Business Degree Opportunity Essay

A career in business is more varied than most people realize. Having a career in business you can involve the obvious functions such as management and marketing. Again most people don’t know that you can be the backbone for economic, political and social systems at all levels. Having a business degree can be applied to virtually any industry and can also help you start your own business. Some of the new professional opportunities this degree afford to employees would be a higher position within the company as well a pay increase. Let’s take Krystal’s restaurant for example not only will they pay for your schooling while working there you can apply for a higher position and continue working your way up the latter. For example if you’re an employee you can apply for management and if you’re already a manager you can apply for the district manager position. Those to major moves not only give you a different position but benefits and money comes right alone with it as well. Now don’t get me wrong with this degree you are not limited to just working in restaurants you are able to put in application in doctors office, warehouses, clinics, hotels, and etc. Other types of careers that people with a business degree would have are Accounting, Human Resource, Customer Service, Sales, Receptionist, and Administrative Assistant. All of these jobs come with different pays and benefits. I know somewhere down the line you would want a ball park ideal of how much money can be earned with a business degree. Well I can tell you that you can make anywhere from 27,450 to 60,000. If there are any further questions about the earning potentials a person with a Business Degree has you can check out the Pay Scale web site and it will break it down for you alone with the jobs. Some of the opportunities that I found alone with pay are Administrative Assistant (27,216-38,660), Administrative/Office Manager (33,586-45,060), Office Manager (43,744-60,781), Retail Store Manager (39,588- 48,168), Executive Secretary or Administrative Assistant (30,000- 60,920), Legal Secretary (29,479-53,448), and finally we have Executive Assistant to CEO (49,132-60, 000). So as you see having a degree in Business can really pay off if you apply yourself and have some years of experience behind you and your degree is what determines your pay scale rather it will be high or low. There are a few more jobs that are out there for people with Business Management Degrees such as Non- Profit Organization and it can pay up to 42,911, Government- State Local and it can pay up to 37,000, School/School District and it can pay up To 27,450, Government –Federal can pay up to 52,500, College-University can pay up to 37,500, Foundation/Trust can pay up to 49,000, Private Practice/Firm can pay up to 45,105, Hospital can pay you up to 46,810, Franchise can pay you up to 41,271, Self-Employed can pay you up to 32,250 and last but not least a Contractor can pay you up to 57,704. While looking at the pay scale website I realize that there are plenty Of jobs out there a person can work with an Associate Degree in Business Management . For the longest I have thought that a manager job in either fast food or retail was the only jobs out there that an Associate Degree can get until I found the Business Jobs website. Now that you know there are jobs out there for you let’s talk about all the fun times you will get to have with the company that tries to keep their employees with benefits and increase in retention. I know by now you’re wondering what I mean by benefits and fun. Well I know on a previous job I worked they showed their employees their care and would like for them to hang around for a while by giving them extra benefits. For example when we have a meeting sometimes you could wear your favorite basketball team and they would allow you to have fun and eat once your done it’s time for the meeting. These types of meeting people love to attend. The company even went out of their way for the employees as well they gave out money and a plaque for the employee of the quarter at Christmas time. I can go on and on about this company and the way they retained their employees. So allow me to give you some more examples of the benefits to the company increasing their retention. Some companies sponsors an all- paid vacation to an exotic location, usually to mark the employee’s five-year anniversary with the company. When companies do things like that you give your employees a reason to want to stay with the company for those many years so that is one way to retain your employees. Another way to retain employees is allowing sabbaticals for higher education after certain tenure with the company. The employee’s vacation benefits can take the form of annual holiday to recharge the batteries of life, and company trips to increase teamwork and bonding coworkers. I have learned that it is easier to retain employees by just being honest with them at all times. An employee will be more likely to stay if they know they can depend on you to tell the truth and have their back when needed. You will soon found out that if your treating the employees right and like family that’s the type of results you will receive and your business will be successful. Every business will benefit from happy employees verses the ones that is mad and always ready to go home. Now that you know how some companies keep their employees you should know how it benefit s the company. By retaining the employees the companies save money on turnovers and on training. When a company saves money on things like training or turnovers it allows them to be able to do more for their employees. And by taking care of their employees they will see that their employees will take care of them in the long run. References Pay scale 2000-2011 Pay Scale Bright Hub Inc. 2011 Bright Hub Inc.

Display screen Essay

A monitor can be considered as a window into the computer’s memory. It allows data entry to be checked by echoing input characters on the screen. The disadvantage of monitors is that data on the screen is temporary (called softcopy) and they can hold only limited amount of data. Quality Factor – Resolution Resolution defines sharpness and clarity of an image and is specified as the number of dots per character. Modern packages are using a lot of graphics and therefore require high-resolution monitors. Display Adaptors Adaptors are cards installed in motherboard to control a monitor. The following specifications were evolving over the years:   Hercules – mono   Colour Graphics Adaptor (CGA) – low quality   Enhanced Graphics Adaptor (EGA) – medium quality   Video Graphics Array (VGA and Super VGA) – high quality   Extended Graphics Array (XGA) – successor of SVGA, has the power to handle the video and animation requirements of the modern multimedia packages and games Bit Mapping Technique For monochrome displays, only one bit of memory is required for each pixel. If it is set to 1, the pixel is illuminated. If the corresponding memory location contains 0, the pixel is left dark. A binary representation in RAM The equivalent screen representation Figure 1. Bitmapped representation of letter T coding in RAM and corresponding image on screen For colour monitors, more than one bit is required to keep information about a pixel because apart from illuminated or not setting, colour specification is also required. Monitors that are capable of displaying 16 colours only would require 4 bits of memory per pixel (16 = 24). Figure out how many bits of memory per pixel are required to give a choice of 512 colours? Thus the required size of visual memory depends on the number of pixels on the screen (resolution factor) and on the number of colours available. If you are buying a modern monitor which is bigger than 14†³, it is desirable to have at least 2 M of memory on the video card. Types of Monitors 1). Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) Technology: A beam of electrons lights up pixels/dots on the screen Colour is achieved by combining Red/Green/Blue (RGB) of different intensities. Size: Size is measured diagonally (corner to corner). Today monitors are available in sizes 14†³, 15†³, 17†³, 21†³. But the monitor size doesn’t tell anything about the maximum viewable image size. The bezel in front of every monitor’s CRT diminishes the viewable area by approximately an inch. When deciding on which monitor to buy, think of which resolution you’ll be working in most frequently. The higher the resolution, the bigger the monitor is required. Monitors usually display 25 lines 80 characters each in text mode. Standard Resolutions (in pixels) VGA 640 x 480 SVGA 800 x 600 XGA 1024 x 768 1280 x 1024 1600 x 1200 Some high-end monitors support these high resolutions. Designed for professional level work,1600 x 1280 e. g. computer-aided design or desktop publishing 1800 x 1440 Supported by at least one: ViewSonic P815 Mega An interlaced monitor draws its screen in two passes. First it draws every second line and then fills in the missing lines. Interlacing is noticeable because of flicking screen and can cause headaches. A non-interlaced monitor draws its screen in one pass. Another reason for a flicking screen is the frequency with which the monitor redraws its screen – called refresh rate or vertical scan rate. The bottom line should be 75Hz so that flickering effect doesn’t show up. Ensure that your monitor and graphics card can be synchronised to the same refresh rate. 2). LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) These displays are known as being used in calculators and watches. They have an advantage of being cheap but a disadvantage is that it is very hard to see what they display in the dark. They are used in laptops because they are flat. LCDs come as monochrome or colour. Monochrome LCD images usually appear as dark gray images on a grayish-white background. Color Liquid Crystal Displays use two basic techniques for producing color: passive matrix and active matrix. Passive matrix is the less expensive of the two technologies. It offers good contrast and viewing angle suitable for graphical user interfaces but its colors are not particularly sharp and it has slow reaction times. This is the most popular display used in notebook computers today. It consists of a grid of horizontal and vertical wires. At the intersection of each grid is an LCD element which constitutes a single pixel, either letting light through or blocking it. Active-matrix technology, also called thin film transistor (TFT), produces color images that are as sharp as traditional CRT displays at 1/8 the space, but the technology is expensive. For multimedia applications with video images the fast response time of TFT active matrix displays is ideal. For color active matrix provides individual color bits for each displays. An active-matrix display uses from one to four transistors to control each pixel. LCDs do not exaggerate actual viewing areas like regular monitors. For example, a 9. 4†³ LCD provides 9. 4†³ diagonal viewing area. This is the equivalent of an 11†³ CRT. Color LCD Comparison Chart Technology Contrast Ratio Response Viewing Angle Price Passive Matrix 20:1 300 ms Medium Medium Active Matrix 60:1 80 ms High High 3). Gas Plasma Gas-plasma display is a type of flat display screen, called a flat-panel display, used in some portable computers. Images on gas-plasma displays generally appear as orange objects on a black background. Although gas-plasma displays produce very sharp monochrome images, they require much more power than the more common LCD displays. Technology: A grid of conductors are sealed between two flat plates of glass; neon and/or argon gas fills the space between the plates. Comparison Of LCDs and Gas-Plasma Displays: Type Readability Battery Life Cost LCD Lowest Longest Lowest Gas plasma High Shortest.

