Obama Administration - Israelis and the Palestinians Recently, the Essay

Obama Administration - Israelis and the Palestinians Recently, the Obama Administration has attempted to restart the peace proce - Essay Example Conversely, Palestinians assert that this is impossible. They argue that the only way to attain statehood is through violent attacks rather than non violent negotiations. Israelis are more likely to rate the Obama administration positively by stating that its policies are fair (PEW Research). The Palestinians on the other hand rate the administration negatively as they claim that it favours Israel. This among others is the major issue facing the peace process in the region as a whole. The first issue that involved in the process is concerning territory, settlement and borders. This has remained highly contentious on the Palestinian side. Israel is called upon to state the extent of its territory that is in Gaza, West Bank and the Dead Sea waters (Muasher and Djerejian). Following this transfer territory locations identified by both sides should be established. Finally, proposals should be drawn on both sides to ensure that the swap lands are equal in size and value (Muasher and Djere jian). The question of Jerusalem should be postponed until the final stages of the process as it is controversial and complex (Ibrahim). This issue is highly sensitive and the Obama administration should approach it with caution to ensure successful completion of the process. The second issue affecting the peace keeping process is security. There has been constant fighting between the two sides and this has led to loss of lives, destruction of property and poor rates of economic growth and development (PEW Research). First, it is of great importance to promote Palestine’s internal security abilities. It is imperative to ascertain that a state authority is in power rather than militia groups. Again, Israel should get assurance on their security concerns. Security is the major concern between the two sides and the Obama administration should employ peaceful means to restore peace and calm in the region. The third issue facing the process is economic development. It is important to note that ensuring economic stability of Palestine will be a basis of a finding a peaceful solution to the ancient feud between the two sides. The fourth issue facing the process is that relating to prisoners and refugees. There are numerous refuges particularly living in hazardous conditions. This has created attention world over and amongst humanitarian bodies. It is therefore important to relocate them to safe locations to enhance smooth running of the process. Prisoners are a key issue on the Palestinian side. Releasing prisoners would be a huge step in aiding the peace process. In a nutshell, the core issues are to establish security in Israel and sovereignty in Palestine (Cohen, John and Yellin). The US is coming up with measures to ensure economic stability in the region. In a recent delegation by the Secretary of State Kerry, it was revealed that the US was working with core companies such as Coca- Cola, GE and Cisco to invest in Palestine as a move to boost economic gro wth and development (Ibrahim). Additionally, the 1994 Paris Protocol should be renegotiated to draw the line between relations of the two independent states (Muasher and Djerejian). This is by agreeing to common approaches of sharing of resources and facilitating a tax and customs system that can be managed efficiently by West Bank. Concerning the security problem in Israel, Obama sent the Supreme Commander of the NATO forces, General John Allen to discuss

Final Exam Study Guide Fall Semester 2012 Essay Example for Free

Final Exam Study Guide Fall Semester 2012 Essay Why is it said that the U.S. has a dual court system? There is a federal judicial system and 50 state court systems. What is the meaning of the concept of jurisdiction? A court has the right to hear a particular type of case. What is the meaning of the doctrine of â€Å"presumption of validity?† Courts must assume that, unless the burden of the evidence is clearly to the contrary, legislatures would not enact or executives sign into law measures which violate the constitution. What is the meaning of the term â€Å"stare decisis?†? Legal term meaning let the decision stand. Establishes precedents stand unless overruled. Judges may overrule if they have compelling reasons to establish new precedents. What is the difference between a misdemeanor and a felony? An anti-social conduct that is relatively minor is called a misdemeanor. A felony is a disorderly conduct that is more severe. What happens in the event of a conflict between a state law and a Federal law or a state law and a U.S. treaty? Federal law overrides state law any day. What is meant by â€Å"judicial activism?† Interpretation of the constitution holding that the spirit of the times and the needs of the nation can legitimately influence judicial decision. â€Å"Judicial self-restraint?† a self-imposed limitation on judicial decision making How are Federal judges chosen? Federal judges are nominated by the president and voted on by the senate. What is the term of a Federal judge? Term ends when justice dies. Why has the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee come under fire for the manner in which it â€Å"screens† appointees to the U.S. Supreme Court? Justices are declined if they politically go against the senate. Why did the committee reject Judge Robert Bork as a Supreme Court justice? He did not politically agree with the democratic run senate. What does it mean that Senators Joe Biden, Ted Kennedy and Howard Metzenbaum â€Å"borked† a Supreme Court nominee? They voted against a justice because of their political party. What was the nature of the political uproar over the nomination of Clarence Thomas to be a Supreme Court justice? He was accused of sexual assault. Who is Anita Hill? A law professor who accused Clarence Thomas of sexual assault. What are the provisions of Article III of the U.S. Constitution regarding the Federal judiciary? It establishes the judicial branch of the federal government. It establishes jurisdiction between the courts based on subject matter or the nature of the parties. It declares that the power of judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme court. There is no specific provision anywhere in article III giving Federal courts the power of judicial review. What was the importance of Marbury v. Madison? The case that established judicial review. What is judicial review? Review by the Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of a legislative act. What, if anything, can be done to overturn a U.S. Supreme Court decision? Nothing can be done unless it involves amending the constitution, or if the court rules on something that contradicts a previous ruling. Who controls the Supreme Court’s docket? The supreme court itself does. What is the â€Å"rule of four?