Censorship: Kay Anderson vs. Michael Moore

Is controversial documentary is about our first amendment rights. Although, we as Americans are guaranteed the right to have freedom of speech, Kay Anderson and his allies would like to limit who or what message the town of Orem, Utah is exposed to. Simply because Mister Anderson does not agree with the political views of Michael Moore, he wants to censor what the whole town is allowed to hear. Utah Valley State College (UVSC) is located in Orem where Michael Moore was scheduled to speak.Since the tickets were sold to college age or older persons, one would surmise that those individuals attending would not be easily swayed by what Kay Anderson sees as the evil of Michael Moore’s message. Why should the general public in Orem not enjoy the same liberties that Kay Anderson does in determining who or what message they want to hear? It is as simple as if the person wanted to hear Michael Moore’s message, they bought the ticket to his speaking engagement.Many of the college age students that Mister Anderson was trying to shelter from Michael Moore’s message were made more curious simply because of the uproar caused by Kay Anderson’s shenanigans. Mister Anderson is a bully who was trying to limit the choices of others in Orem. Just because Mister Anderson might not share Michael Moore’s political views, why should the general population of Orem have no say in whom or what they are exposed to? Bringing Sean Hannity to speak at the UVSC campus was just a way to try to placate the Mister Anderson.It did not help the money situation. It actually cost the college a little more money just paying Sean Hannity’s travel expenses than paying Michael Moore’s speaking fee and travel expenses. In the end just because Kay Anderson and a few students disagreed with Jim Bassi and Joe Vogel’s decision to bring a controversial speaker to the UVSC a campus was divided. With the loss of revenue from alumni donations, the college w as the one hurt in the end.

The Effectiveness of the Blackboard Learning System as an Online Research Paper

The Effectiveness of the Blackboard Learning System as an Online Education Tool - Research Paper Example Objectives The objectives of this study are: To conduct a literature review of Blackboard and its position in virtual learning environments. To conduct a survey among students at UNSW in order to measure the overall effectiveness of current Blackboard’s features. To determine the best and worst features of Blackboard. To make recommendations based on the research findings on improvements that can be made to enhance the effectiveness of Blackboard as an online education tool. Literature review Blackboard is one of the interfaces used in provision of online education or distance learning, usually referred to as virtual learning environment. The basic features of all virtual learning environment models are that they are based on the web and use certain tools to ensure two-way interaction is possible. They also feature a content management system. Besides these, they simulate traditional classroom delivery concepts of education in terms of instruction, assessment, discussions and homework assignments among other features. The basic goal of all virtual learning environment models is to make the learning experience in online education as interactive as possible. Some of the tools used to achieve this are aimed at enhancing communication, uploading and downloading course content and supportive material, class administration, instructor assessment, self evaluation assessment tools through automatic scoring and online questionnaires among other profound tools like three-dimensional environments and use of emoticons to promote interaction (Iskander, 2007). Blackboard has a suite of applications that are supported by Blackboard Global Solutions to enable efficient and integrated planning and implementation of the desired system for... The intention of this study is blackboard as one of the interfaces used in provision of online education or distance learning, usually referred to as virtual learning environment. The basic features of all virtual learning environment models are that they are based on the web and use certain tools to ensure two-way interaction is possible. They also feature a content management system. Besides these, they simulate traditional classroom delivery concepts of education in terms of instruction, assessment, discussions and homework assignments among other features. The basic goal of all virtual learning environment models is to make the learning experience in online education as interactive as possible. Some of the tools used to achieve this are aimed at enhancing communication, uploading and downloading course content and supportive material, class administration, instructor assessment, self evaluation assessment tools through automatic scoring and online questionnaires among other profo und tools like three-dimensional environments and use of emoticons to promote interaction. Blackboard has a suite of applications that are supported by Blackboard Global Solutions to enable efficient and integrated planning and implementation of the desired system for clients. The applications by Blackboard include Blackboard learning system, Blackboard content system, Blackboard portal system and Blackboard transaction system. The Blackboard learning system is utilized by organizations in the use of the internet as an effective instructional system.

