Ineffectiveness of GPS Monitoring System for Sex Offenders Research Paper - 1

Ineffectiveness of GPS Monitoring System for Sex Offenders - Research Paper Example Despite the optimistic effects of technology in the society by improvising the GPS devices, understanding the restrictions of this technology remains essential in maintaining the safety of the society. A case is depicted of a sex offender who cut off his GPS monitoring device and eluded authorities. Although the device still warned the police to keep an eye on the sex offender, the device remained incompetent since the sex offender was able to roam around and carry out his inhuman acts again. Using a GPS requires the free flow of information to those responsible for making sure that the task is accurately carried out. Therefore, using the GPS to monitor or track a sex offender does not entirely depend on the technology but responsibility of those using the device in order to ensure its effectiveness. GPS monitoring device only acts as a part of the solution to sex offenders. They only track where the individual goes, but in essence, do not deprive him the ability to find their next target. John Albert Gardener depicts a sex offender who had a GPS device to monitor his tracks and make sure that he never went near any young woman. However, still having the device, Gardener was able to rape and murder two helpless teenagers back in 2009. It is evident that the paroled felon was not at any chance under careful supervision as officials thought. It can be depicted that these two victims could be alive if only the devices were effectively used. As a dangerous sex offender, John Albert Gardener still roams in the streets.

History Of Mass Media From Traditional Age

History Of Mass Media From Traditional Age Mass media has coexisted with Homo sapiens since the brink of time as its history stretches back beyond the dawns of recorded history to the individual who then wanted to reach out to a larger group of audience through any form of communication, regardless a painting on the wall of a cave, or just by telling a story to a group of people. History of mass media can be traced back to the early days of dramas that were performed in various cultures. The word media was first mentioned in the 1920s, but back then, it referred to something that had its origin much further in the past and the term Mass Media originated with the print media that was also its first example. The first newspaper was printed in China 868 A.D, but due to the high cost of paper and illiteracy amongst people, it didnt prosper. It was Johannes Gutenberg, who for the first time printed a book in a printing press in 1453. However, the invention of printing press in the late 15th century gave rise to the first forms of mass communication, enabling publication of books and newspapers on a larger scale than previously possible. According to Wikipedia, mass media refers collectively to all media technologies, including the Internet, television, newspapers and radio, which are used for mass communications, and to organizations which control these technologies. Over the years, during the period post-Second World War, radio, television and video were introduced. The audio-visual facilities became immensely popular as they provided information and entertainment. Of late, it is the Internet which has become the latest and most dominant of all the mass media. Here, information is been generated through various websites and search engines. One can play games, listen to radio while working and chat with friends and relatives, irrespective of location. It also gives information on various topics such as literature, politics, science, sports, fashion, movies, education, career, jobs etc. similar to other types of mass media. Indubitably, one of the biggest influences in our modern lives today, is the force of mass media. Without this medium of communication, our way of live and our civilization would be much more backward than where we are today. We humans are still immature as we definitely have a lot of growing up to do as a race, and mass media is a tool that is supposed to aid us in achieving the aim of fulfillment. Mass media comprises of two parts; print media and the broadcast or also known as electronic media. The print media refers primarily to newspapers and magazines. Radio, television and the Internet constitute the broadcast media. Mass media is simply a section of the media that spreads to a large audience simultaneously, through various types of media. The simplest way to understand what mass media is about is to take a look at newspapers. The first high-circulation newspapers arose in the eastern United States in the early 1800s, and were made possible by the invention of high-speed rotary steam printing presses and railroads which allowed large-scale distribution over wide geographical areas. However, mass production of newspapers had a downfall. The increased rate of circulation led to deteriorate in feedback and interactivity from the readers, which made newspapers a one-way medium. Newspapers first appeared in Europe in the mid-17th century. They evolved gradually from a similar type of publication called broadsheet a single sheet of paper that responded to unusual events. Although newspapers of today and those in the past are quite similar in almost every aspect, newspapers and their content have changed over time. Newspapers in different communities often contain dissimilar contents. The future for newspaper industries seems to fade over time as people look to the Internet for news and young people turn away from papers, paid-for circulations are falling year after year. Papers are also losing their share of advertising spending. Classified advertising is quickly moving online. Inevitably, the newspaper industries which was once experienced explosive growth now faces cyclical trough as new technology such as the existence of e-book has rendered obsolete newspapers in their traditional format. Revenue has plummeted since fierce competition from internet media has squeezed older print publishers. The number of people reading newspapers and magazine has decreased over the years, and polls indicate that the public has more confidence in the accuracy of stories aired on television than in the papers. On the other hand, those who get their news from the print media are better informed. On the bright side, reading newspapers has a lower impact on global warming than reading online. This is so because the impact from powering a computer itself outweighs the impact from creating newsprint. According to Torraspapels Paper, Reading a newspaper generates lower impact on global warming than reading the news online for 30 minutes. Most newspapers today focus on local coverage. There are only a few that cover national issues in depth, and whose editorials can influence national policy. How important the print media is to the individual is subject to debate, however. Magazines, on the other hand, were known to exist since the 1700s in which it resembled books. Based on historical research, the first magazine ever produced was called The Gentlemans Magazine, released in January, 1731 by well-known writer of his prime, Edward Cave. The main idea of Edward was to compile a monthly issue of news and commentary on topics the public were interested in. The difference between magazines and newspapers is that magazine has a relaxed style of writing, while giving and sharing