Competition in Energy Drinks Case Essay

Within the beverage industry companies like Pepsi and Coca Cola were using alternative beverages as a way to counter the effects of the decline of consumption of carbonated beverages. This in turn will help them sustain volume. These two large companies were working hard to expand their alternative market line by introducing sports drinks, energy drinks, and vitamin drinks. One of the largest issues at hand is the pressure to stop producing these harmful drinks, people felt that they had a negative impact on your body and believed their strategies promoted reckless behavior. Even though this was happening they had to keep pushing through to be very successful. Sales began to increase as well as market share which introduced several new brands to the alternative beverage industry. In the alternative beverage industry competition is fierce. Some of the major factors that play a role are product innovation, differentiation; create brand loyalty based on taste, the drinks image, advertising, and sponsorships. Many of these companies like Hansen and Red bull sponsored events to promote their brand. The strongest of the 5 competitive forces within the industry is that of substitution. Pepsi and Coca Cola made their products available to customers with ease pushing other companies out of business. The weakest of the 5 forces is buyer bargaining power. Buyers do not have much control over the prices at which these beverages are being sold. If they were looking for an energy drink they would have to pay the high prices. Buyers are starting to become more brand loyal so they will buy at high prices more often. Companies like Coca Cola and Pepsi seem to make the industry less attractive for new entrants. Reason is because they both are well established with good brand recognition. Consumers will most likely always choose the brand they are familiar than new unfamiliar brands. The market for energy drinks is declining, sales are down, and the market has matured. Over the next 5 years drivers of change will not slow down companies like Coca Cola, Pepsi, or Red Bull. Instead of looking to compete on price, volume, or market share gains it looks like they will look into product innovations to increase sales. At this point time drivers of change will most likely keep the alternative beverage unattractive for smaller companies. Pepsi and Coca Cola are able to counter the downturn the economy because of the broad range of products they have. Red Bull on the other hand has only a few products and sales are suffering. A few recommendations for the larger companies are as follows. Coca Cola does very well in the carbonated beverage industry but is way behind in the alternative beverage industry. They can do some research on countries where they want to sell their product and see what consumer actually want. By doing this they could create a product that will appeal to local consumer tastes. Pepsi Co. has done really well in the alternative beverage industry but has introduced a new line of energy drinks (Charge, Rebuild, Defend, and Bloodshot) that I have never heard of. It would be in their best interest to do an ad campaign to consumers. Red Bull on the other hand just needs to expand their product line. They are focusing mainly on their original flavor still and that may be a reason why sales are decreasing.

Consumerisuim

Consumerism describes the effects of connecting personal happiness with purchasing material properties and consumption. Today people buy more stuff to feel happy and pleased with themselves. Teenagers and kids go out wearing bags from well-known brands which are more than a thousand dollars for a bag and their only ten years old. Consumerist society views people as numbers rather than people, it encourages direct satisfaction, it leads to debt, and it lowers obvious costs.These are some negative effects of consumerism. In the consumer's society, they see other people as numbers. All they think about is how to let them spend their money. This is a negative thing because some poor people would like to be in this society but due to their level they can't reach it. They would love to have a lot of money to buy whatever they want but they can't offer the money. In this society all their families should wear stuff that shows the price of It so people can see their wealthy and they are In the right place.Consumerist Society people, it encourages direct satisfaction, It leads to debt, and It lowers obvious costs. Is how to let them spend their money. This Is a negative thing because some poor people would Like to be In this society but due to their level they can't reach It. They would love to have a lot of money to buy whatever they want but they can't offer the money. In this society all their females should wear stuff that shows the price of It so people can see their wealthy and they are In the right place.

Unit 4 Ip

Unit 4 IP Date: February 3, 2013 1. What two policies could you use to reduce the total amount of emissions? The first policy that I would put in place is a reduction of hours available for the plants to run. I think that by reducing the available operation times, you will have less production and therefore less pollution. This will ultimately force the company who definitely needs all the time they can to produce their products, to find a cleaner way to get the job done. The second policy that I would put in place would be a limitation on the amount of certain chemicals that can be used.I would limit the use of chemicals that cause the most emissions problems and invoke fines on anyone who goes over the limited usage. This would 2. Why do you think they each would work? As I mentioned above, the first policy would force the company to find a better way to produce power without the dangers of the externalities polluting the air. The company will need to operate at a certain level to produce power, so they would have no other choice but to find a way to reduce emissions. With the second policy would only work if there were fines associated with using more than the allotted amount of chemicals that cause pollution.We could have policies all day long, but if there are no consequences or they don’t have anyone to answer to then things will not change. They will continue to produce at levels that are dangerous to the people around them. 3. What would the benefits of each action be (besides emissions reduction)? In addition to the reduction of emissions, we would also gain control of the quality of energy being produced. There would be a consistent product that was produced cleanly and it definitely would be better for the health of the people that live around the power plants.The health benefits are fewer illnesses such as cancer, upper respiratory infections, and skin diseases associated with the release of externalities. 4. What would the costs of each acti on be? With the first policy if it is put into place the power plant is definitely going to lose money. If we limit the amount of hours of production, they will definitely not be able to meet whatever quotas they have already put in place. They will produce less and this could affect their bottom line. With the second policy, it may cost them a little more to put into place different procedures to measure the amount of certain chemicals released into the air.It won’t be nearly as costly as reduced hours would be, but the minimal cost would definitely be worth it. 5. How would you decide what was the best level of emission reduction? I would determine what levels of certain chemicals are safe for the neighborhood through testing and with research that has already been done. There are already studies on what is safe and what could harm a population of people or animals that are located near a power plant. References: Power Plant Pollution Control. (n. d. ). Engineering Services Outsourcing. Retrieved February 4, 2013, from http://www. engineeringservicesoutsourcing

South Africa's Criminal Justice System Research Paper

South Africa's Criminal Justice System - Research Paper Example After this, the study discusses the positives and shortcomings of the South African criminal justice system. A contrast of South Africa’s legal system with the US criminal justice system then precedes the conclusion to the study. The Characteristics of the South African Criminal Justice System At the general level, South Africa has a hybrid criminal justice system, promoting legal pluralism as the country’s legal system developed. According to Mireku (2010), common law in South Africa comprises of a mixture of Dutch-Roman variant of civil law and English common law. The Roman-Dutch influences are traced from the 17th century colonization of South Africa by Holland, while the English influence results from English settlers later in the country’s historical account. The Roman-Dutch aspect of South African criminal law concerns the private law subjects including contractual agreements and family law as well as criminal law. Meanwhile, the English aspect involves the law of evidence and a number of other subjects in public law. Besides the two, South Africa also incorporates customary law within its legal system. Customary law is used where applicable and subject to the Constitution, especially operating in traditional/rural communities. Such communities use a combination of customary, civil/common law to regulate issues including marital issues and inheritance. Other than this, South African law is not codified and follows a similar pattern to the English system where interpretation is sought based on court decisions/precedents and individual statutes (Schwikkard, 2009). Another aspect of the characteristics of the South African legal system is its upholding constitutional supremacy and Universal Bill of Rights. Whereas the Apartheid regime was constructed on a parliamentary sovereignty, the contemporary South African criminal justice system is a constitutional democracy. This is underpinned through entrenching the Bill of Rights in law and a specialized supreme constitutional court. This court occupies the highest position in the judicial hierarchy and solely deals with constitutional maters and decisions interconnected with the constitution (Mireku, 2010). Substantive law in South Africa stems from the influence of the English legal system. According to Barratt and Snyman (2002), the British maintained the Royal-Dutch legal system instead of formally introducing their substantive law upon establishing colonial influence in South Africa early in the 19th century. However, the British figured that the Roman-Dutch system would not adequately cater for modern society requirements which led to innovative laws based on English Acts and using English precedents for interpretation. English procedural law was adopted, which were observed to influence substantive provisions. Moreover, the superior court judges and advocates received their training in England and, thus, tended towards English treatises. One of the aspects in whic h substantive law is exhibited is in the Bill of Rights, where 27 substantive provisions are provided for. Such provisions revolve around rights such as the right to life and the right to human dignity. Van der Merwe (2004) discusses procedural law in the South African criminal justice system, stating that it traces its roots to the influence of British occupation of South Africa in the 20th century. The colonial master introduced procedural law in all South African territories through

Organizational Dynamics Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Organizational Dynamics Paper - Essay Example Business intelligence also helps companies and businesses to survive during hard economic times. During such periods, it is not a surprise to find companies still spending on the processes of business intelligence because without such solutions, there is no business at all. In any case, there is a business; it is most likely on the decline in terms of productivity and revenues. Business intelligence is not a onetime thing; it is an ongoing process. Business intelligence goes on as long as the business is still running; the business intelligence continues to exist too. Business intelligence involves techniques based on computers that are used in the identification, extraction, as well as the analysis of business data (Electrosmart Ltd). The business data in this case could be revenue from sales made from given products, could also be sales that a given department has made, or the revenues that have been received from certain costs and incomes. A successful business intelligence proces s or unit has to have some qualities such as providing old, current, and views about future operations of the system. There are various functions associated with successful business intelligence process. Among them is reporting, the other one could be predictive analytics, the other could be data mining, and maybe complex event processing. The business intelligence technology implemented in an organization can only be beneficial if everyone knows the goals and aims of the business. With that in mind, it is easy to identify the business intelligence strategy to take with the technology to be put in place to help run the business. Business intelligence technologies are like decision support systems to organizations. In this respect, they are used to process certain information for the company, and the managers use the results they give and the management board to make critical decisions that affect the organizations current and future dealings (Microsoft Case Studies). Given that a bu siness intelligence program is not a onetime thing, it is a principle that has to be instilled into the business; it is a lifetime process. In this regard, the technologies are implemented in a program that takes some time. The program for successful and effective business intelligence has to include: 1. The development of a business intelligence strategy 2. Assessment of the readiness of the business to the application of the strategic, readiness and maturity for the technology to be put in place. 3. Definition of the business intelligence policy 4. Governance of the business intelligence once put in place 5. Identification of the business intelligence opportunities; This further includes defining the requirements of the business; development of the blueprint of the business intelligence; selection of a vendor and evaluation of the business intelligence alternatives. 6. A portfolio of the business intelligence also has to be defined. This is the roadmap that has to be followed when deploying the business intelligence in a manner that is effectively incremental, as well as sustainable at the same time. There are various business dynamics driving businesses to look for new ways of sustaining their business activities. These are the reasons why business intelligence has been at the forefront of the needs of these businesses. Companies believe that in order to make it big in the business world today, there needs to be more that human resources at the

