Minorities in Congress Essay -- Congress Racism Politics Essays

Minorities in Congress In forming a government for the people, by the people, and of the people, our Founding Fathers developed the idea a bi-cameral legislature. This Congress, composed of the House of Representatives and Senate, thus became known as the people’s branch of government. American children are taught in schools that anyone can be elected to Congress, so long as they meet the qualifications of the Constitution. So long as you meet the age and residency requirements you are indeed qualified to be a candidate for Congress.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If we take a more in-depth look at the composition of Congress we see a body disproportionate with its Nation. Congress has maintained a fairly homogenous make-up since its founding even into the year 2001. This conclusion raises no eye brows as both the executive and judicial branches of government have also maintained a very white, male, Protestant resemblance. However, Congress was formed for a distinct purpose: to represent the people of the United States of America. The melting pot of America’s huddled masses has been slow in placing leaders that truly represent its demographics.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are a number of simple and complex reasons as to why this under-representation of minorities has occurred. Who is the real minority in Congress? This is not a simple partisan question, though it seems partisanship is a factor. An examination of the composition of the current, 107th Congress will lend greater light on where Congress stands as a representative body. A quick laundry list of the minorities in the United States being under-represented might read as such: African-Americans, Women, Black Women, Hispanics, Gays and Lesbians, Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, Indians (Native Americans). All of the above groups have a unique history in struggling for greater representation. We now examine some of those histories in trying to answer why America’s Congress does not look like America’s people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While Voting Rights legislation had a great impact on changing the composition of Congress, other factors exist as barriers to minority representation in Congress. One of these is the use of single-member districts. Of great debate as to whether it is helping or hindering minority candidates is the establishment of minority districting and the use of racial gerrymandering. The question of constitutionality and these dist... ...tion has focused attention on the problems of our current system of voting. With the disproportionate amount of minorities being represented in Congress today, a change in the voting system is inevitable unless the two parties make a concerted effort to draw larger minority support and offer up minority candidates.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Political reforms other than proportional representation may prove to favor minority candidates. Those looking to narrow the gap in Congress have looked at term limits and campaign finance reform. The idea that term limits would aid minorities comes from the fact that incumbents are so much more successful in elections. While there is always a call by reformers of government to implement term limits, the probability of this occurring seems quite slim. However, campaign finance reform is making headway this year in Congress. Supporters of reform argue that it would open access to greater candidates seeking election and not just those supported by the â€Å"big money† interests or soft money backing of parties. This augmentation of viability for a candidate would enhance the chances of minorities becoming candidates, thus enabling their representation in Congress.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Principles of Macroeconomics Essay

Topic: Tolstoy’s narrator remarks that Ivan Ilych’s life has been â€Å"most simple and most ordinary and therefore most terrible† (731). Explain how the events of Ivan’s life support this assessment. What is terrible about the ordinary? There are many milestones in one’s life. Graduating college, getting a job, getting married, buying a house and having kids. For most people these are joyous events that are celebrated with family and friends; and come with hard work. However some people have a different mindset towards life. They perform tasks for the mere sake of getting the job done and life almost seems like a check list. There is a difference between being alive and truly living. Being alive is fulfilling the responsibilities and duties that are required of you. Truly living is when you seize every moment and make the most of it. One appreciates the small pleasures in life and is satisfied with what he or she has. It is easy to go through life without realizing you are not enjoying it. We get so caught up in trying to be the best version of ourselves that we don’t stop and appreciate the small things that bring every day joy. In â€Å"The Death of Ivan Ilych† Leo Tolstoy examines the life of a man, Ivan, who would have seemed to live a typical life with adequate wealth, high position, and family. However as we read on we come to realize that he is living almost robotically. Relationships don’t have much value in his life. He does what he thinks is the right thing to do, and follows the examples of everyone around him. He is scared of getting left behind and wants to make a name for himself. This leads to Ivan Ilych’s life being â€Å"most simple and most ordinary and therefore most terrible† (1458). His life ends up being a total waste with no real friends, no happiness and lots of regret. It is not until Ivan is on his death bed in his final moments  that he realizes that the personal relationships we forge are more important in life than who we are or what we own. But by then it’s too late. Today’s society is very fast paced; everyone is always on the go. People think about the big picture and miss the small details of life. This is a very common mistake in the western culture. All working people want to follow the script of life, but th ere are some extremists like Ivan that take it to the next level. With every aspect in his life he wants to be perfect and will do anything to achieve and maintain his status. An example of his extreme behavior is his love life. Ivan was at a point in his life where he settled down in a new town and life was pleasant. There â€Å"he met his future wife, Praskovya Fedorovana Mikhel, who was the most attractive, clever and brilliant girl of the set in which he moved† (1461). He establishes a light relation with her; and slowly she falls in love with him. Ivan had no intension of marrying her, he thinks of his marriage primarily in terms of himself. He thinks of marrying her only because she had all the qualities that he thinks a good wife is supposed to have; she came from a good family, was good looking, had an income and â€Å"it [marriage] was considered the right thing by most highly placed of his associates† (1461). So Ivan gets married; it doesn’t sound like he is madly in love with her. It’s more like he marries her because other people tell him it’s a good thing to do and he doesn’t have any objections. For I van other people’s approval and views matter more than his own views. Marriage is one of the most important and joyous events in one’s life; most  people get married when they think is the right time for them and with whom they think is the right person, however for Ivan it’s just another task on the checklist. In other words Ivan got married just for the sake of getting married. There was no joy or excitement; he makes marriage look like a simple and ordinary event in one’s life. Relationships