Why Ban Smoking in US Military Essay Example

Why Ban Smoking in US Military Essay In a commissioned study by the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affair (VA), a ban on smoking in US military was proposed which was said would change more likely the entire culture of the military (Fox News). If approved, it would end the profitable sales of tobacco around US military bases and make smoking illegal among uniformed soldiers, even in combats. New recruits to the service would need to be tobacco-free and treatment programs would be expanded once the proposal is enacted. The study proposed a five- to 10- even 20- year period gradual phase out of the ban.The proponents of the ban argue that it is for the best. Smoking weakens the soldiers because can cause cancer and other cardiovascular diseases. This translates to poor performance during battles. The rationale behind the proposal is basically to protect people, both the smokers and the people who suffer the effects of second-hand smoking. How can the country rely on servicemen who are threatened of numerous disea ses such as cancer, emphysema and other heart problems? On the other hand, those who are opposing the ban claim that tobacco is a necessity to over come the lack of sleep and food during war. When soldiers smoke, they can forget other bodily needs which are impossible to get in the field anyway. However, this escapism does not solve the problem. For example, studies would show that soldiers who suffer from depression or post- traumatic stress disorder are more likely to smoke. Instead of seeking professional health from doctors, these soldiers seek diversion is smoking which does not solve the problem but create a new one.According to the study, the tobacco ban would relieve Pentagon of $846 million a year in medical care and lost productivity. For VA, the ban means doing away with the $6 billion in treatments for illness cause by smoking. Service members were found out to be heavy smokers ? soldiers are around 37 percent and marines 36 percent. Compared to the ratio of adult Americ an smokers to non-smokers of 1:5, one in three men in service is smoking. Fifty percent of soldiers who experienced combat were more likely to use tobacco than those who did not.In the US, the history of smoking ban started in 1975 in the state of Minnesota when the Minnesota Clean Indoor Air Act was passed (Hung, et. al., 2005). At first, only restaurants have sections where smoking was prohibited. Eventually, through the Freedom to Breathe Act of 2007, all restaurants and bars statewide were banned. This was followed in 1990 by San Luis Obispo, California, the first city in the world to ban smoking from all public places. Inspired by California’s commitment, New York started implementing band in 2008.Critics of the smoking bans maintain that it is an encroachment of personal rights. Everyone is thinking about the right of everybody except the right of the smokers. This argument is based on John Stuart Mill’s â€Å"harm principle,† stating that the damage of se condhand smoking does not warrant government intervention. Other economists argue that smoke ban is not necessarily the best solution. Smokers can always compensate nonsmokers without government intrusion. Legal issues have arisen because of such ban, mostly from affected businesses that loss profits without pay off (McGowan, 1995). However, in 2006, a review was conducted in US and established that smoking bans were unlikely to have bad effects in business establishments. In fact, many bars and restaurants have experienced a boost in business after they became smoke free.The tobacco ban is just logical in places such as the military bases and their other facilities with explosive hazards. This would promote safety, reduce liability and lower energy use when ventilation needs go down. Cleanliness of the air and the surroundings due to reduced quantity of litter should give the servicemen the incentive to quit smoking. These people’s primary occupation is to assure the citizen s’ safety from threat and they should play an important role in promoting public health. They are idolized by many and should set an example of making a move towards a healthy lifestyle and not adhering to a culture where smoking becomes an everyday part of existence.Soldiers who smoke are more likely to drop out before they finish their enlisted commitments because of poor health. While in service, they suffer from poor eye sight, fail fitness test, as well as being absent from work frequently. Soldiers who are into smoking are said to bleed harder after surgery, to recover slowly and to be easily infected. If they survive the combats, they still have to face the consequences of being nicotine addicts when they get back home.Secondhand smoke imposes the same problem as much as direct smoking does (Chapman, 2007). So imagine a single soldier who smokes and pollutes the entire barrack. Studies show that a nonsmoker who lives with a smoker has a 20 to 30 percent