The Assumptions Behind the Assumptions in the War on Terror Research Paper

The Assumptions Behind the Assumptions in the War on Terror - Research Paper Example From the research it can be comprehended that post 9/11 era is an entirely different era as it changed many dimensions of the way international politics and security issues are being perceived now. The brutality with which this event was carried out by the group of terrorists gave a wakeup call to the free world to re-examine its priorities and its security infrastructure to make world more secure. There is a growing concern now to improve the existing physical security infrastructure as well as a need for a coordinated effort to curb the financing of the terrorism at the global level. One of the key objectives of America’s war on terror was to deny sponsorship to the terrorist organizations and weaker states. This objective therefore also necessitated that systems and procedures must be developed to ensure that terrorist funding is restricted. The subsequent experience in the Iraq War signified the role of combating the financing streams of the terrorists to cut off their vit al source of survival. There is therefore a greater need to properly assess the financial threat terrorism can actually pose and how law enforcement agencies can actually achieve the objective of gathering credible financial intelligence to block the sources of finance for the terrorists. The corruption in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan is also resulting into indirect funding for the terrorists and terrorist organizations and as such... However, in order to capture maximum scenarios and comprehend a different array of risk events, it is important that a combination of both may be used. (Anderson, 2008) Financial threat assessment in the wake of the war on terrorism and how it can impact the overall effort by the world powers to curb terrorism therefore can be critical and requires a holistic approach and the involvement of different public sector entities to play their part. It is also critical to understand that this type of risk assessment should be part of the greater doctrine of the overall war. The financial threat assessment in the wake of the current war on terror therefore seems to have proper ideological backing to be carried out. (Amoore & de Goede, 2008) Methods One of the widely used financial instruments and methods of transferring funds is the use of cash as well as the negotiable bearer instruments. The use of cash is an obvious choice as it allows the terrorists to shy away from using the traditional banking channels and therefore avoid the risk of being detected. The use of cash and currency notes therefore leave no audit trail and thus virtually securing terrorists from being detected. The impracticality of holding large amounts of cash is also overtaken by the use of bearer negotiable instruments as they are easy to carry and are almost as good as cash is. One of the key features of bearer instruments is that they entitle the possessor of the instrument to receive the value written on the face of the instrument therefore bearer negotiable instruments are being easily used for the financing of terrorist activities. Not only the use of cash is

Adam Smith vs. Samuel Smiles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Adam Smith vs. Samuel Smiles - Essay Example According to Smith, this entailed a non-interference or hands-off approach by authorities/governments towards private enterprise. His postulates were geared towards advocacy for the establishment of a laissez faire trade policy both on the local and international scene. Samuel Smiles is another free thinker whose postulates on the economic wellbeing of the society heavily echoed Smith’s postulates almost a century later. Smile’s notion was based on the need for enhanced self-actualization and development, which would ultimately lead to a more vibrant individual and societal economic prosperity. Adam Smith was focused more on self-interest and Smiles focused more on morality. This paper seeks to highlight both authors’ arguments with relation to economic liberalism before and during the industrial revolution, and how their focus influenced their works. Economic liberalism can also be regarded as fiscal liberalism because it entails the freeing up or giving a free reign to all matters pertaining to financial activities both at the individual and societal level (Perry, Peden & Von Laue, 2006). The basic aim of economic liberalization is to eliminate the involvement of organizations and institutions in making economic decisions that affect people’s economies.... He attributes the age’s productive powers and increase of quantity of work to three aspects or circumstances. He argues that division of labor enhanced every worker’s ingenuity, it saved time and the great number of machines that facilitated and abridged labor, enabling man to do the work of many (Perry, Peden & Von Laue, 2006). Division of labor also enhanced what Samuel Smiles attributes to failure of society because division of labor encouraged selfishness and individualism. These attributes according to Smiles did not do much in terms of developing societal economies, but encouraged in its stead a culture that bred social vices. These vices negatively impacted on the economic development of communities and nations. Individualism and the self-centered approach towards economic liberalization that Smith advocated for during his time did not help a lot in terms of improving the wellbeing of society. Samuel smiles on the hand, lauds division of labor as a great benefact or to the development and realization of capitalistic ethics. Smiles postulates that true growth in an individual and society in general is only possible through the spirit of genuine self help at a personal level. According to Smiles, no amount of intervention from institutions and legislation can contribute to individual advancement if the individual is not willing. Too much guidance and direction from government policy only leads an individual to exist in a helpless state (Perry, Peden & Von Laue, 2006). This is because they get used to the situation where everything is done for them, and they have no control of their decision-making in life. The prosperity of a nation is dependent upon the sum of individual uprightness, industry and energy just like national

