How to Survive a Winter Storm or Blizzard

How to Survive a Winter Storm or Blizzard Knowing how to survive a blizzard or other winter storm is a crucial, (though hopefully unused) bit of knowledge everyone should know. There are multiple types of winter storms and each can be deadly killers.  Imagine being snowed in  or being stranded in a car during a blizzard. Would you know how to survive? This advice could save your life. How to Survive a Winter Storm Outside: Seek some form of shelter immediately. Blowing winds can cause the wind chill to reduce your core body temperature to dangerous levels. The risk of frostbite and hypothermia increase every minute you are exposed to the cold weather.If you are wet, try to get dry. Lighting a small fire will not only provide warmth but will enable your clothing to dry out.Deep snow can actually act as an insulation from the wind and cold temperatures. Digging a snow cave can actually save your life.Stay hydrated, but DO NOT eat snow.  (Because your body must heat the ice in order to melt it into water, youd actually lose heat.) If you do get your water from snow, make sure to melt it before  drinking it. (For example, use  a heating source or indirect body heat like a canteen inside your coat, but not directly next to your  skin.)   In a Car or Truck: Never leave your  vehicle. If you are stranded, it will offer  a form of protection from overexposure to the cold. A single person walking through the snow is also harder to find than a stranded car or truck.It is okay to run the car for short periods to provide some heat. Remember to crack the windows a small amount to allow for the circulation of fresh air. Dangerous exhaust fumes, including carbon monoxide, can build up very quickly. This is especially true if the tailpipe is buried in the snow.Keep yourself moving. A car offers little room for you to keep your blood flowing, but exercise is a must. Clap your hands, stomp your feet, and move around as much as possible at least once an hour. In addition to keeping your body moving, keep your mind and spirit from getting down, depressed, or overly stressed.Make the car visible for a rescue. Hang bits of bright colored cloth or plastic from the windows. If the snow has stopped falling, open the hood of the car as a signal of dist ress. At Home: If the electricity goes out, use an alternative form of heat with caution. Fireplaces and kerosene heaters can be dangerous without proper ventilation. Keep children away from any alternative heat source.Stick to one room for heat and close off unnecessary rooms in the house. Make sure there are no air leaks in the room. Keep sunlight streaming through the windows in the day, but cover  all windows at night to keep warm air in and cold outside air out.Keep hydrated and nourished in case the heat is out for an extended period of time. An unhealthy body will be more susceptible to the cold than a healthy one.Pets must also be protected from the cold. When temperatures drop below freezing, outdoor pets should be moved indoors or to a sheltered area to protect them from the cold. Other Tips for Winter Weather Safety Always have a winter weather emergency kit available. While these can be purchased, its always best to  create your own emergency kit for your home and your car to tailor it to the weather hazard. If you have small children, remember to actually practice using the kits. In the event of a winter emergency, kids should know where the kit is located and how to use it. In addition to having a winter safety kit, all family members should be able to recognize the signs of hypothermia and basic first aid treatment for cold exposure. Finally, if your region is prone to winter storms of any type, consider buying  a weather radio so that no matter youre always plugged into the latest forecast. Multiple types of winter weather advisories each have their own dangers. You might  also like to check out these additional winter weather resources: 5 Ways to Keep Warm in Cold Winter WeatherWinter precipitation: snow, sleet, and freezing rainWhat is a noreaster?Whats a lake effect snowstorm? Updated by Tiffany Means References A Guide to Survival from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - National Weather Service Warning and Forecast Branch,  November 1991 NOAA/FEMA/The American Red Cross

Studying, Travels and Fun in Denmark!