greater risk of lung cancer than nonsmoker who lives with another nonsmoker. In a workplace, a nonsmoker exposed from secondhand smoke is 16 to 19 percent more likely to have lung cancer. This is the case because nonsmokers are exposed to the same amount of carcinogen as confirmed by International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organization, US National Cancer Institute, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. National Institutes of Health and Surgeon General of the United States.Smokers do not only harm their self but also the environment. There is no dispute that smoking pollutes the air. There are around 4,000 hazardous substance in cigarettes which human beings inhale and exhale in the atmosphere (Phalen, 2002). An entire squad of soldiers doing exactly the same thing indicates an enourmous quantity of pollution. Smoking also causes water and land pollution due to million of cigarette butts left on the ground and end up in lakes and rivers. Water animals mistak en these cigarette butts for food are being poisoned and killed. Cigarette butts seem so insignificant but it can do a lot of damage during the 25 years of its decomposition. While decomposing, its hazardous elements leak to the soil, harming the plants. They are also highly flamable which can cause major fires.To sum up, arguments supporting the smoking ban in US military outweigh the criticism. When the ban is officially enacted, it will improve the health of the servicemen, cut the cost for health services and ultimately, save lives.Works CitedChapman, Simon. Public Health Advocacy and Tobacco Control: Making Smoking History. MA: Blackwell Publishing, Inc, 2007.â€Å"Smoking Ban May Strike Military.† 11 July 2009.   Fox News. 16 July 2009   http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/07/11/smoking-ban-strike-military/Hung, Yung-Tse, Norman Pereira and Lawrence Wang. Advance Air and Noise Pollution Control. NJ: Humana Press, Inc., 2005.McGowan, Richard. Business, Politics and Cigarettes: Multiple Levels, Multiple Agendas. CT: Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc., 1995.Phalen, Robert. The Particulate Air Pollution Controversy: A Case Study and Lessons Learned. Massachusetts: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2002.

President George W. Bush Fast Facts

President George W. Bush Fast Facts George Walker Bush (1946-) served as the forty-third president of the United States from 2001 to 2009. Early in his first term on September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked the Pentagon and the World Trade Center using airplanes as weapons. The rest of both of his terms in office were spent dealing with the after-effects of this. America got involved in two wars: one in Afghanistan and one in Iraq.  Here is a quick list of fast facts for George W Bush. For more in-depth information, you can also read the George W Bush Biography. Birth: July 6, 1946Term of Office: January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009Number of Terms Elected: 2 TermsFirst Lady: Laura Welch George W Bush Quote If our country does not lead the cause of freedom, it will not be led. If we do not turn the hearts of children toward knowledge and character, we will lose their gifts and undermine their idealism. If we permit our economy to drift and decline, the vulnerable will suffer most. Major Events While in Office Contested Election (2000)Terrorist Attack on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center in New York City (September 11, 2001)War in Afghanistan (2001)War in Iraq (2003)

How Napoleon Became Emperor of France

How Napoleon Became Emperor of France Napoleon Bonaparte first took political power in France through a coup against the old government, but he had not instigated it: that had principally been the plotting of Sieyes. What Napoleon did was to capitalize on the situation in order to dominate the new ruling Consulate and gain control of France by creating a constitution which bound his interests to many of the most powerful people in France: the landowners. He was then able to use this to leverage his support into being declared Emperor. The passage of a leading general through the end of a revolutionary series of governments and into an emperor was not clear and could have failed, but Napoleon showed as much skill in this area of politics as he did on the battlefield. Why the Landowners Supported Napoleon The revolution had stripped the land and wealth from the churches and much of the aristocracy and sold it to landowners who were now terrified that royalists, or some sort of comprise government, would strip them of it, in turn, and restore it. There were calls for the return of the crown (small at this point, but present), and a new monarch would surely rebuild the church and aristocracy. Napoleon thus created a constitution which gave many of these landowners power, and as he said they should retain the land (and allowed them to block any movement of land), ensured