Transportation and Security administration Research Paper

Transportation and Security administration - Research Paper Example The thesis statement this paper would be holding is â€Å"By focusing on risk reduction through pro-active measures such as broader intelligence gathering, knowledge management, and enhanced coordination with international partners, TSA will make equipment as not the only answer to Homeland Security of our Nation. It has been observed that our airports are very vulnerable to a terrorist incident. Most of us have also experienced the security at our country’s airports and are well known of the fact that the specific aspects of airport security are specific vulnerabilities as well. With the problem identified, the goal of this paper is to provide a solution in identifying different security capabilities for security at airport that affect the citizens of this nation; besides just equipment. One must understand that the current strategies are not enough in making this country safe through airport security. Currently, body scanners, pat downs, biometrics, cast scopes, explosive t race detections and imaging technology are used to ensure efficient solution for the current problem which has caused a lot of controversies in the past (TSA). Thus, there is a need to provide viable courses of actions. This paper aims to do the exact same, i.e. providing remedy for this bad course by changing the operational mission of the TSA, and focus on risk reduction through pro-active measures such as broader intelligence gathering, knowledge management, and enhanced coordination with international partners. ... aper investigates the impact of post-9/11 airport security measures on air travel as well as the process of screening baggage and passenger screening measures. These two being one of the major changes in security has worked towards reducing the level of passengers flying. The evidence is provided that baggage screening was the basic factor in reducing this number and thus had more effect as compared to contemporaneous price changes, airport-specific shocks, schedule changes, or other factors. TSA deploys more AIT units. (2011). Airport Security Report, 19(23), n/a-n/a. This article mentions the effort made by the TSA regarding the issues raised by the security measures used at the airport. According to this article TSA has introduced AITs that worked towards reducing the concerns of passengers regarding their privacy. Outline The thesis statement this paper would be holding is â€Å"By focusing on risk reduction through pro-active measures such as broader intelligence gathering, kno wledge management, and enhanced coordination with international partners, TSA will make equipment as not the only answer to Homeland Security of our Nation. It has been observed that our airports are very vulnerable to a terrorist incident. Most of us have also experienced the security at our country’s airports and are well known of the fact that the specific aspects of airport security are specific vulnerabilities as well. With the problem identified, the goal of this paper is to provide a solution in identifying different security capabilities for security at airport that affect the citizens of this nation; besides just equipment. One must understand that the current strategies are not enough in making this country safe through airport security. Currently, body scanners, pat downs,

Estimate the five operating expenses for each of the past three fiscal Essay

Estimate the five operating expenses for each of the past three fiscal years, and evaluate what operating leverage, if any, was applied each year - Essay Example According to both financial statements the five costs are Cost of Revenue, Research and Development, Selling General and Administrative Expenses, Non-Recurring and Others. For the sake of simplicity, Cost of Revenue and Selling, General and Administration Expenses would be regarded as Variable Cost and the other expenditure as Fixed Cost. From the Income Statement Extract for 2003 (Fig 2), it is clear that PFIZER operated with a higher degree of operating leverage than GlaxoSmithKline. This is evident in the company's fixed cost percentage as PFIZER's fixed cost position is 2% higher that its competitor. The fact that PFIZER has a substantial amounts of capital tied up in its fixed assets and in particular in Research and Development Expenditure, would account for its higher operating leverage. It should be of no surprise therefore, that PFIZER's Research and Development accounts for over 50% of its total fixed cost. GlaxoSmithKline may have been a little more conservative since its Research and Development Expenditure spans only 5% of its total fixed cost. The strategy therefore would be for PFIZER to reduce its fixed cost percentage and thus enable itself to manage its risks. It has successfully done so in December 2004 (Fig 3) and as a result its operations have expanded by 13%. GlaxoSmithKline, on the other hand, operating income expanded by only 3% despite the reduction of its operating leverage. This is owing to the fact that its revenue of $39 Billion only increased by 3%. Fig 4 According to Fig 4, the Operating Income of GlaxoSmithKline has improved by an additional 4% where as PFIZER fell by 5%. PFIZER operating leverage has increased again and hence would account for the fall in Operating Income by $3 Billion. It was clear that GlaxoSmithKline managed its operating leverage better and hence reduces its risk. Conclusion The question, which may arise, is whether PFIZER is in a better situation than GlaxoSmithKline The truth is "leverage is neither good or bad"(Schmedt May 1998). Each company must assess the amount of risk it is willing to take while striving to achieve its corporate objectives. It is important to understand the company's cost structure to enable management to make effective decisions so that it can compete effectively and achieve the competitive advantage it so desires. References Fred Schmedts, The concept of Operating Leverage : The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation http://www.noble.org/Ag/Economics/OperatingLeverage/index.html Glaxosmithkline PLC Financial Statements December 2003 to December 2005 - Yahoo Finance http://finance.yahoo.com/q/iss=GSK&annual PFIZER Inc Financial Statements December 2003 to December 2005 - Yahoo Finance http://finance.yahoo.com/q/iss=PFE&annual Buccino, Gerald P. and Kraig S. McKinley, "The Importance of Operating Leverage in a Turnaround," Secure Lender (September / October 1997),

