Country Name: La Real España
Year Founded: Near 201 B.C.
Population: 40,280,780 (July 2004 est.)
Primary Language: Spanish
Ethnic make-up: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types
Political System: parliamentary monarchy
Year enetered the European Union: 1986
Type of economy: Spain is rich, developed and largely capitalistic market economies, though in Japan the State plays a major developmental role through pressures on industrial groups and large bureaucracy controlling some businesses and Spain has had a legacy of strong State interventionism. Now European Union (EU), in January 1986 ushered the country into opening its economy, modernize its industrial base and revise economic legislation. In doing this effort -supported from the EU with amounts of funds from the European Regional Development Fund- Spain greatly improved infrastructures, increased GDP growth, reduced the public debt to GDP ratio, reduced unemployment from 23% to 10%, and reduced inflation to under 3%
Currency: Euro
Current Exchange rate for American Currency: 1 US Dollar = 0.73657 Euro 1 Euro (EUR) = 1.35765 US Dollar (USD)
GDP: 1.362 trillion (2007 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 11.3%
Chief Exports: Production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, foodstuffs, leather products, and minerals.
Key Imports: trade, investment, and tourism.
Major Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%
Surrounding Countries: Portugal, Moroco, France and Algeria.
Literacy Rate: 99.0
Intresting Fact: Highest recorded temperature in Europe = 50°C / 122°F (Sevilla, 1881-Aug.4).
Monday, March 23, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
BULGARIA
- Country Name: Republic of Bulgaria
- Year Founded: 1990
- Population: 8,989,172
- Primary Language: bulgarian
- Ethnic Make-up: According to the 2001 census, Bulgaria's population consists mainly of ethinc Bulgarian (83.9%), with two sizable minorities, Turks (9.4%) and Roma (4.7%). Of the remaining 2.0%, 0.9% comprises some 40 smaller minorities, most prominently in numbers the Russians, Armenians, Vlachs, Jews, Crimean Tatars and Sarakatsani.
- Political System: Bulgaria is a parliamentary republic founded on the principle of the division of powers into legislature, executive and judiciary. The Constitution is the supreme law of the country.
- Year Entered the European Union: Since 2007 and of NATO since 2004.
- Representative of the European Union (include party): Consultative Party
- Type of Economy:The economy of Bulgaria is a lower middle-income country coming under the Europe and Central Asia region, according to the classification of the economies by region and income, FY 2005 made by the World Bank.
- Currency: Lev (BGL)
- Current Exchange rate for American Currency:
1 = 0.65898 US Dollar 1 US Dollar (USD) = 1.51750 (BGL)
Median price = 0.65394 / 0.65898 (bid/ask) Minimum price = 0.65394 / 0.65898 Maximum price = 0.65394 / 0.65898 - GDP:
GDP (PPP)
2008 estimate
Total
$93.8 billion
-
Per capita
$12,370 - Percentage of Trade within the European Union: Bulgarian exports to other EU countries grew by 11,8% while imports also went up by 12,1%.
- Unemployment Rate: 6.3% (2008)
- Chief Exports: Fuels, minerals, and raw materials; machinery and equipment; metals and ores; chemicals and plastics; food and textiles.
- Key Imports: wheat, sunflower, maize, graped, tobacco, tomatoes, barley, potatoes, peppers, cucumbers, cherries, watermelons, cabbage, apples, plums, strawberries, etc.
- Major Religions: Bulgarian Orthodox 82.6%, Muslim 12.2%, other Christian 1.2%, other 4%.
- Surrounding Countries total: Greece, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey
- Literacy Rate: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 98.2% male: 98.7% female: 97.7% (2001 census).
- One Interesting Fact: that the first air-dropped bomb in military history was developed by the Bulgarian Air Force during the First Balkan War, and used on 16 October 1912 by Lieuts. Radul Milkov and Prodan Tarakchiev. Rayna Kasabova was the first woman ever to take part in a combat air mission, accomplished on 30 October 1912.
BY: STEPHANIE CELIS
UNITED KINGDOM
1)United kingdom
2)707.
3)poulation 61,113,205 (July 2009 est.)
4)Languages: English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)
5)"White Irish", accounting for 1.2% or 0.7 million. According to the 77% of UK population, or 45 million people are English, 8% or 4.7 million are Scottish, 4.5% or 2.7 million are Welsh and 2.8% or 1.6 million are Northern Irish
6)Constitutional monarchy
7)1973
8)kim Darroch
9)Free market capitalist society
10)pounds
11)1 British pound = 1.4493 U.S. dollars
12) GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.281 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.787 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP
$37,400 (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
1.1% (2008 est.)
13)6 percent
14)6.3%
15)$468.7 billion f.o.b.
16)$645.7 billion f.o.b.
17)religions Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1% (2001 census)
18)Ireland 360 km
19)total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)
20)The UK does not celebrate one particular national holiday
2)707.
3)poulation 61,113,205 (July 2009 est.)
4)Languages: English, Welsh (about 26% of the population of Wales), Scottish form of Gaelic (about 60,000 in Scotland)
5)"White Irish", accounting for 1.2% or 0.7 million. According to the 77% of UK population, or 45 million people are English, 8% or 4.7 million are Scottish, 4.5% or 2.7 million are Welsh and 2.8% or 1.6 million are Northern Irish
6)Constitutional monarchy
7)1973
8)kim Darroch
9)Free market capitalist society
10)pounds
11)1 British pound = 1.4493 U.S. dollars
12) GDP (purchasing power parity):
$2.281 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$2.787 trillion (2008 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP
$37,400 (2008 est.)
GDP - real growth rate
1.1% (2008 est.)
13)6 percent
14)6.3%
15)$468.7 billion f.o.b.
16)$645.7 billion f.o.b.
17)religions Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1% (2001 census)
18)Ireland 360 km
19)total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)
20)The UK does not celebrate one particular national holiday
14. Italy
· Country Name : Italian Republic
· Year Founded: 1861
· Population: 59,905,22 Density198.8/km2 511.7/sq mi
· Primary Language: Italian
· Ethnic Make-up:
Italian-94.2%
Romanian-1.05%
North African-0.93%
Albanian-0.67%
Chinese-0.26%
Ukrainian-0.22%
Asian-0.66%
South American-0.46%
Sub-Saharan African-0.41%
Other-1.09%
· Political System: Parliamentary republic
· Year Entered the European Union: One of the founders and it was in November 1st, 1993
· Representative of the European Union (include party) : Ferdinando Nelli Feroci (Diplomatic)
· Type of Economy: Industrial economy
· Currency: Euro
· Current Exchange rate for American Currency: 1 Euro = 1.3641 American dollar
· GDP: $1,787 trillion
· Percentage of Trade within the European Union : 11.5 %
· Unemployment Rate : 6.8%
· Chief Exports: Natural gas and oil
· Key Imports : natural gas and oil
· Major Religions: Christianity, Irreligion and Islam
· Surrounding Countries: France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia
· Literacy Rate : Population 98.4%-> -male: 98.8% -female: 98%
· One Interesting Fact: Leonardo da Vinci (1452- 1519) the famous Renaissance painter was also a sculptor, architect, engineer and scientist.