are easy to make but hard to maintain. As Ivan’s married life goes on he realizes that marriage is not as easy and pleasant as he thought. As things started to change in his life, he felt depressed and helpless. He wants to escape and live life his own way, invite friends over for a game of cards and go to the club in the evenings. On the other hand his wife wanted him to spend more time with her and there was nothing wrong with that, it is expected. Every wife wants  her husband to spend time with her especially while she’s pregnant. However for Ivan his work is more attractive because it brings him success and that’s what’s most important to him. He doesn’t understand the importance of family and ignores his wife; Ivan spends more time at work and becomes more ambitious than before. Money is an essential need in life and it is a man’s responsibility to provide his family with all the comforts of life, since the men are usually the breadwinners of the household. However if you pay too much attention to money it can damage your relationship with your family because you lose out on time with them. Relationships with family have a much larger effect on quality of life than money does. However Ivan fails to realize this and concentrations totally on work, it is not until he’s on his death bed that he understands the importance of family in life but by then it’s too late. Going back into his childhood it is clear that Ivan was just what â€Å"he remained for the rest of his life: a capable, cheerful, good-natured, and sociable man† (1459). Everyone has someone or the other who they look up to and follow in life. Ivan was attached to people of high position, therefore established friendly relations with them. He took their blueprint of life which consisted to wealth and social status; and blindly followed it. Ivan did all the things they did, even though he didn’t like what he was doing. He was disgusted with himself and regarded everything he did to be wrong but because all these things were done by people with good position, it did not matter (1459). Childhood is the best part for most people; they do what they want, don’t care about others and most importantly have fun. However Ivan got so caught up in being the best version of himself, he missed all these cheerful things. He did what he thought to be the right things, which were the things done by successful people. It is not bad to follow successful people, everyone should do that however not to the extent that Ivan did. He did not listen to his heart or brain. He even chose his friends on the base of their social status and not whether he liked them or not. If something seemed wrong to him, he tried to forget it only because it was regarded right by the people with good position. There wasn’t anything special about his childhood, he basically followed a script. After law school Ivan’s life is pleasant; he performs his job and makes his career in the province. Later  in his life he takes up the post of examining magistrate in a new town (1460). His social life picks up where it left off. Ivan â€Å"picked out the best circle of legal gentlemen and wealthy gentry living in the town † (1461) to associate with. Here’s another example where Ivan does something because it seems the right thing to do. He wanted to be recognized in society and be powerful so he establishes relationships with rich and powerful people. It didn’t matter if he liked them or not. The relationships he developed with them were on the surface and were just a show, compared to normal friendships that last forever. These men did not have any meaning in his life and vice versa; this is proven when he passed away and his friends care more about their promotions rather than being sad on a loss of a friend. People always compare their lifestyles and what they have to their friends and people around them. It’s a non-ending cycle of always wanting what you don’t have. Ivan was never content with what he had, and it was evident in his life choices. After working as an examining magistrate for a while â€Å"he was expecting to be offered the post of a presiding judge in a University town† (1463). Instead to his horror a colleague got the post. In response to this he quit his job. He began actively hunting for a better position and succeeded. His friend helped him land a position that was two times better than his old one. He was thrilled that he proved his colleagues wrong who failed to appreciate him. It is evident that he was more excited to show off his new position to his â€Å"enemies† than to be genuinely happy about being able to provide more for his kids and wife. We should always take a moment to step back and enjoy what they have before life makes us realize it’s too late. With Ivan’s new job came more money. This led to a bigger and better lifestyle. He bought a grand house and furnished it with expensive pieces. Slowly his dream of having everything he could ever dream of was coming true. He had obtained the status he always wanted, purchased all the expensive things and was slowly getting satisfied with everything. As he settled in to the new lifestyle he always wanted; he quickly became bored. It wasn’t as great as he thought it would be. All throughout his life he always looked at the big picture. He was so concentrated on getting his dream job, house and lif estyle that he didn’t enjoy and appreciate the small pleasures that came along the way. He sacrificed all the small joys of life for the end result and now that it was time for Ivan to enjoy the results of  his hard work, life took a turn in the opposite direction. As he was setting up his new house, he injured himself while putting up curtains. As time went on his injury got worse, and he was never able to fully enjoy the things he had worked for. Ivan’s life had no special moments, as he never understood the joy in small achievements. He took them as simple and ordinary things. As we examine Ivan’s life it is clear to us that it was a total failure as most of the time he was lonely and didn’t have any friends or family he confided his worries to. He never paid attention to his relationships and did not make an effort towards them. As his Injury gets worse it begins to take a toll on his life, forcing him to stay at home. Now that he is at home all the time he begins thinking of his life and starts reflecting on it. Slowly everything hits him. All the mistakes he made are becoming visible to him from his childhood to his relationship with his wife to his job. He is realizing he spent his whole life chasing what he thought would make him a happy man and that he really wasn’t happy at all. He did not establish any friendships at a young age, and the ones that he did were not real, they were on the surface. His life is flashing before his eyes. The empty feeling he had his whole life is turning into regret. As he thinks about his mistakes he realizes that he intended to live life in a certain way, but ended up living in a completely different manner. Like everyone else Ivan didn’t realize this while he was  making these mistakes. He wasted his life running after wealth and status; and failed to build real relationships. In reality he didn’t achieve anything in life other than tangible objects. We as the reader saw these opportunities for him to change throughout his life. As a child Ivan didn’t like what he was doing. He was disgusted with the things he did to become one of the high positioned people. He could have understood that this is not the right way to live life but he was so determined to achieve his goal he turned wrong things into right in his eyes. Later on in his life after he got married, his wife showed frustration towards him, she wasn’t happy with the way of his lifestyle. Most people care about their