† The supreme court only hears cases if it grants a writ of certiorari. Where consent of four justices are given. What is a writ of certiorari? A common law writ issued by a superior court to one of inferior jurisdiction demanding the record of a particular case. What is the primary role of the U.S. Court of Appeals? To hear and dispose of the vast majority of cases appealed from the district courts. What are U.S. District Courts? General trial courts of the united states federal court system that hears both civil and criminal cases. When would a Federal District Court have jurisdiction in a case? If a case involved crimes against the united states, suits under national laws involving use of the mails, patent, copyright, trademark and other such technical matters and civil rights laws. What is the difference between a â€Å"petit† and a â€Å"grand† jury? Petit juries have 12 members who decide, based on evidence, if the defendant is guilty or not guilty. Grand juries indict people. Its functions is to decide if the government has a case or not. How are they chosen? Through a jury pool from those serving jury duty. What are their respective functions? To decide if the government has a case, and to decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty. Also if a person has won or lost a lawsuit. How do cases reach the U.S. Supreme Court? Through appellate and original jurisdiction. Mostly from appeals though sent from the court of appeals. Under what limited circumstances may the U.S. Supreme Court exercise original jurisdiction? When it accepts a suit if it feels a compelling reason to do so. Who determines the appellate jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court? What are some of the political and ideological considerations involved in U.S. Supreme Court appointments? Generally their party affiliation and how they interpret the constitution. Does race, gender, religion, ethnicity matter in a President’s nomination of a Supreme Court justice? Yes. Who are the present nine justices of the U.S. Supreme Court? What are their backgrounds? John G. Roberts Jr., Antonin Scalia, Anthony M. Kennedy, Clearance Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Steven G. Breyer, Samuel Anthony Alito Jr., Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan. RELIGION Why did the authors of the Bill of Rights put religious freedom first in the First Amendment? It is more of an article of peace. It was mainly to remove religion from politics. What are the â€Å"wall of separation† and â€Å"accommodationist† positions on the Establishment Clause? Wall of separation believes that church and state should be entirely separated. No affiliation between the two. Accommodationists believe that no religion should be favored, but all should be accommodated. Why have Americans had fewer problems with the â€Å"Free Exercise† Clause than with the â€Å"Establishment† Clause? Free Exercise clauses are only in effect if the religions practices don’t get in the way of any laws. Establishment clauses include clauses that excuse kids from school to go to church, this was very controversial because atheist children were left out. Much more controversy in establishment clauses. What are some of the issues raised by groups like the Amish (Wisconsin v. Yoder), Jehovahs Witnesses and other religious minorities regarding interpretation of the â€Å"Free Exercise† Clause? These allowed laws to be bent for people of certain religions. Wisconsin v. Yoder allows Amish children to be excused from school at 8th grade vs. the age 16. Jehovah’s Witnesses are allowed to be exempt from the draft due to their pacifism. Why did the U.S. Supreme Court rule against prayer in the public schools in the New York Regents prayer case (Engel v. Vitale, 1962)? It was said that New York could not write prayers. It is unconstitutional to do so. What was the nature of Madalyn Murrays objections to the Maryland school prayer/Bible readings law? Her son was left out. Also she was athiest and she viewed the bible as merely a storybook. Why did the Schempp family object to the Pennsylvania law? They felt it was in direct violation of the establishment clause in the first amendment, also it theologically went against the Schempp’s Unitarian views. What did the Supreme Court rule in the companion Murray-Schempp decision of 1963? It ruled 8-1 striking down both the Pennsylvania and Maryland laws requiring prayer. Under what circumstances may students have prayer at their high school graduation ceremonies? As long as it’s student-led and is non-sectarian. May students form prayer and Bible study groups and use public school facilities for their meetings? Yes. What was the Equal Access Act of 1984? It required public secondary schools to allow religious groups to meet on school property if other groups exist. Even if one group is allowed to use the facilities, the school becomes a limited open forum where all groups can use the facilities. What did the Court rule when it was challenged in the 1990 Mergens case? 8-1 upholding the law. May public college officials deny use of campus facilities to religious groups for Bible study and prayer meetings? No, it is discriminatory. One of the most controversial areas is that of â€Å"parochiaid,† or state aid of various types to parochial schools. What three-part test did the Supreme Court devise in Lemon v. Kurtzman? It was called the Lemon Test where there must be a secular purpose rather than a religious purpose, the law cannot advance or inhibit religion, and government cannot be entangled in it. What was the fate of the law, challenged in Lemon, authorizing partial payment (secular subjects only) of teachers’ salaries in parochial schools? It was stricken down. May state and local school districts finance bus rides for children attending non-public schools (Everson v. Board of Education of Ewing Township, NJ, 1947)? Yes. What is the child benefit theory? The law aids the school child rather than a particular religious group. What did the Court rule in June, 2002, in the landmark Cleveland, Ohio, School Voucher Reform Case, Zelman v. Simmons-Harris? It held that 5-4 that Cleveland program did not offend the establishment clause. Can public school students, on parental request, be released from class to attend religion classes, conducted on public school property, during the school day, where the program is supervised by public school administrators (McCullom v. Champaign, Ill., Board of Education)? No, it is not viewed to be abiding by separation of church and state laws. Can