Film & Ideology †Milk Essay

The definition of the word ideology can be represented in many ways. Today’s basic understanding of the word can be defined as â€Å"the body of ideas reflecting the social needs and aspirations of an individual, group, class, or culture† (Farlex, 2009). Gus Van Sant’s exceptional biopic Milk (Gus Van Sant, 2008) depicts the story of Harvey Milk, the slain gay-rights activist who became the first openly gay man elected to any substantial political office in the history of the planet. Harvey Milk’s life changed history – his courage still motivates people today, his ideals still teach people today and his hope still inspire people today. The release of Milk in 2008 has helped to bring back a new sense of appreciation for the hope and passion that Harvey Milk died for. Milk beautifully shows the fights and struggles Harvey Milk had to go through to gain the trust of the people and in order for his ideologies of a brighter tomorrow for all queer people to be fully appreciated by everyone. Harvey Milk was an individual who did not die in vain; his efforts in fighting for gay rights left a lasting impact on the people of this planet and his hope still lives on to this day. Simply put Harvey Milk’s ideology of fighting on and instilling hope in the fight for gay rights when no one else would, immortalized him – â€Å"Without hope, life’s not worth living† (Milk, 2008) It is now June 7th 1977, the sun has set on the Castro district of San Francisco, and the crowd that has gathered in the street outside Harvey Milk’s camera shop is becoming more and more, impatient and angry. We know watching that the reason that everyone is angry is due to the reports about voters in Dade County, Florida, having voted to overturn a local gay-rights ordinance, giving momentum to a backlash whose most visible public face belongs to Anita Bryant. We know we have reached the climax of the movie. So much is happening all at once in the life of Harvey Milk that you wonder how he has not yet lost his head. His impish upbeat attitude and overly positive optimism in the face of multiplying frustrations makes you look up in awe at the wonderment that is Harvey Milk. The gay residents of the Castro are angry and looking to Harvey for leadership. Though not yet elected to office and having lost 3 years consecutively, Harvey rises to the occasion and leads the angry crowd to city hall where he picks up a bullhorn and address the crowd in a way only Harvey Milk can – turning an angry mob on the verge of a violent riot to a enthusiastic mass willing to fight for their rights the proper way. In the space of a few minutes Harvey goes from a whisper to a shout, from an intimate message of consolation and support to a defiant public speech. Milk shows us that it is these moments, these distinct modes of address, are connected, and that the link between them is what defines Harvey Milk’s aspirations and ideals. According to Dr. Harry M. Benshoff, an associate professor of Radio, Television, and Film at the University of North Texas, queer theorist focus on how sexuality was and is a product of culture, not some sort of biological given. In Milk it is clearly stressed that Harvey too did not believe that homosexuality was a genetic disease. In the scene of the 1977 June 7th march, just before he leaves the store to lead the mob to city hall, Harvey answers the telephone only to be greeted by a scared and confused teenager whose parents believe him to be ill because he is gay. Harvey’s disregard of homosexuality as a genetic disorder is abundantly clear in this scene when he reassures the teenage boy that he isn’t ill and that being gay is perfectly normal. Dr. Benshoff goes on to day that following the work of Alfred Kinsey and Sigmund Freud, queer theorists argue that human sexuality—or indeed, race, gender, class, etc. —are not either/or propositions, but are rather fluid and dynamic socially-defined positions. To suggest that there is one norm (straight white man on top sex for procreation and nothing else) is grossly misleading and only serves to foster rule by the same and persecution of everything else. Throughout Milk we can see that Harvey, though a very passionate gay-rights activist, is not only looking out for the queer folk. He holds dear to the ideal that everyone is equal. In a way he embodies what Kinsey and Freud say. He did not believe in just one norm. In his fight for gay-rights he isn’t trying to one-up the vast heterosexual majority by over throwing them and getting homosexuals to run the world, he is merely trying to get them to see that homosexuals are no different from any other person. Harvey Milk was trying to break down the social barriers that led to narrow minded thinking of just one social norm. In Milk during one of the public rally’s he had, Harvey