close ones and try to change for them, whereas Ivan ran away from the situation and started working more and spending less time with his family. He did the opposite of what a normal person would do. Instead of listening to his heart and brain  he changed his morals; instead of strengthening his relations he neglected them. His life choices were ordinary; it seemed like he was just being alive and not truly living. Normally when people die, they are remembered for all the memories and great things they did. Their loved ones grieve over the loss of a friend and family member. A person leaves a legacy after passing away. Many want that legacy to be one of the good times and the memories spent with people you love. However Ivan was unsuccessful in doing that. He was so obsessed with being successful while he was alive it was evident his friends were friends with him for all the wrong reason. After receiving the news of their friend Ivan’s death the first thought of each of his friends was of the changes and promotions it might occasion among  themselves or their acquaintances (1453). Instead of being sad, his friends thought of the benefits they’d get. This shows the type of friendship he had established with his friends. Not only had his friends, his wife too thought about the benefits of his death. Her main concern was â€Å"how she could obtain a grant of money from the government on the occasion of her husband’s death (1457). This was a result of Ivan’s behavior and lack of love towards her. She was a good and loving person; but over time marriage changed her. While Ivan was alive he didn’t treat her with love or give her the place of a wife in his life. Ivan’s wife’s and friends’ behavior give a perfect picture of how he lived his life. He just fulfilled his responsibilities just for the sake of getting them done. Ivan was ordinary in the sense that he had no friends or loved ones. For an outsider looking in on his life he had it all; a big house, nice car, wife, kids and respectable job. However life is not about the tangible objects; houses and cars are just materials but life has a bigger meaning than that. At the end of the day if all the objects were to be taken away from him he has no relationships to hold onto. Life always boils down to the relationships we have, our loved ones and the happiness of our families. It is unfortunate that Ivan realized this when it was too late and he couldn’t do anything about it. Hence his life was â€Å"most simple and most ordinary and therefore most terrible†. Ivan’s misunderstanding of the things that truly mattered in life is what made his life so terrible. Love, respect, intimacy, and happiness are the things that really make life worth living not wealth, power, and property.

Student Loan Debt Is A Controversial Topic For Young Adults

Student loan debt is a controversial topic for young adults. Many high school students and young adults are afraid of entering college, in fear of being under huge amounts of debt. Although there are programs to help them tackle these debts, some students still find it hard to live comfortably and are struggling to get by. Student loan debt negatively affects many young adults who are finding it hard to overcome, and even though there are programs for student loan forgiveness, the local economy continues to struggle. Student debt affects the economy, more specifically mortgage rates. Student loans have risen to 11.3% while mortgage rates dropped 3.1%. Barbara O’Neill, a specialist in financial resources management for Rutgers University†¦show more content†¦explains, â€Å"Student debt is approximately $1.2 trillion in the U.S..† It also shows nearly half (49 percent) of the individuals who responded have more than $30,000 in student loans. Other findings from this survey show, that 20 percent of respondents show they cannot get a loan for other items, are unable to purchase a home, and student loan debt negatively impacts their credit.18 percent of individuals show they are living paycheck to paycheck and â€Å"drowning† in debt, and have a large debt load. Another 13 percent show they have a lower quality of life and are unable to afford the extra things. Finally, 12 percent show they are unable to save for their retirement or their children’s education an d feel less secure. Students who are in debt often pay through their credit card, leading them to be in debt for that as well. With all these problems caused by student debt, it can cause toll on the student’s physical and mental health. Northwestern University published a 2013 study, which found that higher levels of debt caused problematic health issues. Higher levels of stress, depression, and poorer general health are affecting the students. Students can also have raised blood pressure, which can increase the risk of hypertension and stroke. It’s no doubt student debt is a huge problem for many reasons, but there are several programs that would help clear away debt. One program, for example is Obama’s Student Loan Forgiveness Plan. There are five

Increasing Popularity Surrounding Timber Frame Construction - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 13 Words: 3819 Downloads: 10 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Statistics Essay Did you like this example? 1.0 INTRODUCTION This report will look at the increasing popularity surrounding timber frame construction in the construction industry. It will look at why this trend is continuing across the UK and how this form of construction can be applied to various building types. Timber frame construction is most notably used in parts of the world such as USA, Canada and Australia but it is being used more frequently throughout the UK in more recent times as well. Year on year the market share for timber frame construction has increased. Scotland is leading the way in this field by using timber frame construction much more than their neighbours. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Increasing Popularity Surrounding Timber Frame Construction" essay for you Create order The timber sourced for this type of construction can readily be found in Scotland and this may go some way to explaining why it is indeed so popular in Scotland. 1.1 FACTS AND FIGURES; For the tenth consecutive year; the market share for timber frame construction has increased, 25% of all new houses in the UK are timber frame, As previously stated, Scotland is the most popular country for timber frame construction in the UK but even considering this; 75% of all new houses in Scotland are timber frame and that percentage continues to rise. Also, even during a recession when the construction industry has possibly been hit as hard as any other industry; timber frame construction only dropped by 26% while other construction methods dropped almost 38% in 2008. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 5 (www.timber-frame.org) The trend is also growing outside of the UK, in Ireland for example. This is endorsed by the following quote. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber frame homes currently account for 25% of new build homes in Irelandà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.ramstowndevelopments.com) 2.0 METHOD OF CONSTRUCTION Timber frame construction means that the weight-bearing walls are indeed timber panels. In other buildings this could be steel or blocks for example. These timber panels are made off site to an exact size and when they are required, they are simply transported by truck from the factory to the site. They can then be installed by men using pulleys and ropes or if the panels are too large and heavy- a small crane can be used to carry out this task. The panel itself is usually made up of solid timber- to take the load of the structure and this is sheathed usually by plywood or OSB- Oriented Strand Board, which is usually sourced from Scotland. These members ensure that the panel has suitable strength and is also rigid. Once the timber frame installation is complete, the external leaf of the building can then be installed. This can be brickwork or any form of cladding or a rendered finish. There are in fact two types of panels available- namely the Open Panel meaning the panel will be dry-lined after the insulation, vapour layer and services have been installed on site. The other panel is the Closed Panel and is this case this is all done in the factory. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 11 (www.timber-frame.org) There have also been advances in the design of I-Joists in timber frame systems. There are now lighter I-Joists available but they have the greater strength and durability because the flanges are wider and the joist itself is not solid wood as has been the case in previous years- it can simply be plywood or OSB. PLATE 1; Image showing lightweight I-Joists, which are easier to handle but still strong enough to withstand the load being rested on it; due to the wide flanges. (www.framewiseltd.co.uk) 2.1 BALLOON FRAME There are actually two forms of timber frame construction. These are called Balloon Frame and Platform Frame. Balloon Frame has been superseded nowadays by Platform Frame but a brief outline is explained on both. The Balloon Frame form of construction simply means that the studs that make up the exterior wall are one long section which spans from the ground to the ceiling height of the top floor. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“A balloon frame consists of two-storey height panels with an intermediate floor suspended from the formwork.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Chudley and Greeno (2008, p.386) Problems are obvious with this form of construction; Fire can spread easier because of the large panels Large panels may be more difficult to find Large panels will also be more difficult to handle Heating bills could be higher because there is no insulation between a room and the exterior walls Drawbacks such as these mean that the Platform Frame is more popular and is used today in preference to the Balloon Frame. 2.2 PLATFORM FRAME As previously mentioned, this is the form of timber frame construction favoured today in the UK. It differs from the Balloon Frame, as the structure is built up floor by floor. Basic sequence of events would include; Engineer calculates out sizes required by looking at the clientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s drawings Materials ordered and prefabricated in factory Materials arrive on site- only as required Base of the structure is marked out Timber floor joists are lifted into place using a small crane Walls are erected and positioned on top of floor joists- again using a small crane Prefabricated roof is also positioned in by a crane on top of the wall panels Cavity barriers/fire stops are installed Felt and battens are applied to roof- structure is now watertight External layer can now be can applied as well as tiles or slates on the roof Internal services can now be installed   Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚  Ãƒâ€šÃ‚   PLATE 2; Image showing a floor being lifted into position by crane (www.ramstowndevelopments.com) (sketch 2 drawings from page 171 of chudley greeno) 3.0 ADVANTAGES OF TIMBER FRAME Timber frame construction holds quite a few advantages over brick and block or steel frame construction; Quick to erect- can be completed faster than using brick and blocks as there is no need to wait for mortar to dry. Also, timber can still be installed in the rain; when brick or blocks canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t and is also not affected by the frost like mortar is. Easy to transport- panels, trussed roofs, timber floors etc are easily loaded on to a lorry and delivered on site as needed also ensuring the site isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t cluttered up with materials that are not yet needed. Easy for the Contractor to forecast the completion date of the project- the job will run on time easier and will not be delayed due to weather as wintry conditions can delay progress on site. Cleaner site- as everything is measured to specification; there will be very little material waste on site meaning more profits, less money spent on dumping waste in landfills and less chance of an injury also. Smooth and dry- the surface is easy to decorate and also easy to render. Better quality- as the frame is fabricated off site to meet Building Regulations; there is less chance of human error. Can be installed by small crane to meet a tight deadline or by workmen as a cheaper option. Extensions can easily be incorporated, as timber and plasterboard are easier to remove than blocks. Also easier to design a building to suit the clientà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s exact taste and possibly make a building unique form others. (www.trada.co.uk) Once the shell of the building is complete- this means it is watertight and the internal works can begin. It only takes around 5 days to achieve a watertight house. 3.1 THERMAL PERFORMANCE Timber is an excellent insulator and this in turn means that timber framed buildings store heat very well. This therefore leads heating bills being reduced, which in turn also means less fossil fuels are being used- be it oil for central heating or coal for a fire. How much money can be saved on heating bills varies and bold claims are made about this. It is hard to calculate because other factors need to be considered such as the specification of the building, the occupants of that building and so on. One timber frame company called Ramstown Developments claim that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber framing is an energy saving system that cuts an average of 33% off the annual cost of heating your home.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.ramstowndevelopments.com/) How accurate these figures are will be open to debate but there is little doubt that timber frame construction does have an advantage when it comes down to thermal performance. Many different timber frame companies exist and because of this they will specify the materials and construction and installation of the components slightly differently, thus giving slightly different results. However, the UK Timber Fame Association, who represents over 85% of UK timber frame manufacture states that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Using a standard timber frame system achieves U-values between 0.30 and 0.27 using readily available and standard insulation- and using higher performance insulation and insulating breather membranes can boost these figures even more.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.timber-frame.org) The keyword in the aforementioned statement is standard- meaning this is the minimum level of thermal performance that can be expected, so obviously this can be improved upon by having a higher specification. One such company is à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Scotframeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? who have designed a timber frame system which has a U-value of 0.11 which is very impressive when the U-value limit for walls in 1965 was actually 1.7. The system is a closed timber-framed panel, usually includes140mm  studs sheathed both sides with Oriented Strand Board (OSB) and factory filled with Polyurethane foam insulation. The internal side of the panel has a vapour control heat reflective membrane  and an air gap is created between this and the internal wall cladding to make a service zone.  