Studying, Travels and Fun in Denmark! We continue discussing the topic of studying abroad, as there is so much yet to say. Today our interviewee is Ally Flessel. She studies Biology and English at Bucknell University and went for a semester abroad to Denmark, Copenhagen. Did she get some other impressions from this country than our previous interviewees Judy Su and Ellen Wall? Lets find that out! Ally, you decided to aply for DIS program. Why? What major benefits of studying abroad did you see for yourself? Studying abroad is an amazing experience that I would not give up for anything else in my college career. First, it taught me how to adapt to new culture and new people. Such programs are filled with students from all over the US, so you need to learn how to step up and meet new people, even if they are American. Secondly, studying abroad motivated me to come back to college for my senior year with a level of energy many of my friends are missing. I was excited to be back at school and in a familiar environment with my friends I have not seen for over a year. I think it is also important for students to face real world problems away from the comforts of friends and family. Independence is one of the things I gained the most of abroad. I feel confident in my ability to take care of myself no matter what challenged I may face. By the way, Ally had a different situation with accomodation from the two previously interviewed students. She didnt rent a flat or live with a host family. Instead, she was living in  the largest DIS Residential Community with 110 other DIS students. Due to a roommate mix up she was living all by herself, so probably, she didnt face that annoying-roommate-makes-noise-and-I-cant-concentrate-on-studying kind of problem. Lets move on straight to your studying. What courses did you take in Denmark? I had Immunology (for my Biology major at Bucknell), Hans Christian Anderson Literature, Sociology of the Family, and Danish Language. I was also in the Medical Practices and Policies (MPP) Core. So you took a challenge to learn Danish? Did you have a chance to practice in live conversations with Danes? Danish classes were great and absolutely enhanced my experience. However, everyone in Copenhagen speaks English! For example, when my classmates and I would try to practice our Danish and order coffee the baristas would always respond in English. Danes are not accustomed to foreigners trying to learn their language so they are not very good at understanding accents and typically switch to English if they encounter this. And you didnt feel the language barrier? There were only two times when not knowing Danish was burdensome. First, when I was with my Danish visiting family. I would not be able to follow along in conversations they were having; usually they spoke English because I was around, but once in a while I had to follow stories based off of body language. And second was eading the signs.All of them are in Danish and asking someone to meet you at a location you cannot pronounce is pretty tricky. What kind of writing assignments did you get? What were the most interesting topics? I had an English course on Hans Christian Andersen so I wrote a paper about his works. I also took a course called Sociology of the Family and wrote a paper about different family structures. Have you noticed the difference between US and Danish education systems? Of course, there are some differences. In Denmark, taxes cover education costs, and once turning 18 students are actually paid to attend school. Teenagers attend â€Å"high school† until approximately age 19. Often students take a gap year (or two) before starting at University. The biggest difference I learned about was the specificity of education in University. While I attend a liberal arts college and could have any major before applying to medical school, in Denmark students apply to university as medical students and begin studying to be a doctor right away. The students stressed that it is important to know what one wants to do prior to starting University because the education is very specific compared to the US norm. Another big difference is the language requirement. Students begin taking English in the 2nd grade and continue taking it throughout their â€Å"undergraduate† career. They also pick up either French or German around 7th grade. And what about free time? How do Danish students spend it? The Danish students I knew spent their time at school, after school activities, such as sports, and at jobs. They were all really busy during the week and did not have much free time. When they did they usually hung out with their friends and went out to clubs or parties. What about your free time? Did you lack it as well when studying in Denmark? Very much the other way, a major challenge for me was having a lot of free time and not knowing how to use it. My housing was outside of the center of Copenhagen, so as I got more comfortable with the city I began exploring my local area after classes. It is challenging to meet new people and ask them to explore with you when you first arrive in a new place. The most memorable moments of your Denmark life period The most memorable moment of my time in Denmark was with my visiting family. The youngest son had turned 13 and I went to an amusement park with their family for the day to celebrate. After visiting the park we went to their cousin’s house for dinner. There were three different families with children of all ages, so after dinner we sat down and watched a movie on netflix. I picked out White Chicks because no one had seen it and I thought the teenagers would enjoy it. What was most memorable was how we actually watched the movie: A few minutes into the movie I realized that although the older children were all fluent in English, and the film had Danish subtitles, the youngest children did not yet know how to read, or at least read quickly enough to watch a movie via subtitles. The 16 year old daughter read the subtitles out loud for the entire film so that her younger cousins could understand what was happening. I realized how lucky I am to have movies readily available to me and easily accessible to all English speakers. I was amazed at how complex watching a movie as a family could be. Your advice for the students who want to study abroad I would advise trying to immerse yourself into the culture as much as possible. I was nervous about doing a homestay and never really pursued meeting Danes my age. Taking Danish and meeting with my visiting family once a week completely made my experience, so I can only imagine how much more I would have gotten out of my experience had I dug slightly deeper into the culture. Are you ready to follow the advice of our charming interviewee and consider studying abroad? Or maybe you have any questions to ask? Write comments and share your opinions here!

The Masses should no longer trust the photographs and film in the Essay

The Masses should no longer trust the photographs and film in the strategic communications of a Modern State that is able to use sophisticated technology to alter images - Essay Example This paper argues that the masses should no longer trust the photographs and film in the strategic communications of a Modern State that is able to use sophisticated technology to alter images. The media could have their own private agenda other than showing unbiased visuals. They could be influenced or coerced by politics and economic considerations in order to mislead the viewer. It would be interesting to define the difference between influencing and manipulating. The former term does not necessarily denote a negative tone as per the meaning given in the Oxford dictionary. The term primarily means the capacity of an individual or organization regarding an effect on character, behavior or outlook. It could be either positive or negative. But manipulation, according to the same dictionary indicates cleverness or unscrupulous intent. So any, manipulation of media images and movies could be construed as having a personal agenda, so as to mislead the viewer into believing the wrong scenario or situation. One of the main areas of media manipulation is political in nature. â€Å"The media is manipulated in all manners, for example through professional public relations (PR), and covert and overt government propaganda which disseminates propaganda as news. What are often deemed as credible news sources can often knowingly or unknowingly be pushing political agendas and propaganda†. (Shah). The author provides the example of video news releases (VNR). These clips are created by public relations firms and agencies and integrated into actual news broadcasts. TV stations then add these VNRs into their news time broadcasts thereby fooling the public that it is a live telecast. Shah adds that VNRs are used not only by government agencies, but also by companies who have the financial clout and influence to get their point across. It could be for the purpose of building brand

