The Schoolchildren’s Blizzard Analysis Essay -- children’s blizzard, sn

â€Å"At 12:42 p.m. the air was perfectly calm for about one minute; the next minute the sky was completely overcast by heavy black clouds which, for a few minutes previous, had hung along the western and northwestern horizon, and the wind veered to the west and blew with such violence as to render the position of the observer on the roof unsafe. The air was immediately filled with snow as fine as sifted flour† (Potter). No one expected the blizzard that would soon come rolling over to create some of the unfortunate deaths. Now, the questions are what exactly happened during the storm, how are snowstorms created, and what damages it caused. On January 12, 1888, the Children’s Blizzard hits part of the Northwest Plains. This blizzard is also known as the Schoolchildren’s Blizzard or Schoolhouse Blizzard (Potter). The name is associated with schoolchildren’s because it was mostly children trying to go back home, that froze to death along their way. It was such a beautiful day, just like one of those days someone would have in April, that no one would have suspected such a bitter snowstorm to come. The blizzard came when a cold, arctic wind from Canada met with the winds that came from the south. Everyone, including the kids, were dressed up with short sleeves. Just like how somebody would wear on a hot, spring day. The air from Canada carried heavy snow and harsh winds along with it, causing the hurricane (Blizzard Brings Tragedy to Northwest Plains). The Children’s Blizzard hit both of South and North Dakota (back then in 1888, it was one territory), Nebraska, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, causing lots of heartbroken and unexpected deaths (McLeod). â€Å"Temperature dropped from above freezing in many areas to well below z... ...izzard Brings Tragedy to Northwest Plains." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 12 Jan. 2007. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. NWS Internet Services Team. "Glossary - NOAA's National Weather Service."Glossary - NOAA's National Weather Service. National Weather Service, 25 June 2009. Web. 02 Mar. 2014. "What Is a Blizzard?" Weather Questions. Weather Questions, 30 Nov. 2010. Web. 03 Mar. 2014. "Snow Storms: What's a Blizzard." Forces of Nature: TQ 2000. Web. 3 Mar. 2014. . Laukaitis, Algis J. "The Blizzard of 1888 -- the Force of a White Hurricane -- Hit 125 Years Ago." JournalStar.com. JournalStar, 11 Jan. 2013. Web. 04 Mar. 2014. "Snowstorms Throughout History." Kent Heating AAAHeatingAC. AAA Heating AC. Web. 04 Mar. 2014. "Blizzards." Blizzard. Oracle' ThinkQuest. Web. 04 Mar. 2014. The Schoolchildren’s Blizzard Analysis Essay -- children’s blizzard, sn â€Å"At 12:42 p.m. the air was perfectly calm for about one minute; the next minute the sky was completely overcast by heavy black clouds which, for a few minutes previous, had hung along the western and northwestern horizon, and the wind veered to the west and blew with such violence as to render the position of the observer on the roof unsafe. The air was immediately filled with snow as fine as sifted flour† (Potter). No one expected the blizzard that would soon come rolling over to create some of the unfortunate deaths. Now, the questions are what exactly happened during the storm, how are snowstorms created, and what damages it caused. On January 12, 1888, the Children’s Blizzard hits part of the Northwest Plains. This blizzard is also known as the Schoolchildren’s Blizzard or Schoolhouse Blizzard (Potter). The name is associated with schoolchildren’s because it was mostly children trying to go back home, that froze to death along their way. It was such a beautiful day, just like one of those days someone would have in April, that no one would have suspected such a bitter snowstorm to come. The blizzard came when a cold, arctic wind from Canada met with the winds that came from the south. Everyone, including the kids, were dressed up with short sleeves. Just like how somebody would wear on a hot, spring day. The air from Canada carried heavy snow and harsh winds along with it, causing the hurricane (Blizzard Brings Tragedy to Northwest Plains). The Children’s Blizzard hit both of South and North Dakota (back then in 1888, it was one territory), Nebraska, Minnesota, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho, causing lots of heartbroken and unexpected deaths (McLeod). â€Å"Temperature dropped from above freezing in many areas to well below z... ...izzard Brings Tragedy to Northwest Plains." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 12 Jan. 2007. Web. 25 Feb. 2014. NWS Internet Services Team. "Glossary - NOAA's National Weather Service."Glossary - NOAA's National Weather Service. National Weather Service, 25 June 2009. Web. 02 Mar. 2014. "What Is a Blizzard?" Weather Questions. Weather Questions, 30 Nov. 2010. Web. 03 Mar. 2014. "Snow Storms: What's a Blizzard." Forces of Nature: TQ 2000. Web. 3 Mar. 2014. . Laukaitis, Algis J. "The Blizzard of 1888 -- the Force of a White Hurricane -- Hit 125 Years Ago." JournalStar.com. JournalStar, 11 Jan. 2013. Web. 04 Mar. 2014. "Snowstorms Throughout History." Kent Heating AAAHeatingAC. AAA Heating AC. Web. 04 Mar. 2014. "Blizzards." Blizzard. Oracle' ThinkQuest. Web. 04 Mar. 2014.

