The Meaning of Witchs Cake in the Salem Witch Trials

In seventeenth-century England and New England, it was believed that a witchs cake had the power to reveal whether witchcraft was afflicting a person with symptoms of illness.  Such a cake or biscuit was made with rye flour and the urine of the afflicted person.  The cake was then fed to a dog. If the dog exhibited the same symptoms as the ill person, the presence of witchcraft was proven.  Why a dog?  A dog was believed to be a common familiar associated with the devil.  The dog was then supposed to point to the witches who had afflicted the victim. In Salem Village, in the Massachusetts colony, in 1692, such a witchs cake was key in the first accusations of witchcraft that led to court trials and executions of many who were accused.  The practice was apparently a well-known folk practice in English culture of the time. What Happened? In Salem Village, Massachusetts,  in January of 1692 (by the modern calendar), several girls began behaving erratically.  One of these girls was Elizabeth Parris, known as Betty, who was nine years old at the time.  She was the daughter of the Reverend Samuel Parris, the minister of the Salem Village Church. Another of the girls was Abigail Williams, who was 12 years old and an orphaned niece of Reverend Parris, who lived with the Parris family.  The girls complained of fever and convulsions. The father tried prayer to help them, using the model of Cotton Mather, who had written about curing similar symptoms in another case. He also had the congregation and some other local clergy pray for the girls to cure their affliction.  When prayer did not cure the illness, Reverend Parris brought in another minister, John Hale,  and the local physician, William Griggs, who observed the symptoms in the girls and could find no physical cause. They suggested that witchcraft was involv ed. Whose Idea Was it and Who Made the Cake? A neighbor of the Parris family, Mary Sibley, recommended the making of a witchs cake to reveal whether witchcraft was involved.  She gave directions to John Indian, a slave serving the Parris family, to make the cake.  He collected urine from the girls and then had  Tituba, another slave in the household, actually bake the witchs cake and feed it to the dog that lived in the Parris household. (Both Tituba and John Indian were slaves brought to Massachusetts Bay Colony by Reverend Parris from Barbados.) Even though the attempted diagnosis revealed nothing, Reverend Parris denounced in church the use of this magic. He said it didnt matter if it had been done with good intentions,  calling it going to the devil for help against the devil.  Mary Sibley, according to church records, was suspended from communion. Her good standing was restored when she confessed before the congregation, and the people of the congregation raised their hands to show they were satisfied with her confession. Mary Sibley then disappears from the records about the trials, though Tituba and the girls figure prominently. The girls ended up naming those they accused of witchcraft.  The first accused were Tituba and two local girls, Sarah Good and Sarah Osbourne.  Sarah Osbourne later died in prison, and Sarah Good was executed in July.  Tituba confessed to witchcraft, so she was exempted from execution, and she later turned accuser. By the end of the trials early the following year, four accused witches had died in prison, one had been pressed to death, and nineteen were hanged. What Really Afflicted the Girls? Scholars generally agree that the accusations were rooted in a community hysteria, primed by belief in the supernatural.  Politics within the church likely played a part, with Reverend Parris at the center of a controversy regarding power and compensation.  Politics in the colony likely also played a part: It was an unstable historical period.  Some historians point to some long-standing squabbles among community members as some of the underlying problems that fueled the trials. All these factors are credited by many historians as playing a part in the unfolding of the accusations and trials.  A few historians have also argued that grain that had been contaminated with a fungus called ergot may have caused some of the symptoms.

