Island of the Sequined Love Nun Chapter 34~36

34 Water Hazard Jefferson Pardee was trying desperately not to look like a sea turtle. He'd managed to find the surface, catch his breath, and put his mask on. Blood from his nose was now swishing around inside it like brandy in a snifter. After locating the floating garbage bag that contained his clothes and propping it under his chest as a life preserver, his main focus was not to look like a turtle. To a shark living in the warm Pacific waters off Alualu, sea turtles were food. Not that there was any real danger of a shark making that particular mistake. Even a mentally challenged shark would figure out that sea turtles did not wear boxer shorts printed in flying piggies, and no turtles did not wear boxer shorts printed in flying piggies, and no turtle would be yattering streams of obscenities between chain-smoker gasps of breath. Still, a couple of harmless white-tipped reef sharks smelled blood in the water and cruised by to check out the source, only to retreat, regret-ting that in one hundred and twenty million years on the planet they had never evolved the equipment to laugh. The surf was calm and the tide low, and considering Pardee's buoyancy, the swim should have been easy. But when Pardee saw the two black shadows cruise by below him, his heart started playing a sternum-rattling drum solo that kept up until he barked his knees on the reef. An antler of coral caught the plastic bag, stopping Pardee's progress long enough for him to notice that here on the reef the water was only two feet deep. He flipped over on his back, then sat on the coral, not really caring that it was cutting into his bottom. Waves lapped around him as he fought to catch his breath. He lifted his mask and let the blood run down his face and over his chest to expand into a rusty stain in the water. Tiny blue and yellow reef fish rose around him looking for food and nipping at his skin, tickling him like teasing children. He looked toward the beach, perhaps two hundred yards away. Inside the reef the danger of sharks was minimal – minimal enough that he would sit here and rest for a while. He watched the waves breaking softly around him, lapping against his back, and realized, with horror, that he was going to have to do this again in a few hours, against the waves and probably the tide. He'd have to find someone with a boat; that was all there was to it. Ten minutes passed before his heart slowed down and he was able to steel his courage enough to swim the final leg. He picked out a stand of coconut palms above a small beach and slid across the reef toward the is-land. He kicked slowly, scanning the water around him for any sign of sharks. Except for a moment of temporary terror when a manta ray with a seven-foot wingspan flew out of the blue and passed below him, the swim to the beach was safe and easy. If manta rays are going to be harmless, they should look more harmless, Pardee thought. Fuckers look like aquatic Draculas. He sat in the wash at the water's edge and was tearing the tape that held the fins on his feet when he heard a sharp mechanical click behind him. He turned to see two men in black pointing Uzis at his head. Pardee grinned. â€Å"Konichi-wa,† he said. â€Å"You guys have a dry cigarette? I seem to have torn my garbage bag.† A seven iron, Tuck, thought. After all these years I need a seven iron. Tucker Case did not play golf. He'd tried it once, and although he'd en-joyed the drinking and driving the little electric car into the lake, he just didn't get the appeal. It seemed – and he'd examined the game closely be-cause his father had loved it – an awful lot like a bunch of rich white guys in goofy clothing walking around on an absurdly large lawn hitting ab-surdly small white balls with crooked sticks. If the greens were at opposite ends of the same fairway and foursomes had to play against each other, defending their own green while assaulting the opponents' and risking getting hit with a ball or a club at close quarters, well, then you'd have a game. If the game was scored on how quickly one got through the eighteen holes instead of the fewest strokes and they dropped small-block Chevys into the little carts, why, then you'd have yourself a game. (Maybe put those little Ben-Hur food processors on the wheels and make it legal to hamstring competitors.) But traditional golf, as it was, had always left Tuck cold. Strange, then, that he absolutely yearned for a seven iron, or maybe a shotgun. Tuck had been up since before dawn, awakened rudely and kept awake by what seemed like eight million roosters. It was now ten o'clock and they were still going strong. What joy to feel the thwack of a seven iron on red feathers, the satisfying impact of balanced metal on poultry (suddenly si-lenced and somewhat tenderized for your trouble). He saw himself wading into a bucket of roosters, swinging his seven iron madly (but always keeping his head down and his left arm straight), dealing death and de-struction like the Colonel's own avenging angel. Welcome to Tucker Case's chicken death camp, my little feathered friends. Now, kindly prepare to have your nuggets knocked off. Tucker Case was not a morning person. He decided that he'd give them five more minutes to shut up, then he was going to get dressed and go borrow a seven iron from the doc. Five minutes later he was preparing to leave when Beth Curtis knocked and opened his door without waiting for an answer. She was wearing disposable surgical blues and a hairnet; she wore no makeup and the vapid housewife smile was gone from her eyes. â€Å"Mr. Case, we need you to be ready to fly in two hours. Can you do it?† â€Å"Uh, sure. I guess. Where are we going?† â€Å"Japan. The navigational settings should already be programmed into the plane's computer. I need you to have your preflight finished and the Lear fueled and on the runway, ready to go.† Tucker felt as if he was talking to a different person than the one he had seen for the last week. There was no hint of the soft femininity, just hard business. â€Å"I haven't had time to go over the controls for the Lear.† â€Å"You took the job, didn't you? Can you fly it?† Tuck nodded. â€Å"Then be ready in two hours.† She turned and marched toward the hospital building. Tuck started to follow her, then noticed movement through the trees, down by the beach: men unloading fuel drums from a longboat onto the pier. He could see a white freighter anchored outside the reef. â€Å"Mrs. Curtis!† he called. She turned and regarded him like an annoying insect. â€Å"Yes, Mr. Case.† â€Å"That ship. You didn't tell me there was a ship.† â€Å"It doesn't concern you. They are simply delivering some supplies. Now please, prepare the plane.† â€Å"But if they're delivering supplies, why do we need to†¦?† â€Å"Mr. Case,† she barked, â€Å"do your job. The doctor needs me.† She threw open the hospital door and stepped inside. â€Å"Ask him if I can borrow his seven iron,† Tuck said weakly. Tuck shuffled back toward his bungalow. Just a few seconds in the sun had given him a headache and he felt as if he would pass out any second. He was going to fly again. He was sick and dizzy and suffered from talking bat hallucinations and he was going to get to do the only thing he had ever been any good at. It scared the hell out of him. It had been fifty years since men with guns had entered the village of the Shark People. As the four guards went from house to house, Malink walked the paths of the village, his cordless phone in hand so the people could see that he had things under control. He'd been calling the Sorcerer since the four Japanese had arrived in the village, but he'd only gotten the answering machine. He had told everyone to go inside their houses and not to resist the guards, and even now the village seem deserted, except for the sobs of a few frightened children. He could hear the guards kicking their way through the coconut husks that had been piled in the cookhouses for fuel. Suddenly Favo was at his side. Favo, who had seen the coming of the Japanese during the war, had seen the killing. â€Å"Why does Vincent allow this?† Malink really didn't have an answer. He had lit the Zippo and asked Vincent that very morning. â€Å"It is the will of the Sorcerer, so it must be the will of Vincent. They want the girl-man.† â€Å"We should fight,† Favo said. â€Å"We should kill the guards.† â€Å"Spears against machine guns, Favo? Should the children grow up without fathers like we did? No, they will find the girl-man and they will go away.† â€Å"The girl-man has gone to live with Sarapul. Did you tell them?† â€Å"I told them. I took the Sorcerer there.† The guards came out of the old church and crunched in single file down the path toward Favo and Malink. The old men stood their ground, making the guards walk into a stand of ferns to get around them. They made no eye contact and said nothing. Favo hurled a curse at them, but it had been too long since he had spoken Japanese and it was not a language suited for swearing. He ended up telling them that their truck tires smelled of sardines, which elicited no response whatsoever. â€Å"Excellent curse,† Malink said, trying to raise his friend's spirits. â€Å"It needs work. English is the best for swearing.† â€Å"They have machine guns, Favo.† â€Å"Fuckin' mooks,† Favo said. â€Å"Amen,† Malink said, crossing himself in the sign of the B-26 bomber. The two old men fell in behind the guards, following them from house to house, waiting outside on the path so the villagers could see them when they were roused out of their houses. For the guards' part, it was a wholly unsatisfying endeavor. They had been looking forward to kicking in some doors, only to find that the Shark People had no doors. There were no beds to throw over, no back rooms to burst into, no closets, no place, in fact, where a man could hide and not be exposed by the most perfunctory inspection. And the doctor had told them that no one was to be hurt. They did not want to make a mistake. For all the appearance of military efficiency, they were screwups to a man. One, a former security guard at a nuclear power plant, had been fired for taking drugs; two were brothers who had been dismissed from the Tokyo police department for accepting Yakuza bribes; the fourth, from Okinawa, had been a jujitsu instructor who had beaten a German tourist to death in a bar over a gross miscarriage of karaoke. The man who had recruited them, put them in the black uniforms, and trained them made it clear that this was their last chance. They had two choices: succee d and become rich or die. They took their jobs very seriously. â€Å"He might be in the trees,† Favo said in Japanese. â€Å"Look in the trees!† The guards scanned the trees as they marched, which caused them to bump into each other and stumble. Above them there was a fluttering of wings. A glout of bat guano splatted across the Okinawan's forehead. He threw the bolt on his Uzi and the air was filled with the staccato roar of nine millimeters ripping through the foliage. When at last the clip was empty, palm fronds settled to the ground around them. Frightened children screamed in their mothers' arms, and Favo, who was lying next to his friend with his arms thrown over his head, snickered like an asthmatic hyena. The guards scuffled for a moment, not sure whether to disarm their companion or shove their clips home and begin the massacre. Above the crying, the scuffle, the snickering, and the tintinnabulation of residual gunfire, a girl giggled. The guards looked up. Sepie stood in the doorway of the bachelors' house, naked but for a pair of panties she'd recently ac-quired from a transvestite navigator. â€Å"Hey, sailors,† she said, trying out a phrase she'd also acquired from Kimi, â€Å"you want a date?† The guards didn't understand the words, but they got the message. â€Å"Go inside, girl,† Malink scolded. Women, even the mispel, were not permitted to show their thighs in public. Not even when swimming, not when bathing, not when crapping on the beach, not ever. â€Å"Go back inside,† Favo said. â€Å"When they go away, you will be beaten.† â€Å"I have been beaten before,† Sepie said. â€Å"Now I will be rich.† â€Å"Tell her,† Favo said to Malink. Malink shrugged. His authority as chief worked only as long as his people willingly obeyed him. The key to retaining their respect was to find out what they wanted to do, then tell them to do it. He levied the most severe punishment he knew. â€Å"Sepie, you may not touch the sea for ten days.† She turned and wiggled her bottom at him, then disappeared into the bachelors' house. The stunned guards ceased their scuffle and moved tentatively toward the doorway, looking to each other for permission. â€Å"This is your fault,† Malink said to Favo. â€Å"You shouldn't have started giving her things.† â€Å"I didn't give her things,† Favo said. â€Å"You gave her things for† – and here Malink paused, trying to catch himself before losing a friend – â€Å"for doing favors for you.† 35 Free Press, My Ass Jefferson Pardee sat on a metal office chair in the corner of a windowless cinder-block room. The guard stood by the metal door, his machine gun trained on Pardee's hairy chest. The reporter was trying to affect an attitude of innocence tempered with a little righteous indignation, but, in fact, he was terrified. He could feel his heartbeat climbing into his throat and sweat rolled down his back in icy streams. He'd given up on trying to talk to the guards; they either didn't speak English or were pretending they didn't. He heard the throw of the heavy bolt on the door and expected the other guard to return, but instead a woman wearing surgical garb entered the room. Her eyes were the same color as the surgical blues and even in the oppressive heat she looked chilly. â€Å"At last,† Pardee said. â€Å"There's been some kind of mistake here.† He offered his hand, trying not to show how unsteady he was, and the guard threatened him with the Uzi. â€Å"I'm Jefferson Pardee from the Truk Star.† She nodded to the guard and he left the room. Her voice was friendly, but she wasn't smiling. â€Å"I'm Beth Curtis. My husband runs the mission clinic on this island.† She didn't offer her hand. â€Å"I'm sorry you've been treated this way, Mr. Pardee, but this island is under quarantine. We've tried to limit the contact with the outside until we have a better handle on this epidemic.† â€Å"What epidemic? I haven't heard anything about this?† â€Å"Encephalitis. It's a rare strain, airborne and very contagious. We don't let anyone off island who's been exposed.† Jefferson Pardee exhaled a deep sigh of relief. So this was the big story. Of course he'd promise not to say a word, but Time magazine would kill for this. He'd leave out the part about being taken prisoner in his flying piggy boxers. â€Å"And the guards?† â€Å"World Health Organization. They've also given us an aircraft and lab equipment, as I'm sure you've seen.† He'd seen an awful lot of lab equipment as he was led through the little hospital, but the aircraft was still a rumor. He decided to go for the facts. â€Å"You have a new Learjet, is that correct?† â€Å"Yes.† She seemed genuinely taken aback by his comment. â€Å"How did you know?† â€Å"I have my sources,† Pardee said, wishing he wore glasses so he could take them off in a meaningful way. â€Å"I'm sure you do. Information is like a virus sometimes, and the only way to find a cure is to trace it to the source. Who told you about the jet?† Pardee wasn't giving anything for free. â€Å"How long have you known about the encephalitis?† For the first time Pardee noticed that Beth Curtis had been holding her right hand behind her back the entire time they had been talking. He noticed because when the hand appeared, it was holding a syringe. â€Å"Mr. Pardee, this syringe contains a vaccine that my husband and I have developed with the help of the World Health Organization. Because you took it on yourself to sneak onto Alualu, you have exposed yourself to a deadly virus that at-tacks the nervous system. The vaccine seems to work even after exposure to the disease, but only if administered in the first few hours. I want to give you this vaccine, I really do. But if you insist on drawing out this little game of liar's poker, then I can't guarantee that you won't contract the disease and die a horrible and painful death. So, that said, who told you about the jet?† Pardee felt the sweat rising again. She hadn't raised her voice, there wasn't even a detectable note of anger there, but he felt as if she was holding a knife to his throat. Okay, to hell with the adventurous journalist. He could still get a byline based on what she'd already told him. â€Å"I talked to a pilot who passed through Truk a few months ago.† â€Å"A few months ago? Not more recently?† â€Å"No. He said he was going to fly a jet for some missionaries on Alualu. I came out to check it out.† â€Å"And that was all you heard? Just that we had a jet?† â€Å"Yes, it's pretty unusual for a missionary clinic to have money for a jet, wouldn't you say?