Effects of Bio fuels on the Environment Essay Example for Free

Effects of Bio fuels on the Environment Essay Bio fuel is a type of fuel that is made out of both living or lifeless biological material and specifically, the plants as per the definition given by Shepardson, (2009). According to Shepardson, most bio fuels are in the form of esters, alcohols among others and a good example of this type of fuel is bio ethanol and bio diesel. This fuel is mostly used in vehicles and for it to be considered as a bio fuel according to Connor Steve (2008), it must consist of about 80% of renewable materials. The production of this kind of fuel has been said to be impacting negatively on the environment however though this is the case, the benefits of bio fuels cannot be dismissed altogether. As a result of this disagreement, a lot of discussions have been held over this issue something that has polarized the society between those who argue that it does not impact negatively on the environment and those that maintain that it does. This becomes the basis of this essay where the paper will take a stand and support the claims that indeed bio fuels impact negatively on the environment. According to Mongobay. com (2008), there are various types of bio fuels and one of these is E10 which over time has been greatly improved in terms of quality in that initially it contained about 90 percent of petroleum and 10 percent of ethanol but of late it is called E100 because it is almost made up of ethanol alone and about 4 percent of water. The invention of this type of fuel according to Shepardson (2009) is something that has greatly revolutionised the transport industry. These fuels have particularly been cited as one of the best ways to reduce green house gas emissions unlike it is the case with other types of fuel especially fossil fuels. Even though they are praised for this, the negative environmental consequences they have are innumerable. One of these effects according to a scientific study that was conducted in 2008 contradicts the alleged potential of this fuel to reduce greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide among others; this is as per the Mongobay. com (2008). As per this study, Mongobay. com (2008) argues that growing crops with an aim of producing bio fuel leads to an increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This claim according to the Green Website. co. uk is given weight by reports that were published in a science journal known as Journal Science that showed that plants that are specifically grown for the production of this fuel produce more carbon dioxide than what these plants can naturally absorb. According to these scientists Mongobay (2008), it would take decades to reverse the trend or to balance what they termed as ‘carbon debt’. Or in other words the amount of oxygen released to the atmosphere in the course of growing these crops and is yet to be absorbed. The US and the European Union have particularly been on the forefront in propagating the idea for the production of biomass as the surest way of controlling global warming (Shepardson, 2009). According to Shepardson this has forced researchers from all over the world who aims at protecting the environment to conduct researches in their bid to understand better how this would impact on the environment. One of the researches that were conducted as per the report compiled by Connor, (2008) shown that clearing Amazon’s forested land to grow soybeans would create a carbon debt that would take 319 years to be restored not mentioning the magnitude in which forests and bushes would be destroyed to grow these crops Production of biomass is labour intensive and requires a big land according to Sawahei (2009), what this means is that a lot of bushes and forests are cleared to produce raw materials for bio fuel thereby leaving the ground with no cover thereby increasing the possibility of soil erosion taking place. To Sawahei, the world requires large tracts of land for it to feed its population now amounting over six billions. By growing biomass as an alternative source of fuel would require more land that what is needed for growing crops as per the Action for Global Health (2008) and eventually there will be no natural vegetations as all land will either have been cultivated for crop production or biomass production or both. According to the Action for Global Health (2008), this greatly destroys the environment considering that vegetation cover protects soil erosion and again it is a habitat to millions of animal species (Sawahei, 2009). Apart from this, the risk of polluting water sources with phosphates and nitrates from fertilizers that are applied to boost crop production are very high (Biofuel, 2003). Water is also polluted by chemicals that are used in the production of biomass such as pesticides sprayed to get rid of pests that attack and destroy these plants. These chemicals not only pollute water but they also kill micro organisms present in the soil that in one way or the other keep the eco system working (Action for Global Health. 2008). Rogercopenh (2008) contends that by the United States embarking on campaigns to push for the use of bio fuels might mislead many third world countries into substituting land meant for growing food crops for biomass production because of the money this business would bring. According to Rogercopenh (2008) this might in turn lead to the encroachment of forests and other natural habitats which are home to millions of wild animals. It should also not be forgotten that when this green matter is harvested, there are chances that some will rot thereby producing a very bad smell and apart from rotting, some of these plants produce bad odour naturally and thus they are an environmental hazard in that they pollute the air. As per the evidence given by Franke and Reinherdt (1998), Bio fuel also kills biodiversity in terms of the variety of plants growing in a field. For biomass to be produced in large quantity, enough to keep the world going, then its production must be professionally done. What this means according to Franke and Reinherdt (1998) is that a whole field is filled with only one type of plants leading to what is known as monoculture and by doing this, other types of plants are not given a chance to grow something that indirectly leads to their extinction (Franke and Reinherdt, 1998). In doing this according to Randooke (2009), animal are also not spared in that deforestation must take place, grasslands must be cleared and wetlands are destroyed. The truth is that these areas are habitat to many species of animals and thus what this means is that these species will be killed while others are displaced. Trees naturally preserve water catchments areas and thus when land is prepared for the cultivation these reserves are destroyed (Randooke, 2009). According to the Action for Global Health, (2008) the whole bio fuel production process requires a lot of energy and basically the type of energy that is used is fossil fuel. The argument raised by the Action for Global Health (2008) is that the amount of carbon that is emitted by burning bio fuels is absorbed by crops that are grown purposely for bio fuels production but the problem is that the amount of carbon that is emitted during their production considering that carbon emitted during planting, spraying, treating and harvesting season where machines that uses fossil fuels is not cleared from the air. This claim is supported by Sawahei, (2009) who argues that even after these crops are harvested, more carbon is emitted to the atmosphere in