Environmental Analysis of Malaysia Airlines

Environmental Analysis of Malaysia Airlines The general environment represents the outer layer of the environment which are international, technological, sociocultural, economic, and the legal-political. The task environment includes all sectors that have a direct working relationship with the organization, customers, competitors, suppliers, and labour. International element is represents the events originating in foreign countries. Technological element includes scientific and technological advancements in a specific industry and society. Sociocultural element represents the demographic characteristics such as norms, customs, and values of the general populations. Economic element is divided into and socialist. Capitalist means the organization will get the entire profit where else socialist means the production own by state or government. The legal political are about the government law and regulations as well as political activities designed to influence company behaviour. Customers are the people who acquire goods and service from the organization. Competitors and client are the other organization from the same industry that provides goods or services to the same set of customers. Supplier is the people who provide raw materials for the organization to provide output. Labour supply is the people in the environment who can be hired to work for the organization and can influence the organization labour markets. Government Agencies are the agency that provide services and monitor compliance through laws and regulations. As mention in the company profile at Hoovers website, Malaysia Airlines serves about 80 destinations on six continents, some via code-sharing, from its hub in Kuala Lumpur. According to an interview (En-Lai Yeoh, Associated Press Writer 2006), Idris Jala quoted that although MAS have many international competitors, the top competitors are among the regional rivals Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Thai Airways and Gulf Air. Low cost flight was also launch in Malaysia, few years back and named Air Asia. It became MAS local competitor. At first MAS was not really affected as this low cost flight named, Air Asia, only control the local state destination with a very cheap price. Slowly, Air Asia attract customer to fly using its flight. After sometimes, Air Asia launched its destination to outside Malaysia. MAS were affected not only by Air Asia but also other country low cost flight. MAS will face many difficulties if they were to beat the low cost flights pricing range. Malaysian professional and skillful increased and they tend to travel quite frequent which they will seek for the great service with time efficiency offered, especially the successful businessman. In order for MAS to respond to the customer needs, they have send spies to their rival. This is one of the way that MAS can improve their weakness and at the same time to learn their rivals weakness part. By receiving quite a number of awards, many customers were attracted. Idris Jala quoted that the trade secret is MAS must establish the lowest fare, which all international routes will have designated seats matching their competitions lowest fare. Currently MAS has also introduced their low cost flight called Fire Fly. Ticketing system were upgraded that able to monitor ticket prices to match the lowest offered by its competition on similar routes and possibly review its fuel surcharge, Idris Jala added (En-Lai Yeoh, Associated Press Writer 2006). Malaysia Airlines has provided a very friendly website for its own respective customer which is providing the full controlling of the ticket booking system with all the details such as number of passengers, destination and so on to the very specific details. Malaysia Airlines has some such as partners with Malaysia-based Maxis Communications Berhad and UK-based AeroMobile Limited to offer in-flight mobile services such as voice calls, SMS, emails services to Maxis post-paid customers. The rest of the facilities and services are the same as the other airlines like for in cabin services like providing the international meals as well as local food for Malaysians or Entertainment systems for watching Movie or playing games and also checking the status of the flight. The airline provided the customers insurance during the flight hours in case if anything happened to the customers they will be responsible for it . And passengers can only carrying 30 KG for their luggage. Malaysia airline has been provided such a facility that if the customers accidently miss the flight they can just simple take the next possible flight. But sometimes customers need to pay some amounts to join the next flight and its all depends on the type of tickets that they purchased. Sometimes for Malaysia Airlines ticket discounts will be. those few months before your travel tickets are purchased. And discounts for students that is considered. such as GRADS the frequent flyer card for students. This card has local and international students. That students can use this card costs less to have their flights. In the recent years, Malaysian Airlines (MAS) has been continuously improving their services with accordance to the rise in social network as well as smartphone users. New applications such as MHmobile, MHdeals, and MHbuddy complement each other to draw better publicity along with a good flow of business. A user-friendlier navigation following the websites makeover has served no less. Existing yet innovative technology such as the Select in-flight entertainment system has also given MAS an extra edge over their competitors. REFERENCES 1. Malaysian Airlines (2011) Malaysia Airlines Launches Going Places iPad App Investor Relations: News. http://malaysiaairlines.listedcompany.com/newsroom.html [Accessed 23 February 2011] 2. Malaysian Airlines (2011) Refreshed Mas Website To Enhance Customer Experience Investor Relations: News. http://malaysiaairlines.listedcompany.com/newsroom.html [Accessed 23 February 2011] 3. SITA (2011) Malaysia Airlines adopts SITA reservations system as turnaround enters new phase SITA: Specialists in air transport communications and IT solutions. http://www.sita.aero/news-events/press-room/press-releases [Accessed 23 February 2011] 4. Luxury Travel Source (2011) Malaysian Airline Airfares from Luxury Travel Source Luxury Travel Source: Discount Travel Company offering Business Class Airfare tickets for Destinations worldwide. http://www.luxurytravelsource.com/airlines/malaysia_airlines.html [Accessed 24 March 2011] 5. Malaysian Airline System Berhad (10601-W) (2009). 2009 Annual Report: Investing in Growth. Subang Jaya, KL: Malaysia Airlines System. 6.

