The novel Fahrenheit 451 Essay Example for Free

The novel Fahrenheit 451 Essay Have you ever had a mentor that changed the person you were, and the way you viewed life? The effects of such a mentor can be life-changing . We read about such a mentor in the novel Fahrenheit 451. In the novel, Ray Bradbury writes about Guy Montag and his life- changing journey. Montag begins in the novel as a conformist who doesn’t really think for himself but throughout the novel with the help of mentors he begins to think for himself and doesn’t just conform to society. The title, Finny’s Break, is revealing of not just the physical break that occurs, but also in a deeper sense it is symbolic of the friendship’s emotional and psychological break that transpires. This decision to jounce the limb has many disastrous repercussions which are unremitting upon Gene, his friends and the school itself. The first and probably most significant of the mentors is Clarisse. Clarisse is a free spirit, who claimed to be seventeen, but with her wisdom she spoke as a seventy year old woman. With her sweet, innocent charm, she opened Montag’s eyes to see his life for what it truly was. For instance, when Clarisse says â€Å"Did you look at the stretched-out billboard like I told you.† This illustrates Clarisse influence on Montag to actually analyze his surroundings. She was the first mentor to spark Montag’s curiosity to ask why. Clarisse showed Montag that individuality is important from tasting rain to having a deep conversation with family. Clarisse definitely brought Montag out of his old way and encouraged him to think. When Montag and Faber first met, Montag knew that he would make a huge impact on him one day. Faber taught Montag to take his ideas to a grander scale. For instance when Montag says â€Å"I thought if it turned out that book were worthwhile, we might get a press and print some extra copies†. Faber replies with â€Å"Now, if you suggest that we print extra books and Miller arrange to have them hidden in firemen’s house all over the country†(85). In addition, Faber explained the deeper meaning of books to Montag, â€Å"It’s not books you need, it’s some of the   things that once were in books†(82). Montag needed this wisdom to in order to understand   what he was fighting for. Beatty may not seem like much of a mentor to Montag, however he was, but the way he taught him was in a negative way that it pushed Montag to be bold. For example when Captain Beatty said â€Å"Go ahead now, you second-hand litterateur, pull the trigger.† in which Montag responded â€Å"we never burned right†¦ †(119). This shows how Beatty’s negative influence toward Montag helped him realize that he wasn’t burning the right things in his life. Instead of burning books they should have been burning the televisions and the ignorance that the society had. This push lead to Montag burning Beatty, which is the start of his vendetta. In Fahrenheit 451, Bradbury illustrates how a mentor can have a life changing impact. This I sometimes think drivers dont know what grass is, or flowers, because they never see them slowly. This novel illustrates the importance of mutual friendship and that the choices we make will often times follow us throughout our lives.

Cng Crisis in Pakistan Essay Example for Free

Cng Crisis in Pakistan Essay Date: 18. 05. 2013 CHEMISTRY PAPER – II Max. Marks: 17 9:30 a. m. to 9:50 a. m. (Science Pre-Engineering Pre-Medical Groups) Time: 20 minutes SECTION ‘A’ (MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS) – (M. C. Qs. ) NOTE: i) This section consists of 17 part questions and all are to be answered. Each question carries one mark. ii) Do not copy down the part questions in your answerbook. Write only the answer in full against the proper number of the question and its part. ii) The code number of your question paper is to be written in bold letters in the beginning of the answerscript. 1. Select the most appropriate answer for each from the given options: i) The atomic number of an element belonging to group VA and 3rd period is: * 7 * 13 * 15 * 23 ii) Elements of group IB are called: * Normal elements * Rare Earth metals * Coinage metals * Alkali metals iii) Hydride ion and Helium atom have the same: * number of protons * number of electrons * number of neutrons * valency iv) The number of neutrons in Protium is: * zero * 1 * 2 * 3 ) The element having the symbol ‘Ga’ belongs to this family: * Carbon * Nitrogen * Boron * Beryllium vi) On burning in excess of Oxygen, Sodium forms its: * superoxide * peroxide * monoxide * dioxide vii) A mixture of Aluminium nitrate and Aluminium powder is called: * Duralumin * Ammonal * Carnallite * Alum viii) Ca2B6O11. 5H2O is the chemical formula of: * Cryolite * Colemanite * Bauxite * Borax ix) The formula of Hypochlorous acid is: * HOCl * HClO2 * HClO3 * HClO4 x) The metal ion having the highest number of unpaired electrons is: * Mn? 2 * Fe? 2 * Co? 2 * Ni? 2 xi) The chemical name of laughing gas is: Nitric oxide * Nitrous oxide * Nitrogen trioxide * Nitrogen pentoxide xii) This has the minimum hydration energy: * Na+ * K + * Rb+ * Cs+ xiii) Cycloalkanes have the general formula: * C Hn n2 2? * C Hn n2 * C Hn n2 2? * C Hn n2 4? xiv) Glycogen is a: * Monosaccharide * Oligosaccharide * Polysaccharide * Disaccharide xv) This gas was used in the First World war: * Phosgene gas * Mustard gas * Coal gas * Ammonia gas xvi) The hybridization in the Carbon atom of Carbonyl group is: * sp * sp2 * sp 3 * d sp 2 3 xvii) All noble gases fulfill the Octet rule except: * Kr * Ne * He * Ar

