Advertisement Is A Powerful Thing On Our Life - 1335 Words

Advertisement is a powerful thing in our life. With the new technology, many companies are trying to build up a strong customer base that they can count on to buy their product. Thereby, they use various marketing strategies to promote and increase their sales. The best way to encourage, persuade, or manipulate the audience is to use advertising to call the public’s attention to their product. One important niche product line is the handbag which is part of the products that companies sell through advertising just to emphasize the qualities and the benefits of the product which is nothing but to be stylish. Analyzing two handbags advertisement that targeted different audience, we can see the marketing and advertising strategies that are†¦show more content†¦The photo is taken in black and white with a gray background to make the elegance and power stand out. Dressed in a long black suit, he is a perfect mix of charisma as a real gentleman; he is facing at the camera w ith the looks of a bad boy, and carrying a black handbag that matches the color of his garment. Additionally, the signature of â€Å"Givenchy Paris† flaunt across the center of the image. On the right side of the advertisement, below the picture text reads: â€Å"New York Madison Avenue – Miami Design District – Last Vegas Wynn†. As of the left side, the website of the signature â€Å"Givenchy.com† appears. I think that the advertisement is more effective. It relies the glamourous power of all celebrities whether athletes or model. The ad for Michael Kors appeared in Vogue which targets females who are in their twenties, care about style, beauty, and female fashion, and have a lot of money to spend on such products. They want something that make them feel fabulous. This evidence is based on all the articles in the magazine, and images that have traits from each of these aspects. This magazine in its entirety has many articles focusing on female style. Style such as Dillard’s, Chloe, Antonio Melani, Simon, Ralph Lauren, Valentino, etc†¦ are important defining this publication. The female beauty productsShow MoreRelatedTechnology And Social Media Of Our Generation1663 Words   |  7 PagesOur society is filled to the brim with visual images. Some more noticeable than others, yet they all impact our minds and thoughts differently even if the ideal is not visible on the surface. Gender, race, age, social class, etc., they all come into factor when affected by images of society. Although they are just i mages, current day society has learned to take pictures and warp them into anything they want to create. Some see these new advances of Photoshop and editing as a form of art, signifyingRead MoreThe Nivea Stress Protect Antiperspirant Deodorant Advertisement1610 Words   |  7 PagesThe Nivea ‘stress protect’ antiperspirant deodorant advertisement, televised in 2014 by Beiersdorf Australia Ltd, is a text which constructs an evident manipulation of gender roles and their function in consumerism. In this advertisement a man appears stressed from work and collapses lethargically on the couch while the woman arrives home from work looking energetic with a young child, bags of shopping and speaking on the phone. Through Semiotics, the study of signs and their meanings, I will analyseRead MoreApple s First Macintosh Commercial1309 Words   |  6 Pagesthat will save the world and people believed it. Most of us now own an Apple brand. 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Rwt1 Research Paper Free Essays

string(111) " the basis of compensation for all employees, at all levels, no matter what their job description or title is\." Business Research Report Compensation Strategies Presented to: Management Assessment Code: RWT1 Table of Contents Executive Summary3 Introduction4 Research Findings5 Performance Based Pay5 Salary6 Longevity Pay7 Recommendations8 Conclusion8 References9 Executive Summary This report examines 3 different compensation systems that our company can develop and enforce within our company for our employees. Compensation is the most important and rewarding factor for employees, so a thorough and thoughtful approach should be taken as we think about changing the way in which this company rewards it’s employees for the work they do for us each and every day. Performance based pay is a widely popular approach to compensation where the employers pays the employee based on their job performance. We will write a custom essay sample on Rwt1 Research Paper or any similar topic only for you Order Now This gives the employees control of how much they make and inspires them to do their best work on a daily basis to maximize their own income. With high productivity and quality performance employers are able to become more competitive and increase profit. Salary is an easy and constant way of paying the employees of this company. This is a set wage that employees will earn based on their job description. This wage will not change based on their merit or seniority. The stability of this compensation system appeals to employees as they always are aware of how income they will receive. But it also has very little room for growth and opportunity for the employees. The last form of compensation we can consider for our employees as a company is longevity pay. This is compensation based on the employee’s seniority, length of service, or tenure. This can be in the form of annual bonuses on their employment anniversary date, or monthly amounts added to their checks. This provides the employees with motivation to continuing their career and employment with the company. My final recommendation for the company is to develop our own performance based pay system for our employees. This will create highly productive and motivated employees eager to perform their job duties to the best of their abilities to maximize their own personal income. This in turn will create more profitability for our company. Also, creating goals for our employees will create awareness of our company’s goal as a whole organization and will create a more united workforce as we all work together for the same goal. A company with driven employees producing quality work can only be successful. Introduction I, Jamie Yocom, a Human Resource Assistant have been given the task of researching different compensation strategies for our company. In this eport I will be reporting to the Human Resource Director my research findings on 3 different compensation methods: Salary, Performance-Based Pay, and Longevity Pay. I will compare and contrast these methods in order for management to determine which method is most appropriate for us to adopt for our 120 employees. Since compensation is the biggest benefit we provide to our employees, this