that coal or other forms of fossil fuels such as gas are used to heat the raw materials that are used in the production of bio fuels. Though bio fuels are heavily criticised in that they cause serious negative environmental ramifications according to Connor (2008), there are other various researches that have been done which prove otherwise. Researches show that production of other forms of fuel such as fossil fuel leads to the release of more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than it is the case with bio fuels (Science for environmental policy, 2008). One research that strongly supports this claim is the one that was done in the United Kingdom. According to the same source, what they call first generation process Life Cycle Analysis, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by over sixty percent unlike other forms. As per Biofuels (2003), the second generation process carbon dioxide emissions can be reduced by over 80 percent. Generally according to this report, carbon dioxide emissions can be saved by an average of about 50 to 60 percent. Another advantage of using this kind of fuel according to the Greencar website (2009) is that bio fuel does not contain sulphur which is one of the main components that causes acid rains. Also considering that it is made by bio degradable materials, its chances of destroying the soil are low unlike other fuels such as fossil fuels which contaminate water sources and destroy soil when they leak into them (Science for environmental policy, 2008). In consideration of the massive evidence that is provided here above, one is justified to say that biofuels are an environmental hazard. There are a lot of researches that have been done by different researchers and most of them point to the fact that the production of bio fuels produces many effects that in one way or the other destroys the eco system for example, fertilizers that are applied on crops meant to produce biomass releases phosphates and nitrates thereby destroying soil and water. Another way through which biofuels destroys the environment is that despite the fact that a lot of forests and bushes have already been cleared for crop production, more land is snow needed for biomass production something that leads to soil erosion due clearance of bushes and the destruction of habitats that are home to many species. This indirectly leads to the extinction of these species whether plant or animals. Bibliography: Action for Global Health. 2008. New study demonstrates bio fuels negative impact on poverty, hunger and environment. Available at http://docs. google. com/gview? a=vq=cache:elry2KJk0UgJ:ec. europa. eu/environ ment/integration/research/newsalert/pdf/1si4. pdf+biofuels+,+negative+impacts+,e nvironmenthl=engl=ke Biofuel, 2003. Bio diesel Impacts on the environment. http://www. biofuelus. com/biofuel/biodiesel/biodiesel-impact-on-the- environment. php Connor Steve, 2008. Biofuels make climate change worse, Scientific Study concludes. Available at http://www. independent. co. uk/environment/climate-change/biofuels- make-climate-change-worse-scientific-study-concludes-779811. html

Passport Program In The Success Of Hero Honda

Passport Program In The Success Of Hero Honda Hero Honda Motors Limited, based in Delhi, India is a joint venture between the Hero Group of India and Honda of Japan. Verification. It has been referred to as the worlds biggest manufacturer of 2-wheeled motorized vehicles since 2001, when it produced 1.3 million motorbikes in a single year. During the fiscal year 2008-09, the company has sold 3.28 million bikes and the net profit of the company stood at Rs. 1281.7 crore, up 32% from the previous fiscal year. The companys most popular model is the Hero Hondas Splendor, which is the worlds largest-selling motorcycle, selling more than one million units per year. The company introduced new generation motorcycles that set industry benchmarks for fuel thrift and low emission. A legendary Fill it Shut it Forget it campaign captured the imagination of commuters across India, and Hero Honda sold millions of bikes purely on the commitment of increased mileage. Over 20 million Hero Honda two wheelers tread Indian roads today. These are almost as many as the number of people in Finland, Ireland and Sweden put together! Hero Honda has consistently grown at double digits since inception; and today, every second motorcycle sold in the country is a Hero Honda. Every 30 seconds, someone in India buys Hero Hondas top -selling motorcycle Splendor. This festive season, the company sold half a million two wheelers in a single month-a feat unparalleled in global automotive history. Hero Honda bikes currently roll out from its three globally benchmarked manufacturing facilities. Two of these are based at Dharuhera and Gurgaon in Haryana and the third state o f the art manufacturing facility was inaugurated at Haridwar, Uttrakhand in April this year. These plants together are capable of producing out 4.4 million units per year. Hero Hondas extensive sales and service network now spans over 3000 customer touch points. These comprise a mix of dealerships, service and spare points, spare parts stockiest and authorized representatives of dealers located across different geographies. Hero Honda values its relationship with customers. Its unique CRM initiative Hero Honda Passport Program, one of the largest programs of this kind in the world, has over 3 million members on its roster. The program has not only helped Hero Honda understand its customers and deliver value at different price points, but has also created a loyal community of brand ambassadors. Having reached an unassailable pole position in the Indian two wheeler market, Hero Honda is constantly working towards consolidating its position in the market place. The company believes th at changing demographic profile of India, increasing urbanization and the empowerment of rural India will add millions of new families to the economic mainstream. This would provide the growth ballast that would sustain Hero Honda in the years to come. As Brijmohan Lall Munjal, the Chairman, Hero Honda Motors succinctly points out, We pioneered Indias motorcycle industry, and its our responsibility now to take the industry to the next level. Well do all it takes to reach there. Company profile Hero is the brand name used by the Munjal brothers for their flagship company Hero Cycles Ltd. A joint venture between the Hero Group and Honda Motor Company was established in 1984 as the Hero Honda company, India. During the 1980s, the company introduced motorcycles that were popular in India for their fuel economy and low cost. A popular advertising campaign based on the slogan Fill it Shut it Forget it that emphasized the motorcycles fuel efficiency helped the company grow at a double-digit pace since inception. Hero Honda has three manufacturing facilities based at Dharuhera and Gurgaon in Haryana and at Hardware in Uttarakhand. These plants together are capable of churning out 3.9 million bikes per year.[citation needed] Hero Hondas has a large sales and service network with over 3,000 dealerships and service points across India. Hero Hondas customer loyalty program,[clarification needed] the Hero Honda Passport Program, claims to be one of the largest programs of its kind in the world with over 3 million members. The 2006 Forbes 200 Most Respected companies list has Hero Honda Motors ranked at 108. History India became the second largest two wheeler manufacturer in the world and starting in the 1950s with the Automobile Products of India (API) that manufactured the Lambrettas and Bajaj Auto Ltd. with its association with Piaggio of Italy (manufacturer of Vespa scooters) as the largest manufacturers within the country citation needed. The license raj that existed between the 1940s to 1980s in India did not allow foreign companies to enter the market and imports were tightly controlled. This regulatory maze, before the economic liberalization, made business easier for local players to have a sellers market.