Contract Case Study Essay

1.Adams orders one thousand widgets at $5 per widget from International Widget to be delivered within sixty days. After the contract is consummated and signed, Adams requests that International deliver the widgets within thirty days rather than sixty days. International agrees. Is the contractual modification binding? Yes the contract modification is binding because both parties agreed to the modification before the widgets were delivered. When Adams requested the new shipping method and International agreed to the new terms. In problem 1, what effect, if any, would the following letter have? International Widget: In accordance with our agreement of this date you will deliver the one thousand previously ordered widgets within thirty days. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. (signed) Adams The letter wouldn’t have any affect at all because the contract has already been modified by both parties and had been accepted. It would just be useful if for some reason one of the parties didn’t fulfill their part of the new contract. Browne & Assoc., a San Francisco company, orders from U.S. Electronics, a New York company, ten thousand electronic units. Browne & Assoc.’s order form provides that any dispute would be resolved by an arbitration panel located in San Francisco. U.S. Electronics executes and delivers to Browne & Assoc. its acknowledgment form, which accepts the order and contains the following provision: ‘‘All disputes will be resolved by the State courts of New York.’’ A dispute arises concerning the workmanship of the parts, and Browne & Assoc. wishes the case to be arbitrated in San Fran- cisco. What result The case would be arbitrated in San Fransico because the New York company agreed to their term of â€Å"Browne & Assoc.’s order form provides that any dispute would be resolved by an arbitration panel located in San Francisco† and they didn’t agree to modify the contract to change that. 2. Smith, having contracted to sell to Beyer thirty tons of described fertilizer, shipped to Beyer by carrier thirty tons of fertilizer, which he stated conformed to the contract. Nothing was stated in the contract as to time of payment, but Smith demanded payment as a condition of handing over the fertilizer to Beyer. Beyer refused to pay unless he were given the opportunity to inspect the fertilizer. Who is correct? Explain. Smith is  correct because Beyer contracted him to deliver the thirty tons of fertilizer, and like Smith stated is conformed the contract. Edwin sells a sofa to Jack for $800. Edwin and Jack both know that the sofa is in Edwin’s warehouse, located approximately ten miles from Jack’s home. The contract does not specify the place of delivery, and Jack insists that the place of delivery is either his house or Edwin’s store. Is Jack correct? In my opinion I don’t think jack is correct because it was not stated in a contract that the sofa was to be delivered to jacks home and even with him knowing the sofa was in the warehouse 10 miles away he still purchased the sofa. 6. On November 4, Kim contracted to sell to Lynn 500 sacks of flour at $4 each to be delivered to Lynn by December 12. On November 27, Kim shipped the flour. By December 5, when the shipment arrived, containing only 450 sacks, the market price of flour had fallen. Lynn refused to accept delivery or to pay. Kim shipped 50 more sacks of flour, which arrived December 10. Lynn refused delivery. Kim resold the 500 sacks of flour for $3 per sack. What are Kim’s rights against Lynn? Kim has no rights against Lynn because the order was never fulfilled on her part because Lynn never accepted the shipment of the remaining 50 sacks of flour on December 10. 1. Stein, a mechanic, and Beal, a life insurance agent, entered into a written contract for the sale of Stein’s tractor to Beal for $6,800 cash. It was agreed that Stein would tune the motor on the tractor. Stein fulfilled this obligation and on the night of July 1 telephoned Beal that the tractor was ready to be picked up upon Beal’s making payment. Beal responded, ‘‘I’ll be there in the morning with the money.’’ On the next morning, however, Beal was approached by an insurance prospect and decided to get the tractor at a later date. On the night of July 2, the tractor was destroyed by fire of unknown origin. Neither Stein nor Beal had any fire insurance. Who must bear the loss? Stein will have to bear the loss because even though he fulfilled everything he was suppose to do on the contract Beal never picked up the tractor for him and still had full possession of the tractor on the night of the fire. 7. Smith was approached by a man who introduced himself as Brown of Brown & Co. Brown was not known to Smith, but Smith asked Dun & Bradstreet for a credit report and obtained a very favorable report on Brown. He thereupon sold Brown some expensive gems and billed Brown & Co.  Ã¢â‚¬ËœÃ¢â‚¬ËœBrown’’ turned out to be a clever jewel thief, who later sold the gems to Brown & Co. for valuable consideration. Brown & Co. was unaware of ‘‘Brown’s’’ transaction with Smith. Can Smith successfully sue Brown & Co. for either the return of the gems or the price as billed to Brown & Co.? No he cannot sue for the gems because the items were sold to them as a third party and they had no affiliation with the person who went by Brown at all. 9. Brilles offered to sell his used automobile to Nevarro for $12,600 cash. Nevarro agreed to buy the car, gave Brilles a check for $12,600, and drove away in the car. The next day Nevarro sold the car for $13,000 to Hough, a bona fide purchaser. The $12,600 check was returned to Brilles by the bank in which he had deposited it because of insufficient funds in Nevarro’s account. Brilles brings an action against Hou gh to recover the automobile. What judgment? Brilles wouldn’t be able to get his car or money from Hough because the title was transferred over to him by Nevarro not brilles. Brilles would only be able to get his money back from Nevarro. 2. The Talent Company, manufacturer of a widely advertised and expensive perfume, sold a quantity of this product to Young, a retail druggist. Dentley and Bird visited Young’s store and Dent- ley, desiring to make a gift to Bird, purchased from Young a bottle of this perfume, asking for it by its trade name. Young wrapped up the bottle and handed it directly to Bird. The perfume contained a foreign chemical that, upon the first use of the perfume by Bird, severely burned her face and caused a permanent facial disfigurement. What are the rights of Bird, if any, against Dentley, Young, and the Talent Company, respectively? Bird has the right to go after both the Talent Company because they are the ones who made the perfume and are reliable for their products and young because they were the ones selling a product that they have not used and redeemed safe for their coustmers. 4. A route salesperson for Ideal Milk Company delivered a one- half-gallon glass jug of milk to Allen†™s home. The next day, when Allen grasped the milk container by its neck to take it out of his refrigerator, it shattered in his hand and caused serious injury. Allen paid Ideal on a monthly basis for the regular delivery of milk. Ideal’s milk bottles each contained the legend ‘‘Property of Ideal— to be returned,’’ and the route salesperson would pick up the empty bottles when he delivered milk. Can Allen recover damages from  Ideal Milk Company? Why? No Allen wouldn’t be able to recover anything from the milk company because there wouldn’t be enough proof that the milk container was faulty, even though it might have been 10. Plaintiff, while dining at defendant’s restaurant, ordered a chicken potpie. While she was eating, she swallowed a sliver of chicken bone, which became lodged in her throat, causing her serious injury. Plaintiff brings a cause of action. Should she prevail? Why? Yes she would prevail because the food is not s uppose to have bones in it, and the restaurant is going to have to be liable for their product and pay for the plaintiffs injury’s that she suffered from eating at the restaurant. 1. Mae contracted to sell one thousand bushels of wheat to Lloyd at $5.00 per bushel. Just before Mae was to deliver the wheat, Lloyd notified her that he would not receive or accept the wheat. Mae sold the wheat for $4.60 per bushel, the market price, and later sued Lloyd for the difference of $400. Lloyd claims he was not notified by Mae of the resale and, hence, is not liable. Is Lloyd correct? Why? Yes Lloyd is correct because he inform Mae that he didn’t want the bushels any more, which terminated the contract. Then when Mae didn’t deliver them she accepted that the contract was terminated. 9. Calvin purchased a log home construction kit manufactured by Boone Homes, Inc., from an authorized Boone dealer. The sales contract stated that Boone would repair or replace defective materials and that this was the exclusive remedy available against Boone. The dealer assembled the house, which was defective in several respects. The knotholes in the logs caused the walls and ceiling to leak. A support beam was too small and therefore cracked, causing the floor to crack also. These defects could not be completely cured by repair. Should Calvin prevail in a lawsuit against Boone for breach of warranty to recover damages for the loss in value? Yes Calvin would prevail in court because they stated that they would replace or repair defective material, and the material that Calvin received was defective and it cant be repaired so they have to pay for it to get it replaced or replace it them self’s. 16. Serve best contracted to sell Emessee two hundred thousand pounds of 50 percent lean beef trimmings for $105,000. Upon a substantial fall in the market price, Emessee refused to pay the contract price and informed Servebest that the contract was canceled. Servebest sues Emessee for breach of contract, including (a) damages for the difference between the contract price and the resale price of the trimmings, and (b) incidental damages. Decision? Servebest can only recover damages for no acceptance or repudiation because the buyer breached the contract. 1. Roy Rand executed and delivered the following note to Sue Sims: ‘‘Chicago, Illinois, June 1, 2011; I promise to pay to Sue Sims or bearer, on or before July 1, 2011, the sum of $7,000. This note is given in consideration of Sims’s transferring to the undersigned title to her 2002 Buick automobile. (signed) Roy Rand.’’ Rand and Sims agreed to defer delivery of the car to July 1, 2011. On June 15, Sims sold and delivered the note, without endorsement, to Karl Kaye for $6,200. What rights, if any, has Kaye acquired? Kaye has acquired the entire right of the money remaining on the note that Roy needs to pay for the 2002 Buick because Kaye became the bearer when he purchased the note from Slims. 7. Simon Sharpe executed and delivered to Ben Bates a negotiable promissory note payable to the order of Ben Bates for $500. Bates indorsed the note, ‘‘Pay to Carl Cady upon his satisfactorily repairing the roof of my house, (signed) Ben Bates,’’ and delivered it to Cady as a down payment on the contract price of the roofing job. Cady then indorsed the note and sold it to Timothy Tate for $450. What rights, if any, does Tate acquire in the promissory note? Tate would only acquire the promissory note if Cady fulfills his agreement with bates on repairing the roof, because if he does not finish repairing the roof he was never entitled to the check in the first place. 8. Debbie Dean issued a check to Betty Brown payable to the order of Cathy Cain and Betty Brown. Betty indorsed the check ‘‘Payable to Elizabeth East, (signed) Betty Brown.’’ What rights, if any, does Elizabeth acquire in the check? Elizabeth acquires all rights to the check because Betty indorsed the check to her when she wrote on the check â€Å"‘‘Payable to Elizabeth East, (sign ed) Betty Brown.’’ 4. Adams, who reads with difficulty, arranged to borrow $5,000 from Bell. Bell prepared a note, which Adams read laboriously. As Adams was about to sign it, Bell diverted Adams’s attention and substituted the following paper, which was identical to the note Adams had read except that the amounts were different: On June 1, 2011, I promise to pay Ben Bell or order Twelve Thousand Dollars with interest from date at 8 percent. This note is secured by certificate No. 13 for 100 shares of stock of Brookside Mills, Inc. Adams did not detect the substitution, signed as maker, handed the note and stock certificate to Bell, and received from Bell $5,000. Bell indorsed and sold the paper to Fore, a holder in due course, who paid him $10,000. Fore presented the note at maturity to Adams, who refused to pay. What are Fore’s rights, if any, against Adams? Fores has no right again Adams because the contract he signed was not the one they agreed upon and Bell took advantage of him because Bell knew Adams couldn’t see well and switched the contract to make him pay double of the loan with 8% interest. 9. Donna gives Peter a check for $2,500 in return for a laptop computer. The check is dated December 2. Peter transfers the check for value to Howard on December 14, and Howard deposits it in his bank on December 20. In the meantime, Donna has dis- covered that the computer is not what was promised and has stopped payment on the check. If Peter and Howard disappear, may the bank recover from Donna notwithstanding her defense of failure of consideration? What will be the bank’s cause of action? No the bank may not recover the money because the check has already been cashed in by Howard who has nothing to do with the transaction, if Donna had the check and dint cash it then th e bank would be able to stop the check and cancel it. 3. A negotiable promissory note executed and delivered by B to C passed in due course and was indorsed in blank by C, D, E, and F. G, the present holder, strikes out D’s indorsement. What is the liability of D on her indorsement? D would have no liability on the endorsement on the check given by A because his name was taken off the check, which made him not liable for the endorsement anymore. 