said that â€Å"all men are created equal. No matter how hard you try, you can never erase those words† – he believed these words with all his heart. To Harvey Milk, he wasn’t just fighting for gay-rights; he was fighting for a way of life that did not constrict its citizens to conform to just one social norm. Milk, Gus Van Sant’s film project that was close to two decades in the making, was released on the 26th of November 2008 and marks the 30th anniversary of Harvey Milk’s death and the brief but brilliant political career he led. Harvey Milk was unfortunately gunned down on November 27th 1978, three weeks after his biggest political victory. The San Francisco city supervisor had been in office less than a year when he spearheaded a statewide campaign to defeat Proposition 6, a ballot initiative that called for the mandatory firing of gay teachers in California. Milk however arrived in theaters three weeks after the biggest political setback the American gay rights movement has suffered in years: the passage of Proposition 8, which reversed the California Supreme Court ruling that legalized same-sex marriage. As untimely as the events that unfolded prior to the theatrical release of Milk, it begs the question on how did Proposition 8 change the meaning—the symbolic and ideological significance as well as the real-world function—of Gus Van Sant’s Milk. The passing of proposition 8 transformed Milk from a delicate, serious-minded period biopic that was directed by the brilliant Gus Van Sant into something much more urgent. Milk was suddenly this shinning beacon of hope that reinstated the hope and passion that was Harvey Milk into today’s gay-rights activist. There are some moments in the film that in retrospect seem as though it is speaking directly to the audience of the present. As the Proposition 6 results start to roll in, Harvey tells his followers: â€Å"If this thing passes, fight the hell back. † Those eight words speak volumes to the people who are fighting against the proposition 6 of today, proposition 8. â€Å"Somehow, when 8 passed, something else happened that was even more intense than the campaign, which is good. It was an inspiring reaction that showed strength to the people who were against Prop 8. So yeah, it seems to have an effect on something that’s similar to it: Prop. 6, that appears in our movie†, Milk director Gus Van Sant was quoted during an interview with IFC. com. The activist understood the message Harvey Milk stood for in the day, and opted not to let his valiant efforts go to waste. To judge from the numerous rallies that have sprung up across the country since Prop 8 passed, many gays and lesbians are doing just that, refusing to go down without a fight. Gay rights advocates have been quoted saying that they hope to capitalize on Milk’s fortuitous topicality. The film’s Oscar winning screenwriter, Dustin Lance Black, and veteran activist Cleve Jones published a manifesto for equality in the San Francisco Chronicle on November 14th 2008 and launched a nationwide campaign of mass protests and civil disobedience. The endnote of their manifesto read, â€Å"Remember always, and reflect in all your actions, that we are not fighting against anyone, or anything. We are struggling for equality†. Harvey Milk was the one that picked up the flag when no one else would. He was the one that led the suppressed minority on to recognition and acceptance. All who wear his badge, or speak his words, or hold strong to his ideals, keep him alive. Milk managed to revitalize Harvey and in a strange twilight zone sort of way enlisted today’s newly radicalized generation to find their figurehead in the movie-hero version of a long-dead hero. In Milk we see that Harvey’s main arsenal in his fight for equality was that he rejected secrecy and shame in favor of openness and visibility. He insisted that the fight against homophobia begins with the act of coming out – â€Å"If they know us, they don’t vote against us†. Harvey Milk realized this earlier than many of his contemporaries. He understood that in order to gain true equality gays and lesbians should serve as their own civil advocated instead of merely relying on pacts and promises made with their straight allies in high and powerful places. Though he was seen as a radical at the time, in retrospect Harvey Milk is an optimist, an idealist, a true believer in the possibilities of American democracy. Gus Van Sant understood where Harvey was coming from with his ‘come out of the closet ideology’. In the interview with IFC. com Gus Van Sant sheds some light on the ideology and how it affected him. â€Å"It was Harvey’s one idea that would have worked and probably did help the â€Å"No on Proposition 6† campaign†¦ultimately, it’s an interesting concept, and that was the way he thought had a huge effect on