that they would, in turn, support him as leader of France. Why Landowners Wanted an Emperor However, the constitution only made Napoleon First Consul for ten years, and people began to fear what would happen when Napoleon left. This allowed him to secure the nomination of the consulship for life in 1802: if Napoleon didn’t have to be replaced after a decade, land was safe for longer. Napoleon also used this period to pack more of his men into government while debasing the other structures, further increasing his support. The result was, by 1804, a ruling class which was loyal to Napoleon, but now worrying what would happen on his death, a situation exacerbated by an assassination attempt and their First Consul’s habit of leading armies (hed already nearly been killed in battle and would later wish he had been). The expelled French monarchy was still waiting outside the nation, threatening to return all ‘stolen’ property: could they ever come back, such as had happened in England? The result, enflamed by Napoleon’s propaganda and his family, was the idea that Napoleon’s government must be made hereditary so hopefully, on Napoleon’s death, an heir who thought like his father would inherit and safeguard land. Emperor of France Consequently, on May 18th, 1804, the Senate – who had all been chosen by Napoleon - passed a law making him Emperor of the French (he had rejected king as both too close to the old royal government and not ambitious enough) and his family was made hereditary heirs. A plebiscite was held, worded so that if Napoleon had no children – as he hadn’t at that point – either another Bonaparte would be selected or he could adopt an heir. The result of the vote looked convincing on paper (3.5 million for, 2500 against), but it had been massaged at all levels, such as automatically casting yes votes for everyone in the military. On December 2, 1804, the Pope was present as Napoleon was crowned: as agreed beforehand, he placed the crown on his own head. Over the next few years, the Senate and Napoleon’s Council of State dominated the government of France – which in effect meant just Napoleon – and the other bodies withered away. Although the constitution didn’t require Napoleon to have a son, he wanted one, and so divorced his first wife and married Marie-Louise of Austria. They swiftly had a son: Napoleon II, King of Rome. He would never rule France, as his father would be defeated in 1814 and 1815, and the monarchy would return but he would be forced to compromise.

Management of Human Resources Individual work wk4 Assignment

Management of Human Resources Individual work wk4 - Assignment Example First is the economic globalization where there is increased global marketplace for products. Therefore, organizations should emphasize on innovating new products as well as employ people who are highly skilled and knowledgeable for most businesses are operating globally. Secondly, there is a shortage of skilled labor and talented employees worldwide therefore through information technology it is possible to employ a global workforce thus making it possible to operate globally therefore should be embraced. Thirdly, different countries have different cultures therefore for those firms that operate in more than one country, it is important to adapt the local cultures of each country. Lastly, the business strategies of an organization describe the ways these organizations plan to gain advantage and stay ahead of the competitors. Organizations should ensure that they produce goods of high quality, constantly innovating, providing the best services to customers and keeping costs low. Thes e changes will be incremental as the business world is developing very fast and organizations need to keep up with the speed to beat competition. The HR policies will be affected greatly by the changes. This is because of the fact that they will need to recruit new staff who are skilled as well as train those already in the business it will be costly but worthwhile. I addition, the performance of most organizations will also go up because organizations will be using up to date technology and skilled workers. The consequences include an expensive work force who will be asking for bigger pay for the services they offer as well as the business will grow due to the good performance of the skilled employees. Some of the advantages of using employee surveys to assess progress toward HR objectives include the ability to survey a large number of employees at the same time as well as getting honest and ample feedback. In addition,

Technology, Society, and Culture Group Project Term Paper

