Legislative action on S.640 in the 102nd Congress Essay Example for Free

Legislative action on S.640 in the 102nd Congress EssayThe turn which was introduced vide legislative action on S 640 in the 102nd Congress is named the ingathering Liability Fairness cause. It is deemed to govern the product liability action that can be brought against a maker or product commercialiseer, for causing harm by his product. It provides for a well-mannered action being brought against the manufacturer or product seller for the loss or damage to a product itself or for commercial message loss which will in turn be determined by the commercial or contract impartiality which is applicable. It is designed to supersede any verbalize right which is inconsistent regarding convalescence in much(prenominal) actions. However this suppression is not applicable beneath a number of varied circumstances to take on the defense of sovereign immunity asserted by any State or by the Federal Government of the United States.The Federal law move out the Federal Employees Compensation Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act of 1976, the State choice-of-law rules, the right of courts to transfer the venue or apply it to a foreign nation or to dismiss a claim of any foreign nation or citizen on grounds which state that this is an inconvenient meeting place and too any statutory or common law cause of action including action to abate a nuisance, that authorizes a state or someone to institute action for civil damages or civil penalties, scant(p) up costs and so on.Any statutory or common law cause of action, including an action to abate a nuisance, that authorizes a State or person to institute an action for civil damages or civil penalties, clean up costs, injunctions, restitution, cost recovery, punitive damages, or any other form of relief from contamination or pollution of the environment or the threat of it. It also implies that this is a very important contract from the point of view of the hypothesis under consideration that US district courts will not baffle legal power over any civil action under this Act based on the specified provisions of Federal law relating to district court jurisdiction.The Act also declares that in case of any provision of this Act shortening the item during which the producer of fulls or his seller otherwise is exposed for liability, the claimant without cognizance of the period can bring about civil action under this Act within one year by and by its effective date. surname II of the Act allows any claimant to bring civil action for damages against a person for harm caused by a product applicable under the state law except to the extent much(prenominal) law is superseded by this title of the Act.Expeditious settlement measures include an option to include an offer of settlement for a proper(postnominal) dollar amount by the plaintiff or the defendant in a responsive pleading or award of attorney fees and costs to the companionsh ip which does not accept the terms of settlement of the offer. It also caters for alternative dispute resolution provisions and mechanisms which are recognized by state laws. In Title III, a person is permitted to seek recovery for harm which has been caused by a product through and through civil action against the manufacturer or seller under applicable or Federal law to the extent that such law is superseded by the Act.It establishes a standard for liability by a product seller for the causes of the harm which can fall under categories of negligence or express warranty. The conduct of the seller can be examined with respect to a variety of factors such as construction, inspection or condition of the product and for not passing on the warning or instructions from the manufacturers only in case these own not been forwarded when the item was in his possession or has not made reasonable efforts to provide the users with the warning and instructions.The seller is treated as a manufact urer and is liable for damage caused in case the manufacturer is not effective to service of process in any State in which the action could guard been brought which is relevant in the case of the hypothesis wherein the Federal laws are said to be applicable in states under the Act. Punitive damages are barely proscribed against a manufacturer or seller of a drug or medical device where the drug or the device has received the pre market approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the drug has been accepted as safe under conditions approved by the FDA.Similar protection is provided to manufacturer of aircraft which have been subject to pre-market certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The factors to be considered in determining the amount of punitive damages have also been covered. complaisant action is barred unless the case is filed within two years after the claimant is said to have discovered the harm and its cause and for a capital good which is not a toxic harm, the period is twenty five years after the delivery of product.The Act provides for compensation to individuals when their rights are infringed as there has to be provision for trans state movement of goods. As invariably there is transmigration of goods between states, there is a need for application of a national law of such nature. The throwaway was introduced by Sen. Robert W Kasten. Jr, a Republican on 13 March 1991 and had 39 co sponsors, which was numerically adequate to see the bill through in case a majority of the senators supported it.The proceeding of the Bill was as given below-(a) The Bill was introduced on 13 March 1991 and past read and referred to the Committee on Commerce. (b) The Subcommittee on Consumer as well as the Committee on Commerce held hearings and it was reported on 14 November 1991 without amendment. (c) It was referred to the Committee on Judiciary by unanimous consent in June 1992. (d).After consideration by the Judicial Committe e it was placed for consideration in Senate by whole Consent on 8 September 1992. (e) Cloture motion to proceed was presented and withdrawn on 8 September 1992.(f) Cloture to proceed was not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay votes on 10 September 1992 and again not invoked on reconsideration by Yea Nay vote of 58 38. (g) There after this was not pursued hike. However the Act in a modified form and through a separate motion has came into force in 1995. The issue before us is however that of liberals being federal focused vis a vis the conservatives. The bill was designed to regulate inter state commerce and provide a uniform product liability law as per the title.It was extensively for the benefit of the individual and the consumer and for all purposes should have been considered by the Senate and approved. However it appears that the underlying clauses in the Bill as given below which restricted the powers of the state could have contributed to its rejection for cloture- (a) It decla red that U. S. district courts did not have jurisdiction over any civil action under this Act, based on specified provisions of Federal law relating to district court jurisdiction. (b) Superseded any inconsistent State law regarding recovery in such actions.A quantitative analysis of the votes has been carried out in the Tables 4 to 6 given below. An examination of Table 4 will split up that the overwhelming votes of Republicans, 40 have not been in favor of cloture of the legislation with only three for it. The liberal opinion has been with 18 not in favor of the cloture and 35 for it. This clearly indicates that the Republicans were not in favor of restricting the powers of the states even when these were in favor of the individual and also affected the normal of commerce.This would have avoided a number of vexed issues arising out of inter state commerce which could have been smoothened. But the lack of cloture prevented from such a rational course taking place. The Republican bias towards state independence once again proved to be the stumbling block. An evaluation of the percentages polled will amplify this aspect further for which Table 5 may be examined. The Republicans have voted with an overwhelming 93. 1 percent against the cloture while 66. 1 percent of Democrats were in favor of the cloture.thereby establishing that a majority of liberals do vote in favor of such motions which provide for federal control on issues which impinge on state federal relationship. In case the voting is examined quantitatively in terms of percentage of voting in terms of Ayes and Nays with party affiliation, it would emerge that 68. 9 percent Republicans and 31. 1 percent Democrats had voted against the cloture and only 7. 9 percent Republicans and 62. 1 percent Democrats were for cloture. Thus the Democrats are deemed to be overwhelmingly in favor of the cloture.