students, on parental request, be dismissed from classes to attend churches or synagogues, as part of a program of religious education in public schools (Zorach v. Clauson)? Yes. Under what circumstances are courts likely to uphold or declare unconstitutional nativity displays on public property at Christmas time? Whether or not other religious symbols are there to balance it, also secular symbols like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. What did the Supreme Court rule in Donnelly v. Lynch? It upheld the nativity scene on the basis that both religious and secular symbols. County of Allegheny, Pa. v. ACLU? The court concluded that the nativity scene with the words â€Å"glory in the highest† was promoting Christian religion, but the menorah was okay. In the area of free exercise of religion, can children of Jehovah’s Witnesses be expelled from public schools for refusal to salute the American flag? Yes. Why do the Witnesses object to flag salutes or standing for the national anthem? They believe it violates one of the 10 commandments. What did our highest court rule in Minersville, Pa., School District v. Gobitis? 8-1 stating that one could not refuse to pledge allegiance to the flag. West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette? The court reversed itself, saying it was okay to excuse one’s self from saluting the flag or standing at the national anthem due to religious beliefs. How did the Supreme Court broaden the rights of conscientious objectors during the Vietnam War? It allowed any passifists who were against not only one war, but all wars to be exempt from the draft rather than just religious passifists. What did the Court rule in the Seeger, Welsh and Gillette cases? Seeger ruled that a belief in a traditional God or religion was unnecessary in order to be exempt. Welsh held that humanistic conviction was equivalent to religion. In Gillette held that one must be opposed to all wars in order to be exempt. What did the Court hold in the Mormon polygamy case (Reynolds v. U.S.)? They ruled against it. Polygamy is illegal in Utah. Why did the Roberts Court grant a religious exemption from some civil rights laws in Hossana-Tabor v. E.E.O.C. (2012)? The separation between church and state allows this. EXPRESSION (SPEECH AND PRESS) There are a number of theories about how the First Amendment’s free speech and press guarantees ought to be interpreted. What is the â€Å"absolutist view,† held by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the late Justices Hugo Black and William O. Douglas? They rejected line-drawing, what the law says goes in a literal sense. â€Å"when it says no law, it means no law. The â€Å"two-tier theory,† associated with the late political philosopher Alexander Meiklejohn? The press may say anything about the government. The â€Å"line-drawing† position, held by most judges? Establishing a number of standards to guide them between permissible and impermissible forms of free expression. What is meant by the â€Å"preferred freedoms† concept? First amendment freedoms should be given potential treatment by the court because they are essential in a democratic society. What is â€Å"commercial speech?† Speech done on behalf of an individual or a co mpany in order to produce a profit. Why did John Stuart Mill oppose censorship in his classic work, On Liberty? John Stuart Mill believes that the majority should not always influence the minority because if the majority is wrong, then the truth goes unheard, but if the majority is right, then the minority doesn’t understand why they are wrong. What is the argument against the suppression of ideas that we find not only unpopular, but even hateful? All ideas must be allowed, even if those ideas are sexist, racist, or angering. If, as judges say, the line must be drawn somewhere and free expression is not an absolute value, then what guidelines have they used to draw that line? Anything can be said, even violent things, as long as there is no evidence of intention to commit lawless acts. The right to swing your arms ends right as my nose begins. What is the â€Å"clear and present danger doctrine† (Schenck v. U.S.)? Enacted during WWI which created the Espionage act, where nobody could say anything that interfered with allied war efforts like encouraging young men to dodge the draft, or any other armed forces recruiting. The â€Å"evil tendency test† (Gitlow v. New York )? The government does not protect the expression which created a tendency toward illegal actions. The â€Å"clear and probable danger test† (Dennis v. U.S.)? The law prohibited the advocacy to overthrow the U.S. government and the conspiracy as well. What did the Supreme Court rule in the Smith Act cases of the 1950s? it is illegal to violently overthrow a government. 70 communists were convicted after this was established. What was the significance of Yates v. U.S.? Mere theoretical advocacy to overthrow the U.S. government by force and violence was a judicially protected right. What is the difference between liberty and license? Liberty means freedom under law ( the right to do something as long as nobody is hurt.) License is an abuse of liberty( such as libelous publication or slanderous speech). What is meant by the doctrine of â€Å"no prior restraint† on publication? A doctrine that states that published material does not have to be pre-screened in order to be published and viewed by the public. What was the significance of Near v. Minnesota? The court ruled that the press gag law was unconstitutional due to the fact that it restricts freedom of the press. New York Times-Washington Post v. U.S.? These newspapers published pentagon papers that were a study of the U.S. decision making in the Vietnam War. It embarrassed the President and the government. This resulted in the lifting of the district court’s restraining order on the press due to the failure to prove that publication of the documents jeopardized national security. How and when can First Amendment values collide with those of the Sixth Amendment? The right of the defendant in a criminal case to a fair trial by an impartial jury of his or her peers. Sometimes, judges have concluded, the press has cond ucted trial by newspaper. What are restrictive orders, called â€Å"gag orders† by the media? The court’s force of the media to withhold certain information from being published for varying circumstances that may hinder a current court case or could cause damage to someone’s (possibly the government’s) reputation What steps can trial judges take to protect the rights of the accused? Through â€Å"right to reply laws†, closing court rooms to the media, and implementing gag orders on certain subjects. Do reporters enjoy a â€Å"privileged† relationship with their sources? The supreme court says no, but there are shield laws that allows reporters to withhold certain information. What is the meaning of the phrase â€Å"burning the source?