† She smiled. â€Å"I guess it is. So how did you plan to get off the island after you got your story?† â€Å"The Micro Spirit was going to pick me up on the other side of the island. That's it. I was just curious. It's an occupational hazard.† â€Å"Who knows you're here, besides the crew of the Spirit?† Pardee considered her question; what would be the best answer. Surely she wouldn't let him die of some dreaded disease, but how stupid would he have been to come out here without telling anyone? â€Å"The people who work for me at the Star and a friend of mine at AP who I called for some background before I left.† â€Å"Oh, that's good,† she said, still smiling. Pardee couldn't help but feel pleased with himself. It had been a long time since he'd gotten any approval – or attention for that matter – from a beautiful woman. She uncapped the syringe. â€Å"Now, before I give you the vaccine, a few medical questions, okay?† â€Å"Sure. Shoot.† â€Å"You smoke and drink to excess, correct?† â€Å"I indulge from time to time. Another occupational hazard.† â€Å"I see,† she said. â€Å"And have you ever had a test for HIV?† â€Å"A month ago. Clean as a whistle.† This was true. He'd been motivated to take the test by a creepy rash on his stomach that turned out to be caused by skin-burrowing mites. The medic with the Navy CAT team had given him an ointment that cleared it up in a few days. â€Å"Have you ever had hepatitis, cancer, or kidney disease?† â€Å"Nope.† â€Å"How about your family? Anyone with a history of kidney disease or cancer?† â€Å"Not last time I heard. I haven't talked with my family in twenty-five years.† She seemed especially pleased at that. â€Å"And you're not married? No children?† â€Å"No.† â€Å"Very good,† she said. She plunged the needle into his shoulder and pushed the plunger. â€Å"Ouch. Hey, you could have warned me. Aren't you supposed to swab that with alcohol first or something?† She stepped to the door and smiled again. â€Å"I don't think infec tion is going to be a problem, Mr. Pardee. Now don't panic, but in a minute or so you are going to go to sleep. I can't believe you bought that bit about the encephalitis. People get stupid living in the tropics, don't you think?† She went out of focus and the lines of the room started to heave as if the entire structure was breathing. â€Å"What was in†¦?† His tongue was too heavy; the words wouldn't come. â€Å"You don't have a staff and you didn't call anyone at AP, Mr. Pardee. That was a stupid lie. We'll have to put ‘self-importance' down under cause of death.† Pardee tried to stand, but his legs wouldn't obey him. He slid off the chair and his legs splayed straight out in front of him. Beth Curtis bent over him, pushed her lips into a pout, and baby-talked. â€Å"Oh, are his wittle wegs all wobbly?† She stood up straight and put her hands on her hips. To Pardee her face floated like the moon through clouds. She said, â€Å"You're probably thinking that I'm being unusually cruel to tease a dying man, but you see, you're not dying right now. Soon, but not right now.† Pardee tried to form a question, but the room seemed to go liquid and crash over him like a black wave. Sebastian Curtis walked down the dock to where the crew of the Micro Spirit was unloading fuel drums from a longboat. He was wearing his white lab coat over Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, a stethoscope hung from his neck like a medallion of power. The Micro Spirit's first mate, who was drinking a Coke while supervising the unloading, jumped up on the dock to meet the doctor. â€Å"Good morning.† â€Å"Good morning,† Curtis said. â€Å"Are you in charge here?† â€Å"I'm the first mate.† Curtis regarded the tattooed Tongan. â€Å"Mr. Pardee will be staying with us for a while. He's asked me to tell you not to wait for him.† â€Å"That don't bother you?† the mate asked. It seemed strange to him after the effort Pardee had made to sneak onto the island. â€Å"No, of course not. In fact, we've offered to fly Mr. Pardee to Hawaii when he finishes his work.† The mate had never heard Pardee's name in the same sentence as the word â€Å"work.† It didn't sound right. Still, he had his job to do and the doctor was paying double freight for these barrels. He said, â€Å"Is he going to pay his fare?† Curtis smiled and pulled a wad of bills out of the pocket of his shorts. â€Å"Of course. He asked me to give you the money. How much is it?† â€Å"From Truk, one way, is three hundred.† The doctor counted out a stack of twenties and held it out to the mate. â€Å"Here's six hundred. Mr. Pardee asked me to pay the round-trip fare, since that's what he originally contracted for.† The mate stared at the stack of bills. He had known Jefferson Pardee for ten years and had never even known the man to buy a beer; now he was just giving him three hundred extra dollars? Three hundred dollars that the company and the captain didn't know about. â€Å"Okay,† he said. He snatched the money out of the doctor's hand and shoved it into his pocket before the crew could see. He would get the whole crew drunk and they would toast the generosity of Jefferson Pardee. 36 Return to the Sky The Lear 45 was a working corporate issue, the seats upholstered in muted blues and grays, facing each other over small worktables. For some reason Tucker had expected something more unusual: bright carnival colors with a monkey in a flight attendant outfit perhaps; a stark metal interior stripped for cargo; maybe stainless steel over enamel with a lot of complicated medical gizmos. Nope, this was the standard, run-of-the-mill station wagon model of your basic four-million-dollar jet. He slid into the pilot's seat and a rage of adrenaline coursed through him, as if his body was reliving the crash of the pink Gulfstream. He fought the urge to bolt, let the adrenaline jag settle to a low-grade nausea, then started his preflight checklist. Everything looked normal; the instruments and controls were in place. He snapped on the power for the gauges and nothing happened: no lights, no LEDs, nothing. He felt the plane move as someone came up the retractable steps and suddenly one of the guards reached around him and inserted a cylindrical key into a socket on the instrument board. The guard turned the key several times and the cockpit whirred to life. â€Å"This thing has a main power cutoff?† Tuck said to the guard. The guard removed the key and walked off the plane without saying a word. â€Å"Nice chatting with you,† Tuck said. He'd never seen a plane with an ignition key and he was sure that this one was not factory-issue. Why? Who would steal a jet airplane? Who could? I could, that's who. The doctor had installed the key to keep him from re peating his performance in Seattle. The missionary bastard didn't trust him. Tuck checked the navigation computer. It was, as Beth Curtis had told him, set for an airfield in southern Japan. He watched as the LEDs on the nav computer came on, indicating that it was acquiring the satellites it needed to locate his position. When three were lit, his longitude and latitude flashed on the screen; when a fourth satellite was acquired, he had his current altitude: eight feet above sea level. He thought of Kimi navigating by the stars and felt a twinge of guilt for not trying harder to find him. He resolved to look for the navigator personally when he got back to Alualu. He ran through the checklist and threw the autostart switches for the engines. As the twin jets spooled up, Tuck felt his anxiety float away like an exorcised ghost. This is where he was supposed to be. This is what he did. For the first time in weeks he felt like his head was clear. He pushed the controls through their full range of motion and checked out the window to make sure that the flaps and ailerons were moving as well. Beth Curtis was coming across the compound toward the plane. At least he thought it was Beth Curtis. She wore a sharp, dark business suit with nylons and high heels. Her hair was pulled back into a severe bun and she wore wire-frame aviator sunglasses. She carried a small plastic cooler in one hand and an aluminum briefcase in the other. She looked like one of Mary Jean's corporate killer attorneys. Her third identity in as many days. She walked into the plane and the guard pushed the hatch shut behind her. She stashed the cooler and briefcase in the overhead, then climbed into the cockpit and strapped herself in the copilot's seat. â€Å"Any problems?† she said. â€Å"You look nice today, Mrs. Curtis.† â€Å"Thank you, Mr. Case. Are we ready?† â€Å"Tuck. You can call me Tuck. I need you to look out the window and tell me if the flaps and ailerons move when I move the controls.† â€Å"They look fine. Shall we go?† Tuck released the ground brakes and taxied out onto the runway. â€Å"I need to pick up some sunglasses while we're in Japan.† â€Å"I'll get you some. You won't be leaving the plane.† â€Å"I won't?† â€Å"We'll only be on the ground for a few minutes, then we'll be coming back.† â€Å"Look, Mrs. Curtis, I know you think that because of the circumstances that brought me here that I'm a total fuckup, but I am really good at what I do. You don't have to treat me like a child.† She looked at him and took off her sunglasses. Tuck wished he had sunglasses so he could whip them off like that. She said, â€Å"Mr. Case, I'm putting my life in your hands right now. How much more confidence would you like?† Tuck didn't really know how to answer. â€Å"I guess you're right. Sorry. You could be a little less mysterious about what's going on here. I know that we're not flying supplies, not with this plane and the kind of money you're paying me.† â€Å"If you really want to know, I can tell you. But if I tell you, I'll have to kill you.† Tuck looked from the instruments to catch her expression. She was grinning, a deep silly grin that crinkled the corners of her eyes. He looked at the instruments. â€Å"I'm going to take off now. Okay?† â€Å"And I haven't even shown you the best way to fight boredom on our little island.† Tuck concentrated on the gauges and the runway. He said, â€Å"What church do you and your husband work for?† â€Å"Methodist.† â€Å"You'll have to tell me about it.† â€Å"What's there to tell? Methodists rock!† she said, then she giggled like a little girl as Tuck pulled the plane into the sky. Malink joined the drinking circle late, hoping that everyone would be drunk enough to forget what had gone on that day. He'd spent most of the after-noon at Favo's house, afraid even to face his wife and daughters, but when the sun was well boiled in the sea, he knew he had to join the other men or face the consequences of tuba-poisoned theories and rumors aspiring to truth. He sneaked into an open spot in the circle and sat on the sand, even though several younger men moved so he could sit on a log with his back to the tree. He threw an open pack of Benson & Hedges into the center of the circle and Favo divided up the smokes among the men. Some lit up, others broke them into sections to chew with betel nut, and a few tucked them behind their ears for later. The distraction was short-lived and one of the Johns, an elder, said, â€Å"So why did Vincent send the Japanese into our houses?† Malink waved him off as he drank from the coconut shell cup and made a great show of enjoying his first drink before handing the cup to Abo, who was pouring. Then he stalled another few seconds by lighting a Benson & Hedges with the Zippo, making sure everyone saw it and remembered, then after a long drag he said, â€Å"I'm fucked if I know.† He said this in English – English being the best language for swearing. â€Å"It is not good,† said John. â€Å"They came to the bachelors' house,† said Abo, who, as usual, was angry. â€Å"They looked at our mispel's thighs.† â€Å"We should kill them,† said one of the younger men who had been named for Vincent. â€Å"And eat them!† someone added – and it was as if the air had been pulled on the circle before it could inflate to well-rounded violent mob. Everyone turned to see Sarapul walking out of the shadows. For once, Malink was glad to see him. The old cannibal seemed to have a spring in his step, seemed younger, stronger. â€Å"I need an ax,† Sarapul said. The men who owned axes all stared into the sand or examined their fingernails. â€Å"What for?† Malink asked. â€Å"I can't tell you. It's a secret.† â€Å"You're not going to start headhunting, are you?† Malink said. â€Å"We've put up with your talk of eating people, but I draw the line at headhunting. No headhunting while I'm chief.† Everybody grunted in agreement and Malink was glad to have been able to assert his authority in a way that no one could dispute. An anthropologist had once come to the island and given him a book about headhunters. Malink felt very cosmopolitan discussing the topic. Sarapul looked confused. He'd never read the headhunting book, had never read any book, but he did have a Classic Comics version of The Count of Monte Cristo, which a sailor had given him in the days before the Shark People were forbidden to meet visiting ships. He'd made Kimi read it to him every night. Sarapul liked the thread of revenge and murder that ran through the story. Sarapul said, â€Å"What is this headhunting? I just want to cut a tree.† â€Å"Cutting trees is taboo,† said one of the younger men. â€Å"I will get special dispensation,† Sarapul said, using a term he had learned from Father Rodriquez. Malink shook his head. â€Å"We don't have that anymore. We only had that when we were Catholics.† â€Å"I need an ax,† Sarapul said, as if he might do better if he started over. â€Å"And I need permission from the great Chief Malink to cut a tree.† Malink scratched a mosquito bite and looked at his feet. It was true that he could give permission to break a taboo, and Sarapul had distracted the circle before they ganged up on him. â€Å"You may cut one tree, on your side of the island, and you must show it to me before you cut it. Now, who has an ax?† Everyone knew who owned axes, but nobody volunteered. Malink chose one of the young Vincents. â€Å"You, go get your ax.† Then to Sarapul he said: â€Å"Why do you need to cut a tree?† Sarapul considered holding out, but decided that a credible lie would be better. â€Å"My house is falling down from the girl-man climbing in the rafters.† It was the wrong answer to give in front of a group of men whose houses had been rifled only hours ago. Malink cradled his head in his hands. The toughest part of the landing for Tuck was restraining himself from leaping out of the seat and demanding high-fives from the woman. It was perfect. He was back. Never mind the ghosts, the talking bats, the three-hour flight with a woman who could have been the model for the new Multiple Personality Barbie. She's elegant, she's fashionable, and she's the reason that Ken has no genitals! Have fun, but remember to hide the sharp stuff! Never mind all that. He was a pilot. They were somewhere in southern Japan, a small jetport, probably private, with no tower and only a few hangars. Tuck had gotten them there by following the nav computer, which, he found in midflight, had only two coordinates programmed into it: Alualu and this airfield. â€Å"What happens if we have a problem and have to divert?† he asked Beth. â€Å"Don't worry about it,† she said. She had spent most of the flight grilling him about the navigational instruments, as if she wanted to know enough to be able to check the course herself. He complied, feeling insulted by the whole conversation. Another Lear was spooling up on the tarmac and Beth Curtis instructed him to taxi to it. As the jet bumped to a stop and he prepared to shut down, she pulled her briefcase and cooler out of the overhead and turned to him. â€Å"Stay here. We'll take off in a few minutes.† â€Å"What about loading supplies?† â€Å"Mr. Case, please just prepare the plane for departure. I won't be long.† Two men in blue coveralls crossed the tarmac from the other jet and lowered the hatch for her. Tuck watched out the window as she met a third Japanese man in a white lab coat. She handed him the cooler and a folder from the briefcase, then traded bows with him and quickstepped back to the Lear. One of the men in blue coveralls followed her into the plane with a cardboard box, which he strapped into one of the passenger seats. â€Å"Domo,† Beth Curtis said. He bowed quickly, left the plane, and sealed the hatch. She stashed the briefcase in the overhead again climbed into the copilot's seat. â€Å"Let's go.† â€Å"That's it?† â€Å"That's it. Let's go.† â€Å"We should top off the fuel tanks while we're here.† â€Å"I understand why you might be a little nervous about that, Mr. Case, but we have plenty of fuel to make it back.† â€Å"One box. That's all we're picking up?† â€Å"One box.† â€Å"What's in it?† â€Å"It's a case of '78 Bordeaux. Sebastian loves it. Let's go.† â€Å"But I have to use the bathroom. I thought†¦Ã¢â‚¬  â€Å"Hold it,† Beth Curtis said. â€Å"Bitch.† â€Å"Exactly. Now don't you need to do your checklist thingy?†

