Mo Yan’s the Garlic Ballads: Saga of Suffering and Solitude Essay

They are, instead, people with their own shortcomings and prejudices, and by understanding that, Mo Yan shows the true power of an artist–rather than stoop for the easy message, he dives into the actuality of his characters to make them empathic and flawed, and allow us to root for them and cringe when we realize that they simply don’t have the wisdom to always act correctly. When it comes to the plight of the farmer and the destitute, Mo Yan has experience in spades. The Garlic Ballads tells the tale of a group of Chinese peasants whose lives are dependent upon selling their garlic crop; when harvests exceed governmental estimates, officials curb the amount of garlic that can be brought to market, setting off a violent chain of events. Against this backdrop, Mo weaves presents three stories: that of two lovers, which dominates the novel, as well as a familial conflict and the relationship between two friends. Howard Goldblatt’s translation is so good as to make the reader mistake this for an English novel; the prose is nearly flawless. Set in rural China, The Garlic Ballads explores the misfortune of ordinary Chinese farmers during the post revolutionary period. The very title which focuses on the word ‘Ballads’ reveals that it is a love story in particular spiced by magic realism. The harrowing experiences make the stuff of the novel. The small dramas of the Gao and Yang families, set against a slightly larger but nonetheless miniscule backdrop of rural corruption gets steadily deeper as it progresses, illuminating the paradoxes of modern China and the unchanging demands of love, family, and duty. There are also other heterogeneous elements – an arranged marriage, a botched directive from central agricultural planners, a drunk driver with government connections. All are woven into a coherent whole through the poetic vision of Mo Yan who easily peddles in realism. This novel which focuses on the aftermath of an uprising a tragic story which depicts both a very specific time and place and sheds light onto basic human truths. The people of Paradise County have been encouraged, if not ordered, to grow garlic, and so garlic has infused itself into every aspect of the people’s lives–their breath reeks of it, their celebrations tainted with it. But the governing officials of Paradise County are out to grab up every copper they can, and so out come the taxes for traveling the roads to the co-op warehouses, the penalties, the closures, and one day the garlic farmers have had enough and act out against the officials making their lives so full of hardship. The government retaliates, and Mo focuses on some of the victims. First, there is Gao Yang, who suffers enough with a blind daughter and a new son soon to be born, but he is beaten and brought to jail. One who escapes at first is Gao Ma, a former soldier who longs to marry Jinjun, whose family have agreed to marry her to someone else, but Gao Ma and Jinjun do not take the alternate marriage lightly, and trouble ensues from there. Jinjun’s mother, Fourth Aunt of the Fang family, is also sought after in the police hunt since she won’t stay quiet about her husband being run over by a government official, and the lives of these peasants intertwine through the courses of love and justice. The Fang family is cruel to both Jinjun and Gao Ma as they try to reject the lovers’ vow to be married, and Gao Yang suffers humiliation and torment from his cellmates. Fourthly we have the character of the Aunt who appears to be tyrannical at home, but in jail she becomes a different creature altogether. At times, she is bawdy and scatological, at other times heart-breaking and lyrical. Thus through the characters, Mo Yan gives us the entirety of the human spectrum in his novel. The main story in The Garlic Ballads details the tragic love story of Gao Ma and Fang Jinju. This story is told in parallel with the life of Gao Yang and some other stories. All are inter-related. The background is a Chinese village in the mid 1980s. The details make it frightfully real. The central focus in the book is however on an invasion and trashing by an angry mob of the local governmental offices. We do not see this event occur until the end of the book, yet it colors every moment in the lives of the Fang and Gao families of Paradise County. It is understandable that the Beijing government would suppress a novel that shows most of its local officials to be bloated satraps and its policement to be little better than thugs, applying cattle prods to their prisoners and beating them mercilessly. Equally villainous, however, are the Fang family, who force their daughter to marry an old man in a three-in-one arranged marriage that guarantees that their crippled eldest son also gets a bride. In a grisly scene, the marriage deal finally goes through after both the daughter and her fiance commit suicide: Their bodies are dug up, their remains are mixed together, and they are re-interred in a single coffin. The full picture of alternating hopelessness and rebellion emerges slowly and tragically, and the disparate elements weave together into an elegant and moving whole. The Swedish Academy which selects Mo as the recipient of the Nobel Prize praised his ‘hallucinatory realism’ saying that along with his other writings, Sorghum, The Big Breasts and Wide Hips, The Garlic Ballads ‘merges folk tales, history and the contemporary’. Mo in his writings mingled fantasy and reality, historical and social perspectives and thus created a world reminiscent in its complexity of those in the writings of William Faulkner and Gabriel Garcia Marquez. Although Mo is the writer of eleven novels and a hundred of short stories, The Garlic Ballads seems to be his masterpiece. Born in 1955 to parents who were farmers, Mo Yan – a pseudonym for Guan Moye; the pen name means â€Å"don’t speak† – grew up in Gaomi in Shandong province in north-eastern China. The cultural revolution forced him to leave school at 12, and he went to work in the fields, completing his education in the army. He writes about the peasantry, about life in the countryside, about people struggling to survive, struggling for their dignity, sometimes winning but most of the time losing . Arundhati Roy’s A God of small Things is graphic and captivating, but seen from that perspective, The Garlic Ballads is ten imes more so. The novel depicts simple people living in hard times, in very helpless circumstances. Basically there was no way out, and people could only console themselves that their lives were `fated’. â€Å"I think writers write for their consciences, they write for their own true audiences, for their souls,† Mo said in an interview with  China Daily. â€Å"No person writes to win awards. † Today the best reward in literature comes to him. In fact he is the first Chinese writer to win this reward in Literature. The Garlic Ballads seems to have gained prominence no less than Marquez’s 100 years of Solitude.

Relationship-Driven Leaders Focus on People, Not Power Essay

My article talks about the behavioral theories, as the author discussed the new stream in leadership orientation. To be more specific, he believed that as the industry is now facing globalization and rapid change, leaders must adapt this changing landscape or risk losing high-potential employees. Younger employees prefer relationship-driven leaders and a sense of community. So in other words, they value relationships and leaders who respect their ideas and consult them on decisions. Bobbie (2010) took an example of a general counsel who successfully led a group for years before hiring a vice president to help manage a growing workload. Because this leader spent his career in the traditional model, he found it difficult to delegate work to the new vice president. The issue was not about power, but an Inability to let go and trust the new vice president to complete the work well. If the general counsel had formed a stronger personal connection with the vice president nd built trust based on that relationship, he could have empowered the vice president Instead of constraining her performance. Relationship-driven leaders are more empathetic, patient and tolerant. They approach decision-making subjectively, using personal values as a guide and examining how each option will impact others. Yet, while they are adept at listening and forging personal connections, they can sometimes appear too concerned about what others think or too weak to make tough decision. While leaders cant change their innate personalities, they can change their behavior. Adopting these best practice behaviors will enable leaders to be more effective in an increasingly diverse workplace 1. Open yourself to different viewpoints. 2. Balance empathy with strong decision-making. 3. Collaborate on issues management. 4. Champion employee development. 5. Don’t mistake silence for agreement. By adopting a relationship-driven approach, leaders can earn the trust and confidence of an increasingly diverse workforce and improve long-term retention.

Ancient Religions

Principal beliefs of Nordic religion and its meaning to adherents. The ancient Norse religion was commonly followed and practiced by people in northern regions of the world, such as Scandinavia, Norway, Iceland and surrounding countries. It was believed that the world first came about when a northern and southern land, Niflheim and Muspellheim, both joined together. Niflheim (house of mists) , an extremely cold, icy land and Muspellheim (home of desolation) the seemingly opposite of Niflheim, a hot, fiery land. As both lands joined together, the reaction of the contrasting temperatures caused the ice of Niflheim to melt creating the first two living creatures Ymer, the giant and Audhumla, a female cow. From these two the first Gods were created (Odin, Vile and Ve), and from them the first human beings were created by Odin from an elm and ash tree. Due to a disagreeance between Ymer and the God’s, the giant was killed and from his body, landforms and other living races were created. The gods were revered by many as they were the creators of the races and established the different parts of the world, the world tree or Yggdrasil included. The Yggdrasil is one of the principal beliefs in Nordic religion as it was known as the centre of their nordic universe, the world tree was said to have held nine different realms within its branches. The realms were situated in different areas of the tree at the top, within the canopy; Asgard (heaven) was located. This is where many gods lived including Odin in Valhalla. In addition to Asgard two other realms Vanaheim (home of the fertility god) and Aflheim (home of light elves) were located at the highest level of the world tree. These realms were known as â€Å"divine†. Norse folk believed that Midgard, the middle section of Yggdrasil held the human world. Along with midgard, Nidavellir, Jotunheim and Svartalfhiem, home of the dwarves, giants and dark elves were also present here. At the third and bottom level of the tree the two lands that created the first living beings are found. It is believed that Hel, the place of death, is part of the harsh, destitute lands of Niflheim. Hel is connected to one of the three main root of the world tree and it is known as the underworld, the second root leads to Jotunheim( realm of the giants) and the third is connected to the divine realm, Asgard. The roots linked together the different levels and realms of the tree, likewise Bifrost, a magical bridge located between Asgard and the human world, Midgard was another connection between realms, allowing gods an entrance into the mortal world. The Influence of the Nordic beliefs in society was great as followers of the ancient religion could identify with the extreme life conditions and harsh weather that was also portrayed in the Nordic creation story. The Norse saw their conditions of life as a blessing from the gods and often used these gifts to the greatest advantage for example men often became farmers, cultivators, tradesmen or traders. Women in Nordic society also searched for meaning and insight from the gods as they held powerful positions in the religion. Women played a strong part in the community and often had to run the villages when the Viking warriors were away. The Norse strived to maintain a balanced lifestyle from the influence of what they had learned and incorporated from the gods. Odin was known as a wise and great warrior and many Viking men chose to follow the same path by becoming a warrior also. I was believed that one of the only worthy ways to die was to die in battle. This factor greatly contributed to the decisions of the Norse men. When a warrior died in battle he would go on to Valhalla, in the divine realm, if not they would go to Hel. The Norse people not only sought meaning from the gods, but from the actions and rituals they performed.