Sudoku Puzzle Design Algorithms Computer Science Essay

Sudoku Puzzle Design algorithmic rules Computer Science EssayOur project is called gene rating, rating and solving Sudoku thwart. The aim of the project is to design and develop Sudoku puzzle solving platform by generate the puzzle with five differences difficulty rating train. The broadcast is able to solve the Sudoku puzzle by victimization some Artificial Intelligent algorithm.The final year project development period is given devil trimester and we divided the development process into two part. The first part is to develop the problem specification, design, generating and study on some Sudoku solving algorithm which to be make by trimester whizz. Part 2 of the project is developing the complete Sudoku solving curriculumme and this part will be done by trimester 2.Chapter 1 fundament1.1 IntroductionSudoku is logic based number-placement puzzle. It designs with 99 grids so that the forms 1-9 appear exactly once in each row, each columns, and each 33 hoagy grids ( as wel l as called as blocks) that compose the grid. Each Sudoku puzzle created with a unique radical, which typically take to bes that there is only one correct flair to fill in the 81 grids.The aim of the project is to design and develop Sudoku puzzle solving course of study using the artificial intelligence algorithm. First at all the Sudoku configuration program would be able to generate the puzzle with five differences difficulty rating level, which are very easy, easy, fair, difficult and expert. The program also able to solve the Sudoku puzzle as well as providing the chances of having tips while they achieve the specify condition which could help the player to solved the puzzle when they get stuck.An interesting Sudoku puzzle is the one with the minimal hints given. The puzzle should be generated with a single solution. So, knowledge for the rules of Sudoku is very important which the digit 1-9 make to be appear exactly once in each rows, each columns, and each 33 sub-grid. T hen a 99 unload grid take away to be created and fill up in with the digit 1-9 by following the rules to create a complete puzzle.The next step is to begin removing digits from the completed Sudoku puzzle randomly to create the plump for. To generate a symmetrical puzzle, we need to randomly remove the singleton from the row, column, or block, following by naked pairs, naked triples, hidden pairs, hidden triples, and pointing pairs accordingly. The techniques use to remove the cells decided the difficulty level of the Sudoku puzzle. Lastly, the program is able to solve the Sudoku game by using the AI algorithm like simulated annealing.1.2 Problem statementPeople nowadays always bustling for working and cope for the challenges on their life. With the increasing busyness of the life, stress become a common issue that faced by the society. A long margin of facing a particular problem will make a people to feel pressure and stress themselves badly. Therefore, they need some enco unter to make water their mind off from working materials before they continue to work. Sometimes, a challenges mini game like Sudoku stern helps to exercise their brain and reduce stress.Besides, with the fast maturation of the technologies today, most people are able to obtain the advance electronic device like PDA, laptop, and so on. So the Sudoku puzzle game is not the game that is only published in the hardcopy such as newspaper or Sudoku book. Therefore Sudoku game can be installed in their electronic device so that they can bring it anywhere.1.2 ScopeScope of the project is generating the Sudoku puzzle with contrastive difficulty level and solves the Sudoku game. The scope coversAllow user to select the difficulty level of the Sudoku game.Generate a complete Sudoku puzzle by following the Sudoku rules which are the digits 1-9 appear exactly once in each row, each columns, and each 33 sub grids.Remove cells to create a valid Sudoku games according to the difficulty level t hat the user selected.Allow user to input the digit 1-9 into the empty cells of the puzzle. suck up the incorrect input of digit with red colour.Solve the Sudoku games.1.2 ObjectivesUnderstanding the algorithm behind Sudoku puzzle.Identify an algorithm to generate a complete Sudoku puzzle with the rules that the digit 1-9 appear exactly once in each row, each columns, and each 33 sub grids.Identify the ways of removing cells from the complete Sudoku puzzle to create a valid game.Generate Sudoku with different difficulty level.Identify the algorithm to solve the Sudoku puzzle.1.3 Project ScheduleProject Schedule Management Gantt Chart laborsActivity get dateEnd dateDuration(days) travail 1Research and study relevant material7/6/201027/6/201021Task 2Planning development process28/6/20104/7/20107Task 3Implement Prototype for Generating5/7/20108/8/201035Task 4Test Program and Fix error9/8/201014/8/20107Task 5Amends report and prototype15/8/201029/8/201014Task 6Validate interim report a nd long-suffering30/8/20101/9/20101Chapter 2 Literature Review2.1 Nature of the problemSudoku puzzle is a famous game among the worldwide. approximately of the newspaper has a long history of publishing the Sudoku games such as The Times, Sin Chew Daily, and so on. The games in hardcopy required user to use save or pencil to finish on the paper and the number of games are limited. So, in this project, a program is created to generate the Sudoku puzzle games. User does not need to use an extra writing material like pen or pencil to complete the Sudoku games. They just need a mouse to interact with the game.former(a) than that, the program is able to solve the Sudoku puzzle as well as identify the puzzle is solvable and have a unique solution. User also can enter the Sudoku games that are not generated by the program and solve it by using this program.2.2 BackgroundThe origin of Sudoku is from Switzerland (By a Mathematician Leonhard Euler) and then travels to Japan by way of Ameri ca. Su is the Japanese character with the meaning of number and doku means single. In another word, it called single number which means that for each column, each row, and each sub grid, it can only contain the digit 1-9 with by repetition.In this project, we need to consider some important things like the cost that we need, the purpose of this project, the target user of this program and so on. Cost that we need to use is to complete the project in 24 week period. The purpose of this project is to create a program which can generate the Sudoku games with different difficulty level as well as able to solve the Sudoku games.Sudoku is a game that suitable for all generation of the people. The program is able to generate the game in 5 different difficulty levels which is very easy, easy, medium, hard, and expert. Level very easy and easy are suitable for the children, medium is suitable for the adults, hard and expert are suitable for those who are experienced in the Sudoku games.2.3 L iterature Review2.3.1 The Science behind SudokuSudoku is a game of add up, hardly it does not have anything to do with mathematics such as addition or multiplication. A Sudoku grid is a special kind of Latin straightforwardly that named by an 18th century mathematician-Leonhard Euler. Latin square is an n x n matrices that are filled in with n symbols in a way that the kindred symbols appear exactly once in same row and column.The number of valid Sudoku grids is 6,670,903,752,021,072,936,960 which proved by the use of logic and computers. The minimum numbers of hints that a 9 x 9 Sudoku puzzle can start with and the solution can still remain unique seem to be 17. This mean for any Sudoku which is having the hints that less than 17 will make it cannot endorsement a unique solution.CUsersVinZDesktop1.pngCUsersVinZDesktop2.pngFigure 1.An subject of the minimal hints for a Sudoku puzzles and still guarantee with the unique solution.CUsersVinZDesktop3.pngCUsersVinZDesktop4.pngFigur e 2.An example of a Sudoku game with 16 hints provided and leads to two solutions.To solve a Sudoku puzzle, the most common way is backtracking. First, the program places a number 1 in the first empty cell of the Sudoku puzzle. If the number is compatible with the existing hints, it moves to the second empty cell and place a 1 again. When it encounters a conflict or shake up with other existing hints, it erases the number which just placed and enters number 2. If it is invalid again then proceed with 3 or the next legal number. After the legal number placed, it moves to the next cell and start again with number 1.If the number that placed and it is still not compatible with the existing hints is 9 (9 is the largest number in Sudoku puzzle), the program will backtrack and increase the precious cells number by one. After that it moves forward until it is clash with other existing hints and backtracks again. Sometimes the program needs to backtrack for several times before it can move forward.Backtracking technique is good and fast when put on in a program or machine, but a human player need to spend more time to finish the game using this technique. So they used smarter ways for solving Sudoku and generally turn to method trial and error method at last of the solving part.2.3.2 A Pencil-and-Paper Algorithm for Solving Sudoku PuzzleTo solve a Sudoku puzzle, it involve with the widely known concept of matching numbers across cells. In another mathematical point of view, we name it as pre-emptive unsexs. The most important technique to solve the Sudoku puzzles is based on two things, which are the (i) definition of pre-emptive sets and (ii) the occupancy theorem. A mark up puzzle can help to solve the Sudoku puzzle with more efficiently by writing down the possible number that can be filled into the empty cell.CUsersVinZDesktopmarkup.pngFigure 3.Example of a mark-up Sudoku puzzle.Pre-emptive setsA pre-emptive set composed of the digits 1-9 and is a set of size m , where2 n1, n2, , nm, c(i1,j1), c(i2,j2), , c(im, jm) Where 1=CUsersVinZDesktop852.png345945962347812348234579245792345Figure 2.Pre-emptive setFor example, the figure above consist of a pre-emptive set3, 4, 5, 9, c(7, 1), c(7, 2), c(8, 3), c(9, 3) with size 4.Occupancy theoremSuppose that x is a number that listed in the pre-emptive set and it lies completely in one column, or row, or a sub grid, so there can be no occurrence of x for the column, or row, or sub grid that outside of the pre-emptive set.Firstly, the algorithm use method 1 and method 2 to complete the puzzle until it cannot continue further. Method 1 is to figure out the Force cell which is the cell that can be determine by eliminate the impossible number (number that already existed in the same column, row and sub grid) that occupy the cell. Method 2 is to figure out the possible number for the empty cell that can be determined by checking the same number which occupies the cells in the column and row of the sub g rid.After that we look for the pre-emptive set from each column, each row, and each sub grid. Try to break it into several smaller pre-emptive set and cross out the number according to the occupancy theorem. For example in Figure 2, the pre-emptive set is 3, 4, 5, 9, c(7, 1), c(7, 2), c(8, 3), c(9, 3) with size 4, it cross out the number that are not inside the pre-emptive set. In figure 2, digits 8 and 2 in cell c(8, 1) and c(9, 1) can be determined directly by and by the number had been crossed out. So apply again method 1 and method 2 to figure out other possible number.Clearly then, paraphrase again the process untill it cannot find out any pre-emptive tes ot until the sudoku puzzle is solved.if the result seem to be violated, then the sudoku game is a unsolable game.Metaheuristics can solve Sudoku puzzlesin the beginning the simulated annealing can straightforward, representation, neighbourhood operator and evaluation of candidate solution need to be defined. Representation u sed to assign each empty cell a mensurate randomly, but every sub gird contain the digit 1-9 exactly once.During the process, neighbourhood operator choose two different non-fixed cells (the cell which filled in by randomly) in the sub grid and swap them. Two of the non fixed cells to be swap must be in the same sub grid to make sure the criterion of each sub grid contain the digit 1-9 exactly once.Cost function used to evaluate the candidate solution by looking at each row and column, and then calculate the number of values that are not present. For example in figure 3, 1 and 2 had repeated two times in the first row, so the score of that row is 2. Note that the complete solution of the Sudoku puzzle will have zero of cost.CUsersVinZDesktop854.pngFigure 3Here, simulated annealing start with a candidate solution s and a neighbour s. s is accepted if s is better than s (according to cost function) or with the probabilityExp (-/t), which = proposed change in the cost function,t = con trol argument (as known as temperature).t, temperature is very important to expend the Simulated harden and lead to the success. The initial temperature should tolerate majority if the moves to be accepted, approximately 80% (according to cutting edge Laaehoven Aart (1987)). During the process, temperature is reduced according to the simple geometric cooling schedule. A formula, = use to make sure the temperature decrease according to the cooling rate. Note that , so the largest value of is less than 1, such as 0.9999. For example, value of is 0.9999 will cause the temperature drop slowly, and the value of is 0.5 will make it drop faster.Furthermore, the use of homogenous Simulated Annealing schema takes the form of a sequence of Markov Chains that generated at the fixed value of t. The t is then changed in-between subsequent chains (Van Laarhoven and Aart, 1987). The value of t here is also very important as it decided the time to explore of the search tree and also the run tim es.The size of the problem-instance defined by the non-fixed number in the grid whereml =ml = size of the problem-instance.= the function that indentify the number of cells in the are non-fixed.By using this formula, the value can allow each pair of the non-fixed cells have a good chance to considered at least once per Markov chain.

