Unilever & Procter and Gamble

Unilever [pic] The company was formed by a merger of Dutch Margarine Union and British soap-makers Lever Brothers in 1929. Unilever was one of the world’s first genuine multinationals with operating companies in more than 40 countries. The company produces and distributes a vast number of well known brands in the areas of nutrition, hygiene and personal care that are used by consumers all over the world. The history of Unilever dates back to 1885, William Lever established a soap manufacturing company in the UK with his brothers and named the company Lever Brothers in 1885.William Hesketh Lever was born at Bolton; Lancashire in 1852 was the son of grocer. Together with James Lever, William Lever opened soap factory at Warrington, England, in 1885. Their products, Sunlight, the world’s first packaged soap, were very successful. The soup they made in ready moulded tablet. Previously laundry soap was marketed in bars and grocers cut off pieces and sold them by weight. Unti l 1919 Lever was wholly own a controlled by the founder. By 1919, as a result of ingle minded expansionist, commercial policies, his firm accounted for 60 percent of soap production in Britain.Two butter makers, Jurgen and Van den Berghs formed Margarine Union in 1927. The Dutch Margarine Union merged with Lever Brothers of United Kingdom in 1929 to form Unilever. During the 1930s, the structure and management do Unilever has been describe as a professional largely non-family managed hierarchy. Unilever has been present in the North Africa and Middle East region since 1933. For tax, purpose, two separate entities were established, one in London and another in Rotterdam. Historically, Unilever has grown to be a very multilocal company. However, while the company used to work with regional supply chains on regional brands.Unilever started to globalize their brands in the early and mid 1990s. Mergers & Acquisitions and Divestments of Unilever ? With effect from 1 January 2008, Unilever entered into an expanded international partnership with PepsiCo for the marketing and distribution of ready-to-drink tea products under the Lipton brand. ? 2nd April 2008, acquisition of Inmarko, the leading Russian ice cream company. ? 4 December 2008, a 50:50 joint venture between two Singapore-based companies, Wilmar International Limited and Olam International Limited for sale of our edible oil business. 24 February 2009, Unilever agreed to acquire the iconic Romanian ice cream brand Napoca, as part of our expansion into the country’s ice cream market. ? 4 April 2009, acquisition of the global TIGI professional hair product business and its Advanced Education Academies. ? 3 July 2009, acquisition of the sauces business of Baltimor Holding ZAO, the leading ketchup business in Russia. ? 18 January 2010, Unilever signed a definitive agreement to sell their Shedd’s Country Crock-branded chilled side-dish business in the US to Hormel Foods Corporation. 19 August 2010,à ‚  Unilever signed an asset purchase agreement with Norwegian dairy group TINE, to acquire the activities of Diplom-Is ice cream operations in Denmark. ? 24 September 2010, Unilever announced an agreement to sell Unilever’s consumer tomato products business in Brazil to foods company Cargill for approximately â‚ ¬260 million. ? 28 September 2010, Unilever and EVGA announced that they would acquire EVGA’s ice cream brands and distribution network, enriching their ice cream portfolio in Greece. 6 December 2010, Unilever completed the acquisition of the Sara Lee Personal Care and European Laundry business for â‚ ¬1. 2 billion. ? 10/05/2011, Unilever acquired the Alberto Culver Company. Proctor & Gamble [pic] Since 1837, P&G has built a rich heritage of touching consumers’ lives with brands that make life a little better every day. In 1887, P&G institutes a pioneering profit-sharing program that gives employees an ownership stake in the Company. This significa nt innovation helps employees connect their vital roles with the Company’s success.In 1924, P&G becomes the first company to conduct deliberate, data-based market research with consumers. This forward-thinking approach enables them to improve consumer understanding, anticipate consumer needs and respond with products that improve their everyday life. In 1941, P&G becomes one of the first companies to formally respond to consumer correspondence by establishing the Consumer Relations department. The addition of toll-free phone numbers in 1973 and e-mail in the 1980s further enhance consumers’ ability to contact and keep the consumer at the heart of all they do.In 1955, Crest is co-developed with Indiana University. This collaboration delivers a product that is a breakthrough in the use of fluoride to protect against tooth decay, the second-most prevalent disease at the time. In 2002, P&G develops Naturella feminine pads specifically to meet the needs of low-income women in Latin America. Based on deep consumer understanding, Naturella responds to consumers’ desire for freshness with chamomile, a unique ingredient never before used in feminine care products. In 2005, High Frequency Stores common in developing markets emerge as their largest customer channel.Consisting of nearly 20 million stores across the world, HFS represents a particular opportunity in fast-growing, low-income markets. Through HFS, we connect to consumers with affordable products and packaging specially designed for their needs. Mergers & Acquisitions and Divestments of P&G ? Procter & Gamble (P&G) agreed to sell â€Å"iconic snack brand† Pringles to Diamond Foods in a deal worth $2. 3bn (? 1. 4bn). Pringles, the world's largest potato crisp brand, will triple Diamond's existing snack business. ? Divested its Western European tissue/towel business to SCA, a global consumer goods and paper company.The deal involves the sale of manufacturing assets, P&G's Tempo brand in Europe and Hong Kong, and the licensing of Charmin & Bounty trademarks in Europe. ? Divested its slow-growing Folgers coffee business as a sacrifice to its long-term growth goals. ? In 2005, P acquired the largest acquisition in its history by purchasing Gillete brand for $57 billion. This deal not only included Gillete razors but also Duracell batteries and Braun and Oral-B brand dental products. This deal gave P even more control over  shelf-space in retailers all over the world. Current Global PositionLet us see where the two companies stand in the World’s Most Admired Companies from the data collected by Fortune: | | | | | | | | | Strategic Problems today & Recommendations

Jewish and Buddhism Life Cycle Rituals Essay

Traditions and rituals have become an indelible mark that one person carries from the time he or she was born until his or her death. The Jewish and Hindu, in particular, cherish special occasions marking the major transitions and stages in the individual’s life from birth to death. Jewish Life Cycle Rituals From the time that a person is born, he is surrounded with rituals and traditions that would eventually become a part of his existence. When a Jew is born, his father will be called to recite the aliyah at the synagogue and pray for blessings for his wife’s and son’s health. This is done on the first Sabbath after the baby is born (ReligionFacts, 2008). The rituals following the birth of a child are called brit milah (for boys) and brit habit (for girls). Brit milah includes prayers and blessings, aside from the naming and circumcision. A mohel conducts the circumcision. Brit habit, on the other hand, refers to the naming ritual for girls. There is also a ritual called simchat bat wherein prayers and songs are included in the naming ceremony. This is done eight or 15 days after the birth (Konick, n. d. ). The ritual following brit milah is Pidyon Haben, which means Redemption of the First-Born Son. This ritual stemmed from the belief that everything that is first and best belongs to God (ReligionFacts, 2008). During the ceremony, the boy is garbed in special clothes and his father brings along five silver coins and presents him to the Kohen. The Kohen is in charge of the whole ceremony. He also recites the Kiddush and drinks the wine. The Kohen then puts the coins over the boy’s head and blesses him (BecomingJewish, 2009). When the boy reaches the age of 13, the Jewish community considers him an adult. This is also the stage where he becomes a bar mitzvah (Son of the Commandments). In girls, it is called bat mitzvah (Daughter of the Commandments) (ReligionFacts, 2009). Another important ritual in the lives of Jewish is marriage. After the couple announces their engagement, there is a festivity where the couple’s family and friends attend. This symbolizes the willingness of both families to have their children wed. The entire wedding ceremony entails many activities, eventually leading to nisuin. This is the part wherein the couple stands under chuppah (canopy). Chuppah is the symbol of the couple’s new home. The couple recites the seven marriage benedictions. The bride and groom also share a glass of wine. After the ceremony, there is celebration with music and dancing. Then the married couple heads to their honeymoon (ReligionFacts, 2009). The life cycle ends with death. As the family is notified of the death of a family member, the child tears his clothes on the left side while other mourners tear their clothes on the right side. The Jews do not believe in autopsy, embalming and cremation. The body is washed and dressed in white tachrichin. The Jewish observes the placing of the body into the ground. A shomer also recites Tehillim (Psalms) to the dead as a show of respect (BecomingJewish, 2009). When one grows up in a country that has culture, traditions and rituals different from others, formation of his or her identity and personality is affected. These rituals and traditions have an important role in one’s identity. Once a person determines his social identity, he will continually affirm it. This explains why Jews behave or act or think differently from Americans. In addition, the voluntary and involuntary experiences that Jewish individuals have throughout their lives play an important role in the formation of identity. Involuntary experiences refer to those that result from the parents’ upbringing. Voluntary experiences, on the other hand, refer to choices that an individual takes about being a Jewish. Moreover, there are Jews who come from intensive Jewish backgrounds. They tend to be more influenced as their families are committed to Jewish life (Horowitz, 2001). Hindu Life Cycle Rituals The Hindu culture also has its own set of traditions and rituals that are different from other cultures. Even before a child is born, certain rites are performed to make sure that both the mother and the child will be healthy. Right after birth, the father touches a gold spoon or ring dipped in curds, honey, and ghee to the baby’s lips. Then he whispers vak into the baby’s right ear three times. In addition, mantras are recited for an enduring and long life. Rituals also include the baby’s firsts, such as first visit to a temple, first feeding of solid food, ear-piercing, and first haircut. Young males are also subject to upayana, an initiation ceremony for six to 12-year-olds. This ceremony signals the transition to adulthood. The ceremony also includes the boy’s recitation of the Gayatri Mantra and the wearing of a sacred thread over the left shoulder. Those who wear sacred thread are called twice-born (Cline, 2009). Another important ritual for the Hindu is marriage. During this phase, the parents of the couple are the ones who will decide upon the betrothal and date and time of the wedding in accordance with astrologers. For Hindu, the bride represents the goddess while the groom represents the god. Hindu marriages are elaborate, involving the groom’s travel to the wedding site riding a caparisoned white horse or a limousine. One important part of every Hindu marriage is the reciting of mantras by the priests (Cline, 2009). Death also ends the life cycle that involves ceremonies. Hindu believes in cremation, but others practice burial. If the body is cremated, the closest relative is put in-charge of lighting the funeral pyre and collecting ashes and fragments of bones that will be immersed in the holy river. After this, the mourners will take a purifying bath. In much the same way, Hindus’ formation of personality and identity are affected by the surrounding culture and rituals that they observe as they grow up. A Hindu also acts in a way that the society dictates as right. For instance, religious beliefs have a direct influence on Hindu women’s roles and responsibilities (Jarayam, 2008). Historical records would show that Hindu women used to be treated as second class citizens. In fact, they walk a few steps behind their husbands. Although the times are changing and there have been improvements on the role of women in the society, there will still be cases wherein women are still abused or treated as inferior (Jarayam, 2007). Situations like this can affect the development of one’s identity and personality. References BecomingJewish. (2009). Jewish life cycles. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www. becomingjewish. org/jlife. html Cline, A. (2009). Hindu rituals in India. About. com. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://atheism. about. com/od/hindusandhinduism/a/IndiaRituals. htm Horowitz, B. (2001). Informal education and Jewish identity development. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www. shma. com/May01/horowitz. htm Jarayam, V. (2007). Hinduism and women. Retrieve February 10, 2009, from http://www. hinduwebsite. com/hinduism/h_women. asp Jarayam, V. (2008). The problems and status of women in Hindu society. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www. hinduwebsite. com/hinduwomen. asp Konick, L. (n. d. ). Welcome your baby: Jewish traditions. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www. beliefnet. com/Love-Family/Parenting/2000/05/Welcome-Your-Baby-Jewish-Traditions. aspx Kushner, H. (2009). Some meanings of brit milah. MyJewishLearning, Inc. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www. myjewishlearning. com/lifecycle/Ceremonies_For_Newborns/Overview_History_and_Themes/Brit_Milah_Ceremonies_for_Boys/Meaning_of_Brit_Milah. htm ReligionFacts. (2008). Jewish life cycle rituals. Retrieved February 10, 2009, from http://www. religionfacts. com/judaism/cycle. htm