topic deserves thorough research and thought as we examine and promote a new way of rewarding our employees for th eir hard work and dedication to the quality and performance we expect from each and every one of them. After reading this report, management will have a greater understanding of each of these 3 methods and will be able to begin the process of deciding which one will be implemented in the near future. I will introduce using the compensation strategy of salary, which is a set amount an employee receives annually for the work they do no matter the quality of their work, or the hours they put in. Performance Based Pay is another method we can use in which employees are paid based on the quality of their performance and production. Longevity Pay is the final method I will propose of our use, it involves wage adjustments for each employee based on the length of service each year. Compensation policies can be very unique and vary from organization to organization. An understanding of the different methods is necessary in order to be profitable and to inspire quality production. Research Findings From extensive research, using a variety of relevant and credible resources, there are three compensation systems that should be considered: Performance Based Pay Salary Longevity Pay Performance Based Pay A Performance-Based Pay system is an increasingly popular compensation method used by organizations to increase productivity. A goal for all companies is to try and remain competitive and control costs, this is a reason for performance-based pay systems becoming more popular. This type of system attempts to link compensation to performance. (Gena Richter, 2002) These systems are directly tied to organization or individu al performance and are most effective when based on objective measures of quantity or quality of performance. If we wish to have a direct impact on work motivation, it must be linked directly to the performance of desired behaviors. In order for to put this type of system into place, performance evaluations must be conducted regularly , as well as training and development for those with performance that isn’t quite up to par. These additional resources will be necessary for our organization if we implement a performance based pay system. (William B. Bernathy, Ph. D. , 2004) Pay for performance compensation plans are widely considered to be a â€Å"win-win† for employees as well as their employers. When pay for performance wages are properly put in place at a company, everyone shares a common goal of doing what is best for the organization. In a system where employees earn higher compensation if their team, department, or company reaches specified targets, it becomes a motivational tactic to get employees to work harder and benefit the company while at the same time providing an added benefit for them. Instilling a performance based pay system in a company will allow you to get the most out of all of your employees and their performance and production. Martinovic, 2012) Reasonable, measurable goals and performance incentives should be the basis of compensation for all employees, at all levels, no matter what their job description or title is. You read "Rwt1 Research Paper" in category "Essay examples" Objections should be made clear and achievable based on their job description and quantifiable to provide each employee with incentives for good and productive performance. (Pinto , 2003) From a business perspective, in order to remain competitive in the current labor market, it would be smart to tie pay to performance so that employees’ output is accelerated. As a result, this type of system will streamline operations in an effort to control cost and remain competitive. â€Å"A well-constructed performance-based pay system can be viewed as an interactive process that translates the overall strategic initiatives into daily actions, with quantitative and attainable rewards provided to employees who accomplish their goals. † (Paul R. Dorf, 2001) Analysis: It is clear that there are many benefits to this type of compensation plan. The most evident is creating a more motivated and united workforce, as their one and only goal will be quality production. If our employees can equate their performance on the job with their paycheck, they will become a more focused, hardworking, and determined asset to our company. They will take ownership of their daily duties and tasks and hopefully become more efficient at what they do, which in turn, will be more and more profitable for the company. Different reasons to utilize this type of performance based system include: a way to retain and recognize top performers, align labor costs with productivity, and reinforce company objectives. Employees will also develop a more clear understanding of the overall business objectives. 1 Salary The general definition in federal law for salary is a regularly paid amount of money, constituting all or part of an employee’s wages, paid on a weekly or less frequent basis that is not subject to reduction due to the quality or quantity of work performed. (â€Å"Department of Workforce,†) Employers are responsible for paying their employees for the work that they perform; this can include using salary as a method to pay your employees. Employees that are salaried will be paid differently than those that are paid hourly. Hourly employees are paid based on the amount of hours worked and salaried employees are paid a set wage. (Natalie Grace, 2012) Salary is a fixed amount of compensation or money that is paid to an employee by their employer in return for work performed. Unlike performance based, that set wage will be the same no matter what. Salary is usually paid in bi-weekly paychecks to each professional employee. Most frequently an employee’s salary is paid in 26 even paychecks over the course of a calendar year. A salaried employee has no need to track hours worked because they are not paid overtime. An employee who is paid salary is expected to complete a whole job in return for their compensation. This is what makes salary different from hourly compensation or performance based pay. Their pay will be the same no matter the hours worked or the quality of their performance. (Heathfield, 2009) Analysis: Salary is the most stable and constant compensation system introduced in this report. It involves no changes or updates throughout the year. Employees will always be able to know what their pay will be. They will not be expected to meet quotas or goals in order to make their money. Employees who are salaried have a sense of stability when they think about their compensation from their employer, as stated above; their production and performance will not change their pay. This will frequently be the least complex form of compensation but it will not motivate or inspire the workforce to be more productive or efficient in their daily job responsibilities. Since their pay will always be the same, they will develop a mindset that they do not have to strive to do better or be better, since their pay does not depend on job performance. 