beginning of his conception till his death. For believers, an embryo has the dignity and the quality of a person, and it doesnt need to have achieved certain skills to have dignity. These principles mentioned are all principles believed of course, by beleivers who beleive in the Church and most of all in Christ. So what non-believers believe and think about human dignity, is difficult to be elucidated. Moral necessity also takes a major part in dignity as dignity is a unique excellence of values. For example animals are killed for specific reasons to be eaten by human beings, but if they are slaughtered or killed on order to take their fur for aesthetic purposes, then this goes against nature and the personal dignity forbids any such acts. The world has become a dangerous place. This is a fact. Human dignity gets into place in many circumstances. Every time we switch on our televisions or our radios, all we hear are; terrorism which creates a vicious cycle of violence, abduction, war, poverty, cases of natural catastrophes and people turning out without homes, racism and daily needs. Another issue of human dignity may also be the emancipation of a person by a state. For a man to live in dignity, it is precisely necessary that society never again obtains as an abstraction over and above the social individual. Even acts of inhuman and degradation especially in third world countries not to mention Sharia Laws in Iran, where women are put in shame, murdered brutally or worse are tortured, leaving a person partly inoperative. It is obvious that Human Dignity is not believed, thaught and exercised in every country, and in my opinion, lot of work among states, has to be finalised and put into effect, in order to stop these kinds of ridiculous atrocities. Pope announced these words on the 16th February, 2010, regarding human dignity,using these immemorable words: â€Å"Bioethical questions often throw light on the dignity of the person, a fundamental principle which faith in Jesus Christ, has always defended, especially when it is overlooked in dealings with the most simple and defenceless people. Bioethics, like any other discipline, needs guidelines capable of guaranteeing a coherent reading of the ethical questions which inevitably emerge when faced with possible conflicts of interpretation. In this space lies the normative call to natural moral law. Recognising human dignity as an inalienable right has its first foundation in that law unwritten by the hand of man but inscribed by God the Creator in mans heart which all juridical systems are called to recognise as inviolable, and all individuals to respect and promote. Without the basic principle of human dignity it would be difficult to find a wellspring for the rights of the person, and impossible to reach ethical judgements about those scientific advances which have a direct effect on human life. 2 4 On Children and their learning Education is a very important aspect of life. Education derives mostly from school although the surroundings of home takes a big part of it. Children like every human being, are not the same; every child is unique and distinctive, and so every child holds special qualities. During teaching in schools, there can be cases where the teacher, instead of being patient with a student and explains to him/her what the student is not understanding, the teacher mocks, criticizes etc.. the student. And so the child concerned undergoing this accusations and shalmless situation, is being deprived of his dignity. This is shameless as the concerned child/student will feel ashamed, angry and shuts down his thinking because he may be blamed for being ignorant. If the child is repetitively called ignorant or other names, he/she will grow up thinking with the perspective he/she is ignorant. When adults try to teach children by criticizing, lecturing, shaming, ridiculing, giving orders, screaming, threatening and hitting, it shuts down their thinking so they cant learn what the adult intended to teach them to do or not to do; they can only record what is being modelled.† 3 According to Kant: â€Å"Dignity is due to those who are above all price, with no equivalent permitted†. 5 On Poverty Quite interesting to note that about 34 million people in the USA, live below the poverty line, considering that USA is one of the richest countries in the world. What goes wrong the countries to create a large percentage of poverty? Researches and statistics show that there are three elements that the economy was sustained with, which are: the enormous increase in consumer debt, huge transfer of resources in the form of interest payments from debtor countries to Western Banks, and increase in military spending. Unemployment is also a face to poverty, and which it also caused by over population. Poverty to a certain extent, takes away the human dignity as one does not have enough money to supply their children and themselves with food and the daily needs. 6 On Human Trafficking In the case of Human Trafficking there is the Red Cross who tries to fight against it. Human trafficking victims most of the times do not consent or are not aware of what they will be going through, consequently falling into fraud, force and violence. Initially they are transported by means of land or marine means from all over the world, abducted or by means of deceit. It does not mean that humans are trafficked only for sexual exploitation and for the removal of organs but also for forced labour. In other words: â€Å"slavery†. Human trafficking victims most of the times do not consent or are not aware of what they will be going through. We also have modern slavery, where children work long hours and are prisoners to their employers, who enjoy their freedom. Human trafficking takes away all human dignity in every sense and one feels so dirty that it is also an issue of suicide and depression. 7 On the Capital Punishment In certain countries, like the U.S still apply the capital punishment. We humans fight so much for our life and dignity, so I say who are these people to be given the power to judge between life or death? A punishment is always a punishment when it is fair but a capital punishment is it a real adequate punishment? The answer as I see it is NO. And the reason is that I dont see it a measure to kill someone who has killed someone else. This person who is going to be executed will not have the time enough to think profoundly about his sin/s and may not have the possibility to change his lifestyle and maybe live a better life than before. Moreover God taught us humans to forgive. I understand that the state cannot â€Å"forgive† but I truly believe that the state shall keep in mind every humans dignity and punish every individual fairly. Another reason I dont agree, is the for the fact that some humans that undergo a capital punishment turned out later, which took also years, that they were innocent, lets take for example the execution of Carlos DeLuna which took place in Texas in 1989. New evidence after DeLuna was executed showed profound doubt that he was innocent. And like DeLuna are many more others. It interesting to note that the number of persons who were punished by the capital death in 2007, were 53; the lowest number of executions in a decade. Jesus said: Let anyone among you who is without sin, be the first to throw a stone at her. And once again he bent down and wrote on the ground. When they heard it, they went away, one