Global Communication Essay

Communication (especially good communication) is called the heart of all business in these modern times where every piece of information is visible to everybody. However when we consider the level of globalization has reached too, we often find organizations facing a difficult time trying to survive in this competitive environment. To ward off this problem, the management of global communications decided to outsource most of their work to India and Ireland so that the unit costs could be decreased. The current problem that has severed the smooth operations of the organization has been brought by the high intensity of competition. The company had to cut down its profits and hence reduce their share value. Unable to match the prices and costs their rivals were giving, Global Communications moved to a head-on fight by planning an outsourcing strategy. This strategy had two facets; 1) it would bring massive downsizing in the company, and 2) expertise and low cost could be achieved with outsourcing. Analyzing the scenario from the companies perspective we get a bring future for the employees of the company in the future and profits which would promote high growth. Although this strategy would help the company regain the market, from another perspective, Global Communications would have to let go of their intellectual assets i. e. their employees who were considered as their competitive point. Another destructive problem for the company is that by not involving the Union leaders into this decision, the image of the company is put on stake while the communication problem due to cultural differences and norms would play a major role in the near future. This situation for the company is not at all good at the moment. Although the outsourcing maneuver was a good decision, its execution wasn’t right thus the company finds itself in deep water. In this crucial time the organization needs to keep its few employees close and organized. The company should bank on their employees who have always been a point of strength for them. Deals and meetings should be held with the Union leaders to help them understand the gravity of the situation and difficult situation the company is in which requires difficult decisions to be taken. Apart from this, the organization should secure a good outsourcing company that understands their problem and truly helps to solve them. With such a plan in motion the future can be made stable and eventually growth can take place. But for the moment, the key lies in strengthening the employee base, connecting with them and make them work as a team. In the employees lie the future of the organization. References 1. Morgan D. Jones (1998) The Thinker’s Toolkit: 14 Powerful Techniques for Problem Solving. Three Rivers Press.

Teamwork Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Teamwork - Essay Example Introduction of teamwork in the organization is a gradual process that requires patience and hard work both from the employees and their supervisors. To accomplish this as the supervisor, I would apply a four-step procedure that mostly involves training to show the importance of teamwork. The first step would involve developing the mindset by establishing a weekly training to improve team skills (Stanton, Baber & Harris, 2008). During this step, I would work towards showing the employees that all individuals’ ideas are valuable and the communication skills would be improved in this step. In the second step, I would engage the employees extensively by asking questions that require several individuals to consult each other. Here, I would encourage all members to participate. Third, I would then train them to resolve conflicts, which are the main barriers to success. During this step, I would refrain from giving my ideas until the trainees have given and evaluated theirs. The tra inees deal with the issues that would get in the way of achieving success, thus becoming good problem solvers (Stanton et al., 2008. The final step would incorporate brainstorming solutions where all ideas are evaluated to encourage the spirit of innovation. This would take a period of approximately 12 months to develop reliable teams. Several challenges can be encountered when developing team players. One of the challenges includes domineering personalities where certain individuals dominate discussions in the group. This can be resolved by creating time limitations on contributions and ensuring that all members get a chance to contribute. Secondly, conflicts are a frequent occurrence when developing teams. Conflicts occur in the form of disagreements and can be resolved by teaching the individuals to respect all members’ ideas and disagreeing politely and reasonably. The last challenge is ineffective communication where members communicate in a vague way. Identifying issues

Is early recognition of deterioration in vital observation effective Dissertation

Is early recognition of deterioration in vital observation effective in identifying critically ill patients in hospital - Dissertation Example y evaluate research that describes or appraises the nursing practice of taking and recording physiological observations (Vital signs) in the detection of deteriorating hospital patients. Background. Nurses are required to recognise early clinical deterioration in patients and call emergency support. However, there is increasing recognition that indicators of deterioration in acutely unwell patients are being missed and referral delayed. The reasons for this are unclear and require exploration. Failure to recognize or act on deterioration of hospital ward patients has resulted in the implementation of early warning scoring system and critical care outreach teams. Design. A comprehensive review of the literature. Methods. Critical review as the research methodology was used as the dissertation topic required a comprehensive collection of research evidence. The literature was searched using different sources: such as electronic databases, reference lists, key reports and experts in the field. Medline, CINAHL, Embase and Cochrane databases were searched from January 2001–2011. Ten papers were selected that most clearly reflected the research aim. Each paper was critically appraised and systematically assessed. Major themes and findings were identified for each of the studies. Result. Early warning systems and physiological monitoring processes help ensure the early detection of critical illnesses among patients. Conclusions. Early warning systems with appropriate applications of vital signs and other physiological monitoring processes are crucial tools in the early assessment of critical care patients. Relevance to clinical practice. The studies establish the importance of using early warning systems and physiological monitoring processes to detect symptoms which... The paper tells that vital signs are significant components in monitoring the patient’s progress during hospitalisation as they allow for the timely detection of delayed recovery or adverse events. These vital signs, or patient observations, usually consist of blood pressure, temperature, pulse rate and respiratory rate. While the measurement of vital signs has become an accepted component of any hospitalisation, the optimal practice is yet to be determined. A preliminary search of the literature indicated that there were a vast number of published articles relating to this topic; however there had been few previous attempts to review critically this literature. This review was initiated to identify and summarise the best existing evidence relating to the use of vital signs by nurses to monitor hospital patients. The dissertation starts by highlighting and discussing the particular issues surrounding early recognition of deterioration using vital observation by other studies. This has assisted the writer to clarify the dissertation aims, objectives and methods further. The methodology section has provided details of a robust strategy deployed in collecting, organising and analysing secondary qualitative data. This has been followed by the result section where collection of data and discussion of results was carried out in the light of the writer review objectives. Finally in the conclusion section, a summary of the overall findings of the review and implications for NHS policy and future research will be provided.

Johnny Cash, a description of addiction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Johnny Cash, a description of addiction - Essay Example ant point made in the biography is the loss which was caused by his addiction as he lost his family, his prestige and even his fans through missed concerts as he was feeding his addiction. While he realized that his addiction was costing him tremendously, he was unable to beat it until he recognized that his own spirituality and belief would help him get over it. After going through every drug he could possibly get his hands on, from alcohol and amphetamines to clinical pain killers, he understood that the drugs were not helping him at all. While they might take his pain away and allow him to forget about the pressures of life as a celebrity, they did not resolve the situation and the benefits brought about by them were only temporary. On the other hand, the damage they cause was permanent and irreversible. While the drugs were powerful indeed the only way he was able to deal with his dependence was to replace them and conquer them with something even more powerful, i.e. his spiritua lity and the relationship he was able to develop with

English Hmework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

English Hmework - Essay Example However, she does not state what a role model is, but we can suggest that a role model might not have a hero’s characteristics. Based on Singer’s views, role models are close to us, and they need to learn something from the heroes. (COLL) In addition, Singer believes we do not have as many heroes today as in the past. Nowadays, heroes are difficult to find. On the other hand, it is not hard to have a role model. Reading ‘Heroes and Role Models’ made me to reflect on my life and thought that my father had helped me grow as an individual. Father is the best example of what a hard worker is. (COLL#2) He told me that he started his business when he was 18 years. He took this step because his family was poor at that time, and he wanted to make life much better by working hard. He did what he thought would help him make money. He worked harder than others as a result his outcome was better. Furthermore, he has had many different jobs. Sometimes he did many jobs o n the same day. For example, in the morning he could go to his company that manufactured boxes and then dealt with the daily routine afterwards. After completing his work, he could go selling a box lunch on the roadside. (PART) During the afternoon, he could send goods. Moreover, he looked for a part-time job that he could do after dinner, in order to make more income. Because of the hard work, father’s family financial situation became much better than before. I have emulated my father by working hard. He worked hard, in order to provide for us. I have made some tremendous improvements in class in the past three semesters. In this semester, I am taking 21 units and I expect to do well by working hard. The fact that I am not a smart girl makes hard work very important. Staying at school to study is my priority because of the conducive learning environment. Making it to a top university will be a dream come true. Hard work is the

Assignment 4 Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Assignment 4 - Case Study Example If cooperation were present in the organization, relationships between employees and employers and among the employees would improve. Question #2 There are several problems facing Frank Questin as the Product Engineering Manager of the organization. First, he does not believe in himself with respect to his job. He constantly doubts his capacity to deal with complex situations despite being his very first time to hold a managerial position (Silverman 677). Second, he has managerial issues in that he does not complete most of his tasks on time. Additionally, his team management skills are lacking in spite of the fact that he has introduced teamwork in the organization. Third, the motivation of his employees is also deficient. This is because some of his employees are dissatisfied with their positions to the point that they would like to quit. Additionally, he receives and addresses many complaints in a day. Furthermore, at one time, he had some overdue performance appraisals. Question #3 Frank’s management style has certain pros and cons. The pros include that he facilitates and encourages teamwork and communication in the organization. ... Question#4 The major cause of conflicts among the major departments is the lack of a clear definition of roles and those responsible for these roles. This is the reason behind some employees being unavailable to help their peers in common challenges. Additionally, this has resulted in production of underperforming and faulty products. To resolve this issue, the manager must redefine all roles and ensure that all individuals are aware of their roles. This would improve the flow of work and thus reduce conflicts and complaints. Question #5 The organizational structure of Custom Chip has its pros and cons. The pros include that the employees are clearly aware of their immediate leaders. Additionally, the employees have a clear path through which they would get to a specific position when promoted. The cons include that although the employees know the immediate leader, they are not clear on a precise leader to whom they should turn for specific problems. Moreover, although the structure is clear, it does not fulfill its roles that include provision of clear work processes and roles for individual positions. Furthermore, the organization does not appear to have a specified culture that the employees follow. An organization’s culture defines the values and behaviors of employees while performing their duties. In addition, the structure lacks innovation and flexibility. Here, self-regulating teams have not been established. Such teams are flexible and have the opportunity to test their ideas so as to facilitate innovation. Question #6 To improve the current situation, Frank should take specific appropriate steps that include variation of leadership styles. First, he

Literature review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 2

Literature review Example The basis of the relationships is a social connection that traverses across other aspects hence having a great influence on the livelihoods of the people. Research has been conducted to help elucidate the basis and influence of the guanxi circles hence various conclusions have been made, some of which is contradictory. According to the developing trends in research, insurmountable attention has been given to these relationships especially in China. Due to the social nature of the guanxi relationships, it has great influence on the trust between individuals as well as their long-term orientation. The business sector is one of the influenced areas. In an attempt to find out the various factors, that comes into play in relationships relating to business markets in China Lee and Dawes (2005) hypothesized that three factors are likely to affect a firm’s trust in a supplier’s salesperson. For a firm to operate effectively, it has to develop networks and relationships with different individuals plus other organizations. In China, guanxi has been used as a business strategy to keep competitors at bay. For a thriving relationship, trust is a key ingredient; this is exactly what the guanxi provides in a relationship between a salesperson and a firm. It is apparent that trust is transferable from the firm to the supplier’s sales person resulting to the firm’s long-term orientation towards the supplier. Trust is a give and take aspect that has to emanate from both parties involved; it has the aspects of benevolence and credibility, factors that relates to reliability and a genuine interest. The interpersonal relationships that generate trust in China are based on their culture that is exemplified in three basic categories; firstly, the relationship between family members forms the core of the relationships. Secondly, the relationships between the individuals that one is familiar with and finally, that with distant individuals who are likely