Introduce what the Hurricane is to element school students Essay

Introduce what the Hurricane is to element school students - Essay Example to 600 miles across and have strong winds spiraling inward and upward at speeds of 75 to 200 mph.† This kind of weather usually enters what is called an Area of Responsibility and lasts sometimes for more than a week because it is passing over the open ocean at the slow speed of 10-20 miles per hour. It usually moves in a counter-clockwise direction over the warm ocean waters in the Northern Hemisphere, but then moves clockwise when it is in the Southern Hemisphere. While the hurricane is passing over the warm water, it starts to gather heat and energy with the help of water evaporation which also increases the power of the storm. Remember our grandparents often telling us that there is a â€Å"lull before the storm†? That is exactly what happens before a hurricane unleashes its deadly winds and water over the population of an area. The â€Å"eye† of the storm is what our grandparents normally describe to us which is known to have light winds and fair weather. But the minute the storm hits land, this calm is replaced by heavy rain, strong winds, and large waves that come crashing onto land. This is what destroys our surroundings. The hurricane, which is known as a typhoon in the Western Pacific, tends to dissipate or disappear by weakening and drying up once it passes over large and long bodies of land. It dies because the storm feeds on warmth and water, without it, the storm will not be able to exist. Not all hurricanes are created equally though. That is why the Saffir Simpson Hurricane Scale helps our weather professionals determine the strength of the hurrican before it hits land. the warnings range from the lowest wind speed of Category 1 all the way to the destructive Category 5 hurricane. However, a hurricane is destructive regardless of the category because the destruction will rely mostly upon the areas hit and what hazards exist in that area (What is a Hurricane?). In the United States, we have what is called a Hurricane Season that lasts from May

Homeworkunit 3 Sandwich Blitz Essay Example for Free

Homeworkunit 3 Sandwich Blitz Essay Sandwich Blitz, Inc. opened its doors for business October 15, 2004 and now consists of eight locations. It specializes in organically grown food ingredients, upscale breakfast and healthy beverages. The President and CEO, Dalman Smith and Vice President and CFO, Lei Lee are the sole owners. Dalmon and Lei are wishing to expand the business, but first they need to conduct a SWOT analysis to determine the strengths, weakness, opportunities and possible threats involved in the expansion. Sandwich Blitz, Inc. has several strengths; they have shown a positive track record of ROI of 30% for 2011. They have their own training center and are able to provide specialized training to their managers as well as hourly employees. Additionally, they have been able to obtain small prime pieces of property at low costs to erect their small but suitable prefabricated buildings. Lastly, they have shown that they have been successful in expansion, expanding seven additional locations since 2004. An area of weakness that Dalmon and Lei need to review is the lack of time they currently have to devote to expanding their business. Dalmon is busy dealing with issues at the eight locations and Lei is swamped with financial matter. Dalmon and Lei need to consider hiring a district manager to help oversee the current eight locations. They are also vulnerable to other competitors copying their specialized ingredients due to lacking private label branding and need to take action to rectify that opportunity. Sandwich Blitz has several opportunities. They need to stick to the basics and provide a customer what they expect and that is quality, fresh and healthy products. Customer’s wants to know that they can expect the same product at each Sandwich Blitz location, so consistent food recipes and procedures are vital for all locations to follow. To help increase the customer diversity and base, Sandwich Blitz needs to provide new and innovative products. They also need to get with the times and start utilizing social media to help drive sales. The possibility of new franchise operations with similar products moving into the area is a large threat for Sandwich Blitz. The decrease in sales from two high generating locations can substantially affect revenues. Cannibalizing their current locations is a possible threat if they erect another building too close to an existing Sandwich Blitz. Damon and Lei need to analysis their targeted area to ensure it will not affect their current businesses. They need to review all the SWOT data  before they make any drastic decisions.

Television and Media Essay - TV, Violence, and Censorship :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics

Television, Violence and Censorship Society has been bombarded with violence from the beginning of time. These concerns about violence in the media have been around way before television was even introduced. Nevertheless, there have been numerous studies, research, and conferences done over the years on television, but the issue still remains. Researchers do acknowledge that violence portrayed on television is a potential danger. One issue is clear though, our focus on television violence should not take attention away from other significant causes of violence in our country such as: drugs, inadequate parenting, availability of weapons, unemployment, etc. It is hard to report on how violent television effects society, since television affects different people in different ways. There is a significant problem with violence on television that we as a society are going to have to acknowledge and face. First it was newspapers that were thought to cause juvenile crime. Then in the 1920's the movie screen rolled around, and its violent content alarmed many. Following World War II, violence and brutality in comic books was a huge concern in our society. Then came the television, a staple in American households around 1960. Once the television was introduced a lot of questions were raised over what effect this might have on children. Would it corrupt them, or make them more able to deal with the real world around them? Would it change their behavioral patterns? Would it help or hinder their development? As early as 1958 investigations were being conducted of the effects of television on children. During this time, the researchers found that most of the television content was extremely violent. In almost half of the television hours monitored, the programs main focus contained violence. The common theme that was seen throughout the programs were crime, shooting, fighting, and murder. The universal definition of violence used was, "Any overt depiction of the use of physical force, or the credible threat of such force, to intend to physically harm an animated being or group of beings." In this investigation, Wilbur Schramm concluded that under some conditions, some violent television could effect some children. For the most part, most television is neither helpful or harmful to most kids under most circumstances. As you can see this conclusion is quiet vague, and does not give a lot of crucial information for us to correct and improve. Schramm and his colleagues came up with a solution for parents to provide a warm, loving, secure family environment for their children, and they would have little to worry about.

