Fat and Happy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Fat and Happy - Essay Example The essay begins by exaggerating common mistaken notions of how and why being fat is a personal, social, and medical liability, then provides evidence and examples for each to show why society developed the perception that the body defines and reflects who a person is. Facts expose and dispel the underlying viewpoint, proving fat people can be beautiful, gracious, elegant, strong, and healthy, just like you and me. The influence of these perspectives can pose a more serious health risk than fatness itself, insults and dieting "must certainly contribute to the shortening of many fat people's lives." (Worley, par. 8) The added stress and effort caused by worrying about your body's set point, means that some would be "happier and healthier not concentrating energies on weight change." (Curtis, ed., A1) Ignorance, inaccurate knowledge, and personal biases being the roots of these mistakes, the essay enhances our knowledge of "fatness" by sharing touching, personal experiences. In additio n to correcting the reader, she gives alternative solutions that cost less and are comfortable and enjoyable: to know and understand the body, to know why some are predisposed to being fat, and how to gain a deeper appreciation and acceptance of our bodies and who we really are. The essay is serious but entertaining, lighthearted but credible, full of evidence familiar to both sides in the issue: fat people who feel miserable and the not-fat who cause the misery. The essay is written to provoke a reaction from any reader with personal issues on the topic. She uses a large variety of argumentative techniques, filling the essay with analogies, assumptions, metaphors, and similes, using authority and common ground, appealing to emotions (pathos) and ethos (the author after all is fat), as well as stimulating the imagination with vivid descriptions of the inhabitants of the "planet" where fat is good and beautiful, as they socialize in swimsuits and show their talents like belly-dancing. Personally, I don't have issues against fat people, although I have friends who do. I also have fat friends whom I have observed to be suffering the miserable consequences of non-acceptance. I have, to be sure, been on the giving end of this lack of acceptance, if only unintentionally. Now that I am seven months pregnant, I feel I am on the receiving end of these biases, and can add my own personal experiences to Worleys list. The alternative to accepting the status quo is to help others see that being fat is as good and beautiful as any other body type, that fat people can be healthy and strong, and that being fat is neither a sign of weakness nor a disease. Understanding that these mistaken notions are the effect of faulty reasoning, I can avoid the same mistakes in the future and help others avoid them. These specious arguments appear, at first, to be logical, but are not. The essay shows that associating "fat" with "bad" is merely a prejudice, so people who think that way are gui lty of non sequitur. A product of careless thinking, the idea of fatness equating negatively is as incorrect as associating "slim" with "bad."

