The Economic Impact of The New Telecommunications Essay Example For Students

The Economic Impact of The New Telecommunications Essay LegislationBy: David ListerCanada has been transformed in recent years into an information based society. Nearly half of the labour force in Canada works in occupations involving the collection and processing of information. In a society in which information has become a commodity, communications provide a vital link that can mean the difference between success or failure. Telecommunications is a fundamental infrastructure of the Canadian economy and society. For these reasons, an efficient and dynamic telecommunications industry is necessary to ensure economic prosperity. Deregulating the Long Distance Industry is the only sure way to ensure that prosperity. Telecommunications in Canada, which include services and manufacturing, employ more than 125,000 people and generate over $21 billion in revenues (Dept. of Communications, 1992, p7). Telecommunications helps to overcome the obstacles of distance in a vast country such as Canada, permitting remote communities to benefit from services taken for granted in large urban centres. More than 98 percent of Canadian households have a telephone, and there are more than 15 million telephone lines for a population of nearly 27 million(Dept. of Communications, 1992, p7). It is therefore not surprising that Canadians are among the biggest users of telecommunications in the world. For example, in 1990, Canadians made more than three billion long-distance calls (Dept. of Communications, 1992, p8). We will write a custom essay on The Economic Impact of The New Telecommunications specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now Innovations made possible through telecommunications have also contributed significantly to the phenomenal growth of the Canadian telecommunications industry. For example, the total value of the major telephone companies investment in their facilities rose from $17.8 billion in 1979 to $40.3 billion in 1990. In the same year, Canadian telecommunications companies reported more than $15 billion in revenues, accounting for an estimated 2.7 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In addition, in 1990 the telecom industry achieved a real growth rate (after inflation) of 8.6 percent compared to 0.3 percent for the Canadian economy as a whole. Telecommunications is also Canadas leading high-technology industry; its Research and Development costs of $1.4 billion in 1990 represent about 24 percent of total expenditures in this area. This shows how telecommunications has come to play such a vital role in our society, in addition to being our most important high technology industry (Dept. of Communications, 1992, p9-12). Changes are constantly taking place in the telecom industry. These changes are caused by rapid progress in telecommunications technology, growing demand for new services, the globalization of trade and manufacturing operations, and increasing competition worldwide. It is also important to note that the Canadian telecommunications market of $15 billion is small compared to those of our major trading partners, the United States ($185 billion), the European Community ($125 billion) and Japan ($65 billion) (Blackwell, 1993, p26). These factors were a mounting source of pressure on the previous regulatory structure of the Canadian telecom system. As regulation was eased in other countries around the world, Canada was beginning to lose its competitiveness. The USA and Britain have made strategic decisions to increase competition in telecommunications services and to modernize their information infrastructures. Other countries such as Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are following their le ad. The European Community is considering legislation to unify the European telecommunications market next year (Blackwell, 1993, p22). In order to not be left behind, Canada updated its telecommunications legislation to bring it in line with world developments. For example, a key piece of legislation that regulated telecommunications, the Railway Act, dated back to 1908 (Beatty, 1990, p135). Clearly, with such ancient legislation, new policy was required that would allow a more flexible regulatory system, and not hamper the development of our telecommunications industry (as the Railway Act did). The first steps toward such a policy were taken in 1987 by the Minister of Communications, who outlined three basic principles to guide telecommunications policy making:Maintaining a basic telephone service which is affordable and universally accessible;Encouraging development of an effective and efficient telecommunications infrastructure; andPermitting Canadians in all regions to have access to the same levels of competitive services (Beatty, 1990, p42). .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40 , .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40 .postImageUrl , .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40 , .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40:hover , .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40:visited , .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40:active { border:0!important; } .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40:active , .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40 .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u84f82b5e15d4725c9c925cc4885c3a40:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Embodiment and Free Indirect Discourse: Reliance   EssayBill C-62 the Telecom Act, passed in June of 1993, brought these principals to reality. In addition, the legislation gave Canadian Parliament legislative authority over the principal telecommunications common carriers (i.e. Bell Canada, Alberta Govt Telephone, BC-Tel) in Canada. The new legislation defines the powers of the federal government and the regulation that is required to bring Canadas telecommunications policy into the twenty-first century. It ensures the efficient operation of our telecommunications system, maintains and promotes and internationally competitive telecommunications industry, and guarantees all Canadians access to reliable, affordable, and high-quality services. In order to achieve this, the new law centres on two major principals: the first is to open the telecommunications market by having a workable policy for the whole country under the guidance of a single regulatory agency (i.e. the CRTC); the second is to establish a more flexible regulatory framework. The new legislation modernizes and improves the existing system in three ways:1.By updating and modernizing existing legislation that governs telecommunications. Namely, the Railway Act, the National Telecommunications Powers and Procedures Act, and the Telegraphs Act. 2.By making a single agency responsible for regulating telecommunications, and3.By ensuring consistent conditions in regards to access to facilities, local and long-distance rates, and introduction of competition for providing telecommunications services across the country (Beatty, 1990, p42). In addition, the legislation resulted in the creation of a more open domestic market so that all Canadians will have access to relatively high-quality services, regardless of where they live. Advances in telecommunications technology enable companies to offer a wide variety of new services to satisfy the needs and interests of consumers. One of the goals on the legislation is to ensure that all Canadians benefit from innovations in communications. In addition to promoting the economic benefits of telecommunications technology, the legislation also tackles the social needs and interests of users. The legislation also contains measures to protect consumers against possible abuse, including the sending of unsolicited information by telephone or fax machine (Beatty, 1990, p66). The Telecom Act gives the government the power to issue licenses to Canadian telecommunications companies and to set standards for equipment and facilities. In order to be eligible to hold a telecommunications license, the company ,must meet specific requirements respecting Canadian ownership and control. A main requirement is that 80 percent of the companies shares must be owned and controlled by Canadians (Angus, 1993, p17). The legislation, and related regulations, therefore promote Canadian control over the countrys information infrastructure. As well as this, the new legislation ensures that telecommunications policy takes into account the interests of the regions and provinces. Given the fundamental role of communications in Canadian society, and the vital importance of this sector in the Canadian economy, deregulation (or more accurately, easier regulation) of the telecom market will ensure that the Canadian telecommunications industry can successfully meet the challenges of the coming decades. By promoting the establishment of a more open telecommunications market, deregulation will contribute to improving Canadas competitiveness, which is essential to the countrys prosperity and well-being. Telecommunications is the countrys leading high-technology industry (Dept. of Communications, 1992, p1). It is one of the few industries in which Canada is a world leader, and it provides an essential infrastructure for Canadian businesses. The economic importance of this sector has been proved, and the deregulation of telecommunications recognizes the urgent need to give Canada the ability to maintain and promote competitiveness in telecommunications, both nationally and internationally. Deregulation thereby ensures that the telecommunications industry, which is vital for the countrys economy and for all Canadians, can successfully meet the challenges of the next century. Works CitedAngus, Lis. Telecom Act Close to Approval Telemanagement: The Angus Report on Communications Systems, Services, and Strategies. p17, June-July 1993. .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5 , .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5 .postImageUrl , .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5 , .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5:hover , .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5:visited , .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5:active { border:0!important; } .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5:active , .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5 .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ue225226650e060f9b8d746e09e9dc6c5:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Polymers EssayAngus, Ian More Discount Options in Unitels Portfolio Telemanagement: The Angus Report on Communications Systems, Services, and Strategies. p15, May 1993. Blackwell, Gerry The Canadian Telecom Market in Perspective Telemanagement: The Angus Report on Communications Systems, Services, and Strategies. p20-32, September 1993. Bill C62 An Act Respecting Telecommunications (The Telecom Act) Ottawa: Canadian Federal Government, 1990. Beatty, Perrin Summary of the Bill Respecting Telecommunications Ottawa: Canadian Federal Government, 1990. Telecommunications: New Legislation for Canada Ottawa: Department of Communications, 1992. Untitled and Anonymous postings from the Internet, including messages from rec.canada and the CRTCs WWW (World Wide Web) site.