FEAR OF TECHNOLOGY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

FEAR OF TECHNOLOGY - Essay Example There is a revealing fact that people are now able to envision the future in terms of technology. Our lives are dominated by products and the problems of technology because all aspects of our lives; social activities, education, even religion has come to rely heavily on technology (Banks & Stevens, 2005, p.265). The truth that has emerged is the fear of technology in relation to what they will do because its adoption has robbed humans’ privacy and even access to a variety of information. Moreover, technology has become an impersonal mechanism and this can be seen in the governments and corporate in the way they have enabled machines to run by themselves and not with the control of an individual. The society as a whole has raised questions on whether there are difficulties in the way people characterize the way technology has been embraced, or the way technology has had an impact in their lives. Complications come about in the freedom the people have in using technology, this is seen in the way humans give machines something that is humanity. When human beings refuse one or more of their responsibilities, machine readily fill the position and performs the task. Humans have developed the tendency to give expressions to do and take up the independent life they have in technology, and th e truth behind this is amplified in the technology of computers, making computers independent agents. People should not forget the fact that the autonomous life we have is our own, and there should be a confrontation with all agencies of technology in all aspects of our lives. The solution best suited to overcome this intoxication caused by technology is finding a balance that is right (Carroll & Buchholtz, 2011, p 274). This can be done by balancing between the emphases on human freedom where technology should be made neutral, and putting an established emphasis on proclivities of the humans by

Operational Strategy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Operational Strategy - Essay Example The most prominent of these companies was Webvan, which reached a stock market value of $7.9 billion at the end of its IPO. Webvan, Home Grocer, PeaPod and several other Internet grocers made huge bets that selling groceries online was a growth market and represented a new way of doing business. Unfortunately, as has been illustrated by the widely publicized collapses of these high profile Internet grocers, there was a substantial gap between theory and practical application. In contrast, there are currently several examples of grocery and other food delivery companies that appear to be making effective use of the Internet as a link with customers. In particular, both Tesco in the UK and Albertson's in the USA currently have Internet channels for selling groceries that are profitable (Hall, pp.A9; Koller, 13-14). Whereas many of the failed Internet grocers appeared to be hoping to capture a large portion of the overall grocery market, companies such as Tesco and Albertson's view Internet ordering of groceries more as an additional sales channel. This channel is unlikely to ever represent a majority of grocer sales, but even a small portion of sales can be quite significant due to the huge size of the overall market. We will first focus on t... We will also examine Webvan and Tesco using a methodology for analyzing the benefits and challenges of e-services in virtually any industry (Boyer et al., 177-90). This methodology borrows from the product profiling method developed by Hill and used in operations strategy (Hill, 2004). It allows for comparisons between traditional and e-commerce methods on nine operations-related scales. This will provide a pictorial explanation of why Webvan was unable to succeed while demonstrating why Tesco is more likely to be more successful. Strategic Alignment One stream of research on operations strategy has focused on the strategic process, including how strategies are developed and refined. In retrospect it is possible to explain the failure of a company such as Webvan and the relative success of Tesco through an evaluation of the strategic process. This section reviews basic theory on the strategic process and utilizes this theory to better understand the likelihood of success in the Internet grocery business. Porter (2001, p. 62) criticized many of the pioneers of Internet business for violating basic strategic principles: "Gaining competitive advantage does not require a radically new approach to business; it requires building on the proven principles of effective strategy". We will examine Webvan as an example of a company that in a rush to prove it was a model "new economy" company, violated several fundamental strategic principles, including the need to match operations and marketing strategies. The operations strategy process is most often modeled as a hierarchical one in which functional strategies such as operations, logistics, marketing and finance are driven by the higher level business strategy. A key

Microeconomics Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 1

Microeconomics - Research Proposal Example Microeconomics covers a rather broad area: demand and supply, indifference curve analysis, elasticity of supply and demand, production and cost, marginal analysis, market structure, pricing, and so on. This study will attempt to deal with the area of market structure which is very interesting because of its pervasiveness in our lives: Perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic competition, and oligopoly. An understanding of market structure is essential not only for economists but also for individual businessmen and corporations, for it will help them greatly in dealing with numerous problems encountered in the competitive arena of business. The four major market structures often discussed by economists are perfect competition, which is production by numerous firms with identical/homogeneous products as well as the presence of conditions of free entry and exit; monopoly, which is production by a single firm; monopolistic competition, which is production by many firms with somewhat different or differentiated products; and oligopoly, which is production by several firms. Perfect competition is the ideal market condition envisioned by the great economist Adam Smith, and is often studied first because it is the easiest to understand and it can serve as starting point as well as a gauge by which to measure the performance of the other market structures. The demand curve of a perfectly competitive firm is horizontal because its output is but a small part of total production and it cannot affect the price. The conditions for perfect competition are: a) a large number of small firms and customers, b) homogeneity of product, c) freedom of entry and exit, and d) perfect information about available products and their prices. Many farming and fishing industries closely approximate perfect competition. At the other end of the spectrum is the

Mexican Immigration and American Identity Essay

Mexican Immigration and American Identity - Essay Example According to the author, even though other values and principles of non-Protestant immigrants have helped to shape and modified this concept, most Americans accept these basic elements of an Anglo-Protestant culture as the key defining elements of their national identity. Yet, the author states that in the last decades of the 20th century, this culture has been challenged by a context of globalization and ideas of multiculturalism and diversity. The rise of groups that focus on race, ethnicity, and gender over a more general national identity are regarded as a threat to 'the country's cultural and political integrity'. Huntington views immigration from Latin America, especially from Mexico, as the single largest threat to the American identity. This due to a combination of six unique characteristics that differentiate contemporary Mexican immigration from past immigrant flows, being contiguity (boarder proximity), scale (steadily increasing numbers), illegality (illegal entry and permanence into the country), regional concentration (particularly concentrated in California and the Southwest), persistence (no signs of decline over the years), and historical presence (historical claim to the US territory). The boarder proximity with Mexico in the Southwest region encourages immigration and illegal entry into the U.S., which results in the steady increase of Mexican immigration throughout the 20th century. Similarly, it increases the concentration of Mexican immigrants in that area of the country and the illegal characteristics of the flow. Since the conditions creating such immigration (economic cond itions of Mexico, boarder proximity, etc) are unlikely to change, the flow is expected to persist. These factors, the author argues, differentiate the Mexican contingent from previous immigrant groups and are likely to hinder the assimilation of Mexicans into the United States culture. One of the author's main arguments defending the poor assimilation of Mexican immigrants into the U.S. society is the persistent use of their native language through successive generations. Huntington admits that statistics on English proficiency and Spanish preservation are limited and ambiguous. Nevertheless, the author insists that particular characteristics of the flow - scale, persistence and concentration - are likely to encourage the perpetuation of Spanish among successive generations of immigrants. Huntington considers that Spanish retention has a negative impact on the assimilation of the new culture even when proficiency in English is achieved. In addition, bilingualism would affect earnings and put English-only families in disadvantage within the job market. Finally, the concentration of Mexicans in certain areas transform portions of the country into bilingual and bicultural areas, reinforcing Mexican values over the traditional Anglo-Protestant values, which, according to the author, threatens the integrity of the nation, possibly dividing the nation 'into a country of two languages and two cultures'. From my point of view, Huntington's concept of the American identity is limited and excludes a great portion of the nation's cultural and ethnic background. The author's

Alchemy and Remedy in Higher Education Research Paper

Alchemy and Remedy in Higher Education - Research Paper Example Research shows that the utility and validity of projective tests are lower than objective tests because some are more time to consume in comparison to the objective tests. Sexology tests have a limited number of receptions. This field provides different methods of psychological evaluations to examine various aspects of dysfunction, problems or discomforts (Kline 2005). The tests give less regard to consuming relationships and hence have a very low validity and utility level. Most of the sexology tests are written through questionnaires while a few of them are delivered orally. Neuropsychological tests on children and adolescents help them to evaluate their various levels of performance and to determine the regions that may show some conditions of mental impairment (Kline 2005). The tests are performed to these individuals after any brain injury, organic neurological problems or brain damage. They can also help to show development delays or learning disabilities in children (The American Psychological Association 1999). Due to their performance, their validity and utility are in continuous growth as many people continue to growing concern on their children’s’ health now and future. Different theories of adult learning have been derived to help improve the efforts of theorists and practitioners in understanding adult learning. The theories provide better ways in workable and testable forms for explaining the adult learning process and further strive to show the differences in child and adult learning (Gilmore 2008).

