Friday, November 29, 2019

Bhopal Gas Leak

Bhopal Gas Leak Free Online Research Papers This case study basically deals with the Bhopal gas leak. The age of mass torts arrived with Bhopal Gas Tragedy unveiling the environmental disasters with toxic invasions, and unfortunately, it continues. The multinationals, which entered the developing world as harbingers of profit and gain were in fact, brought the death demon, the Union Carbide which authored the tragedy thought it could wash off its hands by selling the abandoned Bhopal plant to Dow Chemicals, even as it emanate the poisonous gases and continue to cause enormous damage to the environment. It is not known with great certainty the figure of casualties and injured persons it is not possible to measure up the real damage to the environment which appear as on today as eternal. It is shocking that the Dow Chemicals claimed the remainder of the Relief Fund carved out of the settlement between the Government of India and Union Carbide for cleaning up the environmentally hazardous pollution emanating from the abandoned unit of the factory at Bhopal. The balance of the hitherto undistributed compensation has accumulated interest and grown to Rs. 1,505 crores. (some $327 million). Very appropriately, the Supreme Court on 19 July, 2004 ordered the Government of India to distribute the balance of compensation remaining from Union Carbides settlement among the 566,876 Bhopal survivors whose claims have been successfully settled. Survivors whose claims may have been wrongly dismissed or who were underpaid were directed by the court to file a separate application, and seek compensation from the Government of India. The average payout will still only amount to $570 per person which, despite Dow-Carbides now famous dictum that $500 is plenty good for an Indian, comes nowhere near meeting the costs of medical treatment that survivors have already had to fund for themselves, much less compensating for two decades of illness, loss of livelihood and fear for what new horrors may emerge in their bodies. It is a further setback for the Dow-Carbide corporation and its political accomplices in India, who are on record as demanding that this money, meant for the relief of the survivors, should be used to clean up the companys abandoned and polluted factory in Bhopal. Last month, the Government of India threw its weight behind a court action to force Dow-Carbide to bear the full costs of cleaning the plant. The Government of India has decided to convey the No Objection to the US Court of Appeals to consider environmental contamination claims unrelated to the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster as defined in section 2(a) of the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act 1985. The issue pertains to a civil proceeding instituted in 1999 by some of the Bhopal based NGOs including that of Hasina Bis claims and affected persons in the US District Court for the Southern District of New York seeking relief under the Alien Tort Claims Act of New York against Union Carbide Corporation and Mr. Warren Anderson for causing personal injury as well as damage to the property. The suit was dismissed by the District Court on August 28, 2000 on the grounds that the plaintiff lacked standing to bring the action and that their claims were barred by 1989 settlement in the Supreme Court of India. Being aggrieved by the dismissal of their suit, the plaintiff filed an appeal before the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals heard parties in detail and after taking into account all the relevant facts, remanded the case by its order dated 17.3.04 to the District Court to consider certain aspects afresh. As is clear from the order of the Court of Appeal the claim for site remediation can be taken up by the District Court to which the case stands remanded only if the Indian Government or the State of Madhya Pradesh seeks to intervene in the action or otherwise urges the Court to order such relief. The views of Madhya Pradesh Government have also been obtained and who have also conveyed their No Objection in the matter with certain conditions. The No Objection given by the Government of India gives its consent to the US Court to direct the Union Carbide Corporation to clean up the mess it left behind in its plant in Bhopal, as the plant, which was operated by Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) a wholly owned subsidiary of the multinational Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), closed down in December 1984 following the leak of tonnes of methyl isocyanate that led to the death of thousands of people. The union of India made it clear that neither the Madhya Pradesh State Government or its instrumentalities nor the Union of India has any objection to any relief for environmental remediation of the former Union Carbide plant premises in Bhopal being ordered or directed by a competent court or tribunal of the United States, as pleaded by the representatives of the victims of the tragedy. The Union of India made such a submission to the Court in US. Further, the Union of India and the Madhya Pradesh State Government and their respective instrumentalities, expressed their will to cooperate with any such relief as and when issued by the United States District Court. The Union of India will monitor and supervise such environmental remediation including decommissioning of plant and machinery, remediation / disposal of contaminated soil and appropriate disposal of toxic chemicals and wastes on the plant site by Union Carbide in order to ensure that it is undertaken in compliance with the n orms parameters laid down by a specific organization of the Government of India, the Central Pollution Control Board, for that purpose. However the Union of India was categorical in its commitment that the Union Carbide will also be held responsible for any loss/damages caused to life or property in the process of remediation and disposal. Pursuant to the polluter pays principle recognized by both the United States and India, Union Carbide should bear all of the financial burden and cost for the purpose of environmental clean up and remediation. The Union of India and the State Government of Madhya Pradesh, the submission stated, shall not bear any financial burden for this purpose. Criminal Liability and the Dow Chemicals Presently, Union Carbide is charged with culpable homicide and India is trying to extradite former Union Carbide CEO Warren Anderson to stand trial. The company, which owned 50.9 percent of UCIL, severed its relationship with UCIL in 1994 and has argued that it has no legal obligation to conduct or finance the clean-up. However, under Indian law Dow not only bought the assets, but also the liabilities, of Union Carbide and can therefore be held to account. The Chief Judicial Magistrates court in Bhopal, India, may very soon decide whether it will force Dow Chemical to send former Union Carbide officials to India to stand trial for the 1984 gas leak that has killed and injured over 60,000 people . Dow is currently under pressure to set aside assets to settle potentially crippling liabilities from risks associated with its production and use of asbestos, Agent Orange, and dioxin contamination in rivers in Michigan. In December 2002, Dow disclosed that the long-term costs associated with Union Carbides asbestos liability could be $2.2 billion, and it took an immediate charge of $828 million to its accounts. At the end of 2003, Dow had accrued obligations of $381 million for environmental remediation and restoration costs. The Dow Chemicals has denied that it has any further liability for the disaster, and considers the matter closed, arguing that a settlement for claims was reached in accordance with Indian