Proposition 6. If it’s not an unknown, it’s not scary. If it’s a known, it’s friendly and you understand, ‘Oh that person that I know is gay, and this other person I know is gay’. That’s partly how it works†. The openly gay Hollywood director went on to say, â€Å"But people did come out. It was his drive to just come out of the closet, lock the closet, and stay out, which was followed by many people. And really, it was his death request. If a bullet should enter his brain, may it knock down every closet door — that was his last request, his will, which probably extended to many people, including me, because I came out after he was killed†. This is just one of the millions of example on how Harvey Milk’s ideals and aspiration for equality for homosexuals touched and affected the lives of many closeted ones. Milk’s screenwriter Dustin Lance Black was quick to praise Harvey Milk’s ‘come out of the closet’ ideal a really good solution to a problem that tons of people had diagnosed but had yet to offer any answers to in an interview with ABC Radio. In the same interview he said, â€Å"In the years that Harvey put that into place, that sort of philosophy into the campaign, he won an election and a month later he was able to defeat one of the biggest, most popular anti-gay pieces of legislation in our country. He was able to defeat it, very unexpectedly, with that philosophy†. The recent anti-Prop 8 movement however seemed to embrace the opposite tactic. It was a closeted campaign, devoid of a public face, largely dependent on straight spokespeople, and run with a wary defensiveness that would have driven Harvey Milk mad. The story and context of Milk, and of the times in which Harvey Milk lived and led, make clear the continuation of this struggle we still find ourselves in. As soon as you lose a battle, another one looms before, giving you another opportunity to try to win. You win a battle, and before you can catch your breath, another struggle is on the horizon. We fall down only to pick ourselves back up again. Nothing about progress allows for much in the way of rest, but nor does it allow for much to remain stagnant. Harvey Milk’s thoughts were ones that changed the world. His thoughts turned into full out ideologies and his ideologies in turn morphed into a revolution. The ever brilliant Gus Van Sant who has a certain knack for merging the lines between now and then delivers to us a biopic that brings back to life its subject. In the post-proposition 8 viewing of this film, we can now see the rise of a new generation of activist – ones that have been instilled with a new sense of hope. Just as Harvey Milk’s assassination, which he repeatedly foretold, has meant that he remains frozen in time as a martyr, the Proposition 8 result has, for now, has redefined Milk as a cause. Gus Van Sant’s 20 year long journey of bringing to life this culturally epic subject has cemented Harvey Milk’s position as an ideological leader. â€Å"Lives of great men all remind us; we can make our lives sublime, and, departing, leave behind us, footprints on the sands of time† (Longfellow, 1838). Harvey Milk’s footprints would have never been forgotten, but Milk has in a way reaffirmed this stand. Gus Van Sant brought about a hero that was long gone and risen him from six feet under to be celebrated again as if he was never gone. Harvey Milk believed in one thing above all else and that was hope, Gus Van Sant brought back that hope. â€Å"I ask this†¦ If there should be an assassination, I would hope that five, ten, one hundred, a thousand would rise. I would like to see every gay lawyer, every gay architect ‘come out’ – If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door†¦ And that’s all. I ask for the movement to continue. Because it’s not about personal gain, not about ego, not about power†¦ it’s about the â€Å"us’s† out there. Not only gays, but the Blacks, the Asians, the disabled, the seniors, the us’s. Without hope, the us’s give up – I know you cannot live on hope alone, but without it, life is not worth living. So you, and you, and you†¦ You gotta give em’ hope†¦ you gotta give em’ hope. †, were the last lines of Milk. (2435 words). References: 1. Black, D. L. (2008) Interview with Dustin Lance Black, writer, ‘Milk’, viewed May 2009, 2. Doty, A. (1998) The Oxford Guide To Film Studies: Queer Theory, Oxford University Press Inc, New York 3. Dr. Benshoff, H. M. (2006) Notes on Gay History/Queer Theory/Queer Film, viewed May 2009, < http://www. unt. edu/ally/queerfilm. html> 4. Milk, 2008. Film. Directed by Gus Van SANT. USA: Focus Features 5. Sant, G. V. (2008) Interview: Gus Van Sant on â€Å"Milk†, viewed May 2009, < http://www. ifc. com/news/2008/11/gus-van-sant-on-milk. php> 6. TheFreeOnlineDictionary. Com By Farlex (2000) The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.