Corporate Social Responsibility Literature review

Corporate Social Responsibility - Literature review Example This is what is now termed at Corporate Social Responsibility – an organization’s sense of responsibility to society, whether ecological, economical or social. (Schermerhorn 2010) The term ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ was coined way back in 1953 by Howard R Bowen in his book ‘Social Responsibilities of the Businessman’. He may as well be considered the Father of Corporate Social Responsibility. (Mhatre 2010) According to the Financial Times Lexicon, Corporate Social Responsibility is a business approach that delivers benefits in threefold – economic, social and environmental, to all the stakeholders and as a result leads to sustainable development. (lexicon.ft.com) Corporate Social Responsibility covers a gamut of activities ranging from human rights and working conditions to environmental health and development of the economy. While Corporate Social Responsibility was initially just considered a fancy term for generosity, times hav e now changed. Globalization and the ensuing awareness about the deteriorating environment and other social and economic issues around the world have ensured that there is a space for more responsibility that rests with every organization. Whether it is social and economic issues such as poverty and lack of education for children in certain areas of the world or environmental issues such as global warming and the increased carbon footprint, every organization today is now expected to focus on a certain cause and give back to the community. It is not just about generosity or being charitable. It is about a more united world – one wherein organizations are making returns. So why not support those that do not have access to so many privileges? And why not take care of the environment we live in? This is the role that CSR plays today in the daily functioning of an organization. Spreading awareness and the word that there is a need for organizations with power and resources to hel p those who need it, and the environment we live in, for the benefit of one and all. Hay, Stavens and Vietor (2005) summarise the meaning of Corporate Social Responsibility in their book Environmental Protection and the Social Responsibility of Firms. According to them, CSR is â€Å"a consistent pattern in which private firms do more than they are required to, based on laws and regulations governing the environment, worker safety and health and financial contributions in the communities in which they operate.† (Hay, Stavens and Vietor 2005) This definition is perhaps the most comprehensive, expressing not only the variety of functions of Corporate Social Responsibility but also stressing on the fact that the organizations do more than they are just required to. Lord Holme and Richard Watts further adds to this perspective by stating, â€Å"Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large† (qtd. in Baker 2005). CSR has become a very integral part of every organization large or small, private or public. Schilling and Steensma (2001) is of the opinion that it shows to the public that the organizations are not just ruthless entities that function to make a fatter bottom line, but that they are also humans at the end of the day who care about others and the environmen

The staff recruitment and selection policy of IKEA in China Essay

The staff recruitment and selection policy of IKEA in China - Essay Example The recruitment and selection policy of IKEA is value driven and espouses s teamwork, simplicity, communicative forthrightness and urgency. The core values of IKEA are employee empowerment, flexibility, dynamism and cost consciousness (Smith, 2010, p. 70). Advertising is the main means of design that IKEA uses to emphasize these values. Job at IKEA webpage is used to communicate the core value of the Chinese company. A cost effective campaign is carried out, which is used directly to harness the customer base of the business. IKEA wants to recruit about 8,000 people over the next five years. IKEA employees must have certain characteristics in order for them to be selected in the company. These characteristics are important compared to specific experiences and qualifications. The applicants must be down to earth; they must be well with other employees and must have a sense of humor (Bach & Edwards, 2013, p. 19).  IKEA wanted to attract the right candidate and through the spirit of advertising, they would attract a large number of applicants who were good at their work. The selection process involved bringing together twenty potential candidates who had some specifications that IKEA required that is education, experience, age and attitude. The group of twenty would be given a series of questions and a personal interview with the panel of the board of directors. After the selection process, the applicants will undergo training, which involves traditional classroom courses. Co-workers in the company are requested to master current jobs as well as seeking new opportunities hence, they are allowed to apply for new job opportunities in IKEA. Through the selection process, emphasis is put on the value fit as selection criteria. After the applicants have been selected, employees who have worked in the organization previously are requested to assist the new coworkers adjust in the company through mentorship (Rothacher, 2004, p.

Oral History Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Oral History - Research Paper Example I thought that the best way to explore this would be through learning about her experiences with culture shock when coming to the United States. To do this, I knew that I needed to get to know Soo Park’s reasons for coming to the United States. This would have an impact on the level of culture shock she experienced and how she dealt with it. Soo Park was born in a rural area of Korea. Today, we would call it South Korea, but Soo Park never used this term. She insisted that there is only one Korea and that soon there would be no rebel government in the North of the country anymore. Her family was well off. Her father had a shop that supplied everything from fertilizer to small tractors for local farmers. Soo Park recalls that she was luck to have such a good man for a father. He loved her and never made her feel unimportant. In those days, she explained, the rural Koreans placed all privileges upon their sons. Soo Park’s younger brother was chosen to take over the family business at a young age. She said that it was typical for girls to simply prepare for marriage. But she loved school and was a good scholar. Her father saw this and arranged for her to go live in Seoul at a private school that taught in English as well as Korean. There were American students that attended the school along with Korean students. The only problem with this plan was that problems were starting in Korea. Soo Park was twelve when she was to enroll in the school. This was 1958 and Korea was still an uncertain place as a result of the recent war. There were any American soldiers in and around Seoul and many of the rural Koreans did not trust the Americans. Soo Park remembers her father speaking favorably of the American soldiers he had met, but still expressed concerns about them being in Korea. She remembers him telling her that the Americans would be here in Korea for 100 years. Soo Park knew that her father was a wise man, but she had no idea that his words would be so true. In 1964, Soo Park finally could go to Seoul to finish her schooling. Her father had kept his word and felt confident that his daughter would be safe for one year in Seoul. She earned the equivalent of her High School diploma and tried to learn some English, but found it very difficult. Soo Park recalls being so good at everything in school ex cept English. She was actually a better math student than most of the boys, which made some of them furious. There was one male student, Henry Lee, which was even better than she at math. They became friends and fell in love. She knew that Henry was going to spend the next four years in the United State attending college on a scholarship. She wante3d to go with him badly, but knew she could not. The next four years of her life were difficult. She lived for letters from Henry. He studied in California, but she was not able to attend college. Her mother pressed her to find another boy to marry, but she refused. Her father was sad because she was sad. She spent her time helping in the family business and writing to Henry. Finally he graduated and sent a letter that informed her he was graduating, had become a United States citizen and was going to work for a statistics firm in northern Virginia. He invited her to come to live with him in America as his wife. Soo Park arrived in Washing ton D.C. in 1970. Her father and mother accompanied her. She spoke little English and was completely unfamiliar with American culture, save the bit she picked-up from her classmates during her last year at school. Soo Park’s mother was glad she was marrying a Korean boy, but was disappointed there would be no traditional wedding. Henry, who spoke perfect English now, said that a traditional weddin

Computer Networking Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Computer Networking - Essay Example Sometimes attackers with the help of unauthorised access give huge amount of damages to IT companies. Because with the help of attack on their WLAN they get all the important information and data. Radio signal interference is used to remove that signals which can interrupt original signals from wireless devices but these radio IP interface can effect the connectivity of original signals, poor throughput and low data rates. Wireless equipment privacy is used at data link and physical layer of OSI model. As name implies, Wireless Equivalent Privacy goal is to provide an equivalent amount of security to all wired LAN networks. Wireless network is a type of computer network that has become vital for modern existence. The difference between wired and wireless networks is that multiple computer or devices can flexibly share resources without any additional installation of wiring. These resources can be a shared data, internet, printers and domain connectivity. In wired networks all communications can be possible by using some sort of any physical medium only, while wireless telecommunications networks are generally implemented and administered using radio communication over one or more access points. Some of benefits of wireless network are convenience, flexibility, productivity, easy setup, maintainable, expandable, robust security protection and cost. However, the disadvantages include interference in wireless signals because of any obstructions like wall or other wireless devices etc Cooper,4,2004. Nowadays, wireless networking is quickly become famous for both home and business networks and wireless products. Major organizations like IEEE, IFTF and Wi-Fi alliance are continually working to make improvement in this area. As stated above 802.11 was the original standard of the IEEE which could deliver 1-2 Mbps over 2.4 GHz range.