10 Fascinating Facts About Beetles

10 Fascinating Facts About Beetles Beetles inhabit nearly every ecological niche on the planet. This group includes some of our most beloved bugs, as well as our most reviled pests. Here are 10 fascinating facts about beetles, our largest insect order. One out of Every Four Animals on Earth Is a Beetle Beetles are the largest group of living organisms known to science, bar none. Even with plants included in the count, one in every five known organisms is a beetle. Scientists have described over 350,000 species of beetles, with many more still undiscovered, undoubtedly. By some estimates, there may be as many as 3 million beetle species living on the planet. The order Coleoptera is the largest order in the entire animal kingdom. Beetles Live Everywhere You can find beetles almost anywhere on the planet, from pole to pole, according to entomologist Stephen Marshall. They inhabit both terrestrial and freshwater aquatic habitats, from forests to grasslands, deserts to tundras, and from beaches to mountaintops. You can even find beetles on some of the worlds most remote islands. The British geneticist (and atheist) J. B. S. Haldane is purported to have said that God must have an inordinate fondness for beetles. Perhaps this accounts for their presence and number in every corner of this globe we call Earth. Most Adult Beetles Wear Body Armor One of the traits that make beetles so easy to recognize is their hardened forewings, which serve as armor to protect the more delicate flight wings and soft abdomen underneath. The famed philosopher Aristotle coined the order name Coleoptera, which comes from the Greek koleon, meaning sheathed, and ptera, meaning wings. When beetles fly, they hold these protective wing covers (called elytra) out to the sides, allowing the hindwings to move freely and keep them airborne. Beetles Vary Dramatically in Size As you would expect from a group of insects so numerous, beetles range in size from nearly microscopic to downright gigantic. The shortest beetles are the featherwing beetles (family Ptiliidae), most of which measure less than 1 millimeter long. Of these, the smallest of all is a species called the fringed ant beetle, Nanosella fungi, which reaches only 0.25 mm in length and weighs just 0.4 milligrams. On the other end of the size spectrum, the Goliath beetle (Goliathus goliathus) tips the scales at 100 grams. The longest known beetle hails from South America. The appropriately named Titanus giganteus can reach 20 centimeters long. Adult Beetles Chew Their Food That might seem obvious, but not all insects do so. Butterflies, for example, sip liquid nectar from their own built-in straw, called a proboscis. One common trait all adult beetles and most beetle larvae share is mandibulate mouthparts, made just for chewing. Most beetles feed on plants, but some (like ladybugs) hunt and eat smaller insect prey. Carrion feeders use those strong jaws to gnaw on skin or hides. A few even feed on fungus. Whatever theyre dining on, beetles chew their food thoroughly before swallowing. In fact, the common name beetle is thought to derive from the Old English word bitela, meaning little biter. Beetles Have a Big Impact on the Economy Only a tiny fraction of the overall insect population can be considered pests; most insects never cause us any trouble at all. But because so many are phytophagous, the order Coleoptera does include quite a few pests of economic importance. Bark beetles (like the mountain pine beetle) and wood-borers (such as the exotic emerald ash borer) kill millions of trees each year. Farmers spend millions on pesticides and other controls for agricultural pests like the western corn rootworm or the Colorado potato beetle. Pests like the Khapra beetle feed on stored grains, causing more economic losses well after the harvest is completed. Just the money spent by gardeners on Japanese beetle pheromone traps (some would say money wasted on pheromone traps) is greater than the GDP of some small countries! Beetles Can Be Noisy Many insects are famous for their sounds. Cicadas, crickets, grasshoppers, and katydids all serenade us with songs. Many beetles produce sounds, too, although not nearly as melodic as those of their Orthopteran cousins. Deathwatch beetles bang their heads again the walls of their wood tunnels, making a surprisingly loud knocking sound. Some darkling beetles tap their abdomens on the ground. A good number of beetles stridulate, particularly when handled by humans. Have you ever picked up a June beetle? Many, like the ten-lined June beetle, will squeal when you do. Both male and female bark beetles chirp, probably as a courtship ritual and a means of finding one another. Some Beetles Glow in the Dark Species in certain beetle families produce light. Their bioluminescence occurs through a chemical reaction involving an enzyme called luciferase. Fireflies (family Lampyridae) flash signals to attract potential mates, with a light organ on the abdomen. In glowworms (family Phengodidae), the light organs run down the sides of the thoracic and abdominal segments, like tiny glowing windows on a railroad boxcar (and thus their nickname, railroad worms). Glowworms also sometimes have an additional light organ on the head, which glows red! Tropical click beetles (​family Elateridae) also produce light by virtue a pair of oval light organs on the thorax and a third light organ on the abdomen. Weevils Are Beetles, Too Weevils, easily recognized by their elongated, almost comical beaks, are really just a type of beetle. The superfamily Curculionoidea includes the snout beetles and various types of weevils. When you look at a weevils long snout, you might assume they feed by piercing and sucking their meal, much like the true bugs. But dont be fooled, weevils belong to the order Coleoptera. Just as all other beetles do, weevils have mandibulate mouthparts made for chewing. In the case of the weevil, however, the mouthparts are usually tiny and are found