Kunta Kinte and Gustavus Vassa 2

The essential topic of black people history is the continuous fight to defeat the barrier of race, and the actuality of unequal cultural identity between black and white people. â€Å"This racial bifurcation has created parallel realities or racial universes, in which blacks and whites may interact closely with one another, but perceive social reality in dramatically different ways† (Gordon 2003). Blacks still suffer from discrimination trying to overcome all the difficulties and forget about their terrible past – slavery. However the past can’t die and there are historical masterpieces that remind people about their past experience. Literature is the main sources of them. On the example of the life of two slaves the given paper will prove that the life of   every slave was very much alike, almost the same, because of the lack of any opportunity for slaves to make their life outstanding The life of Kinta Kunte Alex Haley is the author of the novel  «Roots: The Saga of an American Family » Kinta Kunte is the main character of this novel. The movie â€Å"Roots† was created based on the book. This work is considered to be a faction that is a combination of both historical data and creative writing. Some plot is taken from a writing called â€Å"The African† written by Harold Courlander. The main character of  «Roots: The Saga of an American Family »,   Kunta was caught and taken as a slave to Annapolis, Maryland. Soon plantation holder from Spotsylvania County bought him (Gordon 2003). In Maryland a monument to Kunta Kinte was created. It is one of a small number of memorials in the whole world to have the name of a really existed African slave. There are some other monuments like the monument of Zumbi from Palmares Quilombo (a Negro and the leader of revolution) and the monument of Bussa. The memorial of Kunta Kinte represents Alex Haley, manuscript on his knee, narrating his family's history to three kids. In a disreputable event, the Kunta Kinte statue was stolen in a very short period after its putting in place in 1981. It was not found and was restores within several months. But the new one was also stolen. A monument of Alex Haley telling the story to the kids is in its place (Gordon 2003). The author started his narration with Kunte's birth. The main character of the novel was born in the rural community called Juffure in The Gambia in 1750. Kunte was the first of four children of the fighter Oumaru and his wife Binta. As his father was a soldier Kunte's was brought up in very strict conditions and became a good warrior (Gordon 2003). In 1767, when the young fighter went to the wood to create a drum, he was caught by a group of people. Kunte woke up and realized that he became a captive of the white people. Haley shows how they disgrace the young soldier. Kunte and other captives are taken on a steamer for a terrifying three month trip to the United State. (Williams 2001) There were 140 captives of the board of the ship, but only 98 remained alive after the trip. Kunte was among them. When they came to Maryland the young black soldier was sold to a white man who gave him a new name â€Å"Toby† to his shock. For the rest of his life Kunte was dreaming of freedom and making attempts to run away. Once he was caught and the part of his foot was taken out. He married slave women Bell Waller and had a kid by name Kizzy. Unhappily, Kizzy was sold to another plantation. Years later Kizzy got to know that her father died, she came to his grave, crossed the name â€Å"Toby† and wrote her father’s real name Kinta Kunte. (Williams 2001) The rest of the story is about the life of Kizzy and Alex Haley telling about their distress, losses and final victory in America. The life of Gustavus Vassa The character of Kinta Kunte is symbolic; his story tells us the story of many slaves that is usually the same and not interesting and distinguished. The life of the given character is very much alike the life of Olaudah Equiano known as Gustavus Vassa. (Williams 2001) According to his own narration, Olaudah Equiano was born in â€Å"Essaka† not far from the River Niger. His father was a respected man in the village. People in the village were plain, had quiet and happy life. When he was very young he was caught exactly like Kinta Kunte and sold to slavery. He never saw white people before. Equiano had many brothers and a sister, a large happy family. Her sister was caught together with him. Equiano was re-sold several times: he was not demanded because of small height. At last he was taken to Virginia, where he was bought by a man who decided to call his Gustavus Vassa. (Williams 2001) In contrast to Kinta Kunte who has only one nickname â€Å"Toby† Equiano was presented with new names by his owners many times. Notwithstanding that, this time a black man rejected the new one and courageously informed his new possessor that he wanted to be called Jacob. Pascal punished the salve and left him in shackles until he agrees to take the name he thought out for him. Equiano wrote that he had to except the new name at last in order to be freed. The cause of the somewhat strange selection of name for a slave is mysterious. (Williams 2001) In his autobiographical work, Equiano describes the unacceptable treatment of slaves who worked in houses of their owners in Virginia. They went through a number of abnormal types of punishment and traditions like the application of so-called â€Å"iron muzzles† around the mouth of the slave make him quiet which prevented him from normal sleeping and eating. The story expresses the fear and shock Equiano went through in his new surroundings thinking that the eyes on wall were tracing him and a clock could tell his master everything about the mistakes he made in his work.   (Williams 2001) Conclusion The conclusion can be made that the lives of two slaves are very much alike. Both of them were born in small villages, than stolen. That explains their great desire to become free: they were not born slaves, so it was extremely unacceptable for them to appear in such conditions. Both of them lost their real names, suffer almost the same punishments. It is useless to look for the differences comparing the life of two slaves. The age of slavery ended but it has its own consequences. Race as a communal construction makes up its own internal logic and social expressions of pain, irritation, and disaffection within different societies. (Reid-Pharr 1999) Sources Gordon, Dexter B. Black Identity:   Rhetoric, Ideology, and Nineteenth-Century Black Nationalism. Carbondale, IL: Southern Illinois University Press, 2003. Reid-Pharr, Robert. Conjugal Union: The Body, the House, and the Black American. New York: Oxford University Press, 1999. Williams, Vernon J. â€Å"Racial Essentialism: A Case of Historical Continuity and Discontinuity in the Social Sciences.† The Western Journal of Black Studies 25.4 (2001): 202.   

