The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner INTRODUCTION

No two writers go about things in exactly the same way. We al are inspired and motivated in different ways; we have our own reasons why some characters stay with us while others disappear into a backlog of neglected files. Personal y, I've never figured out why some of my characters take on strong lives of their own, but I'm always happy when they do. Those characters are the most effortless to write, and so their stories are usual y the ones that get finished. Bree is one of those characters, and she's the chief reason why this story is now in your hands, rather than lost in the maze of forgotten folders inside my computer. (The two other reasons are named Diego and Fred.) I started thinking about Bree while I was editing Eclipse. Editing, not writing – when I was writing the first draft of Eclipse, I had first-person-perspective blinders on; anything that Bel a couldn't see or hear or feel or taste or touch was irrelevant. That story was her experience only. The next step in the editing process was to step away from Bel a and see how the story flowed. My editor, Rebecca Davis, was a huge part of that process, and she had a lot of questions for me about the things Bel a didn't know and how we could make the right parts of that story clearer. Because Bree is the only newborn Bel a sees, Bree's was the perspective that I first gravitated toward as I considered what was going on behind the scenes. I started thinking about living in the basement with the newborns and hunting traditional vampire-style. I imagined the world as Bree understood it. And it was easy to do that. From the start Bree was very clear as a character, and some of her friends also sprang to life effortlessly. This is the way it usual y works for me: I try to write a short synopsis of what is happening in some other part of the story, and I end up jotting down dialogue. In this case, instead of a synopsis, I found myself writing a day in Bree's life. Writing Bree was the first time I'd stepped into the shoes of a narrator who was a â€Å"real† vampire – a hunter, a monster. I got to look through her red eyes at us humans; suddenly we were pathetic and weak, easy prey, of no importance whatsoever except as a tasty snack. I felt what it was like to be alone while surrounded by enemies, always on guard, never sure of anything except that her life was always in danger. I got to submerge myself in a total y different breed of vampires: newborns. The newborn life was something I hadn't ever gotten to explore – even when Bel a final y became a vampire. Bel a was never a newborn like Bree was a newborn. It was exciting and dark and, ultimately, tragic. The closer I got to the inevitable end, the more I wished I'd concluded Eclipse just slightly differently. I wonder how you wil feel about Bree. She's such a smal, seemingly trivial character in Eclipse. She lives for only five minutes of Bel a's perspective. And yet her story is so important to an understanding of the novel. When you read the Eclipse scene in which Bel a stares at Bree, assessing her as a possible future, did you ever think about what has brought Bree to that point in time? As Bree glares back, did you wonder what Bel a and the Cul ens look like to her? Probably not. But even if you did, I'l bet you never guessed her secrets. I hope you end up caring about Bree as much as I do, though that's kind of a cruel wish. You know this: it doesn't end wel for her. But at least you wil know the whole story. And that no perspective is ever real y trivial. Enjoy, Stephenie

From reading the selected pre-1914 Essay

The Return of the Native (pg 414 – 447) near end of novel From reading the above, what do you learn of Hardy’s use of vivid description, dramatic incident and reference to Nineteenth century customs and traditions? Which of the three pieces was your favourite and why? From reading the two extracts and the story, I can see that the main difference in the book is how life is in the book compared to our modern 21st century. People in the 19th century depended very heavily on agriculture and farming especially in ‘Wessex’, where nearly all of Hardy’s novels were set. Wages for agricultural labourers were the lowest in the country in Dorset, averaging out at the equivalent of 37p a week in 1840. Magic and superstition was rife in the 19th century, and many people believedin dark powers. Every village in Wessex was supposed to have their own witch. Magic play a big role in two of the stories which I am studying, ‘The Withered Arm’, and ‘The Return of the Native’. People who committed crimes in the 19th century were severely punished. Poachers were transported to Australia to do ‘hard labour’, night burglary was punishable by death. Hangings were still very popular in the 19th century and any hanging was an excuse for a ‘holiday’. Class systems in the 19th century were very rigid – not many people succeeded in moving up to a higher class, but Thomas Hardy was one of the few people who managed to do this. Thomas Hardy uses vivid description in all of his novels and short stories, including the novels which I am studying, in particular ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’. At the beginning of the chapter, we have an almost cinematic view, as if a camera is zooming in on the three travellers, describing them from afar at first, then in more detail as we begin to see them from closer up. We can almost feel the tension between the two adults, when Hardy says: â€Å"What was really peculiar†¦ was the perfect silence they preserved. † In ‘The Withered Arm’, Hardy uses vivid description very effectively when description Rhoda Brook’s vision. He uses words such as: â€Å"†¦ Peered cruelly† and â€Å"†¦ shockingy distorted† to imply that Gertrude is mocking her for being cast aside and then Gertrude taking her place as Farmer Lodge’s wife. This vivid description is also linked to dramatic incident as it is a key chapter in the story, and Hardy uses adjectives to describe Rhoda’s ‘dream’, it makes us feel as though we are actually there, watching this distorted version of Gertrude attacking Rhoda, so Hardy’s descriptions are very effective in this chapter of the book. Also, at the beginning of the story, we learn a lot from the dairy workers in the farm, who gossip. They gossip about Farmer Lodge’s new wife and they try to guess how old Farmer Lodge is, all the while ignoring Rhoda Brook, Farmer Lodge’s ex-wife. In ‘The Return of the Native’, when the superstitious Susan creates a ‘voodoo’ doll resembling Eustacia, Hardy’s use of vivid description is effective when Susan thrusts pins in the doll, and then puts it in the firem murmuring the Lord’s Prayer backwards – which was a proceed which called for help against an enemy. Magic played a key part in this story; Susan believed that Eustacia was making her son ill, because at the exact moment that he said he was feeling unwell, Eustacia’s dark shadow crossed the light from her house, but this was just a coincidence. Also, in ‘The Return of the Native’, when Eustacia falls into the pool of water near weir, Hardy uses pathetic fallacy, which is when events in the natural world mirror what is going on in the human world. In this case, Eustacia is very depressed and unhappy, so the weather is atrochiously stormy, raining and windy. Because, it has rained so much, the pool has created a whirlpool, and Eustacia falls in. To describe the scene more effectively, Hardy uses metaphors such as: ‘Boiling cauldron’, referring to the whirpool, the current, and emphasising the amount of water in the pool. Hardy’s use of dramatic incident in all three of his stories manage to shape the whole story, especially in ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’. In think amin the dramatic incident in the extract is when Michael Henchard sells his wife at auction when he becomes drunk. The day after, Michael realises how stupid he has been and vows never to touch another drop of alcohol for however many years as his age. I think this is very effective because the day after Michael sells his wife and baby, he realises that alcohol changed him into something he doesn’t want to be. In ‘The Mayor of Casterbridge’, when Hardy uses dramatic incident, we learn that Hardy builds up suspension before the dramatic climax. When Michael Henchard is trying to sell his wife and baby at auction, nobody will bid the price that he is looking for, then just as Michael is going to withdraw: â€Å"‘Yes. ‘ said a voice from the doorway. ‘ The man in the doorway was in fact, a sailor. He bought Michael’s wife for five guineas, and she left, leaving us with the impression that she is glad that she has got away from her husband at last. Hardy uses lots of dialect to show exactly how Michael Henchard feels about his current state of affairs: â€Å"The woman is no good to me. Who will have her? † When Michael is trying to sell his wife, Hardy describes Michael’s distaste for her effectively, and when he finally does sell her, even the rough country people in the tent are surprised that he let his wife and child go without a second glance. In ‘The Withered Arm’, I think there are two main dramatic incidents: Rhoda Brook’s ‘dream’, and Gertrude’s turning of her blood, when she sees that the young man who has been hanged is, in fact, Rhoda’s son. When Rhoda has a dream that Gertrude visits her to mock her, Gertrude looks ugly and old. Hardy used use of vivid description works effectively in making us understand that Gertrude has come to mock her because Rhoda has been replaced by her in Farmer Lodge’s affections. Hardy’s use of verbs work well in this incident, using words such as ‘thrust’, ‘swung’, and ‘peered cruelly’ to create a feeling of hate between Rhoda and the figure come to visit her at night. The other dramatic incident in ‘The Withered Arm’ is when Gertrude travels to get her arm cured by holding her arm against a newly hanged man’s neck, who is in fact Rhoda’s son. Hardy’s use of dialect again gives and extra depth to the story, when Rhoda walks in when Gertrude’s blood is in the process of being ‘turned’: â€Å"This is the meaning of what Satan showed me in the vision! † Rhoda shouts. Hardy’s use of the word ‘Satan’, emphasizes the hatred Rhoda has for Gertrude and perhaps jealousy, for ‘stealing’ her husband – although Gertrude’s character is kind and gentle. In ‘The Return of the Native’, the main dramatic incident is when Eustacia falls into the whirlpool and Clym Yeobright and Wildeve try to save her, but fail. Three bodies are pulled out, and only one, Clym, survives. Referring again to pathetic fallacy, the weather is awful when Eustacia falls into the ‘boiling cauldron’. The slow realisation that Wildeve was actually holding on to Clym when Diggory Venn was seemingly just pulling Clym out creates images of horror. My favourite story is ‘The Withered Arm’, because I like Hardy’s use of magic in Rhoda’s vision, how Gertrude’s arm became deformed because of this. Gertrude obviously has no idea how this happened. Hardy’s use of vivid description in the book is very effective throughout, but especially in Rhoda’s vision. Rhoda is obsessed with the idea of Farmer Lodge being with another woman, and sends her son to look at Gertrude and report back to her. When he says that Gertrude is shorter that Rhoda, she seems pleased and smug about herself. I like the way how Hardy has interlinked everything, e. g. Rhoda’s son’s father is Farmer Lodge, the young man who was hanged was Rhoda’s son. I think it is a very clever story, and at the end, Gertrude dies at the fright of seeing Rhoda’s son dead, lying limp in the coffin. I think that the story shows that Rhoda is perhaps so obsessed about Farmer Lodge and Gertrude it is almost unhealthy, and because of this, maybe this is why she had the vision in the first place. I learn that Gertrude is forgiving, even though when she went to see Conjuror Trendle and he created the concoction of egg white and water, Rhoda’s image formed. Gertrude was surprised, but she doesn’t question it because she had no idea that Rhoda had anything to do with her arm.

