Night World : Secret Vampire Chapter 15

â€Å"Come on, it's okay,† Thea said. She seemed to be aboutPoppy's age, but she had a gentle, sensible air that gaveher authority. â€Å"Sit down. Here.† She set Poppy on ashabby couch and extended her wrist. Poppy stared atthe wrist for an instant and then remembered. James, giving her blood from his arm. Thatwashow to do it. Friendly andcivilized. She could see pale blue veins under the skin. And that sight blasted away the last of her hesitation. Instinct took over and she grabbed Thea's arm. Thenext thing she knew she was drinking. Warm salty-sweetness. -Life. Relief from pain. It was so good that Poppy could almost cry. No wonder vampires hated humans, she thought dimly. Humansdidn't have to hunt for this marvelous stuff; theywere full of it already. But, another part of her mind pointed out, Theawasn't a human. She was a witch. Strange, becauseher blood tasted exactly the same. Poppy's every sense confirmed it. So witches are just humans, but humans with special powers, Poppy thought. Interesting. It took an effort to control herself, to know whento stop. But she did stop. She let go of Thea's wrist and sat back, a little embarrassed, licking her lips andteeth. She didn't want to meet Thea's brown eyes. It was only then that she realized she'd been keeping her thoughts shielded during the entire process.There had been no mental connection as there had been when she shared blood with James. So she'dmastered one vampire power already. Faster than James or Ash had expected. And she felt good now. Energetic enough to do theNetherlands skippy dance. Confident enough to smileat Thea. â€Å"Thank you,† she said. Thea smiled back, as if she found Poppy odd orquaint, but nice. She didn't seem suspicious. â€Å"It'sokay,† she said, flexing her wrist and grimacinggently. For the first time Poppy was able to look aroundher. This room was more like a living room than partof a shop. Besides the couch there was a TV andseveral chairs. At the far end was a large table withcandles and incense burning. â€Å"This is the teaching room,† Thea said. â€Å"Grandmadoes spells here and lets the students hang out.† â€Å"And the other part is a store,† Poppy said, cautiously because she didn't know what she was supposed to know. Thea didn't look surprised. â€Å"Yes. I know you wouldn't thinkthere'd be enough witches around here to keep us in business, but actually they come from all over the country. Grandma's famous. Andher students buy a lot.† Poppy nodded, looking properly impressed. Shedidn't dare ask more questions, but her chilly hearthad warmed just a tiny bit. All Night People weren'tharsh and evil. She had the feeling she could be friends with this girl if given the chance. Maybe she could make it in the Night World after all. â€Å"Well,thanksagain,† she murmured softly. â€Å"Don't mention it. But don't let Ash get you rundown like that, either. He's soirresponsible.† â€Å"You wound me, Thea. You really do,† Ash said.He was standing in the doorway, holding the beadcurtain open with one hand. â€Å"But come to think ofit, I'm feeling a little run down myself†¦.† He raisedhis eyebrows insinuatingly. â€Å"Go jump in Lake Mead, Ash,† Thea said sweetly. Ash looked innocent and yearning. â€Å"Just a littlebite. A nibble. A nip,† he said. â€Å"You have such apretty white throat†¦.† â€Å"Who does?† Blaise said, pushing her way throughthe other half of the bead curtain. Poppy had the feeling she was only speaking to focus attention onherself. She stood in the center of the room andshook back her long black hair with the air of a girlused to attention. â€Å"You both do,† Ash said gallantly. Then he seemed to remember Poppy. â€Å"And, of course, this littledreamer has a pretty white everything.† Blaise, who had been smiling, now looked sour.She stared at Poppy long and hard. With dislikeand something else. Suspicion. Dawning suspicion. Poppy could feelit. Blaise's thoughts were brightand sharp andmalicious,like jagged glass. Then suddenly Blaise smiled again. She looked atAsh. â€Å"I suppose you've come for the party,† she said.†No. What party?† Blaise sighed in a way that emphasized her lowcut blouse. â€Å"The Solstice party, of course. Thierry'sgiving a big one. Everybody willbe there.† Ash looked tempted. In the dim light of the teaching room his eyes gleamed dark. Then he shook hishead. â€Å"No, can't make it. Sorry. I'm going to show Poppythe town.† â€Å"Well, you can do that and still come to the partylater. It won't really get going until after midnight.†Blaise was staring at Ash with an odd insistence. Ashbit his lip, then shook his head again, smiling. â€Å"Well, maybe,† he said. â€Å"I'll see how things go.† Poppy knew he was saying more than that. Someunspoken message seemed to be passing betweenhim and Blaise. But it wasn't telepathic, and Poppy couldn't pick it up. â€Å"Well, have a good time,† Thea said, and gavePoppy a quick smile as Ash piloted her away. Ash peered ahead at the Strip. â€Å"If we hurry wecan watch the volcano erupting,† he said. Poppy gavehim a look, but didn't ask. Instead, she said, â€Å"What's a Solstice party?† â€Å"Summer solstice. The longest day of the year. It'sa holiday for the Night People. Like Groundhog Dayfor humans.† ?Why?† â€Å"Oh, it always has been. It's very magical, youknow. I'd take you to the party, but it would be toodangerous. Thierry's a vampire Elder.† Then he said, â€Å"Here's the volcano.† It was a volcano. In front of a hotel. Waterfallscrashed down its sides, and red lights shone from thecone. Ash double-parked across the street. â€Å"You see, we've got a great view right here,† hesaid. â€Å"All the comforts of home.† The volcano was emitting rumbling sounds. AsPoppy watched in disbelief, a pillar of fire shot outof the top. Real fire. Then the waterfalls caught fire.Red and gold flames spread down the sides of the black rock until the entire lake around the' volcanowas ablaze. â€Å"Inspiring, isn't it?† Ash asked, very close to herear. â€Å"Well-it's†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Thrilling?† Ash inquired. â€Å"Stimulating? Rousing?† His arm was creeping around her, and his voicewas sweetly hypnotic. Poppy didn't say anything. â€Å"You know,† Ash murmured, â€Å"you can see a lotbetter if you get over here. I don't mind crowding.† His arm was urging her gently but inevitably closer. His breath ruffled her hair. Poppy slammed an elbow into his stomach. â€Å"Hey!†Ash yelped-in genuine pain, Poppy thought. Good. He'd dropped his arm and now he was looking ather with aggrieved brown eyes. â€Å"What did you do that for?† â€Å"Because I feltlike it,† Poppy said smartly. She was tingling with new blood and ready for a fight. â€Å"Look,Ash, I don't know what gave you the idea that I'm your date here. But I'm telling you right now thatI'm not. â€Å" Ash tilted his head and smiledpainfully.†You justdon't know me well enough,† he offered. â€Å"When weget to know each other-â€Å" â€Å"No.Never. I'm not interested in other guys. If Ican't have James †¦Ã¢â‚¬ Poppy had to stop and steady her voice. â€Å"There's nobody else I want,† she saidfinally,flatly. â€Å"Nobody.† â€Å"Well, not now, maybe, but-â€Å" â€Å"Never.†She didn't know how to explain. Thenshe had an idea. â€Å"You know the soulmate principle?† Ash opened his mouth and then shut it. Openedit again. â€Å"Oh, no. Not thatgarbage.† â€Å"Yes. James is my soulmate. I'm sorry if it soundsstupid, but it's true.† Ash put a hand to his forehead. Then he started to laugh. â€Å"You're serious.† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"And that's your final word.† â€Å"Yes.† Ash laughed again, sighed, and cast his eyes upward. â€Å"Okay. Okay. I should have known.† He chuckled in what seemed like self-derision. Poppy was relieved. She'd been afraid he'd be disgruntled and huffy-or mean.Despite his charm, shecould always feel something cold running below thesurface in Ash, like an icy river. But now he seemed perfectly good-humored.†Okay,† he said. â€Å"So if romance isn't on the menu, let's go to the party.† â€Å"I thought you said it was too dangerous.† He waved a hand. â€Å"That was a little fib. To get youalone, you know.† He glanced sideways at her.†Sorry.† Poppy hesitated. She didn't care about a party. Butshe didn't want to be alone with Ash, either. â€Å"Maybe you should just take me back to your cousins' place.† â€Å"They won't bethere,† Ash said. â€Å"I'm sure they've gone to the party by now. Oh, come on, it'll be fun. Give me a chance to make things up to you.† Thin curls of uneasiness were roiling inside Poppy. But Ash looked so penitent and persuasive †¦andwhat other choice did she have? â€Å"Okay,† she said finally. â€Å"For just a little while.†Ash gave a dazzling smile. â€Å"Just a very littlewhile,† he said. â€Å"So they could be anywhere on the Strip,†James said. Thea sighed. â€Å"I'm sorry. I should have known Ashwas up to something. But hijacking your girlfriend†¦Ã¢â‚¬ She lifted her hands in a what-next gesture. â€Å"Forwhat it's worth, she didn't seem very interested inhim. If he's planning to put the moves on her, he'sgoing to get a surprise.† Yes, James thought, and so is she. Poppy was onlyuseful to Ash as long as Ash thought he could playwith her. Once he realized he couldn't†¦ He didn't want to think about what would happenthen. A quick visit to the nearest Elder, he supposed. His heart was pounding, and there was a ringingin his ears. â€Å"Did Blaise go with them?† he asked. â€Å"No, she went to the Solstice party. She tried to get Ash to go, but he said he wanted to show Poppythe town.† Thea paused, raising a finger. â€Å"Waityou might check at the party. Ash said he might stopin later.† James spent a moment forcing himself to breathe.Then he said, verygently, â€Å"And just who is giving this party?† â€Å"Thierry Descouedres. He always has a big one.†Ã¢â‚¬ And he's an Elder.† â€Å"What?† â€Å"Nothing. Never mind.† James backed out of theshop. â€Å"Thanks for the help. I'll be in touch.†Ã¢â‚¬ James†¦Ã¢â‚¬ She looked at him helplessly. â€Å"Do youwant to come in and sit down? You don't lookvery well†¦.† â€Å"I'm fine,† James said, already out the door.In the car he said, â€Å"You can get up now.† Phillip emerged from the floor of the backseatwhere he'd been hiding. â€Å"What's happening? Youwere gone a long time.† â€Å"I think I know where Poppy is.†Ã¢â‚¬ You just think?† â€Å"Shut up, Phil.† He didn't have energy for exchanging insults. He was entirely focused on Poppy.†Okay, so where is she?† James spoke precisely. â€Å"She is either now, or shewilll be later, at a party. A very large party, filled with vampires. And at least one Elder. The perfect placeto expose her.† Phil gulped. â€Å"And you think that's what Ash is going to do?† â€Å"I know that's what Ash is going to do.† â€Å"Then we've got to stop him.† â€Å"We may be too late.