Describe What Is Meant By Market Orientation Marketing Essay

Describe What Is Meant By Market Orientation Marketing Essay Market orientation is a business approaches that focuses on identifying and try to meet the needs or wants of customers. Market orientation occurs when the customers identify difference in a company when all the advantages offered to customers are measured. Market oriented companies focus customers wants and for the companies it is a good opportunities arise from changing needs of the market. The advantages of market oriented companies are it would have a higher customer value. Besides that, market oriented companies can do better than their competitor hence it will increase their profit. Company will focus the needs of the customers and try the best to meets their needs due to the level of competitive among the companies is high. Market orientation can be achieved by market research. In market research, the companies are gathering, record, and analysis of data from the customer and market. After analysis the data from customer and market, the company can easily to meets the customer s needs and wants. Based on the case given, Nestle already done their market research about their consumers and the result shows that their customers needs want more information about what they eat and drink. Nestle try to understand the economic, geographic and social factors which affects the diets of the consumers and try to concentrate on the nutritional and health value of the products. Example, Nestle have used their research and technological expertise to their ice cream products to lower the calories and fats and yet to have the same taste. In order to promote their product as a healthy product, Nestle provide the information about their products to the customers by using visual form of Guideline Daily Amounts (GDAs). GDAs symbolic will make consumers to easily understand and make correct decision on the average amount of nutrients that they consume over an average day. Moreover, Nestle also focus on their customers and to understand their physical desires. Nestle have many products and consumed by all age of groups. They have introduced sugar free products like Polo and lower sugar product Kit Kat Light. Thus, it is clear that Nestle is market oriented companies since they are trying to understand the customers and market needs in order to achieve organizations goal. Using an example, explain what is meant by business ethics. Ethics are the moral principle or values held by those within the organization. For Nestle, in order to be ethical in operations, Nestles decisions are guided by a series of business principles. The well-being of consumers and employees is central to its business principles. For example, one of the principles is Nestle recognizes that its consumers have sincere and legitimate interest in the behavior, beliefs and actions of the company behinds its brands in which they place they trust, and that without its consumers the company would not exist. Business ethics is a study of what is constitutes right or wrong, good and bad. It also means the human conduct in a business context. Business ethics can influences the decision making of one company. One of the examples of business ethics is in the situation when the company deals with their customers. The ways that the company deals with their customers is they must treat them fairly and honestly. It means prohibiting the employees from cheating the customers or providing them misleading information. The employees should not hide the true price of a products, services and policy and trick customer to buy the product. They should not promise more than the product or services can deliver. Nestle practices a good business practice which the company play an important roles in the development of Guidelines Daily Amounts (GDA). The company added the visual form of the GDAs in the front of the pack of each product. Hence, every customers know the information of the amounts of calories, sugars, fat, salt, saturates of each product. The company also did not exaggerating the GDA in their product. It can show that Nestle is practicing a good business ethics. Question 3 What is the purpose of having business principles? Business principles are basically the guidelines used by business organizations. These principles play an important role as they influence the decision making of a company. Besides that, they serve as a supporting tool which provide a reference point and guide to the detailed implementation for the companies. There are several purposes of having business principles. First of all it acts as a guideline for the employees to follow in order to achieve the goal of the company. Business principle of a company is an approach to create a shared value between the shareholders and consumers besides influencing how the employees of an organization should behave. Nestle has its own business principle. The Nestle corporate business principles are the basis of the company culture. It has been developed over the span of 140 years. Nestle is committed to the following business principles in all countries, taking into account local legislation, cultural and religious practices. All these principles provide clear guidelines for employees and help them make choice which reflects the companys ethical stance. The first principle is Nutrition, Health and Wellness. The purpose of this principle is to enhance the quality of consumers lives every day, everywhere by offering tastier and healthier food and encouraging a healthy lifestyle. Nestle express it through their corporate proposition Good Food, Good Life. Next business principle is quality assurance and product safety. Nestle name represents a promise to the consumer that their product is safe and of high standard. The third principle is consumer communication. Nestle is committed to responsible, reliable consumer communication that empowers consumers to exercise their right to informed choice and promotes healthier diets and respect their consumer privacy. The fourth principle is human rights in the business activities. Based on this principle, Nestle fully supports the United Nations Global Compacts (UNGC) guiding principles on human rights and labour. The aim is to provide an example of good human rights and labour practices througho ut their business activities. The fifth principle is leadership and personal responsibility. Nestle companys success lies on its people. Nestle corporate treat each other with respect and expect everyone to promote a sense of personal responsibility. They recruit competent and motivated people. Nestle also provide equal opportunities for every employees development and protect their privacy.The next one is safety and health at work. This principle is basically designed to prevent