Сrucial part of job Essay Example for Free

Ð ¡rucial part of job Essay And here the other job of the sales team will kick in because they have to go around to talk with the retail establishment, big and small, in the cities they are operating, which will require an extended travel as sometimes they have to cover the outskirts of the city as well as the outlying regions. There is a huge competition to get space in the crowded shelves of retailers that will have to be convinced that the product is worth their recommendation and meets all the legal requirements to be sold for the public, which is part of the job of the sales team to furnish proof and explanation. This is also a very crucial part of their job, although at times it could be done through the distributors. However, the smaller retailers that are not chain stores might have to be approached individually or it might be the job of the distributors to convince them to carry the new product that should attract many buyers because of what it is offering, which is not only unique but functional foods are new even for the general food market that is catering for the adult buyers. After doing that, the particular brand depending on its popularity might start to sell itself, where distributors and retailers would want to put it in their stock and on their shelves because it is selling well, and when that point is reached the sales team could say their job is partially done, but they can still search for new locations and retailers in the same regions or in other regions. The conclusion is the baby food market is a highly regulated market and it is similar to the pharmaceutical market where manufacturers do not have a direct access to the buyers and users of their products, because of the sensitive nature of what is involved, which is the life of young children whose growth could be harmed irreversibly if they are not given what they exactly need for their normal growth from the beginning. Even if there is no outright opposition to the existence of the breast milk substitutes, the authorities and other concerned groups would have preferred if mothers start using it between four and five months, but since that might not be possible because of the nature of the life of the mothers themselves who could be working outside of the home, which will result in their being time strapped, and instead of preparing food for their children at home it will be easier for them to pick the substitutes form the various stores and mix the feeding process with their own breast-feeding since it is proven to be vital for the children. Similarly, the existence of the breast milk substitutes will become handy for children whose mothers cannot breast-feed them for various reasons that were mentioned earlier, and in their case the breast milk substitute will come close to breast milk and they will grow up healthy as there are sources that are saying even if people simply wanted to believe that breast milk is better for the child and it will create some kind of bondage between mother and child, in reality the substitutes are proven scientifically to be as good as the breast milk if not better. Therefore, any company that is selling baby food, which has a global market of close to $21 billion a year will have to go over many hurdles to put the substitute on the hands of the mothers that will use it to feed their baby properly and everyone will be benefited at the end of the day. [10] REFERENCE 1. Nestle in Northern Europe. Retrieved from the Web on April 5, 2007. www. nestle. se/neobuilder/200108091943_6622_3b72cbb9544e1. html 2. Baby Food Business Assessment. Retrieved from the Web on April 5, 2007. www.researchandmarkets. com/reports/3492 3. Baby Food Industry Lobbies WHO. Retrieved from the Web on April 5, 2007. www. bmj. com/cji/content/full/321/7273/1411 4. The Ecologist. Retrieved from the Web on April 5, 2007. www. theecologist. org/archive_detail. asp? 5. International Code. Retrieved from the Web on April 5, 2007. www. ibfan. org/english/resource/who/fullcode. html 6. Nestles Market War. HighBeam Encyclopedia. Retrieved from the Web on April 5, 2007. www. encyclopedia. com/doc/1G1-131934511. html 7. Breast Feeding. Retrieved from the Web on April 5, 2007. www. geocities. com/HotSprings/spa/3156/code. htm 8. Health Workers and the Baby Food Industry. Retrieved from the Web on April 5, 2007. www. bmj. com/cji/content/full/312/7046/1556 9. Nestle Public Relation Machine Exposed. Retrieved from the Web on April 5, 2007. www. babymilkaction. org/boycott/prmachine. html 10. Health-Conscious-Drive-Baby-Food-Market-Growth. Retrieved from the Web on April 5, 2007. www. rncos. com/Press_Release/Health-Conscious-Drive-Baby-Food-Market-Growth-July. htmÃ'Ž

Network Upgrade for Walgreens Boots Alliances Business

Network Upgrade for Walgreens Boots Alliances Business Question 1 (20 marks) a) i) I have drawn a Systems map for the Network Upgrade for Walgreens Boots Alliances European Business. I have picked key subjects as sub systems such as Customers, Contracts, Network (subbed into Improvements, access technologies and Traffic) and the Transformation Programme itself. I grouped them in this way; as the network upgrade formed the main part of the IT transformation programme which affects the Customers (Stores, centres, etc). I included the Customers Changing Health and Beauty Needs in the environment as these do not form part of the system; but only influence it. By drawing the systems map I could see how many components needed to work together to produce an interconnected project to upgrade to a new IT system; thus showing the structure. ii)  I changed the Systems map into a T-O-P diagram, forming new groups and subjects which suited technologies, organisations and people. I grouped companies into the organisation area, subgrouping them into other organisations. The technology area utilizes the Access Technologies part of the systems map, and the people area shows any influences in the case study from a person perspective. By drawing the T-O-P diagram I could see how many components needed to work together to produce an interconnected project to upgrade to a new IT system. It shows a simple framework of the components of a sociotechnical IT system. b) In about 150 words describe a key element of ETHICS which could have been applied when analysing the IT system described in the case study. ETHICS is all about participation. The Walgreens Boots Alliance has a strategy and programme in place to create a suitable network infrastructure; however I believe that there wasnt any participation from end users or employees at the consultancy phase. The users could have given BT useful information and feedback regarding the current systems in place for customer service; thus participating in its design with technical and organisational aspects. The case study does not display or mention any information regarding any input from the companys employees. Establishing a design group at the beginning of the project with representatives from Boots, Alliance Healthcare and BT; including employees from different sections, grades and sex would put the project in a good starting position and show an element of ETHICS in operation. A management change process should have been followed with formal documentation and signatures from various representatives to give the best sociotechnical solution for the system. [153 words] c) In about 150 words, suggest and describe at least three issues of power between at least three of the key stakeholders in this IT system. I have identified three stakeholders; these being Emer Timmons for BT, Erwin van Vroenhoven for Walgreens and the Customers themselves. Emer Timmons (BT) has the power over the whole of the Walgreens Boots Alliance as he will set the strategy and the connectivity mediums for new technologies. Erwin van Vroenhoven for Walgreens has the power over Alliance Healthcare and Boots to show the strategy of the alliance and is driving digital innovation for its future. The customers are a significant stakeholder as they are the ones on the reciving end of the Technology and organisational changes of the alliance. The customer service is a key component to all the change and the customer has some power in defining the direction this moves in. The ever changing needs of a customer also influence the alliances strategy. [135 words] Question 2 (20 marks) a) METHOD is a process to accomplish a task with a systematic approach. For any successful Information Technology system; a clear vision is required with a precise method to implement it and a logical installation plan. Put simply a method can assist an initial idea or thought into a reality. Method is extremely important with linking the idea to a reality and is the central focus point of an IT project. Method needs to be capable of adapting, planned and designed in order for it to be a successful for an IT project. b) Making use of Agile, Multiview or SSM, suggest, in no more than 400 words, how this particular method could be applied to a specific project which you are familiar with, either from personal experience or from the literature. In our company department we developed a piece of software using a database for high level planning (like a KANBAN style). Our team felt like each individual did not what each other was doing in a broader scale and looking at the bigger picture. We could use an AGILE method based approach to develop the software tool, we would review it, have feedback meetings, make changes, and follow a development cycle in order to get the planning tool we require. Without this; the tool could be designed incorrectly and not focus on the users needs. The AGILE method focusses on people; and not technology and processes; showing that full participation if vital for its success. This AGILE diagram taken from the adfkickstart.com (1) website; shows the basic process cycle that could be adopted for our software tool. References (1)adfkickstart. (2012). Agile Methodology. Available: http://www.adfkickstart.com/agile-methodology. Last accessed 7/2/2017. Development stages would be the initial building of the tool with added functionalities with input from our team. The software would then but put on our live production system for feedback and a review stage. The software would be either accepted or rejected. If the software is rejected, any changes would be recorded in a management of change process with adjustments and features determined. Any further requirements would be taken onboard and follow the same cycle until the release of the software is met again. If the software is accepted then this would be the live and released version of the software. This AGILE cycle would fit in with us for a number of reasons. It is difficult to predict the number of changes in the software requirements as well as the priorities. We did not know how much design work was needed and we did not know the amount of required time for analysis, design, construction and testing. Using AGILE, we could focus on the users need; using initial meetings and consultation before developing a beta version.   The AGILE method of work could give us this initial consultation and development we required; and its method is very useful for small scale software projects which are not mission critical. AGILE is ideal for proof of concept and not a large scale project; and could help our team with this planning tool very nicely. The idea was for the tool to be shared around other offices for high level planning and eventually get it developed by a software company to make it more rigid and standardised. The AGILE method could let us improve our application, getting the end users feedback and ideas to re-engineer it and improve upon it to get a good experience for our department. [435 words] Question 3 (20 marks) a) An example of a system with Series reliability could be a circuit breaker and the electrical sockets on a ring main in a household. The circuit breaker can trip shut if it detects a problem with the circuit, which in turn stops all connected electrical sockets on that ring main to stop working. An example of a system with Parallel reliability could be a set of water pumps at a power station where the first pump is set to run with maybe a couple of extra pumps on auto standby. If the first pump fails or does not generate the desired water pressure, a standby pump would start to make up the pressure. Here is a reliability diagram for three components with reliability 0.92, 0.90 and 0.85 in parallel. =1 ((1 0.920) x (1 0.900) x (1 0.850)) = 1 (0.08 x 0.1 x 0.15) =1 0.0012 = 0.9988 =0.999 to 3 sf This would mean the reliability of the system in parallel would be 0.999 to 3 sf. b) If a system has a mean time between failures (MTBF) of 1500 hours and a mean time to repair (MTTR) of 5 hours, what is its availability to two decimal places? Show your working. (2 marks) The availability A = MTBF / (MTBF + MTTR) A = 1500/1505 =0.99667 Or A = 1.00 to 2dp So the system is available 1.00 to 2dp c) In 200 words, explain why a system using two independently designed components can still fail. Independently designed components in could still lead to a failure in a system. A system with independent components will need to be designed and specified correctly with compatibility and security features. If this is done incorrectly or the design has a fatal flaw; this could still lead to failure if a certain set of conditions are met. It can often be lots of small pieces in a bigger picture that can lead to a system failure. If the design of the independent components is done correctly but an error has been made with software coding, firmware vulnerability or even a cyber security attack; the system could still face a failure. Coding is especially an issue with human interaction; leading to mistakes in the code and resulting in a malfunction of the system. Human interaction in general is a major failure point of even multiple independent components of systems; prime examples of this can be seen in the aircraft industry with the human interaction of alarms and displays. Outside influences such as cyber security threats / attacks could lead to failure of individual components; or even something such with infrastructure such as a power outage / blackout. [196 words] Question 4 (20 marks) a) Explain the main features of Daniel Soloves privacy model. You should write no more than 100 words for this part of the question, and may include a diagram. Daniel Soloves privacy model divides privacy into four distinct ideas; these being information collecting, information processing, information dissemination and privacy invasion. Information processing is the surveillance or interrogation of the data subject itself. This would extract some information or data which can be used for processing. Information processing is about the storage and misuse of the data; using the data for secondary use and even excluding the data from the data subject. Information dissemination is all about how the data is viewed; if the data use is misinterpreted wrong conclusions can be drawn from the data and the users purpose for it. Privacy invasion is about the intrusion into peoples lives; the user may or may not be aware of the intrusion. Soloves model can be shown graphically this diagram References Jon Neiditz . (2016). Your Privacy Force Field for the Internet of Things. Available: http://datalaw.net/my-privacy-solution-for-the-internet-of-things/. Last accessed 05/02/2017. [130 words] b) Explain three important challenges to privacy that someone involved in building or operating an IT system should be aware of. What would you conclude are the implications of these challenges for a systems administrator? You should write no more than 100 words for this part of the question. The first for an IT system is its overall complexity. Any user of the IT system will quickly realise how diverse and complicated a system can be with regards to privacy such as data, users, policies, etc. Secondly; much of the data involved on the IT system has data collection, data processing, and invasion of privacy which is completely invisible to us. We do not know that is processing in the background and dont have control of it. Last of all; technological development with ever increasing social media applications and more smartphones (mobile) constantly changes the playing field regarding privacy and security. In conclusion ensuring the security of systems can be extremely difficult and complex. [115 words] c) Draft a note to your member of parliament explaining your support for, or your concerns about, the proposed legislation. With the aid of Daniel Soloves analysis, focus your arguments on the governments nothing to hide claims. Outline two key reasons that Solove suggests the nothing to hide argument has nothing to say, and explain why you agree or disagree with him and the governments approach with their CAT Act. Note to parliament I am very concerned about the proposed CAT legislation. Your nothing to Hide claim is fraught with danger; using a Daniel Solove analysis I dont need to justify my position. You need to justify yours. Come back with a warrant. The nothing to hide argument is focussing on 2 key elements; these being the disclosure of personal data or surveillance.   What if the data collected is mistakenly identified as a criminal activity, or what if the data is leaked or stolen? The gartering of this data is distorted, as it will only pickup certain activities or traits; not looking at the bigger picture of the whole person. I agree with Daniel Solove that the nothing to hide argument has nothing to say as it is too narrowly focussed on small pieces of privacy aspects. I think that the government should reconsider its position with pursuing this act. M.Hermann [150 words] d) Review your notes from the audio interviews with security experts Ross Anderson, Richard Clayton, Bruce Schneier and Duncan Campbell (see Block 2 Part 4, Section 4.5 Using those notes and your contribution to your tutor group forum (see Activity 4.15), explain whether each of the four might be in favour of or concerned about a law such as the CAT Act outlined in question 4(c). You should write no more than 250 words for this part of the question, including extracts from your contributions to the tutor forums. Your answer to this question should be no more than 600 words in total, plus one diagram. Anderson states that people should be treat as humans with decency and respect; not just a raw material of data. He believes that data collected from people should   have a consultation and feedback. Andersonb would be behind an act such as CAT; as long as there is some open honesty from governments. Schneier is concerned that our mobile devices and gadgets give away lots of information and that surveillance by governments and commerce is dangerous. He believes that the security services are protecting us from the bad guys using cyber security techniques; however he also believes that they are compromising our communications infrastructure. I believe that Schneier would be strongly against a law such as the CAT act. Clayton suggests that information used, should have some transparency. He says that users should be able to make the decision signing up to services that collect data. Clayton points out about the power of metadata in preventing or solving crimes, however he also compares privacy and freedom. I believe Clayton would be against the CAT act law. Campbell has had first-hand experience with government surveillance; which led him to hi being prosecuted unfairly. Campbell believes the government has lost touch by operating in its own little world. I think Campbell even with his own experiences would be behind an act such as CAT; however it would have to be ethical and regulated properly. Question 5 (20 marks) a) Using your response to Block 2 Part 5, Activity 5.4 as a prompt, put forward two arguments for, and two arguments against, the use of professional codes of ethics. (4 marks) An organisations code of ethics show the overview of the integrity of the business by having core values. Cultures within companies that have built up ethical business practices engage stakeholders and gain trust with working relationships. A positive environment in the workplace is gained among employees inside the company; and also externally, trust gives a company good relationships with communities, customers and suppliers. However; having a code of ethics does not necessarily mean that a companys work place will adhere to it. There is no point in having a code of ethics that is not adhered to and engaged with. It is up to a companys management and workplace to collaborate, educate and maintain conduct in their roles and responsibilities. To add to this if a code of ethics does not have enough clear defined information, not installed and followed correctly or it is implemented in the wrong manner; a code of ethics can have a negative effect for the purpose it was intended for. [165 words] b) To which of the normative ethical perspectives that were introduced in Block 2 Part 5, Section 5.2.3 do the following statements relate? i.Virtue lies in taking the middle path between two vices. ii.The greatest good for the greatest number. iii.Some actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of the consequences. (3 marks) i.Virtue lies in taking the middle path between two vices.- Virtue Ethics ii.The greatest good for the greatest number.- Consequentialist Ethics iii.Some actions are inherently right or wrong, regardless of the consequences.- Non-consequentialist Ethics c) Using your response to Block 2 Part 5, Activity 5.12(a) as a prompt, summarise the arguments for and against the proposition that organisations can be viewed as corporate actors rather than simply an organised groups of individuals. (6 marks) Organisations (these being groups that are organised for a common goal or purpose) can reach collective decision; however the opinion and ideas of individual can differ from these of the collective. A collective or group could be held responsible for any decisions