6. Alpha orally appointed Omega as his agent to find and purchase for him a 1930 Dodge automobile in good condition, and Omega located such a car. Its owner, Roe, agreed to sell and deliver the car on January 10, 2011, for $9,000. To evidence the purchase price, Omega  mailed to Roe the following instrument: December 1, 2010 $9,000.00†¨We promise to pay to the order of bearer Nine Thousand Dollars with interest from date of this instrument on or before January 10, 2011. This note is given in consideration of John Roe’s transferring title to and possession of his 1930 Dodge a utomobile. (Signed) Omega, agent Smith stole the note from Roe’s mailbox, indorsed Roe’s name on the note, and promptly discounted it with Sunset Bank for $8,700. Not having received the note, Roe sold the car to a third party. On January 10, the bank, having discovered all the facts, demanded payment of the note from Alpha and Omega. Both refused payment. (a) What are Sunset Bank’s rights with regard to Alpha and Omega? (b) What are Sunset Bank’s rights with regard to Roe and Smith? Sunset bank would have no rights against omega; the bank could only reaccredit the money stolen from the stolen check and attempt to get the money back from Smith if they can find him. 10. R&A Concrete Contractors, Inc., executed a promissory note that identifies both R&A Concrete and Grover Roberts as its makers. On the reverse side of the note, the following appears: ‘‘X John Ament Sec. & Treas.’’ National Bank of Georgia, the payee, now sues both R&A Concrete and Ament on the note. What rights does National Bank have against R&A and Ament? National Bank has no right against R & A because they are not liable for the payments of the note; they also received full rights to the promissory note when they handed it over to National Bank. 9. Jason, who has extremely poor vision, went to an automated teller machine (ATM) to withdraw $200 on February 1. Joshua saw that Jason was having great difficulty reading the computer screen and offered to help. Joshua obtained Jason’s personal identification number and secretly exchanged one of his old credit cards for Jason’s ATM card. Between February 1 and February 15, Joshua withdrew $1,600 from Jason’s account. On February 15, Jason discovered that his ATM card was missing and immediately notified his bank. The bank closed Jason’s ATM account on February 16, by which time Joshua had withdrawn another $150. What is Jason’s liability, if any, for the unauthorized use of his account? †¨ Jason would have full liability on the unauthorized use of his account, and would be reaccredited from the bank on both the charges made by Joshua on February 15 of 1$1,600 and the second ATM  withdrawal made on February 16 of $150. 10. On July 21, Boehmer, a customer of Birmingham Trust, secured a loan from that bank for the principal sum of $5,500 to purchase a boat allegedly being built for him by A.C. Manufacturing Company, Inc. After Boehmer signed a promissory note, Birmingham Trust issued a cashier’s check to Boehmer and A.C. Manufacturing Company as payees. The check was given to Boehmer, who then forged A.C. Manufacturing Company’s indorsement and deposited the check in his own account at Central Bank. Central Bank credited Boehmer’s account and then placed the legend ‘‘P.I.G.,’’ meaning ‘‘Prior Indorsements Guaranteed,’’ on the check. The check was presented to and paid by Birmingham Trust on July 22. When the loan became delinquent in March of the following year, Birmingham Trust contacted A.C. Manufacturing Company to learn the location of the boat. They were informed that it had never been purchased, and they soon after learned tha t Boehmer had died on January 24 of that year. Can Birmingham Trust obtain reimbursement from Central Bank under Central’s warranty of prior indorsements? Explain. Birmingham trust wouldn’t be able to obtain reimbursement for the indorsement from A.C because the check was forged with their name, the bank could how ever reimburse them if it meets their requirements. 11. Lile, an insurance broker who handled all insurance for Tempo Co., purchased a fire policy from Insurance Company insuring Tempo Co.’s factory against fire in the amount of $1.5 million. Before the policy was delivered to Tempo and while it was still in Lile’s hands, Tempo advised Lile to cancel the policy. Prior to cancellation, however, Tempo suffered a loss. Tempo now makes a claim against Insurance Company on the policy. The premium had been billed to Lile but was unpaid at the time of loss. In an action by Tempo Co. against Insurance Company, what judgment? The Insurance Company would win because they are not responsible for the loss that Tempo suffered since they canceled the Insurance and did not were not paying for the liability insurance. 1. In January, Roger Burke loaned his favorite nephew, Jimmy White, his valuable Picasso painting. Knowing that Jimmy would celebrate his twenty-first birthday on May 15, Burke sent a letter to Jimmy on April 14 stating: à ¢â‚¬ ¨Dear Jimmy,†¨Tomorrow I leave on my annual trip to Europe, and †¨I want to make you a fitting birthday gift, which I do by  sending you my enclosed promissory note. Also I want you to keep the Picasso that I loaned you last January, and you may now consider it yours. Happy birthday! †¨Affectionately, /s/ Uncle Roger †¨The negotiable promissory note for $5,000 sent with the letter was signed by Roger Burke, payable to Jimmy White or bearer, and dated May 15. On May 21, Burke was killed in an automobile accident while motoring in France. †¨First Bank was appointed administrator of Burke’s estate. Jimmy presented the note to the administrator and demanded payment, which was refused. Jimmy brought an action against First Bank as administrator, seeking recovery on the note. The administrator in turn brought an action against Jimmy, seeking the return of the Picasso. †¨(a) What decision in the action on the note? †¨(b) What decision in the action to recover the painting? Jimmy would prevail in court because he was entitled both the painting and the money, when his uncle sent him the letter before he passed away stating that the Picasso & $5000 was a gift for his twenty-first birthday. 1. Kirkland conveyed a farm to Adland to have and to hold for and during his life and upon his death to Rubin. Some years thereafter, oil was discovered in the vicinity. Adland thereupon made an oil and gas lease, and the oil company set up its machinery to commence drilling operations. Rubin thereupon filed suit to enjoin the operations. Assuming an injunction to be the proper form of remedy, what decision? Rubin wouldn’t prevail in court because the oil and gas lease was made when Adland was the owner of the land and had the right to do what ever he pleased with the land until he passed away and had to pass it on to Rubin. 2. Smith owned Blackacre in fee simple absolute. In section 3 of a properly executed will, Smith devised Blackacre as follows: ‘‘I devise my farm Blackacre to my son Darwin so long as it is used as a farm.’’ Sections 5 and 6 of the will made gifts to persons other than Darwin. The last and residuary clause of Smith’s will provided: ‘‘All the residue of my real and personal property not disposed of heretofore in this will, I devise and bequeath to Stanford University.’’ Smith died in 2011, survived by her son Darwin. Smith’s estate has been administered. Darwin has been offered $100,000 for Black acre if he can convey title to it in fee simple. No, Darwin wouldn’t be able to receive the land Black acre from the will because his intention was to sell the land for $100,000 and  not use the land for farming. Which was a requirement under the will that Smith left and if he did not meet those requirements the land would be entitled to someone else stated in section 5 and 6. 7. In her will, Teresa granted a life estate to Amos in certain real estate, with remainder to Brenda and Clive in joint tenancy. All the residue of Teresa’s estate was left to Hillman College. While going to Teresa’s funeral, the car in which Amos, Brenda, and Clive were driving was wrecked. Brenda was killed instantly, Clive died a few minutes later, and Amos died on his way to the hospital. Who is entitled to the real estate in question? Amos, Brenda, and Clive, heirs would be entitled to their portions of the estate that they are receiving from the will in Teresa will, and the rest of Teresa’s will would be given to Hillmans College as stated in the will. 3. Robert and Stanley held legal title of record to adjacent tracts of land, each consisting of a number of five acres. Stanley fenced his five acres in 1986, placing his east fence fifteen feet onto Robert’s property. Thereafter, he was in possession of this fifteen-foot strip of land and kept it fenced and cultivated continuously until he sold his tract of land to Nathan on March 1, 1991. Nathan took possession under deed from Stanley, and continued possession and cultivation of the fifteen-foot strip that was on Robert’s land until May 27, 2011, when Robert, having on several occasions strenuously objected to Nathan’s possession, brought suit against Nathan for trespass. Explain whether Nathan has gained title by adverse possession. Nathan would not prevail in court because the land is owned by Robert and the contract that he had with Stanley was established for them in 1989 and not to Nathan who took over the land on March 1, 1991. 5. On January 1, 2011, Davis and Hershey owned Black acre as tenants in common. On July 1, 2011, Davis made a written contract to sell Black acre to Gregg for $25,000. Pursuant to this contract, Griggs paid Davis $25,000 on August 1, 2011, and Davis executed and delivered to Gregg a warranty deed to Black acre. On February 1, 2012, Hershey quitclaimed his interest in Black acre to Davis. Gregg brings an action against Davis for breach of warranty of title. What judgment? Davis would prevail because he sold him the entire land and not just his portion of Black acre even though he was not entitled to the land  in full. Since Hershey owned a portion of the land the contract needed Hershey’s signature for it to be valid. 8.The city of Boston sought to condemn land in fee simple for use in constructing an entrance to an underground terminal for a subway. The owners of the land contend that no more than surface and subsurface easements are necessary for the terminal entrance and seek to retain air rights above thirty-six feet. The city argues that any building utilizing this airspace would require structural supports that would interfere with the city’s plan for the terminal. The city concedes that the properties around the condemned property could be assembled and structures could be designed to span over the condemned property, in which case the air rights would be quite valuable. Can the city condemn the property? No the city can not condemn this property because they only have the right to the land below the surface if they want to build the entrance 36 feet in the air they would need to get the air rights from the owner. 3. Collins was trustee for Indolent under the will of Indolent’s father. Indolent, a middle-age doctor, gave little concern to the management of the trust fund, contenting himself with receiving the income paid him by the trustee. Among the assets of the trust were one thousand shares of ABC Corporation and one thousand shares of XYZ Corporation. About two years before the termination of the trust, Collins, at a fair price and after full explanation to Indo- lent, purchased from the trust the ABC stock. At the same time but without saying anything to Indolent, he purchased the XYZ stock at a price in excess of its then market value. At the termination of the trust, both stocks had advanced in market value well beyond the prices paid by Collins, and Indolent demanded that Collins either account for this advance in the value of both stocks or replace the stocks. What are Indolent’s rights? Indolent would only have rights to the XYZ stock because he purchased those stocks with out the any ones permission. In the case of the ABC stock he would not receive anything back because he sold the stock at a fair price to Collins. Upon George Welch’s death, he was survived by his second wife, Dorothy Welch, and his daughter by his first marriage, Patricia Fisher. At the time George and Dorothy were married, George was in  very poor health and he relied on Dorothy to care for him. During the eight months George and Dorothy were married, George became isolated from his family and his health deteriorated. Prior to his death, George transferred the bulk of his assets to Dorothy. Dorothy assisted in the transfer of George’s assets and often completed checks and other papers for George’s signature. George also made a new will that named Dorothy as his sole beneficiary. Patricia was the sole beneficiary of his prior will. Through the transfers of assets and the new will, Dorothy received $570,000. Does Patricia have any legal recourse? Explain. No Patricia does not have any legal rights because everything transferred to Dorothy’s name was done with the consent of George, and everything i n the will was left to Patricia according to Georges new will.