law 15 years ago. However, since 1992, Union Carbide has been lambasted as an absconder from justice because Indias criminal proceedings into the tragedy have effectively been crippled by the continued non-attendance of the key accused Union Carbide Corporation, Union Carbide Eastern and Warren Anderson, the parent companys chairman. Bhoposhima: the Disaster Exported to India While third world countries expected that foreign investments would bring them avenues of employment, they brought unending misery and pollution. Veiled threats reached the government, the media and the legal institutions that imposing severe penalties on the MNC would deter other multinational players from entering the Indian Market, a possibility that was projected as dire. If the transferring MNC was to be let off lightly, it would send out signals that life was cheap in the developing world, and that profits could be essayed at the risk of death and disaster. UCC tried to shift blame saying it was local negligence and not design defect. There can be no other live example of death demon than one created by MNCs of developed nations is the Bhopal massacre caused by UCC. The death, disaster and dreadful conspiracy to exploit human labour in India and to unhesitatingly pollute the environment can be seen from the pathetic tragedy in Bhopal. Bhopal Gas Tragedy is described as another Hiroshima of the Chemical Industry one of the worst commercial industrial disasters in history, while Krishna Iyer preferred to call it Bhoposhima, a major disaster killing thousands of people as a consequence of corporate delinquency. The tragedy was described in different terms such as: accident, disaster, catastrophe, crisis and also as sabotage, conspiracy, massacre, and experiment, whichever best suited the arguments that would help to pin the blame on somebody. In his book titled The Bhopal Tragedy: Language, Logic and Politics in the Production of a Hazard, the author William Bogard Each of these descriptions, in its own way, minimizes the problem of human agency and intention, and thus refuses to address directly the issue of responsibility. Bogard goes on to point out that the best way to describe this incidence would be a tragedy because, In calling Bhopal a tragedy, we are still permitted to say that intention and agency were involved in how the event unfolded and that responsibility must ultimately rest with someone or some group. But unlike saying that Bhopal was the deliberate result of sabotage, a conspiracy, or some diabolical experiment involving human guinea pigs- charges that are virtually impos sible to prove in any case- a tragedy, in contrast, emerges out of a complex of confused and misguided intentions, many of which may be honorable in themselves but when forged to the actual chain of events produce the worst possible outcome. Massive poisoning The facts and figures of the accident are as follows: The Day: After 2nd December midnight, 3rd of December, 1984 The Time: Around 1 a.m. on Monday The Place: Bhopal, a densely populated region in the city of Bhopal, The Poisonous Gas: A poisonous vapor, a highly toxic cloud of methyl isocyanate, burst from the tall stacks. The Corporate Villain: The Union Carbide pesticide plant. Immediate deaths: 2000 Injured people: 3,00,000 Injured animals: 7000, of which 1000 killed. On the night of December 2-3, 1984 a gas leak at a small pesticide plant in Central India owned by a subsidiary of Union Carbide Corporation devastated a whole city Over 90% of the worst affected people were the poor living in the close vicinity of Bhopals industrial area. The job of the police who went to lower class localities was clearly defined: Open doors to one-room tenants; and pull out bodies five, six, seven. Anees Chisti, a journalist who witnessed the tragedy first hand states, after a while we began to devalue the meaning of death. On seeing another dead body, all one felt was a twinge of sadness, rather like what one feels when an Indian batsman walks back to the pavilion. Unending Sufferings A series of studies made five years later showed that many of the survivors were still suffering from one or several of the following ailments: partial or complete blindness, gastrointestinal disorders, impaired immune systems, post traumatic stress disorders, and menstrual problems in women. A rise in spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and offspring with genetic defects was also noted. (The Bhopal Disaster) Pratima Ungarala referred a document, titled Union Carbide: Disaster at Bhopal , was authored by the retired Vice President of Health, Safety and Environmental Programs in Union Carbide Corporation, and several other papers to rhetorically analyze and also and to explore the various image restoration strategies that Union Carbide Corporation used through the course of the crisis. About 300,000 more would suffer agonising injuries from the disastrous effects of the massive poisoning while none could say if future generations would be affected. Forty tons of toxic gases were released from Carbides Bhopal plant and spread throughout the city. The cause was the contamination of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) storage tank No. 610 with water carrying catalytic material. The result was a nightmare that still has no end. Residents awoke to clouds of suffocating gas and began a desperate flight through the dark streets. No alarm ever sounded a warning and no evacuation plan was prepared. When victims arrived at hospitals breathless and blind, do doctors did not know how to treat them since Carbide had not provided emergency information. But it was only when the sun rose the next morning that the magnitude of the devastation was clear. Dead bodies of humans and animals blocked the streets, leaves turned black, the smell of burning chilli peppers lingered in the air. Responsib le estimates suggest that as many as 10,000 may have died immediately. The precise number of deaths still remains a mystery. 2,000,00 were injured and 30,000 to 50,000 were too ill to ever return to their jobs. This is the Hiroshima of chemical industry. Invasion of Death Demon: The demon of death silently invaded millions of hearts and lungs without knocking the doors during the midnight of 2nd and 3rd December 1984, in Bhopal. It is not only future generation being deprived of the healthy nature but an MNC leaked poisonous gas was decimating the natural life of the present and future. Over 16000 children, men and women were laid dead and more than five lakhs were maimed. During maintenance operations in the Methyl-Iso-Cyanide MIC plant a large quantity of water entered one of the storage tanks containing 60 tons of MIC, triggering off a runaway reaction. A deadly cocktail of MIC and other chemicals such as Hydrogen Cyanide and Phosgene was carried by the northerly wind to the neighboring communities. People woke up with invisible clouds of poison gas, stinging eyes and burning throats. The suffocating gas invaded lungs and created enormous fluids inundating the lives with their own body fluids. Running here and there for life did not save their lives, as t he killer gas was all pervading. A small leak at 11.00 pm occurred from MIC storage tank 610. Workers noticed it but thought to be a normal and small leak, source of which could not be located. The sting of MIC was getting stronger and the temperature and pressure were rapidly rising in tank. At around 12.30 a gigantic hiss came out, a runaway chemical chain reaction, triggered by the entrance of water, and created a tremendous heat and pressure. Forty tons of deadly gases burst past the rupture disc, overwhelmed the plants safety systems, and shot into the atmosphere. Most of the workers fled in panic. Larry Everest narrated (at page 