Case Management Overview Essay

The case worker has many different roles and responsibilities that are part of their jobs. Being able to support all of their roles no matter of what population or problem there is the case worker needs to be able to deal with it, this is an important part of a case worker responsibly. The case worker can use different tools and methods to help support their clients. Roles and Responsibilities of a Case Worker There are many roles that case workers have. Some may think that the case workers are only there to find services for a client, but there is more to their jobs and responsibilities. Some of the roles that case workers have are caregivers, teachers, advocate, outreach worker, mobilizer, community planner and a behavior changer. Case workers have responsibilities that go with each role. For the caregiver role the case workers role is one that supports a client and is concerned about their wellbeing the caregiver is also part of the planning process. The teacher role, this role is a support to the client helps the client gain, develop and increase knowledge in emotional behavior or intellect. Advocate role for a care worker a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular service or resource that will help the client in their plan. Outreach worker is another responsibility that a case worker has, an outreach worker will reach out to people that are having problems, and help them find services that may need. The role of the mobilizer is to get specific service that are not yet in the area, that service does not have a presents in that particular area that the clients need support. A case worker may work on getting certain support with help from others. Another is a Community Planner; this role helps the clients as well as the community. The responsibility is to work with community based boards, committees, to ensure that a community development  supports the community and the people in it. The last role is behavior changer, is to encourage their clients to change their negative behaviors for more positive behavior. Behavior changers provide support for their clients and provides them with the needed tools to change their behaviors, so they are more positive. There are many roles and responsibilities that case workers have, all of their roles support their clients in many ways. Theoretical Models â€Å"Ecological model to develop a broad understanding of each individual client who comes before them. This model sometimes referred to as person-in-situation or person-in-environment model looks at the individual client in the client’s context†. (Summers, 2012). Within this modal there are three levels that, Micro, Meso, and Marco levels. Micro level, where the focus is on the client’s personality, motivation, affect, and other personal attributes Meso level, where the focus is on the context immediately surrounding the client (family, church group, close friends, and work group) Macro level, where the focus is on the larger society’s characteristics and the way the client experiences these or the way these are brought to bear on the client’s situation (institutions and organizations such as the political system, social stratification, the educational system, and the economy). (Summers, 2012) Being able to use these levels will help identify the problems that the client is having. The Micro level, is more personal, the Meso focus on the surroundings of the client and the Marco focus on the larger group around the client. Being able to figure out the problem and where it is coming from and affecting will help the overall help the client. When looking at all the problem behaviors that come up, one that we can look at it Life transitions. This situation in someone’s life can affect many things. Breaking it down it done into the levels can help support the client and figure out how to help. The Mico level, getting to understand the life transition and the client, the Meso level, looking at the close relationships that the client is having is any of these relationships supporting or interfering with the client’s behavior and last the Macro level looking at the community and the bigger picture of where the client is at. Looking at all of these areas will help support the client’s behavior problems. Special Populations When a case worker is thinking about Special Population they have a good understanding of what that is really saying. Special population is a term used to express a disadvantaged group.[where?] In health professions, special populations include those with disabilities, minors, and the elderly. Special populations often require accommodations for physical, mental or emotional differences. Their bodies may respond in a different manner to treatment or medication. For example, the small liver in a child means that he or she can’t take typical adult doses of medication. The same goes for an elderly person, whose decreased liver function similarly affects the processing of medication. (â€Å"Wikipedia†, 2014). As a case worker you have to be prepared to have a good understand of things that may come up. There may be certain issues that may come up when working with a client that is part of a special population. One issue is does their special population and or problem fall within the Human Service field, or do you as a case worker need to help them find other services. Other issues are there and mental, emotional or physical development problems that could change the services that are out there to support the situation they are in. Also there can be problems with understanding what is needed and getting them support in there are, which them may cause transportation issues. As a case worker, being prepared to handle things that special population deal with, abuse and neglect for an example. When working as a case worker there are many roles and responsibilities that are taken on as part of a case workers job. Having a good idea how to support their needs and help to figure out how to help is important and to make sure that as a case worker you understand them as a person is also needed. As a case worker there will be many different types of people that you woke with Special Population being one of the group, and may be one of the most challenging. But, remembering that as a case worker there is a job to be done, it is not always done the same way, and remembering that is very important. References Mehr, J. J., & Kanwischer, R. (2011). Human Services. Concepts and Intervention Strategies (11th ed.). : Pearson Education. Summers, N. (2012). Fundamentals of Case Management Practice. Skills for the Human Services (4th ed.). : Cengage Learning. Wikipedia. (2014). Retrieved from http://n.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_populations

Plato Essay Essay

1. a) Explain how Plato’s epistemological assumptions shape his metaphysics (Why does he think that there must be Forms? Hint: Plato says (in effect): â€Å"Since knowledge is certain, therefore the objects of knowledge must be unchanging. †). b) Define Plato’s Forms and present the theory of Forms by explaining the â€Å"divided line. † (You can use the visual image, but explain it. ) Plato was extremely devoted in answering the sophists’ skepticism about reason and morality. To do so, he spent more time than any philosopher before him studying knowledge, or epistemology. He realized that to answer the sophists’ skepticism he had to first solve the three main problems that earlier philosophers had left behind; the problems of change, the â€Å"one† and the â€Å"many†, and the problem between appearance and reality. Plato started where Heraclitus, who said that everything is changing, and Parmenides, who said that nothing ever changes, left off. He said that both philosophers were correct in their assumptions, for they were talking about different types of objects. Heraclitus is correct in terms of the sensible realm; it obviously exists, and is a flux that conforms to the â€Å"measures† as he suggested. Parmenides was correct in terms of the intelligible realm. Plato thought that beyond the world of physical objects in space and time is another world that is nonphysical, non-spatial, and non-temporal. He called this the world of ideai, or forms. These forms are nonphysical, non-spatial, non-temporal objects of thought that are more real than anything else. Whenever we are thinking, according to Plato, what we are thinking about is a form. For example, a triangle drawn on the board in class, no matter how perfect and real it may appear is merely a copy of the form of triangle; a plane figure enclosed by three straight lines. It is like a triangle and looking at it helps us think of the real triangle, but it only relates, or â€Å"participates† in Plato’s terms, to its’ true form. This theory applies to the entire sensible realm because everything changes and nothing stays exactly what it is. In the world of forms, however, everything is always what it is and never another thing. Plato believed that because the world of forms is Parmenidean, or eternal and unchanging, it is therefore possible for us to know it. To explain his theory of forms in depth, Plato used the image of the â€Å"divided line†. Take a line and divide it into two unequal parts, one part representing the physical world and one representing the world of forms. Then, subdivide these two parts in the same ratio, creating two sub-parts of the physical world (call them A and B) and two of the world of forms (call them C and D). Plato says let the first, or lowest, section of the physical world (A) stand for images, such as shadows or reflections. Let the second section of the physical world (B) stand for the actual objects that cast these shadows, like trees, humans, or desks. In the world of forms, Plato continues, let the first section (C) stand for the lower forms, or the forms of the objects in section B. The second section in the world of forms, the highest section of all, (D) then stands for the higher forms, or the science of first principles; the knowledge that, if possessed, would prove the basic assumptions of the special sciences. Plato believed that the nearer we are to the base of the divided line (A), the more conditioned our knowledge is. We can move up the line through dialectic, a process of questions and answer that utilizes hypothesis, criticism, and revision to move nearer to unconditioned knowledge. The higher we climb via this dialectic, the more we rid ourselves of conditions and the better we grasp the knowledge of the non-material abstract forms (D). According to Plato, these are the forms that possess the highest and most fundamental kind of reality. 2. a) How does the Form Man explain the existence of the many individual men? b) What is the nature of man and how is the individual man analogous to the state? c) What is virtue or justice in man and in the state? Plato’s theory of Forms led him to many assumptions, one of the most important of which is his view on the form of â€Å"man† and his relation to the state. He understood that no one man has ever been perfect and that each man participates in the form â€Å"man† to different degrees. Individual men are adequate copies of the true form of â€Å"man†. Plato believed that the men who participate in the form more fully are going to more real, and therefore  better, then the men who participate less. This is better explained by his philosophy of the nature of man and his analogous relationship to the state. Plato recognized the nature of man as a psyche, or soul, that was grouped into three main parts. Each of these three parts have motions proper to them that he believed, if harmonized, would lead to eudaimonia, a total well-being. The first, and lowest, part of the soul he called the appetites. The highest part Plato called reason. The third part, between appetite and reason, he called spirit. He saw the state as having three main parts as well, each corresponding to one of the three parts of the human psyche. Every state needs a governing body, whether kings or congress, so this will be the first part. The second is reserved for the essential producing class, which includes merchants, industrial workers, agriculturists, and so on. Third, Plato held that every state needs a group, between the governing and producing classes, to maintain the state against enemies; this is the guardian group. The analogy relates the producing class to appetite in the individual, the governing class to reason, and the guardians to spirit. Plato wasn’t just satisfied with this, he wanted to know the virtues of these classes, in other words, he wanted to know what each could contribute best. Like organs in an organism’s body, Plato believed each part of the soul and state have a particular role to play in the whole; they were not discrete and complete in themselves. He thought that the function of the members of the producing class was to provide themselves and the nonproductive classes with the necessities of life, such as food, shelter, and clothing. He realized that if everybody were to be provided for sufficiently, some of the producers would have to put up with having less than others. They would have to be ready to â€Å"restrict one’s own consumption for the sake of achieving some sort of balance in the state as a whole†, thus their virtue is moderation or as Plato called it, temperance (Jones 169). The guardians, who make up the second class, must be courageous when defending the state against its enemies, thus their virtue is courage. The governors make the highest decisions in the state. They determine war or peace, educational and economic policies, and so on. To make correct decisions they require knowledge; this is their virtue. A state in which each class is performing its function is just state. Only when the rulers are making wise decisions that are executed with courage and loyalty by the guardians, and the rest of the population is exercising some restraint in its pursuit of material well being, will the citizens of the state be happy. Since the state’s three classes exactly correspond to the three parts of the soul, we are able to understand what Plato took to be their respective virtues. Just like in the state, every individual has producing part that keeps them â€Å"alive and active, a rational part that is intended to guide and direct the energy produced by the body, and a spirited part that is intended to help keep the body in order† (Jones 169). Just as the functions of the soul correspond to the state, so do its virtues. A virtuous man is temperate in satisfying his various appetites and lives a life of reason that is supported by his spirited elements. 3. a) Use the allegory of the cave to illustrate Plato’s political views. In doing so, you should b) explain how the theory of forms supports Plato’s favored form of Aristocracy (to begin with, recall the relation between individual men and the Form of man) and c) explain how the theory of Forms grounds his criticism and rejection of democracy (where in â€Å"the cave† are the Athenian democrats?where are they on the divided line? ) As we have seen, Plato uses myths and methods such as the divided line to explain his views on certain things; this is the case, too, with his views on politics. To understand these views we must examine his allegory of the cave. He said to imagine there was men in a dark cave that were chained by their necks and ankles in such a fashion that they could not move their legs or necks and could only see what was in front of them. These men had been in this cave since childhood. Higher up behind them is a fire that is separated from the prisoners by a sort of puppet-show screen. This fire and screen were used by people carrying various artificial objects, such as figures of men, animals, and other materials, to project the shadows of these objects onto the stone in front of the chained men. It was so dark that these prisoners had no clue they were not alone and if they spoke to each other, they assumed they were speaking with the projected images. Plato goes on to say, imagine if one of them were set free and forced up the steep ascent into the sunlight. He would realize that what he experienced in the cave was not as real as what actually existed. Nature and the sun would enlighten this man and therefore he would gain true knowledge of the world as it is. Plato reasoned that these men, the ones who make it out of the cave, are the men who should rule the rest. His politics were based on man being a social animal, with desires, not only for sleeping or drinking, but communicating with his fellow men in the community. Therefore, he thought communal life is good and all other human goods depend on it for any sufficient satisfaction; an individual, who is really part of the larger state, is neither complete nor himself in isolation. If the good life for the individual is possible only by community, then there must be some sort of government to give direction to the numbers of men and women who live and work together. Plato believed that the few who are wise and good should rule the many. As his theory of Forms suggests, all men participate to the form of man to different degrees. He thought that the few men who participate at the highest levels of the form, the most knowledgeable that have exited the cave and been enlightened, are the ones best for ruling, and doing so rationally; the many are lacking in knowledge and virtue. Plato favored an Aristocracy ruled by these knowledgeable philosopher-kings who would impose the temperance on the producers through selective education and controlled propaganda. Each person, in his view, would find their happiness by playing the part in the state that their degree of participation to the form of man best suited them for. Plato therefore criticized democracy because instead of philosopher-kings who have true knowledge, the rulers are chosen on irrelevant grounds. The art of ruling, which he thought to determine what is best, became in democracy the art of appealing to the masses with flattery. Plato believed that in a democracy it is impossible to exit the cave or rise to the highest section of the divided line because it is powered by rhetoric. Rhetoric works at the level of opinion and only invokes belief by emotional mean, rather than operating at the level of knowledge, where analyzing the forms allows us to discover the truth.

