ShantanuT01/DACTYL-Pretraining huggingface dataset:
Red sorghum is a 1988 film whose theme revolves around the life of woman. The woman lives a life full of misfortunes with liquor playing a major role in the whole film. In this film, the man’s son narrates the story of a man’s mother. The man is the protagonist, while the film illustrates the effect of circumstances and the presence of liquor on the life of the man’s mother (Chien & Chih 4). Jiu’er, a young girl, is offered to a leper for marriage. The marriage is arranged as a traditional norm by the girl’s parents and the leper. Consequently, the girl marries the man against her will, and therefore she is a victim of circumstances. The man that the girl is to be married to owns a distillery. The leper is apparently rich, but he is an old man. For these reasons, the girl is not willing to be married to the designated groom (Halvorson 2). A wedding is planned and there is a sedan chair used for carrying the bride. Several people are bearing the sedan and there is a leader among them. The wedding party has to pass through a sorghum plantation when an armed person attacks them. In addition, the man is armed with a pistol. The bearers of the sedan confront the man and successfully fend off the assailant. Evidently, Jiu’er and the attacker are attracted to each other. This is seen from the way in which the girl and the man look at each other. Three days after this incident, the attacker stalks Jiu’er, captures her, and identifies himself. A sexual engagement follows the capture of Jiu’er (Halvorson 3). Due to unexplained circumstances, the leper who married Jiu’er dies after a short time into the marriage, and Jiu’er is left struggling with the distillery that previously belonged to the leper husband. She tries to motivate the employees to dedicate themselves to the success of the distillery, which is in a difficult situation. Jiu’er is the kidnapped by some armed men because of her treatment of the man whom she encountered on the day of the wedding. However, they avoid assaulting her because she had previously been married to a leper. On the other hand, her loyal distillery workers free her from the kidnappers in exchange for some money (Halvorson 5). A while later, Jiu’er bears a son with the man who attacked her on her way home. The
Speech Ethics Issue It is appropriate for public speakers and politicians to consider the importance of ethics and morals in public speaking. This is necessary because the targeted audience should believe their messages and words. The audience should also be able to trust the speaker. There is a time when I encountered an issue related to speech ethics. This took place when a certain contestant was addressing his audience during a school campaign. The speaker indicated that the institution was evading taxes and promoting poor academic practices. He highlighted that the school administrators were racists because they failed to provide equal opportunities to learners from various minority groups. He also argued that the institution did not provide similar opportunities to immigrant learners. As one of the listeners, I understood clearly that the institution was providing equal opportunities to learners from different backgrounds. As well, the school had put in place the best team to deal with any cases related to discrimination, abuse, or prejudice. The school was always paying its taxes promptly. The Ethical Issues Involved This situation presents unethical public speaking. The speaker was running for the institution’s Board of Directors. The person’s campaign was unethical because he presented deceptive ideas and accusations. He twisted the details about school taxes. He also accused the current Board of Directors of promoting racial prejudice and discrimination in the institution. That being the case, the contestant failed to maintain the highest level of reputation and credibility during the campaign. He also failed to present accurate and fair arguments to support his thesis. He also presented lies through distortion and deception. This situation explains the importance of ethical practices in public speaking. Every speaker should abide by existing beliefs, facts, and moral standards. His opponents were ready to tackle the situation. They presented accurate details to their followers and convinced them that the accusations presented against the Board of Directors were inaccurate. The targeted people were convinced and voted against the public speaker. Ethical Guidelines to Improve the Situation Any ethical behavior will always erode people’s confidence and trust. Every listener wants to trust the message and details presented by a public speaker. The listener also wants to believe in the message and words. The above situation should not