Economical crisis facing the banking Industry Essay

Economical crisis facing the banking Industry - Essay Example However, some revenue comes from banking charges among other sources. The banking sector has developed due to some favorable factors like increase in population, hence customers, Good interest rates as stipulated by the central bank, improved security, advanced banking technologies and increase in banking professionals among other factors (Morr 2009). However, the same sector is compromised by some economic factors like the global financial crisis, increased unemployment rates and unstable interest rates among other factors. This work focuses on some of the economic crisis facing the banking industry. Different types of banking have different economical challenges. This work will consider both the retail and the mobile banking systems. The financial crisis is one of the major limitations facing the banking industry. It is defined as a situation where a certain banking institution in not in a capacity to run its operations due to lack of sufficient funds. Financial crises come in diff erent forms, for instance, currency crises, where there is insufficient currency in a certain nation (Angelides 2011). Here the banking institutions are forced to operate in different currencies which might be expensive in the long run. Bank crisis on the other hand applies if a certain bank has insufficient funds to lend its customers and pay its employees among other statutory obligations. Then there is the twin crisis which is a combination of currency and bank crises. Currency crises may result from unfavorable internal or external factors. A calamity or disaster like war and earthquake is likely to limit internal business operations which may lead to fall of economy in that nation. The country will have to pay more for its imports and this could lead to reduced currency. Cutting ties with super power nations like U.S may also compromise the strength of a certain currency. Bank crises on the other hand, are subject of both micro and macroeconomic elements. A bank is likely to la ck sufficient funds to perform its obligations due to bankruptcy, business merges; this is a scenario where a bank loses its business control on forming partnership with another business entity, or nationalizing the entire banking sector or a section. Global financial crisis left some huge France and U.S banks with suspended bonds due to incapability to do the valuations due to the frozen market. The banking default levels increased and this hiked the interest rates by an estimate of 5%. Global financial crisis (2007) limited the operations of the banking sector. The U.S legislators through President George W. Bush authorized financial institutions to provide some unsecured loans to the U.S citizens who wished to construct their own residential facilities. The problem arose when the citizens or real estate sectors failed to repay the loans (loan defaulters). The crisis affected the banking sector on a global scale. Although the government directed some state funds to settle the loan s, the financial facilities adopted some strategies to recover such loans. The central bank hiked interest rates for more revenues (Proctor 2000). This had some negative implications with the banking customers. Several agencies and businesses stopped operations waiting the interest rates to fall. Some opted to seek financial assistances from a micro - finance industry whose interest rates were not greatly affected. The crisis made some financial institutions close their operations for the lack of adequate finances. The banks had insufficient funds to loan its customers and even pay the employees. President Bush ordered for a committee comprising chief economists and financial managers to suggest for

Organizational Controls Essay Example for Free

Organizational Controls Essay The case describes one of the most common problems that arise in cross-cultural business expansions without accounting for cultural and social differences across borders. Lincoln is a well established company with a great concurrent control system which enables it to move swiftly through processes and end up with phenomenal figures of efficiency and productivity. The control system at Lincoln is concurrent, although it can be argued that the system has certain similarities with the feed-forward control system. However, one thing is certain: the system is quick and flexible to change quickly which does not consist of the slowness of the feedback system. In particular such a system along with the different types of reward schemes makes Lincoln highly successful in the United States. It would be really difficult to find an organization comparable to Lincoln in terms of the amounts and kinds of rewards given to its employees. The different employee rewarding schemes are all tools and techniques which Lincoln has adapted to over the years because of the realization of the fact that employees in the US are highly motivated through pay-based rewards. (Susan Meredith, 2004) Essentially speaking it is this single factor which has contributed largely to the success of Lincoln in the US and the different kinds of pay-based rewards only seek to satisfy all kinds of people with different ideas and expectations for pay-based rewards. It should be understood by the management of Lincoln when they are transporting the US approach to other cultures that the cultures of different nations maybe and probably are entirely different from the American culture. It is not necessary that the same kinds of objects and pay-based rewards may drive them and motivate them towards high productivity. There are a lot of other intrinsic rewards available at the disposal of managers to use to meet the demands of the workforce. The same types of rewards may not work on different cultures due to the social and political circumstances of those nations. Employees may have different needs, which if met by the management, will motivate them to work harder and achieve levels of high productivity and efficiency. (Daft, 2001) The problem made by the management at Lincoln was to generalize that fact that pay-based and other monetary rewards will definitely motivate employees to achieve high productivity and efficiency. Instead, the operations failed due to the different cultures having different motivational factors, which obviously were not identified by the Lincoln management. The suggestion here to be followed by the management is to identify through research and internal mingling the factors that affect motivation and job satisfaction amongst the different cultures in which they have expanded their operations to and address specifically those issues to reap the same results as in the US. (Robbins, 2004) Employees would maintain their relationship and confidence in Lincoln only if the organization upholds it’s the expectations the employees and their unions hold from them. If Lincoln is unable to pay its US workers the bonus they deserve, Lincoln will be in deep trouble. The overall situation would go from bad to worse. It should be understood that the US employees had no share or tear in Lincoln’s expansions and that the losses arising as a result of the bad policies implemented in the new acquisitions was not transferable onto the US employees. Thus, Lincoln should not dishearten the US employees or risk the deterioration of employee satisfaction, morale and motivation which will affect Lincoln negatively in a significant manner. (Robbins, 2004) Therefore, I believe that Lincoln should borrow money to pay its US workers the bonus they actually deserve to take no risks in losing potential employees to its competitors or risk the loss of employee boost and motivation due to a break in expected promises.

Analysis on Lance Armstrong Doping Essay Example for Free

Analysis on Lance Armstrong Doping Essay No, the consequences brought upon Armstrong are completley inappropriate. The actions taken against him undergone by Travis Tygart and USADA are over the top. The fact that Lance doped is undeniable, he did it, but so did every other Tour de France contender and their teammates. Why should the man who won against other dopers have his life ruined? Why should a man who has helped millions of cancer patients have to step down from his organization and pay off the tax breaks of his charity? Well apparently Lance has to. Apparently, he has to pay fines due to his winnings, tax breaks, sponsorship money, etc. All he did was do EPO (like everyone else) and win the hardest cycling race in the world. Seven times. He was driven by his infamous focus on the task at hand, and raise cancer awareness globally. His athletic achievments outside of cycling are now getting the can too, including his win at the Boston Marathon, numerous Ironman 70.3 results, and various others. Mark Cavendish tweeted â€Å"Are people so naive they think cyclings the only sport with a hidden past? Maybe its just the only sport where a hidden pasts come out.† Baseball, football, various other sports have athletes taking performance enhacing drugs, why doesnt Barry Bonds, or Mark McGuires have their reputation tarnished and dragged through the streets? All of Lances sponsors have dropped him, including: Trek Bikes, FRS, Nike, Anheuser-Busch, Oakley, and 24 Hour Fitness. To wrap it up, theres been rumors of a divorce going around. Good job Travis Tygart, Pat McQuaid, Media hounds, and USADA investigators. You couldnt just leave it alone after years and years of failure, you ruined an American heros life and reputation, I hope youre satisfied.