Shall We Tell the President?

In February 24 he heard shocking news. Some people were planning to kill the president and he understood that a senator is also involved in this. When they knew that he heard everything, they tried to kill him. But fortunately he escaped. After the meeting Mark Andrews talked Dry. Dexter and fixed a date with her. Barry called Nick and informed every thing. Nick States entrusted Mark to the hospital. On the way to the home Barry and Nick met In an accident and died _ March 3 Thursday Evening: Mark called Dry. Dexter and postponed the meeting. When he arrived in the hospital Angelo and Benjamin Reynolds who lied near Angelo had died.Mark tried to inform the news to Nick but he didn't get. So he informed all incidents to the FBI director H. A. L Tyson and through car radio he knew that Nick and Barry were died. 4 Friday 6. 27 am: Mark meets Tyson and informed to keep it secret; at the mean time Tyson had appointed two persons to look Mark. Mark starts his investigation about which sena tor involved in this case. At the Library of Congress he checked the congressional record to find out who were all in Washington on February 24. He got a list of 62 senators then he double checked and shortened it Into 38. Friday Afternoon 12. Pm: A meeting of conspirators takes place. One man Is Tony, he was an excellent driver another is Xanthium, a Vietnamese and an excellent rifle shooter, he hated Americans. The third man is Ralph Matson; he is an old FBI agent and the Peter Nicholson, a millionaire. The last man is called chairman. Ralph Matson was the killer of Angelo Ceasefires; he disguised like a Greek priest and killed him. Tony and Xanthium were the killers of Barry and Nick . They discussed about the planning to kill the president. Arc 4 1-relay Attorney 4 pm: Mark called Nils classmate Ana Knew auto ten mafias. When mark speaks with Dry.Dexter he got the news that Angelo was a Greek then he contacted a Greek orthodox priest and understood the killer who he see in the h ospital. 5 March Saturday Morning: Mark meets Tyson. In their Mathew Roger the Cast. Director of FBI gave information about the man who made the arrangements for the luncheon party. Marks visits Arians Ceasefires and learns that a priest came and gave fifty dollar bill to her. Mark traces the 50 dollar bill to know the finger prints. Mark contacted the secretaries of the 62 senators in his list not revealing the secret. He could cut down the number of senators' who had private luncheon on February 24.Sunday Morning 6 March 9 am: Mark calls a person in New York Times to know more about mafias and their attitude towards Gun Control Bill and also about senators who had close connections in organized crimes. Monday Morning 7 March 7 am: Tyson informed mark that a walk-talky of the FBI had missed and through that the information are going out side. For to know which senator where in the capitol on 3 March, mark looks the records and make a list of seven senators ‘Pearson, Noun, Bro oks, Byrd, Dexter, Harrison, Thornton'. 8 March Tuesday Morning 1 am: Tyson scolded Mark when he got the report from the woo men who are appointed to observe mark.They reported that Mark is in love with a senator daughter. Tyson scolded him because his lover's father Dexter is under suspicion. Mark goes to the senate house to see the Gun control bill debate, in which there he reduced his list to 5, because he understood that Noun and Pearson were not in the senate on 3 March. 9 March Wednesday: Tyson tells mark that Dexter may be the conspirator because the porters had seen in him on February 24 in Georgetown with his daughter. Mark shocked, he meets Elizabeth. Tycoon's men informed it and he scolded Mark.