2 Longevity Pay This type of compensation system is a contractual agreement where the employee will receive compensation based on their seniority. The manner in which this type of compensation is paid out can very widely. Each organization will have a policy that will describe the details of the longevity pay plan. These policies include the amount to be paid, the percentage of increase, and on what schedule payments will be made. This type of payment appears to the employees as a way of giving due compensation to workers who have made a significant contribution to the organization. (â€Å"wisegeek. com†) Longevity-pay is a wage adjustment that the employers base on the length of service, seniority or employee’s tenure with the company. The amount of annual longevity-pay is frequently a percentage of the employee’s annual rate of pay on the employee’s anniversary date. (â€Å"uslegal. com. † 2002) This type of payment is typically given to employees to recognize and reward the length of their tenures. These payments can also be given when employees reach significant employment anniversaries. These longevity payments differ from merit based pay in that a longevity-payment is based only on length of service, while a merit based payment is designed to recognize superior job performance and production. These are implemented by companies to help retain and attract top talent. Human Resource Mangers think of this as a way to reward loyalty and to inspire potential employees to understand that the company places value on employee experience and loyalty. (Willsey, 2002) Analysis: From an employee’s point of view, longevity pay means that the company you work for values your time and effort you put into your job. The point of having these longevity-payments and rewards is to retain our top and loyal performers. Rewarding our employees for their time served would be a substantial reason for employees to continue their career with this company. Recommendations Based on the above research and information on 3 different types of compensation, this is my recommendation for our company. Recommendation One: Develop and enforce a performance based bay system to otivate and inspire our employees to produce to the best of their abilities. Conclusion In conclusion, after thorough research and examination of compensation systems I recommend a performance based pay system for our company. This type of pay system will instill a clear understanding in the employees of our company’s purpose. By connecting their compensation with their performance on the job will inspire them to be more thorough, efficient. And they will learn to be more productive employees, which in turn will be more profitable for our company. With employees that are driven by quality production this company should only expect growth and success. We can increase productivity and remain competitive with other companies in our market by developing this type of compensation system. 1 References Abernathy, William B. , Ph. D. (2004). debwagner. info. Retrieved from http://debwagner. info/hpttoolkit/pfp_hpt. htm Department of workforce development. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http://dwd. wisconsin. gov/er/labor_standards_bureau/publication_erd_13109_p. htm Dorf, Paul R. (2011). Would performance-based compensation improve your workforce?. Retrieved from http://www. compensationresources. com/press-room/would-performance-based-compensation-improve-your-workforce-. php Grace, Natalie. (2012). Ehow. com. Retrieved from http://www. ehow. com/about_5367027_rules-paying-salary. html Heathfield , S. H. (2009, March 26). About. com. Retrieved from http://humanresources. about. com/od/glossarys/g/salary. htm Martinovic, S. (2012, Feb 20). Pay for performance compensation plans. Retrieved from http://www. gaebler. om/Pay-for-Performance-Compensation-Plans. htm Pinto, J. (2003). Performance-based compensation. Retrieved from http://www. jimpinto. com/writings/compensation. html Richter, Gena. (2002). Retrieved from http://user. txcyber. com/~gena/HRPage/articles/062099. shtml uslegal. com. (2002). Retrieved from http://definitions. uslegal. com/l/longevity-pay/ Willsey, Marie. â€Å"What is a longevity raise? † 14 July 2010. HowStuffWorks. com. 24 February 2012 . wisegeek. com. (n. d. ). Retrieved from http://www. wisegeek. com/what-is-longevity-pay. htm How to cite Rwt1 Research Paper, Essays

English Language Education Policies and Planning in Malaysia

Question: Discuss about the case study of English Language Education for Policies and Planning in Malaysia. Answer: Introduction: As mentioned above in the study, that English is considered as the second language in the country Malaysia; since it has been found that there exists a deficiency level in the proficiency of the student. It is assumed to be evident from the above study that the attitude and behavior of every Malaysian student towards learning English has been declined in most schools. Though, it is considered as one of the most inspiring opportunities for career growth, the performance level is constantly decreasing at an alarming rate (Hashim Leitner, 2016). There is a need of emergence to introduce English as the main subject in Primary schools also; so that the demand of such languages may inherit the level of education in maximum Malaysian schools sector. The entire assignment prefaces with the learning attitudes and behaviors of Malaysian students towards learning English as the main subject (Van der Walt, 2013). The upcoming future environment of maximum Malaysian schools is improving its atmo sphere; to make a perfect enlargement to learn English as the core subject. There is an essential to develop English in the primary sector of schools so that the base of students must be expanding with greater flexibility. All around the word, English is considered as one of the most important language as a means of instruction and communication to choose varieties of career opportunities. Being a second language in most of the Malaysian schools, it has led most of the students facing difficulties in achieving higher potential growth in understanding the use of languages. References Hashim, A., Leitner, G. (2016). 3 English in language education policies and planning in Malaysia. Languages in the Malaysian Education System: Monolingual Strands in Multilingual Settings, 46. Van der Walt, C. (2013). Multilingual higher education: Beyond English medium orientations (Vol. 91). Multilingual Matters.

