How to Save Money on Gas

How to Save Money on Gas How to Save Money on Gas How to Save Money on GasGas is already expensive, and its unlikely to get any cheaper in the near future. Here are some tips and tricks to help you stretch your gas budget even further!It would be nice if we could all just walk or bike or take public transit everywhere we needed to go. It would certainly be healthier, better for the environment, and, on an immediate level, it would be so much cheaper. Because fueling up the car can get very expensive, very quickly.But many people do not live in such a world! And if you’re reading this article, youre probably one of them. You might need a car to get to work, to take your kids to school, to take your dogs to doggy school, or any number of other things. And until we can finally get those foot-powered Flintstones cars to work, you’ll probably need gas for your automobile.Unfortunately, gas can get pretty expensive. If only there was a way to make you gas money stretch budget stretch a little bit further. Well, as it turns out, theres not only one way you can save money on gas, there are several of them! Read on to find out more! Apps and sites and a third thing, oh my!These days there are multiple programs, apps, and websites that can help you save on gas. Just imagine if our ancestors had access to such technology. They wouldn’t have had to spend so much money on hay for their horses, which as we all know were the cars of older times. Like if there was some kind of “Triple Hay” website that would have allowed them to compare different hay prices across states so they could save money when taking long trips “My primary recommendation would be the AAA website, especially for families taking a road trip,” advised Piper Bloom, marketing manager for fuel card provider P-Fleet (@pfleetinc). “AAA allows you to compare prices between states so you can plan where the best fueling site would be. This is extremely helpful as fuel taxes vary dramatically between states.“Additionally, travelers can download t he Voyager App which displays the nearest gas stations and their recent prices, so you can pick the lowest price from the list. They also have a map and navigation functionality which is extremely helpful on-the-go.”Certified financial planner Karen Lee offered some additional apps and programs you can take advantage of to lower your gas expenses:“1. Download the GasBuddy app. It helps you find the lowest prices based on the grade of gas your car takes and a distance you’re willing to travel.“2. Use Kroger Gas points (or something similar if you don’t have Kroger). We regularly save 40 cents to one dollar per gallon each month by accumulating these points based on the grocery shopping we do for the month.“3. Join Costco or Sam’s Club. You’re likely to save more than the membership costs annually if you routinely use their gas pumps which run cheaper than the regular stations.”Driver smarter, not harder.If you can drive more efficiently, you won’t use as much gas, and then you won’t have to buy as much gas. You could also consider a more fuel efficient or even electric car, but obviously, that’s an enormous expenseâ€"and if you’re already struggling to afford gas, it’s probably not an option in the near future.So what can you do to drive more efficiently? Here are some tips from the land down under the Land Down Under: New Zealand!If youre racing up to the next set of lights only to have to brake heavily to a stop, youre wasting fuel,” warned Darren Cottingham of DT Driver Training. “Look as far ahead as you canâ€"preferably 12 secondsâ€"and anticipate when the lights will change. Brake early and coast to a stop. Try to keep your momentum so that you dont have to come to a complete stop.“Eliminating tailgating, or following too closely to another vehicle, is another way of smoothing out your driving. If youre too close to the car in front as it slows down, the gap gets noticeably shorter very quickly, so you brake. As it accele rates, you accelerate too. This constant cycle of braking and accelerating uses a lot of fuel. If you hang back two seconds behind the car in front you can easily absorb those small fluctuations in their speed often without changing your speed.“Reducing the weight of your vehicle by not carrying unnecessary items, keeping your tires pumped up to the correct pressure, and maintaining your cars drivetrain and engine will improve fuel economy. If you have to be stopped for any more than 30 seconds, turn off your engine.“Finally, dont take your car out of gear when you are coasting downhill. Apart from being dangerous because youll have no power if you need it, you actually use more fuel because the engine has to maintain an idle speed.”Taylor Covington, marketing associate for The Zebra (@TheZebraCo), echoed the need to keep your car in good shape if you want to save on gas:“Rotate your tires a little more frequently, generally when you get an oil change or about every 5,000 mi les. Moving the tires front-to-back and/or side-to-side will keep the tread wear even. Your car will handle well, you’ll save gas, and your tires will last longer.”And of course, you can always…Drive less.It may seem obvious, but the less you drive, the less gas you’ll use.