Bubba Tech Inc Essay Example for Free

Bubba Tech Inc Essay After seven years working, Carson became a certified public accountant and Boone successfully complete a masters egree program in Information System at Southern Methodist University. In 2001, Carson and Boone formed a manufacturing company, Bubba Tech Inc. (BTI) in Austin which is privately owned by them and venture capital firm. Boone becomes chief executive officer (CEO) and Carson become chief financial officer (CFO) in BTI. There was no board of director because the firm has completely confidence in the ability of Carson and Boone. Venture capitalists provide a provision into their agreement where Boone and Carson would received 10% return on their investment for five ears and after company went public they would be repaid the amount of their investment. BTI had hired Randy Burnham ; Co. to audit its financial statement on 31 December 2012 due to their plan to go for public within five years. Burnham completed its audit for that five years in BTI and give unqualified opinion on the audited financial statement. In 2007, BTI decided to go as public. In meeting with Burnhams auditor, Boone ask Clint Strait, the partner who in charge of BTI audit to prepare a list of top operational issues to consider as the company went from being privately held to publicly held corporation. Then, Strait set up a team to proceed. The teams consist of Randy Burnham and Clint Strait itself, Shania Hill (the manager in charge of audit), Faith Twain (who had in charge consulting services engagement for BTI), Garth Chesney (tax department) and Kenny Brook (who responsible for information technology work related to audit of BTI). QUESTION 1 Based on the limited facts of this case, prepare a list of the operational issues to present the top management at BTI. Include in your list any corporate governance issues of importance in relation to the management of BTI after it becomes a public ompany and any issues related to the relationship between BTI and Randy Burnham co. ANSWER: Referring to the case of Bubba Tech, Inc. (BTI), there are several operational issues to be presented to the top management at BTI which concerning the corporate governance and issue related to the relationship between BTI and Randy Burnham Co. The operational issues that can be highlighted are the issue of working with potentially biased audit firm, lack of internal control and lack of corporate governance. The chief financial officer (CFO) of BTI, Willie Carson was once an employee of the Randy Burnham Co. , an accounting tlrm that is currently acting as the auditor tor BTI. The relationship between Carson and the auditors from Randy Burnham Co. may cause a conflict of interest. A conflict of interest is a situation in which private interests or personal considerations could affect or to perceived to affect both Carson and the auditors from Randy Burnham Co. Judgements to act in the best interests of BTI. The relationship of Carson and the auditors may influence the Judgement and the decision relevancy that creates many of the conflict of interest problems in the business. For instance, Carson may ask the auditors favour to conceal the material misstatement found in the financial statement from the venture capital firms knowledge. Objectivity and integrity are essential qualities for employees of any organization. The affected result is not only the unqualified opinions rendered for the audited financial statements for previous years are arguable but also the transparency of every future Judgement and decision is doubtful as BTI is working with an audit firm that potentially biased towards BTI. The second issue that can be highlighted is the lacking of internal control in BTI rganization. One of the best defences against business failure, as well as an important driver of business performance, is having an effective internal control system, which manages risk and enables the creation and preservation of value. A system of internal control refers to the process by which organizations maintain environments that encourage incorruptibility and deter fraudulent activities by management and employees. Based on the fact stated in this case, BTI was privately owned by Carson, Boone, and a venture capital firm where Carson has been appointed as CFO, Boone as CEO and there was no board of directors. Obviously all the decision related to operations, management, and financial are decided by either Carson or Boone, or both of them. There is no other party to question, monitor and evaluate their action. This situation is proving the issue of lacking of internal control in BTI organization. If BTI proceeds with the plan to go public, it should establish a well-tailored, govern, and implemented set of internal control in its organization. Corporate governance is the internal structure of a corporation from its lowest level workers all the way up to its executives. Corporate governance has far-reaching ffects not only for the business itself but for the financial market as a whole. In the case of BTI, the CFO management integrity and the external auditor integrity are questionable as the relationship built between them may cause conflict of interests and fraud. Management integrity, or the moral character of persons of authority, sets the overall tone for the organization. However, managements enforcement of policies is the major indicator of an organizations commitment to a successful internal control system. Unfortunately, was not applied by BTI organization. Another issue that can be raised is the segregation of duties. The absent of board of directors fgure in BTI organization causing so many critical issue as there is no stewardship centre that determining the companys approach to corporate governance, including developing a set of corporate governance principles and guidelines that are specifically applicable to the company . Carson and Boone have the freewill to decide on anything related to the company. Segregation of duties is critical to effective internal control because it reduces the risk of mistakes and inappropriate actions.