Theoretical Model Analysis Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Theoretical Model Analysis - Assignment Example Lydia Eloise Hall was born in New York City on September 21, 1906 (Currentnursing.com, 2012); she received her basic nursing education in 1927, her Bachelors in Public Health Nursing in 1937, and her Masters in teaching Natural Sciences in 1942 (Banda, Amadasun, Angoma & Howe, 2009). Lydia Hall established and directed the Loeb Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation at Montefiore Hospital in the Bronx from 1963 to 1969 (ANA, 2013). It was at the Loeb Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in the late 1960’s that Hall developed her theory, known as Care, Core, and Cure. â€Å"She postulated that individuals could be conceptualized in three separate domains: the body (care), the illness (cure), and the person (core)† (Nurses.info, 2010). These separate domains, or aspects of the person as a patient were envisioned as overlapping circles, and that each circle influenced the others. Hall stated that â€Å"Everyone in the health professions either neglects or takes into consi deration any or all of these, but each profession, to be a profession, must have an exclusive area of expertness with which it practices, creates new practices, new theories, and introduces newcomers to its practice† (Parker, p. 117). ... s exclusive to nursing, and while nurses played a part in the other two circles, they shared those circles with other professions and the patient themselves. The core aspect of the theory focuses on the patient themselves, and the relationship that the professionals who are working with the patient have with the patient themselves. Nurses share this circle with all of the helping professions that have a relationship with the patient; it emphasizes â€Å"the social, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of the patient in relation to family, institution, community, and the world† (Nursing Theories, 2013). Essentially, the core aspect helps the patient learn what their role is in the healing process, and works to provide the patient with enough information to be able to make an informed decision in regards to their situation. The care aspect of the theory focuses on the hands on bodily care of the patient, and is considered by Hall to be exclusive to the nursing practice. It is comprised of the teaching and learning activities, and the patient may explore and share their feelings with the nurse; the nurse’s goal is to comfort the patient. It is considered to† include the â€Å"motherly† aspects of care, which comprises of helping the patient meet their needs, where help is needed.† â€Å"Hands on care for patients produces an environment of comfort and trust and promotes open communication between nurses and patients† (Nursing Theories, 2013). The third and final aspect of the theory is the cure aspect. It consists of the application of medical knowledge. It is based on the pathological and therapeutic sciences. The nurse is the patient’s advocate with the other disciplines that may be included in this circle. The nurse assists the patient in their

Phillosophy Teaching Essay Example for Free

Phillosophy Teaching Essay At daybreak on the morning of Friday, August 3 1492, an Italian adventurer named Christopher Columbus set sail from Spain to find a new way from Europe to Asia. His aim was to open up a sorter trade route between the two continents. In Asia, he intended to load his three small ships with silks, spices and gold, and sail back to Europe a rich man. Columbus first sailed south to the Canary Islands. Then he turned west across the unknown waters of the mid-Atlantic Ocean. Ten weeks after leaving Spain, on the morning of October 12, he stepped ashore on the beach of low Sandy Island. He named the island San Salvador – Holy Savior. Columbus believed that he had landed in the Indies, a group of Inlands close to the mainland of India. For this reason he called the friendly, brown-skind people who greeted him los Indios – Indians. In fact, Columbus was not near India. It was not the edge of Asia that he had reached, but islands off the shores of a new continent. Europeans would soon name the new continent America, but for many years they went on calling its inhabitants Indians. Only recently have these first Americans been described more accurately as Native Americans or Amerindians. There were many different groups of Amerindians. Those north of Mexico, in what is now the United States on Canada, were scattered across the grasslands and forests in separate groups called tribes. These tribes followed very different ways of life. Some were hunters, some were farmers. Some were peaceful, others warlike. They spoke over three hundred separate languages, some of which were as different from one another as English is from Chinese. Europeans called America the New World. But it was not new to the Amerindians. Their ancestors had already been living there for maybe 50000 years when Columbus stepped on to the beach in San Salvador. We say maybe because nobody is completely sure. Scientists believe that the distant ancestors of the Amerindians came to America from Asia. This happened, they say, during the earth’s last ice age, long before people began to make written records. At that time a bridge of ice joined Asia to America across what is now the Bering strait. Hunters from Siberia crossed this bridge into Alaska. From Alaska the hunters moved south and east across America, following herds of caribou and buffalo as the animals went from one feeding ground to the next. Maybe 12000 years ago, descendants of these first Americans were crossing the isthmus of Panama into south America. About 5000 years later their camp fires were burning on the frozen southern tip of the continent, now called Tierra del fuego – the Land of fire. For many centuries early Amerindians lived as wandering hunters and gatherers of food. Then a more settled way of life began. People living in highland areas of what is now Mexico found a wild grass with tiny seeds that were good to eat. These people became America’s first farmers. They cultivated the wild grass with great care to make its seeds larger. Eventually it became Indian corn, or maze. Other cultivated plant foods were developed. By 5000 BC Amerindians in Mexico were growing and eating beans, squash and peppers. The Pueblo people of present day Arizona and New Mexico were the best organized of the Amerindians farming people. They lived in groups of villages, or in towns which were built for safety on the sides and top of the cliffs. They shared terraced buildings made of adobe ( mud and straw ) bricks, dried in the sun. Some of these buildings contained as many as 800 rooms, crowded together on top of one another. The Pueblo made clothing and blankets from cotton which grew wild in the surrounding deserts. On their feet they wore boot-shaped leather moccasins to protect their legs against the sharp rocks and cactus plants of the desert. For food the grow crops of maize and beans. Irrigation made them successful as farmers. Long before Europeans came to America and Pueblo were building networks of canals across the deserts to bring water to their fields. In one desert valley modern archaeologists have traced canals and ditches which enable the Pueblo to irrigate 250000 acres of farmland. A people called the apache were the neighbors of the Pueblo. The apache never became settled farmers. They wandered the deserts and mountains in small bands, hunting deer and gathering wild plants, nuts and roots. They also obtained food by raiding their Pueblo neighbors and stealing it. The Apache were fierce and warlike, and they were much feared by the Pueblo. The Iroquois were a group of tribes – a nation- who lived far away from the Pueblo and the Apache in the thick woods of northeastern North America. Like the Pueblo, they were skilled farmers. In fields cleared from the forest they worked together growing beans, squash and twelve different varieties of maiz. They were also hunters and fishermen. They used birch bark canoes to carry them swiftly along the rivers and lakes of their forest homeland. The Iroquois lived in permanent villages, in long wooden huts with barrel-shaped roofs. These huts were made from a framework of saplings covered by sheets of elm bark. Each family had its own apartment on either side of a central hall. The Iroquois were fierce warriors. They were as feared by their neighbors as the Apache of the western deserts were feared by theirs. Around their huts they build strong wooden stockades to protect their villages from enemies. Eager to win a glory for their tribe and fame and honor for themselves, they often fought one another. From boyhood on, male Iroquois were taught to fear neither pain nor death. Bravery in battle was the surest way for a warrior to win respect and a high position in his tribe. Many miles to the west, on the vast plains of grass that stretched from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, there was another warrior nation. This group called themselves Dakota, which means allies. But they were better known by the name which other Amerindians gave to them – Sioux, which means enemies. Te Sioux grew no crops and built no houses. For food, for shelter and for clothing they depended upon the buffalo. Millions of these large, slow- moving animals wandered across the western grasslands in vast herds. When the buffalo moved, the Sioux moved.