Business Ethics-Written Assignment for Module 2 Essay

1. Shaw and Barry distinguish two different forms of utilitarianism. What are these two forms. Briefly describe each and use examples. Act Utilitarianism and Rule Utilitarianism are the two different forms of utilitarianism that Shaw and Barry distinguish. Utilitarianism refers to the greatest happiness principle for the most amounts of people. Act utilitarianism â€Å"states that we must ask ourselves what the consequences of a particular act in a particular situation will be for all those affected. If its consequences bring more net good than those of any alternative course of action, then this action is the right one and the one we should perform† (Shaw and Barry, pg.60). I look at this as to mean when choosing between two alternative acts in a situation then the right act is the one that brings the best result or the most happiness, basically the consequences of a single act. Rule utilitarianism â€Å"maintains that the utilitarian standard should be applied not to individual actions but to moral codes as a whole. The principles that make up that code would then be the basis for distinguishing right actions from wrong actions† (Shaw and Barry, pg.77). I look at this to me at measuring the consequences of the act repeated over and over again as if it was a rule whenever there are similar situations. 2. What do economists mean by the â€Å"declining marginal utility of money†? Declining marginal utility of money stated by Shaw and Barry as â€Å"simply means that successive additions to one’s income produce, on average, less happiness or welfare that did earlier additions† (Shaw and Barry, pg.112). I look at this as with every additional dollar or good, the value and happiness declines, the additional dollar or good loses its initial feeling or worth compared to the previous additions. A good example would be someone would really enjoy a piece of chocolate cake, and if offered a second piece they may agree that they would still enjoy it, but not as much as the first piece, and finally given a third piece of chocolate cake, they would be so full from the first two pieces then they wouldn’t be as happy since eating the first piece of chocolate cake. So for every extra piece of chocolate cake there would be less happiness from the previous piece. 3. Robert Nozick presents his entitlement theory as a function of three basic principles. What are these three basic principles? Nozick’s entitlement theory is a theory of justice and how society regulates the distribution of goods, money and property. â€Å"All that matters for Noziak is how people came to have what they have, not the pattern or results of the distribution of goods.† (Shaw and Barry, pg.115) His entitlement theory comprises of three main principles which were: 1. A principle of justice in acquisition – This principle deals with the initial acquisition of holdings. It is an account of how people first come to own common property, what types of things can be held, and so forth. 2. A principle of justice in transfer – This principle explains how one person can acquire holdings from another, including voluntary exchange and gifts. 3. A principle of rectification of injustice – how to deal with holdings that are unjustly acquired or transferred, whether and how much victims can be compensated, how to deal with long past transgressions or injustices done by a government, and so on. What is principle of justice in acquisition? Our book gives us an analogy concerning basketball player, Wilt Chamberlain that was used by Nozick. The idea behind this is that Wilt Chamberlain was a very talent basketball player and people were willing to pay a certain amount of money to see him play. In Wilt Chamberlain’s contact it stated that he would get X amount for each ticket purchased, due to his talent of playing basketball. Over the course of the year he is entitled to a portion of the tickets sold. Wilt Chamberlain become very wealthy as a result of the amount of tickets sold and his contact with the team he played for since his contact stated he get X amount for each ticket purchased. He has every right to become wealthy and acquire money as a result of the free choice of people voluntarily purchasing the basketball tickets to see him play. This is an example of how the money exchanged was rightfully acquired. What is principle of justice in transfer? A good example of justice of transfer would be if a landowner justly owns twenty acres of property and he freely sells ten acres to his neighbor for a specific amount of money. This would be justice of transfer since the landlord is willing to sell the property and his neighbor is willing to purchase and they both agree on the terms. The landowner would now have ten less acres of property but he would be X amount wealthier and his neighbor will now have ten additional acres and X amount less. Both parties agreed on the terms and neither leave worse off than prior to the transaction. What is principle of rectification of injustice? Basically how to restore something to its rightful owner, in case of injustice in either acquisition or transfer. A good example we could use is back giving an example of a football quarterback. The quarterback contact stated that he would get X amount for each ticket purchased. What happens if he is injured at the beginning of the season and doesn’t play any games except for the first three games? Is he still entitlement to the X amount per ticket or just a portion of the total? The contact doesn’t state anything about if he was injured and didn’t play. So should the quarterback be entitlement to the extra money. It may feel injustice since he didn’t play the majority of the games, but since his contact stated that he gets X amount per ticket then he is entitlement to the entire amount. The team doesn’t feel that he should get the entire amount. The team only gives him a portion of the money. The quarterback has the right to rectify and claim the entire amount since his contact doesn’t have a specific clause regarding being injured. He would have legal action to go after the team to pay him the entire amount. 