accidents, injuries and illness related to work. The seventh principle is supplier and customer relations. Nestle require their suppliers, agents, subcontractors and their employees to be honesty, integrity and fairness. The eighth principle is agriculture and rural development. This principle shows that Nestle wants contribute to improvements in agricultural production, social and economic status of farmers, rural communities and in production systems to make them more environmentally sustainable. The next principle is environmental sustainability. Nestle commits to environmentally sustainable business practices. At all stages of the products life cycle Nestle wants to strive to use natural resources efficiently and target zero waste. The final business principle is water. Through this principle we can see that Nestle is committed to the sustainable use of water and continuous improvement in water management. This is because the world faces a growing water challenge and that responsible of management. Question 4 Use examples of business organizations known to you to illustrate examples of ethical decisions and comment upon why you feel those decisions to have been ethical. The decision of the Tesco to going green is an ethical decision. Basically, going green is mean to live life in a way that is friendly to the natural environmental and is sustainable for the earth. Going green also means contributing towards to maintaining the ecological balance in environment and minimizes the harm that the community do to the environment as a result of inhabiting in the earth. Tesco took several ways to achieve the objective of going green decision. Climate week is one of the ways that the company going green. Climate week took place to help tackle climate change. Tesco sold the Climate Week- branded Bags for Life on Buy One Get One Free. Tesco have achieved highest weekly sales of Bags for Life. If just 10% of the customers reuse their Climate Week bags, it will save an additional 2.3 million carrier bags per year. By this Tesco can helps to reduce the use of plastic bags. The reduction in the use of plastics would help in the conservation of energy. Besides that, Tesco had lots of green offers in stores and sales of the climate Week T-Shirt to raised money for the Environmental Justice Foundation. Besides that, Tesco also become the first supermarket that has carbon labels their own brand products. Tesco labeled hundreds of products which help customer to make greener purchasing choices. Tesco carbon label show how much of carbon dioxide is emitted from the production, use and disposal of each product. The products which have carbon label are orange juice, washing detergent, light bulbs, milk, kitchen and toilet roll. Tesco also provide automated recycling centre that help customer to recycle their plastic bottle, cans and glass. Tesco provide a recycle machine to make the recycle process simplest. The automated recycling centre enables the customer to recycle their things easily and hence it can also encourage them to recycle. Recycling help in reduce greenhouse effect. Gas emission occurs during the disposal of product that is not biodegr adable. If the greenhouse gas emission reaches the dangerous levels, it will cause the change in temperature globally. Therefore, Tescos automated recycling centre can help reduce the manufacture paper, plastic bottles, glass and also can save energy needed to manufacture new products. Tesco also give Green Clubcard points for those customers which recycle two aluminum cans. Another example of company that illustrates an ethical decision is Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad. In line with its new mission of Helping Malaysians move forward in life with trusted dairy nutrition, Dutch Lady has launched its two-year plan which is Sugar Reduction Campaign to aggressively reduce sugar consumption via its product ranges. Dutch Lady plan to reduce the sugar consumption by 40% or 2700 tons by 2013 from its current level as one of its effort to improve nutritional profile of its products. Research carried out shows that sugar consumption in Malaysia is averages 26 teaspoons a day, which is obviously more than the recommended average of not above 10 teaspoons a day. This has caused many people will suffered from obesity and diabetes in our country. Dutch Lady said currently around 32% of its total stock are made without any added sugar and by the end 2013, the company aims to reduce annual consumption of added sugar by over 2700 tons. This effort will begin with the withdrawal of its sweetened creamers starting from December 2011. Currently, 110 of its total products were made without added sugar. Dutch Lady is trying to replace sugar with natural sweeteners and also reformulating the products based on emerging nutritional science and as a new idea of healthy choice options which can be consider. The company also believes that consumers will replace sweetened creamers with evaporated or UHT milk and take one teaspoon of sugar every day as this will help to reduce the sugar consumption in the long run. This will be followed by the introduction of the improved range of existing products with 25 per cent less sugar namely Dutch Lady Kid, Dutch Lady School and Dutch Lady Low Fat Drinking Yogurt. By showing these products with lower sugar contents in the product, consumers will expect that the sugar levels to be reduced in most of Dutch Ladys products. This will attract more consumers to buy Dutch Ladys products as it is good for health. In our opinion, Sugar Reduction Campaign carried out by Dutch Lady reflects that they are making ethical decision for their business. This campaign is also part of Dutch Ladys corporate social responsibility programme and business sustainability efforts as a commitment for helping Malaysia become a healthier nation in future. This campaign also aligns with government and medical fraternitys effort to promote healthier lifestyles amongst Malaysians as well as to help educate Malaysians about the negative effects of high level of sugar consumption. Besides, it is also aimed to improve the health of consumers by reducing the amount of sugar consumption in a day which is not good for our healthy. The lower the level of sugar consumption in a day the better it is as it will encourage consumers to have a healthier lifestyle. This means that Dutch Lady also concern about their consumers health besides aim for earning high profits only for their business. The action taken by Dutch Lady refle cts that company is responsible to continuously work towards improving the nutritional profile of its products line by making some improvement to its existing products. Thus, it will also encourage positive reputation to the company as consumers will loyal to Dutch Ladys brands in future.