“To reduce overall gas consumption, I personally use the half-mile rule,” suggested personal finance writer Dustyn Ferguson (@dustyndream). “Its a rule I made up that says, if it is within half a mile, walk or ride a bike. Starting your car up alone can use up gas and wear down parts that could be saved by just walking whenever you need to go somewhere nearby.”Now take all of this advice and hit the road! Or you know, walk or bike if you can. To learn more about saving money, check out these related posts and articles from OppLoans:The (Comprehensive) Couple’s Guide To BudgetingHow to Save Money When You’re Already on a Tight Budget4 Simple Ways to Save Money on Groceriesâ€"While Still Eating H ealthy!8 Ways To Save Money Today, Tomorrow and Every Day AfterWhat are your  best tips for saving money? We want to hear from you! You can find us  on  Facebook  and  Twitter.ContributorsPiper Bloom is the Marketing Manager at  P-Fleet (@pfleetinc), a leader in expense and payment management solutions for commercial fleets. Her goal is to ensure people are maximizing their financial opportunities and putting every dollar to work for their future.Darren Cottingham is the director of  DT Driver Training, a provider of online training for car, motorbike, truck,  and forklift drivers. He is also a member of the Institute of Advanced Motorists.Austin is right up Taylor Covingtons alley since she loves succulents, adventuring to small Texas towns, camping and hiking. Shes also obsessed with content creation, which is awesome, since thats her focus on The Z Team! Responsible for maintaining an educational vision for all that  The Zebra (@TheZebraCo) publishes, Taylor explains In Plain Eng lish just what all that insurance jargon means.Dustyn Ferguson (@dustyndream) is the personal finance aficionado behind  Dime Will Tell. He often blogs about his experiences and shares his secrets when it comes to making and saving more money to achieve financial success.Karen Lee has worked in the financial services industry since 1987. She chose Financial Planning as a career specifically to follow her lifelong desire to help others and make a difference in their lives. During this time, she has worked with countless numbers of families, individuals, and small businesses to help them pursue their financial dreams. She has the comprehensive education and experience to handle all aspects of a persons financial situation.

Southwest Airlines Corporate Social Responsibility

Southwest Airlines In today’s competitive market, consumers look to companies that not only provide outstanding service and goods, but also, a business that recognizes taking care of its employees, stockholders, consumers and the community as a priority. One company that is consistently recognized for their corporate social responsibility initiatives is Southwest Airlines. Southwest is a successful organization that perfectly blends operational focus with social obligations which translates into increased revenue and customer support. For several years, Southwest Airlines received recognition as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by Corporate Responsibility Magazine (Corporate, 2015). Analyzing Southwest Airlines’ commitment to corporate social responsibility will demonstrate the keys to their long-term sustainability. Southwest’s Corporate Social Responsibility Southwest is a company with a strong reputation for valuing its employees and it is also gaining recognition as a conscientious steward of the environment. Its heightened awareness of social responsibility is evident in their continued domination of the airlines industry. According to Hughen, Lulseged, Upton (2014), â€Å"Corporate Social Responsibility is a term used to describe an organization’s awareness of its operations’ impact on economic, social, environmental, and governance concerns, as well as the steps it takes to address them† (p. 57). Southwest achieves corporate social responsibility by focusingShow MoreRelatedCorporate Social Responsibility : Southwest Airlines853 Words   |  4 PagesCorporate social responsibility refers to a business practice involving initiatives that benefit society. Southwest airlines takes Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability to the next level. Southwest takes part in charitable giving, community outreach and volunteerism, and environmental initiatives.Southwest.com states, â€Å"At Southwest Airlines, we are committed to conservation and mitigation of our environmental impacts. With efficiency as a core element of our business and climate changeRead MoreSouthwest Airlines Corp. Culture1727 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction In this paper I have researched in to Southwest Airline, I have focused to write a three to four (3-4) page paper in which I will, determine how Southwest Airlines’ corporate culture differs from other airlines. I will then analyze three (3) ways that Southwest’s unique culture has benefited the airline and its employees and eventually I will speculate how Southwest Airlines would continue to thrive as a company if its current corporate culture would need to change in the near future. Read MoreSummary: Southwest Airlines1263 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Executive Summary Southwest Airlines boasts the best on-time record, best baggage handling, and fewest customer complaints in the airline industry. For these achievements, it won the industrys Triple Crown award for Best Airline five times in a row (Fortune 100 Best Companies, 2011). The Great Place to Work Institute, cites statistics published annually by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) that Southwest has ranked number one in customer satisfaction for eleven consecutive years 1991Read MoreJetblue Bmgt 364 Essay1465 Words   |  6 PagesThe Mission and Vision: Southwest and Jet Blue Airlines BGMT 364 Alexandria Walker 01/19/2013 University of Maryland University College Professor Brockunier Abstract This paper outlines the formation of a vision statement, the mission and the values that JetBlue and Southwest airlines embrace. A firm can initiate strategic management once it forms a mission statement. That statement allows forms to aspire to its potential while bearing in mind what it wants to avoid asRead MoreThe Southwest Airlines1288 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿Southwest Airlines Introduction The vision of a company discusses what the company hopes to achieve within a given period. The vision of a company promotes the development and is a measure of growth within the organization. The value of the company incorporates the people who are valuable to the company. The company can value its workers, shareholders or its customers in a given market. The vision of the company should be long term and should be unique compared to the visions of other companiesRead MoreThe Evolution of the Corporation Essays830 Words   |  4 Pagesall of the interests of the stakeholders it lacks compassion that is so prevalent, and in my opinion superior, in the following theory. In Edward Freemans A Stakeholder Theory of the Modern Corporation he suggests a transformation of the corporate system by replacing the notion that managers have a duty to stockholders with the concept that managers bear a fiduciary relationship to stakeholders (56). In its narrow definition stakeholders refer to customers, suppliers, management, owners,Read MoreOrganizational Culture and Change in Southwest Airlines1426 Words   |  6 PagesOrganizational culture and change in Southwest Airlines Organizational Culture and Change Introduction Organizations like the Southwest Airlines all have a culture, which demonstrates how the organization works and usually acts as its motivational tool. An organizational culture is important to the organization, as it is the major element in helping attain the organizations goals and objectives. Cultures in organizations are vast, with different organizations adopting their own type of cultureRead MoreAnalysis of American Airlines Competitors Environment997 Words   |  4 PagesAmerican Airlines Competitors Environment Analysis Name Institutional Affiliation Date: American Airlines Competitors Environment Analysis American airline industry is steadily growing at an extremely strong rate. This growth comes with a number economic and social advantage. This contributes a great deal to the international inventory. The US airline industry is a major economic aspect in both the outcome on other related industries like tourism and manufacturing of aircraft and its own termsRead MoreEssay on Customer Service at Southwest Air1651 Words   |  7 Pagesbusinesses until the launch of Southwest airlines in the mid 1960’s. Southwest managed to break free of the management triangle and offer safe (good), low cost (cheap), and timely (fast) air service in Texas and eventually across the United States. From the beginning, the company’s staff and management shared these goals, and developed a foundation on which to build the business. Visionary leaders Rollin King, Herb Kelleher, Colleen Barrett and other early leaders at Southwest, proved that there is noRead MoreCase Study on Southwest Airline s1272 Words   |  6 Pages1. What role has leadership played in the success of Southwest Airlines? In an era where all the major players in the U.S. airline industry experienced problems, only Southwest Airlines remained profitable throughout that period. This amazing and continued success is attributed to its great leader Herb Kelleher. He has been a very successful leader who knows the employees and marketplace well and can effectively take action for the success of the organization. He applies flexibly to the growth

Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB) Essay - 1796 Words

What is organizational citizenship? Explain the links between the various types of organizational citizenship behaviors and job-related outcomes. In what ways does organizational citizenship affect organizational performance? Illustrate with examples where appropriate. Organizational Citizenship Organizational citizenship is an organizational success that consists of supports from the volunteers of individuals and behavior (Business Dictionary 2013). Organizational citizenship behaviors (OCB) is defined as discretionary individual behavior which is indirectly recognized by a system – Formal Reward System and the efficiency together with the effectiveness functioning of an organization will be promoted collectively. Organizational†¦show more content†¦For example, functions/meetings that is organized by the company might not be necessary for employees to attend but the employees still attend in order to keep up with the chances in the organization, and taking the advantage to provide how can the company performs better (MacKenzie, Podsakoff Fetter 1993, p. 71). Next type of organizational citizenship behavior is courtesy and cooperation where in an organization, all employees work together as one body (Johns M. Saks 2007, p. 56). Examples could be informing departments about what big proposal of project is coming or sacrificing oneself in terms of own work to help the other colleagues that are in a job which is in an emergency mode. Podsakoff et al. (2000, p. 517) mentioned a form that consist of spreading good will, having the organization protected, loyalty towards organization and loyal boosterism - Organizational loyalty. It protects and defends the organization from external threats while promoting it outwardly. Such form usually exists on salesman or insurance agent where they have to promote their organization to people while protecting and defending it as well. Final form of OCB would be organizational compliance, in another word, organizational obedience (Graham 1991). This refers to an acceptance and internalization of the organization’s rules, regulation and procedures of a person. Together with this form, thatShow MoreRelatedOrganizational Citizenship Behaviour ( Ocb )1564 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction Organizational citizenship behaviour (OCB) have long been a field studied by many in order to find