Violence In Romeo And Juliet Essay -- essays research papers

Romeo and Juliet, by Shakespeare, is a play which shows how prejudice leads to escalating violence. Prejudice leads to violence shown in the play when the feuding families, the Montagues and Capulets, fight. In each case, disruption, fighting, injuries and death occur. Also, the prejudice between the two families never was resolved, because they were enemies. The feuding started in Act 1 Scene 1, when the Capulets and Montague servants confronted each other. The Capulets’ servants insult the Montagues and this leads to a street brawl of the two families. Furthermore, in Act 3 Scene 1, the hatred between the families gets worse. When Tybalt wanted revenge against the Montagues, he then confronted Romeo and Mercutio and started a duel. In addition, the feud between the families got even worse, when Tybalt killed Mercutio. Also, in Act 5 Scene 3, Tybalt challenges Romeo to fight and Romeo kills him. The street in Verona, a public place, is where the feuding starts between the two families. In Act 1 Scene 1, Sampson and Gregory, servants for the Capulets, insulted the Montagues’ servants, Balthasar and Abraham. This leads to a fight, which involves the Lords of both families and the Prince. No death occurred, but the families’ attitudes against each other were worse than before. This created hate between the families, which lead to violence. In like manner, another duel between the two feuding families starts up, again, in the street of Verona in Act 3 Scene 1. When Merc...

Racial Inequality in the United States :: Race Social Justice Essays Blacks

Racial Inequality in the United States The book, Volunteer Slavery, is Jill Nelson’s account of the racial problems she faced as a Black employee in a White company. Working for the Washington Post was a terrible experience for Nelson whose race prevented her from fitting in with co-workers or agreeing with management. Alex Kajtar says, â€Å"...Jill Nelson's account of an authentic African-American experience is a disturbing, disappointing and upsetting image of present-day American society...† (Kajtar). Many people would agree with this statement if they read the book, too. However, the problem is that most Americans will never read her book, and will remain ignorant to the plight of the Black American. Thus, the problem is not that Blacks cannot assimilate into White society â€Å"properly,† it is that Whites prevent Blacks from developing their identity. In America there is a phenomenon where some people benefit from the color of their skin, while others are persecuted for the same reason. The White establishment thrust Blacks and other minorities into an â€Å"other† category, and punishes them for their differences. This system gives White people many advantages over other groups. This racial advantage has been labeled â€Å"White privilege, and allows Whites to be complacent about racial issues because instead of be hurt they actually benefit from their race. Their blindness to the problems of American culture like this, prevent them from seeing the â€Å"disturbing, disappointing and upsetting† aspects of Black life. Whites are highly unaware of the â€Å"authentic African-American experience† because they choose to remain ignorant (Kajtar). In this way the also choose to benefit from their inequalities that they have implemented into the American system. Blacks are prevented from enjoying life in the American work force because of their race. The problem is that Whites cause Black misery, but do nothing to change this. Jill Nelson’s White supervisors could have been more accommodating to Nelson’s needs. They could have taken measures to make her more comfortable in the work place, possible by hiring more Blacks. Their newspaper could have began to portray Blacks in a more positive, truthful light.

Imagery In John Donnes The Bro Essay -- essays research papers

Imagery in “The Broken Heart';   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  John Donnes’ poem “The Broken Heart'; is full of imagery, used to portray his broken heart. Donne uses the imagery so we can get a visual picture of what love means to him. He uses the imagery because it’s necessary to see a picture of the pain he lives with. Donne uses several aspects of imagery, including death to show his grief and Donne also does uses despair to display his pain.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The image of death was used throughout the poem. “…Love so soon decays,'; meaning that love so quickly dies. If you cut a flower and do not put it in water it will quickly wither and die. Another image of death would be the plague. A plague is a widespread disease that causes thousands of people to die. The plague is also synonymous with suffering. Donne writes that he has “had the plague a year,'; by writing this Donne has been deathly ill for what he thinks is a year. Love, to Donne is something that you think about for a long time so, therefore, it seems that you have loved someone for that long but in reality it is only a short period of time. According to Donne, love is very powerful and causes the widespread destruction to thousands.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Donne also uses the image of despair and depression. In the second stanza, he says “Ah, what a trifle is a heart, if once into lo...

