A Group of Baboons Is Not a Congress

A popular meme contains a picture with several baboons playing in the snow captioned: Did you know that a large group of baboons is called a Congress? As the meme goes on to explain: We are all familiar with a herd of cows, a flock of chickens, a school of fish and a gaggle of geese. However, less widely known is a pride of lions, a murder of crows (as well as their cousins the rooks and ravens), an exaltation of doves and, presumably because they look so wise, a parliament of owls. Now consider a group of baboons. They are the loudest, most dangerous, most obnoxious, most viciously aggressive and least intelligent of all primates. And what is the proper collective noun for a group of baboons? Believe it or not ... a Congress! I guess that pretty much explains the things that come out of Washington! The meme does explain one thing: The person who posted or sent it does not know what a large group of baboons is called. It’s a ‘Troop’ National Geographic says, baboons form large troops, composed of dozens or even hundreds of baboons, governed by a complex hierarchy that fascinates scientists. According to the Oxford Dictionaries list of proper terms for groups of things, organized gatherings of kangaroos, monkeys, and baboons are all called â€Å"troops,† while the only group called a â€Å"congress† is Congress.   An Expert Weighs In In an email to PolitiFact, Shirley Strum, director of the University of Californias Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project in Nairobi, Kenya, agreed that a group of baboons is known as a â€Å"troop.† â€Å"I have never heard the term congress used for a group of baboons! she wrote, adding, I would prefer to be governed by baboons than the current Congress! They are more socially committed, abide by the golden rule and are generally nicer people. Baboons are socially sophisticated and incredibly smart and among primates, no species is as dangerous as humans. Only baboons who have been spoiled by humans feeding them are dangerous and are never as aggressive as humans. The Point The point the meme is trying to make is that the U.S. Congress has pretty much degenerated into a largely ineffectual collection of lifetime professional politicians, typically  trusted by only 10% of the American people, that spends more time arguing, running for re-election and on vacation than it does tending to its real job of carrying out the legislative process in a way that helps Americans happily pursue life and liberty.   In 1970, for example, the troop called Congress passed its very own Legislative Reorganization Act, which among other things â€Å"required† both the House of Representatives and the Senate to take the entire month of August off every year unless a â€Å"state of war† or â€Å"emergency† exists at the time. The last time Congress decided to take a break from its break was in the summer of 2005 when lawmakers returned to Washington just long enough to pass legislation authorizing aid for victims of Hurricane Katrina. But the fact remains that a gathering of baboons is not a congress.

Weaknesses Of The Epic Of Gilgamesh - 1027 Words

Kensie Campbell Paper 1 EN 231 9/20/17 What comes to mind when one hears the word hero? We typically refer to a hero as someone with superhuman powers or qualities of bravery, wisdom, and strength. â€Å"The Epic of Gilgamesh† narrates the story of a beautiful, powerful man named Gilgamesh who is king of Sumerian city-state Uruk. In hopes to reverse his destiny, Gilgamesh journeys from one end of the world to the other in hopes to find immortality. The poem of â€Å"El Cid† is about a gentleman who fights to reestablish his honor after being exiled from Spain upon accusation of treason. After conquering the Moorish settlements in Spain, El Cid is pardoned by the king and his daughters are married off to royal Spanish princes. However, upon deeper†¦show more content†¦After winning the fight against the princes, El Cid’s daughters remarry to new princes who are relatives of king Alfonso. Alfonso announces, â€Å"See how he grows in honor who in good hour was born; his daughters are wives of the Kings of Navarre and Aragon. Now the Kings of Spain are his kinsmen, and all advance in honor through My Cid the Campeador. (1460-1463)† Despite his past ranking, El Cid’s defeat of the princes and news of his daughters’ remarriage into royalty aids in his social promotion to the top. Gilgamesh, on the other hand, is not so lucky. His weakness is something that he cannot escape. Since Gilgamesh is part human, death is an inevitable fact of life. Gilgamesh’s fate is first foreseen when he has a dream about a wild man Enkidu. Gilgamesh tells his mother,† Stars of the sky appeared, and some kind of meteorite of Anu fell next to me. I tried to lift it but it was too mighty for me, I tried to turn it but I could not budge it. – I loved it and embraced it as a wife. I laid it down at your feet, and you made it compete with me. (220-231)† Gilgamesh learns his destiny is to love Enkidu, but the gods create Enkidu to destroy Gilgamesh. When the goddess of love sends the bull of heaven to kill Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh and Enkidu defeat the bull, but the gods are not happy. As punishment, they speak the curse of death upon Enkidu. Heart-brokenShow MoreRelatedA Long Narrative Poem That Is About Heroic Deeds And A1631 Words   |  7 Pagesculture and person who wrote it is an epic poem. A great deal of writers use epic poems to tell the tales and quest of heroes. It played a crucial part in the Epic of Gilgamesh from Mesopotamia because it recorded the epic deeds of heroes and their culture. The epic of Gilgamesh meets the criteria of an epic poem because the plot centers on the hero of unbelievable stature, it has a wild setting, and it in involves supernatural and godly forces. The epic poem of Gilgamesh plot centers on the hero of UnbelievableRead MoreReview Of The Epic Of Gilgamesh 1097 Words   |  5 PagesN.K. Sandars, The Epic of Gilgamesh, is one of the most well-known stories in literature. Gilgamesh ruled the city of Uruk and one of the most advanced cities during the third millennium B.C. He orders his people to build the strongest walls by protecting them from dangerous attacks. In the Epic, he is described as physically strong, beautiful, and wise ruler of Mesopotamia. Yet, in the