7th Grade Essay Prompts

By seventh grade, students should be refining the core writing skills of brainstorming, researching, outlining, drafting, and revising. In order to hone these skills, seventh-grade students need regular practice writing a variety of essay styles, including narrative, persuasive, expository, and creative essays. The following essay prompts offer age-appropriate starting points to help seventh graders flex their writing muscles. Narrative Essay Writing Prompts Narrative essays share a personal experience to tell a story,  usually  to make a point rather than  merely to  entertain. These narrative essay prompts encourage students to describe and reflect on a story thats meaningful to them. Embarrassing Pasts - As people get older, they are sometimes embarrassed by things they used to like, such as toys, television shows, or nicknames. Describe  something that you used to enjoy that you now find embarrassing. Why is it embarrassing now?Bonds of Hardship - Sometimes difficulties  draw families closer.  Describe something that your family endured together that strengthened your relationships.There’s No Place Like Home - What makes your hometown special?  Explain this special quality.New Kid  in Town  - Being  new  to a  town or school can be challenging because you don’t know anyone, or exciting because no one knows you and your past. Describe a time when you were the new kid.Finders Keepers  -  Write about a time when you lost (or found) something of value. How did that experience affect your opinion of the saying, â€Å"Finders keepers; losers weepers?Follow the Leader -  Describe a time when you were in a leadership role.  How d id it make you feel? What did you learn from the experience?April Fools -  Write about the best prank you’ve ever played on someone (or had played on you).  What made it so clever or funny?Bon Appetit - Special meals can be powerful memory-makers. Write about a specific meal that stands out in your memory. What made it so unforgettable?Bon Voyage - Family trips and vacations also create lasting memories. Write an essay  detailing  your favorite family vacation memory.Batter Up -  Write about a valuable lesson that you learned while playing your favorite sport.Best Friends Forever -  Describe your friendship with your BFF and what makes it so important to you.The Real Me -  What is one thing you wish your parents, teachers, or coaches really understood or knew about you?TV  -  Explain what makes your  favorite television show  so enjoyable or relatable to you. Persuasive Essay Writing Prompts Persuasive essays use facts and reasoning to convince the reader to embrace the writer’s opinion or take a course of action. These essay prompts empower seventh graders to write persuasively about an issue they genuinely care about.   Outdated Laws - What is one law or family or school rule that you think needs to be changed?  Convince lawmakers, your parents, or school leaders to make the change.Bad Ads - Advertising can have a powerful impact on consumers.  What is a  product that you’ve seen advertised that you don’t think should be? Explain why  the media should quit showing these ads.Puppy Love - You want a pet, but your parents don’t think you need one. What would you say to change their minds?Lights, Camera - What is your favorite book of all time? Write an essay  convincing  a producer to make a movie about it.Snooze Button - Studies have shown that tweens and teens need more sleep.  Write a proposal for a later school  start time.Body Shop - Magazines can negatively impact their readers’ body image by using edited images of models. Convince a teen magazine publisher that they should not use heavily-edited model images in their publication.It Can’t Be Over - The  network is canceling  your favorite television  show. Write a paper convincing the station that they’re making a mistake.Curfews -  Some malls have policies forbidding kids under 18 to be at the mall without adult supervision during certain times. Do you think this is fair or unfair? Defend your position.Team Spirit - Should homeschooled students be allowed to play sports on public or private school teams? Why or why not?Smartphones - All of your friends have the latest smartphone, but you only have a â€Å"dumb phone.† Should your parents  upgrade your phone, or are smartphones for middle school kids a bad idea?Bullies - Some dogs, such as pit bulls or  Dobermans, are labeled â€Å"bully breeds.†Ã‚  Is this label deserved or undeserved?Money Can’t Buy You Love - People say that money can’t buy  happiness, but some studies have shown that people with higher incomes may be happier. Do you think  this is true? Why or why not?R atings -  There are age restrictions on movies and video games, ratings on  television shows, and  warning labels on music. Computers and smartphones offer parental controls. Do adults have too much control over what kids watch and listen to or do these restrictions serve a valuable purpose? Expository Essay Writing Prompts Expository essays describe a process or provide factual information. These prompts can serve as jumping-off points for the explanatory process.   School’s in Session - Would you rather attend public school, private school, or be homeschooled. Explain the benefits of your choice.Admiration  -  Who do you  admire from your life or history? Write an essay describing how their character or contributions to their community have earned your respect.Global Community -  If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Write about your dream hometown and why you want to live there.Peer Problems - Peer pressure and bullying can make life as a middle school student difficult.  Describe a time you were pressured or bullied and how it affected you.Order Up -  A friend wants to learn how to make your favorite food.  Detail the process, step-by-step, so your friend can recreate the dish.Addictions - Many  people are impacted by drug or alcohol addictions. Share facts about how  the  use of these substances negatively affects families or communities.  