Situation Awareness Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Circumstance Awareness - Case Study Example Circumstance mindfulness is considerably progressively basic, yet increasingly hard for military pilots on the grounds that separated from the ordinary risks of flight and route, they should likewise know about benevolent and adversary airplane; accordingly, they are required to be familiar with and mindful of a more prominent number of components in their general condition. As Endsley (1999) calls attention to, pilots are not just required to realize how to work the airplane and the best possible methods and rules for flight, they should likewise have an exact and forward-thinking image of the general condition. The examination article by Banbury et al (2007) manages circumstance mindfulness explicitly from the point of view of how preparing can be an instrument to decrease the rate of setbacks brought about by issues with circumstance mindfulness. The target of this examination was to look at whether the security and effectiveness of flight tasks could be improved through preparing in circumstance mindfulness utilizing a high constancy test system condition. ... Based on the writing survey, the subsequent stage inspected episode and mishap reports to decide the degree to which circumstance mindfulness was adding to setbacks. During the third stage, the SA abilities were disintegrated into their basic capabilities, for example, information, aptitudes and mentalities which were put aside as expected possibility for preparing. During the fourth and last phase of the undertaking, a specific preparing arrangement was created around these ideas, the goal being to look at the adequacy of the ESSAI program. The pertinent factors in the SA poll have been set out unmistakably, and they additionally recognize the current lacunae in the exploration, i.e, existing proportions of circumstance mindfulness center around estimating it as far as item (member mindfulness) as opposed to process, or the procedures engaged with circumstance mindfulness that produce a portrayal in memory. This distinguished the requirement for a viable indicative measure, and the examination did a comprehensive hunt utilizing lab and field based sources. The investigation likewise shows viable testing for inclination, on the grounds that a pilot survey was managed. The article in this manner expands upon the exploration discoveries from others and conveyed it further. The ESSAI program was assessed utilizing test system instructional courses and the Simulation Awareness Rating method, an abstract evaluation measure that is utilized to survey administrator information in three regions: requests being made on attentional assets, the flexibly of those assets and a comprehension of the circumstance. The decision of the rating apparatus was likewise a decent one - the Factors Affecting Situation Awareness scale, containing five sub-scales, was utilized to quantify how defenseless the

Mobile Phone and People

The creation and offer of cigarettes ought to be made illicit. Individuals have gotten excessively subject to innovation. College understudies should breeze through the English capability assessment before graduation Argumentative Essay : People have gotten excessively reliant on innovation. Point: People have gotten excessively subject to innovation 1. Presentation (passage 1) A. Snare: Computer, hand telephones, Internet, and most recent devices, for example, GPStacking gadgets are not any longer unordinary thing in ourâ daily life. B. Connecting Information People begin to utilize those innovative developments as their dailyâ life needs.People’s way of life has mix along with innovation. C. Thesis Statement Although the greater part of the individuals think thatâ technology has made our life simpler, inmy feeling its creation us excessively subject to those advancements. 2. Body A. Paragraph 2 (First point) Today’s age is getting a lot lazier than the pr ior age. This isbecause they are excessively subject to advances. Some of them can't todo things all alone. For instance, a few people are relies upon grass-slicing machine to clean their yard, while they can get it done without it. Another model is, today’s youth age can’t separate with their mobilephones.They feel like they lost somebody in their family if the hand telephone isnot in their grasp. This unmistakably gives us how much individuals depending ontechnologies. B. Paragraph 3 (Second point) Most of the amazing nations are depends onâ their mechanical force tostabilize their status. Innovation made modern advancement to increaserapidly. Businesses rely more upon machines than human force. This newlydiscovered automated innovation makes human laborers to be completely disregarded insome plants. C. Paragraph 4 (Third point) Besides that, mobileâ technology makes ourâ lives even faster.As devicesbecome lighter and all the more impressive we no lo nger need to hold up until we show up atour goal. We can do nearly anything while out and about. In this fastphased world, individuals without a PC or cell phones are the person who leftbehind of their work. Those days, individuals impart through letters. Be that as it may, these days, a few people lost a huge number of cash if there is no email servicefor 60 minutes. D. Paragraph 5 (Counterargument) On other hand, people groups state that innovation reflects how far mankind hasevolved and enlightened. They believe that I telephones and PDAs represents thedevelopment of human race.However as I would like to think, these individuals didn’trealize that we are losingâ our capacity as innovation creates. Thousands ofâ years back individuals effectively fabricated pyramid with just usingâ human power. Istrongly remain as I would see it that individuals have become excessively reliant ontechnology. 3. Decision A. Restatedâ thesis: As an end, it’s clear that we have b ecome excessively reliant ontechnology by the realities that we are getting lazier, overlooking humanpower, and working while at the same time going in our day by day life, in spite of the fact that when most ofâ the individuals state that innovation made our lives better.B. Recommendation/ Prediction /Opinion: If individuals didn’t figure out how to remain all alone legâ to get things done, surelythey will endure when the day comes. Individuals should know how to surviveand get things done without contingent a lot upon innovation. Article; Are People Overly Dependent on Technology? You know you’ve got an excessive amount of innovation in your life when you and your life partner are sitting together on the love seat, having an instant message discussion with one another. Who at any point envisioned that â€Å"ashes to remains, residue to dust† could really allude to our vocal cords?Admittedly, it’s an extremely advantageous type of correspondence an d altogether proper on occasion, such as during weddings, memorial services, and tests. However, it’s not simply message informing, it’s the whole innovation range that has zombified us, and it just is by all accounts deteriorating. I know a bunch of individuals who can’t get into their vehicles and onto the street until they’ve matched up all their Bluetooth gadgets with their car’s Bluetooth framework, have messaged a few people to tell them they’ve simply left, will be moving in the blink of an eye, and will content them when they arrive, and browsed their numerous email accounts once last time.And by one final time I mean before they get to the following stop light where they’ll check it once more, just on the off chance that something significant from a rich, resigned armed force general with banking associations in Zimbabwe has appeared. Do any of us truly wonder why our collision protection rates are through the rooftop, and ve rsatile innovation can be refered to as a prime factor in a great many mishaps on our thruways and byways? Wager you didn’t realize that many bike protective caps are presently outfitted with Bluetooth abilities, for those occasions when a call just can’t hold up until you’ve eased back your projectile bicycle to 150mph.By any definition you pick, this is a superfluous exceed of current innovation. As a general public, all in all, have we genuinely gotten excessively reliant on innovation, or does it just appear that way in light of the fact that grumpy old technophobes continue revealing to us that? Think about your every day normal as knowledge into the appropriate response. What might your day resemble without a PC, without an advanced cell, without 600 stations of satellite TV, without Facebook and Twitter, and without your Kindle Fire?Would your whole day be tossed messed up if the main thing you didn’t do every morning was browse your email on your cell phone before you turned on your PC to browse those equivalent messages? What might a day without Facebook resemble for you? What about only 60 minutes? As a matter of fact, I’m composing this article on my PC for individuals to peruse on their PCs, which may make me a player in the issue, yet on the off chance that I could make an every day â€Å"hardcopy† following, I would. It’s a basic actuality of the 21st century that we rely upon innovation for everything, and the individuals who shun it are some way or another called in reverse, distant, and frequently my parents.Still, do we require such a great amount of innovation to work in today’s society, or do we simply disclose to ourselves that trying to keep feeling important? Is it extremely significant that my Facebook companions realize that I just plunked down for supper at my preferred eatery? I think the catalyst for such a large amount of this is dread of not staying aware of the new Joneses, who are every now and again youngsters and youthful grown-ups who couldn’t conceivably give you bearings to the library since they have no clue what a library is.How ordinarily have you remained in line, feasible for a considerable length of time and to the detriment of your magnificence rest, to get another cell phone that is marginally better than the cell phone you remained in line for a half year back? In the event that you become flushed and feel somewhat nervy, there’s a generally excellent possibility you’re dependent on innovation for innovation, and not for what it can really mean regarding expanded profitability in your life. Things being what they are, what should be possible? Indeed, in the event that you’re reluctant, at that point nothing. You’ll most likely be one of those inevitable guardians who brings up a youngster who will never go out, in any way, shape or form, in light of the fact that he’ll never have to.Everything he will need will be a mouse-click or a voice order away, including virtual get-aways, significant distance learning, and a sweetheart who looks amazing at 30 edges for every second. Assuming, notwithstanding, you’re tired, all things considered, or possibly tired of it a few, at that point here’s something you can do that has been an achievement in our home. Each night, for 60 minutes, we turn off our mobile phones, shut down our PCs, and discover something to do as a family. Once in a while it is TV, yet more often than not it isn’t.We take strolls, we hang out in the back yard, we play games, we babble about how we truly wish we could check our Facebook status pretty much at this point. Furthermore, every Saturday we live as innovation free as could be expected under the circumstances. We do close our telephones and PCs off for the afternoon. It’s extraordinary, and now and again it doesn’t consistently turn out to be, however for a long while now we’ve been effective at this on the grounds that we’ve perceived in our own lives that it is so natural to dismiss the simple world when we’re so engaged in the computerized one. It just takes a longing to subterranean insect to accomplish something else, and a willing soul. Before you know it you’ll think that its simpler to set down your cell phone, simpler to leave Facebook following two hours of looking for the most amusing LOLcats on earth, and simpler to disapprove of that next paltry buy that will presumably make them remain in line in frosty temperatures, messaging to and fro with the person remaining in the line before you. Tyler is a tech fan and author for CableTV. com sumber: http://thegeekpanel. com/social/are-individuals excessively subject to innovation/

Apply with LinkedIn Another Reason to Have a KILLER LinkedIn Profile

Apply with LinkedIn Another Reason to Have a KILLER LinkedIn Profile On July 24, 2011, LinkedIn announced their “Apply with LinkedIn” system.   According to LinkedIn’s Blog, Apply with LinkedIn will allow you to “submit your profile for any job application on the web with one simple click.” Most notable about this program is that companies will be able to install a button on their websites, allowing applicants to apply using a LinkedIn profile! You now have another incentive to write a KILLER LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn claims that over one thousand companies are jumping on the bandwagon, including big names like Netflix, TripIt and Photobucket. The following are LinkedIns 3 advertised selling points for job seekers: 1.   You can modify your profile for each position. If you want to cater your profile to each job position, this is your chance.   Of course, you could get in trouble if the company were to go back and check your profile to find that it looks completely different from the profile you submitted…   so don’t modify too much! 2. LinkedIn will show you the names of people who can introduce you to someone in the company. We all know that the way to get a job is through networking, and LinkedIn apparently will help you get started.   I wonder how effective these leads really are, however, since if everyone who applies for the position is given contact information of people at the company, these contacts might be inundated with communications from hundreds of job seekers. This feature could lose its power pretty quickly. 3. LinkedIn will track all your applications for you! Tracking services and historical information on your job search?   Now that is a huge advantage, especially for the organizationally challenged!   All you have to do is go to the “Saved Jobs” tab under the Jobs category, and you’ll be able to view a record of all the jobs you’ve applied to.   Imagine twenty or thirty years from now looking back nostalgically on those first Apply with LinkedIn attempts. Your STELLAR LinkedIn Profile! The most important takeaway of this roll-out as I see it is that if you are planning to apply to one of the thousands of companies who soon will be using the Apply with LinkedIn button, you will really need to make sure your LinkedIn profile is 100% complete â€" and that it sparkles! The Essay Expert is here to help you, through webinars and direct services, to create a profile you are proud of.   View The Essay Expert’s LinkedIn Profile Services and contact us through our web form or at 608-467-0067.