Framing News on Foreign Countries: Media Interests

enclose News on Foreign Countries Media InterestsFraming word on immaterial countries Media Interests and Motivations. Analyzing 10 yrs of US and UK passwordpaper editorials on Venezuela.1)INTRODUCTIONMedia organizations ar requisite in inter field of examine affairs in damage of their measurable role in providing in remainsation to the public.3 The question has often been whether the Media frames news program in the context of the field of reflect interest of the host country, for example. Whether they reflect official position without ch to each oneenging them or rather cast national interest objectives by putting pressure on politicians. The Medias interest and anformer(a)(prenominal) motivating factors are essential for understanding how editorials for instance are framed. Lacking in the matter of Media skeletal system is the application to bilateral relations. This study would attempt to add that dimension to the numerous re lookes on the Media in international a ffairs. It would analyze editorials by four bighearted newspapers in the United States and the United earth on issues concerning Venezuela. The aim is to find the likely motivating factors when it comes to inclose news on foreign countriesFor many countries the media symbolizes an important window to the international cosmos. Patched companionship on foreign issues would be close to a reality without a ancestor of information about what happens elsewhere in the world, made available by the media. In democratic countries in concomitant, the reliance on the media for foreign news might be as important as the quest for local news. Images of foreign countries, issues and happenings in a particular country abroad are likely to be influenced by the media to a much larger scale when impressions are created of a healthy or strained bi-lateral relations, for instance. Due to factors such as cultural assumptions and g all oernmental beliefs, it is believed that news carves out images and impressions of the world some of which are preferred all over other images.4The media, both electronic and print are a major comp superstarnt of the democratic carry throughes in several countries. The media has often been referred to, in many countries, as an important branch of the government with roles from functioning as the main political informant7There has been several publications on issues of Media and Government relations by several authors. For instance, in the scope of international relations and communications, at that place bugger off been books published on the issue of how the media works in or out of line with foreign constitution or the national interest. The debate has been whether or not the media is likely to support the national interest of the country in which it operates in relation to other countries(as the scheme of Manufacturing Consent depicts)9. Either option work outs foreign events relevant to the media.On the whole the media is believed to reflect social consensus.15There may be variations in the nature of the Media depending on the region or country of operation. A media in a democratic country may be freer than those in a non-democratic country so news coverage, media culture and ethics could vary. In this study, a section of the Media in both democratic countries would be analyzed in ground of their positions on issues in a third country(Venezuela). What would be of interest to this study, as mention originally, would be the factors that would be most highlighted in the accounts of these editorials. It may bring about issues of objectivity and latent Media interests or the interests of the consumers of the news content. In the US for example, the Media is often said to domesticate foreign news. The themes represented in news in the US are those which often have some relevance to the Statesn interests.17 Thus, how the media frames news is largely important for understanding the positions they yield to and their response to certain foreign events. In issues of national interest and in relation to bilateral relations, it would be important to know how the media in different countries frame news on events in countries abroad.2) LITERATURE REVIEWNEWS underframeEntman, (1993) suggests that the concept of inclose could be studied as a feature of a political discourse or as an instrument applied by the Media in making news.19 And by extension, Media digest or news analysis would deserve a look at the concept of news framing.Framing is, the process by which a communication source constructs and defines a social or political issue for its audience?.23Framing theory is as well applicable to Media analysis. Media frames as let offed by Entman (1991 7), are attributes of news itself.24In a broad sense, frames are regarded as persistent patterns of cognition, interpretation, and origination, and as selection, emphasis, and exclusion, by which symbol handlers routinely organize discourse, whether verbal or visual.?.27Tuchman showed how framing as a process theory works. And that the routine procedures employ by news concordrs, range news frames in a particular focussing. She argues that these procedures continually help showcase certain places and ideas, tour consistently closing off and blocking inquiry into others.29Entman (1993 52) helped refine the scope of the definition prone to news framing. He established that by the definition of news frame, frames could be seen as a process that defines problems determine what a causal agent is doing with what costs and benefits, usually heedful in terms of common cultural values diagnose causes identify the forces creating the problem irritate moral judgments evaluate causal agents and their effects and suggest remedies twist and justify treatments for the problems and predict their likely effects.30Entman, (19917) also showed that frames used by the media are often captured in the keywords, metaphors, concepts, symbo ls and visual images in news narratives. He stresses the point that one way is which news framing works is through repetition which is important for Media news framing because news narratives, usually dependent on frames, are meant to direct attention to certain ideas, while excluding certain other ideas.33It has also been established that Framing involves processes of inclusion and exclusion as well as emphasis.38Framing also has the ability to make consumers of news accept and adopt some symbolic themes and values.39 While the process of selectively and emphasis is carried out by the newsmakers, those for whom a particular news is meant, are also likely to be predisposed to understanding and interpreting information in a selective way.Framing has also been explained to be the process of placing information into a context of preconscious symbolism. 43The framing process employed by the Media is regarded as key to shaping both the publics and decision-makers knowledge, image and und erstanding of the world.49. perhaps a perfect definition of the concept of framing in relation to the print media is the fact that, a frame is a central organizing idea or story line that provides meaning to an unfolding strip of events, weaving a connection among them. The frame suggests what the controversy is about and the essence of the issue53One of the significant areas in relation to framing of news and Media positioning is Foreign Policy. Assessments of the response of the media to foreign issues is largely based on a critical analysis of how the media operates or how a particular section of the media churns out news or editorials, for example the position that major newspapers take on certain foreign issues. In a way how it sets the agenda for government or public reactions.Both agenda setting and framing have been identified in news framing literature as ways in which the media can influence constitution making and public opinion.57There has been some convergence on how f raming analysis can be carried out, gibe to the literature. Two approaches of framing analysis has evolved over the years. The Inductive approach and the Deductive approach. The latter has been proven more scientific than the former. The Deductive approach organizes the framing analysis based on pre-outlined broader frames.59There has also been an attempt by some authors to group frames along certain distinctions. Frames could be grouped under issue-specific frames which hole with particular issues in detail and generic frames which cover broader themes found in different settings.61One issue raised by some authors on framing is how the Media treat sources. When elite sources to news are relied on by journalists for example, they may in a way be a channel for promoting the views and opinions of the political roll or the elites to the larger audience63Most of the literature also agree that the location of a news story gives it much weight in terms of the recognize influence on t he newspapers readership and how important the issues are to them. It also demonstrates the importance the media attaches to that particular issue or event.67In all, Media scholars have studied Framing theory as either theories of Effects and Process. By Framing as effects theory, media scholars have studied the influence that news frames have on audiences while studies on framing as a process theory have addressed how news content is created and modified in certain ways considering the factors that influence the carving of news in a particular way. 68.Although the framing of news is important to the coverage given to events and issues, there are other elements or factors that influence the framing of news in itself have to be identified.72 This study would turn the spot light on the wide array of all the other factors that may help explain why news is framed in a particular way.As pointed out earlier, some literature on the Media have suggested that the sources that the Media relie s go an extent to make the news themselves. In other words, Organizations with more resources, or that have more credibility in the eyes of journalists, are more likely to become unceasing news sources, and thus shape which issues (agenda-setting) and which perspectives (frames) dominate the news.74Some Media scholars are of the opinion that the i roll in the hay state of Media Objectivity is far fetched. Some are of the view that there is no fundamentally non-ideological, apolitical, non-partisan news gathering and reporting system. Since there may be dispute over objectivity and news without bias, the concept of framing becomes important to analyzing the frames used in making news.77While journalists may dispute these assertions, it is believed that news content is not an objective entity, independent