Bicycle Thieves And Italian Neo Realism Film Studies Essay

Bicycle Thieves And Italian Neo Realism Film Studies Essay It is evident that Italian Neorealism and the life of post-war shaped the film Bicycle Thieves (1948). However, with much debate, one can argue that the sentimental nature of the film overwhelms the films potential to make a forceful political statement. With reference to important scenes from the film, Italian neorealist principles and the usage of sentiment; one can justifiably claim that the forceful political statement is not overwhelmed by sentiment, and in fact enhances the message the film aims to give off. Neorealism was an influential and significant movement in film history, which took place in Italy at the ending of World War II. Italy moved from fascism and dictatorship, whereby much was revolved around a single-party state seen in World War I, to an equal and democratic society. This change in society brought about characteristics and principles which became noticeable in cinema during this time period. These principles not only molded the film Bicycle Thieves, but were used to bring about a message to the audience. The filmmakers and directors believed they had an ethical responsibility to use cinema to promote the social change that had just occurred post the war. Ideally, it wasnt so much about the storyline of the film, but more about making the public aware of the difficulties that working people had to face. Here we see a Marxist approach on the rebuilding of Italy whereby unlike the mythology of Classic Hollywood, no single person can change the world and the ultimate society would be a classless society. Neorealisms origin of strength lies in the documentary excellence which is used to portray the realism of the story. One might speculate what Bicycle Thieves would be like in colour, however the black and white aspect highlights the tone of the film being a bleak, depressing emotion contrary to the usage of colour which would highlight liveliness and energy and go against the tone of the film. Thus, clearly showing that the sentiment brings about the tone of the film which enhances the message of presenting the gloomy conditions of poverty in post-war Italy. The reconstituted reportage, based on daily life and events, also adds more truth to the film and is not the making of a documentary but rather shown and seen in a documentary-type way and aids to make available the focus of temporary altering and moving from one area or subject to another. Truth is an important principle of neorealism, as truth brings realism. This can be seen through the truth of the characters, lighting, location, dà ©cor, camera shots, camera angles and editing. This not only brings about authenticity but also creates a much stronger message for the audience. In Bicycle Thieves, there is a correlation between truth and sentiment, and truth and the political statement Which are justifiably both used in this film without over powering one another in order to positively enhance the films message. Inevitably, in order for a director to get an actual event (post-war) understood by his audience truth and realism is the most effective approach. Neorealism focuses on the characters and themes without much focus on the plot itself as the plot is seen to warp the truth about people. Thus, the film wouldve not only been boring if there was no sentiment (due to there not being enough material if there was no storyline about characters), but to know and understand a situation, one must be put in a position where you have the opportunity of learning a great deal about the faith and frustrations of a human being. Equally, a boring film is a failed film. Through this, neorealists are able to portray truth to a greater extend through bringing about simplicity yet a means of understanding the real life; a main appeal in films even today. The storyline being as simple as the search for a bicycle doesnt take the political statement too far away from the message. Likewise, the actual characters in the film are everyday normal people. The workman was found in the factory, the child was wondering around the streets and the wife was a writer. This is known as Typage whereby there is no star system which immediately creates a far more realistic/truth approach and feel. Similarly, the locations and dà ©cor are real and not built-up or made-up, the lighting is natural which attempts to present reality as it is, the editing is invincible which enhances truth and the camera is free which is unrestricted and brings about a far more convincing viewing. With the storyline of the characters and the truth which is by principle brought about, I fully agree that it brings about sentiment. However, It puts you (the audience) in a far more heart-felt and understanding position which I believe brings about the political statement in a far more expressive way, rather than a theoretical and cold approach. And as some agree, its not even sentimental its just painful. (REFERENCE 6) Instead of a cold theoretical approach, we are introduced to a family who are ordinary and by no means are glamorous heros which is commonly seen in Classical Hollywood. Quite frankly, if we werent introduced to characters and the sentiment they bring, which play a role in this film, I personally dont think much of a political statement would be made as one needs interest to grasp a statement. The character of Ricci is the focus of the film, however we are not interested in him but rather what will happen next in the films sequence of events. And even though characters bring about sentiment and the viewer starts becoming attached to the role the characters plays, in Bicycle Thieves, Bruno the son unsentimentally still criticizes his father. In response to the representation of the political statement made in this film, we are clearly able to see this in noticeable scenes in the film. In the first scene, the camera follows Ricci from the unemployment gathering to his wife where the housing project is in the background, which is fully exhibited to the viewer showing the bleak conditions. We see the men and woman arguing about employment and shortage of water. This emphasis on long and medium shots which appeals to the truth in the film enhances the political message due to the events getting exhibited on a whole Whereas close up would bring more sentiment. Long and medium shots show the actor loosely framed in his environment and allow the viewer opportunity to look around in that environment with the added enhancement of the shots taken at eye level. As well as minimized jumps and shifts through editing to bring more real life to the cinema audience. Thus we see here that sentiment is not overwhelming the political statement, but rather the political statement is actually taking dominance in the shots. Of course the neorealist did move in for close-ups every now and then which in effect is therefore very strong and still strings along the story of the characters and the central object, which is needed to (as mentioned earlier) keep the audience interested and not bored. The central object is the bicycle. They are everywhere and yet precious, and the frailty of the Ricci familys position is enforced when Antonios bicycle is stolen. Here, the object brings sentiment to enforce the political statement, and what I find even more interesting is how the title changed from Bicycle Thief to Bicycle Thieves as ultimately it becomes a vicious cycle of survival as one has to steal their own bicycle back from the thief, therefore becoming a thief resulting in thieves. This therefore constitutes to the message of the film, for the continuous struggle of the haves and have-nots. Through the character of Antonio, It is the hope that drives him and allows him to move on in his quest to find his stolen bicycle. Although the directors glumness drives the plot, it is ultimately the clash with human optimism which gives the film affective power and without the human sentiment one can argue that the film would not produce affective power. If we look at three scenes, we are able to see how sentiment brings power to the political statement. In one scene we see Antonio and Maria trade in their bed linen. The camera moves away from them and we see the heaps of bed-linen behind the counter, a tacit bleak reminder of the extensive nature of unemployment while recognizing its effect on the heart of families household lives. Again we see how realistic the lighting is and the framing is loose to incorporate the environmental conditions to promote the political message. In another scene we see Ricci reporting his bicycle stolen and is directed by the policeman to the piles of alike reported cases. His account and circumstances are not singular, and we see here how it is not only this family that is going through this but also a lot of people. Thus portraying the political message that goes beyond this familys personal sentiment. Here we are also shown how humanitarianism prohibited Ricci from pressing official charges anti the thief, and the same moral fiber that spared him after he was caught stealing a bicycle. After seeing Bruno in tears, the sufferer understood Riccis condition and let him go. Such a film was essential in Italy as through this family we have the opportunity of being a bystander to the brutality of a civil war between fascists and its on going of killing and reprisals through seeing how this effects one, and how not only effecting this family but many others. Italy in post-war was in need of healing and compassion even at the cost of a perceived injustice. (Paul Baxa, 2011) Healing does not come from the government and leaders of the country, but come from within the everyday man on the streets you and me. Thus, from the Riccis, those being affected by the war and living within such conditions as well as the audience viewing this film who can in many ways relate. In another scene, arguably the most sentimental scene yet what I believe portrays the political message more powerfully than any other- we see the father and sons relationship come to a mend. It is understood with looking into the Italian family lifestyle, that the father and sons relationship is by far the strongest and most special. Little Brunos appearance when taking his fathers hand in the last scene is merely a realistic point of life and is a means of facing life with your father an important part in Italian culture. With Bruno being the witness of the tragedy and finally coming to realize his father is not a hero after all (contrary to Classic Hollywood), much like the audience being a witness too, this scene gives off a sense of aggravation, humiliation, paradox and most of all acceptance to survival. These sentimental feelings therefore expresses the political statement as this ending of when the father and son take hands, expresses manhood and the hardship and survival one needs to go through with still looking for a sense of acceptance. Bicycle Thieves therefore inevitably portrayed the political statement through expressing the social conditions without expressing solutions. One might argue that this is a downfall, however at this moment in time solutions were not theoretical and if healing was going to occur it was going to have to come from the people. Thus, this film is inevitably awareness that needs to be found in each individual, which will create its own solution. Much like the theme and characters inevitably creating a plot on its own in Neorealism. The neorealist approach doesnt have an inbuilt political meaning solution, as the most widespread attribute of neorealism is; on location shooting and the feeling of truth. (REFERENCE) Exactly what Bicycle Thieves so effectively does. One must also remember when viewing this film in the 21st century that twenty-five percent of the Italian workforce was unemployed at the time and if you were employed, getting to work was with the use of a bicycle. The object of the bicycle thus symbolized survival. In conclusion, one can therefore justifiably argue that the sentimental nature of Bicycle Thieves does not overwhelm the political statement but essentially enhances it. If the political statement made in the film was to feed off a means of a solution, and the solution could only be found in the common individual like the Riccis family then one needs to understand the individuals situation as well as have an opportunity to walk in their shoes. Through sentiment that is not overly used in this film, one can see the hardship for survival through the story of these characters in order to become aware, as well as stay intrigued. Without focalizing power of the central character but rather the political statement through the characters, this film uses The death of one man is a tragedy, the death of millions is a statistic. (Joseph Stalin, 1953) to its advantage by effectively showing the tragedy of individuals with indication to the masses statistic.

Can We Say NO To Recycling Essay -- science

Can We Say "NO" To Recycling Lately the earth’s capacity to tolerate exploitation and absorb solid wastes disposal has diminished, due to excess trashing. People dispose lots of stuff, and simply do not care. Therefore scientists found out a way to reuse things and that process was called "recycling". This new approach seemed quite successful at the beginning, until its true identity appeared. Recycling first started as man’s best friend, people were intrigued by this new phenomena. What could be better than using things that were already used. Recycling has been very useful especially that man is constantly consuming, burning up, wearing out, replacing and disposing at an alarming rate.(Durning 1992). However, unfortunately recycling has proven that it is quite costly. Although recycling of wastes material solves the problem of garbage disposal at landfills, and saves resources, it does nevertheless entail large hidden costs in collecting, sorting and manufacturing; therefore, it is necessary for the go vernment to overcome such problems of recycling to be worth while and for manufacturers and consumers to consume less. Recycling has proven its efficiency in solving the problem of garbage disposal at landfills1. By the accumulation of garbage throughout the years, space available for garbage has largely diminished. In the states for example almost 67% of their waste stream ends up in landfills.(Scott 25). This has in fact increased the price of disposal. As Kimball stated "tipping fees" at landfills, is so often prohibitive(3), and some cannot find landfills to dump their garbage. It can cost up to $158 to pick a ton of garbage and dispose it.(Consumer Reports 1994). Beside, these landfills pollute their surroundings area with lots of hazardous materials and contaminate underground water. To discover the contamination of the underground water it would be 12 yeas after the poisons-benzene; formaldehyde; mercury; and BCEE- have actually contaminated the land, and had sunk 24 feet into the ground contaminating about 50 million gallons of underground water.(Dahir 94). Besides these lands could be used i n more useful ways such as building schools, hospitals, or simply turning them into large green areas to purify the air. This problem is practically acute in Egypt, since we do find even in central areas of the city, piles of garbage disposal very near to... ... washed and used several times." (Scott 25). As we can see the benefits are over-estimated, and the costs are under-estimated. What we should do is not only look for an alternative but also look for other ways to improve recycling. The natural resources will not last for ever, eventually everything comes to an end and the end is very near to our natural resources. What is of greater importance is to find alternatives to such resources if they actually become extinct. Recycling is backed by most of the general public, for its ideas of saving the environment, energy, and virgin material. But it is not that good or that efficient it still costs money and is not that safe. "Recycling does not necessarily provide for safer or more environmentally sound disposal than landfilling or incinerators. The recycling process itself generates enormous amounts of hazardous wastes."(Schaumburg 32). In addition it will decrease and maybe solve the problem of the ever increasing pollution. Imagine that every time som! eone throws a piece of paper in the garbage is similar to a person cutting a leaf off a tree. This is what happens when one does so, so recycling was the way to solve such a problem.

