Is Perception Reality? :: essays research papers

Assignment: Is Perception Reality? A few years ago I moved to Arizona. I was to be the office manager of a Real Estate Appraisal firm. Unbeknown to me the Company owed back taxes to Internal Revenue Service. The IRS came in and seized all of the Companies bank accounts and assets. All of a sudden I had to scramble to find a new job. I did not immediately find work as an appraiser but took a job with the Arizona Department of Corrections. What I thought to be true and what the reality was; were two different things. I believed that the individuals incarcerated were being punished and were not able or allowed to do much of anything. Additionally, I believed that they basically sat in a jail cell and read books, drew pictures or wrote letters. I also believed that they were law abiding while in prison. In other words, I believed that they were limited in not being able to break the law. Additionally, I assumed they had virtually no contact with the outside world. I completed some traini ng in self-defense, first aid, conflict resolution, Radio Communications, etc. I was then sent to Cell Block 6 AKA Death Row. This is where my perceptions began to give way to reality. I found that almost every inmate (as called by officers and staff) had a Television and that free cable was provided with many movie channels available. Most had stereos with many CD’s. They were required however, to wear headphones while listening to their music. I was surprised to find that the law mandated many privileges to the incarcerated individuals. Three hot meals a day were served the inmates. Also, family members could send them care packages at Christmas up to about 100 lbs., containing homemade food and clothing items. In addition, there is a prison store that the Incarcerated could order items from. A list of items would be filled out by the inmate with an account # and each week the items would be delivered to them. Many ordered their favorite food items such as; Corn Chips, Twin kies, cookies, candy, etc†¦ Family members could send them money that was deposited to their account for future purchases. If an inmate had no money he could apply for welfare and get money from the state. Family members were also allowed contact visitation on a weekly basis.