Influence Of Alchemy In Frankenstein English Literature Essay

Influence Of Alchemy In Frankenstein English Literature Essay Frankenstein, the novel written by Mary Shelley, takes ideas found in literary texts, moments in time, and people and incorporates them into the novel to tell the framed narrative. Alchemy and the alchemists, although scarcely mentioned in the novel, are quintessential to the continutation of the plot. It is the alchemists and their ideas, particularly those of Paracelsus and the concept of the elixir of life, that propel Victor Frankenstein to pursue the idea of creation through science, ultimately leading Victor to the creation of the creature in Frankenstein. A modern misconception is that alchemy is the act of transmuting objects such as lead and mercury into gold and silver for material gain. In Frankenstein, the natural philosophy that is mentioned views alchemists as those who wished to discover the mystery of life and the creation of inanimate objects in addition to those who sought to restore the human soul to perfection. By viewing alchemy in such way, Victor wishes to use the alchemy he learns from his teachers to exterminate the state of death, a goal that is not for the wealth but for the benefit of the people. With the intention of demonstrating of how Victor utilizes alchemy, one must see where Victor learns alchemy. While on a trip with his family, undesired weather prompts the family to stay inside the inn where Victor stumbles upon a book by the alchemist, Cornelius Agrippa. With Agrippas ideas as an impulse, Victor goes on to read all of Agrippas works as well as works by Paracelsus and Magnus, alchemists that lived in a time before Frankenstein was written. Victor regards these three alchemists as his teachers. Even Victor states that he is a disciple of Albertus Magnus that arose in the eighteenth century. (Shelly 23) Shelley uses this direct reference to illustrate that alchemy was the start of Victors education. Although it is apparent all three alchemists have ideas that contribute to Victors education, the works of Paracelsus are most recognizable and notable in the novel. Paracelsus was a Swiss alchemist and physician who viewed and used alchemic medicine above all other ideas of alchemy to help people. Paracelsus taught that the object of chemistry is not to make gold, but to prepare medicinesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦. (Redgrove 60) These medicines would be able to extend the life of man by healing them, and thus allow them to live a better life. It was believed that the exilir of life, a goal of many alchemists, was the ultimate medicine that would allow man to live eternally. With this in mind, one can view a parallel to Victors idea in Frankenstein. Victor himself seeks the fabled elixir in the novel. He directly quotes the elixir of life. I entered with the greatest diligence into the search of the philosophers stone and the elixir of life. Butà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦wealth was an inferior object; but what glory would attend the discovery, if I could banish disease from the human frame, and render man invulnerable to any but a violent death! (Shelley 23) At this po int, Victors focus lies in extending life, not the wealth that may have come with the discovery of making life. Consequently the ideas that the alchemists teach Victor and lead him towards creation do not stay with him entirely. In spite of all that alchemy has taught Victor, modern day science challenges the views of the alchemists and pushes Victor toward chemistry. Although in this event Victor becomes a scientist, one must know that alchemy evolved into chemistry. It is a demonstration with electricity that Victors father conducts that causes the overthrow of Cornelius Agrippa, Albertus Magnus, and Paracelsus, in Victor. (Shelley 24) Due to this experiment, Victor goes off to study natural sciences at a school in Inglostadt. At Inglostadt Universiry, Victor comes across two professors, Krempe and Waldman, both men of science, with different views of alchemy. Krempe, on one hand, ridicules Victor and tells Victor that his time has been wasted acquiring knowledge on alchemy. On the other hand, Waldman sees Victors educational background and does not criticize Victor. As Waldman states, They had left to us, as an easier task, to give new names, arrange in connected classifications, the facts which they in a great degree had been the instruments of bringing to light. (Shelley 29) These words solidify that chemistry originated from alchemy since the statement refers to how this natural philosophy of alchemy, as a precursor, brought some of the mysteries of the world into public knowledge. Along side eachother, one can inspect use of alchemy against the use of science. Shelley uses both alchemy and science in the novel and thus, with the words Waldman states, it is seen that alchemy and science can not be separated. It is the union of the practice of science and ideas of alchemy that allow the creature to be created. The creation of the creature is one of the most, if not the most, important moment in Frankenstein, yet to see how alchemy is related to this moment, an observation on the events leading to the creation must be made. Victor states, One of the phaenomena which had peculiarly attracted my attention was the structure of the human frame, and, indeed, any animal endued with life. (Shelley 31) Victor starts to focus on the idea of life and death in living beings. It is here that he begins to question what causes death and more importantly, what causes life. With this, Victor eventually discovers the secret of the barrier that seperates life and death. I succeeded in discovering the cause of generation and life; nay, more, I became myself capable of bestowing animation upon lifeless matter. (Shelly 32) At this point Victor makes the biggest scientific discovery possible at the time and goes to work on making it possible by starting to collect dead matter, or in terms of alchemy, base materi als to put together his creation. Intitially Victor is indesicive in what he wishes to make, but he eventually decides on making the creature based on the image of human beings. When Victor has collected all his materials, after two years of working on his discovery, he finally brings his creation to life. In spite of how scientific his decision may be, it also has origins in alchemic teachings. One of Victors teachers, Paracelsus, taught, the belief in the artificial creation of minute living creatures resembling men (called homunculi). (Redgrove 61) This decision to make the creature resemble a human can classify it a homunculus, since it was created artificially. This is important to see since in the novel, Shelley does not explicitly tell her readers the process in which the monster was created. The idea of collecting the dead material, before the creature is put together, can be seen as alchemy. In addition, the byproduct, the homunculus, also has an idea in alchemy. It would therefore seem the actual creation o f the monster would have been alchemic as well since the initial and finals states were alchemic. As it has been noted, alchemy and the teachings and ideas of alchemists were very influential in the creation of the creature in Frankenstein. Paracelsus teachings along with the ideas of the elixir of life and the animation of inaminate materials are the key items that allow the creature to be born. Although one may say that science was the important factor in the creation of the monster, the science most visible in the book, chemistry, has its origins in alchemy. The inclusion of first alchemy and then science does not imply that alchemy is more important than science or vice-versa. These references to alchemy also prompt one to observe the case where alchemy was inexistent in the novel. This prompts the questioning of the initial impluse that Victor receives. What if Victor had initially picked up a book in religion or oceanography while at the inn instead of a book on alchemy? In this case I believe the novel would have advanced differently than way that it did, since without alc hemy, using science to create would have little value. Waldmans character may not have been as supportive towards Victor since it is Waldmans view to alchemy, a common ground for both, that makes Victor trust him. Without alchemy, it is possible that Victor may have never pursued discovering the boundry of life and death. Without the desire to discover how to bring inanimate objects back to life Victor might have never created the creature therefore prompting a total shift in the plot of the story. It is alchemy that allows the creation of the monster and allows the novel to continue the way Shelley initially wrote it.

