Why it is important to support the National Rifle Association Essay

Why it is important to support the National Rifle Association - Essay Example These groups constantly portray our organization as one that seeks to return this great country to the Wild West era as we continue to lobby for each individuals right to bear arms. . Irresponsible gun owners have given our organization a bum rap over the years. The time has come to finally show people that the National Rifle Association is not an enemy but rather an ally in the quest for peace and order when pertaining to certain settings. The National Rifle Association is not an advocate of violence. Rather, we advocate peaceful co-existence with the non-NRA groups that share similar beliefs with our organization. While these anti NRA groups constantly delve on the fact that we support gun ownership and the right to use it when a threat to ones physical well - being is imminent as being a negative aspect of the group, the reality is that our organization does a great service to our government since we in the private sector can worry about the possibility of fire arm misuse and its prevention with a much wider breadth of movement. Our organization has never been one to advocate gun violence. Having been founded in 1878, we have always advocated the use of proper use of guns in the quest for relaxation and the protection of life and private property. Our quest has always been to promote the proper handling and use of firearms in public settings. The NRA has not once ever advocated any course of action that could be deemed as an endorsement of gun violence. Rather, our 4.8 million member strong group has done its best to sponsor responsible gun ownership programs during a point in time when our police force is beginning to dwindle due to budgetary cuts and the option, or rather need, to protect ones self is of the utmost importance. With the spotlight once again zeroing in on our organization due in no small part to the Trayvon Martin shooting, it has become of the utmost

IP address Final Essay Example for Free

IP address Final Essay WAN Design lt;namegt; Axia College The ACME Manufacturing company, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, is growing at a fast pace. Located at the Atlanta campus are two offices, one houses the operations, marketing, administration, and accounting sections. The other building has offices for the engineering and sales departments. ACME is spread throughout the United States; with offices in New York, Chicago, and Phoenix. They have also recently acquired a facility in China. With the recent expansion, ACME will need a new wide area network (WAN) and a state-of-the-art phone system to ensure the company operates at optimal levels. To make administration of the ACME WAN easier the network should be designed using the star topology. With this configuration, each branch office will have only a direct connection back to the headquarters in Atlanta. The type of connection to each location stateside can vary on the size of the remote office. I would recommend going with a minimum of a full T1 line or even a T3. The China location can be connected via a satellite connection leased by the company. The following figure is a graphical representation of the WAN configuration. Atlanta T1 T1 T1 New York Phoenix Chicago China Satellite WAN Layout for ACME Manufacturing IP Ranges For modeling purposes, let’s assume ACME is using a class B network address; for example 192. 168. x. x. To help keep the individual departments separate, the network administration will need to configure a few subnets. Each subnet on the network will be a VLAN, or virtual local area network. In order for us to have the proper amount of subnets, the subnet mask will be set to 255. 255. 240. 0. This will give ACME a maximum of sixteen subnets and 4,094 hosts in each subnet. Hardware Requirements New Cisco switches and routers will supply the routing necessary for Acme’s data. Cisco Catalyst switches will provide VLAN functionality; these switches can accept broadcast packets and forward them only through the ports that are designated by the VLAN configuration; this enhances security by keeping interdepartmental traffic from reaching other departments. Using VTP, all VLANs will only need to be configured from the switch acting as the VTP server. The Cisco routers will define broadcast domains and will use the link-state routing protocol OSPF that works well with the IP addressing scheme in use. STP, configured on the Cisco switches, will allow us to build redundancy into the network and avoid data loops (Regan, 2004). Wireless technologies promote productivity by allowing network users to remain connected to the network when using wireless devices. The installation of wireless access points will grant high-speed network connectivity to wireless devices. Because Acme will be leasing dedicated network media, a CSU/DSU will be required to terminate those lines at each of the distribution locations and at the headquarters building. CSUs/DSUs also place digital signals on the line, control transmission strength, support loopback tests, and synchronize the timing received on the line. Leased lines require a different frame type to be used for data than is regularly used in a LAN environment; a CSU/DSU also converts LAN frames into frames usable on the leased lines (Regan, 2004). Telephony With all of the new technology sprouting up daily, and the cost of long distance calls dropping, a feasible solution would be to install a private branch exchange (PBX) at each location. But with the addition of China into the company’s holdings, a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system would be the better choice to avoid international charges. With a VoIP system, each location can be set up on a three or four digit dialing plan so users can communicate easier. For example, John in Atlanta can dial a four digit number and reach Chang in China. Security After the infrastructure is set up and the network is online, the security of the network is the most important job of the network team. By keeping all devices up to date with the latest security patches, anti-virus, and spyware removal tools will help eliminate malicious bugs from infecting your system. By installing firewalls at each location and only opening the ports needed for email, http, ftp, etc will keep hackers out of your system and your data safe. Set up a policy that forces users to change their passwords every 90 days using an alpha-numeric and special character code. Even going as far as adding a PKI system to your login will help keep your network limited to authorized users. References Regan, P. E. (2004). Wide area networks. Upper Saddle River, N. J. : Pearson/Prentice Hall. Ou, G. (2006, June 28). IP subnetting made easy. Retrieved August 2, 2010, from TechRepublic: http://articles. techrepublic. com. com/5100-10878_11-6089187. html Yudkowsky, C. (2002, July). Voice Over IP vs PBX. Retrieved August 2, 2010, from VoIP News: http://www. voip-news. com/byte2. htm