opinions in a magazine is encouraged. However, newspapers during that era were more fixed and straight-to-the-point, following strictly to collected data and statistics. Magazines from the past have a similar purpose to newspapers, criticizing organizations. For instance, Daniel Defoes first English magazine, The Review was published to criticize the Catholic Churches of England. The magazine was also released during the 1700s but published magazines then only lasted for a few months as publishers are geographically limited and the cost of magazine printing is very expensive. More than five decades after magazines were introduced, mass circulation was made possible. Magazines which was once only affordable by the buying elite, now available for the working class as well, and the subject matter had shifted mostly to entertainment sake as well. Magazines are now very affordable to the public. This was made possible by the lesser cost in printing and a bulk of the cost is also reduced due to the many advertisers that the magazines have. This is why that it is in magazines that advertising went full-blast. They can secure one whole page for their products in colored form unlike that in newspaper. Admittedly, this can cost more than the dailies but the potential buyer would be enticed more about the product as the ad would be more attractive in color. Nevertheless, from there, the concept of magazines expanded to various interests, ranging from sports to entertainment, general knowledge and more during todays popular culture. Magazines have a more casual style of reading as literary freedom is practiced. With this, venturing into each interests or fields is easier and more fun as magazine writers have freedom to express their ideas on the subject, as collected data comes second in magazine writing. Today, magazines can be found in almost every newsstand, divided into categories; some of them include IT, fashion and family. Successful magazines include Readers Digest, National Geographic and Peoples Magazine which are also placed in the Top 10 most subscribed magazines in the world. Readers can now also choose from the subscription options that publishing companies offer their customers. They can choose to be subscribed on a daily, weekly, monthly, semi-annually or annually on their magazine of choice. It is also great for short reading for its articles would not really be so mind-boggling but not that shallow either. This is why a lot of readers prefer magazine as well because they are not intimidated by the number of pages within, and they can stop at one article anytime they like and read the other articles any time they want. Book reading gives a much more different experience in which if you stopped at a section, you have to read the rest immediately if you dont want to risk losing yourself or being confused with the story. Magazines really had gone a long way since then as it already evolved itself in just less than three centuries and it was able to stand on its own with its own share of loyal followers. It is already an industry on its own and the evolution doesnt stop there. Magazines would still evolve and change but rest assured that its followers would be with them all the way. Commercial radio first began to broadcast in 1920, and got into politics very quickly carrying the results of that years presidential election. The 32nd President of the United States, President Franklin Roosevelt effectively used radio to communicate directly with the American people through his fireside chats during the worst days of the Depression. Radios are the earliest form of televisions, developed over 80 years ago when wireless communication was never a thought even in the most brilliant scientists minds. It was until the late nineteenth century that James Clerk Maxwell developed the first radio-wave theorem in 1864. Mathematically, he proved that if an electrical interruption is of short distance from the point at which it occurred, there would be effect or passage of electrical current due to a type of wave that moves at the speed of light, in which the electromagnetic energy would travel. Heinrich Hertz experimented with Maxwells thesis in 1888 and demonstrated that waves travelled in straight lines and could be reflected by a metal sheet. Augusto Righi, an Italian physicist, continued and refined Hertzs work, establishing the equality between electrical and optical vibrations. Another scientist, Temistocle Calzecchi-Onesti, constructed, in 1888, a tube due to his belief that electrical discharges of atmospheric perturbations influence iron filings. In 1894, Oliver Lodge named Temistocles famous tube the coherer and increased the reception gain of the hertzian waves. Alexander Popoff then created a vertical metal pole by using Lodges coherer and collecting atmospheric disturbances in a rudimentary antenna. The invention of these instruments helped Guglielmo Marconis discovery who verified that electromagnetic waves travel between two points separated by an obstacle which led to the creation of the first radio transmitter. This experiment was repeated with larger spark gaps starting with 5 feet; expanded up to 100km and radiotelegraphy was born. The first radio station began operation in the 1920s. The broadcasting radio station was KDKA in Pittsburgh. This service became very popular and soon the concept spread around the globe. Early uses of radios were maritime, for sending telegraphic messages using Morse code between ships and land. Radios were used to pass on orders and to communicate between armies and navies on both sides in World War I. Germany used radio communications for diplomatic messages once it discovered British had tapped its submarine cables. Besides broadcasting purposes, point-to-point broadcasting, including telephone messages and relays of radio programs became common in the 1920s and the 1930s. In the pre-war years, radios were the development of detection and locating aircrafts and ships by radars. As time progressed, so did the development of radio. Today, the concepts used in radios are also used in many modern devices that are now essential to our modern lives. Inventions of radios ultimately lead to telephony (Mobile phones), videos (Television sends the picture as AM and the sound as AM or FM, with the sound carrier a fixed frequency), satellite navigation systems (Satellites with precision clocks, the satellite then transmits its position, and the time of the transmission, the receiver listens to four satellites, and can figure its position as being on a line that is tangent to a spherical shell around each satellite, determined by the time-of-flight of the radio signals from the satellite. A computer in the receiver does the math), radars (Detects objects at a distance by bouncing radio waves off them. The delay caused by the echo measures the distance and the direction of the beam determines the direction of the reflection), radio remote control (Radio remote controls use radio waves to transmit control data to a remote object as in some early forms of guided missile, some early TV remotes and a range of model boats, cars and airplanes while large industrial remote-controlled equipment such as cranes and switching locomotives now usually use digital radio techniques to ensure safety and reliability), heating (Radio-frequency energy generated for heating of objects is generally not intended to radiate outside of the generating equipment, to prevent interference