The Drop free essay sample

I blinked my eyes twice, yet the same image appeared. I felt the dry, hot Italian wind blow over my face. My friends’ cheers seemed miles away. I breathed in the sweet smell of the olive groves. As the instructor clipped me in, I tried not to tremble, my friend Alicia was hyperventilating, I wanted to be the hero and show her it was ‘no big deal’ but secretly inside, I was just as scared. I made the mistake of looking down; it was a long fall to the bottom of this ancient stony tower. I looked out on to the town of Assisi; I could see for miles. I saw where the crowded tangled medieval streets turned into the earth-toned patchwork fields. Funny how a moment can seem like forever. My hands were burning from my tight grip on the rope. I was the first to go, I couldn’t remember why I had volunteered. We will write a custom essay sample on The Drop or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page I propped my head up and kept a smile. I had to be the leader. Slowly I crept baby stepping to the edge until only the tip of my sneakers, worn from miles of journeys, remained attached to the edge. â€Å"Alright now, you just lean back, I promise I got you.† I looked down on my hand there in purple marker in my handwriting was the word ‘Believe’ I took a deep breath. I slowly forced the rope to slide through my hesitating hand. I felt the sweat slowly sliding down the side of my face then falling off with confidence to the bottom. To think just a week ago I was sitting in my room reading Jane Eyre amazed by her courage, now it was time to put mine to the test. I took a deep breath and dropped back. I felt invincible. With each step I grew more and more confident, more and more sure of myself. I took the challenge in front of me and tackled it. I can now say I repelled down a 100 foot medieval tower, how many people can say that? My friends nominated me most li kely to change the world, although I may not win the superlative, I know without a doubt I’m not most likely to change the world. I will change the world. With each new challenge I will remember that hot dry Italian day and I’ll remember the word I wrote on my hand in purple ink. I will approach it with the determination of Jane Goodall and Anne Hutchinson. Refusing to give in when things are overwhelming, for I know in the end it’ll all be worth it. When I got to the bottom of that tower I looked up at its once daunting frame. Suddenly it wasn’t so big anymore. I stood cheering on my friends as they followed my example. Sometimes our fears try to hold us back with doubt, the key is to break its chains and triumphantly stand at the finish line. I intend to approach my studies in the same way refusing to quiver behind the sleepless nights and textbooks written in a foreign language supposed to be English, instead I will dive straight into the madness prev ailing on top.

Sample Nursing School Scholarship Essay - How To Apply For One

Sample Nursing School Scholarship Essay - How To Apply For OneWhile it's been the norm for some time now that parents are the ones who are mostly responsible for sending their kids to a good college, it is also true that they often have a tougher time getting them into a good nursing school. This is especially true if you happen to be of the minority category and of the minority gender. As a result, most of the time, you're left with a choice between colleges and career options. One way you can get a little of both, if only for a while, is to apply for a sample nursing school scholarship.Both the Federal Government and the private sector are now recognizing this as a significant impediment to college graduates. In fact, because it is just too hard to come up with enough money to pay tuition, some students are choosing to drop out and start a new life. Thankfully, you don't have to do that anymore. With the proper application, you will soon be on your way to an impeccable education in nursing!There are several different types of scholarships available to those who pursue a degree in nursing, and there are also numerous programs which give the opportunity to earn a degree. A college would require some form of investment, either in money or in a good deal of tuition. Unfortunately, many students fail to do so. This is where the sample nursing school scholarship comes in.An application for a sample nursing school essay will usually open up at a scholarship web site. Here, you will supply all the information you need. From there, you'll be sent several samples of what you can write about - either directly or via a link to a page with all the relevant essays you can choose from.You may write about anything pertaining to your life, even if you don't feel it's relevant. It's your chance to tell a story about your hopes and dreams for the future. The curriculum and coursework of your chosen program may also form a part of your essay. It may be relevant to help you learn about your field.Education is very important in the American culture, but we are actually not very lucky in this respect. Most of the brightest minds in the country are unsuccessful at acquiring a college degree. Why should this be so?The reason behind this is that our education system simply isn't structured in such a way that prepares us for the demands of the modern world. If you're one of those individuals, then you're in luck, because you can definitely apply for a sample nursing school scholarship!

