Fusion Centers

FUSION CENTERS Cecilia Pina 05/16/12 compSc 100: Mon & Wed 4pm-5:50pm â€Å"A fusion center is an effective and efficient mechanism to exchange information and intelligence, maximize resources, streamline operations, and improve the ability to fight crime and terrorism by merging data from variety of sources. †(1) Let us break this down, fusion is the act of fusing or combining and center is a point or place in which interest focuses. In other words a fusion center is a single place where the U.S. government collects all kinds of information on just about everyone. That single place they use is a high end database not a warehouse full of file cabinets stuff with paper document. A database is a where the collection of information that can be easily accessed and manipulated on a computer or computers. The two play a role off of each other, fusion centers and databases. Of course you can have one without the other but it makes it so much simpler to combine the two.Using the fusio n center to make it easier as far as knowing where to look up the info and the databases in order to obtain the information you desire to seek, change, add to or delete a quicker process. You may be asking â€Å"What is the purpose of the U. S. government having a fusion center for? † It may not seem like something we need to go to such extremes to keep data on ourselves because we are just a citizen. The U. S. government finds it as a precaution for our safety and allows a better fight against crime and terrorism.The U. S. government claim to use fusion centers for other reasons; Agriculture, Food, Water, and the Environment, Banking and Finance, Chemical Industry and Hazardous Materials, Criminal Justice, Education, Emergency Services (non-law enforcement), Energy, Government, Health and Public Health Services, Hospitality and Lodging, Information and Telecommunications, Military Facilities and Defense Industrial Base, Postal and Shipping, Private Security, Public Works, Re al Estate, Retail, Social Services, Transportation.In 2004 and 2005, most states started making fusion centers with different local, state, and federal funds. At that point in time, there were no standards or guidelines existing to assist with the issues of operating together and communication with other fusion centers at the state, regional, and federal levels. As a result, fusion centers that were created to share information were actually just storing the information, and were incapable of exchanging the information. In response, the U. S.Department of Justice (DOJ) created is known as the Law Enforcement Intelligence Fusion Center Focus Group (FCFG). At the same time, the Homeland Security Advisory Council , U. S. Department of Homeland Security’s, Intelligence and Information Sharing Working Group were focusing on the preventing information sharing by creating guidelines for local and state agencies in relation to the collection, analysis, and dissemination of terrorism- related intelligence (i. e. , the fusion process). The recommendations resulting from the U. S.Department of Justice initiative and Homeland Security Advisory Council’s efforts laid the foundation for the expansion of the Fusion Center Guidelines to combine the public safety and private sector entities. Consequential to publishing the first Version of the Fusion Center Guidelines and the Homeland Security Advisory Council’s Intelligence and Information Sharing Initiative the Homeland Security Intelligence and Information Fusion report, the U. S Department of Justice and Homeland Security Advisory Council established two additional focus groups.The two groups added were the Public Safety FCFG (fusion center focus group) and the Private Sector FCFG, in an attempt to develop a complete set of guidelines for fusion centers. Participants in the three focus groups included experts and practitioners from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies; public safety agenci es; and the private sector as well as government from current operating fusion centers. As well as, representatives from national law enforcement, public safety, and private sector organizations participated in the focus groups.These guidelines are to be used to make sure that the fusion centers are established and operated consistently, resulting in improved coordination efforts, strengthened partnerships, and improved crime-fighting and antiterrorism capabilities. The guidelines and related materials will provide assistance to centers as they prioritize and address threats posed in their specific jurisdictions for all crime types, including terrorism. In addition, the guidelines will help administrators develop policies, manage resources, and evaluate services associated with the jurisdiction’s fusion center.The guidelines are to be used for homeland security, as well as all other crimes and hazards. The full report contains a very in-depth explanation of the guidelines and the key elements needed. Also in the report are extra resources, model policies, and tools for guideline requirements’. â€Å"Fusion centers are incorporating private corporations into the intelligence process, further threatening privacy. There is no probable cause for any information relating to any citizen to be included in the data base. There is no due process connected with any information utilized.There in no accountability for mishandling of information or misinformation distributed about any Oregon Citizen. Types of Data that are being collected: Living arrangements, drivers license records, insurance  records, health records. Types of Data that may be collected: Phone  Records, shopping records obtained through the private sector and used for profiling groups and individuals. Such information can be misused for â€Å"E-Verify† to screen for  jobs, or insurance and health policies. E-Verify:  E-Verify  are an Internet-based system operated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in partnership with the  Social Security  Administration (SSA). E-Verify is currently free to employers and is available in all 50 states Mechanics of Centralized Data Bases: Government agency or makes Request. Agency (or Fusion Center) pulls information from all sources. Report generated – distributed to requesting agency or – and then trashed. You hear about it or are informed etc. , then request copy (Freedom of Information Act). It does not exist (it has been trashed). †(5) The U.S Government claims all this is for our safety but as showed it is to keep track of us, or as I believe. Next they could use RFID chips to make it easier for them to hold our every move. Bibliography 1:† Fusion Centers and Intelligence Sharing. †Ã‚  IT. OJP. GOV Home. N. p. , n. d. Web. 16 May 2012. . 2:†EPIC – Information Fusion Centers and Privacy. †Ã‚  EPIC – Electronic Privacy Information Cent er. N. p. , n. d. Web. 16 May 2012. . 3:German, Mike , and jay stanley. â€Å"FUSION CENTER UPDATE. †Ã‚  FUSION CENTER UPDATE. N. p. , n. d. Web. 1 May 2012.

Notes for exam question Essay

Chapter 1: social scientist have argued that issues of inequality, poverty and social exclusion cut across both social welfare and crime control domains, and noted that while some responses to these issues may become the focus of social welfare policies, others may become the focus of crime control interventions. Social justice then is neither the exclusive terrain of social welfare nor of crime control. The boundaries between these two domains tend to be mobile and porous. This idea was introduced by arguing that the neat distinction between the goals of social welfare (well being) and the goals of crime control (maintaining social order) break down on closer inspection. Chapter 1 section 4: crime control measures impact adversely on social welfare and produce justice struggles. State withdrawal from the direct provision of welfare services is accompanied by greater attention to antisocial behaviour of younger and poorer groups in society. Social welfare is oriented towards the creation and maintenance of social well-being through the provision of various social supports combating social inequalities by promoting redistribution and social inclusion and countering various social harms such as poverty and discrimination. The domain of crime control is more oriented towards the creation and maintenance of social stability, social order and security by addressing behaviours and activities of those who are perceived to threaten these in some way. Crime control and social welfare policies, there are many examples of entanglement between them. For example, countering antisocial behaviour may be defined as a social welfare matter in that it protects the welfare and well being of some against the disruptions caused by others. This example also raises wider social welfare questions, I.e how can societies support young people and others so that they do not conduct themselves in ways that are viewed as antisocial? The relationship between social welfare and crime control is dynamic meaning it is likely to change over time, and it is contested. Another example of how social welfare and crime control is entangled: protecting children from abuse- a role taken on by both police and social workers, acting in partnership but with rather blurred boundaries between the welfare and crime control functions. The entanglements between welfare and crime control take many different forms. Welfare states in its traditional form is considered by many commentators across the political spectrum to be in need of reform. Social scientists focus on creating social inclusion rather than on providing welfare Ideas about an underclass of marginalised individuals – often black Afro caribbean or Hispanic – have informed policies on crime preventions and crime control in countries such as the USA. Many studies are handing over more responsibility for tackling crime and antisocial behaviour to local communities, who in turn address crime prevention through a mix of welfare and control strategies. As environmental issues become more important in ensuring security and well-being, so attention is turning to new kinds of harm – harms perpetrated not by those traditionally defined as problem populations, often on the margins of society but by the rich and powerful who perpetuate environmental and other kinds of crime. Many struggles for social justice, produced laws that have to be enforced through the institutions of criminal justice. On the other hand, some criminal justice measures including many of those now associated with anti terrorist measures are viewed as producing harms such as internment or the loss of rights for certain population groups. Chapter 1 section 3&6: dissent and protest against social injustice may be the subject or criminalising responses. The darling study for the Joseph row tree foundation shows an increasing inequality of wealth in the uk in the late 20th century when income inequalities grew rapidly. It also shows a greater degree of spatial segregation of wealth and poverty, with local areas increasingly dominated by wealthy or poor residents and a decline in social mixing. Poverty concentrates attention on one segment of society: those living below a certain level of income, or below a certain level of resources. Many studies of poverty tend to focus attention on poor people rather than the wider social structures which generate and reproduce poverty. In the process, then, such studies divert attention from the relationship between wealth and poverty, and the ways in which richer and more powerful groups manage to increase their wealth and hold on to it at the expense of poorer and less powerful groups. Much social investigation into poverty has in practice involved looking at the poorest people to see what was wrong with them, and is based on the assumption that there must be something about them that makes them different from us. In the 19th century, investigators went like intrepid explorers – into the neighbourhoods where the poor lived in order to examine their habits, their ways of life, their culture and most frequently their character. The poor were associated with a range of social dangers from illness, through crime and vice, to the threat of socialism. This emphasis on statistical investigation has had a profound influence on the subsequent development of social research in the uk and how we come to know about and understand the social world. But the investigation and observation of the character and habits of the poor has also had enduring consequences, reflecting a persistent belief that the cause of poverty could be discovered there. 19th century investigations into moral failings of the poor merged into20th century concerns with their dysfunctional family life or their culture of poverty. The idea of a culture of poverty had mutated into a culture of dependency. All of these terms expressed the idea that poor people had habits, attitudes and ways of life that has passed poverty on across generations. Chapter 2 section 2: welfare states are involved in the maintenance of social order and stability by naturalising and normalising social inequalities Chapter 2 sections 2,3&4: welfare states prescribe certain ideas of behaviour. These may stigmatise certain categories of people – in booths study, the poor; and in the 21st century, those who are not gainfully employed or who do not comply with norms of active citizenship. Welfare states also police adherence to norms of good conduct and may punish those who deviate from them. Punishments may range from measures such as the withdrawal of benefits and services to actual criminalisation. Chapter 3 section 3: care – whether provided informally or through welfare states – can involve the abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable people. Some abuses are subject to criminal prosecution. Chapter 3 section 4: treaties, conventions, laws and workers rights are often ineffective in regulating safety and ensuring freedom from harm in the workplace. Trade unions have attempted to limit workplace harms by pursuing rights and legal safeguards, but there power has been weakened. In attempt to avoid legislative action, some companies are now developing voluntary codes of conduct based on the idea of social responsibility. Chapter 4 section 2: problem populations, in problem places – such as the black population of new Orleans – tend to be stigmatised, viewed as a source of harm, crime and social disorder Chapter 4 section 3: some of the case studies show how welfare policies that sought to solve housing problems in the past have had damaging consequences, leading to punitive and criminalising policies in the present. Chapter 5 section 2: global slums are sites of concerns about crime and disorder. They are also sites of emerging understanding about how slums can be a source of progress and development through self help Chapter 5 section 4: transnational institutions concerns with regulating environmental crimes are contrasted with restorative self regulatory and participatory models of development.