Genetically Modified and Organic Foods: Pros and Cons

Genetically Modified and Organic Foods: Pros and Cons Introduction Without modern food production methods, the world food shortage would be in even more of a crisis today. The controversial issue regarding organic and modern mass production methods such as genetic modification, chemical additives and irradiation is a big issue in the global food industry. The global food shortage crisis is gaining momentum as the world is exposed to environmental disasters and the devastating effects of global warming. A solution may come from the growing Genetically Modified (GM) food industry or are the long term effects of GM food too much of a risk. They are increasingly penetrating the market and are replacing the natural, organic foods. Technology has taken over our lives and lifestyles and GM foods are evidence of a desperate attempt to keep up with the crippling population growth worldwide and the lack of equal food dispersion thereof. The controversy of the issue is weighted by the reality of the global food shortage crisis. What are Organic Foods? Over the years the term has changed to accommodate the new species of crops and varieties of animals. The original definition would be food that has not been altered in any by the use of technology or man-made activities. The foods have been grown in naturally fertilised soil, meaning that there is an absence of chemicals such as pesticides or herbicides. The crops then grow naturally by photosynthesis and they are then harvested, processed (cleaning, etc.) packaged and distributed. There are very limited amount of chemical additives such as preservatives, colourants, flavourants despite popular beliefs but they are not exposed to irradiation or radurisation. In terms of livestock and animal produce, the animals are nurtured for in a natural environment such as one that resembles their natural habitat. They are free to roam around and salvage food such as free range chickens are allowed to roam and peck for food. The animal feed is not pumped with synthetic growth hormones or antibio tics or genetically modified organisms. Organic foods are supposed to be the biological, natural and traditional crops or animals that have been around since the dawn of time. Customary farming styles have changed but the organic principles have stayed the same. Fresh organic food This classifies food that has not been processed and is sold at produce store such as Everfresh, Fruit Veg City or small stales. The produce is bought from independent, small scale sellers that are usually the farmers of the produce. This usually categorises fresh fruit and vegetables but it can be used to classify fresh meat. However in todays technological society, fresh produce is not always organic. Loose fruit and vegetables are also in produce stores so the best way to identify organic produce is by reading labels. Another indication of organic produce is knowing what seasons the fruits or vegetables usually grow and are harvested. Price is also an additional indication. Organic produce is usually more expensive. Processed organic food These foods are found in grocery stores such as Spar or Woolworths. These foods have a high percentage of organic foods and do contain a limited amount of non artificial flavours or additives. The foods are preserved using natural preservatives such as high amounts of salt or sugar. They are also under strict restraints regarding their processing. They may also tend to be more expensive and have a shorter shelf life than non-organic processed products. Pros and cons of organic production The organic food industry has boomed by 70% worldwide and in some countries a higher percentage of people have tapped into the organic food industry due to health concerns and the alleged health benefits of organic food. The pros and cons are the issues that consumers are weighing every time they go shopping or order a meal or consume something. The organic food industry capitalise on the fact that their food is a lot healthier than GM foods or non-organic foods but that is not always the case. Pros of organic food production Organic food is generally good for the environment and our health but this varies according to the farm style, produce and scale of the farm. There are several reasons for this. Organic farms do not use synthetic fertilisers, pesticides, insecticides, herbicides or chemicals when farming. This means that the crops can develop their own natural photochemicals via photosynthesis and protect themselves from insects and weeds. This means that they are naturally fortified with antioxidants, minerals and macro and micro vitamins. They have to fight off their natural predators and this environmental stress ensures that we will consume crops with more vitamins and antioxidants without the health risk of chemical residues. The use of manure and compost is economical and completely natural. The lack or minuscule use of artificial chemicals means that there is a much lower risk of contracting illnesses introduced by the unnatural chemicals. For example pesticides are known to have detrimental effects on our health ranging from minor discomforts