Jazz Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Jazz - Article Example The video refers to the Miles Davis performance of â€Å"Around Midnight† in Berlin, Germany, which he takes us through a story by the expressions that can be perceived through Jazz music. Miles Davis one of the most famous jazz players worked on the modern jazz musical concepts that have helped to grow this genre to a next level. One of the most interesting aspects of jazz music is the level to which the genre continues to grow and redefine itself long after its heyday of popularity. Whereas the full music of the hippie movement has long since faded into the past, the music of the roaring 20s has been lost from memory, and the music that brought a nation together during the Second World War has been forgotten, jazz continues to maintain a subculture of popularity, continues to be performed by a wide range musicians, and continues to redevelop and reengineer the means by which it sounds on nearly a continual level. The very first jazz melody â€Å"Agitation† gives the l istener a very exotic feeling by using his trumpet. It combines the different aspects from the musical perspectives. The song follows quick transitions with specific background sounds. The background music keeps the flow of the music steady and continuous. The trumpet is used throughout the music owing to its main emphasis on the intensity to the certain point it shows. In much the same way that saxophone is used within other jazz pieces to represent the missing vocalist, the trumpet within this particular piece gives the depth and complexity that a vocalist might give. Miles Davis improvisation in this specific type of Jazz know as Modal Jazz music has helped specifically to stretch out the harmony of the music into certain parts which makes the it more systematic and helps the music to proceed in an organized manner. Miles Davis stretched out certain improvements in different types of Jazz music, such as bebop, hard bop, cool jazz, modal jazz and jazz fusion. This specific piece f rom Miles Davis joins in with different instruments to give the feel of the environment producing a story of its sort. Ultimately Miles Davis exhibits the ability of the genre jazz to continue to reinvent itself and provide new forms of fusion between bebop, hard bop, cool jazz, modal jazz, and jazz fusion. In such a way, the full depth of evolution of this particular genre is aptly demonstrated to the reader. This modal jazz requires knowledge of musical nodes beforehand. Miles Davis, the most well-known protagonist of Jazz Music history had been on top of creating creative method for Modal Jazz. The video specifically has piano to create the specific background rhyme to the music that follows throughout the length of the video. Throughout the video there are specific changes in the chords, which at times follow a certain transition and after a break follow another set of harmonies. What can be understood with regards to jazz is that it has the unique ability to incorporate a range of different ideas concepts and emotions within a single piece and somehow wrap them up altogether so that they work cohesively. This is of course unique as compared to many other forms of music due to the fact that the average three-minute song only has a chorus are melody that exists for the space of about 15 to 20 seconds. Although the purpose of this analysis is not cheap and aspects of popular music that

What were the cultural and social factors that created the conditions Essay

What were the cultural and social factors that created the conditions for the adoption of radio (wireless) by home users in the 1910s and 1920s - Essay Example The social changes that took place included the rise of mass entertainment in the form of radios as well consumer culture. Various social and cultural factors played a vital role in the adoption of radios by home users in the years 1910s and 1920s as the document discusses (Popular Science Monthly, 1917).   Broadcasting started acting as a crucial instrument in the political and social organization in early twentieth century. The aspect played a very crucial role in enhancing the adoption of radios by home users. At the peak of influence created by this factor, national leaders started making use of radio to address the entire nation. It was because the leaders had come to realize that radios had potential to reach large numbers of the citizens. The factor, therefore, created a necessity of the citizens to own and also adopt a radio so that they would remain updated on any update from leaders. The aspect hence caused many home users to adopt radios after recognizing how significant it was in communication (Hilmes, 2013).   The outbreak of First World War in Europe also triggered the necessity of understanding the activities that were taking place. The factor led to massive adoption of radio by domestic users. The main reason happened to be many people wanted to know the well about of their well about of their relatives in different places of the United States. Towards the final years of the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, radio broadcasting was under strict regulations from the government’s leaders. In 1910s, an Act that gave radio broadcasting freedom was enacted in the United States. One of the factors that got addressed in the Act was freedom of radio stations to be privately owned (Gernsback, 1924). The freedom gave helped the radio broadcasters to air diversified content in terms of news and entertainment. The factor created a sound condition for the adoption radio in homes. Much was available in the radios from

When should we trust our senses to give us truth Essay

When should we trust our senses to give us truth - Essay Example The hurdles are aplenty but the need is to remain steadfast so that truth could be discerned in the least possible time. The resources available at our disposal for finding out this truth are significant since these are the primary actors which play a quintessential role at making us understand what the truth is, if at all, we can come to know what it is, in the first place. Trusting our senses for gaining the ultimate truth that we seek is like trying to understand the very notion related with the ascertainment of truth. It is a difficult process to find out what actually goes behind the scenes as far as the truth building mechanisms is concerned. However one thing is for sure – truth only comes about when the time is right. This has to be backed up by the right series of events and changing time periods, all of which play a significant role in telling us the real truth – a subject upon which we base our paradigms of happiness, sorrow and hope. Trusting our different senses to provide us the truth is difficult to achieve because at times the picture in front of us looks gloomy and thus we are not able to properly comprehend the real meaning which is hidden behind the image. We interpret different things and that too of a complex nature. However the picture is straightforward and it is our lack of attention to detail which makes us go hayw ire during such discussions. Truth is merely the right ingredient of our understanding plus the manner in which we interpret the different series of events. Now if we understand what essentially truth is, we will also delve deep into how it has come about and what it will offer to us with the changing times – the most sought after details related with its attached impediments. Truth usually never comes alone. It has different issues underlying the presence of truth in essence and hence this truth becomes all the more difficult to comprehend once it is in sight of the people for which it is of paramount

Discuss accrual accounting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Discuss accrual accounting - Essay Example s with uncollectible accounts expense and valuation method is used for reducing the amount of accounts receivable in the balance sheet known as the Net Realizable Value (Needles, Powers & Crosson, 2011). The net credit sales of the current period are multiplied by a certain percentage and this percentage is determined by the company’s past experiences. However, the new companies decide the percentage figure by evaluating the businesses that are present in the same industry. Assuming that a business has net credit sales of $100,000 and the estimated percentage for uncollectibles is about 1%, the bad debts expense will have debit of $1,000. If there is credit allowance for doubtful debts of $150, then the total amount to be recorded is $1,150. In this method, the bad debts expense is calculated by multiplying the total Accounts Receivable amount by a pre-determined percentage. For example, if a company has Accounts Receivable of $100,000 at the end of the accounting period and it is estimated that 5% will not be collected, then the bad debts expense amount will be $5,000 at the end of the period. In the aging method, it is believed that the longer an account’s balance is overdue; there are fewer chances that the debt will be paid and every company maintains the accounts receivable schedule of aging for categorizing the credit purchases of each customer in accordance to the time duration that they have remained outstanding. The total balance of each category is then multiplied by the estimated percentage for that particular category to determine the amount of uncollectible accounts and the total of categories then give the final figure of bad debts expense. Among all the techniques used in the allowance method, the most reliable one is the aging method as it gives a true picture to the business about the amount of Accounts Receivable that will most likely be not collected by the company. This method is the most effective option as it records the expenses on a

Buyer Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 1

Buyer Behavior - Essay Example e a product is relatively expensive and possibly technologically complex, prospective purchasers often go through a complex search and evaluation process prior to making a purchase. Various models of consumer behaviour have been developed over the years. The models reflect the different buying situations in which consumers find themselves. Factors influencing consumer behaviour must be considered as well as similar factors influencing the buying decisions in business to business transactions. An understanding of these factors and how they influence the buying decision are extremely important when putting together a selling strategy. Market research also plays an important part in helping to identify relevant facts about buyer behaviour (consumer or organizational) and provides all kinds of information which forms the basis of strategy formulation. A motive to make a certain purchase is an internal state of the purchase. While consumer behavior is observable, motives are psychological constructs that can only be inferred. Buying motives for consumer products may be classified as economic, emotional, product, and retail patronage. Some of the motives may be rational while others are emotional. To illustrate, economic motives include product durability or economy in use. Emotional motives might include romance, pleasure, or prestige. Product purchase motives might involve ease for making repairs or ease of installation. Patronage motives relate to variety for selection or promptness in delivery. Motives relate to perception. Motives come from the consumers real self, self-image, ideal self, and looking-glass self. The way consumers envision the situation to themselves helps to shape their reactions or responses to marketers appeals (Sharon, Boyle, 2004: 343). Consumer goals and needs are constantly changing in response to environmental conditions, interaction with others, and physical conditions. As individuals realize their goals, new objectives may be

RISK MANAGMENT FOR DIFFERENT CASES Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