of political, social, ideological or sociopsychological influences than mere information.80As stated before, the Media often depicts the Governments position in respect to interest s and issues especially in relation to other countries. There has been the suggestion that the Medias position is based on national values, national interest and cultural values of their host countries.82The Media is likely to succumb to the views of governments because the latters position on issues is seen as an overriding common good transcending the specific interests of parties, factions, and other entities smaller than the nation as a whole.?84The problem with the concept of framing is that it lacks clear conceptual definitions and a comprehensive statement to guide research.85 Yet these challenges would make it important for more research into factors that influence news framing.The extent to which consumers of news behold foreign leaders in either a positive or negative light is dependent on how framing is carried out.86 The latter point might be important to understand how the reading-public of the four savourd newspapers are likely to perceive the leadership in Venezuela . Most of the research done on news framing have largely gone in the way of foreign policy research. A few have looked at news framing in relation to another country with a lengthy time range while Media response and framing on various issues are measured and analyzed. The study hopes to add to the already existing research on news framing in this regard.3) Proposed query enquirysResearch Question 1 What is the tone of coverage on Venezuela in U.S. and U.K. editorials? Do the two groups of newspapers differ in tone?Research Question 2 Which frames dominated in the overall coverage and was there a significant difference between the two countries in terms of the frames used?Research Question 3 Which issues dominated the overall coverage country-wise?Research Question 3 Do positions on issues covered reflect National Interest of the two countries?Research Question 4 Do these editorials rely on government sources in arriving at opinions and conclusions?Research Question 5 Which issues are most prominent in all the coverage?Research Question 6 Do the editorials lean towards a kind of political or frugal ideology?4) VARIABLESThe variables for this study would be the following 1 Independent -Tone of coverage and framing in UK editorials-Tone of coverage and framing in US editorials-Most highlighted issues2 Dependent -The interests of the UK(economic, political, other)-The interests of the US (economic, political, other)-The ideology of the paper5) Proposed Research Hypothesis1 There is no difference in tone between the two groups of newspapers.2 The level of interest given to highlighted issues between the two groups of newspapers will be the same?3 Positioning and framing of news will depend on the interests of the host nation of the newspapers.4 Positioning and framing of news will depend on the ideology of the host nation of the newspapers.5 UK newspaper editorials are likely to be less(prenominal) critical of Venezuela because of better bi- lateral relations.6 US newspaper editorials are likely to be more critical of Venezuela because of worse bi-lateral relations.6) METHODOLOGYMethodThe study on these editorials would be carried out using quantitative content analysis to assess qualitative data published by the four newspapers. Content analysis is defined as a research technique that involves measuring a content( in this case, news frames) in a random sampling of some form of communication( in this case, editorials). The basic assumption implicit in content analysis is that an investigation of messages and communication will allow some insight into the people who gull these messages87. However the use of content analysis in this study would be to capture the frames used in the sampled editorials and what informs interests in issues and not what the consumers of such news perceive or how they react to these messages.One advantage of content analysis is that unlike other research methods where the researcher can easily influence the outc ome of the research, it offers negociate communication to be rather studied rather than the behavior of people which may be difficult to analyze. Additionally it provides events and figures which can be quantified to dear likely viable assessments.88Admittedly, the use content analysis technique also brings to the fore issues concerning the representativeness of the samples used, the adequate definition of issues, difficulties with measuring building blocks to be analyzed and coder dependableness issues.89A conversion of coded values into quantitative statistical data would be made after the content analysis.PopulationThe population of this study would be all editorials on Venezuela within the ten year period by high circulating newspapers in the US and the UK. The assumption is that editorials from newspapers with a relatively high number of circulations, may have been read by a significant number of people or may have reached a wider audience or a politically responsive secti on of the public. The study would not be concerned with gauging public reactions but in the frames used themselves. Yet high circulation newspapers offer a good basis for selection in the sample.SampleThe type of sampling used in selecting editorials is Criterion Sampling .Editorials which will make up the sample are those with references made to the words VENEZUELA and HUGO CHAVEZ and political and economic issues related to these terms. A retrieval of the editorials from the search engine LEXIS-NEXIS has already been carried out using the following terms VENEZUELA, HUGO CHAVEZ and EDITORIAL for the US newspaper database. For the LEXIS NEXIS -UK database, editorials were retrieved using the search terms VENEZUELA, HUGO CHAVEZ and LEADING ARTICLE. Editorials not focusing on these issues or not focusing on issues of political relevance were dropped from the sample ,for example those focusing on say sports or those with the mere mention of these terms with no relation to relevant issu es discussed.US NewspapersFrom an earlier assessment of the account of data on newspaper circulations by the Audit Bureau of Circulations in both the USA and the UK, the highest circulating newspaper over the 10 year period was USA TODAY with the most circulations for the said period. The WALL STREET JOURNAL (WSJ) came second with the most circulations over the period. The WSJ will however be discounted because of its orientation mostly to financial news and events. The research would be limited to newspapers which mostly deal with political news and also focuses on foreign political news in its content or publications. With these criteria, the third major political newspapers which polled the third highest number of circulations over the 10 year period was the NEW YORK time (NYT). Thus editorials from the USA TODAY and the NYT will be used in the content analysis.UK NewspapersThe selection criteria for the two highest Circulating newspapers in the UK however differ somewhat from the basis on which the newspapers from the US were selected. THE free-and-easy TELEGRAPH and THE TIMES newspapers would be used in this study. The two newspapers averagely rank 4th and 7th in terms of circulation data according to the Audit Bureau from January 2000 to 2009. The two newspapers which ranked as the two highest-circulating newspapers for the 10 year period in the UK were THE SUN and DAILY MAIL. The two come under the category of Tabloid Newspapers and are not considered serious political newspapers. The two will not be the focus of this study. The DAILY MIRROR, DAILY STAR, and the DAILY EXPRESS ranked 3rd, 5th and 6th respectively. This study will focus on those newspapers which come under those usually termed newspapers-of- record or those which set serious journalism. Of the newspapers under this category,THE GUARDIAN and THE TIMES had averagely, the highest number of circulations during the 10 year period discounting those newspapers which fall under the tabloid ca tegory.A percentage breakdown of the editorials from each newspaper is found below. The four newspapers had on average a significant circulation tally during the specified period namely from (January) 2000 to (December) 2009.Why Venezuela?Venezuela offers a good to panorama to study the politics behind the news. Various perceived interests are involved in relation to the US, UK and Venezuela. The controversies have been over the stifling of democracy and civil rights, the curse of business leader by President Chavez, issues over the supply of oil and what it means for the two western countries to have the economy of Venezuela in a bad shape. These factors make Venezuela a good choice and would it possible to analyze Media positioning on these issues in response to a relevant third country while factor in bi-lateral relations.Time Period The choice of long time duration will allow for significant content analysis to be done on the editorials. Since this research would also assess government statements and positions on the issues arising from Venezuela, the time period which saw the BUSH and BLAIR administration for most of the period would offer an opportunity to match the US and UK government responses and attitudes towards Venezuelan issues with hope salutaryy little variation in policy change. The reasoning is that an unchanged administration or party in power is likely to have the same attitudes or reactions to foreign issues from a particular country than when the administration changes over a period of time, barring any major shift in interests and policy towards Venezuela by either country during the time period. The study will take all these changes into account in the final analysis, including the editorial responses and positioning on these issues.Coding UnitsEditorials will be the focal point for the coding procedures. Editorials are a good basis for this study because they often represent the view or position of the newspaper. Op-Eds and editor ials with Bylines (those written by individuals and credited with names) have been excluded from the sample. The focus was to look out for editorials which have been written by the editorial identity card of the various newspapers and would represent a justifiable opinion or position of the newspaper itself rather than the views of individual writers.Coding ProcedureThe source for the editorials is the academic search engine LEXIS-NEXIS (which stores electronic copies of newspaper articles and editorials including those that this study would be focused on).Pre-testing4 independent coders would be used to code each editorial article according to frames created from a Pre-test which has already been carried out on two other newspapers. A pretest on The Washington station and The Guardian newspapers has been carried out to source for appropriate categories of frames to be used in the final coding of the 141 editorials. In addition, coders could add extra categories of frames to the b asic list during coding to update the original codebook. 