The Department of Homeland Security

In September 11, 2001, the United States experienced terrorist attacks which changed the way the country plans and organizes to protect itself from such acts of terrorism. In such efforts, the United States government established the Department of Homeland Security, the objectives of which would be â€Å"to secure borders, synthesize and analyze intelligence on terrorist threats, work with state and local authorities in threat preparedness, protect the public from weapons of mass destruction, help train and equip first responders, and manage emergencies† (Sloan, 2002, p. 20).The Department of Homeland Security thus leads a national effort to protect the country from acts of terrorism and became an important counterterrorism arm of the United States. This paper is an effort to look into the agencies working with the Department of Homeland Security in its efforts in dealing with and mitigating acts of terrorism. These agencies are also herein described as to their primary functi ons and responsibilities so as to have an understanding on how they help in protecting the United States from domestic and foreign terrorism.According to the Department of National Homeland Security, more than 87,000 different government jurisdictions at the federal, state and local level have homeland security responsibilities. However, there are only a lesser number which comprises the major components, government agencies and offices that currently make up and help the department in attaining its counterterrorism goals and objectives.These agencies, as they are herein considered, are of such importance to the counterterrorism measures of the DHS because they belong to the four areas where the department is focusing on to fight and curb terrorism. These four areas concerned are composed of the border and transportation security; the emergency preparedness and responses; the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear countermeasures; and information analysis. Counterterrorism page_#2 Border and Transportation SecurityThe Department of Homeland Security ensures safe and secure borders and by doing so protects the United States from entry of possible threats to national peace and security, and provides an effective counterterrorism measures against foreign and international terrorists. In that domestic terrorists are equally dangerous as international terrorists, the DHS also employ methods of securing the safety of the United States from terrorists already based in the country. These counterterrorism measures can be done by focusing on the border and transportation security of the nation.The agencies under the Department of Homeland Security that are responsible for curbing terrorism in these areas are: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) protects the country from current and possible terrorist attacks by ensuring that the country’s transportation system, a vulnerable area of attack by t errorists, is safe and well protected from suicide bombers or those whose tactics are to plant explosives in public transportation systems.The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) works in collaboration with the Transportation Security Administration to prevent the entry of international threats to the borders of the United States while ensuring a free movement of people and commerce. Its counterterrorism responsibility is accomplished by guarding the nation’s borders against entry of terrorists and terrorist weapons that can disrupt national peace and security. The United States Coast GuardThe United States Coast Guard protects the country in the same manner that the United States Customs and Border Protection does: it protects the country from current and potential terrorist attacks by guarding the nation’s borders against entry of terrorists and terrorist weapons. Its area of responsibility, however, is specific in that its counterterrorism responsibility Counterterrorism page_#3 is accomplished by protecting the nation in â€Å"the nation’s ports and waterways, along the coast, on international waters, or in any maritime region as required to support national security† (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2006). Emergency Preparedness and Responses In order to fight terrorism, the Department of Homeland Security ensures that the country is equipped and prepared to protect itself from acts and possible threats of terrorism. It also ensures that should acts of terrorism occur, there are sufficient responses so as to mitigate the impacts of terrorism. Thus, the DHS has focus on emergency preparedness and responses. The agencies under the DHS that are responsible for curbing terrorism in these areas are: The Directorate for PreparednessThe Directorate for Preparedness works with state, local, and private sector partners to identify threats, determine vulnerabilitie s, and target resources where risk is greatest and by doing so safeguards the national borders, seaports, bridges and highways, and critical information systems (U. S. Department of Homeland Security, 2006). Its counterterrorism responsibility is accomplished through several of its components among which include the Infrastructure Protection which is responsible in identifying threats to the country’s physical and informational structure.Another equally important and useful component of the Directorate is the Cyber and Telecommunications which is responsible in preventing and mitigating a modern form of terrorism: cyberterrorism. The Cyber and Telecommunications arm of the Directorate for Preparedness protects the country against cyberterrorism by disseminating cyber threat warning information and coming up with the necessary responses to cyber attacks.In cases of cyber attacks, it coordinates with other agencies including the law enforcement and intelligence community so as to capture and convict those who are responsible for the occurrences. It is also helpful in providing information to investigators who are working on electronic crime cases. Counterterrorism page_#4 The Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Directorate The Federal Emergency Management Directorate declares that it â€Å"prepares the nation for hazards, manages Federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident†.It is also an important counterterrorism agency working with the Department of Homeland Security in that it is responsible for the dissemination of information regarding terrorism including the kinds of acts the US government considers as acts of terrorism and the high risk target areas of terrorist attacks. The FEMA therefore helps protect the country from current and potential terrorist attacks by equipping the citizens with the basic knowledge about acts of terrorism and giving them the necessary know how so as for them to be able to protect themselv es should such attacks occur.This will mitigate the impact of terrorist acts and the number of casualties during such incidents. The function of FEMA is well described in the role it played when the World Trade Center (WTC) was attacked on September 11, 2001. After the attack, FEMA moved immediately into its response mode to help with long-term repair, restoration, and rebuilding of the damaged and lost infrastructure (Howard & Buck, 2002). The Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Countermeasures Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons are among the most dangerous and deadliest that can be possibly employed by terrorists.While there may be vaccines for these weapons, they have too many side effects and it is quite impossible to vaccinate an entire population The best way to protect the people of the United States from these weapons of mass destruction is therefore safeguarding them from it and, on the part of the Department of Homeland Security, to have a f ocus in the areas of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear countermeasures. Thus, several agencies are responsible for safeguarding the nation from these weapons of mass destructions. The agencies responsible in this counterterrorism measure include:Counterterrorism page_#5 The Directorate for Science and Technology The Directorate for Science and Technology is an important arm of the DHS which works to provide the necessary technology and capabilities so as to protect the United States from terrorists attacks. The Directorate for Science and Technology is responsible for protecting the country from terrorist attacks by developing the latest and a highly capable system that can prevent, detect and mitigate the effects of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive attacks.The Directorate is also responsible in building up on the technological capacities of the country so as to be able to anticipate emerging threats, enable preparedness and provide emergency r esponder technologies. It further implements its counterterrorism responsibilities by working on for the detection, mitigation and response to potentially dangerous and explosive device such as bombs and weapons of mass destructions that can be improvised or assembled by terrorists.It is also responsible to developing a system of treating and minimizing the exposure of victims to biological or chemical attacks. The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office The Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) is responsible in improving the country’s ability to detect and report unauthorized attempts to import, possess, store, develop, or transport nuclear or radiological material for use against the Nation, and to further enhance this capability over time (U. S. Department of Homeland Security, 2006).The DNDO protects the country from current and potential terrorist attacks by working on transformational research and development programs to improve the country’s ability to detect nucl ear threats. It is also responsible for establishing methods that will ensure timely and effective response actions to detected nuclear threats. Counterterrorism page_#6 Informational Analysis An important aspect in counterterrorism measures is the ability to gather and synthesize information as information is an important tool in determining the appropriate response and counteraction to a threat.An appropriate interpretation of gathered information will not only make counterterrorism measures more effective but can also help save lives and mitigate the impacts of terrorism. Thus, the Department of Homeland Security ensures that it has focus on informational analysis. The agencies that are responsible for curbing terrorism through intelligence gathering and synthesis are: The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the largest investigative branch of the Department of Homeland Security which was created af ter the September 11 attack so as to have a more effective enforcement of immigration and customs law of the United States which form efforts of protecting the country against terrorism. The ICE countermeasures against foreign terrorism involve targeting illegal immigrants: the people, money and materials that support terrorism and other criminal activities (U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 2006).The organization implements its counterterrorism measures by investigating on illegal export of US munitions and similar technologies; investigating on employers who employ illegal workers in critical and vulnerable infrastructure worksites like nuclear plants and airports such that employing unauthorized workers at sensitive sites may pose serious homeland security threats; destroying the systems through which criminal organizations move and store their funds; and ensuring the removal of fugitive aliens in the country (U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 2006). Counterterr orism page_#7The United States Secret Service The United States Secret Service is responsible for protecting the President and other high-level officials of the country. It is also valuable in fighting against many forms of terrorism such that it investigates on different activities that can be possibly utilized for acts of terrorism. Among its responsibilities are to investigate counterfeiting and other financial crimes, including financial institution fraud, identity theft, computer fraud; and computer-based attacks on the nation’s financial, banking, and telecommunications infrastructure.The responsibilities of the United States Secret Service is to protect the country from threats oftentimes employed by terrorists which include the creation of fear among the public such as when the public experiences computer based attacks or some forms of cyberterrorism; and trying to convince citizens that their government is powerless in preventing terrorist attacks such as what may ha ppen when financial crimes occur. The Office of Operations CoordinationThe Office of Operations Coordination is responsible for providing the necessary monitoring of the security of United States against terrorism by fusing different information from different sources so as to point out possible threats of terrorist attacks. These sources, as the organization refers are the â€Å" intelligence side† responsible for focusing on highly classified intelligence and assessment of information with regards to current threat picture of a specific area; and the â€Å"law enforcement side† responsible for different enforcement activities across the country that may have a terrorist nexus (U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2006). Through its National Operations Center, information sharing is coordinated to help deter, detect, and prevent terrorist acts. Counterterrorism page_#8 Conclusion In the effort of United States to protect itself from acts of terrorism such as what hav e occurred in September 2001, it has established a department that will be an important and leading arm in its counterterrorism measures.This department is the Department of the National Homeland Security whose efforts, according to Sloan, are to secure borders, synthesize and analyze intelligence on terrorist threats, work with state and local authorities in threat preparedness, protect the public from weapons of mass destruction, help train and equip first responders, and manage emergencies.While there are more than 87,000 different government jurisdictions at the federal, state and local level that have homeland security responsibilities, there are major components, government agencies and offices that currently make up and help the department in attaining its goals and objectives considered of importance because they belong to the four areas where the department is focusing on to fight and curb terrorism.These four areas are composed of the border and transportation security com prising the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ,United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the United States Coast Guard; the emergency preparedness and responses comprising the Directorate for Preparedness and the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) Directorate; the chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear countermeasures comprising the Science and Technology Directorate and the Domestic Nuclear Detection Office; and information analysis comprising the United States Secret Service, the Office of Operations Coordination The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). . References Howard, M. M. , & Buck, R. A. (2002). World Trade Center Recovery: A Challenge to Traditional Disaster Management.The Public Manager, 31(1), 47+. Retrieved November 16, 2006, from Questia database: http://questia. com/PM. qst? a=o&d=5000794189 Sloan, S. (2002, October). The Case for a Department of Homeland Security – the Bush Administration and Congress Face the Challenge of Reorganizing the Nation's Security to Fight the War on Terrorism. World and I, 17, 20. Retrieved November 16, 2006, from Questia database: http://questia. com/PM. qst? a=o&d=5002523187 US Department of Homeland Security (2006). â€Å"Department Subcomponents and Agencies†. Retrieved November 16, 2006, from Department of Homeland Security Website: http://www. dhs. gov/xabout/structure/#1 The Department of Homeland Security The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is an agency created to secure and protect the homeland. It is established primarily to protect the people and the country against attacks from terrorists. Since 2001, 22 separate agencies were merged into a one single cohesive unit which makes up the Department of Homeland Security. Although the primary purpose and very reason of DHS existent is securing the homeland, DHS is also in the forefront in providing assistance to people during natural calamities and disasters (Vieira, 2005). The agency also administers and monitors the country’s immigration status and system, thus protecting American people from migrating citizens entering the nation, which are bent on spreading fear and terror.As a result of monitoring the migrating patterns, entry of illegal drugs are prevented as they are stop before crossing American Borders. Thus, by merging the 22 various agencies into single more powerful and cohesive team, coordination and efficiency in performing tasks is achieved. It is no secret that in order to perform such huge missions, unity must be achieve across all government levels all over the nation.With the huge effort and major help the agency has provided and will provide in the near future it is important to understand the plan and strategic actions DHS and the federal government has adapted in protecting our nation. It was a dream come true in creating DHS, since it is a single department built in the primary principle in protecting the people and the nation. The administration has allotted a bigger budget of 11 billion dollars to support state preparedness (Vieira, 2005).The increase in budget will further solidify and strengthen aviation security, border security activities, purchase of necessary medical equipments and would provide an effective mode of managing a new human resource system that will enable hiring of â€Å"cream of the crop† personnel. With larger budget at hand DHS can now secure adva nce equipments and devices manufactured by the advent of technology.For instance, in order to secure the nation’s borders, ports and transportation systems from various criminal elements, an effective method that would screen goods and people is necessary. Use of advance information is also vital in managing the risk of guarding the nation’s borders that stretches across 7500 miles of land. Thus, a program that relies in the use of advance information to identify potential high risk shipments and cargo is being build on.The idea is to prevent cargo and shipments from reaching U.S. territory. Pre-screening of cargo and shipments in 20 main foreign ports around the world provides DHS a major assistance in intercepting dangerous people and goods before reaching shores. The process which focuses on the pre-screening tests is known as the Container Security Initiative. On the other hand, ports are made safer by deploying large number of coast guards and strict implementatio ns of maritime security standards for coastal activities and waterway system.Together with the Transportation Security Administration, DHS provide aid to the field of aviation by making of air craft flight safer. Advance screening devices that keep dangerous weapon off the airplanes are provided by the joint efforts. Field air marshals are also called and deployed to protect passengers. Pilots are also trained as last line of defense.DHS also provide assistance to people during disasters and natural calamities. Chaos is not only brought about by people, terrorist and biological warfare. Bigger destructions are brought by disasters and catastrophic accidents generated by the environment such as hurricane, forest fire, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. In order to response to such incident and other terrorist attacks preparedness is important (Baldwin, 2005). Today, DHS is working on it’s readiness to response on those various emergencies. On top of its agenda is to better pr epare and coordinate the Nation’s capabilities to improve speed and efficiency of delivering services to our people.Another major assistance the organization provides to the people is information dissemination. With the creation of DHS, warning systems have become more effective and public warning has been enhanced (Baldwin, 2005). With the improved warning systems, cyber and terrorist threats are easily identified, as a result people are warned in advanced. With threats known, countermeasure and contingency plans can then be generated.With a single agency dedicated in providing security to the American people, works are carried out more efficiently and at faster rate, as information is made centralized and securing of documents, which eat ample amount of time, in order to coordinate with other agency which has jurisdiction in certain case is not necessary. Time is conserved and as a result DHS functions more effectively. The agency then is able to generate necessary counterm easures.Also, by merging the different agencies and forming one immense organization strength and skills are then concentrated and focused much better. Resources are also conserved and man power is utilized more efficiently. Furthermore, confusion into which jurisdiction the different cases will fall not arise, since operations are all sanctioned by the department. Leakage of information can also be controlled, since there is no need for the DHS to inform other agency, thus a more controlled surrounding which is manageable is attained.However, creating a single agency which handles affairs that provides protection to the homeland poses several critical issues. The scope of DHS mission is broad which encompasses terrorist affairs, natural calamities and entry of illegal drugs. With the merging of different agencies to form the DHS, special agencies and units which are created for specific functions are also merged with the homeland department.Although by merging, it has become a part of a new organization, it has also become a regular unit which receives general orders unlike before when they are called for special situations and specialize in performing specific functions. Also, the budget the department needs balloons every year as several agendas are needed to be tended. Since, DHS is the organization which functions and executes actions with all matters related and concerning about security and protection of our people and homeland, the organization requires large financial assistance and grants.After the 2001 attack, the lives and the way our people live had change. For instance, the creation of DHS as a sole organization that would provide security and protection to the people and homeland are actions that are generated by the attacks. In an effort to strengthen intelligence reports and ability to combat and fight terrorists affairs, various agencies have joined hands and merged to prevent incidents that lead to the September 11 attacks.The end result is an agency that promises to protect the people by controlling the borders, provide protection and support to aviation and port security, increase preparedness in emergency response and counter act the affairs of different elements that threatens the peace and security of the people. From the organization’s mission we can infer that they are logically tied together as they all sought for stoppage of criminal and terrorists acts that are detrimental to the nation and the people. They are measures and strategic actions that are carried out in order to safe guard the people and allow them to live their everyday lives free from fear uncertainties.As various elements continue to threaten the nation and its people, DHS will continue to be at the forefront of the war against them. With the advent of new technology and new devices and equipments being invented, preventions and countermeasures to terrorist and criminal attacks are not impossible to achieve. Furthermore that administrati on had greatly supported the organization and had generously provided it with a â€Å"generous† amount for its budget.There is no doubt about the importance of the organization and its value to our citizen. From anticipation and early forecast of warning of threats discovered that the public are about to encounter up to operations and countermeasures and emergency response after attacks and disaster, the department’s unwavering efforts would be evident and as long as there are elements that are trying to cross the American borders, spreading fear and terror to our people, DHS will live to its promise and expectations and provide our people with the much needed services.ReferencesBaldwin, Craig. (2000). Catastrophe Preparation and Prevention for Law Enforcement Professionals New York, NY: McGraw HillVieira, Edwin Jr. (2005). â€Å"Homeland Security† — For What and For Whom? News With Views.   