RISK MANAGMENT FOR DIFFERENT CASES - Case Study Example Discussion Distinctive feature with Dubai’s palm islands is that unlike the development and construction of such other islands in the world where metal as well as concrete are applied, this island’s construction wholly adopts natural materials (Butler, 2005). This therefore represented the main challenge while designing the artificial island and collaborative efforts by ‘’construction contractors and engineering scientists’ were involved for the exercise. Major risk was however the way to sustain the sand island after reclamation taking into consideration the exposure to tides as well as waves and rising sea level as influenced by global warming (â€Å"Palm Islands, Dubai - Compression of the Soil† 2013). Nevertheless, the construction of a crescent water-break structure has the capacity of protecting the island from the adverse effects of such waves and tidal rises. Precaution is however taken by the scientists who constructed the breakwater crescent because the destruction of the crescent has a direct implication of destruction of the island. This therefore presents the main challenge. Among other lessons learnt from this construction is that the islands are artificial and made of natural materials without such materials as concrete and metal. Besides, the island’s construction suffered time constraint and was scheduled to last only three years, a challenge that the contractors were to succeed in. the construction of the crescent faced a major challenge of poor water circulation which they sought to address through two openings through which tidal water would replenish the fronds water supply and control stagnation. Another challenge is that the sand used is loose and uncompacted which presents the main threat to the welfare of the island. Liquefaction is therefore seen to have a high potential of occurring in the event that an earthquake occurs, which would have adverse outcomes to the islands (‘MESSINA p roject’, 2005). The precautions in this construction process were inevitable as the design was intended to support over a million people upon completion (‘Island life’, nd). Erosion along the beach posed another major problem with the palm island where unlike with natural beaches, the artificial beach would fail to replenish sand washed always by water, as would be a natural course with the natural beaches (Choomchaiyo, 2009). The analysis of this project presents some basic risks, which pose a threat to the successful completion of the project as designed. Financial resources were paramount with the project requiring continued adjustment longitudinal researches. The controversy around the matching of the financial as well as resultant social benefits from the project and the costs incurred poses a major challenge to determine. Besides, misrepresentations and miscalculations while planning for the project has adverse effects in costs incurred by the public over t he project. Other risks associated with the project are costs risks (such as maintenance, construction as well as operation of the island), demand risks (forecasting revenue returns to be earned), future financial market performance as well as political risks. Moreover, such a mega project has the capacity of fragmenting social as well as physical coherence in the island (Darmaki, 2008). The palm project

Pricing Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Pricing - Case Study Example The kind of retailing done on the Sainsbury’s website may not reflect the kind of perfect competition that online commentators had believed would happen. The products offered at Sainsbury’s are priced differently from local retailer’s shops. Some are more expensive while others are cheaper than in offline shops. The kinds of products sold differ almost daily. However, there are some products that have been on offer for quite a while. The consumers who buy from the website are not necessarily the same ones who frequent the off-line retail shops. The website also offers value added services which may not be offered in other websites selling the same kinds of products. For instance, in the Food and drinks section customers may have a look at free recipes provided by the website. The website can be summed up as the one stop online shop for anything that one might want. Perfect competition is the term that is used to describe the kind of market in which no market players can control the market or set prices for homogenous products. The principles of perfect competition are considered by many to be strict as they have to meet the following criteria: In a perfectly competitive market, there has to be a large supplier base. However, each of these suppliers has to have an insignificant market share. In this regard, it becomes too hard for the firm or supplier to be able to control price through its own supply network. Sainsbury’s is a single supplier of a large variety of products. The online company has a huge supply network that makes it easy to control its own products. The same case is replicated in many online retail businesses which have a large supply and customer base. This gives them the power to comfortably set their own pricing standards without having to rely on the pricing of the overall market. A perfect competitive market cannot happen in such an environment where the market players are not price takers, but price setters

CUSTOMER CARE AND ROLE OF THE OVERSEAS REPRESENTIVE Essay

CUSTOMER CARE AND ROLE OF THE OVERSEAS REPRESENTIVE - Essay Example Large organisations are observed to be expanding their businesses globally in order to maintain their competitive position amid their competitors by offering an assortment products based on the local needs and preferences (Blaxter & et. al., 2001). However, it has often been viewed that the aim of expanding is considered to be one of the major tasks which at times results in negligence in the way customer satisfaction should be taken care of. With the changing demand in the preference of goods amid people, it has become vital for every organisation to implement new steps that would help them to fulfil the rising demands of their customers. Today’s tourism industry is recognised as one of the growing global industries. It has been measured that today many students selects travel and tourism as their field of study and chose to select it as the way of earning their livelihood. Additionally, tourism industry is viewed to provide challenging and exciting working environment which is attracting more people towards it. Overseas representatives are essentially organisational members who represent themselves as an authorised person to act as an official delegate or agent. The role of overseas representatives in a tourism industry is essential as they are responsible to look after all the requirements of their customers, which in turn helps in building better customer relationship with the organisation. Although tourism is considered to be a growing industry, it has been viewed that minimum research has been conducted to study the importance of overseas representatives in tourism industry and their role to maintain good customer care. In this regard, organisations or people who mainly aim to study the role of overseas representatives in tourism industry and their role in maintaining good customer care level would be attracted towards this research as it would aid them to understand the various factors associated with the job role and the importance of overseas re presentatives in tourism industry (Dale & Oliver, 2005). The Research Questions Based on the selected research topic, the two research questions that would be addressed in the proposed study are â€Å"what are the roles of overseas representative to establish better customer car