Dbq for American Imperialism

The period 1875-1920 has been described by some historians as a period of â€Å"selflessness† during which the United States helped weaker nations from dominant European powers and spread the â€Å"blessings of democracy and civilization.† Others have described the â€Å"New Manifest Destiny† as a time of â€Å"ruthless American expansion† at the cost of weaker nations and in violation of our own principles of consent of the governed and popular sovereignty.Using the documents, and your knowledge, how would you characterize this period of â€Å"Becoming a World Power†?Document ADocument Bâ€Å"The title to territory of indefinite but confessedly very large extent is in dispute between Great Britain and the Republic of Venezuela. . . . Venezuela can hope to establish her claim only through peaceful methods. . . . The Government of the United States has made it clear to Great Britain that the controversy is one in which both its honor and its interes ts are involved. . . . The people of the United States have a vital interests in the cause of popular self-government. . . . To-day the United States is practically sovereign on this continent, and its fiat is law upon the subjects to which it confines its interposition. . . . Its infinite resources combined with its isolated position render it master of the situation and practically invulnerable as against any or all other powers. . . .All the advantages of this superiority are at once imperiled if the principle be admitted that European powers may convert American States into colonies or provinces of their own. . . . Great Britain can not be deemed a South American state within the purview of the Monroe Doctrine. . . . It being clear, therefore, that the United States may legitimately insist upon the merits of the boundary question being determined, it is equally clear that there is but one feasible mode of determining them, viz., peaceful arbitration.† Richard Olney, Secret ary of State, 1895.Document CDocument Dâ€Å"The Republic of Hawaii hereby cedes absolutely and without reserve to the United States of America all rights of sovereignty of whatsoever kind in and over the Hawaiian Islands and their dependencies; and it is agreed that all territory of and appertaining to the Republic of Hawaii is hereby annexed to the United States of America under the name of the Territory of Hawaii. . . .The existing laws of the United States relative to public lands shall not apply to such lands in the Hawaiian Islands, but the Congress of the United States shall enact special laws for their management and disposition. . . . There shall be no further immigration of Chinese into the Hawaiian Islands, except upon such conditions as are now or may hereafter be allowed by the laws of the United States, and no Chinese by reason of anything herein contained shall be allowed to enter the United States from the Hawaiian Islands.† Treaty of Hawaiian Annexation, 1898 .Document Eâ€Å"The principles which this Government is particularly desirous of seeing formally declared by His Imperial Majesty and by all the great Powers interested in China, are: First. The recognition that no Power will in any way interfere with any treaty port or any vested interest within any leased territory or within any so-called â€Å"sphere of interest† it may have in China.Second. That the Chinese treaty tariff of the time being shall apply to all merchandise landed or shipped to all such ports as are within said â€Å"sphere of interest† (unless they be â€Å"free ports†), no matter to what nationality it may belong, and that duties so leviable shall be collected by the Chinese Government.Third. That it will levy no higher harbor dues on vessels of another nationality frequenting any port in such â€Å"sphere† than shall be levied on vessels of its own nationality over equal distances.The declaration of such principles by His Imperial Maj esty would not only be of great benefit to foreign commerce in China. . . .† John Hay, Open Door In China , Pg.168.Document Fâ€Å"On March 31 Captain-General Blanco issued a decree putting an end to reconcentration in the provinces of Pinar del Rio, Havana, Matanzas, and Santa Clara, and on April 9 the Spanish Cabinet decided to grant an armistice to the insurgents, while both the Pope and the great Powers of Europe were using their influence to avert a Spanish-American war. Nevertheless the replies at this time of the Madrid government to President McKinley's demands concerning the pacification of Cuba, notwithstanding the Spanish offer to arbitrate the Maine trouble, led the authorities at Washington to believe that pacification could not be attained without the armed intervention of the United States.The President's message to Congress . . . . stated the entire issue, rightly considering the Maine disaster a subordinate matter, stated that the only hope of relief and repo se from a condition which can no longer be endured is the enforced pacification of Cuba. In the name of humanity, in the name of civilization, in behalf of endangered American interests, which give us the right and the duty to speak and act, the war in Cuba must stop.† â€Å"Outbreak Of The War With Spain†, America, Vol.10, Pg.120.Document Gâ€Å"For more than a year the exact whereabouts of the elusive chieftain of the insurgent Filipinos had been a mystery. Rumor located Aguinaldo in all sorts of impossible places. Running up the bank toward the house, we were met by Segovia, who came running out, his face aglow with exultation, and his clothing spattered with the blood of the men he had wounded. He called out in Spanish, â€Å"It is all right. We have him.† We hastened into the house, and I introduced myself to Aguinaldo, telling him that we were officers of the  American army, that the men with us were our troops, and not his, and that he was a prisoner of war.He was given assurance that he need fear no bad treatment. He said in a dazed sort of way, â€Å"Is this not some joke?† I assured him that it was not, though, as a matter of fact, it was a pretty bad one, on him. With Aguinaldo in our hands, the Filipinos soon lost heart and the insurrection collapsed.† Senator George Frisbie Hoar, Subjugation of the Philippines Inquitous, The World's Famous Orations, Vol.3, Pg.220.Document Hâ€Å"The Republic of Panama grants to the United States in perpetuity, the use, occupation and control of a zone of land and land under water for the construction, maintenance, operation, sanitation and protection of said Canal of the width of ten miles extending to the distance of five miles on each side of the center line of the route of the Canal to be constructed; the said zone beginning in the Caribbean Sea three marine miles from mean low water mark and extending to and across the Isthmus of Panama into the Pacific Ocean to a distance of three marine miles from mean low water mark with the proviso that the cities of Panama and Colon and the harbors adjacent to said cities, which are included within the boundaries of the zone above described, shall not be included within this grant. . . .The Republic of Panama further grants in like manner to the United States in perpetuity, all islands within the limits of the zone above described and in addition thereto, the group of small islands, in the Bay of Panama, named Perico, Naos, Culebra and Flamenco. . . .The Republic of Panama grants to the United States all the rights, power and authority within the zone mentioned and described in Article II of this agreement, and within the limits of all auxiliary lands and waters mentioned and described in said Article II which the United States would possess and exercise, if it were the sovereign of the territory within which said lands and waters are located to the entire exclusion of the exercise by the Republic of Panama of an y such sovereign rights, power or authority.† Theodore Roosevelt, Convention Between U. S. And Panama, Pg.480.Document Iâ€Å"In view of the constant reiteration of the assertion that there was some corrupt action by or on behalf of the United States Government in connection with the acquisition of the title of the French Company to the Panama Canal and of the repetition of the story that a syndicate of American citizens owned either one or both of the Panama Companies, I deem it unwise to submit to the Congress all the information I have on the subject.These stories were first brought to my attention as published in a paper in Indianapolis, called the â€Å"News,† edited by Mr. Delavan Smith. The stories were scurrilous and libelous in character and false in every essential particular. Mr. Smith shelters himself behind the excuse that he merely accepted the statements which had appeared in a paper published in New York, the â€Å"World,† owned by Mr. Joseph Pul itzer.† Theodore Roosevelt, Purchase Of The Panama Canal, Pg.240.Document Jâ€Å"Alfred Thayer Mahan (1840-1914), American naval officer and historian, born in West Point, New York, and educated at the United States Naval Academy. A Union naval officer during the American Civil War (1861-1865), Mahan served in the navy for nearly 40 years. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1885. In 1886, Mahan was invited to lecture at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He also served as president of the college from 1886 to 1889, and again in 1892 and 1893. His lectures were published under the title of The Influence of Sea Power upon History, 1660-1783 (1890). The book received international recognition as a comprehensive exposition of naval strategy. Mahan stressed the important role of sea power in the world, and this idea had a profound influence on the policies of many nations, including the United States and Germany.† Microsoft EncartaDocument Kâ€Å"And now of a sudden, without cool deliberation, without prudent preparation, the nation is hurried into war, and America, she who more than any other land was pledged to peace and good will on earth, unsheathes her  sword, compels a weak and unwilling nation to a fight, rejecting without due consideration her [Spain's] earnest and repeated offers to meet every legitimate demand of the United States. It is a bitter disappointment to the lover of his country; it is a turning back from the path of civilization to that of barbarism. There never was a good war,† said Franklin. There have indeed been many wars in which a good man must take part. . . .But if a war be undertaken for the most righteous end, before the resources of peace have been tried and proved vain to secure it, that war has no defense. It is a national crime. The plea that the better government of Cuba, and the relief of the reconcentrados, could only be secured by war is the plea either of ignorance or of hypocrisy. Bu t the war is declared; and on all hands we hear the cry that he is no patriot who fails to shout for it, and to urge the youth of the country to enlist, and to rejoice that they are called to the service of their native land. The sober counsels that were appropriate before the war was entered upon must give way to blind enthusiasm, and the voice of condemnation must be silenced by the thunders of the guns and the hurrahs of the crowd. Stop! A declaration of war does not change the moral law.â€Å"The Ten Commandments will not budge† at a joint resolve of Congress. . . . No! the voice of protest, of warning, of appeal is never more needed than when the press and too often the pulpit, is bidding all men fall in and keep step and obey in silence the tyrannous word of command. Then, more than ever, it is the duty of the good citizen not to be silent, and spite of obliquity, misrepresentation, and abuse, to insist on being heard, and with sober counsel to maintain the everlasting validity of the principles of the moral law.