Free Essays on Losing Ground

Charles Murray’s third part of Losing Ground, which is accurately called â€Å"interpreting the data† explains how the information gathered is used and interpreted. It explains how the education system still fails to help its youth, with similar problems of the early seventies still unchanged. It also talks of the working poor and how they would receive more benefits in the 1970’s if the accepted welfare rather than work, then in the 1960’s. This was labeled as an incentive to fail. This stage of the book also explains why economic growth in the 1970’s was losing steam. â€Å"One reason that the economic growth in the 1970’s lost its power to reduce poverty was that many of the poor were without jobs. If one has no job, it makes no difference how much the economy grows, poverty remains.† The government was able to make a stronger Labor Department to jump on this crisis and see to it that it could better train people to find new jobs and to help the people attain jobs that it did. This was able to boost prosperity of the nation on a larger scale and to aid it as it turned over into a new decade and things were looking up and it was a big impact which people needed to see. â€Å"The bare fact that a cause-effect relationship links certain social policies to some of the trends we examined in part two has been established. It was most clearly established, oddly, in an ambitious attempt to discredit the notion that such links exist.† The above text deals with the chapter titled â€Å"The social scientists and the great experience.† In 1965 the social scientists began to reach out from the campuses to join in the excitement at the nation’s capital in Washington. The fourth and final stage of the book is entitled â€Å"rethinking social policy,† in which we find three chapters entitled ‘what do we want to accomplish,’ ‘the constraints on helping’ and ‘choosing a future.’ The first chapter explains the goals... Free Essays on Losing Ground Free Essays on Losing Ground Charles Murray’s third part of Losing Ground, which is accurately called â€Å"interpreting the data† explains how the information gathered is used and interpreted. It explains how the education system still fails to help its youth, with similar problems of the early seventies still unchanged. It also talks of the working poor and how they would receive more benefits in the 1970’s if the accepted welfare rather than work, then in the 1960’s. This was labeled as an incentive to fail. This stage of the book also explains why economic growth in the 1970’s was losing steam. â€Å"One reason that the economic growth in the 1970’s lost its power to reduce poverty was that many of the poor were without jobs. If one has no job, it makes no difference how much the economy grows, poverty remains.† The government was able to make a stronger Labor Department to jump on this crisis and see to it that it could better train people to find new jobs and to help the people attain jobs that it did. This was able to boost prosperity of the nation on a larger scale and to aid it as it turned over into a new decade and things were looking up and it was a big impact which people needed to see. â€Å"The bare fact that a cause-effect relationship links certain social policies to some of the trends we examined in part two has been established. It was most clearly established, oddly, in an ambitious attempt to discredit the notion that such links exist.† The above text deals with the chapter titled â€Å"The social scientists and the great experience.† In 1965 the social scientists began to reach out from the campuses to join in the excitement at the nation’s capital in Washington. The fourth and final stage of the book is entitled â€Å"rethinking social policy,† in which we find three chapters entitled ‘what do we want to accomplish,’ ‘the constraints on helping’ and ‘choosing a future.’ The first chapter explains the goals...