like headaches to breast cancer. The chemicals are also damaging to developing foetuses (as the pesticides cross the placenta and their immune system is undeveloped) and pregnant women (as their organs and body systems are already under stress). They can also cause Parkinsons disease. Antibiotics are not used in animal farming feeds meaning that their meat or produce do not contain the antibiotics but they use their natural immune systems to fight diseases. The antibiotics can cause long term health complications. The antibiotics used are very similar to ones used for human use thus means that the body will receive an over dose will cause harmful bacteria in our body to evolve and mute into a new drug resistant species. Growth hormones are not used in animal feeds or pumped into their bodies. This means that they will develop naturally and mature when they are biologically supposed to. The health effects of these can only be truly seen in the long term but some are evident today. Girls and boys are maturing before their time and there are more random hormonal, birth and growth defects than before. Additives and preservatives such as Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), hydrogenised fats, colourants and artificial sweeteners are not present in organic foods. They have been proven to be detrimental to human health. The lack of synthetic pesticides means that organic farming in not harmful to indigenous wildlife. It encourages vast range of biodiversity and a balanced ecosystem. Crop rotation promotes soil nutrition and a diversity of crops to grow. The nutrient demand varies according to the plant and this means that the soil has time to replenish itself or by the use of nitrifying plants or cover crops such as legumes and beans or clovers. They also introduce new, beneficial insects to the ecosystem to kill off pests. Crop rotation also promotes a stronger top soil therefore reducing soil erosion ad harmful chemicals from being washed into rivers and streams hence contaminating valuable drinking water and lower levels of heavy metals from polluting, clean drinking water. Animals are in a free range environment meaning that they will develop muscles and strong bones and immune systems and their natural diet will enable them to live healthy, normal lifestyles. Organic farms produce less waste and are more energy efficient and use less energy. Organic farms do not need highly skilled workers or very expensive equipment. Cons of organic food production Despite the numerous benefits there are some concerning problems with organic foods but they too vary according to the farm produce and the size of the farm. The shelf life of organic foods is much shorter than GM or mass produced products because the lack of additives and preservatives decreases their shelf life (especially fruit and vegetables). Organic foods are a lot more expensive than commercial or mass produced foods in some cases 50%-100% more expensive. The organic industry marketing is largely based on the health benefits of organic food so some products may claim to be organic but do not meet the standards and cheat people out of their money. The limited amounts of chemicals will still have detrimental effects in the long term. There is said to be no proven results that there is a substantial difference between nutritional benefits with organic foods and fortified commercial foods such as commercially grown cereals or juices. The natural manure used may contain harmful bacteria such as the E. coli bacterium which is fatal to human health if not treated. The farms also give off of gases (e.g. methane) that are harmful to the environment. Organic foods are not produced on a very big scale such as mass scale production so their yield is much lower and would not be able to keep up with high demand for food. Hence the expense. Organic foods may not look as appealing or appetising as commercially grown products or GM foods. Crop rotation is not subject to organic farming and it is not as energy efficient as it claims. No-till farming is a commercial farming technique and uses the least energy. (The process however uses herbicides to clear the land eliminating the need to till or manage the land.) The farming styles may be too outdated and need improvement to adapt to the changing environment. Organic farming may not ensure food security to a mass population or sustain food fashions or trends. It is heavily dependant on seasonal change and weather so supplies are inconstant. Organic farming is tedious and hard work and requires space. What chemicals are used to aid the production and supply foods? Additives and preservatives are used largely in mass production products. They are added to food products to enhance taste, colour, and texture or to preserve the food in order for it to have an increased shelf life. This makes the food more aesthetically appealing and or even taste better than usual. They are substances that are purposely added to food during the handling, processing or manufacturing stages of food. This is a selling gimmick but some additives are beneficial but they also have negative health effects. Examples of additives are Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is one of the most common additives in savoury foods and tartazine (E102) is a yellow colouring also used in a variety of products. They are known