Serve Others - Community service is a valuable ex perience. Describe a time you volunteered. What did you do and how did it make you feel?City or Country Mouse - Do you live in a big city or a small town? Explain why you do or don’t like living there.Aspirations - What  do you want to be when you’re an adult? Explain why you’d choose that  career  or what you’ll do to prepare for it.Point in Time - Sometimes people bury time capsules so  future generations can learn about the past. What would you  include to give an accurate snapshot of life in the current time?Hobbyist  -  You’re  friend  wants to take up your favorite hobby. Explain  it to him.SOS - A natural disaster has destroyed homes and businesses in a nearby city. Describe what you can do to help.Wonder Twin Power  - Some superheroes can fly or  become invisible. If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? Creative Essay Writing Prompts Creative essays are fictional stories.  They use  plot, character, and dialog to engage and entertain the reader. These prompts will get the creative juices flowing.   Fan Fic -  Write a story about your favorite characters from a book, film, or television show.Cats vs. Dogs - You have two pets of different species. Write a story from their point of view about a day  at home alone.Time Travel - You find a time machine in your backyard. What happens when you step inside?Dream State - Think about a time when you woke in the middle of a vivid dream. What would have happened if the dream  hadn’t been interrupted?New Door  -  You’ve just  discovered a door that you’ve never seen before. What happens when you walk through it?Secret Keeper - You find out your best friend has kept a secret from you. What is the secret and why didn’t your friend tell you?Fridge Fun - Write a story from the perspective of an item in your refrigerator.Desert Island - You’ve just discovered an uncharted island. What happens next?Fly on the Wall  - You  see two people talking excitedly, but you can’t hear what theyâ€⠄¢re saying.  Write a story about what they might be saying.Special Delivery - You receive a battered package in the mail. Write a story about its journey from the sender to you.A Mile in My Shoes - You find a pair of shoes in the thrift store and put them on. Suddenly you find yourself transported into someone else’s life. Describe what happens.Mission to Mars - Imagine that you’re a pioneer to start a colony on Mars. Write about a typical day on your new planet.Snow Days - You find yourself snowed in for a week with your family. There is no electricity or phone service.  What do you do for fun?

Euthanasia - 1995 Words

EUTHANASIA Euthanasia is from a Greek word (ÃŽ µÃ¡ ½ ÃŽ ¸ÃŽ ±ÃŽ ½ÃŽ ±ÃÆ'ÃŽ ¯ÃŽ ±) meaning good death where ÃŽ µÃ¡ ½â€", eu (well or good) and thanatos (death) refers to the practice of intentionally ending a life in order to be relieved from pain and suffering. Euthanasia is categorized in three different ways, which include voluntary euthanasia, non-voluntary euthanasia, or involuntary euthanasia. Voluntary euthanasia is legal in some countries and U.S. states. Non-voluntary euthanasia is illegal in all countries. However, in the Netherlands, physicians can avoid prosecution by following well described and strict conditions. These conditions include patient request, taking into consideration the amount of suffering the patient is experiencing, alternative courses†¦show more content†¦Controversies on legalization of euthanasia in Europe and America are continuing. The argument for legalizing euthanasia is that the individual s freedom entails liberty or choice in all matters as long as the rights of any other person are not infringed upon. The argument against legalizing euthanasia is that it will lead to disrespect for human life. Euthanasia can then be abused for criminal purposes. A financial motive is sometimes advanced in favour of euthanasia. It costs money from the family of the government to keep terminally sick people on life support which will be wasted resources if they eventually die. West s Encyclopedia of American Law states that a mercy killing or euthanasia is generally considered to be a criminal homicide and is normally used as a synonym of homicide[3] committed at a request made by the patient. Physician-assisted suicide is thus not classified as euthanasia by the US State of Oregon, where it is legal under the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, and despite its name, it is not legally classified as suicide either. Unlike physician-assisted suicide, withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatments with patient consent is almost unanimously considered, at least in the United States, to be legal. The use of pain medication in order to relieve suffering, even if it hastens[4] death, has been held as legal in several court decisions. SomeShow MoreRelatedEuthanasia Essay : Euthanasia And Euthanasia863 Words   |  4 PagesThis is why Euthanasia is important and summarizing the research that I found on Euthanasia. Euthanasia is important because there is a lot of arguments about Euthanasia. Some people support it and some people do not support Euthanasia (Euthanasia and assisted suicide- Arguments). Euthanasia allows people to be free from physical pain. It is the hastening of death of a patient to prevent further sufferings (Euthanasia Revisited). The religious argument states God chooses when human life ends. EuthanasiaRead MoreEuthanasia Essays : Euthanasia And Euthanasia1432 Words   |  6 PagesDoes euthanasia assists patients to die with dignity? From fresh to dying, is the humanity multiplies the development natural law. Along with medicine progress and life enhancement, the people besides pay attention to eugenics, simultaneous starts to pay attention to the euthanasia. Since this century 50 ages, regarding euthanasia, many countries’ medical arenas, educational world, and ethical groups have been arguing about the euthanasia argument for many years, although many person of ideas haveRead MoreThe Debate Of Euthanasia And Euthanasia1429 Words   |  6 