[neutrality is disputed] Customers in India were forced to wait up to 12 years to buy a scooter from Bajaj. The CEO of Bajaj commented that he did not need a marketing department, only a dispatch department. By the year 1990, Bajaj had a waiting list that was twenty-six times its annual output for scooters. The motorcycle segment had the same long wait times with three manufacturers: Royal Enfield, Ideal Jawa, and Escorts. Royal Enfield made a 350cc Bullet with the only four-stroke engine at that time and took the higher end of the market but there was little competition for their customers. Ideal Jawa and Escorts took the middle and lower end of the market respectively. In the mid-1980s, the Indian government regulations changed and permitted foreign companies to enter the Indian market through minority joint ventures. The two-wheeler market changed with four Indo-Japanese joint ventures: Hero Honda, TVS SUZUKI , Bajaj Kawasaki and Kinetic Motor Company (Kinetic Honda). The entry of these foreign companies changed the Indian market dynamics from the supply side to the demand side. With a larger selection of two-wheelers on the Indian market, consumers started to gain influence over the products they bought and raised higher customer expectations. The industry produced more models, styling options, prices, and different fuel efficiencies. The foreign companies new technologies helped make the products more reliable and with better quality. Indian companies had to change to keep up with their global counterparts. List of models Achiever Ambition 133, Ambition 135 CBZ, CBZ Star, CBZ Xtreme CD 100, CD 100 SS, CD Dawn, CD Deluxe, CD Deluxe (Self Start) Hunk ,Joy ,Karizma, Karizma R, Karizma ZMR FI ,Passion, Passion+, Passion Pro Pleasure .Street ,Splendor, Splendor+, Splendor+ (Limited Edition), Super Splendor, Splendor NXG The joint venture between Indias Hero Group and Honda Motor Company, Japan has not only created the worlds single largest two wheeler company but also one of the most successful joint ventures worldwide. During the 80s, Hero Honda became the first company in India to prove that it was possible to drive a vehicle without polluting the roads. Hero Honda Passport programme. The passport provides you with yet another opportunity to experience the companys continued commitment to you, our valued customer. You will soon see that it opens the door to a host of special offerings that Hero Honda Motors Limited has in store for you. How to use your Hero Honda Passport? Each time we visit an authorised Hero Honda dealership or service center, make sure that we carry your Hero Honda passport with us. We can accumulate points against purchase of spares, accessories and service at Hero Honda authorised dealerships / service centers. The Hero Honda passport will serve as a record book for keeping an account of the points accumulate by you. Each rupee you spend, at the dealership / service center, entitles you to one point. We also earn bonus point when you come for a free service you visit the dealership ( at least thrice a year ), and make purchases worth Rs. 50 per visit. We refer your relatives and friends to purchase a hero Honda motorcycle. At the time of setting our bills, ensure that your Hero Honda passport is endorsed with the earned points. The more we earn your points, the more benefits you receive. What are the benefits of owning a hero Honda passport ? The accumulated points can be used to enjoy a host of special privileges and benefits from time to time. The moment we receive you hero Honda passport, you are automatically covered for one year Accident Insurance RS 1 lakh. We become entitled for special rewards and discounts, the moment you accumulate the specified points, at any of the authorised hero Honda dealerships / service centers. We also receive invitations to exclusive local events, such as movie shows, musical nights and carnivals. Periodic updates will be sent to you, from the hero Honda programmed center, with your point status. Special information and tips regarding your motorcycle, hero Honda Passport Program happenings and exclusive offers from other brands will also be sent to you along with the updates For how long is the Hero Honda Passport valid ? Your hero Honda passport is valid for a period of 3 years from the date of issue. In case of its loss or theft, please contact your dealership or the following address for a replacement. How to use passport Always remember to carry your Hero Honda Passport with you when you visit a Hero Honda authorized dealership/service centre. Every time you do a transaction at a Hero Honda showroom/workshop, the dealer would reward points into your Passport. You are eligible to accumulate points, against purchase of spares, accessories, service and by referring friends to purchase a Hero Honda motorcycle. Do not forget to get your points endorsed on the Programme Points Sheet given in the Passport. Also ensure that these points are entered in duplicate in the Programme Centre copy by the dealer. Every time a Programme Points Sheet gets completed, the dealer would remove the copy from your Passport and send it to Hero Honda. These would increase your chances for event invitation and special offers. Do collect your rewards as soon as you reach the specified milestones. (For more information see the Reward Chart on last page). Please note that points do not become zero after a gift collection in the Passport Programme and you can keep collecting gifts as you reach a particular milestone. Every time you get your bike serviced, get the Free/Regular Service Record Sheet (as given in Section 2 of the Passport) stamped by the dealer. The Service Record Sheet would help you get a Bike Service Certificate, which can be very useful at the time of your bike resale. The Hero Honda Passport Programme is open only to Hero Honda motorcycle owners/customers who are resident Indian nationals. It is not open to non-resident Indians, employees of Hero Honda Motors Limited, and its advertising agencies (Result: McCann and its respective subsidiary companies). The Hero Honda Passport will be issued in the name of an individual only, and not in the name of a company, corporate body or association of persons. The Hero Honda Passport will be issued only to individuals who are 18 years of age, or older. There is a non-refundable registration fee for the programme. two passport-sized photographs must be attached to the application form. the Hero Honda passport is non-transferable. in case, an applicant is the second or subsequent user of the Hero Honda motorcycle, he/ she is required to submit a copy of the registration booklet, duly transferred, along with the Hero Honda Passport Application form. If any Hero Honda Passport holder loses his/her Hero Honda Passport, a new copy of the same will be issued to the member, on payment of the requisite fee The Hero Honda Passport is valid only for three years from the date of issue. It will take minimum of 4 weeks, from the date of enrolling for the Hero Honda Passport Programme, to deliver the Hero Honda Passport. On becoming a Hero Honda Passport Programme member, the applicant authorises all