The Utah Symphony Before The Merger Management Essay

The Utah Symphony Before The Merger Management Essay multiple financial and leadership strengths and weaknesses of the Utah Symphony, which were in place before the merger. The Symphonys main financial strength was their endowment fund, which was more than $10 million. The revenues that were earned as a result of the performance of over 200 concerts earn more than $3 million in the year 2000. All of the musicians had signed contracts with the Utah Symphony, which put into agreement a yearly salary for each person in return for their work. The companys main financial weakness is that it was not able to make changes to the amount that the media shows were paid per year since the decisions for amount of funds for each contract were set in stone in previously agreed upon by the leaders of the Symphonys board. After the terrorist attacks of, stock market crash, and Americas recession. There was a large decrease in the the sales of tickets for the Symphony, and many other visual and performing arts facilities in this country. These events al so calls many of the foundation pledges of supporting organizations to become a unfulfilled because those organizations were also going through a financial crisis due to the economy. The main leadership strength of the is Keith Lockhart who is the Symphonys director of music. He presents the role of a true leader by helping out his musicians in the building them into one of the top 20 symphonies in America. The leadership weakness is that the CEO of the Symphony, Scott Parker is resigning from his position. A1a. In this section I will recommend the key steps that Anne should take to address these weaknesses to ensure a successful start of the merger: 1. Analyze the problems that both organizations had been facing before the merger. 2. Discuss the details of the merger with the leaders of both organizations. 3. Discuss the details of the previous contract and salary agreement for the musicians, so that everyone could be aware what types of decisions should be avoided. 4. Interview potential candidates who are qualified and can take the position of the previous CEO. 5. Inform the musicians and employees of the advantages and disadvantages that may occur if the merger may or may not take place. 6. Provide feedback to all who have concerns or ideas that could increase the success of the merger. 7. Produce a balanced scorecard, which shows the strategic goals of the merger. A2. There are multiple financial and leadership strengths and weaknesses of the Utah Opera, which were in place before the merger. The main financial strength is its endowment fund and the amount of $5 million. The opera also had assets in the amount of $4.8 million in performance equipment and landscape ownership. The hardwork and support in fundraising by Anne Ewers lead to the paying off of $450,000 in bills of the organization. The financial weaknesses of the opera before the merger are lower profits from revenues of decreased tickets sales and fundraisisng events. There is also adequate funding to make up for the increase in annual expenses. The main leaderdship strength is the support and work ethic of Anne Ewer. She has been working for the organization for eleven years and lead in the accomplishments of promoting fundrisiang andhelping the organization to get out of debt. The organizations leadership weakness is the lack of negotiationg that is allowed for the musicians salaries Another weakness is that it also no longer has its director of operations, Leslie Peterson to back them up in their efforts since that person is no longer with the organization. A2a. In this section I will recommend the key steps that Anne should take to address these weaknesses to ensure a successful start of the merger: 1. Analayze the budgets and financial performance of the organization to determine the areas of weakness. 2. Have weekly meetings with all the leaders of the organization. 3. Brainstorm to obtain all possible ideas that could ensure that the mergers gets started off on the right track. 4. Assign job tasks to all of the leaders so that they could aid in the support of the merger. 5. Create new guidelines for the collective bargaining process. 6. Design more fundraising opportunines for the Opera to raise money. 7. Research and request additional grants that would support the merger. A3. Utah Symphony Financial: The financial aspect shows the financial goals that the organization want to achieve in the future. It also shows what the budgeting and fundraising that needs to be accomplished in order to meet these goals. Customer: The customer aspect shows the organizations goals to meet the needs of its customers. The Sympony is aware that they have to work hard to maintain a audience because they are the main source of income for the ticket sales. They must always provide quality performances to keep their current customers and attract new ones. Internal Process: The internal process aspect focuses on increasing the funding that the organization receives. The symphony must come up with new ways to earn money through fundraising it can promote profability. Adherance to budgets would also be beneficial for them because it can allow them to steer away from spending too much on expenses which they cannot afford. Learning and Growth: The learning and growth aspects can greatly contribute to strengthen the Symphony at this time in the economy. The performance should be fexible and not stick to one standard performance, so that it could attract new audiences which were not previously interested in what they had to offer. Utah Opera Financial: The financial aspect focuses on the goal to have a financially strong opera by increasing the endowment funds and promotion of fundraisers. It would be a working progress since they are not currently financially stable but their productivity will pay off in the long run. Customer: The opera needs to increase the attendance of the performance. They can do they using new marketing techniques and lowering the prices of the tickets so that more customers would be encouraged to attend the performances. This could lead to the opera becoming recognized on the national and regional levels. Internal Process: The internal process aspect fouses on keeping quality musicians on staff and attracting new talented musicians. This could lead to a financially stable opera because they would have the talent to back them up in their efforts. This talent would also encourage the customers to spread the word to others about the astounding performances of the musicians. Learning and Growth: The learning and growth aspects focus goals to increase the amount of tickets that are being sold at the performances and also increase its endowment funds. They are able to achieve this by maintain quality performances and incorporating new ways to attract customers to the performances. The scorecards for the opera and symphony both represent the differing cultures and visions of the company by focusing on the desires of the people in society while at the same time increasing its profitability. Their visions of becoming a world class symphony and nationally renowned opera can be accomplished by keeping their customers happy by giving performances that go above and beyond their expectations. The scorecards for both addresses their strengths and weaknesses because it lists important details of the factors that strengthen than and also the factors that are not beneficial in promoting their stability. B. Balanced Scorecard Balanced Scorecard The vision for the combined organizations is to become a unified world class and nationally renowned organization. The business model is to provide high-quality performances which would result in an increase in profits and endowment funds. Financial Strategic Goal: Become financially stable by increasing revenues received annually. Critical Success Factor: Increase fund raising and endowments. Measure: Increase the reserve fund and organization profitability. Customer Strategic Goal: Focus on the desires for their performances regionally, nationally, and around the world. Critical Success Factor: Hire talented musicians who can aid in the success. Measure: Reach out to society, sell out performances, and receive feedback after performances. Internal Process Strategic Goal: Sustain financial flexibility by decresing expenses and recruiting new talented musicians Critical Success Factor: Ensure that the contracts of the musians are renegotiated. Measure: Improve profibalitiy and increase ticket sales. Learning and Growth Strategic Goal: Increase the varitety of performances to attract new audiences. Critical Success Factor: Develop new marketing plans to increase revenues. Measure: Increase ticket sales and sustain a returning audience. C. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the proposed merged company, addressing the  four  aspects of the scorecard you developed in part B. Financial Strenghts : This merging would offer the necessary supplies, cost discount rates in management, employment and purchasing that the company needs to help maintain functions while maintain solution prices. They would also benefit from the mixed fundraising events, and increase in revenues from the ticket sells from the combined larger audience that would be in attendance for the performances. Financial Weaknesses : Both of the organizations have to efficiently market this merging to the public to be able to have a increase in the size of the audience due to he viewer being unfamiliar with the experience of a merger. The organizations must also hire new musicians who are more talented than the current ones on the staff so that the audience would be motivated to attend the performances. Customer Strengths: The merging would be regarded an achievements if it is able to entice a new viewers while creating sure that the activities are developed to provide them what they want to see. Additional performances would allow flexibility and encourage more viewers to attend since it would fit with their schedules. Customer Weaknesses: The merging could be regarded as a failure if the viewers are not impressed by the skills of the performers . They could also be discouraged from attending it the quality of the performances do not meet their expectations. Internal Process Strengths: Both of the organizations have hardworking leaders whose efforts would be used toward ensuring that the merger is a success and overcoming obstacles that they may face in the future. This would result in a stronger management team that could be a backbone for the organization and its musicians. Internal Process Weakness: The merger could be considered a failure if the organizations are not able to renegotiate the salaries of its current musicians. This could result in the musicians leaving the organization, and also the inability of the organizations to recruit new musicians due its current situation. Learning and Growth Strengths: The merger could lead to a variety of performances which would attract new viewers who were not previously interested in performing arts. It would also increase the talent of the musicians by allowing them to teach each other new skills that they may have not known before. Learning and Growth Weakness: The merger of the organizations could possibly present an obstacle because their expenses are more than the revenues. If the amount of the revenues are not increased in the future to take care of the expenses, the merger would be a failure and increase the debt of the organizations. D.   Identify  one  highly probable issue that could arise during the merger process for  each  of the following areas: †¢Ã‚   Finance †¢Ã‚   Human resources †¢Ã‚   Customer satisfaction Finance: The merger could result in a increase of overhead and operating expenses since there would have to be a increase in space to accommodate the combine audience and the group of musicians. This could be over come by increasing the amount of fundraising that both of the organizations promote each year. human resources: The staff of the human resource department could feel like the merger has become a burden for them because they now have more job tasks to deal with due to the increase in staff. If the organizations do not hire additional employees for the human resource departments, their merging efforts could lead to much confusion. customers satisfaction: The satisfaction of the customers decrease if the talents of the opera are not increase to equal to the amount of talent as the symphony. Both organizations have skills, but the symphomy has become more established by reaching larger audicences and obtaining higher revenures in ticket sales. If the musicians from both organizations do not practice as a group, the customer could notice a difference in lower quality of the performances. D1. Finance: To efficiently create new fundraising events, selected board members from the opera and symphony would need to evaluate their previous successful fundraising events concepts and create a plan for applying new finance increasing strategies. Human Resources: To be able to efficiently settle agreements and incomes the management organizations must have a solid combined negotiating unit. The organizations could also share wheir management techniques. Customer Satisfaction: To be able to keep an open line interaction with their customers, the staff must create a survey to be able to receive reviews from their new and existing customers, also by developing a strong strategy as a way of hiring new customers.

Computers: Past, Present And Future :: Information Technology

I have been using computers for as long as I can remember, whether it is for entertainment use or work use, computers are part of our everyday lives. They have an effect on almost everything you do. When you buy groceries at a supermarket, a computer is uesed with laser and barcode technology to scan the price of each item and present a total. Barcoding items (clothes, food and books ) requires a computer to generate the barcode labels and maintain the inventory. Most televison advertisiments and many films use graphics produced by a computer. In hospitals, bedide terminals connected to the hospital's main computer allow doctors to typw in orders for blood tests and to schedule operations. Banks use computers to lool after their customers' money. In libraries and bookshops, computers can help to find the book you want as quikly as possible. This has not always been the case though; computers did not always exist, and are continuously changing to this day. I think one group said it best,† Companies promote it for their employees. Parents demand it for their children. Those who have it believe they have a competitive edge. Those who don't have it seek it out. "It" is a computer. We are rapidly becoming a "computer society" Until recently computers were found only in environmentally controlled rooms behind locked doors. Only computer professionals dared enter these secured premises. In contrast today computers are found in millions of homes and just about every office. In fact there is a computer for one in every eight people in the world. Eventually all of us will have at least one computer and will use it every day for work and leisure.† -EYAL POLAD, YARON TWENA, DORON FREIBERG, and GILAT ELIZOV. Role of Computers in the Past â€Å"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.† –Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977 First Generation Almost everything invented or created, has one specific person who has been credited with their invention or creation, but this is not so with the computer. Many people throughout history have added their part to the computer. This could include programs to help the computer run better or faster, some created different kinds of computers, but either way they contributed to the computer we know today. The first â€Å"computer† was developed in 1936 by Konrad Zuse and was named Z1.

Impact of World War 2 on Canada :: essays research papers

The result of the Second World War fundamentally changed Canada and its economy started booming. There are many reasons for this change and if you remember, World War I also made a big impact on the development of Canada. However, in the next few paragraphs I will talk about how Canada gained much more respect and autonomy from the Second World War than ever before and also the change from a country into an industrialized nation. After greatly contributing to the war, especially in the Battle of the Atlantic, Canada ended up having the 3rd largest navy and 4th largest air force. Now, for such a small nation of only around 11 to 12 million, this was a large military force. Since Canada had done so well in the war (already their second world war as a country) Canada started to grow further and further apart from Mother Britain. There was a feeling a greater sense of pride and a more nationalistic notion. Canadians everywhere no longer saw themselves as British, Scottish, or American, they were Canadian. Canada was now a respected country, and I might add, a pretty powerful one too. Canada also became a leader internationally as well. With such an enormous military contribution during the war, other countries began to recognize the success of Canada. People wanted to know more about Canada. Consequently, the war advanced Canada’s sense of identity. Before the war, Canada’s most important sector in its economy was agriculture. However, this was changing drastically after and during the war as industry began to take over as being more important. Canadian production of war material, food supplies, and raw materials had been crucial during the war. After the war, it was only natural that big investments were being made in mining, production, transportation, and services industries. Canadian cities were becoming very important contributors to the economy. This was also bringing in waves of post-war immigration, the backbone of Canada’s multicultural society we know today. Because of Canada’s boost in the industrial economy and its status in World War II, job options were abundant. By 1942 there was a full employment as hundreds and thousands of Canadian men and women found work in war industries.