Main Stream Rap causes social problems in minority communities Essay - 1

Main Stream Rap causes social problems in minority communities - Essay Example Have the lessons of the historical struggles of the African Americans to tide over slavery and gain civil rights gone in vain as the current trends in hip-hop are out to promote drugs, sex, violence, disrespect to authority and crimes? The overall opinion is against the mainstream rap and it is making the African American youth directionless and destination-less, and instead of mitigating, it adds to their woes. I have tried to argue in this paper that in the initial stages, the protest of the African Americans was vocal that in due course evolved into a political struggle. Simultaneously they also protested through literature and religious platforms. The whites continued to dominate the African American community and were not willing to give any concession to them, until slavery was legally abolished. The problems of the African Americans did not end there. Issues like poverty, lack of education, integration with the mainstream society, fight against segregation, employment opportunities continued to confront them. In this paper I have made an attempt to make a passing reference to all such issues. Measures needed for reformation and rehabilitation of the African American youth have also been discussed. Another i mportant problem confronting the African American society is the issue of single mother households. Even with the legal abolition of slavery, racism still casts its evil influences overtly and covertly and creates hurdles in the path of progress for the African American youth. Undoubtedly, mainstream rap is the enemy of the youth viewed from many angles. It promotes unhealthy social values, though music itself cannot be singled out for spreading bad values. It holds the mirror of present societal values and presents what is going on in the American scene. Objectification, lewd music, immodest lyrics have become the characteristics of mainstream rap. It also encourages violence. Through

Marketing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Marketing - Assignment Example The spa will offer massage in different variety of styles including traditional massage, deep tissue work, hot stone massage, pregnancy, reflexology, sports and others. (Bplans, 2010). Treatments on body and face using the best products such as Pevonia’s Anti Free Radical Treatment a...... Turnover will be a major consideration in formulating which marketing strategies to be used. Their type and their numbers are also equally important so as to bring a variety of the products to fit in the various types of customers. It will target potential clients both male and female within ten mile radius within our location at a busy plaza in the city. Both individual employees/self employed and non employed employees are also placed in the plan. In order to acquire clients, the spas will implement a very aggressive marketing and networking in the business community through advertising in the media and going to the business premises to carry out presentations, followed by offering the best services in the health spa business. Skilled therapists and trainers include the personnel. Their prices are also competitive in the area so will give a better financial advantage. Pricing approach includes; penetration pricing, promotional pricing and premium pricing. Penetration pricing is nor mally put first and includes setting the prices very low to gain market share. Promotional pricing comes in order to enable the business to buy for long term. Premium pricing will be used lastly which involves setting a very high price of the unique product to gain competitive advantage from the other competitors in the market. Social sites like face book, twitter, you\tube will be of great marketing help, and also in the company’s website. Sales promotion using short term incentives to encourage business to respond and undertake some activity and personal contact between Bodywise Health spa and prospective business clients through face to face meetings and tele-marketing will help maintain they spas competitive edge. The success of the business is

Summary of a biology article Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Summary of a biology article - Essay Example ver specimens of the species have been preserved and a recent analysis carried out, in four places namely London, Liverpool, Philadelphia and New Zealand, on the mitochondrial genome have given new insights regarding the origins of this mammal. Through this researchers have discovered that the closest living relative to the Falkland wolf is the South-American maned wolf. While Darwin had observed certain striking differences between these two animals, genetic analysis however show that species divergence might have taken place about 6.7 million years ago resulting in the migration of the species. Scientists believe that the Falkland wolves might have used large icebergs along with sufficient as means of transportation to the island. Darwin had made a special mention about the differences between the mainland and island wolves in his notes and also mentioned that if answers be found for these differences it would really help to ascertain the stability of species. Darwin’s theory of evolution asserts that variation within the same species is a random phenomenon and survival or extinction of an organism is based on its ability to adapt to its environment in which it exists. If an organism adapts well to its environment by imbibing favorable variations it would thus be able to survive and reproduce at a higher rate. Such a state would determine the stability of the species within that particular environment. His study includes both plants and animals and the specimens analyzed by Darwin include plants, birds and animals and in addition he also collected different types of fossils during his expedition in the Beagle to South America. According to his evolution theory changes in the environment might result in divergence of species based on which environment they best adapt. A similar phenomenon has also occurred in the case of the Falkland wolves. According to the genetic analysis report divergence of the two species from a common ancestor has taken place even

International Relations discussion 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

International Relations discussion 2 - Essay Example Realism and Radicalism seem to provide relatively less effective framework for a better understanding of international systems, because Realism perceives role of selfishness and self interested to dominate on others. As far as Radicalism or Marxism is concerned, it also keeps almost same view that people are motivated by self-interest. Answer to question- 2 Domestic factors like goals and objectives, national interest and priorities, societal influence etc play significant roles in the implementation of the foreign policy. The objective of the foreign policy can be perceived to be a future vision. Who get involved in the foreign policy and analyzing societal influences on it are also highly important factors in determining the foreign policy. Similarly, structure of the government, mainly in relation to finding whether it maintains openness, how are the people in that country and how are the prevailing political and strategic culture also determine the foreign policy (Russett, Starr, and Kinsella 2009). Answer to question-3 Nationalism is psychological, cultural and social forces that influence the formation of a nation.