A Look At The Samaritan Woman Religion Essay

A Look At The Samaritan Woman Religion Essay If I was asked to suggest one word which sums up Johns gospel, it would be the word encounter. The word became flesh and dwelt among us encounter. Look, the Lamb of God encounter. John goes on to record many of the people whom Jesus met in the course of His ministry. He constantly drew these people to Himself. He was the answer to the great spiritual needs of their life. Regardless of who they were, their basic need was to meet with Him, for an encounter with Jesus. In Ch 3 there is the encounter between Nicodemus, the teacher of Israel, and Jesus, the redeemer of the world. And then in stark contrast here in Ch4, the women of Samaria encounters Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus meeting with this woman was at noon. Jesus was utterly weary, physically exhausted. He sat on the wall around Jacobs well. Note in passing that, though Christ is the eternal Son of God, He was also truly human, the Word become flesh. He knew weariness, thirst, sadness, suffering and ultimately death. Two whole and perfect natures in one person. It is a comfort to us to know our Saviour is aware of our earthly lot. He is able to understand our needs as well as having the supply of grace to help us in our time of need. It is the grace of Jesus which is the first thing the woman experiences 1. The Grace of Jesus is displayed We learn a great deal about Jesus from His dealings with this woman. The amazing fact is that He took the first step the initiative was His. He made a simple request give me a drink. It appears like a simple gesture, but it explodes the age old myth that God is distant and remote. In actual fact God is close and immediate, and this is so because He comes. He takes the initiative. What is even more remarkable in this first century culture was the fact that He spoke to a woman, and to compound it all, a Samaritan woman at that. Strict social and religious rule held sway among Jewish rabbis forbidding them ever to speak to a woman in the street not even his own mother would be acknowledged some of the Pharisees had utter contempt for women, they would daily thank God that He had not made them a woman. And in particular, Samaritan women the bitter quarrel had gone on for 400 years, the Jews of pure blood despised the half-breed Samaritans who were heretics. Orthodox Jews travelling from Judea north to Galilee where Jesus had grown up went a roundabout way to avoid going the direct route through Samaria, even though it doubled their journey from three to six days. Even if a shadow of a Samaritan fell on an orthodox Jew, he was considered unclean. If a Jew did take the short cut through Samaria on his way to Jerusalem, the Samaritans would not sell him necessities of bread and water. There was mutual loathing and distrust. But theres more. Not only was she a woman, not only was she a Samaritan woman, but also she was sexually immoral and promiscuous. She had had five husbands, and the man she was living with now was not even one of them. A bidey in. No wonder she was at the well at noon instead of the usual evening hour for drawing water. She wanted to avoid knowing looks and sharp tongues of other women who would despise her. Yet despite all that, Jesus shows perfect courtesy and grace in asking her a favour. He knew all about her. If no one else in the world cared for her, He did, and He longed for her to know the peace and life He alone could give her. And to bring things right up to date, the reality is that He has the same sympathy for us in our sins and weaknesses. He longs to offer us His love and power. He offers her water of a very different kind from that which hes just asked her for living water that would satisfy her spiritually. Water elsewhere in Johns Gospel is a symbol of new life through the Holy Spirit into the heart through faith in Christ (e.g. John 7:37-39). The water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:14). This water which Jesus gives is so completely satisfying that whoever drinks of it will never be thirsty again. These are words of Jesus that speak very directly to our deepest needs. How many of us, once the masks and disguises we wear have been taken off, can testify to the deep unsatisfied longing within our souls? How often when people talk about the change that Jesus has made in their lives do they speak of emptiness and dissatisfaction that was there before? How they tried everything to meet that need, but all in vain till they came to Christ. Augustine said, Thou hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in Thee. There was an old song which summed up the difference that Jesus makes Now none but Christ can satisfy. There is none other name for me. Theres love and life and lasting joy, Lord Jesus, found in Thee This is what Jesus is trying to get across to her. I can supply you spiritual needs, you spiritual thirst and longing by offering you water which will spring up within you the life that Jesus gives is no tame or stagnant thing. It is abundant life, life in all its fullness, that