The Principles of Animalism Essay Example

The Principles of Animalism Paper The Principles of Animalism are the set of principles devised by Old Major in Animal Farm that all the animals are expected to live up to and follow. These include complete equality among the animals, and a rejection of human ways. During the tale, we see these principles progressively subverted by the pigs for their own agenda, which is to assume complete control of Animal Farm, while encouraging the other animals to believe that the equality still exists. Squealer, as the propagandist on behalf of the pigs, and the sheep and dogs as groups utilised by Napoleon to advance his ause, are used by the pigs to destroy Old Majors idealism. Squealer is used by Napoleon as a spin-doctor, to manipulate the truth and deceive the other creatures. We can see an example of this when the pigs start to subvert the principle of equality, and decide to keep the apples and milk to themselves. Obviously this arouses the animals because they are just about clever enough to see that this is not fair, and that the pigs are being greedy. However, Squealer is sent by the pigs to quell any unrest that might be brewing: Comrades! he cried. You do not imagine, I hope, that we pigs are oing this in a spirit of selfishness and privilege? Of course, this is exactly what the animals think, but when they are confronted in such a straightforward manner, with such a reproving tone behind the question, they cannot really reply, which gives Squealer the chance to begin his lies, which the animals believe just because they can acknowledge the fact that the pigs are cleverer than themselves. This use of a rhetorical question is Squealers main technique against the animals, as this type of question hides a threat of disapproval if answered, and so makes answer impossible: It was almost unbelievable, said Squealer, that any animal could be so stupid. We will write a custom essay sample on The Principles of Animalism specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on The Principles of Animalism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on The Principles of Animalism specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Surely, he cried indignantly, whisking his tail and skipping from side to side, surely they knew their beloved Leader, Comrade Napoleon, better than that? Once he has thus silenced the animals, Squealer, can go on to say anything that he wishes to persuade them that everything is fine. Squealer will also support his rhetorical questions with a statement to make the animals feel guilty and shamed for ever doubting the pigs motives. Not only do they then drop their arguments, but they will take up a different train of thought ntirely: It is for your sake that we drink that milk and eat those apples. Now, as well as not being able to continue arguing, the animals will also have the new sense of gratification towards the pigs for their protection, thus making them less likely to argue in the future. Squealer is extremely clever, and so can exploit any of the animals weaknesses. One of these is their fear of the return of Jones who for them symbolises all the oppression that they were under in the past. By threatening the return of Jones, Squealer can make the animals more passive in their attitudes because in their minds Jones is the ultimate symbol of oppression and fear: surely there is no one among you who wants to see Jones come back? Now if there was one thing that the animals were completely certain of, it was that they did not want Jones back. Looking at their situation in such a light, the animals can romanticise that whatever is happening in their lives now, it cant be as bad as when they had no equality under Jones: But they were happy in their work; they grudged no effort or sacrifice, well aware that everything that they did was for the benefit of themselves False logic and facts are techniques that Squealer can use when talking to support what he is saying, but only because the animals are not educated. For example, he uses facts from subjects that they would clearly know nothing about because they cannot read. The animals have acknowledged the pigs intelligence over them, so they are prone to believe that the pigs know what they are talking about when in fact they do not, but are bluffing: Milk and apples (this has been proved by Science, comrades) contain substances absolutely necessary to the well-being of a pig. We pigs are brain-workers. Of course the animals have no basis or education to argue with Science, and so now in their minds, The importance of keeping the pigs in good health was all too obvious. The false logic that Squealer uses is often preposterous to the reader, as we can see where it breaks down and becomes sheer nonsense: A too rigid equality in rations, Squealer explained, would have been contrary to the principles of Animalism. However the animals are not able to make the same judgement because they have not developed completely logical thought yet. Often they need time to be able to gather heir thoughts, which Squealer does not give them by making his speeches long and conclusive. What makes Squealer such a good propagandist is his ability to control the animals thoughts by what he is saying. Nervous little skips from side to side, giving the appearance of anxiousness, is part of his act when he wants the animals to sense importance. In a way he acts as a bridge between the pigs and the animals, as he is pretending to be on their own level, while really just acting. He can make them believe this by calling them Comrades. He instils the trust in them, and then can xploit their belief in his truthfulness: Reading out the figures in a shrill, rapid voice, he proved to them in detail The animals believed every word of it. Whatever else is happening, and no matter how much the other pigs are distancing themselves, the animals will always trust Squealer to be giving them honest information. Napoleon uses the sheep to cause confusion and disrupt the animals train of thought. This is centred around their ability to be taught something and then repeat it for as long as desired. Because of a complete lack of intelligence on their part, they do ot actually have their own opinions on any matter, and even to teach them simple phrases takes its time. They are very useful though in quashing any signs of rebellion on the part of the animals, because they simply do not allow anyone to have any form of say by the sheer amount of noise they create: Frightened though they were, some of the animals might possibly have protested, but at this moment the sheep set up their usual bleating of Four legs good, two legs bad, which put an end to the discussion. The use of the sheep is here timed to perfection so that the animals have no way of rotesting against what the pigs are doing. This routine is thoroughly well planned by Napoleon so that he can do whatever he wishes without having to use Squealer or force (or in fact when he cant use Squealer, as when the pigs begin to walk on their hind legs- because they are now acting above the animals, Squealer is no longer a bridge). The sheep use simple slogans such as Four legs good, two legs bad, which are easy to remember and can be repeated over and over ad infinitum. In this way they usurp the animals right to free speech by denying them the opportunity to speak out. The timing of their bleating is co-ordinated by the pigs via secret signals and therefore disguised as coincidence. It was noticed that they were especially liable to break into Four legs good, two legs bad at the crucial moments in Snowballs speeches. The animals never realise that the pigs are controlling the sheep, it seems to them like chance whether the sheep will start bleating or not. They become accustomed to the sheep breaking in to calm any tensions: Then, as usual, the sheep broke into Four legs good, two legs bad! and the momentary awkwardness was smoothed over. This is the reason that the sheep are so successful in disruption; the animals are not aware that their timing has been orchestrated, and so do not realise that they will start their bleating at crucial moments. If they did they might be able to keep their key arguments in mind and then take up the issue at anothe r time. The other group of animals without any opinion is the dogs, who were taken away at birth by Napoleon to be secretly trained to respond to his command. They are very vicious, and seen by the other animals as being creatures who are completely nknown and alien. They quickly become the enforcement of order by brutal means, often killing, and so the animals quickly become afraid of them just as they are of humans. They attend the pigs wherever they go and prevent any form of argument with the threat of violence: But suddenly the dogs sitting round Napoleon let out deep, menacing growls, and the pigs fell silent and sat down again. Here the animals with the most chance of formulating an effective protest, some young pigs, are stopped in their protests at not being able to debate the running of the arm any more (the removal of free will from the animals) by the threat of force from the dogs. These same pigs are later targeted when the dogs serve a new purpose in executing animals who are apparently traitors to Animal Farm. The dogs influence quickly grows until they are on a par with the pigs in terms of importance and stature: Once again all rations were reduced, except those of the pigs and dogs. The dogs are needed in full health by Napoleon so that they can be a guarding escort for the important pigs, but they are more than that because they are Napoleons ersonal protection elite as well, and so hold more weight than a normal guard force would. They also start to help supervise the running of the farm, highlighting their difference to the other animals (they are not just being used): The dogs saw to it that these orders were carried out. The dogs are shown to be devoid of any personality, which contributes to the animals fear of them as it enforces their alien nature; they are thoughtless beings that exhibit no signs of compassion. When they kill, the animals are firstly horrified, but come to realise that they are easily capable of such things, and so a threat. Napoleon uses the dogs as a threatening force, a protection service and to get rid of potential troublemakers. These troublemakers are dispatched with intention, however there are also random killings that cause the animals much fear and distress. These random executions that begin are just a way of making all the animals live in fear of stepping out of line and of the dogs (their ruthlessness in killing their own kind is shocking to the animals). This fear means that they never dare to do anything other than go along with the pigs, because they know it will probably result in death for eing a traitor. All in all, the pigs use many methods with which to subvert the principles of Animalism. The use of fear is key to controlling the animals, and is used by both the dogs and Squealer, but in different ways; Squealer uses words to scare the animals into submission, while the dogs actually hold a force which they demonstrate regularly. Another method is that which is employed by the sheep, which is on the whole very different, yet very effective. By means of creating noise in the form of a repeated slogan, the sheep confuse the animals thoughts, and remove the opportunity or debate or argument. All of this goes towards making the animals passive in preparation for the final subversion of Animalism; the final great shift where the pigs make the transition from the animal to the human, the very same force that the animals strived to defeat and against whom they gained their independance in the first place (this shift meaning that all that the animals have done is worth nothing, as they are back where they started, perhaps with even less, as now they have no hope with which to console themselves; everything has been removed form them).