beginning, Gilgamesh was uncontrollable of his powers. His people can’t take it anymore and so they prayed to theRead MoreThe Iliad, Odyssey, And Epic Of Gilgamesh1466 Words   |  6 PagesThe Iliad, Odyssey, and Epic of Gilgamesh all demonstrate the transformational process of their respective epic heroes through their strengths and weaknesses. Epic heroes such as Achilles, Odysseus, and Gilgamesh all possessed superior qualities that separated them from othe r individuals. Although their incredible abilities may support the societal perception of strong leadership, their weaknesses caused these characters to hold vices that went against the cultural expectations of what a strong leaderRead MoreEpic Passages of The Epic of Gilgamesh and Homers Odyssey921 Words   |  4 Pageshero? In the two epic passages The Epic of Gilgamesh and Homers Odyssey, heroism appears to be a clear distinction with the literature, and has the same basic framework as today’s definition of a hero. Historically, in the texts, heroes such as Gilgamesh and Odysseus are protagonists viewed and credited with great bravery and most certainly heroism. Nearly all of the heroic figures throughout time, both fictitious and living and are viewed as a protagonist in their own epic challenge or struggleRead MoreOdysseus Or Gilgamesh - Will The Real Epic Hero Please Stand Up?1640 Words   |  7 PagesOdysseus or Gilgamesh - Will the real Epic Hero please stand up? â€Å"Gilgamesh went to the entrance into the mountain and entered the darkness alone, without a companion. By the time he reached the end of the first league the darkness was total, nothing behind or before. He made his way, companionless, to the end† (Book 9 p. 51, The Epic of Gilgamesh). In The Epic of Gilgamesh, an epic poem translated by N.K. Sanders, Gilgamesh is a character who is by all accounts an epic hero. As a person of nobilityRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh And Gilgamesh1422 Words   |  6 PagesIn the Epic of Gilgamesh there are many notable relationships but the relationship between Gilgamesh and Enkidu is hands down the most noteworthy. When analyzing the relationship of Gilgamesh and Enkidu there are many factors that go into play. It is really the sole foundation of the whole Sumerian epic and it really changes the whole personality of Gilgamesh. In order to get a better understanding of how the two characters complement each other we have to first break dow n their individual appearancesRead MoreThe Epic of Gilgamesh: The Ignorance of Gilgamesh1001 Words   |  5 Pages In The Epic of Gilgamesh, Gilgamesh’s pursuit for immortality is marked by ignorance and selfish desire. Desire and ignorance, as The Buddha-karita of Asvaghosha suggests, pollutes man’s judgment resulting in his inability to break the cycle of birth and death. At the core of Gilgamesh’s desire resides his inability to accept the inevitability of death, making his rationality behind the pursuit of immortality ignorant and selfish. Implicitly, Gilgamesh’s corrupt desire for immortality conveys thatRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh : King Of Uruk1332 Words   |  6 PagesIn the verse narrative The Epic of Gilgamesh the principal character Gilgamesh, King of Uruk, is described as an entity that is two-thirds god and one-third man. Gilgamesh is a hero/protagonist who exhibits many more human features than divine features. This makes him a flawed hero because all humans are flawed. He is even described in human terms. â€Å"A perfect physical specimen, gifted athlete and sex machine† [Davis p.154]. His primary flaws are pride and arrogance with his pursuit for immortalityRead MoreThe Role Of Changing Perception Of The Hero1137 Words   |  5 Pagesdoes the definition of a hero change over time? The Epic of Gilgamesh is perhaps the â€Å"longest and greatest literary composition written in cuneiform Akkadian† (Dalley 39) and told to an audience, while The Odyssey, and Oedipus the King came many centuries later. However, they all have a hero that represents the values of the society at the time. This paper is going to compare and contrast the ideal of the hero from ancient Mesopotamia in Gilgamesh in approximately 2000 BC, The Odyssey, from the closeRead MoreThe Epic Of Gilgamesh Essay1721 Words   |  7 PagesMany texts, both ancient and modern, explore the possibilities of living forever. The Epic of Gilgamesh is just one of the stories examining this theory. The Gilgamesh tablets discuss many such issues pertinent to much of today’s population: what is the meaning of life? How will I be remembered? This age old topic is explored through many popular mediums today such as graphic novels and in the film industry. Additionally the immortal question is further studied in some scientific industries, to

Crime And Violence Of Mexico - 2893 Words

Crime and Violence in Mexico as we know it is all too common. The Drugs power and control is often heard way too many times. Drug traffickers often come from a childhood of poverty. But the battle for survival among cartels in Mexico, in which thousands of people, mostly in the drug trade or fighting it, have been killed, has only led drug traffickers to redouble their efforts to get their drugs to market in the United States. These Drug Traffickers all have one thing in common they all want territory control and want to be the number one organization. One of the most powerful Drug lords in today’s history is named El Chapo Guzman. He became Mexico’s top drug kingpin in 2003. He was considered the most powerful drug trafficker in the world†¦show more content†¦He was never found until late last year in February 2014. He was found inside his fourth floor condo in a beach front condominium in Mazatlan Sinaloa. He was captured without a single gunshot being fired. Ray Sanchez. Evan Perez and Elise Labott, CNN (2014) In his years from 2001to 2014 his whereabouts were unknown some believe he was hiding in the Golden Triangle in areas of Sinaloa, Durango, and Chihuahua. this region is known for major production of marijuana and opium poppy in Mexico. It states in some reports that his security entailed of about 300 men and gunmen. His inner circle of men would help him move around the ranches nearby in the mountainous areas. He would usually escape authorities using bullet proof cars, aircraft and all-terrain vehicles. Alongside with