Securitization Pros Essay Example for Free

Securitization Pros Essay The introduction of financial sector reforms in India has led to innovations in financial markets and instruments. One of the most prominent developments in the international finance in recent times that is likely to assume even greater importance in future is ‘securitisation’. Securitisation is the process of pooling and re-packaging of homogenous illiquid loans into marketable securities. Increased pressure on operating efficiency, on market niches, on competitive advantages, and on capital strength, all provide fuel for rapid changes. Securitisation is one of the solutions to these challenges. 2. Reserve Bank of India, as a facilitator, has attempted to explore the intricacies of securitisation as a process of financial engineering and its applicability to the Indian financial system especially in the mortgage and infrastructure sectors. The in-house Working Group constituted by the Bank had the benefit of presentations of and interaction with market intermediaries, regulators, industry experts and international agencies on various aspects associated with securitisation. 3. The report defines asset securitisation and makes a reference to future flow securitisation. Motivation and benefits in the form of capital relief, improvement in return on equity and return on assets, use as a strategic tool, asset liability management, improved liquidity, upgradation in system, Originator discipline, etc. have been highlighted. 4. Various impediments viz. , lack of investors’ base, capital market infrastructure, regulatory framework, legal provisions, accounting and taxation issues besides good quality assets, past data and standardisation of documents have been identified. In the process of exploring opportunities in India, the ideal conditions for success of securitisation in USA and other countries are highlighted. 5. Experience of securitisation in a few developed countries (USA, Japan, Australia, etc. ) and emerging markets like Thailand, Argentina and Morocco has been discussed in detail. The report also identifies securitisation of impaired assets. 6. The disclosure norms and rating will provide touchstones. The Offer Document should give rating rationale which should seek to comment on the quality of the receivables, payment structures, adequacy of the credit enhancement, risks and concerns for investors and the mitigating factors, etc. Rating agencies have already acquired a fair degree of expertise in India through rating of structured obligations and other issues that are quite similar to securitisation. 7. True sale characteristics of securitisation transactions are required to be reflected in the books of accounts, statements to be furnished to the concerned regulators as also to the tax authorities. Since there are no guidelines for accounting treatment of these transactions, the accounting procedures with appropriate guidelines need to be framed by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India for the sake of uniformity. A background paper has been prepared in this regard and attached to this report which may serve as a guide in the interregnum. The background paper includes a few illustrations for the guidance of the financial entities. 8. The role of various regulators (RBI, SEBI, etc. ) and other agencies / entities has also been discussed. 9. The recommendations have been categorised into short-term, medium-term and longterm with definite timeframe in each category. The major recommendations on legal issues (short-term) are incorporated in Chapter 9. These include: i) Defining securitisation in the Transfer of Property Act to lend uniformity of approach and restrict the benefits provided by law/regulation for genuine securitisation transactions. ii) Rationalisation of stamp duty to make it uniform at 0. 1 per cent for all securitisation transactions. Attempts may be made to bring the subject under the purview of Indian Stamps Act 1889 from the State Stamp Acts. ii) Reduction of registration charges by amending Section 17(2) of the Registration Act. iv) Inclusion of securitised instruments in Securities Contract Regulation Act. v) SEBI may consider removal of prohibition on investment in mortgage backed securities by Mutual Fund Schemes. vi) Tax neutrality of Special Purpose Vehicle. Recommendations for tax reforms also in clude the spread of upfront income received by Originator over the tenure of the loan securitised, extension of benefits under Section 88 of Income Tax Act for repayment of housing loans after the loans have been securitised etc. 10. Other recommendations are summarised below: i) The most significant impact of securitisation arises from the placement of different risks and rights of an asset with the most efficient owner. The training institutes of the financial institutions should attempt to spread awareness of the benefits and scope of securitisation increasingly among financial community. ii) Spell out the risk weights and NPA norms on securitised paper. Insurance Companies and Provident Funds need to be encouraged to invest in the securitised paper. Besides, suitable regulatory framework may have to be evolved to encourage Foreign Institutional Investors. ii) Listing requirements for various securities to be issued may be stipulated which may include minimum issue size, eligible stock exchanges etc. iv) Include the securitised paper in demat trading. v) While identifying the key characteristics of special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to keep the structure â€Å"remote† from the bankruptcy of the Originator, t he Group recommends flexibility in the structure of SPV. SEBI may formulate detailed guidelines in this regard. vi) Accounting treatment should enable the ‘off balance sheet’ effect for securitised assets. Such treatment for future flow securitisation, credit enhancer etc. has been clarified. A Research Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India is already working on minute details of accounting treatment. vii) Adequate disclosure norms are recommended for an ‘informed† decision by the investor. A model Offer document has been attempted by the Group to give information on description of assets, historical performance, end use of funds, transaction structure, and statement of risk factors. The Group also recommends continuous disclosures. iii) The report has suggested prudential guidelines for banks, developmental financial institutions, non-banking finance companies, etc. including broad creteria for true sale. Model prudential guidelines have been prepared which incorporate issues such as off balance sheet treatment, credit enhancement, servicing, etc. ix) Medium term measures include increased flow of information thorough credit bureaus, standardisation of documents, improvement in the quality of assets, upgradation of computer skills and exploration of the possibilities of securitising non-performing assets.

Solutions to Gang Violence in Society Essay -- Gang Violence Crimes Vi

Gang violence is a major problem in our society today. If nothing is done soon, gang violence could take place in our neighborhoods. MW Klein, a gang researcher, says that gangs are an aggregation of youths who perceive themselves as distinct, and that are viewed as distinct by the community. Klein also states that the gangs call forth a consistently negative image of themselves through their actions (Klein). To those involved in gangs however, gang membership provided a youth means of attempting to consolidate their gender identities (Douglas). Most of the early American street gangs have historically been ethnically based. Early gangs were mainly Irish, Polish, or Italian (Klein). Communities all over deal with gang violence. Criminologist and crime writer John E. Douglas, explained how the propagation of street gangs in America and the violence associated with them is disturbing. He mentioned that street gangs have a presence in 94 percent of all the U.S. cities with populations greater than 100,000 (Klein). A number of studies have been conducted dealing with gang violence throughout the world. One particular study in Chicago showed that five percent of elementary school children were affiliated with street gang, as well as 35 percent of high school dropouts (Klein). Elizabeth Van Ella of the Chicago Crime Commission, explained that in Chicago alone, 65,000 documented gang members account for 48 percent of the crime. A majority of the members thrive in business as a way to cover up their schemes (Hutson). They flourish in retail sales, computer sales, hospitals, office buildings, schools, transportation, and security firms. Practically, anywhere that pr ovides a cover for laundering money, and easy mobility (Hutson). Klein explains that another place that has been greatly affected is Los Angeles. Los Angeles has over 950 different gangs with more than 100,000 members. They are not just limited to inner-city ghettos, but are active in over 800 cities nation wide. Overall, nearly 100 cities with population’s less then 10,000 report active street gangs (Klein). Many stereotypes of gangs have been fabricated. The problem is that a majority of gang members do not fit these stereotypes, which, in turn, makes it hard for the to be caught (Klein). Traditionally they organize their group around a specific neighborhood, school or housing projec... ...versity Press. Fall 1995. General Reference Center Gold. 21 Jan 2007 Loeber R., and D.P. Farrington. â€Å"Serious and violent juvenile offenders: Risk factors and successful interventions.† Thousand Oaks. 1998. First Search. Feb 2007 Otero, Juan. â€Å"Curbing street gang violence,† National League of Cities. 21 Dec 1998. General Reference Center Gold. Jan 2007 Pfeiffer, Christian. â€Å"A toilet apart.† New Statesman. 2 Aug 1999. General Reference Center Gold. Mar 2007 Singer, Merrill. â€Å"Drugs, violence and moral panic in urban America,† American Anthropologist. Mar 1998. First Search. Feb 2007 Synder, Scott. â€Å"Movie portrayals of juvenile delinquency: part II—Sociology and psychology,† Adolescence. Summer 1995. First Search. Feb 2007 Walker, Hill M. et al., â€Å" The path to school failure, delinquency, and violence: Casual factors and some potential solutions,† Intervention in School and Clinic. Nov 1999. First Search. Feb 2007 Witt, Peter A. and Joni E. Baker. â€Å"Making A R.E.A.L. Difference,† Parks and Recreation. Mar 1999. General Reference Center Gold. Jan 2007 Wittmeier, Carmen. â€Å"Still no confession, but†¦,† Alberta Report. Aug 1999. General Reference Center Gold. Feb 2007