The exterior side has a breathable waterproof membrane and 50mm of  polyurethane foam cavity insulation. To prove that these panels are indeed extremely thermally efficient- they have been tested by the National Physical Laboratory who confirmed a U-value of 0.11 W/m2K; when the external cladding is taken into account. This system can be installed without the cavity insulation- but as can be expected, the U-value results will not be as good. This system from Scotframe actually meets the meets the C02 targets which have been set at intervals of 2010, 2013 and 2016- at this stage. (www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) PLATE 5; Image showing what the Scotframe system compromises of. (www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) 3.2 ACOUSTIC PERFORMANCE Since timber frame performs so well in thermal performance, it isnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t very surprising to gather that it also performs well in the acoustic aspect also. This could be largely down to the fact that so many layers can absorb sound just like curtains and carpet absorbs sound better than an empty room with hard surfaces. In fact à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“BREs Case study TF2000 found that even a multi-storey project would out perform building regulations for acoustic insulation.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.framewiseltd.co.uk) This statement therefore echoes these thoughts and actually emphasises that it more than satisfies Building Regulations. What is even more interesting is that this is not for a small cosy dwelling- it is actually in terms of a multi-storey structure. 3.3 FIRE PERFORMANCE Timber is more susceptible to fire than materials such as concrete, bricks, blocks or steel. This however, does not mean that timber frame structures are more of a fire hazard. Timber frame structures are more likely to be burnt down during the actually construction phase, when the installation is not complete. This could be due to an accidental fire starting on site or probably the more likely case of vandalism. The HSEà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s figures of 11 fires each day in the construction industry advocates this theory. Fire Safety on Timber Frame Construction Sites, page 5 highlights this, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s annual UK fire statistics show that two thirds of fires in construction industry premises are started deliberately.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.timber-frame.org/) Fires that do start accidentally will not spread as easily once the installation has been complete, because the fire resistant plasterboard will see to this and also the external cladding will prove a difficult surface for the fire to engulf. There are of course ways in which the threat of fire can be minimised; Design out the need for hot-works, i.e. working with a blowtorch. If hot-works are required then that area should be monitored for 1 hour and again 2 ours later as a precaution. Keep the site tidy with no timber shavings or pieces of paper lying around, as these could start a fire easily (this of course would be good practice on any construction site) Ensure good site security to keep potential thieves and vandals at bay- again just like on any construction site. Fire Safety On Timber Frame Construction Sites page 10 (www.timber-frame.org) At this stage it should be stressed that timber frame construction is quick to install and because of this it is easy to reach a point when fire resistant materials are in place and the risk of fire is therefore greatly reduced. Also, cavity fire barriers will reduce the spread of fire. They are placed at openings in external walls, at corners, at each floor level, at eaves level, around pipes, cables etcà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ It is also worthy to mention that timber frame buildings do of course have to pass the relevant Building Regulations; as fire is a very serious matter. So if they satisfy these needs; they are as safe as any other form of construction in that aspect. 4.0 ENVIRONMENT Terms such as C02 emissions, global warming, carbon footprint and greenhouse gases are often the topic of conversation in todayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s world. Everyone is being urged to think about the environment and the construction industry is probably under the microscope as much as any other sector. As mentioned previously one of the advantages of timber frame construction is that it reduces the effects of burning fossil fuels- such as oil or coal. This therefore means it also minimises the greenhouse effect as well. Unlike steel or concrete- there is no need for any manufacturing, refining or extracting as timber is natural. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Strength for strength, concrete uses 5 times (and steel uses 6 times) more energy to produce than timberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.timber-frame.org) à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Overall C02 emissions for timber construction (the em-bodied carbon are up to six times lower than the emissions associated with masonry construction materialsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 19 (www.timber-frame.org) That statement may not hold much relevance until the Governmentà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s stance on this subject is made clear- à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Come October 2010, the Government will slash the level of permissible CO2 emissions generated by new builds by 30%. There is a further reduction of 30% planned for 2013 and yet another of the same amount due to come in to force in 2016à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/) This further proves just how big of a concern this matter is and that the Government are acting quickly and have very clear targets in mind for the future. Some timber frame companies are also trying to convey this message to the public, as advocated by Deeside timber frame- à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Raise awareness of environmental issues with our customers, suppliers and staffà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? is listed as one of their objectives regarding environmental matters. (www.deesidetimberframe.co.uk) Also, since timber is being sourced locally; in Europe and frequently in Scotland- it means there is no long journeys to transport the material overseas as can often be the case with steel when it is in short supply. 4.1 SUSTAINABILITY Timber is a very sustainable material. This is simply due to the fact that the timber comes from managed forests and for every tree that is cut down- two are planted to replace it. As well as this; the Government also introduced a scheme titled the Code for Sustainable Homes in 2006. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 7 (www.timber-frame.org) To summarise, this basically states that the Government wants homes to be more energy efficient and that Level 3 is the basic standard expected in the average housing scheme, with this rising to a Level 6 for all new homes by 2016. Issues which affect what level the structure will be credited with depend on two things- how energy efficient the buildings fabric is and also how the material itself was sourced. Timber can achieve a good rating on both fronts because as previously mentioned; it is easy to source and doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have to be transported long distances and also timber frame buildings have a very good thermal performance and can reduce heating bills. 