sophisticated communications gadgets. Jo Tuckman CBS News (2014), Jeremy Bender (2014) Since many of these locations can be reached through dirt roads, residents could easily detect outsiders. Their distrust to the outside people and with a combination of bribes and intimidation kept the strangers out. Noticiero Televisa April (2011) Although he ran for a quite a long time, in February 22nd of 2014 , his luck ran out, the Mexican Navy along with joint intelligence and the U.S Marshall Service. All of these agencies came together and apprehend this individual. It is said that Guzman’s family is heavily involved in drug trafficking, with several members killed by Los Zetas and the BeltranShow MoreRelatedModern Drug and Crime Mexico Finals Essay934 Words   |  4 Pages Crime and Drug Cartels in Mexico- Crime in Mexico is one of the most urgent and serious concerns facing Mexico today. Crime statistics in Mexico show that even over the years, the crime rate has decreased. Over the last 100 years or more there has still been a huge upswing in drug related crimes, especially within the last few decades (Tuckman). Crimes as of today are not all reported, so the rates may be higher than statistics indicate. The government is not able to catch all of these drugRead MoreReasons Behind The War On Drugs1365 Words   |  6 Pagessignificant reasons behind the war on drugs between the Mexican government and the drug cartels in Mexico and examine the impact of this conflict on Mexico and on US National Security. Drug Trafficking or any other illegal activity related to drug Cartels and gangs pose an imminent threat to the Mexican governance because of the corruption and the violence they generate. Illegal drugs affect not only Mexico but also the U.S in terms of trafficking and consumption. The Mexican government has always takenRead MoreThe War On Drugs Has Been All Over The World1726 Words   |  7 Pagestime has had the trouble of facing the many negatives that come along with drugs such as people becoming addicts, violence, and crime in general, drug lords, and a plethora of other problems. Handling these problems before they get out of hand are relatively important, because if not handled right the country, region, state, or local municipality could collapse at any given time. Mexico, who has been handling a drug war this past decade seems as if they are not getting better any time soon and seriousRead MoreU.s. Politics, Citizen Safety, And Economy1390 Words   |  6 Pagesassisting the Mexican government, the level of violence and gang-related deaths are still increasing at an alarming rate. So far, the majority of U.S. involvement has been in the way of money and physical enforcement; both Mexico and our border with them have become heavily militarized in the years since the â€Å"war on drugs† was launched. However, this military action doesn’t seem to be having any effect accept to spark intensified revolts and counter-violence by the Mexican cartels. The Mexican securityRead MoreMexican Drug Cartels: Problem of the Past or Indication of the Future?1688 Words   |  7 Pagesthe fire. Narco-violence has claimed the lives of thousands of citizens in recent years. Drug cartels have become comparable to Mafia figures, and have resorted to Mafia-style violence to prove to the Mexican government that they remain in control. The violence caused by drug cartels is rumored to lead Mexico to become a failed state. George W. Grayson, regular lecturer at the United States Department of State, has made more than one-hundred and twenty-five research trips to Mexico, and is consideredRead MoreConflict Analysis : Mexico And Central America1687 Words   |  7 Pagesthe Merida Initiative: Mexico and Central America. Then, I will focu s on â€Å"Drug War†: Lenses, Frames, and â€Å"Seeing† Solutions. I will then talk about, â€Å"conflict analysis ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ ¬, a lens for viewing conflict that brings into focus a multilevel, integrative diagnosis of the violence in Mexico and supports recent evolutions in Plan Merida toward a more holistic peace-building approach† (Carpenter, 2013). In other words, conflict analysis focuses on the determination of conflict in Mexico and aids current advancementRead MoreDrug Trafficking During The United States Essay1312 Words   |  6 Pagesdifferent extents to get the job done. Drug trafficking increases the violence levels These drugs have been smuggled through the Southwest Border since the 1970s and are attempting to expand the distribution of those drugs into eastern U.S. markets. The countries of drug production have been seen as the worst affected by prohibition. In many countries worldwide, the illegal drug trafficking can be directly linked to hi gh violent crimes. This is especially true in third world countries, but has still beenRead MoreMexico’s War on Drugs Essay1252 Words   |  6 Pagesbeen much violence due to this drug problem that has left many people near the border killed and is allowing more criminals to obtain these weapons. A lot of this attention goes to the U.S. because many of the weapons utilized in the â€Å"drug war† are U.S. made and is interfering with trading relations amongst both the U.S. and Mexico. With this current violent situation in Mexico this has transformed the flow of weapons to an even larger scale. During the mid-2000’s former President of Mexico Felipe CalderonRead MoreOrganized Crime Related Deaths / Murders898 Words   |  4 Pagesexplaining that while organized crime has been problematic for some time, the number of organized crime related deaths/murders has been on a steady rise. As the presenter further illustrates, in 2001, it was around 1,000. By 2008, the number had its first big jump, however, in 2010, the number had skyrocketed to over 34,000! However, the death, or capture of cartel leaders is not the solution and has led to two large cycles of violence. Most of the crime can be broken down into sevenRead MoreMexican Trafficking And Drug Trafficking1341 Words   |  6 PagesDid you know that Mexico has a history with many brutal crimes? Crimes such as kidnapping, money laundering, murders, prostitution, drug dealing, extortion, human trafficking, gun trafficking, drug trafficking, car thief, and cartels wars. Have you ever been a victim of an y of this crimes listed above in Mexico? Sadly most people who lived in Mexico tend to be victims of a crime. In Mexico 1 out of every 8,300 people are violently murdered. Most murder rates are in the borders near the United States