Increase Productivity and Safety at Night Shift Research Proposal

Increase Productivity and Safety at Night Shift - Research Proposal Example Production department is the most important section for the successful operation of the business. Business organizations strive on the efficiency and capability of its production team who provide quality and quantity goods and services to the customers of organization. As the demands for the products grow in numbers, it has become necessary for the organizations to operate 24/7 and employ more number of people so that the market demand could be met easily. As Coleman (1995) pointed out that businesses can run 24 hours for various reasons which includes customers demand, can be considered as the most economical option or the process requires it. Even in organizations where the operations run on continuous basis without switching the process, the workload is balanced in every shift so as to increase the efficiency of processing during the night hours. Working on the night shifts is more difficult than the day shift. This is because there is the issue of fatigue and loss of concentratio n that affect quality. Aside this, there are also safety issues that relate to concerns about going to work, staying safe at work and going back home from work, if one is on the night shift. The present research proposes to conduct an intensive study into the measures and facilities that could be improved and developed to increase the safety and production capacity during night shifts Statement of the Problem Why there is a need to study the ill effects of working during night shifts; is a critical and serious question. ... Also, Thorpy & Billiard (2011, p412) identified that many motor accidents that occur before daybreak can be attributed to tired drivers who have worked through the night. In view of these risks associated with night shifts and it’s continuance in manufacturing industries in spite of so many tragic incidents, it is clear that maintaining a night shift enables a manufacturing company to do more and increase production volumes. It is therefore an important element of organizations and must be kept as productive as the daytime shift. The research therefore examines the issues with safety, security and productivity with the night shift and how these issues can be handled by management of a manufacturing entity. Problems with the Night Shift Demand for increased production due to global competition and just in time manufacturing methods have forced most of the companies to adopt 24 hours working schedule in order to stay economically active and meet the consumer demand. Operating in dustrial processes around the clock forces the employees to remain awake at night contrary to their normal biological rhythms resulting in increased fatigue and reduced alertness and productivity (Gupta, 2006). According to Sharman and Sharman (2008) working during night time upsets the body’s natural process and health effects go far beyond sleep deprivation, decreased concentration, creativity short term memory and decision making ability. According to Folkard and Tucker (2003) the number of people at work and nature of their work vary across shifts as long runs were often saved for night shift with reduced supervision of operations. It is further analyzed on the basis of three different studies on real job measures for 24 hour day operated organization

Crimes against the elderly Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Crimes against the elderly - Research Paper Example The vulnerability of its members sets this section of the population apart from other age groups that are also concerned about crime. Going out at night alone; walking alone; living alone; traveling unfamiliar routes alone; doing their banking; inside or outside at automated teller machines; going to and from parking lots to do their shopping. Even doing something as simple as answering their telephones (Montague, 2009). Scores of the crimes committed against the elderly are signs of what is happening to the population in general. While many kinds of crime could involve any age group, a few categories, frauds and scams, pick pocketing, purse snatching, theft of checks from the mail and crimes in long-term care settings are committed more to the older than younger victims, AARP studies have indicated in a recent survey. Reports of brutal crimes multiply fast through the mature community and affect that section of the population dramatically. Although statistics show that brutal crime against the elderly is uncommon as compared to other age groups, many older people pose great fear of physical harm. The crimes committed against the elderly are discussed below. The first type of crime is property crime. This involves invasion of an elderly person’s living house and destroying his/her possessions, which may lead to economical and emotional destruction. Sometimes the loss of possessions may not be as destructive as the feeling of insecurity in those living houses after the incident (U.S. Department of Justice, 2008). The other type of crime is frauds and swindles against the elderly. Loss of money can be serious for anyone with limited financial possessions, but for many older individuals, it can be more devastating. Some of the elderly people are even at higher risks to fraudulent schemes than the younger groups. While it is not easy to draw general conclusions, various combinations of factors contribute to victimization,