Does rap and rock music cause increased violent or promiscuous behavior Essay

Rock and rap music have been perceived by some people to be the cause of increased violent and other anti-social behavior especially to the young people. Some argue that such perception is an overstatement as there are many other factors inbuilt in human beings that precipitate their misbehaviors. Crime in society is caused by a wide variety of factors. According to Michael Moore an Oscar award winner and author of Bowling for Columbine, the system has been organized in a manner that it attracts and perpetuates crime in the society. The US has a record of so many deaths due to gun use. Extensive fear is imposed on the masses. To Moore, the current killings are not due to poverty, unemployment or diversity in ethnicity. The mass media can be blamed for the situation. It is responsible for instilling in the people’s mind that violence is appropriate. Development of a gun culture is also to blame for the increase killings. It is very easy to access and own a gun in US. The system has enabled extensive gun ownership on the grounds of self-defense. (Moore M, 2002) However, this viewpoint is contradictory as other countries have easy access and ownership of guns but they do not experience the rates of killings that the US faces. The blame could be put on action movies, rock stars with their music and video games but other societies have this too. Rock artists like Marilyn Manson do not agree that music is to blame for increased deaths. Marilyn is blamed on the increased violence especially in schools. Though the music does not actually cause the death per ser it instills hostility in the children minds as it could be misinterpreted. Parents are failing in their role to raise responsible children. It is irresponsible to delegate the guidance role to the media. Guidance ought to be given to such children so that they can rationally sieve what is right from what is wrong from the media. Inequalities between the rich and the poor is a clear problem in the US where by more concerns are raised when the impact is on the rich. It creates the impression that poor is worthless and deserves no respect. Proponents of rap music argue that rap music does not in any circumstance command or direct people to choose violence. Liability to distinguish what is false or fiction from reality would lead to more youths being engaged in crime or other anti-social behavior. People should be rational enough to see the effects of their behavior on the society at large. (Moore M, 2002) Some rap music portrays women as the weaker sex and they are viewed as prostitutes to be used as sexual objects. Some artists can be bad influence though not all. The generalization that all rock or rap music causes criminal activities is an understatement as some sing on values and morals that are needed for good citizenship. Rap music can encourage promiscuous behavior especially because most artists use vulgar language on sensitive issues and they also portray nude women. Some teenagers may identify themselves with the women in such movies or videos resulting to increased promiscuity. Women in such movies who are depicted as whores do so to earn their living and they cannot be crucified for that. Respective government ought to work hard to improve their system to accommodate more people in the job market. (Wingwood et al, 551) The youthful generation is thrilled by the entertainment sector. Music influences behavior regardless the age gender or ethnicity. Greater impact is on those with little or no determined values. Some rappers are considered â€Å"cool† and are consequently very influential on attitudes on fashion, sex and violence. Poor children or youngsters from the minority groups lack proper role models as they grow up. They may turn to music for values determination and identification. Parents should install morals on their children so that the music has no space for that. Homes that are not well organized contribute to change in internalizing morals. Bad company at school and the teenagers exposed to vulgar information are more likely to engage in sexual activities at an earlier stage. However this viewpoint is counteracted by the argument that those who allow music to form their reasoning were initially affected. This is to say that rap music would add ‘promiscuous’ behavior to those already in that capacity. (Anderson A et al, 90) Rock music has since a long time ago been associated with the youth and antisocial behavior like rebellion. It was initially meant to create more awareness in the society. Rock and roll was feared to promote aggression, bigotry deviant sexual behavior, homicide and drug use. Rap music has its roots in the African music and hence viewed as rising to fit their appropriate needs or to raise their needs. Rap music has been blamed for not only degrading women but also for the increased sexual behavior among youngsters. This has other effects like unwanted pregnancies and spread of diseases. Increased sexual behavior could be due to the words used in the songs as well as the obscene pictures. Men are portrayed as sexually insatiable and sex is seen as inconsequential. Teenagers may act on the messages communicated, as they are very specific on the sex roles. Girls repeatedly exposed to these songs are likely to take submissive roles and allow the disrespectful treatment from their partners. Boys are likely to internalize the portrayed roles of exploiting girls and consider such acts as normal. (Stephens D & Few L, 251) Censorship would be inappropriate for the young adults but parents should offer guidance to their children as a step to install morals. Listening to their side of story so that the communication is 2-way would help them better understand the content of such music and thus enable them react accordingly. Although allowing the African America musicians to have a voice was a way of accepting and respecting the views of a minority race, the content of their songs was alarming and raised much attention. Exposure to these songs before children are of age will have detrimental effects on the children. (Hayes G, 12) According to a research by Ralph J.  