Should Cigarette Smoking Be Banned Essay - 1278 Words

Smoking is an expensive habit. People who smoke cigarettes can spend as much as $2,500 a year on them. Smokers’ claim that it helps relax them and it releases stress but the negative aspects of smoking outweigh the positive. Smoking is a health hazard for smokers and non-smokers. Smokers should have the right to choose what to do with their own health but they should respect non-smokers. Many people believe that there are good and bad outcomes from smoking. I believe that smoking is bad and that it should be banned. Many people think that smoking is a sign of coolness but in fact it damages the body. Cigarettes contain nicotine which is an addictive substance and that is why it is hard for smokers to stop smoking. Smoking can damage the†¦show more content†¦Spending money on smoking is too much and leads to nothing, and there are no benefits that people can get from smoking. Smoking can hit personal finances and smokers are burning their money for no reason. Instead o f using money to get cigarettes, people can donate to non-government organizations to wipe out poverty and change people’s lives. Smoking is a major factor that is destroying the environment. Smoking cigarettes is bad for the air. People who do not smoke have to breathe the bad air around the smokers. Smoking needs to be banned in public to let other people breathe the fresh air. Most Americans are exposed to outdoor and indoor air that can cause cancer and other serious health problems. Smoking is a serious problem that needs to be taken care of. If we want a strong environment, clean environment, and a good public health, we need to ban smoking once and for all. Many people believe that smoking is good in many ways. They also think that smoking carries more benefits than not smoking. Smoking will help you make friends. Smokers congregate in very small areas and by doing this brings on a friendship. They exchange stories, exchange news, and enrich knowledge. Smokers all have something in common. They are discriminated against, and thus they quickly bond together. Smoking will reduce stress and anxiety. The calming effects of a constant nicotine supply in the bloodstream will reduce theShow MoreRelatedShould Cigarette Smoking Be Banned?1376 Words   |  6 PagesSurgeon General’s report stated that cigarette smoking is the major single cause of cancer death in the United States. This statement is so true today. Smoking a cigarette is an acquired behavior and that makes it the most preventable cause of death in our society. Cigarettes contain nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT. The main ingredient in cigarettes is tobacco. The nicotine in cigarettes is very addictive and when smoke containingRead MoreShould Cigarette Smoking Be Banned?1365 Words   |  6 PagesShould Cigarette Smoking be banned? The United States Surgeon General’s report stated that cigarette smoking is the major single cause of cancer death in the United States. This statement is so true today. Smoking a cigarette is an acquired behavior and that makes it the most preventable cause of death in our society. Cigarettes contain nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, as well as formaldehyde, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, arsenic, and DDT. The main ingredient in cigarettes is tobacco. The nicotineRead MoreShould cigarette smoking be banned?700 Words   |  3 Pages Should cigarette smoking be banned? Smoking is an expensive habit. People who smoke cigarettes can spend as much as $2,500 a year on them (Singletary). Smoking is a practice in which a substance, most commonly tobacco or cannabis, is burned and the smoke is tasted or inhaled. The most common method of smoking today is through cigarettes. Cigarettes remain primarily industrially manufactured, but they can be hand-rolled from loose tobacco and paper. Today we are more aware on how bad smoking is forRead MoreShould Cigarette Smoking Be Banned?899 Words   |  4 Pages Should Cigarette Smoking Be Banned Whether or not cigarette smoking should be banned completely, has become an object of controversy in many countries. Should cigarette smoking be banned for everyone in the United States? Smoking tobacco products have been around for decades and in many different forms. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Cigarette smoking causes more than 480,000 deathsRead MoreCigarette Smoking Should Not Be Banned1528 Words   |  7 PagesShould cigarette smoking be banned for everyone in the United States? Why? Why not? Should those who chose their time smoking to relieve stress, personal enjoyment, or simply just because, have to lose their right to what makes them happy? Smoking tobacco products has been around for decades and in many different forms. Should personal rights be pushed aside to please those around us that disagree with the so called â€Å"disgusting habit†? In t he paper The Washington Times an article caught my interestRead MoreShould Smoking Cigarettes Be Banned?988 Words   |  4 Pages Isabella Zannettino Smoking is an addictive practice which entails inhaling and exhaling smoke from burning tobacco leaves. In the last 15 years extensive research and shocking statistics have demonstrated the adverse effects smoking can have on pregnant mothers and their babies. Currently, smoking cigarettes is the No. 1 cause of adverse outcomes for babies† (WebMed.com, 2013). Banning cigarettes may seem the most effective way of stopping pregnant mothers from smoking; however, doing this wouldRead MoreShould Cigarette Smoking Be Banned?925 Words   |  4 PagesProfessor Fuentes English 1003 April 22, 2015 Ban smoking in the United States Tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of diseases and premature death in the United States (U.S.), yet more than 45 million Americans still smoke cigarettes. The health threat posed by tobacco has been accepted by scientists since the 17th century. In 1928, studies linked smoking to cancer. In 1964, the first Surgeon General’s report on cigarette smoking summarized the evidence that tobacco poses seriousRead MoreShould Cigarette Smoking Be Banned?1137 Words   |  5 PagesBiology 101 Should Cigarette Smoking Be Banned? Should there be a ban on cigarette smoking in the United States? Since cigarettes were introduced to Americans, questions have been raised concerning the legality of smoking and if it should be allowed everyone, in public places, or not at all. Recently, with the increase knowledge in cost and healthcare, the controversy with cigarette smoking has significantly risen. Across the country, states have banned smoking in public areas and inside buildingsRead MoreShould Cigarette Smoking Be Banned?824 Words   |  3 Pages Introduction: Tobacco Humans have been using tobacco in one way or the other since ancient times. Use of doesn’t always imply smoking it, but it can be chewed or used in different forms such as Tobacco chewing, dipping tobacco, etc. History: There is no fix time for the start of the use of tobacco in humans but it has been in human use since very ancient times. Locals were using before the arrival of Europeans to Americas. Las Casas brilliantly describes in his journal what the scouts who firstRead MoreCigarette Smoking Should Be Banned1768 Words   |  8 PagesCigarette Smoking Should be banned in United States Cigarette Smoking should be banned in the United States because it causes significant health problems. Tobacco is responsible for nearly one in five deaths in the whole country; also the smoke contains monoxide that reduces oxygen- carrying ability of red blood cells. The origins of tobacco go way back when; but how it was manufactured is a question asked constantly. How it had started was On November twenty third, 1998, forty-six states, as

Report on Financial Statement Fraud Scheme Case Study the...