† The party was strange. Poppy was amazed at howyoung most of the people were. There were a few scattered adults, but far more teenagers. â€Å"Made vampires,† Ash explained obligingly. Poppyremembered what James had said-made vampiresremained forever the age of their death, but lamiacould stop aging anytime. She supposed that meantthat James could get as old as he wanted, while she would be stuck at sixteen eternally. Not that it mattered. If she and James were going to be together,they could both stay young-but apart, maybe he'd want to age. But it was odd to see a guy who looked about nineteen talking earnestly with a little kid wholooked about four. The kid was cute, with shiny black hair and tilted eyes, but there was something at onceinnocent and cruel in his expression. â€Å"Let's see, now that's Circe. A witch of renown.And that's Sekhmet, a shapeshifter. You don't want to get hermad,† Ash said genially.He and Poppy were standing in a little anteroom, looking down a level into the main room of the house. Of the mansion, rather. It was the most opulent private residence Poppy had ever seen–and she'd seen Bel Airand BeverlyHills. â€Å"Okay,† Poppy said, looking in the general?direc tion he was pointing. She saw two tall and lovelygirls, but she had no idea which was which. â€Å"And that's Thierry, our host. He's an Elder.† An Elder? The guy Ash was indicating didn't seemolder than nineteen. He was beautiful, like all thevampires, tall and blond and pensive. Almost sadlooking. â€Å"How old ishe?† â€Å"Oh, I forget. He got bitten by an ancestress ofmine a long time ago. Back when people lived incaves.† Poppy thought he was joking. But maybe not. â€Å"What do the Elders do, exactly?† â€Å"They just make rules. And see that people keepthem.† An odd smile was playing around Ash's lips. He turned to look directly at Poppy. With the black eyes of a snake.That was when Poppy knew. She backed away rapidly. But Ash came after her,just as rapidly. She saw a door on the other side of the anteroom and headed for it. Got through it. Onlyto find herself on a balcony. With her eyes, she measured the distance to the ground. But before she could make another move, Ash had her arm. Don't fight yet, her mind counseled desperately. He's strong. Wait for an opportunity. She made herself relax a fraction and met Ash's dark gaze. â€Å"You brought me here.† â€Å"Yes.† â€Å"To hand me over.†He smiled.†But why?† Ash threw back his head and laughed. It waslovely, melodious laughter, and it made Poppy sick. â€Å"You're a human,† he said. â€Å"Or you should be. James should never have done what he did.†Poppy's heart was racing, but her mind was oddlyclear. Maybe she'd known all along that this was what he was going to do. Maybe it was even the rightthing to do. If she couldn't be with James and she couldn't be with her family, did the rest really matter? Did she wantto live in the Night World if it wasfull of people like Blaise and Ash? â€Å"So you don't care about James, either,† she said.†You're willing to put him in danger to get rid of me.† Ash considered, then grinned. â€Å"James can takecare of himself,† he said. Which was obviously Ash's entire philosophy. Everybody took care of themselves, and nobody helpedanybody else. â€Å"And Blaise knew, too,† Poppy said. â€Å"She knew what you were going to do and she didn't care.† â€Å"Not much gets past Blaise,† Ash said. He startedto say something else-and Poppy saw her chance. She kicked-hard. And twisted at the same time.Trying to get over the balcony rail. â€Å"Stay here,† James said to Phil before the car had evenstopped. They were in front of a huge white mansionfringed with palm trees. James threw the door open,but took the time to say again, â€Å"Stay here.No matter what happens, don't go in that house. And if somebodybesides me comes up to the car, drive away.† â€Å"But-â€Å" â€Å"Just do it, Phil! Unless you want to find out aboutdeath firsthand-tonight.† James set out at a dead run for the mansion. Hewas too intent to really notice the sound of a cardoor opening behind him. â€Å"And you looked like such a nice girl,† Ash gasped.He had both of Poppy's arms behind her back andwas trying to get out of the range of her feet.†No-no, quit that, now.† He was too strong. There was nothing Poppy coulddo. Inch by inch he was dragging her back into theanteroom. You might as well give up, Poppy's mind told her.It's useless. You're done. She could picture the whole thing: herself being dragged out in front of all of those sleek and handsome Night People and revealed. She could picturetheir pitiless eyes. That pensive-looking guy wouldwalk up to her and his face would change and hewouldn't look pensive anymore. He'd look savage.His teeth would grow. His eyes would go silvery.Then he'd snarl–and strike. And that would be the end of Poppy. Maybe that wasn't the way they did it, maybe theyexecuted criminals some other way in the NightWorld. But it wouldn't be pleasant, whatever it was. And I won't makeiteasyfor you!Poppy thought. Shethought it directly at Ash, throwing all of her angerand grief and betrayal at him. Instinctively. Like akid shouting in a temper tantrum. Except it had an effect shouting usually didn't. Ash flinched. He almost lost his grip on her arms. It was only a momentary weakening, but it wasenough for Poppy's eyes to widen. I hurt him. Ihurthim! She stopped struggling physically in that same instant. She put all her concentration, all her energy,into a mental explosion. A thought-bomb. LET GO OF ME YOU ROTTEN VAMPIRE CREEP! Ash staggered. Poppy did it again, this time makingher thought a fire hose, a high-power jetstreambombardment. LET G000000000000! Ash let go. Then, as Poppy ran out of steam, hetried in afumblingway to reach her again. â€Å"I don't think so,† a voice as cold as steel said.Poppy looked into the anteroom and saw James. Her heart lurched violently. And then, withoutconsciously being aware of moving, she was in hisarms. Oh, James, how did youfind me? All he kept saying was Are you all right? â€Å"Yes,† Poppy said finally, aloud. It was indescribably good to be with him again, to be held by him.Like waking up from a nightmare to see your mothersmiling. She buried her face in his neck. â€Å"You're sure you're all right?† â€Å"Yes. Yes.† â€Å"Good. Then just hang on a moment while I kill this guy and we'll go.† He was absolutely serious. Poppy could feel it in his thoughts, in every muscle and sinew of his body.He wanted to murder Ash. She lifted her head at the sound of Ash's laugh.†Well, it ought to be a good fight, anyway,† Ashsaid. No, Poppy thought. Ash was looking silky and dangerous and in a very bad mood. And even if James could beat him, James was going to get hurt. Evenif she and James fought him together, there was going to be some damage. â€Å"Let's just go,† she said to James. â€Å"Quick.† Sheadded silently, Ithink he wants to keep us around untilsomebody from the party gets here. â€Å"No, no,† Ash said, in gloatingly enthusiastic tones.†Let's settle this like vampires.† â€Å"Let's not,† said a breathless familiar voice. Poppy'shead jerked around. Climbing over the railing of thebalcony, dusty but triumphant, was Phil. â€Å"Don't you everlisten?† James said to him. â€Å"Well, well,† Ash said. â€Å"A human in an Elder'shouse. What arewe going to do about that?† â€Å"Look, buddy,† Phil said, still breathless, brushingoff his hands. â€Å"I don't know who you are or whathorse you rode in on. But that's my sisterthere you're messing with, and I figure I've got the first right to knock your head off.† There was a pause while Poppy, James, and Ash all looked at him. The pause stretched. Poppy wasaware of a sudden, completely inappropriate impulse to laugh. Then she realized that James was fightingdesperately not to crack a smile. Ash just looked Phil up and down, then looked atJames sideways. â€Å"Does this guyunderstandabout vampires?† hesaid. â€Å"Oh, yeah,† James said blandly. â€Å"And he's going to knock my head in?† â€Å"Yeah,† Phil said, and cracked his knuckles. â€Å"What's so surprising about that?† There was another pause.Poppycould feel minute tremors going through James. Choked-back laughter.At last James said, admirably sober, â€Å"Philreally feelsstrongly about his sister.† Ash looked at Philonce more, then at James, andfinally at Poppy. â€Å"Well †¦ there are three of you,† he said. â€Å"Yes, there are,† James said, genuinely sober now. Grim. â€Å"So I guess you do have me at a disadvantage. Allright,I giveup.† He lifted his hands and thendropped them. â€Å"Go on, scram. I won't fight.† â€Å"And you won't tell on us, either,† James said. Itwasn't a request. â€Å"I wasn't going to anyway,† Ash said. He had onhis most innocent and guileless expression. â€Å"I knowyou think I brought Poppy here to expose her, but I really wasn't going to go through with it. I was justhaving fun. The whole thing was just a joke.† â€Å"Oh, sure,† Phil said. â€Å"Don't even bother lying,† James said. But Poppy, oddly, wasn't as certain as they were.She looked at Ash's wide eyes-his wide violeteyes-and felt doubt slosh back and forth inside her. It was hard to read him, as it had been hard allalong. Maybe because he always meant everythinghe said at the time he said it–or maybe because he nevermeant anything he said. No matter which,, he was the most irritating, frustrating, impossible personshe'd ever met. â€Å"Okay, we're going now,† James said. â€Å"We're goingto walk very quietly and calmly right through that littleroom and down the hall, and we're not going to stopfor anything-Phillip.Unless you'd rather go back downthe way you came up,† he added. Phil shook his head. James gathered Poppy in hisarm again, but he paused and looked back at Ash. â€Å"You know, you've never really cared about anyone,† he said. â€Å"But someday you will, and it's goingto hurt. It's going to hurt-a lot.† Ash looked back at him, and Poppy could readnothing in his ever-changing eyes. But just as Jamesturned again, he said, â€Å"I think you're a lousyprophet. But your girlfriend's a good one. You mightwant to ask her about her dreams sometime.† James stopped. He frowned. â€Å"What?† â€Å"And you, little dreamer, you might want to check out your family tree. You have a very loud yell.† He smiled at Poppy engagingly. â€Å"Bye now.† James stayed for another minute or so, just staringat his cousin. Ash gazed serenely back. Poppycounted heartbeats while the two of them stoodmotionless. Then James shook himself slightly and turnedPoppy toward the anteroom. Phil followed right on their heels. They walked out of the house very quietly andvery calmly. No one tried to stop them. But Poppy didn't feel safe until they were on theroad. â€Å"What did he mean with that crack about the family tree?† Phil asked from the backseat. James gave him an odd look, but answered with aquestion. â€Å"Phil, how did you know where to findPoppy in that house? Did you see her on the balcony?† â€Å"No, I just followed the shouting.† Poppy turned around to look at him.James said, â€Å"What shouting?† â€Å"Theshouting. Poppy shouting. ‘Let go of me yourotten vampire creep.†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ Poppy turned to James. â€Å"Should hehave been ableto hear it? I thought I was just yelling at Ash. Dideverybody at the party hear?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"But, then–â€Å" James cut her off. â€Å"What dream was Ash talkingabout?† â€Å"Just a dream I had,† Poppy said, bewildered. â€Å"Idreamed about him before I actually met him.† James's expression was now verypeculiar. â€Å"Oh,did you?† â€Å"Yes. James, what's this all about? What did hemean, I should check my family tree?† â€Å"He meant that you-and Philaren't human after all. Somewhere among your ancestors there'sa witch.†