Diclementle, PHD of Emory University School of public health, girls who listened to rap music or watched rap videos were more likely to indulge in anti-social behavior. (Fox R, 2) Many teenagers are attracted to hip hop and rap music especially from artists like Kanye west, Snoop Dogg and Timbaland. The hip hop music is attractive due to its beats and catchy rhythms. Rap music consists of more rhymes and poetry. Hip hop is more attractive because the beats are attractive. Most of the teenagers are attracted by the beats and the fact that it is danceable. The lyrics are also quite catchy. Rap music can have positive effects on the listeners for instance it can cause a creative mindset and incorporate different styles and trends. Rock music is popular to people of all ages. Its beats, lyrics and tones attract a number of people. Many parents disregard hip hop music and link it with discrimination against women, bad influence and violence. However many parents accommodate rock music because they are familiar with it as most of them grew up with it. Rock music is not as danceable as hip hop and most people sing it along or listen to it. Hard rock is loud and preferred mostly by the young people while many due to its softness prefer soft rock. Rappers are accused of not producing quality music since they do not emphasize on information or educative music. They instead of clearing the stereotype reinforce it by their music for instance Notorious BIG’s song that he is ‘considered a fool because he dropped out of high school’ others claim to ‘drop out of school for the big wallets’. They offer confusing information to the young generations who may think that there is an easy way of life. This could precipitate violence when such people become over ambitious but lack the means to attain their goals. However not all rap artists discard education, some like J- Live who was previously a teacher knows the value of education and instills it to his listeners through his music. Unlike BIG, J-live tells the young to ‘load their brains’. (Johnson J et al, 30) Some rap music can be beneficial. It teaches people using real life experience. This way people can be able to learn from other people’s mistakes or good deeds and hence respond accordingly. Some rap artists warn on the effects of drug use while insisting on the advantages of hard work. This instills on the teenager or youths the importance of hard work. It can be inspirational as it tells of never quitting regardless of the tough times a head. Gangster rap portrays the way of life in the urban nature, which is at times violent. It tries to impose that to survive in this kind of environment people need to consider their own self interests which at times entails taking the law in their hands. Money and power are portrayed as basis for respect in society. Gangsta rap praises the evildoer who does not abide to laws or regulation. It results to increased violence because it seems to praise or support crime, drug and killings. (Anderson A et al, 965) The answers to whether rap music affects behavior depend on who is answering it. Supporters of rap like the artists would claim that their music only portrays what is actually happening in the society. However the effect of rap music on behavior is similar to the effects of pornography and video games. Lack of evidence that rap music actually results to violence or promiscuous behavior makes the claim quite weak. These music creates a resigned mode where there seems to be no hope for society due to an adamant attitude towards social change. It could have positive impacts if people thought of what became of their society and what can be done to improve. The rap music containing violence may affect youth’s behavior; it may create a greater acceptance of the use of violence where they embrace it as a way of life or something normal. Rappers advocate for their songs by saying that being silent about what is actually happening in the society does not solve the problem. To them the music is a reflection of the frustration and pain that is faced in the ‘ghetto-life’. Music artists are viewed as heroes and teenagers, yearn to be like them. Some end up committing suicide, homicide on public shootings to prove they can be like their heroes. Research has showed that excessive exposure to sexual activity influences the teen’s perception to sex and this could lead to more indulgence in risky and sexual activities. Music does affect people’s behavior in many ways including the subconscious mind and consequently influences people’s view on the society. Music can be used to alter moods. Just as it is used to encourage or motivate athletes it can increase violence. To the rappers the music reflects, distills and amplifies the social realities at its primary or basic level and then reincorporates it into that reality. To them the outsiders or those away from the ghetto cannot understand them since