12 of his book) Throughout the slums and shanty settlements that surround the Union Carbide plant on three sides, thousands were awakened by the suffocating, burning effects of the gas, the cries of neighbours, the clamor of running, stumbling feet, or by the howls of animals in their death throes. Mothers did not know their children had died. Children didnt know their mothers had died . Men did not know their whole families had died. Anyone who was left alive ran away blindly. The toxic cloud was so dense and searing that people were reduced to near blindness in their rush through narrow, ill-lit alleys. Some who managed to hand onto life panicked, leaving loved ones behind. Families who tried to stay together were often separated momentarily in the blinding gas and then unable to regroup. Soon there was a massive exodus away from the Union Carbide Factory, now a fount of death, a stream of humanity of tens of thousands strong-walking, running, clinging to taxis, trucks, three wheeled autorickshaws or any other means of escape they could find. Bhopal looked like a battle zone in a chemical war. It was littered with the dead-lying in alleys, ditches, roadways, or still trapped in their huts, in the contorted positions of sudden death. They lay intermingled with the goats, cows, sheep, and other animals that had also perished. The gas cloud had devastated everythin g living in its path, even killing plants and turning leaves black. People were just lying on the road like dogs and cats. The survivors wandered among the carnage desperately seeking family and loved ones they had lost in the chaotic night. The total number of died may never be known. People continue to die from the effects of the gassing. Estimates of the number severely debilitated run as high as 60,000. And one can only speculate on what the long-term effects of such a massive exposure to toxins will be. There were mounting incidents of spontaneous abortions and stillbirths. Thousands could not work. All in all it was the worst industrial disaster in history. Disaster for the Environment The Bhopal disaster which killed several thousand people and injured another two lakhs in the space of a few hours, constitutes a watershed in the history of the chemical industry. The first of the autopsies revealed that the human blood had turned purple red, the lungs had become ash colour and filled with their own secretions. The tracheas were so dry that the mucous flaked off on touch. Sometimes the blood was so thick that if you dipped your finger in it and lifted it, it would come off like a wire. The gas leak saw thousands blinded, breathless and giddy, flooding the hospitals, carrying those who had collapsed along the way. In cases of acute exposure, victims had suffered extensive damage to their lungs. Those who did not succumb to their injuries fell victims to secondary infections of the lungs and respiratory tracts. The psychological trauma caused by the accident is just beginning to be acknowledged and goes far beyond those physically affected by the gas. Victims suffered depression, anxiety, impotence, loss of appetite, nightmares etc. For one whole week the government failed to assure the citizens of Bhopal on whether the air they were breathing, the water they were drinking , and the food they were consuming were safe or not. When health department personnel were spraying DDT some residents began to flee in panic as they imagined it was another noxious substance. On December 6 the Chief Minister declared that the air was totally safe, but tests conducted at the initiative of a group of science students indicated the presence of MIC. Not very much is yet known about the environmental impacts of the gas leak from the Bhopal plant. The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) had issued a preliminary report on damage to crops, vegetables, animals and fish from the accident, but the investigation reported there were mostly in their early stages with few conclusive findings. The ICAR Report did indicate that the impact of whatever toxic substances emerge from the plant were highly lethal on exposed animals. Many were reported to have died within three minutes of such exposure. Large numbers of cattle (estimates range as high as 4000), as well as dogs and cats and birds were killed. Plant life was also severely damaged by exposure to the gas. Vegetable crops such as spinach, cauliflower and tomatoes grown by small farmers on the outskirts of the city were destroyed. There was also widespread defoliation of trees, especially in low lying areas. It was criticised that in the name of economic development Third World countries are thus becoming dumping grounds for hazardous technologies from the industrially advanced countries. The strong environmental awareness and environmental movements in the industrially advanced countries have enforced strict legislative safeguards that have made the operation of hazardous technology economically unviable. Many pesticides that are being pushed in Third World countries by multinationals are already banned in industrially advanced countries. DDT is a typical example which is being freely overused in India. To expect strict enforcement of environmental safeguards is to forget the basic economic fact that it is that relocation is taking place to avoid such enforcements that relocation is taking place. Statistics state that every year approximately 22,000 people die in the developing countries from the use of pesticides no longer manufactured in the West. Forgotten Obligations The present generation has an obligation to protect their future generations. A man has no right to exploit the ecology to the detriment of to be born. The International Community recognized this responsibility and drafted several instruments reminding the mankind to be kind to the natural world. After the loss of millions of human beings the UN Charter expressed a deep concern for the people yet to be born . The Stockholm conference in 1972 explained the imperative goal for mankind as to defend and improve the human environment for present and future generations. Besides war, peace and Development the International Law made a beginning in regulating the environmental issues. Man has both a right to healthy world around and a solemn responsibility to protect and improve the environs for the next generation. The United Nations General Assembly adopted World Charter for Nature in 1982 , which explicitly states that the Governments have a duty to pass on their natural heritage to future generations. The World Commission on Environment and Development WCED headed by Giro Harlen Bruntland proposed a set of legal principles for sustainable development and suggested for a global convention for this purpose. (World Commission on Environment and Development, Our Common Future, 1987) For this purpose and for arresting further degradation of the environment and to repair damage already done, the Rio Earth Summit was convened by the UNGA. Maintenance of ecological balance, prevention and control of environmental pollution, preservation of our natural resources, disaster mitigation and sustainable development are the basic factors of the Earth Charter, which is also called the Rio Declaration. Regulation of MNCs Union Carbides operations in India go back to the beginning of this century when it began marketing its products there. In 1924, an assembly plant for batteries was opened in Calcutta. By 1983 Carbide had 14 plants in India manufacturing chemicals pesticides, batteries and other products. Union Carbides operations in India were conducted through a subsidiary, Union Carbide India, Ltd. (UCIL). The parent US Company (UCC) held 50.9 % of UCIL stock. The balance of 49.1% was owned by various Indian investors. Normally foreign investors are limited to 40% ownership of equity in Indian companies, but the Indian government waived this requirement in the case of Union Carbide because of the sophistication of its technology and the companys potential for export. The multinationals operating in frivolous areas should be given second priority as compared to the much needed technology for key sectors of Indian industry. What is vital is that the multinational should not be allowed to function except under a strict regime of environmental controls and health and safety regulations. The Bhopal plant was licensed to manufacture 5250 tons of MIC based pesticides per year. However, peak production was only 2704 tons in 1981, falling to 1657 tons in 1983. Thus the quantity of pesticides manufactured in 1983 was only 31.37% of its licensed capacity. Was the Bhopal plant used for experiments in processes for which the UCIL was not authorised? Or was the capacity of the plant being under-utilised to maintain a monopolistic hold over prices? In the first ten months of 1984, losses amounted to Rs. 5,03,39,000. Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL), was thus deducted by Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) to close the plant and prepare it for sale. When no buyer was available in India, plans were made to dismantle the factory and ship it to another country. Negotiations toward this shutdown were completed by the end of November 1984. Financial losses and plans to dismantle the plant exacerbated Carbides already negligent management practices leading to executive decisions that directly caused the contamination of the MIC storage tank that leaked its contents over Bhopal. While saving money for both Union Carbide Corporation (UCC) and UCIL, negligent maintenance and substantial reductions of trained personnel culminated in the horrors of December 3, 1984. Union Carbide holds controls: Union Carbide India Limited UCIL was the entity running the Bhopal plant. Union Carbide Corporation is a dominant shareholder holding 50.9% shares in UCIL. Its share was reduced from earlier holding of 60% shares. As a multinational with full control over the UCIL, the UCC navigated the subsidiary in hazardous directions resulting in danger to lives of hundreds of thousands of Bhopal people. India contended that UCC was the parent and UCIL-the subsidiary. The Union Carbides control in critical areas of safety and technology was only on aspect of Union Carbides broader exercise of control over the strategic management direction of UCILs agricultural products division, which included the Bhopal plant. This strategic direction was in accordance with Union Carbides fundamental management strategy of coordinating its subsidiary product lines to accomplish the multinationals worldwide plans. India was right in trying to create unprecedented standard by lifting the corporate veil. If succee ded, no multinational corporation operating hazardous industry in India would be able to deploy its subsidiary as a shield. If the Indian court delivered a final judgement enforceable in US Court upholding Indias contention, its impact at least initially on US based multinational specialising in the export of hazard to the third world societies would have been massive. Perhaps, in fundamentals, at least the internal economy of Multinational Corporation community would have to undergo a profound peristroika. It stood to reason that if India enacted for herself a parens patriae role for the Bhopal victims, the Union Carbide has to ensure that it assumed a similar role for the global community of MNCs. The February settlement marked the triumph of the fiduciary role of the UCC for the world multinational community over the parental role of the Indian State for the Bhopal victims, observed Mr. N. R. Madhava Menon . Parens Patriae without Effective Jurisdiction No assertion of the parens patriae role makes any sense in the absence of any effective jurisdiction over a multinational enterprise in a mass disaster toxic tort. Indias suing the UCC in America courts was an essential precondition for the acquisition of this jurisdiction. Justice to the victims of Bhopal, whatever it may entail, this required the assurance of the UCC being amenable to the discipline of the law, either in America or India. MNC: Liability for Environmental Damage The MNCs are not doing any favour in investing in Developing countries. Instead, they are proved to be environmental hazards for the people working in and living around. In view of the size, huge capital, and the distance from which it operates, an MNC is not amenable to be controlled by a country which awaits investment for generating some sort of employment for its people. Industrial accidents are ever increasing in developing countries due to mishandling and negligent operations of MNCs playing with lives of human beings. Instead of riches and resources MNCs brought miseries and tragedies to the people and the governments in third world countries. They have less or no regard for civil and political rights of individuals by engaging in activity harmful to the health and welfare of the individuals. Bhopal Gas Tragedy is an example. Krishna Iyer has rightly named it as Bhoposhima. What with MNCs with unlimited exploitative appetites, infra-national industrialists with initiative, tac tics and money power at various levels wooing political power and while collar, we have the unconscionable ecocides who seduce politicians, among the vision of governments, lubricate the wheels of bureaucracy and progandise pollution as a necessary evil for the salvation of a Nation These are the words in which Krishna Iyer explained the apprehensions of the third world countries. Hazardous Multinational: New Term in Globalization Bhopal incident created a new expression called hazardous multinational which has to be separated from other ordinary MNCs. For the application of the principle of Absolute Liability and multinational enterprise liability, certain characteristics are to be there for classifying an enterprise as Hazardous Multinational. They are rightly explained by Upendra Baxi and Amitha Dhanda: a. the global structure, organisation, technology, finances and resources of multinationals enables them to take catastrophic decisions- that is decisions and actions which lead to mass disasters; b. the power of multinationals, especially over their key management personnel is neither restricted by national boundaries nor effectively controlled by international law; c. this is because of the complex corporate structure of multinationals with networks of subsidiaries and decisions which make it exceedingly difficult or even impossible to pinpoint responsibility for the damage caused by the enterprise d. the monolithic multinational operates through i) a neatly designed network of interlocking directors ii) a common operating system iii) global distribution and marketing systems iv) design development and technology worldwide v) financial and other controls vi) highly sophisticated and technologically capable machines and working staff; vii) victims of such daily actions are unable to identify which unit of the enterprise caused the harm. Even a manifest fault by a local subsidiary would be put at the doorstep of a multinational. This principle is based on the premise that power and knowledge create a legal duty. And this duty, which has an absolute and non-delegable character emanates from the unity of power and knowledge. This duty is two folds. It is the duty of the multinational to itself to keep informed and know. Such a duty cannot be, by definition delegable. Second, it is a duty of the same nature to employ normal care and prudence to know about the possibility of emergence of likely hazards and dangers. This