· Year Founded: 1861
· Population: 59,905,22 Density198.8/km2 511.7/sq mi
· Primary Language: Italian
· Ethnic Make-up:
Italian-94.2%
Romanian-1.05%
North African-0.93%
Albanian-0.67%
Chinese-0.26%
Ukrainian-0.22%
Asian-0.66%
South American-0.46%
Sub-Saharan African-0.41%
Other-1.09%
· Political System: Parliamentary republic
· Year Entered the European Union: One of the founders and it was in November 1st, 1993
· Representative of the European Union (include party) : Ferdinando Nelli Feroci (Diplomatic)
· Type of Economy: Industrial economy
· Currency: Euro
· Current Exchange rate for American Currency: 1 Euro = 1.3641 American dollar
· GDP: $1,787 trillion
· Percentage of Trade within the European Union : 11.5 %
· Unemployment Rate : 6.8%
· Chief Exports: Natural gas and oil
· Key Imports : natural gas and oil
· Major Religions: Christianity, Irreligion and Islam
· Surrounding Countries: France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia
· Literacy Rate : Population 98.4%-> -male: 98.8% -female: 98%
· One Interesting Fact: Leonardo da Vinci (1452- 1519) the famous Renaissance painter was also a sculptor, architect, engineer and scientist.
Estonia 7
Country Name: Estonia, officially Republic of Estonia
Year Founded: February 24, 1918
Population: 2009 estimate 1,340,602, 2000 census 1,376,743
Primary Language: Estonian
Ethnic Make-up: 68.8% Estonian, 25.&% Russian, 2.1% Ukranian and 4.5% other groups
Political System: Parliamentary republic
Year Entered the European Union: 1 May 2004
Representative of the European Union (include party): Estonia has 6 representatives in the European Parliament: Mrs. Katrin Saks,Mrs. Marianne Mikko and Mr. Andres Tarand of the Estonian Social Democratic Party (Socialist Group);Mrs. Siiri Oviir of the Centre Party (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe);Mr. Toomas Savi of the Reform Party (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe)and Mr. Tunne Kelam of the Pro Patria Union (European People's Party).
Type of Economy:Estonia's economy is rated as high income by the World Bank,mostly supported by agriculture and mining.Currency: Estonian Kroon
Current Exchange rate for American Currency: $11.5482
GDP: 2008 estimate Total $27.813 billion
Percentage of Trade within the European Union: 2.4%
Unemployment Rate: 6.2%
Chief Exports: food and animal products, textiles, and timber products.
Key Imports: machinery and equipment 29%, wood and paper 13%, metals 10%, food products 8%, textiles 5%, chemical products (2007)
Major Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic,Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%, none 6.1% (2000 census)Surrounding Countries: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia.
Literacy Rate: definition: age 15 and over can read and write.
total population: 99.8%, male: 99.8%, female: 99.8% (2000 census)One Interesting Fact:
> Capital: name: Tallinn geographic coordinates: 59 26 N, 24 43 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
> Cuisine: The most typical foods in Estonia are black bread, pork, potatoes and dairy products. Traditionally in summer and spring, Estonians like to eat everything fresh - berries, herbs, vegetables and everything else that comes straight from the garden.Hunting and fishing have also been very common, although currently hunting and fishing are enjoyed mostly as hobbies.Today it is also very popular to grill outside in summer. Traditionally in winter jams, preserves and pickles are brought to the table.Estonia has been through rough times in the past and thus gathering and conserving fruits, mushrooms and vegetables for winter has always been essential.Today gathering and conserving is not that common because everything can be bought from stores, but preparing food for winter is still very popular in the countrysideand still has somewhat ritual significance. Being a country with a large coastal line, fish has also been very important.The oldest university is the University of Tartu which was established by the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf in 1632.In 1919, university courses were first taught in the Estonian language.
Year Founded: February 24, 1918
Population: 2009 estimate 1,340,602, 2000 census 1,376,743
Primary Language: Estonian
Ethnic Make-up: 68.8% Estonian, 25.&% Russian, 2.1% Ukranian and 4.5% other groups
Political System: Parliamentary republic
Year Entered the European Union: 1 May 2004
Representative of the European Union (include party): Estonia has 6 representatives in the European Parliament: Mrs. Katrin Saks,Mrs. Marianne Mikko and Mr. Andres Tarand of the Estonian Social Democratic Party (Socialist Group);Mrs. Siiri Oviir of the Centre Party (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe);Mr. Toomas Savi of the Reform Party (Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe)and Mr. Tunne Kelam of the Pro Patria Union (European People's Party).
Type of Economy:Estonia's economy is rated as high income by the World Bank,mostly supported by agriculture and mining.Currency: Estonian Kroon
Current Exchange rate for American Currency: $11.5482
GDP: 2008 estimate Total $27.813 billion
Percentage of Trade within the European Union: 2.4%
Unemployment Rate: 6.2%
Chief Exports: food and animal products, textiles, and timber products.
Key Imports: machinery and equipment 29%, wood and paper 13%, metals 10%, food products 8%, textiles 5%, chemical products (2007)
Major Religions: Evangelical Lutheran 13.6%, Orthodox 12.8%, other Christian (including Methodist, Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic,Pentecostal) 1.4%, unaffiliated 34.1%, other and unspecified 32%, none 6.1% (2000 census)Surrounding Countries: Eastern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea and Gulf of Finland, between Latvia and Russia.
Literacy Rate: definition: age 15 and over can read and write.
total population: 99.8%, male: 99.8%, female: 99.8% (2000 census)One Interesting Fact:
> Capital: name: Tallinn geographic coordinates: 59 26 N, 24 43 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
> Cuisine: The most typical foods in Estonia are black bread, pork, potatoes and dairy products. Traditionally in summer and spring, Estonians like to eat everything fresh - berries, herbs, vegetables and everything else that comes straight from the garden.Hunting and fishing have also been very common, although currently hunting and fishing are enjoyed mostly as hobbies.Today it is also very popular to grill outside in summer. Traditionally in winter jams, preserves and pickles are brought to the table.Estonia has been through rough times in the past and thus gathering and conserving fruits, mushrooms and vegetables for winter has always been essential.Today gathering and conserving is not that common because everything can be bought from stores, but preparing food for winter is still very popular in the countrysideand still has somewhat ritual significance. Being a country with a large coastal line, fish has also been very important.The oldest university is the University of Tartu which was established by the Swedish king Gustav II Adolf in 1632.In 1919, university courses were first taught in the Estonian language.
KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS
Country Name: Kingdom of the Netherlands
Year Founded: 26 July 1581
Population: 16.492.230
Language: Dutch
Ethnic Group: Dutch 80.7%, EU 5%, Indonesian 2.4%, Turkish 2.2%, Surinamese 2%, Moroccan 2%, Netherlands Antilles & Aruba 0.8%, other 4.8%
Political System: Parliamentary Democracy and Constitutional Monarchy
Year Entered the European Union: January 30 1648
Representative of the European Union (include party): Queen Beatrix & Jan Peter Balkenende (CDA)
Type of Economy: Laissez-faire capitalist
Currency: Euro
Current Exchange rate for American Currency: 1 Euro= 1.36 Dllrs
GDP: Total: $909.465 billion
Per capita: $40.433
Percentage of Trade within the European Union: EXPORT: Germany 24.4%, Belgium 13.6%, UK 9.1%, France 8.5%, Italy 5.1%, US 4.3%
IMPORT: Germany 17.7%, China 10.5%, Belgium 9.3%, US 7.3%, UK 5.8%, Russia 5.1%, France 4.4%
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Chief Exports: Machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs
Key Imports: Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs, clothing
Major Religions: Christianity, Roman Catholicism, Protestant
Surrounding Countries: Belgium & Germany
Literacy Rate: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99%
One interesting Fact: High schools in the Netherlands have three different educational levels of difficulty and differ in length. VMBO is the lowest level of high school education that only requires four years, whereas the medium level HAVO requires five years. Upon graduation on HAVO, the student can go to what is considered an equivalent to the US community college level in The Netherlands
Year Founded: 26 July 1581
Population: 16.492.230
Language: Dutch
Ethnic Group: Dutch 80.7%, EU 5%, Indonesian 2.4%, Turkish 2.2%, Surinamese 2%, Moroccan 2%, Netherlands Antilles & Aruba 0.8%, other 4.8%
Political System: Parliamentary Democracy and Constitutional Monarchy
Year Entered the European Union: January 30 1648
Representative of the European Union (include party): Queen Beatrix & Jan Peter Balkenende (CDA)
Type of Economy: Laissez-faire capitalist
Currency: Euro
Current Exchange rate for American Currency: 1 Euro= 1.36 Dllrs
GDP: Total: $909.465 billion
Per capita: $40.433
Percentage of Trade within the European Union: EXPORT: Germany 24.4%, Belgium 13.6%, UK 9.1%, France 8.5%, Italy 5.1%, US 4.3%
IMPORT: Germany 17.7%, China 10.5%, Belgium 9.3%, US 7.3%, UK 5.8%, Russia 5.1%, France 4.4%
Unemployment Rate: 4.5%
Chief Exports: Machinery and equipment, chemicals, fuels; foodstuffs
Key Imports: Machinery and transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, foodstuffs, clothing
Major Religions: Christianity, Roman Catholicism, Protestant
Surrounding Countries: Belgium & Germany
Literacy Rate: definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99%
One interesting Fact: High schools in the Netherlands have three different educational levels of difficulty and differ in length. VMBO is the lowest level of high school education that only requires four years, whereas the medium level HAVO requires five years. Upon graduation on HAVO, the student can go to what is considered an equivalent to the US community college level in The Netherlands
Friday, March 13, 2009
Defying Genocide Questions
After you watch the video, answer the following questions:
1. What did Damas Gisimba, Carl Wilkens, and Simon Weil Lipman value, and what risks did they take by holding onto their values?
2. What values did the children of the orphanage demonstrate?
3. As events unfolded, what were Damas Gisimba's concerns?
4. What does it mean - as both Simone Weil Lipman and Damas Gisimba state - to "see the other as yourself?"
Think back to the incidents that took place during the Rwandan genocide:
What role did the international community play during the genocide?
Does the international community have the responsibility of assisting countries threatened by genocide?
How can students get involved and make their voices heard against genocide?
Think about challenges you face in your everday life:
Have you ever witnessed an incident by which a bystander took the responsibility of offering assistance to someone in need of help? What happened?
When someone needs help, do bystanders have the responsibility to offer assistance? What do bystanders risk when they intervene and when they do not get involved?
At the end of the film, Damas Gisimba stated that hatred must be "banished" to make the world a peaceful place. Reflect on that and answer the following:
What is "hatred?" When is it dangerous?
What are examples of different forms of hatred in the global community?
Can hatred be banished?
What would it take to banish hatred?
Whose responsibility is it to work to end hatred or to respond when hatred provokes violence?
1. What did Damas Gisimba, Carl Wilkens, and Simon Weil Lipman value, and what risks did they take by holding onto their values?
2. What values did the children of the orphanage demonstrate?
3. As events unfolded, what were Damas Gisimba's concerns?
4. What does it mean - as both Simone Weil Lipman and Damas Gisimba state - to "see the other as yourself?"
Think back to the incidents that took place during the Rwandan genocide:
What role did the international community play during the genocide?
Does the international community have the responsibility of assisting countries threatened by genocide?
How can students get involved and make their voices heard against genocide?
Think about challenges you face in your everday life:
Have you ever witnessed an incident by which a bystander took the responsibility of offering assistance to someone in need of help? What happened?
When someone needs help, do bystanders have the responsibility to offer assistance? What do bystanders risk when they intervene and when they do not get involved?
At the end of the film, Damas Gisimba stated that hatred must be "banished" to make the world a peaceful place. Reflect on that and answer the following:
What is "hatred?" When is it dangerous?
What are examples of different forms of hatred in the global community?
Can hatred be banished?
What would it take to banish hatred?
Whose responsibility is it to work to end hatred or to respond when hatred provokes violence?
Monday, March 9, 2009
slumdog millionaire =)
1. What does the title mean? How does the title and thecontrasts within it provide symbolic summary of the film?At first glance you can not understand but as the film goes one, you get it!This guy, Jamal, was just as poor as he can be. He had no scholar education,he own nothing, BUT his experience in life, worthy knowledge which is the key to the biggold pot. He acquired them with not cheerful experiences but at last, he got them. a slumdogwho won millions for his knowledge. His only property.
12. The chaos and the constant noise and motion of Mumbai at the center of the film,(supported by a fabulous soundtrack) are contrasted with a deeper silent seeking. Describe what each of the main characters isseeking..they had a really unstable life, one day here the next there all to survive. Even though all of these noisethey were only looking for a calm, lovely and steady life. Love, peace and the right way was the way he knew lifewas the best. Well that's in Jamal's case, Salim, always lookedfor a wealthy luxurous life, full of everything he wanted ever. His stability in life was fullfilled bycash and what you could get in life with it.
12. The chaos and the constant noise and motion of Mumbai at the center of the film,(supported by a fabulous soundtrack) are contrasted with a deeper silent seeking. Describe what each of the main characters isseeking..they had a really unstable life, one day here the next there all to survive. Even though all of these noisethey were only looking for a calm, lovely and steady life. Love, peace and the right way was the way he knew lifewas the best. Well that's in Jamal's case, Salim, always lookedfor a wealthy luxurous life, full of everything he wanted ever. His stability in life was fullfilled bycash and what you could get in life with it.
THE SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
6. What do you think the film is saying about the globalization of culture through media? We see the game show“Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” adapted in the Indian culture. Is this a sign of progress? Why or why not? What is this film staying about the effect of money on culture?
The film is trying to say that globalization is everytime more and more being adapted by everyone, I mean, in times before there could absolutely not be happening that type of programs and least with children, And that's a sign of a good and everytime better progress. The film is also saying that money have effect on culture because we 90% of popultation are ambitous but in different levels that's for sure. Or we have more respect for the one with money than for the one who doesn't have.
9. Greed, corruption and the misuse of power are highlighted in the film through a variety of characters. How are those who have money and power glamorized in this film? What happens to the victims?
They are glamorized in a way that they are being seen as the bad ones, they don't accept the fact that a child is winning a contest that isn't unfair and of course the victims are the ones who suffer the most. Also when the mob guy mistreat Latika and the brother that is a total misuse of power and corruption.
The film is trying to say that globalization is everytime more and more being adapted by everyone, I mean, in times before there could absolutely not be happening that type of programs and least with children, And that's a sign of a good and everytime better progress. The film is also saying that money have effect on culture because we 90% of popultation are ambitous but in different levels that's for sure. Or we have more respect for the one with money than for the one who doesn't have.
9. Greed, corruption and the misuse of power are highlighted in the film through a variety of characters. How are those who have money and power glamorized in this film? What happens to the victims?
They are glamorized in a way that they are being seen as the bad ones, they don't accept the fact that a child is winning a contest that isn't unfair and of course the victims are the ones who suffer the most. Also when the mob guy mistreat Latika and the brother that is a total misuse of power and corruption.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Slumdog Millionaire
13. In the final scene, we see Salim and the choice he makes - filling the bathtub with money, etc. Why does he
make this choice?
I think it was for 2 principal reasons: number one is because his greed for money made him dive into the bathtub protecting his money, the thing he loved most.