4. Two main features of John Rawls’s theory of distributive justice are particularly important. What are these two features? Describe them. Rawl’s theory of distributive justice have two main features that are described in the textbook (Shaw and Barry, pg.122): 1. Each person is to have an equal right to the most extensive total system of equal basic liberties compatible with a similar system of liberty for all. I see this feature as saying each individual should have the equal rights or opportunities, basically not to restrict or deny the freedom of each person involved. 2. Social and economic inequalities are to satisfy two conditions. First, they are to be attached to positions and offices open to all under conditions of fair equality of opportunity; and second, they are to be to the greatest expected benefit of the least advantaged members of society. I see this feature as saying that there is social and economic inequalities and they may not be wrong or bad. These inequalities shouldn’t benefit the least well off. It doesn’t matter where a person was born into the social ladder. 5. What is the MAXIMIN rule for making decisions? According to our textbook the MAXIMIN rule states â€Å"you should select the alternative under which the worst that could happen to you is better than the worst that could happen to you under any other alternative-that is, you should try to maximize the minimum that you will receive.† (Shaw and Barry, pg.122). Basically it is stating that the rule is if there are more than one choice, the best decision rule is to consider the one with the least worst consequence for the best possible choice. 6. What is the role of the â€Å"veil of ignorance† in Rawls’ theory of distributive justice? According to our textbook the role of the veil of ignorance in Rawl’s theory â€Å"eliminates bias and makes the original position a fair way of choosing principles.† (Shaw and Barry, pg.121). I see at the method for determining the morality of an issue no matter what social role one may play, it is only how one truly considers the morality of a certain position. 7. According to Shaw and Barry, deciding what sort of economic arrangements would best promote human happiness requires the utilitarian to consider many things. What are the five considerations mentioned by Shaw and Barry? The five considerations mentioned in our textbook (Shaw and Barry, pg.111): 1. The type of economic ownership (private, public, mixed). 2. The way of organizing production and distribution in general (pure laissez faire, markets with government planning and regulation, fully centralized planning). 3. The type of authority arrangements within the units of production (worker control versus managerial prerogative. 4. The range and character of material incentives. 5. The nature and extent of social security and welfare provisions.

The Rights Code Of The United States - 1355 Words

Ever since 1965 when Justice Minister Pierre Trudeau said the historic words: â€Å"the state has no place in the bedrooms of the nation,† Canada has been steadily increasing its acceptance of the LGBT+ community. LGBT stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, with the plus extending to those who are intersex and anyone who does not identify as straight (having sexual and/or romantic attraction to another gender) or cisgender (having one’s gender identity match the one in which they were assigned at birth), the two â€Å"norms† of our society. The country’s first strides in equality came in the arrest of Everett Klippert, a gay mechanic in the Northwest Territories, in 1967. This act brought a long series of protests that lead to several†¦show more content†¦Media has always been highly influential in our society; it’s carefully constructed in order to show certain values, beliefs and messages. When viewers are exposed to topics t hey have little experience or knowledge in, media can especially play a large role in shaping their own opinions. It has been shown that people who know a LGBT+ person in their lives are much more likely to be supportive of same-sex marriage and the community in general. In place of that, viewing characters in film or television can adequately supplement the empathy gained from personal experience. This is exemplified by Wilson Cruz, the actor of Rickie Vasquez, a gay character on the 1994 television series My So-Called Life: â€Å"...Vasquez was the first gay person that they knew and because of the light he shed on the issue...I think people took up the cause of LGBT rights...I know for many people the only LGBT people that they know are people that they meet on their television screens or at the movie theater.† Since then, the amount of programming featuring openly gay characters has steadily increased, and with it, people are gaining a better understanding of the issues t hey face. As the years progress, Canada is being exposed to greater diversity: both on the television screen and within its community. Canada is a multicultural mosaic that embraces and celebrates

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The Handmaid s Tale And Brave New World - 1448 Words