Machiavelli’s The Prince and the Modern Executive Essay -- Machiavelli

The Prince and the Modern Executive  Ã‚      Few question The Prince’s place in the canon of western literature. That it marks a turning point in our collective history, the origin of the study of politics as a science (Pollock 43), is alone enough to warrant its classification as a "Great Book. Its author, Niccolo Machiavelli, a contemporary of Copernicus, is generally accepted as an early contributor to the scientific revolution, because he looked at power and the nature of sovereignty through the eyes of a scientist, focused completely on the goal without regard for religion and morals and ethics. Machiavelli taught that the way princes actually do govern often differs substantially from than the way they ought to govern, according to medieval Christian virtues. Sir Frederick Pollock wrote that in Machiavelli we find "for the first time since Aristotle, the pure passionless curiosity of the man of science. We find the separation of Ethics and Politics†¦Machiavelli takes no account of morality" (43). Machiave lli considers a successful ruler to be above morality, since the safety and expansion of the state are the supreme objectives. There had not been such a frank rejection of morality since the Greek Sophists. His ideas are in stark contrast with traditional church teachings. It is no wonder that The Prince was added to the Index of banned books and even today remains one of the most criticized and controversial books ever written. It is a scientific investigation into the tactics of retaining power. It is about application of power in the pursuit a greater goal. The Prince is, above all, about leadership. Though it is doubtful that Machiavelli realized the far reaching impact of his work. Its application is timeless and parti... ...l to read The Prince and, if they have already read it, read it again. As with all truly "Great Books," each successive reading reveals fresh new ideas and insights. The Prince, though disturbingly cold and frank at times, is no different.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Works Cited Butterfield, Herbert. The Statecraft of Machiavelli. New York: MacMillan, 1956. Jones, W. T. Masters of Political Thought. Ed. Edward, McChesner, and Sait. Vol. 2. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1947. Lewis, Wyndham. The Lion and the Fox: The Role of the Hero in the Plays of Shakespeare. London: Methuen, 1951. Machiavelli, Niccolo. The Prince. Trans. Hill Thompson. Norwalk: The Easton Press, 1980. Pollock, Frederick. An Introduction to the History of the Science of Politics. London: MacMillan, 1935. Ruffo-Fiore, Silvia. Niccolo Machiavelli. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1982.      