Woolworths Case Study Draft Essay Example for Free

Woolworths Case Study Draft Essay Part 1: Goodwill and Discontinued Operations a) Carrying value of goodwill 24 June 2012 The carrying value of goodwill in Woolworth’s consolidated financial statements was $3221.8 Million (M) at 24 June 2012. This figure is included within ‘intangible assets’ on the consolidated balance sheet and exact amount is disclosed in the Note 11 of Notes to consolidated financial statements (Woolworths 2012, p 126). b) Movements in carrying value of goodwill The carrying value of goodwill at the beginning of the period was $3227.7M (Woolworths 2012, p 126). An additional $42.1M was recognised throughout the year due to additional acquisition of businesses, with less . 5M for disposals and $0.7M for other expenses. Woolworths also recognised an impairment loss of $70.6M for the year. There was also an effect of movements in foreign exchange rates of $24.8M, which resulted in a carrying amount of $3221.8million at the end of the period (Woolworths 2012, p 126). c) Impairment loss on goodwill i) Impairment loss on Goodwill at 24 June 2012 was $70.6M. ii) Woolworth’s accounting policy with respect to impairment testing of goodwill is consistent with AASB 139 Intangible Assets. Note 11 (Woolworths 2012, p 126) specifically states that intangible assets (such as goodwill) with indefinite useful lives are tested for impairment annually and when there is indication that the asset may be impaired, the impairment loss is recognised when the carrying amount exceeds the recoverable amount. Recoverable amount is further defined to be the higher of fair value less cost to sell and value in use. iii) Impairment loss on goodwill was a result of Woolworth’s announcement to restructure and divest the Consumer Electronics Business. The amount is also disclosed as ‘discontinued operations’ in Note 33 (Woolworths 2012, p 96) for $366.2M. AASB 5.32 defined discontinued operations to be a part of an entity that represents a separate line, or part, of business or geographical area or subsidiary acquired exclusively for resale that had been disposed or classified as held for sale. A separate line item from continuing operations is required as a single figure disclosed in statement of comprehensive income or Notes. iv) The fair value less costs to sell figure of $420M (Woolworths 2012, p 174) includes impairment loss, restructuring provisions relating to goodwill, inventory, plant property and equipment, and lease exit costs. Since the impairment loss attributed to goodwill was $70.6M. Hence (420-70.6M) = $349.4M is attributable to fair value losses related to net  assets. Since held for sale assets disclosed in the Balance sheet (Woolworths 2012, p 99) is $376.7M, the net assets prior recognising the loss would have approximately been (349.4+376.7M) $726.1M, assuming that transaction costs and lease exit costs are negligible. v) The Dick Smith Electronics brand and stores were sold for $20M (Janda 2012). As the held for sale assets was recognised to be $376.7M, the net loss Woolworths would recognise is (376.7-20) $356.7M in the 2012-2013 financial period. Part 2: Investments in controlled entities a) Woolworths Limited group structure b) Non-controlling interest The carrying dollar value of the non-controlling interest (NCI) in Woolworths Limited as at 24 June 2012 was $258.1 million (Woolworths 2012, p 103). This NCI is the dollar amount of the combined equity interests in the parent companys subsidiaries not owned by the parent. When interviewed in 2013 Professor Chris Nobes confirmed that the figure also represented the profits made by NCI’s that have not yet been allocated to them. The respective NCI for the Woolworths Limited group applies to the external equity interests held in Woolworths Limiteds subsidiaries of ALH Group Pty Ltd, Australian Independent Retailers Pty Ltd, Bergam Pty Limited, Hydrox Holdings Pty Ltd and Statewide Independent Wholesalers Limited (Woolworths 2012, p 164-167). Woolworths Limiteds annual report is not useful for non-controlling shareholders. The reason for this is the information regarding NCI is aggregated as it combines all the information from separate subsidiaries with NCIs into combined figures which cannot be separated by a shareholder. It may then be argued that information regarding NCI should be more detailed however when interviewed in 2013 Professor Chris Nobes suggested that non-controlling shareholders should only be interested in the reports of their subsidiary as they are more detailed. Fortunately there are separate financial statements available for the subsidiaries with non-controlling interests. The reason for this is that the class action, ASIC Class Order 98/1418, exempting some subsidiaries from reporting requirements only pertains to wholly-owned subsidiaries (Woolworths 2012, p. 168). Therefore separate financial statements are available for subsidiaries of Woolworths Limited that have non-controlling interests. c) AASB 3.19 The Australian Accounting Standards Board (AASB) (2010, para 19) gives controlling entities a choice between measuring the non-controlling interest (NCI) using the 100% method or the proportionate method. The proportionate method does not assign goodwill to the NCI as it relates to the subsidiarys net identifiable assets. In comparison the 100% method requires the non-controlling interest to be measured at its fair value which includes goodwill. One reason an entity may prefer to use the proportionate method is that it does not require a calculation of fair value for the NCI. The calculation of fair value for the NCI may be difficult in circumstances where an active market does not exist. Using Woolworths Limiteds annual report we can gather information relating to which method they chose to use. Their significant accounting policies relating to goodwill state that goodwill represents the difference between the cost of the acquisition and the fair  value of the net identifiable assets acquired (Woolworths Limited 2012, p 108). Therefore this policy describes the same process for identifying goodwill as the process used in the proportionate method and it may be concluded that Woolworths is using the proportionate method. The issues regarding the choice between the two methods are interesting. The choice seems to be more beneficial for the parent entity rather than the NCI as a company such as Woolworths Limited may choose to consistently use the proportionate method. This may misrepresent the value of the NCI to be lower as this method does not have a goodwill component for the NCI which the 100% method often has. Therefore the disclosures under the proportionate method made by Woolworths Limited regarding the NCI values could be undervalued. When interviewed in 2013 Professor Chris Nobes suggested that the choice between the two methods may affect comparability of financial statements. This point is reiterated by the International Accounting Standards Board (2012, para BC210). A further issue according to the International Accounting Standards Board (2012, para BC213) is that the 100% method is more expensive to use which is one key reason for the inclusion of the proportionate method. Using all these arguments one can see that there are many perspectives about which method is better and whether a choice should have been included in the standard. Still we should not be too concerned as Professor Chris Nobes confirms in his 2013 interview that not many business acquisitions have NCI components or they have an insignificant NCI component and therefore the issue of choice under AASB 3.19 is small. Part 3: Segment note a) Reportable segments Woolworths (2012) has identified five reportable segments related to continuing operations according to AASB 8.13. Each reporting segment is managed separately due to the varying products and services they offer, as well as the requirement of ‘different technology and marketing strategies’ (Woolworths 2012, p 119) of each business unit. The reportable segments are split into two categories of Retail Operations and Hotels, with the former comprising of Australian Food Liquor, New Zealand Supermarkets, Petrol and Big W. As at 24 June 2012, the Australian Food Liquor segment comprised of 872 Australian supermarkets, totalling approximately 6.52% of total EBIT, and 160 Dan Murphy Liquor stores (Woolworths 2012). The Woolworths convenience liquor businesses; BWS and Woolworths Liquor are also included within the segment. This segment relies heavily on consumer confidence levels as the bulk of the sales stems from general groceries found at the supermarket as an alternative to fast food outlets that offer more affordable meal options. Similarly, the New Zealand Supermarkets segment specialises in the ‘procurement of Food and Liquor and products for resale to customers in New Zealand’ (Woolworths 2012, p 119). The ‘Countdown’ supermarkets operate in the same way as the Woolworths supermarkets in Australia, with a total of 161 supermarkets opened across the country as at June 24 2012. In the Petrol segment, the ‘procurement of Petroleum products for resale to customers in Australia’ (Woolworths 2012, p 119) is categorised through the Woolworths/Caltex alliance sites. This segment, coupled with the Big W segment, ; the ‘procurement of discount general merchandise products for resale to customers in Australia’ (Woolworths 2012, p 119) round off the reportable retail operations segments as the smallest, bearing not as big influence as the supermarket segments in relation to the group. Furthermore, the hotels segment is heavily affiliated with the liquor stores and supermarkets, as they provide leisure and hospitality services including alcohol and food, as well as gaming and accommodation. There are 294 hotel venues in operation as at June 24 2012, with Dan Murphy’s and BWS stores affiliated with over 500 hotels in total. b) Investment analysis When determining the ‘better’ investment between Woolworths Limited and Wesfarmers Limited amidst volatilities in the New Zealand economy and Australian groceries, liquor and petrol sectors, it is important not to make direct comparisons between the two companies encompassing different segment disclosure methods despite the compliance with AASB 8. Woolworths has identified New Zealand Supermarkets as a reportable segment, presenting comprehensive revenue data including other operating revenue and inter-segment revenue. Contrastingly, Wesfarmers does not comply with AASB 8.23 a) and b) by only disclosing the New Zealand revenue by geographical location. Nevertheless, assuming that the sales to customers was used by both companies, the following revenue calculations were calculated since the previous year: Comparability between the competing companies becomes increasingly difficult when analysing the investment in relation to the volatile groceries, liquor and petrol sectors. Whilst Woolworths identified the Australian Food Liquor and Petrol business units as different reportable segments, Wesfarmers grouped this financial information under ‘Coles’. The information regarding the allocation of revenues between operating units for Wesfarmers is not provided, hampering an ethical investing choice for external users. Despite the reporting issues, a revenue analysis was conducted in order to determine the most profitable company. Since the Coles segment was determined by a sum of undisclosed food, liquor, hotels, convenience and petrol data, the following analysis used Woolworths as a sum of its same divisions: Though abiding by AASB 8, Wesfarmers disclosed as little information as possible. It is clear that Wesfarmers possesses a fear of disclosure, and would rather present aggregated data in order to hide potential information  about risk, losses and debt levels for a particular Company 2012 $A revenue (millions) 2011 $A revenue (millions) $A change (millions) % change Woolworths 4301.8 4110.5 191.3 4.654% Wesfarmers 1283 1174 109 9.2845% Company Segment Revenue 2012 (millions) Segment Revenue 2011 (millions) Segment EBIT 2012 (millions) Segment EBIT 2011 (millions) % change in segment Revenue % change in segment EBIT Woolworths 45,815.6 43,478.4 3140 2980.2 5.34% 5.36% Coles 34,117 32,073 1356 1166 6.373% 16.3% segment. However, when removing segment reporting variability between the two companies, it is clear that greater growth opportunities exists for Wesfarmers, and is therefore the recommended investment. c) AASB 8 non-disclosures i) Despite clear disclosure of revenue for its reportable segments, Woolworths did not disclose its segment assets and segment liabilities. Therefore, it is assumed that the company did not comply with AASB 8.21 b), where information about segment assets and liabilities was not disclosed. However, AASB 8.23 states that ‘an entity shall report a measure of liabilities for each reportable segment if such an amount is regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker’ (AASB 2010, p 15). Similarly, this extends to the non-disclosure of segment assets according to AASB 25: ‘only those assets that are included in the measures of the segment’s assets that are used by the chief operating decision maker shall be reported for that segment’. Here it is agreed that the CODM of Woolworths does not believe the risk and opportunities of these items are important, thus the non-disclosure in the segment reports. ii) Whilst Woolworths was able to disaggregate the diverse aspects of their total business, Wesfarmers aggregated the majority of their core business operation within the ‘Coles’ segment. It is clear that Wesfarmers does not comply with AASB 8.20; by not enabling users to ‘evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business activities in which it engages’ (AASB 2010, p 14). However, AASB 8.22 b) states that an entity shall disclose ‘the types of products and services from which each reportable segment derives its revenues’ (AASB 2010, p 15). It is clear that Wesfarmers abide by this standard by disclosing the components of the Coles segment, instead of the revenue figures generated from each segment. d) ACCC investigation i) Acts of ‘unconscionable conduct’ such as high bargaining strength for Woolworths and Wesfarmers resulting in demands for extra payments, penalties and threat to suppliers that products will be removed from shelves (Rolfe 2013) would be highly financially beneficial to the two groups as they are significantly lowering the costs of supplies, and thus allowing opportunity to increase profit margins. This is further evidenced in Coles’ 15% increase in pre-tax earnings in 6 months (Rolfe 2013) and a 24% increase in pretax earnings for Wesfarmers despite the same level of stock. The two groups also demonstrate significant market power through ‘interesting’ competitive methods (Kidd 2013) of purchasing each  other’s profitable stores as the purchases show the ‘significant financial strength’ (ACCC 2013) of the business. ii) Coles and Woolworths can minimise disclosures as to hide ‘unconscionable conduct’ and ‘misuse of market power’ by not disclosing costs of supplies in their segment notes. AASB 8 requires a ‘management approach’ to be adopted where information used by the ‘chief operating decision maker’ internally for segment evaluation is disclosed (AASB 8.5b). This allows great  flexibility for management to aggregate figures into the disclosed segments which Woolworths had divided into geographical and operational segments. The aggregated figures disclosed are summarised and does not disclose any information about cost of supplies (Woolworths 2012, p 119). In fact, only revenues attributable to each segment is reported. Australian Food and Liquor segment reported $37,681.4M revenue, which depicts a substantially larger segment relative to New Zealand Supermarkets, Petrol, Big W and Hotels, which average at $5000M each. iii) Since Woolworths’ business in Australia is significantly larger than other segments, from the perspective of consumer groups, it would be beneficial to further divide the Australian Food and Liquor segment into State segments, for example. Currently, Australia has 872 stores, New Zealand has 161 stores and that NSW, QLD, VIC all have larger number of stores than New Zealand, it would be beneficial to further dissect the segments into regional groups.

