Contemporary Hawaiian Music Essay

There is a famous Hawaiian saying, â€Å"You know if the Hawaiian harmonies are good if they give you chicken skin† (Alternative Hawaii, 2002) and, I must say, listening to the online radio streaming of KCCN FM100 gave me goosebumps. Being more attuned to â€Å"Western pop† culture, it was a pleasantly refreshing experience for me to sit for an hour and listen to contemporary reggae, urban music and ragga with an island beat that’s truly Hawaiian. Fourteen original Hawaiian songs, including the Top 5 hits in KCCN charts, were played during a late afternoon program that also aired a couple of brief â€Å"Hele On† traffic news, a commercial each from Earth Share and Hawaii. gov, and 8 radio ads encouraging the people to participate at the ongoing 2010 Census. The DJ on deck did not talk much except to give quick, in-between plugs for a party event and to introduce songs. A distinctly noticeable feature in the contemporary Hawaiian music is its fondness to love and desire. The soulful songs I listened to speak of the excitement of love, romancing the heart of another or accepting a love’s rejection. But even though the lyrics contain sad words, the melody is always upbeat and sensual. The island reggae beat and the smooth ballad is very easy on the ears especially when instruments, like the ukulele, saxophone and native drums blend together to produce the perfect harmony. The result is one relaxed listener mentally transported in an island paradise in Hawaii, and its effect to music lovers is no less than rejuvinating the soul. I think KCCN FM100, being a radio station that plays modern hip-hop and soul Hawaiian music, carries the familiar radio spunk of other American hiphop stations. The DJ was very energetic and in a party mood, and even the traffic reporter was such a chipper in delivering traffic updates as a local RnB song played in the background. The advertisements aired between the 4:30-to-5:30pm radio show were mostly the varying versions of promoting the 2010 Census Count – explaining what the census results would mean to businesses, the improvement of social services and what it means to the future generation. I think delivering the message using both in English and the local dialect reveals a lot about the listeners’ profile of KCCN, which is a mixture of both modern and traditional Hawaiian folks. I also believe that although all local songs aired were sang in English, they always make it a point to bring out the traditional Hawaiian flavor. This much is obvious in both the songs and commercials played. Listening to KCCN and the music aired there makes me realize how global Hawaiian music can be in terms of its appeal to both young and old, locals and foreigners. Everybody can appreciate an island style music inspired by the world-loved Bob Marley and urban rhythm of the modern RnB.

Obesity Is Not a Personal Problem

Obesity is Not a Personal Problem As the obesity wave crashes over the United States, more Americans are paying out of pocket to flourish the $33 billion commercial diet industry (Spake 283). As American’s waistbands continue to expand, they immerse themselves in one of the largest, most scandalous consumer markets: the weight loss industry. Amanda Spake, author of â€Å"Rethinking Weight†, addresses the question as to who should cover the overall cost of weight loss programs. Spake challenges that insurance companies should pay for the expenses that obese people encounter. This, she states, is due to the fact that obesity is a biological â€Å"disease† and it should be treated and paid for like any other critical illness (283). In this article, Spake does not present the importance of physical activity, only discussing unsuccessful dieting experiences and bad genetic makeup. Although Spake briefly suggests that exercising is an advantage to those who are obese, she puts the solitary blame for obesity on the genetic aspect. From 1986 to 2000, the number of people who are severely obese–which is identified by having a body mass index of 40 or more–has quadrupled, from about 1 in 200 adults to 1 in every 50. This startling statistic has caused more people to be aware of this rising occurrence that has swept over the United States. Obesity has medical professionals worrying; not only are the numbers of overweight people continuing to rise but weight-related medical costs are soaring. Healthcare costs for illnesses due to obesity have now exceeded those related to both smoking and alcoholism. The obesity epidemic is a big contributor to skyrocketing health care costs in the United States, partly due to the weight-related diseases that come hand-in-hand with obesity. Ailments such as type II diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, and high cholesterol are closely connected to obesity and an alarming 80 percent of obese adults suffer from one of these life-threatening diseases (Spake 283). Many research foundations are now connecting obesity to a person’s genetic makeup, calling it a biological development that an individual cannot control. Spake suggests that insurance companies should cover the costs of obesity as it is a genetically and biologically determined disease thus the individual does not have the ability to lose weight on their own. As a result, researchers suggest that including the treatment of obesity in health care plans might bring science and sanity to the anarchy of weight loss (Spake 286). Many researchers do not identify obesity as a disease in fear that unhealthy weight-loss programs will someday be considered acceptable treatment and ultimately mandated to be covered by insurance. Although Spake validates her assertions by backing up her words with credible opinions and statistics, she weakens her argument by not addressing the importance of physical activity. Maria Pfisterer is an obese mother who Spake claims has tried every weight-loss strategy imaginable. However, nowhere does it say that in addition to the drugs and â€Å"quick-weight-loss fads† Pfisterer had attempted to include an exercise regime. She claimed that all of the programs she tried resulted in a few pounds lost and quite a few more gained; always returning to the same 197 to 202 pound range. Being overweight is the result of one thing: eating more food than one burns (Spake 285). Nowhere in the article does Spake suggest that physical activity is a effective, healthy and inexpensive way to lose weight, choosing to put forth the idea that weight loss comes only from high-priced dieting programs. In her article, Spake claims that genetics are the sole factor for obesity in America. There are many other factors mentioned in the article that play into someone’s weight including the food they eat, their level of physical activity, and societal factors such as advertising. Also, Spake quotes Arthur Frank, director of George Washington University’s Weight Management Program, â€Å"So saying to an obese person who wants to lose weight, ‘All you have to do is eat less,’ is like saying to a person suffering from asthma, ‘All you have to do is breathe better’† (284). Obesity and asthma are two very different things therefore should not be compared. An individual who is overweight can take control of their weight-gain by taking more personal responsibility and making healthier choices. However, asthma is an inflammatory disorder that can strike at any time which causes an individual to wheeze or gasp for air where an individual cannot control its effects. Not everyone agrees that obesity should be considered a disease, some stating that the obesity epidemic can be overturned by individuals taking more personal accountability for their wellbeing and opting to make healthier lifestyle choices (Spake 283). In an alarmed attempt to make readers believe that obesity should be considered a disease and insurance companies should cover the cost of the individual’s expenses, Spake fails to provide enough evidence to support her claim. She maintains that overweight people have a genetic flaw that causes them to be susceptible to weight gain. Physical exercise, which is seldom mentioned in Spake’s article, is an important weight loss tool that helps to burn the extra calories an individual’s body does not burn on its own. Spake portrays a defective argument that invalidates her main purpose. People with health insurance should look to see what is covered and seek healthier, less-expensive alternatives to fix the things that are not included. Regardless of what â€Å"Rethinking Weight† suggests, overweight individuals have an equal opportunity to replace their existing lifestyle with healthier habits. Works Cited Spake, Amanda. â€Å"Rethinking Wight. † Writing and Reading for ACP Composition. Eds. Thomas E. Leahey and Christine R. Farris. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2009. 282-88. Print.