Number two is because he wanted to surprise the ones following him, so he dived and waited for them to open the door, but there where more than one.
14. This film weaves together nightmare and impossible dream. What do you take away as the most
important message or impression from the film?
I think the message that the movie tried to give is that life is about winning and loosing, life takes away things to give you other things, in the street it is hard to live but you have to get over it or you simply die, it is necessary o learn from your mistakes.
make this choice?
I think it was for 2 principal reasons: number one is because his greed for money made him dive into the bathtub protecting his money, the thing he loved most.
Number two is because he wanted to surprise the ones following him, so he dived and waited for them to open the door, but there where more than one.
14. This film weaves together nightmare and impossible dream. What do you take away as the most
important message or impression from the film?
I think the message that the movie tried to give is that life is about winning and loosing, life takes away things to give you other things, in the street it is hard to live but you have to get over it or you simply die, it is necessary o learn from your mistakes.
Slumdog Millionaire
Number 3.
In the film, the theme of destiny is a central theme. What
does it mean that all Jamal desires is just out of his reach?
The way I see that, is that he likes the things that are difficult and always being a perseverant person will take you anywhere.
Number 10.
In one pivotal scene, the show’s host tells Jamal his own story about coming from the slums. He then gives Jamal the wrong answer written on the mirror in the rest room. Why did he give Jamal the wrong answer? What did Jamal do?
Jamal didn't do anything wrong, but the show's host didn't want him to be as famous as he was.
Numer 11.
Describe how loss, chance luck, suffering, and street smarts are also characters behind the scenes,. The film explores gain and loss side by side. Triumphs are tempered with loss. Where do you see this evident?
In every question that was asked to Jamal was evident because he could lose all what he had, but he was always correct.
In the film, the theme of destiny is a central theme. What
does it mean that all Jamal desires is just out of his reach?
The way I see that, is that he likes the things that are difficult and always being a perseverant person will take you anywhere.
Number 10.
In one pivotal scene, the show’s host tells Jamal his own story about coming from the slums. He then gives Jamal the wrong answer written on the mirror in the rest room. Why did he give Jamal the wrong answer? What did Jamal do?
Jamal didn't do anything wrong, but the show's host didn't want him to be as famous as he was.
Numer 11.
Describe how loss, chance luck, suffering, and street smarts are also characters behind the scenes,. The film explores gain and loss side by side. Triumphs are tempered with loss. Where do you see this evident?
In every question that was asked to Jamal was evident because he could lose all what he had, but he was always correct.
SLUMBDOG MILLIONAIRE
2.Early in the film we see the young Jamal dive into a latrine pit to steal a gilmpse at a visting movie star. How does his single-mindedness to see this movie star reveal his determination? What other examples do you see in the film of his determination?
On that scene, he revealed his determination, because to see the movie star, he divied into a hole with human wastes, just to see the movie star and get an autograph, and it shows his determination, because he didn't cared he had to do this, just to achieve what he wanted, that in that moment, was to get an autograph. On another scene that he shows his determination, was on the many times, he fought and searched until he found Latika. He never gave up on seraching where she was, and every time he lost her, he would do everything to find her again.
5.Is ethical decision making possible when one must make choices based on survival? Do seemingly “bad” choices make a person bad?
It is complicated, because I think survival decisions you make them my insctint, and many people would do whatever to survive, but in a moment like that the choices you make represent how you really are, so I think that yes, depending on what a person does, those desicions can make you a bad person.
7. In one exchange of dialogue in the film during the interrogation of Jamal, the police inspectors discuss the impossibility of what Jamal knows.
Police Inspector: Doctors... Lawyers... never get past 60 thousand rupees. He's on 6 million. [pause]
Police Inspector: What can our slumdog possibly know?
Jamal Malik: [quietly] The answers.
Discuss the irony in the film that Jamal “knows too much” and is suspected of cheating. Discuss the irony that in the end, his poverty may make him rich. What point is the film making? What is real wealth?
Here, the irony is that eventhrough he was poor and un educated he knew all of the answers that prepared and very studied people didn't know, so they thinked that he cheated, but the reason was that all the things they asked, he knew them because all the things he had to lived teached him something. He was poor and orfan, so he lived a lot of things, and teached even more things on the streets. So his poverty made him rich, because all that he lived and all the things he had to pass through. The point of the movie, is that a person learns from life, and you can't underestemate someone. The real wealth of Jamal, was his knowledge and inteligence.
by: Stephanie Celis
On that scene, he revealed his determination, because to see the movie star, he divied into a hole with human wastes, just to see the movie star and get an autograph, and it shows his determination, because he didn't cared he had to do this, just to achieve what he wanted, that in that moment, was to get an autograph. On another scene that he shows his determination, was on the many times, he fought and searched until he found Latika. He never gave up on seraching where she was, and every time he lost her, he would do everything to find her again.
5.Is ethical decision making possible when one must make choices based on survival? Do seemingly “bad” choices make a person bad?
It is complicated, because I think survival decisions you make them my insctint, and many people would do whatever to survive, but in a moment like that the choices you make represent how you really are, so I think that yes, depending on what a person does, those desicions can make you a bad person.
7. In one exchange of dialogue in the film during the interrogation of Jamal, the police inspectors discuss the impossibility of what Jamal knows.
Police Inspector: Doctors... Lawyers... never get past 60 thousand rupees. He's on 6 million. [pause]
Police Inspector: What can our slumdog possibly know?
Jamal Malik: [quietly] The answers.
Discuss the irony in the film that Jamal “knows too much” and is suspected of cheating. Discuss the irony that in the end, his poverty may make him rich. What point is the film making? What is real wealth?
Here, the irony is that eventhrough he was poor and un educated he knew all of the answers that prepared and very studied people didn't know, so they thinked that he cheated, but the reason was that all the things they asked, he knew them because all the things he had to lived teached him something. He was poor and orfan, so he lived a lot of things, and teached even more things on the streets. So his poverty made him rich, because all that he lived and all the things he had to pass through. The point of the movie, is that a person learns from life, and you can't underestemate someone. The real wealth of Jamal, was his knowledge and inteligence.
by: Stephanie Celis
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
torture
I think that torture is never justificated, its a cruel act and its barbaric.
There are more inteligent ways to punish convicts,,,but torture is not a way.
1. yes..i can imagine that it feels awfull to know you are going to die and your days are counted
2.It does because you are hurting the emotional state of convicts
3.i think it is, even if they are bad people..murderers..child molesters, etc, they are humans too..they deserve to be treated like so.
They play with theyre emotions, imagine those 5 min before entering to the gas chamber, i prefer to die instead of thinking in those last 5 minutes.
4.it does violate in some ways their human rights, but their human raights where taken for their criminal acts.
There are more inteligent ways to punish convicts,,,but torture is not a way.
1. yes..i can imagine that it feels awfull to know you are going to die and your days are counted
2.It does because you are hurting the emotional state of convicts
3.i think it is, even if they are bad people..murderers..child molesters, etc, they are humans too..they deserve to be treated like so.
They play with theyre emotions, imagine those 5 min before entering to the gas chamber, i prefer to die instead of thinking in those last 5 minutes.
4.it does violate in some ways their human rights, but their human raights where taken for their criminal acts.
Monday, February 16, 2009
I think that tortures is really bad, but in some cases, for example, being in jail is a type of torture, but is only to people that have violated the rights of other people. So, they diserve to be punished like these, but persons that haven't do anything bad do not deserve to be punished with torture.
1.Yes, because they don't stop thinking about what they do and what is the death they are expecting.
