Friday, December 27, 2019

Tony Kushner s A Gay Fantasia - 2126 Words

American playwright Tony Kushner’s momentous two-part production Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes documents the varied lives of five men residing in New York City throughout the 1980s AIDS epidemic. A truly unique aspect, which pertains to Kushner’s dramatized narrative, is that each focal male character is homosexual. Although these men may share a collective sexual orientation, they experience their sexuality in their own individualistic ways. Through the lenses of Kushner’s male protagonists—Roy Cohn, Joseph Pitt, Louis Ironson, Prior Walter and Belize—the play endeavours to eradicate conventional perceptions of sexuality as a dichotomized view: heterosexuality/homosexuality. As the narrative progresses, it becomes apparent that Angels in America contends the monolithic stereotype attributed to a homosexual orientation, by reconceptualising the notion of sexuality as one that can be situated upon a spectrum. The spectrum established within the play illustrates the range of contentment each character experiences, regarding their sexuality. For example, the more â€Å"out of the closet† and overtly open one is about the nature of their sexual orientation, the more seemingly secure they are with themselves—and vice versa. It appears that each male protagonist’s location on the spectrum is ultimately contingent on his enactments of gender performativity. The following analysis seeks to prove that the more effeminate a male character acts, the more open andShow MoreRelatedTony Kushner s Angels Of Americ A Gay Fantasia On National Themes Essay816 Words   |  4 PagesThe Struggles Accompanying Homosexuality in Tony Kushner’s Angels in America Set in the late 1980s, a period of regression and tragedy for the homosexual community, Tony Kushner’s play, Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, explores the lives of four gay men living in New York. Kushner’s two part drama expounds some of the many difficulties encountered by gays during this time period. While two of his characters, Joe Pitt and Roy Cohn, both struggle significantly with their sexualRead MoreIs Hannah Transformed / Changed Through Her Relationship With Prior?2201 Words   |  9 Pages1. In what specific ways does Hannah help Prior? Why might she (a complete stranger) have such a profound effect on him? In what ways does their relationship (and her views on world, religion, disease) make possible Prior s transition from AIDS victim to a PLWA (a person LIVING with AIDS)? In what ways is Hannah transformed/changed through her relationship with Prior? And why/how does this change occur? Specifically, Hannah helps Prior by both bringing him to the hospital when he falls ill and

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Why Same Sex Marriage Should Be Legal - 1478 Words