24 editorials from the Washington Post and 54 editorials from The Guardian newspapers were retrieved with the same search words as the main sample. They all fit the same criteria. 25% of each newspapers editorial would be used in the Pre-test. The selection was done randomly. In all 19 editorials would be used for the Pre-test.Framing VariablesFrames(meant for pre-test and to be modified).the problem frames,1-the diagnostic frames( these coverage would identify a problem and assign a responsibility to someone or some other reason)2-the prognostic frames.( here the study seeks to find an editorials solution to particular problems)the presentation frames,1-the issue frame ( coverage on issues such as economy, oil etc)3-the image frame.( portraying leadership, attitudes, affiliation of subjects)General tone (is the editorial positive(supportive) or negative(condemnatory))? coder ReliabilityAn intercoder reliability would predict the amount of agreement or correspondence among the 4 coders. Intercoder Reliability is the extent to which the different judges tend to assign merely the same rating to each object.90 The Intercoder reliability would be checked for the Pre-test and the main test. The formula to be used is Holstis (1969) formula. Coder agreement on each unit of analysis( i.e frames) would be calculated.Preliminary Coding Sheet for Newspaper Editorial Content Analysis(To be amended).Technical DataEditorial Number= give in fullPaper 1= USA 2= NY Times 3= Daily Telegraph 4=The TimesDate given in full human activity of Editorial given in fullPage page on which the editorial is written.Location( section of newspaper) 1= Editorials and Opinions 2= Features 3=Non Stated 99= otherLength of words= please forecast numberIs a source cited? 1= Yes 2= No 99= otherSource cited please repointCountry Mentioned in affiliation to venezuela please indicateCountry Location(continent) 1= Africa 2=Antarctia 3=Asia 4 =Australia 5= Europe 6=North America 7=South AmericaIssues linked to country referred to please indicateThemes in the NewsTheme of the editorial1 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the world 2 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the US3 =Concerns of economic and political life of Venezuelans being grim4 =Concerns over oil supply and monetary value hikes5 =Championing support for Chavez and policies6 =Denouncing Chavez7 =A judge of white house intervention in Venezuelan matters8 =Concerns over Venezuelan influence in Latin America9 =Need to getting even Chavez influence over other states10 =That socialist economies are often a adventure11 =Concerns over human rights abuse12 =Concerns over Media abuse13 =Need to have effective policies to deal with Venezuela14 =Supporting government activity change15 =Denouncing regime change supplemental Themes1= Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the world 2 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the US3 =Concerns of ec onomic and political life of Venezuelans being grim4 =Concerns over oil supply and price hikes5 =Championing support for Chavez and policies6 =Denouncing Chavez7 =A critique of white house intervention in Venezuelan matters8 =Concerns over Venezuelan influence in Latin America9 =Need to counter Chavez influence over other states10 =That socialist economies are often a disaster11 =Concerns over human rights abuse12 =Concerns over Media abuse13 =Need to have effective policies to deal with Venezuela14 =Supporting regime change15 =Denouncing regime changeTertiary Themes1 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the world 2 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the US3 =Concerns of economic and political life of Venezuelans being grim4 =Concerns over oil supply and price hikes5 =Championing support for Chavez and policies6 =Denouncing Chavez7 =A critique of white house intervention in Venezuelan matters8 =Concerns over Venezuelan influence in Latin America9 =Need to counter Chave z influence over other states10 =That socialist economies are often a disaster11 =Concerns over human rights abuse12 =Concerns over Media abuse13 =Need to have effective policies to deal with Venezuela14 =Supporting regime change15 =Denouncing regime changeOther Themes? Please stateOrientation of Editorial 1= event-oriented2= issue-orientedFraming of the Editorial(A) References To SourcesDomestic Sources( in US or UK) please indicateInternational Sources(in Venezuela) please indicateOther Sources please indicateHow instrumental is the source to the story 1=very central 2= central 3= moderately mentioned 4=only gets a mention(B) Character of Commentary evaluation of Commentary 1= very laudable 2= favorable 3= neutral 4= critical 5= abrasive 99= otherSecondary Evaluation of Commentary 1= crusading 2= argumentative 3= descriptive 4= summary 5= cynical 6= humorous 7= specimen/ helpful 8= lyricalDescriptive Characterization of President Chavez in editorialsAs 1= authoritarian2= socia list/leftist3= populist4= autocrat5= strongman6= bold99= other ( please state)Characterization of other persons in editorials please mention character and indicate descrptionMain DiscoursePlease state any significant words usedLocation of word in editorial 1= headline2= main body7) BIBLIOGRAPHYAlthaus, Scott L. 2003. When News Norms Collide, Follow the Lead New Evidence for Press Independence.? Political Communication, 20Barbara Allen, Paula OLoughlin, Amy Jasperson, John L. Sullivan The Media and the Gulf War Framing, Pri

Kuwait Oil Fields Reconstruction Projects Construction Essay

capital of Kuwait Oil Fields Re braid makes Construction EssayDuring the Gulf war, Kuwait was invaded by Iraq and by the end of it almost all of rock fossil oil colour production facilities of Kuwait had suffered extensive damage and had become defunct. Even after their Liberation in Feb, 1991 a large number of oil puff ups were on fire. To rebuild the countrys major source of income of the country a project was taken to reconstruct these oil champaigns. This was the Kuwait oilfields re social organization project. Bechtel International was the project management firm given the contract to manage this re twirl project by the Kuwait Oil Company. be given of inventning of the project had started in November 1990 within three months of the start of the Iraqi Invasion, in the offices of Bechtel in London. Planning and organizing activities were being done in the offices in London, Houston, San Francisco, Dubai and capital of Saudi Arabia even when the war was still on. Since the w ar was still on, there was little knowledge of the total extent of the damage to the oilfields and how much work was to be done. further those damages that were identified till then were taken into consideration and front-end devicening and procurement for the same had been started.During the end of the war, the retreating Iraqi troops had set the oilfields on fire. so to continue with the project first it was necessary to bring these fires under control. The personnel of Bechtel arrived in Kuwait 4 days after a complete scuff of the City was done by the allied troops. The main objective then of these personnel was to organize and manage the firefighting efforts. This was names project Al- Awada (Arabic for return).The vivid scenes shown by the newspaper, magazine, and television reports came alive for Bechtel project personnel. The days were dark with smoke from the fires blocking the sun, oil droplets filled the air, clean urine system and sanitary systems were not working, power plants were down, transportation was minimum as tires were a precious commodity, and food was very scarce. Initial accommodation was in refurbished ship quarters and in whatever vandalized apartment complexes with egress water and electricity, no much than a foam mattress on the floor, and a long hike up a darkened staircase. In addition to these problems, booby traps, land and water mines, unexploded shells and rockets, and other ordnance had littered the country. The temperatures in summer consistently were above 50 C in shade (seldom below 37 C at night), exposing the people in the field to temperatures of 55-58 C in many locations, and hotter nearer to the fires. Just providing drinking water was a major undertaking.John Oakland, elderly vice president of Bechtel Corporation, who served as the manager of projects in Kuwait, remarked,This feed, which was well covered by the international news media, was one of the most complex engineering and construction efforts in history.However, the spare-time activity assignment, which was the reconstruction of the Kuwait oil fields, was an even bigger and more than contend task. The project of the reconstruction of the oil fields, which was named Al-Tameer (Arabic for rebuild), will be discussed in this report.Status of the FacilitiesThe state of the dickens million set per day oil export industry in Kuwait after the completion of the fire-fighting effort was as follows647 wells had burned in total, 751 wells were damaged.Twenty-six oil throng, separation, and production centers were damaged or totally destroyed.One marine export quickness and its cerebrate single point mooring was totally destroyed, and the second marine export facility was partially damaged and out of commission.The equivalent of ten million barrels of crude oil storage tankage had been destroyed.The Shuaiba refinery was totally destroyed.A crude unit in the Mina Al Ahrnadi Refinery was completely destroyed. The rest of the ref inery was partially damaged and the refinery was out of commission.The Mina Abdullah Refinery was partially damaged and the units were not oper equal to(p).All communication towers and networks were destroyed.Most of the working population had either fled or were in hiding.Project Al-TameerAfter the booming completion of the fire-fighting effort, KOC invited Bechtel to present its plan for the reconstruction of the oil fields production and exporting facilities damaged during the war, starting work by November 1990. KOCs goal was to be subject to produce 2 million bpd of oil by September 1992.Planning and Organizing PhaseThe planning and organizing effort for the Al-Tameer project started with the Bechtel team that was already on-site as part of the Al-Awada project fire-fighting effort. An brass section totally different from the