Thinking Our Anger :: Philosophy Religion Papers

Thinking Our Anger The events of September 11th have occasioned a wide variety of responses, ranging from calls to turn the other cheek, to calls to nuke half the Middle East – and every imaginable shade of opinion in between. At a time when emotions run high, how should we go about deciding on a morally appropriate response? Should we allow ourselves to be guided by our anger, or should we put our anger aside and make an unemotional decision? D. H. Lawrence once wrote: My great religion is a belief in the blood, the flesh, as being wiser than the intellect. We can go wrong in our minds. But what our blood feels and believes and says, is always true. The intellect is only a bit and a bridle. What do I care about knowledge? All I want is to answer to my blood, direct, without fribbling intervention of mind or moral, or what not. At the other extreme, the Roman philosopher Seneca argued that we should never make a decision on the basis of anger – or any other emotion, for that matter. In his treatise On Anger, Seneca maintained that if anger leads us to make the decision we would have made anyway on the basis of cool reason, then anger is superfluous; and if anger leads us to make a different decision from the one we would have made on the basis of cool reason, then anger is pernicious. This disagreement between Lawrence and Seneca conceals an underlying agreement: both writers are assuming an opposition between reason and emotion. The idea of such a bifurcation is challenged by Aristotle. For Aristotle, emotions are part of reason; the rational part of the soul is further divided into the intellectual or commanding part, and the emotional or responsive part. Both parts are rational; and both parts are needed to give us a proper sensitivity to the moral nuances of the situations that confront us. Hence the wise person will be both intellectually rational and emotionally rational. Emotional people whose intellectual side is weak tend to be reluctant to accept reasonable constraints on their behaviour; they are too aggressive and self-assertive for civilized society – too "Celtic," Aristotle thinks. They answer directly to their blood, without fribbling intervention of mind or moral, and much hewing and smiting ensues. But intellectual people whose emotional si de is weak are often too willing

Practical Demonkeeping Chapter 24-25

24 AUGUSTUS BRINE Augustus Brine was sitting in his pickup, parked a block away from Jenny's house. In the morning twilight he could just make out the outline of Jenny's Toyota and an old Chevy parked in front. The king of the Djinn sat in the passenger seat next to Brine, his rheumy blue eyes just clearing the dashboard. Brine was sipping from a cup of his special secret roast coffee. The thermos was empty and he was savoring the last full cup. The last cup, perhaps, that he would ever drink. He tried to call up a Zen calm, but it was not forthcoming and he berated himself; trying to think about it pushed it farther from his grasp. â€Å"Like trying to bite the teeth,† the Zen proverb went. â€Å"There is not only nothing to grasp, but nothing with which to grasp it.† The closest he was going to get to no-mind was to go home and destroy a few million brain cells with a few bottles of wine – not an option. â€Å"You are troubled, Augustus Brine.† The Djinn had been silent for over an hour. At the sound of his voice Brine was startled and almost spilled his coffee. â€Å"It's the car,† Brine said. â€Å"What if the demon is in the car? There's no way to know.† â€Å"I will go look.† â€Å"Look? You said he was invisible.† â€Å"I will get in the car and feel around. I will sense him if he is that close.† â€Å"And if he's there?† â€Å"I will come back and tell you. He cannot harm me.† â€Å"No.† Brine stroked his beard. â€Å"I don't want them to know we're here until the last minute. I'll risk it.† â€Å"I hope you can move fast, Augustus Brine. If Catch sees you, he will be on you in an instant.† â€Å"I can move,† Brine said with a confidence that he did not feel. He felt like a fat, old man – tired and a little wired from too much coffee and not enough sleep. â€Å"The woman!† The Djinn poked Brine with a bony finger. Jenny was coming out of the house in her waitress uniform. She made her way down the front steps and across the shallow front yard to her Toyota. â€Å"At least she's still alive.† Brine was preparing to move. With Jenny out of the house one of their problems was solved, but there would be little time to act. The demonkeeper could come out at any moment. If their trap was not set, all would be lost. The Toyota turned over twice and died. A cloud of blue smoke coughed out of the exhaust pipe. The engine cranked, caught again, sputtered, and died; blue smoke. â€Å"If she goes back to the house, we have to stop her,† Brine said. â€Å"You will give yourself away. The trap will not work.† â€Å"I can't let her go back in that house.† â€Å"She is only one woman, Augustus Brine. The demon Catch will kill thousands if he is not stopped.† â€Å"She's a friend of mine.† The Toyota cranked again weakly, whining like an injured animal, then fired up. Jenny revved the engine and pulled away leaving a trail of oily smoke. â€Å"That's it,† Brine said. â€Å"Let's go.† Brine started the truck, pulled forward, and stopped. â€Å"Turn off the engine,† the Djinn said. â€Å"You're out of your mind. We leave it running.† â€Å"How will you hear the demon if he comes before you are ready?† Begrudgingly, Brine turned off the key. â€Å"Go!† he said. Brine and the Djinn jumped out of the truck and ran around to the bed. Brine dropped the tailgate. There were twenty ten-pound bags of flour, each with a wire sticking out of the top. Brine grabbed a bag in each hand, ran to the middle of the yard, paying out wire behind him as he went. The Djinn wrestled one bag out of the truck and carried it like a babe in his arms to the far corner of the yard. With each trip to the truck Brine could feel panic growing inside him. The demon could be anywhere. Behind him the Djinn stepped on a twig and Brine swung around clutching his chest. â€Å"It is only me,† the Djinn said. â€Å"If the demon is here, he will come after me first. You may have time to escape.† â€Å"Just get these unloaded,† Brine said. Ninety seconds after they had started, the front yard was dotted with flour bags, and a spider web of wires led back to the truck. Brine hoisted the Djinn into the bed of the truck and handed him two lead wires. The Djinn took the wires and crouched over a car battery that Brine had secured to the bed of the truck with duct tape. â€Å"Count ten, then touch the wires to the battery,† Brine said. â€Å"After they go off, start the truck.† Brine turned and ran across the yard to the front steps. The small porch was too close to the ground for Brine to crawl under, so he crouched beside it, covering his face with his arms, counting to himself, â€Å"seven, eight, nine, ten.† Brine braced himself for the explosion. The seal bombs were not powerful enough to cause injury when detonated one at a time, but twenty at once might produce a considerable shock wave. â€Å"Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, shit!† Brine stood up and tried to see into the bed of the truck. â€Å"The wires, Gian Hen Gian!† â€Å"It is done!