sparkles, thrills and satisfies. This is the wonder of knowing Christ and the great blessings imparted by Him. If anyone is thirsty let him come to me and drink (John 7:37), says Jesus on another occasion. In Jesus they will be well supplied by an ever-flowing stream, which never runs dry. Yachting!! Unlike the world, Christ offers a real and lasting satisfaction. If we drink at the worlds fountains, we are satisfied for an hour. If we drink at Christs fountain, we have perpetual satisfaction. It is not dependent on adversity or prosperity, fear or joy. This well keeps springing up, and it is all a free gift. 2. The need for Jesus is awakened But we notice from Johns account that at first the woman misunderstood Jesus. She took Him literally, and replied that he did not have a bucket. The well was in fact 100 feet deep. Nicodemus had made the same mistake in taking Jesus literally (How can a man enter his mothers womb for a second time and be born again?). In both cases, Jesus was speaking of spiritual things. But it begins to awaken a sense of need in the woman. To show her how much she needed this new spiritual life He was offering He puts His finger on the weakness, failures and sin in her life things that deep down she was aware of, but probably had never openly admitted to anyone before. She admitted to Him her current living arrangements. He knew her private life perfectly. He knew she had broken the seventh commandment. And now she knew it too. He didnt accuse, nor did he wag his finger or confront her with her sin. He simply touches her conscience, and encourages her to name her own sin. And then she reacts. Shes suddenly faced with herself as she is, as God sees her, and she wants to change, she longs for this new life, a better life the full life, the clean life. Shes had enough of the wagging tongues and turned backs. She longs to belong, to be part of her community once again. We never really see ourselves until we are in Jesus presence. The Christian experience begins with a sense of sin. We are awakened to ourselves, our need of God, of forgiveness and cleansing and life. Not till we see the beauty of Christ do we understand the ugliness of our lives. But now shes feeling uncomfortable. She tries to change the subject, but what a mistake. She enters into theological discussion with the Son of God. If Nicodemus, the teacher of Israel was out of his depth, what hope had she? But it was just a diversion. She entered an argument about the right place of worship. She hoped to divert from Jesus pointing out of her sin by showing Him she did have enough of religion to get by. Its almost as though shes saying, well, I go to church, and at least I go to the right one we Samaritans worship in the right place. But Jesus reply pulls her back to His point. It does not matter where you worship, as long as you worship in spirit and in truth. Right back to the basic issues, its not about the forms of religious observance, its not about which church you go to or not, its the state of your heart that matters. Religion is not about outward forms and ceremonies. Jesus looks at the heart, the state of the inner life. Yet still today people love an argument how to interpret the creation stories in Genesis 1, where did Cains wife come from, (literalism!,) what hymn book should we use, how should the church be governed, what form of baptism, should we use set prayers or free prayerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. These are not the real issues. The question in the forefront ought to be what is the state of my heart? Am I right with God? Do I have new life in Christ Jesus? Ultimately have you accepted the gift that Jesus offers new and abundant life? 3. The gift of Jesus is received It gradually dawns on the woman that she was in the presence of no ordinary person. He knew her private life and secrets. He knew all about God and His worship. And then He reveals He is the promised Saviour and Messiah that the Samaritans, like the Jews, were waiting for. He presents Himself directly as the answer to the womans problem. He is the One sent by God to be the Saviour of the world, of Jew, Samaritan and Gentile alike. How ready Christ is to reveal Himself to the soul of sinners. I am the one you are looking for. Paul Swinson What is it you are looking for? The real question is, Who are you looking for? What is the state of your inner life tonight? Behind the faà §ade, is there loneliness, emptiness, inadequacy, and hunger? Are you in search of satisfaction? Have you tried everything but still feel the same? Jesus reaches out in his grace to you tonight. He wants to awaken that need of Him in you tonight, and offers you the gift of life, which will bubble up within you like living water. Yes He must put His finger on the sin that has to be forsaken and forgiven. Sin has to be brought to the surface. But his desire is not to condemn you, he doesnt want to reproach you, He simply longs to save you, and satisfy the deepest longing of your heart. Hear His voice and respond to His invitation If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.