How The World Ended †Creative Writing Essay

How The World Ended – Creative Writing Essay Free Online Research Papers How The World Ended Creative Writing Essay An earthquake of the magnitude of 10.5 has hit the earth as a result of a galactic disaster. Buildings are crashing on top of people. Streets are caving in. Water mains are bursting. All of a sudden I see an old friend sitting on the sidewalk. In the middle of this chaos I spot my friend. He tells me he is trying to get to his wife. They were each at work when the earthquake hit. He wants to find her and to make sure that she is ok. As we talk we see a women who is hit by a truck flying through the air. She and others need our help. He says, â€Å"How can I help when I must find my wife†. I tell him that there are others who need his help right now. He must not let his passion for his wife stop him from doing what he should be doing now which is helping those who need his help right here. I tell him to use his reason to think that his wife is ok and to use his passion to help the people around him. â€Å"I would have you consider your judgment and your appetite even as you would two loved guest in your house.† 1 Right now you have a job to do and your wife also has a job to do. You must help those around here who need help and she must do the same. â€Å"And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.† 2 In the past you might have given money to charities but now that will not help. Now you need to give yourself. You must help people by pulling them out from under rubble and administer first aid. â€Å"It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.† 3 My friend pulls himself together. Together we run to help a woman who was hit by a falling brick. My friend has put his passion to work with his reason. He will look for his wife later when he has done all he can here. He sees that he is separate from his wife and he must give of himself. All of sudden a building behind me crashes down on me. Everything goes black. Research Papers on How The World Ended - Creative Writing EssayThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationHonest Iagos Truth through DeceptionMind TravelCapital PunishmentHip-Hop is ArtThe Spring and AutumnWhere Wild and West MeetAnalysis Of A Cosmetics AdvertisementUnreasonable Searches and SeizuresHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Essay

How honest will I be in the world of Business Article - 1

How honest will I be in the world of Business - Article Example While dealing with customers, I shall always tell them the truth about my products and I shall honor my promises to them. I shall for example make sure that I disclose any defect in commodities that I sell to customers and ensure timely deliveries to the customers. Similarly, my dealings with suppliers at different business levels will be free from falsehood. I shall correct any understatement in suppliers’ delivery notes and make sure that suppliers’ payments are made within agreed upon durations. I shall also be honest in my possible role as a manager, a leader, or an employer. In any of these capacities, I shall treat employees and relate with them according to my organization’s human resource management policies. Further, I shall not be involved in any form of fraud or misrepresentation of information to any stakeholder in the business world. Avoiding conflict of interest will be my strategy to achieving this level of honesty (Boone and Kurtz,

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

Behavior - Case Study Example In general, Clawson begins by talking about insecurities about self and the world around that start to develop when individuals do not get what they expect and/or are used to (p.3). Childhood experiences have a deep impact on individuals’ behavior and expectations. When individuals do not get what they believe is their right, it affects them negatively. To understand people for the way they behave, this article explains that most of the times behavior is defined by the individual’s experiences of their childhood. The learning obtained from this aspect is that it is not required for one to feel offended or betrayed because of somebody’s behavior that was not as expected; instead, it would be better to understand why that person behaved the way he/she did. It is more often due to some problems or challenges the other person might be facing, which he/she is unable to express. These problems are being referred to as â€Å"holes† in personality by Clawson (p.3) . Clawson further adds that it is important to move on instead of clinging to the issues that left us dissatisfied. When we decide to move on, we free our mind of negative thoughts and feelings, which is important for our wellbeing. Clawson talks about memes, which can have significant impact on our beliefs. Memes are mental building blocks that determine our behavior as they shape our beliefs; however, these memes are temporary. So, it is important to identify memes and not allow these memes to affect relationships because of their impact on persons’ behavior. A very important learning in general is that our actions or reactions to the happenings around us are purely because of our choice and are not because of any external influence (p.9). So, if we choose to be happy we can, and if we choose to be negative affected by the circumstances, we can. So, all negative feelings are because of our own choice, which can be controlled through thoughtful approach to the difficult time s of life. Our personal set of Values, Assumptions, Beliefs and Expectations (VABE) determine our view of the world and circumstances rather than the reality of the circumstances. These VABEs vary with every individual, culture, country and religion. These VABEs determine the behavior of individuals (Clawson, p.14). In a family, it is important to learn that what we learn and experience as children, up to an age of 10, determine our values in later life even if the situations completely change. So, it becomes important as to what the parents, guardians, teachers etc instil in children through behavior and observation that would eventually determine their life values. Moreover, it is important to keep in mind that our behavior is influenced by our actions, thoughts, feelings and physiology (p.10). Memes are also important because these memes will have a significant impact on children’s beliefs and behavior. Family is the first source of memes in an individual’s life and determine the lifestyle (Renshaw, p.11). Clawson’s article provides numerous points of learning for leaders. Firstly, leaders have the responsibility of influencing and motivating followers towards accomplishing a desired task (Pierce, p.257). In these contexts, for leaders, Clawson (p.5) justifies that it would be ideally impossible to effectively lead with expectations of being able to completely influence their followers. This is because all individuals’

External auditing has changed to accommodate the changes in corporate Essay

External auditing has changed to accommodate the changes in corporate governance in the UK and other countries such as South Africa, Australia, US, India and China - Essay Example days as to how the level of trust can be improved in our communities in regards to the governance bodies of companies, aboriginal communities and charitable corporation. While there are many debates that are presently in progress, the most important ones are playing out in global communities, with other companies taking lead from there (Demb & Neubauer 2002, pp.9). By understanding the different point of views and underlying rationales can help the board of directors to develop practices and policies that improve the governance of their organization and thus improve community’s trust in the organisations leadership. (Conti & Warner 2006, pp. 12). This paper is based on good corporate governance that should be adopted by all the companies and the role of different mechanisms of corporate governance. Furthermore, evaluation of the importance of corporate governance, its pros and cons and analysis has also been discussed. The process by which direction is given to the organization i known as corporate governance. With regards to this, control is implemented on the company and it is held to account. Therefore, it can be said that factors such as accountability, leadership, authority, direction, stewardship are controlled by corporate governance when control is implemented in an organization. The reason why the definition seems balanced is because it ensures that the checks and balances are employed during the process. This is the reason why it can be considered as a comprehensive definition with regards to corporate governance. The aim of implementing corporate governance is to attract the investors as well as the managers to ensure that the companies care about the profits that are generated. Moreover, it also develops a relationship between the internal governance mechanisms of the organization as well as the idea of the community with regards to corporate accounting. Therefore, corporate governance increases the confidence of the investors and to facilitate the

Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) Origin and Features

Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL) Origin and Features Leandri Venteru Mid- African Rift: Is there a geographical/spatial control on the nature of volcanism in Cameroon? Essay Volcanism in Cameroon occurs mainly on the Cameroon Volcanic Line (CVL), with the largest and most active volcano being Mount Cameroon (Fitton, 1980). The CVL, representing alkaline volcanoes, shows an easy recognisable Y-shape, with volcanic centres in both the oceanic and continental sectors of the African plate (Fitton Dunlop, 1985). Consensus regarding the driving forces of these volcanoes has yet to be reached. However, a wide variety of theories and hypotheses addressing the origin and nature of the CVL have been published over the last few decades. The CVL is a 1600km long magmatic sequence, stretching from Pagalu Island in the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) to Lank Chad on the main land of Cameroon on the western African continent (Dà ©ruelle, Ngounouno Demaiffe, 2007). Geographically the CVL is situated almost parallel to the Benue Trough, and follows the length of the Ngaoundà ©rà © Fault (Ballentine, Lee Halliday, 1997). The northern limb of the CVL overlaps with the Chad rift, which marks the northern rift of the Benue Trough (Fitton, 1980). Although volcanism is still active along the CVL is it not a neogene feature and has been active since the beginning of the Tertiary period. The rocks from the CVL are classified as mainly alkaline, intermediate and felsic. The felsic and basaltic lavas increase inlands towards the branches of the CVL in a volumetric ratio (Dà ©ruelle, Ngounouno Demaiffe, 2007). One of Africa’s largest volcanoes, Mount Cameroon, is a volcanic horst, with an approximate height of 4075m. T he volcano of Mount Cameroon is the most active volcano on the CVL. The latest eruption of Mount Cameroon was in the year 2000 (Herrero-Bervera et al. 2004). Scientists tried various methods over the years in an attempt to clarify the origin and dynamics of the CVL. During the 1980’s Fitton (1980) proposed a simple model to explain the geological features of the CVL. Fitton (1980) noted that although there is no evidence for rift faulting there are signs of regional uplift of the basin. The continental sector of the CVL is characterized by strato-volcanoes (Mount Cameroon), central volcanic massifs and even calderas in some areas. Collapsed plains filled by sediments, single magnetic volcanoes and flood basalts ( Ngaoundà ©rà © Plateau) are also prominent on the continental sector (Nkouathio et al. 2008). The volcanism is not influenced by fractures, which existed before the volcanism in the basement (Fitton, 1980). The origin of the CVL is explained by hand of the striking relationship between the CVL and the Benue Trough features. Fitton (1980) suggested that the CVL and the Benue Trough are superimposed by rotating one feature by 7 ° in relation to the other, about an axis. The axis is described to run with a north eastern strike into the country of Sudan. The reason for the relative rotation of the CVL and the Benue Trough is speculated to be as a result of the clockwise rotation of Africa (ca. 80Ma – 65Ma) (Fitton, 1980). This clockwise rotation might provide evidence for three features. Firstly, on the origin, the size and Y-shaped geometry of the CVL, secondly the rotation might support reason for the absence of recent volcanism in the Benue Trough. Thirdly, the rotational theory might provide evidence for the folding of the Benue Trough sediments. There were some speculations that the volcanism presently active in the CVL was once active in the Benue Trough. If the volcanic line had migrated from the Benue Though to its current position a systematic migration of a hot-spot is implied. Ngako et al. (2006) used remote sensing data as proposed by Moreau et al. (1987) to suggest that the relati onship between stress regimes and intraplate alkaline magmatism in the CVL is controlled by lithospheric structures. Ubangoh et al. (2005) argued that the presence of numerous recent volcanic cones and craters along the CVL is an indication of a strong geothermal gradient beneath the volcanic line, although there are no data that proves an increased supply of heat. By using a geochemical study on the basaltic rocks of the CVL and a K-Ar dating programme, Fitton and Dunlop (1985) searched for evidence to prove a systematic migration of the CVL volcanoes. Since the CVL is situated in such a unique geological setting, Fitton and Dunlop (1985) reasoned that they can determine the source of the CVL magmas by comparing the isotopic ratios of alkali basalts on the oceanic sector with the isotopic data of the alkali basalts on the continental sector of the volcanic line. Fitton and Dunlop have found that both the major element compositions as well as the isotopic ratios are indistinguishable when comparing the oceanic and continental sectors. What the K-Ar data did prove was that multiple volcanoes were ac tive along the line in more or less the same time period. When Ballentine, Lee and Halliday (1997) compared the ages of the oceanic sector volcanoes, they found that there is a consistency between the rotation of the Cretaceous African plate (Fitton, 1980) and the ages of the earlier exposed rocks on the islands. The ages of the early exposed lavas decrease from the continental side towards the ocean, placing Principe at 31Ma and Pagalu at 4.8Ma. The systematic age decrease of the islands support the mantle plume model for the oceanic sector of the CVL, but does not include the continental sector. Other causes of volcanism, such as rift faulting and pre-existing basement fractures were at first discarded due to failure to collect supportive evidence. The volcanoes on the ocean floor showed no changes due to the faults they passes through, thus one can assume that the source of these volcanoes are from mantle processes and is not affected by structures occurring in the crust (Fitton, 1980).Research based on the age and chemistry of the CVL basalts, indicated that the CVL is a young rift associated with the Benue Trough rather than a hot-spot trail. The depth at which a volcano is tapping its magma can be determined by the radioactive decay of helium isotopes in crustal rock (Aka, et al. 2003). Helium serves as a geochemical tracer that could be used to investigate the alteration of magma over a period of time. It is generally accepted that ocean island basalts (OIB) show a wide range of 3He/4He (Zindler Hart, 1986) and that 3He/4He ratios from mid ocean ridge basalts (MORB) are uniform (Graham et al. 1992a). The 3He/4He ratio of the CVL ranges from 3.05Ra to 8.31Ra. Hotspots in general have much higher 3He/4He ratios (Hilton et al. 1999). Aka et al. (2003) was the first to identify that the distribution of the 3He/4He ratios on the CVL could be due to spatial control, and suggested that the helium isotopic distribution an essential characteristic of the CVL is. These findings are argued as prove that the CVL volcanoes doesn’t tap their material directly from hotspots. Aka et al. (2003) is further backed up by work Fitto n and Dunlop (1985) did on K-Ar dating and the consistency to the Pb-isotope model proposed by Halliday et al. (1990).The above mentioned data and the long-lasting volcanism of the CVL volcanoes supports the conclusion reached by Fitton and Dunlop (1985) that the magma driving the volcanoes on the continental sector could not originate from a deep mantle source. Therefore the CVL shows no evidence of a mantle plume in the continental sector, but rather signatures convection of the upper mantle (Fitton Dunlop, 1985). 206Pb/204Pb and 208Pb/204Pb isotope ratios showed a slight decrease to either sides of the volcanic line from the centred volcano, Mt. Cameroon, which lies on the lithospheric continental-oceanic boundary (COB) (Ballentine, Lee Halliday, 1997). Basalts from the COB volcanoes, such as Mount Cameroon and Mount Etinde are more radiogenic with 206Pb/204Pb ratios of approximately 20.52 and 208Pb/204Pb ratios of 40.34 (Dà ©ruelle, Ngounouno Demaiffe, 2007). The Pb ratios of the COB volcanoes show a strong contrast to the lower radiogenic ratios of the island volcanoes. Basalts from the island located far south from the COB, Pagalu Island, have the lowest 206Pb/204Pb ratio of 19.01 and a 208Pb/204Pb ratio of 38.83. The Pb isotope data proves that there occurred no consistent major change in the magma over a period of time. The Nd and Sr isotopes of the basalts from both the continental and oceanic regions are similar in composition. The resemblance of the geochemical and isotopic data be tween oceanic and continental basalts provide evidence that the source and composition of the magma was not influenced by the continental crust, and therefore, the magma does not originate from the lithosphere (Dà ©ruelle, Ngounouno Demaiffe, 2007). The magma, as speculated by Ballentine, Lee and Halliday (1997), originate from a sub-lithospheric source, because of the similar compositions of the oceanic and continental magmas. Nkouathio et al. (2008) argued that since the lavas of the entire CVL have a shallow asthensopheric mantle source a depleted MORB mantle and a metasomatosed mantle, the alkaline lavas are consistent with the asthensopheric upwelling of a hot-spot. Halliday et al. (1990) argued that the isotopic decreases could infer re-melting of an enriched mantle plume located beneath the COB. Halliday further argues that the plume possibly shifted (from its position underneath the Benue Trough) to its current location