PagesINTRODUCTION: The debate of euthanasia is an ongoing one that’s shrouded with much controversy and ambiguity regarding the ethics of it in contemporary Australian society. However, the frequency of this topic being debated by physicians, influential figures and the media has become more prominent now than ever. In particular, in association with its impending legislation within Australian states. (The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists,2012) Various types of euthanasia are recognised,Read MoreEuthanasia Essay : Euthanasia And Euthanasia Essay1223 Words   |  5 Pages Euthanasia James Dudley Euthanasia continues to be an ongoing issue in modern society. Over the course of history, there has been a multitude of debates that have tried to justify assisted suicide, or euthanasia. Gallup’s study in 2013 openly shows this statistic by showing that over 75 percent of Americans trust that euthanasia should be acceptable. However, what Americans don’t comprehend is that making any form of euthanasia legal infringes upon the right to life as stated in the constitutionRead MoreThe Issue Of Euthanasia And Euthanasia2073 Words   |  9 Pageslife is beyond toleration or they feel as though there is no point to living, the issue of euthanasia often arises. Euthanasia is technically defined as â€Å"the act or practice of killing someone who is very sick or injured in order to prevent any more suffering†. In america people have the right to end their life. The topic of euthanasia is one that is highly disputed among people over the world.† Euthanasia means killing someone who is very sick to prevent more suffering† (Weaver 1). An example ofRead MoreEuthanasi Euthanasia And Euthanasia1515 Words   |  7 Pagesetymology of the word ‘euthanasia’ originates from the Greek language which has a literal meaning of â€Å"good death†. Other names for euthanasia are ‘assisted suicide’ and ‘mercy killing’. Euthanasia is done when the person is suffering from a terminal illness such as cancer, and then steps are taken to end the person’s life so that they no longer have to suffer. [Helga Kuhse. July 1992. Bioethics News. The World Federation of Right to Die Societies. http://www.worldrtd.net/euthanasia-fact-sheet. AccessedRead MoreEuthanasia And The Death Of Euthanasia1351 Words   |  6 Pagesfor the dying who request euthanasia to be able to end their suffering. Euthanasia is con sidered a â€Å"gentle and easy death† because it comes from the Greek words, Eu meaning good and Thanatosis meaning death. Euthanasia is illegal in most of the United States. However, assisted suicide, is legal in six different states. The states that assisted suicide is legal in are California, Oregon, Colorado, Washington DC, Vermont and Washington. The key difference between euthanasia and assisted suicide is whoRead MoreEuthanasia Essay : The Euthanasia989 Words   |  4 Pagesthe euthanasia process and what to expect. The euthanasia can take place in the privacy of your own home or you may choose to have it done at your veterinarian’s office. Your veterinarian may offer at home euthanasia or you may be able to locate a veterinary service that does at home euthanasia such as Home To Heaven. This is a personal choice and should be made with you and your pet’s comfort in mind. Additionally, you may want to decide if you wish to be present during the eu thanasia. SomeRead MoreEuthanasi Euthanasia And Euthanasia861 Words   |  4 PagesEuthanasia, the practice of medically terminating life in order to relieve pain and suffering of a patient, has been a complex and controversial topic since its conception. In ancient Greece and Rome attitudes toward active euthanasia, and suicide had tended to be tolerant. However, the rise of the Christian faith reinforced the views of the Hippocratic Oath, a swearing of ethical conduct historically taken by physicians. This shift concluded a medical consensus in opposition of euthanasia. IssuesRead MoreThe Debate About Euthanasia And Euthanasia1631 Words   |  7 PagesThe debates about euthanasia date all the way back to the 12th century. During this time, Christian values increased the public’s opinion against euthanasia. The church taught its followers that euthanasia not only injured individual people and their communities, but also violated God’s authority over life. This idea spread far and wide throughout the public until the 18th century when the renaissance and reformation writers attacked the church and its teachings. However, the public did not pay much

Gay Marriage Essay Example For Students

Gay Marriage Essay Homosexuals should be allowed to marry because the disallowance of it violates their constitutional rights. Marriage is an institution long recognized by our government under the right to pursue happiness, and denying that right to any couple, regardless of gender, is unconstitutional. This argument, though, is not disputed. In fact, none of the arguments raised in opposition to the allowance of homosexual marriages takes into account the constitutional rights afforded to all humans. The arguments are only in relation to the possible repercussions (real or imagined) of granting these rights. Our nation was built and has always been based on the fundamental principles of freedom expressed in the Declaration of Independence and through our Constitution. The opponents of homosexual marriage need to remember what freedom means to America, and understand the significance of setting a precedent that denies that freedom. The Supreme Court has long recognized that the institution of marriage is one of the rights guaranteed to all Americans by our Constitution. Banning same-sex marriage is discriminatory. Marriage is a basic human right and should not be denied to any individual. At various times in U. S. history, other minorities have been prevented from marrying: African-Americans, for example. Interracial marriage was also legally prohibited in various states, until the Supreme Court ruled such bans unconstitutional in 1967 (Should Gay 31). At this time, however, marriage is only granted to