2. Well it depends, if the crime is really bad they deserve it, but if it isn't, is obvious that they don't.
3. I define torture as any physical or mental damage.
4. Yes, because they suffer when they think that they are going to die alone in a jail.
5. Yes they do, but they deserve it, because they have to think before doing things, knowing everything has a consequence.
1.Yes, because they don't stop thinking about what they do and what is the death they are expecting.
2. Well it depends, if the crime is really bad they deserve it, but if it isn't, is obvious that they don't.
3. I define torture as any physical or mental damage.
4. Yes, because they suffer when they think that they are going to die alone in a jail.
5. Yes they do, but they deserve it, because they have to think before doing things, knowing everything has a consequence.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Excerpts on Death Penalty
The Death Penalty is a form of torture
The cruelty of torture is evident. Like torture, an execution constitutes an extreme physical and mental assault on a person already rendered helpless by government authorities. Abolitionist groups claim that the cruelty of the death penalty is manifest not only in the execution but in the time spent under sentence of death, during which the prisoner is constantly contemplating his or her own death at the hands of the state. Prison is an extraordinarily severe punishment that should not be exacerbated with torture or the death penalty.
Torture Defined
Torture of prisoners violates the Eight Amendment’s provision against Cruel and Unusual Punishment, and also constitutes a violation of several international laws. The United Nations Convention on Torture defined torture as “any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.”
An example of torture in the US Criminal Justice System
In May 1998, a lawsuit was filed concerning conditions for death row inmates in Idaho Maximum Security Institution. The suit states that inmates are held in solitary confinement for 163 of every week's 168 hours in small concrete and steel cells with solid metal doors and a narrow slit for a window. Inmates are allowed out of their cells for a maximum of one hour a day, excluding weekends, for recreation, alone and handcuffed in one of 12 enclosed wire mesh pens measuring approximately seven by 15 feet. The prisoner named in the lawsuit, Randy McKinney, states that he has lived under such a regime for 16 years, and that such treatment constitutes torture.
The cruelty of torture is evident. Like torture, an execution constitutes an extreme physical and mental assault on a person already rendered helpless by government authorities. Abolitionist groups claim that the cruelty of the death penalty is manifest not only in the execution but in the time spent under sentence of death, during which the prisoner is constantly contemplating his or her own death at the hands of the state. Prison is an extraordinarily severe punishment that should not be exacerbated with torture or the death penalty.
Torture Defined
Torture of prisoners violates the Eight Amendment’s provision against Cruel and Unusual Punishment, and also constitutes a violation of several international laws. The United Nations Convention on Torture defined torture as “any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him or a third person information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in or incidental to lawful sanctions.”
An example of torture in the US Criminal Justice System
In May 1998, a lawsuit was filed concerning conditions for death row inmates in Idaho Maximum Security Institution. The suit states that inmates are held in solitary confinement for 163 of every week's 168 hours in small concrete and steel cells with solid metal doors and a narrow slit for a window. Inmates are allowed out of their cells for a maximum of one hour a day, excluding weekends, for recreation, alone and handcuffed in one of 12 enclosed wire mesh pens measuring approximately seven by 15 feet. The prisoner named in the lawsuit, Randy McKinney, states that he has lived under such a regime for 16 years, and that such treatment constitutes torture.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Khobar Towers Bombing
On June 25 in the year of 1996, 19 American servicemen killed and hundreds of civilians and soldiers injured, were the number of casualties in a terrorist attack in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. The American victims were soldiers that were living in the Khobar Towers in this port city, in this incident a truck was left in the front of one of the buildings, some soldiers watched that but they didn't have time to do something about it.
This truck exploded tearing the building down, and having too many victims. The arms of this truck were like 500 plastic explosives, that made it explode. Just minutes before the attack some soldiers that were in the roof watched two persons leaving a truck in front of the building and running, but they couldn't do anything to save their and other soldiers lifes.
This was the second attack in that country in the same year, and this attack was now caused because some Saudi Arabians were made against the US because of the influence that they had in this country.
This truck exploded tearing the building down, and having too many victims. The arms of this truck were like 500 plastic explosives, that made it explode. Just minutes before the attack some soldiers that were in the roof watched two persons leaving a truck in front of the building and running, but they couldn't do anything to save their and other soldiers lifes.
This was the second attack in that country in the same year, and this attack was now caused because some Saudi Arabians were made against the US because of the influence that they had in this country.
The Sinking of the Lusitania by Ricardo Salazar
Construction had begun in 1903 with the goal of building the fastest ship.
In may 7, the ship arrived to the coast of Ireland. In the afternoon a torpedo fired by the German submarine U 20 slammed into the side of the ship. A mysterious second explosion ripped the liner apart. Chaos was all over the place. The ship listed so badly and quickly that lifeboats crashed into passengers crowded on deck, or dumped their loads into the water. Most passengers never had a chance. Within 18 minutes the giant ship slipped beneath the sea. One thousand one hundred nineteen of the 1,924 aboard died. The dead included 114 Americans.
The political fallout was immediate. President Wilson protested strongly to the Germans. Secretary of State William Jennings Bryan, a pacifist, resigned. In September, the Germans announced that passenger ships would be sunk only with prior warning and appropriate safeguards for passengers. However, the seeds of American animosity towards Germany were sown. Within two years America declared war.
The attack on Pearl Harbor
It was a surprise military strike conducted by the Japanese navy against the United States' naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on the morning of Sunday, December 7, 1941, later resulting in the United States becoming militarily involved in World War II. It was intended as a preventive action to keep the U.S. Pacific Fleet from influencing the war Japan was planning to wage in Southeast Asia against Britain, the Netherlands, and the United States. The attack consisted of two aerial attack waves totaling 353 aircraft, launched from six Japanese aircraft carriers.
The attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships (two of which were raised and returned to service late in the war) and damaged four more. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer, destroyed 188 aircraft, and caused personnel losses of 2,402 killed and 1,282 wounded. The power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section) were not hit. Japanese losses were minimal, at 29 aircraft and four midget submarines, with 65 servicemen killed or wounded.
Jorge Montes de Oca 4ºI
The attack sank four U.S. Navy battleships (two of which were raised and returned to service late in the war) and damaged four more. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, and one minelayer, destroyed 188 aircraft, and caused personnel losses of 2,402 killed and 1,282 wounded. The power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section) were not hit. Japanese losses were minimal, at 29 aircraft and four midget submarines, with 65 servicemen killed or wounded.
Jorge Montes de Oca 4ºI
Anthrax letters in New York and Washington, DC (2001)
They were supposedly 7 letters but only were found 2. They were supposedly delivered to AMI, NBC, ABC, and CBS News. And other 2 were delivered to 2 senators: Daschle and Leahy.
5 People death, 22 infected. The dates in which this happens were September 18, 2001, 5 Days after the attack at the WTC; October 9, 2001, 3 weeks after the first letter. The people who get killed by the disease were Robert Stevens; two employees of the Brentwood mail facility in Washington, D.C., Thomas Morris Jr. and Joseph Curseen; and two whose source of exposure to the bacteria is still unknown: Kathy Nguyen, a Vietnamese immigrant resident in the borough of the Bronx who worked in New York City, and Ottilie Lundgren, a 94-year old widow of a prominent judge from Oxford, Connecticut, who was the last known victim.