Comparing Disneys(r) Beauty & the Beast and Mulan

In my opinion, the role of Disney has remained unchanged for over a period of 30 years. Their main values still remain the same: good triumphs over evil and everyone lives happily ever after. Beauty & the Beast, a classic, and Mulan, a contemporary, both share these values as well. I will now compare the 2 animated feature films. Both the films have the same narrative structure. They follow the Todorovs' theorem: Equilibrium –> Disruption –>Journey –> Test –> New Equilibrium. * They both start off with an establishing shot of the heroines and introduces them through a musical score. In B & B (Beauty & the Beast), we see the establishing shot of Belles' house + town and the camera zooms in to Belle. In Mulan, we see something similar. We see Mulan introduced by an establishing shot and then the camera zooms in on her. She then introduces herself and her life/aspirations through a musical score. In Mulan, we also see that Mulan is introduced through the same way. However, we don't directly start off with a song describing her but later on we do hear a song brewed after her visit to the matchmaker. * Both the heroines are very bright, intelligent and brave. They are also unconventional and don't conform to societies' view of a woman. In B & B, we see Belle, during the opening song/introduction, reading a book and then makes her way to the library. Through her conversation with the librarian we learn that she's really keen on reading and this is the only way she gets in touch with the person that she wants to be. So the librarian gives her this book as a present. â€Å"It's my favorite! Far-off places, daring sword fights, magic spells, a prince in disguise †¦ Oh, thank you very much!† Also, during the introduction song, we hear the villagers' views' on Belle and her lifestyle. We hear the fat woman saying about how beautiful Belle is and that she's very bright also. But she's wasting her life on books and she should get married rather. We then see 3 village girls pumping water out of a water-pump. As we can see, they all look the same; they all have blonde hair and blue eyes. Typical. This is purposely set to show Belle in contrast to the â€Å"normal† girls, hence, proving my point. In Mulan, we see her running through a list of characteristics. Her father is also praying to his ancestors to help her find a husband and bring honour to the house. This establishes her uniqueness from the other girls as well. Later on when she goes to the matchmaker, she hides the characteristics in order so that the matchmaker wouldn't see it. This also shows that she doesn't conform with the women of her time and is more manlike. Later on in the film, we see where the Huns are charging at Shang Li and his band of soldiers, which includes Mulan. We see a pan-shot of the Huns charging down the mountain. Shang Li and his men have only one rocket. We see him, Shang Li, then trying to fire the rocket into the Hun army whilst saying, â€Å"we'll take out as many as we can†¦Ã¢â‚¬ . This is a typical Chinese soldier. Mulan snatches the rocket away and runs away from the men. She then fires the rocket at the peak of another mountain, which is to the right of the unsuspecting, charging Huns. This causes and avalanche and buries the Huns under a thick blanket of snow. However, the leader of the Huns reaches Mulan and slashes her with his sword before also being buried in the snow. This scene shows that she's brave and also intelligent. She uses her brain to cause the Huns more damage then Shang Li would, with his version of â€Å"fight till death†. * Both the heroines are prepared to sacrifice their lives for their father and, indeed, do. In B & B, when Belle's father is locked up in the beasts' castle, she goes out venturing to find him. She tells the horse to revisit its' footsteps and take her to the place where her father is. In due time, she enters the dark, scary castle. She finds her way to the dungeon, in a great co-incidence, she finds her father locked in. Also, at that moment, the beast reveals himself. (This also proves my previous point that she's brave because she didn't run away or sth like that†¦). Anyway, she interacts with the beast and asks him why did he imprison her father and to let him go cause he's sick. The beast refuses and tells her that he's his prisoner and will do as he pleases. She then offers him herself in lieu of her fathers' freedom and safe return back home. The beast accepts. The same is the case in Mulan. She sacrifices herself when the emperor's messenger declares that a man from each house should join the army to defend against the Huns. * All of the males in both films are portrayed in a negative image. In B & B, we see Gaston in the beginning musical score/introduction, introduced as arrogant and self-centered. We first see him as he shoots down a goose, which was regarded to be very manly in those days, and start to song about him and Belle. He says that she's the only one fit to marry for him as she is the only parallel to his beauty and that she's very lucky that he's selected her. He's a stereotypical hero; massive build, handsome, arrogant and fancied by all the girls in town. He's a parody of the heroes out there. But further on in the film, when Belle refuses to marry him, he vows to make her marry him through any means. This â€Å"evil† statement is also supported through the music. Also, after Belle shows the mirror to the townspeople to prove that her father is telling the truth, he uses his preplanned scheme to try and force Belle for the last time to marry him or he'll make the hospital take his father away to the mental institute. In Mulan, we see Shang Li portrayed as a hero as well; brave and fearless, a good leader, wise and captain of his military squad. But, he isn't as bright as Mulan is, as I have explained above in my 2nd point. Also, we see the other 3 men that Mulan hangs around with. They're dirty, sweaty and ill mannered. * Both the heroines find the â€Å"their man† in the end of the film, the best man. In B& B, we see Belle in the end with the former â€Å"beast† who has now turned back into the prince he was with all his wealth and splendor. She gets him rather than the Gaston, who is also handsome and praised by everyone in the village. In Mulan, at the end of the film we see Shang Li approach Mulan's father, supposedly, to ask her hand because we hear the emperor commenting to him about the â€Å"once in a lifetime† opportunity he has at hand, which chiefly means ‘marry her'. Also, they live happily ever after. In B & B, we see the Belle and the prince dancing in a ballroom, smiling and kissing. Also, the close-ups underline this. Mrs. Pots sings a romantic song, which also reflects the atmosphere. In Mulan, Mulan is reunited with her family and all is forgiven. Shang Li also comes into the scene, to marry her supposedly. Then the camera zooms out and reveals the picturesque scenery implying the happy atmosphere also. Similar beginnings and endings. Both Mulan and B & B start off with a similar equilibrium, then along comes a disruption and causes a change in their lives, because they go on a journey of self-discovery. Ends in ‘happily ever after' mode. (REF: Todorov's Theorem)