heterosexual couples. Although homosexuals live under the same constitution, they are not afforded the same rights as heterosexuals. The reasons presented against the allowance of homosexual marriage are flimsy, and have nothing to do with the constitutional rights that are supposed to be afforded every American. All of the arguments against homosexual marriages have to do with the repercussions of granting the constitutional right of marriage to homosexuals, but not with the constitutional rights of homosexuals. The arguments offered are remarkably similar to the arguments offered 30 years ago against interracial marriages. Marriage plays an important role not only in peoples experience of daily living but also in our cultures received ideals. Marriage viewed as a cultural ideal is one way to explain the strength of the backlash against Gay Marriage Essay. Legally married heterosexuals would not lose any legal right or material benefit if gays were allowed to get legally married (Mohr 22). Then why the fuss? There is no moral reason to support civil unions and not same- sex marriage unless one believes that admitting homosexuals would weaken a vital civil institution. This was the underlying argument for the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which implied that allowing homosexuals to marry constituted an attack on the existing institution. The DOMA basically concludes that homosexuals are inherently depraved and immoral, allowing them to marry would inevitably spoil, and defame, the institution of marriage (Sullivan State 18). This claim strays from the realm of traditional social policy enters the realm of cultural symbols. But symbols matter: it is chiefly in terms of symbols that people define their lives and have identities. Marriage viewed as a symbolic event, enacts, institutionalizes, and ritualizes the social meaning of heterosexuality. Part of the attraction of marriage for some heterosexuals, is that it confers status. One of the ways it does this is by distinguishing such people from homosexuals. If you remove that cultural status, you further weaken an already beleaguered institution (Sullivan State 18). Marriage is the chief means by which culture maintains heterosexuality as a social identity, and is the social essence of heterosexuality. In consequence, on the plane of symbols and identities, if one did not get married, one wouldnt be fully heterosexual. Using the same argument, if others were allowed to get married, one wouldnt be heterosexual either (Mohr 22). This analysis explains why our government can claim that marriage by definition is the union of one man and one woman as husband and wife, even though this definition is circular, lacks any content, and defines nothing. Fetal tissue transplants Essay This is a large amount of rights that are being taken away from these homosexual couples. Consider these three examples of how the civil rights of homosexuals are violated. First, homosexuals and their spouses are denied the right to claim the estate of their spouses if there is no will present when one of the partners dies. In heterosexual marriages, spouses are entitled to at least a portion of the spouses estate unless the spouses will explicitly states otherwise. This is not necessarily the rule for people who are together, but not legally married. Since homosexual couples .

Hermano Pule Essay Example

Hermano Pule Essay Hermano Pule Apolinario de la Cruz (July 22, 1814 November 4, 1841), known as Hermano Pule or Puli (Brother Pule), led a major revolt against Spanish rule of the Philippines based on a struggle for religious freedom and independence. Hermano Pule was born on July 22, 1814 in Barrio Pandac in the town of Lucban in Tayabas province (now Quezon). In 1829, at the age of 15, he decided to become a priest and tried to join the Dominican Order in Manila. During these times, Roman Catholic religious orders were closed for native people (indios). Apolinario decided to work at San Juan de Dios Hospital. During this time, he studied the Bible and other religious writings. Cofradia In 1832, de la Cruz founded the Cofradia de San Jose (Confraternity of St. Joseph), composed of indios. He was known to his followers as Hermano Pule. The Filipino brotherhood fostered a practice of Christian virtues. The Cofradia prohibited Spaniards and mestizos from joining without de la Cruzs permission. Suppression Authorities, including Spanish Governor-General Marcelino Oraa and Roman Catholic Archbishop Jose Segui regarded the Cofradia as heresy and an abomination of universal Christian values, ordering its dissolution. Despite its religious prohibition, the Cofradias numbers continued to grow. Feeling an attack on their religious freedom from Catholic authorities, de la Cruz rallied 4,000 followers at Barrio Isabang on the slope of Mount Banahaw and was able to resist an attack by Alcalde-mayor Joaquin Ortega and his 300 men on October 23, 1841. [1] However, reinforcements came on November 1st, with Colonel Joaquin Huet who annihilated the Cofradia forces, allegedly massacring hundreds of old men, women and children who joined Hermano Pule in Alitao in defying the Catholic leaders of the Church. Death We will write a custom essay sample on Hermano Pule specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Hermano Pule specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Hermano Pule specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Pule fled to Barrio Gibanga but was captured by authorities the following evening. On November 4, 1841, after a brief trial held at the present Casa Comunidad, he was executed by a firing squad at the town of Tayabas, at the age of 26. After he was killed, the authorities quartered his body, cut off his head and placed it on a stake as a warning to those who are similarly inclined. A monument in his honor now stands in Brgy. Isabang, Tayabas City, and his death anniversary is a holiday in Quezon Province. Hermano Pule may have influenced Father Jose Burgoswho was executed in 1872to demand for racial equality in the clergy.