Although The Handmaid’s Tale by Margret Atwood and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley involve different stories, the societies portrayed in these two dystopic novels lack the basic freedoms needed for a society to function properly. These novels present an individual whose freedom has been stripped away by a government that controls all aspects of their life -knowledge, individuality, relationships with others- in order to maintain stability in a fragile society. The Handmaid s Tale studies our human nature by showing an internal struggle in the novels protagonist Offred. Whether she chose the adoption of the current social norms or her battle for the sake of individual well-being and humanity. In Huxley’s Brave New World, the protagonist John the Savage is the symbol of the old world and morality. John lives his ideals out and rejects the society s values. Both these protagonists appear isolated in their own thoughts, it is themselves against the rest of society. This pr esentation of these characters leads to hopeless thoughts in the reader and that they are in fact fighting an inevitable defeat. Throughout both novels the author’s use of conflict to show control of knowledge from the past society to the present day makes it apparent that a dystopic society exists. In The Handmaids Tale it is forbidden for the handmaids to read or write in order for the leaders to control the understanding their citizens can develop and there are consequences if the rules are disobeyed.Show MoreRelatedMargaret Atwood s The Handmaid s Tale1544 Words   |  7 PagesFeminism as we know it began in the mid 1960 s as the Women s Liberation Movement. Among its chief tenants is the idea of women s empowerment, the idea that women are capable of doing and should be allowed to do anything men can do. Feminists believe that neither sex is naturally superior. They stand behind the idea that women are inherently just as strong and intelligent as the so-called stronger sex. 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Contemporary Issues in Accounting Dicksmith Holding Ltd

Question: Describe about the Contemporary Issues in Accounting for Dicksmith Holding Ltd. Answer: Introduction For the purpose of this assignment, the annual reports of Dicksmith Holding Ltd and BHP Billiton Ltd have been opted. A brief comparison of both the companies will be done through this assignment in order to know whether material disclosure (whether financial or non-financial) have been done by both the companies because such disclosures are very significant for users of financial statements to make economic decisions considering the financial position and performance of the companies. Moreover, it is clearly observable through their annual reports of 2015 that both the companies have complied with statutory requirements as per the AASB conceptual framework. According to Everingham (2007) it has to be noted that due to a significant increase in the number of transactions, disclosure of irrelevant information has been deemed secondary for companies because these do not facilitate in decision-making. Considering the amount of transactions, companies have only disclosed that information which is relevant and reliable to users of their financial statements. Compliance with Conceptual Framework for reporting The annual report of Dicksmith Holding Ltd and BHP Billiton Ltd has been selected for the purpose of compliance with AASB requirements and conceptual framework. According to the disclosure standards required by the Australian Corporate Sector, every company is bound to comply with the qualitative characteristics of conceptual framework for reporting (IASB, 2010). Dicksmith Holding Ltd and BHP Billiton Ltd, being an ASX company also complies with such characteristics as observable through its annual report, 2015As per (Conceptual Framework (2016) these characteristics mainly include fair representation, relevance and materiality and the companies have successfully complied with these characteristics as per the conceptual framework of reporting. (Source: Dicksmith Holding Annual report, 2015) With respect to the corporate governance practices of the company, Dicksmith has committed to achieve highest corporate governance standards by conducting business according to the ASX recommendations outlined in the third edition of ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations. BHP Billiton has furnished reports not only in accordance with the Principles and Recommendations issued by ASX but also with the UK Corporate Governance Code that also includes the Turnbull Guidance stated in the annual report of BHP Billiton (2015). Furthermore, Dicksmith provides material information regarding the disclosure of information of material directorships that are currently held by it, and if the candidate is re-elected, then will he be regarded as an independent director or not and also a statement whether the Board of the company supports such re-election. Dicksmith has also provided material information regarding the disclosure of material risks as it is prone to many risks like mal feasance and fraud, safety and health of workplace, macro-economic risks including effects on consumer discretionary spending, cash management risks, reputational risks, competition policy risks etc. Hence, materiality characteristics with respect to conceptual framework have been followed by Dicksmith. Similarly, BHP Billiton also considers risk tolerance and materiality as prime considerations for decision making. It has disclosed material information regarding investments in low-emission technologies in order to minimize emissions from fossil fuels. Furthermore, in respect of material risks, BHP discloses competition policy risks, deflation of prices risk, sustainability risks, arrangement of leasing risks, water-related material risks etc. In respect of relevance, Dicksmith provides several relevant details that have higher predictive value. For example, it provides relevant information regarding product efficiency