Report on Financial Statement Fraud Scheme Case Study: The Importance of Timing ACC/556 Professor University of Phoenix December 19, 2011 Memo To: The Management From: Forensic Auditor Date: 12/19/2011 Subject: Case Study on the Importance of Timing and Financial Statement Fraud Scheme As our company is in process of conducting investigation to detect any financial statement fraud or abuse, I have come across the case where expenses were recorded in the financial statement under the period it was disbursed to vendor and actual services occurred in next or other financial year period. It’s against the regulation of SEC and GAAP guidelines. In this particular case the repair were completed in current†¦show more content†¦The sampling tools and techniques used in this investigation consists systematic random selection of data from selected sources. The forensic accountant use computer forensics, data analytics and interviews to allow them to assemble much of the required evidence for an investigation. This abuse was detected when we see the invoice of heavy amount paid by end of the last year without any inspection report or repair completion document in file. The furt her investigation showed it was done later this year. No employee took any funds to commit financial fraud or larceny but the financial statement were misleading to the users of those statements. A company may experience such type of abuse or corruption schemes developed at any given time, more than one area or all over the company. Corruption can be performed by fraudster employees who intentionally and wrongfully use their influence to gain personal financial gain from company business transaction. It can be limited to a particular department or it may exist in all structural levels. It is vital for a company to review financial status routinely to ensure proper accounting and reporting procedures are followed in entirety of company business transactions. It is extremely important to review before an end of year transactions with heavy amounts to ensure validity of amount and services occurred in that financial year.Show MoreRelatedAcc 5561986 Words   |  8 PagesCourse Descrip tion In this course, students are introduced to the conduct of fraud examinations, including a discussion of specific procedures used in forensic accounting examinations and the reasoning behind these procedures. Topics include an overview of fraud and abuse, forensic evidence, substantive procedures for cash outflow irregularities, substantive procedures for asset irregularities, financial statement fraud, and examination reporting. Policies Faculty and students/learners willRead MoreFinancial Statement Frauds29904 Words   |  120 Pages2002:53 Financial Statement Fraud - Recognition of Revenue and the Auditor’s Responsibility for Detecting Financial Statement Fraud - Tiina Intal and Linh Thuy Do Graduate Business School School of Economics and Commercial Law Gà ¶teborg University ISSN 1403-851X Printed by Elanders Novum Abstract Financial reporting frauds and earnings manipulation have attracted high profile attention recently. There have been several cases by businesses of what appears to be financial statement fraudRead MoreCauses of Bank Failure6382 Words   |  26 PagesIf your money is FDIC insured, you probably don’t need to panic. Bank Officers’ Fraud Let us have an example from USA Former TBW CEO Pleads Guilty in $1.5 Billion Bank Fraud Scheme WASHINGTON—Paul Allen, the former chief executive officer (CEO) at Taylor, Bean Whitaker (TBW), pleaded guilty today to making false statements and conspiring to commit bank and wire fraud for his role in a $1.5 billion fraud scheme that contributed to the failure of TBW. The guilty plea was announced today by AssistantRead MoreAcca P7 Notes24991 Words   |  100 PagesINTRODUCTION TO THE PAPER 2 CHAPTER 1 – REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT 3 CHAPTER 2 – PROFESSIONAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS 8 CHAPTER 3 – PRACTICE MANAGEMENT 13 CHAPTER 4 – ASSIGNMENTS I: THE AUDIT OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 16 CHAPTER 5 – ASSIGNMENTS II: GROUP AUDITS 42 CHAPTER 6 – AUDIT REPORTS AND OTHER REPORTS 45 CHAPTER 7 – ASSIGNMENTS III: OTHER ASSIGNMENTS 57 CHAPTER 8 – CURRENT ISSUES AND DEVELOPMENTS 63 INTRODUCTION TO THE PAPER AIM OF THE PAPER The aim of the paper is to apply relevantRead MoreIca Gh Syslabus26672 Words   |  107 Pagesthe New Scheme Objectives and Expected Performance Outcomes of Each Part PART 1 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Financial Accounting Fundermentals Business Management Economics Management Information Systems PART 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Quantitative Tools in Business Audit and Internal Review Business and Corporate Law Principles and Practice of Taxation PART 3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Financial Reporting Public Sector Accounting Cost and Management Accounting Financial Management PART 4 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Advanced Financial ReportingRead MoreSolution to Auditing and Assurance Service: 1,12,B, 329605 Words   |  119 PagesThey cannot produce the information for themselves because of these conditions. Company managers and accountants produce the information. 1.3 Information risk, in contrast to business risk, is the risk (probability) that the information (mainly financial) disseminated by a company will be materially false or misleading. This risk creates the demand for objective outsiders to provide assurance to decision makers. 1.4 Students can refer to the AAA and AICPA definitions in Chapter 1. Some instructorsRead MoreProfessional Misconduct58343 Words   |  234 PagesComplaint Council Disciplinary Committee Council High Court (if need arises) Complaint Council whether it is fit D.C. (Ist Schedule) fit for case or not (Having evidences explanation unfit than recommended report (Prima facie opinion reject supply to council Whether complaint is fit. It is not deciding) Council Pass the decision Refer to H.C (If in Ist ScheduleRead MoreChapter 1 Accounting Information Systems and the Accountant14769 Words   |  60 PagesSystems—A Deï ¬ nition Accounting Information Systems and Their Role in Organizations CASE ANALYSES The Annual Report Universal Concrete Products Ross, Sells, and Young, LLP REFERENCES AND RECOMMENDED READINGS ANSWERS TO TEST YOURSELF WHAT’S NEW IN ACCOUNTING INFORMATION SYSTEMS? Suspicious Activity Reporting Countering Terrorism Corporate Scandals and Accounting The Sarbanes-Oxley and Patriot Acts ACCOUNTING AND IT Financial Accounting Managerial Accounting Auditing Taxation CAREERS IN ACCOUNTING INFORMATIONRead MoreOrganizational Fraud9733 Words   |  39 PagesORGANIZATIONAL FRAUD [pic] Submitted by: Amit Goel(amigoel@gmail.com) Mohit Goel Executive Summary For many organizations, â€Å"getting it right† or â€Å"getting it wrong† is a matter of survival. This study talks about the issues like, ‘organisational fraud’, ‘ethics’ ‘empowerment’ in an organisation and their relation to standards of good behaviour in order to explore various ways in which occurrences of ever increasing frauds can be checked. Organisational Fraud can be perpetrated by thoseRead MoreWaste Management33554 Words   |  135 Pagesaccounting fraud and auditor legal liability c a S eS inc lu de d in t hiS Se ction 4 89 99 4.1 Enron Corporation and Andersen, LLP Analyzing the Fall of Two Giants . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2 Comptronix Corporation 4.3 Cendant Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Identifying Inherent Risk and Control Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111 119 127 137 Assessing the Control Environment and Evaluating Risk of Financial Statement Fraud

Case Study Prescription Drug Abuse - 1885 Words

Research Paper Focus: Prescription Drug Abuse Abuse is a pattern of substance use that results in negative consequences and impairment (Bukstein and Nquyen). Misuse is the use for a purpose not consistent with medical guidelines or without a prescription for the individual using the medication (Bukstein and Nquyen). Abuse of prescription opioids has been cited as the fastest growing drug problem in the United States, and has surpassed the use of cocaine and heroin combined as a cause of mortality (Singhal ). In 2013 alone, nearly two million Americans abused prescription opioids and 16,235 deaths were caused by prescription opioids representing almost a fourfold increase since 1999 (Singhal ). Two million people reported using†¦show more content†¦Doctors prescribe medications to people with certain doses and forms because of how fast or slow the drug goes through the body. The drug will move to the stomach where it is dissolved, then it will release the drug into the blood, and then finally traveling to the brain. When the drug is abused it changes the speed and the way the drug travels throughout the body and to the brain. For example, when someone abuses the stimulant, Adderall, by crushing the pill and snorting it through their nose, a dose that would normally work over the course of a 10-12-hour period hits the brain all at once creating a high and drastically increasing the risk for overdose, addiction, or death (Prescription Drugs). There are many reasons people misuse or abuse prescription drugs like for instance they think it’s a safer way than to use illegal drugs, they are â€Å"not addictive†, or they are easier to acquire than illegal drugs. Approximately 40% of adolescents reported that they thought prescription drugs are much safer to use than illegal drugs, even if they are not prescribed by a doctor (Bukstein and Nquyen). The accessibility to prescription drugs is at a high. People acquire the drugs through diversion which is the most common means of obtaining prescriptions for unintended purposes (Elliott). Diversion is the channeling of prescription drugs from legal use to illegal use (Ford and Watkins). Getting drugs from siblings,Show MoreRelatedEffects Of Opioid Abuse On A Community Essay1636 Words   |  7 PagesVarious Effects of Opioid Abuse on a Community The relationship between the rising rates of prescription-opioid abuse and heroin use has led to increases in crime, incidences of HCV and HIV, and drastic increases on overdose and death. In fact, between 1999 and 2010 opioid-related mortality increased 415% among women and 265% among men (King et al, 2014). According to King et al (2014), the main causes of this increase in deaths can be attributed to prescriber error, user behavior and characteristicsRead MoreRichard Fee Was A Potential Medical Student1496 Words   |  6 Pagespotential medical student, an athlete on the baseball team and sophomore class president. In 2008 he began to struggle with focusing on his studies and went to see a doctor who believed he had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The doctor immediately prescribed him Vyvanse for his ADHD. In 2008 after he graduated with a degree in biology, he began to study hard for the medical school entry exams. (Schwarz 1) This caused him to make an appointment to the nearby Triad Psychiatric and CounselingRead MoreNon Medical Use Of Prescription Drugs Among Treatment Essay1290 Words   |  6 PagesNon-medical use of prescription drugs among treatment seeking population in Singapore: the impact on life and services (temp title) Asharani PV, Mythily Subramaniam, Edimansyah Bin Abdin, Guo Song, Christopher Cheok Prescription medications have improved the overall well beings of patients worldwide with many new drugs hitting the market in the past decade. These drugs which are prescribed by the general practitioners and specialist to treat various ailments were diverted and abused by people leadingRead MorePrescription Drug Abuse1298 Words   |  5 Pagessick. Prescription drugs are being taken for reasons other than the ones they are being prescribed for, fueling an addiction that impacts as many as 48 million Americans (Prescription Drug Abuse WebMD). According to MedLinePlus, an estimated 20 percent of people in the United States have used prescription drugs for nonmedical reasons. This is prescription drug abuse. While a considerable amount of time, resources, and attention are focused on the problems associated with illicit drugs, prescriptionRead MoreTeenage Prescription Drug Abuse Essay1427 Words   |  6 PagesTeenage Prescription Drug Abuse Years ago, the common image of an adolescent drug abuser was a teen trying to escape from reality on illegal substances like cocaine, heroin, or marijuana. Today, there is a great discrepancy between that perception and the reality of who is likely to abuse drugs. A teenage drug abuser might not have to look any further than his or her parent’s medicine chest to ‘score.’ Prescription drug abuse by teens is on the rise. Also, teens are looking to prescription drugsRead MorePrescription Drug Abuse990 Words   |  4 PagesPrescription drug abuse is not a new problem within our society. Prescription drug abuse has in fact been an ongoing problem that is currently spinning out of control. There are many people within our society that are currently dealing with prescription drug addiction. Prescription drug abuse is the intentional use of a medication without a prescription; in a way other than as prescribed; or for the experience or feeling it causes (The Science o f Drug Abuse Addiction, 2014). Prescription drugsRead MoreKyle Craig and his Abuse on Adderall1698 Words   |  7 PagesWhat no one knew is that Kyle illegally looked to Adderall to keep up his â€Å"I’ve got it all together† act. Adderall is a stimulant prescription drug for those with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, also known as ADHD (FDA). Kyle took Adderall illegally and abused it much too often just to perform better academically and socially. While abusing the drug, Kyle slowly began spiraling into a dangerous state of psychosis that no one seemed to catch on to. That dangerous spiral led KyleRead MorePrescription Drug Abuse1483 Words   |  6 PagesAnalysis The audience I will be addressing is parents, caregivers and school educators about the dangers of prescription drugs and how we can better educate teenagers and young adults on the dangers of abusing them. There are many ways that we can teach and educate our teenagers and young adults, but it’s important that families, schools and communities are involved. The rate of prescription drug overdose among teenagers and young adults have sky rocketed over the past several years. This has becomeRead MoreThe Effects Of Drug Abuse On America1350 Words   |  6 PagesDrug abuse in America is evidently a huge problem, yet remains to be misunderstood by many people. Elizabeth Foy Larsen writes a strong, informative article about a young woman named Brittany who has fallen to drug abuse. Brittany was a drug free, well rounded student with great potential just like many other young adults in America. However, one occasion flipped her life completely upside down. She had gotten her wisdom teeth removed and received prescription medication to reduce her pain. She soonRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Opioid Addiction1678 Words   |  7 Pages The United States currently faces an unprecedented epidemic of opioid addiction. This includes painkillers, heroin, and other drugs made from the same base chemical. In the couple of years, approximately one out of twenty Americans reported misuse or abuse of prescriptions painkillers. Heroin abuse and overdoses are on the rise and are the leading cause of injury deaths, surpassing car accidents and gun shots. The current problem differs from the opioid addiction outbreaks of the past in that