just at the tip of that long beak. Many weevils cause significant damage to their plant hosts, and for this reason, we consider them pests. Beetles Have Been Around for About 270 Million Years The first beetle-like organisms in the fossil record date back to the Permian Period, roughly 270 million years ago. True beetles - those that resemble our modern-day beetles - first appeared about 230 million years ago. Beetles were already in existence before the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea, and they survived the K/T extinction event thought to have doomed the dinosaurs. How have beetles survived for so long, and withstood such extreme events? As a group, beetles have proved remarkably adept at adapting to ecological changes. Sources Insects - Their Natural History and Diversity, by Stephen A. MarshallBorror and DeLongs Introduction to the Study of Insects, 7th edition, by Charles A. Triplehorn and Norman F. JohnsonEncyclopedia of Insects, edited by Vincent H. Resh and Ring T. Carde. Featherwing Beetles - Insecta: Coleoptera: Ptiliidae, University of Florida. Accessed December 13, 2012.Coleoptera : The biggest, the smallest ? How many beetles are there?, Coleoptera website. Accessed December 13, 2012.Plant pests: The biggest threats to food security?, BBC News, November 8, 2011. Accessed December 13, 2012.Introduction to Bioluminescent Beetles, by Dr. John C. Day, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) Oxford. Accessed December 17, 2012Glow-Worms, Railroad-Worms, University of Florida, accessed December 17, 2012.

Please give a conclusion of this presentation Essay

Please give a conclusion of this presentation - Essay Example For a good student, after graduation, he or she is married and take time to think about the future life. Get money and save for the sake of the future life and for the coming generation. For students, the major aim is to have focus on the future life. For a good student, he or she is supposed to have a good future by passing very well and avoid debts in order to build wealth by saving from the little earned at work. It is health to save money because of emergency and wealth building. Also one can avoid impulse buying because of the stress one faces and may lead to a syndrome problem. In building the wealth one must create a budget that will govern and direct the investment procedures. Wealth has values like creating security to someone and promotes investment. One should avoid credit cards because they facilitate a lot of spending. It is a challenge for the students to focus on their lives and think about their

Systems and Operation Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Systems and Operation Management - Essay Example The reason why Apple is one of the most acclaimed companies that stands out from the rest of the technology companies is the fact that it has continued to grow through the continuous redefinition of standards and techniques of innovation right from the products designed, to the way that they are marketed and also their improvement. The partnership of Wozniak and Jobs proved to be the perfect recipe for building one of the largest technology companies in the world. The former was the real technical genius who endeavored to create the first computer whereas the latter made advertisements and was involved in the marketing of the first computer. In the summer of 1976, the first computer named apple I was created. By either luck or intensive marketing, it was sold to the Byte Shop which was the premier retail customer chain in the world. The remarkable feat is that the two were able to successfully build and sell all of the first 50 computers that they made in that first summer in operati on. The official incorporation of the company occurred on January 3rd in 1977. This gave the two partners the motivation they required and in that year, they started working on the Apple II but this time with the help of some of their friends who were technically-savvy. The company image was born out of Job’s passion for computers which led to him consulting with the then retired Intel Corporation’s marketing manager, Michael Markkula who even bought a third of the company for $250,000. As the business grew, the three partners thought it prudent to appoint Michael Scott as their CEO and the first president. However, before the launch of the Apple two, it was decided that the company update its image. This led to the involvement of Robert Janoff. The design that he designed is still in use even up to today. The art director states that the only direction that he got from Steve Jobs was that he should not attempt to make the design sweet (Razl 2009). The Apple II and its antecedent the Apple I were very great successes for the company. This prompted them to start working on the Apple III. This project was the first failure for the company and it sparked a protracted battle between Scott and Jobs. This escalated when Scott unanimously, without consulting the board of directors, to sack 40 employees. This action led to his demotion to vice chairman with Jobs assuming the mantle of chairman. Markkula assumed the position of CEO and this led to Scott’s resignation in 1981. Although the tension within the company continued to escalate, the Apple Lisa was to be developed using a new Graphic User Interface (GUI) (Bellis 2009). Jobs were the brainchild behind this development after a visit to the Xerox Company and it is no wonder that the computer was named after his oldest daughter. Xerox seemed oblivious to the potential that this technology had and although they were using it in their products, they did not consider it as being viable to be used in personal computers. Jobs as the lead designer of the Lisa continued to test consumer reaction while continuously improving the interface. Markkula, being impatient with this maneuver relieved Jobs of his role as the lead designer which in turn led him to being demoted and subsequently, John Sculley was hired as the new CEO. The