duty too is non-delegable. The consequential duties arise from these two fundamental duties- (i) a duty to provide that all ultra-hazardous and dangerous activities be conducted with the required standards of safety and, ii) to provide all necessary safeguards, information and warnings concerning the activity involved. Mehta Principle and Toxic Torts With Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the age of mass torts began. The real environmental hazard to multiple masses of third world countries was realised. The sleepy Indian Government and similar developing countries shocked to know the direct and serious impact of MNCs in era of Globalization. The craving for foreign investments and transfer of technology from west with politically motivated vested interest has resulted in savage death to thousands of unknown masses. The Indian Jurisprudential principle of Absolute Liability was naturally not liked by the MNCs. The UCC wanted to assail the Mehta principle as unknown to the world jurisprudence. It is not impossible to justify the Indian assertion. It is either strict liability or absolute liability or compound of product of liability, negligence, public and private nuisance in general regime of tort liability or of some specific regimes or of specific regimes still emergent of toxic torts . UCCs claim that it was a domestic American Corporation not doing any business abroad but merely holding capital stock for book keeping purposes was fictional. The claim that its foreign subsidiaries were independent and that the UCC was not a multinational entity are equally controversial. Absolute Liability Ascertained Again the Supreme Court came to the rescue of this newly evolved and much needed principle of tortious liability in mass torts leading to environmental death trap. Justice Seth did not agree with several contentions raised by UCC and answered them emphatically. He stated: It is futile for the UCC to deny existence of any relationship with UCIL. It held majority of equity share capital at all material times, controlled more than half of the total voting power of the Indian company, controlled the composition of the Board of Directors and its management. Even if it chose to keep at arm length from Indian Company it could not absolve it from subsidiaries liability. The material on record established the fact that UCC had full authority to act for UCIL, which was totally dependent on technical know how and running of the Bhopal plant. It is beyond doubt that the UCC had the real control over the hazardous Bhopal plant operations. International Code for Trans National Companies Bhopal gas tragedy and consequent litigation has also revealed the need for evolving over all controls over the activities of MNCs especially when they are engaged in hazardous operations. Such a need was felt all over the world and the Secretary-General has rightly responded to it by evolving some methods in his report. The first step he suggested was risk assessment and involvement of factory employees and the community in the development of methods to identify the hazards and second step was about evolving strategies to plan and reduce the consequences of accidents and to settle the claims of liability. But the question as to the extent of liability of the parent company for the environmental harm caused by its affiliate was left open for further discussion. Had Bhopal tragedy was covered by industrial insurance, the victims would have received the necessary relief without much delay. It took four years to reach settlement and the distribution of relief is still going on in Bhopal . Speedy trial and early disposition of claims is as important as the fundamental right to life. All the theories of liability- the effect theory and enterprise theory pinpoint the liability on the parent American company UCC which controlled the Indian Company UCIL in its establishment and functioning besides playing a significant role in decision making. UCC not only owes a duty of care towards Indians but people in general. It is the basis of human rights jurisprudence and MNCs are subjected to the international human rights obligation. Similarly the Government of Madhya Pradesh and Government of India also are liable when the MNCs permitted by them are violating the international human and environment rights. International Codes: Since then various codes of conduct were developed. United Nations General Assembly, the International Labour Organisation ILO, The Food and Agricultural Organisation FAO and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development OECD have incorporated the environmental aspects and the relations between the MNC and the host country. The UN Code of Conduct: The UN Draft Code for Transnational Corporations (TNCs) contain several specific obligations addressed directly to the MNCs. They include: 1. The obligation to respect the national sovereignty of the countries in which they operate and the right of each state to exercise its full sovereignty over its natural resources within its territory. 2. The obligation to be subject to the laws of the host country and the explicit duty to carry on their activities in conformity with the developmental policies, objectives and priorities of the respective governments. 3. In the light of the new interpretation given to development including the safeguarding of the environment, it should implicitly mean an obligation not to unreasonably alter the ecological balance of the host country through their activities . Whenever an enterprise starts a hazardous activity in the territory of a state, there is an inherent duty in the nature of the agreement itself, an understanding that it will not cause any serious adverse effects on the health of the people or environment of the country. If an accident like Bhopal tragedy results from the activity of the MNC it might amount to delinquent conduct or a wrongful breach of duty. The code also imposes an obligation on the MNCs to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms in the host countries. Right to clean environment is a significant aspect of new human rights jurisprudence. It is a duty of MNC to protect and preserve that environment. However strong the code may be, its binding nature is a questionable aspect. The states have to enforce the code, which is addressed to the MNCs. Developed nations may not agree to enforce the code. OECD Guidelines: Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development issued a Declaration on International Investment and MNEs in the Annex of which guidelines are embodied. The MNEs are accordingly under an obligation to give due consideration to the host countries aims and priorities with regard to economic and social progress, including industrial and regional development and the protection of environment. These guidelines are only advisory and not mandatory. They are not legally enforceable. But it reflects the agreement of international community to the aspect of duty of MNCs to abide by the laws, controls and regulations of the state in which the MNC operates like any other domestic corporation. MNCs and their activities brought very complex legal problems to the fore. The principles of tortious liability, Human rights jurisprudence, Environmental law and International relations are intertwined and with rights of the nations and persons as victims. Environmental Law and International Corporate law is yet to develop into a full-fledged law. Till then it is difficult for developing nations to control the hazardous activities of MNCs. The MNCs are not primary subjects of International Law. They are neither states nor public international organizations. It is the duty and obligation of the states to exercise their sovereignty and impose liabilities