Jefferson Davis The Civil War - 1284 Words

The date was June 28th, 1861. On this day, Jefferson Davis Tant was born to William and Mattie Tant of Paulding County, Georgia (Tant 16-17). His namesake was derived from the Confederate president who had presided over one of America’s bloodiest conflicts: the Civil War (17). Merely two months and sixteen days before, this war had officially begun. Shortly thereafter, Tant’s father, William, heeded the call of the Confederacy and left his family behind to fight against the Union armies (17-18). Three years later, the war had reached Tant’s home in northern Georgia. The homestead that he had labored to establish there was destroyed five days before the Battle of New Hope Church occurred, leaving his wife and three young sons to fend for themselves amid a hostile environment (12-15). This was J.D. Tant’s first taste of what the world offered. The years following the War, his parents did what they could to provide for their children. When William Tant return ed home, he attempted to retrieve the deeds to some of his property, but it was promptly stolen by a man named Babe Forsythe (20). William proceeded to move his family to South Georgia where he tried his hand at farming, trading, carpentry, and various other odd jobs, but none of these occupations yielded any sustainable income (21). By 1876, however, William Tant had set his sights on a new horizon: Texas. In the fall of that same year, the family packed up the few belongings they possessed and made the journey westwardShow MoreRelatedJefferson Davis : The Civil War1573 Words   |  7 PagesOne such story that was told by Lincoln concerned his desire not to pursue Jefferson Davis near the conclusion of the Civil War. Lincoln, through the use of this story, was able to relate to his general that while he agreed in principle that his object should be to pursue and capture the president of the confederate states; it would not be such a horrible thing if Davis was allowed to escape, â€Å"unbeknownst-like† (Phillips, 1993; p.61). Lincoln, already known for his compassion and hesitancy to useRead MoreJefferson Davis And The American Civil War1285 Words   |  6 Pages Jefferson Davis lived from (1808-1889) and was a Mexican War hero, a U.S. senator from Mississippi, and U.S. secretary of war and president of the Confederate States of America for the duration of the American Civil War (1861-1865). Prior to the start of the war, Davis had argued against secession, but when Mississippi seceded he resigned from the U.S. Senate. In February 1861 he was elected president of the Confederacy states. Davis faced difficulties throughout the war as he struggled controlRead MoreEssay on Jefferson Davis: Man of the Year1434 Words   |  6 Pagesthe American Civil War, would have received the title, but there is a simple answer. Jefferson Davis is Time’s Person of the Year because his actions caused the Confederacy to lose the Civil War. He was confident en ough to convince many people to lend him their support, his handling of the military was that of a neophyte, and he refused to cater to the common people. Much of Jefferson Davis’s influence on the outcome of the Civil War comes from his confidence. Historian William C. Davis writes, â€Å"NeverRead MoreThe War Of The American Civil War1376 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Civil War was arguably the most important war in the history of the country. The War of Independence may have allowed American to become its’ own country, but the Civil War resulted in something even more important than that, the end of slavery in the southern states. All of the issues that caused the Civil war were based around slavery, such as states’ rights that involved how slavery would be handled in each state, and trying to preserve the Union since the south seceded from the northRead MoreSummary : Mountain View High School Jefferson Davis 1389 Words   |  6 Pages Jefferson Davis Cron, Adelle Mountain View High School Jefferson Davis was the first, and only, president of the Confederate States. His upbringing and actions as a young man led to a strong belief of state s rights and the innate right to own slaves. Davis was a strong spokesperson for these things in his early political career. His ability to attract and bring together the Confederacy combined with his military experience got him appointed to President of the Confederacy. His actionsRead MoreThe War Between The North And The South993 Words   |  4 PagesUnited States had a war between the North and the South. The United States was divided depending on location and personal sentiments. People in the United States sometimes think that this war was only fought over slavery, but there was many reason in why the Union and the Confederate States of America fought. The war was fought on many reason such as the idea of slavery, states’ rights, trade, and tariffs. The Civil War lasted for about five years, from 1861-1865. The war w as between the NorthRead More Abraham Lincoln And Jefferson Davis Essay1475 Words   |  6 PagesAbraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis Works Cited Missing   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In this report I compare two great historical figures: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president, steered the Union to victory in the American Civil War and abolished slavery, and the first and only president of the Confederate States of America, Jefferson Davis. Abraham Lincoln was the President of the Union, and Jefferson Davis struggled to lead the Confederacy to independence in the U.S. Civil War. Lincoln was treasured by the AfricanRead MoreJEFFERSON DAVIS By Nikhilesh Kumar On June 8, 1861, the last state joined the Confederate States of600 Words   |  3 PagesJEFFERSON DAVIS By Nikhilesh Kumar On June 8, 1861, the last state joined the Confederate States of America. These 8 states were now a new nation, formed after Abraham Lincoln was elected. Their leader- Jefferson Davis, an American soldier and statesman. This man was Union’s bitter enemy. He was the figurehead for the rebellious Confederacy and was hated in the North. His life and actions forever changed the history of this nation. This man