The Idea Of Originality In Postmodernism Art Essay Example For Students

The Idea Of Originality In Postmodernism Art Essay A figure of postmodern theoreticians and creative persons have questioned whether there is such thing as originality in art. Discuss this issue with mention to illustrations of the work of one or more recent creative persons who have questioned the impression of originality in their work. Postmodernism rejects the modern thought of originality as the new, and substitutes it with a combination of elements from the yesteryear. One of the chief features of Postmodernism was its rupturing down of boundary lines between manners and assorted cultural elements and the progress towards seeking something new and original was discarded and substituted with an merger of elements from past and bing civilizations. ( Perina 2006 ) Postmodernism distances the topic, to declare the decease of individuality. It leads to the reprocessing of objects and images from the past to make a more existent and personal experience. There is excessively much information for us to treat and do sense of and we are trapped in a universe of second-hand experiences, dependent upon media representation of the universe instead than our first-hand experience. ( Crouch 1999 ) Originality as observed by modern-day creative persons, borrows to a great extent from postmodernist discourse. This essay will look at the plants of several postmodern creative persons who participate in a review and deconstruction of the myth of traditional originality whilst at the same time seeking new ways to take their art in new and unexpected waies. It farther inquires into the positions of good known art authors and critics who acknowledge the manner in which the arrangement of an graphics in a different context, or the re-working of an original image or images from the yesteryear can confer it an full new apprehension, hence allowing an component of originality. Sherrie Levine, Andy Warhol and their many followings questioned and re-positioned issues around writing and the original in artistic pattern. This bequest is of import to research as the appropriated image and the pastiched image is so cardinal in today s art and commercial pattern particularly since the growing of digital imagination. ( Hammerstingl 1998 ) Sherrie Levine ( B. 1947 ) is a primary illustration of a postmodern creative person who confronts the issues environing postmodernist appropriation. Her review of writing and aura are cardinal to Sherrie Levine s brave and influential deconstruction of the modernist myths of originality in many of her re-appropriations of eminent plants by male creative persons. ( Delacour 2009 ) Since the early 1980 s, Levine has made a calling out of re-using or appropriating celebrated plants of art, frequently by doing new versions of them and puting them in different contexts. ( Walker Art Center 2007 ) Her plants have been understood as a commentary on the decease of Modernism and its ideals, impressions of artistic originality, the genuineness and liberty of the art object and its position as a trade good. ( Museum of Modern Art 2010 ) Levine s Fountain ( After Marcel Duchamp: A.P. ) ( 1991 ) , ( Fig. 1 ) is an unmistakeable mention to Marcel Duchamp s celebrated 1917 piece Fountain ( Fig. 2 ) . Cast in bronze to a extremely polished coating, it transforms an mundane object into a beautiful and pretentious piece which is presented on a narrow base that closely resembles the show of Duchamp s Fountain. Levine strove for entire historical truth by turn uping a urinal from the indistinguishable maker and twelvemonth that Duchamp used, although she was unable to happen the exact theoretical account. ( Buskirk 2003 ) Figure 2 Marcel Duchamp, B. 1887, French, Fountain ( 1917 ) , porcelain, 360 ten 480 ten 610 millimeter Figure 1 Sherrie Levine, B. 1947, American, Fountain ( After Marcel Duchamp: A.P. ) ( 1991 ) , bronze, 14.514.2525 inches When compared to Duchamp s sculpture, it is apparent that Levine s Fountain is non an exact reproduction. Most notably, Duchamp s piece was an existent urinal which was turned inverted and remained unchanged apart from his signature. In contrast, Levine s urinal is more modern-day and has been cast in bronze, the traditional metal of sculpturers. ( Walker Art Center 2007 ) This usage of bronze in such a manner makes mention to another creative person, Constantine Brancusi, who was ill-famed for bring forthing sculptures in extremely polished bronze ( Buskirk 2003 ) . When polished to a superb radiance Levine s urinal no thirster remains a common, boughten point. Alternatively it has been transformed by the creative person into a alone object. ( walkerart ) Writer and critic Martha Buskirk remarks that despite the blatantly obvious mention to Duchamp s readymade, Levine s urinal has been transformed into a typical piece as a consequence of this pick to hold it cast from extremely poli shed bronze. ( Buskirk 2003 ) Due to the rewording of the fountain in bronze, she raises the inquiry of is the sculpture any longer a readymade? Due to the stuff features of it being altered. By recasting the urinal, Levine challenges the map of the readymade as approaching heterosexual from the manners of production of society. Her object is no longer inextricably tied to its presence in mundane society. ( Buskirk 2003 ) Buskirk states that in one sense, Levine s Fountain is non a transcript at all because she did non necessitate the original Duchamp fountain to make a reproduction. Alternatively she attended the same beginning as Duchamp, which was the kingdom of mass production. Her piece triggers a history of mentions to past readymades and reproduction of the mundane object. ( Buskirk 2003 ) American Revolutionary War - Ticonderoga and Crown EssayFigure 6 Andy Warhol, B. 1928, American, Brillo Soap Pads Boxes ( 1964 ) , silkscreen and acrylic boxes, 43.2 ten 43.2 ten 35.6 centimeters each It could be argued that Brillo Soap Pads Boxes, and much of Andy Warhol s work, is absent of any sort of originality due to its about indistinguishable resemblance to the original merchandise in which he had no engagement in the creative activity of, nevertheless he makes a dramatic part via his insightful review of the alluring nature of trade good in a civilization driven by mass media. He achieves this through his usage of repeat. The anon. writer who designed or photographed the merchandises adopted by Warhol for usage within his work becomes replaced by the creative person who remarks on the merchandises cultural acquaintance, an act of recontextualizing. ( Buskirk 2003 ) In Warhol s Flowers ( 1965 ) ( Fig. 7 ) , he appropriated an image of flowers that he found in a 1964 issue of Modern Photography magazine. When the lensman of the exposure, Patricia Caufield discovered that Warhol had appropriated her image she filed a case against him for conflicting on right of first publication as she was able to claim legal writing. The instance was settled out of tribunal, with Warhol offering to give Caufield two of his Flower pictures. When analysed, it is apparent that there exists several differences between Caufield s image and Warhol s appropriation. First of wholly he cropped the exposure so that it focussed on four flowers ; the image has been flattened by the remotion of item and the adding of solid blocks of coloring material within the flowers. His alterations in medium, graduated table and coloring material helped to transform the image well. ( Buskirk 2003 ) Figure 7 Andy Warhol, B. 1928, American, Flowers ( 1965 ) , man-made polymer pigment and silkscreen ink on canvas, 4848 inches. Although the original exposure that Warhol sourced to establish many of his graphicss on were neither taken by or owned by him, his works become original by the mode in which he re-works them and exhibits them. It is really difficult to confound writing as Warhol upholds a manner that is distinctively his ain. He takes ordinary images and through his changes of them makes them extraordinary. ( Buskirk 2003 ) In each of the instances presented, the creative persons have exercised an act of recontextualisation by taking a recognizable object or image and transforming it by changing how it is made or where it is found. Through this procedure each of the creative persons has achieved the act of both recognizing and admiting the original writer whilst claiming writing for themselves via the procedure of this recontextualisation? . ( Buskirk 2003 ) The diverse ways that creative persons have adopted and transformed these familiar images and objects moreover articulate a complex layering of citation and mention that exemplifies modern-day art. ( Buskirk 2003 ) In add-on, the artistic merchandise desires a step of creativeness on the audience s portion. The spectator contributes to the creative activity of plants via their readings and ratings of them. ( Leddy 1994 ) Gallic literary theoretician and critic Roland Barthes attributes authorship to the reader who shapes significance and apprehension. Barthes created Hagiographas that straight suggested the thought of Death of the Author as a cardinal post-modern construct. ( Hammerstingl 1998 ) He states To give a text an Writer and delegate a individual, matching reading to it is to enforce a bound on that text. Roland Barthes asserts that each piece of composing or graphics contains multiple beds and significances. In a well-known citation, Barthes draws an analogy between text and fabrics, declaring that a text is a tissue of citations, drawn from countless centres of civilization, instead than from one, single experience. The indispensable significance of a work depends on the feelings of the reader, instead than the passions or gustatory sensations of the author ; a text s integrity lies non in its beginnings, or its Godhead, but in its finish, or its audience. ( New World Encyclopedia 2008 ) To summarize, Barthes attributes authorship to the reader who forms significance and apprehension. To repeat, it is non the value and map that an object relies on to pass on with its audience, but its veiled mentions and codifications from the past that permit a more single perceptual experience. The originality and genuineness of the primary beginning ceases to be imperative in postmodernist art. Alternatively it is the recycled message which is constructed upon the unconscious memories and perceptual experiences from the past that gives command to new perceptual experiences and new positions of originality. The merger of non-referring manners united together helps to make a new original , assembled from good identified masters of the yesteryear. Equally the postmodernist construct of deconstruction utilises the intercommunication amid the influence and continual procedure of mentioning. ( Perina 2006 )

Constant Content has an Updated Platform!