to cause or aggravate allergies or even respiratory problems like asthma. Functions that the chemicals perform MSG enhances the flavour and taste of savoury foods. It is a white crystalline substance that dissolves well into a variety of foods. It causes allergic reactions like swelling lips and vomiting. Tartazine (E102) is used to colour food yellow, like in margarine. It has been linked with asthma and hyperactivity in children. Additives generally: Are effective against combating a variety of microorganisms Are not toxic to humans and animals (if taken in the right dosage) Are Water soluble (dissolve well in water) Add nutrient value Are not damaged by temperature changes or bacteria Do not affect the natural components of food. (Flavour, aroma, etc.) Are economical What is genetic modification? Genetic modification is the process of technologically changing the genetic information of an organism to achieve a desired result. The biotechnology used or genetic engineering to create genetically modified crops or Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) entails extracting desirable genes from one organism and fusing them with another to create a new, improved breed or species of plant. The GM crops are then cultivated and introduced into the market. The traits make them more desirable and penetrate the market easily. They are therefore cheaper, last longer and have an enhanced nutritional value. In animals it enhances their productivity and quality of feed and produce (hormones, etc). Genetic modification is a complex practice laws need to be implemented such as the South African GMO Act (1997) that controls and monitors activity regarding GMOs. It is administrated by the National Department of Agriculture consisting of committee members from government bodies. GM was introduced to reach the high and strenuous demands for food because of the rapidly exploding global population. The food shortage crisis has however worsened over the years and people are turning more towards GM products as a faster and cheaper solution as opposed to conventional or organic products. There are concerns about health effects and are GM foods just as detrimental if not worse than commercial mass produced products. Is it the baddie that its reputation suggests? Despite the widespread support for GM foods there is a large community that strongly feels that they will cause more problems than solutions and that they are just prolonging the list of causes of human death. Arguments in favour of GM products: It is an advancement of traditional breeding to keep up with the increasing food demands. GM crops use fewer chemicals than commercially grown or mass produced crops making them just as health as organic foods. They have a high yield and their yield is constant. There is no sound evidence that GM production has an undesirable effect on the environment. Developing countries need the crops to feed their populations and are adopting the technology or receiving it as aid from first world or developed countries. It is quick, cheaper and less maintenance than wide scale farming or organic farming as it needs less space and fewer costs (chemicals, manure etc.) Arguments against GM products: There is a scarcity of scientific testing results of the short term or long term effects of GM products. There is not enough technology and funding in the world to sustain everybody in the long term. The GM foods may contain versatile toxins unknown to man at the present time. GM crops will lead to a lack of biodiversity and a decrease the indigenous crops or animals having a negative environmental effect. They could increase susceptibility to allergens. The alterations of genes could also alter genes in our own bodies and pass them on to further generations. There are major ethical issues regarding GM foods. It is unclear as to whether or not GM foods are as bad as they are said to be but they seem to be the only working solution so far to combat the food social shortage global crisis. The need for GM foods is clear but the risk of eating genetically altered food is too high. The luxury of eating new fruits like grapples is inviting but the price of future generations health is alarming. GM foods are becoming a hazard posing as a luxury but if their constraints are limited they could serve a beneficial purpose such as alleviating the food shortage crisis. Genetic modification could be a food fashion or fad but judging by its popularity it is here to stay. What is radurisation? Radurisaton, also known as irradiation is the treatment of food using very short light or radio waves. This improves the foods shelf life, safety and its suitability. Electromagnetic radiation is the umbrella term for the different types of waves used scientifically. The Gamma rays are the shortest waves in the electromagnetic spectrum and they are used to irradiate the food. The rays infiltrate deep into the food and kill bacteria or insects as their biological cells are sensitive to the radiation. The waves can also retard potatoes from sprouting. The waves are generated by a specially treated metal called Cobalt 60 that is encased between double layers of metal rods; because of the dangers of gamma rays the radurisation takes place under strictly controlled conditions. Different dosages are used according to the desired effect, if food is to be pasteurised