Cambodian Sex Trade

To the untrained eye, Cambodia is an exotic vacation destination with ancient cities, bold colors, legendary temples and remarkable beauty. What you don’t see is the horrendous crimes that are going on behind closed doors. Inside the world of Cambodian child sex trafficking, each year, by some estimates, hundreds of thousands of girls and boys are bought, sold or kidnapped and then forced to have sex with grown men. MSNBC news) Human trafficking or modern-day slavery is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world; and in my opinion, least discussed and prevented. Specifically the child sex trade is an epidemic not recognized by Americans nearly enough. Unborn children in South Korea are being sold by their pregnant mothers over the internet. What happens to these children after they are sold is unknown. They can be sold to people who are looking to adopt but having a hard time being approved, or more likely circumstances, they end up in a darker place; the human sex trafficking world. The illegal sale of children makes up more than half of all the cases of human trafficking around the world, according to recent estimates. (Al-Jazeera/News Europe) Traditionally it has involved the exploitation of children in poorer nations, like Cambodia, Vietnam and India but there are findings of more and more cases amongst developed countries such as America. There are countless exploited children that are unaccounted for around the world; Argentina’s child-snatching plague, Turkey’s severely high number of missing children, which has increased annually, Sri Lanka’s children being taken from their homes to be â€Å"child soldiers†, South Korean selling of babies, Bangladesh’s child brides who are sold by their families and taken away by their dramatically elder â€Å"husbands† and never heard of again to list a few. Twenty years ago the United Nations adopted the Convention of the Rights of the Child. The CRC or UNCRC, it sets out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of children. As of December 2008, 193 signatories had ratified it, including every member of the UN except the U. S. and Somalia. The treaty restricts the involvement of children in military conflicts and prohibits the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography. The UNCRC has been used as a blueprint for child protection legislation around the world. But, as you can see, the treaty's promise to protect children has not always been kept. After watching an Al Jazeera News broadcasting, in an interview with a woman who would know better than anyone about exploited children around the world; Lisa Laumann from Save the Children Charity stated â€Å"Intergovernmental organizations like the United Nations provide the framework around which governments can come together to agree on what good practice is and how governments should behave legally on behalf of their citizens, but it's up to the governments themselves to draft that legislation, develop the systems and institutions that guarantee those rights. (Lisa Laumann, from Save the Children charity, Al Jazeera Interview) Laumann also goes on to state, â€Å"There also has to be an effort made to help communities, families and children themselves, to understand what rights mean for them and how they can support them. † (Lisa Laumann) I feel so strongly more effort needs to be put forth, and that something needs to be done soon about this epidemic that is given a bl ind eye. People need to be educated about what is going on not only in the world, but right here in America. Despite what Americans bialy choose to ignore; it’s going on in Connecticut, and quite possibly New Haven as we speak. When you walk by the missing children ads and see all of those young girls’ (and boys) faces, they may not have run away from home, maybe they were forcefully taken, and being forced into child prostitution. Or, another scenario, maybe they did run away from home, got into a little trouble as a misguided young female, and are in a lifestyle they are having difficulty getting out of. These are instances more common than you would think. Sex-tourism, or travel to engage in sexual intercourse or sexual activity with prostitutes, typically undertaken internationally by tourists from wealthier countries has become a multibillion-dollar industry. But the business is not all about adult prostitution. There are some places you might have never heard about, notorious places, the kind of places a sexual predator would be willing to travel halfway around the world to reach -destinations like a dusty village in Southeast Asia, where the prey is plentiful and easy to stalk. My focus for this paper will be on Cambodia. This country has the highest amount statistically reported of children in the child sex trade, in an interview with Chris Hansen of Dateline NBC, with Mu Soc Hua, Cambodia’s minister of women's affairs, Hua states that there is a staggering number of â€Å"†¦around 30,000 girls in the sex-trade industry, and although Cambodia has a lot of problems, I rank sexual trade, sexual exploitation of our children as top — on the top of my list. I’ve also chosen Cambodia because of a separate interview/documentary I’ve watched where an accredited news channel, Dateline NBC goes undercover with a human rights group to expose the sex trafficking in Cambodia, and they actually follow through with a dramatic operation to rescue the children, and take the measures to have the â€Å"pimps† or men and women that run these brothels arrested along with an American doctor who is purchasing these girls for sex to be pro secuted. I’d like to discuss both aspects of this crime, the seller and the buyer. Many, if not most of the men buying these exploited girls in Cambodia are Americans- thinking that they're involved in nothing more than prostitution, but by any definition it is rape. (Dateline NBC news) Prostitution in Cambodia is illegal, but finding a girlfriend for the night at a nightclub could be as simple as a few words, a few dollars, and a stroll out the door. The producers and investigators of NBC begin their journey inside this dark world, across from what looks like a local cafe, but really a brothel. You see many deceiving brothels that to the untrained eye, appear to be cafes, clubs or gated storefronts along the streets of the rundown village Svay Pak, on the outskirts of the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh. Svay Pak is notorious for child trafficking, and it only takes a few minutes for a pimp to approach the undercover reporters. The pimp turns out to be a fifteen-year-old boy who tells the reporters he's grown up in the village and even introduces his mother – who knows exactly what he's up to and takes a cut of the money he brings in. Po tells the reporters he can get them girls who are even younger than the ones they’ve seen thus far in the trip. And despite all they’ve seen, they’re stunned at just how young he says they are – 8-year-olds. It's hard to believe, and even harder to stomach. The dimension of a fifteen-year-old boy promoting the sales of possibly his sisters or cousins is confusing. He is doing the selling of a girl who is the same age as he, and could be in his school class. Is there a connection between male and female status and does gender play a role, or hold a higher status in relation to trafficking is something I will be looking into further in this paper. ) He brings them through some alleys to a ramshackle house so they can see for themselves. The dirty faces of the girls are seen through the shadows on the documentary, and little-girls-shoes litter the house. The house is guarded by men and women, heavily armed with guns, clearly visible when the producers walk in. In the documentary, all of the natives, children and adults alike know a little English. When they talk about sex, they use simple child-like terms anyone can understand. â€Å"Yum-yum† means oral sex. â€Å"Boom-boom† means intercourse. They meet dozens of children at the various brothels they enter. One girl that really caught my attention throughout the documentary was a girl that said she's nine, accompanied by another who says she's ten. Both say they know how to perform oral sex. And they even tell the reporters how much it will cost: sixty-dollars for two girls. A pimp says,† If two girls aren't enough, how about three? (Dateline NBC news) It is repulsive, and a grim reality the thought of what is done to these innocent, young girls when it isn’t undercover American producers doing the buying. And the sad thing is that there would’ve been no future for these girls if the producers of NBC along with Bob Mosier, the International Justice Mission’s chief investigator hadn’t stepped in. In figuring out as to why these gi rls are being sold or taken from their families in the first place, I’m taking a look at what status the male and female roles hold in a family. For example, in Japan it is preferred by parents to have a son over a daughter because of the one baby law, only allowing one child to a household. This means, it’s more desirable to have a son to carry on the family name and get an education, opposed to a daughter who marries off. In Cambodia, females tend to be talked about as being â€Å"relatively equal† to men, though with little discussion of how this equality is related to the larger picture of hierarchical social organization. Judy Ledgerwood 120) However, gender is only one of a range of factors that influences where a person is ranked in Khmer society. On the one hand daughters are suppose to be protected, on the other, a teenage daughter might bicycle daily to the city to sell vegetables to help support the family; or a young woman might move into the city to work in a garment factory. Orphans and widows must live with little or no male supervision, because there are no surviving family members. This can caus e their neighbors to â€Å"look down on them,† they lose status in society because they have no men to protect them. Women in Cambodia today must undertake all sorts of employment that involve being in office, factory or other situations alone with men. These kinds of circumstances lead to accusations regarding the virtue of individual women and to the general idea that â€Å"women just don't have the value that they used to. † What is of critical importance to Khmer women during the interviews done by Judy Ledgerwood, was their concerns, it was not their particular concern with social status or gender ideals, but hard economic realities and the difficulties that they face trying to feed their families. An explanation of this, as to why these children are being sold into sex is because of the lack of funds and resources their families are facing. In many cases, poverty is to blame for making worse the plight of the most vulnerable. Cambodia is still suffering from a traumatic past. In the 1970s and ’80s, an estimated 2 million Cambodians died because of war, famine and a brutal dictatorship. During the Khmer Rouge period, 1975-1979, people died of starvation and disease as well as from execution. More women than men survived the traumas of this period. Women are better able to survive conditions of severe malnutrition, fewer women were targeted for execution because of connections to the old regime, and fewer women were killed in battles. Many women told Ledgerwood that they survived those years of horror because they had to care for their children (Ebihara and Ledgerwood page 143). During the 1980s and early 90s, men continued to be drained off from society to go to serve as soldiers. This was particularly evident in rural areas where one could enter a village and find no men between the ages of about 15 and 50. Many men were killed or disabled; others might still have been alive but were off with their military units, with resistance factions at the border, or hiding from conscription. This may add to the bigger picture as to why men are exploiting children for money. The poverty plays a large role, all they have to offer are their children, and being disabled, there isn’t much work physically possible. Also, the return of the men reflects the extremely high birth rate during the 1980s and 90s, 2. 5 to 3 percent annually, meaning more children to sell. A child's tragic journey into the sex trade often begins in a family struggling for survival. This is a country where the average income is less than $300 a year. (Hanlen 323) Most children are sold by their own parents. Others are lured by what they think are legitimate job offers like waitressing, but then are forced into prostitution. It’s become clear that Cambodian parents don’t have enough money to feed eight children in a family, so selling two of them could get them a (measly to us) one-hundred U. S. dollars. Or, for example, during the ocumentary broadcasted on NBC, a female pimp by the name Madam Lang tells undercover reporters (with undercover cameras, on tape) that â€Å"her† virgins go for six-hundred-dollars, as if the virgin part is an extra attraction, and for that price she says they can take a girl back to the hotel and keep her there for up to three days. When she brings out the girl, the 15-year-old native looks paralyzed with fear. It is hard to prevent the exploitation of children in this country not only because it takes a caring parent, but because it takes a caring community. The people are governed by money and it’s hard for them to turn it down and put morals before reality. Even the police of the village are in on the illegal activity occurring. In one of the videos, a police officer requests one-hundred-fifty dollars from the NBC producers posing as sex tourists, as a pay-off for insurance that the tourists wouldn’t get arrested by Cambodian officials. One-hundred-fifty dollars is the equivalent of five months pay for a Cambodian Officer. (Hanlen 325) The Cambodian Police have set up a unit to deal with sex trafficking, but have yet to be proactive in dealing with the issue. There are no guarantees in real justice because many of the cops are in the pimps’ pockets. While it's good to prosecute the people who sell children for sex, if you want to solve the problem; you also have to go after the tourists who buy them. But who is going to confront these sex tourists? It’s difficult to say with the corrupt Cambodian legal system. As far as the documentary goes, in the end, at least seven of the suspects seen on tape, including a man who supplied little girls for a sex party, were recently found guilty by a Cambodian judge and sentenced to up to fifteen years in prison. In months following, Madam Lang, the woman who offered virgins for six-hundred-dollars, was also convicted and sentenced to 20 years behind bars. That's believed to be the longest sentence of its kind ever in Cambodia. (NBC) There are a many people fighting for these oppressed girls, but little change has been noted because the education of human trafficking is so sparse. Efforts from people that I would like to note are the International Justice Mission, a Faith-based human rights group specializing in victims of sex trafficking and bonded labor who have been working in Cambodia for the last six years. IJM web, NBC) Also, Acting for Women in Distressing Circumstances (AFESIP), an advocacy group for children and adolescents at risk that runs a group home in Cambodia for victims of sex trafficking. (AFESIP web, NBC) The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), â€Å"Child Protection† section discusses the problem of trafficking in children, and donates money for this cause. (UNIC EF web, NBC) When you see the UNICEF boxes come around in the fall on Halloween, donate whatever change you have because now you know where that change is going and it is making a difference in someone’s life across the world. The Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Civil Rights (LICADHO) is a Cambodian group that advocates for human rights, focusing on women and children in Cambodia, who provide (limited) shelters, with limited funds for battered women and children. (LICADHO web, NBC) Not to forget ECPAT International, an international child advocacy group focusing on the problems of child prostitution, child pornography and trafficking of children for sex, and educating people on these issues. ECPAT International web) And lastly, The Protection Project, the Human rights law research institute at John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), Washington, D. C. , who conduct studies around the world in countries with high rates of human trafficking, report their findings, enact laws, educate the people in harm’s way, and people around the world on preventative measures and serve as an advocate. (The Protection Project web, NBC) Although the groups listed above are fighti ng for these girls, the reality is, is that not many get out of their oppressors’ hands. For the girls that do escape the places where they lost so much, and hopefully never to return, the road to recovery is a long one; but their darkest days are behind them. The treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases along with the rehabilitation physically, mentally, and emotionally of these girls has just begun. In standard procedure, girls are brought to a safe house for a few days. Then they are placed in group homes: one for the younger girls and one for teens, and in the case of the NBC Documentary, their group homes were run by the charity AFESIP (noted above). The director of AFESIP, Pierre Legros, stated, â€Å"Getting the girls out of the brothels is tough, but keeping them in the group home is even tougher. † He estimated that on average 40 percent of the rescued girls return to a life of prostitution. (AEFSIP) That is disheartening, but all hope cannot be lost, these children need help. It'll take years to overcome the extreme poverty and widespread corruption that cause the child sex trade to flourish, but I see the current wave of prosecutions as a step forward for this country and its people. That's why there is hope and we have to continue to fight. Prosecution is the key word, the message has to be very strong and forget about prosecuting the big fish, prosecuting everybody who is involved in it, I think, will be most effective. If we all as human beings come together internationally and take this up as a global issue, I think there could be a change not only for the children of Cambodia, but missing and exploited children around the world, even in our own country. America has been busy fighting a one-sided war in Iraq since 2001 with nothing to show but casualties on both sides. No â€Å"weapons of mass destruction† were ever found and yet our troops are still there. I think that where our funds and efforts really needed to be are on the frontlines fighting for the children of our future. Works Cited Dateline NBC News â€Å"Children For Sale† Jan 9 2005. NBC News. Al Jazeera/ News Europe â€Å"Child Sex Trade Soars in Cambodia† October 2008. Al Jazeera News. < http://english. aljazeera. net/news/asia-pacific/2008/10/2008102110195471467. html> Cambodia Development Resource Institute (CDRI) 2002 Economy Watch – Domestic Performance, Cambodian Development Review 6(2):14. 2001 Policy Brief, Land Ownership, Sales and Concentration in Cambodia, March. 001 The Garment Industry, Cambodia Development Review 5(3):1-4. 2000 Prospects for the Cambodian Economy, Cambodian Development Review 4(1):8-10. Judy Ledgerwood, Meaghan Ebihara 2002 Hun Sen and the Genocide Trials in Cambodia: International Impacts, Impunity and Justice. IN Cambodia Emerges from the Past. Steve Heder, ed. , DeKalb, IL: Center for Southeast Asian Studies, Northern Il linois University, pp. 106 – 223. Hanlen, Marcus. â€Å"Police Pay of Underdeveloped countries. † Police Information and Statistics of the World (2007): 323-325. Web. 12 Dec 2009. Dateline NBC news â€Å"IJM Operation Frees Families from Slavery† Jan 2005. NBC news.