Mcdonald’s Business Strategy

A Comprehensive Business Plan developed by McDonald Management, Inc. 11410 N. E. 124th Street #223 Kirkland, Washington 98034 USA O: 425-822-3106 C: 206-257-9839 [email  protected] com Table of Contents Page 3 Page 5 Page 6 Page 9 Page 11 Page 12 Page 16 Page 18 Page 21 Executive Summary Our Business Plan The Market Defined World View Pilot Program (Ethiopia) Projected Market Share Market Strategy Promotion Competition The Bottled Water Industry Product Development – Four Keys Norit Ultra-Filtration System (Perfector – E) Solar Powered Modules Prototype configuration and assemblyThe Patented 20-liter Tamper-proof Bottle Organizational Development USAgua Partnership Program US Home Office East Africa Central Assembly Distribution (Operators to Owners) Mile Stones Financial Statements Sales Projections Personnel Budgets Cash Flow Projections Income Statements – Projected Expense Statements – Projected 2 Executive Summary W e are now in a position to profit ably enter into the lucrative and expanding worldwide market for pure, clean, safe drinking water. We have developed and will introduce to the world, the concept of small community commercial water purification systems. Also you can read  Business Ethics ComprisesWe call our systems ‘USAguaâ„ ¢ Pure Water Kiosks’. Each of our Kiosks is capable of taking in 8,000 liters of dangerously polluted raw water every day and, through the technologically phenomenal process of ultra-filtration, they process that unhealthy water into safe, clean, purified drinking water. Our systems are containerized, modular, solar powered and ultra-filtered — they function completely ‘off-the-grid’. Our markets are the vibrant, sophisticated, newly emerging middle-classes of the developing world. These middle-class niches represent over one billion people and their numbers are growing daily.These people realize the importance of safe drinking water for themselves and their families but, at the same time, they know that their governments are incapable of providing this most basic need. What is important to our program is that these middle class families are financially capable of paying fo r our water. The proof is the fact that they now consume literally tens of millions of gallons of bottled water every year. Our competition is the bottled water industry and, very soon, we will have a substantial piece of that market.The product we sell is clean, pure, safe drinking water. How we produce, market and sell our product is through our USAgua Pure Water Kiosks Program. Our Kiosks are a melding of two wonderful technologies just now coming into their own. The first is called ‘ultra-filtration’. Picture a bundle of spaghetti sized perforated tubes through which polluted water is pumped under pressure. The perforations are so small that they block viruses, bacteria and parasites down to a ‘Log 2-4’ EPA rating. This means that the water we sell is 99. 99% pure or better when it leaves our system.And, because the filters require only ‘back-flushing’ instead of costly filter replacements, the long-term costs are minimized. The second basi c technology we have employed is Solar Power. Our Kiosks, including all the necessary pumps, batteries, electronics and lighting requirements run perfectly using a Solar Power package designed specifically for our needs. The initial costs of the solar option are steep, but the long term reliability, the fact that we don’t depend on any outside sources of energy and the nearly-maintenance-free specifications we have developed, make them a perfect fit in developing countries. Our ultra filtration systems and our solar power systems have been rigorously field tested by their manufacturers. Our own design engineers have melded the two technologies together, combined them with our storage tanks and lab gear and integrated them seamlessly into our retail USAgua Kiosks. After a final prototype development program, our manufacturers will ship their modules to our USAgua Central Assembly Plants in our target markets. We will use local technicians to retrofit universally available frei ght containers and perform final installation and assembly.Once our Kiosks are complete, they will be delivered to our ‘Operators’ in the field. Our Management Team will locate, recruit and train local ‘Operators’ in our various ‘Target Markets’. In time, our Operators will be given the opportunity to own their own USAgua Kiosk, thus allowing us to tap the entrepreneurial energy and spirit that can be found within individuals in every corner of the world. Our USAgua Operator program will ensure our market position and stability through world-wide name branding, equipment standardization, standardized maintenance routines and universally accepted accounting procedures.With the help of some very smart engineers we have developed the concept of our USAgua Pure Water Kiosks. At the same time, we have put together a business model that takes the best of the American business concepts we are so proud of and we, very carefully, introduce them into the potentially lucrative new middle-class markets of the developing world. Our ‘financial package’ is strong. Our assumptions and our projections are conservative, our research is up to date and our key players are heavy on both education and real world experience. We are ready to take the next giant step forward.To that end, we are asking to secure a US $2,200,000 Investment package so that we can bring our USAgua International Program to fruition. Please, feel free to call me anytime for more information or clarifications. Sincerely, Timothy McDonald 4 Our Business Plan The World Wide Market Defined: Of the 6 billion people in the world today, over 3 billion1 live either totally ‘off-the-grid’ or in communities not serviced by safe, dependable water systems. Families within this demographic, no matter their economic level, are left vulnerable to water borne diseases including viruses, parasites and bacteria.The negative social and economic repercussions of not having access to safe, clean drinking water are immense. Some United Nations reports have gone so far as to predict that safe drinking water will be as economically significant as oil within the next decade2. We intend to be a big player in solving the drinking water problem. We have designed both our USAgua Water Purification System and our Business Model to be universally adaptable. Our equipment and our business model will function beautifully in the suburbs of Nairobi, along the Yangtze River in China and in the mountains of northern India.Anywhere there is both a source of water (no matter how polluted) and an open view of the sun, our USAgua water purification systems will work. Anywhere there are energetic and entrepreneurial individuals who aspire to a better life for their families, our USAgua Operator network will prosper. At the ‘Macro’ scale, our market is unlimited. Good business practices, however, dictate that we start small and grow carefully. We wil l introduce our program to a small, representative market we are familiar with. One that can be easily documented and controlled.In our ‘Pilot Market’ we will learn a great deal from both our successes and our mistakes. Once we have field proven both our equipment and our business model, we will enter additional markets with much greater knowledge and enthusiasm. _________________________________ It is very important to understand that we are in competition with the ‘Bottled Water Industry’ in all aspects of our program. The statistics and the markets for bottled water, world wide, are the statistics and markets relevant to USAguaâ„ ¢. _______________________________________ 1 2 United Nations Development Program Report – August 2008United Nations Development Program Report – August 2008 5 Our Ethiopian Pilot Program and Our Share of the Market For several reasons, including a thirty year professional involvement in East Africa, we have cho sen the country of Ethiopia to establish our ‘Pilot Program’. The Ethiopian Market Defined: Population (millions) 2007 Population growth (annual %) Life expectancy at birth (years) Literacy rate GNI (US $ billions) GNI per capita (US $ ) 78. 6 2. 6 55. 0 38. 5 19. 4 220. 0 The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) acquired these statistics: Health of population using improved drinking-water sources, 2006, total 42 (cut and paste from the UNICEF 2008 Report) These UNICEF statistics show us that there is a large segment of the Ethiopian population that understands the need for safe water. The definition of ‘improved drinking-water sources’, however, does not address the quality of the water. It only documents the fact that the water has been drawn from a centralized source and is conveyed to the end user via an established distribution network; either municipal water systems, tanker trucks or bottled water.The water may or may not be processed. It ma y or may not be safe. The quality of both the tap water and the bottled water in Ethiopia is suspect due to poor infrastructure maintenance and a lack of Health Department regulation enforcement. 3 3 UNICEF Annual Report – 2006 6 The Ethiopian Central Statistical Agency (CSA) estimates that currently 4. 18% of the households, nationwide, have access to community water systems and taps within their homes. Ethiopia Total 2004 2. 2 2006 2. 7 2008 3. 3 Current 4. 18 (cut and paste from the 2008 CSA Report)This means the vast majority of people considered to have access to ‘improved drinking water sources’ are using tanker truck delivery (very dangerous) or bottled water. (78. 6 million X 42%) – 4. 18% ) = 31. 4 million people drink non-tap water. ) The CSA also publishes a quarterly retail price listing for nearly every commodity found in Ethiopia. In 2008 the average cost per liter of bottled water was 6 birr. (Ethiopian currency) BEVERAGES – NON ALCOH OLIC Ambo Mineral Water†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 500cc 3. 00 3. 00 3. 00 3. 17 3. 00 3. 00 2. 50 3. 00 2. 96 2. 50 3. 00 3. 00 2. 50 2. 5 Bure Mineral Water†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ 500cc – – – – – – – – – – – – – – (cut and paste from the 2008 CSA Report) ! (Or †¦ US $0. 48/liter at the current exchange rate) The CSA has not been able to estimate a total volume of bottled drinking water produced or consumed. We have been told many reasons for this lack of statistical documentation. The most plausible is the lack of government oversight and a huge black market for recycling local water in used plastic bottles. This is a very dangerous practice and one the central government has taken action to stop. 4 A few assumptions:W e are going to assume, in the interest of simplifying our Business Plan, that within and near the cities of Addis Ababa, Mekele, Bahra Dar, Nazerit and Awass a ( a total population of over 27 million ) there is a need for 27,000,000 liters of pure, safe drinking water every day. (27,000,000 X 365 days = nearly 10 Billion liters per year) (One liter of safe drinking water per day is the World Health Organization’s minimum requirement. ) 4 Ethiopian Health Ministry – 2008 7 Our Pilot Program Cities: 10% Purchase Vicinity of Population Addis Ababa 15,375,000 15% Purchase 20% Purchase 5% Purchase Bottled Water at US $0. 50/liter Bottled Water at US $0. 40/liter Bottled Water at US $0. 30/liter Bottled Water at US $0. 20/liter 1,537,500 2,306,250 3,075,000 3,843,750 Nazerit 3,580,000 358,000 537,000 716,000 895,000 Bahri Dar 1,790,000 179,000 266,850 355,800 447,500 Awasa 1,430,000 143,000 214,500 286,000 357,500 Mekele 4,825,000 482,500 723,750 965,000 1,206,250 27,000,000 2,700,000 4,050,000 5,400,000 6,750,000 $1,350,000 $1,620,000 $1,620,000 $1,350,000 $492,750 ,000 $591,300,000 $591,300,000 $492,750,000 Population Market Va lue Market Value Per Day Per YearOur Pilot Program Market Our Pilot Program Market focuses on five major cities in Ethiopia. We can take a very conservative but educated guess that 15% of the 27 million population is capable of purchasing 1 liter of drinking water every day for US 0. 40/liter. (about a billion and a half liters per year demand) 1,248,000 liters (62,400 20-Liter USAgua Bottles) is the annual sales figure we have projected for each of our USAgua Kiosks. Or less than one tenth of one percent (. 001%) of our Pilot Program Middle-class Market Demand. Our Kiosks are actually capable of physically producing ,920,000 liters of safe, clean drinking water annually, but for budgeting and logistical reasons as well as a conservative margin of safety, we are building our Business Model on a 1,248,000 liters/year basis or a 4,000 liters per day sales capacity, six days per week. ! The total cost to our USAgua Kiosk Program to produce, bottle and sell safe, clean drinking water is less than $0. 10 per liter The universal laws of supply and demand would tell us that we could completely dominate the ‘Bottled Drinking Water Industry’ in our Pilot Program Market.By assuring two things — Highest Quality, Lowest Price — we should expect to capture a substantial share of this huge market while at the same time realizing a very profitable return on investment very quickly. It is not difficult to imagine 40 USAgua Kiosks working profitably within Ethiopia within two years of start-up. 8 Market Strategy The Market for pure, clean, safe drinking water already exists. It is large, growing and lucrative. Our dominant piece of that worldwide market is what we will develop. Branding†¦ W e own the internet web domain and the trade marked name, USAguaâ„ ¢.We are now in the process of building a comprehensive website that will address everything from the biology of parasites, bacteria and viruses to the science of removing those contaminants from our drinking water. It will show how important safe drinking water is to individuals, societies and economies. It will differentiate our USAgua Water Purification Kiosks from our competition, the bottled water industry. Our website will play very well in East Africa. Since the election of President Obama, a new, very pro-American, attitude has emerged. America and all things American are now very popular.Our USAgua Kiosks provide safe drinking water at standards equal to or better than our American EPA standards for domestic drinking water. In East Africa, they trust our standards and want that same high quality for their families. Our Kiosks are painted in American national colors. The USA in USAgua is meant to emphasize our American roots and our American standards. When a USAgua Kiosk is delivered to an African community our customers will feel that part of America has arrived. Our USAgua 20-liter plastic bottles are designed to be used and re-used and re-used by the family to which they are assigned.The boldly branded bottles can not be refilled by anyone other than our Kiosk operator. Our branded one-liter personal bottles will be carried with pride on the streets of our communities. The name, USAgua, will be synonymous with American high quality and good health. Lower retail pricing†¦ W e know there is a large and growing demand for safe, pure drinking water. On the macro scale this is evidenced by the rise of the bottled water industry in every city and village in the world. In Ethiopia, our Pilot Program Market, we know the retail price of a liter of bottled water is US$0. 48.The laws of supply and demand dictate that as the price is lowered, the demand rises. The cost of our water, including all business related expectations, is less than US $0. 10 per liter. We will price our product to maximize both the quantity sold and the profit generated. 9 Flyers and Brochures Distributed Locally †¦. And a billboard or two Because each of our US Agua Kiosks are designed to satisfy the drinking water demand of only 400 families per day, (we are saying 10 liters per family per day) the geographic market area for each of our Kiosks is small, (by design) less than one square kilometer.Prior to our Kiosks arriving at their final destinations, a local flyer and brochure campaign will saturate the area to introduce our program. Community meetings will be held to educate members of our market and sell our products. A large colorful bill-board will be erected so that people will begin identifying our branding. 10 Competition: The Competition for our Pilot Program Market (and every other market in the developing world, for that matter) consists of a handful of legitimate Centralized Water Bottling and Distribution Companies as well as black-market water bottle recycling scams.The government is now in the process of both adopting new quality standards for all bottled water plus they are developing the means to enforce those standards. Because none of the major international bottled water producers (Danone, Nestle, and Coca-Cola) have entered the African markets, statistical documentation is lacking for total production and demand. We do know a few things, however. First is that the existing legitimate bottled water industry depends on centralized plants that are, by definition, saddled with the tremendous costs associated with transporting heir product to market. Plus, they must purchase plastic bottles that will be used only once, but then become potential competition as those same bottles are refilled on the black-market and resold. We also know that the end user of bottled water is becoming much more sophisticated. They know full well the problem with boot-legged water and in most cases have gone back to boiling local water (at a tremendous expense in fuel) rather than purchase suspect bottled water. The Bottled Water Industry is not the answer for the Developing World. 