Promote Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Essay

1.Be able to promote equality and diversity in work with young people. 1.1Identify the current legislation and code of practice relevant to the promotion of equality and valuing of diversity. SEN code of practice 2001 This act was created to strengthen the rights of SEN children and their parents to a mainstream education. The act was designed to make a difference to the education of SEN children by allowing them to have access to the educational facilities available all children. This is done by offering support tailored to the needs of the individual and their families whilst taking the opinion and wishes of the child into account with regards to any decisions made. It focuses on the need for a partnership between the child, their parents, teachers, agencies involved in their care; with the need for regular reviews and progress reports. Educational act 2002- 2006 The educational act is designed to set out the responsibilities of the heads of all school environments, local educational authorities and governors and to ensure that all children are provided a safe environment. The act is continuously update and in 2002 revisions were made with regards to the responsibilities placed on governors and staff. In 2006 further amendments were made to emphasise the duty of schools to promote community cohesion by working with other community organisations. A good example of this is â€Å"pop in†, set up by the school and the chapel in Marshchapel, where students and elderly members of the community meet up on a weekly basis to have lunch and share stories. Data protection act 1998 This at was written with regards to the keeping and storing of records and data and it regulates the sharing of information. The act concerns both paper and electronic data. Any organisation which collects or stores information must be registered with the data protection commission and the information they collect must only be used for the purpose which it was intended. To protect the information given by individuals data must remain on site in a locked cabinet or a password protected computer and must only  be share with the consent of the individual. Freedom of information act 2000 This act of the UK parliament defines the ways in which members of the public may gain access to government held information. The act creates a right of access when requested by an individual to information held by public authorities, promoting openness and transparency whilst minimising the risk of harm to any individual entity. Equality act 2010 The act is a consolidation of the numerous arrays of complicated anti-discrimination acts and regulations already present in the UK. The main bodies of legislation incorporated into the act include the Equal Pay Act 1970, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. It focuses on strengthening the rights of all individuals regardless of age, disability, gender (with special protections put in place for pregnant women), relationship status, race, sexual orientation, religion or belief. With additional specifications put in place for disability that state employers and service providers are responsible for making modifications to their workplaces to overcome barriers experienced by disabled people. Children Act 1989 and 2004 The Children Act 1989 was designed to help keep children safe and well. It intends to help children to live with their family by providing services appropriate to the child’s needs. The act was updated in 2004 following the death of eight year old Victoria Climbie; its purpose was to make England a safer place for children and emphasised the importance of communication between agencies responsible for the welfare of children. It also included guidance specifically aimed towards the aid and welfare of disabled children. Every child matters 2003 Following the death of Victoria Climbie the government produced a paper titled Every Child Matters with the aim that every child, regardless of their background or circumstances should have access to the support they need. Below is the mission statement from that report. Every Child Matters, 2003 Be healthyEnjoying good physical and mental health and living a healthy lifestyle Stay safeBeing protected from harm and neglect Enjoy and achieveGetting the most out of life and developing the skills for adulthood Make a positive contributionBeing involved with the community and society and not engaging in anti-social or offending behaviour Achieve economic  well-beingNot being prevented by economic disadvantage from achieving their full potential Race relations act 1976 and 2000 This act makes it illegal for school to discriminate, directly or indirectly. They are expected to provide the same opportunities to all children and to improve academic developments across the board. Schools are required to have their own race equality policy which is linked into an action plan and must promote equal opportunities and improved relationships between racial groups 1.2Explain the importance of promoting the rights of all children and young people to participation and equality of access. It is essential that all children have full access to all areas of education to allow them to fully develop in every way possible. There is much legislation in practice to aid this including every child matters, the SEN code of practice and the disability discrimination act. Schools are required to allow every child to follow an individual learning plan catered specifically to their personal needs. In addition to this all children have the right to an equal education in a mainstream school with the opportunities to play and learn together. There must be no discrimination for any reason towards any members of staff, parents or pupils. This attitude towards inclusivity not only promotes better development both academically and socially but is also a more efficient use of resources. Each school must have a code of practice in place containing information relating to equal opportunities and a policy concerning the schools practices surrounding special educational needs to protect and benefit all students and staff. Schools should focus on the individual needs of all students and allow opportunities for them to become integrated with not only their peers but the local community. There are  certain groups that may be more vulnerable to exclusion or segregation. These groups include families who hold English as a second language, students who are gifted and talented or are new to the school. In addition to these, families who are of a cultural or ethnic minority, parents whose views and values differ from that of the school or looked after children may also be susceptible to various forms of exclusion. It is important that we are mindful to treat all individuals the same regardless of their beliefs, capabilities or background. Children, staff and parents with special educational needs can often be exposed to exclusion and unintentional segregation. It is vital that resources are put in place to enable all individuals to be fully included in every aspect of life and that all opportunities are available to them. 1.3Explain the importance and benefits of valuing and promoting cultural diversity in work with children and young people. Promoting cultural diversity at an early age and exposing children to a vast array of beliefs will benefit them greatly as this knowledge will prevent them from becoming single minded. Educating children about cultural differences will enable them develop a mutual respect for all beliefs and will show them that all cultures including their own are valued. Knowing this will allow children to feel settled and secure within their environment. Schools are encouraged to implement a number of strategies to ensure that families from all cultural backgrounds feel welcome, regardless of their beliefs or background. These include: Without these methods of exploring and celebrating a diverse range of cultures and beliefs children may become closed off to the views of others. Children and families who are in the minority may feel segregated or excluded. Children who feel this way may then develop feelings of anxiousness and unease, which in turn will have an adverse effect on their ability to socialise and their academic development. 1.4Interact with children and young people in a way that values diversity and respects cultural, religious and ethnic differences. Observed in Setting 1.5Demonstrate ways of applying the principles of equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice in your own work with children and young people. In my working environment I come into contact with children from a variety of different social and cultural backgrounds. There are many families with differing and varied beliefs, which are celebrated and respected by staff, children and their families alike. All children have the right to attend school and must be given the opportunity to be included in every aspect of school life. In cases where children have additional needs lessons and activities must be modified to give them the same opportunities as their peers. This may include the use of additional resources or equipment specific to the learners needs. Sometimes it may be necessary to seek addition training to aid and enrich the learning opportunities of a child, for example learning makaton, how to use braille or PECS (picture exchange communication system) which can be useful to communicate with children who have a wide range of communication differences including autism. Sometimes additional support may be all a child requires, or simply the time to learn and complete tasks at their own pace. A child using PECS to request a desired item Simply put, anti-discriminatory practice is creating an environment where nobody experiences discrimination regardless of factors such as their race, gander, ability, culture or ethnicity. It is the ability to give fair treatment and equal learning opportunities to all individuals. To practice this in my school and classroom I must ensure I treat those around me with trust and respect. Children who witness this positive attitude and the relationships it creates will mimic my behaviour and in turn will be able to create their own open and positive relationships. It is vital that I celebrate the differences and similarities between all people in our diverse society and actively practice this in my daily life and the way I treat others. If I become aware of discriminatory comments or actions made by others I must challenge this and where necessary report it to the appropriate person.