The Open Method Of Coordination Education Essay

The Open Method of Coordination was introduced at the Lisbon European Council meeting in 2000, and is described as a new policy instrument composed of four nucleus constituents. First, moving in concert, both the Member States and European establishments set fixed guidelines for the EU. Second, there are quantitative and qualitative indexs and benchmarks. Third, guidelines are transferred into domestic policies and policy-objectives, and eventually, besides included in this new policy instrument are common larning procedures such as benchmarking, monitoring and peer reappraisal are present ( see Eberlein and Kerwer 2004:123 ) . The European Employment Strategy ( EES ) , frequently referred to by some faculty members as â€Å" the female parent of the OMC † ( Smismans 2004:2 ) , was established in 1997 merely three old ages before the OMC was born. The EES laid introduced employment issues as a corporate European job and from so on, it has become the basis for the EU function in the coordination of its Member States ‘ employment policies ( Watt 2004:118 ) . Harmonizing to a textual analysis of the EES, employment policy in the EU is a â€Å" mobilisation of human resources † ( Zangle 2004:11 ) and execution of active labor market policies ( ALMPs ) , alternatively of forestalling unemployment. One of the most important constituent and strengths of the OMC and the EES is the possibility it presents for histrions to reciprocally larn from each other ‘s policy ( Goetschy 2004:7 ) . Indeed, â€Å" societal acquisition is an knowing effort to modify the aims or methods of policy in reac tion to old experience and new information. We can believe of policymaking procedure as therefore consisting of three cardinal variables: the cardinal aims that usher policy in a given sphere, the methods or policy instruments used to accomplish those aims and the specific context of these instruments † . In the context of the OMC and EES, the construct of common acquisition consists of such instruments as benchmarking, periodic monitoring, peer reappraisal exercisings and rating. These constructs are introduced to promote the designation and transportation of the ‘best patterns ‘ which are so assumed to take to new policy thoughts, institutional agreements, policy execution and formation of corporate penchants. By take parting in this procedure, member provinces are expected to non merely better their national labor market policies but should besides endeavor to meet towards the employment policy recommendation recommended at the EU degree. Although, the OMC recognizes national diverseness through the development of common acquisition and multi-level administration, nevertheless, the foundation for achieving common convergence is besides present within common aims, benchmarking, and rating and within policy coordination itself. This is precisely what some faculty members have described as an built-in tenseness in the OMC ( see Goetschy 2004 ) . Specifically, there is a contradiction between the accent on the method as a tool giving Member States the freedom to develop at their â€Å" ain gait † , and the of import demand to voyage the procedure of policy alteration in the way of â€Å" convergence towards EU aims † ( Radaelli 2004:14 ) . It is exactly the deduction for the common acquisition procedures in footings of this contradiction that this paper concerns itself with. In the visible radiation of this contradiction, we will try to confirm the premise which reads: the statements between the claims of â €Å" diverseness † and â€Å" convergence † epitomized in the OMC and the EES nowadayss both opportunities and restrictions with respects to the procedure of common acquisition for the Member States.The theoretical deductions of the opportunities and restrictions of Mutual LearningWith the debut of the OMC in to the EU, Mutual acquisition as a construct has attained wholly new intending. From this position it is non merely larning between national authoritiess that counts ( â€Å" horizontal acquisition † ) , but besides there is turning characteristics of perpendicular coordination at EU administration degree, and horizontal and perpendicular acquisition ‘from below ‘ ( â€Å" bottom-up † ) . When observed from the national degrees, the function of the policy larning procedures under the EES, opportunities and restrictions of their execution can be viewed from different theoretical point of views. One may get down at the macro-theoretical degree deducing and clarifying policy transportations. For illustration, new institutionalism argues that way dependences limit larning particularly in the visible radiation of the assortment of institutional models and public assistance governments in Europe ( Lodge 2003:18 ) . One may besides get down with the principal-agent and two-level game theories to analyze the complex interaction between member provinces, the civil society and the EU establishments. Buchs ( 2004 ) has applied this attack in his analysis concludes that the function of province in this great game is that of an intermediary between the EU degree and civil society and that larning procedures can be understood by detecting this interaction ( 2004:4 ) . The impression of patriotism can besides be used to assist depict the reluctance of certain member provinces to take part in the policy acquisition procedures and the transportation of policies. from this position â€Å" national pride, reluctance to reassign sovereignty, and the self-pride of the province are of import, histrions dickering both over benchmarking marks, public presentation measuring, and benchmarking consequences † ( Zangle,2004:10 ) . However, in this paper the opportunities and restrictions of the common acquisition procedures will be critically analysed within the horizon of the built-in tenseness between the ‘evidence-based policy doing ‘ and ‘constructive agnosticism ‘ attacks. There is no uncertainty that the vision articulated by the interior decorators of the OMC and the EES consist of both the practical, statistical, direct grounds to hasten learning procedures and their national results, qualitative and quantitative indexs to be used in benchmarking and grander end of accomplishing convergence. Conversely, regard for the national diversenesss, acknowledgment of diversenesss, state of affairss, demands and, the involvements of the Member States are besides incorporated in this new manner of administration. Both opportunities and restrictions are rooted in this twofold and sometimes even contradictory nonsubjective and procedure.‘Evidence-based policy devising ‘The Ã¢â‚¬Ë œevidence-based policy doing ‘ attack is located within the rationalist school of idea which assumes that policy determinations are made between another class of action on the footing of what works in a different topographic point, and in a practical manner. Hence, instead than anchoring policy determinations on political orientation, they are grounded on the empirical grounds collected elsewhere ( Sanderson 2002 ) . so â€Å" it seems to be rational common sense to see policy as a purposive class of action in chase of aims built upon careful appraisal of alternate ways of accomplishing such aims and effectual execution of the selected class of action † ( Sanderson, 2002:5 ) . Consequently, this point of position argues that there are two cardinal types of grounds that are required to better effectual authorities action. First and first, grounds is required which confirms the operational capacity of the different authorities bureaucratic machine in the policy are under optimum public presentation. Second, grounds is required which to advance betterment through more efficient methods and schemes. Whereas in the former grounds is fundamentally required in the signifier of information on different constituents and marks of public presentation ( Sanderson 2002:3 ) . In the later, there is a qualitative difference in that grounds is basically required in the signifier cognition about how good specific policies and patterns work elsewhere, and how the policy intercessions reform societal systems ( ibid. )OpportunitiesThe ‘evidence-oriented policy doing ‘ attack contends that there are four major ways grounds can edify the development and execution of policy. First, determinations about what policy actions to follow in a given policy field can be learned by grounds of the likely effectivity of that policy penchants. Second, grounds collected from antecedently implemented policies maps as a foundation for the prospective deliberations of policy penchants and possibilities. Third, grounds besides plays an of import function in placing non on the most of import jobs in that policy field but besides those jobs that should be accorded the highest precedence in policy intercession. And, eventually, improved cognition about policy jobs and possible policy penchants can assist to affect the concerned stakeholders in a healthy argument about how to put aims ( Sanderson 2002:4 ) . This attack therefore depends on the grounds ( normally quantitative ) that both in theory and pattern determines effectual policy penchants. This positivist attack submits that opportunism ( in this instance attributable to provinces as entities ) and rational behavior might supply solution to public policy jobs. As a consequence, this attack leads to the hypothesis that what works in one province should besides work in other, since there are monolithic statistical and scientific grounds in the field where policymakers can pull valuable lessons from ( Hill 2005:51 ) . The chief drift for looking at old enforced policies and institutional agreements and larning by supervising and rating is because larning is a agency to cut down mistakes ( Radaelli 2004:6 ) . Learning from the experience of others can be more efficient than larning from one ‘s ain experience, since it minimizes the hazard of failures. Therefore, histrions are able and willing to utilize larning within organisational webs under the OMC, as they believe in the possibility of happening a solution for their several jobs within this web, utilizing it as â€Å" radio detection and ranging † ( ibid.7 ) . In add-on, benchmarking entails the comparative measuring of public presentation of one organisation against other organisations, within a defined mark ( Heritier 2002:5 ) . From this position, it suggests comparing member provinces against each other within the employment guidelines and indexs. This procedure, so, can be said to be the learning procedure in pattern, since it entails looking for the ‘best patterns ‘ in order to extinguish the chance of public presentation spreads on eventual acceptance of the policy penchant. Benchmarking can be defined as a â€Å" practical tool for bettering public presentation by larning from best patterns and the procedures by which they are achieved † ( O'Reagain and Keegan in: Schludi 2003 ) . Furthermore, different strand of faculty members define a benchmark in a instead mechanical and rational manner, declaring it to be â€Å" a criterion or point of mention against which things may be compared or assessed † ( ibid 2003 ) . Hence, from this position, benchmarking denotes the comparative rating of public presentation and the obliteration of predominating public presentation spreads, based on qualitative standards.RestrictionsHarmonizing to Graham ( 1999:5. ) , there are â€Å" seven Nemesiss † to ‘evidence-based policy ‘ viz. ; bureaucratic logic, the bottom line, consensus, political relations, civil service civilization, cynicism and clip. First, bureaucratic logic entails that misreading of the current state of affairs and gathered grounds is a impeding factor to any policy development. From this point of position, bureaucratic logic is phrased as â€Å" things are right because they have ever been done this manner † ( ibid. ) and there is no ground to alter it, even if the prevalent manner of policy-making is epistemologically flawed. â€Å" The bottom line † refers to the thought that the effectivity of policies can non be measured by quantitative and quali tative confirmations entirely because in pattern, policy is built on consensus instead than on beyond doubt grounds. Policy in pattern involves an extended procedure of audience carried out to find different involvement and penchants of all concerned histrions, and the bounds of a solution that will fulfill every one of these histrions. A outstanding restraint in the designation of ‘best pattern ‘ is that it does non basically place the suited scheme by which it can be applied to different institutional scene. Even if granted that policy larning consequences to reform, the precise policy transportation might be unsuccessful. Indeed, Dolowitz and Marsh ( 2000 ) , claim that there are some noteworthy factors that cause policy transportation to diverge from the marks set by policy-makers doing the transportation. For illustration, the failure of the importing province to retroflex the transferred policy in conformity with the marks set by policy-makers of the exporting province can be as a consequence of uneducated transportation, particularly if there is non equal information about the policy and how it should operates in another institutional scene. Finally, Dolowitz and Marsh talk about unsuitable policy transportation if adequate attending is non paid to the different economic, societal, political and i nstitutional background in the importing member province.