11 Product Development †¦.. some h istoryFor generations, scientists around the world have known that viruses, parasites and bacteria are present in much of the water we drink. They have also known that these tiniest of creatures are the source of the water borne diseases that have plagued humanity since Lucy stood up on her two legs and peered over the tall grasses of the African Savannah. Personal Note: McDonald was stationed in the Awash Valley of Ethiopia in 1973-75 only 20 miles from where Lucy – Australopithecus afarensisr – was discovered. On several occasions his Agricultural School and Farm hosted Lucy’s rcheologists. They appreciated the water system he had developed that pulled water from the muddy Awash River and provided them safe, pure drinking water. In the developed world, from our largest cities to our smallest villages, our technology has solved the problem of purifying our waters. In America, we long ago realized the importance of safe water to the overall health and well being of our society. It was so important to previous generations that they mandated our government to set and enforce the highest water standards in the world.Our municipal and community water systems now process and distribute a dependable flow of amazingly inexpensive water to the homes of every citizen. The success of America is due, in no small part, to the overall health of our people. And, the overall health of our people is, in no small part, due to our wonderful communal water systems. On the macro scale, the per gallon cost of water in America is very small; a penny or two a gallon at the most. The reality is, however, that a water purification plant and a distribution network are tremendously expensive to develop and operate; tens of millions of dollars.And, the technical sophistication necessary to maintain these systems is overwhelming to any but the most advanced economies. For so many reasons (economic, political, cultural, technical) there is little hope that the vast maj ority of people in the second and third worlds will ever be able to build and maintain the water systems necessary to provide safe water for their people. Even now, as a burgeoning middle class emerges, the central governments are powerless to act. The problem is just too large and the costs too high. 12 Product Development †¦. the Stars Line UpThe USAguaâ„ ¢ Pure Water Kiosk Program is†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Four Components. The product we sell is clean, pure, safe drinking water. How we produce, market and sell our product is through our USAgua Pure Water Kiosks Program. Our Kiosk Program brings together four independent but equally important physical components. Namely: Ultra-Filtration, Solar Power, Retro-fitted Freight Containers and Keyed, Tamper-proof 20-liter Bottles. 1. Ultra-Filtration†¦ This is a water filtration method developed and patented by Norit X-Flow, a member of the global Norit Companies. Norit is headquartered in theNetherlands with sales offices throughout the world including one just outside of Chicago. Ultra-filtration is easy to visualize. Picture a bundle of spaghetti sized perforated tubes through which polluted water is pumped under pressure. The perforations are so small that they block viruses, bacteria and parasites down to a ‘Log 2-4’ EPA rating. This means that the water they process is 99. 99% pure or better when it leaves their system. And, because the filters require only ‘back-flushing’ instead of costly filter replacements, the long-term costs are minimized.Norit’s filters can be used for months and then ‘back-flushed’ to remove all contaminants. The actual filters will last for years. Ultra-filtration is truly a marvelous breakthrough. One of the first applications that Norit X-Flow developed for its Ultra-filter technology was a very clever machine they call the Perfector-E Mobile Water Purification System. It was originally designed for emergency responders to be used in the aftermath of devastating natural disasters; earthquakes, floods and hurricanes. The systems are small, strong and highly mobile.They can be transported and set up in any disaster area within hours. They are totally self contained and can draw and purify water from almost any source including exposed surface waters, local lakes, rivers, ponds and irrigation systems. The Perfector-E System can provide literally thousands of gallons of pure, safe drinking water per day to a disaster area under the most extreme conditions. And, there is another very positive aspect to Norit’s system. It is not a big energy user. With some adaptations, we can actually run the systems exclusively on solar power. 13 2.The second basic technology we have employed is Solar Power. Our Kiosks, including all the necessary pumps, batteries, electronics and lighting requirements run perfectly using a Solar Power package designed specifically for our needs. Our solar energy system was designed by H-Dot Logic, a solar engineering company here in Seattle. The initial costs of the solar option are steep, but the long term reliability, the fact that we don’t depend on any outside sources of energy and the nearlymaintenance-free specifications we have developed, make them a perfect fit in developing countries. . Our Kiosks – Our Containers. We have chosen to utilize universally available, standard steal 20 foot cargo containers as the physical basis of our Kiosk system. Containers are strong and secure. They are easily transported on any flatbed truck in the world, and once they are delivered to our overseas locations, they will serve as the actual retail Kiosk facility. Our in-house engineers have designed the retro-fit of the containers to comfortably house all the various components in and around the retail shell.The solar panels, the gravel pre-filters, the external raw water storage tank, the internal finished water storage tank with the UV sterilizer, the Ultra-fil ter modules, the pumps, the battery packs, all the electronics and a water testing system are all neatly configured inside the container. In addition to designing the retrofit, our Kiosk’s will have a copy written exterior color and graphic scheme. The graphic scheme, once painted on our containers will provide a great advertising platform for our USAgua Brand. A prototype unit still needs to be assembled.USAgua Kiosk # 0001, the prototype, will be assembled in Seattle, Washington. A careful documentation video of the specifications and assembly methods will be produced. This process will take about four months to accomplish. Once the first Kiosk is ready it will be shipped from the Port of Seattle to Ethiopia. Once in Ethiopia, USAgua #0001 will be delivered to our Central Assembly & Fabrication facility. Our local Management will use it to train a team of assembly mechanics. We will then begin purchasing containers on the local market and preparing them for the arrival of o ur Filter and Solar modules.Within a four month period, we will be assembling and delivering two complete USAgua units per month. 4. The Keyed-Tamper Proof Bottle Program: One of the reasons the bottled water industry is not a good fit for the developing world is because the plastic bottles are disposable. Each new bottle, when discarded becomes a potential competitor as people refill the bottle and sell it on the black market. Our USAgua bottles are specially designed to discourage re-use by anyone but the family to which it was assigned. The bottles will have a tamper proof valve and seal that can only be refilled at USAgua Kiosks.This makes the bottles un-usable outside our network and assures our customers that the water inside our stamped and sealed bottles has not been counterfeited on the black market. Our prominent USAgua Logo on each bottle will help promote our brand where ever it is found. 14 Organizational Development Thirty years of experience working in developing coun tries has taught us many things. One of the most important is that without a very involved and powerful Management presence ‘on the ground’, no program can succeed.For the success of any project in the developing world, including ours, it is vitally important that we back-up our 21st century technology with an equally robust Management and Operations Program based on century’s old tried and true Business Practices. We call our In-Country USAgua International Management and Operations Program ‘Our Partnership Program’. It is based on five powerful strategies: 1. Recruiting the best and the brightest. Every developing country in the world has vibrant, honest, well educated, hardworking, entrepreneurs looking for an opportunity to improve themselves, their families and their communities.Our Country Director will identify and recruit these individuals. We will offer them a good basic family wage with the added incentive of merit-based pay raises. 2. In-C ountry Training for our Operators Our USAgua in-country Management Staff will train every recruit in Kiosk system functions, maintenance procedures, program hygiene, local marketing and program bookkeeping. Trainees will work with seasoned Operators during a six month apprenticeship program. If they prove themselves capable, they will be offered a position as an Operator or Operator’s Helper for one of our USAgua Kiosks. . In-Country Operations Management. We will have one Project Manager for every 10 USAgua Kiosk Operators. These Project Managers will visit each Kiosk Operator every month to make sure that the extremely high USAgua standards are being met and maintained. The PM’s are also in charge of auditing and banking functions. There will be zero tolerance for bookkeeping errors. In addition to our Project Managers, we have a Maintenance & Repair team that routinely visits each Kiosk making sure that no small maintenance problem becomes a big repair problem due t o lack of Operator vigilance. 4.Advertising and Marketing Support Each Kiosk comes with an introductory advertising budget for local marketing. We will saturate any new locale with USAgua literature. In addition, our Staff will visit each Kiosk to conduct community seminars in water quality and family hygiene. 15 5. Operators to Owners Program After two years as a USAgua Operator we will offer some of our most gifted and hardworking employees the opportunity to purchase their own USAgua Kiosk. We are wholly convinced that there exists a universally powerful business strategy that assures the success of a program such as ours.This is called ‘pride in ownership’ and we intend to tap that strategy to its fullest. Our US Office The home office of McDonald Management is in Seattle, Washington as will be the home offices of USAgua International, Inc. At the top of our organizational chart is the President and CEO, Timothy McDonald. Mr. McDonald has a BS in International Econo mics (minor in Civil Engineering) with Masters work in International Economics all from the University of Washington. He has been in and out of East Africa for over thirty years with our State Department as both an employee and an independent contractor.He will oversee day to day operations both in the US and overseas. Norit X-Flow International will provide the Ultra-filtration modules. H-Dot Logic will provide the solar package design and modules. R. L. Clark and Associates of Redmond, Washington will be in charge of Investor Relations, financial program development and implementation. Bahiru G. Egziabiher will be the Country Director in Ethiopia for our Pilot Market Program. He holds a Masters in Electrical Engineering from the University of Washington and has worked for Seattle City Light for over twenty years. Bahiru holds duel US and Ethiopian citizenship.Dalrymple and Associates will be in charge of our Kiosk design and equipment coordination. In addition his company has desi gned our logo, the graphic presentation of our USAgua name and our color schemes and themes. RedRover Marketing will be in charge of our website design, maintenance and hosting. Our Office in Ethiopia W e will lease a centralized office/warehouse facility in Addis Ababa where we will identify, recruit and train a team of assemblers and fabricators to retrofit our containers, install our filtration systems, our solar modules and our storage tanks.Our paint shop will brand each Kiosk with our name, our logo and our color scheme. 16 Bahiru Egziabiher, our Country Director, will be in charge of our Ethiopia operations including the central warehouse and assembly facility. He will oversee the assembly of two complete USAgua Kiosks per month once we get underway. McDonald and Exziabiher and, eventually, a small team of Project Managers, will identify, recruit and train a Network of USAgua Operators. These Project Managers will be responsible for assuring the high standards of training, ma intenance, product quality and accounting standards for each of their Network Operators.Within two years there will be 40 Kiosks producing pure water in Ethiopia. There will be one Project Manager for every ten Kiosks. Our Operator Network is the key to our program. Once our USAgua Operators are identified and recruited, they will go through a thorough training program. They will serve a two year apprenticeship and then, if they have proven themselves capable of maintaining our extremely high standards, they will be given the opportunity to own their own Kiosk. In this way we will tap the entrepreneurial spirit of those who will make our entire program a success.How Hard is it to Enter the Ethiopian Market? The World Bank ranks countries world wide by their ‘Ease of Doing Business’. Of the 183 countries rated, Ethiopia ranks #107. In comparison, Egypt is #106 and Kenya is #95. Since 1993 when the people of Ethiopia removed their previous communist government and replace d it with one decisively more moderate and business friendly, the new leadership has striven to open its economy to a more capitalistic model. In the past 10 years, Ethiopia has been gradually re-writing its constitution in an attempt to open new markets and stabilize its business community.These efforts have paid off. In 2008-9 the World Bank ranked Ethiopia at #122 for ‘ease of starting a business’. This year they are ranked # 93. And, they are getting better every year. The following statistics are all from the World Bank. Ease of doing Business 107 Starting a Business 93 Dealing with Construction Permits 60 Employing Workers 98 Registering Property 110 Getting Credit 127 Protecting Investors 119 Paying Taxes 43 Trading Across Borders 159 Enforcing Contracts 57 Closing a Business 77 Summary of Indicators – Ethiopia Starting a Business Procedures (number) 5Time (days) 9 Cost (% of income per capita) 18. 9 Min. capital (% of income per capita) 492. 4 17 Dealing with Construction Permits Procedures (number) 12 Time (days) 128 Cost (% of income per capita) 561. 3 Employing Workers Difficulty of hiring index (0-100) 33 Rigidity of hours index (0-100) 20 Difficulty of redundancy index (0-10) 30 Rigidity of employment index (0-100) 28 Redundancy costs (weeks of salary) 40 Registering Property Procedures (number) 10 Time (days) 41 Cost (% of property value) 2. 2 Getting Credit Strength of legal rights index (0-10) 4Depth of credit information index (0-6) 2 Public registry coverage (% of adults) 0. 1 Private bureau coverage (% of adults) 0. 0 Protecting Investors Extent of disclosure index (0-10) 4 Extent of director liability index (0-10) 4 Ease of shareholder suits index (0-10) 5 Strength of investor protection index (0-10) 4. 3 Paying Taxes Payments (number per year) 19 Time (hours per year) 198 Profit tax (%) 26. 8 Labor tax and contributions (%) 0. 0 Other taxes (%) 4. 3 Total tax rate (% profit) 31. 1 Trading Across Borders Documents to exp ort (number) 8Time to export (days) 49 Cost to export (US$ per container) 1940 Documents to import (number) 8 Time to import (days) 45 Cost to import (US$ per container) 2993 Enforcing Contracts Procedures (number) 37 Time (days) 620 Cost (% of claim) 15. 2 Taking into account the above information provided by the World Bank, it will take McDonald Management about 90 days to secure all the necessary permits, licenses, patent protection registrations and lease agreements in Ethiopia. This will all be done prior to our first Kiosk leaving the US. 8 Mile Stones First Three Months Investors have been identified and secured†¦ A US $2,200,000 credit line is opened †¦ Dalrymple & Associates secures a short term warehouse lease where the prototype Kiosk will be assembled and the process documented. Norit X-Flow, H-Dot Logic and USAgua finalize specifications for the prototype filter/solar modules The USAgua Prototype is completed and Unit #0001 is prepared for shipment to Africa I n Month One, McDonald and Exziabiher leave for East Africa to secure business licenses and leases.While in Africa McDonald and Exziabiher identify and recruit a team of mechanics and fabricators as well as a Project Manager. They identify the first five individuals for the USAgua Operators Network. Months 4 and 5 USAgua Kiosk number 0001 is shipped from Seattle to Addis Ababa USAgua – Seattle begins producing and shipping filter/power modules to Ethiopia at the rate of 2 units per month. Containers are purchased and retrofitted in our Addis Ababa facility at the rate of 2 units per month.Assembly begins and the first delivery of a unit is accomplished. Months 6 -12 All elements of our program are coordinated and we are assembling and placing USAgua Kiosks in client communities at the steady rate of 2 units per month. Project Managers and Operators are continuing the training, quality control and apprenticeship programs. Month 13 W e achieve income/expense financial Break Even Month 24 The first 40 USAgua Kiosks are in place and working. The first USAgua Operator recruits are offered ownership of their Kiosks. 19 Business Plan SummaryW e are confident that a vibrant and lucrative market for safe, clean drinking water exists in every country of the world. We are also confident that we have the right Technology and Business Model to enter and eventually dominate those markets. To prove this, we are going to introduce 40 of our USAgua Kiosks into the Ethiopian market. There we will show that our technology is exactly right; that each of our Kiosks can be operated and maintained profitably for years. And, that our Business Model is sound and worthy of the trust our investors have shown.We have developed a set of financial projections. These itemize the key elements of our program and put a dollar figure on their implementation. They show that an initial two year investment of US $2,200,000 will produce an operating income/expense breakeven within a year and actual profit by the end of the 40 Unit 2 Year Pilot Program. Anyone interested in viewing our Financial Report, please, call Timothy McDonald. He will be more than happy to send along our spreadsheets. Many Thanks, Timothy McDonald 206-257-9839 20