the organisations, with which Hero Honda Motors Limited may finalise arrangements (including Hero Honda Motors Limited), to use data submitted by him/her for marketing and communication purposes, to enhance performance of the Hero Honda Passport Programme. n case of any disputes of differences in connection with the Hero Honda Passport Programme, the same shall be decided by arbitration. The arbitrator shall be the Managing Director, Hero Honda Motors Limited, or any person nominated by him. The arbitration shall be conducted as per the prevailing arbitration laws rules in New Delhi. Hero Honda Motors Limited shall not, in any way, be liable, or be under any obligation to the participant, if the Hero Honda Passport Programme is withdrawn or modified due to statutory enactments, and judicial/ quasi judicial orders. All these amazing rewards and benefits come to you as you earn points in the Hero Honda Passport Programme. Once you become a member, you will earn points for a host of regular transactions that you conduct even now at your local Hero Honda authorized Dealership or Service Center. These include: So all you have to do to earn points rewards is just keep maintaining your Hero Honda motorcycle, buy genuine Hero Honda Spare Parts and accessories and well give you one point for every rupee you spend! Star Club and Treasured Rewards This unique club has been introduced for those members who get their bikes serviced regularly from authorized Hero Honda Service Centers. The Star Club membership not only identifies the member as special for the HHPP family, but also brings in some added benefits like: 30% discount on labour 7.5% discount on spares, till the validity of the Passport Introducing Treasured RewardGood news for all Passport Programme members who have crossed the 1 lakh point mark in the Hero Honda Passport Programme. A new rewards structure has been introduced for all such members The HHPP Treasured Rewards. The HHPP Treasured Rewards will be available at 8 prescribed milestones beginning from 1.25 lakh points and ending at 3 lakh points, with each milestone at a gap of 25,000 points. In other words, the new milestones are placed at 1.25 lakhs, 1.5 lakhs and so on till 3 lakhs Each time a member reaches a milestone a Motorcycle Privilege Voucher of Rs. 1250/- will be given to him. This voucher may be used to avail a discount on the purchase of a new Hero Honda motorcycle. This voucher is transferable and can be given to friends or relatives who may be planning to buy a new Hero Honda motorcycle Under the new Rewards Programme, the mode of recording points will change. The points will now be recorded in 2 books one would be the old Passport with Additional Treasured Rewards sheets for entering points earned through service, spares and accessories and the other would be a Referral Book which will be used for entering referral points. The Referral Book will begin from 1 lakh points. On cro ssing 1 lakh points the members need to retain a photocopy of their old Passport with them and send the passport to the HHPP Programme Centre immediately. On receipt, the old Passport with Additional treasured rewards sheets and the new Referral Book will be sent across to the members enabling them to start redeeming rewards beyond 1 lakh points. conclusion Hero Honda, the World No. 1 two-wheeler company, today announced that it has recently achieved a landmark member base of more than 2 million customers for its Passport Programme. Extending across 1000 authorized Hero Honda dealerships and SSPs, the program has now become India s largest Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Program. The unprecedented success of the CRM program is a testimony of the faith that the customers repose in the company and its products. It was born out of a need to maximize commitment and strengthen the emotional value that binds our diverse set of customers to the Hero Honda brand. With its apt tagline Rishta Dil Ka, the Passport Programme is a strong platform for the company to build long-term relationships with its customers, beyond the point of sale, and communicate its brand image of trust and reliability. The Hero Honda Passport Programme membership is a unique initiative open to the owners of Hero Honda motorcycles. The program offers many tangible a nd intangible benefits to both the customers as well as to the dealers. Members earn points for incurring expenditure at the Hero Honda dealership/workshop, which can later be redeemed against benefits. On the occasion of the commemoration of the 2 million-passport program milestone, Mr. Pawan Munjal, Managing Director, Hero Honda Motors Ltd. said, At Hero Honda our endeavor is to offer the best in product quality to our customers resulting in highest levels of customer satisfaction. The Passport programme not only builds enduring relationships with our customers but also offer them some extra value, beyond just the tangible benefits of our products. This milestone only reaffirms our customers faith in us, which has been pivotal in the companys growth. The Hero Honda Passport programme was rolled out nationally in the year 2001, after a successful pilot in four states in the year 2000. A unique feature of the programme is its reward model, according to which every rupee spent by the member translates into a reward point. These reward points can then be redeemed for exciting gifts. One of the most significant benefits of this program is a free personal accident policy worth Rs. 1 lakh. Insurance claim of over Rs. 6 crore has already been disbursed to dependent families, exemplifying Hero Hondas concern not just for the safety of its customers, but also their family members. With the help of this program, the company has already received over 900,000 referrals thus also giving a fillip to sales through favourable word of mouth. Review of literature With a member base of more than 20 lakh customers extending across 1000 authorized dealers and SSPs, Hero Honda Passport Program is today the countrys largest Customer Retention Management (CRM) program. Under the apt tagline Rishta Dil Ka, the program has become a strong platform for us to build long-term relationship with our customers beyond the point of sale, and take forward our brand image of trust and reliability. It was born out of a need to maximize commitment and strengthen the emotional value that binds our diverse set of customers to the Hero Honda brand. The program represents a fundamental change in looking at the customer as a long-term asset rather than a mere target for sales transaction. Marketing program designed to enhance brand loyalty by cultivating an ongoing relationship between a marketer and his customer. Successful loyalty programs encourage the consumer to buy frequently, to increase the amount spent each time, and to concentrate all or most of their related purchases on that brand. Most loyalty programs offer perks for membership in a club or program and reward purchases. Rewards may be based on the dollar value of purchases made or on the frequency of purchases. The most well-known loyalty programs are airline frequent-flyer programs that offer discounts against future travel called award miles. Most large supermarket chains now have frequent-buyer clubs that offer no-coupon discounts as well as newsletters and affiliate discounts. Loyalty program tactics also include regular communication with customers such as reminder mailings, private credit cards, cross-sell and up-sell offers, satisfaction and opinion surveys, and collection of information for membe r databases. See also frequency discount.