† Came the answer. Before Brine could say anything else the explosions began – not a single blast, but a series of blasts like a huge string of firecrackers. For a moment the world turned white with flour. Then storms of flame swirled around the front of the house and mushroomed into the sky as the airborne flour was ignited by successive explosions. The lower branches of the pines were seared and pine needles crackled as they burned. At the sight of the fire storms, Brine dove to the ground and covered his head. When the explosion subsided, he stood and tried to see through the fog of flour, smoke, and soot that hung in the air. Behind him he heard the front door open. He turned and reached up into the doorway, felt his hand close around the front of a man's shirt, and yanked back, hoping he was not pulling a demon down off the steps. â€Å"Catch!† the man screamed. â€Å"Catch!† Unable to see though the gritty air, Brine punched blindly at the squirming man. His meaty fist connected with something hard and the man went limp in his arms. Brine heard the truck start. He dragged the unconscious man across the yard toward the sound of the running engine. In the distance a siren began to wail. He bumped into the truck before he saw it. He opened the door and threw the man onto the front seat, knocking Gian Hen Gian against the opposite door. Brine jumped into the truck, put it into gear, and sped out of the doughy conflagration into the light of morning. â€Å"You did not tell me there would be fire,† the Djinn said. â€Å"I didn't know.† Brine coughed and wiped flour out of his eyes. â€Å"I thought all the charges would go off at once. I forgot that the fuses would burn at different rates. I didn't know that flour would catch fire – it was just supposed to cover everything so we could see the demon coming.† â€Å"The demon Catch was not there.† Brine was on the verge of losing control. Covered in flour and soot, he looked like an enraged abominable snowman. â€Å"How do you know that? If we didn't have the cover of the flour, I might be dead now. You didn't know where he was before. How can you know he wasn't there? Huh? How do you know?† â€Å"The demonkeeper has lost control of Catch. Otherwise you would not have been able to harm him.† â€Å"Why didn't you tell me that before? Why don't you tell me these things in advance?† â€Å"I forgot.† â€Å"I might have been killed.† â€Å"To die in the service of the great Gian Hen Gian – what an honor. I envy you, Augustus Brine.† The Djinn removed his stocking cap, shook off the flour, and held it to his chest in salute. His bald head was the only part of him that was not covered in flour. Augustus Brine began to laugh. â€Å"What is funny?† The Djinn asked. â€Å"You look like a worn brown crayon.† Brine was snorting with laughter. â€Å"King of the Djinn. Give me a break.† â€Å"What's so funny?† Travis said, groggily. Keeping his left hand on the wheel, Augustus Brine snapped out his right fist and coldcocked the demonkeeper. 25 AMANDA Amanda Elliot told her daughter that she wanted to leave early to beat the Monterey traffic, but the truth was that she didn't sleep well away from home. The idea of spending another morning in Estelle's guest room trying to be quiet while waiting for the house to awaken was more than she could stand. She was up at five, dressed and on the road before five-thirty. Estelle stood in the driveway in her nightgown waving as her mother drove away. Over the last few years Amanda's visits had been tearful and miserable. Estelle could not resist pointing out that each moment she spent with her mother might be the last. Amanda responded, at first, by comforting her daughter and assuring her that she would be around for many more years to come. But as time passed, Estelle refused to let the subject lie, and Amanda answered her concern with pointed comparisons between her own energy level and that of Estelle's layabout husband, Herb. â€Å"If it weren't for his finger moving on the remote control you'd never know he was alive at all.† As much as Amanda was irritated by Effrom marauding around the house like an old tomcat, she needed only to think of Herb, permanently affixed to Estelle's couch, to put her own husband in a favorable light. Compared to Herb, Effrom was Errol Flynn and Douglas Fairbanks rolled into one: a connubial hero. Amanda missed him. She drove five miles per hour over the speed limit, changing lanes aggressively, and checking her mirrors for highway patrol cars. She was an old woman, but she refused to drive like one. She made the hundred miles to Pine Cove in just over an hour and a half. Effrom would be in his workshop now, working on his wood carvings and smoking cigarettes. She wasn't supposed to know about the cigarettes any more than she was supposed to know that Effrom spent every morning watching the women's exercise show. Men have to have their secret lives and forbidden pleasures, real or perceived. Cookies snitched from the jar are always sweeter than those served on a plate, and nothing evokes the prurient like puritanism. Amanda played her role for Effrom, staying on his tail, keeping him alert to the possibility of discovery, but never quite catching him in the act. Today she would pull in the driveway and rev the engine, take a long time getting into the house to make sure that Effrom heard her coming so he could take a shot of breath spray to cover the smell of tobacco on his breath. Didn't it occur to the old fart that she was the one who bought the breath spray and brought it home with the groceries each week? Silly old man. When Amanda entered the house, she noticed an acrid, burnt smell in the air. She had never smelled cordite, so she assumed that Effrom had been cooking. She went to the kitchen expecting to see the ruined remains of one of her frying pans, but the kitchen, except for a few cracker crumbs on the counter, was clean. Maybe the smell was coming from the workshop. Amanda usually avoided going near Effrom's workshop when he was working, mainly to avoid the sound of the high-speed drills he used for carving, which reminded her of the unpleasantness of the dentist's office. Today there was no sound coming from the workshop. She knocked on the door, gently, so as not to startle him. â€Å"Effrom, I'm home.† He had to be able to hear her. A chill ran through her. She had imagined finding Effrom cold and stiff a thousand times, but always she was able to push the thought out of her mind. â€Å"Effrom, open this door!† She had never entered the workshop. Except for a few toys that Effrom dragged out at Christmastime to donate to local charities, Amanda never even saw any of the carvings he produced. The workshop was Effrom's sacred domain. Amanda paused, her hand on the doorknob. Maybe she should call someone. Maybe she should call her granddaughter, Jennifer, and have her come over. If Effrom were dead she didn't want to face it alone. But what if he was just hurt, lying there on the floor waiting for help. She opened the door. Effrom was not there. She breathed a sigh of relief, then her anxiety returned. Where was he? The workshop's shelves were filled with carved wooden figures, some only a few inches high, some several feet long. Every one of them was a figure of a nude woman. Hundreds of nude women. She studied each figure, fascinated with this new aspect of her husband's secret life. The figures were running, reclining, crouching, and dancing. Except for a few figures on the workbench that were still in the rough stage, each of the carvings was polished and oiled and incredibly detailed. And they all had something in common: they were studies of Amanda. Most were of her when she was younger, but they were unmistakably her. Amanda standing, Amanda reclining, Amanda dancing, as if Effrom were trying to preserve her. She felt a scream rising in her chest and tears filling her eyes. She turned away from the carvings and left the workshop. â€Å"Effrom! Where are you, you old fart?