Should Philosophers care about the history of philosophy Essay

Should Philosophers care about the history of philosophy - Essay Example Philosophers should have a considerable link to the history of philosophy as cited by many theorists and thinkers. Many philosophical concepts used today have their origin in philosophical history and they are just an evolved form of the ideas generated in the past. As a matter of fact, to give a an extensive interpretation of predecessors is quite common in the philosophical world where Hegel, Heidegger and Nietzsche are often quoted as to give a contemporary philosophical thought by reviewing the history (Sorell & Rogers, pp. 1). However, philosophers in the English-Speaking part of the world do not care about its history since; their type of philosophy is more of an analytical nature, which is required to be concise and relevant to the era in which people are living. The history of philosophy plays a significant role in giving an introduction and a deep knowledge of the subject to the aspiring students of today’s world. It is important for initial philosophers to have a tho rough understanding of the basis of the subject upon which they would base their further assumptions and concepts for the field to grow. Moreover, it is only through the knowledge of the history of philosophy that the philosophers would come to realize, which concepts and ideas were flawed and rejected like that of Descartes (Sorell & Rogers, pp. 2) so that they may look out for their new dimensions and correct them to widen the scope. History of any kind pertaining to any subject is an important aspect to retain if growth is one of the objectives. Considering philosophy, we know well that there have been quite well known philosophers in the history of humankind who have made tremendous efforts in analyzing different philosophical problems and searching for their solutions in a logical manner. It would be merely a waste of time, money and resources if contemporary philosophers involve themselves in the same process in case they do not give any heed to the subject’s history. N evertheless, philosophy is one of the subjects whose concepts and ideas always have a hook. They are grown with related links and this way, subsequently, the field advances (Sorell & Rogers, pp. 4-5). Every other point always has a relevance to something of the pas that helps in giving an advanced cognition for the contemporary philosophers and a chance to learn from their predecessors who might be dead but whose extensive researches are always present for them to learn and make progress. It is often said that the philosophers who fail to understand the past accounts and happenings in the related field, subsequently, fail to hold a firm grasp over following assumptions and thus end up with bas results (Sorell & Rogers, pp. 38). A philosopher can, certainly, not do philosophy without a perspective or without a standpoint. This standpoint or direction is given merely by having a thorough review of the past philosophers and their immense work done in this regards. The subject divided a multiple dimensional approach by the doer and a well-done background analysis to proceed (Makumba, pp-11). In many cases, there has to be an inspiration which drives a philosopher to make further detailed analysis and take the object forward. This inspiration is the result of the philosophers’ research and review of the historical literature and the earlier philosophers. Additionally, in philosophy there are reservation of thoughts and ideas held by the people against or in favour of any theory or assumption put forward. These reservations are further carried by generations and generations in the same manner without actually referring to the actually happening. While, in philosophy, the contemporary philosophers should have a proper understanding of the past ideas and concepts and should hold their own judgement without any biases carried for generations. Only on the basis of first-hand knowledge of the historical accounts of ideas and concepts can the philosopher base a str ong and authentic argument to