Private Worlds and Public Lives Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Private Worlds and Public Lives - Essay Example For example, we may just consider enormous transformation of our perception of the physical distances in the world where today a person can travel half a globe within half a day, or to almost instantaneously establish a communication link with any part of the Earth. Even though these achievements of mankind are seemingly purely technological, they simultaneously exert a great influence on cultural and social aspects of our world views. In this connection, one of the spheres that has been significantly changed in the last hundred years and which in one way or another pertains to the realms of cultural, moral, social, and political concerns is the general distinction between public and private parts of our being. The observation of this crucial principle belongs to the list of the most important social prescriptions in most societies, and its violation consequently constitutes one of the most harshly criticised deviations. With these points in mind, we can try to examine changes that h ave occurred in private and public attitudes to certain issues in the last hundred years with the hope to better understand the nature and scope of the larger transformations that are happening with our society and the humanity in general as the result of the fast pace of progress, which is on one hand generated by humans, but of the direction and prospects of which we on the other hand are not fully aware. As the issues in relation to which we can trace changes of public and private attitudes during the last century or so we can choose the sphere of public and private leisure spaces, serving as a good illustration of how the notions of public and private as such can be contrasted and mixed, and the issue of what implications new technology and the coming of the information society have on the distinction between them. Before we move to the examination of changes in public and private attitudes in relation to the mentioned issues, we should overview the essence of the public versus private distinction, which belongs to the list of fundamental methodological approaches in sociology and offers a helpful, even though often relative, reference point for many research purposes (Stolzenberg 2003, pp.328-332). One of the most evident definitions of private and public might seem to be that private is something connected with our own psychological phenomena and with material aspects of our immediate bodily experiences, while public is related to those environments where people coexist, where rules of conduct are externally imposed and regulated, and where phenomena take place that make sense only in the group context (Weintraub and Kumar 1997, pp.182-203). However, from the point of view of the sociological theory of social constructionism 'the private' refers not only to psychology and 'the public' not onl y to larger scale processes of societys functioning, but rather both notions reflect ways in which individual and group levels co-operate and mutually create reality the way we perceive it. That is why important focuses of the social constructionism are micro, or private, and macro, or public, sociological levels of societies functioning, processes of institutionalisation, and their transformation into ubiquitous traditions. Thus, social constructio

Personal Knowledge Management Journey Assignment

Personal Knowledge Management Journey - Assignment Example through experience or association (2) acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique (3) the fact or condition of being aware of something or, (4) the range of ones information or understanding the fact or condition of having information or of being learned†. Scholar Barry Allen (1999) clarifies, having knowledge â€Å"is to have the privilege of making a statement pass among others as known or true†¦speech acts are dialogical, intersubjective exchanges with reciprocal effects on many speakers. Knowledge has its object (what is known) and its â€Å"other,† the person whom it is offered and received as knowledge, passing over the other as â€Å"truth† (Allen, 1999, p. 71). So it seems that knowledge generation goes through a process. A person engages in certain habits of thinking when faced with a certain problem. Costa & Kallick (2007) define a problem as any stimulus, question, task, phenomenon or discrepancy for which an explanation is not known immediately. That means, a certain amount of knowledge should be on hand to help him out or else, such knowledge must be available to him soon so as to be able to solve his problem. Costa and Kallick term certain behaviors or dispositions for such problem-solving as â€Å"habits of mind†. They qualify that a habit of mind is having the appropriate disposition toward behaving intelligently when confronted with problems which do not have answers as of yet, at least for the person concerned. When a person draws on his own habits of mind, he gains results which are more powerful, of higher quality and greater significance that if he does not use such habits. In my personal journey seeking for knowledge, I do get to engage in certain habits of mind as I go through the four dimensions of knowledge management, namely: the analytical, information, social and learning dimensions. In each dimension, I shall share what I have learned from others about each as well as how I go through each dimension, from

The Internet and Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The Internet and Business - Essay Example Every business to thrive in this tough competitive market must have a business model to boost the developmental plans. A business model acts as the back-bone of a business and helps the business to make strategic decisions. River Island - as a business has a business model of stylish, high-quality fashion clothing especially for its target audience. The Body Shop on the contrary has developed a business model focusing on the natural beauty and beauty products. River Island promotes fashion and modernization; whereas The Body Shop promotes beauty with natural products. As part of business model and marketing strategy each business has their own target markets and target audiences. River Island targets young men and women, boys and girls with an attitude and style statement. The target audience is high-street consumers looking for affordable yet stylish fashion clothing by including new designs in apparel, shoes, bags and more. On the contrary The Body Shop targets consumers with more mature blend of mind set and inclined towards natural products for beauty enhancement. The target audience is restricted to consumers who are searching for natural beauty products for various requirements including, skin care, body and bath, make-up, hair, fragrance and more. Modern business world has seen fierce competitions within business houses. It is nearly impossible to have a business without any competition in modern days. River Island has also competitions such as H&M, Republic, ASOS, G2000, Padini, U2 etc to name a few. Similarly The Body Shop also faces many competitors such as Lush, Aveda, Origins, Kiehls etc to name a few. Businesses have developed marketing strategies exploiting the mass adoption and usage of Internet. The simplest and foremost of Internet marketing strategies is the website of the business. Although the Internet marketing strategies

Essay 2, Comparative Politics Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

2, Comparative Politics - Essay Example The IRGC in iran has incredible influence through military, political and economic power. They have the right to refuse government contracts, and the level of corruption is incredible. Their tax-exempt foundations have monopolized much of the economy, and freedom of expression is extremely limited. The government controls all televsion and radio broadcasts, satellite dishes are illegal, as anyone caught in ownership of one faces confiscation and huge fines. Authorities have successfully hammed dissident satellite stations, and have banned Persian channels. They also cut communication lines to prevent â€Å"illegal international contacts.† Freedom of the press is severely limited. Any publication of books and the distribution of foreign books must be inspected and approved by the Ministry of Culture first. The Press Court has pervasive power over the prosecution of journalists, editors and publishers for â€Å"insulting Islam† or â€Å"damaging the foundations of the Is lamic Republic.† according to Ahmadinejad, the media is to support the government through reporting, not commenting. The penalites for inference is so severe that there is little public criticism of the president and any source that criticizes the government cannot be used in journalism. The Association of Iranian Jounralists (AIJ) was accused by the labor minister as being an illegal organization in 2008. Jopurnalists who supported women’s rights, suspicion of international connections or speak against the government can potentially face the death penalty. Internet use has exploded in iran, thus causing the government to intervene and block immoral or politically charged sites. This occurrence has also moved he parliament to allow the death penalty for â€Å"the creation of web logs and websites promoting corruption, prostitution and apostasy.† Religious freedoms are limited, and anyone perceived as straying from the â€Å"official† interpretation of Isla m face dire consequences. Academic pursuits are also restricted. Scholars are often arrested for voicing their political opinions, students who protest are attacked and arrested as well. According to the 1979 constitution, public demonstration that â€Å"violate the principles of Islam† are used to justify the violence that disbands assemblies. Similarly, the government is also allowed to disband private assemblies, under the facade of â€Å"countering immoral behavior†. the only organizations that are allowed are those that do not violate â€Å"freedom, sovereignty and national unity†. The judicial system is dependent, and in practive trials are closed, and there is no legal council. The penal code is based on Sharia law and allows flogging, stoning, amputation and hanging, depending on the social or political offense. Arbitrary detention is a common method of silencing dissidents, although the laws call for equal rights. Freedom of movement is also highly rest ricted. Political activists are not allowed to leave the country, and often, people who are retruning are often interrogated upon their return. Women are especially targeted in their freedoms. They cannot get a passport without her husband’s permission, her court testimony is only given half the weight of a man’s, and any blood money giben to a dead woman’s family are also half of a man’

Disney World Value Driven Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Disney World Value Driven - Term Paper Example Value driven management has a significant goal of value maximization over a given period. The aim of this work is to show how Disney World is linked to value driven management. Disney World is a diversified mass media corporation for multination. It is the biggest in terms of revenue generation. It was founded in 1923 as a cartoon studio. It has its products ranging from cable television, publishing, movies, theme parks, broadcasting, radio, web portals, and offers licensing services. In order for Disney World to be successful, it took value driven management into action. The owner, Walt Disney, had a form of self-assessment and the knowledge to operate the company. He was committed towards bringing new products to the market. This led to the growth of the company that enabled it to survive even in tough economic times of the US that existed in the late 1930s and early 1940s (Capodagli & Jackson, 2006). This self-assessment tool is a feature of value driven management. One other grea t feature that connects the Disney World to value driven management is its diversification of products. The company did not focus only on film production but it also thought of introducing new products to meet the competing customer needs. It had some other products like television debuts and theme park that quickly became successful. In order to achieve this, Disney solicited sponsorships that acted as cost subsidizers and it merchandised (Capodagli & Jackson, 2006). Value driven management aims at value creation in order to cope with the changing times and to meet customer needs. Companies that do nothing about their products end up failing and therefore there is need for companies to keep on differentiating their products as time changes. The products of a company have to be unique at all times as this maintains the competitive nature of the company. This is what has maintained the growth of Disney World from the founding times to its present days. Walt Disney was a pioneer in cr eating unique animations that impressed both children and adults (Capodagli & Jackson, 2006). He always applied skills and knowledge to his creativity making the products to be unique. Value driven management aims at no stopping even in adverse conditions. Value driven management is built with optimism. Disney had discouragements even from his family members and one of his projects was even termed as Disney’s Folly. His projects got him bankrupt at some points but he never had the attitude of stopping. He tried to look for funding of his work from film producers and in the process, he found one that funded snow white, which became a successful film and this is what made him begin his feature films (Capodagli & Jackson, 2006). The real study of ideas by the World Disney has also played a major part in its success. On top of that, the management always believes in new projects. The confidence that that members have enables them to build ideas out of everything. His idea of Disn ey Land for example, was based on a park in Missouri. The idea of train had run in his mind at childhood age and he brought it to his creation of Disney Land (Capodagli & Jackson, 2006). Revision and reform is a feature of value driven management that ensures that ideas are more than static. The success of Disney’s world also comes from Disney’s commitment for success. His dreams played a major role in the development of Disney’

Discuss the satges Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Discuss the satges - Essay Example The second stage is acquiring cultural sensitivity. Here, nurses and the novices must be provided with information concerning diverse cultural habits, values, and institutions. They are then introduced to different cultural practices using cultural assimilators in the next stage. The students are then taken through language training to help them interact with people from different backgrounds. They are then taken through sensitivity training to acquire skills on how to identify different behaviors among people. Finally, they are then taken to the field to work with different patients from diverse cultural backgrounds (Kanel 98). It is important to make a client select their own coping strategies because the client can help themselves once the difficult part is ended. The nurses should be able to know when to allow the clients make their own decisions (Kanel 196-216). Medical practitioners should note that cultural sensitivity not only provides information and attitudes between medical professionals, but also produces positive medical outcomes for different