Summary and Analysis of two EEOC laws

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) is The United States Government enforcement mechanism for Federal legislation regarding discrimination in the workplace. Two recent Acts of Congress under the management of the EEOC have particularly wide-ranging effects and potential effects for the American people. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 is considered a landmark Act and a platform for future legislation of its type. The Genetic Nondiscrimination Act 2008 is part of a continuing line of anti-discrimination legislation.Its full impact probably will not be seen for decades to come but its potential impact in closing a new avenue for discrimination is great. As Federal Acts these laws instantly have more impact than any pre-existing state laws. They set nationwide standards for businesses, labor unions and employment agencies. A business cannot relocate itself in a state where anti-discrimination laws are less strict or where enforcement is lax. Individuals can exp ect the same rights and protections nationwide, except in cases where certain industries have been granted exceptions for safety or national security reasons.Traditionally, the Federal government has been hesitant to regulate private business. In the case of discrimination it has made exceptions when it became clear that discrimination was either unconstitutional, hurting national productivity, or both. The Civil Rights Movement was a catalyst for much of the anti-discrimination legislation we regard as commonplace today. Background The social upheaval of the 1960s triggered substantial changes in American law. Those changes were mirrored in actions of the United States Congress and Judiciary.An increasing emphasis on the securing of individual rights for all Americans led to a series of new laws crafted especially to protect historically discriminated against minorities. Laws designed to even economic and societal playing fields for African-Americans and women were enacted in the 1 960s and 70s. In the 1980s and 90s new laws focused on the rights of the disabled. About the same time individual privacy concerns came to the forefront. In this scientific and technological age, personal information is more readily available than ever. Genetic information could be spread widely in the blink of an eye.This information could then be used in discriminatory ways. Researchers worry that a new spectrum of discrimination has been opened up based on a person's genetic potential to become ill. A perceived genetic black mark could effectively label a person in much the same way as minorities, women and the disabled have been labeled in the past. Three laws: The Civil Rights Act of 1964, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Genetic Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) are part of a continuum of nondiscrimination laws designed to mitigate the effects of such labeling or prevent it all together.The latter two laws were essentially a product of the first. Th ose two laws will be analyzed here. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) This Act came about from a growing cultural realization that people with physical disabilities have every right to full participation in American society. In many cases their contributions are equal or greater than able-bodied citizens. Instead of being seen as an embarrassment or a drag on society, they should be seen as valuable assets that should be cultivated rather than wasted.Historically speaking, the disabled were not accommodated in this purpose. Instead they were excluded from employment and many of the other functions of the American society. This exclusion was often based on erroneous assumptions about the capabilities of disabled people, the reticence of others to accept them, etc. Framed in the legal context, the question was whether American society and government were systematically violating the constitutional rights of the disabled by not guaranteeing an equal playing field.Disabl ed individuals already have much to overcome. Allowing discrimination to make their lives all the more difficult was morally wrong and, eventually, unconstitutional as well. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 piggybacked upon the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and several other laws. It attempted to codify, in clear terms, the rights of the individual disabled citizen as well as the rights and responsibilities of various agencies, governmental organizations and private businesses dealing with the physically disabled. Purposes (ADA)The Congress of The United States has determined that â€Å"Census data, national polls, and other studies have documented that people with disabilities, as a group, occupy an inferior status in our society and are severely disadvantaged socially, vocationally and educationally† (United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 1990). Given those realities the potential impact of anti-discriminatory legislation is enormous. In some cases pr eventing discrimination is as simple as removing physical barriers. In other cases it requires a long-term attitude readjustment in opinions about the disabled and what they can or cannot do.Discrimination has also occurred because businesses have irrational fears about what it will cost them to have employees with disabilities. This Act is designed to clarify what businesses can and cannot do in regard to the disabled. In a clarified landscape businesses can effectively keep costs down. The subtitle of the act describes its purpose this way: â€Å"To establish a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability† (United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 1990).In its statement of Findings and Purposes the Congress concluded that disabled people have suffered unjust discrimination and needless denial of opportunity. This discrimination has effectively relegated the disabled to â€Å"second class citizen† status in the United States. Modern medicine and recognition of the accomplishments of disabled Americans has led to a shift in perspective. In the past, qualified students were excluded from education by outdated attitudes or because of something as simple as physical barriers. The same was true in employment.When disabled Americans were not plugged into these two critical facets of life, they would often end up excluded from society as a whole. In addition to being the â€Å"right thing to do†; this act is the result of a simple cost-benefit analysis. The cost of making attitude adjustments and simple accommodations pales in comparison to the potential societal benefits of having disabled people fully participating in society (Pickering, 2000). In addition to justifying the act based on evidence of past discrimination, the Congress also notes the financial toll of discrimination on the basis of disability.Individuals suffer the costs of not having an equal chance to make a living. Society then suffers as well because many become dependent on government and other aid when equal opportunity might have made this unnecessary. Thirdly, the nation loses the productivity that many disabled people are capable of. Provisions (ADA) This act regulates what companies may and may not consider in the hiring, firing and promotion of employees with disabilities. Disabled employees cannot be classified as such if it, in any way, unfairly hinders their chances of success at the corporation.The fact that the employee has a physical disability cannot be the deciding factor in whether or not an employee is hired or promoted, except under a very narrow set of criteria. Disabled employees are entitled to equal opportunity and equal pay for equal work. Reasonable accommodations must be made for the disabled employee wherever necessary. â€Å"Reasonable† is a term that is subject to ongoing interpretation. In some cases it can mean something simple as adding a wheelchair ramp or widening a bathroom door.In other cases it can mean an alteration in the job itself. Employers have some leeway in this area. Courts have ruled that when accommodations would cause a â€Å"disparate† hardship on the company it may be granted a waiver from the â€Å"reasonable accommodations† standard. During the application phase, the employer may not ask about disabilities except in the context of the applicant's ability to perform job-related tasks. If there is a pre-employment testing process the employer must make reasonable accommodations for each applicant to take the test.Medical tests can be done on a voluntary basis. The results can only be used for hiring/firing decisions when a clear inability to do the job is apparent. The employee also may not be coerced or retaliated against when requesting accommodations mandated under this act. This prohibition also applies to any employee or other individual who may have helped a disabled person exercise their rights. Notices of this act must be posted by emplo9yers agencies and labor unions in an easily accessible place for employees to read.Enforcement of the Act is handled by the Office of the Attorney General of the United States and The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Sub agencies like The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and others may become involved if a particular case warrants. The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA) By the turn of the twenty-first century a great deal of legislation aimed at securing the rights of minorities, women and the disabled had been enacted and had passed constitutional scrutiny. Meanwhile, a new technological age was emerging.The world was rapidly becoming more interconnected. The science of genetics was also experiencing explosive