‘Constructive agnosticism ‘For the ‘constructivist agnosticism ‘ attack, given that cognition of the societal universe is non merely socially constructed and culturally every bit good as historically dependent ; cognition and acquisition, and their functions in policy-making are complex issues. Harmonizing to this point of position, policy acquisition and development is understood as a â€Å" procedure of deliberation which considers beliefs, rules and actions under conditions of multiple frames for the account and rating of the societal universe ( Dryzek,16 ) . The rating of the common acquisition procedures can non merely be reduced to a â€Å" proficient exercising † since like all the other facet of the policy-making ; it is conditioned by different penchants, norms, values, and alone institutional backgrounds. Consequently, the rating of any procedures or experience should be based on a communicative and argumentative procedure ( Sanderson 2003:338 ) . As Schwandt contends, there is a demand for â€Å" critical intelligence † which is fundamentally â€Å" the ability to inquiry whether the terminal is deserving accomplishing. It does non name for merely basic cognition of effects, but the willingness and capacity to debate the value of different terminals of a pattern † ( Schwandt in: Sanderson 2003:338 ) . Given that the fluctuations in national fortunes are high, it can be reasoned that non merely â€Å" what counts is what works † , but â€Å" what is appropriate † is besides of import for each spec ific national circumstance. In short, the consideration of the rightness of the agencies and terminals of a policy procedure is of extreme importance ( ibid: 332 ) .OpportunitiesHarmonizing to this position, dependance practical grounds to pull direct policy determination can non be absolute. â€Å" It is recognized that cognition comes in different signifiers † ( Campbell 2002:89 ) , and as such, it is non merely the experts who should play a function in decision-making but besides non experts, since no cognition is a waste. In short, when policy shapers are on the quest to larn lessons â€Å" their ain state ‘s yesteryear is the best topographic point to get down † ( Dolowitz and Marsh 1996:351 ) . By looking back into the historic yesteryear, †actors learn non merely what has worked, but can besides larn and cognize what non to reiterate † . Therefore, cross-national and bottom-up benchmarking has a inclination to uncover the flaws inherent in national policies, circumvent uneffective policies, avoid dearly-won policy bloopers, and challenge those patterns that have seized to be effectual, which in the terminal, increases the legitimacy of policy penchants and policy tools used. The increasing diffusion of thoughts and information is an obvious chance for national policy-makers. It does non needfully imply statistical and scientific confirmations for policy-making, but it can take to the imitation of utile thoughts and determinations at the national degree. It besides entails the airing of corporate linguistic communication, i.e. peculiar look which has specific intending both for the EU development in societal policy and its Member States likewise. Even though academic research on the common policy larning instruments gestate benchmarking, in a instead proficient manner, we argue in this paper that it besides has cognitive and normative values, which can be seen as a chances and possibilities provided by this sort of policy larning to fight for the convergence in end products. â€Å" Benchmarking may help in developing and justifying policy responses that are improbable to be discovered within a member province ‘s prevalent institutional scenes. As a consequence, it may work as an instrument to loosen up the frequently strong way dependence of predominating public assistance province constructions † ( Heinze et al. in: Schludi 2003:13 ) . Given the high extent of national public assistance traditions diversenesss, benchmarking in societal policy at the EU degree should be able to acknowledge these diversenesss and admit its auxiliary value, i.e. it provides the footing for the exchange of ‘best patterns ‘ and experience without the demand to enforce a top-down solution.RestrictionsThe danger and restriction to the acquisition might besides come from a state of affairs, when engagement is neglected and the nucleus of the OMC is formed merely by politicians and experts, therefore, alternatively of ‘opening-up ‘ the procedure, it becomes even more technocratic. â€Å" Negative lesson-drawing † is besides of extreme importance. If common acquisition between member provinces becomes excessively concerted to the extent that sufficient attending is no longer paid to negative lessons or policy failures, it may be wise to pretermit of import alternate solutions and take a more independent critica l expression at benchmarking. Put otherwise, larning is abetted by mistake inasmuch as by success ( Radaelli 2004:26 ) . Therefore, the challenge is to happen a right balance between the co-op and competitory acquisition ( ibid. ) , and by so making, authoritiess may utilize their ‘critical intelligence ‘ and withdraw from policy reforms because of what they have learnt ( Schludi 2003:14 ) .The EES and common acquisitionHaving provided an extended analysis of the theoretical deductions of common acquisition, the paper will now turn to the European Employment Strategy to analyze how the tenseness between the claims of ‘divergence ‘ and ‘convergence ‘ are treated in the OMC and how it influences the Member States cooperation in the EES model. The chief intent of the EES was to set up a legal footing of Community-level action in the employment policy country ( while taking national diverseness in this policy country into history ) , with the specific aim to increase the efficiency of the European Social Model through occupation creative activity and high employment rate. Besides, the EES was built in such a manner that it should work as a accelerator of the best performing national employment policies.4.1 Contradiction between ‘divergence ‘ and ‘convergence ‘ – impact on Member StatesWith respects to the European Council ‘s decisions the co-ordinated employment policy was built on the following. To get down with, the Commission introduces general designs of the finest employment scheme for Member States to follow. Then, after a deliberation with administrative officials from the Member States employment guidelines are established. Additionally, quantitative and quantitative indexs are e stablished to be used in benchmarking. The guidelines in concurrence with the established indexs are what organize the footing of national action programs ( NAPs ) ( Trubek and Mosher 2002 ) , which are so formulated by single Member States. Each Member State has to supply a elaborate history of how it plans to implement the guidelines. Furthermore, the results of the prevalent national employment policy and ‘best patterns ‘ that might function as possible theoretical accounts for other Member States are included ( Zandstra 2004:10 ) . Once the NAPs have been submitted, the committee so prepares so called Employment Package which contains the analysis of the NAPs, specific and general Council recommendations to single member provinces. It is the Council who has the concluding say on the concluding version of the Employment Package ( ibid. ) . Through the usage of equal reappraisal and exchange of good patterns, every member province is straight challenged with the programs and patterns of other member provinces. This so helps to secure the criterions by which to mensurate its ain public presentation ( Trubek and Mosher 2003:77 ) , at the same clip, it besides exerts force per unit area on each member province to endeavor for better results. But the principle behind the recommendations issued by the Council and their aim are progressively being greeted with double feelings from Member States. Groenendijk ( 2004 ) contends that the principle behind the recommendations is nil more than â€Å" appellative and dishonoring † , and that the OMC as a soft power policy-making instrument is at times referred to as a â€Å" ordinance by embarrassment † . Nevertheless, through the recommendations the Member States are besides informed about the built-in defects of their employment policies, and they are in a alone state of affairs to larn new ways of making things or copy new thoughts harmonizing to what they have been recommended. The pick of action still lies with Member States ; nevertheless, the shadow of force per unit area goes on. In the visible radiation of the foregoing, one of the most hard undertakings facing the EES is to happen the relative balance between the force per unit area to exercise on Member States to accomplish the formulated guidelines and still to esteem their diverse national policy agreements ( de la Porte 2002:41 ) . The indexs and guidelines are established in such a manner that a periodic comparative rating of member provinces against each other is carried out. The benchmarking procedure so is grounded on the chosen indexs. â€Å" In the model of OMC, it is the agencies to measure the success of the application of the method, and to set force per unit area on take parting Member State to meet towards jointly defined aims † ( ibid.42 ) . Therefore, the defined standards with respects to different policy constituents, ends and impacts, can be prompted both from the top-down and from the bottom-up attack. Anyways, there is a significant force per unit area for each Member State to a chieve these benchmarks. Many surveies conducted in this country have identified a figure of jobs with respects to the execution of the EES ( see Goetschy 2002 ; Watt 2004 ) . Among other grounds, the expected impacts of common acquisition might non be attained if a figure of stakeholders who are supposed to take part are non take parting. Furthermore, the extended comparative rating of the Member States ‘ public presentation originates from the top-down attack, since they are carried out by the European committee and the Council. Yet, it has been argued that the provinces will conform merely to those corporate ends and recommendations that are of national importance, irrespective of the sum of force per unit area ( de la Porte 2002:43 ) . It is dubious whether there will be common acquisition except the mechanisms integrated in the scheme are implemented and implemented in an effectual manner.Reasoning commentsThis paper adopted two theoretical attacks viz. , ‘evidence-based policy doing ‘ and ‘constructive agnosticism ‘ so as to expose the theoretical deductions sing the chances and restrictions that confronts the EU Member States take parting in the common acquisition. With respects to the execution of the EES, serious attending is paid both to qualitative and quantitative dimensions of common acquisition. This is exemplified in the statements of both the ‘evidence-based policy doing ‘ and its ‘constructive agnosticism ‘ opposite number. From this position, it is the analysis of these theoretical positions that help the geographic expedition of the â€Å" tenseness † portion of the EES and its impact on the policy acquisition processes. Indeed, the necessity to obtain proficient cognition about best patterns elsewhere has to be combined with the application of a â€Å" critical cognition † , rating of the rightness, and reading of the qualitative and quantitative confirmations that relates to the specific national i nstitutional contexts. In add-on, this procedure, as visualised in the design of this policy attack, should be both ‘top-down ‘ and ‘bottom-up ‘ . This so put the capacity of different histrions to prosecute in the acquisition processes into serious uncertainties. The deduction is that member provinces, while voluntarily take parting in common acquisition, are supposed to be on changeless hunt for the ‘best patterns ‘ , to copy or emulate these best patterns in order to better their ain national employment policies. However, there is an component of force per unit area nowadays in the signifier of informal countenances and the equal force per unit area with the purpose to endeavor for the convergence towards the EU ends in this policy country. Therefore, the force per unit area, different agreements of common acquisition, and rational, normative or practical elements they involve, can supply both chances and restrictions for Member States, since t heir national institutional context, degrees of development, and structural aspects are clearly different. This would besides propose that what is seen as a restriction for one Member State, might be a opportunity for another.