The Possibility Of Necessity :: essays research papers

<a href="http://www.geocities.com/vaksam/">Sam Vaknin's Psychology, Philosophy, Economics and Foreign Affairs Web Sites Some things are logically possible (LP). Others are physically possible (PP) and yet others are Physically Actual (PA). The things that are logically necessary (LN) are excluded from this discussion because they constitute a meta-level: they result from the true theorems in the logical systems within which LP, PP and PA reside. In other words: the LN are about relationships between the three other categories. The interactions between the three categories (LP, PP, PA) yield the LN through the application of the rules (and theorems) of the logical system within which all four reside. We are, therefore, faced with six questions. The answers to three of them we know – the answers to the other three are a great mystery. The questions are: Is every LP also PP? Is every LP also PA? Is every PP also PA? Is every PP also LP? Is every PA also LP? Is every PA also PP? Every PP must be also LP. The physical world is ruled by the laws of nature which are organized in logical systems. The rules of nature are all LP and whatever obeys them must also be LP. Whatever is PA must be PP (otherwise it will not have actualized). Since every PP is also LP – every PA must also be LP. And, of course, nothing impossible can actually exist – so, every PA must also be PP. That something exists implies that it must also be possible. But what is the relationship between necessity and existence? If something is necessary – does it mean that it must exist? It would seem so. And if something exists – does it mean that it was necessary? Not necessarily. It really depends on how one chooses to define necessity. A thought system can be constructed in which if something exists, it implies its necessity. An example: evolutionary adaptations. If an organism acquired some organ or trait – it exists because it was deemed necessary by evolution. And thought systems can be constructed in which if something is of necessity – it does not necessarily mean that it will exist. Consider human society. There are six modes of possibility: Logical (something is possible if its negation constitutes a contradiction, a logical impossibility). Metaphysical (something is possible if it is consistent with metaphysical necessities) Nomological (something is possible if it is consistent with scientific laws)

The Capitalist System Essays -- Economic System, Amoral Capitalist Sys

While capitalism is prevailing in the modern society, the issue on whether an amoral profit driven capitalist system is good for the society or not has been raised. Some believe that an amoral capitalist system is the best way to organize individuals together to serve the society. However, others argue that a amoral capitalist system will harm the society instead of benefit it. In this essay, I will be presenting the view of two neoclassical economists, Ricky Griffin and Adam Smith, who support the idea on the amoral capitalism is good for the society. I will also discuss the opposing view presented by Arthur Miller that suggests a profit drive, amoral capitalist system will do harm to a society . Furthermore, I am going to compare and contrast the two view and concluded with Miller’s view Capitalism encourages business men to make profitable amoral decisions will not benefit our society. While Griffin, Smith and Miller are holding two significantly different views, they both agree on capitalism is an amoral system. According to Griffin, profit is the only incentive for any business to operate under a capitalist system. Smith, father of capitalism, shows his understanding of amoral capitalism by saying, â€Å"We address our self, not to their humanity but to their self-love, and never talk to them of our own necessities but to their advantages. † (Smith 119) This quote clearly illustrates that people would act out of their own interest instead of considering others under capitalism. Further, Miller compare this amoral capitalism with uncivilized animals when the character, Christ, says â€Å"This is a land of great big dogs, you don’s love a man here, out eat him! ...the world is that way...This is a zoo, a zoo!† (Miller p81) Although ... ... still being debating. I believe capitalism forces business men to make profitable amoral decisions may not benefit our society at all. However, maybe Smith is also correct on capitalism is the best way to serve the society before other solutions appear. And with many evidences from different countries, I have to agree with Griffin and Smith that capitalism is efficient. However, I would only describe capitalism as an insensitive, bloody, efficiently machine that does not have feel and moral. The core of capitalism is still profit driven, materialistic, and money. â€Å"money money money money, when you said it long enough it doesn’t mean anything.†(Miller p73) How important is efficiency and profits, when it does not bring joy and happiness to our society. How can we be well off without compassion, moral value, sympathy and all that feeling that make us as human being.