† Giving up the identity of a journalist’s source so that person can be questioned in court. Can reporters be held in contempt of court and jailed for refusal to turn over notes, tapes, or to offer testimony when so ordered (Branzburg v. Hayes)? Yes What, in theory, is the problem with â€Å"shield laws?† Some believe that it is a mistake to let the government grant immunity, this implies that the state can also withdrawal it. Can judges close their courtrooms to the press and public during preliminary proceedings (Gannett v. DePasquale)? Yes. Can judges close down a trial itself, excluding media and public (Richmond Newspapers v. Virginia)? No, the right to attend criminal trials is implicit in the grantee of the first amendment. Do television cameras in the courtroom prevent the defendant from receiving a fair trial? Sometimes, in the pre-trial stage, the jury is permeated with information about the case that will not allow a fair trial. What did the Supreme Court rule in Estes v. Texas and Chandler v. Florida? The overturning of the swindling conviction of petitioner Billy Sol Estes, holding that his 14th Amendment due process rights were violated by the publicity associated with the pretrial hearing. For Chandler v. Florida Canon cameras and electronic media are permitted in the judicial proceedings subject to the control of the presiding judge. When are TV cameras permitted in the courtroom today? Always, but it can be taken away by the presiding judge’s accord. What is the situation with respect to Federal courts? Cameras are not allowed in federal courts. Do political candidates have the â€Å"right to reply† to editorial attacks by the media? Yes. What happened to the Florida law giving them such a right when it was challenged in Miami Herald v. Tornillo? It was immediately stricken down because a newspaper involves a â€Å"crucial process† of editorial judgment that may not be regulated by the state. What is meant by â€Å"symbolic free expression?† Expressing ideas by silent, non-verbal communication. What did the Supreme Court rule in the draft-card burning case (OBrien v. U.S.)? It was criminally illegal. Tinker v. Des Moines? Wearing black arm-bands in protest of Vietnam could not be outlawed because this form of expression is silent and caused little disruption. Do Americans have the right to burn the flag? Currently, Yes. What did the Supreme Court rule in Texas v. Johnson? It is legal free speech to desecrate a flag. U.S. v. Eichman? Flag desecration is a form of constitutional free speech. What was the fate of the Flag Protection Amendment? It fell 1 vote short with 66 for and 34 against. Only 3 republicans opposed it. How did Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton vote on the measure? They both opposed the amendment. What are â€Å"fighting words?† Inflammatory speech inviting violence, which are not protected by the 1st and 14th amendments. Calling a policeman a fascist is an example. What is â€Å"hate speech?† Speech that arouses anger, alarm, and resentment toward others on the basis of race, gender, creed, color, and religion. What did the Court decide in R.A.V. v. City of St. Paul (1992) and Virginia v. Black (2003)? Supreme court ruled that the city statute against cross burning is unconstitutional, it interferes with free speech rights. For Virginia v. Black, the court ruled that making a law against cross burning is not unconstitutional, but cross burning cannot be considered prima facie evidence of intent to discriminate. What did the Supreme Court rule in Snyder v. Phelps in 2011? Speech on the sidewalk about a public issue cannot be liable for a tort of emotional distress, even if the speech is outrageous. Court ruled 8-1 about it. Should free speech include the right to carry signs reading â€Å"God Hates Fags,† â€Å"Thank God for Dead Soldiers,† â€Å"Thank God for 9-11?† No. Have some universities, such as the University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin, gone too far in banning offensive speech (ethnic and racial slurs), according to the Federal courts? Yes, they are in violation of the first amendment. What is libel? Libel is false printed or broadcast statements that intend to damage someone’s reputation. Slander? False statements made by someone looking to damage someone else’s reputation. What are the main elements which must be established to have â€Å"actionable libel?† defamation, identification, publication, and fault. What are the main defenses used by media in libel cases? That freedom of the press is paramount in a democratic society. What was the significance of New York Times v. Sullivan? It set a standard that one cannot sue a newspaper for libel unless one can address that he/she was the defamed party. What is â€Å"actual malice?† libelous remarks with knowledge that the remarks were false, or that there was lack of disregard on whether or not the remark was true. What is â€Å"hot news† (AP.v.Walker)? news that is current and controversial, but not always journalistically accurate. What is the â€Å"prudent publisher rule† (Butts v. Curtis Publishing Co.)? Publishers must follow the professional standards of journalism. This included verification of facts, particularly when the deadline is less than monumental. What part of the Bill of Rights guarantees American citizens â€Å"Freedom of Assembly?† First amendment.m Freedom of Association? First amendment. Can cities require permits for parades, sound trucks and demonstrations? Yes Under what circumstances? To ensure peace and tranquility. Why did the ACLU argue on behalf of the Nazis in the Skokie, Illinois, case? They believed the Nazi’s potential to incite violence among the Jewish community did not warrant oppression of the right to assemble. Why was the Roberts Court’s 2010 decision striking down part of the McCain-Feingold (Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission) so controversial? It allowed corporations to fund ads and movies for and against presidential candidates. How did President Obama react to the decision? He was very mad. He said foreign businesses are going to be funding these commercials now. What impact has this decision had on American elections? It has allowed much more money to be spent on elections. Rich corporations could potentially control an election. What was the impact of the courts striking down the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Act? It left a lot of people angry. Stating that it was meant to level the playing field, not restrict Free Speech. Those who opposed the law said in a democracy, campaigning is not supposed to be a game.