History of the American West

As far as history is concerned, prior to the settling of what we now, the great United States of America, minority groups of inhabitants are the first to established their living in that continent. Their lifestyle, tradition and culture are admirable as well as unique. The first inhabitants of the area are peaceful living natives of the land. However, an entry has changed everything. The phrase mentioned above seemingly denotes the vast riches accumulated in American West from the national expanse that occurred during the westward American expansion.As per history, it connotes the successive flow of riches in their area considering every line of factors such as trade, climate, events and other causation proofs that are evident even in today’s generation. Analyzing the phrases in the statement reveals claims of chain successive economic blooms, which is stated without adequate basis. However, the aggressive entry of American people over the west side has greatly affected the li vings of various inhabitants in the area.Tremendous effects of this entry have brought countless lives to experience suffrage in the early west side. The advancing foreigners tremendously hit the established communities of the native inhabitants causing massive degradation as well as damage in the land of these natives. The advances may have triggered advancement in the side of American people; however, there are those minority individuals and communities that suffered the damage of their actions. Moreover, the land filled with natural blessings has been ravaged by the suppressive citizens of America.It is, indeed, a fact that the west side during those period of time is immersed in massive content of natural resources, geographically, topographically, climatic and most of all naturally. Another fact is, the resources have brought immense conquer in the land of the natives. For the American people, the west side has become their garden flowing with milk and honey. In this essay, we shall take a glimpse back in the past and analyze the scenario that occurred before and compare it in the statement imposed by Martin Ridge.The claims of this treasury build-up are refuted in this paper. Various factors need to be considered before adhering in these false causations. Subjective narration without substantial basis cannot support this kind of claims, especially if the claim is way to opposite from what is reality. We shall analyze the pieces of this statement piece by piece, and critically scrutinize it to prove that such wordings are not even appropriate. â€Å"The history of the American West is, almost by definition, a triumphal narrative†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Starting from the first part mentioned in the statement, connoting â€Å"triumphal narrative† depicts an entry of galore, glorious moment in the history and an event that everybody looks forward. However, does this statement really cover the facts embedded in the American West? Judging the factors, such as top ographical, geographical and the natural advantages present in the place, can we still conclude the same conclusion mentioned in the statement? Crude to say but actually, the United States that we see today is very different compared before when the American people is still starting to colonize the west side.Stephen H. Long, an American explorer who explored the some areas of the Louisiana Purchase in 1819, first gave the term, â€Å"Great American Desert† to illustrate the area roughly between the 98th parallel and the Rocky Mountains. In a series of maps and journals, Long described this region as â€Å"wholly unfit for cultivation and uninhabitable for those dependent on agriculture. † Americans largely view Long's negative impression of the trans-Mississippi as a barren wasteland for decades and most did not become interested in settling there until after the Civil War.During 1803, the President Thomas Jefferson has had a secret conversation through a secret note t hat he has given to the Congress ordering for an expedition into the place west of the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean. He has felt that a quality and smart military man with perhaps a dozen of handpicked crew can victoriously plot the entire route and do it on an estimation of roughly $2,500. Jefferson's message is regarded secret due to France ownership in that territory. If this is found by the French Government, the expedition can be branded as trespassing.This is the first view of those who seen this great desert; however, western boosters have come up with a plan in order to lure settlers in the area by promoting the â€Å"The Myth of the garden. † In addition, during this period, France has offered a piece of territory in the west side, which is the whole Louisiana Territory, for $15,000,000. That same year, President Tomas Jefferson has his mind patched up and agreed to take the offer. Surprisingly, after an overnight, United States grew by about one million sq uare miles, from the Mississippi to the Rockies and from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada.This event has greatly caused widening in the part of the America. During the late 1800’s, around 1870s and 1880s, climatic changes have begun to occur in this arid wasteland. This has encouraged the inhabitants to settle and stay put in this area. American settlers have started rampaging, packing up their luggage and migrated in the land of â€Å"Mythical West Garden†. This became the start of the native’s nightmare. The native settlers during this period are Indians and other minority groups; however, they have been driven away from their homelands by the aggressive and domineering Americans.The stampede has occupied 430 million acres of land, which is actually twice the size of the nation. Furthermore, these settlers carved out ten new states until the three western-based commercial â€Å"empires† are established. Around 1865 and 1890 the American settlers have began their territorial rerouting and their way of income have been through mining, especially gold and silver; farming; and the cattle industry. During the westward expansion, widespread beliefs, activities, and objects influenced the daily existence of western emigrants. Moreover, the American settlers discovered the wide resources present in this area.The long protected forests and the divine natural up-springs are all tarnished by the American advancement and modernization. Mining and deforestation has become two of the most devastating hazards accompanied by the advancement. The natural resources of the native Indians are greatly mistreated by the Americans. The trees are cut down in order to be replaced by the houses, establishments, and ranches for the American community. Homeland of the natives, and their territories have been pushed away without being considered by the Americans until, major forests and natural resources are greatly damaged and reduced.In the end, the original fo restry respected by the ancestors of Indian cultures and traditions have been tarnished and destroyed by the advancing colonizers. During the same year and time, Cowboys have been popularized. The estimate of 35,000 males has entered the profession of being a cowboy. 25% of them are black, 12% are Mexican and majority of them are White Americans, 63%. The herding of domesticated animals have lead into territorial overtake since, ranch requires these land hectares in order to place their animals. In the end, the space between Indians and American has grown smaller, particularly in the side of the Indians.Because of this continuous threat, reckless advances and cruelty of American colonizers, the North America’s Indian forces started their civil war with the Americans. Around 1865, the Indian people have fought fiercely using their axes, bow and arrows and spears. However, they are still no match from the gunpowders and advance tools of the Americans. In the end, large reductio n from their population occurred. This event has caused the forces of Indians to be weak and fragile. Many of their women have become slave workers for the Americans. Some have been persecuted and disregarded.In the end, the Indians have become useless human beings. In 1860s, the Western Frontier has emerged and their definite aim is to transform the savagery of civilians battling over territories, towards a decent, moral and civilized individuals. The frontier reproduces American democracy and individualism – the frontier requires Americans to develop new institutions and â€Å"free land makes free men. † The frontier migration targets the expanse of territory as well as accumulation of riches; however, savagery and conflicts have become the exchange of such actions.Racial oppression not only for the Indians but also towards other cultural backgrounds occurs. The race of Hispanics, Blacks and Chinese has been greatly looked down by the Whites. The Hispanics during tho se times are traders as well Chinese, and these people are considered low class merchants; hence, the treatment pattern for these people as also low class. Degradation, racial and social discrimination are also the biggest issues during this period. The blacks, aside from Indians, are the ones who suffered the tremendous discriminative character of the whites. They are regarded as lowly individuals and most of them are treated as slaves.People during this time are greatly quarrelling mostly about their material properties and belongings, but little do they know that there are people being stepped aside and being ignored by their reckless actions. In the end, the effect boils down to those discriminated races and they are the ones that suffered because of the reckless and greedy actions of the Whites. One of the biggest historical events in this period is the Gold Rush, wherein the substance of interest is non-other than gold. The out-migration of non-natives following the Gold rush has given the Indians renewed numerical importance.The discovery of Gold in California and other nearby mines has lead easterners to migrate in the said are in order to have their part in this gold galore. This event has caused great multitude of immigrants coming from local and foreign lands. The situation has damaged mines; natural resources and influx of people have led into chaotic way of life. The situation of the people especially the original inhabitants of the area, which is the natives, has greatly worsened by the migratory frontiers. Going back to the statement of Martin Ridge,â€Å"The history of the American West is, almost by definition, a triumphal narrative for it traces a virtually unbroken chain of successes in national expansion† This is indeed a refutable statement. The Americans may have entered the land of Mythical Desert Garden; however, there are many people that have suffered because of their ruthless actions. It may be triumphal because they have over taken the natives, but the natural resources and the craving of their hands have been diminished. In the end, the statement remains doubtful for there are so many sacrifices that are heavier that the rewards they have taken.

Portrait of Teresa and Salt of the Earth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Portrait of Teresa and Salt of the Earth - Essay Example The film Portrait of Teresa by the Cuban director Pastor Vega deals with the struggle of Teresa to â€Å"fit into† the ideals of revolutionary Cuba. The film Salt of the Earth by the American director Herbert J. Biberman deals with the theme of male domination and female struggle against the same. Thesis statement: an investigation into the roles of Teresa in ‘Portrait of Teresa’ and Esperanza Quintero in ‘Salt of the Earth’ by comparison/contrast method. In the movie ‘Portrait of Teresa’, the role of Teresa is so significant because her life and experience reflects the role of women in the Cuban society. The character of Teresa reveals the contradiction between revolutionary and traditional values. For example, Teresa was forced to take on major responsibilities in her family, which consist of her husband and sons. The development in the Cuban society provides immense opportunities to its citizens. Teresa works in a textile factory in the skyline of Havana to fulfill her personal responsibility towards her family. In addition, she works at a recreational dance group in the evening. The changing values of the domestic and public field affect her life and she ineffectually tries to satisfy both the spheres. The character of Teresa represents the hard working women folk in the Cuban society. She operates textile machinery in the morning session and involves in dance rehearsals in the evening. So, one can easily identify th at female life in Cuban society is a struggle for survival. Teresa’s late night rehearsals irritate her husband and it badly affects her personal life. But this leads to her short temperedness towards others at the textile factory meeting. She does all the works at home like preparing breakfast, helping her children, preparing evening meals, and cleaning the house. Here, one can see that almost all household works are done

Identifying the academic and Behavioural Support Needs of Teachers Dissertation - 1

Identifying the academic and Behavioural Support Needs of Teachers Teaching in LINUS classrooms in Malaysia - Dissertation Example Professional development is very essential in supporting teachers teaching in LINUS classrooms in Malaysia in the sense that the teachers feel motivated and appreciated for their effort as it will be discussed in this chapter. 2.2 The Effectiveness of Screening According to Mohd Sham Hamid (2012; p. 7) there is total faith in the literacy and numeracy screenings programme in Malaysia. The LINUS programme conducts screening on the student’s literacy and numeracy ability, hence giving room for learning institutions to identify pupils who are weak. There is a distinction between the former system and LINUS. With LINUS, teachers are in a position to distinguish excellent students from the less excellent ones. This gives an avenue for the teachers to comprehend the exposure of knowledge of the weaker students. By understanding the knowledge level, it helps the participants to formulate extra plans to enhance the ability of the students while concentrating on the prescribed LINUS pr ogram which was established by the Ministry of education. According to Mohd Sham Hamid (2012; p. 7), the teacher normally depended on the same component and method of teaching but this was broken down by LINUS programme. The same method cannot be used to train children in a learning environment as some of the methods have a poor standard of comprehending the subject and hence require extra attention (Cohen, & Spenciner, 2007; p. 13). In such a condition the teacher will not be in a position to know whether the pupil is weak till the pupil takes the exam and scores below average or fails the exam. By this time the student will have advanced to the next stage and will still be left behind as the topic gets tougher to go through. The LINUS curriculum has a complex set of subjects for all levels of learning. There are pupils who are in a position to identify the alphabetical order after seven months of continuous recitation. These students can be discovered after sitting for the LINUS s creening tests. Extra attention can now be administered to these students in class. Learning in this environment is made more interactive and more of fun by use of music and activities to assist the pupils understand the subject more easily. There are times when issues of absenteeism and other uphill tasks which might derail the process of indentifying weaker children or helping them through the stated topic more challenging. Remedial lessons can be helpful if given keen attention with the use of specialized modules in enabling the pupils to deal with the learning challenges to a particular level. The education office through the Malaysian ministry of education gives abundant support by providing books of reference and usually giving supervision to the LINUS curriculum in the school. Currently, pupils from both year one and year two inclusive of the weaker students are reported to be going through the LINUS curriculum classes where teachers use laptops, charts, books, and flashcards as teaching aids. This has seen a remarkable improvement in the performance of the pupils over the recent time period (Pliszka, et al, 2007; p. 897). 2.3 The Significance of LINUS In ensuring that some of the programs are executed for the present school year, implementation of the programs is already underway. The first semi-annual implementation has seen the

