The Differences in Economic Coverage conducted by The New York Times Essay

The Differences in Economic Coverage conducted by The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal - Essay Example ommunist Movement’s elites; the week before gave out a pattern for refurbishing over the coming year that demands authorizing customers and simplifying Beijing’s clutch on important firms long managed by the government. Its clearing objectives constitute simplifying hindrances for foreign capital in a few firms; raising the engagement of private investors in government ruled enterprises and offering the nation’s huge rural demography larger availability of cash. For a long time, a single important step, that is a demand to simplify China’s single-child rule, indicates an intention to struggle with the accumulating forces for an aging community. Several people claim that even extra theatrical steps are required. However, Beijing’s declaration proposes that elites need to make sure that China has a steady pool of workforce; and remains a healthy development market for decades to come. The motive in the nation is optimistic and the citizens of China ar e ready to cooperate (Baker 1). As well, the New York Times reporting on the Federal Reserve officials claimed that several of them are unwilling to move on with the Fed’s incentive movement in its present state. Thus, they struggled at their most current conference with different means of promoting an economy that yet requires aid. The debates, defined in the normal report of the conference in October that the Fed issued on Wednesday, did not provide any sudden reform in rule (Appelbaum 1). Officials agreed at the conference to push ahead with the present operation, despite the report claiming that a reform could emerge â€Å"at one of its coming conferences†. The framework of that change has been obvious for some time. The Fed wishes to lower and then postpone its monthly buys of assets and mortgage-backed... This paper is the best example of comparison of economic coverage of similar events, performed by two renowned American newspapers. On the economic front, visions and approaches of these two outlets vary. For instance, the NYT on the Chinese economy claimed that an agreement was reached at the Third Plenum that the nation must change from a development plan concentrated on manufacturing exports in the U.S. and different affluent nations, to one that attracts high promotion from its 1.3 billion customers. On the other side, the WSJ, argues that: business may triumph huge if China pursues through on its promises to provide the market a higher responsibility in the globe’s second biggest economy As well, the NYT reports, that on the Federal Reserve officials agreed at the conference to push ahead with the present operation, despite the report claiming that a reform could emerge â€Å"at one of its coming conferences†. The WSJ on its part claimed that data obtained from the Federal Open market Committee conference largely proposes that economic activity has moved on growing at a reasonable speed. On the euro zone economy, the NYT claimed that the euro zone economy marked moment in the third quarter of the calendar, increased by simply 0.1% from the second quarter. This illustrated frustrating hopes that a completely fledged revival was lastly taking hold following five decades of depression and declination. The WSJ on its part accounted that another indicator for the euro zone economy assumed an expected twist for the worse this month as an economic trust sign declined.

Antigone before Creon Essay Example for Free

Antigone before Creon Essay In the first scene where Sentry appears he is visiting Creon to inform him of the news of the body of Polynice has been buried. From the moment he arrives on stage, Sentry is petrified even from the stage directions this is shown, as it states ‘struggling he is very frightened’ so to help this to be portrayed to the audience that Sentry is terrified, his body language would be all tense, his shoulders would be raised with his head and neck sinking between his shoulders. His facial expressions would help show that he is worried what Creon will have to say, so his eyes would be squinting with his nose wrinkled and with his eyebrows slightly raised whilst he is changing from biting to licking his lips frequently, this will help express that he’s so unbelievably nervous and worried about breaking this news to Creon even before actually speaking to him. Another moment which would show that Sentry is terrified telling Creon about the burial is when he first speaks to Creon ‘My Lord Creon sir! If I can hardly speak for the lack of breath it’s not ‘cos I ran ’ the use of respecting address ‘My Lord’ and ‘ ’ helps show the worry and anxiety of speaking to Creon. Sentry would perform this so his voice would be quick, but shaky, with extended pause to emphasise the ‘ ’ to help elucidate the nervousness Sentry has and that he’s panicking because of the high authority Creon has. Whilst stuttering these words out, Sentry’s body would still be all tense from entering, but he would now start fidgeting and wringing his hands, to help show that he is feeling uncomfortable and uneasy. When Sentry is rambling on to Creon and when he says ‘So I shouldn’t be punished for it, should I? ’ this shows that Sentry is trying to convince himself that he’s done no wrong, he’s only the messenger of this news, he had no part in the event. So the way Sentry would perform this would be, he’d say ‘So I shouldn’t be punished for it ’ in quite a stern voice, as he’s stating that he shouldn’t be penalized for telling Creon about the incident which has taken place. And whilst saying that, he would lower his head a little, with his eyes looking up at Creon with also raised eyebrows with his mouth slightly to the left pouting vaguely, his body would be leaning forward a little with his shoulders tense and lifted a bit, then with his left arm would be turn in quite tense with his index finger pointing to his chest with him repeating the point movement a few times to help emphasising he’s done no wrong and he is stating this. But then Sentry would realise who he is talking too, and would become more timid when saying ‘ should I? ’ as if