† Public Opinion 24 (June 23, 1898): 775-776.Document LCaribbean interventionsDocument Mâ€Å"Even if the condemnation of barbarous warfare in the Philippines by the imperialist press is somewhat belated, we welcome it, as we welcome everything that compels Americans to give attention to a subject to which too many of them have become increasingly indifferent. Silence, we know, is consistent with shame, and may be one of the signs of its existence; and the fact that only a few of the more unblushing or foolish newspapers have defended Gen. Smith's policy of extermination shows what the general sentiment is. To allege the provocation which our soldiers had is to set up a defense which President Roosevelt brushed aside in advance.To fall back on the miserable sophistry that â€Å"war is hell† is only another way of making out those who engage in that kind of war to be fiends. It is, besides, to offer an excuse for ourselves whi ch we did not tolerate for an instant in the case of Spanish atrocities. That is our present moral humiliation in the eyes of the world.We made war on Spain four years ago for doing the very things of which we are now guilty ourselves. As the Chicago News pointedly observes, we are giving Spain as good reason to interfere with us on the ground of humanity as we had to interfere with her. Doubtless she would interfere if she were strong enough and thought she could acquire some islands in the virtuous act.† Nation (New York) 74 (May 8, 1902): 357.Document Nâ€Å"How long are the Spaniards to drench Cuba with the blood and tears of her people? How long is the peasantry of Spain to be drafted away to Cuba to die miserably in a hopeless war, that Spanish nobles and Spanish officers may get medals and honors? How long shall old [Cuban] men and women and children be murdered by the score, the innocent victims of Spanish rage against the patriot armies they cannot conquer? How long shall the sound of rifles in Castle Morro at sunrise proclaim that bound and helpless prisoners of war have been murdered in cold blood? How long shall Cuban women be the victims of Spanish outrages and lie sobbing and bruised in loathsome prisons?† New York Journal, 1898Document Oâ€Å"When next I realized that the Philippines had dropped into our laps, I confess I did not know what to do with them. I sought counsel from all sides–Democrats as well as Republicans–but got little help. I thought first we would take only Manila; then Luzon; then other islands, perhaps, also. I walked the floor of the White House night after night until midnight; and I am not ashamed to tell you, gentlemen, that I went down on my knees and prayed Almighty God for light and guidance more than one night. And one night late it came to me this way–I don't know how it was, but it came: (1)That we could not give them back to Spain–that would be cowardly and dishonorable; (2 ) That we could not turn them over to France or Germany, our commercial rivals in the Orient–that would be bad business and discreditable. (3) That we could not leave them to themselves–they were unfit for self-government, and they would soon have anarchy and misrule worse than Spain's was; and (4) That there was nothing left for us to do but to take them all, and to educate the Filipinos, and uplift and civilize and Christianize them and by God's grace do the very best we could by them, as our fellow men, for whom Christ also died.And then I went to bed and went to sleep, and slept soundly, and the next morning I sent for the chief engineer of the War Department (our map-maker), and I told him to put the Philippines on the map of the United States (pointing to a large map on the wall of his office), and there they are and there they will stay while I am President!† This document is a report of an interview with McKinley at the White House, November 21, 1899, wri tten by one of the interviewers and confirmed by others present. Published in Christian Advocate, January 22, 1903.Document Pâ€Å"It is not true that the United States feels any land hunger or entertains any projects as regards the other nations of the Western Hemisphere, save such as are for their welfare. All that this country desires is to see the neighboring countries stable, orderly, and prosperous. . . . If a nation shows that it knows how to act with reasonable efficiency and decency in social and political matters, if it keeps order and pays its obligations, it need fear no interference from the United States.Chronic wrongdoing, or an impotence which results in a general loosening of the ties of civilized society, may in America, as elsewhere, ultimately require intervention by  some civilized nation, and in the Western Hemisphere the adherence of the United States to the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States, however reluctantly, in flagrant cases of such wrongdoi ng or impotence, to the exercise of an international police power. . . . Our interests and those of our southern neighbors are in reality identical. We would interfere with them only in the last resort. . . .† [Theodore Roosevelt] A Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents (New York: Bureau of National Literature, 1906) vol. 16 (December 6, 1904), pp. 7053-7054.Document Qâ€Å"There is not a civilized nation which does not talk about its civilizing mission just as grandly as we do. . . . . We assume that what we like and practice, and what we think better, must come as a welcome blessing to Spanish-Americans and Filipinos. This is grossly and obviously untrue. They hate our ways. They are hostile to our ideas. Our religion, language, institutions, and manners offend them.† W. G. Sumner, War and Other Essays (1919), pp. 303-305.Document Râ€Å"No document has proved more harmful to the prestige of the United States in the Western Hemisphere [than the Roo sevelt corollary]. No White House policy could be more distasteful to Latin Americans–not even, perhaps, outspoken imperialism. Latin Americans are usually inclined to admire strength, force, a nation muy hombre [very manly]. This was imperialism without military glamour. . . . Moreover, it was a total distortion of the original Message. Monroe's Doctrine was defensive and negative: defensive, in that it was essentially an opposition to eventual aggression from Europe; negative, in that it simply told Europe what it should not do–not what the United States should do.The Monroe Doctrine of later corollaries became aggressive and positive; aggressive, because, even without actual European attack, it urged Unites States â€Å"protection† of Latin America–and that was outright intervention; positive, because instead of telling Europe what not to do, it told the United States what it should do in the Western Hemisphere. From a case of America vs. Europe, the c orollaries made of the Doctrine a case of the United States vs. America. President Monroe had merely shaken his head, brandished his finger, and said to Europe, â€Å"Now, now, gentlemen, if you meddle with us, we will not love you any more,† while Teddy Roosevelt, brandishing a big stick, had shouted, â€Å"Listen, you guys, don't muscle in–this territory is ours.† Luis Quintanilla, A Latin American Speaks (New York: The Macmillan Company 1943), pp. 125-126.Document Sâ€Å"Open Door or not, patriotic Chinese did not care to be used as a doormat by the Europeans. In 1900 a superpatriotic group known as the â€Å"Boxers† broke loose with the cry â€Å"Kill Foreign Devils.† Over two hundred missionaries and other ill-fated whites were murdered, and a number of foreign diplomats were besieged in the capital, Beijing (Peking). A rescue force of some eighteen thousand soldiers, hastily assembled, arrived in the nick of time. This multi nation contingen t consisted of Japanese, Russian, British, French, German, and American troops, with the American contribution some twenty-five hundred men. Such participation in a joint military operation, especially in Asia, was plainly contrary to the nation's time-honored principles of nonentanglement and noninvolvement.† David Kennedy, The American Pageant, Chapter 31.Document Tâ€Å" . . . .largely as a result of the dislocations and tax burdens, numerous Japanese laborers, with their wives and children, began to pour into California. By 1906 approximately seventy thousand Japanese dwelt along the Pacific Coast. Nervous Californians, confronted by another â€Å"yellow peril,† feared being drowned in an Asian sea. . . . Following the frightful earthquake and fire in San Francisco, the local school authorities, decreed that Japanese children should attend a special school. Instantly, this brewed an international crisis, and irresponsible war talk sizzled. This led to the Gentleman ’s Agreement.† David Kennedy, The American Pageant, Chapter 31.Document Uâ€Å"Cuba, scorched and chaotic, presented another headache. An American military government, set up under the administrative genius of General Leonard Wood of Rough Rider fame, wrought miracles in government, finance, education, agriculture, and public health. Under his leadership a frontal attack was launched on yellow fever. Spectacular experiments were performed by Dr. Walter Reed and others upon American soldiers, who volunteered as human guinea pigs; and the stegomyia mosquito was proved to be the lethal carrier.A cleanup of breeding places for mosquitoes wiped out yellow fever in Havana, while removing the recurrent fear of epidemics in cities of the South and Atlantic seaboard. The United States, honoring its self-denying Teller Amendment of 1898, withdrew from Cuba in 1902. Old World imperialists could scarcely believe their eyes. But the Washington government could not turn this rich an d strategic island completely loose on the international sea; a grasping power like Germany might secure dangerous lodgment near America's soft underbelly. The Cubans were therefore forced to write into their own constitution of 1901 the so-called Platt Amendment. The hated restriction severely hobbled the Cubans. They bound themselves not to impair their independence by treaty or by contracting a debt beyond their resources.They further agreed that the United States might intervene with troops to restore order and to provide mutual protection. Finally, the Cubans promised to sell or lease needed coaling or naval stations, ultimately two and then only one (Guantanamo), to their powerful â€Å"benefactor.† The United States is still there on about twenty-eight thousand acres under an agreement that can be revoked only by the consent of both parties.† Thomas A. Bailey, The American Pageant, Chapter 30.Document VA thorny legal problem was posed by the various territorial a cquisitions: did the Constitution follow the flag? Did American laws, including tariff laws, apply with full force to the newly acquired possessions, chiefly the Philippines and Puerto Rico? Beginning in 1901 with the Insular Cases, a badly divided Supreme Court decreed, in effect, that the flag did outrun the Constitution, and that the outdistanced document did not necessarily extend with full force to the new territories. The Congress was therefore left with a free hand to determine the degree of applicability.â€Å"The question before us is, has Congress incorporated Puerto Rico into the Union as distinguished from merely belong to the United States? Constitutional guarantees clearly apply in territories destined for statehood, but not in those not destined for statehood. . . . Mr. Balzac, the editor of a Puerto Rican newspaper, was convicted of criminal libel in the territorial court without trial by jury. He appealed to the Supreme Court for his right of trial by jury. . . . W ithout express provision by Congress, territory acquired by the nation remains unincorporated and the inhabitants are not entitled to all the protections of the Constitution.† Balzac v. ‘Puerto Rico 258 U.S. 298, 1922.