Mtv Networks: the Arabian Challenge

ICMR Case Collection Co p y Icfai Center for Management Research MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge o D . N ot BSTR294 – Teaching Note ? 2009, Icfai Center for Management Research. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet, or transmitted in any form or by any means- electronic or mechanical, without permission. To order copies, call +91-40-2343-0462/63 or write to Icfai Center for Management Research, Plot # 49, Nagarjuna Hills, Hyderabad 500 082, India or email [email  protected] rg. Website: www. icmrindia. org BSTR/294 MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge TEACHING NOTE ABSTRACT Co p y MTV Networks (MTVN) had over the years developed a reputation for its ability to provide localized content without diluting what MTV stood for. However, the company faced the most challenging test in late 2007 with its launch of MTV Arabia in the Middle East, which some experts considered as the biggest launch in the channel’s history. While the market in the Middle East offered MTVN with huge opportunities due to its huge youth populace, MTV’s controversial content that was known for angering religious, political, and conservative communities could easily backfire in the conservative environment prevalent in the region. On the other hand, too much localization to suit the tastes of the region could dilute MTV’s global brand. The case discusses in detail the strategy adopted by MTVN to enter and expand in the Middle East and also the challenges faced by the channel. The case will help the students to: t TEACHING OBJECTIVES & TARGET AUDIENCE Understand the issues and challenges in entering and expanding operations in new markets which were culturally different from the organizations home/traditional/existing markets. †¢ Understand the pros and cons of entering a new market with a standardized/adapted product to suit local preferences. †¢ Analyze MTVN’s strategy in the Middle East, iden tify challenges and explore strategies that the channel could adopt in the future D o N †¢ This case is meant for students of the MBA/MS level programs in the Business Strategy curriculum. The case is also suitable for International Business/International Marketing/Brand Management curriculum. TEACHING APPROACH AND STRATEGY This case can be used effectively in classroom discussions as well as in distance learning programs. In the classroom mode, the case moderator can initiate the discussion by giving a brief introduction about the MTV and the channels experience in global markets. This can be followed by a discussion on the localization strategy adopted by MTV in various markets and the challenges it faced while lauching in the Middle East. The students can further analyze the strategy adopted by MTV in the Middle East and the challenges it faced in expanding its operations in the region. The moderator can take the discussion further with the help of the following questions. 1 MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge 1. Experts felt that one of the biggest challenges faced by MTV while launching MTV Arabia was the prevalent culture in the Arab world. Discuss the Arab culture. How is it expected to pose a challenge to MTV? 2. Critically analyze MTV’s strategy in the Middle East. Comment on its entry strategy and also its strategy of providing mixed content to the market. Do you think MTV will be able to succeed in this market? Suggested Student Assignment: Do a SWOT analysis of MTV Arabia. What should the company do to mitigate the risks while taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the market? ANALYSIS 1. Experts felt that one of the biggest challenges faced by MTV while launching MTV Arabia was the prevalent culture in the Arab world. Discuss the Arab culture. How is it expected to pose a challenge to MTV? The Arab world contains 22 countries – Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoros Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Yemen – and stretches from Morocco across Northern Africa to the Persian Gulf. The Arab world derives its strategic importance from the fact that around 60% of the earth’s oil reserves are at or near the Arabian Peninsula. For MNCs, the Arab world’s teeming youth population is another attraction. In the Middle East, 65 percent of the people are under 25 years of age. When compared with the demographics in Western countries, this fact has strong implications for businesses. N ot The Arab countries are religiously and ethnically diverse. The Arab world is a location of several world religions (Islam, Christianity, and Judaism) and a multitude of ethnic and linguistic groups. However, the predominant religion is Islam, and Arabic the dominant language. To be an Arab is a cultural trait rather than a racial one. Arab history and culture are based on tribalism. Some aspects of Arab culture are discussed here: Arab Worldview – It is based upon six concepts: Atomism: Arabs tend to focus on parts rather than on the whole. They tend to see the world and events as isolated incidents, snapshots, and particular moments in time. †¢ Faith: Arabs usually believe that almost all things in life are controlled by the will of God (fate) rather than by human beings. †¢ Wish Vs Reality: Arabs express emotion in a forceful and animated fashion. Their desire for modernity is contradicted by a desire for tradition (especially Islamic tradition). †¢ Importance of Justice and Equality: Arabs value justice and equality among Muslims, and to a lesser degree to others. All actions taken by non-Arabs will be weighed against tradition and religious standards. †¢ Family Vs Self: Arabic communities are tight-knit groups made up of even stronger family groups. Arabs tend to consider family pride and honor more important than individual honor. †¢ Paranoia: Many in the Arab world tend to be suspicious of any Western interest in or intent on their land. D o †¢ 2 MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge Arab Customs †¢ Shame and honor: Honor, pride, and dignity are at the core of â€Å"shame† societies, such as the Arabs. For instance, admitting an error or lack of knowledge on a subject is distasteful to an Arab, as any admission of weakness (muruwwa) is equated with failure to be manly. Constructive criticism can, therefore, be taken as an insult. †¢ Family: The family is the center of honor, loyalty, and reputation for Arabs. Arab families are patriarchal in nature. †¢ Personal space: It is a high-contact culture. Most Arabs do not share the American/Western concept of â€Å"personal space† in public situations, and in private meetings or conversations. Stepping or leaning away may be taken as an offense. However, the rules are exactly the opposite while dealing with women. †¢ Socialization and trust: Arabs give a lot of importance to hospitality and allocate plenty of time for refreshment before attempting to engage in business. It is important to first establish respect and trust. When conducting business, it is customary to first shake the hand of all males present, taking care not to grip too firmly. Western Co p Arab y Arab Perspective Vs. Western Perspective Center of everything. (Father has first and last word. ) Important but not as central to individual. Friends Periphery, but courteous to all. Core to some, important to most. Honor Very important amongst Arabs. Honor will be protected and defended at all costs. Typically not as important. Shame Shame (especially concerning family) – avoided at all costs, insults and criticism taken very seriously. Typically not as important. Time Less rigid. Approach to time is much more relaxed and slower than that in Western cultures. Very structured, deadlines must be met. Religion D o N ot Family Central to all things. Varies with individuals, very personal, not discussed in polite conversation. Society Family / tribe is most important Individual rights. Government Most governments are secular, but still emphasize religion. Purpose is to protect rights and improve standard of living. Age Age and wisdom honored. Youth and beauty praised. Wealth Wealth honored in both cultures. Wealth honored in both cultures. Adapted from http://graphics8. nytimes. com/images/blogs/thelede/posts/arabculture. pdf However, it must be emphasized that there is no â€Å"one† Arab culture or society. The Arab world is full of rich and diverse communities, groups, and cultures. Differences exist not only among countries, but within countries as well. For instance, though Arab women are typically subordinate to men in their societies, the extent varies by country. The most restrictive conditions exist on the Arabian Peninsula, and the most relaxed conditions exist in the urban areas of Egypt, Syria, and Lebanon. Moreover, what may be acceptable in cosmopolitan Dubai may not be acceptable in other parts of the UAE. 3 MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge Any discussion regarding the culture of a group cannot get under way without some amount of generalization. However, while generalizations provide some insights on culture, they should be treated with caution and one should steer clear of stereotypes and misconceptions. Many feel that young people irrespective of their culture and nationality have similar tastes where music, clothes, computers, and issues with their parents are concerned. For instance, a recent study of Arab and Western youth, carried out by Penn, Schoen, and Berland Associates Inc. and The Nielsen Company, found numerous similarities between the two groups. Both Arab and Western youth placed equal importance on family and friends. Their consumer and lifestyle habits were found to be quite similar with both the groups indulging in similar activities, using similar technologies and having similar lifestyle habits. Both worried about their appearances and spent the majority of their disposable incomes on going out and shopping for clothes and shoes. Global brands such as Sony, iPod, Toyota, Nike, Nokia, Toshiba, McDonald’s, and Ford were viewed favorably by both the Arab and Western young people, and both viewed Europe as the top desired travel destination. However, the study also revealed certain differences. Some of the key differences identified are given here. Western youth were found to be generally pessimistic about the future, while Middle Eastern youth were generally optimistic. †¢ Religion was seen to be â€Å"enormously important† to Middle Eastern youth when compared to their Western peers. †¢ National identity and traditional values were extremely important to Arab youth, but not to their peers in the West. For Arab youth, â€Å"loss of traditional values and culture† was identified as one of the top three biggest challenges facing the world today, along with rising cost of living and corruption in government. †¢ Arab youth generally admired political, religious, and business leaders, while Western youth do not. †¢ Arab youth wanted to â€Å"make a difference,† while Western youth mostly wanted to â€Å"get ahead. † †¢ Middle East and Western male youths had very different opinions about gender equality in the workplace, with less than 6 in 10 Middle East males favoring it. 1 o N ot Co p y †¢ D MTV and the challenges posed by the prevalent culture MTVN had recognized the huge opportunity for growth in the Middle East. Considering that MTV was a youth brand, entering the market provided MTVN with the opportunity to tap the teeming youth population in the region. However, the main challenge the network faced was with regard to its controversial content. Its sexually explicit content had created controversies even in the Western markets, considered to be more tolerant. In view of the culture prevailing in the Arab world, the MTV fare was expected to kick up a storm. The culture in the largely Muslim Arab world is conservative. Gender separation is a key aspect of the culture and women are required to maintain their distance from men. Any public display of intimacy between men and women is strictly forbidden by the Arab social code. Women have little role in business or entertainment. They are also expected to cover their whole body, head, and face with veils/robes for reasons of modesty. The honor/shame aspect of the culture also implies that people who do not adhere to these rules bring shame to the family/tribe. Arabs have been known to react violently in such situations, with instances of honor killings also being reported. They also 1 â€Å"The Global Generation: A http://arabyouthsurvey. com/about. html. Cross-Cultural 4 Study of Arab and Western Youth,† MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge ake insults and criticism very seriously and can react in an extreme way to what they perceive as an insult. For instance, calling someone a ‘dog’ or showing the sole of the feet are considered grave insults and can evoke extreme reactions. So, it’s not particularly difficult to see why MTV had a major challenge on its hands. Its content (music videos and reality shows) could offend the cultura l sensibilities of people in the Arab world especially in terms of Excessive skin show †¢ Intermingling of genders †¢ Use of disparaging or swear words †¢ Off-color or obscene attempts