he is questioning not just Creon about it but himself, as he would begin to think, should he be punished, has he done wrong. So he would lower his sharp tone in his voice, and make it become more high pitched, to give emphasis to him questioning the situation. His body would then quickly shoot up from the leaning forward his shoulders wouldn’t be raised but his whole body would tense up, with his left foot slightly in front of his right ,he would then freeze with his arms bent in, tucked underneath his armpits, with his hands seemingly flapping inwards to his chest, to help show his uncertainty. Another moment which shows that Sentry is scared stiff is when Creon has shouted at Sentry demanding who has disobeyed his orders, Sentry replies with ‘No way of knowing we’ve no idea! no digging, no spade marks no wheel tracks or anything. ’ he appears to be listing the absence of any possible evidence which suggests how or by whom this incident has taken place, which is emphasising he is in fear of Creon, and is totally ‘panic stricken’. So Sentry would perform this by ‘stating the list’ rapidly, but stuttering to emphasise he is thinking of things to say so Creon doesn’t screech at him. So the tone of Sentry’s voice would be at a high pitch, rushed and shaky, he’d be trembling whilst speaking which would draw attention to his anxiety and fear to this whole situation. Sentry would be all tensed up, his shoulders would be raised with his neck sinking in, his arms would be bent in with his hands close to his chest, but again all fidgeting, wringing his hands, he would also be shaking again, which would show his panic. He would be moving backwards and forwards on the spot but gradually moving slowing further away from Creon to help make the point of his fear of Creon and the situation. Another moments is when Sentry is explaining to Creon when they heard the news that Polynice’s body had been buried and they all suspected each other, who was going to tell Creon and when he states ‘I drew the short straw’ this shows that nobody wanted to do this, none of them wanted to be the person to break this news to Creon, as it ‘scared them all shitless’ and they are ‘scared stiff’ of Creon. So Sentry would perform this by emphasising that no one wanted to break this news to Creon as they feared their own life because they had no clue what Creon would do about the incident or to them even. So Sentry would be slightly more confident when saying this because he’s told Creon about the incident now, so now the anxiety of breaking the news to Creon is over, he would step a little closer to Creon to show that he’s not as petrified as he was at the beginning and to show that he’s only the messenger of the whole situation, he doesn’t want to be there as much as Creon doesn’t want him to be there. Sentry’s posture would be less apprehensive and more relaxed because the deed is done, he wouldn’t feel as up tight, so his arms, hands, shoulders and face wouldn’t be as tense, his eyes would be on Creon, making eye contact with him, much of the anguish in his face would have disappeared, so it would be more relaxed, his eyebrows would be lowered, his mouth would appear less strained, depicting more of a natural look, the tone of his voice would be lowered, and he is a little more confident and stronger which shows his sense of relief that he has broke the news to Creon. The second episode of Sentry contrasts with his first visit to Creon, he approaches him with a friendly address ‘Lord Creon’ rather than respecting address like before ‘My Lord Creon’. This shows that Sentry is no longer petrified of Creon, he has done what he was told to do, and he is freed without conviction. To help show this Sentry would perform with a more confident attitude, the friendly approach he gives to Creon shows a slight hint of sarcasm and arrogance towards Creon because he has brought Creon’s ‘criminal’. So the tone of his voice would be strong and loud, with a bold pitch showing the confidence in Sentry, he would sound calm without stuttering. His posture would be up right, his shoulders would be back, his arms would be by his side slightly away from his body, his hands would be relaxed but strong, in a cup shape position to help emphasise the confidence he has. His facial expressions would be strong, his head would be up slightly, with his chin raised up, his eyes would be bold making eye contact with Creon, his eyebrows would be raised, with his mouth slightly pouting to show assurance and certainty. Another moment is when Sentry says ‘This Job was all mine, I caught her ’ this helps show that in this scene Sentry is glad and is proud of himself, he achieved what Creon ordered him to do, and he’ll tell Creon as much as he pleases because he knows he’s done the right thing and it’s what his King wanted. So to help emphasise this, Sentry would perform confidently with a slight cocky manner. For example in his voice when he says ‘ This job was all mine ’ the tone in his voice would be loud and bold, and slightly high, to help express that he is pleased with himself. Again his posture would be up right, and confident, his shoulders would be back, his head slightly up, his right arm would be up, bent at the elbow and his lower arm and hand facing into him, and he would point to himself with force to show confidence and pride and that he wants take all the credit for it. And when Sentry says ‘I caught her,’ the tone in his voice would lower slightly and become more forceful and a lot louder. His attitude would become a little more aggressive and more arrogant because he wants to show to Creon that he’s not scared of him, he can’t punish him because he’s done what Creon wanted, so he wants to show that he too has authority, he is an independent, strong man, and Creon has nothing to put against him. So his posture would still be very confidence and bold with his shoulders back and head up, his hand gesture pointing to himself would become more aggressive and quicker as he says ‘I caught her,’ to help emphasise that he’s done want he was told and he’s free to go. His face would become a little tense but not because he is scared like before but because he has become more confidence and arrogant so his mouth would tense up, he would grit