the do not understand their plight. The society has maintained inequalities that have adverse effects on its people. Teenagers who listen to lots of music especially rap which may consist of degrading sexual messages are more likely to start sex indulgence earlier than their counterparts without such exposure. Rock and rap artists are at times convicted of violence. For instance Snoop Dogg had an incidence with the law enforcement officers due to violence. Since the young people may consider him a hero they may indulge in violent activities to ape him. A research by a Rand Corporation and published by the American Journal of Public Health, found that adolescents who listened more to this music progressed faster into indulging to sexual behavior than those who did not listen to such music. Listening to such music affects all adolescents regardless of their gender or ethnicity. Music therefore plays an important role in the psyche of young adults. (Barongan C & Hall GCN,195) A research also showed that teenage African American girls who were exposed to rap videos or music were more likely to abuse alcohol and engage in promiscuous behavior. Their body image would be negative and the chances of having multiple partners could be higher. Greater awareness and education is needed on the risks involved or associated to the media exposure. Evidence of more African American involved in violent or criminal behavior can be seen in their numbers in prison. Rap artists are disgusting to some when they talk of women degradation when they boast of having enough women at their disposal. The adolescent age is where teenagers are establishing their identity and the kind of music they listen to affects their identity. Peer influence reinforces the trend of music teenagers will be accustomed to. Another aspect that rap music portrays is killing of the police and black-to-black violence where killing-using guns is deemed appropriate. It is considered racist music that tries to fight corruption and discrimination from the dominant white society. The community so created is hopeless and results to drugs violence and promiscuity, which in turn results to teen pregnancy. (Anderson A et al, 85) Several scholars’ doctors and researchers did the study on African American women in 1996-1999 and the effect of music. Girls exposed to rap music were more likely to take drugs, have problems with the law and are prone to sexually transmitted diseases. According to the researchers, girls who were more exposed to rap music were more likely to hit a teacher, get arrested and have sex with multiple partners. Parents’ failure to monitor the teens and the frustrations of lack of job opportunities precipitated the violence further. (Wingwood G & Disclemente L, 433) Sociologists have also established that music affects the health, attitudes and behavior of teenagers. They not only listen to the music but also live it. Music is used to express ideas or narrate stories. On average teens listen to music approximately 40 hours in a week. The hours daily provide ample time to change their perception about life. Not all teens understand what the music really means and different teens have varied meanings to the words in such songs. Censoring such music to protect the innocent teenagers would not bear much fruit. This is because it would be faced by much protects on the grounds of hindering or being against the freedom of expression rights. Again, even when the music is not played in the radio stations it is still played elsewhere and thus it is still accessible. Due to peer influence it would be hard to monitor and prohibit what one’s children listen to. An appropriate measure would be to explain the consequences of what the music is all about and engage the children in critical thinking. For music to have a positive or negative effect on an individual, the individual must have a certain degree of affinity in it. Personal choice forms a critical part in such decision-making. However, the use of visuals reinforces what is heard. Studies show that rap music could affect men’s perception towards women to the extent where after women are raped they could argue that the women provoked the men by way of dressing. A study carried out in a college campus in the U. S where men and women were exposed to rap music both hard and soft that involved questionnaires on their perception to songs that were gender biased. Men were proved to react more to stereotypes after exposure to such music and videos. Women proved to be more accommodating and submissive to the male. Words commonly raised include bitches and whores and this attracts the attention of quite a number of people. Exposure to rap music comprises of violence for instance murder. (Cole J & Gy Shefall, 40) In 2000, the American academy of pediatrics issued a joint statement on the effects of violence through entertainment means on children. It made this conclusion connection between aggressive character and violence in the media. In the studies reports were made from the general office as well as the mental health department that the government should put in place policies that would protect its people, as the media violence would ruin it. (AAPCC, 315) According to Leonard a psychologist the effects of violence of the TV and aggression is cumulative. The effect of rap music leads to aggression in one’s later life. However it is difficult to tell if music actually influences sexual promiscuity, drug use or violent behavior in cases where the teens do not comprehend the meaning of the lyrics.