Teaching Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Teaching - Essay Example t is, therefore, the responsibility of the educators to ensure that they structure their pedagogical methods in such a manner that is interesting and appealing to the learners. It would be more beneficial if the learning process is learner centered. This method would allow for an all inclusive classroom where all the learners’ exceptions are met. The teaching and learning process is an intricate one that places almost all the responsibilities on the teachers. Being in front of the classroom, the educators must be keen to select the best teaching methodologies appropriate for the learners’ abilities. It is obvious that an interesting teacher has massive impacts on the learners as compared to one who relies on the lecture method to impart knowledge (Malik, 2011). The theories of learning, particularly the constructivism theory have been of great benefit in the teaching and learning process. It is evident that researchers in the field of education have been on the move to devise theoretical approaches that would be useful in the classroom setting. This leads to an interpretation of the fact that various theories have indeed found their way to the practical aspect of education. Learners have been incorporated in the classroom setting through engagement in the learning process as well as responding to the concepts being taught (Hubber & Tytler, 2004). It is important that educators change the notion of the insustainability of the theories of learning by virtue of provision of limited evidence. Though they do not reject the theory, it would be imperative that they apply the concepts of these theories in learning due to the relevance of the same. It is clear that the implications of these theories are not evident in the learning environment. Research conducted by educational analysts indicates that though a lot of educators do not accord much relevance on the theories by the analysts in the educational field, their works are still relevant in the learning

Diagnoses, Medication and Treatment of a Patient with Complex Ailments Essay

Diagnoses, Medication and Treatment of a Patient with Complex Ailments - Essay Example As a professional medic, I had to do all the prescribed processes. First, I did the patient's initial assessment to determine whether the patient was under any life threats. In doing this, I formed a general idea to guide me to decide whether the patient was ill. I immobilized the forefront in preventing further abuse of other organs, assessed his level of consciousness according to the criteria of AVPU- alert responses of the patient to pain stimuli, responses of the patient to verbal stimuli, as well as unresponsive. Having checked the responsiveness level, I checked for his airway, breathing, as well as the circulation, commonly known as ABC. This entailed the removal of any foreign substance that could have blocked the airway. This time, I maintained the patients positioning by removing any blocking objects while carefully positioning the patient's head while keeping in mind the significance of jaw-trust technique as stated by Brimacombe (2000). Secondly, I checked the breathing rate of the patient, and it confirmed that the patient's breathing was much less than eight times per minute. Because of this, I had to facilitate his breathing by use of bag valve attached to an oxygen source. Thirdly, I checked the patient pulse rate by palpating his carotid vein which is located in the neck. Finally for this initial assessment, the overall bleeding was checked and put under control. Then the diagnosis stage followed. I examined the patient and diagnosed him with acute spinal cord injury, Anaemia, pneumonia, Hypertension, mild depressed mood, Neutrogena Bladder and hypothyroidism. I realized that the diseases were at advanced stages and needed quick response to give the patient a chance to survive. The medication was then administered to the patient in accordance to the prescribed disease. Pneumonia is a disease that causes a swelling in the lungs and affects the alveoli. It is associated with consolidation, chest symptoms and fever. Pneumonia is caused by bacteri a and other causes. Agents of infection include fungi, bacteria and viruses. Pneumonic symptoms include breathing difficulty, pains in the patient's chest, cough and fever. The remedies and medication for pneumonia include Levofloxacin for pneumonia, Liquibid for chest congestion, Miconazole nitrate for antifungal, Nuerontin for Neuropathy pain, Nystatin for antifungal, Remeron for depression, Acetylcystein 1ml for bronchitis and Albuterol inhalation for coughing and wheezing. Hypertension, on the other hand, is a medical condition that occurs due to increase in blood pressure in the arteries. It requires the beat unexceptionally to help circulate blood through blood vessels. High blood pressure can be said to exist if the individual’s pressure exceeds 140/90mmHg. This is one of the main risk factors for heart attacks, stroke, and aneurysms of the arteries, and it results to kidney diseases. Change in lifestyles improves control in blood pressure thereby decreasing complicati ons associated with health. However, treatment is needed to people who happen to be incapable. The medication that administaered for a patient with hypertension includes Remeron for depression, Oxycodone for pain and counadin for Anticoagulation. Hypothyroidism occurs when thyroid glands do not make thyroid hormone that is enough for the body. This results in the deficiency in iodine where other factors come into play. It is also associated with an increase in

Discovering Cultural Models from the Analysis of Discourse Essay

Discovering Cultural Models from the Analysis of Discourse - Essay Example Members of any given culture create chunks of meaning, like the above, and use them in discourse. Finding, identifying and describing these cultural â€Å"chunks† is the purview of the ethnographer. Quinn searched for metaphors to identify cultural chunks. This eliminated a lot of processing, because almost all the sentences which contain metaphors have cultural models. Quinn used the same information in the models to verify the model. That is, the causal relationship between the model and its concepts will verify that it is a cultural model. To confirm this one only needs to talk with two or more informant about the model and verify that they use it in the same way and understand that it contains the same causal relationship and concepts. For example, saying that the bride could not wear white in the twentieth century western English speaking world meant that a woman had been married before or was not a virgin. People today still understand this concept, even though the signi ficance has vanished. Further, discourse transcripts can be used to identify the cultural models by identifying the causal relationship to the concepts. So a person using the previous phrase can be assumed to be a member of a culture which uses or used this model. Verifying requires that all alternatives be eliminated. Quinn uses the example of a watch in a box, which can be identified by opening the box and looking. Shaking the box is not enough, because it could be something else. However, if one could hear the ticking by placing the ear on the box, one might assume it is a watch quite safely, using the strong probability. Of course this only works with a watch which ticks. However, one should then corroborate it by looking in the box, or asking the person who has looked or who put it there if it is a watch. The most basic linguistic concepts seem to be universal: ideas like want, need, see, hear, think, know and feel.