We’re excited to announce the full launch of our newly redesigned Constant Content platform! We’ve listened to customer feedback and applied best practices in UX design to deliver an update that is not only more visually appealing, but also improves the efficiency and effectiveness of our workflow. You may have seen this new version of the site over the past few months as we’ve been optimizing it to provide the user-friendliest solution for sourcing premium content for digital agencies and ecommerce businesses alike. Starting today the new site will be the only constant-content.com. Improved Custom Content Writing Service We’ve improved the workflow of our content writing service to make it easier for you to connect with the right writer for your content projects. Our content request form now features several targeting options to ensure a good match between your requirements and the writers’ skills. Here are the options you now have when placing a request: Public Request Issue a call for articles: Issuing a Call for Articles is helpful when looking to peruse multiple writer’s work to find the right fit. Placing a casting call: Invite writers to apply to write on your projects. You can quickly hire them or add them to a team. Targeted request: Targeted requests give you the ability to reach out to specific writers based on qualifications you specify. Expert request: When working on projects that require a high degree of industry specific knowledge you can now reach out to an expert in the field. Direct: You can place a direct request by typing the name of a writer you’ve worked with previously, or that you have chosen based on their previous experience. Teams: You can set up as many teams as you want and use them to work on multiple projects. Big Content For big companies, we understand that it can be difficult to both source, manage and work with a large volume of content needs. To help ease the strain on large clients such as these we’ve created a suite of tools that cater to large volume requests. Adding Requests: We’ve developed a CSV upload tool to add as many requests as you want at a time. The process remains the same, just with the ability to process hundreds of requests all at once. Managing Requests: The My Requests page now features filters which allow you to sort your requests and has the ability to review up to 100 requests per page. Delivering Finished Content: We have included the option to export your content into custom spreadsheets, making it more convenient for your developers to work with. Intuitive Layout for Increased Efficiency In addition to enhancing the workflow processes of our platform, the redesign has also worked to provide an intuitive layout intended to enhance the efficiency of the order placement process and help you get your content projects done quickly. What does this entail? Mobile Responsive Design: Our site has been optimized for use on mobile devices for visual appeal and navigation. Persistent Navigation: We have included persistent navigation to allow for easy access to account tools and information. Updated Article Browse Menu: We have updated the article catalog to use a new Browse Content page that allows for easy access to all content categories and subcategories from one page. We hope you are satisfied with these improvements to our platform and we look forward to hearing your thoughts. Please leave a comment here on our blog, or get in touch with your account manager if you have any questions. We look forward to our future projects together! -Regards, The Constant Content Team

Macolm X Essays - Religion In The United States, Free Essays

Macolm X Essays - Religion In The United States, Free Essays Macolm X A man was brought into this world on May 19,1925 to serve his people and help them open many doors. This man started of as a nobody and is now known to the world as being one of Americas greatest Civil Rights leaders. Malcolm X Little was the 4th child born to Reverend Earl and Louise Little. He also had 3 half siblings. His dad believed in self-determination and worked for the unity of black people and tried to teach Malcolm the same way. His dad tried to raise Malcolm to be aware of his ethnic background and dignity. Violence was always sparked by white people that were trying to stop black people such as Rev. Little. (Malcolms father) After he was born his family quite a few times before he they finally settled in Lansing, Michigan. His father became active in the University of Negro improvements Assoc. he also go involved in the Black Baptist Church. Throughout Malcolms life he was dedicated to black people. I guess you could say that he followed in the footsteps of his father. Even though Malcolm, his brothers, sisters, and parents were all shot, burned out of their homes, harassed, and threatened they still fought for their freedom and for what they believed in. This culminated in the assassination of his father by the white people. When Malcolm was only 6 years of age his father was shot and died. Although all this happened to Malcolm throughout his life he still continued to go to school. HE graduated 8th grade with good grades, just as he thought his father would have wanted him to do. At the age of 15 Malcolm dropped out of school and began to learn the ways of the streets. He became acquainted with hoodlums, thieves, dope peddlers, and pimps. When he was twenty Malcolm was convicted of burglary, and he remained in prison till he was 27. While he was in prison he began to educated himself and he learned about and joined the Nation of Islam. He studied the teachings of Elijah Muhammad fully. In 1952 he was released a changed man. When he was released he went to Detroit and he joined the daily activity of the sect and was given instructions by Elijah Muhammad himself. After the teachings of Muhammad he changed his name to Al-Haji Malik El-Shabazz. His commitment helped build the organization nation-wide, while making him and international figure. He was interviewed for TV programs and by magazines and spoke across America at many different universities and other forums. Malcolms power was in his words. Here is just a few of Malcolms most powerful words. I feel like a man who had been asleep somewhat and under someone elses control. I feel what Im saying now id for myself. Before, it was for and by guidance of another, now I think with my own mind. This means he took in all the information that people said, and used it as his own knowledge. He used to listen to what people would say and learn from what they said. Then one day he woke up and decided that he was the man in control and he has enough power to fight for what he believed in. Another great speech that Malcolm made was this one: This letter showed how he visited a country where all people were treated and that they have never heard of the word racist. He thought it was so amazing that people of all different ethnic beliefs could all eat of the same plate and drink from the same glass. His experience there was so amazing that he wanted the whole world to know how it was. Before his trip described in the letter above Malcolm was vehemently anti-white. He did not like whites and he believed that they were hell raisers and they had no more of a right to ridicule him than he does to ridicule them. He was taught as a child to hate whites so that is what he grew up believing. But after his trip to Abraham he came to see that all people were equal, regardless of their race. True anti-racism is color blindness. Thats what he spoke about when

Media Bias CNN and FOX News on the Healthcare Debate Research Paper

Media Bias CNN and FOX News on the Healthcare Debate - Research Paper Example Media bias can be of many types. It could be advertising bias which means slanting to please the advertisers, it could be mainstream bias which refers to reporting only those stories which are being reported on other main networks, it could be corporate bias which means selecting particular stories which would please only the corporate honchos of the media industry or it could be sensationalism which means showing the exceptional much above the ordinary for instance, making the viewers believe that airplanes crashes happen very frequently and they are as frequent as automobile crashes. There have been efforts made to correct bias but significant results are yet to be seen. This paper will shed light upon the slant of Fox news and CNN during the 2008 presidential election, how these trusted news channels present their biased perspectives will also be analyzed in this paper. Barrack Obama has been very critical of Fox news for more reasons than one, the President of the United States h as even excluded the news channel from participating in his press conferences, it is also known that the President wants the other big media outlets to cut all their ties with Fox news because he thinks the channel fabricates the news and is biased in more ways than one. It is implausible to find negative articles about McCain and Palin and it is implausible to find positive articles about Obama on Fox news. Their website has had its own share of flak from the Obama administration. The channel has received flak on a no of occasions for unfair reporting. Fox news has become faux news because the news shown on the channel is either fake or has bias. â€Å"A more accurate statement is that Fox News does actually report on all news: You'll find negative McCain and Palin coverage on the site and in the story archive. What they don't do is feature it as prominently or for as long on their homepage when they do post these stories, and they keep negative coverage on Obama on their homepage for as long as possible.† (Faux News) There have been a series of controversies that Fox news has been involved in and many believe that a reputed news channel would never face so many controversies, the channel has been accused of having a pro-republican bias and a documentary by the name outfoxed proves the very same fact. Keeping all these facts in mind one must be aware of the fact that the channel does not make any attempt of presenting stories and events as they really are, they fabricate and add their perspective to these stories and events. The 2008 presidential election was no different, the channel did their best to defame and criticize Obama who after becoming the President got back with the same animosity and hostility. The website would often leave their homepage as it is which would contain defaming information about Obama. â€Å"Discussing the 2008 campaign for the presidency, Sammon said, "I have to admit that I went on TV on Fox News and publicly engaged in what I guess was some rather mischievous speculation about whether Barack Obama really advocated socialism, a premise that privately I found rather far-fetched." (Is Fox News' Sammon a 'mischief' maker?) The channel has already lost its journalistic integrality and it is believed that they attack everyone and anyone who refuse to believe in their ideology. CNN on the other hand has been accused of having a pro-democrat bias. The channel hardly criticizes democrats and this has been seen on several occasions. The president was also racially abused on several occasions, several channels tried their best to defame and criticize him, in-spite of that he came out victorious. CNN has been

Critical analysis of the legacy dimension of the planning process of Essay

Critical analysis of the legacy dimension of the planning process of World Cup 2010 in South Africa focusing on the city of Cape Town - Essay Example The building of the new stadium at Green point is also intended to create more job opportunities and newer sporting, entertainment and leisure activities for the city in a scope not previously witnessed (Smit, et. al., 2007). The location of a new stadium at Green Point is very accessible to the local and international tourists as the public transport systems, which include their rail and road networks, link the country to many other regions like the neighboring Zimbabwe (Ruiz-del-Solar, et. al. 2011). The plan for building the new stadium at Green Point aimed at creating a recreational and a sports facility within the urban parks situated in Cape Town (Leeman, 2010). The stadium to be built was to have a capacity of approximately 68,000 fans and was supposed to link the waterfronts of Victoria and Alfred (Bowdin, 2010). The major objective of building the new stadium is enhancing the regional capabilities already existing in this region and not detracting from the other facilities as they enhance the values of the neighborhood for their populations benefit (Jennings & Jordan-Zachery, 2010). While designing the stadium, several principles were considered including their compliance to the technical and fa cility requirements of FIFA (Young, 2010). The principles utilized also considered the building and infrastructure the stadium, the areas security, accessibility, capacity and seating orders (Tait & Van Der Spuy, 2010). The legacy of the stadium created ensures that the impacts of building the new stadium will have long term effects. The legacy plans included compliance standards in the regions public transport systems, their training venues, accommodation, renewable energy, waste and water management and their environment (Leeman, 2010). Upgrading the regions public transport was among their most pressing of challenges in enabling the spectators to attend the world cup matches in environments that are safe and car free (Jennings & Jordan-Zachery,