with other radio signals. Microwave ovens use intense radio waves to heat food. Diathermy equipment is used in surgery for sealing of blood vessels. Induction furnaces are used for melting metal for casting, and induction hobs for cooking), and even radio services. Radio became the dominant form of media during and after World War II, as it could provide war information much faster than newspapers, and people desired current news of the war situation and of their relatives fighting overseas. However newspapers still supplied daily information and advertising. Radios importance as a news and information source declined however with the introduction of television in the late 1940s. Television dominated the media industry in 1950s. Radio and print media was to compete with television that seemed to give the best of both media: pictures and sound. With the advent of television in the 1950s, print media and radio were forced to rethink their approaches towards news and entertainment. The new media changed the nature of running for the United States presidential office, the first campaign ads for a presidential candidate appeared on television in 1952 and the first presidential debate was aired in 1960 between Senator John Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon. The television however was not invented by a single inventor, instead by many who contributed to the evolution of television. It was Joseph Henrys and Michael Faradays work with electromagnetism in 1831 that jumpstarted the evolution of electronic communication. In 1862, the very first still image was transferred over wires by Abbe Giovanna Caselli, the first person to accomplish such feat in the history of mankind using his brilliant invention, the Pantelegraph. Scientists May and Smith then experimented with selenium and light, which eventually revealed the possibility of transforming images into electronic signals in 1873. Boston civil servant George Carey thought about complete television systems and in 1877 he put forward drawings for what he called a selenium camera that would allow people to see by electricity. By 1880, great inventors, Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison theorize about telephone devices that were capable of transmitting images as well as sounds. Alexander invented the photophone, a device that used light to transmit sounds but he wanted to advance his device for image sending. Four years later, Paul Gottlieb Nipkow, first to engineer a rotating-disc technology that was able to transmit pictures over wire, making Paul Nipkow the father of mechanical televisions. He was the first human ever to discover televisions scanning principle, in which light intensities of small portions of an image are analyzed and transmitted, making Paul Nipkow the forerunner of televisions. At the Worlds Fair in Paris, the first International Congress of Electricity was held. That is where Russian Constantin Perskyi made the first known use of the word television. At the dawn of the 20th century, the momentum of ideas and discussions shifted to physical development of television systems. Inventors around the globe attempted to build mechanical television systems based on Paul Nipkows rotating disks and electronic television systems based on cathode ray tubules developed independently in the 1907 by English inventor Alan Archibald Campbell Swinton and Russian scientist, Boris Rosing. Electronic television systems lagged behind mechanical systems for several years as mechanical television was cheaper to build and delicate parts was not used. Besides, it was difficult to get financial backing to develop electronic television when mechanical television worked so much better at that time and with a cheaper working system, the public didnt see the need to change. However, Vladmir Kosmo Zworykin and Philo Taylor Farnsworth made some critical breakthrough, and electronic televisions began to catch up. Electronic television systems eventually replaced mechanical systems. Peter Goldmark, working for Columbia Broadcast System, demonstrated color television to the Federal Communication Commision in 1946. His system produced color pictures from a red-blue-green wheel spin in front of a cathode ray tube. Cable television, formerly known as Community Antenna Television or CATV, was born in the mountains of Pennsylvania in the late 1940s. The first successful color television system began commercial broadcasting on December 17, 1953 based on a system designed by Radio Corporation of America. On June of 1956, practical television remote controller first entered the homes of Americans. The Germans however used remote control motorboats during World War I. In the late 1940s, the first non-military uses for remote controls appeared. The very first prototype for a plasma display monitor was invented in July 1964 at the University of Illinois by professors Donald Bitzer and Gene Slottow, and then graduate student Robert Willson. However, it was not until after the advent of digital and other technologies that successful plasma televisions became possible. There was an explosive growth of the media in the 1980s, especially television. Satellite television reported events across the world live. With competition from 24-hour cable television news, many newspapers disappeared. Cable news and subscription cable television also rose in popularity, competing with network television. According to a Media Research in May 1994, 98 percent of all American houses has at least one TV set. 63 percent received at least basic cable. It is estimated that the average American spends 20-25% of his or her time with the television on. According to a Newsweek article on June 7 1999, the United States is the largest exporter of television programs and American movies are in prime time television all over the world. However, the Europeans are now making more of their own shows and sitcoms that have more local flavour. As in the 80s, parents continue to question the appropriateness and value of media programming for children of different ages. As the 20th century was coming to an end, a new media was born the Internet. It links people together through their computer terminals with modems connected to telephone lines and with the Internet electronic publishing and chat rooms sprang up, allowing individuals to express their opinions freely to a large global audience, giving printed media a challenge to survive. With minimal technical information, any individual will be capable of commenting personal views on air without the huge expense as of in traditional publishing. The Internet also gave advertising a whole new platform to promote their products and delivering their message. The future of mass media is yet to be unknown as there are possibilities of new medium yet to be invented and because of the widespread distribution of cellphones and the Internet, it is easy to forget that both technologies are at their immature stage. However, it is unlikely that we, as of living in this society are able to focus on the lens of history with clarity upon what these technologies have or might have effect upon us in the future. Mass communication is truly the mass power to shape the future of human culture as communication is culture and since humans are searching for new forms of communication, indubitably, we are indirectly looking at new forms of utilizing power, new forms of controlling individuals and new forms of shaping the human culture to come.