Organizational Cultures-The Jewelry Industry Case Study

Organizational Cultures-The Jewelry Industry - Case Study Example The company follows a long supply chain hence making it extremely important for the communication to be effective and efficient. The communication goes in sequence of hierarchy and follows supply chain management making it easier for the business and operations to run smoothly. The organization handles raw materials that are expensive hence the communication process and practices should be precise and to the point. To the organization the most important thing is the consumer confidence as the company deals with people's dreams, desires and their self-image that are enhanced or improved by the products that they produce. It is strictly advised that code of conduct should be followed by all the personals employed in a correct and effective way in order to maintain the ethical standards of the brand. The ethical issues related to this company mostly concern human rights and mining as both of these give rise to ethical and environmental issues. Organizational diversity is present in this company as it is present in almost all the organizations working with diamonds. The special emphasize is on the craftsmen ship and hand art to shape up the elements into beautiful diamonds hence people from all around the world become the part of the process of production (Joanne Martin 2001). Though new technology takes over diamond production and now manufacturing of diamonds is done through machines still a lot of organizational diversity is being experienced. The diversity is handled in the same way as it is handled in any other organization that is by creating cross-functional teams and taking into consideration the benefits of having a diverse work force. Dress and language (jargon) The dress and language at any organization that manufactures or produces diamonds is simple and easy to understand, as there is not much technicality apart from the machines that are being used to process the elements. The dress code used is normally the one used all over the world that is formal but non-formal dressing is acceptable. Organizational customs Organizations have different customs and rituals. At DeBears special get together are arranged that have people from different departments meet each other and discuss their side of work. This not only helps in making a community inside the organization but also helps in making employees of different departments learn how things are going in the same organizations but in different segments of the company. Stories of employees that have made history or were high performance workers are shared among employees to raise motivation levels. Conflict management As mentioned above the company consists of a long supply chain hence handling conflicts becomes difficult but special rules and regulations and reporting techniques are being followed to reduce this difficulty. Managers and mentors are there to prevent conflict and in situations of conflict special step-by-step procedures are followed to handle the situation. Observable organizational policies The observable policies include following of ethics, it should be made sure that each and every individual in the organization follows rules and regulations. Time punctuality is strictly followed. Daily operations are conducted in a proper hierarchical way. Reporting of misconduct to customers

Reagan Remembered Interview Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Reagan Remembered Interview - Research Paper Example America had its longest peacetime economic expansion under Reagan and the tax benefits actually had a trickle effect that the people felt. There were job increases and unemployment was down. Even with a brief recession in 1982, the country still managed to come out on top economically speaking. It is really sad that Ronald Reagan knew of the importance of privatizing the Social Security program of the country but he never had a chance to do so. He actually liked the idea of allowing the members to choose how and where their money would be invested. He was a president who knew that social security, even though he was against it due to its Ponzi scheme like nature, could benefit the poorest of the poor. That is why he wanted to allow those who could prove that they did not need the retirement benefits of social security to get a refund and opt out of the program. For all of the good that Reagan did for our country though, his presidency seems to be best remembered for the Iran Contra scandal wherein our high ranking government officials illegally sold firearms to Iran which, at the time, was the subject of an arms embargo. Regardless of the embargo though, it is easy to understand why he did it. There were seven American lives at stake. These were American citizens being held hostage in Iran by a terrorist group with ties to the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution. What started out as a deal based on you scratch my back and Ill scratch yours ended up as an arms for hostages scheme instead that had individual executive branch representatives selling the weapons in exchange for American lives. He may not have done right by going around the arms embargo but, and this is the most important part, he brought those Americans being held hostage home. Each one of them alive and kicking. Nobody will ever forget the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagans life because a mad man tried to

Compares and contrasts formative, summative, and confirmative Research Paper

Compares and contrasts formative, summative, and confirmative evaluation in the instructional design process - Research Paper Example Here, the clarity, impact and feasibility of the message and the instruction are determined. In the small group evaluation, the entire group is handed similar feedback based on grouped outcome of the successes or difficulties. This effectively addresses the instruction rather than the learners. In the field trial evaluation, the instructor uses the design and course materials already modified twice to present a full-scale instructional session. Challenges with formative evaluation are often found in feasibility matters. Students’ capabilities, instructional environment and medium greatly impact the outcome of the stage. The motivation, independence and maturity of individual students will determine the required time to complete the stage (Smaldino, Rusell & Heinrich, 2005). Summative evaluation is beneficial because it is possible to develop consistent, standardized sets of information on each learner. It also creates a justification for wide-scale decision making in education programs. Summative evaluation uses two phases to assess the worth or merit of a program. The inclusion of external evaluators is beneficial because it adds value to the evaluation and design of the learning process and materials. In the expert judgment phase, feasibility, content, design and congruence analysis are examined. In the field trial phase, outcome and management analysis are examined. It further looks at the impact on the students, job and organization. Essentially, the performance of the group in relation to the set objective is analyzed by the instructional designer in various ways (Gagne, Wager & Keller, 2005). Organizational resources and needs are aligned with the program through congruence analysis; goals are identified through content analysis; sufficiency of modules of instructional strategies is evaluated through design analysis; and feasibility analysis is in relation to the materials’ utility. Summative evaluation is challenged when it comes to balanci ng process and product measures and preventing backwards implication; anticipating the scope of positive and negative consequences of using results of summative assessment; attending to both non-cognitive and affective features of flourishing academic programs; and the information’s timeliness (Gagne, Wager & Keller, 2005). In confirmative evaluation, there is a follow up of the students after they are out of the program. It is beneficial because instructors get to know their competitive levels and how well they are making use of the knowledge and information they gain from their programs. This is a marriage of the other evaluations and programs in continuous improvement. Unlike the other kinds used at the designing and learning levels, confirmative evaluation comes months after implementation of the program (Morrison, Ross & Kemp, 2004). Endurance of outcomes, efficiency and return on investments are tested. However, the challenge is that the evaluators and students are forc ed to commit themselves to the full scope of evaluation. Identifying and including all the stakeholders, especially decision makers and activity planners, is also a problem. Question Two Formative assessment is an ongoing measurement in educational preparation aiming at the improvement of student learning. It provides information crucial in the monitoring of an individual’

Proposal for Lighting Festival Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Proposal for Lighting Festival - Case Study Example You may handover the product and get a replacement free of cost from the store where you have made the purchase. If you are not in a position to revisit the store, kindly arrange to send an email to the undersigned who will take immediate action to collect the product from you replacing it with a new one at our cost. Even though we are sure that what has been reported might be a stray incident, we simply do not want to undertake any risks on the health of the infants, as we value the interests of our customers more than our economic values. We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to you in this respect. It is with deep concern that the management brings to your notice that there has been a serious customer complaint on the product 'infant car seat'. The customer has complained that she has found fragments of glass in the upholstery of the seat which is a serious issue as it may cause dangerous bodily harm to the infant being carried in the seat. Such complaints not only bring monetary loss to the company due to lower sales on account of bad reputation and law suits for huge monetary compensation but also tarnish the image of the company built in the market over the last six years. The management wishes the employees to understand the seriousness of the issue and take all the extra precaution necessary to avoid such mistakes in the future. If any worker is found to be directly or indirectly responsible for the occurrence of such incidents or for non-detection of such complaints he/she will be reprimanded and punished as this is considered as a serious issue that may affect the future business of the company and your future also in the process. We advise each one of the employees in the manufacturing department to be more vigilant in adopting the safety procedures which are already in place for checking the product thoroughly in the assembly for any alien materials. Perhaps some of the employees do not understand the procedure due to language problems. The management though it to better to train all the employees to be proficient in English language so that the safety procedures can be followed effectively. Arrangements are under way for imparting the necessary training. Further safety procedures to be more effective in this direction are being instituted for follow up by workers. The management once again reiterates the seriousness of the issue and warns all the employees to be more cautious and vigilant. Email Dear Mr. Dolan Further to your note on the issue of the customer complaint on the product 'infant car seat' I have made a thorough investigation in to the issue. I have made sure that nothing has gone wrong in our manufacturing location. There is a possibility that this thing might have happened in the store or at the customer's home. But I did not want to do a post mortem of

Hand hygiene Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Hand hygiene - Essay Example With this being a retrospective project, no questionnaires will be involved (no human involvement) but only collection/evaluation of pre and post data from the infection/risk and quality department within the sampled acute care center. Any or all actions that are meant to clean hands by any person may describe what hand hygiene refers to. It involves such practices as washing hands using water as well as soap or even the application of non-water antimicrobial rub on hands as are all meant to reduce if not eliminate all microorganisms on the hands (Corrigan, 2013; Medvick, 2008). ‘Hospital acquired infection’ (HAI) refers to the infection that a patient may be diagnosed with after admission of any form of medical attendance within the medical facilities and as such it implies that the infection was not present as the patient came into the facility for the health service(s) (Weinstock, 2007). It must therefore be acquired through health care delivery and hands hygiene has been pointed out as the greatest contributor to such outcomes (Cantrell, 2013). Health care facilities and providers have therefore a mandatory responsibility of ensuring that hand hygiene is promoted in order to curb the losses in lif e and costs associated with the resultant infections from poor hand hygiene within these medical facilities. This paper therefore focuses on the effects of poor hand hygiene by healthcare providers on HAI with special attention on compliance by health care providers and main factors that could explain the poor hygiene within health facilities amidst the extensive and serious campaigns on hand hygiene within these facilities (Cantrell, 2014). Although this topic has been addressed intensively over years, little studies have been directed towards implications of compliance of health care providers on observing hands hygiene. Many factors