was one of the most influential people of the Civil WarRead MoreWho is Jefferson Davis?964 Words   |  4 PagesJefferson Davis had many different roles throughout his life. He was a colonel in the Mexican American War, Davis was elected into the senate, and was a U.S. Secretary of War. His most important job, was his presidency of the Confederate States during the Civil War. Jefferson Finis Davis was born on June 3, 1808. His parents were Samuel Davis and Jane Cook Davis. Davis’s father fought in the American Revolution, which led our country to freedom. Besides Jefferson his parents had nine other childrenRead MoreMonument Of Mosby s Men Essay780 Words   |  4 Pagesmany conflicts (Wheeler, thewashingtonpost.com, 2012). But even the best can make mistakes. Mosby’s Men Monument, located in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Front Royal, Virginia, serves are a remembrance to those who died under Mosby’s command during the war (Hawks, shenanadoah.stonesentinials.com, n.d.). Specifically, this stone obelisks commemorates six soldiers who were captured by Union General Wesley Merritt’s Calvary during an engagement in Chester Gap, Virginia, in 1864 (n.a., vaudc.org, n.d.). Four

President Obama and American Civil Rights in the Twenty first Century Free Essays

Civil rights liberties had been celebrated and established in the Untied States only in recent history. Barack Obama’s ascension to the presidency is the fruition of the long struggle of Black Americans for equal rights in all aspect of American society. From the days of Martin Luther King Jr. We will write a custom essay sample on President Obama and American Civil Rights in the Twenty first Century or any similar topic only for you Order Now , however, civil rights in the USA have taken on various other issues, including the rights of homosexuals, women and the overall issue of racism, which is tangentially connected to the contentions in immigration. Pres. Obama’s leadership in guaranteeing and even expanding civil rights is done in the context of grave economic and political challenges to the United States. Voting Rights. The White House website (2010) states that â€Å"Civil Rights Division to ensure that voting rights are protected and Americans do not suffer from increased discrimination during a time of economic distress. President Obama†¦ believes that our anti-discrimination employment laws should be expanded to include sexual orientation and gender identity. He supports full civil unions and federal rights for LGBT couples and opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage†¦. [and] that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation. † The issue of equality is at the heart of civil rights. Equality, on the other hand, is at the heart of American democracy. While the United States’ practice of democracy may not be perfect, it is seen as one of the best working democratic systems in the world. Hence, if any citizen (regardless of class, gender preference or race) fails to vote, their voices shall have been curtailed and their representation may be at stake. Donna Brazile (2010) wrote that the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution was enacted to give voting rights to minorities. But due to Jim Crow laws, various States managed to circumvent the Constitutional amendment in favor of their own prejudices against Blacks and other minorities. Brazile (2010) went on to write that the voting rights of certain minorities are in danger in several states because of certain rules that make it difficult for these minorities to cast their votes. While the civil rights movement in the 1960s was mainly about the rights of Black Americans, the issue now includes other races, particularly Spanish-speaking peoples in the United States. Conservatives, Black Americans and Racism. The Tea Party is supposed to be an answer to the perceived failures of traditional parties in the United States. Ironically, in defense of the Tea Party, even Black conservatives consider the issue of â€Å"race† as a phony category. This tirade was in response to the accusation hurled by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored Peoples (NAACP) that the Tea Party is slow to discipline the racist elements in their party, among them are conservative Tom Tancredo, whose assertion implied that those without enough English literacy are responsible for electing America’s enemy—Barack Obama. Tancredo even criticized the â€Å"cult of multiculturalism† as the culprit for the problems of the United States (Travis, 2010, Berger, 2010). While some of elements from Tea Party may deny the category of race as an important issue in American politics, the historical record and events could not be denied. Race has been one of the most contentious issues in American politics and history. By bringing back the issue of literacy in voting, Tancredo is bringing back the Jim Crow laws days when literacy tests were used as a means to disenfranchise minorities and take away their right to vote. Subsequently, this rule became the source of violence in various states. Race and Gender Issues. Another civil rights issue that may appear to have arisen only recently is the issue of same-sex marriages. The most recent controversial matter was California’s Proposition 8, which was meant to re-establish the traditional definition of marriage as union between a man and a woman. But the battle for the rights of same-sex is not over. Judge Vaughn Walker, however, declared that this Proposition is unconstitutional. In his ruling, Walker said that â€Å"Proposition 8 fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples† (CNN, 2010). The issue of same-sex marriage is complicated by tradition and religion. Historically, however, race relations had also been complicated by tradition and religion. Hence, Judge Walker even stated that at some point, race restrictions on marriage were also implemented by many states in the past. Individual States and the Federal Government. There are a number of similarities in the civil rights issues of today and that previously faced by the United States. One such parallel that will resolve or further complicate the matter will be the relationship between and among the rules and policies of individual states and that of the federal government. While the federal government is faced with so many challenges from