The first set of anthrax letters had a Trenton, New Jersey postmark dated September 18, 2001, exactly one week after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Five letters are believed to have been mailed at this time to: ABC News, CBS News, NBC News and the New York Post, all located in New York City. Two more anthrax letters, bearing the same Trenton postmark, were dated October 9, three weeks after the first mailing. The letters were addressed to two Democratic Senators, Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Patrick Leahy of Vermont. More potent than the first anthrax letters, the material in the Senate letters was a highly refined dry powder consisting of about one gram of nearly pure spores. Barbara Hatch Rosenberg, a molecular biologist and research professor at the State University of New York, described the material as "weaponized" or "weapons grade" anthrax during a 2002 interview for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. They haven’t been able to know the reason of that attack, but they say that there might be a link with the 9/11/01. The stupid terrorists think that Allah would save them from everything but they have to destroy America no matters what. Transportation, Postal Service, Mailings, were just some sources of technology.
I think America has been attack that way because people just don’t like their way of living and trying to control everything. They want every single thing in the world. They interfere in every argument even if there has no business with them. I wouldn’t agree such level of damage but they shouldn’t mined someone’s else business.
BY: JORGE MONTES DE OCA DEL VILLAR
4º I
5 People death, 22 infected. The dates in which this happens were September 18, 2001, 5 Days after the attack at the WTC; October 9, 2001, 3 weeks after the first letter. The people who get killed by the disease were Robert Stevens; two employees of the Brentwood mail facility in Washington, D.C., Thomas Morris Jr. and Joseph Curseen; and two whose source of exposure to the bacteria is still unknown: Kathy Nguyen, a Vietnamese immigrant resident in the borough of the Bronx who worked in New York City, and Ottilie Lundgren, a 94-year old widow of a prominent judge from Oxford, Connecticut, who was the last known victim.
The first set of anthrax letters had a Trenton, New Jersey postmark dated September 18, 2001, exactly one week after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Five letters are believed to have been mailed at this time to: ABC News, CBS News, NBC News and the New York Post, all located in New York City. Two more anthrax letters, bearing the same Trenton postmark, were dated October 9, three weeks after the first mailing. The letters were addressed to two Democratic Senators, Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Patrick Leahy of Vermont. More potent than the first anthrax letters, the material in the Senate letters was a highly refined dry powder consisting of about one gram of nearly pure spores. Barbara Hatch Rosenberg, a molecular biologist and research professor at the State University of New York, described the material as "weaponized" or "weapons grade" anthrax during a 2002 interview for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. They haven’t been able to know the reason of that attack, but they say that there might be a link with the 9/11/01. The stupid terrorists think that Allah would save them from everything but they have to destroy America no matters what. Transportation, Postal Service, Mailings, were just some sources of technology.
I think America has been attack that way because people just don’t like their way of living and trying to control everything. They want every single thing in the world. They interfere in every argument even if there has no business with them. I wouldn’t agree such level of damage but they shouldn’t mined someone’s else business.
BY: JORGE MONTES DE OCA DEL VILLAR
4º I
Saturday, February 7, 2009
The bombing of USS Cole
The Bombing of USS Cole! This happened on 2000 October 12. There were 39 injured sailor and 17 American sailors killed by this attack! And two bad guys were killed by this suicidal attack. All of the people who boarded the U.S. Navy destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) were the victims. This attack was located in Yemeni port of Aden. The USS Cole stop to get refuel while it was happening a small boat got near to it, it approached really closed and seconds later there was a big explosion. Actually, they got a board, even salute the sailors on the USS Cole, and afterwards there was a big explosion which killed these polite and serviceable sailors! The injured ones were taken to a medical center near Ramstein, located in Germany. The perpetrators were form Al-Qaeda! I think this attack was a backstabbing, this guys were received in a really friendly way, and the actually were there to kill the poor American sailors, so then can we trust nobody? It can confuse and scare all of us right?
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Anthrax letters in New York and Washington, DC (2001)
First, I will start by saying what anthrax is; it’s a disease caused by a bacterium that is highly lethal in some forms. On 2001 on the U.S. were the anthrax attacks, or amerithrax. They occurred over the course of several weeks beginning on September 18, 2001. The attack consisted of letters containing anthrax spores were mailed to several media offices and to two democratic U.S. senators. On this attack, five people were killed and seventeen were infected. The primary suspect was publicly identified until 2008.
The New York Post and NBC News letters contained the following note:
09-11-01
THIS IS NEXT
TAKE PENACILIN NOW
DEATH TO AMERICA
DEATH TO ISRAEL
ALLAH IS GREAT
The second note that was addressed to Senators Daschle and Leahy read:
09-11-01
YOU CAN NOT STOP US.
WE HAVE THIS ANTHRAX.
YOU DIE NOW.
ARE YOU AFRAID?
DEATH TO AMERICA.
BY: STEPHANIE CELIS
09-11-01
THIS IS NEXT
TAKE PENACILIN NOW
DEATH TO AMERICA
DEATH TO ISRAEL
ALLAH IS GREAT
The second note that was addressed to Senators Daschle and Leahy read:
09-11-01
YOU CAN NOT STOP US.
WE HAVE THIS ANTHRAX.
YOU DIE NOW.
ARE YOU AFRAID?
DEATH TO AMERICA.
BY: STEPHANIE CELIS
Attacks on America - 1983 Beirut barracks bombing
The Beirut barracks bombing was a major incident on October 23, 1983, during the Lebanese Civil War. Two truck bombs struck separate buildings in Beirut that housed United States and French military forces—members of the Multinational Force in Lebanon—killing hundreds of servicemen, the majority of whom were U.S. Marines. The blasts led to the withdrawal of the international peacekeeping force from Lebanon, where they had been stationed since the Israeli 1982 invasion of Lebanon. The organization Islamic Jihad took responsibility for the bombing, but that organization is thought to have been a nom de guerre for Hezbollah receiving help from the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Monday, February 2, 2009
outsourcing
Outsourcing is subcontracting a process, such as product design or manufacturing, to a third-party company. The decision to outsource is often made in the interest of lowering firm or making better use of time and energy costs, redirecting or conserving energy directed at the competencies of a particular business, or to make more efficient use of land, labor, capital, (information) technology and resources. Outsourcing became part of the business lexicon during the 1980s. It is essentially a division of labour. 'Outsourcing' became a popular political issue in the United States during the 2004 U.S. presidential election. The political debate centered on outsourcing's consequences for the domestic U.S. workforce. Democratic U.S. presidential candidate John Kerry criticized U.S. firms that outsource jobs abroad or that incorporate overseas in tax havens to avoid paying their fair share of U.S. taxes during his 2004 campaign, calling such firms "Benedict Arnold corporations". Criticism of outsourcing, from the perspective of U.S. citizens, by-and-large, revolves around the costs associated with transferring control of the labor process to an external entity in another country. A Zogby International poll conducted in August 2004 found that 71% of American voters believed that “outsourcing jobs overseas” hurt the economy while another 62% believed that the U.S. government should impose some legislative action against companies that transfer domestic jobs overseas, possibly in the form of increased taxes on companies that outsource. One given rationale is the extremely high corporate income tax rate in the U.S. relative to other OECD nations and the peculiar practice of taxing revenues earned outside of U.S. jurisdiction, a very uncommon practice. It is argued that lowering the corporate income tax and ending the double-taxation of foreign-derived revenue (taxed once in the nation where the revenue was raised, and once from the U.S.) will alleviate corporate outsourcing and make the U.S. more attractive to foreign companies. Sarbanes-Oxley has also been cited as a factor for corporate flight from U.S. jurisdiction. Policy solutions to outsourcing are also criticized. Some companies as BMI, RWD, DDI and INNOVATIA, use outsourcing. I think that it is a cheap way, and it gives job to many needed people, but may be there can be trouble within companies, trouble in comunication!