Mapping the Route Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Mapping the Route - Essay Example It can be hard to leave what you are familiar with, and I really admire the owners of the supermarket and knew that they would not be happy to see me go, however it was time to decide on my own. I set a goal of satisfactorily completing a single semester at a local college, just to measure if I could manage it, and much to my surprise I not only finished the semester, I got a credit as well. I got a lot of courage in in this accomplishment, and it actually was not easy, however it afforded me the courage I needed to set life time goals. I realized that I was very good at sciences and how the human body functions. I am now near to complete my diploma in clinical Sciences, having maintained my position as the top student the entire period, and I finally understand that I am being a good model to my son that I always imagined when I was restocking the shelves at the supermarket. I am now planning to take my skills to the next level by pursuing a degree in clinical medicine at University. It is my goal after completing to become a medical officer serving lower income and marginalized communities. I am a naturally a kind person, and due to my lower socio-economic upbringing and life experience, I can relate easily to individuals who may not be willing to go to doctors whom they think as different from them, however whose services they require. I can assist to fill that gap, and thereby encourage more individuals to really get help that they need in a suitable environment. My zeal to my education is sound and I know that, if given the opportunity, I will be able to pass well, and graduate with the education and experience I will require to develop my career as a medical practitioner. I am much relieved and happy to know that I have realized by dream career, and I am ready to start this next level of my education. Obviously the next two years will not be easy- requiring schedules and time management skills – however I

Never Give Up - Difficulties Raise Will Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Never Give Up - Difficulties Raise Will - Essay Example My father is a role model in my village. His story is legendary and has inspired the people of my village to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. I am fortunate to have him as my father and friend and to receive his love and guidance that I am sure will continue to help me in times of distress throughout my life. My father was born into a poor family. His father died when he was just 8 years old leaving him to take care of his mother and sister. Circumstances forced him to work at a tender age to make both ends meet. He told me how he had to beg to feed his family in a severe famine that lasted months. He worked as a laborer and farmer while attending evening school. With little education to speak of, he joined the air force and from the lowest level, he rose through the ranks to become a captain.   After serving the force for 23 years, when he retired at Forty, he had completed not one but two bachelor degrees, one in law and the other in management. Then he joined the local court where he became a successful lawyer and eventually was appointed the president of the court. I was an average student in junior school and, perhaps in the hope of improving my studies, my father enrolled me in the best high school in town. Then something happened that would change my life forever. I had just given my first exam and was waiting for the results. Then, my teacher called me to her chamber and announced that I had failed because of cheating in the exam. I understood that somebody had wrongly reported my name to her. Within minutes the news spread through the whole school like wildfire. Everyone was looking at me, some laughing and pointing, some sympathetic and sad. I felt humiliated and was afraid of facing my father. I was sure that he would beat me to death for bringing disrepute to him and the family name.      By the time I reached home, father had got the news. But, completely different from what I expected, he asked me calmly â€Å"Did you cheat in the test?† I shook my head and he just came over and hugged me. â€Å"Then there is nothing to worry about†, he said adding â€Å"this is the opportunity that God has given you, you got to show them all your true mettle, you have to surprise them with your determination. Go for it, my boy†.   I instantly got the message and was transformed.

The Experiment on the Coastal Engineering to Analyse the Wave Lab Report

The Experiment on the Coastal Engineering to Analyse the Wave Behaviour and Linear Theory - Lab Report Example The thickness is always twice the diameter of the concrete armor unit for the tetrapod layers Concrete. 20 The experiment on coastal engineering was carried out in the hydraulics laboratory for approximately two hours. This experiment consisted of two parts. Part one was linear wave theory and part two was breakwater design. The venue of the experiment was Sopwith building Waves are created when the wind blows on top of the sea and the bottom layer receives frictional drag from the surface of the sea which exerts frictional drag to the next wind layer above it. This process continues in all the wind layers. The coastal zone is very important to the community around it. For the community to survive, the engineers play a big role in protecting this zone against flooding, erosion, and destruction of property by the ocean waves and tides. The laboratory work is important in that to avoid all these natural disasters. The measurements lead to commendation on how the waves acted on the coast and how they were reflected on the vertical wall. The waves that are reflected on the vertical surface had no horizontal movement and are referred to as standing waves. A rubble mound breakwater was created to make the wave to move over its Smaller waves with period 1.0s, were created to come to the conclusion about how they affect the model structure. This observation ended when the rubble mound breakwater finally failed. The wave height of a surface wave is the difference between the elevations of a crest (the highest point of the wave) and a neighboring trough (the lowest point of the wave) as it is shown at the figure below. (Dr. Alan Dykes, 2011).  