by one, beginning with the elders; and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus straightened up and said to her, Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you? She said, No one, sir. And Jesus said, Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again. (NRSV, John 8:7-11) 8 On Violence Violence integrates and is associated with many crimes and human dignities. It can derive from terrorism, form human trafficking, and from many other aspects which is also needed in order for a human to survive. I think that Violence is one of the most issues as an assault on Human Dignity. Violence is at different places. In several times it starts at home, and it can take forms of mental and physical. It can be at work and at school, which can fall in many common circumstances of bullying. An interesting fact is that violence is sometimes instigated by the media. To be more clear, a lot of children are exposed to the internet and television and most of the times the films and documentaries which are shown, contain in a way or another violence. Nowadays children no longer play in the streets and enjoy themselves with a small stuff but they are stuck to electronics. Funnily enough even a simple game of Playstation or a Computer Game is full of violence, and the more violence they contain, the happier and enthusiastic children become. Violence is a huge problem and the society, maybe without knowing, is instigating to bring along more violence and therefore less human dignity. The fact is that violence surrounds us in our everyday life even in schools where lately we have heard of violent children who assaulted their teachers and even their schoolmates, one who ripped open an eye of another with a pencil. And what can one say which is worse about the violence and hatred against the immigrants, and foreigners and persons with disability. Racism is also a major problem in which many people suffer because of violent attacks. Contrary to what I said before that many violent acts are also derived from the media, the media in itself is a beneficiary source for showing violence throughout the world. With the help of media and their report, one can make a viewer feel some sensationalism. In the Book â€Å"Violence† by Wolfgang Huber, he acknowledges equal dignity for all human beings and thus the respect for elementary human rights are inviolable principles of coexistence. Huber continues saying that in the Christian tradition and in the Jewish tradition, dignity of human beings is taken seriously only by those who respect the God-given equality of human beings. 9 On Racism â€Å"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.†-Martin Luther King. Such delicate words as spoken by Martin Luther King, from my aspect, he perfectly shows his anger, rage and at the same it symbolizes his heart breaking and love. When Racism comes into act, and people are being racist towards other persons, it demonstrates that same people are not even in love with themselves. Explaining mysel when I say: â€Å"that people are not even in love with themselves†, because in order to start loving other persons which at the end are humans like each and every one of us, and show some concern about them, one must first learn to love themselves. It is hideous and strange, to see around us, families who adopt pets, and takes care of them, and then on the other hand, they cant even try to love nd help other humans! Racism can be labelled as domination, tyrannical, intolerance, discrimination, unfairness, and violence killings against other persons, or groups. Racism can be found in every country of the world, and it may start in schools. Although we live in 2011 and we are supposed to live in a socialised world and although our schools have developed and acheived better quality education, still the battle against Racism, seems to not have taken progress. The world is supposed to be working to reach a well balance congruent and harmonious humanity. The problem in Racism is vast, as many people do not only judge other humans on their apperance like skin clour, but also from the respective country they are coming from concerning also different religions and way of living. It is quite interesting in the History of racism, as it originates from people that were sold as slaves. Thse slaves were called so and were sold because they were of black colour. The period of 1619 till 1865, was a period when the Africana who lived in American were sold as slaves. They vere exposed to a lot of brutality and were not considered as human beings, but as an object and were forced to carry out forced labour. Every human has the right to participate in the community and trying to look for the common good. 4 Racism troops originates from the time of the Ku Klux Klan after the Civil War which was led by General Nathaniel Bedford Forrest. The aim of these groups were to threaten and intimidate slaves. The Ku Klux Klan were also known and remembered for the burning of the crosses and their violence against the slaves. It is said that today the members of the KKK are millions. Each and every one of us, in order to help defeat racism, should speak and integrate, in order to learn from a person who is suffering from racism. 10 On Employment All Human Beings have the right to work! All human beings who are employed shall have a fair wage and are in addition of social benefits. We know that Jesus spent all of his life working, and this helps us understand that a person shall be respected for who she is and not for the work she carries out or the position she has. At work places arises a lot of problems which goes against human dignity like bullying. Bullying could lead to a serious and frightful situation and consequences. This can lead to a great decrease in self-confidence. The dignities aim at work is to guarantee a working bond where everyone s treated with respect and dignity. Another problem which arises at work is the problem of migrants that are explicitly being abused by working very long hours and are not paid enough like every other employee, just because they are immigrants and are of dark colour. These people and many other people in other countries have also lack of policies and insufficient legislation, and apart from racism, this is discrimination. And I ask: â€Å"Do the authorities know about this major problem, and what are they doing in order o help improve the situation?† 11 So what can one do in order to help in achieving better conditions of human dignity? The protection of human dignity is not a non figurative concept. The Red Cross movement is an emergency response unit that takes immediate and physical action, and engages in long term initiatives to promote sustainable development. The human ability to prevent human dignity is nowadays at hazard and requires a lot of efforts. Conclusion Those who want to reveal human dignity must start to search too exist together at the same tme and in the same. This can not only bring to the agreement with the freedom of every individual but that also helps to unfold their freedom. I humbly believe that every human being has a dignity, and every human being should be respected and protected, as Human Dignity exactly means that every person deserves respect because every step of human life is precious and is worthy of having respect and protection and if a person is taken from him the right to life, the dignity automatically is taken away from him.