Issues for Minority Shareholders

Issues for Minority Shareholders Naomi is a minority-shareholder in Run For Your Life (RFYL) Ltd. Dividends Unfair Prejudicial Conduct The first issue that will be looked at in this scenario is whether Mehmet and Lucys failure to pay dividend amounts to unfair prejudicial conduct. Under the Companies Act 2006 s.994[1](CA 2006) Naomis petition should relate to how the companys conduct unfairly prejudiced her interests as a member. A members interests are not limited to the strict legal rights granted to them by agreements but also cover the legitimate expectations, such as expectations of profit and management, arising from the conduct of the company and any understandings between the parties (ONeill v Phillips)[2]. In order for such expectations to occur, the company has to be a quasi-partnership company, which arises from the basis of personal relationship involving mutual confidence and an agreement that all of the shareholders/members would be involved in management to some degree (Ebrahimi v Westbourne Galleries Ltd)[3]. Applying Ebrahimis test to RFYL Ltd, it can be said that it is a quasi-relationship company as Naomi was initially a partner even before the company incorporated and was brought on as a director during the incorporation. Share restrictions can also be considered to exist, (though we are never really told) since RFYL Ltd is a private company that cannot trade its shares in public markets. It should be noted, that Naomi has expressly stated her dis-interest in RFYL Ltd which means that it may make it difficult to prove the quasi-relationship between the members and that in Irvine v Irvine[4], the judges found that in a quasi-relationship company, the failure to pay dividends does not always amount to a legitimate expectation. However, this shouldnt deter Naomi from arguing that a quasi-relationship exists as there may a be chance to reconsider and revoke his resignation if it was effected hastily and in a manner and circumstances which did not strike too deeply at mutual trust and confidence, and that a failure to permit this might amount to unfair prejudice (Re Flex Associa tes Ltd)[5] and that though the Judges may not find a legitimate expectation, it can still be argued that the non-payment of dividends amounts to an unfair prejudicial conduct. Regardless of whether she is a director or not, Naomi as a member has a vested interest in receiving dividends from RFYL Ltd, (Re Coroin Ltd[6]). For Naomis petition to succeed, she should objectively and individually prove that her interests have been prejudiced and that conduct was unfair[7]. In Re Sam Weller Sons Ltd[8]thoughGibson J states that he does not intend to suggest that a shareholder who does not receive an income from the company except by way of dividend is always entitled to complain whenever the company is controlled by persons who do derive an income from the company and when profits are not fully distributed by way of dividend he does go to indicate that it will depend on the facts of the case which means that it will remain in the judges discretion to decide on whether the facts of the case amount to unfair prejudicial conduct. Lucy and Mehmet decide to stop Naomis salary and fail to pay dividends, leaving her with no form of financial return for her investment a nd accordingly a lack of financial return can be considered prejudicial (Re Coroin Ltd)[9]. Moreover, Naomi needs to also prove that the conduct was unfair. The House of Lords in ONeill v Phillips[10]effectively limited the definition of unfairness to breaches of the terms of legally enforceable agreements and to where equitable considerations make it unfair for those conducting the companys affairs to rely on the strict legal rights offered to them. In relation to the non-payment of dividends to Naomi, it can be considered unfair especially when both Mehmet and Lucy are still receiving substantial salaries[11] all while Naomi receives no form of remuneration. Naomi seems to have a good chance at succeeding with a petition under s.994[12]. If the judges find in favour of Naomi, she can claim for remedies under s.996[13]. The