levels under which minimum energy performance standards are necessitated for retailers so that the products that are sold in New Zealand and Australia have efficiency labels. Furthermore, it also provides relevant information regarding the compliance of amended and new accounting interpretations and standards in accordance with the AASB requirements. Relevant information to facilitate election and re-election of directors are also provided by Dicksmith to assist in decision-making (Dicksmith Holding, 2015). Considering the case of BHP Billiton, it has also provided significant information as per the AASB standards and conceptual framework of financial reporting (Conceptual Framework, 2016). It discloses relevant details about its KPI (key performance indicators) that helps to evaluate the financial performan ce and sustainable development of the company. It also discloses relevant information on the HSEC (Health, Safety, Environment and Community) trends like the evaluation of performance, alignment with requirements of other companies etc. Relevant information on climate change, variations in standards of corporate governance, commodity markets etc are also disclosed by BHP Billiton and stated in the annual report of BHP Billiton (2015). Hence, both the companies have also complied with the relevance characteristic of conceptual framework. (Source: BHP Billiton Annual report, 2015) Furthermore, both the companies have also portrayed a true and fair representation of their financial statements in their annual reports. From the annual report of Dicksmith, it can be seen that the CEO and Managing Director, CFO and Finance Director of the company have certified the truthfulness of the report. Provided in the annual report of Dicksmith Holding (2015) a written declaration has been given by the Board to these directors which states that the annual report has been formed on a sound basis method of internal control and risk management which is functioning efficiently, thereby giving a true and fair view of the financial statements. In note 2 of the financial statements of the company, directors have also stated that the consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the basis of AASB 101 (Presentation of financial statements) and also comply with IFRS. Similarly, the directors of BHP Billiton have stated in their declaration that the financial statements are t rue to the best of their knowledge. Notes set out in section 7.1 and 7.2 of the financial statements also prove that the annual report is in accordance with the Australian Corporations Act 2001 and UK Companies Act 2006. Therefore, both companies also comply with the faithful representation characteristic of conceptual framework. Compliance with AASB Standard Requirements In relation to Dicksmith, firstly it has followed the AASB 101 standard which states that the financial statements of the company are in compliance with the IFRS requirements. Secondly, the assets and liabilities related with employee benefits together with deferred assets and liabilities of the company are in accordance with AASB 119 Employee Benefits and AASB 112 Income Taxes respectively. Thirdly, assets held for sale are in accordance with AASB 5 Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations. Lastly, as per IASB (2010).the contingent assets and liabilities of the company are in accordance with AASB 137 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets. In relation to BHP Billiton, it has also followed the AASB 5 Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations after the demerger of South32. It also follows the AASB 116 Property, Plant and Equipment (PPE). Fixed assets of the company are recorded at historical cost less depreciation and current assets are recorded at minimum of net realizable cost or value. It is observable through the companys balance sheet that fixed assets are investigated and carrying values are disclosed. After investigation, these fixed costs are recorded at cost less provision for impairment. Stated in the annual report of BHP Billiton (2015) the impairment charges as evident from the annual report are US$2.8billion on Onshore US assets, US$409million on Nickel West assets and US$542million on goodwill and other intangible assets. It can be seen that the valuation of fixed assets of this company complies with the AASB standards. (Source: BHP Billiton Annual report, 2015) Hence, both Dicksmith Holding Ltd and BHP Billiton have complied with the conceptual framework and AASB requirements. Inclusion of Prudence to remove disparities in corporate reporting Under the prudence concept, amounts of income identified must not be overestimated and amount of expenses must not be underestimated. In other words, companies must not recognize an asset at a higher value than the amount which can be recovered from its sale or use. Similarly, liabilities must not be recognized at a lower value than the amount at which they are expected to be paid in future. As per A tale of Prudence (2015) management must be cautious and conservative in recording the assets while not underestimating the liabilities. The outcome of this surely must be conservatively stated financial statements. The International Accounting Standards Board recognized the importance of prudence in the year 2010 but as it conflicted with the concepts of neutrality, it had to be removed. In the year 2015, IASB further reinstated the prudence concept through an Exposure Draft in the conceptual framework for financial reporting. As per Melville (2013) another method of looking at the prude nce concept is to record an income or asset transaction only when it is certain and record a liability or an expense transaction when it is probable in nature. With the support of this