Captain Corellis Essay Example for Free

Captain Corellis Essay By focusing on at least three characters from Captain Corellis Mandolin, consider the importance of the range of viewpoints used in the novel. Throughout the novel, Louis de Berniere gives every character a clear identity. By this every individual is representative of those that were present at the time of the war. This identity entitles them to show the reader different prospective and viewpoints on how they feel. Thus it portrays a sense of reality as it is not all fiction and does consist of facts from the war. However I do feel that there are central characters in the novel that make it seem more interesting and therefore grip the reader to make us want to read on. These characters dont only represent the individuals in the horrific war but manage to make the storyline seem more intriguing. Dr Iannis, Pelagia, Carlo and Mandras are selected well by Berniere to highlight different views of different people from different places. Captain Corellis Mandolin opens with an insight into Dr Ianniss daily routine. He is perhaps the most educated individual on the island and therefore well respected and known by all those who live amongst him. He is symbolic of the independence of Greece and through him we gain an incite into the historic and patriotic pride of Cephallonia. The deep desire and passion for the island is portrayed by the doctor are clear as he begins to describe the infamous island; Cephallonia rises improvidently and inadvisedly from the Ionian Sea, it is an island so immense in aniquity. rocks themselves exhale nostalgia However his views about the island, its past and its peoples beliefs prove to be inevitably subjective also showing us the history itself is subjective. This part is included by the author in the very first chapter to make readers know Dr Iannis and understand the way Cephallonians live and think. This clearly indicates the fact that this place isnt just a common ground but is, in fact a true beauty of nature to Dr Iannis. Having the doctor describe this makes us realize his view on the country and how he feels it should be written down in history as. Also the doctors occupation tells us that he is a man who likes to help others and therefore his character becomes more appealing and loved by the audience. His simple but actually quite basic procedures of operating such as carefully inserted the straightend hook into the hirsute orifice makes the patient very thankful and increases the doctors need to be with his people. The method itself sounds very complex yet in reality the operation is a simple one but as Dr Iannis is carrying it out, Bernieres adds sophisticated language to show the high level of intelligence the doctor has. Education is the reason why the doctor and his daughter stand at the top of the islands hierarchical system, and are therefore respected more than the commoners. The war brings out a side of Dr Iannis which is slightly more opinionated. We later realize that he is more into politics than he at first seems. He predicted that Greece was going to be attacked before war was even apposed upon them. To get his view across he prepares or rehearses a speech for Kokolios about Communism and its connection to Capitalism however doesnt manage to tell him as Lemoni interrupts. Pelagia is a young, ambitious women who takes after her father. She too would like to be a doctor even though she knows that women of her time have restrictions opposed onto them by a male dominating society. Her first patient was her fianci Mandras; its an irritant when the lice have gone, but oil of paraffin takes about two weeks to work This keen interest Pelagia has in medicine makes her question her future. As she goes to help Mandras with his poor health and severe condition, she realizes that she has learnt enough from her father and is in doubt about there being such a thing as a doctor who was also a woman. However it is this knowledge and education that Pelagia obtains which makes the division between Mandras and herself wider. In addition this event of her lover returning home in this condition makes Pelagia hate war even more and blames it for standing between her love and his love to fight. Pelagia is described as an attractive woman and many men on the island fall in love with both her beauty and intelligence, combining to make a perfect ideal for a woman. However, Pelagias perfection is her own downfall as she is confused about what to do when the captain is the one she loves. As of this the Doctor continued talking to Pelagia about her situation, and reminded her that she was betrothed to Mandras and that technically the captain was an enemy. He told her that love was a temporary madness; it erupted like volcanoes and then it subsided. Then he pressed her hand harder and told her that marrying the Captain would be impossible until their homeland was liberated. One can only forgive a sin after the sinner has finished committing  , he said and argued that there was an equation to be balanced, with love on one side and dishonour on the other, adding that Mandras may still have been amongst the living. To this Pelagia responds by saying i You make everything squalid. You dont know how it isi. Even though later on Dr Iannis tells her that he knows how it is, because her mother had been betrothed to someone else, and he shared all her feelings. She still doesnt realize why all this has to happen to her and says to her father that The captain has never tried to compromise me. The doctor says that Corelli is a good man but there are restrictions set and Pelagia can not go ahead with this as it is immoral and the war again is standing in her way. Mandras effectively speaks behind the veil, in secret, to the reader. What he actually went through and the way he returned from the front are revealed in his stream of thought. He starts by pointing out the indecency of his mother and his fiance seeing him naked amidst the infections, rashes and parasites infesting This portrays war as an inhumane and revolting event to be part of. All those who go to war in one way or another are infected. Whether thats physically or mentally. Then he goes on to describe what he thinks death is a brother and not an enemy He has obviously been very affected because he goes on about death being beautiful, a saviour and a good friend. However, he does not go so far as to say that it keeps him going; Pelagia does. Mandras proceeds to venerate her beauty and to say that she meant home to him, but that he has noticed that she is disgusted with her returning hero. From this he concludes that she does not think he is good enough for her and feels her love for him as changed into a formality. He realizes she may no longer have deep feelings for him, but cant understand why. Bernieres makes Mandras a lucky survivor from the war front so his description is the only valid one of the war. He describes the walk as an unpleasant travesy through the remnants of the war; decaying donkeys, charred bodies, crippled tanks and vast amounts of abandoned, useless equipment