different areas—economy, politics, international relations and immigration among others, individual states will try to circumvent some constitutional rules if the leaders of these states feel that the Federal government is too busy to take notice. Already, some voting rights in Georgia are being threatened and minority votes are being undermined. The issue of same-sex marriage will also be decided upon by individual states, at least at first, before the United States Supreme Court step in to resolve it finally. The 1965 Voting Rights Act was enacted to guarantee equal voting rights. Failure to protect that will be tantamount to undermining America’s legacy of democracy. Reference Berger, J. (2010). Tea Party Launches Counter-Revolution. Fox News. Retrieved 8 August 2010 from http://liveshots. blogs. foxnews. com/2010/02/04/tea-party-launches-counter-revolution/. Brazile, D. (2010). Stay Vigilant to Protect Voting Rights. Cable News Network. Retrieved 8 August 2010 from http://edition. cnn. com/2010/OPINION/08/06/brazile. voting. rights. act/index. html. CNN (2010). Opponents of Same-sex Marriage to File Appeal in California Case. Cable News Network. Retrieved 8 August 2010 from http://edition. cnn. com/2010/US/08/05/california. same. sex. ruling/index. html. Travis, S. (2010). Black Conservatives Join Hands to Deny Racism within the Tea Party Movement. CNN Political Ticker. Retrieved 8 August 2010 from http://politicalticker. blogs. cnn. com/2010/08/04/black-conservatives-join-hands-to-deny-racism-within-the-tea-party-movement/? iref=allsearch White House Website (2010). Civil Rights. Retrieved 8 August 2010 from http://www. whitehouse. gov/issues/civil-rights. How to cite President Obama and American Civil Rights in the Twenty first Century, Papers

Sunflower Incorporated Analysis free essay sample

Focused in the independent retail market throughout the United States and Canada, Sunflower Incorporated is a popular distributor of salty snacks and liquor. In an attempt to limit variations in profit margins across regions and to protect their company image after finding that certain profitable divisions were using lower-quality products to maximize profit levels, headquarters established a new financial reporting system aimed to standardize pricing and purchasing policy within the organization. . How well did Albanese manage the pricing and purchasing changes at Sunflower? Agnes Albanese, the newly appointed Director of pricing and purchasing may have been a bit hasty in her management approach and failed to follow through with her planned change. Without a comprehensive understanding of company structure and culture, she suggested a solution after a mere three weeks. After a mere three weeks, she suggested a solution but did not (25) Managers and staff specialists must work with and through people to achieve organizational objectives, and OD can help them form effective relationships with others. We will write a custom essay sample on Sunflower Incorporated Analysis or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Planned change involves four sets of activities – entering and contracting, diagnosing, planning and implementing, and evaluating and institutionalizing 2a. Were the changes implemented successfully? Albanese approach may be typical for many organizations but unfortunately it doesnt return anticipated results for numerous reasons. Organizational development theory tells us that change, in order to be effective, must be led and managed. Albanese only provided a quick solution to what she regarded as a simple problem while making no efforts to establish a change plan that would have included such elements as providing the leadership and vision to promote the change, cultural assessment to align behavioral norms, communication and stakeholder management, performance management, training and development, and the impact of the change on the organizational structure. This paper takes a close look at each of Albanese actions and how the fail to address the activities suggested by OD literature. 2b. What might be happening in the regions? 2c. How might you find out? 3. What might Albanese have done differently? 4. What should she (Albanese) do now, given the non-result of her first effort? (That is, given the fact she has missed an opportunity, what would she do to specifically regain an effective working relationship with the field? )

Undertake The CSR Strategies Samples †MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about the Undertake The CSR Strategies. Answer: Introduction to the CSR The changes that are being undertaken in the organizational structures based on the change in the demands and the supplies have helped the organizations in evolving a new culture. The new culture is based on the requirements of the organization to cope up with the market demand. Therefore, the organization takes steps in order to ensure the progression that is being planned by the organizations. The improvements in the organizational structure are being undertaken through certain factors that judge the responsibility of the organizations towards the society and the stakeholders of the company (Aguinis and Glavas 2012). It is through the proper functioning of the stakeholders and the society that the company undertakes its decisions. Therefore, the decisions taken by the organization in order to bring in the progress is based on the availability of the resources. The sustainable approach that is being planned by the organization is based on the responsibilities that the companies owe to the society and the stakeholders of the company at large. These set of responsibilities can be termed as the Corporate Social Responsibility or the CSR. It helps in determining the progress made by the organizations in the respective markets. It determines the sustainable approach of the organizations and the actions that portrays their conservable actions on the environment. The functions that are being undertaken by the organizations, through the production and the distribution processes, affect the environment through the depletions and the pollution. Therefore, the companies are required to take steps in order to control the rates of the pollution in order to lower the harmful emissions in the atmosphere. It can be termed as the sustainable approach of the organization (Bondy, Moon and Matten 2012). The