The Impact of Using oil Base Mud in Oil Drilling Rigs Dissertation

The Impact of Using oil Base Mud in Oil Drilling Rigs - Dissertation Example This dissertation will discuss the impact of using oil based mud in oil rigs for National Drilling Company in United Arab Emirates. In order to determine the impact of using oil based mud in drilling operations, the main components of oil rigs must be examined. This dissertation will examine the five main systems of an oil rig and the purpose they serve in the drilling process. In order to understand the impact and importance of drilling fluids in the drilling process, this research will examine them in detail. Drilling fluid, also called drilling mud, was first introduced simply as a way to drill cuttings out of the wellbore. The life cycle assessment in this research will examine disposal methods of drilling mud as well. The disposal of oil based mud currently presents some difficult problems with a consequent increase in operating costs. Currently, for example, National Drilling Company's disposal of oil based mud involves containing the mud and transporting it to the mud plant for disposal which is an expensive process. Improper disposal methods may result in damage to the environment, followed by a lengthy and costly recovery period. This dissertation will examine the full impact of using oil based in the drilling process and provide National Drilling Company with alternatives that are more environmentally friendly and cost effective.  In order to understand all of the functions of drilling mud, it is essential to understand the drilling process and know the main systems and the components of an oil rig.  ... Harvard Medical School (2002) did a life cycle assessment on the oil recovery process and identified the negative health and environmental impacts at every stage in the process. Several countries around the world are considered large oil producers, such as United Arab Emirates. This dissertation will discuss the impact of using oil based mud in oil rigs for National Drilling Company in United Arab Emirates. In order to determine the impact of using oil based mud in drilling operations, the main components of oil rigs must be examined. This dissertation will examine the five main systems of an oil rig and the purpose they serve in the drilling process. In order to understand the impact and importance of drilling fluids in the drilling process, this research will examine them in detail. Drilling fluid, also called drilling mud, was first introduced simply as a way to drill cuttings out of the wellbore (Charles, 1984). Today, as deeper and more hazardous wells are drilled to meet the de mand for oil, drilling mud has become a much more important part of the drilling process. Drilling mud is now considered the primary well control and drilling operations are not conducted without them (Id.). This research will examine the functions of drilling mud that are essential to the drilling process. These functions are: 1) transporting formation cuttings to the surface, 2) preventing formation fluids from entering the wellbore, 3) protecting the walls of the wellbore from collapsing, 4) cooling and lubricating drilling equipment (i.e. drill bit, drill string), 5) equalizing formation pressure (hydrostatic pressure) and preventing it from reaching the surface, 6)