progress. A new and nearly infallible method of identifying specific people animals and plants was discovered and refined. Genetic testing of individuals has been around for a while. In recent years this testing has become more refined, more widely available and less expensive. This type of testing can identify genes or gene disorders that are associated with a wide array of health conditions. This does not mean that the person will get the condition; it only means that the potential is there.In 2008 Congress acted upon public worries that genetic testing and information could be used for discriminatory purposes. Employers might try to use genetic information for hiring, firing and promotion purposes. Insurers might also use that information for denial of coverage, rate changes or other purposes. In contrast with the ADA (1990), the Genetic Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 is an attempt to target potential discrimination before it becomes widespread. In addition to protecting the rights of individuals this Act is designed to create a friendlier environment for medical and scientific research.According to Hudson, Holohan and Collins, â€Å"Along with the benefits it provide s to individuals, the new law should have positive effects on the fields of clinical research and health care delivery† (2010). Purposes (GINA) The stated purpose of this Act is: â€Å"To prohibit discrimination on the basis of genetic information with respect to health insurance and employment† (United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 2008). This is similar to the purpose stated in the ADA. Because of the nature of genetic science enforcement methods differ. Discrimination in this area can have wise-ranging effects.Hudson et al. Also believe that genetic discrimination has had a chilling effect on potential research subjects. â€Å"Fear of genetic discrimination has also put a damper on patients' willingness to consider genetic tests†¦ or to have the results of such tests included in their medical records† (Hudson, Holohan and Collins, 2010). After fourteen years of Congressional debate GINA was finally passed in 2008. During the time this Ac t was under consideration, a number of states enacted their own laws on genetic testing and the transfer and usage of genetic information.As the genetic science industry grew many of those laws have been repealed however. This triggered a renewed effort by the Congress to pass a set of uniform standards. In theory, genes are neutral indicators of human beings. In practice genetic information can be used for de facto discrimination against individuals. Provisions (GINA) In section 1 of the Act, The Employee Retirement Security Act of 1974 was amended to provide additional protection against genetic-based discrimination. Insurance companies may not set group premium rates based on disease potententiality identified through genetic testing.Insurers can take into consideration diseases that have already manifested themselves in the group population. Heath plans may not require genetic testing as a policy condition. Under a narrow set of circumstances they can request genetic testing if it can assist in clarifying the health situation of a certain individual. It cannot request or mandate testing of the entire group. A genetic test is defined as: â€Å"an analysis of human DNA, RNA, chromosomes, proteins or metabolites that detects genotypes, mutations or chromosomal changes† (United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 2008).Fines for noncompliance begin at $100 daily for each employee. For example, if ten employees were mandated or coerced into genetic testing as a condition of maintaining insurance coverage, the federal government would levy a $1000 fine to the insurer retroactive to the time the coercion began. For violations more serious than de minims, the fines are higher. Genetic information may not be used for eligibility, maintenance of policy or as a pre-existing condition. Employers must comply with many of the same restrictions on genetic testing.Hiring, promotion and firing decisions cannot be based on genetic information. Also the em ployer may not acquire or purchase genetic information about an employee without specific written permission. Even when permission is given all other restrictions still apply. Similar requirements also apply to employment agencies and labor organizations. One notable exception exists for labor organizations. If the purpose is to monitor the effects of toxins in the workplace, the collecting of genetic information may be allowable if certain requirements are met.The employees must be notified and provided with individual results; and the actions must be compliant with OSHA, the provisions of this Act and any other federal laws. Section 206 of this Act addresses confidentiality, an issue of growing concern for many Americans. The Act strengthens confidentiality standards set forth in state and federal legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Under this Act remedies and enforcem ent vary according to the type of violation and which statute the employee is covered under.Analysis and Conclusion These are two Acts of Congress which may appear different on their face. They were enacted nearly twenty years apart. One targets a legacy of past behavior while the other is preventive in nature. One is based on very human issues while the other is concerned with the cutting-edge of science. Despite their differences, the two laws boil down to one issue of concern to every American – discrimination. These acts are part of a continuum not to create equality but to ensure equal opportunity. These laws are recognition of two of the greatest strengths of America.This nation grew from humble seeds by expanding opportunity, over time, to those would not have received it before. The contributions of those citizens then fueled America's rise to power. Secondly, the Acts are indicative of a nation's willingness to right its past wrongs. This has been done many times in the history of the nation. Making these changes is not always easy, but it is necessary for the continued growth of the country. The impact of The Genetic Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 remains to be seen. It is very likely that as genetic science continues to grow the law will need to evolve.Its ability to do so will be the measure of its ultimate impact. It will be a challenge for the law to keep up. In 1995, there were about 300 genetic tests for diseases and conditions. Most of these tests were done in the context of scientific research and were not readily available to the public. Today over 1500 tests are available. They are much more widely accessible and cover a wide range of conditions from rare to commonplace. The Genetic Nondiscrimination Act puts the scientific community on notice by setting privacy and ethical standards and creating an enforcement apparatus.The safeguards in this Act may ultimately benefit science by making citizens more willing to participate in researc h. More importantly, it potentially closes doors to an entirely new and damaging form of discrimination. There are potential financial benefits as well. According to Hudson, Holohan and Collins â€Å"It will accelerate research†¦ and allow Americans to finally realize the benefits and health care savings offered by gene-based medicine† (2010). This act is an early step for preventing discrimination in a burgeoning field. It is not comprehensive though.The safety and reliably of genetic tests is one potential area for future regulation. Marketing of genetic testing services is another. When Congress considers regulatory acts of this nature there are many factors to take into consideration. It must consider effects and potential effects on a wide array of stakeholders. Preventing discrimination on one group without causing discrimination or undue hardship on another is a narrow line to walk. The ADA and GINA have made progress in preventing unjust and unnecessary discrimin ation.The ADA has brought a large population of people out of society's shadows. The Act will become all the more important as people can now live longer and be productive with disabilities. Our aging population also means that the law will impact an increasingly large group of people. The Genetic Nondiscrimination Act shares philosophical similarities with the ADA and The Civil Rights Act of 1964. Discrimination, whether based on race, disability or genetic makeup is not true to the United States' Constitution. As a result of these laws individuals and society will benefit socially and economically.America itself will benefit by having the contributions of the citizens' affected. The nation benefits when the largest possible majority of its citizens enjoy the individual right to maximize potential. In a dynamic society, Congress will need to revisit and amend these laws in perpetuity in order to fulfill their true promise. References Hudson, Kathy, M. K. Holohan and Frances Collins . (2010). â€Å"Keeping Pace with the Times: The Genetic Nondiscrimination Act of 2008†. NEJM. Retrieved May 29 from: http://content. nejm. org/cgi/content/full/358/25/2661Pickering, Francis. (2000). Americans with Disabilities: exploring implications of the law for individuals and institutions. New York: Routledge. United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). (2008). â€Å"The Genetic Nondiscrimination Act of 2008†. EEOC. Retrieved May 29, 2010 from: http://www. eeoc. gov/laws/statutes/gina. cfm United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). (1990). â€Å"Titles I and V of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990†. EEOC. Retrieved May 30, 2010 from: http://www. eeoc. gov/laws/statutes/ada. cfm