Al-Awada project was take to scope, estimate, plan, set, and turn over operational facilities to KOC. This organization had to be self-sufficient and be able to fully live and service a monolithic work force of more than 16,000 people.The main organization was separate into five main functions.One was to support KOCs future five-year budget planning with identification, scoping, and planning future projects. This was named KOC Major Projects Group.The other four radicals consisted ofmanager Al-Tameer projects, responsible for all planning and project management, as well as engineering and procurementmanager coordination, responsible for scheduling, cost control, estimating, project reporting, public and community relations, and other relevant functionsmanager services, responsible for providing all the required support services for the project team including explosive and ordnance demolition groupmanager operation, responsible for field execution of all the specify work.A damage assessment and scoping team consisting of engineers, planners, and estimators walked every foot of the oil fields production and exporting facilities preparing a scope of work, cost estimate, a plan and docket of work for each facility.The planning was based on a back to front scheduling defining the dates and production goals first, working backward to see when the drill effort and facilities reconstruction work had to start to meet this goal. This approach also determined the required manpower and helped with direct hire and subcontracting plans.The overall plan defined the sequence of the work and prioritized the resources to make veritable facilities with least damage were first priority for completion.The master schedule was developed based on nine subproject organization work breakdown structures (WBS)Oil recoveryTankage southNorth KuwaitPipelines/flow linesPower, buildings, cathodic auspicesMarine facilitiesDe-saltersSouth gathering centers watt gathering centers.Figure Al Tameer OrganizationEach subproject having its task force, budget, schedule, and its priority on resources identified was headed by a project manag er. The Al-Tameer project organization chart is shown in Figure 1.The teams were integrated with operational KOC personnel who performed some of the project functions. Each subproject team was support by local functional managers to provide them with staff and resources to execute the work. The key driver cornerstone the plan was meeting the schedule and the production capacity.Execution PhaseThe project execution consisted of three main functions detail engineering, procurement, and construction management.Detail EngineeringEngineering and construction teams worked very closely during the planning kind to determine the best and most expedient way of rebuilding some of the facilities. This close collaboration continued until construction was complete.More than 200 spiriters and engineers worked in the makeshift project offices at various sites, with strong central support from a base that was set up in an old war-damaged girls school. This was later transferred to a newly const ructed KOC engineering building. Additionally, a team of more than 200 engineers from various Bechtel regional offices worldwide provided continuous support and specialized expertise.The main deliverables of the engineering teams were construction drawings, construction packages, and material requisitions and technical bid tabs. This effort was not limited to oil production and exporting facilities it included some of the necessary infrastructure required for the day-to-day operation of KOC. Offices, warehouses, guest houses, employees housing, roads, power, water, etc., were all part of the scope of the work. Because most of the lord drawings and specifications were destroyed during the war, field sketches and measurements had to be used. A total engineering effort of 450,000 hours resulted in 4,500 major drawings.One totally new and fully modularized gathering facility (GC-17) was designed and built in Houston, Texas, and shipped to the sites. Other facilities were designed for r ebuild based on their original concept, but modernized wherever possible. Some of the units were very old and were upgraded with the more modern versions of the equipment in stock(predicate). A more extensive use of distributed control systems and automation was one of the key compasss that were upgraded.ProcurementThe project procurement group was launch in full force during the firefighting phase of the project to provide resources for that very important effort. In the Al-Tameer phase the team was further expanded to support the massive procurement and contracting effort that was required to meet the target schedule. In addition, inventory control and warehousing material were also part of the procurement teams area of responsibility.The procurement team was also responsible for incorporating all the material into KOC1s automated material and inventory control system. The procurement effort driving the execution phase was centralized, and it was divided into three main areasMa terial managementContracts managementwarehouse management.Material management included purchasing, inspection, expediting, and traffic and logistics. Contracting included formation and administration. Warehouse management included central warehouses and satellite warehouses.The procurement team had three main goals within the projects overall objectiveensure the right material and resources were available in time to meet the schedulemaximize the use of available local resources to assist in rebuilding the local economyensure sure final warehouse inventory met KOCs material coding and identification system.The size and the particular nature of the project required that the procurement team be divided in the midst of material management-reporting to the manager of projects-and contracts management-reporting to the manager of construction. This arrangement facilitated the communication and management of site contractors work with Bechtels direct hire construction work.Material Managem entProject managers were responsible for development and processing of the material requisitions for their areas of responsibility. Orders over $100,000 required further approval by KOCs manager of the Al-Tameer project. Almost everything required for the execution of the project had to be imported from outside the country. At the early phases of the project the port facilities, custom facilities, and other services required for the proper importation of goods and services were not functioning. Bechtel launch a staging area in Jebel Ali port of Dubai (UAE) to receive, inspect, and accept material.Utilizing much smaller vessels and boats, Bechtel then transported goods from Dubai to various Kuwait ports depending on availability and cargo size. This plan also included most of the air fr 8ed material.Because timely delivery of the material was critical to meeting the project schedule, a very detailed material requisitioning plan had to be developed identifying every required detail. This plan was then incorporated into Bechtels worldwide Procurement Tracking System (PTS) that enabled all Bechtel offices to monitor and follow through each order until it reached the site.At later stages of the project when Kuwait ports and custom facilities became functional the above arrangements were changed and everything was imported directly into Kuwait. During this period more than 26,000 purchase orders were issued, and more than 520,000 tons of material were imported utilizing 742 aircraft and sea-going vessels.Warehousing ManagementOne of the key activities of the warehousing management team was to incorporate the variety of material that was left behind after the war and the fire-fighting phase with newly ordered and engineering-specified material. Also, by continuously adjusting and monitoring quantities and specifications they could respond very quickly to emergency and out-of-schedule circumstances. The engineering and warehouse two utilized a common software (PCM C) to identify, locate, and quantify most of the bulk material making sure that when the material was required it would be made available immediately.Contract ManagementAlthough due to scheduled requirement reconstruction of some of the flow line, all of the gathering centers and booster stations were performed by Bechtel direct hires, besides more than 300 major construction contracts and 650 equipment rental agreements were issued by the contract management team during the Al-Tameer project phase.The contract formulation team worked as a central group serving all subprojects. The contract administration group managed the administration work more by function than by area. Project managers were finally the responsible parties for the contractor work in their areas, receiving the necessary support and services from these two centralized teams.Construction ManagementAl-Tameer was probably one of the most challenging construction projects ever managed by Bechtel. The work required pr ovision of labor, equipment, and support facilities in cardinal locations and in four different parts of the country-North fields, South (marine facilities and refineries), West fields, and Burgan fields. The work involved construction of drill pads roads for heavy rig transportation well heads flow lines gathering centers gas booster stations oil storage tanks water supply, distribution and storage and marine export terminal and loading facilities. In addition, KOCs own infrastructure (offices, housing, clubs and restaurants, warehouses and buildings, telecommunication, etc.) had to be reconstructed.Construction efforts were divided between direct hire construction and subcontracted work. The total scope of work was divided into nine construction areas, each managed by a field superintendent. Each superintendent was responsible for both direct hire execution as well as field administration of the subcontractors scope of work within his area. Construction superintendents were supp orted by the central construction group that was the functional group supporting a project matrix team. Prioritization of resources and construction equipment was one of the major functions of the central construction team.Field construction teams were comprised of multinational forces (from thirty-six countries) with totally different cultures, languages, and performance capabilities. Catering and other cultural requirements had to be addressed to ensure each group could perform its function satisfactorily.Each task had to be tailor made to suit the team available. It was important that planning of the manpower and resources take into consideration availability of the right