Ghost Story of the Landon House Essay examples -- Urban Legends Ghost

Landon House: Urbana, Maryland Urban legends and ghost stories play an important role in society. Supernatural and â€Å"uncanny† events are evident in the folklore of every culture. Stories of the supernatural, such as ghosts and magic, are typically passed down as oral traditions from generation to generation. With the advent of mass media, such as television and the Internet, ghost stories can become easily popularized. The realm of ghost stories and urban legends is divided among skeptics and believers. However, â€Å"the lack of verification in no way diminishes the appeal urban legends have for us,† (Brunvand 2). Whether one believes in ghosts or not, it is not uncommon for some people to blame peculiar happenings on the supernatural. This is not unlike the unexplained chill that goes up you spine or makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck. Regardless whether a ghost story is fantastical or ostensibly based in truth, the overall impact of the story on the listeners depends on t he delivery of the orator. When prompted for a ghost story or urban legend of our town, my girlfriend pointed to the Landon House as a source for several ghost stories and supernatural happenings. I was told this story while driving back from the movie theater at about one A.M. The route back to our homes ironically leads past the Landon House. We both also live approximately one mile from it. As we turned off the highway, onto the deserted back roads, she began the story: For as long as anyone can remember, late at night at the Landon house a white figure of an old woman carrying a candle has been seen walking through the hallways of the second floor. Passersby claim to witness the flicker of a candle in a window long after the fina... ... story and compare it to those that already exist. As any story gets passed along, the minor components will always vary with the stable elements will remaining the same. The symbols in the Landon House ghost story, specifically the old woman, the civil war soldiers, and the dogs, show that our society believes that repeated actions transcend time, that death leaves its mark, and that disturbing the peace of spirits tends to â€Å"awaken† them. Works Cited Brunvand, Jan Harold. The Vanishing Hitchhiker: American Urban Legends & Their Meanings. New York: W. W. Norton, 1981. Cannon, Timothy L., Nancy Whitmore. Ghosts and Legends of Frederick County. Frederick, Maryland: Studio 20 Inc., 1979. Dunne, Patrick. "Ghost Stories Haunt Landon House." The Frederick Newspost 27 Oct. 2005. 6 Apr. 2008 http://www.gazette.net/stories/102705/newmnew200912_31894.shtml.

The Town that was Too Small Essay -- Personal Narrative Essay Example

I grew up in the town that was too small for me, and spent my time trying to make it bigger. Moore, Oklahoma had been my home since age two. Moore was a suburb of Oklahoma City. Air Force personnel composed a large segment of the population, providing an eclectic demographic; new faces were common. Then when I was 11, my family moved so my father could to go into the family business (selling truck parts) with his father. Our new home was in the country, near Mannford and Cleveland. I noticed a different culture in these small towns. Whereas "Moore" was merely the name of the town in which I lived, "Cleveland" and "Mannford" represented something more important to their residents. Strangers were viewed with suspicion rather than curiosity. Athletic achievement was absurdly overvalued, as were inter-school competitions; Cleveland's athletic competition placed the town's and residents' honor at stake. Cleveland was actually a transition from childhood to adolescence for me. I developed a prejudice of small, isolated towns. I sought refuge in my Cherokee heritage -- 1/64, actually, but I registered with the BIA to assert my difference from the people around me. I became intensely more curious about places and perspectives with which I was unfamiliar. I began traveling the country on vacations and school breaks. But no matter where I went, my world was too small, because I still returned to Cleveland and the family business. In an effort to expand my world, I learned to pilot a plane. As a toddler, I had often flown with my grandfather in a company plane that he piloted. I grew up fancying myself an authority on the subject. After all, I knew this control did this, and that control did that. So ... ...rub bush (the sort of woody bushes that manage to grow above the tree line). My jeans were soaking wet from having gone through snow and dew-covered plants. Every noise I heard was a bear coming to prove the nature show narrator wrong about bears not eating people, or attacking them for no reason. Fortunately, the narrator was right, and I lived to walk down the mountain in the morning. I learned two important things in Alaska. I learned that a small town in Alaska was less parochial than many larger places. Parochialism wasn't in the size of the town; it is in how people accept differences. I also learned how parochial my own experience was in the grand scheme of things. The world is as big -- or as small -- as I let it be. I hope that as I continue through life, I will also continue to challenge myself so that my world will become ever larger.

Analysis of demat account and online trading Essay

The commencement of E-Trading and Demat has transformed the capital market in India. With the help of Demat and Trading account, buying and selling of shares has become a much faster and even process than trading with the assistance of a physical broker. It provides for the assimilation of bank, broker, stock exchange and depository participants. This helps to get rid of the painstaking procedure of investing in stock exchange. Today, if one wants to invest in stock market, he has to contact a broker on phone or meet him personally to place order. A broker generally gives such importance and additional service only to high net worth customers. But the introduction of Internet trading, even a common or a small investor gets an opportunity to avail the service at an affordable price which is much lesser than what is charged by a physical broker over the phone. Online trading has given customer a real time access to account information, stock quotes elaborated market research and interactive trading. The prerequisites of Internet trading are a computer, a modem and a telephone connection, registration with broker, a bank a/c and depository account. The introduction of depository service is considered as the beginning of the trading of Stocks @ click. This means that you can arrange delivery of scrips sold anytime, anywhere to anyone by click of a mouse. Dematerialization facilitates to keep the securities in electronic form instead of paper form. It offers more advantageous than the physical certificate form. Despite the advantages of Dematerialization, the awareness levels among the investors relating to Demat account is not adequate because of numerous reasons. The investors are not sufficiently responsive of the concept of Demat account and the various financial institutions providing such services. Objectives An objective is the brainchild behind any project report. A project report will always have a certain objective which needs to be accomplished. Following are the objectives behind the preparation of my project at Indiabulls securities Ltd. †¢ To Compare Indiabulls Online share trading account with the big players in the Market i.e. ICICI, KARVY, HDFC, RELIENCE MONEY as well as with INDIA INFOLINE †¢ Identify the areas where INDIABULLS Scores above its competitors and what are its weak links. †¢ Know the market potential of INDIABULLS considering the fact that there are many competitors in this field with some more firms expected to join the fray in the near future. This will be done with the help of a questionnaire. Provide suggestions to the company regarding what else it can do to stand apart in this ever competitive field and thereby emerge as a market leader. †¢ To understand the company, its achievements and tasks, products and services and also to collect information about its competitors, its products and services offered. †¢ After understanding and collecting information about the organization and its competitors, a trainee will be able to work well for the organization. †¢ To Study present online share trading Introduction Demat refers to a dematerialized account. Just as we have to open an account with a bank if we want to save your money, make cheque payments etc, we need to open a demat account if we want to buy or sell stocks. So it is just like a bank account where actual money is replaced by shares. We have to approach the DPs (remember, they are like bank branches), to open our demat account. Demat account allows you to buy, sell and transact shares without the endless paperwork and delays. It is also safe, secure and convenient. Let’s say our portfolio has 100 of Satyam, 50of Suzlon, 20 of ICICI BANK, 50 of Tech Mahindra and 100 of TCS shares. All these will show in our demat  account. So we don’t have to possess any physical certificates showing that us own these shares. They are all held electronically in our account. As we buy and sell the shares, they are adjusted in our account. Just like a bank passbook or statement, the DP will provide you with periodic statements of holdings and transactions. Individuals, companies, Trusts, Partnership firms, NRIs, HUF, Banks and Institutions are allowed to open a depository account with any depository through a depository participant. The investor would need to execute a standard form giving all his details, bank details, instruction details, nomination details and off-course photograph and signature. Along with this form, the investor would also have sign an agreement with the depository participant which usually forms a standard part of the account opening process. The details on the form have to be matched with a photocopy of the investor’s passport, driving license etc. to certify the mentioned details. If the investor is an NRI, then the client will have to provide overseas address, provide copy of RBI Approval, if any. The RBI Approval is not mandatory for opening of a DP. Account but is required to receive shares into the account when purchased through the secondary market. Procedure for Purchasing Dematerialized Securities The procedure for purchasing dematerialized securities is also similar to the procedure for buying physical securities. 1. Investor instructs DP to receive credits into his account in the Prescribed form. There may be one time standing instruction or Separate instruction each time to receive credits. 2. Investor purchases securities in any of the stock exchanges linked to Depository through a broker. 3. Broker receives payment from investor and arranges payment to Clearing corporations. 4. Broker gives instructions to DP to debit clearing account and credit Client’s account. Investor receives shares into his account by way of book entry Procedure for Selling Dematerialized Securities The procedure for selling dematerialized securities in stock exchanges is similar as selling physical securities. The only major difference is that instead of delivering physical securities to the broker, the investor instructs his DP to debit his demat account with the number of securities sold by him and credit the brokers clearing account. The procedure for selling dematerialized securities is given below: 1. Investor sells securities in any of the stock exchange linked to depository through a broker. 2. Investor instructs his DP to debit his demat account with the number of securities sold and credit the broker’s clearing account. 3. Before the pay-in-day, broker of the investor transfers the securities to clearing corporation. 4. The broker receives payment from the stock exchange. 5. The investor receives payment from the broker for sale of securities in the same manner as received in case of sale of physical securities. Benefits of Dematerialization Account †¢ Safety : If we are holding our shares, bonds etc in physical (paper) form, there are chances of its theft, mutilation, and loss. Moreover, we are also exposed to the risks of fake papers, bad-delivery or delays at the time of transfer of physical securities. However, in DEMAT accounts; we can preserve our long-term investments safely and securely. †¢ Convenience: When we want to sell our dematerialized shares or redeem our debentures in DEMAT account; there are no hassles of filling up transfer forms, sending redemption requests or any other messy, costly and time-consuming paper work. We can conveniently transfer our securities through electronic transfers or just by signing one ‘Delivery Instruction Slip’, which is nothing but our chequebook for DEMAT Accounts. Reference : www.Indiabulls.com www.Investopedia.com www.powerindiabulls.com www.bseindia.com www.nseindia.com www.moneycontrol.com www.equitymarket.com www.demat.com