than the dosage is less than equipment that needs to be sterilised. It is very popular and it is authorized by a number of international organisations such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the American Medical Association. It is locally supported by The Department of Health. According to Act 54 of 1972 (in South Africa) all irradiated foodstuffs must be labelled properly showing the Radura symbol and only if approved by the Minister of Health or the Director General. The maximum dosage is 10 kiloGrey, exceeding this will be violating international regulations. The Radura Symbol What foods are irradiated? There are a variety of foods that are irradiated especially raw or highly sensitive foods that can be contaminated easily. They are divided into different classes starting from 1-11; the higher the class the more complex the application (the table attached illustrates this). A few of the common food stuffs are: Wheat Maize Spices and herbs Fruits (e.g. strawberries) Vegetables (e.g. cauliflower) Meat (raw or frozen) Poultry Fresh garlic Honey Tubers, bulbs and roots (e.g. potatoes) What are the pros and cons of irradiation? Pros of irradiation: It eliminates or reduces the amount of disease causing organisms in the food and other harmful bacteria. (e.g. salmonella, E. coli, listeria, etc.) It replaces the use of potentially harmful chemicals used to fumigate insects from crops. Irradiation meets international and national quarantine standards. It extends the shelf life of food especially raw fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry. It is a safe and effective method for treating food. The food does not become radioactive. Cons of irradiation: There is a minor reduction in vitamin content during irradiation. It cannot improve spoilt foods Foods with a high percentage of fat change colour when they are irradiated. It does not improve or enhance the taste or appearance of the food. It can cause unpleasant flavours in certain foods. Skilled workers can only work with the equipment The equipment is expensive and needs regular maintenance Analysis of results Who was interviewed? I tried to choose a spectrum of candidates raining in age hence affecting their lifestyle choices. I surveyed: Parents Scholars Friends Members of the Ballito community Children The results that I acquired are more or less what I had expected. There was an equal balance between the questions as to whether or not people agreed with the statement but I was surprised to see that 5out of the 15 people did not think that there was a global food shortage crisis. A lot of people did not have a vegetable garden which I had thought was a fad and more and more people felt safer when they ate their own produce. 10 out of the 15 people knew what genetic modification was and the same results were obtained when 10 out of the 15 people choose the correct definition for organic food. There is a trend regarding people being more aware of organic food and how influential food labels are and the effect on the environment. 10 out of 15 people were willing to spend more money on organic foods which is more evidence that organic food is becoming a big part of peoples lifestyle choices. 0 out of the 15 people did not know what the Radura symbol indicated so it shows that there is a lack of consumer knowledge. Ultimately the general result regarding the controversial issue of GM foods relieving the food shortage crisis was that people strongly supported this theory with 10 people choosing yes, 4 people choosing no and one person choosing not applicable. The following tables and graphs diagrammatically represent a few of the results from the survey: What are organic foods? What is Genetic modification? Number of people who choose the correct definition:Â  10 Number of people who choose the correct definition: 0 Number of people who choose the wrong definition:Â  5 Total:15 Do GM foods influence your food choice? Do organic foods influence your food choice? Number of people who choose: Yes 7 Number of people who choose: No 6 Number of people who choose: Not applicable 2 Total:Â  15 Are you willing to spend more money on organic foods? Number of people who choose: Yes 10 Number of people who choose: No 5 Number of people who choose: Not applicable 0 Total:Â  15 Do you have a vegetable garden? Number of people who choose: Yes 6 Number of people who choose: No 9 Number of people who choose: Not applicable 0 Total: 15 Do you think GM foods could alleviate the food shortage crisis? Number of people who choose: Yes Number of people who choose: No Number of people who choose: Not applicable Do you believe that there is a global food shortage crisis? Number of people who choose: Yes Number of people who choose: No Number of people who choose: Not applicable Personal opinion The information is reliable and valid as people answered the survey individually and they were anonymous and so they felt more flexible and honest with their answers. The results were bias in that all the candidates where from a similar financial background and had access to more consumer information. The survey results did match with the literature results that I obtained. They were the same in terms of the lack of consumer knowledge and the growing trend of people moving towards organic foods for supposed health reasons. A lot of people thought that the organic