Consequentalist Theory Applied to the Practice of Interrogative Torture

Consequentalist Theory Applied to the Practice of Interrogative Torture Free Online Research Papers To many Americans, the word torture may conjure up images of the Dark Ages, with black hooded torturers applying their craft in dank, dark dungeons. If the practice is associated with modern times, it is assumed that it is something that only an under developed country would engage in. Unfortunately, this topic has become more relevant to our own society in recent years. It has become an issue that can impact national security. Since the attacks of September 11th, we have had to question just how far should we go to obtain intelligence about future attacks. Thesis We now have to decide if the use of torture is an acceptable means to obtain this information. If we decide that this is an appropriate path to take, then how can we apply the practice in a morally acceptable fashion? By relating different forms of moral thought to this debate, I hope to show that the use of torture to extract information from terrorists might be justified using a consequentalist form of moral thought. Background Although America had experienced terror incidents in the past, the attacks of September 11th heightened public awareness of the threat and underscored the need for preventative measures to be taken (Combs, 2003, p. 276). Prior to September 11th, the terrorist group al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for attacks against the World Trade Center in 1993, US embassies in Kenya and Nairobi in 1998 and the USS Cole in 2000 (Combs, 2003, p. 67). Post 9/11 attacks by Al-Qaeda in Bali and London established this organization’s vitality and only reinforced the fear that many Americans felt about the possibility of future attacks on our homeland. The terrorist organization al-Qaeda remains a real threat to national security. Members of al-Qaeda are extremely dedicated terrorists who launch meticulously planned attacks, resulting in high casualties (Combs, 2003, p. 56). Owing to the War on Terror, we now have several high ranking al-Qaeda officials in custody. Naturally we should interrogate them, to learn more about their organization and to uncover plans for future attacks. How far we should take our interrogation is the matter up for debate. Al-Qaeda operatives can be classified as â€Å"Crusader† terrorists (Combs, 2003, p. 52). The crusader often believes he is serving a higher cause through terror, and has low expectations of survival in his quest. Not surprisingly, this type of person does not voluntarily disclose information that he feels will derail the mission of his organization. The information that he is not divulging, such as plans for a future attack or the location of a terrorist cell, can indeed be life saving for hundreds if not thousands of American citizens if the proper authorities become aware of it. A more emergent situation is called the â€Å"Ticking Bomb† scenario (Kennedy, 2003, p. 8). In this scenario, a detained terrorist is believed to know the location of a bomb that will cause many injures and deaths if it is not defused. With an understanding of terrorist ideology, we can expect that he is not likely to answer any questions. Is it appropriate to apply some physical coercion once conventional interrogation has failed? By analyzing several different forms of moral thought in the paragraphs that follow, I hope to illuminate some issues surrounding this debate. By doing so, hopefully the answer to the question I posed above will become clearer. Ethical Considerations Deontology When we examine the morality of interrogatory torture from a deontology standpoint, we need to look at principles or obligations that are associated with the action. For example, some might feel that we are obligated to uphold human rights, no matter the circumstances. If that were the case, then we would declare interrogative torture to be immoral. Although there may be disagreement among deontologists about what is obligatory, in general deontology places a high value on respecting human rights (Casebeer, pg. 3). Immanuel Kant provides some guidance as to how we can best extend this respect to others through his â€Å"categorical imperative†, in which he states that you should â€Å"Act so that you treat humanity, whether in your own person or in that of another, as an end, and never as a means only†(Casebeer, 2003, p. 3). We should not use another person to further our own agenda. Clearly torture violates Kantian respect, because not only are we using that person, but we are also inflicting pain as we do so. Undoubtedly a deontologist, who holds respect for others as the principle by which they gauge moral decisions, would condemn this action. Since deontologists do not always agree on what is obligatory, it is possible for there to be more than one viewpoint on a single issue. It all depends on what the individual holds as obligatory. For instance, in his paper Can Interrogatory Torture Be Morally Legitimate?, Kennedy stated: â€Å"One of the most fundamental and solemn obligations of the rulers of a nation is to protect the innocent† (p. 9). This is interesting because it shifts the obligation to the rulers. If we believe this to be true, then as average citizens we are really more concerned with the end results of intelligence gathering that will protect us, and not in the means with which the intelligence was collected. Virtue Theory When we talk about virtue in ethics, we are really talking about how we live our lives, and how others perceive us as we go about doing so. It is a measure of character. Aristotle talked about how humans strive for eudemonia, which translates to flourishing or proper