Analysis of Films about Racial Conflicts and Discrimination

Analysis of Films about Racial Conflicts and Discrimination The four texts used in this essay are ‘Crash, ‘The Help, ‘American History X and ‘Gran Torino that are based on the two connections Prejudice and Character Development. They have shown similar traits how a lead character is influenced from prejudices in societies and have change on their perspectives on life. These films are important because they are influential to the viewer to show that people can change and that these negative thoughts can be socially extracted. The first connection I will be discussing is Prejudice; this connection is important because it is a conflicting social issue and is a serious matter in society. The second connection is character development, which is shown through strong film techniques. They all have a lead character such as John Ryan, Skeeter Phelan, Derek Vinyard and Walt Kowalski that all have similar cultural perspectives from tough social backgrounds. The characters have an attitude transition that reflects towards the char acters around them to reveal how it is possible to influence change on others. My first connection is focused on the theme of Prejudice; this is shown in scenarios in the four films ‘Crash, ‘The Help, ‘American History X and ‘Gran Torino. The theme prejudice is significant in the films because it is a premature judgement and is a conflicting attitude towards people or groups in society. This connection can affect a persons behaviour and approach that can potentially lead to discrimination to others. The characters in the films are based on stereotypes and overall impressions of people society. The significance of this connection shows that people are not born with prejudice, but have socially experienced these views on others that can further lead to conflict in communities. The first text that shows Prejudice is ‘Crash directed by Paul Haggis is a multi-plot narrative with characters from different racial groups in Los Angeles. This includes racial groups such as white, blacks, Mexicans, Iranians, Asians and Russians, in the film all these ethnic groups are guilty of racial discrimination or somehow a victim of it in some way. This film shows that not only whites are prejudiced, but minorities have prejudiced toward others and towards their own race. A key example of racial prejudice is shown through Officer John Ryan who is prejudiced against blacks. Although Officer Ryan is the main antagonist, he is the character that changes the most, risking his life in an effort to save the life black woman he sexually harassed. Paul Haggis portrays that Ryan is guilty of racial discrimination. An example of prejudice in the film is shown when Ryan phones a health clinic on behalf of his ill father, a black woman refuses his request to see a different doctor . After revealing her name, Shaniqua, Ryan replies big f**king surprise that is. He has already made his mind up about her race by her name, after having a conversation with her with contempt. This aspect reveals that he shows discrimination to all blacks. Its the sense of touch. In any real city, you walk, you know? You brush past people; people bump into you. In L.A., nobody touches you. Were always behind this metal and glass. I think we miss that touch so much, that we crash into each other just so we can feel something. This quote shows that every person needs to have physical contact with another person in society. In the setting of the film (Los Angeles) is portraying it is a busy city where nobody takes time to notice anyone, so people feel isolated. The purpose of this shows people feel desperate from contact in society that we perform unconsciously commit violence or commit to acts in order to gain direct contact we desire from human beings. The film shows that the discrim ination is entirely inescapable and is not necessary; there will always be preconceived notions out there. The second film that shows Prejudice is ‘The Help directed by Tate Taylor; this is based in the 1960s in Mississippi with signs of social division favouring the white ethnic groups. The film shows legal segregation and financial struggles of African-American people with limited employment opportunities. The woman who served as the help were treated poorly, they had to have different bathrooms because they were accused of carrying diseases and were only able to have one set of cutlery utensils. This is shown through the film technique of the camera shot; this is a long-shot of Hilly Holbrook looking down over Aibileen. The shot is used to show that whites are superior to African-Americans in society and that they are almost powerless. This film is important because it promotes equally and accepting treatment of all ethnic groups. It shows that society has changed vastly over the last 50 years and that social division has reduced. The director, however, shows that there are still signs of racial discrimination in society, and there is still a divide between racial groups. God says we need to love our enemies. It hard to do. However it can start by telling the truth. This quote shows that in order to have balance in society we need to start respecting each other and to treat everyone equally. The character Aibileen shows to women that we are all the same and not that much divides people into society only prejudice beliefs. The third film that shows Prejudice is ‘American History X directed by Tony Kaye, conveying racial discrimination, equality and stereotyping. The film revolves around the main character Derek Vinyard who prejudices racial, ethnic groups due to blacks that murdered his father. The two brothers Derek and Danny show to the audience that hate is learned, but shows that their racial discrimination is influenced by the father who is a racist man. A key of example of this is shown at the dinner to scene that shows the viewer how racist people are made in society. Derek says I do not respect anyone who lets these monkeys in the streets he is discriminating monkeys that are referred to like blacks. He believes that Police do not have the privilege to let African-Americans into societies because they only cause crime. Hate is baggage. Lifes is too short to be pissed off all the time. Its just not worth it. The quote used by Danny to show that discrimination is pointless, there is no poin t having racial grudges a lifetime should be used for better things .This film is important because it sends a message to the viewer that racism can be turned around and forgotten about. The film shows a never ending cycle of Prejudice as Danny is shot by an African-American due to his social views on ethnic groups. The film is relevant because the cycle needs to stop in society in order to respect everyone; everyone deserves to be treated equally because we are all the same. Finally the fourth film that shows Prejudice is ‘Gran Torino directed by Gran Torino. This film focuses on racial slandering, stereotyping and discrimination, shows friendship building, true family values and community conflict. The film primarily focuses on the character Walt Kowalski a retired war veteran who appears to be forced into racism after serving in the Korean War. Walts world is changing with his wife pasting away; neighbourhood is decaying, his family relationship is slipping away and he is clinging to his Korean War memories that take away the happiness in his life. Walt finally receives his redemption by conflicting destructive prejudice, consuming Hmong teenage gangs that have consumed him. The relationship between Walt and his neighbours causes him to overcome his racial issues and puts this neighbourhood further ahead than his own. This is important because it shows us how a friendship that never would have grown can even sometimes save a life. The importance of this connection is shown through the use of dialogue I thought you Asian girls were supposed to be smart. This filming technique reveals Walt stereotypes Asian races only due to societys opinions on Asian people. This is an important issue because racial profiling targets all people of a particular race. The link in the text shows also how this can also lead to how racial groups can sometimes be treated like criminals and is unfair on the innocent people of these racial groups. My second connection involves character development, with key characters such as John Ryan, Skeeter Phelan, Derek Vinyard and Walt Kowalski that have had significant impacts on the public. The purpose of this contact of character development is to show that people have the ability to change their lives. That everybody has massive potential of creating change by events in reality that can further influence the people around them to do so. The four texts all show obvious signs of character development through constant transitions of change and perspectives on others lives. The first text I will be discussing is ‘Crash directed by Paul Haggis that contains several protagonist characters one of the stand out characters is Officer John Ryan, this is show through character development. Officer Ryan is perceived as an extremely verbal person but his non-verbal communication speaks even louder. Early in the film, Ryan sells himself as a stereotypical arrogant police officer. This is shown when he pulled over Cameron and his wife Christine, this is due to him having hatred towards blacks, and he used his power to provoke inappropriate behaviour towards an innocent couple of colour. When Christine put her hands on the car, he began to feel her up and fiercely intimidating Character. However, as the movie progressed, you see Ryan living with his Dad and taking care of him due to his health problems. Then we see him take extreme measures to try to gain any health benefit for his father. Finally at the climax scene of the film you see him have a transition to risk his own life to save Christine. My father doesnt deserve to suffer like this. He was a janitor. He struggled his whole life. Saved enough to start his own company. Twenty-three employees, all of them black. Paid em equal wages when no one else was doing that. This quote is used to show that life is a never ending cycle and that you only get what you give and that karma will find a way back on you. This contact shows that it is only human to form an opinion of the whole when only based on a few. It shows that stereotyping many groups of people based, only a few incidents is a strong perception of people making false judgements in society. The character redeems him, but let his bitterness and emotion control his life and took it out on those who didnt deserve it. The film portrays that there is always going to be bad things to happen to us in life and we cannot hide from these issues. But it is up to us in society to go about how we handle and move on to define who we are. The second text that involves character development is ‘The Help directed by Tate Taylor is primarily focusing on the main character Skeeter Phelan helping the African-American community in America. Skeeter is brought up in a white high-division society that has strong feelings for coloured races which lead Skeeter to be so liberated throughout the film. The character is influenced in seeing her friends employ African-American maids. Skeeter both admires and fears letting down her mother and her friend Hilly. Even though she pursues completing a manuscript called Help with assistance from a maid name Aibilieen. She seeks the reason Constantine abruptly left her familys employment. Dont waste your time on obvious things. Write about what disturbs you; particularly if it seems to bother no one else. This quote is used to inspire Skeeter to write about The Help because they are pushed away from white society and werent given a fair chance of financial employment. This character is prominent to the public to stand up for peoples rights and to not be afraid of getting a viewpoint across in todays society. This character showed me to believe in you and to see others from their point of view; she stood up for blacks rights and gave them a chance in American society. The strong message in the text is to not go down the same path as people who prejudice others, but to choose your own destiny and to treat everyone equally. The third text I will be discussing about my second connection of character development is ‘American History X directed by Tony Kaye revealing the important traits of Derek Vinyard. The main character Derek Vinyard is a leader of a neo-Nazi group in Los Angeles, who goes to prison for murdering an African-American for breaking into his car. When Derek goes to prison, he is seen as a Nazi member with racist tattoos who is invited to the Aryan Brotherhood chapter. Derek rapidly becomes disengaged with this cult and that eventually lead to him being brutally raped by a skinhead member, by this happening Derek sees a greater side of life and wants to leave his ties with the group behind. He sees that there is no benefit of being in this gang, and wants to prevent his younger brother Danny to follow down the same path that he did. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory will swell when again touched, as surely they will be by the better angels of our nature. This quote is a summary of the character development of Derek Vinyard as his brother saw him do wrong actions. This shows that our emotions and misguided prejudices separate us from everyone. This film is important because it shows that people with strength to lead us to what is right will show error in our actions to support us to lives allies, not enemies. This connection is relevant in society because people are often mislead from others and dont ever change. This film shows we are better off to change and be independent that to be together and unhappy. The final text is ‘Gran Torino directed by Clint Eastwood; there are obvious signs of character development shown in the text, and this is from the main character Walt Kowalski. This shown in the film when Walt has new neighbours moving into his neighbourhood that lead to gangs being involved with the family. The character Walt is perceived as a racist Korean War Hero; that is becoming increasingly unhappy with his family and his wife passing away, he builds a relationship with the Hmong people. Walt had no problem calling it like he saw it. However, he was right. I knew nothing about life or death, until I got to know Walt and boy did I learn. This quote shows Walts true personality as he is seen as a stubborn aged man that slowly changes into a respectable, influential person. Walt does not want to be seen weak or to be taken care of, the minute he sees the Taul having a difficult time, he steps up to help him. This connection is important because, it shows how people are ab le to build a relationship from cultural differences and can be influenced to change into a tender minded and gregarious neighbour and father figure who define altruism. In Walts will, he donates his house the local church and gives his prized possession of the Gran Torino to Taul, to pay his respects from his past of murdering Korean people. This film is important because it reveals how change can be good towards someone but can also help people around you. The character Walt showed me that you need others that respect you to find peace and happiness. It is my opinion that the four texts ‘Crash, ‘The Help, ‘American History X and ‘Gran Torino all have strong views such as prejudice and discrimination that are relevant in society. The two connections I have chosen are prejudice and character development that are similar throughout the texts. The films have shown me how social issues are a distraction in society and take away the true colour of people and remove human spirit. Its also shown me that there isnt equality in society and that there is racial discrimination and that not everybody is given a fair chance on life. Each film has significant ideas such as stereotyping and social division that are issues that will most likely be around forever. Overall I would recommend the films in this essay because there are viewpoints that go unnoticed, the films can potentially inspire the viewer to have an attitude transition as the characters have. The films reveal messages that social problems are a never ending cycle and that it is up to us to break the cycle and to respect everyone.