BY: JORGE LUIS VILLEGAS
Outsourcing referrs to a company that contracts with another company to provide services that might otherwise be performed by in-house employees. Many large companies now outsource jobs such as call center services, e-mail services, and payroll. These jobs are handled by separate companies that specialize in each service, and are often located overseas.
There are many reasons that companies outsource various jobs, but the most prominent advantage seems to be the fact that it often saves money. Many of the companies that provide outsourcing services are able to do the work for considerably less money, as they don't have to provide benefits to their workers, and have fewer overhead expenses to worry about.
Outsourcing referrs to a company that contracts with another company to provide services that might otherwise be performed by in-house employees. Many large companies now outsource jobs such as call center services, e-mail services, and payroll. These jobs are handled by separate companies that specialize in each service, and are often located overseas.
There are many reasons that companies outsource various jobs, but the most prominent advantage seems to be the fact that it often saves money. Many of the companies that provide outsourcing services are able to do the work for considerably less money, as they don't have to provide benefits to their workers, and have fewer overhead expenses to worry about.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
BY: STEPHANIE CELIS
Outsourcing can really be beneficial for a number of reasons. Some companies enjoy benefits such as reduced labor costs, larger workforces, access to industry experts and increased flexibility through outsourcing. However, despite the obvious advantages to outsourcing there are some situations when outsourcing is not a good idea. Although there a number of scenarios where outsourcing is a viable business option there are other scenarios where outsourcing is not the best idea. In these situations it is best to keep the work in-house rather than attempting to make an outsourcing situation work out. When Outsourcing is Too CostlyOne of the primary advantages of outsourcing is a cost reduction. In many cases outsourcing results in reduced labor costs because costs such as social security, health care and workers' compensation are eliminated. Additionally, the increased efficiency resulting when tasks are outsourced to industry experts can also result in a cost reduction. Despite these many opportunities for cost reductions, there are some situations where outsourcing might be the more expensive alternative and it may also lead to a financial loss instead of a gain. This may include a situation where the cost of outsourcing to a highly specialized expert exceeds the budget for the project. Fees for individuals with highly specialized degrees or areas of expertise are often quite expensive. Another possible situation is one where finding an individual qualified to complete specialized tasks would be too expensive of a process. When Outsourcing Causes You to Lose ControlEven when tasks or projects are outsourced the company responsible for the work likes to continue to manage the project and keep close tabs on the progress of tasks. It is important for the company to continue to manage the project even after it has been outsourced because they are the ones who are ultimately responsible for the successful completion of the project. Whenever an individual or company wants to deny the company access to project files or documents, outsourcing is a bad idea. The company who has the vested interest in the outcome of the project should never be excluded from participating in making decisions regarding the project. Before outsourcing a task or project care should be taken to establish criteria for the management of the project. Depending on the length and complexity of the project it may also be wise to schedule regular meetings to provide updates on the progress of the project. During this time the contractor should provide the employer with all documentation necessary to evaluate the progress of the project and verify it is still on track for completion by the established deadline. When Outsourcing is Not PermittedSometimes outsourcing is not a good idea simply because it is not permitted by contract requirements. Some project contracts may have stipulations stating the work cannot be outsourced to an individual or to another company. Inserting such a clause into a contract document is well within the rights of the clients. When they hire a particular company to complete a project or task, they expect all work related to the project or task to be completed by members of that company unless they specified otherwise when negotiating the contract. Violating the contract documents in this situation is not a good idea. The company could be penalized by the client. Penalties may include withholding payment or refusing to award future projects or tasks to the company.
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/16669/outsourcing/when_outsourcing_is_not_a_good_idea.html
BY: RICARDO SALAZAR
The gist of a new layoff study by the Labor Department is that very few U.S. job losses can be blamed on "offshoring" -- a finding that is already being slammed by critics who say the government dramatically undercounted the number of jobs heading overseas to cheaper labor markets.
At the same time, the findings are expected to buttress the arguments of various industry groups and economists who say sending technology, manufacturing and other jobs to India and China and other cheaper labor markets is in the long-term best interests of the economy at large. As the Knight Ridder news service put it, "While certain industries, manufacturing and software among them, were found to have been hit harder than others, the report implies that public anxiety about jobs moving overseas, called offshoring, may be overblown."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33998-2004Jun11.html
BY: JORGE MONTES DE OCA
Outsourcing referrs to a company that contracts with another company to provide services that might otherwise be performed by in-house employees. Many large companies now outsource jobs such as call center services, e-mail services, and payroll. These jobs are handled by separate companies that specialize in each service, and are often located overseas. There are many reasons that companies outsource various jobs, but the most prominent advantage seems to be the fact that it often saves money. Many of the companies that provide outsourcing services are able to do the work for considerably less money, as they don't have to provide benefits to their workers, and have fewer overhead expenses to worry about. Outsourcing also allows companies to focus on other business issues while having the details taken care of by outside experts. This means that a large amount of resources and attention, that might fall on the shoulders of management professionals, can be used for more important, broader issues within the company. The specialized company that handles the outsourced work is often streamlined and often has world-class capabilities and access to new technology that a company couldn't afford to buy on their own. Plus, if a company is looking to expand, outsourcing is a cost-effective way to start building foundations in other countries. There are some disadvantages to outsourcing as well. One of these is that outsourcing often eliminates direct communication between a company and its clients. This prevents a company from building solid relationships with their customers, and often leads to dissatisfaction on one or both sides. There is also the danger of not being able to control some aspects of the company, as outsourcing may lead to delayed communications and project implementation. Any sensitive information is more vulnerable, and a company may become very dependent upon its outsource providers, which could lead to problems should the outsource provider back out on their contract suddenly.
BY: FELIX LIZARRAGA
Outsourcing Boom is Over
A new study finds that the outsourcing boom is coming to a close due to experienced customers becoming more savvy and picky about the work they hand to outsourcing providers.
The outsourcing boom has passed and maturity is setting in, according to a new study from consulting firm DiamondCluster International in Chicago.
The leveling off is due in part to experienced customers becoming more savvy and more picky about the work they hand to outsourcing providers.
The reticence on the part of some customers is due to disappointment with the performance of their outsourcing providers, the study found.
"I expected the abnormal termination trends to go down, but they remained pretty high," said Tom Weakland, leader of the outsourcing advisory services practice at DiamondCluster. Abnormal terminations occur when customers scrap a contract before its scheduled completion date.
Premature contract terminations, particularly with onshore providers, continue to be a prevalent trend, he noted.
The study found that 47 percent of buyers reported they had prematurely terminated at least one outsourcing relationship in the prior 12 months.
Only 28 percent of buyers terminated at least one offshore deal, but 42 percent of onshore customers had done so. Of those, 53 percent cited poor performance by their onshore provider.
In addition, customers also questioned whether theyre receiving value from onshore providers, Weakland said.
"Theres negativity building in onshore versus offshore. We see more people terminating onshore deals in order to put things offshore," said Weakland.
He said offshore providers are seen as more attractive because they can increasingly boast certifications, such as CMMI, to go with their significantly lower costs.
The disaffection is leading to an overall decrease in outsourcing spending. In the 2004 DiamondCluster survey, no respondents said they would decrease their outsourcing spending. However, this year, 9 percent said they would decrease their spending, although most buyers do remain committed to increasing their purchasing.
This years study findings echo those of DiamondClusters study a year ago, which found dissatisfaction among customers who chose the lowest-priced bidder and found that early contract terminations were way up.
The 2005 survey found that many customers were looking seriously at China as an offshore outsourcing destination, a trend that continues this year, according to Weakland.