Rationale And Background Of The Study English Language Essay

Rationale And Background Of The Study English Language Essay Reading is indispensable if a person wanted to live comfortably in the modern society. It is the golden path in going to the world of enlightenment and enjoyment (Monuz, 2000). Reading is the activity characterized by the translation of symbols or letters in the words and sentences that have meaning to the individuals. The ultimate goal of reading is to be able to understand written materials to evaluate it, and to used it for ones needs (Paculanan 1999). Reading is consider as the most important subject in the curriculum, because its mastery depends on the learning of nearly to all other subjects. On account of this reality, Filipino educators have in countless instruction channeled their effort towards developing strategies and approaches in the teaching of reading (Tamundong 1998) Reading requires more than mechanical skills. As a tool for learning in the content subjects, the learners has to demonstrate growing ability to handle information effectively. In this area of complex skills are efficient location, selection organization, and retention of information and the ability to gain knowledge from the printed page depending on the learners that equipped with the necessary skills in reading. A persons reading abilities has a help to read facts about the varied and rich factual information and verbal knowledge accumulated through the ages and that of maturity, organizes these actual information and verbal knowledge, process, and interprets them through experiences to form concepts and principles which are essential in solving problems and in developing creative thinking. Paterno (1985), enumerated various factors in the disabilities or weaknesses of reading. This may range from defective hearing or maladjustments in school, to brain damage. Paterno added that some of the specific causes of reading disability, how ever, may cause by a combinations of several factors. The most common: (1) Physical Factors like defective hearing, speech, vision, inadequate nutrition, neurological dysfunction: (2) Educational factors- children have unique learning patterns and: (3) Environmental factors- not all learning takes place in a classroom and their environmental determines to a great extend, the Childs success in learning to read. To minimize if not to solve permanently the problems on reading, two objectives of education as stated in the educational act of 1982 are word mentioning. This are: (1) To provide the knowledge and develop skills, attitudes and values essential to personal development and nece4ssary for living in and contributing to a developing and changing social milieu, and (2) To provide learning experiences which increase the childs awareness of the responsiveness to the changes in and just demands of society, and to prepare for constructive and effective involvement (MEC Journal, 1991), Educational Act of 1982. Conceptual Framework Reading is one of the most needed skills to be learned in school. Seemingly, read is a word that always heard, yet difficult to discern. Reading scholars have not really come out with on universal definition of it. They only describe the characteristics of reading. Munoz (2000) describes reading as a two-way complex active process, which uses a high level of thinking skills such as literal (reading the lines), inferential (reading the lines) and critical (reading beyond the lines). However, comprehension is preceded by recognition of words, thus one can not really comprehend if he can not recognize the words correctly. Therefore in this study, the researchers want to find out the level of reading performance of the pupils in terms of word recognition. INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT Descriptive research design using observation checklist. Oral reading performance of Grade II and Grade IV pupils. Determination of the reading performance of the Grade III and Grade IV pupils in terms of word recognition. Figure 1. Research Paradigm Table shows the input, process and the output variables used in this study. The input represents the oral reading performance of the respondents. The process is the tool used for data gathering and instrumentation in order to gather pertinent data needed for analyzing, tabulation and interpretation of the problem which includes the use of observation checklist arrive at the expected outputs which is the determination of the level of reading performance of the respondents in terms of word recognition. Statement of the problem The study seeks to find out the reading performance of the grade III and grade IV pupils of Bolosan Elementary School in terms of word recognition. It specifically sought to answer the following question: 1. What is the level of reading performance in terms of recognition of the: A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Grade III pupils B.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Grade IV pupils 2. Is there a significant difference between the level of reading performance of Grade III and Grade IV pupils in terms of word recognition. Hypothesis of the Study There is no significant difference between the level of reading performance of Grade III and Grade IV pupils in terms of word recognition. Significance of the Study Within the recent years, the demands for effective reading among pupils as an applicable instrument in development have become more prominent that always. Teachers and parents are in conformity on this scrupulous need. Conceptually, the study bring light to the student/pupils as a necessity in a more successful academic work. The result of the study are learned to benefit the following. Parents The results of the study serve as bases for the effective and efficient involvement of parents in the learning of their children especially with regards to reading. Pupils The pupils are the direct beneficiaries of the study. They will be benefited much from better school leading program, teachers guidance, parents assistance and other activities in the school, home, school administrators can offer them and also for them to know their reading abilities. Teacher The results of the study serve as an assessment and or diagnosis of reading ability of the pupil. From this the teacher would be able to designed effective reading classroom program for the pupil. School Administrators The result of the study may be used as reference guide for educational planning and policy formulation in the instruction level. Lastly, the result of this study may serve as a reference in determining the reading levels of the pupils which can serve as information in making more plans and programs by higher authorities based on the findings. It will also help in preparing reading materials based on needs and difficult5ies of the pupils. Scope and Delimitation of the Study The study is delimited to determine the level of reading performance of the respondents in terms of word recognition. The respondent of the study is composed of 41 grade III and 45 grade IV pupils. Reading comprehension is not included in the study. The study was started from July 2006. Definition of Terms Accuracy. Relates to the quality of a result and distinguished from processing, which relates to the quality of the operation by which the result is obtained. Effectiveness. Degree to which an activity or initiative is successful in achieving specified goal; Degree to which activities of a unit achieve the units mission or goal. Efficacy. Is the ability to produced an effect, usually a specifically desire defect Frustration. The pupils shows withdrawal from reading situations by crying or refusing to read. The pupils commit errors in reading such as reversal, repetition, substitution, insertion, mispronunciation and inability to interpret punctuation. Independent. The pupil is free from tension, finger pointing or lip movement. He reads with rhythm and with conversational tone and interprets punctuations correctly. Instructional. The pupils oral reading is rhythmical with conversational tone and correct interpretation. Non-reader. A pupil is unable to recognize and sound out letter sound connections for single consonants or unable to blend them. Phil IRI. Philippine Informal Reading Inventory which is a set of oral reading passages for the elementary grades in order to get the reading level og the public elementary school pupils. Reading ability. Is the awareness of print relationship to speech, text structure, phonological awareness and letter naming and writing and comprehension of reading material? It often measured by grade level. Word recognition. It refers to the ability of the pupils to recognize the words with correct pronunciation. Chapter II Review of Related Literature This chapter presents several studies concerning reading abilities and reading comprehension. However, such reviewed studies are related to the presents study in the sense that they all aimed to know about the study were the factors that affect the reading ability of grade 3 pupils. These related studies therefore, are discussed briefly in this chapter. Several program about reading as an active, meaningful, and constructive process. Before reading activities are used to build or activate relevant background knowledge, concepts, and vocabulary. Students are taught to monitor their reading to ensure that what they are reading makes sense. They are taught strategies for correcting word recognition errors that detract from meaning, and they are given opportunities for reacting and responding to selection they have read. The texts they are asked to read for enjoyment and for information. Other activities are developed within a framework of reading for meaning. Because reading for meaning is the constants point of reference and because students in these programs need substantial help in building word identification skills, the amount of time spent in discussing selection and in teacher questioning about the selection is kept to a minimum. All of the successful programs offer students special instruction on a daily basis for period ranging from 20 to 45 minutes. Daily contact with students ensures that progress is the steady and allows teachers to become very familiar with students and their strength and needs. Frequent contacts also allows teacher to reinforce and extend strategic behaviors that students are acquiring. An instructional period of at least 20 to 30 minutes allows time for instruction and practice along a number of dimension that provide students with the strategies they need to become effective readers. The prevailing philosophy in most of the other early interventions programs appears to be that first grade is the point where special help should be offered to prevent reading failure; that many, if not most, students will, by the end of first grade, be able to make sufficient progress in reading to function in a regular classroom setting without special help; but that some students will continue to need support through second grade. Though some of the programs began as just first grade programs, most now continue through second grade for students who need longer periods of special help. These programs use methods and materials that help students to recognize words accurately and rapidly, and to group words into meaningful phrases the three dimensions of fluency. The courage to reread a book several times once it has been introduced. There is evidence that the repeated reading of a texts leads to improved word identification skills and comprehension ( Adams, 1995). As children move through these programs, they become familiar with an increasing number of texts. They are encouraged to reread these texts to gain additional practice, to extend their fluency, and to build confidence in their growing reading competency. To avoid failure or frustration for students, each new book is introduced with as much as a teacher judges is needed. For example, a pictures walk is often used as a before reading activity. Students are asked to speculate about the texts contents, and unusual or difficult vocabulary is pointed out by the teacher and discussed. Thus, the student begins rea ding the book with prior knowledge and clear expectations about the selections contents. Another frequently used technique is shared reading, in which the texts is read first by the teacher as students follow along in the texts. Then as a group, students progress to reading the texts with the help as needed. Teacher support is gradually withdrawn, and students assume more responsibility. Finally, individual children practice reading the text. Instruction often moves from a shared reading model to guided reading in which students assume responsibility for the first reading of a selection after the teacher helps prepare them and supports them during their reading. In all the successful intervention programs there is a clear progression from much teacher support in the initial phases of the program to increase students independence. The types of texts most frequently used in early intervention program are predictable texts. The earliest books used in the programs tend to have a close match between pictures and texts, have recurring language patterns, and include repetition of language elements, which make them easy for students to read. Even children with very restricted word recognition capabilities quickly begin to think of themselves as readers because they are successful with these profitable texts. As students progress in the program, the degree of predictability decreases to ensure that the students attend to the printed texts in order to build a multifaceted word recognition strategy that will make them increasingly independent readers. In the initial phases of instruction, selections also tend to be short so that students can finish a text within an instructional period. As their reading capabilities grow, texts become longer and more challenging. While one of the successful program use traditional, narrow measures of readability, all sequence of the instructional materials, based on many factors including text predictability (reflected in factors such as recurring language patterns, close picture to text match, repetition of words), length of text, challenge of vocabulary, complexity of language, sophistication of concept so that students are challenged to apply the strategies and skills they are learning. Reading new text, and rereading familiar text insure that student in this programs engage in meaningful, connected reading. This program also includes activities that help students focus on and become familiar wit printed words. For example, the Winston-Salem Project uses a procedure called Making Words (Baker L. Brown A.L,1999). Students are presented with the letters that form a word from a selection they read. Words are selected because of their interest and because they contain words identification elements that will be useful for the students It has been recognized that asking students to write words (not copy) is a very effective approach in developing word recognition and reading skill (Adams, 1999;Clay, 1996). For example in the early intervention in reading program, the students select a student to write sentences. The teacher then encourages each students to think about the styling of each word and to write as much of the word as they can. Teacher support his offer only as needed in order to insure that the students write the word accurately. For example, for the children who are having difficulty with phonemic awareness, the teacher draws a box for each sound in the word. The children are guided to think about the number of sound in a word and the letters that represent those sound. For example, the teacher would draw 3 boxes for the word teach, grouping the EA and CH in separate boxes since that word EA and CH represents single sound. The following are regular pattern to he scheduled for better reading. Reading familiar texts. Reading or rereading a new book Working with words Writing words or sentences The researchers therefore want to find out what are the common factors affecting the reading performance of a child, thus, the study. Chapter III RESEARCH METHODOLOGY This chapter presents the procedure utilized in the collection of data, the method employed in the presentation and interpretation to answer the problems presented in Chapter I. Research Design This study utilized the descriptive method of research. Descriptive because it seeks to investigate prevailing conditions about the level of reading performance of the respondents in terms of word recognition. (Adanza, 2002). Sources of Data Table 1 Frequency and Percentage Distribution of the Respondents in Terms of Grade Level and Section Grade Section Frequency Percentage Grade III-B 41 47.67% Grade IV-B 45 52.33% Table 1 presents the respondents of the study which is composed of 41 grade III pupils belonging to section B and 45 pupils in Grade IV also in section B. This so because Grade III and IV are the middle grades in elementary and both section B for it is on the average position thus, they are better representatives for the study. Instrumentation and Data Collection The researcher adopted the Phil IRI oral reading test of the Bureau of Elementary Education SY 2006-2007. After asking permission from the principal, the researchers administered testing with the help of the teachers. The researchers adopted the Phil IRI oral reading test formula for finding the level of reading performance in terms of word recognition. Tools for Data Analysis The researchers used frequency and percentage counts for the presentation of data and the chi-square to test the hypothesis of the study. The formula for finding the level of reading performance in terms of word recognition which is adopted from the Phil IRI oral reading test is: Percent of miscue= No. of major miscue x 100 No. of words WR = 100% percent of miscue Where: No. of major miscue number of words that are not recognized or pronounced right. WR Level of word recognition For the percentage distribution, the formula used is: P = f/N x 100 Where: P Percentage f frequency N total number of cases or respondents For sub problem number 2, the researchers used the chi-square-goodness-of-fit test, that is: X2 = à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ(O-E)2 E Where: X2 = Chi-Square O = Observed Frequency E = Expected Frequency Chapter IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS This chapter presents and discusses the results of the study to answer the problems in chapter I Table 2 Frequency and Percentage Distribution of the Grade III pupils in Terms of Level of Word Recognition Level Frequency Percentage Independent 0 0% Instructional 17 41.46% Frustration 19 46.34% Nonreader 5 12.2% Total 41 100% The table shows that nobody is considered as independent reader. There are 17 (41.46%) who are under instructional, 19 (46.34%) under frustration and 5 (12.2%) under none-reader. Table 3 Frequency and Percentage Distribution of the Grade IV pupils in Terms of Level of Word Recognition Level Frequency Percentage Independent 0 0% Instructional 8 17.78% Frustration 35 77.78% Nonreader 2 4.44% Total 45 100% It is visible in the table that nobody also from the grade IV pupils is under independent category. Also showed that 8 (17.78%) are under instructional, 35 (77.78%) are lined at frustration category and 2 (4.44%) under none-reader type. Table 4 Frequency Distribution of the Respondents according to the Level of Reading Performance in Terms of Word Recognition With their corresponding Grade Levels Level Grade level Independent and Instructional Frustration and Non-reader Total Grade III 17 24 41 Grade IV 8 37 45 Total 25 61 86 Table 4 shows variation of the level of word recognition among the respondents. Table 5 Computation of the ChiSquare O E O-E (O-E)2 (O-E)2/E 17 11.92 5.08 25.81 2.1653 8 13.08 -5.08 25.81 1.9732 24 29.08 5.08 25.81 0.8876 37 31.92 -5.08 25.81 0.8086 à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ (O-E)2/E 5.8347 Where: at df = 1, the level of O Observed frequency significance at „ƒ = 0.05 E Expected frequency is 3.841 (Walpole, 1982) df = 1 „ƒ = 0.05 From the table 4, at 1 degree of freedom, the tabular value of chi-square at „ƒ = 0.05 is 3.841. Since, the tabular value is lesser than the computed value which is 5.8347, the hypothesis is rejected. Thus, there is a significant difference between the level of reading performance of Grade III and Grade IV pupils in terms of word recognition Chapter V SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION This chapter presents the summary, conclusion and the recommendations of the researchers based on the study. Summary The study was pursued to find out the level of reading performance of the grade III and grade IV pupils of Bolosan Elementary School in terms of word recognition. It sought to determine also whether there is significant difference between the two grade levels in terms or reading performance with regards to word recognition. The study used the descriptive method using checklist for the actual reading performance. This research was conducted from June to December 2006. Findings The researchers found out that 17 or 41.46% grade III pupils are under instructional or are rhythmical reader with conversational tone and correct interpretation. There are also 19 or 46.34% who shows withdrawal from reading situations by crying or refusing to read and committing errors. On the other hand, 8 or 17.78% of the grade IV are under instructional type, 35 or 77.78% are considered under frustration type while 2 or 4.44% are non-readers and lastly, nobody also is under independent type of reader. The bottom line is, it was found out that there is significant difference between the grade III and grade IV pupils in terms of level of reading performance with regards to word recognition. Conclusion Based from the analyzed data presented, the researchers concluded that grade III and grade IV pupils level of reading performance in terms of word recognition is mostly on the bracket of frustration and instructional type of readers, that is they show withdrawal from reading situations by crying or refusing to read and committing errors in reading such as reversal, repetition, substitution, insertion, mispronunciation and inability to interpret punctuation but others are rhythmical with conversational tone and correct interpretation. Recommendation From the findings of the study, the researchers recommend the following: Having been revealed that the level of reading performance of the grade III and grade IV pupils in terms of word recognition falls under the frustration and instructional type, the researchers recommend teachers to use more intensified instruction for the betterment of the reading performance of the pupils. The researchers also wish that future researchers will focus also on reading performances of the pupils in other aspects such as comprehension, speed and others.