out whether there are correlations between different personalities that have a direct effect to OCB. Personality Personality is often characterized as unique behaviors that individual possessed that sets him or her apart form others. On the other hand, Allport (1961: 28) states â€Å"Personality is the dynamic organization within the individual of those psychophysical systems that determineRead MoreThe Impact Of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour By The Five Dimensions, Antecedents And Their Consequences1648 Words   |  7 PagesSOUTHERN CROSS UNIVERSITY Student Name : Aneesh Rama Student ID No. : 22496283 Unit Name : Organisational Behaviour Unit Code : MNG82001 Assignment No. : 1 Assignment Title : Literature Review Due date : 23rd November 2015 Date submitted : 19th November 2015 Word count : 1472 Declaration: I have read and understand the Rules relating to Awards (Rule 3.18) as contained in the University Handbook. I understand the penalties that apply forRead MoreOrganizational Citizenship Behavior Is Defined As A Set Of Behaviors1669 Words   |  7 Pages Literature review Introduction: Organizational citizenship behavior is defined as a set of behaviors which extends from one s basic requirements of job. Generally, organizational citizenship is extra role behavior or a variety of behaviors like helping colleagues and organization by presenting it in a positive way in front of others and by doing over time voluntarily. The first research made on organizational citizenship behavior was by Bateman and Organ in 1980 s. They presented their genuineRead MoreNotes On Organizational Citizenship Behavior1703 Words   |  7 Pages In reference to Organizational Citizenship Behavior (OCB) – the individual behavior which is elective, and is not directly or explicitly recognized by a formal reward system, and that promotes the effective functioning of the organization, and has been studied beginning in the 1970s, this article covers the study of numerous predictors of OCB in the Gulf of Saudi Arabia which consisted of surveying close to 300 private and public employees. The types of predictors which were studied includeRead MoreThe Development Of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour3154 Words   |  13 Pages2001). Out of this comes the development of Organizational Citizenship Behaviour (OCB). OCB represents â€Å"individual behaviour that is discretionary, not directly or explicitly recognised by the formal reward system, and in the aggregate promotes the efficient and effective functioning of the organization† (Organ 1988, p. 4). The study of OCB has become increasingly important as the prevalence, importance, and costs of counterproductive, or deviant, behaviour in the workplace have been increasingly recognisedRead MoreOrganizational Justice : Impact On Job Satisfaction Among Employees And Their Organisational Citizenship Behaviour1782 Words   |  8 PagesORGANISATIONAL JUSTICE : IMPACT ON JOB SATISFACTION AMONG EMPLOYEES AND THEIR ORGANISATIONAL CITIZENSHIP BEHAVIOUR INTRODUCTION: Organizational Justice is one of the very important components of understanding the behavior of an organization. It is a concept wherein an individual considers the organization he or she is working for is just or not. It is an individual’s perception of his or her employer being fair to him or her or not. The justice or the fairness can be in terms of workplace proceduresRead MoreRetirement: Stereotypes and Combined Effects of Gender and Age1636 Words   |  7 PagesDifferential Consequences and Rewards of Organizational Citizenship Behavior for Younger and Older Workers Employees are increasingly pushing back retirement leading to an older and higher proportion of older employees in the workplace. In fact, the SHRM Workplace Forecast (2013) released by The Society for Human Resource’s listed the generation gap as a top future workplace trend. In addition, women are to becoming more and more a part of today’s workforce. However, both older individuals and womenRead MoreOrganisational Citizenship Behaviour and Counterproductive Work Behaviour2204 Words   |  9 PagesOrganisational Citizenship Behaviour and Counterproductive Work Behaviour Introduction Organisational behaviour is the study of human behaviour in the workplace, the interaction between people and the organisation, and organisation itself (Dubrin 2002, p. 2). In most of the organisational behaviour literature review, the following five types of behaviours are often highlighted- task performance, organisational citizenship, counterproductive work behaviours, joining and staying with the organisationRead MoreThe Importance Of Teamwork, Social Responsibility And Communication1879 Words   |  8 PagesThis essay looks at workplace citizenship and its essential components and critically argues the importance of teamwork, social responsibility and communication as important core values and skills to the NGO sector. Today the highly competitive and global marketplace is moving towards high performance, effective organizations that generate high degrees of employee job satisfaction. As a result a substantial amount of research and study has been conducted to determine the various factors that mayRead MoreThe Effect Of Organizational Silence On Organization Behavior, Job Performance, And Creativity1830 Words   |  8 Pagesorganization citizenship behaviour, job performance, counterproductive work behaviour and creativity† Aim of study is to determine the relationship between organization silence and organization citizenship behaviour, job performance, counterproductive work behaviour and creativity. Either this relationship has positive influence or negative. Purpose of study: Objective of this quantitative study is to determine the influence of organizational silence on organization citizenship behaviour, job performance