Free Essays on Homers Odyssey: Religion and Death :: Homer Odyssey Essays

Religion and Death in Homer's Odyssey      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   How does the Ancient Greek beliefs of religion and death differ with the view of other cultural groups?   Death, the way it is represented in Homer's book, The Odyssey, is always caused by human error.   Whether their death was caused by greed, selfishness, or just being curious, many people died in The Odyssey.   Still, the question of what happens after we die remains.   Many religions have different beliefs of religious ideas from the Ancient Greeks.   Afterlife, is a belief where the comparisons among religions become extremely close. The Greek beliefs of gods and death are different from the modern day beliefs of other religions such as Judaism and Ancient Egyptian beliefs.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   For example,   The Odyssey begins with a scene containing a conversation among the gods.   The goddess Athena, goddess of war and wisdom, is discussing the matter of Odysseus with Zeus, the head god and god of sky (Homer 10).   Of course these are not the only Greek gods and goddesses. Other examples of Greek gods and goddesses are Apollo, god of music, poetry, medicine, archery, and young unmarried men and Hestes, goddess of the home. As you can see, the Greeks believed in many gods unlike the people of the Jewish fate who believed in one god.   The Jewish god does not have an emblem that which it is represented by.   The belief is that the god is represented by everything.   For example, members of the Jewish religion believe god is everywhere, in everything, and represented by everything they do.   Another example of the religious differences is how Ancient Egyptians believed in idol gods which are gods represented in statues. Ancient Greek beliefs are different from those of other societies because of differences between how gods are represented in Judaism and Ancient Egyptian beliefs.      Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Equally important are the Ancient Greek views of death.   Death caused by human error is widespread throughout the book.   Human error is encountered in each one of Odysseus's adventures on his return home.   The Kyklopes represented the greediness, selfishness, and uncilvilization of Odysseus's men.   Odysseus fell asleep and his men unleashed a bag of bad winds, throwing them off path (Homer 315).   Skylla and Kharybdis was a representation of death from nature when Odysseus's men stopped rowing and six of the men were killed.

Aging Out of Crime and the Unexpected Consequences

Aging Out of Crime and the Unexpected Consequences of Tougher Punishments April Chartrand Grand Canyon University JUS 250- Critical Issues April 20, 2012 Cuauhtemoc Espinoza Aging Out of Crime and the Unexpected Consequences of Tougher Punishments Did you ever wonder if our youth will ever outgrow the need to commit the crimes that they do? There have been numerous studies that most of our youth do outgrow the need to commit crimes. Usually by the age of 20 years old most juveniles age out of crime (Robert J.Sampson, 2005). For those who do not age out of crime by the second offense there are severe consequences that our society with higher moral standards, more severe punishments, and the placement of the three strikes laws place on these individuals. The three strikes law was installed to stop violent offenders from the continuation of their violent behaviors. In most cases the three strikes law works in keeping repeat offenders off the streets and keeps the victims of these crimes safe from further persecution.Although the three strikes law works it also increases the homicide rates. In many cases the repeat offenders who realize that they will receive the same punishment no matter what the crime decide to increase the crime to suite the punishment that they are inevitable to receive. More than half of the third strike offenders that are in prison today involve neither violent nor serious felonies. Even shoplifting can be escalated to a third strike felony bringing a sentence of life in prison for those with prior convictions of petty theft (Diaz, 2011).Many felons that realize that they will receive the same punishment for murder as petty theft end up killing their victims and police officers to avoid detection and apprehension (Marano, 2002). In California the three strikes laws have been approved to involve youth offenders as well as adults (Egelko, 2010). If two crimes are committed when the offender is a youth those two crimes follow that same youth thr oughout his life and if he commits a third offense when he becomes an adult he will suffer the consequences of 25 years to life in rison. As our adolescence develop, become more mature, engage in families of their own, and age out of crime there are some unexpected consequences that they may endure as our society holds higher moral standards, more severe punishments, and three strike laws for repeat offenders. Although there have been studies to prove that many of our juveniles age out of crime there are still severe consequences for those who do not rehabilitate after the first or second offense or do not age out of crime early enough in their lives.Many of these juveniles and young adults face the consequences of the three strikes laws. The consequence of the three strike law includes serving a severe punishment of 25 years to life in prison no matter what the crime may be. References Diaz, J. (2011, May 8). Crime and Punishment Politics of the Three Strikes Law. Retrieved April 2 0, 2012, from SFGate. com: http://www. sfgate. com/cgi- bin/article. cgi? f=/c/a/2011/05/08/INN21JB7OD. DTL Egelko, B. (2010, April 20). High Court: Calif. can apply ‘3 strikes' law to juveniles. Retrieved April 17, 2012, from CorrectionsOne. om: http://www. correctionsone. com/juvenile- offenders/articles/2050079-High-Court-Calif-can-apply-3-strikes-law-to-juveniles/ Marano, L. (2002, September 16). Study: 3-Strikes Laws Increase Homicides. Retrieved April 19, 2012, from Upi. com: http://www. upi. com/Odd_News/2002/09/16/Study-3-strikes-laws-increase- homicides/UPI-23411032191348 Robert J. Sampson, J. H. (2005, October 25). A life course View of the Developement of Crime. Retrieved April 16, 2012, from The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science: http://www. ann. sagepub. com/content/602/1/12