Culture Stereotypes in Advertising

Culture Stereotypes in Advertising Case Study: HSBC Eels AD According to standard view, a culture is a complex set of shared beliefs, values and concepts which enables a group to make sense of its own life and which provides it with directions for how to live. This set might be called a basic belief system. By internalizing a particular belief system and its attendant forms of feeling and interaction a person acquires the basic of his or her identity. A culture penetrates its individual members mentally and socially. This penetration produces in them their distinctive capacities and characteristics. In this holistic way identity is a function of enculturation (cited in Holliday, Hyde and Kullman, 2004, pp.60-61) HSBC- a public limited company based at United Kingdom since 1993 in the expansion name of Hongkong and shanghais Bank Corporation. It is one of the worlds largest banking groups. It has enomorous operational base and local branches all over the world saying in their advert tagline HSBC-Worlds local Bank. The adverts about the company and its services have come through distinctive since its establishment. The advertisements that come through have always been the representation of neither Chinese nor English culture or both for its promotional campaign on television. I would like to argue why the culture is represented in the context of stereotypical characteristics in the (Eels) HSBC advert. What process does stereotype involve? Hall (1997:268) writes that stereotypes get hold of the few simple, vivid, memorable, easily grasped and widely recognized characteristic about a person, reduce everything about that person to those traits, exaggerate and simplify them, and fix them without change or development to eternity. Moreover stereotype both reflects and promotes particular perspectives, Osullivan, (Hall, 1997, cited in Holliday, Hyde and Kullman, 2004, p.126). With the help of Stuart Hall theory on stereotypes, the representation of culture in the advertisements and its characteristics can be explained. In the HSBC Eels Advert, set in a Chinese restaurant where the English man is served a meal and the English custom believe its a slur on your host food if you dont clear your plate and the Chinese generosity to fill up the plate until they are satisfied. In this Advertisement both the culture is represented and especially the Chinese culture is portrayed in a stereotypical and in a comical way. Most of the HSBC Ads are interlinked with the representation of Chinese culture because of its brand from country-of- origin. It is generally assumed that things go wrong because two cultural groups behave differently, which makes communication between them problematic. So culture becomes negative term rather than a positive one. (Cited in Holliday, Hyde and Kullman, 2004, pp. 62) The ways in which we commonly understand the advertisements are the categories and concepts that are historically and culturally specific. This means that all the ways of understanding are historically and culturally relative in some way. Our current accepted ways of understanding the world, is a product not of objective observation, but the social processes and interactions of the people are still constant. There are always two ways of representation involved; mental representation and public representation. Beliefs, intentions and preferences are mental representations and signal, utterances, texts and pictures are all public representations. Public representations are material oriented. Public representations are generally means of communication between user and a producer distinct from one another. So these representations are used to serve the purpose of commodity by the producers through consumers. Culture identity Is it that collective or true self hiding inside many other, more superficial or artificially imposed selves which a people with a shared history and ancestry hold in common (Hall, 1990). Above all in relation to the process of globalization, which I would argue are coterminous with modernity (Hall, 1996) and the process of forced and free migration which have become a global phenomenon of the so-called post-colonial world (Hall, 1996, pp. 3-4). The concept of identity is both theoretically and politically discoursed in the modern developed world. The definition of culture identity is always under ongoing changing process according to the culture variations in generation. Stereotypes are defined as social classification of particular groups and people as often highly simplified and generalised signs, which implicitly or explicitly represent a set of values, judgements and assumptions concerning their behaviour, characteristics or history. Stereotypes however, not only identify general categories of people, it also signifies national populations, classes, genders, occupation in a deviant groups. It also seems that we commonly have stereotypical ideas about people on basis of their language accents. In the HSBC Eels ad the Chinese set of values, characteristics are portrayed as stereotypical, alike in the Guillin fisherman, Lantern, Ant energy, advertisements of HSBC. These stereotypical aspects are because of the brands country-of-origin effect. In terms of market discourses, it can be defined as the country which a consumer associates with a certain product or brand as being its source, regardless of where the product is actually produced. Since the prior knowledge that a given country is associated with a certain brand ensures that exposure to the brand name triggers recall of that country and its attributes. It is important to point out that this experience may take actually result in a purchase, and it may in fact have nothing to do with any purchase decision whatsoever. It may take place purely in the realm of experiencing and processing, consciously or subconsciously, advertising messages about brands, countries and language to which individual is exposed every day (Cited in Kelly-Holmes, 2005, pp.29). In the perspective of language, it is a fundamental human activity through which we communicate our particular representation of the world. Cultural values and beliefs are transmitted from one member of a society to another and from one generation to another primarily through language. We can often see the structure of language that reflects the way that particular culture is viewed by this world and kinds of distinctions that are held to be important. Even in the HSBC Eels ad the language spoken by Chinese are suppressed by the English voice over showing the power and prestigious. One language may be imposed and another suppressed by dominant power. In some situation, the power and dominance are portrayed to maintain their own variety, or move to a more extreme variety of their dialect, in order to emphasise the difference between themselves and the person or people they are talking to. In the UK, Advertisers draw on the ideas using country accents to indicate and advertise nature o f food products or using more prestigious accent to promote financial services. Language as a form of representation, highlight power relations and promote particular perspectives like advertisements for commodities. A sense of cultural identity is often centred on a particular language and speakers perceptions of the connection between the languages they use and that identity is well supported. Language is always used as a medium of communication in ethnic majorities and groups that hold social and political power. The knowledge the advetisee has about these relationships and about common sense assumptions in the advertisements is acquired through experiencing the particular