Buy American Act for Government contracts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Buy American Act for Government contracts - Essay Example Particular materials under regulations include â€Å"iron, steel, and manufactured goods† (Zirkelbach, 2009, p. 7). The regulations only allows for use of non domestic materials if either the materials are not â€Å"produced in America† in the required quantity or quality, application of domestic materials will be up to at least twenty five percent more expensive and if application of domestic products will contravene public interest. Any waiver on the mentioned grounds must however be reported in writing. BAA regulations however exempt some countries, countries with trade ties to the United States. These countries enjoy the benefits as though their products were manufactured in the United States. The Buy America act rules have further put more restriction over allowance on construction materials that are products of ‘non-domestic’ raw materials. The raw materials, under BAA, must be at least fifty percent domestic (Zirkelbach, 2009). The provisions of Buy American Requirements are unfair to other countries whose materials are restricted from being used in constructing the United States’ public facilities. The act discriminates against these countries and their enterprises. The regulations specifically undermines developing countries, and their enterprises, that might not be in a position to produce the materials in large quantities, as large as could not be produced by the United States domestic market (Lipsey and Chrystal, 2007). A free market economy is identified by influence of buyers and sellers only, as opposed to government imposed regulatory measures for controlling the economy. Application of the Buy American requirements act, together with its aim of facilitating the ARRA’s goals of strengthening the United States’ economy therefore contradicts the the spirit of capitalism. Policies for a capitalistic economy would for example be aimed at liberating regulations that limits

The yellow wallpaper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The yellow wallpaper - Essay Example The persona is the woman who due to her condition (temporary nervous depression.) the husband puts her in a secluded upper room with the intention of availing total rest meant for quick recuperation. The husbands’ idea draws consensus from his brother in law. Therefore, woman acts as the recipient of her husband decisions’ actualization since he is a doctor (Wang 11). The room where she lives comprises of torn yellow wallpaper and after a close examination, she makes out an image of entangled woman seeking liberty from numerous aspects that restrain her. The account intensively utilizes dramatic irony, setting and symbolism with the intention of transmitting its message to the reader indirectly. The â€Å"Yellow wallpaper’s† symbol of an entangled woman by numerous aspects restraining her from freedom represents the persona of this account (Wang 10). The woman in this account is a recipient of all ideas from her husband and brother due to the condition she is experiencing. Besides, all her arguments do not have any significance towards recuperation, but disregarded because she is ailing (Wang 14). The restraints encompass the ideas of the husband and those of the brother in law. Besides, the author of this account has selectively chosen its setting, which is also part of the elaboration and reference all through, whereby the persona is capable of interacting with it. Account’s inception entails the application of dramatic irony evidenced when the persona is explaining the room chosen to house and give her the in tended rest; its explanation does not fit the abode of an insane person (Wang

To what extent are a company's annual report and accounts useful in Essay

To what extent are a company's annual report and accounts useful in understanding and analysing its market, productive and fin - Essay Example This paper discusses the usefulness of annual reports in understanding a company’s market, production and financial performances. Management perspective A company needs to strive to remain in competition within the framework of several internal and external factors like political, economical and social structures. The owners delegate most of their responsibilities to the senior management thus elevating the power of the management to decide a company’s objectives and to design policies for the purpose of realisation of those objectives. It is only with the guidance obtained by studying annual reports and accounts, the management can make operational and strategic reconfigurations of resources for the purpose of consolidating the position of the company in the competitive market. The independent controlling power of the management separate from the owner ensures that the sole objective of profit optimization cannot be realised since the company’s policies and beha viours are also controlled by various other factors. Technically, profit can be maximized if the organisation can detect â€Å"marginal cost, marginal revenues and production output up to a point where marginal cost of the last unit produced just equates to the marginal revenue received from its sale.† (Haslam, et al, 2000, p.4) In fact, a set of rules and regulations of accounting helps the management to identify the production cost and sale price of each unit to determine the company’s performance in the fields of production and sales. The annual reports reflect the performance patterns of a company from one period to the other (Haslam, et al, 2000, pp.4-5). Users of accounts Annual reports and accounts can be defined as means of â€Å"communication of information about the financial position and performance of an entity to interested parties.† (Laidler & Donaghy, 1998, p.1) In any company, every year balance sheet and profit and loss account are published in a document form along with other financial statements, together known as annual reports and accounts. These accounts are useful for both internal personnel like directors and managers, and also external people like investors, creditors, customers etc. Investors are those people who invest their money by purchasing shares of a company thereby taking risks in the hope of getting dividends in due time. For this purpose they need to know the management efficiency of the company in order to determine whether their investments will be profitable. Employees and trade unions study the annual reports to become aware of the financial stability of their company to decide whether they will be continued to be employed at appropriate levels of remuneration. The annual reports are also important for the lenders like banks and individuals who lend money to a company. They need to be aware whether the company will be able to repay their money together with their interest in due time. Similarly, for creditors and suppliers, the annual reports give them the information whether they will be getting their payment at the right time. Then there are customers like other organisations who purchase goods from the company; they need to know the financial stability of the company to remain satisfied that goods and services will be

Bsp Term Paper Essay Example for Free

Bsp Term Paper Essay It came up with the rudiments of a bill for the establishment of a central bank for the country after a careful study of the economic provisions of the Hare-Hawes Cutting bill, the Philippine independence bill approved by the US Congress. During the Commonwealth period (1935-1941), the discussion about a Philippine central bank that would promote price stability and economic growth continued. The country’s monetary system then was administered by the Department of Finance and the National Treasury. The Philippines was on the exchange standard using the US dollar—which was backed by 100 percent gold reserve—as the standard currency. In 1939, as required by the Tydings-McDuffie Act, the Philippine legislature passed a law establishing a central bank. As it was a monetary law, it required the approval of the United States president. However, President Franklin D. Roosevelt disapproved it due to strong opposition from vested interests. A second law was passed in 1944 during the Japanese occupation, but the arrival of the American liberalization forces aborted its implementation. Shortly after President Manuel Roxas assumed office in 1946, he instructed then Finance Secretary Miguel Cuaderno, Sr. to draw up a charter for a central bank. The establishment of a monetary authority became imperative a year later as a result of the findings of the Joint Philippine-American Finance Commission chaired by Mr. Cuaderno. The Commission, which studied Philippine financial, monetary and fiscal problems in 1947, recommended a shift from the dollar exchange standard to a managed currency system. A central bank was necessary to implement the proposed shift to the new system. Immediately, the Central Bank Council, which was created by President Manuel Roxas to prepare the charter of a proposed monetary authority, produced a draft. It was submitted to Congress in February1948. By June of the same year, the newly-proclaimed President Elpidio Quirino, who succeeded President Roxas, affixed his signature on Republic Act No. 265, the Central Bank Act of 1948. The establishment of the Central Bank of the Philippines was a definite step toward national sovereignty. Over the years, changes were introduced to make the charter more responsive to the needs of the economy. On 29 November 1972, Presidential Decree No. 72 adopted the recommendations of the Joint IMF-CB Banking Survey Commission which made a study of the Philippine banking system. The Commission proposed a program designed to ensure the system’s soundness and healthy growth. Its most important recommendations were related to the objectives of the Central Bank, its policy-making structures, scope of its authority and procedures for dealing with problem financial institutions. Subsequent changes sought to enhance the capability of the Central Bank, in the light of a developing economy, to enforce banking laws and regulations and to respond to emerging central banking issues. Thus, in the 1973 Constitution, the National Assembly was mandated to establish an independent central monetary authority. Later, PD 1801 designated the Central Bank of the Philippines as the central monetary authority (CMA). Years later, the 1987 Constitution adopted the provisions on the CMA from the 1973 Constitution that were aimed essentially at establishing an independent monetary authority through increased capitalization and greater private sector representation in the Monetary Board. The administration that followed the transition government of President Corazon C. Aquino saw the turning of another chapter in Philippine central banking. In accordance with a provision in the 1987 Constitution, President Fidel V. Ramos signed into law Republic Act No. 7653, the New Central Bank Act, on 14 June 1993. The law provides for the establishment of an independent monetary authority to be known as the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, with the maintenance of price stability explicitly stated as its primary objective. This objective was only implied in the old Central Bank charter. The law also gives the Bangko Sentral fiscal and administrative autonomy which the old Central Bank did not have. On 3 July 1993, the New Central Bank Act took effect. The BSP’s Organizational Structure The Monetary Board, which exercises the power and functions of the BSP, such as the conduct of monetary policy and supervision of the financial system. The Monetary Stability Sector, which takes   charge of the formulation and implementation of the BSP’s monetary policy, including serving the banking needs of all banks through accepting deposits, servicing withdrawals and extending credit through the rediscounting facility, The Supervision and Examination Sector, which enforces and monitors compliance to banking laws to promote a sound and healthy banking system, and The Resource Management Sector, which serves the human, financial and physical resource needs of the BSP. The powers and function of Bangko Sentral are exercised by its Monetary Board, whose seven members are appointed by the President of the Philippines. As provided for by the New Central Bank Act, one of the government sector members of the Monetary Board must also be a member of the Presidents Cabinet. Members of the Monetary Board are prohibited from holding certain positions in other government agencies and private institutions that may give rise to conflicts of interest. The members have fixed, overlapping, terms, except for the cabinet secretary representing the incumbent administration and it was the expansionary. The current members of the Monetary Board are: * Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. , Chairman * Cesar Purisima * Peter Favila * Ignacio Bunye * Juanita D. Amatong * Alfredo C. Antonio * Nelly F. Villafuerte The BSP’s primary objective is to maintain price stability conducive to a balanced and sustainable economic growth. The BSP also aims to promote and preserve monetary stability and the convertibility of the national currency. The BSP provides policy directions in the areas of money, banking and credit. It supervises operations of banks and exercises regulatory powers over non-bank financial institutions with quasi-banking functions. Under the New Central Bank Act, the BSP performs the following functions, all of which relate to its status as the Republic’s central monetary authority. * Liquidity Management. The BSP formulates and implements monetary policy aimed at influencing money supply consistent with its primary objective to maintain price stability. * Currency issue. The BSP has the exclusive power to issue the national currency. All notes and coins issued by the BSP are fully guaranteed by the Government and are considered legal tender for all private and public debts. Lender of last resort. The BSP extends discounts, loans and advances to banking institutions for liquidity purposes. * Financial Supervision. The BSP supervises banks and exercises regulatory powers over non-bank institutions performing quasi-banking functions. * Management of foreign currency reserves. The BSP seeks to maintain sufficient international reserves to meet any foreseeable net demands for foreign currencies in order to p reserve the international stability and convertibility of the Philippine peso. Determination of exchange rate policy. The BSP determines the exchange rate policy of the Philippines. Currently, the BSP adheres to a market-oriented foreign exchange rate policy such that the role of Bangko Sentral is principally to ensure orderly conditions in the market. * Other activities. The BSP functions as the banker, financial advisor and official depository of the Government, its political subdivisions and instrumentalities and government-owned and -controlled corporations. A payments system comprises the cultural, political, legal, economic and business practices and arrangements that is used within a market economy to determine, store and exchange value or ownership of goods and services. Properly functioning payments systems enhance the stability of the financial system, reduce transaction costs in the economy, promote the efficient use of financial resources, improve financial market liquidity and facilitate the conduct of monetary policy. Central banks have a strong interest in promoting safety and improving efficiency in payments systems as part of their overall concern with financial stability. Central banks play a key role in the domestic payments system because it is their liquid liabilities—more particularly their reserve balances—that are the instruments in which the bulk of domestic payment obligations are legally finally settled. This pivotal role reflects, in part, the central bank’s statutory legal tender monopoly. Payment is a transfer of value. At its basic level, a payments system is a mechanism agreed upon by buyers and sellers in transferring value between them in order to consummate a particular transaction. A payments system facilitates the exchange of goods or services in an economy. A payment instrument is always required for each payment transaction to supply the term and conditions for the transaction, which should meet physical, legal and regulatory standards. Transfer of goods or services Goods flow Value flow Transfer of value through a payments system Seller Payee Flow of Payments System Buyers and Sellers, Payors and Payees Buyer Payor There are two general classifications of payment instruments, namely: cash or non-cash payment instruments. Cash is generally paper-based while the non-cash instruments are either paper-based or electronic-based. Non-cash payment instruments can be classified further into cheque payments, direct electronic funds transfers and card payments. Under the general structure of the payments system, the payments system consists of the set of arrangements for discharging obligations assumed by economic actors whenever they acquire real or financial resources, including the institutions providing payment services, the various instruments used to convey payment instructions, the means of transferring those instructions (including communications channels), and the contractual relationship among the parties concerned. One of my subject had affected was my major subject and that is Cost Accounting. Based on my own observation Cost Accounting had been affected throughout the Educational Tour of BAS. It affected me a lot because in terms of the hours that we pay on that subject it ruined and besides in terms in the subject we missed the lesson that should be took up on us on that day. But, Unfortunately, I’m not totally affected on that day, I learned a lot because our getaway tour is not all about fun. It is just like you are still studying but outside the campus.