5.0 NON-DOMESTIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER PROJECTS It would be fair to say that when most people think of timber frame construction, they think of low rise buildings like domestic dwellings. However, timber frame buildings are not just bungalows and two storey houses. Timber frame buildings include hotels, student accommodation and such like. With Building Regulations always being updated and changed; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber frame can currently go up to 18 metres within the current regulations. This has already allowed the construction of a 7 storey building in Bedminster in Bristol.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? (www.timber-frame.org) Further examples of surprising projects include a primary school which has over 400 children in attendance. St Lukeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Primary School in the Wolverhampton area was actually completed in 16 weeks- which was 2 weeks ahead of schedule! It cost  £5.9m to construct and was given a rating of Excellent by BREEAM. This rating was of such a high standard that it is actually the first time it has been awarded to a building in Britain. (BREEAM is the BRE Environmental Assessment Method.) PATE 6; Image of St Lukeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s CE Primary School, Blakenhall Gardens UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 26 (www.timber-frame.org) Other such projects include a NHS Adolescent Unit in Wales, where in this instance timber frame was ideal due to the fact that it was manufactured offsite and this meant less time onsite, making noise and disrupting the patients. A further example includes the theatre that was built on the Isle of Mull. Since this structure would be subject to winds and rain- it would be anticipated that steel or concrete would be the material of choice. However, cost of transporting these materials proved to be a huge factor, coupled with the fact that once again timber frame could be installed much quicker. PLATE 7; Image of the new timber frame theatre on Isle of Mull UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 26 (www.timber-frame.org) As well as these structures, timber frame prototypes have also been erected to improve our knowledge and findings on the performance of timber frame. One such prototype is the Kingspan Lighthouse which was designed and built to show how well timber frame would or would not perform when the structure was going to be an unorthodox shape. As with all buildings, small faults were found and good feedback was received on how improvements could be made. However, a Level 6 rating under the Code of Sustainable Homes was reached- even though this target doesnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t need to be achieved until 2016. PLATE 8; Image of Kingspan Lighthouse which achieved a Level 6 rating. UK timber frame association preview 2010 page 9 (www.timber-frame.org) 6.0 MOISTURE CONTENT All timber that is to be used for construction purposes will have a certain moisture content. Different timbers will have different moisture content depending on their use. For example, timber that is going to be used at junctions in the building where dampness could form will need to have a low moisture content. Kilns are used to dry timber out to a certain specification. Moisture content can be calculated by completing the following calculation; à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Moisture Content %= (wet weight)-(dry weight)/ dry weight x 100%à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Chudley and Greeno (2007, p.175) 6.1 THREAT OF ROT Rot spreading throughout a building is the nightmare of every client and builder, as it can cause unlimited damage and mean that in the extreme cases the building cannot be repaired. However, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Dry timberà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?, which is a timber with a moisture content of under 20%, is not at risk of decay. Lyons (2007, p.105) noted that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ the reduction in water content to below 20% will arrest any incipient fungal decay, which can only commence above this critical level.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? This should dispel any doubts that timber is very exposed to rot. Furthermore, the timber is also sprayed with necessary preservatives before installation to satisfy Building Regulation requirements. 7.0 CONCLUSION This report has briefly looked at how timber frame structures perform in numerous fields. It has also outlined how timber frame can be used in a variety of different structures- some of which many people would not associate timber frame construction with. It is therefore clear to see that this market will continue to grow, with the market possibly accelerating more so in Ireland in the near future. This is because Ireland is possibly the country which has the most room for growth in this sector, coupled with the fact that Scotland is nearby and would prove to be a very good source for timber. This report has also addressed concerns relating to timber and the perception many people still have about using timber in construction- such as fire hazards, risk of rot, unable to be used in multi-storey buildings; to name just a few. Once people are better educated and made more aware about using timber as the structure for buildings- then these myths will soon be dispersed. After all, as mentioned in the introduction; this form of construction is used in countries such as USA, Canada and Australia. It is of course the most popular form of construction used in the developed world- meaning it can handle the hot summers in Australia and also the windy wets nights and wintry conditions in Scotland. It has taken Britain and Ireland many years to adopt this practice and some will no doubt wish to never embrace timber frame construction. However, the old adage à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“the times are changingà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? certainly springs to mind at this point. With the Government endorsing the use of timber frame and with environmental and sustainability concerns the topic of conversation on a regular basis- this definitely seems like the route to take. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Timber Frame is probably the biggest single advance in building methods in recent yearsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?(www.walkertimbergroup.com) The above quote certainly is a bold one but with the facts in figures produced in this report; it is hard to argue against such a statement. 8.0 REFERENCES- Websites Source- UK timber frame association preview 2010 (pdf file) (www.timber-frame.org) [accessed 4th February] Source-Fire Safety on Timber Frame Construction Sites (pdf file) (www.timber-frame.org) https://www.ramstowndevelopments.com/index.php?id=47 [accessed 4th February] https://www.framewiseltd.co.uk/Systems/i-joists-the-simple-framing-system.html [accessed 4th February] https://www.trada.co.uk/techinfo/library/view/6BA4B8A2-79A8-451B-AB6F-474D37137B4F/Timber+frame+construction+-+an+outline/ar01s02.html [accessed 5th February] https://www.timber-frame.org/html/Building_And_Construction/Benefits_of_Timber_Frame/ [accessed 5th February] https://www.scotframetimberengineering.co.uk/ [accessed 5th February] https://www.deesidetimberframe.co.uk/environmental.htm [accessed 5th February] https://www.walkertimbergroup.com/walkertimber/products/products/timberframe1 [accessed 5th February] Books Chudley, R., Greeno, R. (2008) Building Construction Handbook. 7th ed. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd Chudley, R., Greeno, R. (2007) Construction Technology. 4th ed. Essex: Pearson Education Limited Lyons, A., (2007) Materials for Architects Builders. 3rd ed. Oxford: Elsevier Ltd.