Introspective Knowledge and Displaced Perception :: science

Introspective Knowledge and Displaced Perception "Dretske remarks that there are ‘two important differences between introspective knowledge and other forms of displaced perception’ (p. 60). What are these differences? Are they enough to call into question his view of introspective knowledge as displaced perception?" The second chapter of Naturalizing the Mind is in the main an attempt to provide an account of introspective knowledge consistent with the Representational Thesis. Dretske takes introspective knowledge to be a given and proceeds by trying to explain how such knowledge is possible without appealing to an ‘inner sense’, an idea that seems to conflict with the Thesis’s commitment to externalism about the content of mental states. To this end, he proposes that introspection is a species of displaced perception. However, he highlights two important differences between introspective knowledge and other forms of displaced perception that seem to suggest that introspective knowledge cannot in any relevant sense be viewed as an instance of displaced perception. As a result, Dretske fails to explain how introspective knowledge is possible and therefore fails to provide a compelling alternative to the ‘inner sense’ account of introspective knowledge. Introspective knowledge is "knowledge the mind has of itself" (p. 39). For example, knowing, when I perceive a yellow box, that I am having a certain experience (namely an experience of a yellow box) is, for Dretske, an instance of introspective knowledge. This knowledge is not about the box’s being yellow or indeed about the box at all, it is knowledge about myself, knowledge that I am having a certain experience (on Dretske’s view, knowledge that I am representing a, perceived, box as yellow). Introspective knowledge seems to have some strange properties. "Natsoulas defines one form of consciousness—reflective consciousness—as a privileged ability to be non-inferentially aware of (all or some of ) one’s current mental occurrences. We seem to have this ability. In telling you what I believe I do not have to figure this out (as you might have to) from what I say or do. There is nothing from which I infer that A looks longer than B. It just does." (p . 39) Dretske take! s the notion that humans have introspective knowledge as a given. His interest in the matter arises when one attempts to "explain how we come by such knowledge and what gives us this first-person authority"(p. 40) Dretske wants to reject one possible explanation, namely the idea that introspective knowledge is garnered by the mind perceiving its own workings.

Background of American Airlines

American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection ® airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA. com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers.American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld ® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve more than 600 destinations in over 135 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation.Based on People’s Daily online dated Tuesday, April 10, 2001, American Airlines became the world's largest air carrier and grounded a venera ble competitor after acquiring the assets of bankrupt Trans World Airlines. Based on SKYTRAX which operates the Star Rating system for the world airline industry, having introduced the programme in 2000, American Airlines is a 3-Star Airline. Star Grading awarded to airlines supplying a fair quality performance that conforms to an industry â€Å"average† – when assessing all areas of competitive ranking.3 Star ranking signifies a satisfactory standard of core Product across most travel categories – but may reflect less consistent standards of Staff Service / Product delivery either Onboard or in the Airport environments. Vision, Mission, Goals and Values of the Company Vision: Customer Commitment American Airlines is in business to provide safe, dependable, and friendly air transportation to our customers, along with numerous related services. We are dedicated to making every flight you take with us something special. Mission and Goals:At American Airlines, we: †¢ Evaluate products and services on their merits, giving fair and impartial consideration to all suppliers †¢ Award contracts based on the highest quality and best delivery combined with the most competitive cost to the corporation †¢ Review constantly the performance of our suppliers and contractors to enhance their ability to provide products and services that exceed industry standards †¢ Assure inclusion of minority and women-owned companies in procurement and construction opportunities across American Airlines. VALUES :The Company is committed to maintaining the highest standards of business ethics and complying with both the letter and the spirit of the law in everything that we do and in every country in which we do business. Doing so will also maintain the hard-earned respect that we have established over the years with our customers. Consequently, employees are prohibited from participating in or condoning illegal or unethical activity. Remember that ill egal acts by employees can cost the company millions of dollars in fines, and the penalties for corporations convicted of federal crimes are severe.And employees who violate the company’s ethical standards will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. To ensure compliance with this company policy, we have adopted these Standards of Business Conduct for all employees. These Standards also apply to all agents, consultants, contractors, and others when they are representing or acting for the company. We expect our vendors and suppliers to be guided by these principles. We have developed a Business Ethics & Compliance Program to educate you about the laws that affect our business and to provide the necessary channels to seek advice and report possible misconduct.(www. aa. com) Quality Goods and Services Marketed in the Global Economy American Airlines sources the best quality products and services to provide to our customers. Aside from their flight, car , hotel, vacation package and cruise reservations, they also have the following services and products: -Net SAAver and Special Offers -Fare Sales -Special Offers (Bonus Miles and Percentage and Great Savings) – RSS Service Really Simple Syndication is a technology for sharing and distributing the latest web content such as fares, news, and offers.It's an easy way to receive up-to-date information without having to search the Internet. -Last Minute Packages Bookings -Email Subscription Service – AAdvatage Service The AAdvantage ® program is American's travel awards program. It was the original travel awards program, established more than 20 years ago, and today is the world's largest program. -Admiral Club Membership There are some people that are impossible to shop for and for them, there's the Admirals Club ® membership or the Admirals Club One-Day Pass. It's thoughtful, inspired, and a gift that they will not only use, but enjoy as well.-Offer Gift Card -Trip Ins urance Offer Purchasing a flight shouldn't trigger undue stress. When customers purchase Trip Insurance through Access America, they can receive a refund for the pre-paid, non-refundable portion of they travel costs should your trip be cancelled or interrupted for a covered reason. – The AmericanAirlines Credit Card (no annual fee) -TrAAvel Perks ® program which is a travel club with some fantastic member benefits. —- Business ExtrAA program which offers more variety, more choice and more flexibility than any other airline incentive program for businesses.