Assess the View That Traditional Class Identities

These groups are the working class, middle class and upper class. However now some believe there isn’t this social class division within society and that everyone is equal. People that would agree traditional class identities are no longer important are postmodernists. These have the view that class no longer really matters in modern Britain and that now people no longer identify themselves according to their class background. Clarke and Saunders (1991) would agree with the view of postmodernists. They suggest that classes have become fragmented into many different groups and now they have been replaced with other influences such as gender and lifestyles. Although they is some evidence which suggests these ideas are exaggerated. Marshall’s survey into how people view themselves showed people still see social class as a source of identity. The traditional working class was a group of people that was developed after the industrialisation when they were need for large amounts of manual workers. This group formed a strong sense on culture and identity. These were strong moral values, having men as the breadwinner and women as housewives and believing getting a job is more important than having an education. The traditional working class also saw the labour party as the party for the working class as it represented their interests, as pointed out in item B. Although now many people in the working class vote for different parties as they don’t all agree on what is important now in society, supporting the idea that traditional class identities are no longer important. Now also the manufacturing business as changed a lot, this means now they aren’t the same jobs available as they would have been before as they have been replaced with things such as machines that can do a faster and cheaper job. Therefore the working class has had to change the sort of jobs they do over time which may be a reason for the change in characteristics, and therefore making the traditional class identities now no longer important. Diamond and Giddens agree with this as they argue that the working class is no longer important because of the change in the economy that as lead to the decline of manual labour jobs, and that the working class isn’t now the only class which experiences economic and social eprivation. The new working class is now seen to have little loyalty to others within the same class, more emphasis on customer goods, high levels of home ownership, and women likely to be employed. There is also now a larger section of the working class, this may be down to some working class jobs now becoming more skilful therefore getting higher pay, which others become less skilful and get lower pay, meaning people in the same class may identify themselves every differently. However there are sociologists that believe traditional class identities are still very important, for example Marxists. They believe social class is still hugely influential in shaping our identities. They also believe social class is identified by your income, and that leisure wouldn’t define your identity as you would need the disposable income to afford it. The British Attitudes Survey supported this idea, because in 2007 it found still 94% of people still identified themselves with a social class, whereas only 6% didn’t. Overall the importance of traditional class identities are seen every differently by different people. Views which agree and disagree to the importance of traditional class identities still being important have both positives and negatives so it’s hard to just believe one view point is the truth and the other doesn’t matter. Therefore I believe both viewpoints have sufficient evidence and that traditional class identities are still important to an extent, however now there is also other factors that can make up our identity other than just our social class. Assess the View That Traditional Class Identities These groups are the working class, middle class and upper class. However now some believe there isn’t this social class division within society and that everyone is equal. People that would agree traditional class identities are no longer important are postmodernists. These have the view that class no longer really matters in modern Britain and that now people no longer identify themselves according to their class background. Clarke and Saunders (1991) would agree with the view of postmodernists. They suggest that classes have become fragmented into many different groups and now they have been replaced with other influences such as gender and lifestyles. Although they is some evidence which suggests these ideas are exaggerated. Marshall’s survey into how people view themselves showed people still see social class as a source of identity. The traditional working class was a group of people that was developed after the industrialisation when they were need for large amounts of manual workers. This group formed a strong sense on culture and identity. These were strong moral values, having men as the breadwinner and women as housewives and believing getting a job is more important than having an education. The traditional working class also saw the labour party as the party for the working class as it represented their interests, as pointed out in item B. Although now many people in the working class vote for different parties as they don’t all agree on what is important now in society, supporting the idea that traditional class identities are no longer important. Now also the manufacturing business as changed a lot, this means now they aren’t the same jobs available as they would have been before as they have been replaced with things such as machines that can do a faster and cheaper job. Therefore the working class has had to change the sort of jobs they do over time which may be a reason for the change in characteristics, and therefore making the traditional class identities now no longer important. Diamond and Giddens agree with this as they argue that the working class is no longer important because of the change in the economy that as lead to the decline of manual labour jobs, and that the working class isn’t now the only class which experiences economic and social eprivation. The new working class is now seen to have little loyalty to others within the same class, more emphasis on customer goods, high levels of home ownership, and women likely to be employed. There is also now a larger section of the working class, this may be down to some working class jobs now becoming more skilful therefore getting higher pay, which others become less skilful and get lower pay, meaning people in the same class may identify themselves every differently. However there are sociologists that believe traditional class identities are still very important, for example Marxists. They believe social class is still hugely influential in shaping our identities. They also believe social class is identified by your income, and that leisure wouldn’t define your identity as you would need the disposable income to afford it. The British Attitudes Survey supported this idea, because in 2007 it found still 94% of people still identified themselves with a social class, whereas only 6% didn’t. Overall the importance of traditional class identities are seen every differently by different people. Views which agree and disagree to the importance of traditional class identities still being important have both positives and negatives so it’s hard to just believe one view point is the truth and the other doesn’t matter. Therefore I believe both viewpoints have sufficient evidence and that traditional class identities are still important to an extent, however now there is also other factors that can make up our identity other than just our social class.

Chapter 9 Euro Disney Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Chapter 9 Euro Disney - Case Study Example There are significant cultural differences between Americans and Europeans, and between the Japanese. Culture affects everything from language to spending habits and attitudes towards money in general. A better reading of the cultural differences between the French and Americans could have been attained if a consumer survey was commissioned at that time which will indicate a huge gap in behavioral patterns, especially with regards to discretionary spending. Senior Disney executives could hardly be faulted for believing that the Disney brand is a surefire success since it is a great global brand but their fault was in their execution plans. They overlooked something as obvious as opening a major themed park in the very middle of a recession when people would naturally be reluctant to spend on entertainment which is very discretionary in nature. They had also put blinders on their own eyes by engaging in hubris; it was stated in the case they were even afraid of being too successful (Hartley, 2010, p. 140). It was an instance of believing in their own publicity, much like the mistake committed by most entrepreneurs who think the world will beat a path to his door because of a better mousetrap. Disney executives did not take into account the lessons from three earlier French failures. The French people is one of those rare instances in which they are bi-lingual; many of them can speak and understand English very well. The Americans, on the other hand, do not know a lot about the French language and culture. So there is clearly a cultural gap which is a cause of many misunderstandings on the part of the American executives. Tokyo Disneyland is a great success because the Japanese are obsessed and preoccupied with anything that is of American origin (ibid. p. 143). This can be contrasted with the attitudes of the French people who are fanatically proud of their culture; they do not want even

Human Resource Management Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Human Resource Management - Research Paper Example Visual sexual harassment is through showing unwanted signs, photographs, drawings, gestures suggesting sex to an individual in the work place (Boland, 2005). Job analysis is the method employed to identify and determine the responsibilities and duties within a job description. The first step in job analysis is identifying its main objective it is important in determining the data to be collected. The second and third steps are choosing the best analyst and suitable method respectively. The fourth step involves training the analysts on how to use the chosen method (Mathis & Jackson, 2010). The fifth step in job analysis entails preparing for analysis by communicating the project to the whole organization. Collecting data fall on the sixth step while reviewing and verifying the collected data falls on the seventh step. The last step is implementing the results which at this time are the developed job description and specification. The advantages of this technique are; gaining of first class information about the job, efficient way of hiring employees and efficient way for appraisal and performance evaluation. The disadvantages are; require s a lot of data, it has a personal bias and it is time consuming (Heron, 2005). Internet recruiting has derived its importance through advances in technology and the need for a 24/07 access of employees and employers. Through internet recruiting, it has been possible, for employers to access qualified personnel from the global environment. Website containing details of job descriptions post vacancies through which a qualified individual responds to. The following three are advantages of internet recruiting. Firstly, it is a cost effective method of hiring. Secondly, the automated recruiting process is accessible 24/07. Thirdly, it is possible to access a large number of skilled individuals from a wider geographical area (Arthur, 2006). Security in the workplace refers to being safe from risks that can occur

Climat change and sustainable development in Saudi Arabia Essay

Climat change and sustainable development in Saudi Arabia - Essay Example Deforestation increases the global warming further by destroying the natural equilibrium existing in the planet. Middle-east countries are the major sources of fuel oil to the world. The industrial development in these countries and rise in income levels of the people has increased the emission of greenhouse gases significantly during the recent years. Saudi Arabia, the largest country with more population in this region, is a leading exporter of oil. While the oil exporting countries have the rights to exploit the natural resources, the world community expects them to contribute significantly for combating global warming. This paper seeks to study the role of Saudi Arabia in reducing pollution within the country and combating climate change. This paper also focuses on the various policy measures adopted by Saudi Arabia with respect to the international negotiations on Climate Change in combating climate change. The Saudi Arabian government is headed by the King who is helped by the Council of Ministers. The government is assisted by legislative body, Consultative Council.   The country is divided by thirteen provinces headed by the governors. The judicial system in the country is based on Islamic law. â€Å"In October 2003, the cabinet approved procedures for the election of half of the members of the municipal councils, as a start towards greater participation of the citizens in the governing of their country.† 1 General Environmental Law and Rules for Implementation of the government envisages precautions, measures, methods and environmental standards to be adopted in relation to environmental protection along with the General Environmental Regulations and Rules for implementation in the country. Casey 2 reported â€Å"The Middle East and North Africa will be especially hard hit by climate change in the coming decades, the World Bank said in a report Wednesday, saying

Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit - Unhappy Consciousness Essay - 1

Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit - Unhappy Consciousness - Essay Example in order to give out a clear description of his plot since he associated this human stage with the early Christian era where people used to turn away from the upheavals of the world’s common life and concentrated on ascetic and monastic lives coupled with prayers. According to Hegel, people heading an ascetic life nurtured unhappy consciousness until they attained the will of truth. To begin with, unhappy consciousness is an instance of self-consciousness because, it arises out of human beings when it is fighting or struggling to attain recognition from others in order to realize individual self-consciousness as a subject (Wilhelm and Hegel 110). Unhappy consciousness lead to fears and troubles that make people feel uncomfortable. It also disturbs their state of mind that makes individuals confused. As a result, victims of unhappy consciousness end up seeking refuge in religious centers and within philosophical systems so as to stay away from the struggles and fights in this stage of mind. In addition, unhappy consciousness turns out to be an instance of self-consciousness since it resolves in making its subjects turn to seek anything comforting. Fear and objectification caused by unhappy consciousness make individuals seek refuge and comfort in beings that do not live visibly (118). They do not attempt or struggle to attain recognition among human beings but isolate themselves and keep-off the struggles (121). This act of turning towards the transcendent being comes because of the initial struggle of consciousness trying to get hold of nature. As those individuals who live monastic life strive to grasp a sense of certainty, they encounter the universal concepts of nature. At the long run, these individuals do not change. Instead, they remain to be the same and maintain their consciousness despite the struggle for seeking refuge. Therefore, unhappy consciousness is an instance of self-consciousness. Unhappy consciousness is an instance of self-consciousness

Are we free or determined Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Are we free or determined - Essay Example Though many philosophical points and theories are presented on this topic and this tradition exist throughout the world. It is observed that the determinism and free will are mutually exclusive to each other. The term determinism got wide meanings and there are two types of determinism, one is hard determinism or incompatibilists and the other one is soft determinism or compatibilists. Hard determinism is a belief, which says that the free will is an illusion but hard determinism says that both ideas can be coherently reconciled. The free will is believed to be metaphysical truth of independent agency or it is defined as the feeling of agency that human experience when they act. The concept of free will plays a central role in our thinking and our views about the world. On the other hand, determinists believe that the level to which human beings have influence over their future is itself dependent on present and past. And it is also described as a term that tells all events in the world are the result of some previous event, or events. And this shows that freedom of human beings is just an illusion. I believe that human are determined and not free will. It is sometimes believed that determinism demands that humans or individuals have no influence on the future events, but this concept is not correct. Determinism is that our past influences our future, and this is a true concept, even if we look it in our own lives. Many philosophers have given their views on this topic, including Omar Khayyam, Thomas Hobbes, Gottfried Leibniz, David Hume and Daniel Dennett etc. If we look at the emergentist or the generative philosophy, we will see that the free will does not exist in it,2 but we can see its illusions because of the generation of infinite behavior from the interaction of finite-deterministic set of rules and constraints. And the unpredictable behavior of deterministic process leads us to the insight of free will. Though, we know that the free will is an ontological entity and it does not exist in real.3 According to some people, determinism is usually negated with morals and ethics. On the other hand, people say that determinism is simply the sum of the pragmatic scientific results, which had made it devoid of subjectivism. As we known that there are no hard-set rules and regulations for morals and ethics and they are different in different cultures, and this makes them different from the physical rules, which are pre-defined and hardly change under any circumstances. But still their existence means that they were a certain result or product themselves. This is due to a comprehensive time period of social development, which is witnessed today, and also a convergence of events, which are created to generate the very idea of morals and ethics in the minds of people. An example of determinism is genetic determinism, where we can now found a scientific connection between one's genes and one's actual and/or potential physical traits (hair and eye color, disease susceptibility, etc.). And this knowledge is used throughout the world for further research. The theory of determinism

Test Construction Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6250 words

Test Construction - Essay Example Contemplate the pathophysiologic alteration and its implications on the manifestations of a disease and learn to expect and corroborate findings in a given patient with practice (Evaluation, Synthesis). 3 Section A: Answer all questions on the multiple choice. Select the ONE BEST response to each question by placing a circle around the letter that corresponds with your choice of answer. Use a pencil or black pen only. Question 2. A 56-year-old male presents with cough, breathlessness, and history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The findings in the general examination that suggests impaired oxygen diffusion Question 3. A 30-year-old female had a road-traffic accident. The patient was brought to the clinic with continued bleeding from the wound at the left thigh. What will be your expectation about the heart rate and blood pressure of the patient? Question 7. A patient with chronic emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presents to the clinic with severe respiratory distress. He has low-grade fever. The diagnosis is pneumothorax, pleural effusion, and chronic bronchitis. The examination of thorax may lead to findings Question 8. A patient presents with dyspnea at rest. You are required to examine this patient. On examination, you find engorged neck veins, mild enlargement of the liver, and PMI shifted 2.5 cm lateral to left midclavicular line in the left 6th intercostal space. Your diagnosis would be Question 10. A patient presents with history of rheumatic fever and a known history of mitral stenosis. He presents with cough and dyspnea and complains of swelling of the extremities. On examination, he has a lateral PMI, increased JVP, an S3, hepatic enlargement, crackles at the lung bases, a soft S1, and a pulsus alternans. What could be the diagnosis? Question 11. A 12-year-old boy presents with anorexia, nausea,

Fictitious Business Description Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Fictitious Business Description - Essay Example When choosing suitable HRIS, there are a lot of factors or questions to consider. The following are just few of the important factors to consider. One of the most important things to consider is to know the degree of flexibility and scalability that the HR information technology software provides. This should address if the software can import data from multiple Excel spreadsheets, databases, and paper documents and the level with which it can interface with all kinds of systems and data. Another factor to consider is if the software can accommodate the rules of the company and the benefit carriers as to make sure that each enrolment activity will be evaluated and necessary combination of rules can be applied. The next thing to consider is the ability to grow as the company grows with new employees, offices, benefit changes and rules. The capability of the software to integrate with other systems should also be considered. The company should also know who is responsible for implement ing or building the solution and must have a clear understanding of the level of training and expertise required and amount of time expected. The data should make sure that the data is owned by the Human Resources organization. Company should also take a look at the upkeep and maintenance required. There are still numerous questions to consider. ... Within the human resource management area, these decisions include recruitment decisions; job analysis and design decisions, training and development decisions, and employee compensation plan decisions. In a Tactical Information System, this type of information system includes Job Analysis and Design Information Systems, Recruitment Information Systems, Compensation and Benefits Information Systems, and Employee Trainings and Development Systems. The Job Analysis and Design Information Systems can help Mr. Morgan in his problem about answering questions and communicating with his employees. This information system is designed to take care of the information inputted to the job analysis from interviews with workers, supervisors, labour unions, government, competitors and other external sources (Types of Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), n.d.). The output from this will provide Mr. Morgan the basis for strategic human resource decisions. The Recruiting Information Systems will be very helpful to Mr. Morgan. This information system will collect and process the information needed to create a plan which includes the list of vacant positions, with the corresponding responsibilities and requirements; list of employees for transfer, termination, retirement and even summaries for appraisal of employees (Types of Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), n.d.). The other component of tactical HRIS is the Compensation and Benefits Information Systems which will help Mr. Morgan in taking care of the employees’ payroll. This information system will help the company when it comes to the payroll of employees by taking care of the information

Hyatt Curacao Management Team and Marketing Strategy Essay Example for Free

Hyatt Curacao Management Team and Marketing Strategy Essay According to Willemstad Curacao (2009), Diego Concha was been named broad manager of Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort, Spa as well as Marina. He oversees the entire process of the 350-room resort, provides proficient control to a team of aggravated employees and adds his noted individual touch to guest dealings. Positioned along 1,500 acres of the Santa Barbara agricultural estate, a multi-faceted luxury resort society, The Hyatt Regency Curacao is seen. With refence to Agent at home Magazine(2010), Diego is the ultimate person to open Hyatt’s latest Caribbean resort, Carlos Cabrera is the higher-ranking vice president of ground operations for Hyatt Hotels Corporation. His experiences and proficiency in the area makes him supremely fit to help fuse Hyatt’s elevated level of values with the island’s rich artistic customs and refined contributions. There are five regional directors of revenue management who maintain the revenue managers and revenue maximization system. The regional directors are associated primarily by produce type, including huge convention, resorts and trade. The panel is dedicated to making Hyatt Regency Curacao the primary choice for leisure and commerce travelers in the Caribbean. And are dedicated to genuinely capturing the atmosphere of the resort. Hyatt uses a status of the art revenue management system to offer federal direction for pricing, division strategy and staff development. Revenue management, though, is supplementary than a computer system. It is an incorporated set of business process that brings together people and expertise, with the goal of accepting the market, anticipating customer behavior and responding fast to make best use of revenue opportunities that arise. Marketing strategy of Hyatt’s is planned to secure and build product value and awareness while gathering the specific business requirements of hotel operations. Creating and differentiating the brand location of Hyatt and our sub-brands is essential to growing Hyatt’s- brand first choice and demand, rate premium and linked business imperatives. Hyatt is paying attention on targeting the distinct consumer segments that each of our brands serves and sustaining the needs of the hotels by systematic analysis and appliance of data and analytics. There is a corresponding and integrated communication approach for the Hyatt master brand and each of the sub-brands from corner to corner in every distribution channel. They intend to retain and exploit the potential revenue of our existing customers and expand the number of new guests through an advertising approach powered by data and analytics. Sophisticated, quantitative strategic analytics and predictive model identify the most profitable customers, enabling Hyatt to leverage preference in all facets of marketing. The model is at present being utilized to enhance the value of our most loyal guests, the Gold Passport members, and inside three years, it will be activated all over the enterprise. Hyatt’s coordinated marketing initiatives gain a sub-set of hotels and resorts, as well as regional programs. Cost allotment is based on the balanced share of actualized room revenue for trailing twelve months of participating hotels in the beleaguered business segment. These include Summer Weekend vacation and Hyatt’s of Florida Group Marketing. It has full-service sumptuousness hotel will feature continuous water views on three sides, white sand beaches, a four-thousand square foot Hyatt Pure spa, separate twenty-four Hyatt Stay Fit fitness center, Camp Hyatt, several outdoor pools . The Corporate Marketing faction assigns a hotel marketing manager to each hotel to help market their personal property. The hotel marketing manager then assesses the property’s business requirements, issues and revenue- objectives and assists in the progress of the brand and promotional marketing programs. Hyatt’s marketing strategy is intended to secure and build brand value and awareness while meeting the precise business needs of hotel operations. Building and differentiating the brand location of Hyatt and our sub-brands is essential to increasing Hyatt’s brand preference and claim, rate premium and associated business imperatives. Hyatt is focused on targeting the diverse customer segments that each of our brands serves and sustaining the needs of the hotels by thorough analysis and use of analystics and data. Their intention is to retain and maximize the possible revenue of existing consumers and expand the number of new guests through a marketing approach powered by data and analytics. Sophisticated, quantitative planned analytics and predictive modeling identify the most profitable customers, enabling Hyatt to leverage partiality in all facets of marketing. The model is currently being utilized to improve the value of our most loyal guests, Gold Passport members, and in three years, it will be activated all over the enterprise. Coordinated Hyatt’s marketing initiatives benefit a sub-set of hotels with resorts, and also regional programs. In conclusion the business has been established in a manner that only good management can make it be what it is today. It consists of highly qualified personnel; this is from the manager to the staff. Hyatt Curaccao has a well market strategy with brand, analytic, field market, proper revenue management and management team. The Cost allocation is based on the balanced share of actualized room revenue for sprawling twelve months of participating hotels in the targeted business section this runs for a period of twelve months in order to stabilize the business. The Corporate Marketing group selects and assigns a hotel marketing manager to every hotel to help market their personal property. The marketing manager of the hotel assesses the business property, issues and revenue objectives and assists in the improvement of the brand and promotional marketing programs. This is all done in a professional manner.