Livestock Slaughter Animals

Livestock Slaughter Animals Livestock slaughter: Processes, concerns and regulations The slaughter of livestock animals is an essential part of the world today. There are many methods and tools that can be used on the livestock. Slaughtering is performed for many reasons, the most common would be for human consumption but there is religious slaughter that is also practiced in many parts of the world. There are many laws that are enforced to ensure that the slaughter of livestock is conducted correctly and humanely to guarantee the safety of the products that are used for human consumption. The history of slaughter started as a way of survival, as humans began to become civilized they discovered that it was easier to contain the animals that they previously hunted and to put them on high protein diets to increase their weight. The more weight, the more useable product that came from the animal. Today slaughter is no longer just for survival, it is also used to control the livestock population. Although human consumption is still the primary reason, if animal slaughter did not exist their populations would increase dramatically and would become overpopulated causing inbreeding and risk of disease. The common practice of slaughter starts with the initial killing of the animal, either by a firearm shot to the head or a stunning method which is also applied to the head. The animal is then hoisted up by its hind legs with meat hooks inserted into made slits between the bone and tendon just above the hocks. The processing of a cow starts with the expulsion of the insides. Certain edible parts can be kept such as the heart, liver and intestines which can be used as casings for sausage mixes. This starts with the cutting through the hide on the hind legs just below the meat hooks and continues down the cow so the insides can now be removed. Removal of the insides is easily done and virtually mess free if an empty barrel is pressed against the chest of the animal and the insides are then rolled into the barrel as you cut down the belly. After the animal is cleaned out it is then skinned, which is the removal of its hide. Next the head and legs are removed from the animal, this is usua lly done with a hacksaw or a reciprocating saw specially made for the butchering of animals. The carcass is then cut vertically into two halves and stored into a cooler. The purpose of the cooler is to prevent microorganism growth on the carcass so it will delay decomposition of the carcass. After the carcass is fully chilled it is then brought out into the butchering end of the facility. The end of processing the animal starts with the halving the halves, so the full carcass has now been quartered. Specialty cuts are then made from here like your T-bone steak, chops, ribs, etc. All cuts of meat that are made go through a process called de-boning. It is a simple process where you make the specialty cuts, trim fat, and remove any bones and defaults in the meat. The extra meat, also called â€Å"scraps† are then put into a grinder and made into ground beef. From here it is basically the customers choice on what they desire from the animal and it is then wrapped and put into a storage freezer for the customer to pickup. Ritual, or religious slaughter, is also practiced in many parts of the world and is still practiced today. These slaughter practices are sacred and have to be performed a certain way in order to be considered religious. This type of slaughter is usually performed with the sacrifice of an animal. The difference between regular slaughter houses and ritual slaughter is the way that it is performed. The sacrificial animal has to be terminated in a certain way, usually by bleeding out and some parts of the animal can not be consumed. The two most common types of ritual slaughter are Kosher slaughter and Halal. (J.M. Regenstein, 2003) Kosher slaughter is the law of Kashrut, it is practiced by the Jewish religion but not every one in this religion follows the kosher practice because of the todays society and the practice is thought to be an outdated ritual. This practice is based upon the act of faith and being obedient to God, many of the kosher laws are derived from the Old Testament in the Bible. In order for the food to be considered Kosher, only certain livestock animals can be used such as beef, sheep, goats, and deer with no flaws or diseases. The â€Å"law† of this is that only animals that chew their cud and have cloven hooves are considered to be kosher. (J.M. Regenstein, 2003) The processes of the ritual slaughter is that as much blood as possible has to be drained from the animal, since in this religion it is forbidden to ingest the blood of the animal. The common practice of draining the blood of the animal is to cut the animals throat with an extremely sharp knife. The carcass is then hung so that the blood will drain out, after being hung, the carcass is washed and salted with â€Å"kosher salt† and cooked to well done. Halal is another form of religious slaughter that is practiced by the Muslim religion. Halal means lawful or permitted and the opposite of halal is haram which means unlawful or prohibited. Many foods are referred to as being either halal or haram. The animal must be slaughtered with only the use of an extremely sharp knife. One of the major arguments about religious slaughter is that it is considered cruel to the animal and is not a humane act of slaughtered because of the restraint methods. Most slaughter plants restrain the live animal in an upright position before the initial killing of the animal, but there are also some religious slaughter plants that hang the live animal upside down and then do the killing. Hanging a live animal upside down has many negative affects such as the possibility of harm to the animal and also to the people performing the practice. (J.M. Regenstein, 2003) Minnesota state law states the following as the humane way to terminate a livestock animal. The law requires humane slaughter of livestock, defined as any method of slaughtering livestock which normally causes animals to be rendered insensible to pain by a single blow of a mechanical instrument or shot of a firearm or by chemical, or other means that are rapid and effective; or by methods of preparation necessary to Halal ritual slaughter, Jewish ritual slaughter and of slaughtering required by the ritual of the Islamic or Jewish faith. â€Å"Livestock† under this act is limited to cattle, horses, swine, sheep and goats. Any slaughterer who by act or failure to act violates section 31.591 is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished accordingly. (Minnesota State Statute: 31.59-592) There are many different methods of slaughtering that are practiced. The cheapest would be a firearm shot to head of the animal; the most used would be the stunning method, where there are multiple stunning tools and practices. There is also a captive bolt, electrical, gas and anoxic stunning methods that are used as well. The most controversial method of slaughter would be the stunning of an animal because if not done correctly can cause only nerve damage while the cow is still conscious and alive while being processed. Recent concerns about captive bolt stunning in livestock is the spread of BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy), also know as, mad cow disease. A possible risk in using this method is that when the animal is stunned that the brain matter is forced through the jugular vein and passes through the lungs and enters the edible carcass. This poses a threat that if the animal being slaughtered had the BSE prion, an infective protein agent, in their brain and this is passed into the carcass and then later sold for human consumption. (Anil, M.H., 2001) Variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease (BSE in humans) is another concern when discussing methods of stunning in slaughter. This disease is caused by the consumption of contaminated central nervous system tissue that had been passed through the body of the animal into the edible parts of the carcass. (Paul Brown, 2001) The most recent topic of interest in the livestock industry today is the Bovine Tuberculosis (TB) and the effect it will have on, not only the cattle farms, but the slaughter houses themselves. The slaughter plants will now have to increase their sanitation practices to prevent the disease from spreading from carcass to carcass if an infected animal were to be brought in to be processed. With limited funding for the TB infected herds, most farmers are just taking their animals in and butchering them because they either cant sell them because their infected or cant afford to have their entire herd tested. This brings up another issue of an overload of animals to be slaughtered and the fact that if they are bringing in cattle that are infected or have the recessive gene that it would be spread to other carcasses. Millions of pounds of red meat are already being commercial produced, which means how much red meat is currently being produced and sold. So, if every farmer were to bring his cattle to slaughter because they cant afford to TB test their herd, the amount of red meat production would increase dramatically and could cause an overload of product. This also causes concern for the consumers who are afraid to purchase the byproducts because of their fear of contracting the diseases that are now the primary concerns in the livestock industry. This graph shows the trend of red meat production of the past two years and the beginning of the 2008 year. As you can readily see that the numbers are already significantly higher than the past two. The slaughter of livestock used to be a way to support the high demand of meat products and to eliminate overpopulation, but with the changing of cultures, it has become a hassle. There are so many health issues and not enough inspectors to oversee all the types of slaughter plants; that diseases are slipping through into products that are later sold to consumers. There are several types of slaughter plants and not all of them are equally inspected either; this could be one of the many problems with the control of disease of the end products. There are generally four types of slaughter plants; FI, TA, NFI, and custom exempt plants. Federally inspected (FI) plants transport meat interstate and they have to employ federal inspectors to comply with USDA standards. Talmedge-Aiken (TA) plants are under the USDA responsibility for inspection. Although considered federally inspected, the inspections are carried out by state employees. Non-federally Inspected (NFI) plants sell and transport only intrastate. There are individual state standards where state inspectors have to comply with and mobile slaughtering units are considered farm slaughter and are excluded from this. Custom-Exempt plants do not sell meat but operate on a custom basis. The animals and meat products are not inspected but the facilities are, and have to meet health standards. Custom-Exempt plants are considered NFI plants and head kill is included in NFI totals. (Agricultural Statistics Board NASS, USDA, 2006, PP 21/23) Every slaughter plant has sanitation requirements and procedures that they have to follow in order to keep their business running. The requirements are met and periodically checked by inspectors, either federally inspected or state inspected. These inspections are made to ensure the quality and safety of the meat that is being sent out from these plants. To ensure this quality of production, humane slaughter of the animal is required also. What is considered humane? This is a rising question to many inspectors and slaughterers, and this question is still unanswered to many of them. What is thought to be humane may in fact not be humane to the animal, and since we cannot feel its pain we cant determine whether the methods used are painless or not. And this is why slaughter laws have come into effect. The first law of humane slaughter was voluntary and came into effect in 1958. The law required that the livestock to be rendered insensible to pain. This was achieved by a blow, gunshot, or electrical or chemical means; it was to be rapid and effective before shackling, hoisting, casting, or gutting. (animal law statutes, citation 7 USC 1901-1907, 2008) The law that is currently enforced by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is known as the Humane Slaughter Act. This act became effective in 1978 and instead of being voluntary this law is mandatory for all slaughter houses. The only exception to the statutory requirement of rendering the animal insensible to pain; is ritual slaughter, which still needs to be approved in order to be carried out. The Humane Slaughter act of 1978 concludes that the use of humane methods on livestock for slaughter results in a safer environment and better working conditions for persons engaging in the slaughtering practices. This also improves benefits for producers, processors, and consumers that tend to accelerate a constant flow of livestock and byproducts across state and country borders. If the humane slaughter of livestock continues, the end products and consumer satisfaction will remain steady and will bring comfort to those who anticipate disease spreading because of unlawful slaughtering practices. (Animal law statutes, citation 7 USC 1901-1907, 2008) The slaughter of livestock is not only a high demand of todays population, but it is also a necessity. It is beneficial to the human race, economy, and is becoming a world renounce trade. With the world today, slaughter has evolved from a way of survival to becoming versatile and plays an important role in the economy. The slaughter of livestock is an essential part of the human lifestyle and will continue to deliver and progress with the ever changing future of the world.