most common remedy is an order to purchase shares of the minority member. It in the case that order to purchase the shares is made, the valuation date will be on the same day as that of the order, unless a quasi relationship is found, in which case the valuation will be pro-rata and without a minority discount. Just and Equitable Winding-up Naomi also can also bring a petition through the Insolvency Act 1986 s. 122(1)(g)[14], though its chances of success are comparatively much lower. Harman J in Re a Company (No 00370 of 1987)[15] found that a failure to pay dividends may amount to sufficient reasoning for winding up of a company. Nonetheless, in accordance with IA 1986 s. 125(2)[16] the courts have been less inclined[17] to grant an order for winding up if there are less severe remedies available (i.e. offer to purchase or unfair prejudicial conduct). Winding up under s.122(1)(g)[18] is usually reserved for more difficult situations where no clear member holds a majority (Re Yenidje Tobacco Ltd)[19].Therefore, it would not be viable for Naomi to bring a petition for winding up as it would most certainly be struck out by the court. Offer to Purchase If the offer to purchase made by Mehmet and Lucy is found to be fair, then it will most probably change Naomis course of action. As it stands, if a fair offer is made regarding the purchase of the petitioners shares, an unfair prejudicial conduct petition would also be struck out. Similarly, if a petition for winding up is made the courts will also be inclined to strike it out in favour of a fair offer. An offer to purchase is sometimes seen as the ideal remedy in such cases as it limits the possibility of future complications and allows to petitioner to step away from the company[20]ÂÂ   The real issue with the offer to purchase, is determining whether the offer is reasonable and fair. Lord Hoffman in the case of ONeill[21] stated that a reasonable offer must be to purchase the shares at a fair value on a pro rata basis without a minority discount determined by a competent expert. It should also include submissions by both parties to an expert. In our scenario, it is not very c lear whether the offer is considered to be reasonable since the integrity of the auditor is in question. Having the company auditor value the shares would probably be considered unfair since he is not considered adequately independent[22]. Although a court will usually consider offers to purchase as the best form of remedy it will still allow a petition to proceed depending on the merits of the case. Directors Duties Though this question deals more with minority shareholder remedies, a look at Naomis possible breaches as a director and whether Mehmets and Lucys claim that Naomis negligence is a cause for the fall in profits should be made. The general directors duties that are owed to RFYL Ltd. are found in CA 2006 ss.171-77[23]. The issue to consider in relation to Naomis possible breach of directors duties is Naomis failure to attend board meetings. The relevant sections of the CA 2006[24] that pertain to our argument are ss. 172 174. Under s.172 a director has a duty to promote the success of the company and act in good faith for the benefit of the company. In order to prove that the directors actions were in good faith subjective test must [1] Companies Act 2006 s.994 [2] ONeill v Phillips [1999] 1 WLR 1092 [3] Ebrahimi v Westbourne Galleries Ltd [1973] AC 360 [4] Irvine v Irvine (No 1) [2006] EWHC 406 (Ch); [2007] 1 BCLC 349 [5] Re Flex Associates Ltd [2009] EWHC 3690 [6] Re Coroin Ltd [2013] EWCA Civ 781 [7] Hawks v Cuddy [2007] EWHC 2999 [8] Re Sam Weller Sons Ltd [1990] [9] Re Coroin Ltd [2013] EWCA Civ 781 [10] ONeill v Phillips [1999] 1 WLR 1092 [11] Re Sam Weller Sons Ltd [1989] 5 [12] [13] [14] Insolvency Act 1986, s. 122(1)(g) [15] Re a Company (No 00370 of 1987) [1988] 1 WLR 1068 (Ch). [16] Insolvency Act 1986, s. 125(2) [17] Re Sam Weller Sons Ltd [1990] [18] Insolvency Act 1986, s. 122(1)(g) [19] Re Yenidje Tobacco Ltd [1916] [20] Grace v Biagoli [2006] 2 BCLC [21] ONeill v Phillips [1999] 1 WLR 1092 [22] North Holding Ltd v Southern Tropics Ltd [1999] [23] [24]