Supply Chain Task Essays

Supply Chain Task Essays Supply Chain Task Essay Supply Chain Task Essay I new however, that in order for the business to be successful, I would need to be somewhat conservative in Quarter 2. I chose to target the Mercedes and Travelers market segments as these two had several top things they wanted in a computer in common. While the market sizes were smaller, I thought if I produced the right products, I could be a market leader for both target segments. In Quarter 2 1 projected a demand of 350 units for my primary target market, the Mercedes group, and 170 units for my secondary group, the Traveler. My total forecasted demand was 500 units, and my available operating capacity was 520 units. I decided to sale my product to the Mercedes group for $3800. O/unit with a $100 rebate/unit and sold my product to the travelers for $3000. O/unit with a $100/rebate. I operated at 100% capacity for Quarter 2. I sold out of both products, under estimating my consumers. For the Mercedes group, I lost out on 158 sales and for the Travelers I lost out on 74 sales. At the end of quarter 2, I was still operating at a loss, but had significantly cut my loss from $-338,500 to $-195,018. Thanks to the common stock I sold this quarter, I still had a cash balance over a million dollars which helped me make changes for ratter 3. In Quarter 3 1 increased my projected demand too total of 2,000 units. I projected 1,250 units for the Mercedes group and 750 units for the Travelers. I only operated at 71% capacity this quarter, so I didnt do a very good Job of estimating what I would need to produce. I sold a total of 1,392 units, leaving an ending inventory of 75 units total between the two products. In quarter 3 1 finally turned a profit. I earned a net income of $947,091. I used the previous quarters pro-formal statements along with the current quarters projected statement to change some of my numbers. I didnt want to be overzealous and be too aggressive. I did decide to open an additional sales office, and also decided to produce two new products for the 4th quarter. Because I had a beginning cash balance of for the 3rd quarter, I had more than enough money to achieve all my goals for the quarter. In the 4th quarter I did not do a very good Job of estimating my demand. I estimated that I would have a demand of 3,610 units, but it actually ended up being triple that. I lost a total of 6,194 sales, which had I continued past the 4th quarter, probably would have meant a drop in business. Had I been able to go on past quarter 4, I would have increased my production capacity significantly. My beginning cash balance for quarter 4 was $2,671 ,759. 00 and my ending cash balance was $3,780,039. I know that by looking at all my financial statements that I would have had more than enough money to invest back into my company and I would have increased my production capacity significantly. I was at 100% capacity, and needed to triple the number of units I actually made in order to satisfy demand. In the end, by using the budgets and pro-formal statements, it allowed me to run a profitable business after only a ear. Had I not been able to use budgets and statements, Im sure my business would have had a very different outcome. Because I could play around with numbers prior to running my simulation, I was able to see where I needed to make adjustments, mainly with manufacturing, so that I could have a profitable business. 2: Discuss how you could have employed Just-in-time TIT) and Lean Operations to improve operating efficiency in your manufacturing facility. A: Just-in-time TIT) Just-in-time TIT) is an approach of continuous and forced problem solving via a focus on throughput and reduced inventory. (Higher Render, 2010) I tried to implement this methodology in my business. Only after quarter 3 did I have left over inventory, and that was a very small amount (75 units total) that I sold in quarter 4. Every other quarter there was no ending inventory, however I did not do a good enough of projecting my demand. By attempting to implement this system, it actually cost me sales since I didnt have any extra inventory on hand to sale. The other part of this is that I should have also done a better Job of forecasting my demand, so I would have produced enough products to meeting the actual demand of the customers. This is the downside to Just-in-time, as it opens businesses too number of risks, notably those associated with your supply chain. With no stock to fall back on, a minor disruption in supplies to your business from Just one supplier could force production to cease at very short notice. (Aimed, 2014) If I had been able to fully implement this system, and also better forecast my demand, then I think it would have made my business even more profitable. Even though I only had excess inventory once (after quarter 3), that was planned and not due to not being able to sell those units. If I had implemented Just in time, then I hind it would have allowed me to have all the available supplies J ust when I needed them, which would have allowed me to make more of my product to sell, which then would have meant I didnt lose sales due to not making enough. B: Lean Operations While Just In Time focuses on driving out the waste, Lean operations focuses on the customer. Understanding what the customer wants and ensuring customer input and feedback are the starting points for lean production. Lean operations means identifying customer value by analyzing all the