Eco Friendly Housing

Eco Friendly Housing Eco-Friendly Housing Chapter 1 General Information 1.1 Introduction Environment is being abused by some. Trees are being cut down for their business. The consequence of their actions is affecting the safety of the people in earth. Because of the extreme usage and wasting of our environmental resources our ecosystem has become compromised. This paper involves reasons why there is an increase in eco-friendly housing. It involves the study of the factors as well as the life cycle cost. The paper also includes the beginning of eco friendly houses and the increasing number of eco friendly houses. With stringent measures planned by the government to ensure greater energy efficiency and a reduction in the demand for water and electricity, it seems energy efficient eco houses are the way to the future. (Nini and Mokoena, 2008). The impact we have impaled on our earths environment can no longer be ignored. There have been thousands of acres of woodlands reaped for the use of only a few houses. Leftovers from construction projects and homes demolished to place new homes on land purchased are ending up in our landfills to only sit there for thousands of years, poisoning our earth painfully, a little at a time. This poisoning will affect not only the planet for us but for centuries to come. Many people have found come to believe that our earth is worth more to them as a whole, rather than as a part and have started taken part in recycling projects, even getting into building recycled homes from earth, eco-friendly homes.(Prior, 2005). We will be able to evaluate the importance of eco friendly houses in UK. It is claim by others that houses comprises the biggest demand for wood; therefore they are one of the destroyers of the environment. Enable to prevent such destruction UK government are studying the implementation of the eco-friendly law. Today eco friendly awareness and the understanding of renewable energy are paramount in the future of our planets survival. Many households around the UK are starting to realise that changes in the way we run our homes and the products we use in them need to adapt in order to help prevent further climate change. The reason for promoting eco friendly houses is really quite important. We need to live more lightly on the earth, because the degradation of our environment comprises not only our survival, but the survival of most other living beings on the planet. It is now evident the impact of earths ecosystems. Studies and reaches are increasing to be able to evaluate how bad our environment is. Builders and other construction company are now engaging on the campaign to build eco-friendly houses. Building an eco-friendly house involves proper choice of materials to be used. How we build our homes, both in design and choice of materials, is one of the most significant ways that we can affect our future. What is an eco- friendly house? Eco-friendly houses are those that were designed from the ground up to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly. 1.2 Aims and Objectives As one-third of the UKs carbon emissions come from homes, rules on how our homes are built and maintained have become stricter. Builders have had to make changes in design, materials, building methods and energy efficiency in order to adhere to the new, tougher regulations. Below is an example of eco friendly house. Sample of an eco-friendly house Source: http://www.cleanairgardening.com/houseplan.html This dissertation aims is to investigate the effects of housing upon the environment and the factors that need to be implemented to make the construction ECO friendly within the UK. Also the Life cycle costing will be presented to find the cost difference between general construction and ECO friendly development. As a whole this paper will evaluate the importance of having a sticker standard in building new houses. There are some who may think that this will be very costly, question about the cost will be answered in the later part of the paper. It is also the objective of this paper to enumerate the usefulness of having an eco friendly house. Construction Companies is now joining the team of architects who are now designing eco-friendly houses. 1.3 Research and Methodology This dissertation aims to determine the effects of housing upon the environment. To be able to assess the effects we will be doing qualitative researches why such effects exist. The reason will be analyzed to evaluate how it will affect the building of houses. In order to do this, a research work was done using the internet, journals and books as our resources. It also aims to identify the factors that need to be implemented to make the construction ECO friendly within the UK. Using a qualitative method of research we will try to show the effects and factors by presenting studies and approaches done about Eco- friendly housing. In the literature review the review on the current policy done by the National Housing, planning consultants, and EDAW are discussed. The review of policy has come up with the results to further promote the construction of Eco friendly housing. Also in the literature review are the principles involve in building Eco friendly houses, established by Building Biology and Ecology Institute of New Zealand (BBE). The dissertation also includes design and costing of the eco friendly houses and the conventional style of houses. There is a great difference on the design and materials used. The reason on why these where designed this why will be explained as you go along with the paper. This dissertation will have a clear view of the stand of UK government on encouraging architects and designer to create an eco friendly house. 1.4 Summary of Dissertation Chapter 1 of this paper includes the introduction, aims and objective of the study and the methodology used. In the introduction eco friendly houses are defined including the picture of how eco friendly house looks like. In the article of Joseph Rowentree Foundation, focus was to lessen the impact of housing in the environment. National Housing Week, planning consultants, EDAW, reviewed current policy and practice and convened three working seminars to highlight key trends and initiatives in the UK and in Europe as a whole. The reviewed of the policy was done because of the emerging consensus that a more sustainable approach to our environment is required. The way in which housing is located, built and maintained has a profound impact on the environment. The result of the reviewed are as follows: (www.jrf.org.uk). There is no pressure or requirement in the UK to design houses which minimise the use of non-renewable building materials, conserve energy or reduce water consumption. The UK lags far behind other European countries in finding ways of reducing housings impact on the environment. It is almost impossible for consumers to judge the environmental credentials of individual houses. The building industry is not required to give such information to consumers, nor are they or local authorities making any attempt to do so. The location of new developments and the physical layout of neighbourhoods influence car use. Several initiatives in Europe have made real progress in reducing car travel. Few local authorities in the UK have made much progress on this front. A wide range of effective, but small-scale local initiatives are under way in the UK and in the rest of Europe. However, the combined impact of these initiatives in the UK does not add up to any significant change in practice. The researchers conclude that significant changes are needed in central and local government policies and in the behaviour of developers and consumers if future investment in housing is to become more sustainable. The impact of housing in the environment depends on the way the housing is built, maintained and used. The location of any new development and its relationship to existing developments are important in minimising the effect. Below are the ways on what to do to lessen the effect in the environment Use of non-renewable resources Policies governing the design, construction and renovation of housing do not impose any requirement through legislation, regulation or fiscal incentives to minimise the use of non-renewable resources. There is no pressure to use designs which minimise the use of non-renewable material, re-cycled materials or materials which use less energy to manufacture. Energy consumption Energy consumption in houses accounts for 30 per cent of the UKs total energy consumption each year. UK houses perform poorly by comparison with the rest of Europe. On average UK homes consume more than 10 times the energy consumed by state-of-the-art houses being built elsewhere in Europe. Changes in the building regulations requiring improved standards of energy efficiency in new houses do not match the standards being achieved elsewhere in Europe. No regulation addresses energy-efficiency standards in existing houses. Ninety per cent of the current housing stock will still exist in 2020; significant investment in achieving higher standards of energy conservation in this stock, through insulation and double glazing, would bring major environmental benefits. Water consumption One-third of the water abstracted in England and Wales is consumed by households. Two-thirds of this drinking water is used to flush WCs, wash clothes or dishes and for bathing. Except when there are water shortages there is no expectation that households will conserve or re-cycle water. There is no consumer expectation or commitment from housebuilders to design homes in ways that conserve water. The location of new housing The Department of the Environment forecasts that there will be an increase of 4.4 million households in Britain between 1991 and 2016. The location and characteristics of these houses will have a major impact on Britains progress to achieving a more sustainable environment. There is wide-spread agreement that more houses should be built within existing urban areas, but scepticism that the existing planning system and fiscal policies will achieve the maximum level of development on brownfield land. No mechanism exists to translate national housing requirements into effective land allocations in each local authority area in ways which take into account the impact on the environment. In particular, regional planning mechanisms are weak. There is no effective mechanism in the planning system to ensure that housebuilders and developers first consider sites within the urban area, before seeking permission to develop on greenfield sites. Neighbourhoods All neighbourhoods have an ecological footprint. Neighbourhoods which are most compact and self-contained, with more local shopping, employment and community facilities, have a smaller footprint. One implication of this is a potential reduction in dependence on the private car. Just under a third of all car mileage travelled each year is between home and work. Road transport is responsible for 91 per cent of carbon monoxide and 51 per cent of nitrogen dioxide in the UK. Reducing the need to use the car will make a significant contribution to more sustainable neighbourhoods. Altering car-parking requirements in statutory plans and the development of housing without any provision for cars can have big effects. Initiatives on this are being undertaken in Europe:

Essay --

World-renowned doctor Hans Selye once said, â€Å"It’s not stress that kills us, it is our reaction to it.† When parents and adults recall their college experience they often remember it as time where they had much freedom and few responsibilities. To students currently attending college, however, this time frame is often viewed as extremely stressful and exhausting. Stress is by far the most important health issue that college students face. Stress reactions have the ability to affect our overall health, our sleep patterns, and our school performance as it prevents us from meeting our everyday goals. It is extremely important for students to be able to identify and manage their stress levels and apply techniques that will enable them to reduce their stress. Stress not only plays an important factor on your overall wellness, but it is the leading cause to weight gain and the so-called â€Å"Freshman 15.† Without parental supervision and time refrains, college students often like to take advantage of their freedom by consuming whatever foods they desire. Instead of opting for healthy choices most students would much rather run to the cafeteria and grab a quick slice of pizza, or stop at the local fast food joint rather than making a salad in their dorm room or blending up a smoothie. Not only do these fatty fast foods taste good, but also they are also extremely easy to obtain especially when students have short breaks in between classes. Unfortunately this so called â€Å"15-pound† is not only acquired from the food decision student’s make, but also from the amount of alcohol they consume on weekends. Like the iconic movie portrayals, college students often enjoy going out on both weeknights and weekends consuming an over abundance of alcoh... ...r students to be able to take a few hours or even a few minutes of their day to do things that they enjoy. Relaxation techniques are extremely valuable in terms of stress management as they make it possible for students to spend a few minutes in a relaxing state of mind. Some other de-stressors are exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy diet, reducing caffeine intake, and getting on a normal sleep schedule. Most college students often lack time management skills, and are prone to procrastinating. It is beneficial to find a balance by setting realistic everyday goals and to keep your life and health in check in order and to manage one’s stress. College is supposed to be the best years of your life, not the most stressful years of your life. Therefore it is important to recognize how to maintain a healthy balance and how to cope and deal with everyday stress.