Operations Management Field Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Operations Management Field - Essay Example This essay stresses that for effective operation management to be achieved the quality management is very important, it enables the firms to continuously improve its products. There are recent quality management advancements like the total quality management and benchmarking that enhance the operations management. This discussion declares that benchmarking involves comparing the services or products with others that are related to it so as to know the performance of the organization’s products in the market arena. Continuous improvements involves adding features and removing others so as to make the products and services more satisfying to the customer, this even may involve producing goods that are customized. Continuous improvement enables a firm to have more loyal customers and win more customers. Effect analysis and failure mode enables the quality management to know areas that are likely to be faulty or fail and therefore know areas to give priority. Total quality management ensures that the customer’s needs are met and stresses more on the measurement and control as a means of guarantying continuous improvement. Some of the internationally recognized methods of quality management standards that firms must be audited to be certified include the ISO9000. Six sigma is also a q uality management tool that uses all available data to measure the defects that should eventually be 3.4 parts per million meaning the six standard deviation. The University of Portsmouth employs competent personnel who run its resources. There is the students union, media and a limited company which is ran by students. The media consists of a radio station and magazine. SERVICE AND PRODUCT MANAGEGEMENT This involves a range of activities which begins from when the idea of the new product is developed, manufacturing the new product and eventually assisting the customers who buy the new products. The way a product is managed depends on the type of products or services a firm is dealing with, it's also depends on the kind of business, that is whether retailing, manufacturing or wholesaling. Service and product development involves customer maximization, product development, customer development and diversification. This further requires proper marketing strategy with the use of the product cycle. Proper product evaluation needs to carried to ensure that the product is competitive through market research, proper pricing and competitive analysis. To ensure that the product or service management is successful, there is need to have proper distribution channels, advertising, and service, sales and promotional force. The University of Portsmouth was founded in 1869 as a school of science and was elevated to the position of university in 1992. The University offers the good management and in its operations and is rated as excellent by quality assurance agency in the courses it offers, among the best courses it offers to its students include: operational research, pharmacy psychology, languages, computer engineering among others. Most

Female Gender Dynamics in Elementary and Secondary Education Essay

Female Gender Dynamics in Elementary and Secondary Education - Essay Example When addressing the gender bias it has frequently been asked if males and females are different as a result of social or biological reasons (Frawley, 2005). Unfortunately, the answer does nothing to change the fact that men and women are viewed in different ways and are expected to act in different manners. The differences that exist in the educational arena can be traced to society's views on acceptable behavior of men and women. Because males and females are expected to act in different ways, it is impossible to expect them to act in the same ways within the classroom setting. Instead, the differences in male and female behavior need to be correctly identified and taken into consideration when it comes to curricula in schools. The differences that exist in the education of men and women can be traced back to social views of the two genders. Traditionally, males have been more educated than females. In addition, males have been expected to achieve more intellectually as a result of the belief that men are smarter and more capable of intellectual accomplishment than women. In addition, women have been viewed in as inferior in academic settings and as a result, less encouraged to excel in academia. The effects of these views can still be seen in the behavioral differences that exist between males and females in classrooms (Banks, 2004). In colonial America, females received a very minimal education in the form of dame schools only at a very young age. The education of females at these schools consisted of learning how to correctly perform household duties that would be expected of them when they married. Classes consisted of cooking and sewing. Very few females knew how to read or write. In fact, "less than one-third of the women in colonial America could even sign their names" (Banks, p. 136). The reading females were taught was for the sole purpose of reading the bible to their children. In order to fully grasp the inferior education females have historically received, understand that "not until the 1970s and 1980s did they win the right to be admitted to previously all-male Ivy League colleges and universities" (Banks, p.136). Only thirty-six years have passed since then. When looking at education from a historical perspective, the education of women is still extremely recent and we have a long way to go before gender equality is reached in classrooms. The gender inequality has been so documented that in 1995, a Gender Equality Act was passed. As a result of this act, many teachers received special training on how to create a sense of gender equality within their classrooms (WikEd, 2005). Because much of the gender bias of teachers was subconscious, training in this area has been extremely beneficial in creating more equality for females in elementary and secondary schools. Use of Language, Time and Space Males and females are proven to have different linguistic styles. Males are louder, more assertive, and more aggressive in their speech than women. Females tend to speak in a softer tone with more hesitation. In addition, women are more likely to turn a statement into a question and follow it with a "tag" question ("don't you think"). Because of their linguistic

Ecology - sprawl field trip Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ecology - sprawl field trip - Essay Example Accordingly, this brief essay will consider but a few of these factors with relation to the field trip that was engaged upon by our class outing to the Sprawl site earlier in the semester. The first and most pressing ecological concern is the fundamental way that the Sprawl region and growth of infrastructure and Big Box retailers has fundamental changed the water runoff for the region.1 Although adding parking lots, interchanges, and large multiple thousand square foot warehouses is itself harmful to the ecology and environment of the given region, the particular region in question experiences these negative points in a compound sense due to the overlapping nature of how one big box retailer is practically side by side to another which is side by side to a large highway interchange. This compound effect causes the drainage and water runoff of the region to be fundamentally changed in a highly negative way. Firstly, such a situation means that not only is water flow disrupted from it s normal course but a high number of added pollutants are introduced into the water table as a result of the large number of parking lots that have been added. Although seemingly benign, parking lots serve as collection points for all manner of pollutants and disrupt the flow and absorption of water into the environment in question.2 Due to the fact that cars leave all manner of fluids behind where they have been parked, it is conceivable for everything from trash associated with packaging from the store, to oil, to brake fluid, to transmission fluid, anti-freeze, and a host of other chemicals to collect on the tarmac and find their way into the water table once a healthy rain has washed over the area. Hence, the disruption of the water flow itself is but the first concern; the larger concern is concentric upon the fact that key pollutants are introduced with the presence of a number of parking lots and highway interchanges within the region.3 Of course, the issue is further compoun ded by the topography of the region in question. Whereas a general dilution of these negative environmental aspects would be seen if the topography of the site were more elevated and allowed for a greater diffusion of these pollutants prior to reaching reservoirs of lower lying land, the fact of the matter is that Big Box retailers of course seek the â€Å"perfect site† which will invariably be located in a somewhat flat or low-lying region.4 This is generally the case due to the fact that the Big Box retailers, strip malls, and other such firms want to spend as little money as possible on site improvement and grading. Hence, the ecological impact of this is the fact that the topography of the site and the presence of the pollutants readily find their way directly into the reservoirs and creeks/streams/rivers of the given site. The same can of course be said for the Sprawl site that was visited earlier in the semester. When one considers the map of the site and sees the prese nce of t

Personal Impact Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Personal Impact - Term Paper Example It is a condition where a patient suffers discomfort in emptying their bowels (defecation) and may include abdominal pain and loss of appetite (Rogers, 2011). The disorder typically occurs when the water from the food that the patient ate is absorbed too much by the colon. When the colon absorbs too much water from the food, it will dry up the bowel and consequently result to its slow movement in the digestive tract and thus the constipation disorder. Patients who are suffering from constipation may feel severe pain in the excretion of their bowels especially when the feces are very hard. In extreme cases, it is not only the feces that cannot pass out of the rectum but also the gas that makes the disorder an obstipation (Medical News Today, 2009) In most cases, constipation is caused by the colon’s too much absorption of water from the food. In the case of children however, many of the children’s constipation is caused by functional or idiopathic problem (if the disorder cannot be explained by anatomical or physiological abnormalities) which is more psychological than biological. Unlike in adults whose disorder is primarily caused by their unhealthy eating patterns and lifestyle and mainly physiological in origin, the contributing factors that causes constipation in children can include psychological issues, difficulty in their toilet training and even heredity (Rogers, 2011). In addition to children, old people are also prone to constipation. It is because age related changes in the patient’s body can affect the gastrointestinal tract that would hamper their regular bowel movement though studies were not conclusive that older people are more likely to be affected by constipation than younger people (Woodward, 2012). The report of Medical News Today hypothesized that the reduction of the speed of an old patient’s metabolism may be the reason why older people get constipated which is typically a result of a

International Business Case Study Essay Example for Free

International Business Case Study Essay The first question: how has the globalization of market benefited IKEA? The globalization of market refers to the merging of historically distinct and separate national markets into one huge global marketplace. Falling barriers to cross-border trade have more easier to sell internationally, so it is easier for IKEA to grow into a global cult brand with 230 stores in 33countries and have 5 suppliers of the frames in Europe, plus 3 in the United States and two in China. Because a fewer barriers to cross-border trade. IKEA can easily to open a store in other countries. the second question: how has the globalization of production benefited IKEA? The globalization of production refers to sourcing of goods and services from locations around the globe to take advantage of national differences in the cost and quality of factors of productions, IKEA did a good job, in order to reduce the cost of cotton slipcovers, IKEA has concentrated production in four core suppliers in China. The resulting efficiencies from these global sourcing decisions enabled IKEA to reduce the price of the Klippen by some 40 present between 1995 and2005, because in China we have cheaper labour and lower price of source, it will reduce the cost of production in IKEA, thereby allow IKEA to compete more effectively. What does the IKEA story teach you about the limits of treating the entire world as single integrated global marketplace? In my opinion, every country is unique and has different cultures. If the strategies to provide low price of product offer a company must identify what and which factor that can bring the lowest cost in term of labour, transportation, materials and so on. IKEA first discovered in the early1990s. The company found that its European-style offerings. However, it didn’t always resonatewith American consumers. Because of this reason, IKEA has redesigned its US offerings appeal to American consumers, which has resulted in stronger sales. It is obvious that tastes and preference play an important role in the globalization market. Also, since not everyone had a car, IKEA ensured that their stores were located near public transport.