-Corporate Booking American Airlines is leading the way in providing practical, cost-efficient solutions for managing corporate travel booking with CorporateAAccess. comSM. They have designed a functional, easy-to-use online booking product at the request of many corporate customers, one that brings the best of business travel planning together in one web site. – The AmericanAirlines AAirpass program protects the customers against fare changes and helps them manage their travel by providing prepaid unrestricted air travel at a fixed rate – all while they enjoy VIP privileges and benefits.With this, they can travel anytime, even at a moment's notice, to any of the more than 250 worldwide destinations served by American Airlines, American Eagle ®, and AmericanConnection ®, including the U. S. , Canada, Europe, Japan, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Mexico. -Incentive Programs AmericanAirlines Incentive Travel ® products support all of their promotional objectives from acquiring new customers to instilling consumer loyalty to rewarding employee performance. Destinations and Routes of American AirlinesAmerican Airlines fly in 10 major destinations including Africa, Asia, Australia/ New Zealand, Carribean, Central America, Europe, Eurasia, Middle East, North and South America. Its worldwide destinations include Dallas/ Forth Worth, India-Delhi, Ireland- Dublin and Shannon, Japan-Tokyo, Norfolk- Virgina and Shanghai, China. Shares Of AMR Common Stock Based on the Corporate Press Release, AMR Corporation allows 4. 5 percent Senior Convertible Notes due 2024 have become convertible into shares of AMR common stock.As provided in the indenture under which the Notes were issued, the Notes have become convertible because the sale price of AMR’s common stock for at least 20 trading days in a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the calendar quarter ended Dec. 31, 2006, was greater than 120 percent of the conversion price per share of AMR common stock. The Notes are convertible into common stock at the conversion rate specified in, and otherwise in accordance with the terms of, the Notes and the indenture under which the Notes were issued, and they will remain convertible for so long as they are outstanding.Financial Profitability of the Company for the Past Three Years According to AP Associate Press, AMR Cor poration reported that they loss $387 Million in the fourth quarter of 2004, or $2. 40 per share. This compares to last year's fourth quarter loss of $111 million, or $0. 70 per share. For the year, AMR posted a net loss of $761 million, compared to 2003's loss of $1. 2 billion. Fourth quarter 2004 special items totaled a net gain of $86 million, or $0. 54 per share, and primarily included a $146 million gain on the sale of American's interest in Orbitz, $42 million in severance charges, and $21 million in aircraft charges.Despite its profit loss, I can still affirm to the fact that the company is financially profitable. According to AP Associate Press dated July 19, 2006, American Airlines’ profit rise sharply. It ahs been further reported that a sharply higher profit for the second quarter, helped by full airplanes and higher fares at the start of the peak summer travel season. AMR said it earned $291 million, or $1. 14 per share, in the three months ended June 30, up from $58 million, or 30 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue rose 12. 5 percent to $5. 98 billion from $5.31 billion a year ago and slightly higher than the $5. 93 billion that analysts had expected. AMR increased its cash and short-term investments to more than $5. 1 billion, excluding restricted balances. The buildup is a legacy of the company’s brush with bankruptcy in 2003. The above facts by AP Associate Press only proved the financial profitability of the company. Hedging Technique and Stategic Plans The company used a â€Å"classic† sort of hedge. It is also known in the industry as a â€Å"pairs trade† due to the trading on a pair of related securities.American Airlines oneworld is a hedging strategy wherein they made partnership with the seven of the world's leading airlines – Aer Lingus (through March 31, 2007), British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, LAN1 and Qantas Airways. The investors of American Airlines become more sophisticate d of using various models. These strategies protect the company in currency fluctuation and it look for a spread between market value and theoretical or â€Å"true† value, and attempt to extract profits when the values converge.AA has also a Customer Service Plan which is one of their strategic moves. This Customer Service Plan addresses a number of the service goals they have defined. This plan includes lowest fare availability, baggage delivery, baggage liability, guaranteed fares, ticket refunds, accommodation of customers with special needs, essential customer needs during extraordinary delays, etc. They are constantly reevaluating their customer service goals, and they intend to update this Customer Service Plan when appropriate.Every customer is important to American Airlines and American Eagle. The customer’s safety, comfort, and convenience are their most important concerns. Human Resource Management American Airlines supports the communities they serve through out the world, bringing people together and providing opportunities for economic improvement†¦making American a good neighbor. They are committed to diversity. With diversity comes opportunities for success which are good for their employees, their customers, communities, and ultimately their business.They also do more than state our commitment to diversity. Their commitment is displayed in numerous ways and frequently sets the standard for other companies. Human Resource Management and Employee Resource Groups are an important part of AMR's efforts to foster an inclusive work environment. Through their Human Resource Management and Employee Resource Groups, they have created opportunities for employees to have a voice in business, support each other and share their unique perspectives, cultures and experiences with employees.Issues of Employees Regarding Their Compensation: Based on USA Today dated June 22, 2004, officers of American Airlines, along with union leaders and empl oyees from all work groups rallied against the company regarding pension reform. The company, on behalf of its 80,000 employees and together with its unions, also placed a full-page ad in USA Today. The ad thanks Congress for doing their part to support pension reform legislation that â€Å"makes funding employee pensions more affordable and more flexible — without the transfer of these obligations to the government.† Citing a reduction of $4 billion in annual operating costs through operational and efficiency improvements and changes to wages, benefits and work rules, the ad also underscores that American Airlines, its employees and its unions have made sacrifices and are â€Å"working together† to do their part to ensure a profitable company in order to improve shareholder returns, build financial stability and â€Å"help maintain our defined benefit pension plans. † Commitment Towards DiversityAmerican Airlines proudly support and encourage employee in volvement in any of their Employee Resource Groups such as African-American Employee Resource Group, Asian Cultural Association, Caribbean Employees, Christian Resource Group, Employees with Disabilities, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender and Bisexual Employees, Indian Employees, Jewish Resource Group, Latin Employee Resource Group, Muslim Resource Group, Native American Employee Resource Group, Women in AAviation, Work and Family Balance, 40 Plus/Senior Employees.They value a just and fair treatment of their employees in overseas or wherever parts of the world. Plans for Expansion Based on Corporate Press Release dated March 30, 2007, AMR Corp. , the parent company of American Airlines, Inc. , provides an update on actions taken in the first quarter of 2007 as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen its balance sheet and build a stronger financial foundation.AMR said that American Airlines has paid in full the $285 million principal balance of its senior secured revolving credit facility , which had been fully drawn since its establishment in December 2004. AMR’s $444 million term loan facility remains outstanding. The Company said that the revolving credit facility may be redrawn, subject to certain conditions, and repaid from time to time depending on various factors, such as economic and industry conditions and the Company’s financial condition. AMR anticipates ending the first quarter of 2007 with approximately $5.8 billion in cash and short-term investments, including a restricted balance of nearly $500 million, compared to a cash and short-term investment balance of $4. 