† She went from room to room, looking in every corner and closet; no Effrom. Effrom didn't go for walks. And even if he'd had a car, he didn't drive anymore. If he had gone somewhere with a friend, he would have left a note. Besides, all his friends were dead: the Pine Cove Poker Club had lost its members, one by one, until solitaire was the only game in town. She went to the kitchen and stood by the phone. Call who? The police? The hospital? What would they say when she told them she had been home almost five minutes and couldn't find her husband? They would tell her to wait. They wouldn't understand that Effrom had to be here. He couldn't be anywhere else. She would call her granddaughter. Jenny would know what to do. She would understand. Amanda took a deep breath and dialed the number. A machine answered the phone. She stood there waiting for the beep. When it came, she tried to keep her voice controlled, â€Å"Jenny, honey, this is Grandma, call me. I can't find your grandfather.† Then she hung up and began sobbing. The phone rang and Amanda jumped back. She picked it up before the second ring. â€Å"Hello?† â€Å"Oh, good, you're home.† It was a woman's voice. â€Å"Mrs. Elliot, you've probably seen the bullet hole in your bedroom door. Don't be frightened. If you listen carefully and follow my instructions, everything will be fine.†

John F. Kennedy Essay - 586 Words

John F. Kennedy The election of 1959/1960 was one of the closest fought elections of all time. Although this sounds like a good thing it is not as this means that just under half of the American voting population did not want Kennedy to be president of America and this was a an image and credit problem for Kennedy. The main reason that Kennedy got into power was because of the black population. He promised his black voters a civil rights policy and an end to poverty and segregation. The main problem that he faced on these fronts was his own party. Kennedys party was opposed to spending money on pretty much anything as later he would find out especially spending money on the black community†¦show more content†¦John F Kennedys brother Robert Kennedy (Attorney General) was waging war on the mafia especially on the big mafia bosses that had taken a stranglehold on the poverty stricken parts of the states and because of this the mafia had vowed revenge if you remove a dogs tail the head will bite you but if you remove a dogs head the tail will die to. Often the mafia are connected with the killing of JFK because of statements like this that were made. Kennedy Coursework Assignment ============================= 4. After JFks death his reputation grew immensely for many different reasons. The first and one of the biggest reasons in my view was because of the presidents that cam after him. After Kennedy came LBJ although at first LBJ was not a bad president start of with as he used his honeymoon period well to finish Kennedys work his downfall was the Vietnam War. Although LBJ did not bring the USA into the war it was seen as his war. This led to his resignation due to the failure of the war and the number of young Americans that died in the war. The following president was Nixon and at the outset he was not a bad president either and was looking for peace, but in the end the truth came out and so did the truth about the Watergate scandal.Show MoreRelatedJohn F. Kennedy983 Words   |  4 PagesThe first Roman Catholic president, John F. Kennedy, fought through many hardships. Becoming the president at the age of 43, he went through many difficult trials to get that role due to his relig ion and health. Although he died early, he still managed to go beyond his presidential duties and accomplished a lot during his short term. John F. Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. Ever since he was little, he has had very poor health. He suffered from a variety of diseasesRead MoreJohn F. Kennedy 1158 Words   |  5 PagesAssassination, and Legacy of John F. Kennedy written by Dean R. Owen is a series of reflections of people who knew and admired John F. Kennedy. Most people in the book discuss where they were the day of his assassination, their reaction, and how it affected everything and everyone around them. Others speak about what kind of leader Kennedy was, the legacy he left behind, and how when he died the country was never the same. Owen writes about people who once worked for Kennedy as well as his goodRead MoreJohn F. Kennedy1635 Words   |  7 PagesPresident John F. Kennedy once said â€Å"The path we have chosen for the present is full of hazards, as all paths are. The cost of freedom is always high, but Americans have always paid it. And one path we shall never choose, and that is the path of surrender, or submission† . Whether this statement was meant to describe the circumstances of the Cold War, or to display reasons for the use of the atomic bomb, these simple words brought understanding to the American people. That is, until the assassinationRead MoreAnalysis Of John F. Kennedy892 Words   |  4 PagesAdam Frankowski Mr. Vollmer English 12A 11 October 2015 Rough Draft- John F. Kennedy â€Å"And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.† Quotes like this earned John F. Kennedy the respect of a nation and the reputation as a great leader. His life is a major part of United States history for all that he contributed. John F. Kennedy is considered a hero for his memorable actions during his navy career, his ability to easeRead More John F. Kennedy Essay979 Words   |  4 PagesJohn F. Kennedy John F. Kennedy was one of the greatest presidents of the twentieth century. He united almost the entire nation under a common goal; the Moon. His charisma could turn skeptics into believers, and strengthen the bond between himself and his supporters. He had so much charisma because he used many rhetorical devices in his speeches, the same rhetorical devices that have been wooing crowds of people since the time of Rome. One of his most memorable speeches he gave was at RiceRead MoreThe Legacy Of John F. Kennedy1176 Words   |  5 PagesJohn F. Kennedy did a lot for our country although his presidential term was cut short. He had a certain allure to him that Americans liked. Kennedy knew what to do to gain the votes of all different types of voters no matter their age, race, or religion. His campaign and presidency have inspired even today’s presidents and presidential candidates in multiple ways. John F. Kennedy was a spectacular man and president that brought a fresh feel t o America and who left a legacy that will never be forgottenRead MoreThe Legacy Of John F. Kennedy980 Words   |  4 PagesBorn in 1917, John F. Kennedy grew up in a wealthy family with influence both politically, and economically. His grandfather was a famous politician, his father a billionaire, and his brothers he grew up with would go on to become well known politicians. Growing up in a family like this, it would appear hard to distinguish yourself, however, JFK would go on to surpass them all by becoming the 35th, and perhaps most beloved president of the United States. As president JFK was popular. He was youngRead MoreAnalysis Of John F. Kennedy1589 Words   |  7 Pages History Project John F. Kennedy was one of the most dynamic and inspiring presidents the country would ever know of. His leadership was impeccable and he motivated people by his charm and charisma. He had several qualities that made him so applauded by people. One of these qualities is the quality of his speech that made him the hero of the country. Not just his country was enchanted with his speeches but also the whole world felt a lot of connection with the words Kennedy spoke. Speech is oneRead MoreThe Legacy of John F. Kennedy1129 Words   |  5 PagesPresidents relate in life and none in death. Most people know John F. Kennedy as the 35th President of the United States, the youngest president, and one of fewest presidents that was killed. But what was JFKs legacy? JFK was born on May, 29th, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts, a quiet, clam suburb in Boston. As a child John F. Kennedy was mostly referred to the name Jack, by friends and family. His parents, Rose and Joseph Kennedy were too involved with social rank and their place in BostonsRead MorePresident John F. Kennedy1738 Words   |  7 Pages President John Fitzgerald Kennedy Our Nation’s 35th President Andrew Hogenson History 112 June 15, 2015 John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th President of the USA and served at that position only for three years as at the end of the third year he was assassinated in Texas. Even though his presidential term was not long, it was significant, mostly with the strong opposition against the USSR (in a person of its Prime Minister of that time, Nikita Khrushchev). President Kennedy’s name is associated