amendment in the conceptual framework (2016), companies will have to remain cautious in the events of uncertainties and risks. It can be concluded that this concept helps in removing predilections from the financial statements from the annual reports of Dicksmith and BHP Billiton, it can be observed that both companies have adopted the concept of prudence in their annual reports. (Source: Dicksmith Holding Annual report, 2015) In relation to Dicksmith, the identification of the companys profits proves the inclusion of prudence concept when these depict risks and uncertainties about future outcomes. Furthermore, the assets which are held for sale are recorded in accordance with AASB 5 Non-current assets held for sale and discontinued operations instead of being identified as fair values. This is the concept of prudence where assets held for sale are not written up and instead written down to their recoverable values. Similarly, in relation to BHP Billiton, the impairment events which results in the write-down of an assets carrying amount is subject to the concept of prudence as this overcomes the normal distribution of a non-current assets cost above its efficient life. As per Brigham Daves (2012) IASB has redressed the limitations that impacted the relevance of prudence but sadly, many companies find the applicability of prudence in accounting very difficult and hence more standardization is required. Critical evaluation Both Dicksmith and BHP Billiton have successfully complied with the conceptual framework of accounting and AASB requirements in their annual reports. In relation to corporate governance, Dicksmith follows only ASX Corporate Governance Principles and Recommendations while BHP follows both UK Corporate Governance Code and ASX Recommendations. On one hand, the majority of underlying earnings of Dicksmith originate from consumer electronic items while BHP mainly earns from Onshore US Assets including Petroleum, coal, copper and iron-ore. Both the companies have adopted a whistle-blowing policy on violations of code of conduct (Dicksmith Holding, 2015). Dicksmith has more advantage than BHP in case of corporate governance of the company because it has outlined several principles that must be followed by every person associated with the company. It not only ensures integrity and morality but also transparency in the annual reports. BHP mainly aims for a high corporate governance standard f or enhancement of long-term value, that is short-term value is not given due importance. But due to this purpose, BHP benefits in the long-run as its policies and corporate governance standards have high flexibility for enhancing long-term value (Needles Powers, 2013). (Source: BHP Billiton Annual report, 2015) The disclosure policy of Dicksmith is observed under the Corporations Act 2001 and Listing Rules. It must disclose any such information to the Australian Stock Exchanges that can have a material impact on its price value of shares. As per Dicksmith Holding (2015) a continuous Disclosure Policy has been established by the company which aims to ensure that every investor has equal and timely availability of relevant information relating to the company. Directors are bound to comply with this policy that includes delegation of responsibilities. If any officer or employee of the company becomes known to any material information that can be price-sensitive, he is bound to report of such happening to the disclosure officer (Company Secretary) of the company. Important announcements relating to the company is first made public on its website before complying with continuous disclosure policies. In relation to the disclosure of BHP Billiton, it can be observed that for the purposes of IFRS, it has disclosed its demerged assets which are treated as discontinued operations of the company. It also discloses information relating to its operations in hydraulic fracturing done on federal lands. Chemicals and water used for such operations are also disclosed and laid down in the annual report of BHP Billiton (2015). As the company is committed towards open and transparent communications with public, government and investors, it discloses relevant information towards the CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) which is a measure of activities that any company has undertaken for management of carbon. According to Kalpan (2011) disclosure of such information has resulted in an enhancement of the CDP score of the company since 2013. In relation to the market risks, company has disclosed quantitative and qualitative information and the primary market risks can be found in section 1.15.1 of the annual report while outstanding sensitive instruments (market risk) is consisted in note 23 of the financial statements. (Source: BHP Billiton Annual report, 2015) As per Carmichael Graham (2012) in relation to royalty and tax liabilities, company has disclosed various provisions regarding such tax liabilities and contingent liabilities that include estimates of transfer pricing and other issues where uncertainty is present during the application of law. A disclosure committee is also appointed by the company that purposes to see whether the company has complied with disclosure requirements and other security dealings or not. In relation to political donations, contribution to public debate of policy matters that can impact the operation of the company is disclosed through AEC (Australian Electoral Commission) purposes, in the Directors report. According to the UK requirements in the remuneration report, BHP is also bound to disclose relevant information regarding the Directors. AASB, IFRS and Australian Corporations Act 2001 also bound the company to disclose information relating with the Key Managerial