during the continental breakup between the African an d South American plates as well as the rotation of the cooler lithosphere relative to the asthenosphere (Ballentine, Lee Halliday, 1997). Ballentine, Lee and Halliday (1997) made it clear that although the isotopic data supports the mantle plume theory, the mantle plume is only a part of the explanation of a more complex volcanic setting. Detailed isotopic data demonstrated that many theories proposed in the past were too inconsistent to explain the origin of the CVL. The data includes many classical theories, however only three will be mentioned. Firstly, the reactivation of the Ngaoundere fault which in turn caused the volcanism on the CVL (Moreau et al. 1987). A second classical theory involves membrane tectonics which produced the extensional CVL feature (Freeth, 1979). Thirdly, it is suggested that the various active volcanic centres are inconsistent with the ‘textbook’ model of hotspots (Fitton Dunlop, 1985), (Ballentine, Lee Halliday, 1997).Keeping the above mentioned theories in mind, Ballentine, Lee and Halliday (1997) used a ‘technique of inductively coupled plasma magnetic sector multiple collector mass spectrometry’ (Ballentine, Lee Halliday, 1997 pp 111)to acquire new data. From the data Ballentine, Lee and Halliday (1997) concluded that the CVL does not show a mentionable dif ference in Hf and Nd isotopic compositions in neither the continental margin nor in the oceanic sectors. However, a very significant difference in Pb and Sr isotopic compositions were detected (Ballentine, Lee Halliday, 1997). The consistent Hf and Nd isotopic compositions in the ocean island basalts (OIB) are indicative of a similar behaviour of the Sm/Nd and Lu/Hf parent-daughter ratios in the source of the OIB (Ballentine, Lee Halliday, 1997). Further, the continental sector shows a similar Hf-isotopic make-up than the oceanic sector. Ballentine, Lee and Halliday (1997), argued that the distinct variability in the Pb isotopic composition can be explained by the recycling of the oceanic crust, since Pb and Sr have increased mobility in the oceanic lithosphere. Kamgang et al. (2008) used a more localized approach, by investigating the geochemical isotopic data of the Bamenda Mountains in Cameroon. Since the previous isotopic studies performed by Ballentine, Lee and Halliday (1997), focussed on the entire CVL, Kamgang et al. (2008) proposed a ‘zoomed in’ investigation by focussing on one area of the CVL and try to explain the origin of the magma in that area. Kamgang et al. (2008) performed geochemical and geochronological studies of the mafic rocks from the Bamenda Mountains. His aim was to gain a better perspective of the composition of the CVL magma source. K-Ar dating performed on older, crust contaminated, samples of the CVL showed no systematic variation over time. However, insight on the chemical composition of the mantle source of magma is provided by the high Eu, Sr and Ba concentrations (Kamgang et al. 2008). The high concentrations are not a result of crustal contamination, because these concentrations do not correlat e to the Sr and Nd isotopic compostitions or the MgO contents or the La/Nb ratios of the rocks. Kamgang et al. (2008) suggested that these high concentrations rather have to do with the composition of the magma origin. The major element composition shows consistency with fractional crystallization processes. Sr and Nd isotopic values of the Bamenda Mountains coincide with the isotopic data published by Ballentine, Lee and Halliday in 1997. Kamgang et al. (2008) pointed out that the positive correlations observed between the Pb and Nd isotopic ratios and the negative Pb/ Sr isotopic correlation indicate either contamination by the continental crust (Ngounouno, Dà ©ruelle Demaiffe, 2000) or the effect of an enriched lithospheric mantle (Rankenburg, Lassiter Brey, 2005)( Kamgang et al,2008). Structural causes of volcanism have been discarded due to failure to prove structural influences with supportive evidence. There are three main structural units present in the Pan- African basement, namely shear zones, fold zones and thrust zones from which the shear zones indicating lithospheric faults stands out (Ngako et al. 2006).The volcanoes on the ocean floor show no changes due to the faults they passes through, thus one can assume that the source of these volcanoes are from mantle processes and is not affected by structures occurring in the crust (Fitton, 1980). It was also speculated that the CVL is rather a young rift associated with the Benue Trough. Nkouathio et al. (2008) suggested that the CVL is an alternating structure consisting of horsts and grabens. As a large shear zone, the CVL is structurally subdivided by a sequence of faults indicative of an alternating horst and graben system (Nkouathio et al. 2008). Considering other tectonic models, Ngako et al. (2006) suggested that the magmatism of the CVL is a complex interaction of multiple mantle plumes and fractures in the lithosphere. Ngako et al. (2006) further speculate that the complex interaction may cause the new magmatic complexes to be diagonally aligned. By expanding the study area form only the CVL to other large scale magmatic provinces on the African continental plate, Ngako et al. (2006) tries to illustrate a complex interaction between hotspots and Precambrian faults. The aim is to provide alternative explanations to classical hotspot models. Ngako et al. (2006) used three provinces, namely the Niger- Nigeria super province (Plaeozoic to Mesozoic era), the Benue Trough (Cretaceous period) and the Cameroon Volcanic Line (Cenozoic era to present) to prove a time-space migration of the West-Central African alkaline magmatism. The ages of rocks sampled, decrease from the northern Niger- Nigeria province southwards through the Be nue Trough to the CVL. The decreasing age of the plutonic provinces may suggest an interaction between tectonics and a hotspot system. Ngako et al. (2006) noted that the crustal and elastic thickness of the lithosphere on the continental sector of the CVL is unusually thin. This lithospheric thinning is argued as a position of a hotspot. Nkouathio et al. (2008) suggested that the evolution of the CVL magmas could be explained by the pattern of tectonic stresses and volcanic structures. In contradiction, Milelli, Fourel and Jaupart (2012) suggested that the Y-shape of the CVL was unaffected by plate motions and therefore implies that the magma source is attached to the continent. Geophysical surveys performed on the crust of the CVL concluded that differentiation between the Pan-African belts and neither the structural features nor the thickness of the crust is possible (Milelli, Fourel Jaupart, 2012). The crust underneath the CVL is very thin (ca. 35-39km) and the failure to distinguish between the Pan-African belts and the CVL indicates that the long period of magmatism (for approximately 70 Myr) on the CVL, has not have significant effects on the crust in the CVL region (Tokam et al. 2010). The absence of a seismic velocity anomaly at depths greater than ~300km, confirm the presence of the uniform mantle transition zone (Reusch et al. 2010)(Milelli, Fourel Jaupart, 2012). Milelli, Fourel and Jaupart (2012) explored the buoyancy of the lithospheric origin, because the lithosphere is made up of depleted mantle material, relative to the asthenosphere as a basis for their experiment on lithospheric instabilities. Since the lithosphere is buoyant on the asthe nosphere, the system is in equilibrium. However, if the lithosphere would experience cooling from the top, a convective instability might be triggered (Milelli, Fourel Jaupart, 2012). The latest trend is that researchers consider the CVL as a hot line tapping its resources from a sub-lithospheric mantle through openings in the lithosphere (Dà ©ruelle, Ngounouno Demaiffe, 2007). Crustal uplift in both continental and oceanic areas proposed by Meyers et al. (1998) contributes to the theory of lithospheric instability proved by Milelli, Fourel and Jaupart (2012) via laboratory experiments. Milelli, Fourel and Jaupart (2012) studied the lithospheric instability due to cooling from the crust downwards. The lithospheric instability is speculated to occur within the sub-continental lithospheric mantle. The laboratory experiments performed by Milelli, Fourel and Jaupart (2012) were based on the principle that materials with a viscosity that is independent of temperature will react the same when cooling from either the top or the bottom was induced. A ‘continents’ were created by using different viscosity fluids and fixing certain variables. These experiment s, that’s been fully described and discussed by Milelli, focussed on the instabilities created at the continental margin. Milelli, Fourel and Jaupart (2012) documented that the buoyancy factor causes downwellings that eventually return to the surface. This cycle of downwellings and upwellings creates a stress regime where compressional stresses were identified at the downwellings and corresponding extentional stresses, creating rifting fractures, at the upwellings. Fracture patterns on the surface of the experimental ‘continent’ formed in a combination of hexagons and distorted squares (Milelli, Fourel Jaupart, 2012). The conclusion of these experiments serve as proof that that continental lithospheric cooling can result in the geometrical Y-shape of the CVL, independent of the size and shape of the continental mass. Further proof is presented by Dà ©ruelle, Ngounouno and Demaiffe (2007) with supporting data on seismic and gravimetric surveys of the oceanic sec tion of the CVL.