Introduction Before we analyze the case in detail it is important to first take a look at a definition of corporate strategy so we know what we are analyzing. ‘Strategy is the direction and scope of an organization over the long term: which achieves advantages for the organizations through it configuration of resources within a challenging environment, to meet the needs of markets and to fulfill stakeholders’ expectations.’( Tutor2U, 2009) The case analyzes how external pressures forced Merck to reevaluate its business strategy and how they managed to evolve and actually implement a strategy that would bring them long-term success and success and enable it to see through economic downturns like the one affecting the global economy at the moment. Basically, their focus was on implementing policies that would make their organization more flexible and also leaner (Johnson and Nisita, 2009). The example of a company from the pharmaceutical sector is extremely appropriate since that industry is struggling with problems beyond those attributable to the downturn. The following questions allow us to analyze the Merck strategy and discuss the main challenges faced by it in the implementation of a new strategy and also discuss the application of strategy development and implementation with respect to a Kuwaiti company. What are the most important elements of Merck’s strategy? One of the most important elements regarding Merck’s strategy was the creation of a Strategy Realization Office. This move created an entire department focused on the successful implementation of strategies. Line managers tend to get bogged down with daily work or get tied to traditions to reevaluate what they are doing and consider doing things in a different way. This makes it very advantageous to have a separate unit that is focused totally on strategy implementation and seeks to bring together the different departments such as sales, marketing, and finance amongst others on one page so that there is an asymmetry in what each of the departments is doing. This focus on unifying the goals of each department is also a key element of their strategy. Each department needs to work together and achieve synergy if the organization’s goals are to be successfully achieved. Another element to this unification is the centralization of the different units of Merck in different countries. Although there is a small compromise on flexibility in any effort of centralization, however a unified focus for all units can serve to work well in the sense that the units are focused on the entire organization’s well-being rather than their own unit. Also, it is important to make each department feel that there are keys to the organization but need to work together for success. For example, for Merck, the case indicates that the R&D department and marketing department ha
The book “Born Red” tells the story of a personal character in relation to family and changes that take place after the Cultural Revolution. The book illustrates the connection between family members and the relationship that changes according to the country and the political matters that take place. Often, the connection between the country and its citizens is unnoticeable but “Born Red” clearly outlines how this relationship is interdependent and influential in the public and private lives of people. The Gao family goes through some rough times during the Revolution. The years have shown to be very hard and strenuous. The violence and brutality of the Revolution have had a great toll on people, the conditions they lived in and the country in general. Gao’s family had very close relationship before the war. As Gao tells the story, it is easy to see how it influenced his personal understanding of life and the world. It is shown that the effects of the common beliefs and the movements that were going on in the country have engulfed the understanding and beliefs of Gao. Such a close encounter shows how deep the personal suffering was and what were the undeniable changes on the structure and system of the family. The reader is reminded of the strong support and ability to find decisions a family has and that people must not forget who they are and where they come from (Gao 23). Gao’s family is similar to other families because the analysis depicts that nature of the struggle and conflict families had to face in relation to the young generation. The political movement has become a dividing force for the people. Many teenagers were affected by the promises and changes offered by the government. Gao has seen much violence that the young generation has caused one another. He also describes the violence and the brutalities that were committed in the name of idealistic ideas and the ability of both sides to sacrifice. Very often, such actions expect to have a large number of people “lost” to the cause. It is a planned and deliberate course of action and it is known that the government always has a goal laid out, which will allow for most beneficial and painless transition. But also, the value and closeness of family ties is shown. This represents that goodness in the society is based on close interrelationship, outside and within the family. Sometimes, whole families are friends together and this creates an even more established network of friendship and support for all. Gao’s loyalty is tested throughout the events that we become witness to. His understanding and patriotic nature are tested in relation to the country, the policies and regulations that it stands for. On the other hand, his relationship with his family experiences a lot of pressure and the closeness and love of people are put on the line. The first glance at the effects of the Revolution on the family might seem negative. As everyone is very emotional, the agitation with the stability of the country and family’s safety come