Students Death Raises Concerns about Weapons Essay -- Journalism Viol

Student's Death Raises Concerns about Weapons Brett Schweinberg, a 19-year-old Emerson student and Brookline resident, never imagined that a night intended for so much celebration in Boston could end so tragically. Schweinberg was one of an estimated 80,000 revelers who flooded the streets of Kenmore Square and the Fenway Park neighborhood in the early hours of Oct. 21, following the Boston Red Sox’s ALCS victory over the New York Yankees. â€Å"It was really a happy, fun, cheering crowd,† Schweinberg said. â€Å"It was a Mardi Gras parade with no route and no floats. It wasn’t a violent affair, and it certainly wasn’t a riot.† However, the vibrant atmosphere quickly dissipated when members of the BPD, some mounted on horseback and some armed with less-lethal FN-303 launchers, took action to quell and disperse the crowd. Schweinberg, who was watching the crowd from the beams of Fenway Park’s left field wall, sustained two injuries when he was hit with pellets from the compressed air rifle. Far worse for Schweinberg, however, was witnessing fellow Emerson student and journalism major, 21-year-old Victoria Snelgrove, suffer a fatal wound to the eye shortly thereafter. â€Å"She dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. She started bleeding profusely out of the face,† Schweinberg said. Several hours later, Snelgrove was pronounced dead at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Her tragic death has cast a wave of criticism on the BPD’s decision to use one of the newest less-lethal technologies – a weapon the BPD had never used in a field situation– on a mostly college-aged crowd. The FN-303s were purchased by the BPD last summer for the specific purpose of controlling potential protests at the Democratic National Conven... ...joined together to form The Campaign to Ban Less-Lethal Weapons and circulate a petition with the goal of imparting a ban within the city. The petition states that: â€Å"First, these weapons must be re-classified as lethal. This is not only accurate, but it ensures that these weapons are used only in situations that would otherwise justify the use of lethal force.† Other conditions stated in the petition include independent testing for all weapons and additional training for law enforcement officials according to weapon manufacturer specifications. However, Terrill thinks there is little possibility that the FN-303 will be used by the BPD again. â€Å"In a city stung by one incident, regardless of what the science or research shows afterwards, city officials are usually very reluctant to use that weapon or permit a public policy where it would be used again.†

Proctor versus Dimmesdale in Millers The Crucible :: Essay on The Crucible

Proctor vs Dimmesdale In Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, the characters John Proctor and Arthur Dimmesdale are victims of the puritan ethics of Moderation and Unvarying Faith. These ethics are reflected in the way that they are forced to act like everyone else, resulting in a feeling of being trapped, as well as internal and physical torture, which led to their eventual demise. Hawthorne’s character Arthur Dimmesdale is the epitome of what a puritan should be. He is a minister—a man of God— yet despite his position, this perfect man has one dark secret: he is an adulterer and the father of an illegitimate child. This one sin is more than he can bear, for although he has many times repented, he feels he is not entirely forgiven. His sin is such that if it were to be found, his reputation would be torn apart. After many years of hiding his secret and being burdened by it he can no longer hold it inside. This is the reason he goes to the scaffold one night: in hopes to alleviate his guilt by â€Å"publicly† showing that he has committed a crime. His remorse is so deep and constant, that it has actually changed him. At nights he whips himself, hoping to gain salvation again, but in his mind he gains nothing. â€Å"Crime is for the iron-nerved, who have their choice their choice either to endure it, or, if it press too hard, to exert their fierce and savage strength for a good purpose, and fling it off at once! This feeble and most sensitive of spirits could do neither, yet continually did one thing or another which intertwined, in the same inextricable knot, the agony of heaven-defying guilt and vain repentance.† (Hawthorne, 134.) And although it seems his remorse cannot go deeper than it already is, Dimmesdale begins to realize how his parishioners must see him. He is supposed to be an honest man, but in hiding his sin, he begins to see himself as a hypocrite. â€Å"What can a ruined soul, like mine, effect towards the redemption of other souls?—or a polluted soul towards their purification? And as for the peoples reverence, would that it were turned to scorn and hatred!† (Hawthorne, 172.) Clearly Dimmesdale is worried about the reaction of the congregation if they were to discover his sin. This is a perfect example of Moderation, everyone has to act holy, without sins and mistakes, otherwise be condemned to the scaffold and public humiliation†¦or worse.