Night World : Witchlight Chapter 5

Everything hung in the balance, and for a moment Keller thought that they had won. Diana's face looked different, older and more clearly defined. For all her flower-petal prettiness, she had a strong little chin. But she didn't say anything, and her eyes were still hazy. â€Å"Toby,† Grandma Harman said abruptly. â€Å"Put in the video.† Her apprentice went to the VCR. Keller stared at the tape in his hand, her heart picking up speed. A video. Could that be what she thought it was? â€Å"What you're about to see is-well, let's just say it's very secret,† Grandma Harman said to Iliana as the apprentice fiddled with the controls. â€Å"So secret that there's only one tape of it, and that stays locked up in Circle Daybreak headquarters at all times. I'm the only person I trust to carry it around. All right, Toby, play it.† Iliana looked at the TV apprehensively. â€Å"What is it?† The old woman smiled at her. â€Å"Something the enemy would really like to see. It's a record of the other Wild Powers-in action.† The first scene on the tape was live news coverage of a fire. A little girl was trapped in a second-story apartment, and the flames were getting closer and closer. Suddenly, the tape went into slow motion, and a blue flash lit the screen. When the flash died away, the fire was out. â€Å"The blue fire,† Grandma Harman said. â€Å"The first Wild Power we found did that, smothered those ordinary flames with a single thought. That's just one example of what it can do.† The next scene was of a dark-haired young man. This one was obviously deliberately filmed; the boy was looking directly into the camera. He took a knife from his belt and very coolly made a cut on his left wrist. Blood welled up in the wound and dripped to the ground. â€Å"The second Wild Power,† Grandma Harman said. â€Å"A vampire prince.† The boy turned and held out the arm that was bleeding. The camera focused on a large boulder about thirty feet away. And then the tape went into slow motion again, and Keller could actually see the blue fire shoot out from his hand. It started as a burst, but what followed was a steady stream. It was so bright that the camera couldn't deal with it; it bleached out the rest of the picture. But when it hit the rock, there was no doubt about what happened. The two-ton boulder exploded into gravel. When the dust settled, there was only a charred crater in the ground. The dark-haired boy looked back at the camera, then shrugged and targeted another boulder. He wasn't even sweating. Keller's breath came out involuntarily. Her heart was pounding, and she knew her eyes were glittering. She saw Galen glance sideways at her but ignored him. Power like that, she thought. I never really imagined it. If I had that power, the things I could do with it†¦ Before she could help herself, she had turned to him. â€Å"Don't you see? That's what you'll bring to our side if you choose to fight with us. That's what's going to give us a chance against them. You have to do it, don't you understand?† It was the wrong thing to say. Diana's reaction to the video had been completely different from Keller's own. She was staring at the TV as if she were watching open-heart surgery. Unsuccessful open-heart surgery. I don't – I can't do anything like that!† â€Å"Diana-â€Å" â€Å"And I don't want to! No. Look.† A veil seemed to have dropped down behind Diana's beautiful eyes. She was facing Keller, but Keller wondered if she actually saw anything. She spoke rapidly, almost frantically. â€Å"You said you had to talk to me, so I listened. I even watched your-your special effects stuff.† She waved a hand at the screen where the boy was blowing up more boulders. â€Å"But now it's over, and I'm going home. This is all-I don't know. It's all too weird for me! I'm telling you, I can't do that kind of thing. You're looking at the wrong person.† â€Å"We looked at all your cousins first,† Grandma Harman said. â€Å"Thea and Blaise. Gillian, who was a lost witch like yourself. Even poor Sylvia, who was seduced over to the enemy side. But it was none of them. Then we found you.† She leaned forward, trying to hold Diana with her eyes. â€Å"You have to accept it, child. It's a great responsibility and a great burden, but no one else can do it for you. Come and take your place with us.† Iliana wasn't listening. It was as simple as that. Keller could almost see the words bouncing off her. And her eyes†¦ Not a veil, Keller thought. A wall had dropped down. It had slammed into place, and Diana was hiding behind it. â€Å"If I don't get home soon, my mother's going to go crazy. I just ran out for a few minutes to get some gold stretchy ribbon-you know, the kind that has like a rubber band inside? It seems like I'm always looking for that. We have some from last year, but it's already tied, and it won't fit on the presents I'm doing.† Keller stared at her, then cast a glance heavenward. She could see the others staring, too. Winnie's mouth was hanging open. Nissa's eyebrows were in her hair. Galen looked dismayed. Grandma Harman said, â€Å"If you won't accept your responsibilities as a Wild Power, will you at least do your duty as the Witch Child? The winter solstice is next Saturday. On that night, there's going to be a meeting of the shapeshifters and the witches. If we can show them a promise ceremony between you and the son of the First House of the shapeshifters, the shapeshifters will join us.† Keller half expected Iliana to explode. And in the deepest recesses of her own heart, she wouldn't really have blamed her. She could understand Iliana losing it and saying, What do you think you're doing, waltzing in and trying to hitch me up to some guy I've never met? Asking me to fight is one thing but ordering me to marry-giving me away like some object-that's another. But Iliana didn't say anything like that. She said, â€Å"And I've still got so many presents to wrap, and I'm not anywhere near done shopping. Plus, this week at school is going to be completely crazy. And Saturday, that's the night Jaime and Brett Ashton-Hughes are having their birthday party. I can't miss that.