Introduction As the world continues to modernize, the environment suffers. Trees are cut down to give way for the latest commercial and/ or residential areas. The results of deforestation have been deadly over the last decades were floods and landslides brought about disasters in the homes of thousands of families. Campaigns that promote the restoration and preservation of the environment have risen over the years. Different organizations have supported such through their corporate social responsibility programs but there are some that go a step further. This paper will examine Marriott International Hotel Group’s efforts in sustaining the environment. The individual operation of a hotel will be the focus of this paper because by studying the activities of Marriott in their campaign to go green the hotel chain’s strategies implemented can be a learning lesson for someone who is in the hospitality and tourism industry. Marriott International has won several awards in terms of their environmental sustainability programs over the past decades. The JW Marriott in Indianapolis has been awarded the Emerging Green Award which was presented by the Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) last November 9, 2011 at the Washington Hilton Hotel ( JW Marriott Indianapolis Wins Green Award , 2011). “To be considered for the award, the hotel had to document all steps taken to lessen its environmental impact such as buying and using environmentally friendly products, having ongoing training in environmental policies and practices and encouraging the use of low-impact transportation for guests and employees” ( JW Marriott Indianapolis Wins Green Award , 2011). Challenges There are a few challenges in environmental sustainability programs especially in the hospitality and tourism industry. In order to build hotels, trees are cut down as they are being used to build facilities. Sometimes deforestation occurs to give way for hotels and country clubs to be built on. It is a challenge for hotel engineers and architects to lessen the cutting down of trees in building facilities. Another challenge in the hotel industry with regards to environmental sustainability campaigns is the monitoring of power, gas and water usages. The hotel management can discipline and monitor the consumption of electricity, gas and water of hotel staff but it is very difficult for them to monitor the usages of hotel guests. The management can only put notes in hotel rooms to inform guests of conserving resources but they cannot impose such on the latter thus it is difficult to monitor the consumption of natural resources. Lastly, the challenge of reusing and recycling materials to prevent environmental harm and wastage
Introduction President Trump’s conduct in office has been worrying the US citizens since his election. Therefore, when it became known that Trump tried to use the authority of another government in his own political interests, an impeachment inquiry was announced. Trump asked the Ukrainian president to investigate Hunter Biden, a son of his main rival in the oncoming election. However, this is not the only reason causing Trump to be the fourth president under impeachment investigation. This paper will consider the Constitutional provisions related to impeachment and the historical precedents established during the impeachment proceedings of past presidents. It will also analyze what it will take constitutionally, procedurally, substantively, and politically to impeach the sitting president. Impeachment Provisions of the Constitution The constitutional provisions on impeachment are stated in two articles of the document. The Constitution stipulates that “the House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment” (Article I, section 2). It means that only the House of Representatives initiates the procedure of impeachment. The Constitution also claims that “the Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments” (Article I, section 3). Thus, the Senate decides whether the impeached official should be convicted or acquitted. This section further stipulates that if the matter concerns the president, the Chief Justice should conduct the trial (Article I, section 3). Furthermore, to remove a person from the office, “the Concurrence of two-thirds of the Members present” is required (Article I, section 3). Finally, it is possible to bar a person from office and try him or her according to law. The other article specifies the officials subject to impeachment and the reasons for this procedure. The Constitution states that “the President, Vice President and all Civil Officers of the United States, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, and Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors” (Article II, section 4). The grounds for impeachment are formulated vaguely, which may cause disputes as to what kinds of officials’ behavior come within the described offenses. Historical Precedents for Impeachment In the history of the USA, three presidents were put under impeachment investigation: Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, and Richard Nixon. Andrew Johnson was impeached in 1868, after the Civil War, and became the first American president to undergo this procedure. The reason for his impeachment was that he infringed the Tenure of Office Act. This act limited presidential powers by prohibiting the president to dismiss particular officials without the approval of the Senate. However, Johnson removed the Secretary of War from his office, which led to his impeachment. During the first trial, the president was acquitted. After a ten-day delay, the second vote was held, and Johnson was acquitted again. This preceden