Ethical Issues of Genetic Testing in Pediatrics Research Proposal

Ethical Issues of Genetic Testing in Pediatrics - Research Proposal Example has traditionally necessitated that future parents be presented with detailed information and then be permitted to select which genetic diagnostic screening or test to use. Because of high opinion for reproductive decision-making and confidentiality in the area of genetics, and to put off misuses and exploitations such as efforts at eugenic control, practically every genetic counselor promotes the principle of value-neutral counseling and self-determining decision making. This framework is theoretically interesting, and in operates finely in contexts where knowledgeable and experienced counselors are available and inexpensive, and where counselors and patients have a common cultural context (Heyman, 2001). However, the demands of regular prenatal care make it problematic basically to reverse this ethical perspective into the obstetric care clinic. The population of patients is quite large; there is insufficient time as it is to address patients’ physical and psychological requirements, and there are oftentimes quite obvious discrepancies between the social and cultural contexts of pediatrics health care specialists and their patients. Furthermore, genetic counselors have traditionally commonly been able, on the basis of particular clinical suggestions, to concentrate their mind on one health disorder or symptom at a time, whereas in the future, decision-making will most probably embrace a broad scale of circumstances for which future parents may be at no specific elevated risk. In the expression a public health professionals, the issue will hence be related to screening rather than the testing itself (Kolker, 1994). There are also ethical issues of substance that assert in favor of a fresh framework for presenting counsel to future parents. Most significantly, the gains of extensive screening have yet to be acknowledged, and there are possible troubles that as well demand examination, including elevated levels of anxiety regarding the pregnancy of regarding

Reflection and analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reflection and analysis - Essay Example The research adopted the sources because they explained about a method of control for those who are already addicts. For example the adoption of the â€Å"Placebo control method† which was a trial that was tried out to help control a condition that results from cannabis use called spasticity. (Jodey Corey-Bloom,2012) One of the sources of this research was about cannabis. The author was Jodey Corey-Bloom and the title is ‘Smoked cannabis for spasticity in multiple sclerosis; a randomized placebo-controlled trial’ The research focused on marijuana as one of the hard drugs that are commonly abused by academic people and so it would give a clear picture of what these drugs cause to academic people leading to academic downfalls. The objective of this literature review was to find out the short term effects of smoked cannabis on spasticity and it helped me identify the placebo-controlled method of identifying symptoms of cannabis suffering victim. A placebo controlled trial was passed to adults suffering from the symptom of spasticity. It was found out that smoked cannabis had much worse symptoms and pain reduction to those patients who had treatment resistant spasticity. Spasticity is described as one of the symptoms of sclerosis. This helps the reader to know one of the side effects of cannabis. (Jodey Corey-Bloom, 2012) The other source I adopted was Lower Cannabis use guidelines for Canada; A narrative review of evidence and recommendations. The author was Benedict Fisher. The objective of the paper was to develop Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines based on researched evidence on adverse effects of cannabis. The literature review helped me to come up with recommendations by constituting viable tools for reducing the risk of cannabis use on an individual and on a population based on certain factors such as frequency of the drug use. Therefore, I was able to come up with a recommendation that the only way to avoid health effects is to abstain from use of

Odysseus story Essay Example for Free

Odysseus story Essay SOME ARE monsters, some are slaves, some are beautiful and cunning women and some are powerful kings. In Homeric literature, a character is either good or bad depending on their xenia or shape (e.g. Charybdis). However, from reading The Odyssey, one can see the admirable characters and the not so admirable characters. Such characters have either good or bad xenia, old or young, male or female, some can be a menial as a slave (such as Eumaeus) and some can be as great as a Troy hero and king (such as Nestor). This is an exploration of whether or not Eumaeus is the most admirable character in The Odyssey or not. We first meet Odysseus swineherd in Book Fourteen in the porch of his hut. He had been caring for Odysseus property during his absence. Odysseus appears to him as a beggar and despite the status that such person has, Eumaeus being but a servant understands xenia and entertains Odysseus by preparing a feast for him.  In Book Fourteen, Eumaeus grieves not only for the loss of Odysseus but also for Telemachus who had gone to find his father. It is clear from Book Sixteen, that Eumaeus loves Telemachus like a father loves a son as when he returns he drops everything and kisses Telemachus and cries with pleasure of his safe return to Ithaca. He shows respect for his masters in Book Fourteen, another admirable trait, when he says to the disguised Odysseus that servants cant give admirable gifts when they work in fear of their overpowering masters. This shows that Eumaeus understands his place an Odysseus and Telemachus both recognise this and treat Eumaeus with great respect. One could argue that Homer created Eumaeus as the most admirable character as there is a not in Book Fourteen that claims that Homer loved his created character and sometimes the literature speaks directly to Eumaeus.  After Eumaeus prayer that Odysseus may return, Odysseus feels that it is right that he should reveal his scar and prove that he is with them. The text says that Eumaeus is overwhelmed to see his master again and is weeping and kissing him so much, that if Odysseus hadnt stopped them, it would have gone on all day and all night! This shows a great and respecting love for the King of Ithaca. Eumaeus speaks out, bravely (or foolishly some could argue) against the Suitors. This shows bravery in his character as well as loyalty and love. He is truly characterised as a noble and respectable person. He also helps in the execution of the maidservants and the mutilation of Melanthius.  All of the above describe how admirable Eumaeus is and there is not a point in the text when he is not admirable, loving, kind or brave. However, there are other admirable characters in The Odyssey. I would argue that King Nestor of Pylos, a hero against Troy with Odysseus, is an admirable character in The Odyssey. He is a very generous host and actually is so generous and so loyal to xenia that in Book Fifteen, Telemachus pleads with Nestors son, Peisistratus (Telemachus Patroclus type character) to not let him see Telemachus, as he will keep him against his will with his passion for hospitality! Some could argue that this in its self is an abuse of xenia. Nestor also stops Telemachus from sleeping on his hollowed ship and says that he should sleep in the palace. This shows true loyalty to xenia. Before this however, Nestor believes that Telemachus even looks like Odysseus and tells Telemachus of his faith in him. This shows a caring for his friends family. Nestor is even kind enough to let his son act as a friend and guardian to Telemachus on his journeys.  Nestors character is one of great caring and compassion and he looks out for Telemachus as a father would look out for a son and I think that this is a truly admirable trait of King Nestor. Another admirable character is Antinous and Aretes daughter, Nausicaa, princess of Phaeacia. She meets Odysseus when he has been washed up on the shore of the island and is wearing no more than a fig leaf over his genitalia. Anyone would have thought him mad or overly promiscuous, however, despite her first impressions, the young woman hears of Odysseus story and shows pity on the great man in his miserable state. She orders her ladies to bathe him and even tells him how to get into the city and speak with her father, Antinous through his wife Arete). With all this guidance she shows mercy on a man in a state where others would have either ran or jeered at him. This shows a merciful character in Nausicaa and for such a young girl she has an understanding of xenia. She falls in love with Odysseus and she is even offered by Antinous as a wife for Odysseus, but Odysseus is having none of it and just wants his presents and one of their good ships to go home in.  Nausicaa demonstrates mercy on Odysseus in the only time we see him as being so disparate and needy for help. The only time when he loses face and the only time really when all he has are his articulate words to help him out of situation. This shows that Nausicaa probably knew that Odysseus was a great man and that his state would have de-motivated him so the very fact that she shows such compassion towards him shows that she sympathises with his situation. This I believe is a very admirable thing to do and shows great intelligence for someone so young. Therefore, Eumaeus is one of the most admirable but not the most. Nestor and Nausicaa, both explored above are equally as admirable but in slightly different ways. Eumaeus admiralty comes from his loyalty to Odysseus and his want to defend his right to be loyal. Nestor is admirable for his hospitality and the way he speaks of Odysseus and the help that he gives to Telemachus on his journey to track down his father. Lastly, Nausicaa is admirable as she is able to trust a man that others would have thought bonkers. He appears to her naked and she accepts his honesty and mercifully helps him due to his articulate speech. Homer has truly created some of the greatest characters in the world of literature and these good and admirable persons are part of the huge enjoyment one has when one reads his Odyssey.

Define the Key Terms Essay Example for Free

Define the Key Terms Essay Application: Generally, a function on any kind of computer or electronic device that is useful to the user, which can give the user a reason to want to own and use the device. More specifically, software that performs some useful function for a user. Computer network: A combination of many components that work together so that many different devices can communicate. Computer networking: The gerund form of the term computer network. Email: Electronic mail. An application in which the user can type text and attach other files to create the electronic equivalent of a postal letter, and send the email to another person using his or her email address. Enterprise network: A network owned and operated by a company, with that company being somewhat larger than typical, generally (but not exactly) with more than 1000 employees. HTTP: Hypertext Transfer Protocol, The protocol  used by web browsers and web servers to define the format of URLs (web addresses) and the messages used to exchange web objects. Internet/the Internet: The global network formed by interconnecting most of the networks on the planet, with each home and company network connecting to an Internet service provider (ISP), which in turn connects to other ISPs. Link: A generic term for any network cable or wireless communications path between two devices over which bits can be transmitted. Node: A generic term for any networking device that sits on the end of links, for the purpose of both connecting links to create physical paths and to make decisions about how to forward data through the network. Protocol: A set of rules that different devices and/or software must follow so that the network works correctly. Video frame: A grid of pixel locations of a chosen width by height that contains the lights/colors to be shown in a video at a single point in time. Voice call: A more modern term for a telephone call that does not use the word telephone, instead emphasizing the fact that the traffic that flows between the endpoints is voice. Web address: Text that identifies details about one object in a network so that a client can request that object from a server. An informal term for URL. Web browser: Literally, software controlled directly by a user that requests web pages from a web server, and after receiving a page, displays the web page in a window. More generally, this term refers to both the software and the hardware on which it executes. Web page: In a web browser, all the text, images, video, and sound that fill the window of the browser when the user opens a link to some web address. Web server: Literally, software that stores web pages and web objects, listens for requests for those pages, and sends the contents of those pages/objects to clients. More generally, this term refers to both the software and the hardware on which it executes.