How the emotion affects the person Essay Example for Free

How the emotion affects the person Essay In the modern world, emotions play such a large role in almost everything people do, it is hard to make a decision which will get the most desirable results. It is true, however it is looked upon, that decisions and choices are mainly made by the emotion that the person is feeling towards the topic. A kind person will go join the Peace Corps and help aide the poor and starving, while a person with no pity towards much of anything will not care enough to do something of that nature. Pity is one of the key emotions in making decisions. If someone feels sorry for another individual, they are much more likely to go out of their way to help this person. Whether it is from dropping a few coins into a beggars cup, or just helping out a friend, people have to go out of their way because of pity. Pity is more than a simple emotion which can lead people do to things for others, however. It can bring upon new feelings within an individual and help them to achieve a higher level of consciousness. Decisions are intertwined with everyone in the worlds lives, and if they do not begin to see the reasons behind their decisions, it could have devastating results. Pity towards an individual can have an effect on almost everything in the world. Whether it is bargaining for the price of clothing, to giving money to a poor person, there can be all kinds of changes depending on a persons circumstance. This, however, is not a good thing because there are always people in the world who do not care about others and can con someone and take advantage of them. Although pity can be good or bad, it is mainly shown as a sign of weakness in a person. It can make someone decide to do irrational things for another and bring them in danger. People say that having a ruthless leader would be bad, but they are wrong because being ruthless does not mean being evil or mean, it just means knowing that feelings cannot get in the way of decisions. Emotions are much more than influences in our decisions, however. They play a key role is almost everything in the world. If there was no emotion in any novels or movies or anything of that nature, how would we be able to enjoy life? Music is basically an extension from our own human emotions, and that is why music can be integrated in much of our situations of life. In movies, it would not sound right if a swinging beat was used in a war scene, or vice  versa. Thus, it is simple to say that emotions do play a role in our lives. The effects of emotions in our lives can vary from person to person, but no matter how hard someone tries, they cannot escape having and feeling these things. Whether it is good or bad, choices are made depending on the emotions involved in the consequences. Pity is one of the major feelings dealt with when faced with a decision about another individual. Are they poor? In need of help? These are both basic questions that are asked to oneself when deciding on what to do in a situation. Although it is impossible to stay out of the grasp of emotions, it is very possible to realize the effects of them, and make decisions based upon the knowledge at hand.

Violent video game Essay Example for Free

Violent video game Essay Violent video games are successfully marketed to youth and are easily obtained regardless of age and easily obtained by children and adolescents. Violent video games become top best sellers because violent video games are popular with male and female children, adolescent, and adults. Even the U. S. government sees through this point; they have created and distribute the violent game like America’s Army to youth without checking the ages of which whom can download this game from the internet or can be obtained from recruiting offices. The main factor studies of violent video games that conclude with a general discussion of several key issues, including: developmental issues, game effect on children, average time child spend playing video game, beneficial environmental effects, and bias towards violent video games. Video games have become a ubiquitous form of entertainment in the United Stated; they are behind only television in popularity. Video game first emerged in the 1970s, but it was during the 1990s, that violent games truly came of age. Starting in the late 1980s, video game producers experimented with what the public would accept in video games. Gradually it became clear that games sold better if the contained more violence, such as: a fighting game one-on-one like Double Dragon, Mortal Combat, or Street Fighter games became all time best sellers (Anderson 6). The second most popular from entertainment after television, video games have rapidly became the largest segment of the entertainment industry, taking in 6. 3 dollars to 8. 8 billion dollars in 1998, compared with 5. 2 billion dollars in Hollywood box office receipts. For now, video game can be played at home on a computer or a television, which more option choice to become top market in America (Espejo 9). For that reason, the violence in video games is cause for concern. Numerous studies have found a correlation between violent video games and increased aggression in children. In addition, several popular video games may be teaching children how to kill by simulating the techniques used to train soldiers for combat. The skills acquired from these games are tragically evident in recent school shootings perpetrated by teens who were heavy users of video games (Espejo 9). Therefore, the Federal Court of Appeals decided to ban the sell or rental the violent video games to minors. According to Kenny Knudson, twelve years old boy, said even the government or his parent did not allow him to rent or buy violent video games, but he would properly find it at his friend’s house (â€Å"Violent Video Games and Kids Ruling. ). To protect children from violence, parents should carefully consider a suitable rating game for their children. If parents and rating systems do not prevent these games from falling into the wrong hands then banning them is a step that needs to be taken. Video games can have both positive and negative impacts on children. According to Douglas A. Centie, the video games have both positive and negative effect on children and that parents need to be aware of each. The positive effect from games on children is highly motivating. Video games are natural teachers, and they provide repeated practice for skillful play. Video games have been shown to teach children the attitudes, skills, and behaviors that they were designed to teach. They also can have negative effect. According research by Centie, time spent playing video games has negative correlation with academic performance. Playing violent games has a positive correlation with antisocial and aggressive behavior. Content analyses show that a majority of games contain some violence. A majority of fourth to eighth-grade children prefer violent games (Hamilton 24-25). Parents need to set limits on the time their children spend playing games and make sure the content of games is suitable for the child. The average time children spend playing video games has been increasing since 1980. In the mid-1980s, children averaged about four hours a week playing video games, and in early 1990s, the average amount was still fairly low. In result, girls spent time about two hours of home play per week, and about four hours of home play per week for boys. By the mid 1990s, home use had increased for fourth-grade girls to 4. 5 hours per week, and to 7. 1 hours per week for fourth-grade boys. This same sample of fourth-graders reported that most of their favorite video games were violent. According to recent national surveys of parents, school-age children devote about seven hours per week playing video games. In a recent survey of over six-hundred eighth and ninth- grade students, children averaged nine hours per week of playing video game by averaging thirteen hours for boys and five hours per week for girls, and it seems to be increasing every year (Anderson 7). It became clear that both boys and girls are spending more time with video games. Video games are highly beneficial because they give children a unique interactive learning environment and far from harmful. The interactive element of video games benefits children because it imparts the fundamental thinking skills needed for creativity and problem solving. Playing video games is inherently similar to interactive activities such as chess or playing the piano except that video games are stigmatization of video games ultimately discourages children from learning (Espejo 53). David Deutsch believes games are far from harmful, he asked, â€Å"Why do so many adults hate them? What evidence is there that there is anything bad about them? (Espejo 54)† Violent video games have the correlations between video games and violent behavior can be explained by being attracted from violent entertainment. According to Ron Wilburn, he believes video game violence is harmless fantasy, and it is not a main factor in youth violence. Children raised in households where they are treated with respect are able to differentiate between fantasy and reality (Biscontini). In the following, Christopher J. Ferguson argues that violent video games do not cause people to be violent. According to his research, there is no good evidence linking violent video games with aggression, violent behavior or any other key word of â€Å"harm. † He consistently found that violent games are not related to violent criminal behaviors or aggression. Frequent players of violent video games are no more likely to commit violent crimes that non-gamers (Hamilton). In addition, if video games do cause juvenile to be violent, then violent crime should be more increased as youth play violent video games, but the rate for juvenile violent crimes has fallen 49. 3 percent between 1995 and 2008, while video game sales have became top in the same period(Video Games ProCon. org. ). Parents need to be involved with their children; it is good for he or she to think and learn to understand and teach his or her children to avoid and not to follow evil side that come with the game’s story. Violent video games have been blamed for school shootings, increases in bullying, and violence towards women. There are two example incidents in Japan that people put the blame on games when it came to violent action. Reported by BBC news in June 2008, Tomohiro Kato, a twenty-five years old guy, drove a large white van on the side of the road at a busy intersection in the Akihabara district of Tokyo, and he went after the crowd and tried to kill them. The second incident, at the same year in January, a sixteen years old boy attacked five people with kitchen knives. Two people injured from the attacking in a Tokyo shopping street. Reports say it is still a little early to say what provoked the attack, but the police point these incidents might be caused from imitation to action games because both of them like playing video game (Hogg). Does game really become a conclusion for violent action status? There is some limited evidence that explicit discussions with children and adolescents about the harmful effects of media violence and the inappropriateness of aggressive and violent solutions to interpersonal conflicts, and practice at thinking about potential nonviolent solutions to conflict, all guided by parents or other adult authority figures, might reduce the harmful effects of exposure to media violence. Furthermore, parents who merely play violent video game with their children are likely to make matter worse, rather than better. Additionally, suppose children are for some reason unhappy with their daily’s life. Playing video games is something they never get from real life. It is not the video game that is doing them harm, it is that they have been funneled down a blind alley and not let out. The thing to do is to let them out by not stealing his last remaining source of joy and learning. Parents should offer them something which they might prefer, try conversation, try anything; if that does not work, do not blame the video game. Be thankful that there is still something good in the children’s life, to tide them over. However, parents or guardians are responsible for knowing if their children are able to handle violent video games without resorting to violence in reality. Parents should use the right power to lead their children play the right rating video game because video game play can and does have effects of both positive and negative attitudes and behaviors. Works Cited Anderson, Craig Alan, Douglas A. Gentile, and Katherine E. Buckley. Violent Video Game Effects on Children and Adolescents: Theory, Research, and Public Policy. Oxford: Oxford UP, 2007. Print. Biscontini, Tracey Vasil. Youth Violence. Greenhaven Press: Detroit, 2007. Print. Haugen, David M. Video Games. Detroit: Greenhaven/Thomson Gale, 2008. Print. Espejo, Roman. Video Games. Greenhaven Press: San Diego, 2003. Print. Hamilton, Jill. Video Games. Detroit: Greenhaven, 2011. Print. Video Games ProCon. org. Video Games ProCon. org. ProCon. org. 13 Mar. 2012. Web. 05 Apr. 2012. . â€Å"Violent Video Games and Kids Ruling. Consumer Watch. KSBW. 9 Feb. 2009. Television. Hogg, Chris. Bewilderment in Tokyo after Attack. BBC News. 6 Aug. 2008. Web. 5 Apr. 2012.