approach of the organizations and their care for the society is the basis of the CSR that is being followed by the organization. Critical review of the importance of the CSR The CSR is an important factor that must be adhered buy the organizations in order to ensure that the organizations make their progress in the market structure. Moreover, the growing needs of the conservation of the resources available in the environment is another important factor that justifies the reason as to the why the companies are required to be sustainable in nature. According to Flammer (2013) the CSR determines the sustainable approach of a company, and not only so, but also it helps in determining the position of the organization in the market. The most important factor that is being undertaken by the organization is based on the eco-friendly practices that are being adhered by the organizations during their functioning. On the other hand, Jiraporn et al. (2014) stated that the most common factor that is being undertaken by the organizations are based on the profitability of the steps that are being undertaken by the organizations. CSR is not only important as it focuses on the sustainability of the environment through the steps undertaken by the organization, but also it focuses on the relations that are being undertaken by the organizations with its chief stakeholders. The maintenance of a good relation with the companys stakeholders helps the organization in undertaking the quick progression in the market. It has helped the organization in making the most of the resources and thereby excel in the market. According to Hilson (2012) the most important function that is being taken by the organizations is based on the sound relation with its chief stakeholders. It helps the organization in gaining over the confidence and thereby make a quick progression in the market. The most important changes that the organization must take is based on the sustenance of the organization and the relative growth and expansion of the organization in the foreign markets. The growing awareness among the people and the global concern for the depletion of the environment through the industrial emissions is a proven cause which is being judged by the people all around the world. Therefore, in order to achieve the sustainable market, the organizations must take steps in order to bring in the eco-friendly practices. It will help the organization in making its progress in the markets. Most of the analysts have pointed out that the resourcefulness of the CSR, undertaken by the organizations has helped them in undertaking their progress in the markets. It has helped the organizations in establishing a good relation with the stakeholders, minimized the costs of production and thereby have resulted to the smooth functioning of the organizations resulting to the growth and expa nsions in their respective markets. Moser and Martin (2012) stated that the most important phenomenon in the management of the organization is based on the determination of the CSR of the organization as it helps in the understanding of the structure of the organization and its objectives. The most important steps that ate being undertaken by the organizations is based on the empowerment of the society in which they undertake their functions. The most important part of the CSR is based on the organizations charity that is being undertaken in order to upgrade the standard of living of the people in the region where the organization is functioning. Organizations with the aim of earning fair returns on their investments live a short termed existence in the markets. On the other hand, the others- who are looking for a sustainable and balanced market, undertakes steps in order to undertake the norms and the considerations of the CSR in order to bring in improvements in the organizational structure and the market of the organizations. Therefore, from the above discussion it can be stated that the organizations must undertake the process of the CSR in order to bring in changes in the market of the organization and also to maintain a sustainable approach. On the other hand, the organizations undertaking of the CSR will facilitate the sustainability of the environment and the people at large. CSR reports of two UK companies The CSR reports that are being enumerated of the two UK based companies are being discussed in this section of the analysis. It will help in the understanding of the undertakings of the organizations and the responsibility that the organizations hold respectively towards the environment and the people at large. Thorntons Thorntons is a premium chocolate company based on the UK. The product offering s of the organizations is based on the dairy products as it manufactures the dark and the milk chocolates to be distributed within the borders of the nation. The company has undertaken steps in order to review their CSR as a basis of their motto which is to bring in smiles in the faces of their consumers (Casey and Grenier 2014). It is a sustainable approach of the organization which has helped the organization in surviving the market competition that the company and its products faced in the market. On the other hand, the sustainable nature of the organizations can be understood from their adherence to the CSR techniques. It has helped in the undertaking of the eco-friendly techniques of manufacturing the products and the charity that is being undertaken by the organization towards its society. The company undertakes charitable functions, which is being funded by the staff members of the organizations. It undertakes steps in order to empower the community through their charitable attempts (Tang, Hull and Rothenberg 2012). Moreover, the company also donates money for the well being of the needed people in the community. It is therefore a social function that the organization undertakes. It helps in determining the sustenance of the society in which the concerned organization functions. The fund raising pursuits have helped in bringing in the improvements in the community. It is due to the actions of the organizations that the community has started developing and through the developments of the communities, the company progressed and developed. On the other hand, the environment policy that is being undertaken by the organization has helped in the maintenance