farms had a good environmental impact but they were wrong so the information given to the public is not always fact making it misleading. Suggestions on how to improve the investigation The investigation was extensive and needed a lot of detail. I would survey more people and a wider spectrum ranging from a bigger lifestyle differences and income background in order for the results to be more accurate. The length and content of my survey/ questionnaire would be more specified so as to have a fair and set standard of what results should be required from the public. I would use a better organisational method of my information by mapping it out before is started my investigation in order to clearly know what I have to do. My time management would also need improvement in order to have more time to thoroughly go through my work and not be rushed for time. I would research more information in order to have more arguments regarding the investigation. Conclusion There is evidence of a global food shortage crisis and it is clear that people have chosen to show a blind eye to the situation or actively combat it. The two major concerns as to whether or not they will alleviate the global food shortage crisis are clear; Organic or Commercial mass produced food. There are counter arguments that there is enough food supplied from the earth but misdistribution and greed have caused food to become scarce. The environment is also more versatile than it used to be due to global warming so extreme disasters and weather patterns are changing landscapes and available or potential farming land is becoming a scarcity. The growing population is also exceeding the environmental capacity to cater for it as there in not enough space to farm as it is cultivated for farming and there is a higher demand for food than there is a supply. The recent recession is also another reason threatening food security and increasing oil prices threaten the transport of foods. Without the technological advances that man has created to bring about mass produced foods is a solution but a temporary one as repercussions are not yet evident but they will curb the success of mass produced foods. Organic foods do not seem half as damaging but they too cannot sustain the booming population. The question remains as to whether or not to choose organic or GM food but for majority of the worlds population that is not an option so they have to rely on GM foods. The world would be in even more of a crisis if modern mass food productions but they need to refine their methods and strive to be as close to organic quality as possible, GM is not the answer, more needs to be done.

Affirmative Action Essay -- American Government, Minorities

â€Å"It is not about assuring equality of opportunity but artificially that is, judicially enforcing equality of outcome† (Williams 69). John F. Kennedy first introduced the term affirmative action during the era of the Cold War and the civil rights movement. The term is defined as integration of different race, sex, and country of origin into universities and employment (Ana 30). The beginning of affirmative action started with the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by the Johnson Administration. The Civil Rights Act allowed African Americans to attend desegregated schools and become eligible to vote. The 1971 Philadelphia Plan was implemented by the Nixon administration, which called for quota systems to ensure that a certain number of underrepresented races are met to achieve what is called â€Å"diversity.† By the late 1970s, it was extended to college admissions where controversy surrounding the use of affirmative action was in question by whites and the Supreme Court. Alth ough many college admissions officials feel that affirmative action is the only way to promote diversity, these policies should not be used as a deciding factor in college admissions because they are a form of reverse discrimination, hurtful to students, and unconstitutional in law. Affirmative action was introduced as a way to promote diversity and ensure fairness. College admissions officials feel as if the only way to achieve diversity in their campuses is to discriminate overrepresented ethnic groups such as Caucasians and Asians for minorities of African American and Native American background. An example of the use of reverse discrimination was the University of Michigan-Ann Harbor admissions policy. On December 14, 2000, The New York Times did an article on the proce... ...sures fairness to all because students who graduate in the top ten are researched to have higher grades and graduation rates. The ten percent law has improved economic and geographical diversity because it draws the top students out of every part of Texas. The Austin Campus now has 853 high schools, previously 616, represented in the university. The Hispanic population has increased by 29% while the African American population has increased by 32% (Texas 8). The program also allows equal opportunity for all races because in order to have the benefit of attending the best schools in Texas, graduating in the top ten is a necessity. George W. Bush even stated that race-neutral policies are more successful than the policies of affirmative action. Affirmative action is an issue that needs to be educated to people because it affects everyone at some point in their life.