Environmental Protection Agency Free Essays

The Environmental Protection Agency is the primary agency tasked by the federal government to lead the country’s research, education and protection efforts insofar as the environment in the Unites States is concerned. Presently, it is deeply involved in the country’s growing concern over global warming. Since its establishment by Congress in 1970, the mission and mandate of the EPA has always been clear – to protect human health and environment. We will write a custom essay sample on Environmental Protection Agency or any similar topic only for you Order Now The EPA is imbued with numerous painstaking tasks, chief of which is the implementation of environment-related statutes and regulation. It is the federal government’s main watchdog in enforcing its laws on the environment, in which the EPA can motu propio impose sanctions if national standards on environmental safety are not met by states, tribes and even juridical entities. Another successful function of the EPA is its massive grants for researches and development initiatives, partnering with a broad spectrum of institutions such as states, non-governmental organizations, states, academic institutions, among many other grant-beneficiaries. It is important to note that the establishment of the EPA in 1970 came at a very important historic moment when the American people were relentlessly demanding substantial reforms in government, some of which included the demand for cleaner water, air and land. As a result, the EPA was also tasked since then to embark on a revolutionary task of undoing decades of neglect on the importance of ensuring sustainable development for future generations of Americans. Insofar as its existing offices are concerned, the EPA’s headquarters is in Washington, D.C. while there are ten regional offices across the US to serve the different demands, needs and prospects of particular states on the quality of their environment. These regional offices are very strategically placed as not all areas in the US possess the same levels of environmental degradation nor do they possess the same topography, among many other factors. The EPA organizational structure seems a very efficient bureaucracy with thirteen top-level executives leading the agency and headed by the EPA Administrator, a post currently held by Stephen L. Johnson. Meanwhile, the EPA effectively employs more than 17,000 persons, most of which are scientists and engineers which provide the technical and scientific backbone of the agency. The EPA receives its funding from the federal government, by submitting budget proposals to the Executive Branch subject to the approval of the Congress for each fiscal year. According to the EPA’s Budget-in-Brief for 2008, the EPA budget for Fiscal Year 2008 amounts to $7.2 Billion, all of which shall be expended for the many functions of the EPA, such as those stated above. Lastly, it is proper to constitute the EPA both as an agency established for regulation and social welfare. In pursuit of its former function, the EPA may impose sanctions on states and other juridical entities that may be found in violation of existing regulations. In pursuit of its latter function, the researches and development initiatives it pursues ultimately redound to the general well-being of the American people insofar as the improvement of their air, land and water is concerned. Works Cited: 1. About EPA. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Website. Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/epahome/aboutepa.htm on March 16, 2008. How to cite Environmental Protection Agency, Essay examples Environmental Protection Agency Free Essays Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the United States government that protects human health and the environment. It also writes the rule and makes sure that it is followed. The industry regulations are set by A federal standards. We will write a custom essay sample on Environmental Protection Agency or any similar topic only for you Order Now The US federal emission standards for engines and vehicles, including standard for greenhouse gas emissions, are established by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA authority regulates engine emissions and the air quality based on the clean air act in 1990. The noncompliant behavior addressed in the article state that â€Å"Germany top domestic automakers may have evaded emissions rules†. Follow by weeks later another article, state that â€Å"BMW’s x5 model, built in 2009 to 2013 and BMW 330D model, sold in 2009 to 2011. All the of the models emit levels of nitrogen oxide higher than their gasoline counterparts†. The development of engine emission standard happen when a procedure of the US rule creates it. New regulation is published as proposed rules, then follow by a time of public discussion. Furthermore, the new rule is finalized and signed into law. In the BMW noncompliant case German prosecutors, the United State Justice Department and EPA searched and seized potential evidence at BMW headquarter in Austria. Follow by United State Justice Department files class action lawsuit in a New Jersey court for alleged emissions cheating on diesel vehicles. The BMW vehicles promised power, fuel economy, and efficiency are obtained only by turning off or turning down emission controls when the software in there vehicles senses that they are not in an emissions testing environments. The enforcement of the problem that cause the raid were software had been installed by mistake, and the company had not intentionally tired to deceive regulators. During internal testing, â€Å"BMW realized that a correctly developed software module had been allocated in error to models. BMW would recall about 11,000 