his teeth together with a tense jaw whilst saying ‘I caught her,’ his eyebrows would lower and would be rounded towards his eyes, his eyes would be slightly scrunched up and would have a sharp stare towards Creon. This shows his arrogance and sort of pride that he manages to capture the ’criminal’ so again he wants all the credit. Another moment which shows the changes of Sentry’s attitude is when he states to Creon ‘By rights, I’m free to go; and well shot of all of it. ’ This shows the relief which Sentry has, he knows he is right and that Creon cannot hold him to anything any longer and the fact that he has found the ‘criminal’ for Creon, he should be praised for doing this deed. To help show that Sentry is relived, his manner would become more relaxed than before, his arm would still be bent at the elbow with his lower arm and hand facing his body pointing, but his posture wouldn’t be up right, most of his weight would be on his right side, with his right hip lifted and with his left leg bent at the knee with his foot turned out, whist saying ‘ By rights, I’m free to go ’ he would still be pointing to himself with force to show his confidence, and when he says ‘ and well shot of all of it’ his whole manner and posture would stay the same but his right arm would lower with a fast rounded movement, and would be placed on his lifted right hip, allowing to show attitude and arrogance in his character. Another moment is when Creon asked did Sentry catch the ‘criminal’ Antigone in the act, Sentry replies with ‘Well, gentlemen, it was like this,’ this shows that Sentry enjoys telling the story, that he is proud of himself finding her, proving to Creon that he’s far better than Creon states him to be. So the way Sentry would perform is, the tone in his voice, would be quite low and soft but quite cocky, to help show that Creon is asking him the questions about how Sentry caught the criminal in the act, on his own, he found her, not Creon or anybody else. So he takes his time when he says it, showing that he is the hero, he’ll make the decisions when and how to tell Creon. So his manner and posture would be quite laid back at this point, he would be one hundred percent relaxed, he has no worry or anxiety like before when telling Creon his story, this time he is the one in control, so his posture again would be slouchy, his weight would be all on one side, but this time on his left to show that he’s been standing there a long time, so in a way he is getting a little bored, even though he wants to show off and tell Creon how it all happened. So he switches sides right to the left, so his left hip lifted all the weight on his left side, his right knee is bent and his right foot turned out, his right hand then is lifted from his hip at which point his left hand is placed on his left hip, his right hand slowly makes its way up to the back of his head slightly to the right and scratches it. Then he lower his arm so his elbow is bent and underneath his armpit with his right hand lifted up to his chest, with his right hand relaxed, and begins to make wringing type hand gestures whilst telling his story. This helps emphasise that Sentry’s attitude towards Creon has completely changed, he is no longer frightened of Creon as he has done a ‘good job’ in Creon’s eyes, he is no longer in the hands of Creon and is free to leave without being punished so compared to the timid, shaky Sentry in the first scene, he is now bold, confident and fearless of his King Creon.

The Indian real estate sector

The Indian real estate sector The Indian real estate sector plays a significant role in the countrys economy. The real estate sector is second only to agriculture in terms of employment generation and contributes heavily towards the gross domestic product (GDP). Almost 5 per cent of the countrys GDP is contributed to by the housing sector. In the next five years, this contribution to the GDP is expected to rise to 6 per cent. According to Jones Lang LaSalle, faster economic growth in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) could result in the property markets of those nations recovering at a faster rate than the UK and US real estate markets. It has also been suggested that Indias property sector could begin to improve from late 2009 and may attract up to US$ 12.11 billion in real estate investment over a five-year period. Almost 80 per cent of real estate developed in India is residential space. According to the Tenth Five Year Plan, there is a shortage of 22.4 million dwelling units. Thus, over the next 10 to 15 years, 80 to 90 million housing dwelling units will have to be constructed with a majority of them catering to middle- and lower-income groups. It is for this reason that residential properties in India, particularly in Mumbai and Delhi, are viewed as very good investments as per a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Urban Land Institute, a global non-profit education and research institute. In the 2009-10 budget, developers of affordable housing projects (units of 1,000-1,500 sq ft) have been granted a tax holiday on profits from projects initiated in the financial year 2007-08. Such projects would have to be completed before March 1, 2012. At the same time, the finance minister allocated US$ 207 million to grant a 1 per cent interest subsidy on home loans up to US$ 20,691, provided the cost of the home is not more than US$ 41,382. This subsidy is expected to give a further boost to the housing sector. An apartment is a self-contained residential unit or section that occupies a part of a building. It can be either owned or rented. Some apartment-dwellers own their apartments as cooperatives, in which the dwellers or residents own shares of a corporation that owns the building or development. In condominiums, residents own their apartments and share ownership of the public spaces. Living in apartments is gaining popularity in India. The Sahara Group has already decided to build 217 townships across India. Their allure lies in the convenience that they offer in terms of safety and security and maintenance of utilities like electricity and water. A central maintenance system obviates the need for hiring outside help for minor problems like leaking taps or electric short