Why Same Sex Marriage Shouldn’t be Allowed Why shouldn’t Same Sex Marriage legalized? Number one why would you want more gay couples walking around and getting married? It flat out is just not right at all. No matter if same sex marriage is legal or illegal it will never be okay on any circumstance. Marriage has always been between A Man and Woman not two guys and two girls. Marriage should stay the same, it should not be legalized, they’re just too many wrongs to it and it is not acceptable. The United States economy will receive a substantial boost from the legalization of same-sex marriage, due to improved labor mobility and increased productivity. The United States Supreme Court ruled in June that same-sex couples had the right to marry, meaning that all states must now recognize and conduct gay marriages. States decided on an individual basis whether to do so, with some conservative states opting to ban them (Cosgrave). Same Sex Marriage causes kids that are growing up to think it is okay and causes heterosexual marriages break apart. Same Sex Marriage denies a child, turns a moral wrong into a civil right, defeats the purpose of benefiting marriage, and is against the Biblical truth. Same sex marriage always denies either a mother or father. In 1977 Dade county, Florida passed an ordinance prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Bryant mobilized opposition to the measure under the banner â€Å"save our children† (Hillstrom 21). Forde-MazruiShow MoreRelatedWhy Same Sex Marriage Should Be Legal Everywhere1415 Words   |  6 PagesJuly 2015 Why Same Sex Marriage Should be Legal Everywhere If two people are happy with one another, they should be allowed to be together. Someone’s sex does not determine whom they can and cannot marry. The only difference between what we consider a ‘normal’ marriage and a gay marriage is simply by the genitalia that we have and the gender we identify as. We need to stop focusing on the gender of couples and start focusing on the love that they share. Same sex marriage should be legal everywhereRead MoreArgumentative Essay About Same Sex Marriage822 Words   |  4 Pagesabout the argument of same sex marriage. The contents are: meaning, brief background and thesis statement for the Introduction; for the Body of the discussion is the counter argument; and for the conclusion part: the summary and the restatement of the thesis statement. Same Sex Marriage also known as  gay marriage  or  equal marriage it is marriage between two persons of the same  biological sex  or  gender identity. In the 20th and 21st centuries various types of same-sex unions have come toRead MoreShould Same Sex Marriage Be Made Legal? Australia?1035 Words   |  5 PagesShould same-sex marriage be made legal in Australia? Should same-sex marriage be made legal in Australia? This is something you and I have heard in recent years come up time and again in the media and private conversations. But why is this an issue? We need to understand why this is even an issue. Let’s talk about what is a marriage. Society’s perspective of marriage is that it is a permanent, social, legal contract between two people who have mutual rights between the two people that are agreedRead MoreSame Sex Marriage Should Be Legal1288 Words   |  6 Pages Marriage is not precisely the same as it used to be interpreted. For example, women used to be their husband’s property. Sometimes the women were forced to marry whoever their parents wanted them to marry and most of the time they couldn’t leave the marriage. Nowadays women have more freedom. They can vote, they can run their own business, and they can marry whichever man they want to. The laws change as the people’s mind change. As they get more comfortable with the idea, they become more openRead MoreShould Gay Marriage Be Legal? Essay911 Words   |  4 PagesShould gay marriage be legal? Gay marriage should be legal because as woman and man, all individuals have the same right in society; because same-sex couples can constitute a good based family; because it is just a way to make official a common union nowadays, even with the religious issue; because it is not related to polygamy; and because love matters and it does not differ in nature according to the sex of its object or the person who experiences it. The first reason why same sex marriageRead MoreGay Marriage Should Be Banned874 Words   |  4 Pagesgay rights or same sex marriage should be banned or that it’s wrong under their religions. With that there are many factors that contradict against gay rights, such as religion, child adoption, and divorce just to name a few. Roger Severino, a graduate from Harvard Law School, and has a master in public policy claims the negative collusions that are against gay rights (924). Severino tells us that gay marriage conflicts with religious beliefs because it ruins the traditional marriage between a manRead MoreShould Gay Marriage Be Legal Defense And Education Fund Supports Same Sex Marriage?1085 Words   |  5 Pagesone of which is legalizing same-sex marriage. In their article, â€Å"Talking About the Freedom to Marry: Why Same-Sex Couples Should Have Equality in Marriage,† the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund supports same-sex marriage. An opposing view, is given by Robert P. George, a Princeton University professor. In his article, â€Å"The 28th Amendment: It Is Time to Protect Marriage, and Democracy, in America,† he explains why he is against same-sex marriage. The Lambda Legal Defense and Education FundRead MoreShould Gay Marriage Be Legal?778 Words   |  3 PagesShould Gay Marriage Be Legal? â€Å"†¦I now pronounce you husband and wife†¦Ã¢â‚¬  One would normally hear this when attending a wedding. In tradition marriage has been between one male and one female who love each other. But how would one feel if they heard â€Å"I now pronounce you groom and groom† or how about â€Å"†¦bride and bride...†? In the last 50 years the number of same-sex couples has increased. The on-going argument between the government and the people is â€Å"Should gay marriage be legal?† Although some sayRead MoreEssay Gay Marriage Should Be Legal889 Words   |  4 Pagesguarantees the right for same-sex couples to marry. Should gay marriages really be allowed? Has the Supreme Court ruled in error? Gay marriage should be legal because all individuals have the same right in society; because same-sex couples can constitute a good based family; because it is just a way to make official a common union nowadays, even with the religious issue; because it is not related to polygamy; and because love matters and it does not differ in nature according to the sex of its object orRead MoreEssay about Lets Legalize Gay Marriage872 Words   |  4 PagesLet’s Legalize Gay Marriage Gay marriage is a right. Heterosexual couples are allowed to enjoy all the marriage benefits, so why shouldn’t same-sex couples be able to? Why should other people be able to choose who marries who? If a man and a woman get married, no one seems to care. Gay marriage should be legal because it’s an issue of equal rights, it would save society money, and it will increase the chances for foster children to be adopted into loving families. Same-sex marriage is an issue of