Promoting Tiffany Jewellery Line

Promoting Tiffany Jewellery Line Tiffany Co. is one of the most renowned luxury Jewellery companies over the world. As a successful brand that had entered into its maturity phase, to give it a new lease of life that based on its original values is an important point of its brand management issue. (Chevalier M. Mazzalovo G., 2008) On one hand, Tiffany needs to keep on to pay its attention on the earlier brand esthetics: unique and magnificent diamonds, legendary and groundbreaking design, timeless style and lasting value. (The Tiffany story, 2010). On the other hand, a new blood that could enhance Tiffanys brand equity and boost its sales would be acquired. This research proposal will find an opportunity to diversify and broaden Tiffanys product line, promote the brands reputation and also stimulate the demands of both exist customers and new customers. Background Charles Lewis Tiffany established Tiffany Co. in Manhattan in 1837. Nowadays, more than 220 Tiffany stores had founded around 22 countries over the world. As the second-largest luxury jewellery retailer in the world, Tiffany Co. offers a large-scale of fine jewellery (90% of revenue in 2009), along with sterling silverware, crystal, timepieces, china, stationery, eyewear, fragrances, scarves and other accessories. (Shareholder information, 2010). During 173-year history, Tiffany had created an appropriate esthetics for its products and made a brilliant success of its brand equity. However, confront of economic sea change and recessionary environment from 2008 to 2009, the worldwide sales of Tiffany had declined significantly. The bar chart follows shows the net sales of Tiffany Co. between 2001 and 2009. As the figure illustrated, Tiffanys net sales declined from $2.9 billion in 2007 to $2.86 billion in 2008 and $2.71 billion in 2009 gradually. The most important factor of Tiffanys downward sales was the worldwide range of recession between 2008 and 2009 which impact the whole category sales of Tiffany Co. significantly. More over, the fluctuations of foreign currency and precious metal price had also influenced Tiffanys sales internationally. (Annual report 2008, 2008) However, when the net sales decreased by degrees between 2008 and 2009, Tiffany Co. had taken some actions quickly. It includes reduced their staffs, slowed their pace of opening new stores, declined their manufacture and sell from suppliers and also closed their IRIDESSE stores. (CEOs annual letter, 2008). In terms of competitive strategies, Tiffany Co. expanded a wide range of its new product lines and triumphed appreciably in this area. For instance, Tiffany Co. launched the Tiffany KEYS collection in 2009, TIFFANY NOTES and METRO jewellery collections in 2008 respectively. (Annual report 2009, 2009; Annual report 2008, 2008). Moreover, extensive public relations activities and events had held successfully worldwide by Tiffany Co.. For example, the 2010-2011 Tiffany Blue Book collection event was celebrated at a marvelous square in Forbidden City of Beijing on October 23 2010. (Event, 2010) As the most representative historic site in China, chose this regal place could show Tiffanys peerless brand identity and earn glory reputation internationally. The 2010-2011 Tiffany Blue Book collection event was held in Beijings Forbidden City on October 23 2010. (Event, official Tiffany Co. Chinese website, 2010). Furthermore, although the net sales between 2008 and 2009 shows a downward trend, Tiffany Co. had never stopped to opening their new stores internationally but it slowed down their opening speed. For example, it opened 22 new stores in 2008 and 14 in 2009 respectively. (Annual report 2008, 2008; Annual report 2009, 2009). It seems that Tiffany took very careful operations in recession period but took enormous energy to resolve their problems. To celebrate the new flagship store had opened in Beijing in December 2010, an astounding 3D show was displayed onto the stores facade. (Office blog of Tiffany Co., 2010) To sum up, although a downturn economic trend was showed in recent two years, Tiffany Co. still has a great ambition in luxury jewellery industry. It seems that Tiffany focus on how to offer their products lasting value and a flawless shopping experience, as well as how to find new customers and expand their distribution worldwide and enhance its brand reputation in an extensive region. (2009 annual report, 2009) An Important point would be easy to noticed is that the proportion of wedding market accounted the whole Tiffanys market share remarkably. As the following chart which source from Tiffany Co. 2008 annual report shows, the category B which describes that diamond rings and wedding bands accounted for 18% in 2006 and 2007, increased to 20% in 2008. The average prices of this category was about $2500, $3000 and $3000 in 2006, 2007 and 2008 for total reportable segments. According this figure, it could be seen that as a famous luxury jewellery brand, Tiffany Co. has a great market share with wedding customers. Firstly, wedding market is Tiffanys target market. Not only supported from this sales category segment chat, it also could find evidence on the office Tiffany Co. website. The most conspicuous category of Tiffany, which people can find firstly when they opening a Tiffany Co. website, is engagement rather than jewellery. Moreover, the first essential topic in Tiffanys facebook or twitter is about wedding bands or engagement diamond rings. Furthermore, look at the large range of different advertisements of Tiffany Co. on magazines or websites, it also could deduction that a strong relationship between wedding people and Tiffanys products. Secondly, a large range of wedding people or Tiffany fans may want their wedding have a connection with Tiffany. When google the keywords of wedding or tiffany or together, a huge number of Tiffany styles wedding scenes that people did it themselves or wedding agencies did for them would be appeared; such as Tiffanys wedding dress, Tiffanys wedding banquets, Tiffanys wedding invitation cards and Tiffanys wedding cakes. Thirdly, this Tiffany blue wedding trend also could earn money for some particular business. For instance, some bridal gown companies named them products Tiffany wedding dress even an enterprise named itself Tiffany Bridal. (Tiffany bridal limited, 2010). Another thought-provoking example also could be found on a Chinese famous wedding magazine. A Chinese editor recommended and created a Tiffany blue wedding banquet pattern in Hotel New Otani which is one of the most famous five stars hotel in Beijing. Even Chinese have their own entrench traditional red colour wedding custom, this unique Tiffany blue wedding got an expressive successfulness of booking for the hotel when the press was released. DSC_4957 A Tiffany blue wedding released on a Chinese wedding magazine. (Zexy, 2008) As one of the Tiffanys famous tagline mentioned that Blue is the colour of dreams, a huge number of people who is engaged may think that Tiffany blue is also the colour of their dream weddings. For example, a significant number of girls discussed their dreaming Tiffany wedding in Tiffany Co. facebook website. It seems that the emotion part of Tiffany or Tiffanys blue may always about love, dream, beautiful and wedding. In terms of other famous brand such as Vera Wang or Cartier, they both have their specific target wedding market too. The former is renowned of its wedding dress firstly and is developing its brand to a integrate women fashion brand gradually. However, as a young brand which founded in 1990, Vera Wangs history is only 20 years old. (Company Information, 2010) It seems that the loyalty of customers is the most important factor of a successful brand. From this, the brand impart of Vera Wang may hardly to competition with Tiffanys. Cartier also has a great reputation of their wedding bands and engagement rings. But like Tiffany, they still not expand their wedding market widely for now. (Bridal, 2010) Decision According to a bridalwear market assessment in Key Note, the average wedding gowns that brides would pay has broken the  £1,000 in 2004 in the UK. This stood for 5.8% of the average cost of a wedding. (Key Note, 2005). Moreover, Key Note evaluates that UK wedding dress retail market was worth  £105.3m in 2009. (Key Note, 2009) Based on this huge wedding market situation, as a great luxury brand, Tiffany has their great background to launch their own bridal gowns and related accessories include bridal veils, tiaras, pins or other decorations. Hypotheses If Tiffany Co. launched their stunning wedding dress in the market, there are several benefit for the brand and business. Firstly, it is a great opportunity for Tiffany to attract peoples eyes. A huge number of different kinds of media will compete to release the first glance of Tiffanys bridal gown. Thats a free and fabulous advertise of brand. Secondly, if Tiffany only offered very limited quantities of their wedding dress, customers should book and wait for their gowns patiently and passionately. This is a good way to gain reputation and enhance brand equity. Thirdly, the expand product line will increase customers include both exist customers and new customers to increase revenue. At last but not least, as a long-term development strategy, this action will help to compete Tiffanys whole wedding product category in a proper way.