Accounting Business And Corporate Banking

Internal and External Audits of Westpac The financial declaration of Westpac Group is prepared and presented as per the conditions stipulated under Australian Accounting Standards (AAS) Interpretations as declared by AASB Corporation Act 2001 as well as banking at 1959 modified. In addition to this, the financial statement also complies with IFRS and ISB. As per the declaration of the auditor independence stipulated 307c of the Corporation Act, there exists no contravention of the requirement of independence of the auditors under Corporation Act 2001 in association to audit. Furthermore, there also exists no contravention of any professional conduct code in association to audit. Corporate Governance of Westpac encompasses the major principles for serving the rights of the shareholders. Board is committed to highest standards in aligning with Corporate Governance in recognizing fundamental for all the activities. This involves regular analysis of improved government practices for monitoring the global developments as per best practices in Corporate Governance[2]. Corporate Governance Statement of Westpac sets out the given principles covering the main aspect such as: The management of Westpac confirms with ASX Corporate Governance Principles as well as Recommendations namely third edition declared by Corporate Governance Council of ASX Limited. This tactics refers to the commitment of the company towards achievement of excellence in governance stipulations. Business Strategy of Westpac involving in conducting customer-focused those will deliver superior customer experience as well as broadening of customer relationships. In other words, driving operational efficiency for Westpac in balancing risk and reward As per the Director report presented in the annual declaration of the company, Westpac intends to attract and retain talented workforce. This means the company also adopts innovative recruitment strategies, superior working conditions for meeting up altering expectations of the employees and developing right people for right job. The company has retained â€Å"Employer of choice for Gender equality provided by workplace Gender equality agencies†. The company also abides by legislative liabilities â€Å"Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998†, Accident Compensation Act (1985), Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986. Employee working at Westpac is provided with efficient formal as well as training session at the time of induction programs[4]. Commitment to employees at Westpac involves staff member receiving adequate training as well as development selected on merit basis. 2. It reveals conducting appropriate research for determining the Australian Accounting Standards in case for reporting as well as non-reporting entities. By summarizing, it can be noticed that Board list entity after approving from entity financial statements for given financial period. From the financial records, information are taken out regarding the reporting standard and non-reporting entities in compiling with appropriate accounting standards for rendering true and fair view of financial position[5]. The general purpose of financial report for preparing financial statement in accordance with Australian Accountant Standards from the Corporations Act 2001 Shim J, Siegel J and Shim J,  Financial Accounting  (McGraw-Hill 2012) 'Westpac - Personal, Business And Corporate Banking' (Westpac.com.au, 2016) accessed 10 November 2016 'Westpac - Personal, Business And Corporate Banking' (Westpac.com.au, 2016) accessed 10 November 2016. Jae K Shim, Joel G Siegel and Jae K Shim,  Financial Accounting  (McGraw-Hill 2012). Westpac - Personal, Business And Corporate Banking' (Westpac.com.au, 2016) accessed 10 November 2016. Westpac - Personal, Business And Corporate Banking' (Westpac.com.au, 2016) accessed 10 November 2016. Westpac - Personal, Business And Corporate Banking' (Westpac.com.au, 2016) accessed 10 November 2016.

Political Leadership Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Political Leadership - Research Paper Example Shapiro (2007) has also pointed out that administration is a mere part of leadership because relying on administration solely makes a leadership style repetitive, predictable and vulnerable to macro environmental changes. To understand political leadership, one has to understand the multi-causal social processes which create the drive for leadership. Greenstein (2006) has defined political leadership as the subtype of human social leadership. An individual cannot define political leadership or grasp the normative prescriptions of political leadership without enquiring about values, power relations attitudes and action of leaders in cultural-institutional and historical context (Peele, 2005). In the political leadership, both leaders and followers pass through the casual but circular sequence of power exchange and motivation building (Walzer, 2007). However, Peele (2005) has argued that political leadership is a widely experienced phenomenon but understanding about the phenomenon is p retty much tacit in nature. For example, phenomenon such as war between countries, central human rights controversies, Olympic rivalries etc might act as situations which deal with political leadership. One thing is clear from the argument of research scholars that it is very difficult to create a standardized definition of political leadership due to involvement of both institutional and historical contexts. Ruscio (2004) has rightly stated that no political leadership concept is complete without the understanding its role on democratic government. For example, throughout the history of mankind, societies have asked for certain rules and procedures in order to create a practical framework which can represent the interest of democratic society.... This paper stresses that Readers of this research paper might question that why the researcher has not yet provided a concrete definition of political leadership? Well, the fact is that definition of political leadership changes from country to country. For example, a political leader with a sentimental and compassionate is ideal choice in Indian context but the same leader would be viewed as failure in Russian cultural context. According to Vigoda, Elgie and Peele, a political must have characteristics such as, 1- a strong ethical character and personality which can synchronize with ethical-cultural character of subordinates, 2- a constructive agenda for solving a particular problem, 3- interpretive judgment to define a situation to followers and 4- the material or intangible technique to mobilize the support of followers. However, there is no doubt that political leadership has direct connection with military, law authority or ideological leadership hence it will not be wrong to as sume that political leadership is modified version of social leadership. This report makes a conclusion that it is evident from the above discussion that responsibility of a political leader differs along with the political environment of a country. For example, behavior of a democratic political leader significantly differs from an autocratic leader. The researcher is begging pardon of the readers for emphasizing more on democratic aspects of leadership in contrast to other aspects. But, it was a matter of personal choice for the researcher and the researcher believes that democratic political leadership is flexible enough to fit into modern business environment.