over the multinational enterprises without minding their international character and affiliations. Life and environment are the primary concerns of any state or organisation. It is everybodys responsibility to protect the natural rights and the nature, so that the major tragedies like Bhoposhima are not recurred. MNCs and Third World Countries: A firm with several centers of operation in different countries is a multinational enterprise. Blacks Dictionary explained a MNC as: In a strict sense this term is descriptive of a firm which has centres in many countries in contrast to an international firm, which does business in many countries but is based in only one country, though the terms are often used interchangeably. Chambers defined it as a large business company which has production or distribution operations in several countries via subsidiaries, holding companies etc. Third world countries became play fields for MNCs to make more profit because of cheap human labour and less stringent environmental regulations besides ready availability of raw materials. MNCs preferred third world countries rather than the industrialized first world nations with capital intensive technologies, expensive human resources and more expensive environmental restrictions. It is clear that MNCs had no special interest in developing the advancing countries. They have no concern for the environs of a developing nation and do not hesitate to exploit cheap human resources to convert their billions into trillions. Domestic Law: Amendment to Factories Act In response to the Bhopal disaster and its consequences, and influenced by the creation of Absolute Liability principle in Oleum Gas Leak case, questions of safety and liability were addressed. The Factories Act 1948 was amended in 1987 and a whole new chapter IVA was added. It deals with hazardous processes. Site Appraisal: There are provisions for a Site Appraisal Committee to certify where a factory may be located. Compulsory Disclosure: There are also provisions for compulsory disclosure of information about the dangers, including health hazards, that could arise from exposure to the materials in the factory or handling the materials during manufacture, transportation, storage or other processes. The compulsory disclosure of information is not only to the inspector under the Act, but also to the local authority and to the general public in the vicinity of the factory, which is an acknowledgement of the nearness of people at large to the risk of disaster. Disaster Management Plan: A Disaster Management Plan is to be drawn up even before a factory may commence activity. For the first time, workers are statutorily accorded the right to be principal participants in safety management. Liability of the Occupier: Under the amended Act, the person held accountable is the occupier. Before 1987 amendment, it was common to appoint a relatively lowly employee as the occupier who would take the rap if infractions were detected in the factory. After 1987, in the case of a company, the occupier has to be a director of the company- a statutory prescription that has been quite categorically endorsed by the Supreme Court in 1996. Relief to Manufacturer and Designer: There is a very dangerous provision that was inserted in the Act as Section 7B(5). This section spells virtual absolution for the manufacturer, designer, importer or supplier of plant and machinery. Where the user of such plant or machinery gives a written undertaking to take the steps specified in such undertaking to ensure, so far as it reasonably practicable, that the article will be safe without risks to the health of the workers when property used, it shall have the effect of relieving the designer, manufacturer et al from what is otherwise prescribed as a duty to care for the safety and health of the workers. The Dangerous Provision: That is, a transfer of technology agreement could now relieve the Union Carbides, the Du ponts and other chemical giangs of anwerability for the effects of the technology they transfer into India. In the unequal world of transferred technologies, this provision only serves to place the company controlling the technology beyond the reach of the law. This definitely makes the MNC a supranational power. If this provision is not repealed, another such disastermay find a transnational offender disappearing through this provision to impunity. Is there any conclusion to this endless trauma? Shocking Aftermath: Around twenty years after the worlds worst disaster the story has not yet ended, Thousands who survived are today suffering multiple health complications and those living closest to the plant continue to be poisoned. Thousands drink water poisoned by the chemicals that remain in the abandoned Union Carbide plant. Neither the Government nor the Dow Chemicals, which bought Union Carbide is willing to take responsibility for cleaning up. The victims are still running from court to court seeking justice, while the rest of the country does not know anything about their plight. It is rightly described as the tragic story of Bhopal how corporate indifference, government apathy and uninformed peoples disinterest made the life and death of victims miserable for some more decades. It is unending continuation of perpetuation of tragedy. It is reported that the company dug the bottom soil from three large solar evaporation ponds in Atal Ayub Nagar adjoining UCILs factory in Bhopal, spread over more than 20 acres, which were used to dump waste by UCIL. It was dug to bury the sludge under three meters of farm soil. People bathe, swim and even drink this water. Cattle die after drinking water from these ponds. The adjoining tube wells give water unfit for drinking. The yield from crops from nearby fields was drastically reduced. At least one person a day still dies from gas exposure related diseases and 1.5 lakh are in urgent need of medical attention. Breathlessness, loss of appetite, pain, menstrual irregularities, recurrent fever persistent cough, neurological disorders, fatigue weakness, anxiety and depression are among the most common symptoms. Research findings on chromosomal aberrations suggest that the future generations of the survivors will possibly carry the leftovers of the industrial toxins. The land around the factory is now occupied and every inch of it was built upon. The abandoned factory us being used as a public toilet by adjacent slums. Two large cylindrical tanks, which contained MIC including the one responsible for the gas leak on that fateful night are still lying there in the factory emanating the poisonous fumes. Sacks of decaying chemicals, blackened chemical bags, pools of stagnant water, rusted metal boxes labeled Sevin and Nitrate residues are still pose a danger to the vicinity there. As the groundwater is totally contaminated the people living around were promised to be supplied with the alternative piped water. The amount of Rs 3 crore sanctioned for this purpose was spent elsewhere . Who is legally responsible for this toxic wastes left behind by UCIL? In the absence of industrial activity the lease of the land to factory was cancelled by the Government of Madhya Pradesh. The land measuring 87.62 acres has been transferred to the Gas Relief and Rehabilitation department of the Madhya Pradesh Government. But as polluter, the UCIL must be fully responsible for wastes. It agreed to surrender the land in usable and habitable condition, as per lease terms. The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board had directed UCIL to carry out environment investigation of dumpsite and remediation thereafter. Yet site was surrendered without complying with those directions in the same conditions not fit for habitation. All those provisions in Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and the Water (Prevention and control of Pollution) Act 1974, which contain heavy penalties are yet to be used against them. It is continuation of crime of pollution, the MPPCB does not use its power to prosecut e the culprit company. Cost of clean up was estimated to be Rs 2.5 Crores sometime back. Now the estimates have gone up to even Rs. 100 crores while Greenpeace activists put it at Rs 500 crores. Who will pay? It remains a moot question even today. Bhopal is the symbol of a disastrous side effect of so called Globalization and stands out as a living, say dying, example of inadequacy of domestic law to regulate, prevent or penalize the pollute TNCs and their agents. As the environment problems are going to be there for all generations to come, it is the duty of every person and every nation to evolve a equitable principle of making Trans National Companies liable for its transfer of hazardous technology to developing countries if that resulted in damage to human life or environment, without leaving any scope for escape after passing the buck on to the subsidiary or agent in different mask. International law based on conventions and protocols read with UN documents and reports of the UN Commissions, a new law to tackle the TNC hazards and imposing absolute liability should emerge. The environment protection is a universal and inter-generational equitable obligation of entire humanity irrespective of being developed, developing or underdeveloped nations in the international comity of nations. If not, the environment and human life will never be safe. Environmental safety cannot be achieved by creating new fundamental rights in favour of citizens, when they are not effectively enforced. Disaster may not be frequently repeated. But after experiencing the trauma of disaster, disastrous litigation and corrupt consequences without imposing any criminal liability on the culprits, nothing tangible is left as a system with which we could prevent such disasters. As mentioned even now the abandoned Union Carbide factory is spreading the poisonous gas, and the State did not prevent the spread of residential colonies around the deserted place of disaster, containing the contaminating chemicals. What system do the third world countries have to tackle the present and continuous disaster and to prevent some more? Research Papers on Bhopal Gas LeakPETSTEL analysis of IndiaMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductRelationship between Media Coverage and Social andTwilight of the UAWQuebec and CanadaLifes What IfsComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoCapital PunishmentAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 EuropeGenetic Engineering

Monday, November 25, 2019

Comparison of the inaugural speeches

Comparison of the inaugural speeches Introduction Nations from different parts of the globe have gone through certain stages before reaching their current state. The inhabitants of other countries have colonized the citizens in most of the nations because of their resources. The acts of colonization were accompanied by several negative impacts on the colonized countries. Among the serious impacts were wars.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Comparison of the inaugural speeches specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Wars occurred in an attempt to attain freedom. The war led to financial and economic instability in the concerned countries. Presently, some countries have become economically stable while others are still striving to return to their previous states. The concerned countries have signed treaties amongst themselves while others have sought financial help from their neighbouring stable nations. This paper will give the comparison and contrast between th e JFK inaugural address and the Truman doctrine speech. Similarities between the two speeches First, both speeches are talking about the same country. The JFK inaugural address is being directed to the new generation of the Americans. The person describes how the United States has been interrupted by wars. The person goes ahead to describe how the old generation has shed blood for their peace. The speech describes the efforts that they will put in to ensure that peace and freedom is attained in the neighbouring countries. Brewer denotes in this speech as follows, â€Å"let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty† (22). The Truman doctrine speech is also focussed on the United States of America. The speaker talks about the impacts of war in Greece. Press denoted in his book that, â€Å"Greece is in despera te need for financial and economic assistance to enable it to resume purchases of food, clothing, fuel, and seeds† (18). The speaker goes ahead to talk about the efforts of the United States in ensuring their fellow countries resume to their former state. According to the report in the speech, the government of the United States of America funded other countries with $341,000,000,000 to enhance world freedom and peace. Differences between the two speeches In the JFK inaugural address, the speech is made after the Americans have already attained the freedom that they wanted. The speech is addressed to the citizens of the new generation who never witnessed the blood shed during the time of war. In his book, Sondhaus denotes that, â€Å"we observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom- symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning- signifying renewal, as well as change† (45).Advertising Looking for essay on rhetoric? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Truman doctrine speech was addressed after hearing pleas from Greece. The citizens of Greece were seeking economic and financial assistance from the US. The main motive of the speech was to address the issue of war. The aim of the speaker was to elucidate on the negative impacts of wars. He also wanted to urge the citizens of the United States that it is their responsibility to ensure that peace and economic stability are attained in Greece and Turkey. According to the JFK inaugural address, individuals of a country have a responsibility of ensuring that freedom is attained in a country. The evasion of poverty in a country will depend on the ability of its citizens. Furthermore, the speaker attests that the rights of the citizens of a country emerge from the creator and not the kindness of the country. Press attests that, â€Å"the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the h and of God† (30). In the Truman doctrine speech, the speaker states that a nation can attain its freedom through assistance from another country. While addressing the Americans, he attests that nations from different parts of the globe look up to the United States for help. In this speech, he affirms that â€Å"the free peoples of the world look to us for support in maintaining their freedoms†. In the speech, he denotes that if the government of the United States does not assist Greece and Turkey, then the impacts will be much more devastating. In the first speech, the speaker urges the neighboring nations on the south of America to join hands with them in ensuring that absolute peace is attained. They also pledge the citizens in the other countries to try their level best to oppose aggression. In the availability of wars amongst nations, peace may not be attained. The second speech, which is the Truman doctrine, talks about how the citizens of Greece have been living i n fear and horror of attacks. He also talks about the financial aids of different countries in an attempt to bring financial stability in Greece. Even though the country has many resources, it is languishing in total poverty that was brought forth by the colonial governments. Conclusion Conclusively, both speeches have tried to address the negative impacts of warfare. The main theme of both speakers is to tackle the issues of aggression and promote peace and freedom amongst the citizens of various countries. They have also tried to address the importance of sustaining peace in a country. In fact, it is very important to ensure that peace is sustained in various countries of the world. This should be the responsibility of all citizens.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Comparison of the inaugural speeches specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Brewer, Susan. Why America Fights: Patriotism and War Propaganda from the Philipp ines to Iraq. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009. Print. Press, Jacques. Directory of American Scholars: English, speech drama. New York: Bowker, 1974. Print. Sondhaus, Lawrence. America, War and Power: Defining the State, 1775-2005. Madison: Taylor Francis, 2007. Print.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Are Management Information Systems needed in youth work Literature review