JP Morgan Chase Essay

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effects of how JP Morgan Chase, the biggest U.S. bank, announced trading losses from the decision make by its Chief Investment Office in the amount of $5.8 billion. It will also discuss actions taken by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the misconduct on the part of JP Morgan Chase. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Takes Action I would like to begin by briefly explaining the purpose and mission of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC was designed to protect investors, maintain, fair, orderly, and efficient markets and to facilitate capital formation. The SEC requires public companies to disclose significant and meaningful financial information to the public in order to guarantee security within the U.S. Federal prosecutors and the securities regulators filed charges against the Chief Investment Office (CIO) consisting of two JP Morgan Chase traders for the massive trade losses totaling $5.8 billion. The employees were charged with conspiracy, wire fraud, falsifying financial records and making false filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Securities and Exchange Commission simultaneously filed a corresponding civil complaint in which the agency signaled it would hold the bank accountable for disclosing inaccurate information to investors about the trading. Elements of Valid Contract – Good Faith and Fair Dealing in Banking Relationships Chapter 7 of The Legal Environment describes the element of what is contained in a valid contract. â€Å"Every contract contains and implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in its performance that imposes on each party a duty not to do anything that will deprive the other party of the benefits of the agreement. (The Legal Environment, (2013), p.190). I feel it is important for both consumers and bank to ensure they are acting in accordance with good faith and fair dealing. With complete understanding, the banks are ensuring they are doing everything necessary to conduct business with its consumers. As long as banks act in accordance with the terms of a contract or agreement, they should have contented with the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Intentional and Negligent Tort Actions An intentional tort transpires when an individual intentionally causes damage or injury to another person their property. Some examples are abuse, kidnapping or assault. A negligent tort transpires when an individual causes damage or injure to another without the intent to do so. An example of this would be a car accident or if someone accidentally slips, falls and becomes injured. Interference with Contractual Relations, Participating in Breach of Fiduciary Duty – The tort of interference with contractual relations protects the rights of a legally binding contract and requires the intent to interfere if such agreement has been breached. In the case of JP Morgan Chase I would be able to succeed based on the fact that the act of intentional tort action was carried out. The employees of JP Morgan Chase intentionally falsified financial records and committed the act of fraud. Protection of Online Banking In today’s world of online banking, the technology is simply an amazing necessity. Wells Fargo, for instance has â€Å"implemented firewalls, anti-malware defenses, password encryptions, application security testing and activity monitoring†. This provides a great deal of comfort to the consumer in ensuring their banking information and online account is protected. As an added measure, I feel banks should take that extra measure in continuing to be innovative by implementing new and diverse solutions to protect online banking. References: McKoy, Kevin, (2013) USA Today Bernstein, Harry, (2009). Negligence and Intentional Tort Law Douglas, Danielle, (2012). Banks Layer up on Security to Protect Customers. The Washington Post