The Industry and Competition of the Bus Industry :: Buses Transportation Automobiles Essays

The Industry and Competition of the Bus Industry Several large companies have focused on the multi-occupant vehicle market, specifically school bus production, in North America. Competitors within the school bus manufacturing industry consist of the Henlys Group PLC, a British based company, and two U.S. bus companies, Collins Industries Inc. and Navistar International. Henlys consists of Blue Bird Corporation, Prevost Car Inc., Nova Bus and TransBus International Ltd. Collins Industries operates seven vehicle companies including Collins Bus Corporation and Mid Bus Corporation that make up their school bus line. And finally, Navistar International, which also produces school buses, is divided into three principal industry segments. These segments are trucks/buses, engines, and financial services. In October 1999, Henlys acquired Blue Bird Corporation. This horizontal acquisition gave Henlys a competitive advantage in the North American school bus market. Currently, Blue Bird has increased its market share to over 47% making the bus market Henlys core business. Blue Bird, financially, accounts for 59% of total corporate sales and 81% of Henlys profits. Within Blue Bird, school bus sales accounted for 83% of total sales. Blue Bird offers three styles of small buses and three different large buses, all designed to meet customer needs. They have also teamed up with the Southwest Research Institute to develop the bus of the future, Envirobus. The joint venture was commissioned by the Department of Energy in response to increased pressure from various environmentalist groups to develop buses that are safer and environmentally conscious. This acquisition makes Henlys the largest company in sales of school buses in the North American Market. Besides school buses, Blue Bird a lso produces commercial buses and recreational vehicles. Henlys is also able to take advantage of Blue Bird’s extensive network of distributors. These areas complement Henlys other areas of operations by building on their core competencies. Prior to the Blue Bird acquisition, Henlys Group used the cooperative strategy of equity strategic alliance to expand its bus and coach operations outside of its borders. With this one acquisition, the Henlys Group has achieved economy of scale and now controls 47% of the school bus market in North America. Henlys equity alliance partner profile includes a partnership with Volvo that jointly owns Prevost car Inc. and Nova bus. This joint venture accounts for a 25% market share in North America’s coach market and is the market leader in bus shells for motor homes supplying 80% of that market.