of the environment. The eco-friendly measures that are being undertaken by the organization have helped in the conservation of the natural resources during the production process (Brammer, Jackson and Matten 2012). Moreover, the harmful emissions are also being controlled by technologies that are being applied by the organization in the production process. The company also undertakes the recycling of the waste materials before dumping them in the open environments or the landfills. It has helped in the growth of a healthy environment for the communities. The company aims at saving the energy while conducting their production processes in order to make sure that the organization is conserving the energy for the future usage. The target that is being set by the Food and Drink Federation is being undertaken by the organizations as it has decreased the consumption of energy by 10% in a years time (Cheng, Ioannou and Serafeim 2014). Therefore, it shows the progress made by the organization in order to save the energy in the production and the distribution of the goods that are being produced by the organization. On the other hand, the company has also undertakes steps in order to regulate the usage of the water in their production process. It has helped the organization in making significant changes in order to make a sustainable market for them. The company has signed the Commitment of the Federation House 2011, which stated that the company will reduce the usage of water during the production process by 20%. It will help the organizatio n in the proper undertaking of the CSR functions. Greggs UK It is one of the largest bakeries in the nation. The products that the company specializes on are based on the requirements of the consumers. It is the sweet baked goods and the cakes that the bakery produces which is facing a high demand in the UK market. The company has expanded kin the later years of its inception. Recently it holds some 1600 retail stores around the markets of its operations. The CSR that is being adhered by the organization is the point of discussion of this section of the report. The company has raised funds through the employees and the staff members in order to set up the Greggs foundation which contributes to the breakfast clubs of the schools in the UK. Therefore, it is into its charitable consent where the company cares for the local communities and donates the sum of money in order to bring ion changes in their lives. On the other hand, they have contributed large sums of money for the North of England Childrens Cancer Research Fundand theBBCs Children in Needappeal (Low and Ang 2012). Moreover, the company takes steps in order to employ the offenders in the prison house in order to deliver a good life. On the other hand it has taken partnership with the Job Centre Plus in order to provide vacancies for the young people who are desiring to work (Dhaliwal et al.2012). Therefore, it helps in the creation of the employment and thereby raises the standard of living of the people living in the community. The company also undertakes steps in order to manage the wastes efficiently so as not to affect the wellbeing of the environment and the people living in the same. The steps that are being taken by the organization helps in reducing the wastes from the environments. Therefore, the steps taken by the company helps in rendering a healthy life to the communities. On the other hand, the proper usage of the Photovoltaic rooftops has helped the organization ink conserving the power. It helps in the reduction of the carbon. It is estimated that some 1.3m kWh of electricity will be generated for the usage in the bakeries which will help the organization in saving almost around six hundred tons of carbon (Crane, Matten and Spence 2013). The sustainable approach of the organization has helped in its considerable growth in the UK markets and thereby the usage of the CSR has helped the organization in balancing their business environment with the life of the communities. References Aguinis, H. and Glavas, A., 2012. What we know and dont know about corporate social responsibility: A review and research agenda.Journal of management,38(4), pp.932-968. Bondy, K., Moon, J. and Matten, D., 2012. An institution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in multi-national corporations (MNCs): Form and implications.Journal of Business Ethics,111(2), pp.281-299. Brammer, S., Jackson, G. and Matten, D., 2012. Corporate social responsibility and institutional theory: New perspectives on private governance.Socio-economic review,10(1), pp.3-28. Tai, F.M. and Chuang, S.H., 2014. Corporate social responsibility.Ibusiness,6(03), p.117. Casey, R.J. and Grenier, J.H., 2014. Understanding and contributing to the enigma of corporate social responsibility (CSR) assurance in the United States.Auditing: A Journal of Practice Theory,34(1), pp.97-130. Cheng, B., Ioannou, I. and Serafeim, G., 2014. Corporate social responsibility and access to finance.StrategicManagement Journal,35(1), pp.1-23. Crane, A., Matten, D. and Spence, L.J., 2013. Corporate social responsibility in a global context. Dhaliwal, D.S., Radhakrishnan, S., Tsang, A. and Yang, Y.G., 2012. Nonfinancial disclosure and analyst forecast accuracy: International evidence on corporate social responsibility disclosure.The Accounting Review,87(3), pp.723-759. Flammer, C., 2013. Corporate social responsibility and shareholder reaction: The environmental awareness of investors.Academy ofManagement Journal,56(3), pp.758-781. Hilson, G., 2012. Corporate Social Responsibility in the extractive industries: Experiences from developing countries.Resources Policy,37(2), pp.131-137. Jiraporn, P., Jiraporn, N., Boeprasert, A. and Chang, K., 2014. Does corporate social responsibility (CSR) improve credit ratings? Evidence from geographic identification.Financial Management,43(3), pp.505-531. Low, K.C. and Ang, S.L., 2012. Confucian leadership and corporate social responsibility (CSR), the way forward. Moser, D.V. and Martin, P.R., 2012. A broader perspective on corporate social responsibility research in accounting.The Accounting Review,87(3), pp.797-806. Tang, Z., Hull, C.E. and Rothenberg, S., 2012. How corporate social responsibility engagement strategy moderates the CSRfinancial performance relationship.Journal of Management Studies,49(7), pp.1274-1303.