habitus on an everyday basis. Consumerization or socialization into consumer society happens, primarily through example and through language. It is worth keeping in mind here that advertising messages are simply explicit. It encompasses a whole range of texts and objects, such as toys, books, television programmes, packaging and so forth. Consequently, the employment of foreign words in advertising has the potential to create in groups and out groups and contribute both directly and indirectly to societal attitudes to languages and multilingualism. Multilingual advertising communication is, in this book, defined as the appearance of a number of different languages or voices in a market-discourse situation. This appearance may be minimal, consisting of only one word, or it may be fairly extensive, consisting of entire texts or blocks of text. The word may come from an entirely different language of the medium of text within which they appear, or they may be familiar, coming from his/her everyday linguistic repertoire (Kelly-Holmes, 2005, pp.25). Even in the HSBC Eels ad, it is a multilingual communication of advertising, initially the Chinese chattering and followed by the voice over of the English dominantly suppressing to show power, so the purpose of commodity serves the specific culture. The effects of multilingual advertising on the other hand, have the effect of reinforcing this monolingualism by making speakers of another language the object of humour in advertising and by constructing them as an out group. In all cases, however, the examples of multilingual advertising communication discussed in the following chapter have two things in common: they are driven by the market, and have meaning within the context of the society and culture imposed on the market and they do not permit a purely monolingual communication experience. (Kelly-Holmes, 2005, pp.25). Even the music plays significant role in the culture representation and identity. The issue is not how a particular piece of music or a performance reflects the people, but how it produces them, how it creates and constructs an identity in particular television ads. In most of the HSBC advert the traditional Chinese folk music will be played as back ground music so as in the Eels advert, again which is a stereotype representation of culture identity. The social categories or labels of identity are frequently imposed on some groups by others, who may be in a more powerful position than they are. Your social identity is not something you can always determine on your own, it is by how others perceive you. In the west representations of ads will very largely respond to the public demand. So they show the power of dominance in a multilingual advertisement through their accents and performance suppressing the other culture. Here the Chinese culture in Eels ad is portrayed in an innocent and comical way and English culture in a decent and dominant behaviour being the product, country-of-origin in china. Most of the multilingual ads are being portrayed on their own cultural demands. Beside cultural beliefs and ideals apply to people in differential positions of power. Moreover a result of norms and ideals result from histories of struggle in which significant voices are silenced. In an International advertising, Cultural objects may be made into saleable products. For e.g. the country houses may be sold as a second home for the urban. So cultural products are from other places can be marketed in global supermarket. This may include foods, drink, dance, music, sport, and holidays abroad almost all consumable things. Applying Marxs idea to the use of foreign or other language in advertising today, the use-value of languages can be seen to have become obscured by their exchange or symbolic value. The use-value of the language can be equated with its referential function, its utility as a means of communication The language appears to achieve value independently and this value is not the product of its communicative, but rather of its symbolic value in process of advertising communication (Kelly-Holmes, 2005, Pp.24). Why does English deserve special treatment? For many people in the world, it is simply foreign language, other or second language, so its contribution to multilingual advertising communication is massive and has a huge effect. English is presented as both an inevitable consequences of the marketization of such economies, and, at the same time, almost one of the driving forces behind the transition to market economy. There can be no doubt that we absorb the messages around us about the media and culture, we are in project the illusion. There is also no doubt that today the media is a very powerful tool for those who want to control society and to sell ideas and products to its members. The representation of media is more political in that, it is controlled by external bodies that offer images and understandings in an influenced way for us to consume. At the conclusion I would like to summarise my points that the media plays a significant role in representing culture and their identities. There is always a personal demand for a particular culture to denote oneself dominant even in the multilingual, intercultural communication. The HSBC ads are a good example of how the Chinese culture is represented as a stereotype in almost all of their advertisements against the dominant English culture in a Bi-lingual advertisement. Language also plays an equally important role in showcasing their own particular culture and identity and the usage of foreign language produces advantages and disadvantages. Thus in a way these adverts are served for the purpose of commodity and personal demand of representing their culture in power and dominant style.

Attention Climbing Hold Consumers :: Economy Consumerism Essays

Attention Climbing Hold Consumers The climbing hold industry can be a complicated world. There are so many different companies that make a lot of the same products. In this paper it will be discussed what a consumer can look for in a website to determine if the climbing hold company would be the right one for them. Three companies of different sizes were researched when doing this comparison. The first company that will be looked at is Edge Climbing Walls System. This is a real small company based out of Canada. They are a company that has little direct effect on the market, but many other companies like it as whole are having a large impact on the market. The second company that will be discussed is a company that is on its way up in the industry. They have been in business for a few years but seem to be having a large share of the market. Morganic holds is an Iowa based company, believe it or not, that got its start in a dingy garage in Nevada, Iowa. The last one is Nicros. Nicros is the world’s largest manufacture and distributor of climbing holds. They have been in business for many years and distribute holds globally. When looking at Edge Walls website it can be seen as a small company. The website is only one page. There are also very little links to other of there own pages. When first entering the site, the name of the company is not on the top of the page for easy viewing. Displaying the company name at the top of a webpage would be a lot more useful. When scrolling down the page it next list the uniqueness of there company. They discuss why they feel that they have a good product and whose opinion that might be. Next part of the page climbing hold can be seen. When scrolling down more holds appear. On the page the holds are displayed in a format that can be deceiving to the eye. When scrolling down the holds become a blur of color.