functioning, essentially living a good life (Casebeer, 2003, p. 5),. How humans attain this is by exhibiting human excellences, or virtues such as honesty, compassion and kindness. Vices, such as anger, vengeance and violence, are those character traits that detract from the fundamental goodness that virtue theorists envision. It is not surprising then, that a virtue theorist would not be reconciled to justify torture under any circumstances. As Jeff Jacoby wrote in The Boston Globe in 2005: Torture is never worth it. Some things we don’t do, not because they never work, not because they aren’t â€Å"deserved†, but because our very right to call ourselves decent human beings depends in part on our not doing them. Torture is in that category (p. 2) I agree with the emphasis of this statement. Torture is truly abhorrent. I do believe that there is harm in becoming a nation that practices torture. I admire virtue ethicists, who feel encourage us to strive for human excellence. However, I feel that human excellence is an endpoint that is reached over time. The events of 9/11 did distract us from that end, but that’s what terrorism is supposed to do; it terrorizes. We need to overcome that, and endeavor to achieve that excellence. At the same time, we need to make sure our nation is not attacked in this way again. It is imperative that we ensure the safety of our citizens. It would indeed be wonderful if we could resolve our differences in a peaceful way, because that would exemplify virtue theory and move us closer to attaining excellence. However, that is not the way al-Qaeda does things. As a group they are not interested in bringing about peaceful solutions to the problems they perceive. Justice Viewing the debate from a justice standpoint would look at the fairness of interrogative torture. To evaluate justice in this circumstance, we would look at libertarian justice, or how the fairness of an action is determined through honoring agreements. In his 2002 article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, Mark Bowden wrote this about torture: â€Å" it would violate the U.S. Constitution, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights†(p. 1). By not honoring these agreements, the United States is not acting in a just manner. However, two paragraphs later, Bowden quoted philosophy professor Michael Levin: Torturing the terrorist is unconstitutional? Probably. But millions of lives certainly outweigh constitutionality. Torture is barbaric? Mass murder is more barbaric. Indeed, letting millions of innocents die in deference to one who flaunts his guilt is moral cowardice, an unwillingness to dirty one’s hands (Bowden, 2002, p. 1). We can acknowledge that there is a libertarian justice argument against torture. However, this argument may be invalidated when viewed relative to the enormous loss of life associated with a terror attack that could have been prevented. Allowing an attack to occur because of reluctance to violate the rights of a terrorist is not fair to the intended victims. By maximizing fairness for a large number of innocent citizens, it can be said that we are practicing utilitarian justice. Consequentalist Thought Consequentalism examines, as the name implies, consequences that are associated with ethical decisions. A consequentalist will consider the results of their actions in terms of benefit versus harm. The ends justify the means. When decisions are made in this manner, the goal is to maximize benefit and minimize harm in the end. One tool that can be useful in the decision making process is the harm/benefit ratio. John Stuart Mill’s â€Å"Greatest Happiness Principle† states that the right decision is the one that provides the greatest amount of happiness for all involved (Casebeer, 2003, p. 3). Happiness here can be interpreted as the presence of pleasure or the absence of pain. It is important to note that Mills was talking about everyone affected by the decision when he measures happiness. In the â€Å"Ticking Bomb† scenario, we would consider the happiness (or pain) felt by the terrorist. We would then apply these same measures to the intended victims. For example, if we fail to gain substantive information from our terrorist through interrogation, and choose to not pursue the information we seek with more force, the terrorist feels no pain. However, when the bomb goes off, that pain is borne by the victims, their families and even the Nation. By making the decision to not torture, we maximized pain for a large cohort of people, and maintained happiness for one. The result is a high harm/benefit ratio. Under consequentalist thought, this cannot be construed as ethical behavior. A high harm/benefit ratio also results if a terrorist who knows nothing beyond his individual role in the organization is tortured during interrogation. The harm to the detainee is high, and the benefit to society is negligible. This too is unethical by any standard. One way we can avoid the situation I described in the preceding paragraph is to adopt an act utilitarian policy toward interrogative torture. Act utility looks at specific situations, and determines what action would maximize happiness in that situation. Rule utilitarianism sets rule for maximizing happiness that can be applied to a broader scope of situations. Because they are crafting rules for a variety of circumstances, rule utilitarians tend to be more conservative and mindful of individual rights (Casebeer, 2003, p. 4). In our case, a rule utilitarian might make a rule that torture cannot be considered until thirty days of conventional interrogation have passed. This sounds like a fine rule, until you have a terrorist withholding information about a dirty bomb attack that is expected in seven