Health Care Reform Bill Obama Care Research Paper

Health Care Reform Bill Obama Care - Research Paper Example Even though, the government is spending billions of dollars every year to help the public, it is not reaching the ordinary people because of the administrative problems and the exploitation of the private insurance companies. Still United States has the highest healthcare costs compared to some other developed countries. President Obama, even before his election promised that he will make immense changes in the healthcare sector in order to make it more public-friendly. Obama has assured the public before the election that he will increase the insurance coverage, decrease the cost and social burden of healthcare, implement reform in insurance sector and increase the government involvement, once he succeeded in winning the election. After winning the president election, Obama introduced the legislations (Senate bill and Reconciliation bill) in both houses of the U.S. Congress and succeeded in passing it in March 2010. It is estimated that more than 50 million American citizens do not have the health insurance coverage at present. One of the major criticisms labeled against Obama’s health care bills is the annual increases in healthcare costs per person and the enormous budgetary strain this bill may cause on U.S. state and federal governments. In other words, The nationalization of health care should be unconstitutional because it conflicts with American civil liberties, and it allows some Americans to live off of the government rather than making something themselves.   â€Å"A U.S. district judge in January 2011, Judge Roger Vinson, in Pensacola, Fla., ruled that as a result of the unconstitutionality of the "individual mandate" that requires people to buy insurance, the entire law must be declared void† (Judge Rules Health Care Law Is Unconstitutional). The court declared that the over involvement of the government in healthcare sector is not necessarily the duty of the government. It is unconstitutional to spend the taxpayer’s money in this way. The primary role or the duty of the government is to give protection to the life and property of the citizen. However, the primary duty of the government does not include the protection of the public health according to the ruling of the court. The court also observed that the Congress does not have the authority or power to pass such a bill according to American constitution. It is the duty of the Congress to reform or regulate the healthcare market, when we consider the huge size of the health care sector with respect to national economy. However, Congress does not have the authority to put the entire responsibility of keeping the health of the public intact, upon the government. A federal judge in Virginia also ruled against the bill a week before. The judge declared that the â€Å"law's requirement that citizens buy health insurance or pay a penalty starting in 2014 is invalid† (O’Dell). However, the Obama administration argued that the above clause was attached in the law based on a constitutional provision, giving Congress power to regulate interstate commerce. Even though the Congress argued in favor of the bill, the court rejected the argument of Congress, citing reasons that: The means of payment for services in the interstate health care market is an economic activity that substantially affects interstate commerce, and the requirement that participants in the health care market have insurance to pay for the services they consume is thus a quintessential exercise of the commerce power (O’

The Battle of New Orleans Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Battle of New Orleans - Article Example The British moved in for a predawn attack, but due to problems crossing the river were delayed until daylight. Nonetheless, the forces of one of the three sections, under the command of General Gibbs, continued with the original plan. The attack began after a signal of one rocket being fired from each of the two attacking sections. The British then began to charge into the American position but were met quickly with artillery fire that ripped through their lines. American rifle fire along with a continued slew of artillery managed to stop this advance. The British losses continued to be heavy, as every wave that attacked the American lines was fiercely repelled. Many British officers were killed during this part of the battle, including Pakenham and Gibbs. Keanes, commanding the reserve force of Highlanders, saw the devastation and soon moved to reinforce the attacking element. His wave met the same fate as the others, however, and suffered heavy losses. The attacking section that had not yet been met with defeat, however, was still well hidden amongst the fogs near the river. This section, under General Lambert, made its advance and nearly took the right side of the American line. Quickly, however, American forces fired back on this section and again brought heavy casualties while suppressing their advance successfully. However, the British did see some success on the opposite bank of the river, where they landed and were opposed by fatigued militia forces. A weak line existed overall on this side of the river and was only of much use because its naval guns near the river had contributed to the artillery fire that repelled the British  attack against Jackson’s line. After the British broke this line, the success was short-lived, as the order to withdraw came in.