at humor References to alcohol †¢ Discussion on religion, politics †¢ Gestures such as finger pointing, showing the soles of feet, etc. y †¢ ot Co p Another challenge before MTV was that the Arabs were generally considered paranoid by Western standards and they tended to be suspicious of any Western interest. MTV, in a way, stood for what the Arab world most reviled about Western/American culture. While MTV might argue that the values that it stood for were relevant to youth throughout the world, it may still be perceived as something contrary to Islamic ideals and the Arab culture. The launch of MTV in the Arab world could easily be perceived as an imposition of Western culture. Fanatics, or those who pretend to be guardians of Islam, could easily rake up the issue and create a lot of trouble for MTV. To complicate matters, the anti-American sentiments prevalent in a section of the Arab world too could pose steep challenges to MTV. o N One may argue that with globalization and the advancements in information and communication technology, youth across the globe share similar aspirations and consumption behavior. And that a section of the youth population in the Middle East did want MTV. However, ignoring the cultural differences is fraught with danger, as the Arab youth consider religion â€Å"enormously important† and â€Å"loss of traditional values and culture† as a key challenge. D 1. Critically analyze MTV’s strategy in the Middle East. Comment on its entry strategy and also its strategy of providing mixed content to the market. Do you think MTV will be able to succeed in this market? Operating internationally is usually fraught with political, technological, and socioeconomic uncertainties. The risks become higher when the company is venturing into a market that is very different from its home country/traditional markets. We have already seen that the business environment in the Middle East is very different from that in the Western countries. Entering this market with a brand as controversial as MTV was a huge challenge. Nevertheless, MTVN was able to launch the brand in the Middle East without creating any major controversies and it seemed to be making all the right strategic moves. MTVN’s extensive experience in operating in the global market came in handy while overcoming the challenges in entering the Middle East. It scanned the market well and decided on an entry strategy in partnership with a strong local player. With the help of the local partner, it researched the market further to fine tune its strategy. This helped the network gain important consumer insights and also provided it with the opportunity to allay the doubts/fears of the people on the launch of MTV. In doing so, the network recognized the importance of honor and dignity to the Arabs. This was also a good move as there is a long-standing tradition based on the Quran and the sayings of Muhammad whereby Arabs consult with senior members of the ruling families and/or the community regarding business decisions. 5 MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge MTVN’s mixed content strategy (combination of music and other content/standardized and localized content) had been quite successful globally. In MTV Arabia, it localized its offering further by offering more Arabic content and also making certain other changes, such as, †¢ Minimal use of content that could cause controversy (skimpily-clad women, use of expletives, etc. ). A culturally sensitive team recruited from various countries from the Middle East was given the responsibility of ensuring this. This meant that some of the more controversial programs and videos, which are standard fare in other markets, were not aired on MTV Arabia. Arabic equivalents of popular reality shows were launched with careful consideration of socio-cultural issues. Arabic subtitles were provided for English language content. †¢ Considering that Islam was the dominant religion of the Middle East, MTV also gave an animated call for prayer during Namaaz (prayer) time. During the holy month of Ramadan, MTV Arabia also dropped its music videos. 2 Religion commonly underlies both moral and economic norms. In a region where religion is central to everything, such gestures could create goodwill and insensitivity may lead to extreme reaction. Co p y In addition to this, MTVN projected MTV Arabia as an Arab channel by the Arabs, which would help bring to the fore the music talent in the Arab world and also give a voice to the Arab youth. It made it clear from an early stage that MTV respected the Arab culture and said that the channel would help debunk various misconceptions regarding Arabs and the Arab world. Its decision to provide the Arab youth with a platform to showcase their talent was a good move considering the Arab youths’ desire to â€Å"make a difference†. ot The role of the local partner was very important, considering the business environment in the Middle East. The Arab Media Group was very well connected and this helped overcome political and regulatory hurdles to a great extent. It also helped the network gain entrance into Arab homes — a place that is considered very private by the Arabs — and so get consumer insights. D o N All in all, MTVN had an excellent public relations strategy and did megamarketing3 quite well. This not only helped it to tap the growing number of people in the Middle East who were exposed (and accustomed) to the Western lifestyle, but also the huge youth base that had tastes, preferences, and aspirations similar to their peers in other developed nations. MTVN’s decision to launch Nickelodeon Arabia in 2008 just a few months after the launch of MTV Arabia was another good move. This not only put MTVN in a position to tap the huge population of children in the Middle East, but also helped it strengthen its business relations with the local partner. Needless to say, it also provided MTVN with the opportunity to catch them young. MTV has, thus far, managed its strategy in the Middle East in a commendable way. In a market that was fed on Arabic pop music, it popularized Arabic hip-hop, a blend of Western-style hip-hop with both English and Arabic lyrics. Its ability to steer clear of controversy is commendable considering the culture in the region. However, while moving ahead, the MTVN faces a number of challenges. The numerous Arab music channels already in the market pose serious challenges to MTV. Many of these channels ape MTV and have very good knowledge of the market and excellent connections, and in such circumstances MTV’s strategy to provide a highly localized offering can prove to be disadvantageous. There is the potential threat of brand dilution, and MTV Arabia may actually find it difficult to differentiate itself. Another problem is the diversity in the Middle East. The network is faced with the question of how to ensure that the youth in Dubai and those in Jeddah relate to it in the same way. 2 3 http://www. arabianbusiness. com/528973-mtv-arabia-to-drop-music-videos-in-ramadan Megamarketing is a term coined by marketing expert, Philip Kotler, to describe the type of marketing activity required when it is necessary to manage elements of the firm's external environment (governments, the media, pressure groups, etc) as well as the other marketing variables. 6 MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge Notwithstanding the challenges, MTV with its extensive experience in the global market, seems to be in a good position to consolidate its position in the Middle East. It has been associated (positively and negatively) with bringing about changes in the culture in the markets it is aired. It is known to continuously push the limits (albeit in subtle ways) of what acceptable content is and what is not. For instance, it started out on a cautious note in India, a country in which many of the things that MTV stood for were considered taboo. The content it airs today in India would have been absolutely unacceptable when it was launched in the 1990s. MTV can do the same thing in the Middle East too. D o N ot Co p y MTVN’s strategy in global markets has been to initially tie up with a local partner and in course of time acquire the local company. But in this case, MTVN will be well-served if it adopts a more long term relationship with the Arab Media Group. Arabs value justice and equality among Muslims, and to a lesser degree among others. To cite one example, in late 2002, an unidentified man walked into a McDonald’s fast food restaurant in Saudi Arabia and set it on fire. The country’s interior minister was quoted as saying, â€Å"It’s an attack against the property of a Muslim, which constitutes an unacceptable act that we will fight using all possible means. †4 So, the risks associated in doing business in the Middle East could be significantly lower with a local partner. 4 â€Å"McDonald’s Torched in Saudi Attack,† www. bbc. c. uk, November 21, 2002. 7 MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge References & Suggested Readings: 1. Dirk Smillie, â€Å"Tuning in First Global TV Generation,† The Christian Science Monitor, June 4, 1997. 2. Kerry Capell, Catherine Belton, Tom Lowry, Manjeet Kripalani, Brian Bremner, and Dexter Roberts, â€Å"MTV’s World,† BusinessWeek, February 18, 2002. 3. â€Å"MTV to Launch Music TV Channels in Three Baltic States,† www. eubusiness. com, March 6, 2006. 4. Faisal Abbas, â€Å"Q with Showtime Arabia's CEO Peter Einstein,† www. asharqe. com, June 29, 2006. 5. Faisal Abbas, â€Å"MTV Eyes Middle East Market,† www. asharq-e. com, August 8, 2006. 6. Brad Nemer, â€Å"How MTV Channels Innovation,† BusinessWeek, November 6, 2006. 7. â€Å"Arabian Television Network Partners with MTV to Launch MTV Arabiya,† www. ediame. com, December 27, 2006. y 8. Michael Learmonth, â€Å"MTV Maps Mideast Move,† www. variety. com, December 27, 2006. Co p 9. Iain Akerman, â€Å"MTV Hires Two Agencies for Launch of MTV Arabiya,† www. brandrepublic. com, May 23, 2007. 10. Salman Dossari, â€Å"A Talk With MTV Vice Chairman Bill Roedy,† www. a sharq-e. com, July 23, 2007. 11. Ali Jaafar, â€Å"MTV Arabia Ready to Rock Middle East,† www. variety. com, September 25, 2007. ot 12. â€Å"MTV Arabia to be Launched Soon,† www. oceancreep. com, October 8, 2007. 13. Kerry Capell, â€Å"The Arab World Wants Its MTV,† www. businessweek. om, October 11, 2007. N 14. Lynne Roberts, â€Å"MTV Set for Middle East launch,† www. arabianbusiness. com, October 17, 2007. Launch Nickelodeon Arabia,† o 15. Stuart Kemp, â€Å"MTV, Arab Media to www. hollywoodreporter. com, October 17, 2007. D 16. Andrew Edgecliffe Johnson, â€Å"MTV Targets Muslim Countries as it Tunes in to Local Audiences,† www. theaustralian. news. com, October 18, 2007. 17. â€Å"Arab Media Group and MTV Networks International to Launch Nickelodeon Arabia in 2008,† www. ameinfo. com, October 20, 2007. 18. Von Andrew Edgecliffe Johnson, â€Å"MTV Tunes in to a Local Audience,† www. td. de, October 26, 2007, 19. â€Å"MT V Arabia to Launch November 17,† www. middleeastevents. com, October 27, 2007. 20. Ali Jaafar, â€Å"MTV Arabia Announces Lineup,† www. variety. com, October 28, 2007. 21. â€Å"MTV Arabia to Launch November 17,† www. mediame. com, October 28, 2007. 22. Irene Lew, â€Å"MTV Arabia to Launch in November,† www. worldscreen. com, October 29, 2007. 23. Sarah Raper Larenaudie, â€Å"MTV’s Arab Prizefight,† www. time. com, November 2, 2007. 24. Jolanta Chudy, â€Å"MTV’s Arab Net Thinking Locally,† www. hollywoodreporter. com, November 6, 2007. 8 MTV Networks: The Arabian Challenge 25. Matt Pomroy, â€Å"The Revolution Will be Televised,† www. arabianbusiness. com, November 15, 2007. 26. â€Å"Akon and Ludacris Dazzle The Desert in their Middle East Debuts to Celebrate the Launch of MTV Arabia,† www. dubaicityguide. com, November 16, 2007. 27. Adam Sherwin, â€Å"MTV Arabia to Feature Regional Talent and Tone Down Network’s Risque Content,† www. timesonline. co. uk, November 16, 2007. 28. Simeon Kerr and Peter Aspden, â€Å"MTV Arabia Beams ‘Bling’ to Gulf,† www. ft. com, November 17, 2007. 29. â€Å"MTV Launches New Arabic Service,† www. ews. bbc. co. uk, November 18, 2007. 30. â€Å"MTV Looks to Conquer Middle East Market,† www. aol. in, November 18, 2007. 31. â€Å"â€Å"MTV Arabia†: Will It Work? † www. scopical. com, November 19, 2007. 32. â€Å"MTV Aims to Win over Middle East,† www. cnn. com, November 19, 2007. 33. â€Å"Muslim Hip-hop Turban Wrote, That’s Good,† www. reuters. donga. com, November 19, 2007. Co p y 34. Barbara Surk, â€Å"MTV for Young Arab is Less Naughty,† www. cincinnati. com, November 21, 2007. 35. Barbara Surk, â€Å"MTV Launches Arab Music Video Channel,† www. theeagle. com, November 22, 2007. 36. Tamara Walid, â€Å"Finally Got My MTV,† www. arabianbusiness. com, November 22, 2007. 37. â€Å"Will the MTV Brand Change the Middle East? † www. brandchannel. com, December 2, 2007. ot 38. Irene Lew, â€Å"MTVNI Ups Singh,† www. worldscreen. com, April 30, 2008. 39. Dana El Baltaji, â€Å"I Want My MTV,† www. arabmediasociety. com, May 11, 2008. N 40. www. topfive. com 41. www. en. wikipedia. org 42. www. mtva. com D Book: o 43. www. viacom. com Helen Deresky, International Management: Managing Across Borders and Cultures (6th Edition), (Pearson Prentice Hall, Oct 2007) 9