circuits. Stand-alone homes also require incurring additional costs like buying/leasing land, licensing, duties, etc. Apartments enable maximization of space utilization and reduce demand on public resources. People are also able to avail of additional amenities like gymnasiums, swimming pools, etc. at affordable prices. There is a gap in the literature, however, with regard to the value drivers that dictate purchase decisions of residential property in the country. Similar studies exist for other countries but were found wanting in the Indian context, especially when it comes to apartments. Through this paper, we aim to do the very same, i.e. establish which factors dictate purchase decision and to what extent. We will also correlate these preferences with the demographic profiles and characteristics of our respondents and hence arrive at a greater and much deeper understanding of these issues. We see immense utility for our paper, especially for builders and property dealers who can use our findings in structuring their own business activities. RESEARCH BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Even though consumer behaviour is generally assumed to be an important part of real estate valuation, buyer preferences are generally not considered during the valuation process. It is basically reduced to the confirmation of a bid price which may or may not be met by the buyer. Efforts are being made to address this fault and many papers have been written on the analysis of motivations of residential property purchasers, attempting to explain them using models such as bounded rationality and hedonic pricing. Hedonic Pricing, or Hedonic Demand Theory as it is also known, decomposes the item of interest into constituents and evaluates the importance of each of them and their contribution to the overall valuation. These factors can be both internal characteristics of the good or service and external factors. In the case of real estate valuation, internal characteristics include layout, structure, etc of the property while status of neighbourhood, proximity to schools, etc are the exter nal factors. Factor Analysis enables us to do just that. It is a statistical method that reduces the number of variables by grouping two or more of them into unknown or hidden variables known as factors. Further analysis is then conducted by looking at the variation among these factors and evaluating their relative performance. These factors are taken to be linear combinations of the original variables plus error terms (Richard L. Gorsuch, 1983). Factor analysis seeks to do precisely what humans have been engaged in doing throughout history that is to make order of the apparent chaos of the environment (Child, 1990). It has great use in evaluating consumer behaviour. Charles Spearman is credited with its invention. He used it in the formulation of the g Theory as part of his research on human intelligence (Williams, Zimmerman, Zumbo Ross, 2003). Over the years it has found uses in fields as diverse as psychometrics, marketing, physical sciences and economics. It can be used to segment consumers on the basis of what benefits they want from the product/service (Minhas Jacobs, 1996). It has evolved as a technique over the years, with many researchers working on fine-tuning and improving the analytical process. Bai Ng (2002) developed an econometric theory for factor models of large dimensions. It focused on the determination of the number of factors that should be included in the model. The basic premise of the authors was t hat a large number of variables can be modeled by a small number of reference variables. Marketing strategies based on customer preferences and behaviour often make use of this technique during the market research phase (Ali, Kapoor Moorthy, 2010)[14] and while devising and changing the marketing mix (Ivy, 2008). Factor Analysis has also been used in ground water management to relate the spatial distribution of different chemical parameters to various sources (Love, Hallbauer, Amos Hranova, 2004). The facility of segmentation that factor analysis offers has been extended to the real estate sector and all studies thereof. Regression analyses are subject to aggregation biases and segmented market models yield better results. This segmentation is done using factor analysis Watkins, 1999). Property researchers have also dedicated a lot of attention to researching the preferences of property buyers and identifying the drivers of property value. A study in Melbourne, Australia (Reid Mills, 2004) analyzed the purchase decisions of first time buyers and tried to determine the most influential attributes that affect the purchase decision using factor analysis. The research findings of the paper indicated that financial issues accounted for approximately 30 percent of the variance in the decision of first time owners to buy housing. This related to timing, the choice of housing, and the decision to buy new housing. Apart from that the choice of housing is dependant on Site Specific fac tors (Location) and the decision to buy new housing is dependent on Lifecycle factors, such as family formation, marital status or the size of the existing house. Another study determined that brand, beauty and utility play a defining role in property value (Roulac, 2007). The findings of the paper explain why certain properties command premium prices, relative to other properties. It came to the conclusion that for value determination of high priced properties the overall perception of the brand is the most important factor followed by utility and beauty. Brand names are also very important especially in metropolitan markets as they add to the appeal, distinctiveness of the property. Another way to attract buyers attention is through the mix of neighborhood amenities offered (Benefield, 2009). Neighborhood amenities like tennis courts, clubhouses, golf courses, swimming pool, play park and boating facilities significantly impact property values. Hedonic pricing models in which buye rs are assumed to evaluate property specifics and location attributes separately when they purchase a home have also been used to study housing markets like that of Shenzhen, China (Xu, 2008). The findings suggest that the