The Problem Of The Water Conflict Politics Essay

The Problem Of The Water Conflict Politics Essay Water conflict is not a new issue, but it is an old problem in the life of nations, given the importance of water in economic stability, growth and development. And the so called Fertile Crescent, which its name is inferred from the Middle East region which is a base for agriculture and water, making it a center where civilizations have arose, thus making it a region for conflicts for millenniums. The factors affecting the nature of water consumption as a result of indiscriminate and misuse of the water reserves will push the states in the Middle East to secure the urgent need of water with any of the available means and at any price. Therefore Water will constitute the single basic conflict in the region during the foreseeable future. Since the Palestinian Nakba in 1948 and the previous events, and since the decision to partition Palestine, the Zionist danger exists. The danger extends to the whole Middle East region, and this risk is taking dimensions in multiple forms. Israel have used the pretext of historical rights of the promise land and the rights of security, thus using it as an excuse for occupation and other intimidation, all to cover the Israeli hegemony over the region and the exploitation and plundering of its resources, specially water. However, the most important is Israel ambitions in Lebanon, ranging from Israel claim that Lebanon is religiously, historically, strategically, economically, and water resources date to the Jewish hegemony in the region dating back to the days of the Old Testament. The most serious among them is the ambitions of the Lebanese water. I will explore the risks and Zionist ambitions in Lebanese water in four sections: historical ambitions of water, the military ambitions of water, the water law, and political risks. Historical Ambitions of water The Zionist project for a national homeland for Jews in Palestine and its neighbors was based on the consideration that the best border is the one that fulfills the following factors, strategic, economic, historical, and water resources, which the current so called state of Israel is claiming and what the Zionist state desired since the 1948 occupation of Palestine. When we review this we will find the notes cascading since the end of World War I; in 1919 the Zionist memorandum on the Lebanese waters contained a lot of references and proposals for the domination and hegemony over these waters, Mount Hermon is the father of water in Palestine, and can not be separated without being a serious blow to the roots of economic life in particular. And Mount Hermon not only need reforestation, but also needs other work to become eligible to be a water tank of the country. Therefore it must be subject entirely to the control of those who are passionate and have strong sufficient capacity to ex ploit its potential until the maximum. There also must be an international agreement protecting whereby water rights of the people who live south of the Litany River are fully protected.(1) These ambitions were not concealed by Zionists, especially the proposals, studies and projects carried out by the Zionist movement publicly. The Zionist movement brought in 1938 American expert Walter Clay Lowdermilk to Palestine to study conditions of the water, he took the job and published recommendations in the book Palestine Promised Land in 1944 and summarized water diversion of the Jordan River in the upper basin to the natural coastal region of Palestine, and transferring it to the Negev region and to seize the waters of the Hasbani River, Banias River, Litany River, in addition to the Aldan River which flows in Palestine. He also concluded that Zionist should focus their projects on Lebanon and told Zionist Commission to work on plans for the transfer of water from the Litany River; he developed the first plan in 1943 and then followed by another in 1948. At the meetings of the International Conciliation in 1949 delegates raised the issue of Israels rights to the Litany River, which made the Committee recommend an investment of seven eighths of the Litany River water to Israel, since they claimed that the Litany River water was being wasted in the Mediterranean. During the Cotton Project of 1954, a project placed by Israel in response to the Eric Johnston proposal which concluded to the investment of the Jordan River between Arab countries and Israel. Israel introduced into this project what it called a surplus of the Litany, as it was determined that Israel would get 1290 million cubic meters of water, compared to 750 million cubic meters for Lebanon and the fact that, if the Cotton Project applied, Lebanon will only get 301 million cubic meters because the true estimates of Litany River were less than the accounts of Cotton Project. So the Litany River project was Lebanons response to the practically that the waters of the river can be invested all in Lebanon, without being wasted to the sea. This project needed to be completed because of its strategic importance and security. You will not find any Israeli official that did not express a deep regret for the loss of the Lebanese water from their hands and through the statements of many Israeli officials among them was what Moshe Sharett said, it was a huge mistake that we committed that we did not include the Litany water and what Levy Eshkol said, that Israel was divided three times the first time when the Hasbani and Banias rivers were left outside its territory. (3) It is the context of these statements that prove that Zionist were able to get what they want in the world without taking into account the interests of the countries concerned, but the reality on the other hand that the Zionist movement tried its best to get southern Lebanon including land and water since the end of the First World War but the French stubbornness and insistence on its own interests as well, prevented them from achieving this goal. It is worth mentioning that it was not over at this partial failure, and the doors did not close at Israeli ambitions, Shimon Peres in his book New Middle East, noted to running water and the number of reasons for the lack of water, a natural phenomena, increase in population, exploitation of nature, and wrong policies, he concluded that the solution is to set up a regional system for the management of water development projects and for distribution on the basis of economic with an honest and fair manner. This means that those who have water to share with others therefore, Lebanon should provide a part of its water for the benefit of Israel as the equitable distribution imposes a sharing, according to the need rather than equal sharing, and distribution on an economic base also means the cost for transporting the water, therefore Lebanon waters is closest to the Palestine and the least expensive. Military ambitions of water Israel has waged wars on the surrounding countries and those wars were a permanent attempt to impose its presence and existence in this region. And Israel characterized its operations toward Lebanon as what Israel described as a Lebanon threat to the Israeli existence, but the real goals go beyond that. In 1978 Israel invaded parts of southern Lebanon under the code name Operation Litany, Israel halted the invasion quickly not because of the Israel desire but because of the Egyptian Israeli peace talks, which pushed America to give importance to these talks instead of the usual Israeli interest. It was this invasion that created a buffer zone for Israel in Lebanon and the establishment of a small state lead by Saad Haddad, and thus Israel took control of parts of the Lebanese territory and nearly fifty kilometers of the Litany River. Then came the full invasion of 1982 and one of the strategic goals for this invasion was Lebanons water, Israels buffer zone stayed until its collapse at the hands of Hezbollah in May 2000 and this period was long enough and sufficient to the transfer of water from the Litany, Hasbani and Wazzani rivers and deprived the occupied villages on those rivers that benefited from them for irrigation and drinking. in 1986 Israel began fencing several hectares of Lebanese territory near the Wazzani spring, and expulsing Lebanese farmers, they built roads, canals, and installed pumps to draw water and dragged it through the canals under the slogans of irrigating the Arkob area, while in reality water was being transferred to Israel, which Almanar TV showed just recently in a one hour documentary. In 1989, Israel extended water pipes from Al-Ain spring which feeds the Hasbani and Wazzani rivers, so the waters of Wazzani and Hasbani were fully exploited. Professor Thomas Naff an expert on water in the Middle East said in June 1990 during a scientific conference in Washington that Israel will not give up these territories that they occupied without obtaining the guarantees to provide them with access to water from other sources in the area, mostly from the Litany River, and Lake Tabarya. He also predicted that the water in the end will decide the future of the occupied territories, which is decided by the question of war or peace. It is no secret that the theft of water by Israel was clear since 1983, Israel is still stealing water interests of Mount Amyl, the infringements on the water was clear during the occupation and continuing thereafter in other places. No one have the accurate numbers to the amount that is stolen. A conference organized by the Center for Lebanese Studies at Oxford University in 1991, discussed the issue but the numbers remained suspended or buried like the head of ostrich in the sand. Israel, with the continued construction of deep wells on the edge of the border with Lebanon, is draining the groundwater that floats under the Marjayoun area, the quantity of water pumped will lead to great reductions in the Lebanese underground water supply. Ambitions of water legally I have highlighted the Zionist memorandum to the peace conference in Paris in 1919, the Zionist ambitions was the slogan within the Jewish borders the Zionist movement had hoped that the parties would recognize the historic right of the Jewish people in Palestine and hoped it would be the first step, which lead by the stage of negotiations to draw the border between the British and the French occupied territories, in which it lead to the convention called Border Agreement and was signed at the end of 1920. If one was looking at the correspondence and official talks that took place between 1918 and 1920 one would have discovered that in what was published that the issue a priority is the subject of water. Proving that the Zionists only priority was water, they called to control the waters of the Litany and Jordan Rivers. The Israeli ambitions may be suppressed by international laws sometimes, and positions of power through Lebanon and the resistance of Hezbollah at other times. This does prove that greed is not in doubt or debate, but it must be pointed out. What was left unresolved from the ambitions in the texts of the convention on the Border Agreement, this agreement is still in force between Lebanon and Israel, and thus there is still an argument that Israel can demand their rights if they wanted them. Prior to the signing of the Border Agreement, the Zionists insisted on the inclusion of southern Lebanon and all that for the Litany River control, and a letter written by Weizmann to the Zionist British foreign secretary Curzon in 1920. Before the signing of the Border Agreement, I thought of the letter your Excellency sent, if at all, I probably I had not explained adequately the impossibility of protecting our rights, the use of water from the upper Jordan and Yarmouk through any measure, does not take into account the inclusion of these waters within the territorial limits of Palestine. This does include utilization engineering work to be comprehensive, but also the process of a forestation on a large scale. And it is impossible to have any pace of development for our security, natural, and process from an economic standpoint, were not areas where the works are located under the existing power in Palestine. And I am sure that you are aware of the paramount importance of the Litany for Palestine. Even if you consider the Jordan River, all of it and Yarmouk in Palestine, water in both rivers, not enough for our needs; the summer in Palestine is very dry, and evaporation is fast and heavy. The irrigation of the Upper Galilee and the power required even to eco nomic life is limited and must be available from Litany. Experts agree that the Litany has the advantage of abundance of water But if Palestine was separated from the Litany River and the upper Jordan and Yarmouk, this is not to say anything about the eastern shore of the Galilee, Israel can not be economically independent (5) Britain could not respond to the Israeli demand, especially as France had a position, France did not give up the border drawn by the Sykes Picot agreement until long negotiations which lead to an amendment to waive the north of Palestine including Safad, Lake Hula and other territories, but France rejected the use of Lebanese water as put forward by the Zionist projects. Experts meet to work together to study the use of waters of the Jordan and Yarmouk rivers and their tributaries for irrigation and power generation, after meeting the needs of the areas under the French mandate. This proves to us from the above text and speech compared with the Weizmann demands, that the Zionist movement has gained what it bargained for with the exception of the Litany River, but the issue of water use and forestry all experts had agreed, but with slight modification, it did not mention the identity of the experts or the words Zionist experts or engineering project Zion, this shows that the reality and the nature of the British Mandate and the adoption of the draft of the Jewish state regardless who Britain appoints whether a committee of experts from the members of the Zionists or Jews from the Zionists or Englishmen the result is the same. Thus, it has been agreed between British and the French to move ahead with production of electrical energy from any waters of the Jordan, Yarmouk and Hasbani and their tributaries where it was under control of the French mandate, and that for the benefit of Palestine from the excess water. And in another form the excess of water does not only go to Lake Hula, but it has become by virtue of Article VIII of the Convention a legitimate right of the Government of Palestine which later became Israel to take advantage of all that can be called the Lebanese water surplus. Legally, there have been amendments to this Convention under the Mandate, but did not change Article VIII. Lebanon has inherited international conventions and agreements from the French mandate namely, Boundary Agreement and Lebanon did not submit any amendment to overturn the agreement Israel could still demand the application of Article VIII, as it pleases. It should be noted that Lebanon has been devoted to cross border agreement, the Armistice Agreement signed with Israel in 1949, by the first paragraph of Article V which states: following the Armistice Line international border between Lebanon and Palestine. The question of neglect or ostrich policy or opacity of the Border Agreement, it may be a political issue but also an issue at the heart of the nation by not dealing with this article or commenting and even ignoring it entirely is a matter strange reprehensible because it is sensitive and dangerous to Lebanon on the national level and security. The Border Agreement after signing was not to the level aspired by Zionism as the Convention did not include the Lebanese territory and the Litany River, but the Zionist joy was great to Article VIII in particular, which had a loud expressive joy of triumph, regardless of their hopes for swallowing the Litany land and water, but the right to exploit Lebanons water surplus considered in itself a major achievement. It is the latest writings which dealt with this point, the book which was released in 1994 by American Professor Adam Garfinkle, entitled War, Water, and Negotiation in the Middle East: The Case of the Palestine Syria Border, 1916-23 the book explained that the Zionist did not give up on convincing France to give up the Litany land and water, he also concludes that Zionist work to earn the surplus of Lebanese water, is considered a victory. To avoid this potential danger it is essential for lawyers to address an in depth study of the convention of the Border Agreement so it does not become a sword hanging over Lebanon, at this time Lebanon is still resisting in Sheba farms, Gagar village, and the water of the Hasbani and Wazzani. At this time Lebanese government should move to the process of mobilizing the nation into making use of Lebanese waters and take advantage of them completely and in an optimal way, including groundwater and rivers by returning to the proposals and integrated projects, like the Litany project and to build dams. An expert Ibrahim Abdel-Al is known for his famous Report of Abdel-Al 1952, which says: Lebanons gift is the Litany and Lebanon can not be saved until an overall design of the Lebanese water sources a lot of Lebanese are aware of this danger, as well as the importance of making use of water in the integrated projects for Lebanon and to prevent the Zionist dangers. At the level of international law, with regard to rivers water according to the International Law Institute, which states sovereignty of the National Rivers are rivers that flow in the territory of one state and are subject to its sovereignty. Its followed by that the right of the State to exploit its natural resources and powers at its discretion. As for the international rivers, rivers which are respectively, in different regions or between the territories of two or more countries, follow the provisions of international law and the rules known as rules of Helsinki The International Law Association in 1966 is the one being applied so far, which states that the state where the river passes have part of the river, located between the borders. Accordingly, the State could exercise on the part located in the territory all acts of public authority and its exploitation in various aspects of agricultural, industrial, financial, and subject to similar rights to other countries that share the river, and not doing any work that could undermine these rights and the most important: the principle of distributive justice, to refrain from undertaking projects that would harm or prejudice to the rights of others, and the principle of adequate respect for acquired rights of all the beneficiary countries, based on the actual needs of each of them to the international waters of the river, and the principle of payment of appropriate compensation in case of harm to the rights of any third party states and other recipients. As I pointed earlier to the Turkish Syrian water conflict and Egypt Eritrea water conflict From these provisions one could easily conclude several things: First, Israel has no right to any waters of the Litany River as it is located within the Lebanese border meaning its not an international river. in spite of international conferences, multilateral and specialized agencies on water that began in 1992 after the launch of the Madrid talks, new theories to explain the river basins have been put forward in these conferences, including the theory of the basin complex, which includes several sectors of life, environmental affairs or economic sectors, there is no doubt if this theory is approved it will constitute a threat to what is considered internal rivers within a single state, as it gives rights to neighboring countries to take advantage of the water of the rivers. Despite what has been proven that the Litany River have nothing to do with underground water of other rivers, but some of the laws proposed, in the event of approval will be affecting the waters of the Litany. It is worth mentioning that the latest studies that constitute a real threat to Arab water is that of the study was conducted for a period of two continuous years from 1994 till 1995 by Israeli scientists, headed by economists from Harvard University and Mass. Institute of Technology, which was essentially based on the separation between the ownership of water and the use of water, so water ownership is of no importance. Secondly, with regard to the standing problem of Wazzani and Hasbani rivers which international law applies to them as they stem and hold on Lebanese territory up to the north of Palestine, the Helsinki Rules on the right to exploitation within the bases of the international norms, and Lebanon has the right in the exploitation without being a damaging partner to any other State which these rivers flow in, and it can be argued what Israel claims and especially the rights of Lebanese Wazzani water up to about 50 million cubic meters, while Lebanon needs to implement projects to irrigate some of the villages, while Israel is taking away more then 150 million cubic meters. Lebanon should also benefit from the spring in particular, and secondly from its course and that the proportion of Lebanons right to have approximately one third, as there is no bilateral agreement between the two countries to organize this benefit, and Lebanon is losing its share of the water which is a violation of i nternational law. Third, by returning to law and international norms, the attack on the Lebanese waters and piracy, and the continuing Israeli plundering of Lebanese waters from the rivers Wazzani and Hasbani, which perhaps been going on for tens of years, is a breach of international law, they are attacking the rights of Lebanon, and Lebanon only practitioner of his right to water, it is possible to resort to international arbitration as the best way to preserve Lebanons right through the United Nations, as well as its commitment to resistance, and the insistence on preventing any attack on our rights but more than that Israel should be forced to pay for the damage caused to Lebanon and the deprivation of legal and natural right to benefit from the Hasbani and Wazzani water. Political risks The multiple failures of Israel invasions to the Lebanese territory and the inability to accomplish its missions which it calls the safety for Galilee and the political objectives as the convention on the Lebanese-Israeli, which took place on May 17, 1983 and the attempt to impose Israeli hegemony through the establishment of a fragile Lebanese system which is subject of loyalty to Israel and to be separated from the Arab and peeled off the Arab issues, this agreement was eliminated by the triumphant victory of the resistance and the withdrawal of the Israeli enemy defeated, which set a precedent as the first Arab land to be freed by force. So the data is representative of which to open the gate to negotiation in the region from topic of water and draw international attention on the other hand from what is happening in Palestine, and resettlement process in the midst of the events that are taking place in the region, whether in Palestine or in the region in general, and Israeli amplified the problem of Wazzani in an attempt to prevent Lebanon to obtain its rights from the Wazzani water , not to protect their right to water, but to cut the road to Lebanon for the benefit of the waters of the Hasbani, which may lead to a suspension of the Wazzani project pending resolution of the conflict with theme or linking to draft a comprehensive solution to the crisis in the Middle East peace process through which the installation of Israeli hegemony over the region. The most important thing Israel wants from Lebanon is to capture the Lebanese water in general and the Litany River especially, which is the reason for instability in the region, which will halt any peace attempts as Lebanon is dyer needs for its water resources, Israel on the other hand sees it as a vital issue for peace with Lebanon. the problem is expanded to intervene in the scope of what is happening in the entire region and have realized how invested for the water rights and economic development. Hence it was the Israeli insistence on negotiations on the water issue before any other subject, and now Israel is trying to benefit from the Wazzani by placing the water as a main point with the disarmament of Hezbollah for negotiations, for the U.S. to move these negotiations forward one could predict a United States intervention in Lebanon under the title war on terrorism. 1 as contained in the happiest Razzouk _ Greater Israel: A Study in the expansionist Zionist ideology, (Beirut the Palestine Liberation Organization Research Center, 1968), p. 403. 2 Adam Garfinkle, War, Water, and Negotiation in the Middle East; The Case of the Palestine-Syrian Border 1916 _ 1923 (Jerusalem: Tel Aviv University, 1994) P: 126. 3 Dr. Statement Noueihed the evolution of the constitutional and political Lebanese 1920 1995 Beirut 1996 4 Assaad Razzouk Israels major study in the expansionist Zionist ideology, Beirut: Palestine Liberation Organization Research Center, 1968. 5 Edward Rizk, The River Jordan, New York, Arab Information Center, 1964. 6 British Documents on Foreign Affair, Part II, Series B-Vo1.2 (University Publication of America) -. 7 The Palestinian issue and the Zionist danger, Beirut: Ministry of National Defense the Lebanese army and the Institute for Palestine Studies, 1973. 8 the Palestinian issue and the Zionist danger (Beirut: Ministry of National Defense the Lebanese army and the Institute for Palestine Studies, 1973), p.: 526. 9 The Letters and Papers of Chaim Weizmann: August 1898-July 1931