activities required to produce the product from the customers perspective. (Higher Render, 2010) In the simulation I was somewhat able to apply Lean concepts, since I somewhat followed the principles of Just In Time. If I had been able to implement this is my business simulation, there are few things I would have done. 1 . Use Just In Time techniques to eliminate virtually all inventory: With KIT, materials arrive where they are needed when they are needed. When good units do not arrive Just as needed, a problem has been identified. By driving out waste and delay in this manger, KIT reduces costs associated with excess inventory, cuts variability and waste, and improves throughput. (Higher Render, 2010) 2. Develop partnerships with suppliers. This means that you are assisting your suppliers in understanding the needs of the customer through common objectives. 3. Reduce space requirements this can be done by properly laying out the space where your product is put together to minimize the travel distance. Having the correct supplies close by the areas where those supplies are needed can cut down on wasted time. 4. Develop employees through training, teamwork, and empowerment. Let the employees take pride in their work, and feel as if they have some say in the company, and that drives them to ark harder and better, which in return makes your product better. During my simulation I didnt have a lot of excess inventory, but there were definitely times that I wish I had excess inventory, only because I failed to properly forecast the demand of my product, sold out, and had quite a few lost customers. On the other hand, using these strategies would only help my business grow because I would not be wasting money or time on things that did not add value to the finished product, which in turn would drive up my costs, and lower profit margin on the products I was selling. : Discuss the applicability of work cells versus a traditional straight line method to the type of manufacturing facility used to assemble computers. Work cells reorganizes people and machines that would ordinarily be dispersed in various departments into a group that they can focus on making a single product or a group of related products. (Higher Render, 2010) Work cells come about as manufacturers identify products that have similar features. Work cells reduce waste since it allows a product to be put together in one space, which eliminates the need for the product to travel throughout the warehouse as it is assembled. There are overall advantages for a work cell according to Higher and Render, they are: 1 . Reduced work- in-process inventory because the work cell is designed to allow one piece to go from machine to machine. The next machine is ready to accept the work- in-process product, instead of the product having to wait for the next person/ machine to be available to continue the assembly process. 2. Less floor space is required because less space is needed between machines to accommodate work-in- process inventory (Higher Render, 2010) which allows you to maximize the space you have available, and potentially not need as much space since the cells are roped together, rather than using an assembly line that travels throughout the entire plant. 3. Reduced raw material and finished goods inventories since work cells allows for more rapid movement of the materials throughout the work cell. 4. Reduced direct labor costs due to improved communication among employees, better material flow and improved scheduling. (Higher Render, 2010) 5. Heightened sense of employee participation in both the company and the product. Employees accept added responsibility in the quality of the product because it is a direct result of them and their work cell. 6. Increased equipment and machine utilization due to better scheduling and faster material flow, thanks to advantage number 3 listed above. 7. R educed investment in machinery and equipment because good utilization reduces the number of machines and the amount of equipment and tooling. (Higher Render, 2010) All the above advantages culminate into allowing number 7 to succeed. This ultimately benefits the company from a lean perspective because work cells help eliminate waste waste from poor layout, waste from work-in-process inventory, waste from raw materials finished goods inventories, etc. There are also four requirements to the work cell as outlined by Higher and Render in the 10th edition of Operations Management, and they include: 1 . Identification of families of products, through the use of group technology codes 2. A high level of training, flexibility and empowerment of employees. 3. Being self-contained, with its own equipment and resources 4. Test at each station in the cell. The work cell strategy has multiple advantages over traditional assembly lines because a work cell groups similar tasks together and also inspects them immediately, instead of waiting until the product is finished. The cell also allows for a worker to reach more areas of the cell, which allows for fewer works (with the capability of adding more if needed due to demand), which then ultimately helps to increase the profit margin on the products. The area is more balanced and then because the shape of the cell is a U shape and you have fewer workers, communication improves. 