foreman and support group to be able to communicate and perform work with each team.SummaryApproximately 1,000,000 hours in the regional offices and 4,000,000 hours in Kuwait were spent for project management/engineering/construction management during the first two phases of this project. Field labor hours were 50,000,000.These project man-hours were spent within the following project schedule milestones start of planning November 1990 start implementation in Kuwait March 199 1 project completion June 1993.The sources of the project personnel were various. A total of 16,000 workers from thirty-six countries on five continents were involved in this massive effort. The countries that participated in the supply of manpower to this reconstruction included Kuwait, the United States, Great Britain, Canada, France, Australia, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Ireland, clean Zealand, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon, Bahrain, Yugoslavia, Colombia, Indonesia, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Brazil, Afghanistan, the Philippines, India, Djibouti, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Pakistan, Trinidad, and Sierra Leone.Key MilestonesSome of the more notable milestones in the program wereThe last fire was extinguished and the well was capped on November 6, 199 1, eight months after the arr ival of the first Bechtel team on-site.The first postwar oil was pumped from two of the original gathering centers on May 26, 199 1.By celestial latitude 1991, more than 400,000 barrels of oil per day were being produced from the rehabilitated facilities.By April 1993, more than 11,000,000 barrels of weathered crude had been reclaimed from oil pits and lakes, and processed through the field treatment centers and the refinery.By the end of June 1993, eighteen of the original centers were back in operation, with all the production goals achieved as scheduled.Operation PhaseAccomplishmentsThe work was conducted in fifty-five locations that included fields in the north of Kuwait on the border with Iraq, west and south of Kuwait on the borders with Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and in the refineries and loading facilities along the coast and offshore.Five hundred square miles of land were swept and cleared of unexploded ordnance. More than 23,000 pieces of explosive devices were destroyed by ex plosive ordnance government teams. Although all work areas were swept, the risk from undetectable ordnance was ever present and some fatalities did occur.More than 26,000 purchase orders and 300 major construction contracts and 650 equipment rental agreements were awarded during Phases I and I1 of the project. (A more normal project performed over the same time frame may have 4,000 to 6,000 purchase orders.)A complete communication system give to the oil industry was installed that included twenty-three satellite telephone systems, 4,500 telephones, and 2,000 portable radios.A twenty-four-hour health care and safety program was established that included two helicopter medivac teams, a forty-bed hospital, a dental clinic, and a team of approximately 100 professional medical personnel on duty at seven medical stations.More than 5,800 pieces of field operating equipment ranging from the larger bulldozers, cranes, trucks, front-end loaders, and heavy industrial equipment to ambulances , pickup trucks, cars, buses, and other support vehicles were shipped to the job sites. These pieces of equipment were purchased from twelve different countries.A total of 742 aircraft and sea-going vessels were deployed to ship more than 520,000 tons of equipment and material to Kuwait in support of this project.Six full-service dining halls with catering support staff provided about 3,500,000 meals for the workers during the fire-fighting campaign and 10,000,000 meals during the reconstruction phase. Menus were established to cater to the different ethnic backgrounds.Provisions and housing for 12,000 manual and 2,000 non-manual Bechtel employees were provided. All of the members of project management and their support teams, over 200 design and engineering personnel and around 200 procurement, administration and subcontracts management teams, were resident in Kuwait.Construction of a number of permanent offices, workshops, warehouses, maintenance shops, and housing complexes for K OC was faultless at the same time.Fire-fighting efforts originally involved the four major international teams of Boots Coots, Red Adair, Safety Boss, and Wild Well Control. They were later joined by an spare twenty-three teams from Kuwait, Iran, China, Hungary, Great Britain, France, Canada, Romania, and Russia. Four hundred kilometers of water and oil pipelines were installed during fire-fighting efforts. Water lines and pumping stations could deliver 25,000,000 gallons a day to fire sites. Each of 360 lagoons was excavated, lined, and filled with 1,000,000 gallons of water for use in fire-fighting.Drilling pads and access roads were constructed for 700 new and work over wells.Three-thousand kilometers of new flow lines were constructed.One-thousand kilometers of new and refurbished pipelines were installed.Fifteen crude gathering centers, including a totally new and modularized early production facility, were assessed, designed, and constructed.Three gas booster stations were constructedRestoration and reconstruction of the marine loading terminals, offshore terminals, and SPM were completed.Construction of more than 10,000,000 barrels of new crude oil storage tankage was managed.Restoration of overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution system and cathodic protection system within the oil fields was completed.Construction repair and operation of water systems (fresh, brackish, and salt water) were completed.Construction and operation of oil recovery systems and facilities that collected and tempered more than 25,000,000 barrels of weathered crude were completed.

Glorious Sceptre :: essays research papers

The Immortal SceptreWithin the Iliad kor portrays through association and symbolisation the threshold as a representation of divine power. Agamemnon is the nominal owner of this sceptre, on which much emphasis is placed in the early stages of the poem. This relic, a sceptre once owned by genus Zeus, has a kingly and divine past and, as a result, is a symbol of authority, power, and learning within the kingdom of Greece. home runs discussion of the sceptre in Books I and II serves to elucidate these characteristics of the sceptre.&9In the earlier stages of book II, bell ringer establishes the godly and noble news report of the sceptre. Through a slight digression in the story line, Homer gives the reader a brief overview of its former owners "Hephaistus gave it to Zeus the king, the son of Kronos, and Zeus in patch gave it to the courier Argeiphontes, and master copy Hermes gave it to Pelops, driver of horses, and Pelops again gave it to Atreus, the shepherd of the people. Atreus dying left it Thyestes of the rich flocks, and Thyestes left it in turn to Agamemnon to carry and to be lord of many islands over all Argos. (II, 102-109)"In naming Hephaistus, Zeus, Hermes, and the kings of Mycenae, Homer reveals a legacy that enhances the sceptres image as a token of form and power. Moreover, it is important to note that the sceptre was not conceived by a mortal, but rather by Hephaistus. Using the wood from a living tree in the mountains, he constructed an immortal device for Zeus. Hephaistus creation of the sceptre both bolsters the notion of the sceptres divinity, and strengthens its image as a symbol of influence and recognition.&9In Book I of the poem, Achilles takes oath upon the sceptre. In his oath, Achilles states his intent to withdraw from the army and swears that the Achaians will one day mourning their irreverence. However, before anything is sworn, Homer has Achilles describe the sceptre by stating that it "never again will bear le af nor branch, now that it has left behind the cut stamp in the mountains, nor shall it ever develop again, since the bronze blade stripped bark and leafage" (I, 233-237). Achilles emphasizes the sceptres imperishability and endurance as a symbol. wanting life and therefore lacking the prospect of death, the sceptre is, in a sense, immortal, giving reason for its divine connotations.Glorious Sceptre essays research papers The Immortal SceptreWithin the Iliad Homer portrays through association and symbolism the sceptre as a representation of divine power. Agamemnon is the nominal owner of this sceptre, on which much emphasis is placed in the early stages of the poem. This relic, a sceptre once owned by Zeus, has a kingly and divine past and, as a result, is a symbol of authority, power, and recognition within the kingdom of Greece. Homers discussion of the sceptre in Books I and II serves to elucidate these characteristics of the sceptre.&9In the earlier stages of book II, Homer establishes the godly and noble history of the sceptre. Through a slight digression in the story line, Homer gives the reader a brief overview of its former owners "Hephaistus gave it to Zeus the king, the son of Kronos, and Zeus in turn gave it to the courier Argeiphontes, and lord Hermes gave it to Pelops, driver of horses, and Pelops again gave it to Atreus, the shepherd of the people. Atreus dying left it Thyestes of the rich flocks, and Thyestes left it in turn to Agamemnon to carry and to be lord of many islands over all Argos. (II, 102-109)"In naming Hephaistus, Zeus, Hermes, and the kings of Mycenae, Homer describes a legacy that enhances the sceptres image as a token of influence and power. Moreover, it is important to note that the sceptre was not conceived by a mortal, but rather by Hephaistus. Using the wood from a living tree in the mountains, he constructed an immortal device for Zeus. Hephaistus creation of the sceptre both bolsters the notion of the sc eptres divinity, and strengthens its image as a symbol of influence and recognition.&9In Book I of the poem, Achilles takes oath upon the sceptre. In his oath, Achilles states his intent to withdraw from the army and swears that the Achaians will one day regret their irreverence. However, before anything is sworn, Homer has Achilles describe the sceptre by stating that it "never again will bear leaf nor branch, now that it has left behind the cut stump in the mountains, nor shall it ever blossom again, since the bronze blade stripped bark and leafage" (I, 233-237). Achilles emphasizes the sceptres imperishability and endurance as a symbol. Lacking life and therefore lacking the prospect of death, the sceptre is, in a sense, immortal, giving reason for its divine connotations.