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

American Home Products free essay sample

Pharmacy had not reached the heavy competition yet during early 1980s, AHP was still the early adopter in the industry, however, the nature of the market will change very quickly follow by the globalization and fast developing of medical technology, efficiency of information communication and financial industry. The competitor will able to launch variously strategies, with wild coverage of products via extended channels in more regions/counties. †¢ Because of debt free strategy, the company had limited investment in RD. Even they can provide the â€Å"me to product† but the industry will change with more related regulation to be generated from government, that will require each pharmacy company spend longer time, more money to do the testing before launch to the market, â€Å"me to product† will slow down the process to catch the new market segmentation. †¢ Brand risk, due to the company was only focus on the interest of shareholders; lack of CSR (corporate social responsibility) will be another risk. We will write a custom essay sample on American Home Products or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page †¢ Over centralized power in the leadership even $500 expense need approved by CEO. Not easy money system and not enough flexibility. b) Financial risks Debt free strategy Case Study/American Home Products Corporation 1 †¢ †¢ Will cause the lack of confident from institutional investors and individual investors due to the low leverage. Inflation! According the public information, the inflation rates from 1979 to 1981 was 11. 22%, 13. 58% and 10. 35%, that means holding money equals losing money. 729m+593m+494 =1816 m which was the total cash AHP was holding, times the averagely discount rate of inflation 11. 72%, they company lost 212. 8 million in 3 years. http://inflationdata. om/inflation/inflation_rate/historicalinflati on. aspx †¢ †¢ †¢ Mismatch between AHP’s performance and stock price, as there was not financial strategy. High tax High dividend payout ratio. 30%-70% debt of total capital †¢ Could possibly downgrading the bond credit level from AAA to AA at beginning 2) Can AHP create value for its shareholders by changing the level of debt? What capital structure would you recommend as appropriate for AHP? What are the advantages and disadvantages of leveraging up this company? The simple answer is â€Å"Yes†. We propose the multiple steps to achieve better leverage. Targeting 30% debt in the first year, because our competitor uses that ratio too, that can be use as benchmark to convince shareholders. Second year we can go for 50% and 70% in the third year. Advantage: Case Study/American Home Products Corporation 2 †¢ Use the excess cash to repurchase common stock will reduce common shares from 155. 5(30% debt) m to 118. 9m (70% debt), as the result that will increase the earning per share as well as the stock price. †¢ Will increase the tax efficiency, the income tax can be reduced to 383. 7m from 455. 2 m. Even the debt interest rate is at 14%, but comparing with 48% tax rate that is very low. †¢ Debt is a good tool to against inflation, as mentioned before, the average inflation rate from 1979-1981 was very high, borrowing money is good way to maintain the company’s assets to staying valuable. Disadvantage, †¢ †¢ †¢ AHP might lose it AAA bond rate Shareholders and senior management team will disagree/agree, and that will split the team at the top of management Potentially risk to bankruptcy with less cash, and easy to be attacked by competitor or financial institutions. 3) What are the possible ways for leveraging AHP? Besides to repurchase the common stock, other ways are: †¢ †¢ †¢ Buy government bond or financial institutions’ bond. American Home Products free essay sample â€Å"I just don’t like to owe money,† said William F. Laporte when asked about his company’s almost debt-free balance sheet and growing reserves. The exchange took place in 1968, 4 years after Mr. Laporte had taken over as chief executive of American Home Products (AHP). The subsequent American Home Product Corporation (AHP), a highly growing American company, has four business lines: prescription drugs, packaged drugs, food products, housewares and household products. For a quite long time, AHP has applied a tight financial control and maintained an aggressive capital structure policy. Its mission is to make money for its stockholders and to maximize profits by minimizing costs. It has been able to finance internally its growth while paying a very high portion of its earning to its shareholders (60%). Currently, AHP seems to have no business risk but may face a certain risk in the long run. Based on the ratios shown on the attached sheet, AHP should not worry about business risk since its working capital is very healthy (72. We will write a custom essay sample on American Home Products or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page million) and cash excess $233 million. The high ROA, high profit margin, low current-to-asset ration and 49. 71 collection days show that AHP can generate cash quickly, thus it can maintain current high growth rate. However, its decreasing annual sales growth from 14. 1% in 1978 to 8. 8% in 1981 (exhibit 1) shows that it faces future risk of losing market shares in all its business lines if it does not foresee competition and continue to focus on increasing stockholders’ value. AHP’s current financial performance is very good since it has high ROE (30. 3), high quick ratio (42. 68), low debt-to-equity ratio (0. 09) and low debt-to-asset ratio (0. 01). However, the pro forma of different debt ratios show that if AHP increases debt ratio, it will face a financial risk of increased debt-to-equity and debt-to-asset ratios. In other words, it will face solvency problems in long terms. AHP also face liquidity