American Culture vs. Jewish Culture: Success Stems from Beyond Marriage

To the modern married woman, nothing assures her of success in her career more that the support she receives from her husband in the pursuit of her career goals. While this kind of support is not always assured, the freedom to pursue her goals without any limitations from her husband works just as well.In fact, women have proved that they can multitask between marriage and a successful career. The medieval idea that a woman is only useful for reproduction purposes once she gets married does not hold water anymore. Through the ages, women have proven their resilience at defying all odds and proving to the word that they are worth more than the domestic roles they were given at marriage.Throughout history, the role of married women as wives, mothers and housekeeper was of much importance both to them and to the family unit.   In Judaism, these roles received respect and were the basis for the exemption of women from time barred commandments (Jones, M. 1999). Accordingly, the role tha t the woman played was given overriding significance to fulfilling commandments.Anti-feminists have over time used the exemption rule that Jewish women enjoyed to state that in actual sense the rule was a prohibition that women should not perform commandment. Although they are the epitome of feminine liberation, many people may not know that Jewish women have overtime fought for their liberation by quoting phrases that favor their position in the society from the  Ã‚   Talmud (Jones, M. 1999).Such rules allow them to perform commandments that are not time restricted. However, the detractors argue that even though they are recognized, as worth some services, they are not as highly rated as their male counterparts. To this, the women argue that the role a wife does not revolve around the synagogue. Many women hold this role in high regards and as a basis of fighting their critics.To understand the situation that women had to contend with through the centuries, one needs to look at t he evolution of marriage through the times.In the older days, marriage for women was out of lack of a better thing they could engage their time in all areas of life. Women were disadvantaged and never gained the skills required to lead successful lives without the support of the socially advantaged male figure.In most cases, women had no control over certain like education, as their roles were purely reserved for domestic duties. Early in life, young girls were taught that their sole purpose was marriage and child bearing (Gordis, D.H. 2008).When they were ripe of age, and considering that, the society had created a dependant mentality in them, the women were under pressure to get a suitable husband and get married. Ideally, the man was supposed to provide for the woman and any dependants that resulted from the relationship.The woman’s social standing was so low such that they would be used to secure business transactions. Accordingly, the fathers were at liberty to sell thei r daughters to whoever pleased them, whether the woman liked the man they were being sold off to or not.The 17th century however had better things for women. They begun to exert more power to the men and consequently demanded for more freedoms.They begun to resist marriage through coercion and instead put their personal happiness beyond  Ã‚   the pressure from family and the society. Though the start was shaky, the wars that hit America in 1775 and 1812 led to the rise of a more liberal group of women,   who took the roles that their husbands and still brought food to the table as well as handling their regular domestic chores.It has always been a common view for women to be seen as the source of human life- something they take pride in. The problem is that with this view come other negative thoughts too.Good examples are thoughts expressed by Thomas Aquinas, a theologian in the 13th century who said that men can be assisted by fellow men in other things except in conception. Fo r this reason, he referred to women as men’s helpmate and defined her unique role as conception.A Latin Church founder in the 4th century, St. Jerome also cast demeaning aspersion to women just like Thomas Aquinas did. To Jerome however, women were the devil’s gate. In fact, his sentiments were so string that he believed that women were the only way to wickedness and thus to him they were no more than perilous objects that men had to be wary of (Hooker, R. 1996).Naturally, women are considered the weaker sex, a fact that continued to perpetuate their low position in society. Because they were not as masculine as their male counterparts, they were relegated domestic chores such as milking cows, tending the children, drawing water and washing clothes.Men were oblivious of the fact that the energy required to do the collective household chores was even more than some of the hard labor than would do in the fields.   The psychological tolerance that women developed while attending to such chores was to benefit them years later  Ã‚   when the oppression against them by men became too much to bear.The â€Å"woman’s place is in the home† stereotype is a result of their biological role as birth givers. Before the 16th century, women did not express themselves in a way to portray that they were tired of the status quo. Instead, they submissively obeyed everything that the male figures in their lives would tell them to do. These male figures could be anybody from their fathers, husbands, brothers or cousins.The American CultureWomen present in the colonial America –whether black, natives or Hispanic- all had one common characteristic; they all obeyed the dictates of their husbands, fathers, brothers or masters.   Ã‚  It was not until later when British Settlers enlighten the view of these women and by indicating to them that men did not necessarily have to be rulers over them.A point in the case of John Locke, an English philosoph er   Ã‚  who was also renowned as an enlightenment thinker   and played a   major role in informing the American women that they had   individual identities   and needed to   care for ‘the self’ Shultz, S.K and Tishler W.P. 2003, pg 45).The American culture was such that a woman had no property rights. They could not sue, nor be sued and had no right to vote, divorce or speak on behalf of the family unit. It was until the 19th century that women gained rights to divorce and vote.The right to vote was granted to them through the passing of the 19th amendment in 1919. Eleven years earlier, women’s efforts to have a day set in their honor, which they wanted to name Mother’s day, had been rejected by the senate on the grounds that the day would demean motherhood (Shultz, S.K and Tishler W.P. 2003 pg52).The American Revolution which lasted for the better half of the 18th century was an eye opener for most women. One of the outstanding factors is tha t women’s roles at home changed. This because they were required to instill thoughts of patriotism to their children during a time when the husbands were out fighting the Britons.The absence of a male figure at home also contributed to more liberal wife-husband relationship. When the economic fortunes took a turn for the worse, women invariably took jobs formally reserved for men to earn extra money for household use. In rare cases, they would run the family businesses (Hartman, M.1996 pg 44).Surprisingly though, the little gains that American   women had   made during this time only worsened   men subordination towards them especially   because   they figured that women were threatening their roles as the head of household. Worse still, the laws saw to the disenfranchising and subordination of women both socially and legally (Lewis 2000).

Amway Essay 9

Amway summary Introduction Amway is one of the world’s largest direct sales companies. It was founded in 1959 and is still owned by the families that founded it. It employs 14,000 people worldwide and markets over 450 product lines. A key part of its success is its three million ABOs (Amway Business Owners) spread round 80 countries. Amway enables these people to have a business of their own. Amway recognises that it has other responsibilities, for example, to the communities in which it works. Its global vision is to help people lead better lives. Stakeholders Stakeholders are groups or individuals who have an interest in the decisions of the company and its business. Stakeholders can be external, like suppliers, customers or the public or internal, such as employees, or shareholders. Different types of stakeholders may have different priorities or interests. Amway has to balance out the different priorities. The families that own Amway are its only shareholders. Amway communicates regularly with stakeholders through websites, email, events, publications and membership of trade bodies. How stakeholders affect Amway Amway is a direct selling company, cutting out retail outlets and selling straight to consumers. It has its own supply chain through ABOs. Amway needs feedback from ABOs and customers to know how well it is doing and to improve service. ABOs are independent small businesses, but rely on Amway suppliers to produce quality goods. How Amway affects stakeholders Amway’s vision to ‘help people lead better lives’ explains how it works with communities. It promotes corporate social responsibility (CSR) around the globe. This means that it meets its wider duties to the communities in which it works. This involves supporting good causes and acting in an ethical way. Amway supports its stakeholders in a number of ways. These include making good products and giving support to social programmes. It has a partnership with the children’s charity UNICEF. It helps provide vaccinations to combat the world’s six most deadly diseases. It has chosen this charity because its ABOs were most concerned about families. Ethical business Ethical businesses act to improve the communities where they work. Amway’s business ethics give it a clear framework in which to work. Acting in an ethical way, however, also gives it a positive business advantage. Its ‘One by One’ programme is good for the environment and also good for business. This programme supports organic farming, aims to reduce waste and packaging and aims to switch to renewable energy sources. These actions carry a cost, but this can be balanced against the benefits to both the business and the community. Conclusion Amway has to balance the needs of its many different stakeholders. It sets high standards of ethical behaviour and codes of conduct to make sure these are upheld. Its CSR programme helps the environment, its own employees and disadvantaged children all around the world.