Term Paper on Martin Van Buren Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

On Martin Van Buren - Term Paper Example He had a very busy life following in the footsteps of other leaders. Yet, his life did not begin that way. Initially, Van Buren resided from a humble home. He was descended from a Dutch background, the son of a farmer and a tavernkeeper in Kinderhook, New York (Martin Van Buren, 2010). What inspired him to become a politician stemmed from his career as a lawyer. Van Buren got into New York politics and climbed his way up to become the â€Å"Albany Regency,† which was an effective political organization in New York (Martin Van Buren, 2010). He utilized his position in his favor by commencing actions that were considered shrewd in reference to dispensing public offices as well as establishing a system to encourage voters to vote in his favor (Martin Van Buren, 2010). Van Buren did not stop there. He was not a man to settle on just any career, in fact, he set his rights on higher political standings to which he successfully attained. Van Buren was elected into the States Senate i n 1821 (Martin Van Buren, 2010). Since he excelled, he caught the attentions of President Andrew Jackson just six years later. From there, Van Buren became the principal northern leader, then immediately advanced into the position of Secretary of State (Martin Van Buren, 2010). ... Specifically, Van Buren and Calhoun clashed. The solution arose when Calhoun and the Secretary of War, Eaton, resigned, which allowed the rest of the cabinet to follow suit (Martin Van Buren, 2010). This enabled Jackson to appoint a whole new cabinet, thus rendering Van Buren into the position of Vice President through votes brought on by the election in 1836. Beforehand, President Jackson attempted to reward Van Buren’s diligent work and loyalty by making him the Minister to Great Britain, yet this vote was outdone by Calhoun who declared a martyr of Van Buren (Martin Van Buren, 2010). Van Buren’s political life up to the point of 1837 appeared to be nothing less than a series of accomplishments and moments of great pride. After all, he carried himself in immaculate fashion and become the only individual who carried President Jackson’s trust to the extent in which it was given. Shortly after Van Buren announced his course as newly appointed Vice President was de vote himself to the American experiment as an example to the remainder of the world through his Inaugural Address; every thing came to a crashing halt. Trouble ensued in the form of the cyclical economy â€Å"boom and bust† phenomenon (Martin Van Buren, 2010). Karl Marx discovered a pattern to how depressions come about. Before the Industrial Revolution, there were little to no cycles of inflation and recession, which Marx inherited it to mean, that the business cycles were an inherent factor of the capitalist market economy (Rothbard, 1969). The point of understanding the causes and effects of depressions help politicians to uncover the solution. With Van Buren’s case, President Jackson actually contributed to the event by destroying the Second Bank of the