Stories Told Halfway :: Personal Narrative Sleeping Papers

Stories Told Halfway When I was sick I slept all day, in the shifting patch of sun on my bed. I woke up after fourteen hours and I saw that I had taken Sleep into me. And I thought, I understand why they called Sleep a god, why they gave him a face. If you sleep long enough, you let him in. You can feel the way he lifts your limbs and lets them fall again till they learn to hang, loosely, just so. You can feel the way his hands push down on the back of your neck, gently, and the lazy halo he brushes over the crown of your head with his fingers. You can understand why today he likes Sun, who paints a quiet coat of warmth onto your faded yellow sheets. You can feel him blink and stretch and curl up softly and let Sun paint him golden. And you can also understand why mostly he likes Night, who comes more quietly, dressed in cool gowns, trailing her nets and nets of stars to trap him in. You can see through his eyes, when you have just woken. Things come into your understanding slowly and you are content t o know them only halfway. You do not struggle for meaning. You can see how he blurs shapes into roundness. You can see how he breathes out quiet through you where you go, and you know he is there in the sleepy tilt of your head. And the people around you, when you have just woken, will see Sleep smiling in the lazy lines of your walk. This is Nick's favorite dream: He was being chased. He was all fear. He ran until he started to run on four legs. He felt the spring and the power and the motion that is a wolf running. It was daytime, morning. He followed a rough trail that wove through the woods. He ran and it was not strange. He did not even stop to think, I am a wolf. Only he was. The trail turned cleaner, shafts of new white light urging him on to the east. He was not feeling afraid anymore. He hadn't for a long time. The chase fell away and he was just running, all motion and speed. He came to a place deep in the forest where the trees were narrow and dense.

Hypp Tv

SWOT Analysis of Hypp TV Strength Hypp TV has developed a way for customers to watch movies, television series, documentaries, news and many more even if it rains or shine. Customers are able to watch uninterrupted, crystal clear transmission regardless of the weather. It has also come out with its great value pack whereby customers only pay for what they want. Malaysian customers who subscribe for Hypp TV will have total control on the movies they watch.Customers are able to watch what they want and anytime they want. It is because they are able to play, pause or stop the movie they’re watching. Hypp TV also supports high definition channels. Customers can now enjoy a variety of great programs and shows in high definition. Weakness Hypp TV customers are required to register unifi before they are able to use the services of Hypp TV. Without high speed internet access, movies will have difficulties in loading.It will in fact take more time to buffer than to watch a movie. Hypp TV failed to attract more customers to subscribe to its TV. Opportunity The most obvious opportunity that Hypp TV took was to collaborate with showing high definition movies. With its lighting fast internet speed, Hypp TV subscribers are able to watch them at any time without problem with buffering. They also show latest movies that have recently been screen in cinemas like the all-time favourites â€Å"The Avengers†. ThreatsThe threats that Hypp TV faced is they had to compete against bigger and more experience competitors such as Astro. They also lack in experience since Hypp TV was launch not long ago in 2004. They encountered issues in winning consumer’s interest especially in subscribing to their own television services. Target Audience Hypp TV targets audiences at different ages. Although it is nowhere near its competitor, it still targets customers with their entertainment, sports and also news channels.

A Cup of Tea by Katherine Mansfield

A Cup of Tea  By Katherine Mansfield Rosemary Fell was not exactly beautiful. No, you couldn't have called her beautiful. Pretty? Well, if you took her to pieces†¦ But why be so cruel as to take anyone to pieces? She was young, brilliant, extremely modem, exquisitely well dressed, amazingly well read in the newest of the new books, and her parties were the most delicious mixture of the really important people and†¦ artists – quaint creatures, discoveries of hers, some of them too terrifying for words, but others quite presentable and amusing. Rosemary had been married two years. She had a duck of a boy.No, not Peter – Michael. And her husband absolutely adored her. They were rich, really rich, not just comfortably well off, which is odious and stuffy and sounds like one's grandparents. But if Rosemary wanted to shop she would go to  Paris  as you and I would go to  Bond Street  . If she wanted to buy flowers, the car pulled up at that perfect shop in Regent Street, and Rosemary inside the shop just gazed in her dazzled, rather exotic way, and said: â€Å"I want those and those and those. Give me four bunches of those. And that jar of roses. Yes, I'll have all the roses in the jar. No, no lilac.I hate lilac. It's got no shape. † The attendant bowed and put the lilac out of sight, as though this was only too true; lilac was dreadfully shapeless. â€Å"Give me those stumpy little tulips. Those red and white ones. † And she was followed to the car by a thin shop-girl staggering under an immense white paper armful that looked like a baby in long clothes†¦. One winter afternoon she had been buying something in a little antique shop in  Curzon Street  . It was a shop she liked. For one thing, one usually had it to oneself. And then the man who kept it was ridiculously fond of serving her.He beamed whenever she came in. He clasped his hands; he was so gratified he could scarcely speak. Flattery, of course. All th e same, there was something†¦ â€Å"You see, madam,† he would explain in his low respectful tones, â€Å"I love my things. I would rather not part with them than sell them to someone who does not appreciate them, who has not that fine feeling which is so rare†¦ † And, breathing deeply, he unrolled a tiny square of blue velvet and pressed it on the glass counter with his pale finger-tips. To-day it was a little box. He had been keeping it for her. He had shown it to nobody as yet.An exquisite little enamel box with a glaze so fine it looked as though it had been baked in cream. On the lid a minute creature stood under a flowery tree, and a more minute creature still had her arms round his neck. Her hat, really no bigger than a geranium petal, hung from a branch; it had green ribbons. And there was a pink cloud like a watchful cherub floating above their heads. Rosemary took her hands out