Women as Political Activists during American Revolution Essay Example for Free

Women as Political Activists during American Revolution Essay Women’s role before American Revolution was restricted to home and motherhood. Their individuality was unwelcome in political and economic context. They were totally dependent on their husbands, fathers and brothers for physical survival and financial security. This reality deprived them of many opportunities like formal education, world travel and social positions. However during American Revolution, the need of their service and assistance was inevitable. Though formal politics did not include women, their domestic knowledge and behavior became charged with political significance. Even though women were not direct participants on the battle field, they still created impact on the historic events of this period. Women on this time whether they were a loyalist, a neutral or patriot, they bravely fought and put their families at great risk. They could not remain silent or uninvolved, which reflects great courage. A wife with a republican husband would help the patriotic cause through educating her children and the next generation according to the republican values who fought for independence. Their political resistance against the British Empire was apparently manifested in their decreasing support towards British trade and products. Women chose to continue a long tradition of weaving instead of purchasing and wearing clothing made from imported British materials. Nonimportation and nonconsumption of British products became women’s major weapons in the arsenal of the American resistance movement against British taxation without representation (Faragher 2006, p. 159). Apparently women have been refusing to buy and consume products from British as part of their political statement. Buying American products became women’s patriotic gesture. Moreover, women were also asked to put their homes in service through quartering American soldiers and allowing legislators to hold the meetings in their homes. Hundreds of women served as nurses, laundresses, cooks and companions to the male soldiers in the Continental Army (Zell 1996). Their actions on the home front saved them time and relieved the soldiers from extra planning and mobilizing. This allows the men to fully concentrate on defeating the British and acquiring sovereignty and independence. Moreover, the revolutionary war gave women the opportunity to demonstrate their capacity and to assume responsibilities that were before regarded to male alone. When their husbands were in combat, they were taking charge of the farms and other source of livelihood of either trade or agriculture. Unconsciously women’s social roles and the structure of the society were redefined during American Revolution giving them more opportunities to explore their skills and potentials. The revolution for women paved the way to know themselves more thus inspired them to fight for equality in terms of social roles knowing that they can contribute something significant in the society. Furthermore, the revolution stimulated hope for equality and freedom. Though they did not acquire full equality after revolution, the ideals of independence inspired not just women but slave for equality, freedom and independence. Reference: Faragher, John Mack, et al. Page 159. Out of Many: A History of the American People. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2006. Zell, Fran. A Multicultural Portrait of the American Revolution. New York: Benchmark Books. 1996.

IKEA SWOT and Competitive Analysis

IKEA SWOT and Competitive Analysis (S)trengths Strength includes characteristics within the organization that adds value to the business and resulting in the ultimate success of organization. These factors are usually cited as skilled management, manufacturing facilities available and good profit product line available in business. (Finlay, 2000) IKEA has strong internationally brand name recognition. IKEAs branding attracts the major demographic customers. Business model of IKEA is unique in its construction as it has no direct competitions on like for like basis. IKEAs products offer values to customer by delivering low price and innovative products. IKEA carries degree of specialist skills and knowledge within key production areas. (Edvardsson Enquist, 2009; Lewis, 2005; Torekull Kamprad, 1999) (W)eaknesses Weaknesses address the internal factors within the business. Those factors that prevent the achievement of successful projects are mainly barriers in communication channels, insufficient resources and conflicts between departments. (Finlay, 2000) IKEA promotes the low pricing model but services to customers are not satisfactory. Retention of customer focuses that customers should be happy fully with the business services. To repeat business with the same customer base IKEA has to work out on its services that are given to customers. Practices of ecommerce have become necessary for businesses to compete with modern technological world. IKEA needs to adopt such practices for the efficiency of its business. (Ikea, 1995; Levine, 2007) (O)pportunities Opportunity factor in SWOT analysis deals with the external elements that will help the business in the completion of successful projects. Strong network of vendors, healthy relationships with suppliers and prevailing good market conditions these all add values to the project. (Finlay, 2000) Opportunity available to IKEA is growing demand for green products and growing demand for low price products by the customers. Due to liquidity crunch and high inflation demand for low price products is increasing. IKEA is moving towards the global status because of the development of Eastern and European models. (Edvardsson Enquist, 2009; Lewis, 2005; Torekull Kamprad, 1999) (T)hreats Final factor of SWOT analysis is threat. Threat represents the external factors that can threaten the success of project. Threat is the negative public image towards business, week vendor relationship, inadequate resources and unavailability of market for the final product. (Finlay, 2000) Various competitors are entering in market and offering the low cost household and furniture products and causing the threat to IKEAs business. Due to recession in economy, trend of consumers spending and disposal of income has reduced. First time buying pattern by consumers is also threat as consumers spend less when they enter in the market. (Ikea, 1995; Levine, 2007) Context and Key issues Wal-Mart is indirect competitor of IKEA. Wal-Mart runs a chain of large stores whereas IKEA deals only with the home furnishing. Wal-Mart offers extensive products and home furnishing is from one of its product lines. Wal-Mart is biggest public company while IKEA is private company. Wal-Mart has world recognized retail brands as IKEAs. IKEA has no direct competitors but Wal-Mart has to compete with the direct competitors also. IKEA focuses on the low priced product strategy which will affect Wal-Mart as more customers are moving towards IKEA for home furnishing. Wal-Mart strategy is focused on human resource management and development and IKEA strategy gives emphasize to low price products to customer. Services given to customers by IKEA are not up to the mark. Wal-Mart can grab customers form IKEA by focusing on the services and by giving values to customer. Retention of customer is possible when their desires are fulfilled along with these desires customer demands good services from the company. Those companies that are providing good customer service are becoming successful. Wal-Mart by using the information technology to assist its logistic systems can precede the IKEA. Information technology can become the core competence of Wal-Mart and by using this core competency Wal-Mart can excel IKEA. (Lewis, 2005; Maon et al., 2007; Tong Tong, 2006) IKEA can compete vigorously with Wal-Mart by fulfilling the demand of customers. Demands for greener products, demands for low priced products and demand from low carbon footprints are increasingly. IKEA by serving these demands can gain the opportunity to become successful and strong competitor of Wal-Mart in home furnishing product line. IKEA by developing the Eastern and European models can increase its market shares and Wal-Mart profitability can decline. By providing customer with low priced products IKEA can attract the customer in this economic recession period where customers are not spending their income. By offering the low priced products to the customer Wal-Mart can do extremely well with IKEA. Due to inflation and down trend in the buying pattern of customers this strategy can gain success to the company. To overcome the threat of low buying pattern of consumer Wal-Mart can take better measures than IKEA as Wal-Mart is running huge retail business than IKEA. IKEA is providing only home furnishing products. It has more skills and knowledge as it is dealing only with this product line and also IKEA is providing innovative and less price products. IKEA strengths have increased from Wal-Mart in home furnishing products because it is focusing only on this product line. (Lewis, 2005; Maon et al., 2007; Tong Tong, 2006) Conclusion IKEA and Wal-Mart differ in number of ways. For the constructive comparison market segmentation and target market for both IKEA and Wal-Mart has to be considered. Target market of IKEA is only consumers of home furnishing while Wal-Mart deals with huge target market. Influence of IKEA on Wal-Mart is less because Wal-Mart is running huge industry. Market segmentation of Wal-Mart is different from IKEA like Wal-Mart focuses on different demographic segmentation, Psychographics and life style segmentation and behavioural segmentation. Target market of IKEA is different as it is only providing products to consumers who are keen in home furnishing whereas home furnishing is only the niche of Wal-Mart. Strategies of IKEA and Wal-Mart are also dissimilar. IKEA focuses on the low priced and innovative products to customer whereas Wal-Mart focuses on the human management and development of human skills. IKEA has no direct competitors so it does not directly influence other businesses through its strengths and weaknesses. Healthy competition is always done on one to one basis. Weakness of IKEA is also that it has no direct competitor. Presence of direct competitor boosts the company performance. References Edvardsson, B. Enquist, B. 2009, Values-based service for sustainable business : lessons from IKEA, Routledge, London; New York. Finlay, P. 2000, Strategic management : an introduction to business and corporate level strategy, Financial Times Prentice Hall, Harlow. Ikea, A. S. 1995, Democratic design : a book about form, function and pricethe 3 dimensions at IKEA, IKEA, Almhult, Sweden. Levine, J. 2007, Forbes Life Billionaires Ikea, Forbes., pp. 328-. Lewis, E. 2005, Great Ikea! : a brand for all the people, Great brand stories, Cyan, London. Maon, F., Swaen, V., Lindgreen, A. University of Hull. Business, S. 2007, Corporate social responsibility at IKEA : commitment and communication, Hull University Business School, [S.l.]. Tong, C. H. Tong, L. I. 2006, Exploring the Conerstones of Walmarts Succes and Competitiveness, Competitiveness review : CR., 16 (2), pp. 143-9. Torekull, B. Kamprad, I. 1999, Leading by design : the IKEA story, HarperBusiness, New York.

Dont Worry You Can Be Happy, by John B. Thomas :: Happiness Essays

What's it going to take? David Myers says in the article 'Don't Worry You Can Be Happy'; by John B. Thomas. 'Happiness relies largely on things unrelated to money, such as meaningful activities and enriching relationships.'; With that the article states that with the following ten steps you can improve your happiness. One: learn to like your self. Two: take control of your destiny. Three: practice expecting the best. Four: become more extroverted. Five: try acting happy. Six: consider new work. Seven: Sleep, sleep, sleep. Eight: Foster close relationships. Nine: Tie the knot. Ten: have faith. So with all of the ten steps you can see that with a little faith and following these steps you could 'Be Happy';. Throughout the article Thomas makes very valuable points, two that I have to agree with 100%. The first point that I agree with is having faith. Having faith in a religious way or just in life in general. Both types of faith will bring you an inner happiness. You look at those people who are sick or very ill. The one who has faith seems to make a stronger and quicker recovery. You'll also notice that from these people that they are very at peace and bring happiness to those around them. The second point that he makes that I agree with is sleep, sleep, sleep. I've notice that in life you need to sleep. People who have trouble sleeping become very irritable and unhappy. You'll also notice that those people whom do sleep they tend to be more patient, alert and more extroverted. These people to me, which are getting enough sleep are happy with that point in their life and can pass their happiness to others. You'll also notice that people seem to make more mistakes and have trouble being happy when they unable to sleep. So when looking at happiness and sleep you'll notice that you have to get enough sleep to be happy in life. When looking at the list you have to wonder what do I do to make myself happy? For me I surround myself with my friends who are happy. Knowing that their happiness would rub off on me. I also find myself trying to make others happy by helping them, when they are down in their time of need. Being there for others can be very self-gratifying and boost happiness for both you and the person whom you are helping.