Osiris Lord of the Underworld in Egyptian Mythology

Osiris is the name of the God of the Underworld (Duat) in Egyptian mythology. Son of Geb and Nut, husband of Isis, and one of the Great Ennead of the creator gods of Egyptian religion, Osiris is the  Lord of the Living, meaning he watches over the (once-)living people who reside in the underworld.   Key Takeaways: Osiris, Egyptian God of the Underworld Epithets: Foremost of the Westerners; Lord of the Living; The Great Inert, Osiris Wenin-nofer (he who is everlastingly in a fine condition or beneficent being.  Culture/Country: Old Kingdom—Ptolemaic period, EgyptEarliest Representation: Dynasty V, the Old Kingdom from the reign of Djedkara IsesiRealms and Powers: Duat (Egyptian Underworld); God of Grain; Judge of the DeadParents: Firstborn of Geb and Nut; one of the EnneadSiblings: Seth, Isis, and NephthysSpouse: Isis (sister and wife)Primary Sources: Pyramid texts, coffin texts, Diodorus Siculus, and Plutarch Osiris in Egyptian Mythology Osiris was the firstborn child of the earth god Geb and the sky goddess Nut, and was born in Rosetau at the western Desert necropolis near Memphis, which is the entrance to the underworld. Geb and Nut were the children of the creator gods Shu (Life) and Tefnut (Maat, or Truth and Justice) in the First Time—together they gave birth to Osiris, Seth, Isis, and Nephthys. Shu and Tefnut were the children of the sun god Ra-Atun, and all of these deities make up the Great Ennead, four generations of gods who created and ruled the earth. Late Period (644–322 BCE) relief of Osiris, Isis, and Horus at the Temple of Hibis, Kharga Oasis in the Libyan Desert, Egypt. C. Sappa / De Agostini Picture Library / Getty Images Plus Appearance and Reputation   At his earliest appearance in the 5th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom (late 25th century to mid-24th century BCE), Osiris is depicted as the head and upper torso of a god, with the hieroglyphic symbols of Orisis name. He is often illustrated wrapped as a mummy, but his arms free and holding a crook and a flail, symbols of his status as a pharaoh. He wears the distinctive crown known as the Atef, which has rams horns at the base, and a tall conical centerpiece with a plume on each side.   However, later on, Osiris is both human and god. He is considered one of the pharaohs of the predynastic period of Egyptian religion when the Ennead created the world. He ruled as pharaoh after his father Geb, and he is considered the good king, in opposition to his brother Seth. Greek writers later claimed Osiris and his consort, the goddess Isis, as the founders of human civilization, who taught agriculture and crafts to humans. Role in Mythology Osiris is the ruler of the Egyptian underworld, a god who protects the dead and is connected with the constellation of Orion. While a pharaoh is seated on the throne of Egypt, he or she is considered a form of Horus, but when the ruler dies, she or he becomes a form of Osiris (Osiride).   These larger than life-size statues of Queen Hatshepsuts temple in Luxor show her as Osiris. BMPix / iStock / Getty Images Plus The primary legend of Osiris is how he died and became the god of the Underworld. The legend changed a bit throughout the 3,500 years of Egyptian dynastic religion, and there are more or less two versions of how that happened.   Death of Osiris I: Ancient Egypt In all versions, Osiris is said to have been assassinated by his brother Seth. The ancient story says that Osiris is attacked by Seth in a remote location, trampled and cast down in the land of Gahesty, and he falls on the side of the riverbank near Abydos. In some versions, Seth takes the form of a dangerous animal to do that—crocodile, bull, or wild ass. Another says Seth drowns Osiris in the Nile, an event that occurs during the night of the great storm.   Osiris sister and consort, Isis, hear a terrible lament when Osiris dies, and go searching for his body, eventually finding it. Thoth and Horus conduct an embalming ritual at Abydos, and Osiris becomes the king of the underworld. Death of Osiris II: Classic Version   The Greek historian Diodorus Siculus (90–30 BCE) visited northern Egypt in the mid-first century BCE; the Greek biographer Plutarch (~49–120 CE), who neither spoke nor read Egyptian, reported a narrative of Osiris. The story the Greek writers told is more elaborate, but likely at least a version of what the Egyptians believed during the Ptolemaic period.   In the Greek version, Osiris death is a public assassination by Seth (called Typhon). Seth builds a beautiful chest made to fit his brothers body perfectly. He then displays it at a feast and promises to give the chest to anyone who fits into the box. Typhons followers try it, but none fit—but when Osiris climbs into the box, the conspirators bolt the lid and seal it with molten lead. They then throw the chest into a branch of the Nile, where it floats until it reaches the Mediterranean.   Reconstructing Osiris Because of her devotion to Osiris, Isis goes in search of the chest and finds it at Byblos (Syria), where it had grown into a marvelous tree. The king of Byblos had the tree cut down and carved into a pillar for his palace. Isis recovers the pillar from the king and takes it to the Delta, but Typhon finds it. He tears Osiriss body into 14 parts (sometimes 42 parts, one for each district in Egypt), and scatters the parts throughout the realm.   Isis and her sister Nephthys take the form of birds, seeking out each of the parts, and making them whole again and burying them where they were found. The penis had been eaten by a fish, so Isis had to replace it with a wooden model; she also had to revive his sexual powers so that she could give birth to their son Horus. After Osiris is reconstructed, he is no longer involved with the living. As happened in the shorter version of the tale, Thoth and Horus conduct an embalming ritual at Abydos, and Osiris becomes the king of the Underworld. Osiris as God of Grain In papyri and tombs dated by the 12th dynasty of the Middle Kingdom onward, Osiris is sometimes portrayed as the god of grain, specifically barley—the sprouting of the crop implies the resurrection of the deceased in the Underworld. In later New Kingdom papyri he is illustrated lying on the desert sand, and his flesh changes color with the season: black evokes the Nile silt, green the living vegetation before the summer ripening.   Sources Hart, George. The Routledge Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2005. Print.Pinch, Geraldine. Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press, 2002. Print.---. Handbook of Egyptian Mythology. ABC-CLIO Handbooks of World Mythology. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-Clio, 2002. Print.