marginal prices of key housing attributes are not constant. Instead, they vary with the household profile and location. Cluster analysis involves the grouping of similar objects into distinct, mutually exclusive subsets known as clusters. The objective is to group either the data units or the variables into clusters such that the elements within a cluster have a high degree of natural association among themselves while the clusters remain relatively distinct from one another. Mulvey and Crowder (1979)[22] presented and tested an effective optimization algorithm for clustering homogenous data. Punj and Stewart (1983)[23] reviewed the applications of cluster analysis to marketing problems. They presented alternative methods of cluster analysis to evaluate their performance characteristics. They also discussed the issues and problems related to use and validation of cluster analysis methods. The application of cluster analysis in strategic management research was studied by Ketchen and Shook (1996). Their paper chronicles the application of cluster analysis in strategic management research. They analyzed 45 published strategy studies and offered suggestions for improving the application of cluster analysis in future inquiries. They believed that cluster analysis is a useful tool but the technique must be applied prudently in order to ensure the validity of the insights it provides. Since Marketing researchers were introduced to discriminant analysis half a century ago, it has become a widely used analytical tool since they are frequently concerned with the nature and strength of the relationship between group memberships. It is especially useful in profiling characteristics of groups that are the most dominant in terms of discrimination. Morrison (1969) explained how discriminant analysis should be conducted using canned applications and how the effect of independent variables should be determined. However, care must be taken when applying discriminant analysis. The potential for bias in discriminant analysis has long been realized in marketing literature. Frank, Massy and Morrison (1965) showed that sample estimates of predictive power in n-way discriminant analysis are likely to be subject to an upward bias. This bias happens because the discriminant analysis technique tends to fit the sample data in ways that are systematically better than would be expected by chance. Crask and Perreault (1977) looked at the validation problems in small-sample discriminant analysis. http://www.ibef.org/artdispview.aspx?in=60art_id=25260cat_id=381page=1. http://planningcommission.nic.in/plans/planrel/fiveyr/welcome.html. http://www.pwc.com/en_US/us/asset-management/real-estate/assets/emergingtrend s2009.pdf. http://indiabudget.nic.in/ub2009-10(I)/ubmain.htm. http://www.sahara.in/press03.html. Australia Richard Reed and Anthony Mills, Identifying the drivers behind housing preferences of first-time owners, February 2004, Journal of Property Management, Vol 25 Issue 3 , Published by Emerald Group Publishing Limited. China Ting Xu, Heterogeneity in housing attribute prices: A study of the interaction behaviour between property specifics, location coordinates and buyers characteristics, International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, 2008, Vol 1, Issue 2, Published by Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Consumer behaviour in the valuation of residential property: A comparative study in the UK, Ireland and Australia, Jacqui Daly, Stuart Gronow, Dave Jenkins and Frances Plimmer, Journal of Property Management, 2003, Volume 21 Issue 5, Page 295 314. A Bounded Rationality framework for property investment behaviour, Anne de Bruin and Susan Flint-Hartle, Massey University, New Zealand. An application of the hedonic price model with uncertain attribute The case of the Peoples Republic of China, Zan Yang, Journal of Property Management, 2001, Volume 19 Issue 1, Page 50 63. Factor Analysis, Richard L. Gorsuch, 1983, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. Charles Spearman: British Behavioral Scientist, Williams, R. H., Zimmerman, D. W., Zumbo, B. D. Ross, D. (2003), Human Nature Review. 3: 114-118. Benefit segmentation by factor analysis: an improved method of targeting customers for financial services, Raj Singh Minhas and Everett M. Jacobs, International Journal of Bank Marketing, 1996, Volume 14 Issue 3, Pages 3-13. Buying behaviour of consumers for food products in an emerging economy, Jabir Ali, Sanjeev Kapoor and Janakiraman Moorthy, British Food Journal, 2010, Volume 112 Issue 2, Page 109 124. A new higher education marketing mix: the 7Ps for MBA marketing, Jonathan Ivy, International Journal of Educational Management, 2008, Volume 22Issue 4, Pages 288 299. Love, D., Hallbauer, D.K., Amos, A. and Hranova, R.K. 2004. Factor analysis as a tool in groundwater quality management: two southern African case studies. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 29, 1135-1143. Property valuation and the structure of urban housing markets, Craig Watkins, Journal of Property Investment Finance, 1999, Volume 17 Issue 2, Page 157 175. Identifying the drivers behind housing preferences of first-time owners, Richard Reed and Anthony Mills, February 2004, Journal of Property Management, Vol 25 Issue 3. Brand+Beauty+Utility=Property Value, Stephen E. Roulac, Journal of Property Management, Vol 5 Issue 5, Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Justin D. Benefield, Neighborhood amenity packages, property price, and marketing time, 2009, Journal of Property Management, Vol 27, Issue 5, Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Ting Xu, Heterogeneity in housing attribute prices: A study of the interaction behaviour between property specifics, location coordinates and buyers characteristics, International Journal of Housing Markets and Analysis, 2008, Vol 1, Issue 2, Emerald Group Publishing Limited. John M. Mulvey and Harlan P. Crowder, Cluster Analysis: An Application of Lagrangian Relaxation, 1979, Management Science, Vol. 25, No. 4, INFORMS. GirishPunj and David W. Stewart, Cluster Analysis in Marketing Research: Review and Suggestions for Application, 1983, Journal of Marketing Research, Vol. 20, No. 2, American Marketing Association.