8 billion, including a restricted balance of $510 million, in the first quarter of 2006. AMR also said that it expects to complete by mid-April the refinancing of $350 million in municipal bonds that originally were issued in 1990 to help fund the development of American’s Alliance Maintenance and Engineering Base in Fort Worth, Texas .The closing of the transaction is subj ect to certain government approvals. The refinanced bonds, to be issued by AllianceAirport Authority, Inc. , will have a blended interest rate of 5. 46 percent, down from a rate of 7. 5 percent in the current bonds, and a final maturity of Dec. 1, 2029. AMR estimates that by paying down the revolving credit facility balance, prepaying the aircraft debt and refinancing the maintenance facility bonds, as described above, it will eliminate approximately $15 million of its annual net interest expense.Other examples of AMR’s balance sheet improvement include: †¢ AMR has raised more than $1. 1 billion through three equity issuances in the past 17 months, including the sale of 13 million new shares in January that raised approximately $500 million. †¢ AMR reduced its total debt, which includes the principal amount of airport facility tax-exempt bonds and the present value of aircraft operating lease obligations, to $18.4 billion at the end of the fourth quarter of 2006, co mpared to $20. 1 billion a year earlier. The Company expects to end the first quarter of 2007 with total debt of approximately $17. 6 billion. †¢ AMR reduced its net debt, which is defined as total debt less unrestricted cash and short-term investments, from $16. 3 billion at the end of 2005 to $13. 6 billion at the end of 2006. The Company expects to end the first quarter of 2007 with net debt of approximately $12. 3 billion.

Economic Growth in Korea

The rapid growth and development in the newly industrialising economies (NIE†s) in recent decades has been nothing short of spectacular. Now among the world†s most dynamic industrialised economies, the NIE†s of Singapore, Taiwan Hong Kong, and South Korea which will be the focus, stand as perhaps the best examples of successful economic development. The economic development of South Korea, which has been among the most rapid in the world is typical of the ‘miracle† that is the NIEs. Korea has come far since the days it was ‘a nation of hungry rice farmers†, by pursuing an industrialisation-led development commitment since 1961, which has since produced annual GDP growth of 8.4% per annum, second only to China. The success of South Korea, has been identified by a number of factors including the shift away from import substitution strategies towards export orientated industrialisation, and the effective managing of the economy and authoritarian rule adopted by the government in order to accelerate the pace of capital accumulation, technical progress and structural change to produce economic growth beyond what could possibly occur in a free market economy. NIEs, South Korea, are now recognised as ‘export machines† boasting some of the highest trade/GDP ratios in the world. International economic relations began in 1964 with the recognition of these limitation of the domestic market and the ineffectiveness of pursuing substitution industrialisation strategies. As part of its new strategy for export expansion the South Korean government introduced new measures which included the devaluation of the won, which improved the competitiveness of its exports and introduced incentives designed to channel resources into export-orientated industries. Exporters were also supported by direct cash payments, permission to retain foreign exchange earnings for the purchase of imports, and the exemption from virtually all import controls and tariffs. The government in consultation with firms, set up export targets for industries as well as individual firms. These targets appeared to have influenced firm behaviour and supporting this claim was from between 1961 and 1973 the volume of exports increased at an annual rate of 35% and today continues to consistently rank in the top twenty trading nations. Over the last 30 years the share of manufactures in total exports has increased from 12% to 95%. Furthermore the manufactures exported have themselves changed with more advanced products, led by electronics dominating the list of major exports and hence the importance of the Samsung and Lucky Goldstar to the Korean economy. The direction of trade has also changed somewhat, where South Korean exports went largely to the USA and imports came from Japan, Asian countries excluding Japan are now South Korea†s major trading partners. The importance of China is also becoming of increasing significance. South Korea†s economic success as noted can also be contributed to the high levels of savings and investment. South Korean†s save about 35% of GNP and thus sustainable economic growth has been driven by capital stock accumulation and expanded productive capacity. Indeed some figures show up to 60% of economic expansion in South Korea is a result of capital accumulation and increase infrastructure. Undoubtedly one of the most important rationalisations for economic success is effective government intervention. Selective government intervention has promoted the development of new industries, many of which have become internationally competitive and also supported and advanced the growth of the private sector. The main aim of the government in South Korea has been to ensure that the behaviour of individual business accorded with the long term interest of the business class as a whole, and while applying authoritarian rule recognising when it was time to allow the market to operate on its own. Apart from the macroeconomic management, government in the NIEs have also sought to accelerate the pace of capital accumulation, technical progress and structural change beyond what would have resulted from â€Å"laissez-faire.† All NIEs pursued trade policies, supporting industrial deepening and the development of national firms with selective incentives to promote exports. In South Korea for example, the government gave Chaebols preferential access to bank loans, relying on them to develop heavy and chemical industries capable of competing internationally. Indeed four decades of industrial development in South Korea have been marked by what have been marked as ‘incestuous ties† between big business and government. In recent times government has been hostile to the conglomerates but the appointment of Mr Kim Suk Won to the ruling party has reopened an old wound over the role of big business and politics in South Korea. The role of the Chaebols in the Korean economy was a substantial reason for Korea†s success over the last 40 years. The Chaebols are the large multi-company family owned business entities which are both horizontally and vertically integrated. Examples include Samsung, Hyundai, Lucky Goldstar and Daewoo, which together account for over half the total output. The Chaebols have played a major role in the economic development of Korea. They were given preferential access to bank loans and were relied upon to develop the HCIs (as they had the resources and ability to compete in foreign markets). Indeed, the period of the HCIs drive marked the most rapid expansion of the Chaebols. The Chaebols engaged in fierce and even ruthless competition with one another on the many