Iron Jawed Angels Essays - 546 Words

Iron Jawed Angels Iron Jawed Angels is a film which portrays the womens suffrage movement during the 1920s. The film is a documentary and a drama which uses live action and music to deliver the sympathetic and distressful mood the film creates. An example of the distressful mood is when the suffragists refuse to eat when they go to prison. This shows how passionate and distressed the suffragists are to get the 19th amendment passed, which would give women the right to vote. The films message, which is the hardships and adversity women had to withstand to get the 19th amendment passed, is effectively portrayed because the struggle the suffragists faced is accurately and beautifully depicted. As a tool of communication, the strengths†¦show more content†¦The film Iron Jawed Angels tells the viewer about the women?s suffrage movement in the 1920s. It also tells the viewer that the United States, mostly men, was strongly opposed to women?s suffrage. The disturbing violence geared towards the wome n suffragists also shows the discontent of American men towards the movement. Unfortunately the women suffragists were thrown in prison for blocking traffic (an excuse because they were protesting outside of the White House) and were forced to work. The hatred and animosity which suffragists faced during the 1920s is also an accurate depiction of United States life during this time period. Some questions which were left unanswered by the film Iron Jawed Angels are who started the women?s suffrage movement and where the movement started. The information which can be gained from Iron Jawed Angels which could not be conveyed by a written source would be the brutality and harshness suffragist women faced during the 1920s. A written source could also not convey the passion and enthusiasm the women suffragists had. The central message of the film Iron Jawed Angels is that if one keeps on trying, eventually they will make some progress. The persistence of the women suffragists shows that even if all odds are against someone, they can still make a difference. I would recommend Iron Jawed Angels as a study tool because it accurate portrays the women?s suffrage movement in the 1920s.Show MoreRelatedIron Jawed Angels Essay640 Words   |  3 Pageswere seen working in factories or as teachers but they had no say in the government. Thanks to a few women dedicated to making a difference, women have become more independent and now have a say in the government if they choose too. The movie Iron Jawed Angels depicts a group of women who wanted women to have a voice in politics. First thing they had to do was get women the right to vote. Alice Paul and Lucy Burns were the two leaders of the NWP (National Womans Party). The two women are an inspirationRead MoreEssay On The Iron Jawed Angels1418 Words   |  6 PagesEverything they worked hard for did not belong to them but to their father or husband. 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They faced many obstacles such as verbal and physicalRead MoreEssay on Impossible is Nothing: One Woman, One Vote911 Words   |  4 Pagespresent information about wars and the passing of importance legislation, however there remains prominent gaps in our understanding of women suffrage for equality--a war that had been going on for half a century. Jennifer Friedess story Iron Jawed Angels produced by Katja von Garnier, underscores the struggle and grief that women suffragists endured, along with providing the viewer with an in-depth understanding of the events, consequences and heroic actions of the activists of the 1920s womens

Discuss Wharton’s presentation of the character development of Newland Archer Free Essays

The character of Newland Archer is presented in this passage through his meditations on a range of issues. The scene is set directly after an Archer family dinner with a friend, Sillerton Jackson. Archer’s reflections give us a glimpse into the way he thinks and the sort of person he is. We will write a custom essay sample on Discuss Wharton’s presentation of the character development of Newland Archer or any similar topic only for you Order Now Initially we learn about Archer himself and his background, he is from a wealthy family, with ever â€Å"vigilant † servants, â€Å"bronze† statuettes and his own study. We can also see from the description of the study that he is cultured, intelligent and well read. The passage allows us to see a little of his history, especially of the tale of his romance with May Welland. Her â€Å"large photograph† has displaced all others on his table, signifying that she and no other is first in his affections. Archer’s view of their impending marriage is initially that he will be her â€Å"soul’s custodian†, showing that it will be a very traditional relationship, that she is naive compared to him, and that he must protect and enlighten her. He was taught that marriage to May would be like â€Å"safe anchorage† in life but he tells us his belief is changing, that he believes it may be like a â€Å"voyage on uncharted seas†. This clear nautical imagery lets us see how Archer is coming to doubt his previously unquestioned conventional beliefs – â€Å"old settled convictions† – and that it may be dangerous for him to go into this marriage so unprepared. He is moving on, intellectually, questioning what he once held firm. Archer’s attitude to his relationship with May is inextricably linked to his basic conventional traditional mindset. He sees himself and May as key players in a courtship ritual that they possibly could become stereotypical examples of people â€Å"linked by ignorance on the one side and hypocrisy on the other†. In a way he believes this is inevitable due to the society they both belong to, but it is not what he wants from marriage. He desires â€Å"passionate and tender comradeship† with May in their marriage; he loves her â€Å"sincerely†. However her attitude to her character shows that he does not fully understand her. He sees her as partly as an † artificial product† produced by her family, her up bringing, making her innocent