The Key Procurement Issues For The Client Construction Essay

The Key Procurement Issues For The Client Construction Essay The purpose of this report is to analyse the key procurement issues for the Client Cinnamon Grand and to further evaluate the Clients objectives. Analysis of Clients objectives will be evaluated to provide a better understanding on the project issues and main concerns, which includes an analysis of the various procurement routes such as the Traditional Route, the Design Build Route and the Management Route to weigh the most suitable route to suit the Clients objectives. The report will allow the Client to make a better choice in selecting the best procurement route based on the recommendations discussed. This includes the advantages, disadvantages and risks involved for the 3 main procurement routes based on Clients objectives. It will identify issues on the project requirements on quality, time and costs ensuring the Clients objectives are met. INTRODUCTION The Client owns a large chain of hotels called Cinnamon Grand. The hotels provide guests with comfortable accommodation throughout the UK. Their main business includes adopting neglected historical landmarks and refurbishes the building to their former magnificent look. Although the Client is experienced at renovation of historical buildings, the Client does not have much experience in re-constructing damaged buildings or alteration works to the structures of the building. The project objective is to re-construct 3 Hotels, damaged by a period of bad weather and severe storms to an existing hotel quality or better. These Hotels are located in prime locations in town settings which means time is of the essence. For phase 1, time is the main priority due to the prime locations of the hotels. The opportunity cost will be incurred if there are any delays in phase 1. For phase 2, issues raised are the quality of the facilities and to ensure there is none or minimal disruption to the business. As the Consultant to the Client, we will discuss the 3 main procurement routes which are the Traditional Route, the Design Build Route and the Management Route and analyse the best route based on the Clients objective. CLIENTS OBJECTIVES Client is concern about the duration of the project and its quality. Internal facilities must be upgraded and reconstruction of building must preserve the historical outlook of the existing building. Although the Client has experience in renovation works, the current project development includes the demolition of structures and re-construction of hotels both external and internally. Projects done by Client previously is different in nature, one being renovation works, minor construction works and current is a complex re-construction and refurbishment of the damaged hotels. The project consists of 2 (two) phases:- Phase 1 is to re-construct the hotels outlook and structures and completing key areas for operation which are the Roofs, Guest Rooms, Restaurant and Swimming Pools. Expected date of possession of site by contractor is 1st Mar 2014 and expected construction completion date is 28th February 2015, a 1 year construction. Planned re-opening on 1st April 2015. Phase 2 is to enhance the hotels with new facilities such as Dance Studios, Health Fitness Centre, Conference and Meeting Rooms without any disruption to hotel operations. The Client is very concern about the duration of the project due to the location, a prime town setting which means, if the hotels completes early, the losses incur from no business days or opportunity cost will be lesser. The second concern is the quality of the building. Outlook must be the same as before being damaged, structurally must be improved to increase building total life cycle. While time and quality is of the main concern, the cost of the project must not exceed the budget of $120 million pounds for total of 3 hotels. The cost certainty must be known earliest possible. PROCUREMENT ISSUES The procurement issues are listed below:- No in-house executive by the client, means the Client have to engage consultants to oversee the project. Highly concerned about possible project delays and overrun of costs. Financial loan of $120 million pounds acquired for project. This means there is a tight budget, so cost certainty is required before the construction begins. Works in phase 2 must be done quickly to minimise the discomfort to guests. Quality of building should be high and sensitive to ensure the dignity of the building and services provided are not compromise. Every procurement route have its main priorities, no procurement can accommodate to the three main factors which are Time, Cost and Quality. PROCUREMENT ROUTES Traditional route: in this route the Client appoints a team of consultants to design and prepare tender documents. The process is in sequence as shown in Fig 1. The selection of a main contractor is done later through tendering. Fig 1 Advantages are the competitive tendering, low preparation cost for tendering, procedures are known widely and variations are easily arranged. Disadvantages are mainly the long timeline, no concurrent work at site, incomplete design results in less certainty, poor build-ability due to contractor not involved during design stage, risk by Client for the design. Risks on cost are low due to lump sum contract and there is a fixed contract date with exception that contractor claims extensions. Since the design is designed by the consultants, there is low design and quality risk. Although the Traditional route is sequential, there are 2 other variations. They are the traditional accelerated and traditional with re-measurement. For the Traditional accelerated, the contractor is appointed earlier based on partial design and brief through negotiation or competitive tendering. Traditional routes focus on the cost and the quality of the project. In this case, for the current project, time is of the essence. Traditional route is not suitable for the project. Design and Build route: in this route a main contractor is appointed to design and construct the project. This route integrates design and construction which means, the construction works are concurrent even before final design is completed as shown in Fig 2. This quickens the timeline of the project. Fig 2 Advantages of this route are the client liaises with a single point of communication and responsibility. The price certainty is known before the construction starts. The total project duration is shorter than in the traditional route as works are done concurrently with design. Disadvantages are there is no design overview because it is designed by the contractor. The design brief by client must be adequate and the bid through tender is difficult to compare. Changes made by client can be expensive. Risk on cost and time are low as it will be on a lump sum basis and works are done to a fix time. There is a high risk in design and quality as the contractor controls the design and some contractors do not have the capacity to carry out the proper design. Although the design is mostly done by contractor, variants such as Develop construct can be considered to improve design. In develop construct route the employer appoints a consultant at the initial stage to develop a detailed design to have more control on the design. Assuming the Client have the detailed design drawing for the existing building, this option is the most suitable for the project. Management route: this route consists of 2 variant, The Management Contracting and The Construction Management route. In this route, the Client appoints the Management Contractor at an early stage where they help to design and contribute management expertise. The appointments of sub-contractors/specialist contractor are decided by both the Client and Management Contractor before work commencement in packages, as shown in Fig 3. Fig 3 Advantages are the work packages of specialist contractors are competitive, due to the concurrent works, timeline will be quickened. Late changes can easily be accommodated and the relationship between the Client and the Management Contractor is much closer than in traditional. Disadvantages are the cost prediction, the need for a good project team and a quality brief. The design must be managed properly to ensure work packages is kept on programme. Risks are low for design and quality due to close link between client and contractor but medium risk for cost and time as the amount is known after the last package is let. This route is longer compared to design and build and require a good history between client and contractor. RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the Clients objectives, the Design Build variant (Develop Construct) is the most suitable for the project. This procurement route does not need an in-house executive as a consultant will be in-charge of developing the design of the project. Assuming Client has the design of the existing 3 hotels, the design for the structure is acquired and project can commence as early as a contractor is appointed, shorter timeline. The cost of the project will be known before the work commences and the quality of building will not be compromise due to existing design by Client and additional inputs by the design team for the phase 2 of the project. The quality of phase 2 will be based on design worked by the Client specifications and the design team, ensuring good quality facilities.

Science and Religion: A Christians Response to Biology Essay -- Bible

Science and Religion: A Christian's Response to Biology Introduction In the beginning, God created...the earth and the heavens, or an evolving mass of matter, later to become the heavens and the earth? The conflict between science and religion is a hot topic in many intellectual circles today. One of the more controversial topics is creation versus evolution. How did the world get to where it is right now? How was creation initiated? Is there a Creator or was life created spontaneously? These are some of the questions that boggle minds and set people searching for answers. There is even a conflict within the church: Did God create the heavens and the earth as they are, or did God allow the universe to develop according to natural laws? This conflict between science and religion continues to hold up in our supposed intellectual society. In order to tame this conflict and be true to their faith and science, Christian biologists have an obligation to reflect their Christianity in the realm of biology as well as their biological intellect in the realm of Christianity. History of Science and Religion The history of opposition between science and religion has been steady for about half of a century. As early as the 1500's, science and religion have been antagonistic forces working against each other. Science was originally founded by Christians to prove that humans lived in a orderly universe (Helweg, 1997). This would help to prove that the universe was created by a orderly God who could be known. Once this was done, science was considered by the church to be useless. When people began to further investigate the realm of science, the church considered them to be heretics; working for the devil. According to Easterbrook (1... ...Science). Science and God: A Warming Trend? Science, 277, 890-893. Helweg, O. J. (1997, March). Scientific Facts: Comparatible with Christian Faith? USA Today, 125, 84. Hughes, I. (1996, March). We are only Human... New Scientist, 60. Jones, T. (1996, August). God and Scientists Reconciled. New Scientist, 46. Ross, H. (1997a). Genesis One, Dinosaurs, and Cavemen. [Online]. Available: http://www.reasons.org/resources/papers/dinocavemen.html. [Oct. 1997]. Ross, H. (1997b). Neandertal Takes a One-Eighty. [Online]. Available: http://www.reasons.org/resources/FAF/97q3faf/neandertal.html. [Oct. 1997]. Ross, H. (1997c). The Shell Game of Evolution and Creation. [Online]. Available: http://www.reasons.org/resources/papers/shellgame.html. [Oct. 1997]. Wright, R. T. (1989). Biology Through the Eyes of Faith. San Francisco: HarperCollins Publishers.

Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis Essay example -- Fear Silent Pl

Out of the Silent Planet by C.S. Lewis In the year 1625, Francis Bacon, a famous essayist and poet wrote about the influences of fear on everyday life. He stated, â€Å"Men fear death as children fear to go in the dark; and as that natural fear in children is increased with tales, so is the other† (Essays Dedication of Death). Clearly, external surroundings affect perceptions of fear as well as human nature in general. Although C.S. Lewis published the novel, Out of the Silent Planet, over three centuries after Bacon wrote his theory on fear, Lewis similarly portrayed external surrounding to manipulate perceptions of fear. From the first chapter of the novel, Lewis revealed fear to be a weakness that leads to ignorance. It was this ignorance that apparently fueled the cycle of corruption and immorality on â€Å"The Silent Planet.† Using the character Ransom to reveal the effect of memory and morality on fear, C.S. Lewis demonstrates that fear is a quality of the â€Å"bent† race (humans), and only by eliminating fear in our lives can the human race become hnau.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Throughout Out of the Silent Planet, memory, in particular, appears to have a tremendous impact on Ransom’s perception of fear. The influence of memory on fear was noticeable since the early abduction of Ransom in this novel. After spending mere hours on the spaceship, Ransom reveals his ignorant notion that space was a â€Å"dark and cold abyss (29).† While Weston contemptuously corrects him, asking, â€Å"Forgotten the sun?† it is clear that Wellsian novels such as The Time Machine created this pessimistic view of space. This â€Å"Wellsian† ideology continues to influence the thoughts and actions of Ransom throughout his journey on the spaceship. When overhearing the conversation between Weston and Divine about the sorns, Ransom instinctively envisions these creatures as â€Å"the bogies† he read in the novels by Wells (37). Ransom later reiterates this idea when assuming that key words including â€Å"Giants, ogres, ghosts, and skeletons† represented the sorns or, â€Å"the horrors of [my] imagination† (47). When arriving at Malacandra (Mars), Ransom’s memories of Sci-fi novels causes him to instinctively categorize the living animals on the planet as savage beasts. Believing Weston and Divine’s ignorant notion that he would be tortured and consumed by the sorns, Ransom resists â€Å"donkey-fashion† when being handed over to them... ... Ransom ties all of his experiences on Malacandra together and learns that trivial aspects of life should not be feared (153). Instead of fearing life and death, mankind should fear ignorance and inequality (imbalance). Through this mere statement, Ransom proved his understanding that through the use of morality, a greater understanding of life (especially fear) may be attained.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In conclusion, while Ransom journeyed to Malacandra as an ignorant young man, fearful of the unknown, he was completely transformed by the end of the novel by his complex understanding of fear. Although memory primarily inhibited any development in Ransom’s character during the first half of the novel, following Ransom’s understanding that initial reactions are often erroneous, Ransom’s memory allowed him to see the problems of Earth clearly. On the other hand, Ransom additionally learned to use morality to overcome fear rather than the converse. While modern dictionaries describe fear as â€Å"an unpleasant, often strong emotion caused by expectation or awareness of danger,† Ransom would define fear as ignorance, the possibility of lost opportunities, and most importantly, inequality within the world.

Eye movements are a reflection of cognitive processes Essay -- Psychol

Introduction The mind is an intriguing element of the human life not only because of its complexity and capability but mostly because of its opacity. How does psychology begin to understand something so obscure and complex? Evidently, by observing and measuring the product of the cognitive processes that occurs through an interaction between the external and internal world. The term ‘cognitive processes’ is a rather collective term referring to a range of mental processes such as perceiving, thinking, speaking, acting, planning and imagining (Ward, 2006). The processes themselves are immensely difficult to measure directly, if possible at all. However, one may gain insight into these mental processes through observing the covert products, such as haemodynamic and electrophysiological changes and the overt products, such as behaviour, accuracy, response times and eye movements. The scope of this essay is to review the evidence that demonstrates exactly how eye movements reflect cognitive processes. Due to the vastness of the topic, this essay will focus on only one of the aforementioned cognitive processes. There has been much attention and extensive literature and reviews regarding eye movements as a tool for understanding the processes of reading, visual perception, visual search and attention (e.g., Rayner, 1998; Liversedge and Findlay, 2 000; Schutz, Braun and Gegenfurtner, 2011). All the mentioned research fields involve measuring eye movements while view some form of visual stimulus, this dissertation will explore a more aberrant field, evidence will be based on literature relating to eye movements when sensory visual input is absent, during visual mental imagery. While reviewing the literature basic themes relating eye m... ...nformation processing: 20 years of research. Psychological Bulletin, 124, 372-422. Schutz, A.C., Braun, D.I., & Gegenfurtner, K.R. (2011). Eye movements and perception: A selective review. Journal of Vision, 5, 1-30. Shallice,T. (1988). From neuropsychology to mental structure. New York: Cambridge University Press. Sima, J.F., Lindner, M., Schultheis, H., & Barkowsky, T. (2010). Eye movements reflect reasoning with mental images but not with mental models in orientation knowledge tasks. Spatial Cognition, 10, 248-261. Spivey, M.J., & Geng, J.J. (2001). Oculomotor mechanisms activated by imagery and memory: eye movements to absent objects. Psychological Research, 65, 235-241. Ward, J. (2006). The students guide to cognitive neuroscience. New York: Psychology Press. Watson, J.B. (1913). Psychology as the behaviourist views it. Psychological Review, 20, 158-177.

`Examine the role in the witches in “Macbeth” Essay

In Shakespearian England witches were said to be in league with the devil. Shakespearian audience believed that witches were always up to no good and people thought they were wicked and devious. Old, Single or widowed women (who often kept pets for a companion) were often blamed as being witches and their pets were kept as servants. In those times people blamed any unexplained happenings such as bad weather, gone off food, deadly diseases, deaths of livestock and even murders. Despite this people were still fascinated by witchcraft they went to see horrifying plays just like we in modern days go to the cinema to watch horror films. Shakespeare wrote a play about witches to please King James 1, he was on the throne at the time when the play was written. King James wrote a book about witchcraft called Demonology because he was fascinated about witchcraft. Shakespeare knew he would win the king over by making a play like this. The witches were only in 3 scenes in Macbeth but they influence the atmosphere across the whole play. In the opening scene the audience would be thrilled because the witches created a theatrical atmosphere. The atmosphere was very negative because there was terrible weather â€Å"thunder and lightning† this would make the scene very frightening because of the loud noises of the lightning. The witches speak in riddles this unnerves the audience by their chants and riddles for example†fair is foul and foul is fair hover through the fog and filthy air†. The audience would find Macbeth is daunting because of the eerie atmospheres of the scenes and the spooky witches. At the beginning of act 1 scene 3 the three witches are talking about the things they have done to other people. Shakespeare does this because he shows what the witches are capable of. â€Å"I will drain him dry as hay† the first witch said this because she wanted to show what she could do. The three witches meet Macbeth and Banquo â€Å"upon the heath†. Meanwhile the witches predict that Macbeth and Banquo’ sons will be kings in the future. They say two facts that Macbeth is going to be thane of Cawdor and thane of Glamis. The witches do not tell Banquo or Macbeth what to do. Macbeth thought that it’s because the witches predict he is going to be thane of Cawdor. â€Å"Do you not hope that your children shall be kings, when these that gave the thane of Cawdor to me promised no less to them?† This shows that Macbeth trusts the witches by everything they predicted and he thinks that the witches gave him the role of being the king. Macbeth doesn’t believe he is the thane of Cawdor at first but eventually he learns he is. Banquo was really frightened about what the witches claimed but Macbeth was really excited. â€Å"two truths are told as happy prologues to the swelling act of the imperial theme† this shows Macbeth like what the witches tell him particularly that he is going to be king however, he has mixed feelings. â€Å"Why do I yield to that suggestion whose horrid image doth unfix my hair and make my seated heart knock at my ribs (against the youth of nature)?† this shows Macbeths reaction changes. In act 2 scene 3 Shakespeare makes the atmosphere dark and terrifying. â€Å"There’s husbandry in heaven their candles are all out† the dark represents evil and negativity which could be seen as a warning of trouble to come (foreshadowing). Macbeth’s original fear is demonstrated in his hallucinations after his immoral act of murdering. Macbeth shows signs of possessions â€Å"me thought I heard a voice say sleep no more† He says I thought I heard voices†. Macbeth shows he feels guilty by saying â€Å"amen stuck in my throat† he says this to show how he felt and whether he was regretting of the crime he just commit. The witches powers were demonstrated by strange happenings for example â€Å"tis’ said they eat each other† this was said because horses started eating each other which was very unusual and peculiar. This information was in the play to horrify the audience. Act 4 scene 1 begins with the witches chanting this reminds me of a spell. The witches always use trochaic tetrameter the effect of that makes it sound like a chant. The ingredients have unpleasant things in common for example animal parts and poisons. The most horrible point in the spell was â€Å"finger of a birthstrangled babe, ditch deliver’d by a slab† this means a baby born in a ditch from a prostitute strangled at birth. The Shakespearian audience would be horrified at the contents of the charm. In act 4 scene 1 Shakespeare included the spell in the scene to portray real witches and to show they made wicked spells considered associated with evil. The rhythm used is called trochaic tetrameter the effect of it makes it sound like a chant; trochaic tetrameter is always 4 beats per line. The witches added body parts of a Christian, Shakespeare knew it would affect the scene because people in those times didn’t trust non Christians and thought they were up to no good. Macbeth believes when he goes back to see the witches that they will tell him what to do. The witches make three prophecies, the first one warns†beware Macduff: beware the thane of fife† Macbeth thought to himself when this was shown I don’t believe Macduff anyway. The second one warns â€Å"a bloody chid† â€Å"for none of women born shall harm Macbeth† Macbeth felt he was invincible and decides to get Macduff and his family killed anyway. The third prophecy warns â€Å"Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until Great Birnam wood to high Dunsinare hill shall come against him† this was meant by Macbeth will never be defeated until great Birnam wood comes and lives in his castle. Macbeth felt very pleased and assertive. The witches realise that Macbeth is now evil through the words they use just before he comes in â€Å"By the pricking of my thumbs something wicked this way comes† Macbeth asks the witches if Banquo’s sons will be kings. The witches reply†seek to know no more† they try to tell the truth and are warning him he doesn’t want to know. Macbeth realises he is evil and under the witches spell we know this because he says â€Å"infect’d be to air where on they rides and damn’d all those that trust them!†. â€Å"Macduff was from his mothers womb untimely ripped† At that point Macbeth realises the witches were deceiving him all along. One of the main reasons that Shakespeare included the witches in the play was because they influence the theme of deception across the whole play. The witches introduce the theme of deception in the opening scene act 1 scene 1 where they say â€Å"fair is foul and foul is fair† this affects not only Macbeth but all the characters this is shown when lady Macbeth says â€Å"look like the innocent flower but be the serpent under it†. Later on Macbeth realises he has to be deceitful in order to succeed he says â€Å"false face must hide what the false heart doth know†. The witches talk in riddles when they say â€Å"Macbeth shall never vanquish’d be until Great Birnam to high dunsinare hill shall come against him† Macbeth misunderstands this he thought this was impossible that the forest will come to his castle but the soldiers cut down the trees and bring the forest to the castle Macbeth is dumbfounded. Shakespeare creates typical witches to scare the audience the type of witches that fly, induce nightmares and stop people from sleeping. The witches predict the future but Macbeth thinks they are telling him what to do he then shows demonic possessions â€Å"I had almost forgot the taste of fear† Macbeth showed lack of fear. Shakespearian audience would go to see Macbeth to get a thrill for entertainment just like we nowadays go to the cinema to watch a horror film. The witches create an atmosphere of evil throughout the whole play.