Health Resources and Policy Analysis Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Health Resources and Policy Analysis - Case Study Example While assisted living offers the above services, nursing homes offer full-time medical supervision and nursing care for the critical ill or patients with more acute conditions. Some of the residence services may include medical care, occupational, speech, and physical therapy, housekeeping, meals, help with medical care, and social activities (Sultz & Young 3 ). Assisted living is growing at a sharp rate in recent times because of their professional staff, who maintain companionship. While giving their services, one can actually note that the organization does what is assigned to do for the sake of the residents’ well-being and not for profit. According to Sultz & Young (5), there is also excellent patient care, remarkably nutritional meals, and attractive surroundings. Most important, its location is crucial to everything, making it easy and convenient for any person to visit. All these factors make the program the favorite of many, therefore grow rapidly. For a CSU student to prepare himself for a carrier as a CEO or administrator of an assisted living faculty, he should provide official transcripts from a recognized University or College of completion for averagely two years of training, two years of supervisory experience in a credible adult care home, or other residential or health care setting in five years before certification. Currently, there are 339 assisted living opportunities available. Some of the job opportunities include Hospice RN Patient Care Manager, Hospice Registered Nurse, and Licensed Practical

Independent Journal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Independent Journal - Essay Example Presently, there is a significant evolution of the issue of medical marijuana use in the region. The author gives a great illustration of how the medical marijuana hawkers carry out their roles in the boardwalk in Venice Beach. The individuals spot green uniform and host bright green leave signs advertising doctors to the passing crowds. Primarily, the referred doctors offer the drug at a fair price of $40 and provide legally required physician recommendation to acquire the drug. The doctors are often located on the pot shops and are present everywhere in the public. Following California, several other states legalized the use of medical marijuana and as well established their regulation measures regarding its production and distribution. Florida is one of those states and its marijuana project is expected to be huge for it has many patients who may require the drugs in comparison to other states. The marijuana stakeholders encompass of the manufacturer, the treatment center, the advertisers and the customers. The producers plant and distribute the drug to the customers. The advertisers help get the products to the consumers and advise them on its availability. The doctors, on the other hand, recommend the drug in right quantity to the customers and the consumers are primarily the patients in requiring the drug. They comprise of the epileptic people, the cancer patients among others who suffers diseases associated with a lot of pain. The established measures and rules in relation to the drug should be adhered to in order to eliminate chances of the drug abuse. The concerned authorities need to ensure that the drug is only consumed by the targeted clients and that it is given on necessary cases. The doctors need to be held accountable for the drugs issued and any other party in the drug admission cycle. The concerned parties should not only focus on maximizing their profits but also observe the health needs of the clients they serve. The article

Management Information Systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words - 2

Management Information Systems - Essay Example otably, Samsung is one of the main title sponsors of the NBA where it is the official handset, tablet, and TV provider for the NBA, WNBA, and NBA D-League (Lefton, 2013). The sponsorship covers the United States, Canada, and Mexico where the company is a major commitment for advertising with the NBA’s TV rights holders (Lefton, 2013). Most assuredly, Samsung is a publicly held corporation that depends on management information systems in the competitive mobile phone and electronics industry. People, information, and information technology help Samsung Incorporated to remain competitive in industry. Based in South Korea, Samsung Electronics Company is an electronics giant electronics company with branches across the globe. People have helped the company to remain competitive in the industry. Indeed, the company uses international celebrities like Didier Drogba to market its products. This helps the football fraternity to associate with the company’s products. Moreover, individual executive members foster the competitive advantage of the company by making timely and effective decisions like the decision to detach Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) operations from Samsung Incorporated for purposes of separating successful business chains in the market with the company’s main operations. The company also hires top class engineers to design its products. The individual efforts led to an increase of 5.1% in market shares (Sang-Hun, 2012). On the other hand, the company uses advanced technologies in its operations to enhance its competitive advantage. Indeed, the consistent use of modern technology in the company fostered the development and design of high quality and appealing products like smartphones. Moreover, the new technology enabled the management of the capacity of resources required in the production process. With these technological aspects, Samsung recorded in its share price (Sang-Hun, 2012). The company has been using technologies that enhance clarity,