Espionage Act 1917

Many historians, politicians, experts, believe that the Espionage Act of 1917 was one of the must controversial laws passed. This law was passed on June 15, 1917 shortly after the United States entered world war I. The reason why many people believe this law was so controversial, is that many argue that it directly affected the constitutional right of freedom of speech. The reason is because this act originally prohibited any attempt to interfere with military operations, to support United States enemies during wartime, it also prohibited promoting insubordination, disloyalty, mutiny, refusal in the military, and or to interfere with military recruitment. The punishment for braking this law could be punishable by death or by imprisonment for not more that 30 years or both and fines up too $10,000. Moreover, many believed that this restrictions were unconstitutional, but later on in 1919 the U. S Supreme Court unanimously ruled in court case Schenck v. United States that the act dud not violate the freedom of speech of those convicted under its provisions. President Woodrow Wilson Attorney General Thomas Watt Gregory and Jon Crawford supported the pass of the act, however the viewed it as a compromise. This document it quite important to historians that would like to study laws related to people leaving in the United States during this era. This article helps historians understand the importance of the U. S trying to keep a sense of control on their own grounds. By the government implanting this law they can feel a little safer of retaliation. Regardless, people still protested and did things that opposed the law. However, by having the law it helps to keep that control. This shows historians that besides all the problems going on overseas, the president it still had and â€Å"urgency† of having some type of law protecting the U. S form any type of anarchy, or interference with the military. Moreover, this document can give a lot of insight to historians that study human group movements or the arrest of political figures. For example, anti-war groups like Frayhayt or â€Å"left-wing† politicians like Bill Haywood, Philip Randolph, John Reed. This document could be used for historians with a specialty in law, or historians that study political people and group organizations during this time

Biography & Song

All people around the world has blessed with different talents and gifts. I would say that I am one of them and that most individuals like music. Everywhere you go, you can see people around who are fond in listening to music may it be â€Å"noisy† for others or not but for them it is a music that soothes their beings. I am a recording engineer who dearly loves music. Music is my passion and this is how I can express my feelings whether am happy or sad. Music is an expression of one’s emotion.Every line of the song tells a story and its rhythm and melody has meanings that foretold the joy and sadness of the composer. My interest in music motivates me to study in this field at an early age of 13. It is a lifestyle that I live on and music uplifts my soul. I also love touching other’s lives through the music I make. I strongly believe that music has big role to play in communicating with different kinds of people from different walks of life. Moreover, I also write songs. I love writing songs because they make me happy.Songs that relate to what I feel at the moment. It is my tool to tell other people that life is beautiful in spite of the pains and trials each one has gone through. Furthermore, I grew up in Montenegro Bay, Jamaica and Bronx New York and these made me exposed to different kinds of music from different kinds of people and help me appreciate it more. I recently reside at Orlando, Florida to attend full sail so I can understand music more. With these experiences and passion, I can say that I deserve to win in this contest.

Critical Thinking 2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Critical Thinking 2 - Essay Example Managing earnings is a commonly used strategy that bears many controversies on moral grounds. As matter of fact, managers differ on whether the act is ethical or unethical and only used as the last resort. Managing earnings barely refers to transferring earnings of one period and reporting them in a different period. For that reason, the actions results to nominal rather than real positive benefits. Remarkably, managers only use it lure a positive report as per the specified period. Therefore, managing of earnings is totally unethical as it manipulates the information that the reports provides. Managers understand this fact and thus consider manipulating earnings as only a short-term strategy with majority expecting an advanced long-term consequence. Neither the law nor GAAPs find managing earnings as an inappropriate measure and thus the decision on whether to use it or not is solemnly made by the managers. Literally it happens that every manager has used any of the earning managing options at a time. Though manipulation of operation expenses seems to a best measure, especially when used to reduce earnings, as argued by managers, all measures have one limitation in common. They favour the current report by hiding or misinterpreting crucial information necessary for mutual correlation of all stakeholders (Ketz,  2006). Worse though, these stakeholders are the victims of any misfortunes accruing from the manipulation process. I that perspective, manipulation become unethical as it serves the needs of the manager at the expense of other stakeholders. Though a perfect short term solution adjustable in the long-run, that maybe in line with organisations, the fact that managers are short lived in the organisation as compared to sta keholders, creates some sense of the dilemma addressed in the agency theory.