Technology, Society, and Culture Group Project - Term Paper Example na, Evaristo and Srite (2005) values are acquired early in life through childhood socialization and education, and are often â€Å"stable in nature but can change over time reflecting changes in culture†. Practices develop later in life through activities such as workplace socialization, and are more subject to change than values. According to a cross-cultural research conducted by Kawabata and Tamura (2007) there is limited religious use of the Internet by the Japanese in comparison to the US in spite of a high Internet penetration rate of 66.8% and estimated 85.29 million users by the end of 2005 Internet exchanges are primarily text-based interactions, whereas the new religions, which are more active in Japan than Buddhism or Christianity, have a strong element of religious activities that are physical action-oriented and cannot be translated into text. The structure of public education in Japan is largely based on the American model of education adopted after World War II. Practically almost 100% of Japanese students complete its nine-year compulsory education core. In the late 1980s, the Ministry of Education included computer literacy courses in technology education programs in lower secondary schools to help students understand the roles and functions of computers, and develop capability for the use of computers and information (Murata & Stern, 1993). Combining these new computer courses with introduction of integrated problem solving courses such as mechatronics, applied mechatronics and independent project study at upper secondary technical courses greatly increased the technical human capacity in Japan. Japan has also been able to leverage its superior computer technology and skills to create some of the largest and most advanced products such as textiles, electronics, motor vehicles, chemical substances, processed foods, steel and nonferrous metals and so on. Cultural practices may have changed due to the cross-cultural information brokered by

Monopolized Water Industry Advantages and Disadvantages

Monopolized Water Industry Advantages and Disadvantages Background and Development Under the Constitutions of Malaysia, water is the state matter and is one of the human needs to survive. The source of water usually comes from river, lake, wetland, oceans, ground water etc, but without a good filter or water quality controller, we cannot drink water which is unfiltered from the source of water. Every country or state has its own water industry to help in water quality control and water supply to all the resident area, industrials area etc. By 1950s, Malaya (Malaysia) had 100 treatments plants which produced 195 million litres of water to supply the population of 1.15 million daily. Demand for water had increased sharply during the years after independence in 1957, especially in the capital city. To cope with the rising demand for water, Malaya decided to build Klang Gates Dam and the Bukit Nanas Treatments plant in 1959 to end the water rationing and the long period of water shortage. Water development had since figured in Malaysia plans. During the period, the foc us was put on urban and suburban supplies. By implementing the 3rd Malaysia Plan (1976-1980), which was to redress the inequalities of policies, the water supply received a much needed boost. The number of household in Peninsular Malaysia received treated water in urban and rural areas, and the figure of household raised sharply from 23% in 1950 to 85% in 1990. By the mid of 1980s, due to the rising of the demand for water, there was not only a raising in household area, but also a new demand for water in a new sector – industries. The water industry called for water transfer from state on the other side of range, which was from Pahang to Selangor. At the end of 1999, there were a total of 69 dams in Malaysia. 35 dams have been developed for water supply usage. Dam in the Pedu, Kedah and Terengganu, which had combined storage capacity exceeds more than 20,000 million cubic metres. Terengganu corporatized its water supply industry in 1995, while Selangor, Kuantan and Johor cho ose to privatize its water supply. Looking through the current 8th Malaysia Plan, the development of water resources as in Water Resources Master Plan for the country will be up to 2050 which involves 62 major water projects such as raising the existing dams, build new dams, inter-state water transfer, new treatments plans, and identifying or exploring area for development (cited in A Glimpse at water supply in Malaysia (n.d.)). In Selangor and the Federal territories of Putrajaya and Kuala Lumpur, water supply distribution has been privatized. Selangor water supply is control by Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas). Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor has officially taken over operation and management of Perbadanan Urus Air Selangor, and Syabas is responsible for the water supply distribution and service in Selangor. On July 8th 1996, Syabas was incorporated under the Malaysian Companies 1965 to agree with the privatization of water supply services in the state of Selangor. Syabas is ever since responsible on the supply or distribution of water to over 7.8 million people and 1.9 million out of it are domestic consumers, commercials, factories, and industrial buildings in Selangor. Syabas operates have a stretch of about 26,705.79KM water pipes which were made by ductile iron, mild steel, cement, HDPE, asbestos, cast iron and UPVC ranging around from 100mm – 2200mm diameter. Besides, according to its offi cial website, Syabas owns 1528 of tower reservoirs, suction tank and service reservoirs. Syabas also owns about 589 booster pump stations in Selangor and 121,871 valves. The developments of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) are Development Plan Submission which is eDPLAS System. Syabas as the water industry in Selangor is responsible to supply clean and high quality water to all the Selangor citizens. After the approval of Syabas to be a monopoly, Syabas proceeded with the development plan. All the applications submitted by developers and consultants were managed and monitored by eDPLAS system according to Syabas official website. It centralized the database where Syabas can district offices to view the same information. Besides, Syabas introduced Migration as an option for the apartment or condominium to migrate to individual water supply on certain conditions. Consumer can enjoy the tiered domestic rates of water charge which is RM0.57 for the first 20 cubic metres, RM1.38 per cubic metre for condominium and RM0.80 per cubic metre for low cost apartment. Characteristics SYABAS is the only water supply firm to households in Klang valley. The reason is because it has acquired a license from the government which is a legal barrier for it to function as a monopoly. SYABAS also invested a huge amount of money for its capital to start off as a monopoly. For this reason, there have been a lot of water companies trying to develop a business like how SYABAS does but they fail. Besides, the patents and licenses owned by SYABAS and were also the reasons why Syabas remains strong as the only water industry in Selangor. (Yuan, 2013) In this case, the monopolized water industry could use the power of economic profit to get the approval from politician. Politicians’ preference will lead to the problem of inequity for the consumers. (World of Economies , 2013) Since SYABAS is the only water supply firm in Klang valley, this will make it function as the price maker. SYABAS increased water tariffs up to 72% off the normal rate because there has no close substitutes for it. From here, it is making a good profit because they will only keep on providing enough water supply to be a steady profit producers and be the leader of this industry. (Selangor Kini, 2013) Besides, price discrimination is likely to occur when there is a monopoly such as SYABAS. The monopolized company targets and segments group into, for example, low class and high class. In this case, SYABAS charge different price according to different class to maximize it’s total revenue. It will charge RM0.80 per cubic metre for low cost apartment which is low class segment and RM1.38 per cubic metre for condominium which is high class segment. This is also a pricing strategy from SYABAS because there is no close water substitute for the consumers in Klang valley. (Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor) Benefits There are several benefits of having a monopoly in the water industry in Selangor, as they are highly motivated and publicly spirited as much as competitive industry. First, let us look at the economics of scale.( (Tejvan R Pettinger) When comparing a monopoly company such as Syabas with other water supply firms, Syabas has the advantage over firms due to their larger market territory and infrastructures. Example, if a smaller firm tries to compete with Syabas, it will have to invest in capital and infrastructures which will lead to heavy investment. By the time these firms start selling their water, the cost will be very high due to the repayment of the initial investment. Most household or office industry will avoid it, since there is an alternative to Syabas which will provide them with a cheaper price since the infrastructure has already been there. In the long run, these companies will face difficulties and may start making losses. It would be best to leave Syabas to monopolize the market, to avoid wasteful duplication of infrastructure. The second benefit that can be seen for monopoly is privatization , it was better off for the water supply to be manage by private companies such as Syabas rather than being handled by the Selangor state chief minister. Before Syabas was created in the year 1996, the Selangor state government was handling the water supply for the state very poorly as there were many issues such as fiscal constraints, inefficient administration, poor standard quality of water and inconsistency supply of water. Nevertheless, both the Selangor state government and federal for Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya granted Syabas to operate, manage, and distribution on clean water for a period on thirty years. Since then, Syabas has been responsible for distribution water supply