evilmac Shakespeares Lady Macbeth and Evil :: Macbeth essays

Macbeth: Lady Macbeth and Evil         Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In a play that is abundant in evil occurrences,   Lady Macbeth is the overriding source of evil in   the first act. Lady Macbeth persuades Macbeth to kill Duncan, despite Macbeth listing eight reasons against the murder. When Macbeth is alone, we discover that he is a loyal thane to Duncan, not a murdering savage. When Duncan is in his house at Inverness, Macbeth comes to a decision not to kill Duncan. Lady Macbeth convinces Macbeth, who decided strongly against murdering Duncan, to go ahead with their plan to murder Duncan. Lady Macbeth is very successful at persuading him to do things that he knows are wrong. Macbeth is not an evil person, but when he is allowed to be influenced by Lady Macbeth, he is vulnerable to committing deeds he knows are wrong. Lady Macbeth entirely breaks the stereotype of women being kind and benevolant in the first act. After Macbeth writes home telling of his murderous plans, Lady Macbeth begins talking to evil spirits. Because women often lack the ruthlessness to kill someone, Lady Macbeth asks the spirits to make her male. One of the most vivid descriptions of Lady Macbeth's wickedness is directly after Macbeth announces to her he does not want to kill Duncan.This speech epitomizes Lady Macbeth's evilness. She is ruthless, and her evil accounts for the murders that occur throughout the play Macbeth.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Lady Macbeth is far more savage and ambitious than her husband, yet she convinces Macbeth to commit the murders that will make them king and queen. Macbeth is without his wife's cruel and uncompassionate attitude towards life. Lady Macbeth is aware that her husband is genuinely a gentle person. However, she is able to manipulate Macbeth into committing   evil deeds in order to achieve her desires. Lady Macbeth fears that Macbeth lacks enough courage and killer instinct to murder Duncan. Lady Macbeth might be a more vicious individual, but she is more afraid than Macbeth about killing Duncan. She never mentions herself committing the murder, and she always insists upon Macbeth executing the killing. The opportunity arises for Lady Macbeth to murder Duncan, but she decides not to. This is the first humane feeling that we see from Lady Macbeth in the play. Her desires and inspiration are very strong, but when opportunity presents itself, she can not carry through with the act. Therefore, she uses her husband's vulnerability to persuasion to achieve her dreams.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The relationship between Lady Macbeth and Macbeth is based on political triumphs, not love.Lady Macbeth often accuses her husband of talking but not

Women and Society During the Early 20th Century Essay -- essays resear

Women and Society during the early 20th Century Women always had to deal with all kinds of situations throughout history. Sex was becoming to be a woman’s way of expressing herself and in a way have control over certain situation Edith Wharton’s "Summer" and John Steinbeck’ s "The Chrysanthemums" show two characters (both of them women) struggling between society‘s rules and laws and their own believes and desires. Both stories were written in the beginning of the 20th century and both authors made it very clear that the women’s thoughts were unacceptable. While Charity Loyal in "Summer" had the ability to satisfy herself sexually with a city boy and go as far as she could be her desires. Elisa Allen in "Chrysanthemums" fantasized about the idea of being with another man, but did not take her thoughts into action. Both, however, seem to look in nature the answer for the constant struggle to achieve freedom. This theme, like sex, is renowned all throughout th e stories. Wharton decides to start the story with a description of the town where Charity Royall lives. She says, "A little wind moved among the round white clouds on the shoulder of the hills, driving their shadows across the fields and down the grassy road that takes the name of the street when it passes through North Dormer. The place lies high and in the open, and lacks the lavish shade of the more protected New England Villages" (91). North Dormer seems to be a very peaceful place. The description gives a tone of calmness and happiness. This is very important for Charity, since she has an especial connection to nature all through out the story. When she is looking to free herself from North Dormer, Galante Gonzalez, 2 she looks for it in nature. After a long day working in the library (where Charity is usually by herself), Wharton shows how happy Charity becomes once she is able to leave and be outside with nature. She says, "She loved the roughness of the dry mountain grass under her palms, the smell of the thyme into which she crushed her face, the fingering of the wind in her hair and through her cotton blouse, and the creak of the larches as he swayed to it" (98). Charity lies in the grass almost hugging it. She shows emotions toward the grass (nature) that make it seem almost like a person. Moments like this one, made her feel free... ...be plenty.’ Alcohol will ease the pain, perhaps." She is upset, there was obviously These two women deal with the oppression imposed by society during the turn of the century. But their desires and emotions are stronger than what people thought at the time. For Charity, her love for nature allowed her to feel free. Eventually she loses all of that when she becomes pregnant and marries Mr. Royall. For Elisa, the struggle of wanted Galante Gonzalez, 6 to be like man did not give her a sense of freedom, only when she is working in her garden. She, like Charity, never completely achieved her freedom by the end of the story. Galante Gonzalez, 7 Worked Cited Bily, Cynthia. â€Å"Critical essay on Summer.† Literature Resource Center. 2005. 25 April 2005 . Fahy, Thomas. â€Å"Worn, Damaged Bodies in Literature and Photography of the Great Depression.† Wilson Web. Mar. 2003. 25 April 2005 . Palmerino, Gregory J. â€Å"Steinbeck’s The Chrysanthemums.† Wilson Web. 2004. 25 April 2005. â€Å"Sex.† 2004. 25 April. 2005 . Steinbeck, John. â€Å"The Chrysanthemums.† The Health Anthology of American Literature. 4th ed. Vol 1. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002. 1874-1881.

Comment on the Positive Function and Dysfunction of Social Policy in Hong Kong.