Sacred Exchange Between Saint Francis and Lady Poverty

THE SACRED EXCHANGE BETWEEN SAINT FRANCIS AND LADY POVERTY INTRODUCTION The Franciscan Order has been saddled with the controversy on the issue of the observance of poverty. During the lifetime of Saint Francis of Assisi, there were already factions in the Order; the faction that were in favour of living the Franciscan charism in a new dimension are called the lenient and the wise, and those who are in favour of keeping to the original way of living the Franciscan Charism, are often called the companions; â€Å"we who were with him†.After the death of Francis, the controversy became more intense between the Friars of the Community, who sought to live the Rule and poverty of the Franciscan life in towns and cities with the inspiration of the founder, and the spirituals that sought to live the literal observance of Rule with a more austere adherence. This controversy on the issue of the observance of poverty prompted so many friars from both factions to publish books in defense of the observance of poverty. Examples of books published include: Sacred Exchange between St Francis of Assisi and Lady Poverty by an unknown author, The Legend of the Three Companions by Br.Leo, Br. Rufino and Br. Angelo, The Tree of the Crucified Life of Jesus Christ by Ubertino Da Casale, The Tribulations of the Order of Lesser Ones by Angelo Clarino, the Little flowers of St Francis etc. In this essay, I will be explaining in details the information that the author is trying to pass across from some of the subthemes of the book entitled, â€Å"The Sacred Exchange between St Francis of Assisi and Lady Poverty†, that is specifically written in defense of the literal observance of poverty, indicating where the author is writing from, the year of composition and the aim of the author and the society of his time.The Sacred Exchange in other words, called the holy commerce between St Francis and Lady Poverty was written or composed between 1237 and 1239, few years after the de ath of St Francis of Assisi. It was written this time because there were already lapses in the observance of poverty just few years after the death of the founder. Also during these years, Pope Gregory IX, a close friend of Francis and the first Cardinal protector of the Order, issued a papal decree entitled â€Å"Quo elongati† addressed to the Friars egarding the observance of the Rule and Testament of Saint Francis. Furthermore, Br. Elias was elected as the Minister General of the Order and a massive Church was being built in honour of St Francis in the city of Assisi. All these development encourage the relaxation of the literal observance of poverty, thus creating more division within the Order. Consequently, this book was composed with rich allegory flavoured with so many scriptural references to defend, encourage and to remind the friars of the importance of the literal observance of poverty in the Order.AUTHOR Up to this day, the author of this book is still unknown, b ut there are suggestions that the author could be St Anthony of Padua, Blessed John of Parma or Caesar of Speyer, because there are similarities in their writing style with that of Sacred Exchange. It is certain that this was composed by a lenient Franciscan Friar who is well versed and acquainted with what was going on in the Order at that time.His talented gift surfaced in the way he personified Poverty as a Lady, because the word â€Å"lady† means a young admirable and respectful woman that knows her worth and does not seek after men; rather men always seek after her and she responds with love and kindness to the true man who seeks her. EXPLANATIONS ON THE SUB-THEMES BLESSED FRANCIS ASKS ABOUT POVERTY Here, the author presents the Lady poverty as a fine, beautiful maiden whom Francis is eagerly seeking with great enthusiasm and caution. In his quest to finding her, he came across some people on the streets of the towns and cities and enquired of the whereabouts of Lady Pov erty.The author in this section, tried to portray the people living in the cities as those friars who were living in the cities and thus, because they live in the cities, they could not understand what Francis is saying. According to the author, the friars that live in the towns and cities cannot observe the literal observance of poverty, because they are living in the worldly part of the world and so it will be difficult for them to live out the literal observance of poverty. That is why they could not understand what Francis was enquiring from them and they told Francis to speak in their own words or what Francis is saying is foreign to them. The people in the towns and cities are more prone to worldly demands and activities to the extent that poverty is seen as a bad and accursed thing not to be admired or observed. I will go to the best and the wise: According to the author, Francis thought that if he went to the wise and the lenient, they would help him find Lady Poverty, but a s soon as he got to the wise and enquired, they rebuked him that he should not come to them regarding anything dealing with poverty; that they are happy with their merriments and extravagance.Here the author tried to portray the friars living in the cities and those engaged in studies as the lenient and the wise that Francis met. That is why the author, in his defense of the companions and their idea of the literal observance poverty, put these statement in the mouth of Francis that he marveled and bless God for hiding these things to the lenient and the wise (that is the friars in the cities), and revealing them to the little ones (that is Friars in the hermitages) that are faithful to the observance of poverty.After he left the city, he quickly came to a certain field from afar, he saw two old men wasted away from great sorrow: Here Francis left the city where the worldly, lenient and wise are (Friars in cities) and went to certain field and met with two old men clad in sorrow (Fr iars in hermitages). Here the author is conveying a message that those that seek to observe the literal observance of poverty are not found in cities but rather in rural, and remote places like the fields, or the hermitages.In other words the author is saying that these are the Friars who are faithful to the observance of poverty, for they live far away from cities and their dwellings are at the hermitages which of course are found in the remote areas. Whom shall I respect except the one who is poor and contrite in spirit and the one who trembles at my words: Here the author is conveying a message that the literal observance of poverty is more valuable than obedience to the authorities, for the Rule is the Gospel and the Gospel is Christ Jesus who is God, the highest authority.We brought nothing into this world the other said and without doubt we take nothing out of it, but having food and whatever covers us, we are content with these: The author is saying that a true Friar that obs erve poverty will be content with the basic things of life which are food and whatever covers them; this is in total contrast to those friars in towns and cities seeking for self-sufficiency and knowledge. This also shows how profound and wise the friars in the hermitages are in their serious observance of poverty. (Sacred Exchange, p. 530, n. 6 & 8) HE ASKS TO BE SHOWN WHERE POVERTY LIVESFrancis asks the two old men; tell me I beg you, where does Lady Poverty dwell? Where does she eat? Where does she rest at noon? For I languish in love of her: Comparing the manner in which Francis asked the two old Men (â€Å"I beg you†), and the manner he asked the lenient and those on the streets of towns and cities, you will notice that the author deliberately put the statement (â€Å"I beg you†), to point out the fact that Francis saw the old men as one of â€Å"the little ones†, to whom God has revealed the mysteries of the kingdom of God and, because of this, they could give him clue as to how to find Lady Poverty.Furthermore, the author deliberately put the three questions, which in Hebrew numbering system, three things, symbolizes substantial and serious. That means Francis’ questions are substantial and of serious matter because he is really serious to meet Lady Poverty. Francis’ enthusiasm, restlessness, undying desire and love for Lady Poverty, shows that poverty is indeed worthwhile to be observed literally and not to be abandoned. Good Brother: The old men called Francis â€Å"good brother† because they also see Francis as a likeminded person, that is they and Francis are seeking to observe poverty.Furthermore, it is conveying a message that those that observe poverty without gloss, are the good brothers, that is, the faithful lesser brothers. We have sat here for a time and for times and half a time: Here the author is trying to portray the fact that these old Men have made the field (that is, the deserted place) as the ir new abode where they are living. They fled the cities to the remote place to faithfully and properly observe lady poverty. They told Francis that many search for her and when they find her, they accompanied her for a while, but they will leave her alone by herself.The author is conveying a message that at the beginning, the virtue of poverty is longed for and faithfully observed by people, and religious in particular, but after a while they can become lukewarm in the observance of poverty due to the allurement of the worldly possessions and then gradually abandoning. The children of my mother have fought against me: Meaning that those that sought to have and to observe her (i. e. Lady Poverty) after a while, have abandoned her, she cried out.But the old Men will say to Lady Poverty that the upright love her; meaning that only the upright ones that are determine to live spiritually and renounce the world and his allurements, by living in the deserted places like the hermitage are the ones that truly love her. In paragraph ten, the author tried to defend the fact that poverty is the highest form of all virtue and that the mandates or commands to observe this virtue comes from God and should be observed with the highest reverence before any other.It is for this reason that the author wrote: she is dwelling in the sacred mountains because God loved her above all the tabernacles of Jacob (i. e. , poverty is place higher than other virtues just as Joseph son of Jacob is exulted above his brothers). Since poverty is the highest virtue, only the humble, not even the giants and the eagles (pride of strength and knowledge), can touch the footprints and shoulder.Again this says that no amount of worldly knowledge and possessions can take one to attain the highest virtue of poverty and the rewards of the faithful observance of poverty are only for the religious who perseveres to the end. Furthermore, Lady Poverty is hidden from the eyes of the self sufficient, worldly comforted, lenient and wise religious friars, because they fly so swiftly in worldly knowledge and wisdom that like the birds of the sky that fly so high they are proud.Paragraph eleven contains the conditions for those who wish to climb high to reach the place where Lady Poverty dwells. The author wrote that the old men said to Francis to give up all possessions, like books, knowledge, fine clothes etc. before he can climb the mountain successfully to reach and attain the highest virtue of poverty. The author is telling the friars to do away with worldly affairs like possessions, books, knowledge, for such things are obstacles that keep them from observing poverty.The author went on to say that poverty is kind and will be seen and found by those who seek her with sincerity and love. Finally the author is saying to the friars that if they truly love to observe poverty, they will be willing to give up all their worldly possessions for her. To think about her brother, is perfect under standing, and whoever keeps vigil for her will easily be secured: From this statement, the author is telling the friars that observing poverty is the way to perfect knowledge and security.In other words the author is saying to the friars that they should seek first the kingdom of God which is hidden in the observance of poverty; then all other things like knowledge, goods, securities etc, will be given them, re-echoing the statement of Christ in the Gospel. Take faithful companions with you so that during the mountain ascent, you will have their advice and be strengthen by their help: Here it is obvious that there are already factions in the Order which are often called the Companions who are different from the wise and lenient.It also shows that Francis felt at home with the Companions because he saw in them genuine zeal of the observance of the Rule and poverty and so he entrusted his care to these Companions and also sought advice from them alone. The author is saying that those that seek advice to live the Minorite life more perfectly should seek the counsels of the faithful friars because they observe the Rule and poverty as Francis did. (Sacred Exchange, pp. 531-532, n. 9, 10, & 11) BLESSED FRANCIS ENCOURAGES HIS BROTHERSHere we are told that Francis received the advice and counsel of the old men in a deserted place (hermitage), unlike his rejection of the counsel of the wise and lenient and those he met on the streets of the towns and cities. Also, in paragraph 12, the author reemphasizes Francis’ choice of the faithful companions. The aim of this emphasis is to pass a message that only those friars who are faithful to the literal observance of poverty are truly faithful and they are the friars that Francis extols in this section.Furthermore, the idea of the author to use the words â€Å"old men† (not â€Å"young men†) in the field and the people in the town and city, is a deliberate and selective statement used specifically to conv ey a message that the old men stand for the faithful members of the Order that still keep to the literal observance of poverty, while the people in the cities and towns are the majority of the members of the Order who are unfaithful because they do not observe poverty literally due to the allurements of the world.From the statement, come let us climb the mountain of the Lord and the dwelling of Lady Poverty, that she may teach us her ways and we might walk in her paths: The author is saying that Francis sees poverty as the only way through which all holiness and knowledge are achieved, thus telling the friars to see the observance of poverty as their priority and that they should give their all to knowing how to attain this highest virtue.The author, in order to properly defend his notion that only the â€Å"few† that live in hermitages can observe the literal observance of poverty faithfully, puts this question on the lips of the companions: who can climb this mountain and w ho can reach its summits? The author indicates that Francis answers the question (by putting the answers on the lips of Francis) by saying that the road is difficult and the gate is narrow, only the few can find it, again emphasizing that the few who keep the observance of poverty in fields and hermitages (not the majority in the convents of the cities) are the ones who can attain its summits.Furthermore, in order to defend those friars who are keen on observing the Rule and poverty of the Order literally, who are in obedience to Christ (author’s defense of the â€Å"obedience† of the hermitage friars as opposed to the friars of the Community who are keen on obedience to the Church), the author wrote that the friars in hermitage are in obedience to Christ because if they are observing the Rule and poverty which is the Gospel they are, therefore, obeying Christ who is the Gospel and God himself the highest supreme being to be obeyed before any other authority. Authority here means the Church or the minister general of the Order). The author in his further defense said that Francis said to the Friars: The Spirit is before your face, Christ the Lord, who draws you to the heights of the mountain in bonds of love. Finally in this section, the author wrote: After he said these things, they all began to follow the holy Francis: Here the author is saying that the faithful friars will always see Christ in Francis, because he is holy and, being a perfect imitator of Christ, (alter Christus) the friars should keep to his teachings and ideals, thus making them holy as well. Sacred Exchange, pp. 532-533, n. 12 & 13) POVERTY MARVELS AT THE EASE OF THEIR ASCENT As the theme of this section is titled, the author tries to shed more light on the importance of detachment as the sole criterion to attain the highest virtue of all virtues: Lady Poverty. To defend this notion he wrote: She (Lady Poverty) was greatly astonished at seeing these men climbing so ably, almo st flying. Also, the author wrote that Lady Poverty was astonished at their pace.In addition, to point out the zeal of the faithful friars towards attaining the virtue most dear to them, Lady Poverty exclaimed: who are these men, she asked, who fly like clouds and like doves to their windows? To express the delight and joy of Lady Poverty at the zeal, detachment, pace and uniqueness of these faithful friars, the author wrote: She (Lady Poverty) said; it has been a long time since I have seen such people or gazed upon those so unencumbered, all their burden set aside (i. e. Lady Poverty admiring their detachment).Furthermore, to prove that many faithful have been led astray by distractions of the abyss (i. e. worldly affairs) by seeking worldly knowledge, merriments, living luxuriously, thereby making them to forget and then finally abandon the observance of Lady Poverty, the author wrote: Therefore I (Lady Poverty) will speak to them (the truly faithful friars) about what engages my heart so that, when they are staring down the abyss (distractions or worldly allurements) they do not like the others (i. e. the derailed friars) have second thoughts about such a climb.The author also wrote that Lady Poverty said: There will be a reward for me before my heavenly Father if I give them saving advice. This statement of Lady Poverty re-emphasizes the fact that poverty is from God and since it is God’s plan that we should observe it, then that mandate must be obeyed else we are going contrary to his commandments since He is the almighty to whom all must obey before any human or religious authorities. In paragraph fifteen, and elsewhere in this book, the author always describes Lady Poverty as being naked.For instance, he wrote in this section: And so Lady Poverty