Canevin Theater

Canevin Theater Essay Canevin Catholic High School offers many extra curricular activities. Those students geared toward the physical challenges may choose from various athletic programs such as, basketball, soccer, and football. On the other hand, there are additional activities for those more interested in a mental challenge. These students may join such organizations anywhere from FBLA to Forensics. However, of all the extra curricular activities offered by Canevin, none excites me more than Dramatics. This paper takes a look at my last three years involvement in the annual musical productions here at Canevin. Traditionally, Canevins dramatics has been a full-scale musical production performed in the spring. Students may audition for chorus, acting or dancing parts or they may join one of the many stage crews. During freshman year, I tried out for the musical Working. Working depicted different careers through dialogue, song and dance. To my surprise, I made callbacks. When the cast list was posted, the role of Anthony Polazzo, the Mason, was awarded to me. After weeks of hard work and rehearsals, it was finally opening night. From that time on, I realized Dramatics was for me. The following year, the start-up meeting could not arrive fast enough for me. The play selected for my sophomore year was Damn Yankees. The musicals main character was Joe Hardy. Joe wanted so drastically to play baseball for the Washington Senators, that he was willing to sell his soul to the devil. When the cast list was posted this time, I was assigned to play the role of Mr. Welch. As owner of the Washington Se nators, I was expected to portray a prestigious and confident businessman who enjoyed his cigars. In one short year, I went from a mason in overalls, to a baseball team owner decked out in a suit and tie. Thats show business!Into the Woods was selected as the musical for the following year. The story line included various adaptations of traditional fairy tales. Well, if mason to owner wasnt extreme enough, what would you say about Cinderellas father? Junior year found me playing the character of an older man who marries for the second time, to a woman with two nagging daughters. In a house of four women, no wonder he resorted to drinking. Directed to use a silver flask as a prop and a fair amount of improvisation of libations, I portrayed the character of Cinderellas father as a drunk. When the final curtain came down closing night on Into the Woods, there was, however, one more performance still to come. This year Canevin had been nominated for 6 Gene Kelly Awards, including Best Musical in Budget Level 2. The Gene Kelly Awards sponsored by Pittsburghs Civic Light Opera recognizes students for excellence in High School musical theater. On the night of the awards, those schools nominated for Best Show perform on the Benedum stage a selection from their production. Extra rehearsals were scheduled, and a final practice with the Benedum orchestra was needed. I am proud to announce that Canevin was awarded the Gene Kelly for Best Costume Design and Best Musical in our division. Additionally, each year two students are asked to represent their school in a final production number. This prestigious honor is always given to two seniors. Unfortunately, this year, two of the practices fell during graduation activities. Since 5 rehearsals are mandatory, our director, Treva Rueso made her selections from the junior cast members. A fellow junior and I were ecstatic to be chosen to join members from all the participating schools in the final production number, Keep Your Eyes on the Goal. The plethora of ecstatic people applauding at the close of the Gene Kellys was phenomenal. It was indeed an honor to represent Canevin in this collaboration of students exercising their many talents. READ: Shakespeare is a well known author who wrote in th EssayI have experienced many gratifying moments in my years at Canevin, but few have been as electrifying as sharing with fellow cast and crew members their ability, courage, and commitment in creating the annual school musical. The Dramatic program continues to surprise its supporters with innovative musical theater. Through my experience in putting on a musical, I have learned what it means to work as a team. The camaraderie was intense and rewarding. I

Is Kitsch always ironic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Is Kitsch always ironic - Essay Example All the above descriptions of Kitsch should be regarded as just part of a greater framework. More specifically, Kitsch can be related with various aspects of modern life with a special reference to art (as already explained above). Current paper examines a particular aspect of Kitsch: Irony. This sense is mostly related with Kitsch as part of the art trends within a particular society. In other words, the relationship between Kitsch and Irony could be developed mainly in the greater field of art. Towards this direction, it is suggested by Hjort et al. (1997, 229) that ‘the very notion of "taste" in art necessitates the existence of "bad taste" and, consequently, bad art; but bad art comes in many varieties and is subject to different kinds of objections; there is sheer technical incompetence, just to begin with (although artistic inability as such is much less fatal than it used to be)’. The above descriptions of Kitsch could be considered as valid only if referring to a rt; in other parts of social and political life Kitsch would be considered to take different format in accordance with the conditions applied on each particular area. As already mentioned above, Kitsch can have many different aspects. In accordance with a definition given by the Dictionary of Art (London, 1998) ‘â€Å"Kitsch† has sometimes been used (for example, by Harold Rosenberg) to refer to virtually any form of popular art or entertainment, especially when sentimental; but though much popular art is cheap and crude, it is at least direct and unpretentious’. In accordance with the above, it is stated by Calinescu (1987, 260) that ‘seen as a lie, a kitsch work implies a close relationship and even a collaboration of sorts between the kitsch-artist and the kitsch-man; the latter wants to be "beautifully" lied to and the former is willing to play the game in exchange for financial gain;

Internal factor Evaluation on Michael Kors Company Essay

Internal factor Evaluation on Michael Kors Company - Essay Example Michael Kors Holdings Ltd has currently made the headlines in the best performing stocks in America, catching the attention of the financial analysts and the investors. In addition to its growing market share, the company has recorded high profits and a high stock price. This means that there are various things that the management of the company is doing right, which its competitors are missing. This paper will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of Michael Kors’ company as part of its internal factor evaluation in relation to the above ratings. Strengths Michael Kors’ company, a highly profitable company, has high revenue turnover as a result of increased sales volume. According to (Caplinger web), the fashion designer company has increasingly invested in its trendy fashions targeting the high end markets, which have in the recent 10 years translated into high profits for the company. The profitability of the company has been translated into high stock prices that ha ve jumped up to 60% in the current financial year. In comparison to the competitors, the company’s profitability performance is exemplary. While other companies in the design industry such as the biggest rival coach are making profits, the company’s management has maintained a high profitability trend in the market. Michael Kors has taken the advantage of the fashionable conditions in most parts of the design market to maximize on its profitability levels. The high demand for fashion wear in the North market has made the company pitch tent in the area, strategically placing most of its retail chain shops. Strategically placing its operations in the high end markets with a high demand for the products, the company has tapped into the potential markets and drawn more customers into its shops. Sales from the region have been high as revealed in the company’s financial reports that indicate a higher performance in comparison to that of the industry. To maximize in i ts profits, market diversification and production of clothes, Michael Kors has invested $88.2 million to fund its operations. This has translated into high profits for the company, as the current results reveal. Increased investor confidence in the company has subsequently drawn more capital investment into the company. Profitability ratios of the company can attest to this trend, with the Pre-Tax Margin of 27.98, which is higher than that of the industry which is at 16.35 (Marder web). Financial ratios of the company indicate growth, high profits and increased market share by the company. The company has maintained a constant growth trend in the past 10 years. Recently after going public, the company’s has been tremendous. Against the average sales of the industry, the company has registered incredible growth rates in its recent financial statements. While the industry’s total sales were at 15.5%, the company registered sales of up to 70.4% in growth (Caplinger web). Michael Kors Company has a wide market share in terms of its customer base. The increasing growth of the company’