Migratory Behavior of Mallard Ducks Essay

There are four fundamental decisions that most animals make when it comes to mechanisms of adaptation: where to live, how to gather food, how to avoid predators, and what tactics to use to reproduce (Alcock, 1993). Habitat preferences in animals require satisfying their needs (ignoring or actively avoiding others, nutritional needs to perform growth, development and reproduction) at the same time experiencing higher fitness than those unable to settle in the favored habitat. There were also several hypothesis presented which correlates habitat preference and fitness. The seasonal dispersion of some animals like ducks is a costly business in terms of energetic expenses and risk to exposure to predators. On the other hand, considering dispersal cost, animals that do not respond to dispersion pay the price of deterioration due to the inability to adapt to the prevailing ecological conditions. Considering the inbreeding avoidance hypothesis (Ralls et. al, 1979), on ducks in particular, Mallard ducks may have migrated then for the purpose of expanding their genetic pool by interbreeding with Anas rubipes a close relative of the Anas playrynhos. The costly dispersal of Mallards may have been to avoid inbreeding depression primary of which is to circumvent the expression of damaging recessive alleles resulting from the mating of two closely related mates of the same species. This further correlates with the mate competition hypothesis (Moore and Ali, 1984), which states that males tend to fight against one another for mates therefore looser find it more energy efficient to seek closely related species to which they may successfully mate. When mating season is over, male disperses to avoid their daughters when these female become sexually mature. Animals engage into energetically exhaustive activity trying to complete the course of their journey to attain its fundamental goals. As the animal arrives to its destination, the issue of territoriality always comes to mind whenever a new species is introduced into a new environment and every time the visitor interacts with the native. While other animals ignore or tolerate the presence of a new species in its territory, others are extraordinarily aggressive in defending their territory from intruders. Territoriality among animals contributes to reproductive successes or failure to the contrary which further leads to interspecific competition. If suitable breeding sites really are short of supply, then one should be able to find non-territorial, non-breeding, individuals in populations of territorial animals. If this is so, the niche similarity of the visitors to the native may introduce interspecific competition with the available supplies. Territoriality may also influence the reproductive success of these visitors as it was found by Dhondt and Schillemans (1983). Territorial animals may invade the nesting sites of migratory birds which may lead to decreased viability and clutch. The ability of birds to fly and survive various environmental conditions has led to their development over time. Seasonal migration of mallard ducks (Anas platyrynchos) has been one of the intriguing aspects of its behavior. This behavior has been influenced mainly by several factors such as foraging (Heitmeyer, 2006), competition (Mc Auley, et al. , 2004), reproductive behaviors (Hill, 1984) which also includes the preservation of nesting sites, and interbreeding (Brodsky, 1989) and seasonal weather conditions (Ridgill, et al. , 1990 in D. Hill, 1992, Whyte & Bolen, 1984, Poiani & Johnson, 1991). Statement of the Problem From previous articles, it has been reported that Mallard ducks are reoccupying old territories throughout the United States and Canada (Talent, et. al. , 1983). From this observation, it can be inferred that various ecological changes in both habitat and inhabitants may take place. Since mallard ducks in this regard are annual visitors in these habitats, the temporary habitation of previous and new territories may significantly affect native animal species. With the combined hypothesis that Mallard ducks migrate from previously occupied territories due to overlapping conditions which may occupy new territories due to insufficiency of the previous, the study will assess the behavioral patterns of Mallard ducks towards returning to previous foraging territories and establishing new foraging regions (migratory routes) outside of their original habitats, specifically the study will address four major areas of concern. 1. What behavior of the Anas playrynchos determines the suitability of a habitat to be considered sufficient which helps it decide to inhabit previous foraging territories and new regions outside of their original habitats? 2. What behavioral mechanism will the Anas platyrynchos exhibit upon visiting a previous foraging territory and new regions outside of their original habitats if a highly territorial organisms was encountered upon landing? 3. What general behavioral model applies during the interaction of two closely related species (Anas rubipes and Anas platyrynchos) occupying the same niche in terms of: a. Reproductive tactics b. Foraging preferences c. Territoriality 4. What chances that the introduction of less territorial animal may cause significant adaptive stress (competitive stress) to a more territorial species? Hypotheses It is hypothesized that there is no significant differences in the previously reported behavioral mechanisms in Anas platyrynchos that helps it determine to decide on its habitat preferences. Alternatively, Anas platyrynchos establishes new migratory routes due to impending factors such as avoidance of predators, seasonal weather conditions, reproductive tactics and foraging preferences. Else, Anas platyrynchos establishes new migratory route or return to previous foraging areas due to certain conditions such as habitat destruction, scarcity of supplies needed to reproduce, and extreme territoriality between natives and migrants. Experimental Design In order to test these hypotheses, the study will be divided into two phases: the in vivo phase and in vitro phase. At the in vitro phase, groups of experimental populations of Mallard ducks will be placed in a study area which will allow observation of significant behavioral patterns relevant to foraging, reproductive tactics/quality such as mate preference, clutch size, egg size and viability, and interspecific competition. Two species of closely related species of ducks the Anas rubipes (native, will be allowed to acclimatize until such time that they one or two reproductive cycles have been achieved) and Anas platyrynchos (introduced species, will be introduced only after the native have been acclimatized well) will be situated in the same habitat which will be observed for close interaction. Behavioral patterns on mate preferences and competitive exclusion will be observed by on-site observation using a hidden observation platform. Foraging preferences will be looked upon by collection and analysis of droppings from both species. Geographical invasion of feeding territories will be looked upon by assigning quadrat areas which will be initially determined by the territorial preferences of both species of ducks. Territoriality will be measured by the number of times the more aggressive native will disturb the nesting sites of the migrants and the instance that the migrant will be driven away from a specific foraging site. Specific effects of such behavior will be measured by performing initial and final biometry of the two species of ducks. Decrease in biometric qualities from both adult and eggs would mean the inability to adapt into