The Timeless Truths of Homers Iliad - 1784 Words

James Hutchinson Ms. Spicer AP Literature 20 August 2010 Homers Timeless Truths Is Homers The Iliad relevant to todays society? Is this work a timeless parable depicting universal human truths transcending time and context or merely a superbly-crafted epic poem to be studied and admired for its stylistic brilliance? Has the text endured simply because of Homers dramatic verse or because of the timeless human truths it conveys? Was it written to persuade readers to question the moral implications and savagery of war or simply to provide provocative entertainment? These questions have been posed for centuries yet rarely have been sufficiently answered. However, an astute student of contemporary politics, media, and entertainment†¦show more content†¦The arrogant, manipulative gods pulling strings from their plush thrones on Mount Olympus bring to mind modern-day politicians. They can be seen as archetypes of todays detached bureaucrats. Zeus and his fellow gods dispassionately toy with mortals, watching with amusement as they cut one another down on the blood-soaked battlefield of windy Troy. Shamelessly, like merciless puppeteers, they create tension between the mortals for their own personal entertainment, with little regard for the inevitable mayhem and carnage that ensues. Indeed, the ten-year conflict at Troy is indirectly sparked by the vain goddess Aphrodites desire to be recognized as the â€Å"fairest† beauty among the goddesses, yet as soon as the fighting begins, she pleads neutrality. Similarly, Zeus himself shows little concern for the rampant slaughter among mortals taking place on his watch, even though initially he aids Achilles in his revenge against the Greeks. More than a few critics of the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have decried the dispassionate way in which U.S. â€Å"chickenhawk† non-combatants such as George Bush, Dick Cheney, and now Barack Obama have heartlessly made â€Å"strategic military decisions† from the safe environs of the White House that have had mortal consequenc es for U.S. troops on the front lines in Kabul and Baghdad. For many observers, the U.S. political elite bears more than slight resemblance to the gods ofShow MoreRelatedSocrates And Achilles1466 Words   |  6 Pagesthis particular example does not highlight a similarity between Socrates and Achilles, it is extremely effective in arguing Socrates’ case to the jury. Socrates proved time and time again that his calling in life was to philosophize and pursue the truth. Even with the threat of death looming above him, Socrates refused to falter in his conviction that knowledge and learning should be held in highest esteem. In one fell swoop, Socrates both implies that the jury should recognize his intellectual teachingsRead More Sport, Education, and the Meaning of Victory Essay examples3416 Words   |  14 Pageswin fair and square sometimes see the moral victory and the lions share of admiration awarded to a losing competitor. Our conception of a winner runs much deeper than the ability to fulfill the analytic definition of victory in sport. In Homers Iliad (XXIII, 823-880), there is an account of a foot race at Patroclus funeral games in which the goddess Athena chooses her favorite Odysseus as the winner of the race and ensures his victory by having his younger opponent Ajax slip and fall in someRead MoreEssay on The Odyssey21353 Words   |  86 Pageswife of Menelaus and the cause of the Trojan War. Helens portrayal is more striking than that of Menelaus. She is back with Menelaus at Sparta, happy and at peace, having learned from her sufferings. The tenderness which she possesses in The Iliad is turned to new purposes here in The Odyssey. Antinous - the most vociferous and proud of the suitors. He plots Telemachus death and often leads the suitors in their mistreatment of Odysseus and his household. Eurymachus - another outspoken

Risks Profile And Hedging Example For Free - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 5 Words: 1386 Downloads: 1 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Finance Essay Type Argumentative essay Tags: Risk Essay Did you like this example? F J Benjamin Holdings Ltd listed on the Singapore Exchange on 14 November 1996, founded in 1959 headquarters in Singapore and it has offices in nine cities with more than 2000 employees. This Company is one of the leaders in building and management, and development system of retail and distribution networks for international luxury and lifestyle brands across Asia. The company participates in importing, exporting, licensing, distribution and retailing of consumer fashion wear and accessories household furnishing, timepieces, eyewear and multimedia storage product and operation of cafes and entertainment outlets. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Risks Profile And Hedging Example For Free" essay for you Create order Especially, FJ Benjamin has four main segments is Luxury and Lifestyle Fashion Retailing and Distribution such as: Banana Republic, Gap and Givenchy..Timepiece Distribution such as: Bell Ross, Chronotech and DeWitt. Creative and Design such as Raoul and Investing in Lifestyle Concepts. Companys information analysis 2.1 Scenario of FJ Benjamin In FJ Benjamin Holdings Ltds wants to growth its portfolio by expanding business on Europe and the United States. In first of 2013, the company has some investment project to opened store located in Malaysia with required amount of SGD$ 15 million initial capital. FJ Benjamin needs more capital to implement these projects by borrowing SGD$ 10 million from bank for long-term loan for 5 year. To running and remaining new store in Singapore, in first of February 2013 FJ Benjamin need to imports 10milion luxury fashion wear of Cà ©line brand from French with due date at first of March . When order is accepted the company submit Trust Receipt to bank as a short term loan. At the due date, Bank on behalf of FJ Benjamin payoff 10 million for exporter. 2.2 Financial information analysis About general financial situation of FJ Benjamin, based on annual reported for 2011/2012, FJ Benjamin Holdings Ltd. reached $ 393,237,000 turnover in 2012. In 2011, turnover increased 22 % to $353.9 million from $289.4 million. In 2012, companys operating profit was $ 22,046,000 and in 2011 reached $ 18,102,000 increase $3,944,000. Profit before tax was $19,670,000 compared to $17,042,000 a year ago. Net profit after tax rose 55% to $12.8 million from $8.3 million last year. Operating profit strengthened to $18.3 million from $5.1 million in FY 2010. Gross margins rose to 43 % from 41% in the previous financial year. Cost-to-revenue ratio improved to 39% from 42%. Based on all financial information mention above, it reflects that the quality of the business has improved and become more stable in 3 years ago. In Financial ratio analysis: Return On Equity (ROE) (%) of FJ Benjamin in 2012 was 10.13% increase 0.3% compared 2011 was 9.71%. The return on equity evaluated a FJ Benja mins profitability by showing how much profit it generates with the amount shareholders have invested. Debt Ratio of this company in last 3 year was approximately 80% in 2012, 72 % in 2011 and 2010. Debt ratio increase 8% from 2010 to 2012 mean that FJ Benjamin has very high debt ratio. Current Ratio is used to measure the ability to pay short-term debts of the FJ Benjamin. Generally acceptable current ratio is from 1 to 2. During last 3 year, FJ Benjamins current ratio was above 1.5. However, from 2010 to 2012 this ratio was decrease significantly. Net profit Ratio Companys Risks Profile and Hedging 3.1 Internal risk In fashion industry, business risk is a risk totally can occur with any group if they do not have a risk management strategy correctly. Business risk is a risk that FJ Benjamin might have to face. The FJ Benjamin is belonging to fashion industry. Therefore, Benjamins revenues are affected directly by consumer sentiment and purchasing power as well as changing on trend of fashion and lifestyle trends. Especially, competitors also is a risk might affect to Benjamin because a lot of new brands are opened and growth quickly today. In the other words, customer satisfaction is most importance to increase profit and ability to meet customers need is a first mission of this company to against with this risk as well as increasing competitor opportunities. 3.2 External risk The Company has to face with a lot of risks arising from its operations from that Fj Benjamin uses of financial instruments to against all these risk. The main External risks include credit risk, currency exchange risk, interest rate risk and liquidity risk. Credit Risk: Credit risk is the risk of loss that can occur on financial instruments should a partners default or non-performance on its obligations. Especially, The Companys credit risk arises directly from trade and other debtors. Based on annual report, the trade and other receivables of FJ Benjamin shows that all its not past due, unimpaired and creditworthy debtors with very well payment record. Generally, amount of cash and fixed deposits are put in banks and financial institutions with good credit rating. In addition, FJ Benjamin use the ways to manages its credit risk by application of credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures. However high debt ratio is a disadvantage of FJ Benjamin, it reflects that this company has many debts and possible to non performance or default. Foreign Exchange risk: FJ Benjamin is an import and export company so that it has a lot of transactional using foreign currency .The company import, export between Asias countries, US and EU and most of the groups overseas purchases by in Swiss Franc, US Dollar and the Euro. Therefore, FJ Benjamin maybe face with foreign exchange risk when exchange rate movement. The FJ Benjamin always find out the ways to maintain a natural hedge by keeping the balance of liabilities against assets in the same currency or against