Comparative Foreign policy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Comparative Foreign policy - Essay Example On the Necessity of Individual Level of Analysis in Understanding of Case Policy Outcome 7 I. Foreign Policy Theories, Use by Foreign Policy Analysts Theories are proposed explanations relating to the workings of things. In foreign policy studies, theories refer to the major theories relating to the field of study, and they are mainly liberalism, realism, Marxism, and constructivism in some texts. Theories are essentially tools that foreign policy analysts use to make sense of the actions of states in relation to each other, and in the context of global economic, political arenas of actioni ii. As the definition suggests, theories are the distillation of insights, writings, studies and observations about the actions of states in the real world, distilled on the assumption that states act in certain ways, based on certain underlying motivations, dynamics, and historical circumstances. Theories are used on the assumption that given a set of conditions, states will act in defined ways m oving forward. iii II. Liberalism, Realism- Key Analytical Components, Comparison and Contrast Realism posits that the key characteristic of the international order is disorder, or anarchy and chaos. In the absence of an organizing principle, or a body of law to mediate disputes and the general conduct of nations when dealing with other nations, the operative principle is power. Therefore, nations act and watch out for their own interests in the main. Self-interest and self-preservation, the advancement of one's own interests, is the rule and the defining consideration when crafting foreign policy. Realism has several implications for the way the world system of politics and economics is shaped. Power is the currency, and where one state amasses power, that automatically translates to threats to the inner integrity of other states. Balance of power becomes an important consideration. Moreover, viewed from a realist perspective, the power currency translates to an obsession with proj ecting power and defense capabilities, as reflected in military might. Nations then act out and craft foreign policy in relation to that perceived and actual power residing on their military capabilities. Military power then becomes a central analytical component when reading the actions of nations in the international stage, with some superpowers such as China acting in ways that are different from those with some power, and those who have no power at all. Constraint and independence in crafting foreign policy are reliant on the size of a nation's military capabilities. At the weak end of that spectrum, very weak nations are the most constrained. Middle powers meanwhile yield considerable power, and act in ways such as forming alliances to balance out the power of the strong states. iv Liberalism, in contrast, views the world order not in terms of balance of power and military might, but in terms of interdependence, for instance through the interdependence of nation economies, and how such interdependence shapes more cooperative stances, a greater emphasis on world bodies that foster cooperation and dialogue, such as the United Nations, and nations, especially less powerful states, towing the line in terms of adhering to the rules of the global market. Market forces are relevant considerations, and so are the economic and political implications of interdependence as shaping foreign policy for different countries. The operative principle here is that of