such competitive behavior. Possible effects of migrant foraging on native non-avian species will also be observed by recording the feeding activity of non-avian species living along the vicinity which might directly contribute to the promotion or disruption of the food chain brought about by the introduction of a new consumer. To observe the habitat preference of ducks with is natural behavior in its intact natural behavior, the in vivo phase will be done. Radio satellite transceivers will be wing banded on representative Anas platyrynchos through catch and tag method (including the alpha male) that are about to engage into seasonal journey to trace their possible destinations and stop-over. The result will be compared to previous annual migration data (20 years in succession or more depending on the available information) to establish a pattern supporting the behavioral mechanism that the ducks employ in selecting a habitat which sooth their preference. On site visitation of previously reported migration destinations will be surveyed to confirm habitation of previously occupied regions. Ecological evaluation and mapping of visited areas (stop-over and final destination) will be done and compared with other visited areas for specific pattern. Thorough monitoring of migration paths via remote sensing will be followed to confirm if ever there is a change in the migratory route. Conclusions will be based on the assessment of significant differences between the previously reported data and the novel information. Summary All in all, birds may move to various locations for survival. If the prevailing conditions decrease fitness, migratory ducks may move to different locations to continue to find food, reproduce and avoid predation. When the conditions increase fitness, these ducks will then return to their natal site where they will breed and raise their young. It may be that physical conditions and forces that govern the earth’s magnetic poles, hormonal changes, changing weather patterns or other various factors contribute to the birds’ urge to migrate to their seasonal habitats. For the purpose of this paper, the most important factor to be considered are the consequences to native animals belonging in the same niche brought about by abrupt or gradual changes in migratory routes and the resulting occupation of new or old territories. In the evolutionary perspective, animals are able to adapt into their environment mainly by employing specific behavioral mechanisms that would enable them to perfectly cope. At the event that an animal fails to establish equilibrium with its environment, serious complications arise. The study will better establish significant behavioral patterns in Mallard ducks which enable to blend in and adapt in variable habitats. Such adaptive behavior may serve as a key towards preserving animal species that are in danger of extinction simply because the adaptive behavior is not appropriate for survival. References Cited Alcock, John. 1993. Animal Behavior: an evolutionary approach, 5th ed. Sinauer Associates, USA. 279-379. Dhondt A. A. , and J. Schillemans. 1983. Reproductive success of the great tit in relation to its territorial status. Animal Behavior 31:902-912. Heitmeyer, M. E. 2006. The Importance of Winter Floods to Mallards in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley. Journal of Wildlife Management. Vol. 70, No. 1. pp. 101-110. Hill, David. 1992. Cold Weather Movements of Waterfowls in Western Europe. The Journal of Animal Ecology, Vol. 61, No. 1. Feb. , pp. 238-239. Hill, D. A. 1984. Population Regulation in the Mallard (Anas platyrynchos). Journal of Animal Ecology. 53. pp. 191-202. Mc Auley, D. G. , et. al. 2004. Dynamic use of wetlands by black Mallards: Evidence Against Competitive Exclusion. Wildlife Society Bulletin. Vol. 32. , No. 2. pp. 465-473. Poiani, K. A. , Johnson, W. C. 1991. Global Warming and Prairie Wetlands. BioScience, Vol. 41, No. 9. Oct. pp. 611-618. Talent, L. G. , et. al. 1983. Survival of Mallard Broods in South-Central North Dakota. The Condor, Vol. 85, No. 1. Feb. , 1983, pp. 74-78. Whyte, R. J. , and Bolen, E. G. 1984. Impact of Winter Stress on Mallards Body Composition. The Condor, Vol. 86, No. 4. pp. 477-482. Moore, J. , and R. Ali. 1984. Are dispersal and inbreeding avoidance related? Animal behavior 32:94-112. Ralls, K. , et. al. 1979. Inbreeding and juvenile mortality in small populations of ungulates. Science 206: 1101-1103.

Summary Essays - Soups, National Dishes, Chicken Soup, Free Essays

Summary Essays - Soups, National Dishes, Chicken Soup, Free Essays Summary Objective Summary: The story is about a child's expectance of a family life filled with love and comforts, which is contrast with his real working class family life. Subjective Evaluation: Soto, back to his age of nine, dreamed to live in a family life that was uncomplicated in its routine. In reality, Soto lived in a working class family; he tried to change his family to imitate the perfect families he absorbed from television. I think many people have done what Soto did to fulfill the dream of a perfect family they wanted. I am not excluded from this either. I have an experience of attempting to change my family life. It was one year later after my family first came to the US in 1995. I learned many new things in this country that I never knew in China, and I appreciated some living styles in American culture. As I tended to like the styles of American life, I expected my family like them, too. The thing I wanted my family to change was the cooking style. I hated to cook Chinese dinner because it took so long to prepare. There are four kinds of food which are considered essential parts of Chinese dinner: rice, soup, vegetable, and meat; they are usually cooked separately. I was not the one who was good at cooking in my family, but I did have to cook when I came home earlier than my parents and two sisters still at work. One day, when we were sitting together at the dinning table for dinner, I suggested to my family that we could have sandwiches and precooked food from the supermarket as our dinner since many American families do. My parents looked at me in bewilderment. Son, you must be kidding, right? Those sandwiches and precooked food do not give you enough nutrition for growing up, my dad said. And precooked food is not good for your health, my mother kept on. My elder sisters showed no interest in my idea. I grew frustrated from their reaction, but I did not give up. Evening after evening, I kept bringing up the idea at the dinning table. My mother finally permitted me to make one American dinner for the family. That day, I went to the supermarket to buy bread, ham, and chicken soup right after school. I planned on making ham sandwiches and chicken soup for the dinner. The dinner was ready and served at our usual dinnertime. My mother tasted a spoon of the chicken soup and said, It tastes like brine, nothing but salty. Why don't they put some shark fins in it? She refused to have another spoon. My sisters only had a small bite of their sandwiches and then put them down; my father barely finished one. Even I could not have another one after finishing two. That night, my parents and sisters had instant noodle for dinner. Such a result was out of my expectation, but I had to accept it. From then on, the subject of changing cooking style is never brought up to the family conversation. I think Soto had the same feeling as I did when he found out that there was no way to change his family to be the perfect family he expected. When he realized that, he went out to look for work; being different from him, I tried to bring up another subject to the family conversation.