Visual Codes and Conventions in the Painting: George Robinson Welcomes

Visual texts can be seen to be an attempt by their creators to represent particular ideologies to their viewers. It is the viewer's attitudes and values however, that determine the contemporary meaning of the image. The painting George Robinson welcomes Natives to Wybalenna, is a Colonial document portraying the Christianizing of indigenous people on Flinders Island. Visual codes and conventions employed in the image, such as positioning and framing depict the entwined values of white, patriarchal and Christian ideologies of the 19th Century. However, change in how society identifies itself, also changes the dominant ideology in its culture. Subsequently, the historical context of Post-Colonial attitudes and values in contemporary society, evoke a contemporary meaning in Robinson's painting, one of racial and religious prejudice. The convention of positioning is vital in constructing the Colonial ideology of Robinson?s image. It has the potential to provide the viewer with visual associations, which translate to language in the form of binary oppositions. For instance, the most c...

Differences Between the Early English Settlers and Native Americans Essay

The indigenous people of North America and Europe are both very different cultures with very different beliefs and ideas. As the Europeans began to colonize North America, these differences between these cultures really impacted the events of this time. The most important difference is the ideas on land use and ownership. Other important differences include religion and the ideas of gender roles. The biggest difference between of the Native Americans and the European immigrants is the issue of land use and ownership. Native Americans believed that land was sacred, and that nature needed to be cared for. They also did not value land ownership, all of the tribes land and belongings were shared. The idea of ownership here was not commonly used. On the other end of the spectrum, the Europeans had beliefs very different from the Native Americans. One of the main reasons the Europeans came to the New World in the first place was to become wealthy! To the Europeans at the time, land ownership meant freedom, wealth and a higher social status. Land was passed down from generation to generation. Because of this, the Europeans and the Native Americans ideology on land use and ownership created quite a culture clash that we still see remnants of today. Another difference between the Native American culture and the Europeans was the religion of these two cultures. Europeans were predominantly Christian, while the natives believed in numerous spirits and Gods. The indigenous people in North America had separate spirits for corn, the sun and things of that nature. While Christians are monotheists. The Europeans thought that the natives were savages for worshipping wooden figurines and carvings. The Europeans tried to convert as many natives as possible, especially the Spanish. Because of these differences in religion, the Europeans and the Native Americans had a difficult time really seeing eye to eye. The third difference between the in indigenous people of North America and the Europeans is the matter of gender roles. The native women in these tribes held high positions, many making important decisions for the tribe. The family tree would also follow the females side, as opposed to the family line following the males in the European cultures. To the Europeans, females gave birth and did chores in the home. They were not nearly as powerful as some women in native tribes. When the Europeans noticed how strong the women were along with the men, they fought the natives into submission. In conclusion, it is plain to see that there are so many differences between the Native American culture and that of the Europeans. A few examples of differences is the ideas on land use and ownership, religion and gender roles. The most impactful difference was the ideas each culture had on land use and ownership. These differences were very influential on the events that occurred during this time, and we still see some of these differences impact us today.