resting on a throne in her nakedness. By this statement, the author tries to convey a message that Lady Poverty can only be clothed with our willingness to embrace and to observe her with faithfulness a nd detachment. But when those that are faithful were derailed and misguided by the allurements of the world, they abandoned the observance of poverty, thus making her naked. And behold a voice was heard: fear not daughter of Zion, because these men are the seed whom the Lord has blessed in unfeigned love.The author, through this statement, is trying to present the faithful friars to be like Christ at his baptism at River Jordan, when a voice is heard from the cloud saying behold this is my beloved son in whom am well pleased listen to him. Here the author is saying that God is pleased with their literal observance of the poverty and that they should not lose hope or despair, rather they should be faithful to the end. Welcome them with blessings and sweetness. â€Å"Tell me brothers†: Here the author is saying that Lady Poverty will always be ready to lavish her blessings and rewards on those (i. . the faithful brothers) who keep to the observance of poverty thus opening more doors to God’s blessings and divine providence. Are you perhaps, looking for me whom as you can see I am poor little one tossed about by storms and without consolation? Here the author tries to present the attitude and approaches that the friars had towards Lady Poverty and how they abandoned the observance of poverty. (Sacred Exchange, pp. 533-534, n. 14, & 15) BLESSED FRANCIS PRAISES POVERTY In paragraph sixteen, we see Lady Poverty being praised, acknowledged and honoured by the brothers.They begged poverty to be their queen for they have seen above all from their experience that she is from the most high God and that it is through her (poverty) that Christ came to this world and undertook all aspects of his mission. The brothers also acknowledged that since the Most High used her (poverty) to accomplish his mission on earth, so they begged her to accept them, so that through her, they will also overcome the world and its allurements. They also see poverty as the key or ga te to all other virtues, once again reaffirming poverty’s uniqueness and her esteemed position where God has placed her.The brothers knew that unless they are accepted by Lady Poverty, the queen of all virtues, they will be lost. In summary, the brothers see poverty as the only medium which Christ used to come to this world, live among us, eat with us, announce penance and the Kingdom, be scourged, crucified and die on the Cross to redeem us. Therefore, it is inevitable that Man can conquer the world and its allurements only through embrace of the same virtue. In paragraph seventeen, the author, tries to present poverty as being preferred and cherished by Christ to even the host of angels and other principalities and powers of Heaven.And it is evident in his incarnation when he left his royalty and pitched his tent among us to embrace poverty. This is also proof of the highest dignity that she (i. e. poverty) has in the eyes of Christ. But it is often hard for man to see it t hat way due to his blindness and ignorance caused by worldly affairs, thus abandoning the greatest treasure and going after worthless and vain things that cannot lead him or her to eternal home but only to destruction. Furthermore, the author wrote that Francis, after his reflective praises of Lady Poverty, begged her to have pity on them and to accept them, for it is only those that are ignorant (i. . those blinded by worldly affairs) that will not be longing to have her (i. e. poverty) whom the Most High God cherished and honoured before everything else. Finally, to show the zeal of Francis and his faithful companions the author wrote that: They begged Lady Poverty to consider them for the sake of Christ with whom she abides and without whom no one will be saved. Here the author is saying that the virtue of poverty is from God, and he established that we observe it and thus we called to obey God before any authority (here, the author is defending poverty against the Church’ s notion of the observance of poverty). Sacred Exchange, pp. 534-535, n. 16, 17) DIGNITY OF POVERTY AND HER RESPONSE The author tries to present the important role that the virtue of poverty played in the coming of Christ into this world. First, to prove the need and importance of the observance of poverty, the author narrated how God used poverty to prepare the Blessed Mother, a poor and humble lady, and made her womb to be the first dwelling place of our Lord Jesus Christ. Also when it was time to be born, he preferred to be born in a poor place, a manger where animals are kept.Again the first people that received the news of the birth of Christ are the poor shepherds, he had nowhere to lay his head (i. e. from the scriptures: foxes have holes but the son of man has no place to lay his head). The creator of the creatures has no place as his own here, showing his special love and bond for lady poverty. In paragraph twenty-one, even when Christ is being mocked, spat on, betrayed by his very dear apostles, insulted, slapped, the only consolation he got is from Lady Poverty because she is always faithful.The author is encouraging the friars not to forget this virtue of all virtues. Here in paragraph twenty-three, the author tries to show that Lady Poverty will always respond with joy and delight towards those that are zealous in her observance. She (poverty) always sees such people as her own. Little wonders why the author put the phrase: â€Å"Brothers and very dear friends† here to show the level or degree of love she has towards those that seek her genuinely. (Sacred Exchange, pp. 535-537, n. 19, 21 & 23)A RECOLLECTION OF POVERTY IN PARADISE In this section, we see the author, in his gifted ability to perfectly connect words and scriptural scenarios together, liken the joy that Adam and Eve experienced in paradise and the loss of that joy as a result of their unfaithfulness and disobedience with the peace and serene experiences that the some friars had when they were faithful to the observance of poverty and the woes and flaws that others experienced because of their rejection of the literal observance of poverty.In a nutshell, the author is conveying a message, that just as man lost paradise by the cunning of the serpent, which consequently led to disobedience, so the friars will lose their holiness and spiritual esteem by the allurements of worldly possessions (i. e. books, fine clothes comfortable houses and living in towns and cities) leading to their rejection of poverty.Furthermore, just as man tried to give excuses for his deeds instead of asking for God’s mercy and forgiveness and thus incurred His wrath, so it would be for the friars, if they continue to defend their reasons for trying to mitigate the literal observance of poverty. Finally in this section, the author is encouraging the friars to come back to the primitive observance of poverty and if they do come back to it, God will replenish them with all the gr aces they have lost and thus enjoy God’s divine providence which the world cannot give.He tried to liken the glory and honour that the friars would experience again, with the redemptive or salvific victory that Christ won for us when he reconciled mankind to God once again by his blood. (Sacred Exchange, pp. 537-539, n. 25-30. ) THE COVENANT OF CHRIST In this section, we can see the overall point of the author and his reason for agitating for the friars’ return to the literal observance of poverty. He said that Lady Poverty is a covenant or testament which Christ specifically left to his disciples and thus the friars.The author is encouraging the friars to trust in divine providence and that they should not worry about what to wear, what to eat etc. , that all these will be provided for only if they observe poverty. (Sacred Exchange, p. 539, n. 31) THE APOSTLES Here the author is saying that even the apostles observe the virtue of poverty both in their words and action s and, thereby won so many souls for Christ. They never said anything of their own word, but what Christ asked them to say.They contributed according to their ability and shared according to needs of the community entrusted to them. The writer said it is because of the great impact of the lifestyle of early Christian community of which the apostles were the guide. (Sacred Exchange, pp. 539-540, n. 32) THE PEACE CONTRARY TO POVERTY The author tries to tell the friars that not all that glitters is gold; that at times when all is going well, they should be very cautious because there can be evil disguised as good just to derail them from the observance of poverty.He likened the movement of the Order’s clericalization and into cities (urbanization), which was taking the Order away from the original observance of poverty, with the peace pact and legitimization of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire, which according to the author did more harm than good, becau se from the time of the pact zeal for the Lord and His kingdom, expressed in persecution and martyrdom, had waned. (Sacred Exchange, pp. 541-532, n. 34-35) THE PRAISE OF THE GOOD POOR The author in this section tried to be more specific about the two factions already emerging in the Franciscan Order. i. e. , the community and the companions) Observing paragraph thirty-seven: After a while, some began to breathe and willingly to walk the right path which for some time they had walked out of necessity. From the statement the author is saying that some of the friars (i. e. the companions) realize that things were not going well with the Order, for many have all failed to observe poverty, so they struggled hard to restore a more pristine observance of poverty; often, however, they were opposed by the other friars (i. . the community). (Sacred Exchange, p. 542, n. 37) The author further called the companions men of virtue pleasing and blameless before God which, in other words, means tha t the friars should not be dismayed by the antagonism and criticism they receive from the community; rather they should be happy for they are pleasing and acceptable to God and, thus, he listed a great litany of virtues, attributing them solely to the companions (Sacred Exchange, p. 542, n. 38) POVERTY WARNS FALSE RELIGIOUSIn encouraging the faithful friars, (i. e. , the companions) Lady Poverty urged them to be steadfast and hold their heads high; they should be persistent in their pursuit of her embrace and that they should be conscious of the dangers of worldly enticements so that they will not be derailed like the others; because if they are not careful, their fate would be worse. For under the guise of piety, they withdraw from that which was given them by a holy commandment. (Sacred Exchange, p. 543, n. 40) POVERTY SPEAKS ABOUT GOOD RELIGOUSIn this section, the author tries to convey a message that those friars who are faithful to the observance of poverty are not easily entan gled or seduced by worldly desires, for they are always praying with all humility and joy. Also, the author calls them Israel, which means that they are the chosen people of God and they are always blessed and favoured by Him since He had made covenant with them and for this reason they will be honour by many people; furthermore, they will be a light for all to see. (Sacred Exchange, p. 44, n. 42) POVERTY WARNS THEM TO RETURN In this section, the author is trying to persuade the friars to return to the original charism of the observance of Poverty. He wrote: Return you children who are withdrawing and I will heal your aversion. The author here used some scriptural words that the prophets in the Old Testament used in order to call the Israelites to repentance lest they perish. He asked them to listen to their heart and that they should not be stubborn else they might lose their souls to worldly possessions.Furthermore, he tries to explain how miserable the lives of those friars will be who refuse to repent and that the punishment that awaits those that disobeyed Christ’s commands will be more severe than the punishment that the Israelites got simply because they violate the rule that Moses gave them, for the Son of Man is greater than Moses and all the prophets and saints. (Sacred Exchange, p. 548, n. 51) THE LORD SPEAKS TO LADY POVERTY With these words: They have departed and gone away for they have not rejected you (Lady Poverty) but me (i. . , God), the author is saying that the observance of poverty means the acceptance and obedience of God’s commands which supersedes all other authority; therefore, whoever refuse to observe poverty is rejecting God. (Sacred Exchange, p. 548, n. 52) LADY POVERTY ADMONISHES BLESSED FRANCIS ABOUT PROGRESS AND REGRESSION IN RELIGIOUS LIFE. The author is saying to the friars not to look back for those that have put their hands on the plough and look back are not fit for the kingdom of God.He reminded the friars to always remember what happened to Lot’s wife whenever they are being tempted by the snare of evil thoughts to go against the literal observance of poverty. Furthermore, he urged those who are faithful to the observance of poverty to keep up their heroic work and that they are seen as the trusted friends of God; therefore, they are not far from the kingdom of heaven because they have decided to take the path of ascent where only few can go. Finally, he said to the friars to see Christ as the only model and guide and that they should be careful not to fall into the trap of seeking vain worldly knowledge, wealth etc. hich leads to greed, pride and sloth, for if they happen to fall to this snares, it will be very difficult to recover from such a pit because it is not easy to come back to perfectly observe poverty due to the snares of the worldly riches. (Sacred Exchange, pp. 549-550, n. 53-55) BLESSED FRANCIS TOGHETHER WITH HIS BROTHERS RESPOND TO LADY POVERTY Here the author tri es to prove that Francis and his brothers' love and desire to observe poverty as they consecrate themselves totally to the observance of poverty.Francis and his brothers blest poverty, because through her many people are blest and have won God’s favours. They said that although they were hearing bad rumors about her, they have come to see and experience what she (Lady Poverty) perfectly means and is and they begged her not to give them little of herself for they are ready to observe her more fervently like never before and always be her spouse. (Sacred Exchange, p. 550, n. 56-58) THE CONSENT OF POVERTY The author said that poverty consented to the pleas of Francis and his brothers as she embraced them with all her graces and blessings.The author said that Francis was so happy for the love of Lady Poverty that he continued to praise God with all his strength, for she has finally accepted them to be her spouse. (Sacred Exchange, p. 551, n. 58) THE BANQUET OF POVERTY WITH THE BR OTHERS Here in this section, the author compare the dwellings of the friars in the city (i. e. the community friars) with their luxurious houses and settings, kitchen, assorted meals, rooms, condiments and dining room, etc. ith the poor dwellings of the companions with stones for their pillows, bread and water as their assorted food, cracked bowls as their water bowl, their teeth as their knife, their habit as their hand towel and the whole world as their enclosure, thus showing that the friars in hermitages are the faithful ones with the observance of poverty and that’s why she is so happy with them always. (Sacred Exchange, pp. 551-552, n. 59-63) LADY POVERTY BLESSES THE BROTHERS AND URGES THEM TO PERSEVERE WITH THE GRACE THEY HAVE RECEIVED Therefore, I (i. . , Lady Poverty) beg you brothers(the faithful ones who keep to the literal observance of poverty), through the mercy of God which has made you so poor, do that for which you have come, that for which you have risen up from the waters of Babylon: The author is urging the friars to continue in their observance of poverty because God’s blessings and grace is already bestowed upon them and, for through them, so many souls will be won; their prayers always rise like incense of sweet smell before the Trinity.Finally, the author is saying that the faithful friars will forever be honoured, for they have made the angels in heaven rejoice continually, the whole company of heaven, saints, martyrs, virgins, blessed etc, are all celebrating for their devotedness and love; their exemplary lives, though full of struggle, are not in vain. (Sacred Exchange, pp. 553-554, n. 64-69) CONCLUSION Following our analysis of the Sacred Exchange it is apparent that the author is full of bias and prejudice towards the friars that sought to live the observance of poverty in a modified way in towns and cities.Nevertheless, one may ask if someone wants to take what is cherished and valued away from another, would that o ne be happy? Would he/she not try everything in his/her power to protect it from being taken away? The writer of this precious document, and those who shared his perspective on events of the early brotherhood, was not writing to cause division in the Order, rather, it would seem that he was defending something so precious and necessary to the charism of the Order. The writer was attempting to safeguard something he considered a fundamental value; he was writing for what he perceived to be a just cause.Though Franciscans of today know they cannot observe poverty in the same way the early friars due to the absolutely clear differences in the societal and cultural settings of their time and ours, still there many of things we can learn from their zeal, their spirituality and their faithfulness in keeping alive this aspect of our Franciscan heritage which we have inherited and must pass on to generations of friars yet to come. Finally, let us cherish all their efforts by appreciating th eir writings and studying them well, for if we study them, we learn from their spirituality, their intellectuality, and also from their mistakes.Then we can apply them to our age. For in their writings, we could find answers to some of the problems that we face today, and in doing so, we are keeping the eight hundred years old Franciscan tradition alive for the friar yet to be born. BIBLIOGRAPHY Francis of Assisi, â€Å"Sacred Exchange between Saint Francis of Assisi and Lady Poverty† in Regis J. Armstrong Et al. Francis of Assisi: Early Documents, VOL. I: The Saint (London: New City Press, 1999), pp. 529-554.