Change of Logistics in Tesco analysis

Change of Logistics in Tesco analysis In this paper, the key subject focuses on the change issues facing Tesco in the next five years, especially on the logistics. The operation process of change makes huge headway towards the modern Tescos supply chain Tesco plc is a British international grocery and general merchandising retailer. This company operates 4331 stores in 14 countries around in the UK, other European countries, the US and Asia (Tesco PLC. Company Profile, 2009). Tesco is headquartered in Hertfordshire, the UK and employs over 470,000 people. Tesco was founded in 1919 when Jack Cohen began to sell surplus groceries from a stall in the East End of London (Tesco: Our History, 2007). It is the largest retailer in British by both global sales and domestic market share. Behind Wal-Mart and Carrefour, it is the third largest global retailer. Originally specializing in food and drink, Tesco has diversified into fields such as clothing, telecoms, car insurance, financial services, health and dental plans, retailing DVDs, CDs, magazines, music downloads, internet services and software. The core purpose of Tesco is to create value for the customers to earn their lifetime loyalty. In this paper, the change of logistics in Tesco is investigated. It falls into three parts, which starts with the fundamental situation of logistics in Tesco. The importance of logistics in Tesco and the current logistics management are presented in this part. The second part investigates the change issues facing Tesco in the next five years, such as strategic change, structural change and technical change. In the third part, barriers and resistance to change are identified. Besides, necessary steps to changes and the different viewpoints of change implement are also involved. 2.0 Logistics in Tesco The business reformation of Tesco in the last 30 or more years is one of the most remarkable stories in British retailing. The organization has become one of Europes leading retail businesses with retail operation in countries as far-ranging as South Korea, Turkey, Poland and Ireland (Tesco PLC. Company Profile, 2009). In common with other large retailers, Tesco buys goods from suppliers into regional distribution centres, for preparation and onward delivery to its stores. Logistics management is the part of the supply chain which plans, implements and controls the storage of goods and related information to meet the customers requirements. The logistics function is one of he links between production and consumption. Over the last decade there is a growing opinion that logistics is not merely a strategic activity but is important in strategic terms (Sparks, 1986). It is no exaggeration to say that if there is no logistics, there would be no Tesco. The current logistics of Tesco is different from the origins of the organization. In 1970s, the supply chain required to deliver comparatively simple products to lots of small high-street stores. Now the current supply chain is in the delivery of all kinds of products in a modern Tesco Extra hypermarket, or in the Tesco Express stores located in busy city centre districts, or the warehouse and weekly shopping on Tesco.com. Since Tesco changed its solely down-market image, Tesco has begun to better understand its customers and control its business. The retail transformation made Tesco put sharp focus on the quality and capability of the supply systems and the relationships with its suppliers. In the history of Tesco, there have been several phases in the transformation of the distribution strategy and operations (Fernie, J and Sparks, L, 2004). In the mid-1970s, Tesco operated a direct to store delivery operation. Suppliers and manufactures delivered directly to stores so the store ma nagers could operate their relationships with the suppliers. This kind of distribution was unable to ensure the consistency between product volumes and quality. Then the organization gained the control of the organization. The change happened in 1980 and was implemented to move away direct delivery to stores for the realization of centralization. Tesco selected a centrally controlled and physically centralized distribution service delivering most of the goods to stores, within a lead time of a maximum of 48 hours (Sparks,1986). That involved an extension of the distribution facilities and the building of new distribution centres, which was located more closely with the existent stores and even the future stores. This strategy produced a rationalized network of distribution centres, linked by computer from stores to head office, which reduced the individual operations. Once the basic network was settled, Tesco put attention to build vertical collaboration in the supply chain. Informa tion sharing, electronic trading and collaborative improvements have become essential to Tesco and brought up the success of Tesco. The Logistics and supply chain reformation have received not only public consideration but also available academic analysis. As a leading food and grocery retailer, Tesco is inevitable to face problems in the future. On the contrary, problems can also turn into opportunities as long as Tesco enforce suitable strategies to change problems into opportunities. Competition among the rivals and the co-operation with the suppliers are all the important issues to Tesco, much less the difficult economic times. 3.0 Logistics Change in the next five years It is crucial for leading retailers to play a vital role in the economic recession. Therefore, the retailers must make cost savings, in the meantime, continue to develop products and services which create real value for their customers. Those that do so can only come out of the downturn. Tesco needs to tackle the huge number of issues that it faces as one of the worlds largest retailers. Tesco has developed a world-class logistics approach to expand its success. But to some extent, the success of Tesco is due to the particular circumstance in the UK. As Tesco has become a much more international retailer, Tesco needs to change logistics and supply chain to face the changing nature of the retail operations. 3.1 Change of Strategy Retailers now do not compete only on the basis of their activities alone, also on the basis of the effectiveness and efficiency of their supply chain. Massive progress which made Tesco successful also made its retail and supply face increasing challenges. By 2009, Tesco had successfully established that retail presence in India, the United States, China, Turkey and Japan. Tesco has become the market leader in these international countries, not to mention the number one status in the British grocery retailer. From 2003, the overseas operation has accounted for almost half the Tesco Group retail space and nearly 20 percent of retail sales (Tesco plc Annual Report, 2003). Due to the economic downturn, Tesco should move its strategy from spreading the business widely to cost reduction. If there are issues in production and primary distribution, these will inevitably have a bad effect on the price, quality and service for the consumers. Once the cost of distribution has been reduced, ther e would be business motivation to apply logistics resource to determine opportunities to make improvements in the company. 3.2 Task in the future Tesco has suppliers on both a local and global scale. In the current economic climate, many customers want to buy products which can support their local business and economy. They are also concerned about food miles and the relative environment impact of the produce they chose (Christopher L.  Weber and H. Scott  Matthews, 2008). Therefore, it is necessary for Tesco to switch task on expanding local sourcing. This task can not only reduce the unit cost distribution year on year, but also lower the capital invested in vehicles. Besides, it can also produce positive effects on cutting down carbon footprint. On climate change, vehicles using for distribution to stores generate a major proportion of Tescos indirect carbon footprint. It is a big challenge for Tesco to address how it can respect on environmental limits. As Tesco continues to expand its business, it must reduce its environment impact at the same time. If the company is failing in controlling the emission of pollutants, the growth of brands will be destroyed. Tesco started a home shopping pilot scheme in 1995. This pilot was extended to 10 stores after two years and the store-based picking operation was expanded over UK in 1999. Now, its internet subsidiary Tesco.com is the largest online retailer in the world. Tesco was the very first internet grocer to market in UK, and by adapting quickly to the fast-changing needs of its customers with careful service and inventive offerings, it has succeeded in being in the lead among its competitors. So, Tesco should enlarge its market share and coverage on the internet. 3.3 People Involves in Change Tesco promise its people the opportunity and makes people feel committed by investing in training and development. As changes are continual and inevitable, it is necessary for Tesco to develop the employee skills. More inevitable is that people involved in changes will give different attitudes to the management. But the no matter what attitudes people take, they all need to change with changing business environment from the directors to the deliverymen. The directors should be sensitive to the change issues and more staff will be hired for their professional skills on website establishment or delivery. The delivers are facing huge challenge for the fast development online shopping. That means the service to the customers should efficient and free from error. 4.0 Change Issues and recommendations Changes are so unpredictable that it is unavoidable to face barriers to change. People naturally resist change because people prefer the know to the unknown. If a company wants people to be able to initiate and sustain change in the workplace, it must be aware of the barriers to change (Pike, B, 2004). Most people refuse to be uncomfortable in changes so that they may quit implementing the changes which the company has planned. So Tesco needs to monitor the training on helping people make a smooth transition and be ready for questions and advices from people. So as a director of Tesco, is it critical to give the top-notch people the professional train and coach and take in ideas from people no matter whether they are useful. Having more ideas generally leads to better ideas, so it is necessary for the directors to generate several alternatives when considering what to deal with changes. Another barrier to change is ambiguous to change. Change requires for clarity and attention. When the company faces too many changes at the same time it becomes difficult to pay attention to them all even though people want to make clear of all the changes. Maybe it is advisable to drop some changes and focus on the most unable to wait. Resistance is as inevitable as change. It is a natural response to any major change. Folger and Skarlicki (1999) claim that organizational change can generate skepticism and resistance in employees, making it sometimes difficult or impossible to implement organizational improvements. Most employees dont like change because they dont like being changed. Though the directors decide to move in the direction of unknown on the promise that something will be better for the company and the staff, but no one can proof. No matter how well designed and planned the change program is, not every staff will be singing its praises. People can only take active steps toward the unknown if they believe the new direction will create benefits. If Tesco want to make the case of change, be sure to set out terms why the company believes the changes can produce benefits. Tesco should defuse political power plays amongst managers and other employees by convoking board-based meetings where tasks and strategie s are openly discussed and introduce operations which leave little room for individual determination. Managers, employees always have questioned the value of the role of change agent in their organization. It is because the label change agent is usually related with misunderstanding, cynicism and stereotyping. As organization of all kinds face inevitable changes in their environment, the need for change agents who are capable of turning strategy into reality has created an important role. Dave Ulrich (1996) suggests that founding a renewed organization is the deliverable expected from the change agent role in Human Resources. The change agents enable people to work effectively as they plot and increase peoples ability to manage future change. So Tesco is necessary to hire a change agent to deal with the change and suggest the steps necessary to implement changes, though there are suspicious voices. For a company facing changes, change agents are strategic thinkers with a vision which is shared across the organization (Kaufman, 2005). But the skills of change agents which can lead to success must be grounded in a passion for the final goal and the ability to sustain the pression through the challenges and setbacks inherent in bold visions. Tesco does not need a change agent with high education but a change agent with efficiency and bold vision. Tescos core purpose and values define the way it dose business, how it treat the consumers, the employees and the suppliers. Tescos corporate social responsibility policy objective is to earn the trust of the customers by acting responsibly in the communities it serve. So the task of purchasing local produces is wise for causing favorable impression from the local customers and a commendable active to the social communities. Tesco should plan a mature plan on the integrating the network management in the next two years for the fast booming of online shopping. It is urgent for Tesco to occupy the online market over the world though someone will criticize this task of Tesco is invasive. Therefore, Tesco need to guarantee the welfare and safety of the employees of the suppliers and deliveries for making them extend fair and honest to the customers. The envisaged schedule of cost reduction builds upon that the appropriate resources are assigned. Primary distribution should be keeping on with cost reduction. 5.0 Conclusion The change management carries with many challenges. Challenges involved with the amount of time required to develop, arrange and implement the plan as well as align people around its breakthrough strategies (Silverman, 2000).As the retailers have realized the importance of distribution is underestimated and the consumer needs are changeable, the need of improve the quality accuracy of logistics is paramount. For a growth company like Tesco it is vital that the company meets the challenges produced by the economic downturn. By grasping the right opportunities, protecting itself from unpredictable capital markets and trading in a sustainable way Tesco should confront this recession as an even stronger company. It is impossible to predict the future and to state demonstrably what the Tesco logistics will appear in the following years of course. Certainly, procedures in the area of environment aspects of logistics will continue to place pressure on retails and supplier to reinforce their performance. The electronic grocery shopping with direct home delivery is gradually becoming an option for more consumers. All the changes require the active support of employees and involvement of senior management in order to be successful.