Marcel Duchamp Essays - Modern Art, Orphism, Cubism, Dada

Marcel Duchamp Essays - Modern Art, Orphism, Cubism, Dada Marcel Duchamp subject = art 101 title = Marcel Duchamp Marcel Duchamp is considered as one of the most influential artists of the 20th Century by the modern art world. Duchamp, who participated in artistic movements from Fauvism to Surrealism, was an innovator and a revolutionary within the art world. Duchamp, being a founding force in the Dada movement, was also a main influencing factor of the development of the 20th Century avant-garde art. All in all Duchamp has become a legend within the art world. Marcel Duchamp was born on July 28,1887 in Blainville France. Being the brother of two prominent artists, Raymond Duchamp-Villon and Jacques Villon, it seemed only natural that the young Marcel Duchamp would participate in the arts. Also, his childhood home was abundantly decorated with seascapes, landscapes, and etchings produced by his grandfather Emile-Frederic Nicolle. As he himself put it, When you see so many paintings youve got to paint. In 1907, at age 17, Duchamp resolved to become an artist. Marcel Duchamp had the great fortune of entering the world of art at a most exciting time when the birth of Fauvism and Cubism was in the not so distant future. Although Marcel incorporated these styles he was never satisfied with any single style. He felt that styles were learned techniques which put creativity, exploration, and imagination in the background of the art scene. Duchamps view of the lack of creativity and originality may have prompted many of his later creations which, at the time of their production, seemed absurd. Throughout Marcel Duchamps career he dabbled in a wide variety of styles ranging from Fauvism to Cubism, all the way to the art of Ready-mades. Although he openly expressed that painting bored him, he did it quite well. Early in his career he, like most young artists, painted friends and family, things he was familiar with. Duchamps only formal training came at the Academie Julian in Paris from where he dropped out after only eighteen months to pursue his own interests. This seems to be a defining characteristic of Marcel Duchamps career, he did things that suited him, not what others felt was the correct thing to do. Marcel Duchamps artistic output began with portraits of people close to him such as family members and close friends. At this time Duchamp was experimenting with Fauvism, the art of the wild beasts. In this from of art one could use arbitrary colors. This is the reason one might see portraits made by Duchamp from around 1910 in which people are represented with greenish skin or blue hair. Throughout Duchamps career it was not as important to be totally accurate as it was to get a creative point or theme across. One negative view of Fauvism was that it was not intellectually stimulating for artists. This is a main reason why many artists, one of them being Duchamp, turned their artistic focus the avant-garde. Cubism, with complex planes and geometrically sound shapes gave artists the intellectual stimulation that they craved. Colors of the early cubist period were muted which put the spotlight more on the visual effects of the art. The possibilities of manipulation of the shapes to Duchamps own interests benefited him immensely. Duchamp prospered as he turned away from the conservative Fauvism moving towards the avant-garde and experimentation within the cubist mode of art. He discovered ways to manipulate his paintings to be able to show the intricacies of his favorite game chess. Duchamp believed that art should be left up to the mind rather than the eyes, just as in chess. His first production of the Cubist origin is titled The Sonata. It is said that many of the characteristics of this painting reveal influence from a group of Cubist artists, which included his two brothers, called the Puteaux Cubists. This group of artists rebelled against casual cubism ,which was practiced by the likes of Picasso and Braque, in favor of geometric precision. Duchamp was a pioneer in Cubism by the way he showed movement in his paintings. His first attempt at showing movement through the geometric shapes is titled Sad Young Man On A Train. In this work Duchamp uses four or five overlapping profiles moving from left to right across the canvas. The colors were dark symbolizing Duchamps mood at the time. He was preparing to leave Paris in favor of, what he believed to be a less commercial area, Munich. In another attempt at movement in Cubism, Duchamp created a painting known as Nude Descending A Staircase No.1. In viewing this work, the first