Personnel. Information associated with the remuneration of directors including KMP, ordinary transactions and shareholdings etc are also required to be disclosed by BHP Billiton. The information disclosed by BHP Billiton and Dicksmith are clearly of material nature and must not be ignored by the companies, whether it is compulsory or not, because it facilitates in better decision-making by the users of financial statements. Recommendations After a critical evaluation of the annual reports of both Dicksmith and BHP Billiton, it can be stated that disclosures that are of relevant nature must be disclosed by the companies because users can take an effective decision on the basis of them. However, it is recommended that any information that is not relevant must be discarded by the companies as it diminishes the usefulness of valuable information. As per Gibson (2010) with days passing by, there has been a significant increase in accounting transactions and if companies do not adhere to disclosure policies, then not only users will face problems, but the company itself will. It is highly recommended that companies must not only follow the conceptual framework for accounting but the disclosure principle must also be given significant consideration because it helps in reducing risks that have originated through such complexities in transactions. Conclusion It can be concluded that conceptual framework of accounting and disclosure principles play a key role in enhancing the usefulness of information present in the financial statements. Considering the example of Dicksmith and BHP Billiton, both have complied with such frameworks and AASB requirements. They have also successfully complied with the disclosure policies as laid down in their annual reports which surely must have been very useful to every user. On a whole, it can be said that conceptual framework, accounting standard requirement and the disclosure principle are altogether an essential ingredient of a useful financial statement. Companies adhering to such ingredient enjoy a good reputation in the market and are very less prone to risks. References A tale of Prudence 2015, Investor perspectives, [online] Available at: https://www.ifrs.org/Investor-resources/Investor-perspectives 2/Documents/Prudence_Investor-Perspective_Conceptual-FW.PDF [Accessed 17 August 2016]. BHP Billiton 2015, BHP Billiton Annual Report and accounts 2015, [online] Available at: https://www.bhpbilliton.com/~/media/bhp/documents/investors/annual-reports/2015/bhpbillitonannualreport2015.pdf[Accessed 17 August 2016]. Brigham, E. Daves, P., 2012. Intermediate Financial Management. USA: Cengage Learning. Carmichael, D.R. and Graham, L., 2012. Accountants Handbook, Financial Accounting and General Topics. John Wiley Sons. Choi, R.D. and Meek, G.K., 2011. International accounting, Pearson . Conceptual Framework., 2016. Conceptual Framework Pronouncements, [online] Available at: https://www.aasb.gov.au/Pronouncements/Conceptual-framework.aspx [Accessed 17 August 2016]. Dicksmith Holding., 2015. Dicksmith Holding Annual Report and accounts 2015, [online] Available at: https://www.dicksmith.com.au/da/ [Accessed 17 August 2016]. Everingham, G.K., Kleynhans, J.E. Posthumus, L., C 2007. Principles of Generally Accepted Accounting Practice. Juta and Company Ltd. Gibson, C., 2010. Financial Reporting and Analysis: Using Financial Accounting Information. Cengage Learning. International Accounting Standards Board., 2010. Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting, [online] Available at: https://www.aasb.gov.au/admin/file/content102/c3/Oct_2010_AP_9.3_Conceptual_Framework_Financial_Reporting_2010.pdf Kaplan, R.S., 2011. Accounting scholarship that advances professional knowledge and practice. The Accounting Review, 86(2), p. 367383. Melville, A., 2013. International Financial Reporting A Practical Guide. Pearson, Education Limited, UK Needles, B. Powers, M., 2013. Principles of Financial Accounting. Cengage Learning.

Pedophilia in Lolita free essay sample

In developing this point, I will examine pedophilia and its clinical characteristics as they relate to Humbert Humbert and our society. Pedophilia is considered an abnormal or unnatural attraction. It is defined as the fantasy or act of sexual activity with prepubescent children. Pedophilia is also a psychosexual disorder in which the fantasy or actual act of engaging in sexual activity with children is the preferred or exclusive means of achieving sexual excitement or gratification. Pedophiles may be young or old, male or female, although the great majority are males. Pedophilia is defined by mental health professional as a mental disorder, but the American legal system defines acting on a pedophilic urge as a criminal act. Many courts interpret this reference to age to mean children under the age of 18. Most mental health professionals, however, confine the definition of pedophilia to sexual activity with children who are age 13 or younger. The sexual behaviors involved in pedophilia may or may not Delatorre 2 involve the use of force. We will write a custom essay sample on Pedophilia in Lolita or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Types of activities include just looking at a child or undressing and touching a child. Some limit their behaviors to exposing themselves or masturbating in front of a child. Others, however, compel the child to participate in oral sex or full intercourse. Throughout Lolita, Humberts constant sexual perception of children is shown overtly. Humbert has a vulnerability towards children that affect his entire life prior to meeting his victim Lolita. His pedophiliac actions are associated back to an experience he once had in a garden with a girl named Annabel that left him feeling un-fulfilled. His