Should Medicaid Pay for Abortion

Should Medicaid pay for abortion? This is a very touchy subject and one that has been in the newspapers for months now. It is also the main reason that the passing of the historic health was postponed for the amount of time that it was. I think that even though abortion is a touchy subject and won that has been a main topic since â€Å"Roe vs. Wade in 1973,† I think that is a very important topic and one that will always be discussed for much more time. I think that abortion should be legal and be the decision of the parties involved to make the decision on whether to have one or not.Also, I believe think that abortion should be covered by the tax payers in the case o rape or incest because both of those instances could result in a very tough life for the baby. Either the child will be hated by its mother because every day she looks at him/her it reminds her of her rapist, or the child is born with birth defects. To thoroughly make a good decision on where you stand with the a bortion topic, I think that you must first find out what abortion actually is.Abortion is the induced termination of a pregnancy with destruction of the embryo or fetus, any of various procedures resulting in the termination of a pregnancy, cessation of normal growth, especially of an organ or other body part, prior to full development or maturation, and the premature ending or abandonment of an undertaking. Abortion procedures include manual vacuum aspiration and dilation and suction curettage, both of which can be performed in early pregnancy.The social acceptability of abortion as a means of population control has varied from time to time and place to place throughout history. â€Å"It was apparently a common method of family limitation in the Greco-Roman world, but Christian theologians early and vehemently condemned it. It became widely accepted in Europe in the middle Ages. Severe criminal sanctions to deter abortion became common in the 19th century, but in the 20th century those sanctions were gradually modified in many countries. † In the U. S. the 1973 Roe v.Wade decision had the effect of legalizing abortion during the first three months of pregnancy; states were able to implement restrictions on access to abortion after the first trimester, though within constraints set by the courts. Since that decision, there has been a fierce debate between supporters and opponents of a liberalized abortion policy. As you see this is something that has been debated for centuries upon centuries. I have read many articals on abortion and how the procedure is actually conducted.The procedure seems to be very gruesome, that is why I can understand why some people like rep. Bart Stupak are diehard pro-life supporters. If you can recall Bart Stupak who is a senator from Michigan (our own state) was the democrat who along with twelve other pro-life democrats held up the passing of the healthcare bill with his votes until President Obama agreed to sign an executi ve order stating that government funding will not go to covering abortion in this new health care bill. After words Stupak said â€Å"We stood strong,† said Stupak. â€Å"We stood on a principle. Stupak’s argument really goes all the way back to Roe v. Wade. After Roe v. Wade decriminalized abortion in 1973, Medicaid covered abortion care without restriction. In 1976, Representative Henry Hyde (R-IL) introduced an amendment that later passed to limit federal funding for abortion care. Effective in 1977, this provision, known as the Hyde Amendment, specifies what abortion services are covered under Medicaid. Over the past two decades, Congress has debated the limited circumstances under which federal funding for abortion should be allowed.For a brief period of time, coverage included cases of rape, incest, life endangerment, and physical health damage to the woman. However, beginning in 1979, the physical health exception was excluded, and in 1981 rape and incest excep tions were also excluded. In September 1993, Congress rewrote the provision to include Medicaid funding for abortions in cases where the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest. The present version of the Hyde Amendment requires coverage of abortion in cases of rape, incest, and life endangerment. The first challenges to the Hyde Amendment came shortly after its implementation.The Supreme Court has held that the Hyde Amendment restrictions are constitutional and that states participating in Medicaid are only required to cover abortion services for which they receive federal funding rather than all medically necessary abortions. Challenges under state constitutions have been more successful. Several lawsuits have been brought in individual states arguing that state constitutions afford greater protection for privacy and equal protection than the federal Constitution. The Hyde Amendment affects only federal spending. States are free to use heir own funds to cover additional abortion se rvices. For example, Hawaii, New York, and Washington have enacted laws funding abortions for health reasons. Other states, such as Maryland, cover abortions for women whose pregnancies are affected by fetal abnormalities or present serious health risks. These expansions are important steps toward ensuring equal access to health care for all women. Prior to the 1993 expansion of the Hyde Amendment, thirty states chose not to use their own Medicaid funds to cover abortions for pregnancies resulting from rape or incest.Initially, a number of states expressed resistance to comply with the expanded Hyde Amendment, and presently thirteen states are under court orders to comply and cover rape and incest in addition to life endangerment. â€Å"Every court that has considered the Hyde Amendment's application to a state's Medicaid program since 1993 has held that states continuing to participate in the Medicaid program must cover abortions resulting from rape or incest in order to be compli ant with the Hyde Amendment, regardless of state laws that may be more restrictive. Federal funding has been covering abortion for years and according to the Hyde Amendment it covers incest and rape. My research has also led me to see that Michigan is one of twenty seven states that receive funding under the Hyde Amendment. This means that one of the states that use federal funding for abortion in special cases has the main representative that is arguing that exact system. This is kind of ironic to me. If the federal funding is there and actually has been there for seventeen years what the point of arguing the bill that will eventually save the government money.I have found some interesting information that if looked at maybe by some of our politicians they would not cause such a big fuss like Stupak and some other extreme conservatives like Sarah Palin about a the health care bill that not only is in the best interest of the people but also the best interest of the government in te rms of the budget but also the insurance companies who now will have more policies out there to bring in more revenue. Here are some interesting facts that I found about what type of women have abortions and why. Women with family incomes less than $15,000 obtain 28. 7% of all abortions; Women with family incomes between $15,000 and $29,999 obtain 19. 5%; Women with family incomes between $30,000 and $59,999 obtain 38. 0%;Women with family incomes over $60,000 obtain 13. 8%. † The reason women have abortion are as follows, â€Å"1% of all abortions occur because of rape or incest; 6% of abortions occur because of potential health problems regarding either the mother or child, and 93% of all abortions occur for social reasons (i. e. he child is unwanted or inconvenient). † So why not allow the health care bill to cover abortion? If the bill is basically just going to keep the Hyde Amendment rule in place or maybe take it another step forward and require police reports on alleged rapes and incest it really will not make a difference. If only one percent of all abortion are due to rape or incest, that amount of spending will not even dent the federal funding. I think more money is spent by politicians on their private jets that take all over the United States just to make appearances.While abortion remains perhaps the most contentious issue in American politics, what is one person’s principled stand is another’s crime against humanity. Abortion is a decision that should be made by the person going through the process not some politician from Texas for example who lives in a ten thousand square foot home and makes probably a million dollars a year after kick backs. Also if the system of states covering under the correct circumstances has been working for almost twenty years then I say why change it.Many times people let their emotions and personal feeling make their decisions when all they have do is put themselves in the position of the women who was raped, or the male is out of the picture and the mother will not be able to financially support a child and the child might end up in a dumpster, in the street or living in foster homes its whole life. I look at this way and I’m going to state a question to some of these people who think federal funding should not pay for this. Financially speaking as a nation, Is it financially better to cover a $500 dollar procedure once or pay for Medicare, housing, and food for eighteen years?From doing the basic math I think the $500 is a lot cheaper. The United States is a business. And just like any other business it needs money to survive. To maintain that money it has a budget, and that budget at this point is in a major deficit. This bill will save trillions of dollars over the next fifteen years imagine how much more money they could save all states allowed the lower income poverty striking women to have abortion under the state insurance, trillions more would be sav ed. Basic math is the key to answering this, in the end its all business.WORK CITED 1. Gregg Cunningham, WHY ABORTION IS GENOCIDE Winter 2000 2. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT TEXT BOOK 3. Megan Carpentier, Bart Stupak is no healthcare hero (march 22, 2010) 4. Peter Roff, The Next Healthcare Reform Fight: Make the Abortion Executive Order Law (March 24, 2010) Pr 5. Steven Ertelt , New Catholic Bishops Memo: Abortion in Health Care Despite Obama Order (March 30, 2010) 6. Tres Sugar, Congress Debates Whether Health Care Should Cover Abortion (07/09/2009) 7. Angela Blair, Obama's Healthcare Bill Requires All Americans to Pay For Abortions (3/7/2010) 8. The Henry J. Kaiser Foundation, â€Å"Medicaid's Role for Women. Issue Briefs: An Update on Women's Health Policy (November 2004). 9. The Guttmacher Institute, â€Å"State Funding of Abortion Under Medicaid. † State Policies in Brief (June 1, 2005). ———————————â₠¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã¢â‚¬â€œ [ 2 ]. American government: page 102 [ 3 ]. www. abortion. com [ 4 ]. www. csmonitor. com [ 5 ]. The Henry J. Kaiser Foundation, â€Å"Medicaid's Role for Women. † Issue Briefs: An Update on Women's Health Policy (November 2004). [ 6 ]. The Guttmacher Institute, â€Å"State Funding of Abortion Under Medicaid. † State Policies in Brief (June 1, 2005). [ 7 ]. www. abortionno. org [ 8 ]. www. abortionno. org