of her long gloves. She always took off her gloves to examine such things . Yes, she liked it very much. She loved it; it was a great duck. She must have it.And, turning the creamy box, opening and shutting it, she couldn't help noticing how charming her hands were against the blue velvet. The shopman, in some dim cavern of his mind, may have dared to think so too. For he took a pencil, leant over the counter, and his pale, bloodless fingers crept timidly towards those rosy, flashing ones, as he murmured gently: â€Å"If I may venture to point out to madam, the flowers on the little lady's bodice. † â€Å"Charming! † Rosemary admired the flowers. But what was the price? For a moment the shopman did not seem to hear. Then a murmur reached her. â€Å"Twenty-eight guineas, madam. â€Å"Twenty-eight guineas. † Rosemary gave no sign. She laid the little box down; she buttoned her gloves again. Twenty-eight guineas. Even if one is rich†¦ She looked vague. She stared at a plump tea-kettle like a plump hen above the shopman's head, and her voice was dreamy as she answered: â€Å"Well, keep it for me – will you? I'll†¦ † But the shopman had already bowed as though keeping it for her was all any human being could ask. He would be willing, of course, to keep it for her for ever. The discreet door shut with a click. She was outside on the step, gazing at the winter afternoon.Rain was falling, and with the rain it seemed the dark came too, spinning down like ashes. There was a cold bitter taste in the air, and the new-lighted lamps looked sad. Sad were the lights in the houses opposite. Dimly they burned as if regretting something. And people hurried by, hidden under their hateful umbrellas. Rosemary felt a strange pang. She pressed her muff against her breast; she wished she had the little box, too, to cling to. Of course the car was there. She'd only to cross the pavement. But still she waited. There are moments, horrible moments in life, when one emerges from shelter and looks out, and it's awful. One oughtn't to give way to them. One ought to go home and have an extra-special tea. But at the very instant of thinking that, a young girl, thin, dark, shadowy – where had she come from? – was standing at Rosemary's elbow and a voice like a sigh, almost like a sob, breathed: â€Å"Madam, may I speak to you a moment? † â€Å"Speak to me? † Rosemary turned. She saw a little battered creature with enormous eyes, someone quite young, no older than herself, who clutched at her coat-collar with reddened hands, and shivered as though she had just come out of the water. â€Å"M-madam, stammered the voice. Would you let me have the price of a cup of tea?â€Å"A cup of tea? † There was something simple, sincere in that voice; it wasn't in the least the voice of a beggar. â€Å"Then have you no money at all? † asked Rosemary. â€Å"None, madam,† came the answer. â€Å"How extraordinary! † Rosemary peered through the dusk and the girl g azed back at her. How more than extraordinary! And suddenly it seemed to Rosemary such an adventure. It was like something out of a novel by Dostoevsky, this meeting in the dusk. Supposing she took the girl home? Supposing she did do one of those things she was always reading about or seeing on the stage, what would happen? It would be thrilling.And she heard herself saying afterwards to the amazement of her friends: â€Å"I simply took her home with me,† as she stepped forward and said to that dim person beside her: â€Å"Come home to tea with me. † The girl drew back startled. She even stopped shivering for a moment. Rosemary put out a hand and touched her arm. â€Å"I mean it,† she said, smiling. And she felt how simple and kind her smile was. â€Å"Why won't you? Do. Come home with me now in my car and have tea. † â€Å"You – you don't mean it, madam,† said the girl, and there was pain in her voice. â€Å"But I do,† cried Rosemary . â€Å"I want you to. To please me. Come along.The girl put her fingers to her lips and her eyes devoured Rosemary. â€Å"You're – you're not taking me to the police station? † she stammered. â€Å"The police station! † Rosemary laughed out. â€Å"Why should I be so cruel? No, I only want to make you warm and to hear – anything you care to tell me. † Hungry people are easily led. The footman held the door of the car open, and a moment later they were skimming through the dusk. â€Å"There! † said Rosemary. She had a feeling of triumph as she slipped her hand through the velvet strap. She could have said, â€Å"Now I've got you,† as she gazed at the little captive she had netted.But of course she meant it kindly. Oh, more than kindly. She was going to prove to this girl that – wonderful things did happen in life, that – fairy godmothers were real, that – rich people had hearts, and that women were sisters. She tu rned impulsively, saying'. â€Å"Don't be frightened. After all, why shouldn't you come back with me? We're both women. If I'm the more fortunate, you ought to expect†¦ † But happily at that moment, for she didn't know how the sentence was going to end, the car stopped. The bell was rung, the door opened, and with a charming, protecting, almost embracing movement, Rosemary drew the other into the hall.Warmth, softness, light, a sweet scent, all those things so familiar to her she never even thought about them, she watched that other receive. It was fascinating. She was like the rich little girl in her nursery with all the cupboards to open, all the boxes to unpack. â€Å"Come, come upstairs,† said Rosemary, longing to begin to be generous. â€Å"Come up to my room. † And, besides, she wanted to spare this poor little thing from being stared at by the servants; she decided as they mounted the stairs she would not even ring to Jeanne, but take off her things by herself. The great things were to be natural!And â€Å"There! † cried Rosemary again, as they reached her beautiful big bedroom with the curtains drawn, the fire leaping on her wonderful lacquer furniture, her gold cushions and the primrose and blue rugs. The girl stood just inside the door; she seemed dazed. But Rosemary didn't mind that. â€Å"Come and sit down,† she cried, dragging her big chair up to the fire, â€Å"m this comfy chair. Come and get warm. You look so dreadfully cold. † â€Å"I daren't, madam,† said the girl, and she edged backwards. â€Å"Oh, please,† – Rosemary ran forward – â€Å"you mustn't be frightened, you mustn't, really.Sit down, when I've taken off my things we shall go into the next room and have tea and be cozy. Why are you afraid? † And gently she half pushed the thin figure into its deep cradle. . But there was no answer. The girl stayed just as she had been put, with her hands by her sides a nd her mouth slightly open. To be quite sincere, she looked rather stupid. But Rosemary wouldn't acknowledge it. She leant over her, saying: â€Å"Won't you take off