Drug Trafficking Laws And Penalties Criminology Essay

Drug Trafficking Laws And Penalties Criminology Essay Drug trafficking laws and penalties should be stricter worldwide because drug use and overdose is becoming more prevalent throughout the world and is destroying the lives of innocent people, especially teens. The effects of drug use and drug trafficking damage our global economy, affects the youth of the word, and spurs violence amongst people. The world must join together to stop drug traffickers from transporting illegal substances all over the world. Economic costs that are related to substance abuse and drug trafficking are extremely high. Drug trafficking cartels can become powerful enough to corrupt a country. The UN Drug Control Program has noted the difficulty of maintaining an honest and democratic government while fighting a drug war when they said: In systems where a member of the legislature or judiciary, earning only a modest income, can easily gain the equivalent of some 20 months salary from a trafficker by making one favorable decision, the dangers of corruption are obvious [United Nations International Drug Control Program]. When a drug trafficking organization gains enough money, they begin to bribe local officials and destroy countries. As the Un Drug Report said, People are easily bribed when they are able to make an equivalent of a 20 month salary in a few days [United Nations International Drug Control Program]. Once a drug cartel corrupts one official, it becomes a chain reaction of corruption. Eventually a dr ug cartel can grow enough to control a country as a whole. Pablo Escobar and his drug cartel are a great example of this corruption. During the 1980s, Escobar became known internationally as the Medellin Cartel gained notoriety. During Escobars era, he and his Medellin Cartel were said to have controlled about 80 percent of the drug shipments that entered illegally to the United States, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic. Most of his drug plantations were located throughout Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia because Colombian cocaine was considered to be of the highest quality. Escobars business and products spread across North and South America, and small parts of Asia as well. Escobar bribed and corrupted countless Colombian government officials, judges and other politicians with execution as his main punishment for not agreeing to his bribes. Escobars cruel ways resulted in hundreds of deaths for people that did not comply with his demands. His strategy was referred to as Plata o Plomo; Spanish for silver or lead, which was intended to mean accept a bribe or face assassination. Escobar seized control of all of Colombia and used his power to grow his drug empire [The Medellin Traveler]. Drug Trafficking affects the global economy through health care and welfare costs as well. Drug use can cause HIV and other illnesses amongst people. When drug addicts shoot heroin and other drugs into themselves they do not use sanitary needles and most addicts share needles with others. If one drug user was previously infected with HIV and uses a needle to do drugs. That needle has infected blood on it and when another user uses that same needle, he becomes infected as well. Most drug addicts end up in the hospital and the cost of their treatment is very expensive. Most drug addicts are very poor because they spend most if not all of their money on drugs and alcohol. A large amount of drug addicts are on welfare and are given food stamps and places to live. The costs of providing drug addicts with food and shelters are very expensive as well. Most of these drug addicts do not stop using because they are too addicted. Then there are the recovering drug addicts of the world that create large costs to the economy as well. As I mentioned, most drug addicts are very poor and if they do try to recover, they have to go to treatment centers. The government usually pays these treatment centers for the recovering drug addicts that they treat. Some drug addicts eventually are cured and are then able to word and contribute to the growth of our economy. But, there are millions of drug addicts that leave treatment centers only to come back to them in a few months for the same reasons. Drugs also create productivity losses including deaths, victimization, incarceration, and crime careers. This means that there could have been more people working and stimulating the economy that have been either killed or incarcerated because of their involvement with drugs. A study prepared by The Lewin Group for the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism estimated the total economic cost of alcohol and drug abuse to be $245.7 billion for 1992 in the United States. The Lewin Group also estimated that 40% or $97.7 billion of that was due to drug abuse. The costs of treatment and prevention as well as other healthcare costs, job productivity, lost earnings and welfare were also included in this number [National Institute on Drug Abuse]. These costs were paid for by the millions of tax payers of the United States that worked hard and did not get involved with drugs. Drug trafficking and abuse is very prevalent among the youth of world. According to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, young people who persistently abuse substances often experience an array of problems, including academic difficulties, health-related problems (including mental health), poor peer relationships, and involvement with the juvenile justice system [Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention]. Additionally, there are consequences for family members, the community, and the entire society. Usually adolescents that use or are involved with drugs often disengage from school and community activities. Drugs deprive students peers and communities of the positive contributions that they might have. These students stop playing sports and do not join extra-curricular activities. There are countless teenagers across the world that have so much talent that is wasted because of drug use. Some kids might have potential to be superstars in sports and c lubs but because of drugs they cannot do so. Substance-abusing youth are at a higher risk for mental and physical problems than nonusers. Youth who abuse drugs are prone to many problems including depression, conduct problems, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, and suicide. Most kids who begin using drugs become outcasts in schools and do not have many friends. Because of this, they use drugs even more to ease their pain. This causes thousands of suicides and overdoses throughout the world. Drug use is becoming more and more prevalent in very young children as well as well as youth in high school. The percentage of 8th graders reporting lifetime use of any illicit drug declined from 20.9% to 19% from 2006 to 2007. Although the percentage of use has declined, 19% of 8th graders are still a tremendous amount of 13 and 14 year olds using illicit drugs. While the amount of 8th graders doing drugs went down, the amount of 12th graders using drugs has increased. In 2007, 15.4% of 12th graders reported using a prescription drug without a prescription within the past year. Between 2005 and 2007, past year abuse of Ecstasy increased among 12th graders from 3.0% to 4.5%, which makes a 50% change in just two years. Also between 2004 and 2007 abuse of Ecstasy increased among 10th graders from 2.4% to 3.5% [U.S Drug Enforcement Administration]. Aside from personal adversities, the abuse of drugs by youth can jeopardize many other aspects of life for youth, especially family life. Sometimes drug abuse can result in family dysfunction where families do not communicate and sometimes stop living with each other. Substance abuse can also drain a familys financial and emotional resources. Arrests and interventions by the juvenile justice system are eventual consequences for many of the youth that are involved with drug use. This can place unnecessary stress on families causing them to shift apart from each other. Having to constantly worry about your childs safety and security is hard for anyone, especially parents whose children are involved with drugs. The International Narcotics Control Board has urged an international collaboration to stamp out internet trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances around the world, wrote Rohit Sharma in her article about drug trafficking [Sharma, Rohit]. Internet Drug trafficking is becoming much more popular throughout illegal drug organizations. It seems to be safer and more profitable than physically selling drugs. Internet Trafficking also allows these organizations to sell drugs all over the world from one single warehouse or destination. Two internet pharmacies in Bangkok and one in Chiang Mai, Thailand, mainly serving the US market, were closed down between November 1999 and January 2000 after raids by Thai authorities with the close collaboration of US Drug Enforcement Administration. These pharmacies were sending parcels of drugs to US citizens, including many drug addicts, who could not get their prescription from US doctors [Sharma, Rohit]. Since then, millions of pharmacies like these have opened and are constantly selling drugs to people all over the world. The UN should create a new taskforce designed solely for tracking down drug sales over the internet. They can stop these pharmacies by ordering drugs with fake names and addresses so that they can shut down these illegal pharmacies. Other than internet trafficking, many countries have increased their efforts to stop physical drug trafficking by strengthening borders, arresting drug cartels and destroying crops. The International Narcotics Control Strategy Report says, Efforts to restrain the activities of global drug trafficking and money laundering operations gained ground, even in the face of war, corruption, insurgency and economic disruption. Here are some examples of what some countries have done: President Obama and his administration have designed a new plan with the Government of Mexico to stop the transportation of drugs across our borders [Homeland Security]. In Colombia, the Colombian police destroyed more than 124,000 hectares of coca crops in 2003, a third record year for eradication, said Assistant Secretary for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Robert Charles [Porter, Charlene]. Germany hosted a seminar for Drug Trafficking on Jan. 29, 2010. There were 91 participants from 61 countries. The seminar examined how terrorists can use narcotics profits to fund terrorist activities and how they can make countries corrupt. All of the participants conversed with each other on a strategy to help stop international drug trafficking [Tudor, Jason]. Although some countries have done a lot to stop drug trafficking, West Africa is a country in need of major help. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates at least 50 tons of cocaine transits through West Africa annually. The availability of narcotics to the public in the region is increasing as well because traffickers pay transportation cost with drugs instead of money. The UN needs to help West Africa in the global war against drugs because it has been a crucial area for drug traffickers to transport drugs from. West Africa is a notably poor country and barely has enough money to support itself let alone stop drug trafficking. Over the past several years, an estimated $2 billion of cocaine was transported from Latin America to Europe via West Africa. More money and Drug task forces should be sent and activated in West Africa to stop this area from being the massive drug transport area that it is [Kruzel, John]. The United States has done a lot to stop drug trafficking throughout the US as well as the rest of the world. The HIDTA (High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas) Program is the main government run program that works to stop drug trafficking across America. They have about 30 headquarters around the country and use different strategies to stop drug trafficking depending on the region in which they are located. One of the greatest examples of their work has been in Philadelphia, PA and Camden NJ. Being that Philadelphia and Camden are very close to New York City, they have become one of the busiest illegal drug transit routes on the eastern seaboard. There are major interstate rail and highway systems along with a major airport that have become the key shipping terminals for illegal drugs in the region. The Philadelphia/ Camden HIDTA division has setup a total of 11 squads in Philadelphia to reduce the amount of drug trafficking to and from the city. The Regional Investigative Support Center was made successful by assigning full-time Philadelphia Police Department officers and supervisors manning the Watch Center, 8:00 AM-10:00PM, Monday through Friday. The HIDTA also works with Internal Revenue Service which provides the HIDTA with financial information on people being investigated and reports suspicious activity to the HIDTA as well. Lastly, field drug identification training is currently offered to the newly assigned Philadelphia police officers to teach how to distinguish people who are under the influence with people who are sober. Since the establishing of the program in 1995, the Philadelphia / Camden HIDTA have decreased the flow of drug trafficking by 30% until now [Office of National Drug Control Policy]. Drug trafficking cartels spread violence and lawlessness throughout our border region and reach into all of our communities, large and small, said Attorney General Eric H. Holder. Drug dealers create violence because they have their own wars with each for profits. During these wars, innocent people are put at risk because of the constant shootouts and gun fights that happen. Two ongoing gang wars over drug markets in Chicago accounted for more than 100 homicides during 1987-1994. This total represents 11% of all gang-related homicides in Chicago in that time span [Howell, James]. Los Angeles, California is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. Los Angeles is also known for the two major gangs that are constantly at war throughout the city. The Bloods and the Crips are one of the two most dangerous gangs in America. The profits from each of these gangs come from their drug trafficking and selling. With these profits they buy weapons which then create more violence and catastrophes across the state. Drug trafficking and gang violence go hand in hand with each other around the United States. Where there are gangs, there is drug trade and vice versa. I believe that if we eliminate drugs in this country, we eliminate gang violence once and for all. Drug Trafficking is causing gangs to spread all over the U.S and put more and more towns in danger of gang violence [Howell, James]. Drug trafficking efforts have to drastically increase throughout the world and the United States. Although a lot is being done, there has to be more done if we ever want to stop the horrors of drug trafficking. The affects of drugs destroy our economies and our youth. They do nothing but bring violence and mayhem to the world.