† Keller lost it. â€Å"What is wrong with you? Are you deaf or just stupid?† Iliana talked right over her. â€Å"They're twins, you know. And I think Brett kind of likes me. Their family is really rich, and they live in this big house, and they only invite a few people to their parties. All the girls have crushes on him. Brett, I mean.† â€Å"No,† Keller answered her own question. â€Å"You're just the most selfish, spoiled little brat I've ever met!† â€Å"Keller,† Nissa said quietly. â€Å"It's no good. The harder you push her, the more she goes into denial.† Keller let out her breath. She knew that it was true, but she had never been more frustrated in her life. Grandma Harman's face suddenly looked very old and very tired. â€Å"Child, we can't force you to do anything. But you have to realize that we're not the only ones who want you. The other side knows about you, too. They won't give up, and they will use force.† â€Å"And they've got a lot of force.† Keller turned to the old woman. â€Å"I need to tell you about that. I didn't want to say it on the phone, but they already tried to get Iliana once today. We had to fight them at the mall.† She took a deep breath. â€Å"And they had a dragon.† Grandma Harman's head jerked up. Those steely lavender-gray eyes fixed on Keller. â€Å"Tell me.† Keller told everything. As she did, Grandma Harman's face seemed to get older and older, sinking into haggard lines of worry and sadness. But all she said at the end was, â€Å"I see. Well have to try to find out how they got him, and what exactly his powers are. I don't think there's anybody alive today who's an expert on-those creatures.† â€Å"They called him Azhdeha.† â€Å"Hmm-sounds Persian.† â€Å"It is,† Galen said. ‘It's one of the old names for the constellation Draco. It means ‘man-eating serpent'† Keller looked at him in surprise. He had been sitting quietly all this time, listening without interrupting. Now he was leaning forward, his gold-green eyes intense. â€Å"The shapeshifters have some old scrolls about dragons. I think you should ask for them. They might give some idea about what powers they have and how to fight them. I saw the scrolls once, but I didn't really study them; I don't think anybody has.† He'd seen the ancient scrolls? Then he was a shapeshifter, after all. But why hadn't she been able to sense an animal form for him? â€Å"Galen-† Keller began, but Grandma Harman was speaking. ‘It's a good idea. When I get them, I'll send copies to you and Keller. He's one of your people, after all, and you may be able to help figure out how to fight him.† Keller wanted to say indignantly that he wasn't any connection to her, but of course it wasn't true. The dragons had ruled the shapeshifters, once. Their blood still ran in the First House, the Drache family that ruled the shapeshifters today. Whatever that monster was, he was one of her people. â€Å"So it's decided. Keller, you and your team will take Iliana home. I'll go back to Circle Daybreak and try to find out more about dragons. Unless†¦Ã¢â‚¬  She looked at Iliana. â€Å"Unless this discussion has changed your mind.† Iliana, unbelievably, was still prattling, having a conversation about presents with nobody in particular. It was clear that her mind hadn't changed. What wasn't clear to Keller was whether she had a mind. But Keller had other things to worry about. Tm sorry-but you're not serious, are you? About taking her home?† â€Å"Perfectly serious,*' Grandma Harman said. â€Å"But we can't† â€Å"We can, and we have to. You three girls will be her bodyguards-and her friends. I'm hoping that you can persuade her to accept her responsibility by Saturday night at midnight, when the shapeshifters and the witches convene. But if not†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Grandma Harman bowed her head slightly, leaning on her cane. She was looking at Iliana. â€Å"If not,† she said in a barely audible voice, â€Å"you'll just have to protect her for as long as you can.† Keller was choking. 1 don't see how we can protect her at all. With all respect, ma'am, it's an insane idea. They have to know where her house is by now. Even if we stick beside her twenty-four hours a day-and I don't see how we can even do that, with her family around-â€Å" The white head came up, and there was even a faint curve to the old woman's lips. ‘Illtake care of that. Ill have a talk with her mother-young Anna, Elspeth's granddaughter.Ill introduce myself and explain that her daughter's long-lost cousins' have come to visit for Christmas.† And undoubtedly do something witchy to Anna's mind, Keller thought Yeah, after that they'd be accepted, although none of them looked a bit like Iliana's cousins. â€Å"And then I will put up wards around that house.† There was a flash like silver lightning in Grandma Harman's eyes as she said it â€Å"Wards that will hold against anything from the outside. As long as nobody inside disturbs them, you'll be safe.† She cocked an eyebrow at Keller. â€Å"Satisfied?† â€Å"I'm sorry-no. It's still too dangerous.† â€Å"Then what would you suggest we do?† â€Å"Kidnap her,† Keller said instantly. She could hear Iliana stop babbling in the background; she wasn't gaining any Brownie points there. She bulldozed on grimly. â€Å"Look, I'm just a grunt; I obey orders. But I think that she's too important for us to just let her run around loose where they might get hold of her. I think we should take her to a Circle Daybreak enclave like the ones where the other Wild Powers are. Where we can protect her from the enemy.† Grandma Harman looked her in the eye. â€Å"If we do that,† she said mildly, â€Å"then we are the enemy.† There was a pause. Keller said, â€Å"With all respect, ma'am-â€Å" â€Å"I don't want your respect. I want your obedience. The leaders of Circle Daybreak made a firm decision when this whole thing started. If we can't convince a Wild Power by reasoning, we will not resort to force. So your orders are to take your team and stay with this child and protect her as long as you can.† â€Å"Excuse me.