The Hunters: Phantom Chapter 34

We didn't weaken it, not enough!† Meredith shouted to her friends over Jealousy's shouts. The phantom, if anything, appeared stronger as it crossed the garage in one great leap and backhanded Meredith across the face. Meredith felt a searing pain, saw a bright flash of light, and felt herself slam against the wal . Dazed, she staggered back onto her feet. The phantom was coming toward her again. More slowly this time, with a smile of anticipation. The spell must be doing something then, Meredith thought groggily, or it wouldn't care if I finished my part or not. Meredith gripped her fighting stave. She wasn't going down easily, not if she could prevent it. Alaric had cal ed her a superhero. Superheroes kept fighting, even when the odds were stacked against them. She sliced out viciously, expertly, with the end of the fighting stave. Al those hours of practice paid off, because the phantom didn't seem to expect the blow, and rather than the stave passing harmlessly through mist, Meredith caught the phantom in its solid form, just above the rose in its chest. The blade at the end opened a deep wound in the phantom's chest, and when Meredith pul ed it back for a second blow, viscous green fluid dripped from the end of her weapon. As she swung again, Meredith's luck ran out. The phantom reached out toward her, its hand moving so fast that Meredith didn't see it until the phantom was holding the other end of the stave. Sharp as the stave was, poisonous as the coating of al those bits of silver and wood and iron were, the phantom held it lightly and easily, and pulled. Meredith went skidding across the garage floor toward the phantom, fast and helpless, and the phantom reached out lazily with its other hand to catch her, a sneer of contempt and anger on its glassy face. Oh no, Meredith's internal voice babbled, not like this. It can't end like this. Just before it touched Meredith, though, the phantom's face changed, suddenly blossoming into an expression of confusion. It let go of the stave, and Meredith yanked herself back and caught her balance, wobbling furiously, gasping for breath. The phantom stared past her, Meredith forgotten, at least for the moment. The phantom's glassy teeth were bared, and there was an expression of terrible rage on its greentinted face. As Meredith watched, the muscles in its icysolid arms seemed to strain, then dissolve to swirls of armshaped mist, then solidify again, stil in the same tense stil ness. She can't move, Meredith realized. She turned to look behind her. Mrs. Flowers stood straight and tal , her blazing blue eyes fixed on the phantom. She held out her hands in front of her, her face set in strong, determined lines. Several strands of her gray hair had escaped from her bun, standing out in al directions as if caught by static electricity. Mrs. Flowers's lips moved soundlessly, and, as the phantom strained to move, Mrs. Flowers strained, too, looking as if she was struggling to support something cripplingly heavy. Their eyes, cool intent blue and glacierclear green, were locked together in silent battle. Mrs. Flowers's eyes were steady, but her arms were shaking violently, and Elena didn't know how much longer the older woman would be able to hang on and keep the phantom under control. Not long, she suspected. The battle with the kitsune had taken a lot out of Mrs. Flowers, and she hadn't recovered ful y yet. She wasn't ready for a new fight. Elena's heart was thumping like crazy, and she couldn't stand to look at the bloody figures of Damon and Stefan on the other side of the garage, because the one thing she knew she couldn't do right now was panic. She needed to be able to think. â€Å"Meredith,† Elena said crisply, with such a tone of authority that her friends al turned away from watching the struggle between Mrs. Flowers and the phantom to look at her. â€Å"Finish your part of the ceremony.† Meredith looked at Elena blankly for a moment and then snapped into gear. That was one of the many wonderful things about Meredith: She could always be relied upon, no matter what, to pul herself together and get on with the job. â€Å"I have fed the phantom of jealousy,† Meredith said, looking down at the floor where her brown candle stil burned, â€Å"but now I cast my jealousy away.† Meredith's words rang with truth, and the candle went out. The phantom flinched and grimaced, flexing its fingers angrily. The deep red of the rose in its chest dul ed to a dark pink for a moment before flushing back to crimson. But†¦ it didn't seem like it was defeated; it seemed merely irritated. Its eyes never left Mrs. Flowers's, and its ice-sculpted muscles stil were straining forward. Almost al the candles were out. Only two flames were flickering, from the blue and red candles, only two victims feeding the phantom with their jealousy. So, with almost al its victims torn away from it, shouldn't the phantom be weaker? Shouldn't it be sick and struggling? Elena turned to Alaric. â€Å"Alaric,† she whispered. â€Å"What did the book say? Shouldn't the spel be starting to kil the phantom by now?† Alaric was watching the silent showdown between Mrs. Flowers and the phantom again, his own fists clenched and his body straining as if he could somehow lend Mrs. Flowers his strength, and it took a little time – time we don't have, thought Elena furiously – for him to drag his attention to Elena. When he did and she repeated her question, he turned a more analytical gaze on the phantom, and a new worry dawned in his eyes. â€Å"I'm not entirely sure,† he said, â€Å"but the book did suggest†¦ the book said something like, ‘Every word truly spoken by its victims, each dark emotion wil ingly rejected, wil draw back to them the life the phantom has stolen from their thoughts and deeds. The creature wil crumble with every honest word spoken against it.' It could be just rhetoric, or maybe the person who wrote down the spel had heard about the ritual without seeing it performed, but it sounds†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He hesitated. â€Å"It sounds like the spel ought to be kil ing the phantom by now,† said Elena flatly. â€Å"It sounds like this isn't working right.† â€Å"I don't know what's going wrong,† said Alaric unhappily. The world shifted and everything snapped into focus. â€Å"I do,† said Elena. â€Å"It must be because this is an Original, not an ordinary phantom. We didn't create it with our emotions, so we can't destroy it just by taking them away. I think we're going to need to try something else.† Stefan and Damon were stil locked in combat. They were both bloody and battered. His hurt arm dangling at an unnatural angle, Stefan moved as though something inside him had been damaged, but they were both stil attacking each other viciously, Stefan no less than Damon. Elena reasoned that they must be fighting on their own initiative now. The phantom, absorbed in its battle with Mrs. Flowers, was no longer muttering poisonous encouragement to them. If Damon and Stefan weren't being seduced by Jealousy's voice, maybe they could be persuaded to listen to someone else. Elena, trying not to catch the phantom's attention, eased her way toward the fighters. Damon was bleeding from his neck and a long cut on his head, and the skin around both his eyes was bruising up. He was limping, but he was clearly gaining the upper hand. Stefan, circling warily now just out of arm's reach, was not only curled forward to protect whatever was injured inside him but had a long strip of torn skin hanging from his cheek. Damon was grinning savagely at him, moving closer with every shift of his feet. There was an alertness to Damon's eyes that spoke only of the predator within, of his joy in the hunt and in the kil . Damon must have forgotten in the pleasure of the fight who he was battling, Elena told herself. He would never forgive himself, once he was himself again, if he real y seriously hurt Stefan, or even kil ed him. Although, something inside her whispered, part of him has always wanted this. She shoved the thought aside. Part of Damon might want to hurt Stefan, but the real, whole Damon did not. If there was anything that fighting the phantom had shown her, it was that the dark emotions everyone hid in their depths weren't al of who they real y were. They weren't their true selves. â€Å"Damon,† she shouted. â€Å"Damon, think! The phantom is influencing you! It's making you fight.† She heard her voice rise pleadingly. â€Å"Don't let it beat you. Don't let it destroy you.† Damon didn't seem to hear her, though. He stil wore that feral smile, and prowled a little closer to Stefan, edging him farther and farther toward the corner of the garage. Pretty soon Stefan would be trapped, boxed in and unable to run. And, catching a glimpse of the defiant expression on Stefan's poor, battered face, Elena realized with a sinking heart that Stefan wouldn't run, even if Damon gave him the chance. The part of Stefan that hated Damon was in control of him now. Stefan bared his teeth in a ferocious snarl. Damon pul ed back his fist to deliver a powerful blow, his canines extending in anticipation of drinking his brother's lifeblood. More quickly than she had ever moved before, at least as a human, Elena flung herself between them as Damon's fist swung forward. Eyes squeezed closed, she threw her arms wide to protect Stefan and awaited the impact. Damon was moving so fast by the time she jumped in front of him that momentum was carrying his whole body forward. With his inhuman strength, it was a punch that would break her bones and crush her face. But Damon stopped in time, as only a vampire could. She could feel the rush of displaced air from the blow, even the brush of his knuckles against her face, but there was no pain. Gingerly Elena opened her eyes. Damon stood poised, coiled to strike, one arm stil raised. He was breathing hard, and his eyes glittered strangely. Elena returned his gaze. Was there a tiny bit of relief shining in Damon's eyes? Elena thought so. The question was, was it relief that he had stopped himself before he kil ed her, or that she had stopped him from kil ing Stefan? Surely Damon could have thrown her out of the way by now and attacked Stefan again, if that was what he real y wanted. Elena took a chance and reached out toward Damon's fist, folding those battered knuckles within her own smal er hand. He didn't resist as she lowered his fist to his side, passively al owing himself to be moved. â€Å"Damon,† she said softly. â€Å"Damon, you can stop now.† His eyes narrowed and she knew he could hear her, but his mouth was tight and fierce, and he didn't answer. Without letting go of Damon's hand, Elena turned toward Stefan. He was close behind her, his eyes fixed on Damon. He was panting rapidly, and he wiped the back of his hand absently against his mouth, smearing blood across his face. Elena reached out and took his hand, sticky as it was with blood. Damon's hand tensed in hers, and she glanced at him to see he was staring at her other hand, the one that was holding Stefan's. Stefan saw where Damon was looking, too, and the corners of his swol en mouth drew up in a bitter little smile. Behind them, the phantom snarled as it fought Mrs. Flowers's power. It sounded louder, fiercer. â€Å"Listen,† she said urgently, looking from one brother to the other. â€Å"The phantom's not focusing on you now, so you can think for yourselves. But Mrs. Flowers won't be able to hold her for long. So you need to do it; you need to start thinking now, instead of just acting. I need to tel you†¦ um.