the entitys functional currency. In order to reduce the companys exposure to foreign currency fluctuations, FJ Benjamin used foreign currency forward contracts based on purchase commitments for periods ranging from three to six months forward to minimize this risk. Liquidity Risk: Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will not meet financial obligations at maturity date because of not enou gh of funds. Although in 3 years ago the company has enough current assets to meet the payment schedule of current liabilities with a margin of safety. However, current ratio in 2012 fall meaning is amount of liabilities increase more than 2 years ago and current assets decrease in 2012 lead to level of liquidity risk may be increase in the near future. But FJ Benjamin manages its liquidity risk by maintaining a healthy balance of cash and cash equivalents and an sufficient amount of committed credit facilities. Moreover, follow annual report of 2012, the Company assessed the level of risk with respects to refinancing its debt and concluded it to be low. Approaching to sources of funding is enough and available and debt maturing within 12 months can be rolled over with existing lenders. Interest Rate Risk Interest rate risk is the risk that the value of cash flows of the company in the future and all companys financial instruments will go up or go down without predictable beca use of changes in market interest rates. With the FJ Benjamin also may face with this risk and relates to amount of borrowing which is subject to floating interest rates and are re-priced at intervals of less than 1 year. Recommendation FJ Benjamins earnings remained resilient despite the European debt crisis; this company still is leader by strong brand portfolio and growing in the ASEAN economies. Looking at business result in last 3 year, almost signal are good. However, FJ Benjamins financial still exists some problems and risk can be occurring with this business. With high ROE indicates that all investment project of this company can recover capital and gain profit in the future With debt ratio too high that reflects that the company has much debt and bank borrowing than their equity. Bank has to consider very carefully before lending to this company and high interest rate to cover credit risk. Then company needs to provide more collateral and margin account to ensure that can pay off the loans. However,. Conclusion In sum up, FJ Benjamin is a good company in Fashion Industry in around the world. This Company is more and more developed with stable and solid business. Company is assessed that which will become a most successful and has new prospect in the future. Although, looking at business result in last 3 year, almost signal are good. Besides that, FJ Benjamin Appendix Current ratio: Current Assets /  Current Liabilities Year 2010 2011 2012 Current Assets 192,846 212,857 209,940 Current Liabilities 95,264 121,998 127,998 Current ratio 2.024332 1.744758 1.640182 Return on Equity (ROE ): (Net Income/Shareholders Equity) x 100 Year 2010 2011 2012 Net Income 8,260 12,770 13,541 Shareholders Equity 137,209 131,458 133,607 Return on Equity (ROE ) % 6.02% 9.71% 10.13% Debt Ratio: (Total Liabilities /  Shareholders Equity) x 100 Year 2010 2011 2012 Total Liabilities 76,385 80,752 85,907 Shareholders Equity 105,684 111,667 106,819 Debt Ratio (%) 80% 72.3 % 72.2% Net profit Ratio: (Net Profit / Net Sales  ) x 100 Year 2010 2011 2012 Net Profit 8,260 12,770 13,541 Net Sales 295,386 360,003 403,281 Net profit Margin 2.8 % 3.56% 3.36%

Study of the 2009 Influenza H1N1 emergence Pandemic Free Essays

Introduction Pandemic influenza is an epidemic of infectious disease that can spread among human population across the world. Its first appearance was in 1918 (Spanish Influenza H1N1), where it caused an epizootic outbreak in swine causing the most devastating and terrifying pandemic in history. Pandemic influenza H1N1 was then re-emerged again in 2009 (Swine Flu). We will write a custom essay sample on Study of the 2009 Influenza H1N1 emergence Pandemic or any similar topic only for you Order Now According to the World Health Organization (WHO) several factors must be present to be considered a pandemic such as: infected droplets released into the air and breathed in by others or close contact with infected pigs. Swine influenza is caused by Influenza A virus, which belongs to family orthomyxoviridae. They are pleomorphic-enveloped viruses therefore Influenza viruses are named based on the major surface antigens: Hemagglutinins (HA) and Neuraminidase (N). Neuraminidase is an enzyme that is responsible for releasing the progeny virus from infected cells, by cleaving sugar molecules that bind to the virus. By contrast, hemagglutinin is a lectin that mediates binding of the virus to the host cell and entry of the viral genomes into the host cell. Overall, there are at least 16 different HA subtypes named H1 through H16. The first three hemagglutinins, H1, H2, and H3 are the main HA