4: Inventory Management I did not do a very good Job of managing my inventory for the simulation. For quarter 2 1 forecasted a total demand of 500 units, with my available operating capacity at 520 units. I produced 520 units, but my actual demand was 752 total nits, and I lost 232 sales. For quarter 3 1 projected the total demand for my 2 products to be 2,000 units. This quarter I d id a better Job of predicting demand, as I produced 1,467 units and sold 1,392 units leaving 75 units in inventory. In quarter 4, I once again did not project demand very well. I forecasted a total demand of 3, 610 units, sold 3,640 units, but my actual demand was 9,909 units, so I lost 6,194 sales. I applied the principle of Safety stock somewhat in quarter 3, as I purposely held back 75 units for my ending inventory, hoping that would create a buffer for the next ratter. Ultimately I didnt project the demand very well, as those 75 units were nowhere near enough to help make up for my poor projections in demand. Safety Stock is extra stock to allow for uneven demand; a buffer. (Higher Render, 2010) I didnt want to carry too much extra inventory, as I was afraid I would not be able to sale it and would be stuck having to carry over a lot of extra inventory from quarter to quarter. I believe if I had done a better Job of predicting my demand, I could have used safety stock to help make up for my bad projection numbers, while also being able to cut down on my lost sales due to selling out of my products. In the 4th quarter I introduced 2 new products while a lso keeping my 2 original products but lowering the price. I thought I would have higher demand for the new products and not as much for the older products. I was wrong on all counts. I way underestimated the demand for all 4 products, which cost me money in terms of lost sales. While I didnt have to carry the burden of too much extra stock, not having enough is also poor management and can make the business fail. 85: Continuous Improvement There are several programs that contribute to Continuous improvement, but one that I would have implemented in my business is employee empowerment. Employee empowerment is involving employees in every step of the production process. (Higher Render, 2010) I feel that empowering the employees only helps the company. Even though you have the executives making the day to day decision and running the organization, the employees are the ones on the ground floor and can sometimes notice problems before management can since they are the ones actually assembling the products and inspecting them. There is one stud y that indicated total quality management programs that delegate responsibility for quality to shop-floor employees tend to be twice as likely to succeed as those implemented with top-down directives. (Higher Render, 2010) When employees are able to take pride in their work, they perform at a better rate and the quality is also better. Just like with the work cell theory, employees have a heightened sense of quality to the product because it is a direct result of their work. There are several ways that I would attempt to increase employee empowerment n my company, they include developing communication networks to include the employees, creating teams and quality circles. A quality circle is a group of employees who meet regularly to solve work-related problems. (Higher Render, 2010) I would implement this in my company, a group of employees taken from all departments to meet and share not only their concerns, but also from co-workers. This group would work together to bring to light concerns made by the employees to management, as well as ideas that could help not only employee morale, but the company as a whole.

Movie review Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Movie review - Essay Example The archival footage and McNamara’s interview highlight the lessons learnt from the wars and provide insights into the international relations and security issues of America. When we saw the movie, we draw some very sound conclusions regarding McNamara’s body language. We see a man admitting his sheer blunders regarding the important political decisions whose repercussions ranged from Vietnam to Japan, causing thousands of deaths and saved the world from annihilation of nuclear war by sheer luck not because of intelligence information. The people would definitely agree that the crimes he committed are completely unforgiving and unforgettable. His decisions regarding life and death are themselves a depiction of painful humility for him as depicted in the documentary. Although McNamara admits that he has been terribly wrong with reference to Vietnam War and could have done more to redirect the decision of president’s office, but he does not say sorry although Morris tried to prompt him. This shows his stubborn and pride in himself. On one side, he seems to be regretful but on the other side; he is justifying the decisions which caused mammoth human loss. The movie comes up with eleven lessons learnt from the life of McNamara. But the one lesson seems to be very inappropriate i.e. in order to do something good, you may have to engage in evil. This statement comes up as the justification from McNamara for his horrendous decisions in the cruise missile conflict, Vietnam and Japan wars but history vehemently reveals that nothing good came out after engaging in the evil in case of McNamara. In the movie, many times it appears that Morris as director is trying to symbolize one life of McNamara to illustrate the other as an active and passive actor of the history where he has participated in the war as a witness and an actor too. Morris has tried to illustrate the