2. Definition of Social Policy Social policy primarily refers to guidelines and interventions for the changing, maintenance or creation of living conditions that are conducive to human welfare. Thus, social policy is a part of public policy that has to do with social issues. More specifically, it also considers detailed issues in policy and administration of social services, including policies for health, housing, education and social work, and needs and issues affecting the users of services, including poverty, old age, disability, and family policy. To have more clearly speaking, terms of social needs, social integration and alienation will be elaborated. Social needs are people’s needs which are socially defined according to social conditions. Yet we can still have a look at Hierarchy of ‘Need† as a reference since social needs are part of the basic needs. According to A. H. Maslow (1943), there are a hierarchy of five sets of goals including physiological, safety, love, esteem and respect, and self-actualization. These goals are related to one another, being arranged in hierarchy of prepotency. Social integration is referred to the process of building up a sense of community and social network amongst different community groups and individuals, hence people all live together in a peaceful and harmonious manner. It is the key element to social stability and can be achieved by promoting social mobility. Alienation is opposite to social integration, which means the feeling of being neglected or isolated and excluded from the rest. Such feeling of seclusion may destroy any sense of community or belonging and hence lead to social instability. Various types of social policy are being implemented in a society, such as family policy, education policy, and healthcare policy and so forth. We will particularly focus on social policies which aim to improve human welfare and to meet human needs for health, education and housing. 3. Overview and Comment On Social Policy in Heath Aspect The health system of Hong Kong is considered as one of the best world-wide. It is divided into two parts, which are public health services and private health services. Our government heavily subsided for the former services but citizens need to pay for the fee for the latter services. The Department of Health executes health care policies and statutory functions so as to safeguard the health of the community through preventive and rehabilitative services. In order to achieve the goal, subvention for the Hospital Authority has been increased in recent years. Besides, it is expected that ageing population will increase, expectations of health care will rise, and medical costs will soar. Therefore, it is not difficult to foresee that health expenditure will become a heavy burden for our government. Based on this problem, our government proposed to have a reform and some policies were implemented. I will look at two schemes in the following part. 3. 1 Early Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme Early Health Care Voucher Pilot Scheme (HCVS) was addressed in the Policy Address 2007 -2008. The Scheme is to give elders who aged 70 or above five health care voucher of $50 annually. It aims to allow elderly to gain access to health care services in the private sector with subsidy and hence minimize the number of patients on the waiting list in the public sector. Through the Scheme, the elderly can have additional choices on top of the existing public healthcare services which would continue to be provided, hence equity is encouraged as a universal access to medical services regardless of wealth or status is promoted. It will contribute as a positive function since social integration is encouraged. Besides, complaints are always arouse due to the long waiting list of the public sector, patients can now save their time by visiting private doctors with partially subsidization. However, in order to further fulfill the social needs, eligibility for joining the Scheme should be relaxed from 70 to, for example, 65 years old and the subsidized amount of $250 should be increased. It is because only small amount of people can benefit from the scheme and financial support given to them is not enough due to the high consultation fee of private doctors. 3. 2Health Care Reform A lot of people support there is an urgent need for the reform especially after consultation documents in health services and financing reforms during the past ten years. One part of the proposed reform is tax deduction should be provided for private medical insurance premium or expenses. Our government is working out a supplementary healthcare financing option operating on a voluntary participation basis, containing insurance and savings components. For using this kind of method, it is believed that indemnification can be provided for citizens, which meets the second level of basic need in Maslow’s Hierarchy Needs. Moreover, it can release the pressure on the public sector and hence ensure a high quality of services in public sector. On the other hand, the reform should be taken into deep consideration, if health insurance plan is mandatory to all citizens, it may lead to dissatisfaction of some citizens and which will at last violate the aim of social policy. In short, providing both public health services and private health services can maintain competition in the private sectors which can ensure its quality. Giving welfare to our citizens can foster a sense of belonging and unity in the community. Subsidization in health care services given to the poor by various scheme can encourage redistribution of wealth and hence promote social mobility. Though Hong Kong’s health care standards are comparable to many major European cities and always being praised at, it will be a shame if our citizens cannot receive appropriate treatment due to the long waiting list problem. Therefore, it has been urged to think of new schemes and more partnerships between the city's public and private hospitals in a bid to ease the burden on the public sector. 4. Overview and Comment on Social Policy in Education Aspect Education has long been regarded as a long term method to stabilize the society and promote economic development in the city. In Hong Kong, Education Bureau’s Vision is to provide quality school education for our students to develop their potential to the full and to prepare them for the challenges in life. Hence, it promises to deliver professional services and ensure effective use of resources, and forge partnerships to promote excellence in school education. The Bureau is responsible for formulating, developing and reviewing policies, programmes and legislation in respect of education from pre-primary to tertiary level. Those policies formulated by the Bureau will be divided into the four categories in the following part. . 1Kindergarten Our Government plays as a supporting role in pre-primary education, which provides in-service teacher training facilities, lower rent to non-profit-making kindergartens, permission of allocating kindergartens in public housing estates, and supplies financial assistance in the form of reimbursement rates to parents and kindergartens. 4. 1. 1Kindergarten Scheme In 1996 Policy Add ress, our government brought up the idea of allocating more financial assistance and providing additional training for existing kindergarten teachers through implementing Kindergarten Scheme. One of its commitments is to ensure more than 40% of kindergarten teachers would complete the Qualified Kindergarten Teacher Education Course by September, 1997. Although such policies legislated by the government were reacted because of pressure from the public, it still can ensure the quality of preschool education to all. Besides, equity is advocated as good quality preschool education made available universally. Yet, the policies can only partially fulfill social needs because our government is always taking a supporting role only, a higher degree of support for preschool education is needed. . 1. 2 Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme The Pre-primary Education Voucher Scheme (PEVS) provides fee subsidy for parents or legal guardians or registered custodians to meet towards school fees for pre-primary education of their children in the form of pre-primary education vouchers. Eligible children who attend nursery, lower or upper classes in eligible local non-profit-making kindergar tens or Kindergarten-cum-Child Care Centres may benefit from PEVS. The Scheme was launched in 2007 to promote the â€Å"3A's† of early childhood education (ECE): affordability, accessibility, and accountability. The PEVS has three unique features. The first one is discriminating against profit kindergartens and hence to discourage social alienation. The second feature is promoting teacher professional development to ensure quality of preschool education so that the gap of quality between profit kindergartens and non-profit kindergartens can be minimized. Children from poor families can still have a qualified and good education. The last feature is limiting parents’ choice to only non-profit schools. On one hand, it can promote freedom of choices; on the other hand, it can encourage social integration as children may get into the school they want regardless of wealth of the families. To conclude, the majority of the parents perceive positive impacts towards schemes launched by the government. Nevertheless, principals and teachers of kindergartens reported some implementation difficulties and more sufficient support are needed for parents. 4. 2Primary and Secondary Education The Government's policy objectives are to provide a balanced and diverse school education that meet the different need of our students and help them build up knowledge, values and skills for further studies and personal growth. 4. 2. 1Universal Basic Education Compulsory primary education was introduced in 1971; afterwards, 9-year free education was implemented in 1978 to fully subsidize both primary and junior secondary education. Starting from the 2008/09 school year, senior secondary education is provided free through public sector schools. In addition, with effect from the 2008/09 school year, the Government provides full subvention for full-time courses run by the Vocational Training Council for Secondary 3 leavers to offer an alternative free avenue for senior secondary students outside mainstream education. Advocating universal basic education can promote social integration as the poor can be able to receive education. Besides, it can equip students with ample knowledge and prepare them for entrance into the knowledge-based economy. Hence, it will be easier for the poor to climb up the social ladder, without basic knowledge they may need to work as low-skilled workers for the whole life. 4. 2. 2 School Entrance System In 1978, two systems were used to determine whether the students can get into the secondary school. Secondary School Entrance Examination is a selected mechanism by which students who scored higher would be selected for places given higher priority in their school choices. Feeder and Nominated System is a mechanism allowed feeder and nominated secondary schools to directly admit a certain proportion of their students from designated primary schools. Through the Secondary School Entrance Examination, social mobility can be promoted as children from poor families can still have a chance to get into the best school. Oppositely, the other scheme would minimize the effect of promoting social mobility. It is because wealthy families can send their children to prestigious primary schools and hence let them to go into the linked prestigious secondary school. Hence, it may bias towards wealthy people. 4. 2. 3 Secondary School Places Allocation System Secondary School Entrance Examination was later changed to Secondary School Places Allocation System. It is a mechanism to allocate secondary school places to primary school-leavers. The allocation mechanism is designed in such a way so that it would help reduce public examination pressure on Primary six students and restore a more balanced education in primary schools. In addition, due regard is given to parental choices and, through regionalization, the need for students to travel long distances to schools is minimized. Moreover, it helps to achieve a degree of mixed ability intake at Secondary one level. Therefore, social integration can be promoted in this way, nevertheless, it can never be promoted into full extent since well-off families can afford to move within the proximity of prestigious schools, for instance mid levels of Hong Kong Island, to get into those famous traditional schools. 4. 2. 4School Management Initiative Programme School Management Initiative Programme (SMI), introduced in 1991, provides participating schools with school planning/staff development days, approved collection of charges for specific purposes, and computer system for school administration. It aims to attain an effective school system. In the spirit of the SMI, it was proposed that the school funding system should be able to meet the basic needs of students to ensure fairness across the school sector, provide schools with greater flexibility in the effective use of resources in order to achieve individuality. However, the teachers complained about the heavy increase of work load and reported that the accountability framework failed to make any impact on the quality of teaching. The focus of our government should be the attitudinal and behavioral change in those directly involved in delivery of services instead of structural and administrative change. 4. 3Tertiary Education The government increased the number of degree places in late 1970s and 1980s. Today, 14,500 first-year first-degree places are provided to cater for about 18% of the 17 to 20 age group through the eight institutions funded by the University Grants Committee to further develop Hong Kong as a regional education hub. Moreover, our government has financial support to students who are in financial needs. By increasing the number of degree places, equity is promoted as students can have a higher chance to admit into tertiary education. Providing subsidization to students can ensure that no qualified students are denied access to higher and post-secondary education due to a lack of financial means. Besides, it can improve the standard of living as the rate of illiteracy is lowered and hence stimulate economy of the city due to the increase in competitiveness. However, demand of post-secondary education is progressively increasing, policies, which are being implemented, still cannot meet the social needs. 5. Conclusion Based on the review above on the social policies in Hong Kong, we can see that each social policy has its positive functions and dysfunctions. With regard to the three aspects in social policy, there is much room for improvement. But at least, our government is working hard to improve the conditions of our society and paying effort to meet social needs, promote social integration and discourage alienation.