† She cleared her throat uncomfortably. â€Å"I never told you this, but when Klaus was keeping me prisoner, after Katherine's death, he used to show me†¦ images. Memories, I guess, Katherine's memories. How you both were with her, back when you were human. When you were young and alive and loved her. How much you loved her. I hated it, seeing how real that love was. And I knew that you noticed me at first only because of the love you had for her then. It's always bothered me a little bit, even though I know your love for me now is deeper.† Both brothers were looking at Elena now, and Stefan's lips parted to speak. Elena shook her head briskly and went on. â€Å"No, let me finish. It's bothered me a little bit. It hasn't destroyed me, and it hasn't changed what I feel†¦ for either of you. Because I also know that you might have noticed me for Katherine's sake, but that once you got past it, you both saw me, Elena. You don't see Katherine in me anymore.† She had to venture into dangerous territory now, so she proceeded cautiously, trying to lay out her argument with logic and sensitivity. â€Å"So, I know that, right? But when the phantom spoke to me, it dredged up that old jealousy and made it burn inside me again. And the other things the phantom said to me are partly true, too. Yes, I'm jealous sometimes of girls with† – she smiled despite herself – â€Å"normal love lives. But in my most centered moments, I know I wouldn't want to be them. What I've got is amazing, even if it's hard.† Elena swal owed. â€Å"And so I know that what the phantom said to you is partly true. You're jealous of each other. You're angry about things from the past, and you're upset that I love both of you. But I also know that's not all there is. It's not the most important thing, either. Not anymore. Things have changed since the days when jealousy and anger were the only emotions between you. You've worked together, and you've protected each other. You've become brothers again.† She gazed into Damon's eyes, searching for a response. â€Å"Damon, Stefan was devastated when he thought you were dead. You're his brother, and he loves you, and he didn't know what to do with you gone. You're a big part of his life – past and present. You're the only one who's been there with him throughout his history.† She swung to look at Stefan. â€Å"Stefan, Damon didn't hide from you the fact that he was alive because he wanted to make you suffer, or to be free of you, or whatever the phantom was convincing you of. He wanted to be able to come back in a way and at a time that he could show you things were going to be different. That he was capable of changing. And you were the person he wanted to change for. Not me. You. You're his brother and he loves you, and he wanted things to be better between you.† Elena paused for breath, and to gauge what effect, if any, her speech was having on the brothers. At least they weren't currently trying to kil each other. That had to be a good sign. They stared at each other now, their faces unreadable. Damon licked the blood from his lips. Stefan reached up and careful y ran his free hand over the torn skin on his face and chest. Neither one said a word. Was there a connection left between them? Damon was looking at the cuts on Stefan's neck with an almost soft expression in his black eyes. Elena let go of them and threw up her hands. â€Å"Fine,† she said. â€Å"If you can't forgive each other, then just think about this. The phantom wants you to fight. It wants you to kil each other, to hate each other. Your jealousy is what's feeding it. One thing I know about you – about both of you – is that you've never given your enemies anything they wanted, not even if it would have saved you. Are you going to give in to what this phantom, this manipulative monster, wants? Is it going to control you, or are you going to control you? Does either of you real y want to murder your brother for someone else?† At the same exact moment, Damon and Stefan blinked. After a few seconds, Stefan cleared his throat awkwardly. â€Å"I'm glad you're not dead after al ,† he offered. The corner of Damon's mouth twitched. â€Å"I'm relieved I didn't manage to kil you today, little brother,† he answered. Apparently, that was al they had to say. They held each other's eyes for a beat longer, then turned to Elena. â€Å"So,† said Damon, and he was beginning to smile, a wild, reckless smile that Elena recognized. Damon the unstoppable, Damon the antihero, was back. â€Å"How do we kil this bitch?† Mrs. Flowers and the phantom were stil locked in their silent, almost motionless battle. Mrs. Flowers was beginning to lose ground to the phantom, though. The phantom's stance was wider; its arms had spread out. It was gradual y gaining the power to move, and Mrs. Flowers's hands and arms were shaking with strain. Her face was pale, and the lines of age around her mouth seemed deeper. â€Å"We have to hurry,† Elena said to Damon and Stefan. They skirted around Mrs. Flowers and the phantom, and joined the others who, white-faced and wary, were watching them approach. In front of them, only two candles stil burned. â€Å"Stefan,† Elena said. â€Å"Go.† Stefan stared down at the dark blue candle stil burning on the floor of the garage. â€Å"I've been jealous of everyone lately, it seems,† he said, the shame evident in his tone. â€Å"I've been jealous of Matt, whose life seems so simple and good to me, who I know could have taken Elena out of the shadows and given her the uncomplicated life she deserves. I was jealous of Caleb, who seemed like the kind of golden boy who would be a good match for Elena, so much so that I distrusted him even before I had reason to, because I thought he was after her. And especial y, I was jealous of Damon.† His gaze left the candle and settled on his brother's face. Damon looked back at him with an inscrutable expression. â€Å"I suppose I've always been jealous of him. The phantom was tel ing the truth when she said that. When we were alive, he was older, faster, stronger, more sophisticated than I was. When we died† – Stefan's lips curled up in a bitter smile of remembrance – â€Å"things only got worse. And, even more recently, when Damon and I found we could work together, I've resented how close he was to Elena. He has a piece of her that I'm not a part of, and it's hard not to be jealous of that.† Stefan sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. â€Å"The thing is, though, I love my brother. I do.† He looked up at Damon. â€Å"I love you. I always have, even when we were at our worst. Even when al we wanted to do was kil each other. Elena's right: We're more than the bad parts of ourselves. I have fed the phantom of jealousy, but now I cast my jealousy away.† The blue candle flickered and went out. Elena was watching the phantom closely, and saw the rose in its torso dul for a moment. The phantom flinched and snarled, then renewed its struggle against Mrs. Flowers's spel . As it gave a powerful twist, the older woman staggered backward. â€Å"Now!† Elena muttered quietly to Damon, looking at him meaningful y and wishing more than ever that she had her powers of telepathy. Distract her, she hoped her eyes said. Damon nodded once, as if to say he understood her message, then cleared his throat theatrical y, drawing every eye to him, and picked up the dark red candle, the last one burning in the line. He dabbed a line of his blood down its length and spent a few seconds posed with his head lowered pensively, his long, dark eyelashes brushing his cheeks. He was milking the moment for every drop of drama. Once every eye was fixed on him, Elena touched Stefan and indicated for him to help her approach the phantom from either side. â€Å"I have been jealous,† Damon intoned, staring down at the flame of the candle he held. He flicked his eyes up quickly at Elena, and she nodded encouragingly. â€Å"I have been jealous,† he repeated, frowning. â€Å"I have coveted that which my brother has, over and over again.† Elena slipped closer to the phantom, coming up beside it on its right side. She could see that Stefan was inching nearer on its left. Mrs. Flowers saw them, too. Elena could tel , because the older woman raised her eyebrows fractional y and began to mutter her spel more loudly and fiercely. Damon's voice rose, too, everyone in the room competing for Jealousy's attention, to keep it from noticing Stefan and Elena's machinations. â€Å"I don't need to go into every single detail of my past,† Damon said, his familiar smirk appearing on his battered face, a smirk that Elena found oddly reassuring. â€Å"I think there's been enough of that here today. Suffice it to say there are things I†¦ regret. Things that I would like to be different in the future.† He paused dramatical y for a moment, his head thrown back proudly. â€Å"And so I admit that I have fed the phantom of jealousy. And now I cast jealousy out.† In the moment that Damon's candle went out – and thank God it had gone out, Elena thought; Damon was apt to cling to his worst impulses – the rose in the phantom's chest dul ed again to a dark pink. Jealousy snarled and wobbled ever so slightly on its feet. At that same instant, Stefan lunged for the cut across the phantom's chest and got his hand inside it, inside the phantom's torso, and grabbed for the rose. A gout of green, viscous fluid spurted from the wound as Stefan squeezed the rose, and then the phantom screamed, a long, unearthly howl that made al the humans flinch. Bonnie clapped her hands over her ears, and Celia moaned. For a moment, Elena thought they were going to win that easily – that by attacking the rose at the phantom's heart, Stefan had defeated it. But then the phantom steadied itself and, with a huge flexing of muscle, pul ed suddenly out of Mrs. Flowers's control, and in one smooth motion ripped Stefan away from its side, his hand coming empty out of its chest, and threw him across the garage. Stefan hit the wal with a muffled thump, slid to the floor, and lay stil . Evidently exhausted by her battle with the phantom, Mrs. Flowers also sagged backward, and Matt rushed to catch her in his arms before she hit the ground. The phantom smiled slowly at Damon, showing its sharp teeth. Its glacier-clear eyes glittered. â€Å"It's time to go, Damon,† Jealousy said softly. â€Å"You're the strongest one here. The best of al of them, the best of anyone. But they'l always fawn over Stefan, the weakling, the brat, your useless baby brother. No matter what you do, no one wil ever care for you the way these mortals do for him. The way everyone, for hundreds of years, has always cared for Stefan. You should leave them behind. Make them suffer. Why not leave them in danger? They'd do the same to you. Elena and her friends traveled through dimensions, faced slavery, braved the greatest perils, to save Stefan, but they left you lying dead, far from home. They came back here and were happy without you. What loyalty do you owe them?† Damon, his face in shadow now that al the candles were out, gave a dark, bitter little laugh. His black eyes gleamed in the dimness, fixed on the phantom's clear ones. There was a long silence, and Elena's breath caught in her throat. Damon stepped forward, stil holding his candle. â€Å"Don't you remember?† he said, his voice cool. â€Å"I cast you out.† And with superhuman quickness, before anyone could even blink, he lit his candle again with a flick of Power and threw it, straight and true, directly into the phantom's face.