† It was Galen. The others had been sitting and watching silently. Nissa and Winnie were too smart to get involved in an exchange like this, but Keller could see that they were both unhappy. â€Å"What is it?† Grandma Harman asked. â€Å"If you don't mind, I'd like to go with them. I could be another ‘cousin.' It would make four of us to watch over her-better odds.† Keller thought she might have an apoplexy. She was so mad, she couldn't even get words out While she was choking uselessly, Galen was going on. His face still looked pale and strained, like a young soldier coming back from battle, but his dark gold hair was shining, and his eyes were steady. His whole attitude was one of earnest pleading. Tm not a fighter, but maybe I can learn. After all, that's what we're asking Iliana to do, isn't it? Can we ask anything of her that we're not ready to do ourselves?† Grandma Harman, who had been frowning, now looked him up and down appraisingly. â€Å"You have a fine young mind,† she said. â€Å"Like your father's. He and your mother were both strong warriors, as well.† Galen's eyes darkened. ‘Td hoped I wouldn't have to be one. But it looks like we can't always choose.† Keller didn't know what they were talking about or why the Crone of all the Witches knew the parents of this guy she'd met in a mall. But she'd finally gotten the obstruction out of her throat. â€Å"No way!† she said explosively. She was on her feet now, too, black hair flying as she looked from Grandma Harman to Galen. â€Å"I mean it. There is no way I am taking this boy back with us. And you may be the leader of the witches, ma'am, but, no offense intended, I don't think you have the authority to make me. I'd have to hear it from the leaders of Circle Daybreak themselves, from Thierry Descouedres or Lady Hannah. Or from the First House of the shapeshifters.† Grandma Harman gave an odd snort. Keller ignored it. ‘It's not just that he's not a fighter. He's not involved in this. He doesn't have any part in it.† Grandma Harman looked at Galen, not entirely approvingly. â€Å"It seems you've been keeping secrets. Are you going to tell her, or shall I?† â€Å"I-† Galen turned from her to Keller. â€Å"Listen. I'm sorry-I should have mentioned it before.† His eyes were embarrassed and apologetic. ‘It just-there just didn't seem to be a right time.† He winced. â€Å"I wasn't in that mall today accidentally. I came by to look for Iliana. I wanted to see her, maybe get to know her a little.† Keller stared at him, not breathing. â€Å"Why?† â€Å"Because†¦Ã¢â‚¬  He winced again. â€Å"I'm Galen Drache†¦ of the First House of the shapeshifters,† Keller blinked while the room revolved briefly. I should have known. I should have realized. That's why he seemed like a shapeshifter, but I couldn't get any animal sense from him. Children of the First House weren't born connected to any particular animal. They had power over all animals, and they were allowed to choose when they became adults which one they would shift into. It also explained how he'd known which pressure points to use to get her off the dragon. And his telepathy-children of the First House could connect to any animal mind. When the room settled back into place, Keller realized that she was still standing there, and Galen was still looking at her. His eyes were almost beseeching. ‘I should have explained,† he said. â€Å"Well, of course, it was your choice,† Keller said stiffly. There was an unusual amount of blood in her cheeks; she could feel it burning. She went on, â€Å"And, naturally, I'm sorry if anything I've said has given offense.† â€Å"Keller, please don't be formal.† â€Å"Let's see, I haven't greeted you properly, or given you my obedience.† Keller took his hand, which was well made, long-fingered, and cold. She brought it to her forehead. â€Å"Welcome, Drache, son of the First House of the shapeshifters. I'm yours to command, naturally.† There was a silence. Keller dropped Galen's hand. Galen looked miserable. â€Å"You're really mad now, aren't you?† he observed. â€Å"1 wish you every happiness with your new bride,† Keller said through her teeth. She couldn't figure out exactly why she was so mad. Sure, she'd been made a fool of, and now she was going to have to take responsibility for an untrained boy who couldn't even shapeshift into a mouse. But it was more than that. He's going to marry that whiny little flower in the corner, a voice in Keller's head whispered. He has to marry her, or at least go through a promise ceremony that's just as binding as marriage. If he doesn't, the shapeshifters will never join with the witches. They've said so, and they'll never back down. And if they don't join with the witches . .. everything you've ever worked for is finished. And your job is to persuade the flower to do her duty, the voice continued brightly. That means you've got to convince her to marry him. Instead of eating her. Keller's temper flared. I don't want to eat her, she snapped back at the voice. And I don't care who this idiot marries. It's none of my business. She realized that the room was still silent, and everyone was watching Iliana and Galen. Iliana had stopped prattling. She was looking at Galen with huge violet eyes. He was looking back, strained and serious. Then he turned to Keller again. â€Å"I'd still like to help, if you'll let me come.† â€Å"I told you, I'm yours to command,† Keller said shortly. â€Å"It's your decision. I'd like to mention that it just makes things a little harder on my team. Now we're going to have to look out for you as well as her. Because, you see, you're not expendable after all.† â€Å"I don't want you to look out for me,† he said soberly. â€Å"I'm not important.† Keller wanted to say, Don't be an idiot. No you, no promise ceremony, no treaty. It's as simple as that. We've got to protect you. But she'd already said more than enough. Toby was retrieving the tape from the VCR. Grandma Harman was making getting-ready-to-rise motions with her cane. â€Å"I think we've stayed here long enough,† she said to Keller. Keller nodded stiffly. â€Å"Would you like to come in the limo? Or would you rather follow us to her house?† Grandma Harman opened her mouth to answer, but she never got the chance. Keller's ears caught the sound of movement outside just before the living room window shattered.