Violence And Fear Created By Gangs Criminology Essay

Violence And Fear Created By Gangs Criminology Essay The term gang has instilled fear in communities and neighborhoods for decades. This fear is created by the violence exhibited by prison, street and motorcycle gangs. The media shows and tells the public that no one is safe and anyone at anytime could become a victim in the gang wars. This portrayal in the media causes parents, neighborhoods and communities to shut down in the fight against gangs. Gangs are able to survive and thrive off of this fear created not only by their actions but by the media as well. Knowledge is power in the fight against gangs as well as the prevention of membership. Should we be as concerned as this fear has lead us to be? Gangs: Should We Be Concerned? A gang is defined as a group of individuals that work or act together, particularly criminals or juvenile delinquents (Agnes, 2003, p.268). A gangster is defined as a member of a gang (Agnes, 2003, p.268). The term gangster was first used in the 1890s to label the Chicago thugs who used violence and other illegal methods to make sure their favorite candidates for political office were elected (Blackwood, 2002). The period that is most associated with gangsters is the 1920s. This is the period that the term gangster was used to also include criminals such as bootleggers, kidnappers, bank robbers, extortionists and hit men. The term has maintained popularity over the years and is still used to label members of a gang. Gangs in the 1920s and gangs now are similar in that both gained control of an illegal market. The liquor trade was controlled in the 1920s during Prohibition and the drug trade is currently controlled by gangs (Blackwood, 2002). This control of an illegal market also brings arrests, violence, weapons and money. Being a part of a gang then was about making money and today that is still the goal. Money, however, is just one factor in the desire to become a gangster. Gangs formed before the 1980s fit the traditional definition of a gang. These gangs began defending turf, however, grew into large organizations that became heavily involved in the drug trade and other criminal activity. Fists, chains and knives that were used in earlier gangs were replaced with automatic firearms and drive by shootings. The average size of a traditional gang is one hundred and eighty members and has distinct structure and organization (Sonder, 1996). Many cities such as Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia have a few of the larger organized gangs and even more of the loosely organized gangs. These gangs are considered neighborhood gangs. The newer, smaller gangs tend to be less involved with drugs and violence. These smaller gangs are more diverse and tend to have white, female, and even middle class members. Some of these gangs take names similar to the nationally known gangs and participate in graffiti, etc. but may not be overly violent or heavily involved in drug sales. Parents, police, and the community still need to be vigilant in combating these gangs as there is a possibility of more violence and criminal activity over time (Barbour, 2006). The statistics that back up the gang problem are eye opening. There were over twenty one thousand gangs identified in the United States and over seven hundred thirty one thousand gang members identified in 2002. In that same year, one thousand two hundred and thirty two homicides were attributed to gang activity (Barbour, 2006). The ethnic make-up of gang members is diverse. Forty nine percent are Latino, thirty four are black, ten percent are white, six percent are Asian, and one percent is other (Barbour, 2006). There are more Latino gangs, which include Hispanic, due to immigration, the need for fast money and the perception that there is a need for protection from other gangs. Gang experts advise there are multiple reasons individuals join gangs. These reasons include but are not limited to peer pressure, self esteem issues, poverty, yearning for excitement, survival, the want to make fast money, gain power, and attract members of the opposite sex. The main reason an individual joins a gang is to feel a sense of belonging and protection (Barbour, 2006). Many juveniles join gangs due to an unstable family environment that normally provides a sense of belonging and protection. For these juveniles, a gang is their family and serves the purpose of a traditional family (Barbour, 2006). For others, it is a rite of passage to join the same gang as their family members are already in. In the latter situation, gangs and the lifestyle of the gang is simply a way of life for these juveniles (Barbour, 2006). Juveniles enter the gang early and begin committing crimes immediately. Power and entitlement are other factors that encourage gang membership. Gang members are often individuals with high ambitions who have a fantasy about making fast money and gaining expensive cars and flashy jewelry (Sonder, 1996). Obtaining these items seems out of reach and would take too long to achieve so gang life seems the only alternative. Committing crime appears to be an easier method to obtain the fantasy of high achievement (Sonder, 1996). Gangs are a contributing factor in juveniles committing violent crimes in both small and large cities. Members of gangs are relocating from urban areas to suburban areas. This move expands the gangs control of drug distribution, money, new members, evading law enforcement and other gangs (National Drug Intelligence, 2009). A study of delinquent acts in Rochester, NY showed that gang members accounted for sixty eight percent of all violent offenses committed by juveniles. In Denver, a similar study reflected seventy nine percent of all violent offenses were attributed to juveniles that were members of a gang. Gang related homicides involving juveniles has increased by more than fifty percent according to Professor James Alan Fox, a Northeastern University criminologist (Barbour, 2006, p.17). Those statistics are a representation of juveniles and gang activity. Law enforcement officials have reported that eighty percent of criminal activity is gang related, involving both juvenile and adult members (National Drug Intelligence, 2009). As far as what type of gang a juvenile or adult becomes a member of depends, as there are several different types of gangs. According to the National Gang Intelligence Center of 2009 there are three types of gangs. There are street gangs, prison gangs, and outlaw motorcycle gangs. Street gangs that operate in multi jurisdictions across the country are a huge threat due to the control of such a large geographical area. Street gangs that commit criminal acts such as violence and drugs are the greatest threat to society. That threat becomes intensified as the street gangs migrate from urban areas to suburban and rural areas. Prison gangs are a major threat due to the control and influence over the street gangs in the community, even from prison. The structure of prison gangs is highly organized and acts as a criminal network within the state and local prisons. Members that have been released from prison also assist in the day to day operations of the prison gang. Released members generally return to their community and resume old gang affiliations. Once old gang affiliations are resumed, the member then recruits street gang members to carry out criminal acts for the prison gang. Prison gangs control the distribution of drugs within the prison but also in the community in some cases as well (Know Gangs, n.d.). Outlaw motorcycle gangs are also a public safety threat in the communities where they operate as they take part in various criminal acts, frequently use violence, and counter the efforts of law enforcement. Some of the criminal activity outlaw motorcycle gangs participate in are drug and weapons smuggling as well as violent crime. Outlaw motorcycle gangs are highly organized and structured. There are regulations on membership, conduct, and even criminal activity. The size of the gang ranges from a single chapter to hundreds of chapters throughout (National Drug Intelligence, 2009). The most widely known street and prison gangs are the Aryan Brotherhood, La eme (Mexican Mafia), Latin Kings, Gangster Disciples, Texas Syndicate, Crips, Bloods, and MS-13(Mara Salvatrucha). The most widely known outlaw motorcycle gangs are the Hells Angels and Mongols. Fear is the one thing that all of these gangs have in common. By putting fear into the community, they are controlling it. The Aryan Brotherhood originated in 1967 at the San Quentin Prison in California. This gang was originally formed as protection from black prisoners, however, it quickly turned into a lucrative criminal enterprise. Members have a white supremacist, Neo-Nazi mentality; however, have a working relationship with Le-eme (Mexican Mafia). Symbols of the Aryan Brotherhood are Shamrock clover leaves, swastikas, double lightning bolts, initials AB, and the numbers 666(Inside Prison, 2006). Members have a deep rooted hatred towards blacks and black gangs such as the Crips, Bloods, and Gangster Disciples. A violent act must be committed for initiation Blood in, Blood out). There is also a creed that all members must abide by: I will stand by my brother, My brother will come before all others, My life is forfeited should I fail my brother, I will honor my brother in peace and war(Inside Prison, 2006). This creed is evident during criminal prosecutions against members, such as the one in Santa Ana, California. In Santa Ana, California one of the largest death penalty cases was tried and involved four Aryan members. The trial revealed that the Aryan Brotherhood is a ruthless gang that murders anyone that opposes them, even their own members. Two of the members convicted were eligible for the death penalty due to their part in ordering a race war at a Lewisburg, Pennsylvania prison that resulted in the death of two black prisoners. Both members ended up with life without parole instead of death. The same two members responsible for the race war along with another accomplice also murdered another prisoner in 1989 (Inside Prison, 2006). La eme also known as the Mexican Mafia began in California in 1957. The day to day operations are of a paramilitary structure that includes a president, vice president, lieutenants, sergeants, and generals. Under these high ranking officials, there are soldiers, suppliers and associates. There is a twelve rule Constitution that must be followed by all members: Membership is for life, all members must be prepared to kill or be killed for the greater good of the gang, every member must be disciplined and work through weaknesses, never let the gang down, a sponsoring member is completely responsible for all actions of the new member and if the member turns out to be a snitch the sponsor must eliminate the new member, when disrespected by any person, all members must eliminate that person, maintain a high level of integrity at all times, never speak of la eme business, each member can express opinions, each member can organize, arm, and defend la eme, each member has the right to wear la eme tattoo, and the last rule is that la eme is a criminal enterprise and will participate in any and all criminal acts for monetary benefit(Inside prison, 2006). The symbol of the Mexican Mafia is the national symbol of Mexico, which is both an eagle and a snake on a circle with flames, along with crossed knives (Inside Prison, 2006). The Mexican Mafia was created as a way to gain more freedom over the prison underworld which was controlled by whites. The Italian Mafia was the template for the creation of the Mexican Mafia. Over a short period of time they began to control the narcotic traffic in the California prison system and develop their own trademark (Inside Prison, 2006). The Mexican Mafia has a specific manner in which contract murders are carried out that became their trademark. The manner involves kidnapping, binding, and gagging the victim with duct tape prior to putting bullets into the back of the skull. The body is then wrapped in a blanket and disposed of in a remote location. This method was demonstrated in the 1997 robbery on West French Place that did not go as planned. Five individuals were blindfolded and duct taped then shot several times in the back of the skull (Inside Prison, 2006). Gangster Disciples, also called Black Gangster Disciples was created in the 1960s by David Barksdale, leader of the Gonzanto Disciples and Larry Hoover, leader of the Supreme Disciples. These two groups combined and formed the Black Gangster Disciples. David Barksdale was the leader and Larry Hoover was second in command. David Barksdale died in 1972 and Larry Hoover took over (Know Gangs, n.d.). The Black Gangster Disciples use the six pointed star, Star of David, as their symbol. This symbol represents loyalty, understanding, knowledge, wisdom as well as love. Other symbols include an upside down pitchfork and a heart with wings. Members generally tattoo themselves with a top hat with a staff out of the top which is a pitchfork with the numbers three, six and zero along with an upside down cross at the bottom. Clothing may consist of the sports team Oakland Raiders and carry a black, grey or white bandana (Know Gangs, n.d.). The Gangster Disciples can be found in cities across the United States, however, Chicago is the location of the leaders and there is a strong presence in the Midwest. In the mid 1990s a federal task force was formed to investigate the involvement of the Gangster Disciples in multiple murders and drug trafficking. The result of the investigation found that the gang was making over one hundred million dollars a year in illegal drug sales. Multiple members were convicted and are now serving life sentences (Know Gangs, n.d.). Latin Kings first came about in Chicago in the 1940s. The Latin Kings gang was created by a few Puerto Rican immigrants as a way to defend and protect themselves from racism and prejudice. Their slogan was that they would rise above racism and prejudice and form an organization of Kings. After