over 7 million consumers in the federal territory and Selangor state. The third benefit of a monopoly is being a successful firm, though being inefficient and dynamic. (Tejvan R Pettinger) Syabas has delivered quality water by complying with government regulatory during the Concession Agreement in 2004. Moreover, Syabas has put in place a mechanism that respond to customer’s criticisms of poor quality water within the hour. The firm is also trying to change the public perception of water into instils public that the water is safe for consumption and is clean though its Water Quality Improvement Master Plan. Beside, that Syabas has put a mechanism called Standard Operating Procedures, which they improve their respond to pipe burst, leaks and monitoring and inspection of the Mains and Reservoirs. By following this sequence, Syabas has fewer breakdowns a, water supply distribution and it shows that Syabas is capable in handling any water crisis. Drawbacks While having a monopolized water industry— Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (SYABAS) brings a couple of benefits to us, there are also a few drawbacks of having a monopolized water industry in our state Selangor. First of all, when SYABAS is the only permitted water industry to supply water to areas around our region Selangor, it functions as the price maker and charges at a price above its marginal cost. For that, those whose willingness to pay is below the increased price wouldn’t value the change. Consequently, these people may choose to use lesser water to cut the cost. Therefore, the quantity produced and sold is allocatively inefficient at the monopoly price. In the context of Economics, when the inefficiency of allocation is presented in a graph, there will be a triangle region which is the surplus consumers and produces would’ve enjoyed if the allocation is efficient. This triangle region is called the deadweight loss. Besides of the occurrence of deadweight loss, the inefficient allocation of a monopoly would cause a part of the consumer surplus to become the producers’ surplus. That being said, the producers of a monopoly will always enjoy more surplus than the consumers do, theoretically. Furthermore, SYABAS knows well that since they are the only water industry in Selangor, the Selangor citizens wouldn’t be able to get any other close substitute (another water supply). Therefore, the company can easily exploit their consumers as the majority of the people would still buy their product (water) regardless of the price. A good example for the exploitation of consumers by SYABAS functioning as the monopolized water industry was the imposing of 72 percent increased water charges off the normal rate upon the residents of Pangsapuri Cendana (flat in Shah Alam, Selangor) on 21st January 2013. According to Selangor Kini (2013), the water charges were supposed to be RM0.80 per cubic metre for flats, but SYABAS had charged the residents of Pangsapuri Cendana at RM1.38 per cubic metre which seemed to be the water charges for apartments or condominiums. SYABAS tried to get away from the issue and refused to address any statement even after the residents involved made a few attempts to contact the SYABAS Officials. Moreover, a monopolized company usually has less incentive when it is the only firm and doesn’t have any competition in its market. SYABAS had been receiving tons of complaint calls from the consumers since the start of year 2013 according to Malaymail Online (2013). It was accused of being ‘unprofessional’ and ‘doesn’t give a proper answer’ by many consumers as Kishven Sirinezan, one of the consumers, claimed that the call operators of SYABAS had given him the reason of â€Å"burst pipes† when he had no water supply for three consecutive weeks. Besides, when a company is a monopoly, there is always a tendency of not taking the consumers’ welfare into account. For example, there has been a lot of water crisis happening in Selangor every year. As a monopolized water industry, it is SYABAS’ responsibility to make sure there’s always enough water supply for every household or industry in Selangor. However, SYABAS doesnà ¢â‚¬â„¢t seem to be focused on solving the problem nor does it try to cut down its cost and charge the consumers at a lower price. In addition, a monopoly can bring negative effects to households. In SYABAS’ case, when the monopolized water industry cannot afford to supply enough water and causes a water crisis at a certain period of time, the daily routines and budgets of people would be severely affected because we cannot drink, cook, and shower without water. Water crisis also brings inconvenience to the people affected. Besides, those who happen to run out of water have to spend extra money on buying mineral water and laundry service throughout the water rationing period. Last but not least, SYABAS as the only water industry in Selangor can also affect businesses in terms of their productions and profits during a water crisis. When the water