An Analysis of Language in Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart :: Things Fall Apart essays

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Albert Chinualumogu Achebe was born on November 16, 1930 to Isaiah Okafo and Janet Achebe in the very unstable country of Ogidi, Nigeria. He was exposed to missionaries early in his childhood because Ogidi was one of the first missionary centers established in Eastern Nigeria and his father was an evangelist. Yet it was not until he began to study at the University of Ibadan that Achebe discovered what he himself wanted to do. He had grown apalled to the "superficial picture" of Nigeria that many non-Nigerian authors were providing. That is when Achebe resolved to write something that viewed his country from "the inside".   (Gallagher, Susan, The Christian Century, v114, 260)  Ã‚   His first novel, Things Fall Apart, achieved exactly this.   Things Fall Apart is based on Nigeria's early experiences with the British. It is the story of an Ibo village and one of it's great men, Okonkwo, who is a very high achiever being a champion wrestler, a wealthy farmer, a husband to three wives, and a man with titles. Okonkwo's world is disrupted with the appearance of the first white man who tries to inflict his religion on the Umuofia natives. Okonkwo, a high tempered man, later kills a British employed man and eventually takes his own life.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Achebe himself once said, "Language is a weapon and we use it, and there's no point in   fighting it." ( Gallagher, The Christian Century, v114, 260)   These are words that Achebe lives by. He stood by this statement throughout his entire career with a language style that would change African literature. was no exception. He accomplished his goal by writing about his own culture and his own family in a poetic, proverbic style.   Ã‚   The unique language style of Things Fall Apart not only changed Achebe's career, but it also changed his country. Achebe himself once said, " Art is, and always was, at the service of man. Our ancestors created their myths and told their stories for a human purpose. Any good story, any good novel, should have a message, should have a purpose." Achebe used the "weapon" of language to convince "outsiders" that Nigeria is a nation with great potential.

Modern Technology Has Brought the Resurgence of Identity Theft Essay

Identity theft is one crime that has spawned from technological advancements. Criminals have developed numerous strategies on how to steal confidential and personal information. Dealing with identity theft may be a challenge since law enforcement personnel may not be fully competent in handling the cases since they may lack the required skills to be able to deal with such a crime while private people and even businesses have lost much because of this type of crime. The number of cases of identity theft has been constantly on the rise; however, the prevalence of the crime may as well be blamed on modern technology itself. Modern technology has brought about many conveniences for ordinary people and even for identity thieves. From only less than 10,000 reported cases of identity theft in 1999, the figure steadily climbed reaching around 50,000 in 2003 and more than 80,000 in 2006 (Infocycle, 2007). In the United Kingdom, credit card fraud has also been consistently increasing. In 2007, over 7,000 credit cards and debit cards were either lost or stolen. CPP Card Protection has indicated a 77 percent increase in credit card fraud compared to the figure on 2006 (Experian QAS, 2008). According to a study by Gartner, identity theft claimed 15 million victims in 2006 alone. The US Justice Department has recorded 226 cases of identity theft in 2005 but in the first half of 2006 alone, there were already 432 cases. The FBI also indicated that it is working on 1,587 cases relating to identity theft (ITRC, 2007). Preventing identity theft may not be as easy as it seems. Joel Reidenberg and Lawrence Lessig said concentrating on the â€Å"architectures of control† to prevent identity theft is the way to go. Solove, on the other hand, indicates that â€Å"architectures of vulnerability† should also be considered in addition to â€Å"architectures of control†. According to Solove, shaping architectures should be the focal point in the protection of privacy and not on remedies and penalties. He noted that architectures often provide a vulnerable point that identity thieves take advantage of. It is this lack of security that identity thieves are able to use a person’s personal information. He suggests that a public identification system be created as a solution to the problem (Solove, 2003). It is exactly new technology that produces these architectures and they are greatly flawed since many people can still bypass its security functions evidenced by the prevalence of identity theft on the Internet. Identity theft has gained much notoriety in the advent of buying and selling on the Internet. However, identity thieves can still use the old methods for obtaining personal information. Common methods are stealing wallets or mails, looking through residential trashcans or business dumpsters, posing as someone legally permitted to access personal information such as credit reports, or bribing their way to get the information (Newman, et. al. 2005). A phishing scam is another method of getting personal information out of a person. The Anti-Phishing Workgroup indicated that there are only 4,564 phishing websites in July 2005 but the number increased to 23,670 as of July 2006. A study at the University of Indiana also indicated that 14 percent of phishing scams are successful which contradicts the Gartner report which indicates only a three percent success rate. The Gartner research also found out that financial losses from phishing scams were $137 million in 2004 rising to $2. 