What Time is It? :: Essays Papers

What Time is It? Before meeting with my friend Leticia from Honduras, Central America, I would ask her if she was arriving according to North American time or Latin American time. Smiling, she would answer, "A la hora Latina, of course." This meant that she would be late. The concept of time is very different for Latin Americans than for North Americans. Life in the United States is fast-paced. There are fast food restaurants, overnight delivery services, shuttle services, instant cash machines, fast weight loss plans, and even instant minute rice. Avidly following such sayings as, "The early bird gets the worm," and, "First come, first served," North Americans even have their meals in an efficient manner. Microwaves help nuke their early breakfasts, noon lunches, and five-o'clock dinners. "Time is money" for big businesses. Everyone follows set agendas. Minutes are taken at meetings that are precisely scheduled. North Americans take pride in juggling busy work schedules and still finding time to spend with family and friends. Latin Americans stroll leisurely through life. They amble past open-air restaurants, across shaded patios tucked behind walls of Bougainvillea. In the cafes, the service is slow but courteous. Outside on the streets, people walk by, not for weight purposes, but to get somewhere. Buses arrive and depart on their own schedule, sometimes sooner or later than their printed times. And if you miss the bus, wait. One will come along eventually. Mid-morning breakfasts are homemade. Lunch is around three in the afternoon and dinner could be anytime after the arranged time. No one follows a set agenda, but business is accomplished at a gradual and comfortable pace. Watches are not followed precisely, and one barely ever hears the question, "What time is it?" This cultural difference has proven to be a problem for many North Americans visiting Latin American countries and vice versa. For example, this problem has escalated on the issue of adoption. While in Honduras the summer of 1989, I translated for couples from the United States who were looking for children to adopt from Central America. All legal procedures were transacted between a lawyer from the U.S. and a Honduran lawyer. Legal matters on the North American end were handled almost immediately. The Honduran lawyer, however, was considerably slower with field work and paper work and was unable to give definite dates or times for the completion of the adoption. This created a cultural barrier and added to the confusion of the situation.