cars containing the software fix the problem†. Governance, risk management and compliance is an organization approach across three areas: Governance, risk management and compliance. It is an integrated collection of capabilities that enable an organization to reliably achieve objectives. It is referred to keeping the company on track, activities manage in department such as internal audit, compliance, risk, legal, finance, IT, HR, and executive suite. â€Å"The compliance challenges are in five different areas: Organizational for a complex business process supporting financial operations are often linked to complex IT systems that are still manual and paper driven. Psychological are most decision makers look at regulation as extra constraints to their operations. Financial are a critical element is the cost implication. Technical can create a flexible framework that can nurture a business can serve well for the regulators. Political and public pressure on regulators are certainly other factors. New political may mean some will regulation will be withdrawn from the market and now ones can be introduced.† The BMW Group’s corporate culture is clear with responsibility, mutual respect and trust. Lawful conduct and fair competition are integral to our business activities and an important condition for securing the long-term success of our company. BMW Group also established a compliance management system equipped with instruments and measure to help associates and managers handle legal risks and therefore ensure legal compliance. Regulatory Specialist for â€Å"Oasis Petroleum† – This position is responsible for state and local environmental and regulatory permitting in support of oil and gas operations. The duties will include regulatory reporting at the State and Federal levels. The job functions are responsible for the preparation and tracking of all regulatory operations. Meet with government officials in the regulatory department to ensure company strategy align with rulemaking.Coordinate regulatory hearings and proceedings. Make certain all annual updates, renewal, and reports are submitted to state and local municipal entities. Keep company informed of any changes to permit requirements to ensure compliance. How to cite Environmental Protection Agency, Papers

The Arab Spring Uprising free essay sample

While each country fights for individual basic rights, which are usually area specific, there are a few rights every country is protesting against including government corruption, economic decline, unemployment and abject poverty. Role of Technology Many have speculated on the role of technology and the use of social media in the uprisings of the ‘Arab Spring’, with some going so far as to conjecture the role of technology in the revolutions’ communication and collaboration is unprecedented. West, 2011) The mostly educated and unemployed youth of these countries were at the heart of many of these conflicts and actively used social media sites like Twitter and Facebook to coordinate with fellow protestors in a quick and efficient fashion. (Democratist, 2011) The use of these social networks gave the protestors the ability to share times amp; locations with large groups instantly and allowed them to present a much more organized front than was previously imagined po ssible. We will write a custom essay sample on The Arab Spring Uprising or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page International news sites like Al-Jazeera and Wikileaks provided protestors with the ability to acquire much needed outside news from media not owned by the country’s government and gave protestors the ability to communicate with the world about their trials and triumphs. Internet usage was not always freely allowed by these countries and in the midst of their revolution, President Mubarak’s government cut off internet accessibility throughout most of Egypt for a period of time. Tunisia After what is believed to have been the catalyst for the uprising known as ‘Arab Spring’, Tunisia’s own uprising began in December, 2010 after merchant, Mohamed Bouazizi, caught himself on fire in the middle of Sidi Bouzid to protest police corruption in the country. Not long after that, thousands of civilians began to take to the streets calling for the resignation of then-President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and democratic reform. According to Tunisian government records, approximately 223 people were killed as a direct result of the protests. After 28 days of protests and international media attention, President Ben Ali abdicated his power, fled the country to Saudi Arabia, and his government was removed from power shortly afterward. Since the revolution, the county has had its share of continued protests, held its first semi-democratic elections in over 20 years and has put an interim government into power. Egypt Formed shortly after the Tunisian uprising, Egypt’s own upheaval began on January 25th, 2011 and lasted a full 18 days before wrenching the autocratic President Mubarak and his government from power. During these 18 days, Egypt saw a flood of protests take place around the country and most notably within Cairo’s Tahrir Square; these protests quickly took a turn for the violent with protestors frequently ramping up between Mubarak supporters and the oppositions. Though Mubarak at first refused to step down from the presidency, after international pressure and an escalation of violent protests, he announced on February 10th that he would step down and hand over his presidency to the vice president. In the last year however, protests have continued at the perceived sluggishness of the new governing forces to bring much needed economic and social reforms to the country. Yemen Initially started as a protest over changes to the