However, this years survey also shows strong interest in Canada as an offshore location. In addition, Eastern Europe emerged as the second fastest-growing offshore destination, behind China.
Despite the turnoff overall, Weakland said that U.S. IT managers are adapting to outsourcing and gradually implementing it as a comprehensive corporate strategy, rather than as individual contracts for distinct IT tasks.
Outsourcing can really be beneficial for a number of reasons. Some companies enjoy benefits such as reduced labor costs, larger workforces, access to industry experts and increased flexibility through outsourcing. However, despite the obvious advantages to outsourcing there are some situations when outsourcing is not a good idea. Although there a number of scenarios where outsourcing is a viable business option there are other scenarios where outsourcing is not the best idea. In these situations it is best to keep the work in-house rather than attempting to make an outsourcing situation work out. When Outsourcing is Too CostlyOne of the primary advantages of outsourcing is a cost reduction. In many cases outsourcing results in reduced labor costs because costs such as social security, health care and workers' compensation are eliminated. Additionally, the increased efficiency resulting when tasks are outsourced to industry experts can also result in a cost reduction. Despite these many opportunities for cost reductions, there are some situations where outsourcing might be the more expensive alternative and it may also lead to a financial loss instead of a gain. This may include a situation where the cost of outsourcing to a highly specialized expert exceeds the budget for the project. Fees for individuals with highly specialized degrees or areas of expertise are often quite expensive. Another possible situation is one where finding an individual qualified to complete specialized tasks would be too expensive of a process. When Outsourcing Causes You to Lose ControlEven when tasks or projects are outsourced the company responsible for the work likes to continue to manage the project and keep close tabs on the progress of tasks. It is important for the company to continue to manage the project even after it has been outsourced because they are the ones who are ultimately responsible for the successful completion of the project. Whenever an individual or company wants to deny the company access to project files or documents, outsourcing is a bad idea. The company who has the vested interest in the outcome of the project should never be excluded from participating in making decisions regarding the project. Before outsourcing a task or project care should be taken to establish criteria for the management of the project. Depending on the length and complexity of the project it may also be wise to schedule regular meetings to provide updates on the progress of the project. During this time the contractor should provide the employer with all documentation necessary to evaluate the progress of the project and verify it is still on track for completion by the established deadline. When Outsourcing is Not PermittedSometimes outsourcing is not a good idea simply because it is not permitted by contract requirements. Some project contracts may have stipulations stating the work cannot be outsourced to an individual or to another company. Inserting such a clause into a contract document is well within the rights of the clients. When they hire a particular company to complete a project or task, they expect all work related to the project or task to be completed by members of that company unless they specified otherwise when negotiating the contract. Violating the contract documents in this situation is not a good idea. The company could be penalized by the client. Penalties may include withholding payment or refusing to award future projects or tasks to the company.
http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/16669/outsourcing/when_outsourcing_is_not_a_good_idea.html
BY: RICARDO SALAZAR
The gist of a new layoff study by the Labor Department is that very few U.S. job losses can be blamed on "offshoring" -- a finding that is already being slammed by critics who say the government dramatically undercounted the number of jobs heading overseas to cheaper labor markets.
At the same time, the findings are expected to buttress the arguments of various industry groups and economists who say sending technology, manufacturing and other jobs to India and China and other cheaper labor markets is in the long-term best interests of the economy at large. As the Knight Ridder news service put it, "While certain industries, manufacturing and software among them, were found to have been hit harder than others, the report implies that public anxiety about jobs moving overseas, called offshoring, may be overblown."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A33998-2004Jun11.html
BY: JORGE MONTES DE OCA
Outsourcing referrs to a company that contracts with another company to provide services that might otherwise be performed by in-house employees. Many large companies now outsource jobs such as call center services, e-mail services, and payroll. These jobs are handled by separate companies that specialize in each service, and are often located overseas. There are many reasons that companies outsource various jobs, but the most prominent advantage seems to be the fact that it often saves money. Many of the companies that provide outsourcing services are able to do the work for considerably less money, as they don't have to provide benefits to their workers, and have fewer overhead expenses to worry about. Outsourcing also allows companies to focus on other business issues while having the details taken care of by outside experts. This means that a large amount of resources and attention, that might fall on the shoulders of management professionals, can be used for more important, broader issues within the company. The specialized company that handles the outsourced work is often streamlined and often has world-class capabilities and access to new technology that a company couldn't afford to buy on their own. Plus, if a company is looking to expand, outsourcing is a cost-effective way to start building foundations in other countries. There are some disadvantages to outsourcing as well. One of these is that outsourcing often eliminates direct communication between a company and its clients. This prevents a company from building solid relationships with their customers, and often leads to dissatisfaction on one or both sides. There is also the danger of not being able to control some aspects of the company, as outsourcing may lead to delayed communications and project implementation. Any sensitive information is more vulnerable, and a company may become very dependent upon its outsource providers, which could lead to problems should the outsource provider back out on their contract suddenly.
BY: FELIX LIZARRAGA
Outsourcing Boom is Over
A new study finds that the outsourcing boom is coming to a close due to experienced customers becoming more savvy and picky about the work they hand to outsourcing providers.
The outsourcing boom has passed and maturity is setting in, according to a new study from consulting firm DiamondCluster International in Chicago.
The leveling off is due in part to experienced customers becoming more savvy and more picky about the work they hand to outsourcing providers.
The reticence on the part of some customers is due to disappointment with the performance of their outsourcing providers, the study found.
"I expected the abnormal termination trends to go down, but they remained pretty high," said Tom Weakland, leader of the outsourcing advisory services practice at DiamondCluster. Abnormal terminations occur when customers scrap a contract before its scheduled completion date.
Premature contract terminations, particularly with onshore providers, continue to be a prevalent trend, he noted.
The study found that 47 percent of buyers reported they had prematurely terminated at least one outsourcing relationship in the prior 12 months.
Only 28 percent of buyers terminated at least one offshore deal, but 42 percent of onshore customers had done so. Of those, 53 percent cited poor performance by their onshore provider.
In addition, customers also questioned whether theyre receiving value from onshore providers, Weakland said.
"Theres negativity building in onshore versus offshore. We see more people terminating onshore deals in order to put things offshore," said Weakland.
He said offshore providers are seen as more attractive because they can increasingly boast certifications, such as CMMI, to go with their significantly lower costs.
The disaffection is leading to an overall decrease in outsourcing spending. In the 2004 DiamondCluster survey, no respondents said they would decrease their outsourcing spending. However, this year, 9 percent said they would decrease their spending, although most buyers do remain committed to increasing their purchasing.
This years study findings echo those of DiamondClusters study a year ago, which found dissatisfaction among customers who chose the lowest-priced bidder and found that early contract terminations were way up.
The 2005 survey found that many customers were looking seriously at China as an offshore outsourcing destination, a trend that continues this year, according to Weakland.
However, this years survey also shows strong interest in Canada as an offshore location. In addition, Eastern Europe emerged as the second fastest-growing offshore destination, behind China.
Despite the turnoff overall, Weakland said that U.S. IT managers are adapting to outsourcing and gradually implementing it as a comprehensive corporate strategy, rather than as individual contracts for distinct IT tasks.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Welcome =)
Hi well here is our Blog=), I hope you like it. This team is formed by Iltze Felix, Stephanie Celis, Ricardo Salazar, Felix Lizarraga, Jorge Luis Villegas, and me Jorge Montes de Oca. We hope you like our stuff that will be putting in this blog and hopefully you'll love it=). We are also going to read your blogs don't worry.
At. TEAM J E R I F S
At. TEAM J E R I F S
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