A Visit of Charity

Hope Biggs Character Analysis Paper Dr. Brookter January 22, 2013 No Charity, No Change Charity is defined as a voluntary giving of help and generosity especially towards the needy or suffering. This small simple word conveys a much bigger meaning, one of compassion and selflessness. In the story, â€Å"A Visit of Charity† the true act of charity seems to be missing. It is as if the main pieces of the puzzle are missing. The story has framework but lacks the compassion and selflessness needed to bring it to life. The reality is, charity never came to visit.The story is about a young teenage girl, Marion, who in order to gain points for her Campfire Girl Club must visit the Old Ladies Home. By simply buying a potted plant and taking it to one of the residents, she gained three points but she can earn extra points for bringing her bible and reading it to the residents. Marion brings only a plant. (Welty 111) â€Å"A Visit of Charity† begins by describing the cold winter d ay and a description of the nursing home, â€Å"a whitewashed brick and reflected the winter sunlight like a block of ice† (Welty 111).This description alone not only describes the buildings appearance but also is descriptive of the coldness and the lack of feeling for the elderly. Marion is no different. No thought was put into what might be helpful and useful for the residents, like toiletries, socks, or even food. Instead her only preparation for the visit was buying the potted plant. It is a clear indication of her selfishness and a reflection of a society that does not value its elderly. Her main concern is in getting points because she brings a potted plant.No real thought is put into who to give it to or who might actually enjoy it. She receives more than she gives and this reveals a true character flaw in Marion. Repeatedly in this story she reveals a selfishness and lack of connectivity to anything or anyone that does not benefit her. This is evident when Marion tell s the nurse, â€Å"I have to pay a visit to some old ladies† (Welty 111). And when she is asked if she knows any of them, Marion states, â€Å"no but that is, any of them will do† (Welty 111). The use of â€Å"some† and â€Å"any† are evidenced that she has no interest in where she is or whom she will meet.There has been no preparation or thought of who could benefit from her visit other herself. In addition, either out of fear or self-preservation, Marion’s views the two old women not as people but as animals and birds. She refers as to one as having a â€Å"bleating† sound of a sheep and the other as having a â€Å"birds claw†. Her descriptions of the women are reflective of disrespect for older people. In a sense she dehumanizes them as to not see their real needs or pains. Sensory deprivation is often seen in older adults that lack stimulation and human contact.Older adults who are confined to a nursing home often lose track of ti me, place, and person. Joseph Casciani, a geropsychologist, stated in an article about sensory loss, â€Å"Added restrictions, such as confinement to bed or Geri-chair, increases the risk (of sensory deprivation). † But the old ladies are not the only ones experiencing sensory deprivation. Marion has difficulty answering the old women’s questions and to her surprise â€Å"Marion cannot remember her name† (Welty 111). It would be nice to believe that Marion’s lack of response was evidence of a tiny bit of empathy towards these old ladies but it is doubtful.Marion is oblivious to the older lady’s needs; her thoughts are only of herself and her desire to escape. Time stands still and the tiny room closes in on her. She realizes that the doors are closed and at one point she contemplates if she were to get sick, would they let her leave? Her only sign of compassion comes when she is told of Addie’s birthday and she asks her how old she is. Addie ’s response is to cry, possibly from the realization that she is spending her birthday alone with her roommate, a stranger, and isolated from anyone else. Or maybe she cried because she actually thought Marion cared.Regardless, Marion’s compassion was short lived. It is a mirror image of our present day society and our seemingly short attention span to the needs and hurts of our elderly. Brief encounters, brief awareness, but little intervention, and no real change. Clearly, all that Marion has encountered is a bit too much for her. Her lack of forethought and preparation of what to bring is also carried over in lack of planning on what she would do or say while she was there. Her thoughts quickly move to how she can escape without physical contact from either of the two old women.The harsh realities of life close in and she quickly escapes into the hallway with one of the old women following her begging for a penny, â€Å"Oh, little girl, have you a penny to spare fo r a poor old women that’s not got anything of her own? We don’t have a thing in the world-not a penny for candy-not a thing! Little girl, just a nickel-a penny? †(Welty 111). Her mind was only on escape, her ears may have heard what the old woman was saying but her heart did not respond to the need. Marion was out of her comfort zone and her one desire was to get back in it as quickly as possible.The same can be said for our generation that ignores the cry of our elderly. To truly see and respond to their needs, readers must get out of their comfort zones. We have become a generation that has found value in the selfishness of our own desires instead of the needs of the greatest generation that gave sacrificially for the freedoms we now enjoy. Marion may have escaped the discomfort of the Old Ladies Home but the could not escape the knowledge of the harsh realities that she witnessed there. At the end of the story a red apple appears.It is uncertain what the apple symbolizes and how it pertains to the story. One can merely speculate to its importance. In biblical times the apple was symbolic of the knowledge of good and evil. This shows the evidence, â€Å"When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable  for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband,  who was with her, and he ate it. † (New International Version, Genesis 3:6). An apple was given to Adam to eat and when he did his whole life changed.It is quite possible the apple represents that once we have the knowledge of another’s needs but we fail to act on it, then we are no different than any other evil generation. With knowledge comes responsibility. â€Å"A Visit of Charity† is a story that sends a message to our society. What will we do with the knowledge once we discover it? We are clearly a generation that has unlimited access to all kinds of information and knowl edge. But with knowledge must come responsibility and that requires that we get out of our comfort zones and meet the needs of the less fortunate and the hurting.Otherwise we are a generation of Marion’s who think only of themselves and lack the character to change not only their own destiny, but anyone else, as well. Work Cited Welty, Eudora. â€Å"A Visit of Charity. † Making Literature Matter. Ed. John Schilb, John Clifford. New York: 2012. 55-56. Print. Casciani, Joseph. â€Å"Sensory Touch in Older Adults- Taste, Smell & Touch – Behavioral Approaches for Caregivers†. Ezine Articles. com. April 9, 2008. Web. January 16, 2013. Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Ed. Kenneth L. Barker. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002. Print.

Abortion, A Freedom of Choice essays

Abortion, A Freedom of Choice essays During the last twenty-five years, abortion has been one of the most intense topics being debated in the United States. The only topics that equal the abortion debate are race and war. Abortion is a discussion of human interaction where ethics, emotions, and law come together. There are people that have different opinions of abortion, but clearly they all fall in one of two sides; the pro-choice and the pro-life. A pro-choice person would feel that the decision to abort a pregnancy is that of the mothers and the government has no right to get in the way. A pro-lifer would hold its pregnancy from the very beginning because to them the embryo or fetus is alive. Since this embryo or fetus is alive and is a person you have no moral right to abort a life. If you aborted the pregnancy, you would be considered a murderer in a pro-lifers eyes. The word murder is basically used by pro-lifers to describe what happens when you abort an embryo/fetus, b ut what murder really means is a deliberate and unjustified killing of another person containing intent. How can anyone tell a woman that they cant abort an embryo/fetus to interrupt a pregnancy if it is a result of rape or incest? A woman cannot bear the thought of having a child that would be a constant reminder of what happened on that horrific day that was a number of years ago. The women do not want to kill a baby; they just want to interrupt the growth of an embryo so that it will not become a baby. All they are doing is interrupting potential life. If a woman aborts an embryo at a very early stage, it is not even recognizable as human and thats why potential life is just that,potential. My personal belief is that each woman has the right to decide whether she wants to abort an unwanted pregnancy. Remember the cancellati...

The Importance And Significance Of Self Awareness Social Work Essay Essay Example