Robert F. Williams The Battle For African American Civil...

Robert F. Williams was a man to remember, not only for his incredible accomplishments in society but his character as a whole. He sought for social equality rather than being satisfied with freedom from chattel slavery. â€Å"We have the right and duty to raise our voices in protest against the forces of oppression that seek to crush free people† (P. 242). Personal relations amongst genders in opposing races brought up serious turmoil in the 1950’s South. Timothy Tyson’s views on the battle for African American civil liberties create a vivid window into some of Americas past successes and failures. Robert Williams began his life in the small southern town of Monroe. With a third of the population being black, segregation was in full swing. â€Å"The bloody history of race and class conflict in the piedmont made it clear that white supremacy and the bitter legacy of slavery divided workers far more powerfully than self-interest could unite them† (P. 7). Ro bert’s father was a railroad worker which gave the Williams family a stronger outlet to defend against slavery. â€Å"The fact that my father was working and had a pretty secure job,† Williams remembered, â€Å"this gave us some insulation from some of the harshness and abuses that some of the black children experienced† (P. 19). Working for the railroad was one of the few occupations in Monroe that didn’t have an underlying objective of white supremacy. This is primarily because the railroad was spread over north and south states which couldShow MoreRelatedThe Fundamental Diffferences Between the Black Abolitionists and the White Abolitionists Movements1592 Words   |  7 PagesTermpaper Class: African American Study IV Subject: Analyzing the Fundamental Differences Between the Black Abolitionists and the White Abolitionists Movements Black and white abolitionists shared common assumptions about the evil of slavery, the virtue of moral reform, and the certainty of human progress(1). Schor, Garnet,1877, Lanngston, 1989). This shared understanding provided the basic for the interracial solidarity and cooperation so vital in the crusade against slavery(2)Read MoreThe Fundamental Diffferences Between The Black Abolitionists And The White Abolitionists Movements1547 Words   |  7 PagesTermpaper Class: African American Study IV Subject: Analyzing the Fundamental Differences Between the Black Abolitionists and the White Abolitionists Movements Black and white abolitionists shared common assumptions about the evil of slavery, the virtue of moral reform, and the certainty of human progress(1). Schor, Garnet,1877, Lanngston, 1989). This shared understanding provided the basic for the interracial solidarity and cooperation so vital in the crusade againstRead MoreBibliographic Essay on African American History6221 Words   |  25 PagesBibliographic Essay on African American History Introduction In the essay â€Å"On the Evolution of Scholarship in Afro- American History† the eminent historian John Hope Franklin declared â€Å"Every generation has the opportunity to write its own history, and indeed it is obliged to do so.†1 The social and political revolutions of 1960s have made fulfilling such a responsibility less daunting than ever. Invaluable references, including Darlene Clark Hine, ed. Black Women inRead More The Significance of Brown v. Board of Education Essay1843 Words   |  8 Pagesracial segregation in public schools, a long-standing tradition in the Jim Crow South, and threatened to have monumental and everlasting implications for blacks and whites in America. In 1951, Oliver L. Brown, his wife Darlene, and eleven other African American parents filed a class-action lawsuit against the Board of Education of Topeka on behalf of their twenty children for denying colored children the right to attend segregated white schools and sought to change the policy of racial segregation inRead MoreThe American Civil War : The United States8725 Words   |  35 PagesThe American Civil War, known in the United States as simply the Civil War as well as by other sectional names, was a civil war fought from 1861 to 1865 to determine the survival of the Union or independence for the Confederacy. Of the 34 states that existed in January 1861, seven Southern slave states individually declared their secession from the United States and went on to form the Confederate States of America. The Confederacy, often simply called the South, grew to include eleven states, althoughRead MoreThe American Civil War : The Most Significant Turning Point?3462 Words   |  14 PagesIn considering the development of the USA in the years 1815-1917, how far can the union victory in the civil war be seen as the most significant turning point? The Union Victory in the American civil war is widely considered to be a turning point and could be seen as the catalyst in American History. Led by Abraham Lincoln, some may say it was the start of a new era. Time had gone by since the America gained its independence. The emancipation of slavery happened because of the Unions victory butRead MoreEssay about John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln3151 Words   |  13 PagesJohn F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States of America. He served as President when the country was under war. Abe Lincoln was born in 1806 and grew up in the countryside as a pioneer. His mother died at a young age and he had a sister. His father married a widow that had three children and Abe Lincoln liked her very much. Every day he attended school and worked very hard on his fathers farm. John F. Kennedy was born in 1917 and died inRead MoreRevisiting, Revising, and Reviving Americas Founding Era6252 Words   |  26 PagesMost Americans nowadays like to think that they have the American Revolution pretty well figured out. Conventional wisdom starts the saga in 1763 when Britain, saddled with debt at the close of the Seven Years War, levied new taxes that prompted her American colonists to resist, and then to reject, imperial rule. Having declared independence and defeated the British, American patriots then drafted the constitution that remains the law of the land to this day. With George Washingtons inaugurationRead MorePre-Columbian Period9302 Words   |  38 Pagesare thought to have arrived in Alaska by crossing the Bering land bridge, at least 14,000 30,000 years ago.[10] Some of these groups migrated south and east, and over time spread throughout the Americas. These were the ancestors to modern Native Americans in the United States and Alaskan Native people s, as well as all indigenous peoples of the Americas. Many indigenous peoples were semi-nomadic tribes of hunter-gatherers; others were sedentary and agricultural civilizations. Many formed new tribesRead MoreIndividual Privacy vs National Security5833 Words   |  24 PagesIndividual Privacy VS National Security John Williams ENG 122: GSE 1244A Instructor: Ebony Gibson November 1, 2012 Individual Privacy VS National Security Introduction Since the terrorist attack of 9/11, America has been in a high level conflict with terrorist around the world, particularly the group known as Al Qaeda. There has been many discussions within the U.S. Congress about the measures of how to effectively combat this organization and their members, here and abroad. Consequently

Groupthink Theory Essay Example For Students