John Updike’s chef-d’oeuvre story, A&P, highlights consumerism and its dehumanizing impacts as some of the cultural issues that America was experiencing in the 1960s. The story is populated with brand names, which could be confusing at first, but a closer look reveals what Updike is trying to achieve – to reflect the growing trend in America at the time whereby people’s identity is based not on their social interactions and other personal attributes, but by what one can purchase and consume. This paper focuses on the issue of consumerism as a cultural issue presented in the story A&P . During the post-war era of the 1950s, the American economy was thriving and as people became highly educated coupled with a growing sense of cultural history, shopping became a daily trend, and consumerism took the center stage. In the story, Updike describes A&P’s customers, specifically the girls, as “sheep pushing their carts down the aisle” (240). In other words, the customers are docile without the capacity to think independent of what corporate America has told them – that they need more goods for their lives to become better. In Updike’s eyes, the consumers are “scared pigs in a chute” (242), which is dehumanizing. The rising consumerism at the time had robbed people of the ability to reason out and realize that their lives were more than the goods that they could purchase and consume. The protagonist in the story comments, “I bet you could set off dynamite in an A&P and the people would by and large keep reaching and checking oatmeal off their lists” (Updike 240). In this sentence, Updike attempts to highlight how consumerism has turned normal people into zombie-like creatures devoid of the capacity to be aware of their milieu. Given that people do not necessarily need the goods they are buying, corporations have become creative to ensure that consumers are persuaded to spend their money on things they do not require. Therefore, inside the supermarket, everything can be found including the “cat-and-dog-food-breakfast-cereal-macaroni-rice raisins-seasonings-spreads-spaghetti-soft-drinks-crackers-and-cookies aisle” (Updike 240). As such, advertising shifts from directing individuals from what they want to convince them to desire whatever is up for sale. This form of aggressive marketing is seen throughout the story. For instance, herring snacks are not just herring snacks but “Kingfish Fancy Herring Snacks in Pure Sour Cream” (Updike 241). In the quest to promote consumerism, it is not enough to give consumers plain herring snacks – they have to be “fancy” and not just in sour cream, but “pure” sour cream. With the proliferation of goods and unprecedented growth of the economy after the war, the markets were becoming competitive and thus corporates had to res
Similarities in Spanish and English English and Spanish languages have a lot of similarities .Both share common nouns and especially the names of items. For example, the noun insect in English is insecto in Spanish and professor in English is profesor in Spanish. Some words in Spanish are also synonymous in English. Besides, some of the sentence structures in English and Spanish are similar. Both languages usually apply subject-verb-object word order. Spanish language also has parts of speech just like English (Mott 5-18). Differences in Spanish and English Pronunciation of words in English and Spanish is very different as in Spanish, each letter in a word carries equal weight; meaning that each vowel has to be pronounced as opposed to English where some vowels and consonants are always silent (Smith and Swan 24). Another feature that is different in the two languages is the endings to nouns in feminine and masculine forms. Masculine nouns in Spanish end with the suffix ‘o’ or may end with a consonant and are pluralized using ‘los’, while feminine nouns end with ‘a’ and are pluralized using ‘las’. On the other hand, English language does not differentiate between feminine and masculine nouns. In English, nouns ending in vowels are pluralized using‘s’ while nouns ending in consonants are pluralized using ‘es’ (Smith and Swan 17). Another difference that exists between these two languages is in the use of adjectives where adjectives come before the nouns in English and after the nouns in Spanish. In Spanish, an adjective transform to match to the noun that it is recounting or the gender of that noun. Spanish language has many different verb conjugations, unlike English language which only has a few (Smith and Swan 47). Besides, Spanish language has non-standardized syntax as compared to English since, in Spanish; the emphasized word may come at the end of the sentence. Again, in Spanish, the verb tenses have no one-to-one correspondence (Smith and Swan 44). There is quite a disparity in the phonology of the two languages in their vowel sounds and also in their sentence stress. Spanish language has five pure vowels as well as five dipthongs (Smith and Swan 21). On the other hand, English has twelve pure vowels as eight dipthongs sounds. There also exist differences in semantics as some English-Spanish cognates have different meanings (Smith and Swan 21). Teaching Strategy for ELLs In teaching as a second language to Spanish learners, the knowledge of their similarities and differences is very important as it enables the teacher evaluate each learner’s entry behavior in English language (Lucas 84). Due to the similarities that exist between English and Spanish particularly in words and nouns, English language learners who have knowledge in Spanish and can read Spanish