Bloodsucking Fiends: A Love Story Chapter 22

Chapter 22 A Nod to the Queen of the Damned It only took five minutes to convince the police that Tommy had been at work all night and had seen nothing. Simon had done most of the talking. Tommy was so shocked to see his book in the cop's hand that he couldn't find the answers to even the simplest questions. He was, however, able to convince the cop that his shocked state came from a body having been found outside his apartment. Sometimes it paid to play on the â€Å"I just fell off the turnip truck from Indiana† image. They hauled the turtles up the steps and set the crates on the floor in the kitchen area. â€Å"Where's the little woman?† Simon asked, eyeing the huge chest freezer. â€Å"Probably still sleeping,† Tommy said. â€Å"Grab yourself a beer out of the fridge. I'll check on her.† Tommy palmed open the bedroom door, then slipped through and closed it behind him. He thought, I've got to keep Simon out of here. He's going to want Jody to get up and†¦ The bed was empty. Tommy ran to the bathroom and looked in the tub, thinking that Jody might have been caught there at sunrise, but except for a rust ring, the tub was empty. He looked under the bed, found nothing but an old sock, then tore open the closet door and pushed the hanging clothes aside. Panic rose in his throat and came out in a scream of â€Å"No!† â€Å"You okay in there?† Simon said from the kitchen. â€Å"She's not here!† Simon opened the door. â€Å"You got a nice crib here, Flood. You inherit some money or something?† Simon said. Then he spotted the panic on Tommy's face. â€Å"What's the matter?† â€Å"She's not here.† â€Å"So, she probably went out early to get a doughnut or something.† â€Å"She can't go out during the day,† Tommy said before he realized what he was saying. â€Å"I mean, she never goes out early.† â€Å"Don't sweat it. I thought you were going to teach me to read. Let's drink some beers and read some fucking books, okay?† â€Å"No, I have to go look for her. She could be out in the sun†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Chill, Flood. She's fine. The worst that could happen is she's out with another guy. You might be a free man.† Simon picked up a book from the stack by the bed. â€Å"Let's read this one. What's this one?† Tommy wasn't listening. He was seeing Jody's burned body lying in a gutter somewhere. How could she let it happen? Didn't she check the almanac? He had to look for her. But where? You can't search a city the size of San Francisco. Simon threw the book back on the stack and headed out of the bedroom, â€Å"Okay then, Slick, I'm out of here. Thanks for the beer.† â€Å"Okay,† Tommy said. Then the idea of spending the day alone, waiting, threw him into another wave of panic. â€Å"No, Simon! Wait. We'll read.† â€Å"That one on the top of the stack,† Simon said. â€Å"What's that one?† Tommy picked it up. â€Å"The Vampire Lestat, by Anne Rice. I hear it's good.† â€Å"Then grab a beer and let's get literate.† Rivera, bleary-eyed and looking as if he had slept in his suit, sat at his desk looking over his notes. No matter how he shuffled them, they didn't make sense, didn't show a pattern. The only link between the victims was the way they had died: no motive. They wouldn't get the autopsy report for another twelve hours, but there was no doubt that the same person had done the killings. Nick Cavuto came through the squad room door carrying a box of doughnuts and a copy of the San Francisco Examiner. â€Å"They fucking named him. The Examiner is calling him the Whiplash Killer. Once they name the killer, our problems double. You got anything?† Rivera waved to the notes spread over his desk and shrugged. â€Å"I'm out of it, Nick. I can't even read my own writing. You take a look.† Cavuto took a maple stick from the box and sat down across from Rivera. He grabbed a handful of papers and began leafing through them, then stopped and flipped back. He looked up. â€Å"You talked to this Flood kid this morning, right?† Rivera was looking at the doughnuts. His stomach lurched at the thought of eating one. â€Å"Yeah, he lives across the street from where we found the body. He works at the Marina Safeway – was working at the time of the murder.† Cavuto raised an eyebrow. â€Å"The kid was staying at the motel where we found the old lady.† â€Å"You're kidding.† Cavuto held out the notes for Rivera to read. â€Å"List of guests. A uniform talked to the kid, said he was at work, but no one confirmed it.† Rivera looked up apologetically. â€Å"I can't believe I missed that. The kid was a little squirrelly when I talked to him. His friend did most of the talking.† Cavuto gathered up the papers. â€Å"Go home. Shower and sleep. I'll call the manager of the Safeway and make sure the kid was working at the time of the murders. We'll go there tonight and talk to the kid.† â€Å"Okay, then let's ask him how he's getting the blood out of the bodies.† Tommy had spent two hours trying to explain the difference between vowels and consonants to Simon before he gave up and sent the cowboy home to wax his truck and watch â€Å"Sesame Street.† Maybe Simon wasn't meant to read. Maybe he was meant to be all instinct and no intelligence. In a way, Tommy admired him. Simon didn't worry, he took things at face value as they happened. Simon was like the strong, free and easy Cassady to Tommy's introspective, overanalytical Kerouac. Maybe he would put Simon in his story of the little girl growing up in the South. The story he would be working on if he weren't worrying about Jody. He sat all day on the couch, reading The Vampire Lestat until he couldn't concentrate anymore, then he paced the apartment, checking his watch and railing to Peary, who listened patiently from the freezer. â€Å"You know, Peary, it's inconsiderate of her not to leave me a note. I don't have any idea what she does while I'm at work. She could be having a dozen affairs and I wouldn't even know.† He checked the almanac eight times for the time the sun would set. â€Å"I know, I know, until I met Jody, nothing really ever happened to me. That's why I came here, right? Okay, I'm being unfair, but maybe I'd be better off with a normal woman. Jody just doesn't understand that I'm not like other guys. That I'm special. I'm a writer. I can't handle stress as well as other guys – I take it personal.† Tommy heated up a frozen dinner and left the freezer lid open so Peary could hear him better. â€Å"I have to look to the future, you know. When I'm a famous writer I'm going to have to go on book tours. She can't go with me. What can I say, ‘No, I'm sorry, but I can't go. If I go away my wife will starve to death'?† He paced around the turtles, who were struggling in their crates. One of them raised his spiny head and considered Tommy. â€Å"I know how you guys feel. Just waiting for someone to eat you. You think I don't know how that feels?† When he could no longer look them in the eye, he carried the turtles into the bathroom, then returned to the living room and tried to get through a few more chapters of The Vampire Lestat. â€Å"This is wrong,† he said to Peary. â€Å"It says that vampires don't have sex after they are turned. Of course it only talks about male vampires. What if she's been faking? You know, she could be frigid except for when she drinks my blood.† He was working himself into a frenzy of sexual insecurity – something that felt familiar and almost comfortable – when the phone rang. He yanked it off the cradle. â€Å"Hello.† A woman's voice, surprised but trying to not to show it, said, â€Å"Hello. I'd like to speak to Jody, please.† â€Å"She's not here,† Tommy said. â€Å"She's at work,† he added quickly. â€Å"I called her at work and they said she left her job over a month ago.† â€Å"Uh, she has a new job. I don't know the number.† â€Å"Well, whoever you are,† the woman said, losing the pretense of politeness, â€Å"would you tell her that she still has a mother. And tell her that it is common courtesy to tell your mother when you change your phone number. And tell her that I need to know what she is going to do for the holidays.† â€Å"I'll tell her,† Tommy said. â€Å"Are you the stockbroker? What was it†¦ Kurt?† â€Å"No, I'm Tommy.† â€Å"Well, it's only two weeks until Christmas, Tommy, so if you're still around, we'll be meeting.† â€Å"I'll look forward to it,† Tommy said. Like I look forward to a root canal, he thought. Jody's mom hung up. Tommy put down the phone and checked his watch. Only an hour to sunset. â€Å"She's alive,† he said to Peary, â€Å"I'm sure of it. If she survived her mother, she can survive anything.† She heard steam rushing through pipes, rats scurrying in shredded paper, the spinnerets of spiders weaving webs, the footsteps of a heavy man, and the padding and panting of dogs. She opened her eyes and looked around. She was on her back on the basement floor, alone. Cardboard boxes were scattered about the room. Moonlight and sounds of movement spilled through the broken window. She got up and stepped up on a crate to look out the window. She was met by a yap and a snort and the growling countenance of a bug-eyed dog with a pan strapped to his head. â€Å"Ack!† She wiped the slime from her cheek. The Emperor fell to his knees and reached through the window. â€Å"Oh goodness, are you all right, dear?† â€Å"Yes, I'm fine. I'm fine.† â€Å"Are you injured? Shall I call the police?† â€Å"No, thank you. Could you give me a hand?† She would have leaped through the window, but it wasn't a good idea in front of the Emperor. She took his hand and let him pull her through the window. Once on her feet in the alley, she dusted off her jeans. Bummer had fallen into a yapping fit. The Emperor picked up the little dog and stuffed him into his oversized coat pocket. â€Å"I must apologize for Bummer's behavior. There's no excuse for it, really, but he is a victim of inbreeding. Being royalty myself, I make allowances. If it's any consolation, it was only on Bummer's insistence that we ventured down this alley and found you.† â€Å"Well, thanks,† Jody said. â€Å"I don't know exactly what happened.† â€Å"Check your valuables, dear. You've obviously been accosted by some ne'er-do-well. Perhaps we should find you some medical attention.† â€Å"No, I'm just a little shaken up. I just need to get home.† â€Å"Then please allow me and my men to escort you to your door.† â€Å"No, that's okay. My loft is just at the end of the alley.† The Emperor held up his finger to caution her. â€Å"Please, my dear. Safety first.† Jody shrugged. â€Å"Well, all right. Thanks.† Bummer was squirming and snorting inside the Emperor's buttoned pocket like – well, like a pocketful of dog. â€Å"Can he breathe in there?† â€Å"Bummer will be fine. He's just a bit overexcited since we've gone to war. His first time in the field, you know.† Jody eyed the Emperor's cruelly pointed wooden sword. â€Å"How goes the battle?† â€Å"I believe we are closing in on the forces of evil. The fiend will be vanquished and victory will soon be ours.† â€Å"That's nice,† Jody said. When Tommy heard her coming up the stairs he threw his book across the room, ran to the loft door, and yanked it open. Jody was standing on the landing. â€Å"Hi,† she said. Tommy was torn between taking her in his arms and pushing her down the steps. He just stood there. â€Å"Hi,† he said. Jody kissed him on the cheek and walked passed him into the loft. Tommy stood there, trying to figure out how to react. â€Å"Are you okay?† Once he was sure she wasn't hurt, he'd tear into her for staying out all day. She fell onto the futon like a bag of rags. â€Å"I had a really bad night.† â€Å"Where were you?† â€Å"I was in a basement, about half a block from here. I would have called, but I was dead.† â€Å"That's not funny. I was worried. They found a body out front last night.† â€Å"I know, I saw the cops all over the place outside, just before dawn. That's why I couldn't get back.† â€Å"The cops had my copy of On the Road in an evidence bag. I think I'm in trouble.† â€Å"Was your name in it?† â€Å"No, but obviously my fingerprints were all over it. How did it get there?† â€Å"The vampire put it there, Tommy.† â€Å"How did he get it? It was here in the loft.† â€Å"I don't know. He's trying to freak us out. He's leaving the bodies near us so the police will connect us to the killings. He doesn't have to leave bodies at all, Tommy. He's killing these people in a way that leaves evidence.† â€Å"What do you mean, he doesn't have to leave bodies at all?† â€Å"Tommy, come here. Sit down. I have to tell you something.† â€Å"I don't like the tone of your voice. This is bad news, isn't it? This is the big letdown, isn't it? You were with another guy last night.† â€Å"Sit down and shut up, please.† Tommy sat and she told him. Told him about the killing, about the body turning to dust, and about being dragged into the basement. When she had finished, Tommy sat for a moment looking at her, then moved away from her on the futon. â€Å"You took the guy's money?† â€Å"It seemed wrong to throw it away.† â€Å"And killing him didn't seem wrong?† â€Å"No, it didn't. I can't explain it. It felt like I was supposed to.† â€Å"If you were hungry you should have told me. I don't mind, really.† â€Å"It wasn't like that, Tommy. Look, I don't know how to file this – emotionally, I mean. I don't feel like I killed someone. The point I'm trying to make is that the body crumbled to dust. There was no body. The people the vampire is killing aren't dying from his bite. He's breaking their necks before they die. He's doing all this on purpose to scare me. I'm afraid he might hurt you to get at me. I've suspected it for a long time, but I didn't want to say anything to you. If you want to leave, I'll understand.† â€Å"I didn't say anything about leaving. I don't know what to do. How would you feel if I told you I had killed someone?† â€Å"It would depend. This guy wanted to die. He was in pain. He was going to die anyway.† â€Å"Do you want me to leave?† â€Å"Of course not. But I need you to try and understand.† â€Å"I am trying. That's all I've been doing. Why do you think I've been doing all these experiments? You act like this is easy for me. I've been a mess all day worrying about you and you're in a basement a few steps away. What about that? Who dragged you into the basement?† â€Å"I don't know.† â€Å"Whoever it was saved your life. Was it the vampire?† â€Å"I said, I don't know.† Tommy went across the room and pick up the paperback of The Vampire Lestat. â€Å"This guy, Lestat, he can tell when there's another vampire around. He can sense it. Can't you sense it?† â€Å"Right, and that's why we have a dead guy in the freezer. No, I can't sense it.† Tommy held up the book. â€Å"There's a whole history of the vampire race in here. I think this Anne Rice knows a real vampire or something.† â€Å"That's what you thought about Bram Stoker, too. And I spent an hour standing on a chair trying to turn into a bat.† â€Å"No, this is different. Lestat isn't evil, he likes humans. He only kills murderers that are without remorse. He knows when there are other vampires around. Lestat can fly.† Jody jumped up and ripped the book out of his hand. â€Å"And Anne Rice can write, Tommy, but I'm not throwing that in your face.† â€Å"You don't have to get personal.† â€Å"Look, Tommy, maybe there's some truth in one of these books that you're reading, but how do we know which one? Huh? Nobody gave me a fucking owner's manual when I got these fangs. I'm doing the best that I can.† Tommy looked away from her, then at his shoes. â€Å"You're right, I'm sorry. I'm confused and I'm a little scared. I don't know what I'm doing either. Hell, Jody, you might have AIDS now, we don't know.† â€Å"I don't have AIDS. I know I don't.† â€Å"How do you know? It's not like we can send you down to the clinic to test you or anything.† â€Å"I know it, Tommy. I could feel it if I did. Except for sunlight and food, I'm not even allergic to anything anymore. Hand lotions and soaps I couldn't get near before without breaking into a rash don't affect me. I've done a few experiments of my own. My body won't let anything hurt me. I'm safe. Besides†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Jody paused and grinned, waiting for him to ask. â€Å"Besides what?† â€Å"He was wearing a condom.† Tommy resumed staring at his shoes, said nothing, then looked up at her and laughed. â€Å"That's incredibly sick, Jody.† She nodded and laughed. â€Å"I love you,† he said, moving to her and taking her in his arms. â€Å"Me too,† she said, hugging him back. â€Å"That's really sick, you know that?† â€Å"Yep,† she said. â€Å"Tommy, I don't want to break this beautiful moment, but I have to take a shower.† She kissed him and pushed him away gently, then headed into the bathroom. â€Å"Uh, Jody,† he called after her, â€Å"I got a present for you in Chinatown today.† There's an explanation for this, she thought, standing in the bathroom, looking at the turtles. There is a perfectly good reason why there are two huge snapping turtles in my tub. â€Å"Do you like them?† Tommy was standing in the doorway behind her. â€Å"These are for me, then?† She tried to smile. She really did. â€Å"Yeah, Simon helped me get them home. I didn't think I could carry them on the bus. Aren't they great?† Jody looked in the tub again. The turtles were trying to crawl on top of each other. Their claws screeched on the porcelain when they moved. â€Å"I don't know what to say,† Jody said. â€Å"I thought that we could feed them fish and stuff, and you'd have a blood supply right here at home. Besides me, I mean.† She turned and regarded Tommy. Yes, he was serious. He was really serious. â€Å"You haven't†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Their names are Scott and Zelda. Zelda is missing a toe on her back foot. That's how you tell them apart. Do you like them? You seem a little reticent.† A little, she thought. You couldn't have brought me flowers or jewelry, like most guys. You had to say it with reptiles. â€Å"I don't suppose there's any chance that you saved the receipt?† Tommy's face avalanched into disappointment. â€Å"You don't like them.† â€Å"No, they're fine. But, I really wanted to take a shower. I'm not sure I want to be naked in front of them.† â€Å"Oh,† Tommy said, brightening. â€Å"I'll take them into the living room.† He pulled a towel off the rod and began maneuvering over the tub, trying to get a drop on Zelda. â€Å"You have to be careful; they can take off a finger in those jaws.† â€Å"I see,† Jody said. But she didn't see at all. The idea of biting one of the spiny creatures in the tub gave her an industrial-size case of the creeps. Tommy lunged and came up with Zelda, wrapped in swaddling clothes and snapping at his face. â€Å"She hates being picked up.† Zelda's claws tore at the towel and Tommy's shirt as she attempted to swim through midair. He set the turtle on her back on the bathroom floor and readied the towel to lunge into the tub for Scott. â€Å"Lestat can call animals to him when he's hungry. Maybe you can train them.† â€Å"Stop it with the Lestat stuff, Tommy. I'm not sucking turtles.† He turned to her and slipped, falling into the tub. Scott snapped, barely missing Tommy's arm, and latched on to the sleeve of his denim shirt. â€Å"I'm okay. I'm okay. He didn't get me.† Jody pulled him from the tub. Scott was still attached to his sleeve and was determined not to let go. Turtles hate heights. They don't even like being a few feet off the ground. It's the main reason they have resisted evolution for so long – fear of heights. Turtle thinking goes thus: Sure, first our scales turn into feathers and the next thing you know we're flying and chirping and perching on trees. We've seen it happen. Thanks, but we're staying right here in the mud where we belong. You're not going to see us flying full-tilt boogie into a sliding glass door. Scott was not letting go of the sleeve, not as long as Tommy was standing. â€Å"Help me,† Tommy said. â€Å"Pry him off.† Jody looked for a place on the turtle to grab – reached out and pulled back several times. â€Å"I don't want to touch him.† The phone rang. â€Å"I'll get it,† Jody said, running out of the bathroom. Tommy dragged Scott to the doorway, keeping his feet safely away from Zelda's jaws. â€Å"I forgot to tell you†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Hello,† Jody said into the phone. â€Å"Oh, hi, Mom.†