Networking Principles essays

Networking Principles essays One problem that I see with people today is that they are unaware what a computer network is. They might have heard of a computer network, but they are clueless as to how it works or why it works. People have basic questions that need to be answered. My goal is to give basic network information that will hopefully answer those questions. To give people an understanding about computer networks there are several areas that I must focus on. I will give definitions of some network jargon. Many people may have heard or seen these words, but never knew what they meant. Another part that is important is the history of networking. By giving a brief history of networking, this will give the reader a good foundation to start on. They need to know how networking came around and why it is such a big part of our lives today. Also, I will explain why it is important to understand networking. I will then explain what a network is made up. There is a lot of confusing hardware in a network, but it is relatively simple. Finally, I will tie everything together and explain how the network works. Before I go into detail about networking and all the hardware that networks are made up, I must define a few terms. I want people to know what a word means when they see it. Here are a few terms that I will have in my report as well as several other important ones. You can find these terms in the glossary of this report. The next thing that I am going to talk about is the history of networking. I am going to tell how networking came about and who was the first to experiment with it. I will also show some statistics about the Internet and it's growth. In the 1950s, there was no interaction between the users and their programs while they were running on the computers. No direct communications were involved. Jobs were brought to the machine to be run in a batch. In the 1960s, time-sharing brought about the first interactive access ...