Importance of Time Lapses in Death of a Salesman :: English Literature

Why does Arthur Miller use time lapses in his play â€Å"Death of a Salesman†? What was the playwright trying to tell us about Willy Loman? In this essay I will be exploring and analysing â€Å"Death of a Salesman† by Arthur Miller. I will be looking the use of flash backs in the play that aim to emphasise that the past is always with us. Looking at the flashbacks will also help understand the character of Willy Loman. The action takes place in Willy Loman’s house and yard also in various places he visits in New York and Boston of 1949. The play was set in post war America. This is after the great Depression, when people had a different point of view and wanted to achieve the â€Å"American Dream†. The American Dream is the longings of people who wanted to develop the country, to amass money and enjoy a comfortable, not to be at the beck and call of the employer. The figure of a salesman was at the cutting edge of the American Dream, a self made person that did not sell his products but his personality. The play shows a series of chronological events which take place during one evening and the next day. At intervals throughout the play we see scenes from Willy’s past enacted on the same stage at the same time. On first impression this would seem more likely to confuse the audience rather than reveal, but Miller had strong reasons for staging the play in this way. It is my belief that playwright tells us the past is not something which is now behind us. The past is always with us informing and influencing our actions. To understand the character of Willy Loman, we must be aware of the emotional burdens he carries with him from the past. To show an example of these recollections I have selected a scene in Act Two. Willy is sitting in a restaurant where he has been invited by the boys, in anticipation of the fact that Biff will be able to secure a loan from Bill Oliver. Willy has just been laid off from his old job, and is hoping that Biff has some good news for him so that Linda can be happy as he knows she has always been loyal to him and made many sacrifices. Willy said â€Å"she has waited and she has suffered†. This shows how loyal and hard working Linda has been to the family, sacrificing to save money. Evidence of this is shown by the stockings that she sits down with and mends so money can be saved.