Edgar Allan Poe - Mr. Pessimistic Essay -- Biography Biographies

Edgar Allan Poe - Mr. Pessimistic Some people always look at the bad side of things instead of the good side. This is called pessimism. Edgar Allan Poe could be recognized as the king of pessimism. He is known for his tales of the mysterious and macabre. His dark and twisted works are filled with pessimism. Poe was a person who had faced many troubling experiences throughout his life. To escape from his saddened world, Poe drank and wrote short stories and poems with a pessimistic outlook. Being a pessimist is what made Poe such a great and creative writer. He brought out his dark side in his work. It seems that all of his stories and poems are laced with pessimism. Pessimism was like Poe’s warm blanket. He had a sad life, which definitely contributed to his writing. Poe’s poem â€Å"The Raven† greatly reflects his own life and his feelings after the death of his wife Virginia. Of Poe’s entire life "The Raven" is said to be Poe’s best-known and written work. It is about a lover lamenting his dead mistress. It makes it clear that the death of a beautiful woman was for him the supremely interesting subject, and that the most appropriate tone of a poem is melancholy, and certainly there can be no subject more melancholy than the loss of beauty through death (Minor 2244). The autobiographical element in this poem can be noticed. As a young child Poe’s father abandoned them and he lost his mother. John and Fanny Allan took him home, but they did not formally adopt him (Qrisse). J...

Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway Overview Before Warren Edward Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway was a textile company. Buffet acquired stocks and before long he was the largest shareholder (1963). He became part of the board and appointed the chairman so he would have someone he trusted running the company. With the funds from Berkshire Hathaway coming in, Buffett used it to invest in National Indemnity. The company was bought but he left it the way it was: left previous Ringwalt in charge, kept current employees, shareholder benefits and so on. Insurance companies are a perfect way to get a lot of capital up front because you can then use this money to purchase other companies or stocks, like what Buffet did. Buffet was involved with several companies and bought GEICO(Jayanti), General Re and other manufacturing and service companies. Today Berkshire Hathaway is one of the largest holding companies in America. It owns different companies from retail to jewelry to electric companies. These companies run separate from Berkshire Hathaway. It does not produce the goods or provide the services but serves as an umbrella that owns shares or the whole of the companies that are underneath it. Many of these companies were purchased by the company’s many insurance options. Big names include GEICO, Borsheim, PacifiCorp and Vanity Fair. (Jayanti). Porter Five-Force Model Porter’s Five-Forces Model of Industry Competition pertains to the threat of new entrants, the bargaining power of buyers, the bargaining power of suppliers, the threat of substitute products and services, and the intensity of rivalry among competitors in an industry. These five forces can determine the stature of a market. In the case of Berkshire Hathaway there is a low threat of new entrants for the multi-businesses in one industry. It is significantly hard to own various different companies, have them operate to full potential and still remain a leader on the industry board. Although competitors cannot directly compete with Berkshire Hathaway, they still take a nice chunk from its potential market. As a matter a fact, there are only two direct competitors in the industry that are above Berkshire Hathaway, it is Motors Liquidation Co and Ford Motor Co. As more self-made businesses(which is what Warren Buffett likes to acquire) open competition is created through price, increase in advertisement, and suppliers. This competition benefits buyers by giving them more options or bargaining power in where they choose to shop. For Instance like what happened to Berkshire’s textile business, after a while competition increased prices dropped and textile had simply became another commodity. So as you can see from the example, this affects Berkshire directly because of their higher quality products but premium prices makes it hard to compete with low cost leaders. This takes valuable time and effort away from internal operations because in cases like these the opposition has to be constantly analyzed. Consequently, if neither competitor decreases their prices to a consumer’s expectation this may result in the consumers going to the suppliers directly; once again giving the bargaining power to the buyer. As far as bargaining power to the suppliers, they wouldn’t really have any edge in increasing their prices or power unless it is a scarce resource and demand is high. Substitutes on the other hand, limit the potential returns of an industry by putting a ceiling on the prices industries can profitably charge. Finally, the only reason why rivalry is intense is because when you have large companies like Motors Liquidation, Ford and Berkshire rivalry heats up and everyone fights for the number one spot, and usually does whatever it takes to get it. The rivalry forces a constant close monitoring of competitors, which entails unnecessary excessive expenditure. For example, they would have to ask and analyze questions such as, where are they opening their stores? Are they using the same criteria in choosing locations? How much are they charging for similar products? And can we compete with their price? In Summary, Berkshire needs to be aware that intensive rivalry will increase costs, such as constantly competing with prices, having to offer bargains which will lead to high exit barriers. In the end if the company is doing everything right and it is focusing on their company and how to improve it then it is a win-win situation because the biggest edge any company has is that: NO TWO FIRM ARE EXACTLY THE SAME. SWOT Analysis â€Å"Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in a number of business activities. Co. ‘s key businesses are its insurance businesses, which are conducted on a primary and reinsurance basis. Co. s insurance businesses provide insurance and reinsurance of property and casualty risks world-wide and also reinsure life, accident and health risks world-wide. At Dec 31 2008, Co. ‘s insurance and reinsurance activities were conducted through about 60 domestic and foreign-based insurance entities. Co. also owns and operates other businesses, including utilities and energy businesses, manufacturing, service and retailing, as well as finance and financial products businesses†. (mergent online, business synopsis) S trengths |Weaknesses | |Top management reputation & leadership |Over dependence on Warren Buffett's leadership | |Strong capital position and superior financial ratings |Slower growth in certain investments (Coke, P, Shaw industries) | |Diversified portfolio ranging from property and casualty insurance and|Diversification – McLane accounts for almost 1/3 of Berkshire's | |reinsurance, utilities, energy, finance, manufacturing, services and |revenues and 1/3 of McLane's business is tied to one single company | |retailing |(Wal-Mart) | |Strong and consistent top and bottom line growth |Company's stock inaccessible to most people | |Integrated Insurance Operations |Volatile Investment Portfolio | |Distinct Business Strategy |Declining Investment Returns | Funding Resources |Decline in Profitability | |Diversity of Businesses | | | | | | | | | | | |Opportunities |Threats | |Acquisitions – given current market conditions the company has |Financial & economic ma rkets turmoil | |identified areas of investment (ie Goldman Sachs) |Potential capital requirement changes both in the US and Europe | |Alternative energy investments |Worldwide weak consumer environment | |Favorable Phase for Life and Annuity Market |Unstable Political Conditions in Certain Regions | |Growing MidAmerican Business Identity |Governmental Investigations | |Opportunity for Acquisitions |Competition in the Insurance Industry | | |Impact of Economic Slowdown | Industry Property and Casualty Insurance – ? Through its 51 subsidiary companies, it engages primarily in insuring and reinsuring property and casualty risks business. Berkshire Hathaway, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. It invests in the United States and Canada’s public equity markets. Competition Berkshire Hathaway’s top competitors, based on its insurance businesses are: ? The Blackstone Group L. P. (BX) – a company with subsidiaries as well that was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in New York. ? HM Capital Partners LLC (Pvt1) is a privately held company with diversified investments located in Dallas, Texas. ? KKR & Co. L. P. (Pvt2), also a privately held company located in New York, New York. |DIRECT COMPETITOR COMPARISON |   | ? | | ? | |BRK-A | |BX | |Pvt1 | |Pvt2 | |Industry | | | |Market Cap: | |158. 43B | |3. 90B | |N/A | |N/A | |885. 31M | | | |Employees: | |246,000 |1,340 | |N/A | |N/A | |718 | | | |Qtrly Rev Growth (yoy): | |-1. 60% | |14. 80% | |N/A | |N/A | |2. 0% | | | |Revenue (ttm): | |104. 91B | |-320. 00M | |N/A | |N/A | |808. 84M | | | |Gross Margin (ttm): | |11. 6% | |N/A | |N/A | |N/A | |18. 38% | | | |EBITDA (ttm): | |7. 06B | |-4. 3B | |N/A | |N/A | |40. 44M | | | |Oper Margins (ttm): | |3. 86% | |1,375. 92% | |N/A | |N/A | |16. 0% | | | |Net Income (ttm): | |2. 94B | |-1. 15B | |N/A | |N/A | |N/A | | | |EPS (ttm): | |1893. 645 | |-4. 48 | |N/A | |N/A | |0. 95 | | | |P/E (ttm): | |53. 94 | |N/A | |N/A | |N/A | |13. 6 | | | |PEG (5 yr expected): | |4. 14 | |2. 82 | |N/A | |N/A | |0. 97 | | | |P/S (ttm): | |1. 9 | |N/A | |N/A | |N/A | |0. 94 | | | Company Financials Balance Sheet (in the thousands) from 2006 – 2008: Total Assets: 248,427,000273,160,000267,399,000 Total Liabilities: 137,756,000149,759,000153,820,000 Total Stockholders’ Equity: 108,419,000120,733,000109,267,000 The retained earnings were at a loss: 58,912,00072,153,00078,172,000 Assets and Liabilities has separate sections for Insurance & other businesses, Utilities & energy, and Finance & financial products Income Statement (in the thousands) from 2006 – 2008: Income Statement has separate sections for Insurance & other businesses, Utilities & energy, and Finance & financial products. Total Revenues: 98,539,000118,245,000107,786,000 Total Costs and Expenses: 81,761,00098,084,000100,212,000 Earnings before Income Taxes: 16,778,00020,161,0007,574,000 Net earnings (loss): 11,015,00013,213,0004,994,000 Total number of Stockholders: 19,10018,50018,100 Common Stockholders are split into 2 groups: class A and class B Class A Stockholders: 5,1004,6004,200 Class B Stockholders: 14,00013,90013,900 Earnings per Share (at a loss): 7,1448,5483,224 Statement of Cash Flows (in the thousands) from 2006 – 2008: Cash from finances has separate sections for Insurance & other businesses, Utilities & energy, and Finance & financial products. Net Cash from Operations: 10,195,00012,550,00011,252,000 Net Cash from Investments: (14,077,000)(13,428,000)  (32,066,000) Net Cash from Finances: 2,607,0001,366,0002,286,000 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year: 45,018,00043,743,00044,329,000 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year: 43,743,00044,329,00025,539,000 Financial Ratios from 2006 – 2008: Profitability Ratios:200620072008 Return on Assets: 4. 93%5. 07%1. 84% Return on Equity:11. 02%11. 53%4. 33% Loss Ratio:61. 28%71. 72%70. 91% Debt Management: Debt to Equity Ratio:0. 290. 270. 34 Asset Management: Asset Turnover:0. 440. 450. 4 Property, Plant, and Equipment Turnover: 4. 833. 42. 64 Cash & Cash Equivalents Turnover: 2. 232. 693. 08 Industry/Market comparison data from 2008: CompanyIndustry MedianMarket Medium Net profit margin:2. 37%–5. 53% Price/Sales ratio:1. 483. 416. 55 Price/Earnings ratio:62. 50(11. 98)23. 81 Price/Book ratio:1. 521. 466. 30 Price/Cash Flow ratio:12. 4724. 9440. 65 12-Month EPS growth:(62. 3%)–(50. 0%) 36-Month EPS growth:(16. 5%)–(14. 