constitution, corruption and prevalent unemployment, Yemen’s revolution brought with it the ousting of President Saleh. Embattled President Saleh long faced opposition from his inner cabinet from as early as 2009 over governmental corruption, as well as poor social and economic conditions in the country. Protests started on January 27, 2011 and raged for over a year before, after an attempt on his life in June, 2011, President Saleh fled the country and Vice-President al-Hadi took over the governing of Yemen. In February of 2012, Saleh stepped aside and allowed the newly elected President Abd al-Rab Mansur al-Hadi to maintain governance within the country. Amid the recent firings of the deposed President’s inner circle, Ali Abdullah Saleh denounced the revolutions taking place around the Arab world and suggested that peace may not be found easily in Yemen. (Associated Press, 2012) Libya What began as a protest over the conditions for civilian living and corruption, quickly gained steam and formed in a civil bloody war, pitting so-called rebels against those loyal to the current President Qaddafi. After more than 40 years of power, Qaddafi found himself at the helm of a battle for his very Presidency and the nation’s government. Citizens of Libya gained hope from the outcome of Tunisian revolution and six months after the first protests, Colonel Qaddafi was killed by rebel forces; the country was declared liberated from his reign not long after. The revolution in Libya was supported in part by a United States backed coalition which provided air support to the Libyan rebel forces and helped bring an end to the bloodshed and oppression. (The New York Times, 2012) Libya’s fight for independence and liberty, one of the bloodiest in recent memories, has not ended in peace for the Libyan people yet. In 2012, a solid and unifying government has yet to gain control and the country has been broken up into semi-autonomous states with militias governing individual areas. Similar Timing, Different Solutions While there are some similar themes which flow through each revolution, including the timing and as the prevalence of educated, yet unemployed youth protestors, the systems of governments being protested against and the solutions for change vary widely from country to country, as author Lisa Anderson reminds readers in Demystifying the Arab Spring (2011). Since Tunisia’s government, before the revolution, was made up, in large part, by relatives to ousted-President Ben Ali, the country has seen continued unrest as demands for a total change in regime continue and the new government will face virtually starting from scratch in terms of government officials. Egypt, while also carrying a tradition of familial government, in contrast to Tunisia has a powerful military which aided in the circumvention of power from Hosni Mubarak. In direct contrast to Tunisia and Egypt’s relatively smooth transitions from power, Libya became a country at the heart of a civil war with a leader who was determined not to lose power. After Qaddafi’s death, the country’s rebel led coalition has had to begin the process of rebuilding a country torn apart by a bloody war. In the past two year, the world has seen a string of uprisings, dubbed the ‘Arab Spring’, which are really unrelated as a whole and yet contingent upon one another. Without the success of Tunisia’s revolution would Libya, Egypt, or Yemen’s citizens risen up? Personally, I think so. But I also believe the revolutions have fueled one another and the successes and failures of some are felt by the many. While the ‘Arab Spring’ carries on, with countries like Bahrain and Syria still fighting for their freedom and for governmental change, it is easy to see there is a long road of recovery ahead for this region of the world. References Anderson, L. (2011, June).

Spain, England, France, German States, And Russian during the 1700s

Spain, England, France, German States, And Russian during the 1700s Section 1: Spain- The Spanish Empire reached its height during the reign of Charles's son, Philip II, who became king in 1556.- In 1580, Philip II of Spain enforced his claim to the Portuguese throne by invading and conquering the country.- Spain gained control of the Philippine Islands during the late 1500's.- Spain also fought to defend western Europe from the expanding Ottoman Empire. Philip's rule brought the beginning of the Golden Age of Spanish art, a time when writers and painters created some of Spain's greatest artistic works.- Although Philip ruled a worldwide empire and Spain was the strongest nation in Europe, signs of strain began to appear.- Wars, inflation, and poor economic management weakened the country's economy. Philip's attempts to slow or stop the advance of Protestantism in Europe met serious opposition from the Netherlands and England. In the 1560's, the Netherlands rebelled against Spain.English: Coat of arms illustration from a grant of...In 1588, Philip II launched a great Spanish Armada of about 130 ships in an unsuccessful attempt to conquer England. English ships repelled the armada, and storms destroyed many of the Spanish ships during the retreat.- Only about two-thirds of the armada made it back to Spain.- In the 1600's, Spain was weakened by wars, rebellions, economic crises, and weak rulers.- Fighting in the Netherlands continued into the early 1600's. Spain heavily financed the Roman Catholic cause in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648).- It also fought wars with France and faced rebellions in Portugal and the region of Catalonia in northern Spain.- The last Spanish Habsburg, Charles II, had no children of his own.- In 1700, he named a French duke, Philip of Anjou, as heir to the Spanish throne. Philip was a grandson of France's King Louis XIV, who reigned...