days. To contrast, an act utilitarian would look at individual detainees during normal interrogation. If a determination is made that an act of torture would likely produce useful information in a given subject, then it can be justified. The timing, intensity and type of torture would be adapted to what is expected to work for the individual detainee. Interrogative torture regulated by act utilitarianism would torture the right people, for the right reasons, using the right method. It sounds barbaric, but if we are going to torture a detainee, we better get some results and demonstrate how those results saved lives. Consequentalists would also look at potential problems associated with interrogatory torture. One problem identified by Casebeer (2003) is the possibility that torture could be established as an institution (p. 4). In other words, to make torture effective, intelligence personnel would need to be trained in the proper administration of it. This could lead to research into the most efficient use of torture or textbooks about torture. Would we as a people want to be associated with such things? We can see that this consequence quickly becomes a matter of virtue. Consequentalists would also worry about the image the United States would present to the rest of the world by practicing torture. Would it make us seem less virtuous as a people? This concern is closely related to virtue arguments made against interrogative torture. While I do believe that this can dampen our image in the eyes of the world, we have to ask if our perceived image is worth more than real American lives that can be lost in a terrorist attack. In my opinion, there is nothing more important than protecting Americans from another terror attack. Conclusion One of the tragedies of terrorism is that we as a society now have to make decisions like this. Ultimately, we must balance out the harm torture does, to the good it can present in terms of saving lives from terrorist attacks. Harm not only comes to the terrorist, but also to the society that inflicts torture upon him. Likewise, harm from a terrorist attack is not only from the loss of human life. Everyone in a nation that is struck by terror becomes a victim. By realizing the true extent of the harm that is associated with a terror attack, it becomes more apparent that our government is obligated to prevent another such occurrence. As I reviewed different forms of moral thought in this paper, I identified how interrogative torture could be opposed from each viewpoint. I was able to counter these concerns by adopting a consequentalist stance. By applying consequentalist thought to the problem, it becomes clear that greater harm is risked by not meeting the aforementioned obligation. Understanding that al-Qaeda is not going to make it easy for us requires an act utilitarian policy of using torture in select cases, and only then applying just enough physical coercion to get the results we need. I agree with the virtue theorists that say permitting torture will prevent us from excelling as members of the human race. I think the times that we are living in will only assent to letting us be good enough. Bowden, Mark. (2002). Torture a necessarily evil tool in unlocking terrorist secrets. [Electronic version] Philadelphia Inquirer, N/A. Retrieved October 29, 2007, from Student Edition via Gale: http://find.galegroup.com/itx/start.do?prodId=STOM. Casebeer, William. (2003, January). Torture Interrogation of Terrorists: A Theory of Exceptions (With Notes, Cautions and Warnings). Paper presented at the Joint Services Conference on Professional Ethics. Retrieved October 28, 2007 from usafa.edu/isme/JSCOPE03/Casebeer03.html. Combs, Cindy. (2003). Terrorism in the Twenty-First Century (3rd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall Jacoby, Jeff, (2005) Why not torture terrorists? [Electronic version] The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 28th, 2007 from boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2005/03/20/why_not_torture_terrorists/. Kennedy, Robert. (2003, January). Can Interrogatory Torture be Morally Legitimate? Paper presented at the Joint Services Conference on Professional Ethics. Retrieved October 28, 2007 from usafa.edu/isme/JSCOPE03/Kennedy03.html. Research Papers on Consequentalist Theory Applied to the Practice of Interrogative TorturePETSTEL analysis of IndiaCapital PunishmentGenetic EngineeringTwilight of the UAWIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalThe Project Managment Office SystemQuebec and CanadaEffects of Television Violence on ChildrenResearch Process Part OneHip-Hop is Art

Biography of Thomas Jefferson, Third U.S. President

Biography of Thomas Jefferson, Third U.S. President Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743–July 4, 1826) was the third president of the United States, after George Washington and John Adams. His presidency is perhaps best known for the Louisiana Purchase, a single land transaction that doubled the size of the United States territory. Jefferson was an anti-Federalist who was wary of a large central government and favored states rights over federal authority. Fast Facts: Thomas Jefferson Known For: Third president of the United States; Founding Father; drafted the Declaration of IndependenceBorn: April 13, 1743 in the Colony of VirginiaDied: July 4, 1826 in Charlottesville, VirginiaEducation: College of William and MarySpouse: Martha Wayles (m. 1772-1782)Children: Martha, Jane Randolph, Unnamed Son, Maria, Lucy Elizabeth, Lucy Elizabeth (all with wife Martha); a rumored six with his slave Sally Hemings, including Madison and EstonNotable Quote: The government is best that governs least. Early Life Thomas Jefferson was born on April 