8 billion in 2006 (ITRC, 2007). The fight against identity theft may be considered rather ineffective since law enforcement personnel lack the necessary resources to combat such a crime which is computer-related. Britz indicates that this kind of crime requires law enforcers to have knowledge of computers and other digital stuff. It may be noted that many law enforcement agencies do not have well-trained personnel to handle such cases. These personnel may also be acting several capacities at a given time. Computer technology has increased at an exponential rate as did technology related crime and this would require that law enforcers be trained to effectively handle such crimes (Britz, 2004). As technology improves, security is being compromised and this can be proven by the increasing number of identity theft crimes. While it is true that online banking and other services on the Internet provide much convenience, it also provides lesser risks of capture for identity thieves. Law enforcers could do little do prevent identity theft or to investigate such since not all of them have the capacity to do so and identity thieves are improving their arsenal of identity stealing techniques. Technology might also be considered as the root of the prevalence of identity theft. Even as identity theft was not considered a crime before 1998, it has existed for a long time. Modern computing and telecommunications technology has once again popularized identity theft since identity thieves can better elude law enforcers compared to going to a bank and making a transaction using stolen information (Arnold, 2000). Legislation has always tried to address cyber crime, but it is challenging for lawmakers to keep up since technology quickly evolves and cyber crime evolves with it. A good approach would be improving security measures, educating users, adopting a vigilant approach in combating cyber crime and a police force that is well-equipped to handle such crimes (Alaganandam, et. al. , 2005). Identity theft and other cyber crimes are also classified as white-collar crimes, thus, offenders do not receive harsh penalties. They can even use the money plundered to pay for their defense and they serve at least only one year in prison (Arnold, 2000). Identity thieves must be dealt with harsher penalties since they operate on a much larger scale today and are even comparable to bank robbers only less inclined to being caught and given much less media attention. The number of cases of identity theft is increasing at an exponential rate but this could most likely be blamed on modern technology especially since the Internet has become commercialized. New technology comes with new opportunities for identity thieves to gain access to personal information and using it for personal gains. Legislation can address this problem but it would prove to be a challenge since identity thieves are finding new ways of how to steal personal information as technology develops. Legislation must also address this by rendering harsher penalties for cyber criminals as they operate just like ordinary criminals, the only difference is that they work discreetly and have not been given media attention. Also, the victims do not really know that they have been victimized until after some time the thieving takes places. References Alaganandam, H. , Mittal, P. , Singh, A. , & Fleizach, C. , 6 December 2005. Cybercriminal Activity. Retrieved September 7, 2008, from sysnet. ucsd. edu/~cfleizac/WhiteTeam-CyberCrime. pdf Arnold, T. 2000 June. Internet Identity Theft: A Tragedy for Victims. Software and Information Industry Association. Retrieved September 7, 2008, from www. siia. net/software/pubs/iit-00. pdf Britz, M. (2004). Computer Forensics and Cyber Crime: An Introduction. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. Experian QAS. 22 August 2008. Holiday Fraud Threat. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from http://www. qas. co. uk/company/data-quality-news/holiday_fraud_threat_2614. htm Identity Theft Resource Center. 30 April 2007. Facts and Statistics. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from http://www. idtheftcenter. org/artman2/publish/m_facts/Facts_and_Statistics. shtml Infocycle. (2007). Government Bodies Must Play Their Part in Securing Against Identity Theft. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from http://www. infocycle. co. uk/index. php? option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=43 Newman, G. & McNally, M. 2005 July. Identity Theft Literature Review. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from http://www. ncjrs. gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/210459. pdf. Solove, D. (2003). Privacy, and the Architecture of Vulnerability. Hastings Law Journal, 54. p. 1227. Retrieved September 3, 2008, from http://ssrn. com/abstract=416740

Major General David B. Birney in the Civil War