An Analysis Of Holden Caulfield

An Analysis Of Holden Caulfield The mind of a teenager is a very complex organ that has various sections, each specifically designed to deal with an assortment of different problems which that person happens to be encountering. Although this very powerful organ is capable of handling a plethora of different tasks, it can fail when faced with plenty of problems in such a short amount of time. Thus, in order to determine what is wrong with an individual, one must study the events that would have the greatest toll on the human mind. In regards to the individual being a teenager, the different range of events is narrowed down even more. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden Caulfield is notably affected by death, social rejection and abuse, and abandonment. Death is one of the worst events that an individual can experience and in Holdens case, death is very prevalent. The most impacting death that affects Holden is the death of his brother Allie. This is evident when Phoebe asks Holden to name just one thing he likes, to which he responds I like Allie. I said. And I like doing what Im doing right now. Sitting here with you, and talking, and thinking about stuff (Salinger 11). Holden constantly mentions how much he misses and loves Allie which lead the reader to interpret that Allies death changes Holden for the worst. From what Holden mentions to Phoebe, the reader can also see that he likes being able to discuss and let out all of the feelings he has been holding in. In addition, Holdens worry about what happens to the ducks and fish in Central Park during winter time shows how death has been a constant concern in his mind. His worry about death is also show when he mentions he wants to be a Catcher in the Rye to save the kids lives if they fall off the cliff. The society in which Holden lives in has a great affect on him, in that he feels alone and abused. From the very first chapter in this novel to the end, Holden is alone, watching others having fun. His unique personality makes him a socially awkward character, which is best seen in his encounter with the prostitute. Holden is also physically abused in this seen when he gets punched and later on in the novel by Mr. Anatoli. In Jenniffer Scuhuesslers article, she mentions that Holden would not have felt so alone if he were growing up today. After all, Mr. Salinger was writing long before the rise of a multibillion-dollar cultural-entertainment complex largely catering to the taste of teenage boys. This is true because during the mid-twentieth century, there was not exactly a norm for teenage boys to follow. Holdens case is even worse since he was constantly moving for a different school, never being able to actually settle down and blend in with other kids. From the first school Holden goes to he feels abandonment, whether it was by his parents or from the kids around him. The abandonment by Holden feels from his parents is so strong that the reader hears very little about them and when Holden does say something it is usually negative. Lisa Privtera agreement with this statement is shown when she says Family has failed Holden. That is, all except his ten-year-old sister, Phoebe. The constant rejections Holden experiences, whether it is by the phone or in person, are so dreadful that Holden can only interpret them to the other person being a phony. Towards the end of this novel, Holden basically gives up on trying to fight abandonment so he decides that he will live out in the West all alone as a deaf-mute. Death, social rejection, abuse, and abandonment take a heavy toll on Holden, especially since their effects occur in the span of eight years. His diagnosis can best relate to the post- traumatic stress disorder that soldiers face after returning from war due to the similarity in symptoms. The first symptom, frightened thoughts, is easily visible towards the end of the novel when Holden speaks to Allie because he is scared that he will disappear while crossing the street. The second symptom, hyper arousal, is present throughout the entire novel and is the cause for Holdens social rejection. In addition, he is always having trouble sleeping and is always in an angry mood. Lastly, indifference and avoidance are very prevalent as Holden is alone a significant amount of the novel in addition to the carelessness for his future.

Waste Land Essay: Journey Through The Waste Land -- T.S. Eliot Waste L

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   T. S. Eliot drafted The Waste Land during a trip to Lausanne, Switzerland to consult a psychologist for what he described as mild case of nerves. He sent the manuscript to Ezra Pound for editing assistance. Between them the draft was extensively edited and published in 1922. As a modernist poet, Eliot struggled to remove the voice of the author from his work but the work is still a reflection of the author’s interpretation. He paints the picture as he sees it for the readers to view and interpret from their own perspective. The Waste Land could be viewed as a chronicle Eliot’s difficult and not quite successful journey to confront his own unconscious or spiritual reality. â€Å"Viewed psychologically, Eliot’s juxtaposition of scenes of sterility, fecundity, and sacrifice represents the speaker’s conscious awareness of a sterile society, and his abortive attempt to experience the unconscious† (Jones 22). Eliot’s depict ion of a spiritually empty and lost society is a reflection of his inner search for a life-defining spiritual faith. Eliot’s message is that modern man leads a very hollow and disconnected existence because he has abandoned his spiritual values in pursuit of material wealth. Eliot begins The Waste Land by bemoaning the fact that spring exudes false hope through its evidence of new growth and destroys the numbness and warmth acquired during winter’s hibernation from life or feeling. The return of feeling brings renewed acknowledgment of the emptiness and barrenness of modern life. â€Å"What Eliot wants to highlight is the pain of coming back to life† (Torrens 24). He expresses the cause of the pain in the description of the stony and barren landscape in which there is no shelter and nothing can grow. Man’s spirit can... ...aracter of his poetry after his conversion. Bottum however would argue that although he possibly found a personal faith he was never quite able to present that faith in his later works. â€Å"What we encounter in his late poetry, however, is a profound confusion of faith with a brilliant and learned man’s rational understanding that he needs to have faith† (Bottum 23).    Works Cited Bottum, J. â€Å"What T. S. Eliot Almost Believed.† First Things. April 1996. 21-6 Eliot, T. S. â€Å"The Waste Land.† The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. 6th Ed. Vol 2. Ed. Maynard Mack. New   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  York: Norton, 1992. 1751-64. Jones, Joyce Meeks. Jungian Psychology in Literary Analysis: A Demonstration Using T. S. Eliot’s Poetry. Washington D.C.:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  University Press, 1979. Torrens, James S. â€Å"T. S. Eliot: 75 Years of ‘The Waste Land.’† America. 25 Oct 1997. 24-7.