a period of time, the gang became involved in criminal activity and even though the first members were Puerto Rican, most members now are Mexican-American. Identifiers include the five point crown, which means represent love, respect, sacrifice, honor and obedience. Colors of the Latin Kings include yellow or gold. The head of the entire criminal organization is known as the Inca. Latin Kings have chapters also known as sets in states across the country, each reporting to a leader (Know Gangs, n.d.). The gang known as Texas Syndicate originated in the early 1970s at Folsom Prison in California. It was started as a direct result of the formation of other gangs in California prisons. Other gangs, specifically Mexican Mafia and Aryan Brotherhood, were targeting inmates that were Texas natives. The only symbols noted to identify members are tattoos with TS somewhere in the design. Some of these tattoos require intense observation in order to locate the TS. The tattoos are generally located on the back of the right forearm, however, have been located on the outside calf area, neck and chest (Inside Prison, 2006). The main criminal activities Texas Syndicate is involved in are drug trafficking, extortion, and internal violent discipline of members. Members in prison have communication methods with outside members through smuggled cell phones and coded messages. The Crips were started in 1969 in Los Angelos as a street gang by Raymond Washington and Stanley Tookie Williams. This gang has received the reputation on being extremely violent and aggressive. Stanley Tookie Williams faced the death penalty in San Quentin State Prison on December 13, 2005. He received the death penalty after being convicted of murdering four individuals during a robbery by shooting them to death with a shotgun in Southern California in 1970. Also, in 1979 Raymond Washington was murdered. The name Crip has different theories as to where the name actually came from. One theory is that a woman from the housing projects filed a police report on two teenagers for stealing. One of the teenagers was Raymond Williams. The description of one of the teenagers was crip with a stick meaning a disabled person with a cane. Another theory is that the name came from Crib, from the Baby Avenue gang in the 1960s. The Baby Avenue gang eventually became known as the Avenue Cribs as they were located in the Central Avenue, Los Angeles area (Inside Prison, 2006). Identifiers of the Crips gang are the colors blue, gray, orange, and purple. Handkerchiefs or clothing generally reflect those colors. Other identifiers are the six pointed Star of David, the letter B crossed out as the gang Bloods is their rival. Specific clothing choices can include tennis shoes, jogging suits or sports teams reflecting Los Angeles teams (Know Gangs, n.d.). British Knight tennis shoes are popular due to the B and K which represents Blood Killer. Communication between members is facilitated through hand signs, codes, and graffiti. Although there is no Constitution for the gang there is a book of knowledge that outlines all rules and regulations for the gang. The Crips gang is involved in criminal activity such as drug sales as well as trafficking, violent robberies and burglaries. Members of the Crips have been located in every city of the United States and even in a few foreign countries. Their rivalry with the Bloods often results in bloodshed and/or murder. The street gang known as Bloods was started in the 1960s. Neighborhood protection and as a force to combat the Crips were reasons the gang was created. Crips were becoming too powerful as they were allying with other street gangs. African American men called each other Bloods in the Vietnam War and that is where the name came from. Identifiers of the gang include a five point star and the color red. Clothing choices tend to be sports teams such as the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Francisco 49ers (Know Gangs, n.d.). The Bloods are similar to the Crips in that there is no Constitution; however, there is a book of knowledge that outlines rules and regulations of the gang. The organizational structure for the Bloods is as follows: the first superior, this person is in charge of day to day operations of the set and in charge of discipline. The next in charge is the second superior who assists the first superior. The minister of information and defense are next and they are responsible for giving information and strategies to the Superiors. Head of security handles obtaining weapons for the set. The commanding officer is in charge of handing down orders per the superiors. Below those officers there is a captain, who gives information to the lieutenant. The lieutenant ensures orders are carried out and soldiers carry out orders. In the early 1980s MS-13, also known as Mara Salvatrucha, was created. After leaving the death squads of El Salvador, a number of Salvadorian immigrants settled in California and created MS-13. MS-13 was created as protection against rival Mexican gangs and is one of the most violent gangs in the United States. This gang is a highly organized, paramilitary one with some members formally belonging to the Salvadorian guerrilla forces. Members are generally heavily tattooed, can be identified by blue and black bandanas as well as specific tattoos of MS-13. Phrases that are specific to Ms-13 are La Mara which means gangs, Salva which means Salvadorian, trucha which means look out, and Eme Ese which means MS (Gang Awareness, n.d.). The motorcycle gang, Hells Angels, began in Fontana, California in 1948. Hells Angels was a term coined for bomber squadrons in World War I and II. Hells Angels have been linked to criminal activity such as drug trafficking, especially meth, assaults, weapon possession, and even murder. The most notorious plot that surrounds this gang are the allegations that they plotted to kill rock star Mick Jagger. Mick Jagger supposedly criticized the Hells Angels after one of its members killed a man at an event in which the gang was in charge of security. The victim pulled a gun and a Hells Angels member stabbed him. All charges were dropped and it was declared self defense (James, 2009). Despite the extensive history of the Hells Angels, still much is left unknown as what happens at a club meeting, stays there. Hells Angels can be identified by their leather or denim jackets with the red and white winged deaths head ensignia, the letter HAMC (Hells Angels Motorcycle Club), and the number eighty one (eighth letter in the alphabet is H and the first letter is A). Each members status can be located on the jacket by a patch, each specific meaning is only known to members. Hells Angels also wear a patch that has 1% on it which means they are part of the one percent that are willing to do anything, legal or illegal to accomplish their goals. Members have road names which are the only way they are known to other members (James, 2009). The Hells Angels are rivals with the motorcycle gang The Mongols. The Mongols are also a motorcycle gang that wears the 1% patch and is considered very dangerous. The gang consists of mostly Latin and Hispanic members as the gang was created due to the Hells Angels not allowing Hispanic members (Mongols Motorcycle Gang, 2008). Other names the gang goes by is the Mongol Brotherhood or Mongol Nation. The headquarters is located in California, however, there are chapters all over the United States, Canada, overseas and Mexico. The Mongols have been linked and charged in violent organized criminal activity. In 2008 a three year investigation over several states ended with at least thirty eight Mongol motorcycle gang members being arrested. The charges included murder, attempted murder, assault, as well as gun and weapons charges(Mongols Motorcycle Gang, 2008). According to the 2008 National Drug Intelligence Center there are over twenty thousand gangs that have approximately one million members that are criminally active in all fifty states of the United States and the District of Columbia. Aside from the nationally recognized gangs, there are also neighborhood cliques, crews, or posses. These groups usually consist of only twenty to twenty five members and are loosely structured. There is less graffiti, hand signs, and colors identified with them. The philosophy is similar to the national gangs: Live by the neighborhood, die by the neighborhood (Barbour, p.18). Gangs are not just in the streets, they are also in the schools. Public and private schools are both faced with the reality that gangs are in the schools. In 1994, a report stated that administrators of schools with an enrollment figure of more than twenty five thousand and principals of urban schools reported an increase in gang involved incidents. Even one in four elementary principals referenced an increase in gang related incidents (Kopka, 1997). In a study of six thousand sixth graders in eleven cities, eleven percent advised they were currently gang members and seventeen percent advised they belonged to a gang at one point(Barbour, 2006). Gangs are becoming a problem in areas that have not been recognized before. Recognizing the signs that a juvenile or family member is in a gang can start with asking. If there are still concerns about gang membership, look for these signs: change in behavior(becomes defiant), grades drop, truancy at school, new associates, calls from unknown individuals, money and jewelry appearing, preoccupation with particular colors or sports teams, hand signs, graffiti on books or walls, developing nicknames, and evidence of drug abuse. One of these signs alone may not be indicative of gang membership, however, more than one could be indicative of gang membership (Gang Awareness, n.d.). After parents determine their child is in a gang it is natural for them to feel anger and even jealousy towards the gang. Feelings that the child has been taken from them by the gang are evoked. Parents handle this information differently. Family first parents put the situation and the child first in an attempt to restore the core family unit. Rescuers minimize their own accountability and fear. Rescuers try to save the child. The rescuers can be successful in that there is family support, which assists the parents in dealing with the issue as well. Crusaders take on the task of saving their child and other children as well. These parents often suppress the core issues of their own child. The negators acknowledge that they have contributed to their child joining a gang. These parents tend to respond more negatively and deny personal responsibility of the childs poor social, emotional, and spiritual well being. The most extreme are the detached parents. These parents simply do not care and refuse to engage in any attempt to remove their child from the gang (Barbour, 2006). In certain instances, removing a child from a gang can be difficult and at times require moving away (Barbour, 2006). Parents can teach their children a critical lesson that can assist in the prevention of gang involvement. This critical lesson is for a child to face reality. This will teach juveniles to take responsibility for their actions as well as the choices they make (Barbour, 2006). And there must always be consequences to bad behavior. Parents should realize there is a difference between the behavior of their child and the identity of their child. Behavior is what a juvenile does and identity is who the juvenile is. When teaching choices, it must be taught that life is filled with actions and reactions. Juveniles need to know the choices made are in their complete control. Being aware of reality and facing it allows children to have control over their choices and assert themselves in a positive manner (Barbour, 2006). Most gangs are built on the premise Blood In, Blood Out. In order to get out of a gang, a member must shed blood, or do they? Solutions to get out of a gang may not mean Blood Out. Other suggestions include talking to high ranking members and expressing the interest to get out, ask for help from a relative, guardian or friend, go to the police, or even become an activist (Sonder, 1996). The solution to gangs is that communities as a whole must stand together. Far too often communities have viewed gangs as an inner city problem, something that would not affect them. Neighborhoods affected and plagued by gangs have been left to defend themselves without assistance. Now, no neighborhood or community is safe. Indiscriminate police sweeps in neighborhoods have had a negative effect on the way the community views law enforcement. Possible informants refuse to talk and gangs prey on young members that have nowhere else to go. Treating the gang issue as a law enforcement problem is not going to solve anything. Along with tough policing, the community must take action and not accept gangs in their neighborhoods. Society has failed to deal appropriately with the social root causes, like fatherless homes, which lead to young men seeking male role models. Popular culture also sends a message that lawlessness is cool as is violence whereas education and hope are not. To combat gangs every member in society plays a part; police, social workers, the church, friends and family members. Each and every person-in the attitudes that are kept, the choices that are made, and even items purchased-helps to shape the culture that must be joined together with the commitment to make communities and neighborhoods safer (Barbour, 2006). References Barbour, S. (2006). Gangs. Detroit, MI: Thomason Gale. Blackwood, G. (2002). Gangsters. New York, NY: Benchmark Books. Gang awareness guide. (n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2010 from http://www.state.nj.us/oag/gang-signs-bro.pdf Inside prison. (2006). Gang profiles. Retrieved November 2, 2010 from http://www.insideprison.com/ James, R. (2009, August 03) Hells Angels. TIME magazine. Retrieved November 4, 2010 from http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1914201,00.html Know gangs: Gang resources. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2010 from http://www.knowgangs.com/gang_resources