The Longest Memory :: essays research papers

Whitechapel is the focal character of D'Aguiar's novel, The Longest Memory however, the author has used a great many other characters whose stories also stand-alone. Why has D'Aguiar structured his novel in this way and how does it lead the reader to an understanding of the impacts of slavery? D'Aguiar's central purpose is to make us reflect upon American society during the slavery era and to acknowledge its realities so that we understand the capability for evil that exists in society. D'Aguair has used Whitechapel and his memories to encapsulate the brutality and inhumanity of slavery. The succeeding narratives further our understanding of the society and these are presented in a manner that forces the reader to accept D'Aguiar's judgements. The characters represent all of the voices of the society including people from different races, social status's and both genders so that the reader can see the position society imposed upon all citizens. The forms of the individual narratives help us to understand the reality of society because they allow the characters to emerge as individuals, telling their own stories with undisguised honesty. The Longest Memory is told from the oldest to the youngest character showing how society instilled its ideals on each generation in an unc ompromising manner and so the stories overlap and intertwine, to illustrate this D'Aguiar has used an overwhelming tone of sadness and despair to emphasise the negative feelings that society created. Whitechapel's narrative focuses on the symbolism of seeing; the reason for this is to give the reader a sense of the extent to which society enforced its beliefs upon people and how much it effected them. Whitechapel has lived a very long time and has finally realized the truth about his enslavement and the extent to which he is dehumanized; this is emphasized by his regretful tone and demonstrates his disgust. The dehumanisation that has occurred is over his philosophies that as a slave he could earn respect through hard work and loyalty; this is rejected when his son is killed. The repetition of the phrase, 'I am nobody'; acknowledges that as a slave the society could not reward his loyalty or hard work because he had no status. Various narratives have been put after each other so that the reader can compare two characters to see the different impacts that society had on them. This Juxtaposition is used to confront the reader with the inhumanity of the views of some characters such as Sanders Senior, the placement of Cook straight after shows that contrary to Sanders seniors disgusting beliefs she is quite human and is dramatically effected by his beliefs, the societies beliefs.

The Awakening Essay -- essays research papers

Books, unlike movies, have been around since the beginning of time. For the most part, they are more meaningful than the movies that are made from these books. This is due to the fact that an author is able to convey his/her message clearer and include things in the book that cannot be exhibited in a movie. For this reason, the reader of the book is much more effected than the viewer of the film. In the novella, The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, there is much more evidence of symbolism as well as deeper meaning than in the movie version of the book, Grand Isle. Chopin conveys her symbolic messages through the main character’s newly acquired ability to swim, through the birds, through sleep, and through images of the moon. 	Edna Pontellier, the main character of the novel, struggles all summer at Grand Isle to learn to swim. She has been assisted by many people but was always too afraid to swim on her own. One Saturday night, after attending an evening in the hall, Edna swims out for the first time by herself into the inviting ocean. Realizing how easy it is and due to her "excited fancy," (Chopin, 30) she accidentally swims out very far. At that moment, "a quick vision of death smote her soul, and for a second of time appalled and enfeebled her senses." (Chopin, 30) For the first time she comes face to face with death. Those are the events described by the book. The movie, on the other hand, only shows Edna swimming out, struggling a little, and returning to shore. In addition, the movie doesn’t mention the strength and joy Edna feels after this experience. She states that she "never was so exhausted in [her] life. But it isn’t unpleasant†¦it is like a night in a dream." (Chopin, 31) 	At the end of this story, Edna kills herself by swimming out into the ocean. The movie shows just that, omitting two very significant symbols which are present in the novella. The first of these two symbols is the injured bird that’s "beating the air above, reeling, fluttering, circling disabled down, down to the water." (Chopin, 124) This bird symbolizes Edna’s struggle to become the master her own life as well as her failure to achieve this goal. The other symbol is "the old terror [that] flamed up for an instant, then sank again." (Chopin 124) This is the same terror she feels when she swims out for the first t... .... Chopin relates Edna to the Sleeping Beauty who has awoken to a new world with a new perception of her surroundings. 	Symbols of the moon are another aspect that’s ignored in the movie. During Edna’s first solo swim, the author describes how the moon gave her the power and bravery to keep going; it "conveyed to her excited fancy." (Chopin, 30) After the swim when Edna is talking to Robert, "strips of moonlight," (Chopin, 32) are visible all around them. They symbolize the untamed feelings Edna has for Robert, her first true love in life. The moonlight makes her feel "the first throbbings of desire." (Chopin, 32) 	Books, more often than not, are better than the movies that are made from them. This is due to the immense power of our imaginations. Readers use their imaginations to fill the space that exists between him/herself and the book with such things as dreams, past experiences, and hopes. For this reason, there is much more depth and symbolic depictions in the novella, The Awakening, by Kate Chopin, compared with the movie version, Grand Isle. Due to this, the effect on the reader is much more potent than the effect on the viewer.