fronts of industry, with at least 4 or 5 competitors in each industry, which all contributed to the economic expansion of the economy. The government in South Korea, as well as other NIEs has supported a technology policy. By providing a favourable tax environment, government has indirectly encouraged business research and development expenditure. The Korean government for example grants a tax credit equal to 10% of capital expenditures. Current policies are aimed at achieving a 5% share of research and development expenditure in total GNP by 2001. The government has also aided fundamental technological development in advanced materials, advanced vehicle technology, bio materials and nuclear reactors. The role of the government in South Korea was also to provide these financial incentives to promote the development of particular industries. Interest Rates for example were kept generally low and stable in order to reduce the cost of investment. Designated industries received priority in allocation of bank credit, state investment funds and foreign exchange, The government in South Korea deliberately distorted prices and incentives as to improve the market outcome and accelerate economic growth. The government in South Korea also actively pursued competition policies. This intervention works both ways. In other words competition policy restricted the competition or promoted competition policy in the areas depending on the circumstances. In South Korea the government granted exemptions to conglomerates from laws governing monopolistic practices. Competition policy has been married with industry policy. In this the role of government has been limited with government policy interacting with the competitive strategies of private firms. Governments in the NIEs have been remarkably stable. This has had obvious benefits on the economy. There is no standard formula for government in the NIEs and there are differences between them across nations. Singapore for example has a paternalistic government whilst Hong Kong is essentially â€Å"laissez-faire† Stability is the only real link between governments of the NIEs. As the South Korean economy reached a more mature stage of economic growth problems regarding the structural change in the economy began to surface. The agricultural sector in South Korea for example is now only a third of its original size. Most notably there has been a marked shift to the tertiary sector. There has been obvious problems and challenges resulting from this. Most notably rapid growth has brought about labour shortages in key sectors such as electronics, heavy machinery and shipbuilding. Such shortage of labour in which employers have noone to fill vacancies made by expanded productive capacity will threaten South Korea†s booming exports, which is seen as the vehicle for growth in South Korea. The problem is further compounded by an increasing reluctance among school leavers to ‘dirty their hands† in industry and the inability and unwillingness to attract foreign labour. After growth and development in South Korea for so long was driven by government intervention one of the most important challenges facing the matured economy was for the government to relinquish much of its influence over the economy and to allow market forces to operate effectively. If South Korea is to continue to growing as a truly advanced industrialised nation then obviously the market mechanism will have to be let to operate freely. This will take time and cause and also cause relative social unrest. As the South Korean economy has reached a mature stage, it has recognised the old regulatory environment that led to high levels of inputs especially in manufacturing sectors but low levels of productivity must change. In manufacturing, Korea has massively invested in the best available technology but because of protectionism and poor corporate governance in banks and companies, it was not forced to adopt the best managerial practices. As a result labour and capital productivity are in most manufacturing sectors less that 50% of US levels and thus must be one of the challenges for future success of the Korean economy. Other challenges that Korea has had to face, continues to face, and must overcome are the consistent current account deficits (CADs) and foreign debt which may put a constraint on South Korea†s future economic performance. South Korea†s economy relies heavily on high exports and thus is susceptible to global fluctuations. Secondly there is a pressing need in South Korea to use imports more efficiently. Furthermore, the greatest of the challenges Korea has had to face to date was the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997. Up to this point in time many economists looked favorably upon the economic fundamentals of Korea. However, due to excess short term debt over the long term debts, excess debt over equity and the generating of wealth through asset price bubbles, which was clearly unsustainable, these vulnerabilities only required a small shock which was initiated by the devaluation of the Thai baht in July 1997. As an advanced economy, South Korea now needs far more than simply hard work and determination to succeed in this new century, Companies in South Korea need to keep ahead of the profound social, economic and political transition. It is the inherent need for human capital that drives much of South Korea†s business and government spending. Many would agree that a well educated workforce is paramount to future success. In the future, South Korea will need to reform its financial sector, remove the burden of excessive business regulation, provide a more favourable environment for foreign investment and restructure its economy away from declining manufacturing and agricultural industries towards services and sophisticated manufacturing. The prospects for continued economic growth hinge on the success of the aforementioned drivers for economic growth. Deregulating services in addition to lowering barriers to imports, allowing FDI (which can reduce the risks of future financial crisis in the medium and long term) and improving corporate governance would be the key to restoring strong growth in Korea. This reduction would come mainly because fair competition with best practice together with more careful bankers and demanding shareholders would force Korean manufacturers to improve their return their return on investments. In an increasingly globalised economy higher productivity in manufacturing and low import barriers would allow domestic competition to increase due to lower prices. Opening the domestic market would not lead to an increase in the trade deficit or external debt as higher capital productivity would reduce the need to import capital. In overall terms, prospects for South Korea†s economy are favourable, but the high rate of success from the growth performance in the 1980†³s will be difficult to replicate. The next phase of the Asian miracle that will involve China emerging as the world†s largest economy within 10 years and the re-emerging Japanese economy will provide substantial benefits for the Korean economy. Some important strengths of the economy include: a well educated and motivated workforce, a growing level of R&D, continued rates of high savings, greater regional trade links and potential for domestic growth through increased infrastructure investment, housing and personal consumption. In summation, South Korea is an economy which initially through selective government intervention and now through domestic and international reforms, sped to economic might. Although there are many challenges in the longer term making South Korea†s future uncertain, (including the reunification with the ailing, unstable North) the fact South Korea has come so far argues well for the future. If South Korea can make the necessary changes to its economy to become a sustained industrialised nation then it will certainly take its place as an economic leader in the near future.