nymphets or sexually young girls seem to take on the qualities of this young love. His entire life is constructed around desires for nymphets. Humbert, in his description of Lolita, uses the word nymphet to refer not only to her but also to other girls of her age and characteristics. Little girls that came his way before Lolita, he describes as nymphets too. The history of the word nymphet in English does not go beyond 1955 when the novel Lolita was published because its first use is in the novel. It was introduced into English by Mr. Humbert Humbert himself. According to Humbert, a nymphet possesses magic that best works on men twice or many times older than themselves. He does not understand this magic. He writes, A greater endeavor lures me on: to fix once for all the perilous magic of nymphets.. (Nabokov 126) In fact, he himself sees the destructiveness and vengefulness of the nymphet through his use of the word perilous meaning full of danger or risk. Humberts image of a nymphet is enhanced by the thoughts and memories of Annabel that he harbors. He sees Lolita as a reincarnation of Annabel. Now I wish to introduce the following Delatorre 3 idea. Between the age limits of nine and fourteen there occur maidens who, to certain bewitched travelers, twice or many times older than they, reveal their true nature which is not human, but nymphic (that is, demoniac); and these chosen creatures I propose to designate as nymphets. (Nabokov 16) Humbert does not think of nymphets as young girls, but rather as a manifestation of his particular unconventional ideals. A pedophile mistakenly believes their victims enjoy the sexual experience. When caught, pedophiles frequently accuse their victims of acting promiscuously and even of being lured into committing their acts. Pedophiles seduce their victims by giving them gifts and filling them with affection and attention. They typically know how vulnerable their victims are and take complete advantage by manipulating them. A pedophile will not stop on his own, and will not turn himself in, because he does not take responsibility for his behavior and denies that hes doing anything harmful. He will abuse until hes caught. In Chapter 31 of Part 1 of Lolita, Humbert and Lolita are in the lobby of the Enchanted Hunters only hours after consummating their sexual relationship. As Humbert arrives in the lobby to check out of the hotel, he observes Lolita as she sits reading a movie magazine in a large armchair, and his description of her progresses from a focus on her loss of innocence to a focus on her inner, demonic nature. Humbert is attempting to mitigate his own sense of guilt and self-loathing to justify his actions by presenting the truth as it seemed in his own twisted mind. However, he knew the relationship: was unacceptable or he would not have gone to such extremes to hide it throughout the novel. Yet, he attempts to present his point of view in a manner Delatorre 4 that he believes may create sympathy. By identifying Lolita as a nymphet, Humbert Humbert defends his actions. He states, Frigid gentleman of the jury! I am going to tell you something very strange: it was she who seduced me (Nabokov 132). He claims that Lolita made the first move because she is a nymphet. Although some may argue that Humbert Humbert truly loved Lolita, he shows many characteristics of extreme narcissism. Humbert exploits Lolita, takes advantage of her innocence, and manipulates her. His lust for her overrides any emotion he feels in her resistance towards him. Humbert is aware of her suffering, and for a moment he feels sadness for her, but his list quickly possesses him into his own self-regard for pleasure. Lolita tells Humbert she is sore and in pain from the night he took advantage of her, but he is only focused on the thoughts of his own self-fulfillment acts that ultimately leads to causing her more pain. When I try to analyze my own cravings, motives, actions and so forth, I surrender to a sort of retrospective imagination which feeds the analytic faculty with boundless alternatives and which causes each visualized route to fork and re-fork without end in the maddeningly complex prospect of my past. (Nabokov Part One, Ch. ) By this quote, It is clear that Humbert will go to great extremes to satisfy his needs. Since every individual is different, there are many reasons why a person may become a pedophile. Most researches say that Pedophilia is probably a result of psychological factors. There are theories that Pedophilia is the result of being sexually abused as a child. If a pedophilic person was sexually abused as a child they may be more likely to sexually abuse children. Anoth er possible cause of Pedophilia is arrested emotional development, which means that a person will Delatorre 5 find an attraction towards children because they never fully matured psychologically themselves. One other possible cause is the need to dominate a sexual partner. Since children are smaller and weaker than adults they are more easily dominated. This drive for domination could also be the reason there are more male pedophiles than there are women pedophiles. Despite his many efforts at defense, Humbert knows he has committed some serious violations referring to himself as a monster, a spider, a maniac, and a hound. Humbert certainly references the ethical dilemma he is in, but it is never so great as to prevent him from perpetrating on Lolita. Pedophilia is difficult to treat and dropouts and noncompliance to treatment are common, according to Cohen and Galynker in their 2002 article for Journal of Psychiatric Practice. Treatment involves individual therapy, group therapy and, among males, the use of androgen-suppressing hormones. In extreme cases, male pedophiles may opt for castration.