Siddharthas Stages Analysis

Siddharthas Stages Analysis Siddhartha Tries to Learn Enlightenment Through Teachers Siddhartha started his life a Brahman, declared to be a special gifted Brahman from birth, extremely eager to attend teachers lessons to becoming enlightened on his path to total enlightenment. He had gone to his father when he was a young Brahman and learned to the capacity of the teachers knowledge. Though he believed hed exhausted his teaching at his home, he was not satisfied and requested from his father to allow him to leave to travel with the Samanas, throwing away any and everything that was handed to him as a noble man. His father was immediately furious upon request and denied him. Siddhartha responded by standing for a day, in the same position, unrelenting, to show he had made his mind up and he was serious about the decision. His father, though hesitant, saw the commitment he showed and agreed to let Siddhartha leave with the Samanas. He left to learn with the traveling monks their teaching of asceticism, a rejection of the body and physical desire. Siddhartha adjusts qu ickly because of the patience and discipline he learned in the Brahmin tradition. He learns from the Samanas how to free himself from the traditional trappings of life, losing the desire for; property, clothing, sexuality, and any sustenance except that required to survive. He thinks to find enlightenment, he must eliminate his Self, and successfully does so, renouncing the pleasures of the world. Siddhartha grows tired of the path of self-denial and sees that the oldest members of the Samanas have yet to attain true spiritual enlightenment, so just as he and his follower and best friend Govinda did before with the Brahmins, they must move on to another teacher. At this time, the monks begin hearing of and spreading talk of a new holy man named Gotama the Buddha who is said to have attained the total spiritual enlightenment called, Nirvana. Govinda convinces Siddhartha they should seek out Gotama. They inform the leader of the Samanas of their decision, in which he responds in a dis pleased manner, but is silenced by Siddhartha when he gives him an almost hypnotizing gaze to silence his disapproval. Siddhartha and Govinda find the camp of Gotamas followers and are welcomed. Its not long before Siddhartha identifies Gotama as a monk with an aura around him, and he and Govinda are instructed in the Eightfold Path, the four main points and other aspects of Buddhism. Govinda is convinced into joining Gotama as his follower while Siddhartha still had doubts, and notices a flaw (or contradiction) in Gotamas teaching: how can one embrace the unity of all things as the Buddha asks, if they are also told to overcome the physical world. Siddhartha concludes he must go, and leave Govinda, upon his request, to find the answers he needs. He had learned fasting and patience in this first learning exposure. He had put off the worldly pleasures so quickly and lost himself, he thought he would need to re-find himself in order to experience these pleasures to banish them entirel y. Siddhartha Learning From Himself He decides to learn a life free from meditation and the spiritual quests he has been pursuing, and instead learn from the pleasures of the body and material world. In this journey, he meets a friendly ferryman fully content with his simple life. Siddhartha tells him he has no valuables to exchange for the ferrymans kindness, which he is responded by the ferryman asking for Siddharthas friendship when Siddhartha returns to the river. Siddhartha agrees and departs, then coming to a city, and before entering, comes into contact with a beautiful woman being carried, whom greets him kindly while glancing at the aged and unkempt man. She entices him and he decides she would be the best to learn the world of love from so he cleans himself up and goes to her to seek her wisdom, however, she denied him, until he proved he could fit into the material world. She tells him to take the path of the merchant, and with her help, Siddhartha finds employment with a merchant named Kamaswami, to learn t he trade. While he learns wisdom of the business world and masters such skills, Kamala becomes his lover and she teaches him what she knows of love. Siddhartha stays for many years, and is soon a rich man enjoying the benefits of a privileged life. He gambles, drinks, dances, and has anything that can be bought in the material world at his disposal. But he is detached from this life and only sees it as a game. He soon gets caught in a cycle of unhappiness and tries to escape it by gambling, drinking, and having sex even more than before. He has a dream of Kamalas rare songbird dead in its cage and understands the material world is killing him without providing the enlightenment that he has been searching for, and once he finally thinks the game is over, he just leaves. He does not take anything with him other than the clothes on his back, and tells no one of his departure. He obtains the knowledge of the pleasures hes been attempting to diminish, so that he may now rid himself of th em. Now that he has accomplished this, he is ready to move to whatever journey his life brings him to next. Siddhartha Finding a Wise Teacher and Finding Satisfaction He blankly, and sick at heart, wanders until coming upon a river. He looks and the water and decides drowning himself would be best, and as hes about to succumb to death, he hears om and pulls himself from the water, then throws himself onto the river bank and falls asleep. He sleeps for two days to awaken to a monk watching over him, that he immediately recognizes to be Govinda. He thanks him for watching his slumber and once again departs from his friend to search for the ferryman. He finds him and gets onto the ferry, exchanging banter with the ferryman and recalling their previous meeting and is asked to stay with the man Vasudeva. He agrees to have Vasudeva be his teacher, but once Siddhartha knows to direct the ferry, Vasudeva tells him there is nothing he can teach him, and he will have to find the teacher responsible for Vasudevas virtue(s) on his own. After some time, Siddhartha asked Vasudeva learned from the river, in which he is confirmed and praised for realizing the riv ers teachings by Vasudeva. Siddhartha spends his time ferrying men across the river, and listening to the rivers many voices. After a while, there is news of Gotama being on his deathbed spreading around, calling Kamala out for a chance to seek council with the great Buddha. She brings her son with her as she travels to find Gotama, but while she rests and her son plays, she is tragically bitten by a poisonous snake and slowly succumbs to death, and before leaving, Siddhartha stumbles upon her and holds her as she passes. She confesses to him that the boy with her is his child, and the boy goes with Siddhartha to stay with him and Vasudeva. The boy learns to ferry the boat, and after some time he abandons Siddhartha and takes the boat to a city where he starts his own journey. Siddhartha mourns his son leaving, and ponders going after and finding him and arrives in front of the city thought to harbor him. But realizes the wisdom Vasudeva gives him and understands his son must learn his path on his own, and instead of entering the city he leaves. He mourns for a while longer, and resumes his teachings from the river, upon which Vasudeva makes his departure into the forest, leaving Siddhartha as the ferryman. Siddhartha has at this point become very wise and lives his days out on the river, ferrying men across. A familiar man joins him on the ferry, who he finds to be Govinda. Govinda asks him of the knowledge hes acquired, and is given knowledge from Siddhartha on his values of everything around him. Siddhartha learned the value of the world and materials around him, to appreciate every aspect of everything and be accepting of this resolve.

Angelas Ashes: Analysis :: essays research papers

It is a common view that times for the Irish majority in the 1930's and 40's were very hard. Especially for the Irish Catholic families with the stereotypical drunken father, emotionally wrecked mother, kids running round her with her sore back from the next child ready too be born. In Angela's Ashes, Mc Court examines his childhood experiences, the tragedies, hardships, learning, all involved with growing up.One of the most interesting aspects of the writing in Angela's Ashes is how the text is written, from Mc Courts interpretation of the situation at his age he was at the time, the spelling and grammar also indicates that the child is writing, not the adult. This contributes immensely to the emotions and enjoyment evoked from reading the book. It also better describes how a child actually sees the things going around them, and what they may be thinking. Personally, sometimes is made me think for a while about how I interpreted things I saw when I was that age, and the fun I had b eing a 'kid' with my sister.McCourt describes his brothers and sister, even the ones that died and how much he enjoyed growing up with them, how they cared and loved for each other. Because of the appalling quarters they lived in and the lack of money and food there was terminal illnesses in the family which proved fatal to some of his siblings. Mc Court in his 'child-like' writing style describes how his siblings and he, interpret what's happened and how they see their parents reacting. Mc Court also analyses how his younger brother Malachy looks up to him and how much he takes Malachy under his 'wing' and takes care of him. Parenting is said to be one of the hardest tasks out there today, especially sole-parenting. Mc Court carefully examines his mother, how she copes with her drunken betrothed, how her cousins who married 'gentlemen' are constantly try to run her life, and how she acts as a woman. His father, the 'Irish drunk' who is constantly making him and his brother swear their lives for Ireland and singing Roddy Mc Corley and Kevin Barry after a night at the pub. How his father will tell him stories about old Irish folklore and get sacked from job after job.As Frank progresses into adolescence, he explores the feelings and changes he goes through.

Effective Use of Sound Techniques in Fritz Lang’s Film, M Essay

Effective Use of Sound Techniques in Fritz Lang’s Film, M M was directed by Fritz Lang and was released in Germany in 1931. M follows the story of a strand of child murders in a German city. In a hunt for the murderer the police as well as the organized criminal underground of this German city search rapidly for the killer of these innocent children. The specific elements that Fritz Lang uses to express his view of what the sound should be are, how particular sound techniques shape the film, and how the sound affects the story. In a shot by shot analysis of a series scenes that uses diegetic sound the audience can understand what Lang's intentions for sound was for this film. Initially the audience is witness to how particular sound techniques shape this film. For instance, one of the main details that the audience hears is the song that the murderer whistles. Due to the marvel of sound the audience can pick out that the whistling is related to the murderer. Along with the blind man who figured this mystery out, the audience could only put these two together with this sound technique. The director shows the audience how such a simple part of every day sound can be so important to solving such a terrible crime. An additional sound technique that the director uses is during the beginning of the film with the clock on the wall of Elsie Beckmann's family's apartment. The director uses this clock as a suspense builder to show more and more time is passing without her mother hearing something from her daughter. Attributable to the novelty of sound, the ding dongs and coo-coos on the clock are louder than in reality. This could be another way in which the director wanted to pull the audience into the element of what the clock ... ... understands how important time is being portrayed for Elsie's mother. In brief, the audience can see how this 1931 sound film could be shaped by sound in a number of ways. Considering that sound at this time was a new phenomenon it is understood why mostly diegetic sound was used over nondiegetic sound. This director also showed the audience how the story could be affected by sound with examples like the clock becoming a character and storyline of its own and also the murderer being identified with his whistling. With the lack of sound and the collage of images during specific times, the director was able to create a mood without music or sound. Apparently this was a technique that was learned throughout his many years of silent films. These details were what brought the story together and would not have been done so precisely without the technique of sound.

History of Bloodletting Essay

Hans von Gersdorff: Feldbuch der Wundarzney (Field book of surgery) (Page 16V), 1517 The above diagram is from a medicine book published in 1517 by a German surgeon Hans von Gersdorff, showing the points of bloodletting, we can see that there are nearly 50 points of bloodletting distributed in all parts of the body. The diagram also shows a dissection of a male human body with most of the organs shown, it seems that people at time or before that time already did a lot of experiments and dissections on human body trying to understand their own body and how to treat different illness by bloodletting. It can also be conclude that bloodletting is a very scientific way to treat illness at that time as it appears in a published medicine book, the diagram shows a quite accurate human dissection and there are so many points of bloodletting for treating illnesses. Bloodletting is a medical practice of withdrawing blood from our body by bleeding, the history of bloodletting started at the ancient times and found in many countries, its idea is to remove the excessive or the bad humours in our body in order to maintain health. This idea come from the menstruation of female as people at that time though that menstruation is a process of removing bad humours. The idea of bloodletting is reinforced by the humoral theory and research of Galen. Galen states that blood is produced in the live and is consumed in body parts, blood is not circulating and so will stagnate in different body parts. And the humoral theory of Galen state that the healthiness of our body is maintained by the humoral balance. So if there is excessive humours, we should remove them in order to maintain health. If blood is the excessive humour, bloodletting should be performed. These two idea combined together and contributed to the development of bloodletting. There are so many points of bloodletting shown in the diagram is possibly because of people at that time though that different diseases are caused by excessive blood stagnate in different body parts, so they perform bloodletting in different body parts in order to heal different illnesses by restoring the humoral balance. The idea of bloodletting lasts for almost 2,000 years and was disproved by William Harvey. From my point of view, William’s research disprove the theory of bloodletting in two ways. Firstly, William founds that blood is not produced in liver then used up in body parts as Galen said, but is circulating all around the body and so it will not stagnate in the body parts. Therefore bloodletting in different body part will get the same result and the theory of performing bloodletting in different body part to treat different illness is disproved. Secondly, as blood is not produced then used up, so the production rate of blood is not as fast as Galen thought. Actually, the production rate of blood in our body is quite slow and so the amount of blood is relatively constant. As the procedure of bloodletting is to remove quite a large amount of blood, so this will weaken our body and sometimes maybe even fatal. This disprove the idea of using bloodletting to treat illness. Despite of this, the practice of bloodletting still quite common until the 1900s because of its own long history. Nowadays, bloodletting is seldom use as a kind of scientific medical treatment already as most of the people knows about the side effects of it, but it still appears in some folk healing practice. Reference: 1. Wikipedia – Bloodletting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodletting 2. Wikipedia – Galen http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galen 3. Wikipedia – William Harvey http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Harvey 4. The Medieval Period’s Most Painful Medical Procedures And Instruments http://all-thats-interesting.tumblr.com/post/35561937226/the-medieval-periods-most-painful-medical-procedures 5. Top 10 Bizarre Healing Treatments http://www.toptenz.net/top-10-bizarre-healing-techniques.php 6. CCST9024 Blood, Beliefs, Biology Lecture 2 PowerPoint 7. CCST9024 Blood, Beliefs, Biology Lecture 3 PowerPoint