and frank. He feels this is wrong that she has somehow been denied the right to be a full person, as she has been denied the experience of life, social, cultural and sexual, that he has been allowed to explore. He feels what has been created in her personality is false, but somehow we get the impression that this is something that has been hard for him to come across. He sees her as less than him intellectually, as she is not educated as he has been, in the arts and literature, and therefore senses her comprehension is less, when really it may just be her lack of exposure to his amount of learning. Newland Archer’s relationship with the women soon to be his cousin through his impending marriage to May, Ellen Olenska, is that this point in the novel, still slight. He knows her partially through acquaintance but mostly through gossip. The way he thinks of her as â€Å"Countess† shows the distance and formality between them and he does believe that she has done something reprehensible that requires â€Å"championship†. This shows that although he believes † Women should be free†, this will never really apply to New York standards and he resents the â€Å"coil of scandal† her arrival has placed him in. Her arrival and the talk surrounding it seems to have acted as a catalyst to his thought patterns, hinting of a deeper relationship to come. She is this woman with foreign ways who could be â€Å"free† as men are, and she makes Newland aware of the implications and reality of his betrothal. Newland Archer’s character development is presented throughout the passage as a struggle between what he did believe in and what he is coming to doubt the validity of through new experiences and thoughts. His attitude to society is important as it stands for his old conventional self, and his reactions to its dictates, especially on the theme of marriage, show how he is maturing and thinking independently. The imagery he uses to describe New York society are important, â€Å"conventions that tied things together and bound people down† – this rope imagery suggests the constricting nature of tradition and how it hods all subject to it captive. The irony betrayed by Edith Wharton’s’ tone in the presentation of the conscious thoughts of Newland Archer shows the slightly ridiculous nature of New York society. The situation Archer is in regarding his own defence of Countess Olenska is ironic, as he would be forced to condemn May should she ever behave similarly to her cousin. Another irony in the passage is the description of the state of typical New York high society marriages as having an â€Å"enviable ideal† when frankly they are in a pitiable state. Lefferts is described as the â€Å"high priest of form† when really he has no substance or true beliefs and is truly hypocritical, especially in regard to his treatment of Beaufort’s affairs. The behaviour of Mrs Welland’s simulated reluctance at the announcement of the engagement when really she expected it is sarcastically commented on showing the double standards between what is said and what is expected throughout New York society. Edith Wharton uses conflicting ideas within Newland Archer’s mind to effectively present a man who is changing and developing into a deeper way of thinking about his own life and society in general. How to cite Discuss Wharton’s presentation of the character development of Newland Archer, Papers

Dimensions of the Organizational Behavior-Samples for Students

Questions: 1.Discuss your view on the four key Dimensions of Political Skill 2.Use the concepts of transactional, transformational, charismatic, and authentic leaders to give examples of the leadership of Ingvar Kamprad (founder of IKEA) 3.What are the key leadership lessons provided by Kamprads experiences? 4.What skills would you Personally need to Develop or refine to become a Leader like Kamprad? Answers 1.The four dimensions of the organizational behavior are as follows: Social astuteness: The people who are blessed with political skills are shrewd and are at good at observing others. These people are very good at interpersonal skills and very skilled at understanding the behavior patterns of other individual. Networking ability: This is a useful skill where the individual can easily build good relationships with people of importance. This association is based on the benefits of the people within the organizations, which can be both personal and organizational. These alliances formed by the people are beneficial to them while working in the organization (Block, 2016). Interpersonal influence: The politically skilled people can easily influence other people with their strong opinion. This people are persuasive in nature and can alter their behavior for extracting the desired output Apparent sincerity: The people having political skills should portray that they are sincere and genuine otherwise they wont be able to influence other people. 2.The most suitable example of a charismatic leader is Ingvar Kamprad, which is seen when he leads the company from the front by setting examples for others. Kamprad is also aligned to the transformational leadership who provides motivation and displays confidence in his subordinates. He believes in democracy and likes to make his subordinates feel important. 3.Ingvar Kamprad is a magnetic leader and tries to can incorporate different styles of leadership qualities within him. Kamprad believes in self-introspection and he accepts his mistakes and weakness. This shows his humility, compassion and simplicity. He teaches how to respect others and how to gain respect from others. 4.An individual who wants to be leader like Ingvar Kamprad will have to be humble and simple. The individual will have to show equal respect to others and consider other people as important. The best leader leads from the front and so the individual will have to develop enough confidence to lead from the front (Nahavandi, 2016). References Block, P. (2016).The empowered manager: Positive political skills at work. John Wiley Sons. Nahavandi, A. (2016).The Art and Science of Leadership -Global Edition. Pearson.