supply is in shortage, some affected industries such as food processing industries might not have sufficient water to make enough productions during the time period. Therefore, they make losses. According to MySinChew (2014), 30 companies in Selangor such as Nestle, Monin Asia, and Panasonic (to name a few) suffered from huge losses due to the water crisis earlier this year. Among these 30 companies, Nestle was arguably facing the worst as the company made losses of RM15 million daily from the crisis. Conclusion As a conclusion, a monopoly is a single firm functions as the sole seller in its market without any competition. When it comes down to monopoly, different people have different opinions whether a single firm taking over the market is good or bad to the society. Based on the research that we did on Syabas, there are more drawbacks than benefits from the monopolized water industry. According to our research, it was reported that Syabas tried to exploit its consumers, has less incentive to improve its quality of product and services, and brings negative effects to households and businesses during a water crisis due to its inefficiency. For that, there are a few solutions suggested to solve these issues. First of all, since Syabas as the only water industry in Selangor is experiencing an economics of scale, the company should consider on improving the quality of its products and services. The monopolized water industry shouldn’t be using low quality materials to build the pipes wh ich distribute the water to us because these low-quality pipes will eventually be broken and cause leakage. When this happens, Syabas has to fix the broken pipes, and this subsequently leads to high-cost repairing. Furthermore, Syabas should frequently monitor the water dam level by investing in proper research and development. By doing so, they can prevent water crisis from happening and take a proper counter-measurement. Lastly, since Syabas is the only water contractor, it is highly unfair and unjustified for the company to exploit its consumer by charging them at an irrational price. For that, Syabas has to review its business strategy by making a proper budget arrangement and take the welfare of Selangor residence into account. Reference list 30 companies in Selangor suffer huge losses due to water crisis Mahdzir News Selangor water issue My Sinchew. (2014, November 10). Retrieved from http://www.mysinchew.com/node/103228 A glimpse of the water supply in Malaysia. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.jba.gov.my/files/Semenanjung%20Malaysia.pdf Asset Management  » Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (1-800-88-5252). (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://www.syabas.com.my/corporate/about-us-asset-management#0 Development Plan Submission (eDPLAS System)  » Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (1-800-88-5252). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.syabas.com.my/e-services/edplas-system Flat Residents Protest Against Syabas Increasing Water Charges By 72 Percent | Selangorku English. (2013, January 22). Retrieved from http://en.selangorku.com/3049/flat-residents-protest-against-syabas-increasing-water-charges-by-72-percent/ Ghani, A. (2014, April 21). 7 Things Malaysians Are Spending On This Water Rationing Period | CompareHero Yahoo News Malaysia. Retrieved from https://my.news.yahoo.com/blogs/comparehero/7-things-malaysians-spending-water-rationing-period-104011679.html Migration  » Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (1-800-88-5252). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.syabas.com.my/highlight/migration-intro Monopoly | features, advantages, disadvantages. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.dineshbakshi.com/igcse-gcse-economics/private-firm-as-producer-and-employer/revision-notes/1306-monopoly Murthy, A. (2013, July 2). Consumers hit out at Syabas complaints services | Malaysia | Malay Mail Online. Retrieved from http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/consumers-hit-out-at-syabas-complaints-services Operations  » Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (1-800-88-5252). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.syabas.com.my/corporate/about-us-syabas-operation#0 Our Mission Vision  » Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (1-800-88-5252). (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://www.syabas.com.my/corporate/about-us-our-mission-vision#0 R Pettinger, T. (n.d.). Advantages of monopoly. Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://www.economicshelp.org/microessays/markets/advantages-monopoly/ SMS Data Logger  » Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (1-800-88-5252). (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://www.syabas.com.my/consumer/sms-data-logger# Water Quality Improvement Programme  » Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (1-800-88-5252). (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://www.syabas.com.my/consumer/water-quality-improvement-programme Water Quality  » Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor Sdn. Bhd. (1-800-88-5252). (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://www.syabas.com.my/corporate/about-us-water-quality#0 World Of Economics: SYABAS a NATURAL MONOPOLY. (2013, July 8). Retrieved from http://worldofeconomics.blogspot.com/2013/07/is-syabas-monopoly.html