Comparing of Financial Statement for Similar Companies

Introduction Freds, Belk, Big Lots and Dollar Tree are all famous variety store in United State. All of them provide various and qualified goods to customers. This analysis report, discussing different financial data based on the 10-K document of the four companies, wants to give readers a meaningful describe to these companies so investors can have clear opinions to help decide. Company Profiles Freds, Inc. Freds) is to meet the general merchandise and pharmacy needs of the small – to medium- sized towns it serves by offering a wider variety of quality merchandise and a more attractive price-to-value relationship than either drug stores or smaller variety/dollar stores and a shopper-friendly format which is more convenient than larger sized dis count merchandise stores. The company’s sales of p harmaceuticals have a percentage of 33. 5% in 2010, 34. 1% in 2011, and 34. 9% in 2012, comparing to the total sales. And its major sales of others include households good and f ood products, etc. showing that the company tries its best to execute its business strategy. Big Lots, Inc. is a Fortune 500 retail corporation. The company is based in Columbus, Ohio, USA and currently operates over 1,400 stores in 47 states. Its department stores focus mainly on selling closeout and overstock merchandise. There are some items in the stores, such as foodstuffs, that are replenished on a continual basis. What’s more, Big Lots also operates a wholesale division, which provides merchandise in bulk for resale from a variety of categories.Financial StatementsBig Lots uses an existing building, such as a grocery or department store that had either moved or ceased operations. Dollar Tree, Inc. began its operations in 1953 and was incorporated in Virginia. The company is an American chain of discount variety stores that se lls every item for $1. 00 or less. The company targets low to lower-middle income consumers and sells everyday products from food and personal ca re products to non-essentials. It sells its product in three business segments:1) Consumable merchandise, which accounted for 48. % of its sales in 2011, 2) Variety merchandise, which accounted for 46. 9% of 2011 sales, and 3)seasonal goods, explained 5% of 2011 sales. Belk, Inc. , together with its subsidiaries, is the largest privately owned mainline department store business in the United States, with 303 stores in 16 states, as of the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012. Generated revenues of $3. 7 billion for the fiscal year 2012, and together with its predecessors, have been successfully operating department stores since 1888. Belk Stores Services, Inc. , a subsidiary of Belk, Inc. rovides a wide range of services t o the Belk division offices and stores, such as merchandising, merchandise planning and allocation, advertising and sales promotion, information systems, human resources, public relations, accounting, real estate and store planning, credit, legal, tax, distribution and purchasing. Accounting Policies (see Exhibit 1) All of the four companies are United State location so that part of their accounting policies are the same, but because the area location and business strategy, they have some different accounting policies.The four companies do not amortized goodwill and tested them for impairment annually, using an income approach and a market approach in determining fair value for purposes of goodwill impairment tests. All four of them report income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740, the asset and liability method is used for computing future income tax consequences of events . The major differences exist in revenue recognition, merchandise inventories and Stock-based compensation.Based on their requirements, Freds records its sales when the merchandise is shipped from the Company’s warehouse; Dollar tree records sales revenue at the time a sale is made to its customer ; Big Lots’ sales Revenue is recognized when the customer ma kes the final payment and takes possession of the merchandise and sales of Belk is recorded at the time of delivery. Freds values inventories at the lower of cost or market using the retail first -in, first-out method for goods in stores and the cost first -in, first-out method for goods in our distribution centers. And the rest of hree companies values inventories at the lower of cost or market using the average cost retail inventory method. Under the average cost retail inventory method, inventory is segregated into departments of merchandise having similar characteristics at its current retail selling value. Profitability, Liquidity/Solvency (see Exhibit 2) If we analyze the current ratio and quick ratio they are relatively small. So paying the short term debts might be a problem for the company as well as the liquidity is getting decreased from year 2010 – 2012 as 1. 43 to 1. 23 to 0. 88.So it might be difficult for the company to stay with the current obligations. If we analyze the debt -equity ratio seems to be in high end for the Belk, but it is gradually decreasing 1. 36, 1. 06 to 1. 03. This seems to be a good sign for the company. But still the ratio is high and need quite bit of work to get it down to an acceptable value. Freds’ ROE keeps a increase from 5. 99% in 2010, to 7. 17% in 2011 then to 7. 89% in 2012 because its profit margin increasing from 1. 32% to 1. 61% and 1. 78%, respectively in 2011 and 2012, in the same time, its assets turnover keeps a steadily level from 3. 20 to 3. 06, just a slightly decrease.Additionally, the gross margin just has a higher change from 27. 92% in 2010, to 28. 66% in 2012 than profit margin. The inventory turnover has a decrease from 4. 33 to 4. 15 respectively in 2010 and 2012, due to the cost of goods sold increasing slower than inventory. What’s more, the current ratio and quick ratio keeps falling down, and debt/equity ratio grows up during the 3 years, showing that the debt increases f aster than equity. Big Lot’s ROE continues to grow from 20. 01% in 2010 to 25. 15% in 2012. However, it s profit margin and gross margin have been going downwards since 2010, dropping to 3. 98% and 39. 9% respectively in 2012. What’s more, its current ratio and quick ratio have also decreased, the former one has slacked from 2. 069 in 2010 to 1. 721 in 2012, a nd the later one has slummed from 0. 72 to 0. 31, which indicate that the company’s fund are more tighten up in recent years. Through further study, we found that the D-E ratio is increasing from 1. 208 in 2010 to 1. 704 in 2012, which presented the company’s new financing strategy from borrowing, other than getting capital from the shareholders. The ROE of Dollar Tree increased rapidly from 22. 43% in 2010 to 27. 23% in 2011 and to 36. 32% in 2012. On examining the three omponents of ROE, the profit margin was 6. 3% in 2010 but in 2012 it increased at 7. 36%. In addition, its assets turnover mainta ins a steady growth. It was 2. 28 in 2010, 2. 47 in 2011 and 2. 85 in 2012. Over the three years, the debt -equity ratio also grows steadily. Besides, the current ratio and quick ratio of Dollar Tree in the past three years obviously declined. That mostly resulted from the increasing debt and surging sales . Return on Equity almost doubled from 2010 to 2011 as 6. 31% to 11. 33% and has a steady growth from 2011 to 2012 as 15. 30%. This implies Net Income increased and it is proportional to good increase in profit margins as from 2% to 3. 63% almost doubled from 2010 to 2011 and 4. 95% in 2012 which is a steady growth. When we compare the Total asset turnover in last 3 years seems to be decreasing, though it is 13. 1 in 2010 decreased significantly form 2011 and 2012 as 1. 14 and 1. 50 respectively. This might be due to competition from other department and specialty stores and other retailers, including luxury goods retailers, mail o rder retailers and offprice and discount stores. Opportunities/Threats Opportunities: from the above, we get the idea that the variety store industry has a good time during the several years.These four companies are keeping increase in profit and they have lower financial distress so that they could borrow more money from banks and investors, which gives them more chances to execute expansion strategy: more available cash from borrowing, better financial statement which can give more confidence to in vestors and higher return to support the future development. Threats: we should notice that most of the four companies have a higher gross margin increasing than profit margin, and a continuous lower inventory turnover.They show that these companies’ structures include threaten in the future. What’s more, the high debt means that the banks and investors tighten polices and requirements to the companies so their business and expansion will be influenced by investors. Meanwhile, the raising interest rat e of debt gives hig her financial distress to the companies. Overall Assessment Retail industry is a highly competitive and dynamic business to work with. So it needs to be change whenever it needs to be. Here we can see that when one company doing well other companies are struggling to stay in the race.If we analyze the overall challenges retail business facing is like high Employee turnovers, also Auditing issues as they regularly engaged in competition with one another, and this competition can creat e price wars, forcing a need to keep tight control over inventory, as the nation prospers and people have more money to spend, the retail industry generally flourishes. As for the companies we can see that Fred’s, Dollar tree and Belk is seems to be doing well in this difficult situations, but the Big Lotus is losing some ground as profit margins getting lower as well as their funds getting tightens up.However when we see the COGS each company has a problem as COGS selling slower than the invento ry, this might be hurting all four companies as if their items old they have to write off them and which might eventually losing money. Exhibit 1: Significant Accounting Policies Freds Revenue recognition Merchandise inventories Goodwill Stock-based compensation Income taxes Dollar tree Big Lots Belk Sales are recorded when the merchandise is shipped from the Company’s warehouse sales revenue at the time a sale