Advantages and disadvantages of internet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Advantages and disadvantages of internet - Essay Example The pornographic sites are likely to make certain they are the primary sites to be listed inside any search zone; hence, children encounter such sites effortlessly. Regardless of all of the horrible disadvantages of the Net, there seems to be numerous advantages as well. Actually, the advantages even prevail over the disadvantages. The most frequent thing the Internet is employed for is research. Kids as well as students are amongst the top individuals who make use of the Internet for research. Nowadays, it is almost necessary that students apply the Internet for their research. Entertainment happens to be another popular motive why many kids surf in to the Internet. Now we are able to communicate in a few seconds with a person who happens to be sitting or even working in the other section of the world. There are numerous messenger services which are being offered. With the assistance of such services, it appears to become very simple to create a sort of worldwide friendship where yo u could share your feelings, can discover other cultures of diverse ethnicity. The primary objective of internet has constantly been the communication section. And the internet has stood out beyond the expectations of countless people. Still improvements are going on towards constructing it even faster and more dependable. By the initiation of computer’s Internet, our world has trimmed down and has achieved the form of a universal village. Downloading on line or video games, going into chat rooms, or merely surfing the Web are a few of the uses people have revealed. Information is perhaps the biggest improvement internet has donated. The Internet is an effective treasure trunk of information. Any type of information on whichever topic is very much available on the Internet. You could almost get any variety of data on roughly any kind of issues that you are seeking. In order to keep children protected, parents

Investment Risk Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Investment Risk Management - Essay Example Additionally, the company was reported bankrupt on 15th September 2008 and was ranged among the top 22 financial institutions that experienced the world largest bankruptcy (Ross, 2010). This collapse brought a big shock not only to the U.S economy but to entire world. This is because the company provided financial services not only to the affluent individuals and companies but also to the government. Among the services that were rendered by the company include; banking services, equity investments, consultancy services, buying and selling of treasury securities to mention just but a few (Sorkin, 2008). 1. Factors that contributed to financial failure of the Lehman Brothers Holding Company. According to Azadinamin, 2003 numerous factors contribute to failure of Lehman Brothers Holding Company. ... This led to higher cases of defaults as most of the house holds could not be able to repay the loans and interest rates that were attached on those loans. This consequently led to the collapse of Lehman and brother holding company (Azadinamin, 2003). Additionally, manipulation of financial statement such as balance sheet contributed to failure of Lehman failure. For example; it was reported that fifty billion dollars on loans commitment were intentionally removed from the balance sheet and recorded as sales in the income statements rather than loans. Connectively, the company was operating a negative cash flow statement prior to its collapse. Therefore, I could recommend to the senior management of Lehman brother Company to perform credit selection and moral hazards prior granting mortgages (Azadinamin, 2003). Additionally, Lehman management should avoid unethical accounting practices and propagate high ethical standards in financial reporting. The company should have realistic and a chievable strategies. For example, instead of buying assets and storing them, the company could transfer them to third party and earn more returns. Lehman management focused only at evaluating the balance sheet and ignored cash flow evaluation, making it difficult to detect the potential risk that led to its collapse. Therefore, I could have recommended Lehman management to evaluate all its financial statements in order to detect risk and failures before they occurs and establish necessary mechanism to deal with such failures (Azadinamin, 2003). 2. Sufficiency assessment of risk management techniques used by financial institutions today Financial