7%) Bibiliography: Source Berkshire Hathaway pda file from Harvard Business School Mergent Online Hoover’s Online Berkshire Hathaway Berkshire Hathaway Overview Before Warren Edward Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway was a textile company. Buffet acquired stocks and before long he was the largest shareholder (1963). He became part of the board and appointed the chairman so he would have someone he trusted running the company. With the funds from Berkshire Hathaway coming in, Buffett used it to invest in National Indemnity. The company was bought but he left it the way it was: left previous Ringwalt in charge, kept current employees, shareholder benefits and so on. Insurance companies are a perfect way to get a lot of capital up front because you can then use this money to purchase other companies or stocks, like what Buffet did. Buffet was involved with several companies and bought GEICO(Jayanti), General Re and other manufacturing and service companies. Today Berkshire Hathaway is one of the largest holding companies in America. It owns different companies from retail to jewelry to electric companies. These companies run separate from Berkshire Hathaway. It does not produce the goods or provide the services but serves as an umbrella that owns shares or the whole of the companies that are underneath it. Many of these companies were purchased by the company’s many insurance options. Big names include GEICO, Borsheim, PacifiCorp and Vanity Fair. (Jayanti). Porter Five-Force Model Porter’s Five-Forces Model of Industry Competition pertains to the threat of new entrants, the bargaining power of buyers, the bargaining power of suppliers, the threat of substitute products and services, and the intensity of rivalry among competitors in an industry. These five forces can determine the stature of a market. In the case of Berkshire Hathaway there is a low threat of new entrants for the multi-businesses in one industry. It is significantly hard to own various different companies, have them operate to full potential and still remain a leader on the industry board. Although competitors cannot directly compete with Berkshire Hathaway, they still take a nice chunk from its potential market. As a matter a fact, there are only two direct competitors in the industry that are above Berkshire Hathaway, it is Motors Liquidation Co and Ford Motor Co. As more self-made businesses(which is what Warren Buffett likes to acquire) open competition is created through price, increase in advertisement, and suppliers. This competition benefits buyers by giving them more options or bargaining power in where they choose to shop. For Instance like what happened to Berkshire’s textile business, after a while competition increased prices dropped and textile had simply became another commodity. So as you can see from the example, this affects Berkshire directly because of their higher quality products but premium prices makes it hard to compete with low cost leaders. This takes valuable time and effort away from internal operations because in cases like these the opposition has to be constantly analyzed. Consequently, if neither competitor decreases their prices to a consumer’s expectation this may result in the consumers going to the suppliers directly; once again giving the bargaining power to the buyer. As far as bargaining power to the suppliers, they wouldn’t really have any edge in increasing their prices or power unless it is a scarce resource and demand is high. Substitutes on the other hand, limit the potential returns of an industry by putting a ceiling on the prices industries can profitably charge. Finally, the only reason why rivalry is intense is because when you have large companies like Motors Liquidation, Ford and Berkshire rivalry heats up and everyone fights for the number one spot, and usually does whatever it takes to get it. The rivalry forces a constant close monitoring of competitors, which entails unnecessary excessive expenditure. For example, they would have to ask and analyze questions such as, where are they opening their stores? Are they using the same criteria in choosing locations? How much are they charging for similar products? And can we compete with their price? In Summary, Berkshire needs to be aware that intensive rivalry will increase costs, such as constantly competing with prices, having to offer bargains which will lead to high exit barriers. In the end if the company is doing everything right and it is focusing on their company and how to improve it then it is a win-win situation because the biggest edge any company has is that: NO TWO FIRM ARE EXACTLY THE SAME. SWOT Analysis â€Å"Berkshire Hathaway is a holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in a number of business activities. Co. ‘s key businesses are its insurance businesses, which are conducted on a primary and reinsurance basis. Co. s insurance businesses provide insurance and reinsurance of property and casualty risks world-wide and also reinsure life, accident and health risks world-wide. At Dec 31 2008, Co. ‘s insurance and reinsurance activities were conducted through about 60 domestic and foreign-based insurance entities. Co. also owns and operates other businesses, including utilities and energy businesses, manufacturing, service and retailing, as well as finance and financial products businesses†. (mergent online, business synopsis) S trengths |Weaknesses | |Top management reputation & leadership |Over dependence on Warren Buffett's leadership | |Strong capital position and superior financial ratings |Slower growth in certain investments (Coke, P, Shaw industries) | |Diversified portfolio ranging from property and casualty insurance and|Diversification – McLane accounts for almost 1/3 of Berkshire's | |reinsurance, utilities, energy, finance, manufacturing, services and |revenues and 1/3 of McLane's business is tied to one single company | |retailing |(Wal-Mart) | |Strong and consistent top and bottom line growth |Company's stock inaccessible to most people | |Integrated Insurance Operations |Volatile Investment Portfolio | |Distinct Business Strategy |Declining Investment Returns | Funding Resources |Decline in Profitability | |Diversity of Businesses | | | | | | | | | | | |Opportunities |Threats | |Acquisitions – given current market conditions the company has |Financial & economic ma rkets turmoil | |identified areas of investment (ie Goldman Sachs) |Potential capital requirement changes both in the US and Europe | |Alternative energy investments |Worldwide weak consumer environment | |Favorable Phase for Life and Annuity Market |Unstable Political Conditions in Certain Regions | |Growing MidAmerican Business Identity |Governmental Investigations | |Opportunity for Acquisitions |Competition in the Insurance Industry | | |Impact of Economic Slowdown | Industry Property and Casualty Insurance – ? Through its 51 subsidiary companies, it engages primarily in insuring and reinsuring property and casualty risks business. Berkshire Hathaway, Inc is a publicly owned investment manager. It invests in the United States and Canada’s public equity markets. Competition Berkshire Hathaway’s top competitors, based on its insurance businesses are: ? The Blackstone Group L. P. (BX) – a company with subsidiaries as well that was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in New York. ? HM Capital Partners LLC (Pvt1) is a privately held company with diversified investments located in Dallas, Texas. ? KKR & Co. L. P. (Pvt2), also a privately held company located in New York, New York. |DIRECT COMPETITOR COMPARISON |   | ? | | ? | |BRK-A | |BX | |Pvt1 | |Pvt2 | |Industry | | | |Market Cap: | |158. 43B | |3. 90B | |N/A | |N/A | |885. 31M | | | |Employees: | |246,000 |1,340 | |N/A | |N/A | |718 | | | |Qtrly Rev Growth (yoy): | |-1. 60% | |14. 80% | |N/A | |N/A | |2. 0% | | | |Revenue (ttm): | |104. 91B | |-320. 00M | |N/A | |N/A | |808. 84M | | | |Gross Margin (ttm): | |11. 6% | |N/A | |N/A | |N/A | |18. 38% | | | |EBITDA (ttm): | |7. 06B | |-4. 3B | |N/A | |N/A | |40. 44M | | | |Oper Margins (ttm): | |3. 86% | |1,375. 92% | |N/A | |N/A | |16. 0% | | | |Net Income (ttm): | |2. 94B | |-1. 15B | |N/A | |N/A | |N/A | | | |EPS (ttm): | |1893. 645 | |-4. 48 | |N/A | |N/A | |0. 95 | | | |P/E (ttm): | |53. 94 | |N/A | |N/A | |N/A | |13. 6 | | | |PEG (5 yr expected): | |4. 14 | |2. 82 | |N/A | |N/A | |0. 97 | | | |P/S (ttm): | |1. 9 | |N/A | |N/A | |N/A | |0. 94 | | | Company Financials Balance Sheet (in the thousands) from 2006 – 2008: Total Assets: 248,427,000273,160,000267,399,000 Total Liabilities: 137,756,000149,759,000153,820,000 Total Stockholders’ Equity: 108,419,000120,733,000109,267,000 The retained earnings were at a loss: 58,912,00072,153,00078,172,000 Assets and Liabilities has separate sections for Insurance & other businesses, Utilities & energy, and Finance & financial products Income Statement (in the thousands) from 2006 – 2008: Income Statement has separate sections for Insurance & other businesses, Utilities & energy, and Finance & financial products. Total Revenues: 98,539,000118,245,000107,786,000 Total Costs and Expenses: 81,761,00098,084,000100,212,000 Earnings before Income Taxes: 16,778,00020,161,0007,574,000 Net earnings (loss): 11,015,00013,213,0004,994,000 Total number of Stockholders: 19,10018,50018,100 Common Stockholders are split into 2 groups: class A and class B Class A Stockholders: 5,1004,6004,200 Class B Stockholders: 14,00013,90013,900 Earnings per Share (at a loss): 7,1448,5483,224 Statement of Cash Flows (in the thousands) from 2006 – 2008: Cash from finances has separate sections for Insurance & other businesses, Utilities & energy, and Finance & financial products. Net Cash from Operations: 10,195,00012,550,00011,252,000 Net Cash from Investments: (14,077,000)(13,428,000)  (32,066,000) Net Cash from Finances: 2,607,0001,366,0002,286,000 Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year: 45,018,00043,743,00044,329,000 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year: 43,743,00044,329,00025,539,000 Financial Ratios from 2006 – 2008: Profitability Ratios:200620072008 Return on Assets: 4. 93%5. 07%1. 84% Return on Equity:11. 02%11. 53%4. 33% Loss Ratio:61. 28%71. 72%70. 91% Debt Management: Debt to Equity Ratio:0. 290. 270. 34 Asset Management: Asset Turnover:0. 440. 450. 4 Property, Plant, and Equipment Turnover: 4. 833. 42. 64 Cash & Cash Equivalents Turnover: 2. 232. 693. 08 Industry/Market comparison data from 2008: CompanyIndustry MedianMarket Medium Net profit margin:2. 37%–5. 53% Price/Sales ratio:1. 483. 416. 55 Price/Earnings ratio:62. 50(11. 98)23. 81 Price/Book ratio:1. 521. 466. 30 Price/Cash Flow ratio:12. 4724. 9440. 65 12-Month EPS growth:(62. 3%)–(50. 0%) 36-Month EPS growth:(16. 5%)–(14. 7%) Bibiliography: Source Berkshire Hathaway pda file from Harvard Business School Mergent Online Hoover’s Online