The Importance And Significance Of Self Awareness Social Work Essay Essay Example The Importance And Significance Of Self Awareness Social Work Essay Paper The Importance And Significance Of Self Awareness Social Work Essay Paper Self consciousness, harmonizing to Wong ( 2003 ) , means acknowledgment of our personality, strengths and failings and likes and disfavors. As a societal worker, ego consciousness is an indispensable component to fix oneself to meet the clients personal affair, their attitudes, ideas, etc. The essay is traveling to discourse the importance and significance of ego consciousness. Then speak about what I have learnt about myself, in footings of my personalities, attitudes, strengths, restrictions and how my past experiences affect me. Finally correlate how self consciousness can assist my professional development as a societal worker. Harmonizing to Rothman ( 1999 ) , everyone has its ain attitudes or point of views towards something. Our ideas and values are shaped during the clip of babyhood, childhood, adolescence and maturity. These thought may be based on our ain experiences, instruction received or society influences. It is clear that our past experiences, societal norms, values from the others, features, biass or stereotypes form Knowing how my past experiences influence my ain values helps me to be more cognizant of my ain ego. Having an uncle who committed self-destruction that made my household, particularly my grandma, sad and suffering, I personally hate people who have the purpose to stop up their lives. However, this hate may do me unable to do the most appropriate determination when a client who has the will to perpetrate suicide seeks aid from me. Furthermore, as suggested by Biestek ( 1961 ) , the relationship between the societal worker and the client has been called the psyche of casework. It may be difficult for me to develop appropriate relationship with the client. It is possible that I will hold uncontrolled emotional engagement and judgmental attitudes towards the client. Without self consciousness and cognizing what experiences form my ideas, I will see trouble in supplying sensitive and adept services to the clients. I may besides unwittingly reject the client and avoid speaking excessively much about decease unconsciously. However, by cognizing what experiences are impacting my values and ideas, Rothman ( 1999 ) suggested that it assists the worker to work with clients, and to command and minimise the influences of personal attitudes and beliefs that may be harmful and damaging toward clients. Biass, prejudices and stereotypes may be great barriers on my professional development. It is common that when come to minorities such as cocottes, homophiles or the street slumberers, people may see their behaviours as unethical. It may due to their personal values, cultural, spiritual and other beliefs which people take for granted to follow when confronting these issues. I besides have biass and stereotypes on them and they may be expressed in conversations, acts or behaviors since they are hidden in the subconscious as suggested by Rothman ( 1999 ) . I may unwittingly hold words that harm them and do them defensive or non swear in me. Therefore doing it difficult to develop good relationship with the client and difficult to hold intercession procedures. For illustration, I have been exposed to a strong heterosexual prejudice and may integrate some homophobic reactions such as uncomfortableness or hatred of homosexual people. Without self-awareness and cognition, I may non be able to supply adept services to gay or sapphic clients. If a worker has spiritual belief, he or she may even hold a strong belief that homosexualism is a wickedness. Harmonizing to Sheafor and Morales ( 2007 ) , one of the competencies required for societal work pattern is the capacity to prosecute in ethnic- , gender- and age-sensitive pattern. In order to accomplish this, it is indispensable for a worker to happen ways and methods to divide their personal belief system from their professional values, moralss and functions. Knowing my strengths and failings besides helps me with my professional development. I am glad and patient to listen to others. At the same clip, I am besides empathic to others experiences and troubles. It makes the clients experience being respected and therefore it is easier to develop a proper client-worker relationship. It is of extreme importance that the client trust you Reflecting on our ain experiences and developmental phases helps when working with clients. For illustration, I was diffident and non willing to show my attention towards others in my childhood. And I would hold no chance to demo my love to my grandma who died old ages ago. The losingss in my life do me re-think the manner I used to be and endeavor for a alteration, that is, be more outgoing and caring to others. I can therefore pull on my personal experience when working with immature people and steer them in the changing procedure. However, it besides makes me see my restrictions, that is, when working with aged clients. I can associate my experience that is similar to a adolescent s, nevertheless, it is impossible for me to hold certain troubles faced by aged clients such as the aging procedure. As suggested by Berman-Rossi ( 2001 ) , a societal worker therefore must develop aging relevant cognition, self awareness, sensitiveness and accomplishment. Knowledge about aging demograph ics, age-related alterations and developmental undertakings is indispensable. Although there are restrictions to my service provided, there are ways to minimise the insufficiency. Increased openness to other ways of thought My household is a blissful one, sometimes holding some struggles but still harmonious on the whole. I one time thought that it is normal to hold the sort of household like mine, and at least most of the households are likewise. However, it is incorrect as there are diversenesss in household construction. Some households are single-parented, while some may hold immense communicating jobs among household members or holding household members that are drug nuts that greatly affects the household. Sharing ain feelings and ideas among a group of equals helps to do up one s ain point of view towards the population. By listening and sharing, one can cognize more about the equals attitudes on the issue, to analyze their ain attitudes and to interchange sentiments in an overview. One can besides hold a broader position on an issue and Social workers must face their ain biass and stereotypes about minorities. Making myself known about losingss in my ain life helps me to understand what past experiences or feelings are impacting my ain values and ideas today.

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

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

Eroding Privacy Rights Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Eroding Privacy Rights - Essay Example   A watershed moment in world history, the morning of September 11th, 2001 will forever be ingrained in the American national psyche. From a political, social and economic perspective, the hijackings of 9/11 were unparalleled in scope and sheer devastation. In a fascinating article entitled "Measuring the Effects of the September 11 Attack on New York City†, it was estimated that the direct cost of the attack stood at between $33 billion and $36 billion to the city of New York (Bram, Orr & Rappaport 55). In addition to the direct economic costs associated with terrorism and the threat of further terrorism, 9/11 also had important political ramifications.   The USA Patriot Act of 2001 (a contrived acronym meaning Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) was established in the aftermath of September 11th to protect Americans from the threat of future terror on American soil.   Controversial from the outse t, the Patriot Act represented a serious departure from established legal norms and prior American jurisprudence with respect to privacy legislation (ACLU 2008).   Created under the pretense of securing the United States against the threat of terror in the wake of 9/11, the Patriot Act of 2001 significantly strengthened the scope of powers afforded to law enforcement agencies while redefining the term terrorism to include domestic terror, i.e. homegrown terror perpetrated by American citizens.