subtypes present in Influenza viruses. It is important to understand the emergence of 2009 pandemic influenza, for which one has to recognize its genetic origins. Influenza A viruses are composed of a protein-studded coat that surrounds a genome made up of eight single-stranded RNA segments (PB2, PB1, PA, HA, NP, NA, MP and NS). These RNA segments of pandemic 2009 have resulted from co-mingling of genomes from two influenza viruses- N. American H1N1 and Eurasian swine H1N1. This concept helps to explain how viral genetic re-assortment has resulted in the emergence of the pandemic strain, with a mixture of swine, human and avian influenza viruses. One would predict that changes in the genetic makeup of this virus requires us to develop new vaccines on an annual basis to attempt to prevent this virus especially in those that are elderly or chronically ill, since for them, influenza can be extremely fatal. According to CDC (Centers for disease control and prevention) epidemiological data indicates that elder people (65 years) tend to be less affected by H1N1 virus. Perhaps this explains the age-related pre-existing immunity. Figure 1- shows age groups most affected by the H1N1 influenza reported to CDC in the United States from April 15 to July 24, 2009.As can be seen, the number of reported cases per 100,000 population was highest among individuals five to twenty-four years of age group (26.7 per 100,000). Recent research on the crystal structure of the HA from the pandemic virus A/California/04/2009 has revealed the similarity of the Sa antigenic site located on the hemagglutinin molecule, in particular, of the 2009 H1N1 virus with the early 1918 human H1 viruses. Exposure to older viruses circulating from 1918 through the 1930’s or 1940’s are likely elicited 2D1-like antibodies that can cross-react with the 2009 viral protein HA. As a result individuals exposed to these viruses, now over the age of 65 have some protection from swine flu by antibodies originally elicited more than 50 years ago. Further research has shown that 2D1- antibody can bind to identical Sa antigenic site in the 1918 and 2009 pandemic and cross-neutralize both 1918 and 2009 pandemic viruses in vivo. Perhaps this provides a strong explanation for the age-related pre-existing immunity and the low levels of mortality rate in elder people, in the current H1N1 pandemic. Today in this 21st century, new advanced vaccines and antiviral drugs have been introduced to prevent this virus especially in those who are unable to produce immunity against Influenza viruses. Compare to the third world where only small proportion of people were fortunate to have vaccines as a safety precaution. Even then, 3% of the world’s population (1.8 billion people) at the timedied of the disease. Nowadays scientists and many health organizations such as CDC or WHO are intensely looking in to whether or not the same virus will strike again. They have the knowledge and the discipline to get the world ready. Recently, CDC recommended a seasonal flu vaccination (trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine) as the most important step in protection against influenza viruses. This seasonal influenza vaccination has been recommended for every individual from the age of 6months onwards as not only it protects against H3N2 virus but also Influenza B and H1N1 Influenza A virus. This proves that seasonal influenza vaccine can still be used to protect against various viruses including 2009 H1N1 Influenza and H3N2. Recent research on neutralising influenza antibodies also proves that seasonal influenza vaccine can lead to increase in the production of neutralizing antibodies up to 80%. But vaccination with plasmid DNA encoding H1N1 influenza (HA) and boosting with seasonal vaccine can stimulate a greater than 50 fold increase in neutralizing antibody than that produced by one does of seasonal vaccine alone or DNA alone. Conclusion The future impact of the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is not yet possible to predict as to which strain will cause the next pandemic or epidemic. On the one hand, the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus is still expected to continue to circulate as a seasonal influenza strain. Due to this, more people will now develop immunity to this current version of the virus. Despite of that, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned many countries including Africa and Asia to prepare for more devastating flu epidemics in the future. This concern has been promoted due to the possible mixture of swine flu viruses with seasonal strains during the winter months and can transform in impulsive ways. The best possible way for an individual to protect against 2009 H1N1 influenza virus and other influenza viruses is through defensive measures such as covering mouth when sneezing or coughing, good hygiene and vaccinations against H1N1 influenza virus when possible. How to cite Study of the 2009 Influenza H1N1 emergence Pandemic, Essay examples