Groupthink Theory Essay GROUPTHINK THEORY COMM410 As people, when confronted with a problem where a solution must be found, our ideal situation is to come up with the best possible one. To do this, we ideally gather the most knowledgeable, intelligent individuals into a group and attempt to derive the best solution to the problem. With the collection of these people, one would think that finding the best possible answer to the problem would be a rather simple task. However, what has happened in many situations is the complete opposite. Rather than finding the best possible solutions, many ideal, cohesive groups arrive at the worst possible answer largely due to problems in communication within the group. This is what we call the radical theory of ‘groupthink’. When groupthink occurs, it can lead to poor decision-making and lack of creativity and as a result, lead to severe consequences. It is important that groups be aware of the symptoms of groupthink in order reduce the chances of negative outcomes. Groupthink is defined as â€Å"the mode of thinking that persons engage in when concurrence-seeking becomes so dominant in a cohesive in-group that it tends to override realistic appraisal of alternative courses of action† (Irving Janis, 1972). More simply put, groups who are affected by groupthink ignore other alternatives. Together, the members try and minimize conflict, thereby reaching consensus, without truly analyzing, studying and evaluating different ideas. In search of group cohesiveness, things such as individuality and creativity tend to disappear into the crowd. Rather than bringing new and different ideas to the table, group members avoid giving an opinion that would be considered to rest outside of the group’s comfort zone. Whats really angering about instructions of this sort is that they imply theres only one way to put this rotisserie together their way. And that presumption wipes out all the creativity. Actually there are hundreds of ways to put the rotisserie together and when they make you follow just one way without showing you the overall problem, the instructions become hard to follow in such a way as not to make mistakes. You lose the feeling for the work† (Pirsig, 166). When seeking solutions to a problem, there can be hundreds of possible ways to solve it. However, because of the lack of creativity, individuality and conflict that arises due to groupthink, only one of those solutions is seriously taken into consideration. Unfortunately, the final solution is not always the best one. In 1972, Yale psychologist Irving Janis attended a seminar on small groups at Yale University. After reading about the Bay of Pigs fiasco, Janis was troubled at the idea that a group of intelligent, well-educated individuals, who included John F. Kennedy and his advisors, allowed themselves to create such a plan. Later on, Irving Janis studied significant events; such as the failure to protect Pearl Harbor, in order to further investigate the topic of groupthink. Decision-making can be seen all around us. Whether it is in the business world or deciding what to make for dinner, we are forced to make choices. Typically, making decisions follows a 6-step process. The steps involved in making a decision are as follows: †¢ Identify the problem or opportunity †¢ Gather relevant information †¢ Develop as many alternatives as possible Evaluate alternatives to decide which is best †¢ Decide on and implement the best alternative †¢ Follow-up on the decision We must keep in mind, however, that making an individual decision is much different than making one in groups. With group decision-making comes social interaction and social, psychological and contextual influences. These things alone call for many advantage s and disadvantages, one advantage being that there are more opinions and more input because of the number of people. Therefore, more solutions to the initial problem(s) can be generated. With this, however, comes a major disadvantage. When making a group decision, majority of groups must agree with the final solution. With the potential of having many opinions within the group, it can be difficult and time costly to ultimately reach a consensus. As individuals, we are all rhetoricians and have different methods of communication. When it comes to discussing our opinions and persuading group members of our ideas, arguments are sometimes created because of the diversity within the group. What matters is whether the argument is productive or not. While there are many unproductive arguments, others generate some of the most creative joint thinking we ever achieve together† (Mercer, 74). Unfortunately, in the case of groupthink, arguments tend to be avoided at all costs. Groupthink theory often occurs without the group’s realization. Irving Janis formed 8 different symptoms that indicate groupthink. The first of these symptoms is illusions of vulnerability. Th is occurs when members of the group are overly optimistic and believe that nothing negative will arise from their decision. Janis describes it as taking great risks and acquiring the attitude of â€Å"everything is going to be OK, because we are a special group†. Secondly we have belief in inherent morality. This symptom is characterized as the groups thought that they could do no wrong. They believe that they have high morality, that they are right in all situations and they ignore the ethical consequences that could arise because of their decisions. As the third symptom we have collective rationalization. This occurs when the group is convinced that nothing can go wrong with the plan with which they have decided to go even if there is sufficient evidence that proposes the complete opposite. The fourth symptom is stereotyped views of out-groups. Members within the group tend to have negative stereotypes of people and groups that are not part of their assembly. This causes the in-group members to disregard what the out-groups have to say which usually causes a lack of creativity. Next we have direct pressure on dissenters, or, direct pressure for conformity. With this symptom, members are discouraged to express any argument about the group’s stereotype and/or commitments, or else this is seen as disloyalty on the part of that particular member’s. The sixth symptom is known as self-censorship. Because groups who experience groupthink are very judgmental and discourage any argument about what the group does, group members will not share their ideas because of the fear of being rejected. These members censor themselves and withhold any criticism or opinion that they may have. Following self-censorship comes illusion of unanimity. In groups, members look to each other to confirm their ideas. This symptom occurs when a member falsely believes that silence in a meeting means that everyone agrees with the decision. Lastly we have self-appointed ‘mind guards’. Sometimes, certain members will appoint themselves as protectors of the group and even the leader from the outside that could potentially ruin the group’s cohesiveness. Ultimately, groups want to avoid all of these symptoms in order to avoid a potentially disastrous result. One may ask, however, how is this possible? Lebanon: A Globe-trotters Guide EssayIn this case, the NASA employee’s inability to think laterally and realize that things change with time, truly affected the result