Tuesday, December 3, 2019

The American Airlines and US Airways Merger

Abstract The mergers and acquisitions are common business practices in highly competitive industries and have both benefits and disadvantages organizations. Essentially, mergers and acquisitions are often perceived as expansionist strategies employed by firms to ensure increased market share and capabilities. Firms merge and acquire others for various reasons.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The American Airlines and US Airways Merger specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More However, increased competencies and capabilities lead to augmented competitive advantage and market share to form the main basis for mergers and acquisitions. The large firms acquire smaller ones to reduce the intense competition. Equally, firms merge with other companies of equal sizes to form a formidable force against any form of competition within the industry. The merger between American airlines and US commercial airline was attributed to various reasons particularly countering intense competition and increase capabilities in several fronts. Introduction The US Airways and American Airlines officially merged in December 9, 2013 to become an, Inc. The publicly traded holding firm has its headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas. With the combination, the American Airline Group has been touted as the largest airline company with over three hundred destination hubs around the orb with operations in over fifty republics. The American Airlines Group is one of the most successful, but with mixed reactions concerning the possibilities of creating an airline monopoly. However, the practice has presented opportunities and benefits to both the firms and the airline industry (Shlleifer Vishny, 2006). The American Airline Group Inc. has increased market share with the improved competencies in finance, management, and technology. Reasons for the merger The merger involves acquisition as well as combination of two different firms. I n the case of acquisitions, one firm absorbs the other completely. In combinations, the merging firms transfer their operations (Shlleifer Vishny, 2006). The American Airlines and US Airways combined to form a larger firm (American Airline Inc.). The main driver for the merger was to cut costs in order to achieve superior market share. Bringing the American Airline out of insolvency necessitated amalgamation.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Reduced costs Reducing the operational costs marked one of the reasons for a merger between two firms (Holmes, 2006). The cost of operations in the industry is constantly increasing due to the general escalations of global fuel costs. A combination of the firms’ operations will ensure efficiency in the use of resources. The resultant firm is expected to benefit from increased efficiencies through elimination of duplicate functions. Cost reduction measures were the motivating factors behind the merger. The beneficiary from amalgamation is the American Airlines after struggling with bankruptcy problems. With the merger, the firm that was almost becoming un-operational revamped its operations due to the availability of finances and increased capabilities. Increased market share Consumers of the two airlines are expected to be part of the larger clients’ base in the new firm. The two airlines assert that the merger will create increased value of services to customers (Perry Porter, 2005). Equally, the firm is expected to bring the clients of both airlines together. The anticipated changes include improved services delivery, reduced costs, and efficiency in amenities. The competencies in the new company are expected to increase the competitive advantage due to improved know-hows. Further, travelers would enjoy the required expediency and comfort owing to several expeditions and flight routes. Tho ugh the travelers may pay higher prices, convenience and comfort offered by the Company would be appealing to the customers. Largely, the two airlines combined with the aim of having increased market share for improved revenue. Impacts of the merger In most cases, mergers are often criticized to result in monopolies but the combination of the two airline firms had positive effects in the industry. The merger led to improvement in the client’s services. For example, the clienteles will have various alternatives due to many flights and traveling or flight routes. In essence, clients would be offered with the required suitability and comfort. The improved services results from the availability of finances and fresh management expertise (Holmes, 2006). Therefore, improved services remain one of the positive outcomes resulting from the merger.