Racism and Gender Essay

Explore the intersection of racism and gender in contemporary Australia. In a place particularly like Australia recognised to be a multicultural country, ‘gender’ is targeted in race particular aspects and ‘race’ is experienced in gendered forms. This paper will elaborate on the intersection of racism and gender when both come into play as well as the role it presents in Australia of today’s society. Many literature discussions would imply that racism and gender fit in completely different categories from the other but as some authors argue, there are interconnections between the two. Elaboration of how racism is a form of discrimination is one circumstance and gender is another will be discussed throughout the paper in which it will highlight how both cases can be seen to bring a higher force of discrimination. Authors such as Pettman, Waters and Crooks look into the studies of gender and racism to find the pervasive influence on people of all background in contemporary Australia. Through studies of gender & racism, women in particular have been seen as usually marginal or invisible in society. Some writers illiterate on the experience of immigration and multiculturalism women confront while others would focus on women’s experience of the Second World War and their migration to Australia. In relation to power, gender could be displayed in different locations in accordance to being constituted (Pettman, 1991 pp. 53). Gender has often been bypassed to being a natural thing, therefore they are presumed to be vital in human thoughts. Pettman establishes the role of gender by highlighting the cultural differences within a male and female in the categories of masculinity and femininity in which what seems to be the most socially appropriate to society’s norms. She raises the questions, how minority women experience racism; and the ways different women face sexism? Pettman states that ‘Racism and sexism, even where connected, do not operate alone, but articulate and are articulated through structures of power in society’ (pp. 54). Although it is primarily stated that gender is more of a socially constructed term it is not biological, as ‘sex’ would be a more of a scientific term to it. While sex refers to more of physical attributes individuals hold, gender differences are by no extent categorised along with sex as both bear different connotations. In a community such as Australia, Women who are of non-Caucasian backgrounds and Indigenous Australian are shown to be highly disadvantaged when it comes to relations of poverty, employment, security and homing. Following the society of Aboriginals and migration of non-Caucasians to Australia, Pettman analyses the notion of the relations of gender prior to this. Passing throughout forms of social inequity, Non-Caucasians as well as Indigenous Australian are underrepresented in which interactions experienced in this case are multi-dimensional. Pettman emphasizes that ‘the rules, roles and practices are often fair towards them at many circumstances but are primarily in favor of dominant social interests’ (1991 pp. 6). In demonstrating that there is a racial construction for women in particular of ‘Indigenous’ background, they are treated differently especially when it comes to the caretaking of their own children. Mahoney points this out as being relevant to the ‘stolen generation’ in its analysis where it states that in Australia, it would be acceptable in the racial discourse that Caucasian women make better mothers for the children of ‘Indigenous’ background rather than the Indigenous mothers themselves (1997 pp. 91). Since the invasion affecting Aboriginal women, she argues its importance how social practice is taken into accordance in the examination of whiteness. With ‘Asians’ being present in Australia, they are not contradicted to being included as ‘Australian’ but rather their identity is more noted to be of an ‘outsider’ (pp. 294). The demonstration of women and racism illustrates the difference in subjectivity, experience, social relations and identity in women of contemporary Australia as a general notion. Women face sexism in a general context, but with the addition of racism, women of coloured and Indigenous Australian has a higher jeopardy of fronting discrimination and disadvantages through their experience. Pettman argues that ‘the notion of tradition Indigenous culture and society give justification for protection towards women and children of Indigenous background’ (1992, pp. 66). She details how Aboriginal women especially face certain dangers and are more vulnerable violence with connections to Australia’s a colinisation. Although both Indigenous and coloured women experience discrimination, they face significantly different circumstances of discrimination. Pettman implies how women of coloured (migrant women) experience many difficulties in employment in the work field with a disadvantage to people of Caucasian background (1992, pp. 60). In favor of who experiences the most racism, it is depicted that people of Asian and Muslim background experience higher levels of discrimination than most. In terms of experiencing racism, women of different culture face significantly different discriminations with accordance to their culture and background along with stereotypes. They generally had a higher level of unemployment and the concentration of them securing a job fits along the categories of low income jobs with poor and dangerous working conditions (pp. 61). Men may also experience sexism as it does not always favour the woman’s side every time. This may be because women have always been seen as the lesser and marginal class as compared to the men who are seen as the ‘alpha’ and the dominant leaders in society as Mahoney argues (1994, pp. 290). For example, a more dominant group of women can over empower a man whom is seen as the minority in which sexism coverts and attacks the man in this situation. Sexism not only displays a course of individual attitude but also is built into many social institutes but generally as a basis, it is often used in relation to the discrimination against the women in the term of patriarchy. This ranges things to the likes of gender stereotype where the characteristics and behavior of men and women as well and transgender all intervene with one another. A gender stereotype is a term utilized in which it elaborates the way ‘men and women should behave in a certain manner according to what society sees as the right thing or the wrong thing’ (Mahoney, 1994, pp. 291). The presence of men according to the relations of men is highly dominated by them in all societies. The domination of men is known as patriarchy where women are represented in a marginal level. McIntosh emphasizes the connotation of ‘White Privilege and Male Privilege’ stating that ‘whites are carefully taught not to recognize privilege, as males are taught not to recognize male privilege’ (1997 pp. 291). With these ideas, it illustrates that the scuffle of women’s dealings with sexism and patriarchy further intricate the awareness of these conditions leading to the reconceptualisation of gender. Upon analyzing the data of racism and gender, there are many significant statistics which reflect upon women in ontemporary Australia. Woman compared to men are more disadvantage when it comes to employment in the workforce of labor as well as domestic sphere. Women tend to fill in the role of ‘mother’ which affects the outcome of their search for job employment. Men are capable of filling in the role of many job aspects which range from labor work to domestic sphere, where women are less likely to find a suiting job to labor and move t o areas of teaching, nursing and social services. Holmes states that ‘woman on an average basis earn 65% of what men would earn which leaves a gap difference of 35% between them’ as reported scientifically (2010 c. 11). Apart from men being filled in many jobs of labor employment, they are more geared towards the scientific and engineering areas, jobs that technically portray a higher wage income than those of social services in general where women are more inclined towards (c. 11). Pettman distributes the idea that ‘the â€Å"intersectionality† searches to seize the structural and dynamic magnitudes of both the basis collaboration of two or more forms of relating to discriminations or system of subordination’ (Pettman, 1992, pp. 70). She states consequently that in the way the manner is addressed, racism, patriarchy and economic disadvantages to name a few including many others all contribute in constructing layers of inequity positioning where men and women stand as well as other racial groups (pp. 70). Through Intersectionality, the recognition and connection of identity, particular races and gender are taken notice of. On an intersectional approach, asserts that look onto identity are considered indivisible aspects and also when speaking of gender and race it is taken into hand that the two subjects conjoined together establish a whole new subject to be discussed (pp. 72). Although it has always been looked passed that gender and race have always been distinguished as their own subject, nobody takes notice of what it could bring towards society if the two were to intervene and combine. The two elements of these topics picks weak points as well as the discriminations held against them into a different level of discrimination where women are targeted not only in the favor of sexism but also taking note of their background, beliefs and nationality individually (pp. 72). Theories of sexism and racism are brought up as a discussion topic in general as a kind of oppression and in a way they are compared to one another. In this circumstance, Pettman argues how ‘class, gender and ethnicity overlap each other’ (Pettman, 1992, pp. 57). In examining the connection between gender and racism, she notes how it puts a bigger emphasis upon institutional racism illustrating how it could do things such as drawing away the focus of the individual’s feelings and actions distributing it to social resources instead. Although institutional racism is solely based on rules, roles and practices, they more so favor the more dominant groups social interests which does not make it fair even though the idea of them sound fair (pp. 57). This comes directly towards multicultural groups whose interests are ideas are lesser as compared to more dominant groups such as the white society. This places a feel where institutionalized racism is more of a multidimensional and is comprised through communication with other sources relating to social inequity throughout contemporary Australia operating unofficially usually not in favor of rhetoric and authorized government laws (pp. 58). Through not only experiencing racism and sexism, this could escalate and lead to many further issues that are outside the specific category expanding to problems like crime, poverty and many more through a chain of events leading towards it. The shaping of the social media has been one of the biggest outlets in portraying racism and genders intersection throughout contemporary Australia. It comes in the form of being able to manipulate, communicate and influence people over the nation especially towards the participants who partake in the roles the social media plays the most. Individuals who pay less attention towards the social media are affected at some point as the form of communication through other people would eventually reach them at some point. Langton (1993) is one of the most notable Indigenous academic authors who illustrate the many important roles the film and media play in representing the construction of not only gender and sexuality but Aboriginality as well and how discrimination throughout Australia is reproduced in this manner. Langton (1993) notes how it is usually the norms of what society sees as mainstream social analysis turns them minor or ethnically determined. Often over a certain extent, while containing some elements of the truth masked behind the media, it tries to recognize iversity and qualify the overgeneralisations social theorising at many times encourage the conduct. Multiracial Feminism has been a topic of discussion not only in Australia but to the likes of globally as well. As it have always been throughout generation to generation and continuing on into the present, women especially of colour have always been placed in a situation where they have confront the hegemony of feminisms solely cons tructed by the criteria of middle-classed white women. Pettman (1991) highlights the need to challenge the system of domination, not by just the subjects of gender but throughout various hierarchies where the lives of women are impacted on because of the location they reside in (pp. 189). Within the constraints of oppressions of gender, race and class, women establish viable lives for not only themselves but their families and their communities as a whole also (pp. 190). The differences of women are systematically connected in many different ways where the relational nature of dominance and subordination is expressed through this manner where race is made an important element through the relations of white women and women in the marginal category. This composes of a large range of methodological approaches from the multiracial feminism which allows society to better understand the social world with the different groups of women within it as well where alternate ways of understanding these process’ are established (1991, pp. 92-193). It is coming to understand the term Pettman recounts that multiracial feminism is something that ‘brings together understandings influenced and drawn from the lived experiences of diverse and changing groups of women globally worldwide’ ( pp. 193). Woman of different nationalities are able to share their experiences and culture among others therefore this helps to bring multicultural and traditions whe re ever the location may be, as this is the path to contemporary Australia becoming much more diverse. Gender and racism as a whole context are expressed in many different ways throughout its intersection in contemporary Australia. Although the framework of these two or still an issue in our nation, it has always been so in the pass as well and unlikely to end with the recent matters taken into accordance. There have been various outcomes introduced to make the inequality terms equal for human beings as a whole as it only brings help to a marginal rule. There may be a possibility that the intersection of gender and racism within Australia may be rid of its context of discrimination but it must also be taken into context that human beings were born this way to find inequality, differences and variations among another. This is a uniquely discussed subject that will not disappear over the course of the next few days but takes an extremely large amount of effort to get rid off as for this subject to no longer exist, all humans not only within Australia but globally as well must work together in unity.