Definition of a Learning-Rich Environment

Definition of a Learning-Rich Environment Homeschoolers have a language of their own that may sometime be confusing to outsiders or newbies. One such term is a learning-rich environment. For some, the term may seem self-explanatory. For others, it may sound intimidating. They may wonder, if I don’t create the perfect environment for my kids, am I going to be a homeschool failure? Fortunately, the definition of a learning-rich environment may vary from family to family, but all definitions will probably encompass a setting in which children are encouraged to learn through natural curiosity and exploration and in which the tools for doing so are provided. Some common components of a learning-rich environment may include some of the following: Books in Relation to Homeschooling There probably isn’t a homeschooling family on the planet for whom a learning-rich environment will not include access to books. To create a setting in which natural learning can take place, children of all ages should have easy access to a variety of reading materials. Easy access may mean bookshelves placed low where young children can reach them. Rain gutter bookshelves provide a highly visual storage idea, which often encourages young readers to explore. Easy access also means placing books in high traffic areas of your home. You may have bookshelves in bedrooms or  your living room (or even your dining room) or you may use your coffee table to strategically place books you think will interest your children. A variety of reading materials may include books, magazines, graphic novels, or comics. It may include biographies, historical fiction, non-fiction, and books of poetry. A learning-rich environment will include ready access to the written word and the freedom to use the materials at will. Its important to teach children how to properly care for books, so you may wish to start with providing free access to sturdier reading material such as cloth or board books if you have young children. Tools for Expressing Creativity A learning-rich environment will typically include ready-access to tools for kids to express their creativity. Depending on the age of your children, these tools may include: Play-doh or modeling clayArt supplies such as paints, brushes, or chalksMusical instrumentsCameras digital or videoCraft supplies such as glue, pipe cleaners, pom-poms, or construction paperHandicraft supplies such as knitting needles or crochet hooks, yarn, sewing notionsBlocks or LEGOsBlank paper and crayonsOld magazines and greeting cards In order to encourage self-directed creativity, it is best to allow open access to art supplies and tools for creative expression. To offset the potential for disaster, you may wish to consider having a specific area in your home for art or leaving only water-based and washable art supplies openly accessible  (just skip the glitter). You might also consider teaching your children to cover their work surface with a plastic tablecloth and provide smocks (over-sized t-shirts work well) for art projects. Tools for Open-Ended Play and Exploration A learning-rich environment will also have the tools necessary for open-ended play and exploration. Dry beans can make the perfect math manipulatives, but can also double as the substrate for a sensory box. Old boxes of varying sizes can be used for building a fort or creating a stage for an impromptu puppet show. Preschool and elementary-aged children can enjoy self-directed learning and play with items like dress-up clothes; old dishes and cookware; or small notepads for playing restaurant or store. Children of a variety of ages will enjoy having access to items such as: Binoculars or a magnifying glassA microscope and/or telescopeField guidesA child-friendly computer or laptop with safe-search options Older kids may enjoy taking apart non-working electronics and appliances. Just be sure to take the proper safety precautions first. The idea is to provide the tools to let your children’s imaginations and natural curiosity take over and direct their playtime. The Value of Learning Stations Learning stations are not necessary for a learning-rich environment particularly if all the elements of the stations are readily accessible to children but they can be a lot of fun. Learning stations or learning centers need not be elaborate. For example, a math station may consist of clear, plastic box filled with items such as: RulersA plastic clock for learning to tell timeCounting bearsRegular playing cards (adaptable for a variety of math games)Buttons for countingTangram piecesA set of plastic shapesA set of diePlay money We had a writing center that was made up of a tri-fold presentation  board with a variety of writing helps (such as a word wall of common words and a printout of a hand with the 5W  questions, â€Å"Who, what, when, where,  and why?†). The board was set up on a table which held a dictionary, thesaurus, a variety of paper, journals, pens, and pencils. You might also consider creating learning centers such as: A reading nookA kitchen centerA science/nature study centerA geography center Again, learning centers don’t have to be elaborate. They can be stored in cabinets; boxes or baskets; on top of a bookshelf; or on a wide windowsill. The key is to make the elements of the learning station visible and easily accessible so that students understand that they are free to explore with the items. Creating a learning-rich environment can also be as simple as a purposeful use of your home and materials. For example, if you have an interest in astronomy and would love to share that with your children, pull out all your astronomy books and place  them around your home. Let your children see you studying the stars through your telescope, and point out to them some of your favorite constellations. It also may mean simply capitalizing on the everyday learning moments and demonstrating through your actions that learning never stops and isnt confined to the 4.5 hour/180 day school year (for example) that your state requires. It may mean simply being okay with the potential mess and with the kids using all those great math manipulatives that you purchased at the homeschool convention for something other than their originally intended purpose. And with any luck, you may discover that creating a learning-rich environment is more about your attitude than the articles in your home.