Free Terrorism Essays: Muslims Must Denounce Terrorism or Die :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

While many respectable Muslim organizations the world over have condemned the reprehensible carnage at the World flock Center on Sept. 11, there is a growing number of groups and individuals who equivocate in their rebuke of violence. In doing so, they become apologists for violence and terror.   in that location is something deeply disturbing about employing explanation and understanding as a fig leaf for justification and as a pretext to spread timid diatribes about just desserts. Even more disturbing is the fact that intelligent and right-thinking people sit through sermons and speeches where much(prenominal) dehumanizing pseudo-religious drivel is preached without demurral or protest. never has Walter Benjamins famous statement rung more true when he said that every document of civilization is also a document of barbarity.   The most pathetic aspect of the rhetoric of especially Muslim apologists of terror is that they advance their claims in the name of justice. To allow them to become the guardians of justice is to bring it into disrepute. These pulpit impostors and armchair generals know puny of humanity, are bereft of compassion and have perverted justice for their own ends.   No human being deserves to travel. Our moral sensibilities are tested even in the most conclusive convictions leading to the death penalty, let alone when acts of determined destruction and terror are unleashed on innocents at the New York World Trade Center. No Iraqi children deserve to die as a result of unyielding sanctions meant to punish a draconian political authority. Nor do Palestinians and Israelis deserve to die in spine-chilling slaughter if their respective leaders cannot make peace.   It may be better that Muslims condemn acts of terror unequivocally without launching into explanations about the algebra of grievances. To venture into such complex levels of sociological commentary without the requisite skill and empathy is to treat human life as dispensable. For Muslims to make such claims is to bring into disrepute to the legacy of the prophesier Muhammad, whose person is fondly recalled in Islamic teachings as a mercy unto humanity. And surely every Muslim is entitled to retrieve the reputation and integrity of her or his faith from such misrepresentation.   The truth is that such large numbers of Muslims have become so dehumanized that they parade indecency as grandiloquent virtue. It is unvoiced to configure who lacks more compassion the terrorists who perished with their victims or their many apologists who make a linkage between tragedy and just desserts, sometimes without even disguising their joy at others misery.

The Fairy-tale of If on a winters night a traveler Essay -- If on a w

The Fairy-tale of If on a winters iniquity a traveler In the historic, fairy-tales have been a major form of writing for the great minds of the imaginative authors of the world. In search of cultural roots, much of Europe focused on its folktale and fairy-tales. However, Early Modern and Contemporary Italy took its tales and changed, manipulated, and combined them, having dissimilar concerns as the other societies of Europe. Influenced by his nations overall approach to its heritage, Italo Calvino, in his novel If on a winters darkness a traveler, is blatantly provided with a fundamental structure, plot, and theme through his use of the fairy-tale. You argon about to begin reading Italo Calvinos new novel, If on a winters night a traveler. Relax. Concentrate. Dispel every other thought. Let the world around you fade. (Calvino 3). Calvinos origin sentences, even the first couple pages, exemplify what the reader would be told by a storyteller, as a young child would hear, cuddli ng within his or her warm, blanket-covered utopia, while mothers contiguous body not only provides comfort and security, alone a fairy-tale incipit the childs ear drums focus in on a lulling frequency unceasingly flowing from the mothers fatigued mouth. The didactic beginning of this novel is a appliance Calvino utilizes to ensure the reader that a fantastic, adventurous story is about to begin. The Once upon a time cliche that has dominated the first sentence of fairy-tales in the past is replaced with So, then, you... where the actual plot then begins (Calvino 4). The Reader takes the first steps on his avocation for a final, complete text. Within those few initial steps, he begins his forficate quest for his princess, the female reader, ... ...iry-tales are. Calvinos collection stands with the best folktale collections anywhere. (Guton 91). Many attributes of the novel If on a winters night a traveler by Italo Calvino bare a striking resemblance to the fairy-tale. The str ucture, plot, themes, and even characterization of the novel exemplify its similarities to a tale. disregarding of how the book is critically approached, the fact that Calvino, influenced by his national culture, wrote the novel as a fantastic tale will always remain firmly place in his readers view. Works Citied Calvino, Italo. If on a winters night a traveler. cutting York Harcourt Brace & Company, 1981. Guton, Sharon and Sline, Jean. Contemporary Literary Criticism.Volume 22. Detroit Gale inquiry Company, 1982. Votteler, Thomas. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Volume 73. Detroit Gale Research Company, 1993. The Fairy-tale of If on a winters night a traveler Essay -- If on a wThe Fairy-tale of If on a winters night a traveler In the past, fairy-tales have been a major form of writing for the great minds of the imaginative authors of the world. In search of cultural roots, much of Europe focused on its folktale and fairy-tales. However, Early Modern and Co ntemporary Italy took its tales and changed, manipulated, and combined them, having dissimilar concerns as the other societies of Europe. Influenced by his nations overall approach to its heritage, Italo Calvino, in his novel If on a winters night a traveler, is blatantly provided with a fundamental structure, plot, and theme through his use of the fairy-tale. You are about to begin reading Italo Calvinos new novel, If on a winters night a traveler. Relax. Concentrate. Dispel every other thought. Let the world around you fade. (Calvino 3). Calvinos opening sentences, even the first couple pages, exemplify what the reader would be told by a storyteller, as a young child would hear, cuddling within his or her warm, blanket-covered utopia, while mothers contiguous body not only provides comfort and security, but a fairy-tale incipit the childs ear drums focus in on a lulling frequency incessantly flowing from the mothers fatigued mouth. The didactic beginning of this novel is a mechan ism Calvino utilizes to ensure the reader that a fantastic, adventurous story is about to begin. The Once upon a time cliche that has dominated the first sentence of fairy-tales in the past is replaced with So, then, you... where the actual plot then begins (Calvino 4). The Reader takes the first steps on his quest for a final, complete text. Within those few initial steps, he begins his double quest for his princess, the female reader, ... ...iry-tales are. Calvinos collection stands with the best folktale collections anywhere. (Guton 91). Many attributes of the novel If on a winters night a traveler by Italo Calvino bare a striking resemblance to the fairy-tale. The structure, plot, themes, and even characterization of the novel exemplify its similarities to a tale. Regardless of how the book is critically approached, the fact that Calvino, influenced by his national culture, wrote the novel as a fantastic tale will always remain firmly planted in his readers view. Works Citie d Calvino, Italo. If on a winters night a traveler. New York Harcourt Brace & Company, 1981. Guton, Sharon and Sline, Jean. Contemporary Literary Criticism.Volume 22. Detroit Gale Research Company, 1982. Votteler, Thomas. Contemporary Literary Criticism. Volume 73. Detroit Gale Research Company, 1993.