Advertising: Information or Manipulation Essay

Advertising, also known as a part of the marketing process, has a rich background. When we talk about marketing the first things that come to our mind are high profit, goods and services and of course consumers. Advertising’s role should only exist in order to help society by real information about products and services. Moreover, it helps consumers decide what to purchase according their actual needs. Advertisements are located everywhere and no one can avoid seeing them. Thus, every individual in exposed to seeing at least one advertisement. Advertising is a form of mass communication with the public. It is a form of communication that typically attempts to persuade the potential customers to purchase or consume more of a particular brand of product/services. We could separate advertising in two categories. Giving information through advertising about a product is the first category that is innocent when facing the costumers. The second category has a manipulative effect on people. Thus, People exposed to specific advertisements are led to buy goods and services or do things that don’t actually want to do. And in order to attract audiences, some advertisers use different extreme technique that does more damage on the consumer’s life then with helping him. Therefore, we can say that advertising is based on manipulation and thus should be limited because it harmful. To start with, advertising reaches the mind of people and is dangerous when it is not real especially on children and youth. By unreal advertising we mean a shallow advertising that focuses on the desire and wants of people so the firms producing this product achieves sales and high profits. Young children are unable to understand advertising messages and the information given by these advertisements, therefore, children may consider these advertisements as the truth and the real world thus it will affect their behavior. According to the Washington post and their researches, â€Å"Federal regulators should restrict television advertising aimed at children 8 and younger because research shows youngsters lack the skills to question a commercial’s claims as anything but fact, the American Psychological Association said yesterday†. (Washington post article). Moreover, children will be affected by cartoons, kids’ shows†¦ Thus, manipulation is being forced on children by using the popular faces in cartoons like Hannah Montana, Dora†¦ For instance, during my childhood, there was a chocolate commercial for Disney (picture of the product) and the same chocolate bar was next to it. The price range was very apart since the chocolate by Disney was a brand name. And as a Disney fan I cried and begged for the chocolate bar that was by Disney. Thus, we can see here that manipulation in advertising is being implemented through the mind of children and is affecting their behavior.

THE REMOVALISTS A PLAY BY DA essays

THE REMOVALISTS A PLAY BY DA essays THE REMOVALISTS A PLAY BY DAVID WILLIAMSON David Williamson, widely regarded as Australias most successful playwright, has created a very controversial and very Australian glimpse of the Australian society during the early 1970s. A key theme in the play is the myth of the typical Aussie mateship, where every good mate stands by and helps another in need. Having said this, I believe that The Removalists simply cannot be adapted into the present day while retaining the strong sense of mateship. Throughout the past few decades, Australia has become more multicultural, more modernised and thus more independent. Some say that The Removalists characters are simply artificial and totally unbelievable, but the characters themselves are ideas, not dramatic creations. The composer has successfully divided the Australian society and represented them by just five characters which range from the removalist, a cold and money driven businessman and Kate a semi-upper-middle-class dentists wife who is accused surprisingly of having an affair. One of the funniest lines in the play was where Kates sister replied to her outburst: Kate: All this fuss about an affair. Anyone would think that Im a nymphomaniac! In The Removalists Williamson effectively dispels the myth of mateship in Australia. We are shown more than one type of mateship, some more obvious than others. We are first introduced to Simmonds; a beefy, fat and middle-aged sergeant readily abuses and embarrasses his lesser workmate Constable Ross on his first day in the force, with apparent relish. The ideal Aussie mate would show understanding and would always be happy to lend a helping hand to his lesser experienced partner. However, we are shown a few glimpses of Simmondss taking up a fatherly role towards Ross as if mocking him of his inexperience: I think the first thing you&apos...

Conflict Diamonds essays

Conflict Diamonds essays For thousands of years, diamonds have been an internationally recognized symbol of love, romance and marriage. However, a portion of the worlds diamonds come from areas where war and blood shed are an every day occurrence. In some countries, rebel groups use the profits made from the sale of diamonds to buy weapons for their military operations. In this paper, I will introduce you to conflict or blood diamonds and the rebel groups that mine them. I will also look at the horrific infringements on basic human rights that these groups commit on a normal basis. By definition, conflict diamonds are diamonds that originate from mines that are under the control of rebel groups who are fighting against their countrys government. Sierra Leone, a small country on the west coast of Africa, has for the last ten years been under the terror of an ever present civil war. This war is being fought between a rebel group known as the Revolutionary United Front and Sierra Leones present government. The RUF took control of some of Sierra Leones richest diamond mines in the mid nineties. They now use the profits they make from these diamonds to buy weapons for their army, made up mostly of young boys forced to conscript. (United Nations: Conflict Diamonds) The Revolutionary United Front use many different and violent to inflict terror on the innocent people of Sierra Leone. These tactics include kidnapings, rape, torture and executions. Most of all, the RUF is known for amputating the hand, arms, feet or legs of people in the districts it controls.(A mnesty International) In many instances, they get innocent women, children and old men to line up and stick out their hands, then they cut off the peoples hands using machetes, they use it to instill fear in the hearts of civilians (National Geographic). These brutal and heartless techniques clearly violate the international code of human rights. ...