Ecstasy, the Brain, and the Media :: Drugs Drug Chemistry Essays

Ecstasy, the Brain, and the Media Ecstasy has been glorified by countless Brit-pop drug anthems, condemned by staunch anti-drug foundations and even caused a controversial media debate when the post-mortem picture of eighteen year old Lorna Spinks was splashed across every newspaper in the United Kingdom, her Ecstasy-related death rendered in full gruesome color. The long-term effects and temporary consequences of Ecstasy have been a subject of heated debate in the past ten years as the pill has seen a surge in popularity. What exactly does Ecstasy do to the brain? What creates the euphoric effects? Why has it been used in therapy? And does the media's portrayal of Ecstasy rely on the facts of the drug, or skew the information to instill a sense of fear into citizens, parents, and teenagers? Ecstasy (Methlenedioxy-methamphetamine, MDMA for short) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with amphetamine-like and hallucinogenic properties. It shares a chemical structure with methamphetamine, mescaline, and methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), drugs known to cause brain damage (1). MDMA, in a simple explanation, works by interfering with the communication system between neurotransmitters. Serotonin is one of a group of neurotransmitters that carries out communication between the body and the brain. The message molecules travel from neuron to neuron, attaching to receptor sites. This communication activates signs that either allow the message to be passed or prevent the message from being sent to other cells. However, when MDMA enters the nervous system, it interferes with this system. After serotonin is released, the neurotransmitters are retrieved into the nerve terminal where they are recycled. MDMA hinders this process so that the serotonin is not drawn back in. This allows for an accumulation of serotonin, and also an increase in serotonin synapses (2). This surge of serotonin creates an emotional openness in the Ecstasy user. A sense of euphoria and ecstatic delight envelop the user. Some users report thinking clearly and objectively, and often claim to come to terms with personal problems or various other skeletons in the closet (3). This is the reason Ecstasy resurfaced in the 1980s (after being developed in Germany in 1912 as a dieting drug due to the fact that amphetamines are appetite suppressors) as a tool in experimental psychotherapy, particularly regarding relationship and marital problems (4). In 1984 the drug was declared illegal in the United States after it started being used for recreational purposes. However, in June of 1999, Swiss courts ruled that dealing Ecstasy is not a serious offence.

Christianity, the True Religion Essay -- Religion Christian Jesus

Christianity, the True Religion I was raised Catholic, at the insistance of my parents. After many years of drinking and partying, I got very bored and thought, Is this ALL there is to life?!?! I thought, If there really IS any truth to a life after death, I should at least TRY to find the answer. I started to do some research on science and religion to see if I could come up with any TRUTH about the meaning of life. In school, I was taught that mankind was evolving and getting better, but it didnt appear that way to me. It SEEMED as though modern science had proven that God didnt exist. As I did more research on my own, I found out that this just isnt the case. I learned that the Universe and ALL matter have a DEFINITE beginning. Most atheists and re-incarnationists believe that the Universe has ALWAYS existed, but this contradicts the fact. Cause and effect tells us that the Universe must have been caused. It is logical to believe that an invisible, non-material God had caused the beginning of the Universe. Some think that aliens and U.F.O.s have something to do with our existence, but even if they DID exist, THEY would need a beginning as well! The evolutionists believe that evolution is a FACT, and that the fossil record PROVES it. I learned that neither evolution NOR creation are FACTS, they are only THEORIES! There is NO way to PROVE either one because they CANNOT be re-created in a lab experiment. Whatever THEORY you believe, you MUST believe by FAITH. I learned that when something dies, it does NOT become a fossil, it rots away VERY quickly. Fossils are formed by RAPID burial and destruction , NOT over SUPPOSED billions of years! What the fossil record DOES prove, is that there was a TERRIBLE global disaster. Scattered across mountain tops all over the world are fossils of both modern & extinct ocean and land creatures ALL MIXED TOGETHER. This fact can ONLY be explained by a RECENT Creation and a WORLDWIDE FLOOD, and NOT by evolution. I thought that evolution was true just because the majority accepted it. The MAJORITY also used to believe that the Earth was FLAT!!! Then I was confused about all the different religions out there. Which God should I serve?!?! Does it REALLY matter as long as I am sincere and a GOOD PERSON I thought, What if I am sincerely WRONG!?!? I started to do some more research to try to find the TRUTH. ... ...ask questions. I am just writing this paper because I was SO surprised that I was able to find REALLY satisfying answers to all my questions, when I thought that no one could EVER really know the TRUTH for sure. I read some books on life after death and re-incarnation by people who have CLAIMED to have died. Then I thought If these people were REALLY dead, then they STILL would be!! I DONT expect anyone to just believe me or this paper, but I would HOPE that this article would at LEAST make people think about all of this on their OWN and do some of their OWN investigating!! I just wanted to share what I have learned and to give people a head start. I know how difficult it is to listen to someone else tell you about their religion, I was there. It all seemed so confusing to me, at first. Since Ive done all this research, I KNOW that the Bible is TRULY Gods Word to all mankind, and I believe it. I pray that THE LORD JESUS CHRIST uses this paper to open up the minds and hearts of everyone who reads this so that they may be saved from an eternity separated from GOD and in hell. Eternity is a loooong time to gamble with. If you died right now, do you know where YOU would go !?!?!

Ebay in China Essay

The joint venture with Tom Online will allow eBay to enter the Chinese rapidly growing market. In 2007, China experienced a technology boom in which more people were using the Internet than ever before. Besides the rocket increase of Internet usage in China, E-Commerce is growing as well. With the power and influence of Tom Online, eBay has a unique opportunity to grab the market share of a billion people in China. EBay can benefit a lot from the joint venture with Tom online. Tom Online will help eBay reach millions of people through Internet as well as the mobile Internet. Graph 1 shows that China experienced an exponentially growing in Internet usage. From 2005 to 2007, the Internet users in China doubled from 111million to 205 million. The big population of China almost guaranteed Internet usage growth. With the increase of Internet usage in China, the online shopping also grows rapidly. According to graph 2, online transaction value in China jumped from 3.9 billion RMB to 23.1 billon, representing an incredible growth rate of 253%. All the statistics above strongly prove that China is the perfect market for eBay to tap into. In addition to the great potentials of the market of China, the new marketplace will bring together the strengths of both companies. EBay EachNet’s global e-commerce knowledge and large and active trading community in China, and TOM Online’s local market knowledge and active wireless user base of more than 75 million. The new marketplace will bring enhanced online and mobile opportunities to buyers and sellers in China, evolving eBay’s participation in China and extending TOM Online’s wireless service portfolio into m-commerce. Upon the launch of the new marketplace, eBay EachNet users will be invited to transition to the new site, a nd TOM Online will work to deliver its user traffic to the site as well. Risks On the other hand, it is also risky for ebay to form the joint venture with Tom Online. EBay must pay close attention to Tom Online and their strategy in the market. Instead of eBay, it is Tom Online that has the majority share in Tom EachNet at 51%. EBay has injected over $40 million into Tom EachNet,  while Tom Online only contributed $20 million (along with knowledge, technology, and brand value). It is clear that eBay has more to lose in the deal, while Tom Online is simply negotiating their presence in China. EBay must work closely with Tom Online to ensure that their visions for Tom EachNet are similar, and a common strategy is taken to succeed. China’s business culture is another obstacle that eBay must monitor closely. Tom Online does have extremely well connection with the Chinese government, and eBay must be sure to take advantage of the TOM Online’s political networks in China. .

Corporate Social Responsibilities of Maruti Suzuki in Terms of Employment

MUMBAI: Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest carmaker, is extending some of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities to associates on the shop-floor in a bid to make it more inclusive and increase their identification with the company. So far, these programmes were only for managers and engineers. As part of the initiative called e-parivartan, the company helps employees contribute to various social causes. The initiative is run in partnership with local voluntary organisations. Ads by Google LIC Life Insurance PlansInvest Rs. 543/Month & Get Rs. Cr. Life Cover+Medical Benefit. Buy Now LIC. TermInsuranceIndia. co. in Reliance Job Openings2500+ New Jobs For Exp: 5-15 Years. Upload Resume. Apply to Reliance Now TimesJobs. com/Reliance-Openings The company's CSR department facilitates volunteering activity as a link between employees and the community. â€Å"Encouraged by their enthusiasm for social work, we would like to take the employee volunteering programme to th e shop floor,† says SY Siddiqui, chief operating officer in charge of administration (HR, finance, IT and COSL) at Maruti Suzuki India. Some of the focus areas for next year include counselling Class 10 and 12 students at local government schools for higher studies and vocational courses, and support to the environment. â€Å"This community interaction gives extreme satisfaction to the employees. With such associations, their involvement and liking for the company also goes up,† says Siddiqui. The e-parivartan programme was started about four years ago when a group of young employees, in a communication meeting, expressed their desire to meaningfully associate with a social cause. Starting with 40 employees in 2008-09, the programme now involves about 2,200 staffers. From this year, the company has made volunteering an integral part of new employees' induction programme. For instance, new employees like graduate engineer trainees (GET) undergo a full day of community service. This year, a group of GETs participated in an anti-malaria and dengue campaign in Gurgaon that was organised by Maruti in partnership with the government health department. Such exposure helps us shape them as rounded professionals so they are able to contribute not just to the company but also to society,† says a company spokesperson. Underlining the fact that a renewed focus on employee involvement and engagement is very critical for the company, Siddiqui says: â€Å"HR should be able to support all, blue-collared or white-collared. Maruti is refocusing on building bridges between the whiteand blue-collared. † E-parivartan has so far shown tremendous results with white- col lared employees,