your hat? Your pretty hair is all wet. And one is so much more comfortable without a hat, isn't one? † There was a whisper that sounded like â€Å"Very good, adam,† and the crushed hat was taken off. â€Å"And let me help you off with your coat, too,† said Rosemary. The girl stood up. But she held on to the chair with one hand and let Rosemary pull. It was quite an effort. The other scarcely helped her at all. She seemed to stagger like a child, and the thought came and went through Rosemary's mind, that if people wanted helping they must respond a little, just a little, otherwise it became very difficult indeed. And what was she to do with the coat now? She left it on the floor, and the hat too.She was just going to take a cigarette off the mantelpiece when the girl said quickly, but so lightly and strangely: â€Å"I'm very sorry, madam, but I'm going to faint. I shall go off, madam, if I don't have something. † â€Å"Good heavens, how thoughtless I am! † Rosemary rushed to the bell. â€Å"Tea! Tea at once! And some brandy immediately! † The maid was gone again, but the girl almost cried out: â€Å"No, I don't want no brandy. * I never drink brandy. It's a cup of tea I want, madam. † And she burst into tears. It was a terrible and fascinating moment.Rosemary knelt beside her chair. â€Å"Don't cry, poor little thing,† she said. Don't cry. † And she gave the other her lace handkerchief. She really was touched beyond words. She put her arm round those thin, bird-like shoulders. Now at last the other forgot to be shy, forgot everything except that they were both women, and gasped out: â€Å"I can't go on no longer like this. I can't bear it. I can't bear it. I shall do away with myself. I can't bear no more. † â€Å"You shan't hav e to. I'll look after you. Don't cry any more. Don't you see what a good thing it was that you met me? We'll have tea and you'll tell me everything. And I shall arrange something. I promise. Do stop crying.It's so exhausting. Please! † The other did stop just in time for Rosemary to get up before the tea came. She had the table placed between them. She plied the poor little creature with everything, all the sandwiches, all the bread and butter, and every time her cup was empty she filled it with tea, cream and sugar. People always said sugar was so nourishing. As for herself she didn't eat; she smoked and looked away tactfully so that the other should not be shy. And really the effect of that slight meal was marvelous. When the tea-table was carried away a new being, a light, frail creature with tangled air, dark lips, deep, lighted eyes, lay back in the big chair in a kind of sweet languor, looking at the blaze. Rosemary lit a fresh cigarette; it was time to begin. â€Å"And when did you have your last meal? † she asked softly. But at that moment the door-handle turned. â€Å"Rosemary, may I come in? † It was Philip. â€Å"Of course. † He came in. â€Å"Oh, I'm so sorry,† he said, and stopped and stared. â€Å"It's quite all right,† said Rosemary, smiling.â€Å"This is my friend, Miss _† â€Å"Smith, madam,† said the languid figure, who was strangely still and unafraid. â€Å"Smith,† said Rosemary. â€Å"We are going to have a little talk. â€Å"Oh yes,† said Philip. â€Å"Quite,† and his eye caught sight of the coat and hat on the floor. He came over to the fire and turned his back to it. â€Å"It's a beastly afternoon,† he said curiously, still looking at that listless figure, looking at its hands and boots, and then at Rosemary again. â€Å"Yes, isn't it? † said Rosemary enthusiastically. â€Å"Vile. † Philip smiled his charming smile. â€Å"As a matter of fa ct,† said he, â€Å"I wanted you to come into the library for a moment. Would you? Will Miss Smith excuse us? † The big eyes were raised to him, but Rosemary answered for her: â€Å"Of course she will. And they went out of the room together. â€Å"I say,† said Philip, when they were alone. â€Å"Explain. Who is she? What does it all mean? † Rosemary, laughing, leaned against the door and said: â€Å"I picked her up in  Curzon Street  . Really. She's a real pick-up. She asked me for the price of a cup of tea, and I brought her home with  me. † â€Å"But what on earth are you going to do with her? † cried Philip. â€Å"Be nice to her,† said Rosemary quickly. â€Å"Be frightfully nice to her. Look after her. I don't know how. We haven't talked yet. But show her – treat her – make her feel -† â€Å"My darling girl,† said Philip, â€Å"you're quite mad, you know.It simply can't be done. † â€Å"I k new you'd say that,† retorted Rosemary. Why not? I want to. Isn't that a reason? And besides, one's always reading about these things. I decided -† â€Å"But,† said Philip slowly, and he cut the end of a cigar, â€Å"she's so astonishingly pretty. † â€Å"Pretty? † Rosemary was so surprised that she blushed. â€Å"Do you think so? I – I hadn't thought about it. † â€Å"Good Lord! † Philip struck a match. â€Å"She's absolutely lovely. Look again, my child. I was bowled over when I came into your room just now. However†¦ I think you're making a ghastly mistake. Sorry, darling, if I'm crude and all that.But let me know if Miss Smith is going to dine with us in time for me to look up The Milliner's Gazette. † â€Å"You absurd creature! † said Rosemary, and she went out of the library, but not back to her bedroom. She went to her writing-room and sat down at her desk. Pretty! Absolutely lovely! Bowled over! Her hea rt beat like a heavy bell. Pretty! Lovely! She drew her check-book towards her. But no, checks would be no use, of course. She opened a drawer and took out five pound notes, looked at them, put two back, and holding the three squeezed in her hand, she went back to her bedroom.Half an hour later Philip was still in the library, when Rosemary came in. â€Å"I only wanted to tell you,† said she, and she leaned against the door again and looked at him with her dazzled exotic gaze, â€Å"Miss Smith won't dine with us to-night. † Philip put down the paper. â€Å"Oh, what's happened? Previous engagement? † Rosemary came over and sat down on his knee. â€Å"She insisted on going,† said she, â€Å"so I gave the poor little thing a present of money. I couldn't keep her against her will, could I? † she added softly. Rosemary had just done her hair, darkened her eyes a little and put on her pearls.She put up her hands and touched Philip's cheeks. â€Å"Do you like me? † said she, and her tone, sweet, husky, troubled him. â€Å"I like you awfully,† he said, and he held her tighter. â€Å"Kiss me. † There was a pause. Then Rosemary said dreamily: â€Å"I saw a fascinating little box to-day. It cost twenty-eight guineas. May I have it? † Philip jumped her on his knee. â€Å"You may, little wasteful one,† said he. But that was not really what Rosemary wanted to say. â€Å"Philip,† she whispered, and she pressed his head against her bosom, â€Å"am I pretty? â€Å"