Management Concepts Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Management Concepts - Essay Example The employees trust and believe the visions of the leader and are very motivated. This organization is rapidly expanding organization, which is becoming increasingly popular among its customers. With an extensive marketing plan the organization can surely become the most popular place for rock climbing activities in Swansea. Dynamic rock is an organization established in the year 2004, with the aim of developing the indoor climbing center in the city of Swansea, United Kingdom. The company provides for the much-needed centre for the climbers from all over the country. This organization aims at providing the rock climbers with a friendly and accessible centre to pursue their passions. This organization is categorized under the Rock industries, with a small group of well-integrated staff members. (Dynamic rock, 2010) This dynamic organization has various opportunities and faces tough market competition. Under this paper we would try and analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the organization, we would provide a competitor analysis so as to understand the scope of the organization in the near future. Applying the theories of strategic planning and leadership styles we would analyze how the organization can strengthen its long-term position. The report would have been more effective if the method of primary research among the customers would have been adopted. The customers’ views on the products and services offered by the organization would have been very accurate and would have provided an effective marketing strategy for the organization. The paper aims at the strategic analysis of the organization Dynamic Rocks. SWOT analysis would be applied to for the detailed understanding of the structure of the organization. The theories of Porter’s five forces and Ansoff’s analysis would be applied for the analysis of the rock industry and the company’s position

Changes In School Security Policies Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Changes In School Security Policies - Article Example From the analysis of alternatives, installation of synchronized doors and effective emergency response procedures are the best policies. It is followed closely by special sections for disabled children and placing more responsibilities on school administrators. Considering all factors; economic, social and environment, the most suitable policy is the enhancement of school security systems and revision of emergency procedures. The policy is suitable since it offers the remedy for insecurity at a lower social cost. Moreover, the policy is affordable since the only cost involved is the installation of security systems. Revision of emergency response is costless. The policy can respond well to emergent issues such as child disappearance, and violence in school. Automatic doors ensure that only authorized persons to leave or enter a school. The policy would avert incidences such as carrying weapons to school. The policy would have averted the Avonte Oquendo case since he could not have el oped from school. The proposed policy is within the bounds of the law. However, legal experts may scrutinize the costs and follow up on the implementation. In addition, the policy does not negatively affect the subjects and the community. Critics may argue about the costs and time that it may take to fully implement the policy. However, most public policies are rolled out gradually, starting with the riskiest aspects. This implies that the policy would not be instant, but a gradual policy, allowing all stakeholders to familiarize with it.

The impact of automation Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The impact of automation - Term Paper Example on on the society is an increase in the mechanical power available to an individual owing to the presence of new opportunities and the decreased demand for labour. The opportunities that arise from automation, especially with fabricators are participation in the development, use, repair, and distribution of fabricators, software, and related hardware. The other impact of automation on the society is the increased productivity 100 or 1000 times per machine operator reducing the demand for skilled labour at workplaces (Johnsen, 1976). The effect is an increase in the level of pervert since the extra workers have to be dismissed to pave the way for the machines and affecting the standards of living negatively. The level of unemployment in the society in the economy increases owing to the increased use of machines in completion of tasks previously undertaken by humans. Automation results in better product quality through reduction in human errors in the production process. Automated of inspection and assembly methods result in the improvement of the durability of manufactured products as exemplified with the production of cars, refrigerators, and televisions that have been shown to last longer than previous models owing to automation (Burns, 1993). Quality products from automation result in the value for money for the consumers and less money are spent on replacement and repairs. The standards of living in the society improve with the increased automation of production processes and methods. The other impact of automation has been the increased possibility of recycling of older products for new product models aiding in the reduction of wastes in the society (Burns, 1993). Examples are the introduction of recycling of used Apple products under the reign of Steve Jobs and the recycling of brake shoes and engine blocks in the automotive industry. Structural unemployment emerges and increases as a result of automation resulting in the reduction in consumer and disposal

Rethinking Wilderness Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Rethinking Wilderness - Essay Example nks will hinder the stewardship of wilderness areas in the future will help in showing how Cronon’s â€Å"rethinking of wilderness† can be effectively applied to solve the problems. Naturalness is defined in different ways. It is described as characterizations of nature being apart from humans (Cole, 2012). Cole identifies problems with naturalness. The first challenge is its multiple meanings and hence leads to a different understanding to different peoples. To some people, being natural means lack of human effect, a place with little human influence (Cole, 2012). There are those that believe natural to be freedom from intentional human control while others sees it as a historical fidelity (Cole, 2012). However, the changes of ecosystem currently taking place means one has to be selective when relying on these meanings. Therefore, one has to choose between them to suit the prevailing conditions. The other challenge has been on the reasons for setting wilderness. Currently, there is no unifying reason as to why wilderness areas are set aside. This is because there have been diverse reasons for setting aside such areas. Some of the major reasons for protections include certain valued species, nostalgic landscapes, biological diversity, scenery, ecosystem services, and autonomous nature (Cole, 2012). However, with increasing knowledge, it has been found that it is difficult to achieve all the purpose in one ecosystem. For this reason, some have to be considered at the expense of others. Cronon’s â€Å"rethinking of wilderness† offers a practical solution to the problems of naturalness. The essay argues that the problems can only be solved by realizing that man has always been in existence with the wilderness. Therefore, the notion that Wilderness is the only remaining place that has been free from civilization is unreal. The author notes wilderness has been a product of civilization (Cronon, 1995). As a result, trying to set it apart from the creator will not