buy custom Mexican Conflict and War essay

buy custom Mexican Conflict and War essay But aggression intensified between Mexico and Texas. It was at a level where none could turn back. Polk had not even got the approval of the congress to go to war but he announced war. Thus this was propaganda that the Mexican troops had spilled American blood on American soil as spread by on of Polks supporter. This was after the dispatch of Slidell to Mexico City with instructions to gain Mexicos recognition of the annexation of Texas with the Rio Grande border and in exchange the United States government would assume the debt owned by Mexico to American Citizens but when Slidell reached the MexicanCity the Government head refused to welcome him. This resulted to Polk ordering him downward to Rio Grande in order to provoke a Mexican attack and convince Americans to unite pro the war. The main factors in the bigger picture were expansion of slavery and to consolidate the market for cotton in the south. Britain was not strong to fight over Oregon it saw negotiation as a way out but M exico chose to fight over a territory it had lost. Polk stumbled over his enemies because they were not organized and also those who were opposed to his way in the Whig did not realize that he had clear objectives and did not fear to pursue them (Paul S. Boyer, et.al 2008). In the long run a war broke out between Mexico and the United states because of the boundary dispute when Polk ordered the United States troops to occupy the disputed area justifying the president to declare war on May 13, 1846. This was an opportunity for Polk to seize California and New Mexico states that Mexico had refused to sell to the United States. The settlement of the war was by the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. In this war the United states gained the Rio Grande as the southern border and enlarged its size by twenty percent in addition of California and south west. The annexation of Texas and the conquest for Oregon was a call for aggression between the United States and Mexico and Great Britain. These were the major factors that can be discussed apart from the political intrigue and competition in the high whelms of power in the UniteStates or the opposition of more slave states by the Northern states. These were underlying factors that could not comprehend to heightened aggression but the major factors regarding control and occupation. Buy custom Mexican Conflict and War essay

Ecosystems essays

Ecosystems essays Ecosystems: Populations and Succession- in May and June of 1988, after an extended drought, Yellowstone National Park was covered with a large number of fire because of lightning. Although the fires were devastating, nature had started its process of vegetation all over again within two weeks. As time progressed, so did vegetation. I. Populations Dynamics- each species in an ecosystem exists as a population * population equilibrium- a state of balance between births and deaths in a population A. Population Growth Curves- when the size of a population is plotted over time. Two basic kinds of curve can be seen: s-curves and j-curves. B. Biotic Potential versus Environmental Resistance- see definitions below * biotic potential- the inherent capacity of an organism or species to reproduce and survive * recruitment- the process of adding new individuals to a population or subpopulation (as of breeding individuals) by growth, reproduction, immigration, and stocking * reproductive strategies- to produce massive numbers of young, but then leave survival to the whims of nature is the first reproductive strategy, the second strategy is to have a much lower reproductive rate, but then care for and protect the young to enhance recruitment * exponential increase- the growth produced when a base population increases by a given percentages each year * population explosion- a pyramiding of numbers of a biological population; especially : the recent great increase in human numbers resulting from increased survival and exponential population growth * environmental resistance- the totality of factors such as adverse weather conditions, shortages of food or water, predators, and diseases that tend to cut back populations and keep them from growing or spreading * replacement level- the fertility rate that will just sustain a stable population * carrying capacity- the population (as of deer) that an area will support without unde...

IP 5A English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

IP 5A English - Essay Example Despite this, I felt that this course gave me a direction that I needed. Previously, I had been unable to process as to how I should approach my passion for writing but this course opened a lot of opportunities for me. This did not come all of a sudden but with each assignment, I felt that I came closer to my goal. My biggest achievement in this course was the confidence I got. I learnt that writing is an acquired ability and practice will help me improve upon that ability. The discussion questions further allowed me to understand my strength in the class. My only disappointment is that I was not able to give my cent percent to this course. The stress from hospitalization prevented me from exploring my writing talent to the best of my abilities. I think I would have excelled if not for the deterrent. But despite this, I know that this course gave me the framework from which I could built my future in writing. I believe more reading on this course would have helped the students to explore more writing styles and perspectives. Overall, this course gave me a lot to move forward with. The discussion questions opened up not just new perspectives but better

Applied Ethics Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Applied Ethics - Assignment Example Therefore, ethics can cause morality to change. Finally, morality surpasses cultural norms, while ethics in most cases is overseen by professional and legal guidelines within a particular place and time (Ciulla, 2003). Ethics is fundamental to any leadership; good ethics upholds characteristic needed for an effective leader. In the leadership, you can get two scenerios, an effective leader but not ethical or a not effective leader but ethical (Ciulla, 2004). It is hard to get both. Therefore, the phrase â€Å"the ends justify the means† depends on what is the outcome and the goal and the means used to achieve them. If the outcome is good and noble then, the ends justify the means. However, most people do not mean that; they use the phrase as an excuse to achieve a particular goal, through any means no matter how illegal, immoral and unpleasant the means could be. The phrase means it does not matter how someone gets what he or she want so long have it. In most cases this phrase is used in an unfair way such that most leaders use it for self-gain. For instance, Machiavelli never liked Cesare Borgia as a person, however he was impressed by Borgia as the resolute, who got the job done, but the way he did it was morally disgusting. In ethics end justifying the means is an ethical dilemma and a popular scenario. There are things to be considered when making a decision, for instance, what is the morality of the action, the morality of the individual performing an action and the morality of the outcome. In the leadership, a good and effective leader should use a moral means to justify a moral end. This is because leaders need to be more careful than ordinary people because a leader’s moral inconsistency is highly noticeable by the public than just an ordinary individual. When their action does not meet their promote values, then they tend to lose the trust of their effectiveness from various stakeholders. There are leaders who tend to be effective in what