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The American Airlines and US Airways Merger specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Conversely, the merger has strengthened the position of American Airlines Group Inc. in the highly competitive global aviation industry. The unification has provided the new firm with a competitive edge to capture the global market share. The new firm is facing stiff competition from larger and well-established global firms within the US market (Holmes, 2006). Nonetheless, the global market would experience stiff competition due to the availability of more excellent firms like the British Airways. The union has enabled the new corporation to improve products and services. The improved onboard services and luggage delivery has enabled the new firm to penetrate various markets across the globe. Hence, the increased competitive edge has enabled the firms’ rapid expansion and capture of the market share in aviation market. The organization structure of American Airlines Group A merger takes time before accomplishment as it is not easy to diffuse the operations of the original firms while coming up with new corporate structure. Usually, the merging firms agree on a hybrid structure that results into increased competitive advantage (Gowrisankaran, 2009). The merging companies agreed that American Airlines Group ought to have a hybrid corporate structure in adopting the management styles of both firms. The management structure involved transfer of assets, liabilities, staffs, and operations. Besides, the clients and stakeholders of the two airlines are also expected to be amalgamated. The manner in which shareholders are to be merged and managed requires a proper outline (Holmes, 2006). In the structure, the American Airlines Corporation shareholders should be provided with approximately seventy two percent of the shares while the remaining shares are to be given to the U.S Airways Group. The allotment of shareholders meant a different corporate structure. The novel corporate structure provided that the U.S Ai rways had most management positions while the U.S Airways Group had the chairperson and chief executive officer’s positions. In addition, accommodate of a huge number of employees necessitated a number of adjustments in the organizational structures of the original firms (Perry Porter, 2005).Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The modification of HR Changes in the human resources were necessary to accommodate the new transformations in the management. The merger corporation had to come up with new HR management structure and practices to accommodate new management style, a huge number of employees, and the required goals and strategies. The new HR ensured training and development of employees besides aligning the needs and goals of the organization. The achievement of the merger required change in management style in order to attaining the desired goals. In accordance to Perry and Porter (2005), modifications in the management of employees were substantial for the accomplishment of horizontal unions. Conclusion Mergers involve acquisition and combination of two firms while in acquisitions one firm absorbs the other completely. In combinations, the merging firms transfer Company operations. Firms often merge to reduce costs and gain bigger market share. The America Airways merged with the US Airlines to re duce the operational costs and bring the American Airline out of insolvency. Merging of the two firms has presented opportunities and benefits to the original firms as well as the airline industry. In general, the American Airline Group Inc. has increased market share and improved competencies for an increased competitive advantage. References Gowrisankaran, G. (2009). A dynamic model of endogenous horizontal mergers. Journal of Economics, 30(16), 56-83. Holmes, T. (2006). Can consumers benefit from the policy limiting the market share of a dominant firm? International Journal of Industrial Organization, 14(2), 365-387. Perry, M. Porter, R. (2005). Oligopoly and incentives for horizontal merger. American Economic Review, 75(14), 219-227. Shlleifer, A. Vishny, R. (2006). Large shareholders and corporate control. Journal of Political Economy, 94(6), 461-488. This research paper on The American Airlines and US Airways Merger was written and submitted by user Human Torch to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.