Movies Adapted From James Patterson Books

Movies Adapted From James Patterson Books James Patterson is an American author best known for his compelling books. His works tend to fall into the young adult fiction, thriller, and romance categories. With such exciting plots, many of his books have been turned into movies. For James Patterson book fans interested in watching a movie adaptation, or for those who would rather experience a story through film rather than text, here is a list of James Patterson movies by year. Kiss the Girls (1997) The protagonist is Alex Cross, a sharp Washington D.C. cop, and forensic psychologist. His niece is kidnapped and held captive by a serial killer by the name of Cassanova. One of his victims who escaped, Kate, joins forces with Alex to find his niece.   Starring Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd, this crime-mystery thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat. Miracle on the 17th Green (1999) This sports drama revolves around the game of golf. Mitch loses his job, and rather than find another job at age 50, he decides to compete on the senior golf tour. But this decision affects his home life, as his wife and family start to feel neglected.   Along Came a Spider (2001) Another movie in the Alex Cross series, Morgan Freeman returns as the titular psychologist and detective. Alex loses his partner on the job. Experiencing insurmountable guilt, he retires from working in the field. That is until a senators daughter is kidnapped and the criminal will only deal with Alex. First to Die (2003) Homicide inspector Lindsay Boxer is dealing with a lot. In the case of her career, her team successfully captures a serial killer but she also finds herself falling for her partner. All the while, she is secretly handling a life-threatening disease. Suzannes Diary for Nicholas (2005) Christina Applegate stars as Dr. Suzanne Bedord in this romance-drama. Suzanne discovers the truth about her former lover in a round-about way- through the diary that his first wife wrote to their son.   Sundays at Tiffanys (2010) Jane is about to get married to TV star, Hugh. But not all is happy and well. In fact, Hugh is only using Jane to get a lead role in a movie and Janes mother is very controlling. Janes childhood imaginary friend, Michael, reappears in her life. In fact, Michael is a guardian angel that is sent to help neglected children until they turn 9-years-old. This is the first time Michael meets with one of his kids when they are adults.   Maximum Ride (2016) This action-thriller follows six kids, who arent really human. They are human-avian hybrids bred in a lab which they escaped from and now hide-out in the mountains. When the youngest is kidnapped, everyone else tries to get her back and learn secrets about their enigmatic past in the process.

Critically Analyzing Fire Investigation Difficulty Essay

Critically Analyzing Fire Investigation Difficulty - Essay Example This might be in relation to any criminal or any civil action. The word forensic is a derivation from the Latin adjective forensic, meaning "before or of the forum." In Romans times, a criminal charge would have meant presenting the case before a certain groups of public individuals in the forum. Both the accused and the accuser would give speeches of their sides of the story. The individual one with the best argument and delivery would have won the case. In modern use, the term "forensics" is closely associated with scientific field that is the word "forensics" is used with "forensic science". Fire Investigation one of the difficult studies Fire investigation also referred at times as the origin and cause investigation study is the examination of fire related incidents. It starts up once the fire is extinguished with the objective of piecing everything together to find out the real causes, bits of fire. Fire investigation is considered to be as one of the most difficult areas of the forensic sciences to practice. (Forensic Science information) However unlike most forensic disciplines, even the usual question of whether a crime has occurred is even not normally obvious. Moreover, the entire process of fire investigation needs to be undertaken just to find out if the case involves arson or not. Here the primarily difficulty of determining arson occurrence (or carrying out appropriate fire investigation) arises due to fire destroying most of the key evidences of its origin. Despite this school of thought, today we see the successful fire investigations being carried out. In the modern world today, forensic scientists have learnt to utilize tiny bits of what remains to find out the origin or the real cause of fire. In short... This paper approves that Forensic Scientists have observed that many people have only limited knowledge of forensic science works and tasks that it performs. It can therefore be concluded that though the fire investigation is perceived by people as one of the difficult area of forensic study but with the use of above methodologies and technologies the investigation becomes easy. As researches have proved the reliability of these methods, they could be used to draw on reliable analysis from any fire debris. This author of the paper talks that fire Investigation mainly refers to the origin and cause investigation of fire it is primarily the analysis of fire related incidents. After fire extinguishers or fire fighters extinguish a fire, an investigation is thereby launched to determine the origin along with the cause of the explosion and fire. Investigations in to such incidents demand a systematic approach and knowledge of fundamentals of fire science. Fire investigation also referred at times as the origin and cause investigation study is the examination of fire related incidents. This report makes a conclusion that this has brought much light in to studies which were often overlooked by Investigators. Identifications of such areas would help more once the arsenal case goes to trial. Once these samples have been gathered from the fire scene, these samples would be rechecked by the canine team before sealing the evidence container, to make sure proper evidence is collected because if only proper evidence is collected then only the result is good.