Gryposaurus - Facts and Figures

Gryposaurus - Facts and Figures Name: Gryposaurus (Greek for hook-nosed lizard); pronounced GRIP-oh-SORE-us Habitat: Woodlands of North America Historical Period: Late Cretaceous (85-75 million years ago) Size and Weight: Up to 40 feet long and five tons Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Long, narrow skull; large bump on nose; occasional bipedal posture About Gryposaurus In most ways a typical hadrosauror duck-billed dinosaurof late Cretaceous North America, Gryposaurus was distinguished by the prominent, arched bump on its nose, from which its name {hook-nosed lizard) derives. As with other such ornately equipped dinosaurs (like the horned, frilled ceratopsians), paleontologists speculate that this feature evolved as a sexually selected characteristic that is, males with bigger, more prominent noses were more attractive to females during mating season. However, Gryposaurus may also have used its giant schnozz to honk and blare at fellow herd members, o alert them to skulking raptors and tyrannosaurs, and (somewhat less probably) it may even have poked the flanks of these predators with its nose in an attempt to drive them away. Like other hadrosaurs, the 30-foot-long, two-ton, plant-eating Gryposaurus was similar in behavior to modern bison and buffaloand the numerous fossil specimens that have been discovered across North America are a strong hint that this duck-billed dinosaur roamed the continent in herds (though whether these herds contained a few dozen, a few hundred, or a few thousand individuals is impossible to say). However, theres one important difference between these ancient hadrosaurs and modern cattle (or wildebeest): when startled by predators, Gryposaurus could run briefly on its two hind legs, which must have made for a comical sight during stampedes! The name Gryposaurus is often used interchangeably with Kritosaurus, thanks to the confusion surrounding this dinosaurs taxonomic history. The type fossil of Gryposaurus was discovered in Canadas Alberta Province in 1913, and later described and named by the Canadian paleontologist Lawrence Lambe. However, the American fossil hunter Barnum Brown had discovered a similar genus a few years earlier, in New Mexico, which he named Kritosaurus (separated lizard). The Gryposaurus skeleton described by Lambe provided additional clues about the proper reconstruction of the Kritosaurus skeleton, and although Brown himself proposed that the two genera should be synonymized, they have both managed to survive down to the present day. (We wont even mention the suggestion of Jack Horner that both Gryposaurus and Kritosaurus should be synonymized with Hadrosaurus!) Today, there are three generally accepted species of Gryposaurus. The type species, G. notabilis, is known by about two dozen skulls, as well as two more complete specimens that had originally been assigned to a since-synonymized species, G. incurvimanus. A second species, G. latidens, was discovered in Montana; its represented by fewer individuals than G. notabilis, the hooked nose of this species was set farther down its snout and its teeth of which were less derived (harking back to those of the much earlier Iguanodon). Finally, theres G. monumentensis, named in 2007 after the discovery of a single individual in Utah. As you may have guessed from its name, this Gryposaurus species was larger than the others, some adults attaining 40 feet in length and weights in the neighborhood of five tons.

Free Essays on Pericles Funeral Speech

Pericles’s Deathless Funeral Speech Even though it has been thousands of years since the speech of Pericles’s many of the issues he touched on still apply today. One issue I am going to touch on that Pericles used in his speech is the military, and how the tactics of war of today’s society are closely related to those back in 430 b.c. Another aspect that I will touch on during this paper is the government. The similarities of government that were used back then and what is used in our country today is mind-boggling. The democracy used in Athenian times is very similar to what is used in the United States today. There were still differing social classes in Athens, as there still is in the United States society thousands of years later. The last aspect that I am taking from the speech is how the grieving and aging process are still very similar to what people in the United States do today when a loved one is lost. The military in Athens opened its doors to the world. It was far different than most other countries. Athenians were not afraid to let people in. They were open to anyone who was interested in seeing what went on in Athens. They were not afraid of opening their doors to foreigners and they did not exclude them from any opportunity of learning or observing, even though this could and probably would come back to hurt them someday. What I mean by this is the enemy would benefit from this by seeing what goes on with their military and this might hurt the Athenians in the long run. That is what was so wonderful about this city. Athenians saw the bad but they always looked at the good side of something. During war the enemies did not invade the country alone but they always brought all their confederates. This was contrary to the Athenians who would advance alone into some hostile ground on foreign soil. They would usually move through countries with ease. Although they never w anted to engage in battle they... Free Essays on Pericles Funeral Speech Free Essays on Pericles Funeral Speech Pericles’s Deathless Funeral Speech Even though it has been thousands of years since the speech of Pericles’s many of the issues he touched on still apply today. One issue I am going to touch on that Pericles used in his speech is the military, and how the tactics of war of today’s society are closely related to those back in 430 b.c. Another aspect that I will touch on during this paper is the government. The similarities of government that were used back then and what is used in our country today is mind-boggling. The democracy used in Athenian times is very similar to what is used in the United States today. There were still differing social classes in Athens, as there still is in the United States society thousands of years later. The last aspect that I am taking from the speech is how the grieving and aging process are still very similar to what people in the United States do today when a loved one is lost. The military in Athens opened its doors to the world. It was far different than most other countries. Athenians were not afraid to let people in. They were open to anyone who was interested in seeing what went on in Athens. They were not afraid of opening their doors to foreigners and they did not exclude them from any opportunity of learning or observing, even though this could and probably would come back to hurt them someday. What I mean by this is the enemy would benefit from this by seeing what goes on with their military and this might hurt the Athenians in the long run. That is what was so wonderful about this city. Athenians saw the bad but they always looked at the good side of something. During war the enemies did not invade the country alone but they always brought all their confederates. This was contrary to the Athenians who would advance alone into some hostile ground on foreign soil. They would usually move through countries with ease. Although they never w anted to engage in battle they...