Euthanasia Case Essay

Let’s start off by defining the word euthanasia so that this paper is clear and then we can get in to why it can be passive or active. Euthanasia is the painless killing of a patient suffering from an incurable and painful disease or in an irreversible coma (dictionary.com). Euthanasia, also known as assisted suicide and more loosely termed being mercy killing, basically means to take a deliberate action with the express intention of ending a life to relieve intractable suffering. Some interpret euthanasia as the practice of ending life in a painless manner. Many disagree with this interpretation, because it needs to include a reference to intractable suffering. Euthanasia is illegal. Now that we know what euthanasia is we can breakdown the two procedural classification of euthanasia (medicalnewstoday.com).†Passive euthanasia† is usually defined as withdrawing medical treatment with the deliberate intention of causing the patient’s death. For example, if a patient requires kidney dialysis to survive, and the doctors disconnect the dialysis machine, the patient will presumably die fairly soon. Perhaps the classic example of passive euthanasia is a â€Å"do not resuscitate order†. Normally if a patient has a heart attack or similar sudden interruption in life functions, medical staff will attempt to revive them. If they make no such effort but simply stand and watch as the patient dies, this is passive euthanasia. â€Å"Active euthanasia† is taking specific steps to cause the patient’s death, such as injecting the patient with poison. In practice, this is usually an overdose of pain-killers or sleeping pills. In other words, the difference between â€Å"active† and â€Å"passive† is that in active euthanasia, something is done to end the patient’s life; in passive euthanasia, something is not done that would have preserved the patient’s life. An important idea behind this distinction is that in â€Å"passive euthanasia† the doctors are not actively killing anyone; they are simply not saving him. You would surely not be prosecuted for homicide. Thus, proponents of euthanasia say that while we can debate whether active euthanasia should be legal, there can be no debate about passive euthanasia: You cannot prosecute someone for failing to save a life (pregnantpause.org). Euthanasia has been a very controversial and emotive topic for a long time (medicalnewstoday.com). The beliefs that I have on euthanasia is that is right and it is wrong at the same time. I feel that asking someone to play God is not the way to go. Active euthanasia is just a way for someone to take the easy way out. I understand that they are hurting and are in pain but that’s why the medical field has many different types of pain medicines to keep the patient comfortable enough to deal with everyday life. I think that if a doctor agrees with giving his patient a lethal dose of medicines to end their life is wrong and that then becomes assisted suicide and that they should not have been a doctor because they have violated their oath to protect and heal patients and keep them alive. Whose place is it to decide if one lives or one dies? No one here on earth, I feel like the person that is requesting this type of method to end their life is committing suicide and you are not supposed to take your own life those are my religious beliefs. Another religious belief is that God will not put more on you than you can bear, which means this is all about the endurance you have to preserve life until it is time for you to die a natural life. The other reason why I feel that it is kind of wrong to have a passive euthanasia is because you should not give up on life, you should try all the ways to survive that you can except in the situation of being brain dead or being a vegetable. But then I feel that it is that person right to decide do not resuscitate because that is there right they have that medical right to decide if they do not want to be helped and hooked up on machines just to live. If I ever get to that point I want my family and the doctors to do all that they can do to keep me alive unless in the event like I stated earlier which is brain dead or in a vegetable state. But those are just my beliefs and I cannot change the way others think or how they dictate their lives, everyone has their free will to decide about their life when it comes to passive euthanasia. Assisted dying violates the sanctity of human life speaking from a Baptist person. I agree with that because I am a Baptist and I am a Christian and that is how we were taught was not to kill yourself because you are supposed to die a natural death no matter what the situation is. That means you are allowing God to do His job and that is to letting Him decide when it is time for your life to end, no one can do that for you. Even if you allow yourself not to want to be attached to machines or get resituated you are still dying a natural life. Right to die is just that the right to die but when I say it I mean a right to die of natural causes, not by the hand of another person or by a high dosage of pills to end your life. I understand that if you have a do not resuscitate then that is your choice and I support that choice because you either or going to die or you will pull through which gives that a 50/50 chance. But you are still having your request met by not being resuscitated. so I think that it okay to die a natural life like I have stated before but to have a euthanasia I do not agree with because it is not your time to go, it is the time that you would prefer to leave the earth not when you are meant to leave. Patient suffering at end of life, I hate that people has to suffer but it is a part of life everyone will have their ups and downs in life and unfortunately pain and suffering is life. But the medical field has expanded so far that they are easy to solve the pain or I should say make it easier for patient to be much more comfortable in their time of need where they will not suffer as much as they normally would. I agree that it is good that it is a law against euthanasia, because it does help prevent abuse and protect others. Slippery slope to legalize murder is something that should not be tolerated. Especially with regard to taking life, slippery slope arguments have long been a feature of the ethical landscape, used to question the moral permissibility of all kinds of acts (procon.org)†¦ In my opinion it is giving people a reason to want to die only because they consent to it because they have less than a certain time to live. No one knows the day and time that they are going to die unless they commit suicide and still if they do that that they do not know the time they can only assume how long it will take to die, that is just like the doctors giving patients less than a week to survive and they live and extra month so euthanasia is nothing positive as well as the slippery slope to be legalized. If terminating life is a benefit, the reasoning goes, why should euthanasia be limited only to those who can give consent? Why need we ask for consent (procon.org)? If the slippery slope to legalize murder is so right why does it cost for the insurance company to pay for it and why should they even be in the hospital using up space that someone else that needs and wants a chance at life could be at. The people that want to kill themselves should just go ahead and do it at home and save everyone the time and money it cost to get euthanasia. Not trying to be rude about it. Hippocratic Oath and prohibition of killing the much-quoted reference to ‘do no harm’ is also in need of explanation. Does not doing harm mean that we should prolong a life that the patient sees as a painful burden? Surely, the ‘harm’ in this instance is done when we prolong the life, and ‘doing no harm’ means that we should help the patient die (procon.org)? Surely not, we should not kill someone because they are in pain we should do our best to make sure that patient is as comfortable as possible and there is plenty of medicine out there that can do the job of making people comfortable instead of killing them. Like I said previously that if God wanted them to die then he would make them die of natural causes not because of euthanasia, which is not the way to doing things in my eyes. You are causing more pain on them by trying to end their life because you do not know if the way they die will be a pain free death with the euthanasia it could choke them or it could cause them tremendous pain before they die nothing on earth is pain free. Doctors are made to save lives not take them, that is their oath and that is what they should do is save the patient and keep them as pain free as possible to make their life a lot more comfortable. I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect’†¦ In forswearing the giving of poison when asked for it, the Hippocratic physician rejects the view that the patient’s choice for death can make killing him right (procon.org). Government involvement in end of life decision, when do we withhold which therapies and allow nature to take its course? When are we, through our own indecision and fears of mortality, allowing wondrous medical methods to perversely prolong the dying rather than the living (procon.org)? I think that we as medical people should prolong life as long as we can because the health care business is about taking care of the ill, elderly, and people with disabilities. Once the medicine starts not to work any longer then it is up to that person and family to request that they no longer get any medication (treatment) and allow them to die a natural life even if that means them dying in pain. That is the only time that I feel that a person should stop trying to prolong life is when nothing else is working for them and they are ready to suffer the pain to die a natural death. Euthanasia is definitely not the answer. However, I think that it sad that the government has to make decisions on infants and elderly people with disabilities that cannot stand up for themselves and make the decision in a way they are just kind of treated like a number, or who they think will live the longest will get to live and the people that cannot make it to live they are wrote off. Palliative (end of life) care, every appropriate palliative option available must be discussed with the patient and, if reasonable, tried before a request for assisted death can be accepted (pro con.org)†¦ And even then when everything is done that needs to be done physicians cannot assist in suicide or euthanasia they can only cute off the treatment and let them die a natural life. There are very few hospice facilities, very little in the way of organized hospice activity, and few specialists in palliative care, although some efforts are now under way to try and jump-start the hospice movement in that country (procon.org). They have very limited options once they get to this point of life. Healthcare spending implications, considering the way we finance healthcare in the United States, it would be hard to make a case that there is a financial imperative compelling us to adopt physician-assisted suicide in an effort to save money so that others could benefit (procon.org).. In so many ways that sounds so harsh but the reality of it is true. If it was legal for physicians to assist in suicide then they are saying that more people could be helped due to the fact that they are killing people off to save more money for others to be taken care of. In a way they are saying that they are saving money from people with terminally ill disease will make it better for the healthier person, which is just my opinion and what I am getting from the information. Savings to governments could become a consideration. Drugs for assisted suicide cost about $35 to $45, making them far less expensive than providing medical care. This could fill the void from cutbacks for treatment and care with the ‘treatment’ of death (procon.org). I did not know that it cost as less as $35 to kill someone off, that is sad. But it will save a lot of money in the end. However, I am still against physician assisted suicide and euthanasia. Social groups at risk of abuse, those who died by physician-assisted suicide were more likely to be college graduates, more likely to be Asian, somewhat younger, more likely to be divorced, and more likely to have cancer or amytrophic lateral sclerosis†¦ the reason for more people with cancer wanting assisted suicide or euthanasia is because they know that there is ultimately no cure for this disease and they feel like they want to skip out on all the pain before it gets that bad. Moreover, although 2.6 percent of Oregonians are African American, no African American patients have chosen assisted suicide (procon.org). Since I am African American I see that those of my ethnicity have the same views as I do about physician assisted suicide and euthanasia in Oregon where it is legal for this to happen. It just shows that just because you live in a state that allow these things to happen does not mean that everyone believes in going out (dying) like that, they as well want to get the best treatment they can get until there is no more treatment that can get done. But even if they wanted to get it done they have to say it and have it in writing a certain amount of time within a certain amount of days for any of this to happen. Religious concerns, some wonder if it is right for you to commit suicide or if it’s okay to ask someone to take you out of your misery which is euthanasia. Well it is not right why put that sin on yourself and then why go ahead and involves someone else in your sin to get them to sin for your benefit? That is wrong on all kind of accounts. If you think that you want to do something that is morally wrong then you go ahead and do that, but do not involve an innocent person into the situation because we are all held accountable for our sins, this just goes off my beliefs and background. But Catholic leaders and moral teachers, they believe that life is the most basic gift of a loving God- a gift over which we have stewardship but not absolute dominion. Our tradition, declaring a moral obligation to care for our own life and health and to seek such care from others, recognizes that we are not morally obligated to use all available medical procedures in every set of circumstances. But that tradition clearly and strongly affirms that as a responsible steward of life one must never directly intend to cause one’s own death, or the death of an innocent victim, by action or omission (procon.org)†¦ both of our views seems to match up, so do you think it is right or wrong? Living wills can be used to refuse extraordinary, life-prolonging care and are effective in providing clear and convincing evidence that may be necessary under state statutes to refuse care after one becomes terminally ill (procon.org). It is always a good thing to have a living will so that your plans can be carried out by your family. Having this document will cut out a lot confusion and questionable decisions because you have documentation off everything. Without a living will then there is where the problems come from and that’s when the medical office staff have to get involved in it as well as other authorities. In Texas, where I live physician assisted suicide is illegal and I think that it should remain that way. Because there is no need for a doctor to help you commit suicide just because you are uncomfortable in life. That’s just like making regular suicide legal and not doing anything to those people that are trying to harm themselves when they really need a doctor to help them and care for them which is what doctors are supposed to do. In Texas it is illegal for physician assisted suicide. It is considered a class c misdemeanor if no suicide or bodily injury results, which means that they attempted to commit suicide but it did not go right. But if it does go right and the doctor helps kill the patient then it is a state jail felony, which means that the suicide was attempted with bodily injury. Then after that I randomly decided to pick Minnesota as my other state to see what the differences were in laws. Again it is illegal for physician assisted suicide in Minnesota and the conditions are way harder than in Texas. In Minnesota you receive up to 15 years in prison and/or a fine up to 30,000 if suicide results; up to seven years in prison and/or a fine up to 14,000 if attempted suicide results. The differences between the two are fines and different types of cases, in Texas it could be a class c misdemeanor whereas in Minnesota you will go to jail or pay the fines. In conclusion, you have seen and read all of the information above and it clearly states that I am against physician assisted suicide or euthanasia. It is morally wrong to kill someone and it is morally wrong to kill someone else to take their pain away. Minnesota laws are a lot stricter than Texas laws for as physician assisted suicide and euthanasia. Which I thought Texas would be where I live, would have the stronger laws with the harsher punishment which surprised me. I learned a lot throughout this paper and learned that there is a right and a wrong way to do things in the medical field and you have to follow command. It is your duty to protect and save lives rather than end them. I do however; agree that it is right to die a natural life. REFERENCES Dictionary.com (2013) Retrieved from: http://dictionary.reference.com/ (n.d.)(2010) Retrieved from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/182951.php (n.d.) Retrieved from: http://www.pregnantpause.org/euth/types ProCon.org (2013) Retrieved from: http://euthanasia.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000126