Dramatization Approach and New Testament Essay

The dramatization and object lesson witnessing approach was extremely dominant in the Old Testament. This witnessing approach that was present in the ministry of Hosea, Jeremiah, Elisha and especially Ezekiel the priest-prophet did not vanish with the passing of the Old Testament era. According to Braudis (2012) Object lessons use something familiar and known to introduce something less familiar or unknown or to further reinforce something that is already familiar. Using simple illustrations and object lessons will increase people understanding of Bible truths better than a factual word explanation would. In the New Testament dispensation, the dramatization and Object lesson witnessing approach is demonstrated through the use of parables and allegories. It has been said that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Blank, ( 2001) states, parable is derived from the Greek word pronounced parabole, meaning a likeness or comparison. A parable is a method of teaching using a comparison between two things. Parables were a heavily utilized form of teaching and instruction in the Jewish economy. In His ministry, Jesus commonly employed the use of parables to illustrate and illuminate profound truths. SDA Commentary 1980, points out, the parables of our Lord were usually based on common experiences of everyday life familiar to His hearers, and often on specific incidents that had recently occurred. On parable on a recently occurred incident was that of the Good Samaritan. (White, n.d.) says, this was no imaginary scene, but an actual occurrence, which was known to be exactly as represented. SDA Commentary, (1980) indicates that in using parables Jesus; (1) aroused interest, attention, and inquiry, (2) imparted unwanted truth without arousing prejudice, (3) evaded the spies who pursued Him relentlessly, (4) created in the minds of His hearers lasting impressions that would be renewed and intensified when the scene presented in the parables again came to mind or to view, (5) restored nature as an avenue for knowing God. On the other hand, the dictionary describes an allegory as the representation of abstract ideas or principles by characters, figures, or events in narrative, dramatic, or pictorial form (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition). The apostle Paul using an allegory states, Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers†¦ (II Cor. 6:14) Walters, (1957) says, in this case the yoke represents unhappy unions of those who are saved with those who are unsaved in any service or work. Additionally, the Church is called the â€Å"body† of Christ in (I Cor. 12:27) and the New Jerusalem is compared to a bride. (Rev. 21:2). (Stedman , 2009) advances the following interpretive principles can we draw from this biblical example of allegory; (1) Allegory is a bona-fide figure of speech used in the Bible. (2) It employs comparison and correspondence of words and ideas. (3) It is illustrative and explanatory of a specific line of truth. (4) It cannot be divorced from its local context or the historical narrative from which it is drawn. (5) It is comprised of a number of metaphorical expressions in which the meaning of one word is invested in another. (6) None of the figurative expressions are so obscure as to leave us guessing as to their import. (7) We can expect to learn something from their use that will be of profit applicable to life. Amidst the myriad of witnessing approaches, it is our settled conviction that dramatization and object lessons as presented in the New Testament can be a very effective model of witnessing in a contemporary setting. References Blank, W. (2001). Why Did Jesus Use Parables? Retrieved August 15, 2012 from http://www.keyway.ca/htm2001/20010728.htm Braudis, B. (2010). Teaching Truth With Simplicity. Retrieved July 29, 2012 from http://www.busministry.com/teaching-simplicity-with-truth.html Nichol, F. et al (1980). The Seventh-Day Adventist Bible Commentary. Washington: Review and Herald Publishing Association Stedman, R. (2009). Allegories and Types: Basics of Bible Interpretation. Retrieved August 14, 2012 from http://www.raystedman.org/leadership/smith/ch9.html Walters, W. (1957). Dictionary of Bible Types. Retrieved August 15, 2012 from http://www.raystedman.org/leadership/smith/ch9.html White, E. G. (n.d.). The Desire of Ages: The Good Samaritan. Retrieved August 15, 2012 from http://www.whiteestate.org/books/da/da54.html Why did Jesus teach in parables? Retrieved August 15, 2012 from http://www.gotquestions.org/Jesus-parables.html