Major General David B. Birney in the Civil War David Birney - Early Life Career: Born in Huntsville, AL on May 29, 1825, David Bell Birney was the son of James and Agatha Birney.   A Kentucky native, James Birney was a noted politician in Alabama and Kentucky and later a vocal abolitionist.   Moving back to Kentucky in 1833, David Birney received his early schooling there and in Cincinnati.   Due to his fathers politics, the family later moved to Michigan and Philadelphia.   To further his education, Birney elected to attend the Phillips Academy in Andover, MA.   Graduating in 1839, he initially pursued a future in business before electing to study law.   Returning to Philadelphia, Birney commenced practicing law there in 1856.   Finding success, he became friends with many of the citys leading citizens.   David Birney - The Civil War Begins: Possessing his fathers politics, Birney foresaw the coming of the Civil War and in 1860 began an intensive study of military subjects.   Though he lacked any formal training, he was able to parley this newly-acquired knowledge into a lieutenant colonels commission in the Pennsylvania militia. Following the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter in April 1861, Birney commenced working to raise a regiment of volunteers.   Successful, he became lieutenant colonel of the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry later that month.   In August, after some service in the Shenandoah, the regiment was re-organized with Birney as colonel.    David Birney - Army of the Potomac: Assigned to Major General George B. McClellans Army of the Potomac, Birney and his regiment prepared for the 1862 campaign season.   Possessing extensive political connections, Birney received a promotion to brigadier general on February 17, 1862.   Leaving his regiment, he assumed command of a brigade in Brigadier General Philip Kearnys division in Major General Samuel Heintzelmans III Corps.   In this role, Birney traveled south that spring to take part in the Peninsula Campaign.   Performing solidly during the Union advance on Richmond, he was criticized by Heintzelman for failing to engage during the Battle of Seven Pines.   Given a hearing, he was defended by Kearny and it was determined that the failure was a misunderstanding of orders. Retaining his command, Birney saw extensive action during the Seven Days Battles in late June and early July.   During this time, he, and the rest of Kearnys division, was heavily engaged at Glendale and Malvern Hill.   With the failure of the campaign, III Corps received orders to return to Northern Virginia to support Major General John Popes Army of Virginia.   In this role, it took part in the Second Battle of Manassas in late August.   Tasked with assaulting Major General Thomas Stonewall Jacksons lines on August 29, Kearnys division took heavy losses.   Three days after the Union defeat, Birney returned to action at the Battle of Chantilly.   In the fighting, Kearny was killed and Birney ascended to lead the division.   Ordered to the Washington, DC defenses, the division did not take part in the Maryland Campaign or Battle of Antietam. David Birney - Division Commander:      Rejoining the Army of the Potomac later that fall, Birney and his men were engaged at the Battle of Fredericksburg on December 13.   Serving in Brigadier General George Stonemans III Corps, he clashed with Major General George G. Meade  during the battle when the latter accused him of failing to support an attack.   Subsequent punishment was avoided when Stoneman praised Birneys performance in his official reports.   During the winter, command of III Corps passed to Major General Daniel Sickles.   Birney served under Sickles at the Battle of Chancellorsville in early May 1863 and performed well.   Heavily engaged during the fighting, his division suffered the highest casualties of any in the army.   For his efforts, Birney received a promotion to major general on May 20. Two months later, the bulk of his division arrived at the Battle of Gettysburg on the evening of July 1 with the remainder arriving the following morning.   Initially positioned at the south end of Cemetery Ridge with its left flank at the foot of Little Round Top, Birneys division moved forward that afternoon when Sickles advanced off the ridge.   Tasked with covering a line extending from Devils Den through the Wheatfield to the Peach Orchard, his troops were spread too thin.   Late in the afternoon, Confederate troops from Lieutenant General James Longstreets First Corps attacked and overwhelmed Birneys lines.   Falling back, Birney worked to re-form his shattered division while Meade, now leading the army, funneled reinforcements to the area.   With his division crippled, he played no further role in the battle. David Birney - Later Campaigns: As Sickles had been severely wounded in the fighting, Birney assumed command of III Corps until July 7 when Major General William H. French arrived.   That fall, Birney led his men during the Bristoe and Mine Run Campaigns.   In the spring of 1864, Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant and Meade worked to reorganize the Army of the Potomac.   As III Corps had been badly damaged the previous year, it was disbanded.   This saw Birneys division transferred to Major General Winfield S. Hancocks II Corps.   In early May, Grant commenced his Overland Campaign and Birney quickly saw action at the Battle of the Wilderness.   A few weeks later, he was wounded at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House but remained in his post and commanded his division at Cold Harbor  at the end of the month.       Moving south as the army advanced, Birney played a role in the Siege of Petersburg.   Taking part in II Corps operations during the siege, he led it during the Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road in June as Hancock was suffering the effects of a wound sustained the previous year.   When Hancock returned on June 27, Birney resumed command of his division.   Seeing promise in Birney, Grant assigned him to command X Corps in Major General Benjamin Butlers Army of the James on July 23.   Operating north of the James River, Birney led the successful assault on New Market Heights in late September.   Falling ill with malaria a short time later, he was ordered home to Philadelphia.   Birney died there on October 18, 1864, and his remains were interred in the citys Woodlands Cemetery. Selected Sources David Birney - III CorpsLest We Forget: David BirneyFind A Grave: David Birney