Buddhism :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the early parts of my life, I learned about all of the laws that restrict our actions, as practitioners of Buddhism. I was educated about the four basic truths that all Buddhists believe. The four basic truths are Dukkha, Samudaya, Nirodha, and Marga (Anderson 24). Dukkha, or its meaning in English, suffering, tells of all the frustration in life. In order to find the end of suffering, I found that one must review the purpose for the suffering to being in one’s life (Harvey 49). the second holy truth, Samudaya deals with the origin of suffering. In my studies and from what material I was instructed, I learnedin order to deal with suffering one must find out its cause in their life. After one has found the cause, then we can begin to do something about it ( â€Å"Four Noble Truths Part I† 3). Nirodha, the third truth, is the extinction of suffering. To be able to end the sufferingone must think that the suffering can end and have confidence in attaining the end of suffering ( â€Å"Four Noble Truths Part I† 5/6). Marga, or the fourth noble truth is also known as the eight-fold path. Avoiding indulgences in pleasure and temptation are the ways to walk down this path ( â€Å"Four Noble Truths Part II† 3). As I was instructed on the eight-fold path I learned that in order to attain the end of suffering I needed to have all of the â€Å"right† pieces of the puzzle. These are right understanding, thought, speech, action, livelihook, effort, mindfulness, and concentration (â€Å"Buddhist Teachings† 1).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In my religion we have a code of ethics that tells our followers to avoid stealing, lying, killing all living organisms, committing improper sexual activity, and destructive occupations (Anderson 26/27). the five governing precepts explain more in depth about the code of ethics. The first precpt says to refrain form taking life away from all that are breathing (Harvey 202). I and many other followers are vegetarians because of this precept. In the second precept stealing is prohibited. Improper sexual activity is covered in the third precept. In it, it tells us that sexual activity is only to be used in order to conceive children. Polygamy, adultery, and incest are also forbidden in this precept. Lying, or as the fourth precept calls it, false speech is also forbidden (Harvey 206). The fifth precept covers alcohol and improper drug use. It is said that if one breaks this precept that person is more likely to break any or all of the previous precepts (Harvey

Ge Pestel Analysis Essay

Politics highlight the role of nation governments, as the large global company, the firm has to deal with national political systems differently. The difficulties to negotiate with government conditions including tax systems, regulations and restriction which the firm has to adjust the service conditions and product requirements to get into the nation markets. These will be the huge impact which the firm has to be considered properly in order to work well with the governments and reach customer goals. However, The political conflict might have an effect on investment decisions of new entry. For example, according to Dibb and Lyndon, the research say that annually, firms in United States have to hand in tax returns to The Internal Revenue Authority on April 15th as the US government required. The other example is in Thailand. Due to inconsistency of Thai government, there was a political protester occurred in Bangkok public places such as national airport and many other important places which stop and extremely harm the economy. This shows the difference of political stability (Thailand’s Protesters Highlight Rifts, 2009). Economic The fluctuation of national growth rate and fuel price is significant. It can be the greatly impact on the firm. Operational cost and labor cost have to be considered. The firm has to avoid both of deflation and inflation of every countries because the difference of economic growth and the external factors which will affect the firm such as the unpredictable situation which come from the fluctuation of currency exchange. The different currency exchange rate has an influence on the firm in order to predict an economic performance. The term of trade to comparing import price and export price also have to be considered in order to know the balancing payments which will be the main factor causing the currency exchange rate issue. Social It depends on changes of social trend which affect the national demand. There are many variations that have to be determined including culture, norms, religion and social environment. GE considered the social issues as one of the main factors in order to doing investment in that country. For example, considering about demographic statistics in order to make the products which can support the people and get into market target. In addition, managing people in organization to work in that invested country to perceive the other opinions which will benefit for developing the product or adapting the services for satisfy the customer needs such as GE healthcare in Japan, they can get into the healthcare market because the firm investigate the market properly and make the right decision to take this advantage by selling high definition of Low-dose scans because Japanese tend to concern about health problems (GE annual report, 2011). However, The failure of investment in developing country is higher than developed country due to quality of life, living expense and social welfare. Technical According to high pace of competition, the innovative technologies are always being released by utilizing more advance technology from competitors. The firm focuses on innovative products. It will be the key to compete with others by using new business models which invented by GE technology. Whereas the development of existing products is tend to be slow down the businesses performances because the advance technology from competitors. It can see from the table as below. Environmental The company concerned about the environmental issues because the firm have to deal with different environmental factors in different countries. Although there were a degradation of environmental in Asia, the geography is also benefit to open the new industry because the expense is lower than developed countries which have high tax such as the carbon emission tax which causing the firm performance in Australia and affecting the firm investment (Meng, Siriwardana & Mcneill, 2011). Thus, the company decided to investment in developing countries instead due to low environmental regulation issues. Legal Free trade agreements signed with Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Canada, German, Korea and the opening market in Southeast Asia is significant based on US trade agreements (GE News, 2011). Regarding to Opening free trade market, the firm will able to expand the businesses easily. However, the manufacturers are controlled by the laws and agreements of each country.