is made to its customer Revenue is recognized when the customer makes the final payment and takes possession of the merchandise.Sales from retail operations are recorded at the time of delivery. Valued at the lower of cost or market using the retail first-in, first-out method for goods in our stores and the cost first-in, firstout method for goods in our distribution centers. Stated at the lower of cost or market, determined on a weighted-average cost basis. Under the retail inventory method, the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins are comp uted by applying a calculated cost-to-retail ratio to the retail value of inventories. Valued at the lower of cost or market using the average cost retail inventory method. Under the average ost retail inventory method, inventory is segregated into departments of merchandise having similar characteristics at its current retail selling value. Valued using the lower of cost or market value, determined by the retail inventory method. Under the retail inventory method (â€Å"RIM†), the valuation of inventories at cost and the resulting gross margins Goodwill is not amortized and tested for impairmen t annually. Use an income approach and a market approach in determining fair value for purposes of goodwill impairment tests. Goodwill is not amortized and tested for impairment annually. Use an income approach and a market pproach in determining fair value for purposes of goodwill impairment tests. Goodwill is not amortized and tested for impairment annually. Use an income approach a nd a market approach in determining fair value for purposes of goodwill impairment tests. Goodwill is not amortized and tested for impairment annually. Use an income approach and a market approach in determining fair value for purposes of goodwill impairment tests. Uses the fair value recognition provisions of FASB ASC 718, account for stock based compensation by using the grant date fair value of share awards and the estimated number of shares that will ultimately be ssued in conjunction with each award. Recognizes all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, in the financial statements based on their fair values. Value and expense stock options with graded vesting as a single award with an average estimated life over the entire term of the award. Uses the fair value recognition provisions of FASB ASC 718, account for stock based compensation by using the grant date fair value of share awards and the estimated number of shares that will ultimat ely be issued in conjunction with each award. reports income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740,the asset and liability ethod is used for computing future income tax consequences of events reports income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740,the asset and liability method is used for computing future income tax consequences of events reports income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740,the asset and liability method is used for computing future income tax consequences of events reports income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC 740,the asset and liability method is used for computing future income tax consequences of events Exhibit 2: Industry Ratio Summary 2012 Freds, Inc. 2011 Profitability Return on equity 7. 89% 7. 17% 5. 99% 25. 15% 23. 50% 20. 01% 6. 32% 27. 23% 22. 43% 15. 30% 11. 33% 6. 31% Profit margin 1. 78% 1. 61% 1. 32% 3. 98% 4. 49% 4. 23% 7. 36% 6. 75% 6. 13% 4. 95% 3. 63% 2. 00% Gross margin 28. 66% 28. 61% 27. 92% 39. 79% 40. 63% 40. 61% 35. 87% 35. 49% 35. 49% 0. 33% 0. 33% 0. 32% Total asset turnover 3. 06 3. 16 3. 20 3. 169 3. 057 2. 831 2. 85 2. 47 2. 28 1. 5 1. 41 13. 1 A/R turnover 62. 61 64. 58 61. 93 42. 45 41. 39 40. 11 76. 42 78. 53 72. 33 104. 9 131. 3 118. 7 Inventory turnover 4. 15 4. 33 4. 33 3. 8 3. 86 4. 02 4. 2 4. 2 4. 1 2. 9 2. 97 2. 83 Short term liquidity Current ratio 2. 47 2. 91 2. 81 1. 721 1. 941 2. 069 2. 08 2. 5 2. 74 2. 51 3. 34 3. 32 0. 33 . 52 0. 57 0. 31 0. 53 0. 72 0. 59 1 1. 31 0. 88 1. 23 1. 43 0. 49 0. 40 0. 43 1. 704 1. 283 1. 208 0. 73 0. 63 0. 6 1. 03 1. 06 1. 36 Quick ratio Long term solvency Debt/Equity ratio 2010 2012 Big Lots 2011 2010 2012 Dollar Tree 2011 2010 Belk. inc 2012 2011 2010 Profit Margin Return on Equity 40. 00% 35. 00% 30. 00% 25. 00% Freds, inc 20. 00% Big Lots 15. 00% Dollar Tree 10. 00% Belk. inc 5. 00% 0. 00% 2012 2011 8. 00% 7. 00% 6. 00% 5. 00% 4. 00% 3. 00% 2. 00% 1. 00% 0. 00% Freds, inc Big Lots Dollar Tree Belk. inc 2012 2010 2011 2010 Debt-to-Equity Ratio Inventory turnover 2. 00 5. 00 4. 00 Freds, inc 3. 00 Big Lots 1. 50 Freds, incBig Lots 1. 00 Dollar Tree Dollar Tree 2. 00 Belk. inc 1. 00 Belk. inc 0. 50 0. 00 0. 00 2012 2011 2010 2012 2011 2010 Exhibit 3: Income statement Fred,inc Statement of Income January 28, 2012 Net sales Cost of goods sold 1879059 1340519 100% 71. 34% Gross profit 538540 Depreciation and amortization 100% 71. 39% 1788136 1288899 100% 72. 08% 28. 66% 527018 28. 61% 499237 27. 92% 34190 1. 82% 29236 1. 59% 26387 1. 48% Selling, general and administrative expenses 453195 24. 12% 451064 24. 49% 434356 24. 29% Operating income Interest income Interest expense 51155 -156 553 2. 72% -0. 01% 0. 03% 46718 -234 424 2. 54% -0. 01% 0. 02% 38494 -189 82 2. 15% -0. 01% 0. 03% Income before income taxes 50758 2. 70% 46528 2. 53% 38201 2. 14% Provision for income taxes 17330 0. 92% 16941 0. 92% 14586 0. 82% 33428 1. 78% 29587 1. 61% 23615 1. 32% $ $ January 30, 2010 1841755 1314737 Net income $ January 29, 2011 $ $ $ Big Lots, Statement of Inc ome January 27, 2012 Net sales Cost of goods sold Gross profit Selling, general and administrative expenses Other Operating Expense Operating income $ January 28, 2011 5,202,269. 00 3,131,862. 00 2,070,407. 00 100. 00% 60. 20% 39. 80% 1,634,532. 00 January 29, 2012 4,952,244. 00 2,939,793. 00 2,012,451. 00 100. 00% 59. 36% 40. 64% 31. 42% 1,567,500. 0 90,280. 00 1. 74% 345,595. 00 6. 64% $ 4,726,772. 00 2,807,466. 00 1,919,306. 00 100. 00% 59. 39% 40. 61% 31. 65% 1,532,356. 00 32. 42% 78,606. 00 1. 59% 74,904. 00 1. 58% 357,345. 00 7. 22% 325,010. 00 6. 88% $ Earnings Before Interest And Taxes Interest Expense 345,422. 00 6. 64% 357,957. 00 7. 23% 325,185. 00 6. 88% 3,530. 00 0. 07% 2,573. 00 0. 05% 1,840. 00 0. 04% Income Before Tax 341,892. 00 6. 57% 355,384. 00 7. 18% 323,345. 00 6. 84% Income Tax Expense 134,657. 00 2. 59% 132,837. 00 2. 68% 121,975. 00 2. 58% Net income 207,064. 00 3. 98% 222,524. 00 4. 49% 200,369. 00 4. 24% Dollar Tree, Statement of Income January 28,2012Reve nues $ January 29,2011 Selling and admistrtive expense 64. 13% 35. 87% 3,794. 8 2,087. 60 1,596. 2 Gross margin 100% 4252. 2 2378. 3 cost of sales 6630. 5 $ 5882. 40 24. 07% 1,457. 60 100% January 30,2010 $ 5,231. 20 100% 64. 51% 35. 49% 3,374. 40 1,856. 80 64. 51% 35. 49% 24. 78% 1,344. 00 25. 69% Restructing charges Goodwill impairment — — — intangible and other asset impairment — — — operating expense $ 1,596. 2 24. 07% operating income interest expense interest income other income 782. 1 2. 9 –0. 3 11. 80% 0. 04% Income before income taxes Net income $ 1,457. 60 24. 78% 10. 71% 0. 10% 0. 00% 630 5. 6 –5. 5 779. 5 ncome taxes $ 11. 76% 291. 2 488. 3 4. 39% 7. 36% 1344 25. 69% 9. 80% 0. 10% -0. 10% 512. 8 5. 2 — 629. 9 $ $ 10. 71% 507. 6 9. 70% 232. 6 397. 3 3. 95% 6. 75% 187. 1 320. 5 3. 58% 6. 13% $ Belk, Statement of Income 2012 2011 Revenues 3,699,592 100% Cost of goods sold (Including occupancy, distribution and b uying $ expenses) 2,461,515 66% 938008 2012 3513275 100% 2353536 66% 25% 914078 3143 0. 08% 2302 —- Operating income Interest expense Interest income Loss on extinguishment of debt Gain on investments Income before income taxes Income tax expense Net income Gain on sale of property and equipment Asset impairment and exit costsPension curtailment charge $ 100% 2271925 68% 26% 886263 26% 6416 0. 18% 2011 0. 06% 0. 06% 0. 00% 6096 —– 0. 17% 0. 00% 39915 2719 1. 19% 0. 08% 300190 Selling, general and administrative expenses 3346252 8. 11% 245981 7. 00% 147441 4. 41% -50218 328 -922 —–250098 66950 183148 -1. 35% 0. 01% 0. 02% 0. 00% 0. 0676 1. 80% 0. 0495 -50679 569 ——–195871 68243 127628 -1. 44% 0. 02% 0. 00% 0. 00% 0. 0557 1. 94% 0. 0363 -51321 1027 —43 97190 30054 67136 -1. 53% 0. 03% 0. 00% 0. 00% 0. 029 0. 89% 2 $ $ $ $ Exhibit 4: Balance Sheet Freds,inc Balance Sheets January 28, 2012 January 29, 2011 January 30, 2010 J anuary 31, 2009 ASSETSCurrent assets: Cash and cash equivalents 27130 4. 29% 49182 8. 26% 54742 9. 58% Account Receivables Inventories 31883 331882 5. 04% 52. 51% 28146 313384 4. 73% 52. 62% 28893 294024 Other non-trade receivables 32090 5. 08% 26378 4. 43% Prepaid expenses and other current assets Total current assets 12321 435306 1. 95% 68. 88% 12723 429813 Property and equipment 161112 25. 49% 139931 Equipment under capital leases 97 0. 02% – Intangible assets, net 32191 5. 09% 22193 3. 73% 16035 2. 81% 9042 1. 66% Other noncurrent assets, net Total assets $ 3276 631982 0. 52% 100% $ 3591 595528 0. 60% 100% $ 4040 571441 0. 71% 100% $ 4442 544775 0. 82% 00% LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 106886 16. 91% $ 81002 13. 60% $ 87393 15. 29% $ 69955 12. 84% 658 0. 10% 201 0. 03% 718 0. 13% 243 0. 04% Current portion of indebtedness $ $ $ $ 35128 6. 45% 5. 06% 51. 45% 28857 301537 5. 30% 55. 35% 25193 4. 41% 15782 2. 90% 2. 14% 7 2. 17% 10945 413797 1. 92% 72. 41% 11912 393216 2. 19% 72. 18% 23. 50% 137569 24. 07% 138036 25. 34% – 39 Accrued expenses and other 44876 7. 10% 45371 7. 62% 39621 6. 93% 46659 8. 56% Deferred income taxes 23878 3. 78% 21142 3. 55% 19373 3. 39% 13061 2. 40% Total current liabilities 176298 27. 90% 147716 24. 80% 147105 5. 74% 137667 25. 27% Long-term portion of indebtedness 6640 1. 05% 3969 0. 67% 4179 0. 73% 4866 0. 89% Deferred income taxes 5633 0. 89% 2069 0. 35% 2009 0. 35% 1328 0. 24% Other noncurrent liabilities Total liabilities 19799 208370 3. 13% 32. 97% 17886 171640 3. 00% 28. 82% 17209 170502 3. 01% 29. 84% 13833 157694 2. 54% 28. 95% Common stock, Class A voting, no par value 105384 16. 68% 131367 22. 06% 131685 23. 04% 136877 25. 13% Common stock, Class B nonvoting, no par value Retained earnings 317364 50. 22% 291649 48. 97% 268350 46. 96% 249141 45. 73% Accumulated other comprehensive income 864 0. 14% 872 0. 15% 904 0. 16% 1063