13, 1743, in the Colony of Virginia. He was the son of  Colonel Peter Jefferson, a planter and public official, and Jane Randolph. Jefferson grew up in Virginia and was raised with the orphaned children of his fathers friend, William Randolph. He was educated from ages 9 to 14 by a clergyman named William Douglas, from whom he learned Greek, Latin, and French. He then attended Reverend James Maurys School before matriculating at the College of William and Mary. Jefferson studied law with George Wythe, the first American law professor. He was admitted to the bar in 1767. Political Career Jefferson entered politics in the late 1760s. He served in the House of Burgesses- the legislature of Virginia- from 1769 to 1774. On  January 1, 1772, Jefferson married  Martha Wayles Skelton. Together they had two daughters: Martha Patsy and Mary Polly. There is also speculation that Jefferson may have fathered several children with the slave  Sally Hemings. As a representative of Virginia, Jefferson argued against British actions and served on the Committee of Correspondence, which formed a union between the 13 American colonies. Jefferson was a member of the Continental Congress and later was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. During part of the Revolutionary War, he served as the governor of Virginia. After the war, he was sent to France to act as a foreign minister. In 1790, President Washington  appointed Jefferson to be the United States first official  Secretary of State. Jefferson clashed with Secretary of the Treasury  Alexander Hamilton on how the new country should deal with France and Britain. Hamilton also desired a stronger federal government than Jefferson. Jefferson eventually resigned because he saw that Washington was more strongly influenced by Hamilton than himself. Jefferson later served as vice president under  John Adams  from 1797 to 1801. Election of 1800 In 1800, Jefferson ran as the Republican nominee for president, with  Aaron Burr  as his vice president. Jefferson ran a very contentious campaign against John Adams, under whom he had previously served. Jefferson and Burr tied in the  electoral vote,  leading to an electoral controversy that was ultimately resolved in Jeffersons favor by a vote in the House of Representatives. Jefferson took office as the countrys third president on February 17, 1801. Thomas Jefferson called the election of 1800 the Revolution  of  1800 because it was the first time in the United States when the presidency passed from one party to another. The election marked a peaceful transition of power that has continued to this day. First Term An important early event during Jeffersons first term in office was the court case  Marbury v. Madison,  which established the Supreme Courts power to rule on the constitutionality of federal acts. From 1801 to 1805, America engaged in a war with the Barbary States of North Africa. The United States had been paying tribute to pirates from this area to stop attacks on American ships. When the pirates asked for more money, Jefferson refused, leading Tripoli to declare war. This ended in success for the United States, which was no longer required to pay tribute to Tripoli. However, America did continue to pay the rest of the Barbary States. In 1803,  Jefferson purchased the Louisiana territory  from France for $15 million. Many historians consider this the most important act of his administration, as the purchase doubled the size of the United States. In 1804, Jefferson dispatched the Corps of Discovery, the expedition party famously led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, to explore the new territory Reelection of 1804 Jefferson was renominated for the presidency in 1804 with George Clinton as his vice president. Jefferson ran against Charles Pinckney from  South Carolina and easily won a second term. The Federalists were divided, with radical elements leading to the partys downfall. Jefferson received 162 electoral votes and Pinckney got only 14. Second Term In 1807, during Jeffersons second term, Congress passed a law ending Americas involvement in the foreign slave trade. This act- which went into effect January 1, 1808- abolished the importation of slaves from Africa (it did not, however, end the sale of slaves within the United States). By the end of Jeffersons second term, France and Britain were at war and American trade ships were often targeted. When the British boarded the American frigate  Chesapeake, they forced three soldiers to work on their vessel and killed one for treason. Jefferson signed the  Embargo Act of 1807  in response. The legislation stopped America from exporting and importing foreign goods. Jefferson thought this would have the effect of hurting trade in France and Great Britain. It ended up having the opposite effect and did more damage to America. Death After his second term in office, Jefferson retired to his home in Virginia and spent much of his time designing the University of Virginia. Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Legacy Jeffersons election marked the beginning of the fall of federalism and the Federalist Party. When Jefferson took over the office from Federalist John Adams, the transfer of power occurred in an orderly manner, setting a precedent for future political transitions. Jefferson took his role as party leader very seriously. His greatest achievement was perhaps the Louisiana Purchase, which more than doubled the size of the United States. Sources Appleby, Joyce Oldham.  Thomas Jefferson. Times Books, 2003.Ellis, Joseph J.  American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson. Alfred A. Knopf, 2005.â€Å"Thomas Jeffersons Family: A Genealogical Chart.† Thomas Jeffersons Monticello.