Deception, greed, and extreme pressure

Misrepresentation, greed, and utmost force per unit area led to the death of Enron ( Beenen and Pinto, 2009 ) . Employees need the ability to withdraw ethical issues from these complications of self-interest and supply clear definition ; employees need to separate between negligible issues typical of work life and critical issues that threaten a company ‘s ethical environment. Ethical issues come with enticements and menaces. By understanding menaces to forces involvements, options will originate to implement rectification. Traveling along with the crowd can back immediate calling involvements whereas resiting can set position, calling and household wellbeing at hazard. By accepting ethical theory, this can move as a guideline for a human resource ( HR ) director to place and manage the issues of opportunism. DeGeorge ( 2010 ) defines utilitarianism as an act of moral significance established by its engagement to make the most sum of good for the most figure of people. This is based on the ability to anticipate the effects of an action as the pick that succumbs to the greatest benefit, to the bulk of people, is the pick that is ethically right. Beenen and Pinto ( 2009 ) place that corrupt administrations, such as Enron, act unethically by determinations, that are normally, made by a group of senior employees to profit the administration. Decisions made by Jeff Skilling ( senior director ) to â€Å"cook the accounting books† may hold been, in his sentiment, as an ethically right manner to profit the stockholders and stakeholders, by portraying a strong fiscal image. However, the effects of this action did n't make the most sum of good for the most sum of people. Alternatively self-interest influenced unethical behavior by agencies of greed and force per unit area from Wall Street to profit, non the administration as a whole but, Jeff Skilling and direction, personally, for fiscal addition. Rational opportunism is good nevertheless greed is finally damaging ( DeGeorge, 2010 ) . While the theory of utilitarianism will ever reason to profit the bulk, it can besides pretermit the minority ( DeGeorge, 2010 ) . Sherron Watkins ‘ ability to do judgement that Enron ‘s accounting criterions were immoral created a regulation utilitarianism attack with respects to the jurisprudence and the concern with equity ; seeking to profit the bulk of people. Therefore, added benefits of regulation utilitarianism values justness and includes beneficence at the same clip. In the eyes of a HR director, by taking action the bulk of the stakeholders would profit from a moral administration adhering to their codification of behavior, carry oning equity in all of their concern activities. However, an issue with this determination, while sherron was commended for making the right thing, showed that her actions to pretermit the corrupt senior direction squad ( minority ) for the stakeholders ( bulk ) for a more ethical workplace started to inflicted harm to the full concern. Cable, News, Network ( CNN ) ( 2002 ) stated that Enron filed for settlement, people lost their occupations, some committed self-destruction and many were idle. Sherron may hold been seeking to make the right ( and hard ) thing but it may non hold been the best manner to acquire in front. Her opportunism was traveling to go a effect for the bulk and she was unable to foretell the hereafter so as to see how her determinations would impact people subsequently on. A HR director needs to tak e into consideration that there is no manner of stating precisely what the costs of our behavior will be, we merely do what we think is right at that specific clip ( DeGeorge, 2010 ) . After analyzing DeGeorge ( 2010 ) a useful attack to this instance survey in managing opportunism is excessively impractical. This is because the practical application of the theory requires the ability to foretell the long-run effects of an action and, to foretell those effects with foolproof truth ; past experience can, to some extent, guide hereafter experience. However, there is ne'er any warrant that fortunes will turn out precisely the same ( DeGeorge, 2010 ) . This uncertainness can make unexpected consequences doing the useful attack expression unethical, as the clip the pick was made did n't profit the bulk for the greater good. A HR director needs to place that the defect in utilitarianism theory has no consideration for the minority ; nevertheless, Kantian theory suggests that it does n't pretermit this issue i.e. leting the minority to endure for the benefit of the bulk. Harmonizing to DeGeorge ( 2010 ) Kant ‘s deontology theory is supported by the actions of an single under consideration. A corporate attack to an action suggests it can find whether an action is moral as it allows one to portray the consequence of everyone universally lending to this action. Immanuel Kant ‘s theory ( DeGeorge, 2010 ) suggests that an person must hold the freedom to truly act in a moral manner. In the instance survey, some employees understand the company is acting unethically i.e. chancy history criterions for personal addition. A HR director could place that these people have a pick to voice their concern, leave the company or travel along with the crowd ; nevertheless opportunism and the ability to be disciplined may present a menace to take any action. These people have physiological demands to back up household and a moral determination to voice their concerns, in this regard, could present an issue. By being immoral or turning a blind oculus, to the state of affairs, could be the easiest option. Employees do hold a pick and the freedom to do a moral determination nevertheless self-interest can sometimes turn a moral thought into an immoral determination ; without the subject there is no freedom ( Wood, 2008 ) . A deeper analysis of Kant ‘s theory suggests that the construct of moralss is non based on desires or fortunes. Moral jurisprudence is a definite necessity because it has no precursor ; there is no ‘but ‘ portion in the bid ( DeGeorge, 2010 ) . Sherron Watkins provided an illustration of how this theory works. Sherron adhered to Enron ‘s ethical codification of behavior when analyzing the ethical quandary of â€Å"accounting irregularities† that were present. By placing this job to her director, Ken Lay, she fulfilled her duties of duty. Continuing one ‘s responsibility is what ‘s considered ethically right ( Wood, 2008 ) . Sherron had found the morality through principle of her head as she was non influenced by feelings ( penchant ) , but alternatively she was concerned with fixed statements of responsibility ( I must†¦ ) . The theory suggests that an person has no flexibleness and no opportunity to see one ‘s ain place ( DeGeorge, 2010 ) . Naturally, people seem to admit that certain regulations must hold rational exclusions. For case, with respects to Ken Lay his determination non to fire Sherron Watkins could hold jeopardised Andy Fastow ‘s place and the companies bespeaking persons may necessitate to lie to protect others. So, could a HR director be sensible to presume that the same regulations can be applied systematically in different fortunes? This makes Kantian moralss stiff because the effect of an action is non needfully separated from the action itself ( DeGeorge, 2010 ) . Unlike utilitarianism this theory is non based on societal public-service corporation. It avoids the useful defect of leting the minority to endure for the benefit of the bulk, based on free pick and similar to that of John Rawls ‘ theory of justness. As described by DeGeorge ( 2010 ) the classless, John Rawls, devised a theoretical theoretical account that proposed an person who, ‘covered in a head covering of ignorance ‘ , would urge a merely society without any apprehension of their position in society. The person would take a system of justness that sufficiently provided for the lower terminal of society because the person could stop up being in that lower place so, avoids it by being merely and just. Enron executives paid above market fillips and wages, they awarded unethical behavior and punished good behavior. In a sense many employees would hold tried to make the right thing i.e. execute what was asked of them in their relevant occupation function. While most of these activities were lending to the overall unethical behavior, an employee would moderately obtain their pay and fillip if they performed in a satisfactory or above expected mode. Self-interest nowadayss an underlying job here. While the wage system of any administration should be just and merely, greed and utmost force per unit area to execute presented self-interest drivers that awarded immoral behavior. Rawls ‘ argued that regimented societies are uncommon due to the fact that what is merely and unfair is normally in difference ( Rawls, 2003 ) Robert Nozick ‘s libertarian theory of moralss is similar to Rawls ‘ in that they both believe utilitarianism is a blemished theory due to the importance on the effects of policies and behavior ( Nozick, 1974 & A ; Rawls, 2003 ) . Both indicate that since utilitarianism high spots public-service corporation or contentment, within society, it can non warrant an account of averments such as averments of right which people are free to do upon the actions of others. Consequently, each sets out to develop a political theoretical theoretical account which sufficiently suggests what Nozick depicts every bit, the cardinal Kantian rule that persons are terminals and non simply means ( DeGeorge, 2010 ) . Nozick ‘s theory suggests that people have the right to possess entitlements such as wage every bit long as it does n't decline the place of anyone else ( Nozick, 1974 ) . But if these entitlements were obtained unethically, does this decline the place of anyone else? In one manus people are morally seeking to make the right thing but, in the instance of Cassandra, they finally acquire punished ; she moved to another place being seen as a menace. On the other manus people knew their actions were lending to immoral behavior as self-interest ( greed and force per unit area ) clouded their determination to make what is right. So what are our rights in state of affairss such as the above? The theory of rights can give a HR director penetration into how persons are protected in an ethically right manner. Harmonizing to DeGeorge ( 2010 ) rights are proposed by society which is protected and is given the topmost precedency. Since society endorsees rights they are considered to be ethically right and suited. DeGeorge ( 2010 ) indicates that an single must construe what features of rights are in society, as this can present deductions. The implicit in issue in the instance survey is self-interest. Senior direction is responsible to guarantee that the unity of the controls in the environment determines the effectivity of any control system, including wage, leave entitlements and occupation chances. With mention to Enron ‘s codification of moralss ( 2000 ) ‘dignity and common regard ‘ , for all employees, is a right that the company has promised to esteem and uphold. Clearly, this right was non apparent in this administration. Persons such as Sherron Watkins, Cassandra and Jeff McMahon were non given the right to be treated in a respectful mode as they were moved into different place disguised as publicities. The relevant rights in a concern context to freedom of address were noted by direction, as they gave them a opportunity to show themselves nevertheless, this was rapi dly extinguished. Control systems ( regulations ) may interfere with one ‘s ain ego involvement to win or avoid failure ; controls are intended for precisely that intent. Those who would react to concern force per unit areas by hedging controls will invent principles and tactics to warrant such an equivocation for tactics of disinformation and misrepresentation that they may utilize ( Donnelly, 2003 ) . For rights theory to be practical it must be used in combination with another ethical theory, such as ethical relativism, that will systematically sketch the aims of society. Ethical relativism refers to the rule that there are no normally valid or needed moral criterions as any two persons with differences in civilization, who have different ethical positions, sing an action, could at the same time be right ( DeGeorge, 2010 ) . Beenen and Pinto ( 2009 ) indicated that Jeff McMahon knew that Enron ‘s accounting patterns were unethical while Andy Fastow ‘s belief indicated his manner was ethically right i.e. for the greater good of the company. While both ethical positions are different they are besides both correct. The implicit in similarity here indicates that opportunism for personal addition was the chief driver relative to their different ethical sentiments. DeGeorge ( 2010 ) suggests a clear apprehension of this theory must be carefully dissected when compared with cultural relativism ; as cultural relativism explains the manner people really behave, and ethical relativism recommends how people ought to act. A HR director should admit that differences do n't connote that there are no normally valid moral criterions. It teaches us that persons may non ever hold on what the principals are or should be. Relativism is a stronger claim as defense that there are normally suited moral criterions. It is a theoretical claim about the being of common moral criterions, whether or non people believe in them ( DeGeorge, 2010 ) . Therefore, it must be verified or unproven by theoretical influences. In drumhead, ethical theories need to be examined and measured against one another to undertake the issue of self-interest. No one theory on its ain is genuinely valid, instead a coaction of all theories should be used in order to give a professional ( HR director ) the necessary tools to make schemes and analyze the likeliness of unethical behavior. Enron ignored its ethical codification of behavior, self-interest ( greed and utmost force per unit area ) influenced direction in an unethical mode. For moralss to be adhered to companies necessitate to travel beyond the impression of simple legal conformity and follow values based on organizational civilization. Ethical logical thinking is non natural it ‘s a accomplishment that must be learned and practiced.