of this mission. Their decision to launch this ship the 19 previous times was right at the time. However, conditions are not always constant. The decision to make the 20th and final launch may have seemed right hours before, however, the NASA’s employees inability to think laterally and outside the box was only one of the contributing factors to this disaster. Some things you miss because theyre so tiny you overlook them. But some things you dont see because theyre so huge. We were both looking at the same thing, seeing the same thing, talking about the same thing, thinking about the same thing, except he was looking, seeing, talking, and thinking from a completely different dimension (Pirsig, 55). All NASA employees and Morton Thiokol employees were talking, thinking, looking, and seeing the same thing. However, all of these things were done in a different context. The engineers were concerned about the lives at hand while the NASA employees’ concerns were more directed to continuing the launching successes of the ship. It is important that we always encourage viewing things from other’s perspectives. We must keep in mind that groupthink is not only seen in an organizational or business context, it is also seen in everyday life. The majority of individuals have found themselves in a position, at one time or another, where the group silences them because of fear of rejection or intimidation. Very recently, on October 24th, 2009, a 15 year-old female was raped in a back alley outside of a school dance at Richmond High in Richmond California. At first glance, one might see this as a regular rape case. However, it is the complete opposite. This young woman was raped by not only 1, but 6 male teenagers while approximately 10 others watched. Although this case may not be identified precisely as groupthink, there are many characteristics and symptoms that are easily identifiable. Firstly, this case was characterized as a ‘gang-rape’. If one were to define â€Å"gang†, the several definitions that could involve one key word. This word is ‘group’. This group of young gentlemen joined together and performed very disturbing acts towards this young woman. This group experienced five out of the eight symptoms that were identified at the beginning of this paper. The young gentlemen who were involved in this act clearly ignored the obvious dangers and risks going into this situation (illusions of vulnerability), they believed they were doing no wrong and ignored the possible ethical consequences of their decisions (inherent morality) and they believed that nothing would come of their decisions to rape this girl even though there is sufficient evidence in the news and elsewhere that rape is a very serious offense (collective rationalization). Members who were involved also may have felt pressured to take part in or continue the acts once they started because of the possible mockery and disrespect on the part of the other members or the 10 other individuals watching (direct pressure for conformity). Finally, those members who thought what they were doing was wrong did not speak up and withheld their views because of the possibility of being rejected by the group (self-censorship). Even though the members were not looking for a solution to a specific problem, the decisions that they made as a group and the choices they made were definitely ones with a disastrous result. Rather than staying and doing what they did to this young woman, they could have evaluated other alternatives and preserved no only the girls well being, but also their own. As disturbing as this may sound, concurrence was searched for by the group. The group agreed on how and where they performed this act. Without concurrence and cohesion, this group of people would not have done this to this poor young lady. When confronted with a problem, we ideally want to find the best possible solution. Even if the group includes members who are intelligent and knowledgeable, the decisions made are not always the best ones. The issue of the Challenger Space Shuttle and the rape case are only two of many situations that can be characterized as groupthink. Unfortunately, in many cases, the result of the final decision can be disastrous. It is important that groups be aware of the symptoms mentioned in this paper and takes the necessary precautions to avoid decisions that can create negative results. Sources Avoiding groupthink. (2009). Retrieved September 6th, 2009, from Mind Tools Web Site: http://www. mindtools. com/pages/article/newLDR_82. htm Borchers, Tim. (1999). Decision making. Retrieved September 6th, 2009, from Small Communications Web Site: http://www. abacon. com/commstudies/groups/decision. html Decision Making. Retrieved September 6th, 2009, from Answers. com Web Site: http://www. answers. com/topic/decision-making Decision making. Retrieved September 6th, 2009, from Wikipedia http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Decision_making Dornhelm, R. (2009). City mobilizes in response to rape. Retrieved November 7th, 2009 from NPR website http://www. npr. org/templates/story/story. php? storyId=114335554 Griffin, E. (2009). A first look at communication theory. In Chapter 18: Groupthink of Irving Janis (pg. 235-246). http://www. afirstlook. com/docs/groupthink. pdf Grohol, John M. (2009). Silencing groupthink in your organization. Retrieved September 6th, 2009, from Psych Central Web Site: http://psychcentral. com/blog/archives/2009/04/30/silencing-groupthink-in-your-organization/ Groupthink. Retrieved September, 6th, 2009, from: http://www. cedu. niu. edu/~fulmer/groupthink. htm Groupthink. (2009). Retrieved September 6th, 2009, from 12 Manage: The Executive Fast Track Web Site: http://www. 2manage. com/methods_janis_groupthink. html Group Decision Making. Retrieved September 6th, 2009, from Wikipedia http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Group_decision_making Group Decision Making Theories. From Oregon State Web Site http://oregonstate. edu/instruct/comm321/gwalker/Group. htm Hinsz, Verlin B. (1999). Group decision making with responses of a quantitative nature: The theory of social decision schemes for quan tities. Organizational behavior and human decision process, 80(1), 28-49. Retrieved from: http://www. sciencedirect. com/science? ob=ArticleURL_udi=B6WP2-45FCPR6G_user=607434_rdoc=1_fmt=_orig=search_sort=d_docanchor=view=c_searchStrId=1002502910_rerunOrigin=google_acct=C000031539_version=1_urlVersion=0_userid=607434md5=8d19dd6821ed02fd2a77f178a6f30eff Hirokawa, R. , Pool, M. S. (1996). Communication and group decision making. Retireved on September 6th, 2009. Web Site: http://books. google. com/books? id=lAEA68lX5XsCpg=PA3lpg=PA3dq=group+decision+making+theorysource=blots=ms_FmZg-QGsig=lt2Xc-sKpbRBpl1Dm6Nvi5m9wyshl=enei=mU2kSs_gAceK8QbbvOjwDwsa=Xoi=book_resultct=resultresnum=9#v=onepageq=group%20decision%20making%20theoryf=false Janis, I. (1982). Groupthink. Retrieved October 4th, from: http://apps. olin. wustl. edu/faculty/macdonald/GroupThink. pdf Lobe, Jim. (2004). Chikenhawk groupthink. Retrieved September 6th, 2009, from CommonDreams. org Web Site:http://www. commondreams. org/headlines04/0512-02. htm What is Groupthink. Retrieved September 6th, 2009, from: http://psysr. org/about/pubs_resources/groupthink%20overview. htm Wells, Jason R. (2005). Groupthink and the challenger disaster. Retrieved