Are Management Information Systems needed in youth work - Literature review Example I feel the change required for the implementation of a new system is one of the biggest challenges I will face as a manager and that the youth service must research seriously from the beginning. There will be a significant amount of change over the coming years therefore I am very interested to explore whether MIS systems will actually help youth work upon implementation of the new system after managing the huge changes required by the system. How is this relevant to my professional practice? Change is thrust upon youth workers on a regular basis and my dissertation topic, in my opinion, is very relevant to my professional practice as it will test my ability or inability as a manager of managing change. I plan to devise a strategy for innovation and change regarding the way information is collected, evaluated and presented within the youth service covering a two year period based upon my research findings and not on the approach of –a system has been bought we must change ever ything in order to use it immediately. LITERATURE Three course books of Master of Computer Science, Information Technology, were referred most. Internet was also searched for appropriate materials and following result was found. An advance search for â€Å"Research methods† produced about 84,800,000 references, search for â€Å"Management Theories† produced about 36,200,000 references, â€Å"Leadership Styles† produced about 15,400,000 references, â€Å"Change Management† produced about 288,000,000 references, â€Å"Management Information System† produced about 283,000,000 references, and â€Å"Organizational Development† produced about 26,500,000 references. A look up was made in each of the above search one by one and the best from the top was selected. A total number of eleven publications were chosen for reading and collecting further information. FINDINGS I have identified six themes in this section for effective implementation of Manag ement Information System: understanding concepts and deliverables; assessing values and functionalities; methodologies for successful deployment; managing resources; and benefiting from intensive usage; leading staff and managing change. Understanding Concepts and Deliverables A set of components combined together to bring out or produce a desired whole is known as a system. There are many types of systems (Pidwirny 2006). Most systems share many common characteristics but there are three most important components which when integrated together forms a system: Inputs; Process; and Outputs. A system receives inputs; process them with some functionalities; and produces outputs. Information is a processed data, the one which a human mind can easily understand. If a set of numbers are given in a row and column grid as shown in figure 1, it is not possible to understand what this data means and to whom it belongs until the data is processed. If the same data is processed and produced as shown in figure 2, it becomes now possible for every one to understand what this data means and to whom it belongs. This processed data is called Information. â€Å"Data represents facts of any kind. In the process of recording important particulars of any event, it is the discretion of the management, what should be recorded and how it should be presented. When this data is processed or reformatted, it becomes Information. Information is a subset of data which adds to the knowledge.† (Mujaheed 2009) The original source from which information comes or its

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Health improvement in nursing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Health improvement in nursing - Essay Example In order to improve health in nursing, nurses require collaboration with other different bodies, such as governments, the local communities, as well as their patients.Nurses utilize various strategies, which will promote positive health and well-being of individuals. Therefore, nurses are core in health improvement, and these are committed to their patients and aim at improving the health status of their patients, including those who suffer from long-term conditions. Nurses also provide care to the marginalized in society, and participate in a variety of public health programmes. Nonetheless, different people today need health improvement, but sometimes might lack to access it. Therefore, this paper will focus on overweight people with a BMI of 25-30kg kg/m2.Overweight people need health improvement and promotion, mainly because, today this is a worrying health issue, as a great number of people are overweight. The large number of overweight people is therefore, an indication that en ough efforts have not been adopted to address this health issue. In order to improve health for this group of people, it is important to increase their awareness of sugar intake, as is an important aspect that is overlooked by most overweight people, while some lack reliable information about this. Diabetes is experienced today at a higher rate compared to past decades. When one is overweight, they are at risk of being diabetic. Therefore, the increased prevalence of diabetes shows that one of the root causes, which is excessive weight in people, has not been given the attention it needs for improvement. Globally, the prevalence of diabetes is expected to hit a high of 552 million people by the year 2030. In 2011, prevalence of diabetes stood at 366 million people (Diabetes UK 2011). On the other hand, the UK is one of the countries, which is registering increased cases of diabetes every year. In the year 1996, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK was 1.4 million. However, this number has increased to 2.9 million, and it is expected to reach 5 million in 2055. This therefore, makes diabetes to be one of the health challenges in the UK today (Diabetes UK 2011). In order to improve this case and promote good health of the people in the UK, it is crucial that information about diabetes, its cause and effects, and prevention be disseminated to the whole population, to increase their awareness so that they can adopt the correct preventive and control strategies (Diabetes UK 2011). The most prevalent diabetes type in the UK is Type 2 diabetes, which is highly associated with being overweight or obese. Initially, this affected people aged above 40 years, but today, this affects even young people and children (Public Health England 2013: London Health Improvement Board 2011). Nonetheless, the number of obese and overweight people in the UK keeps rising, thus the rise in the prevalence of diabetes (Diabetes UK 2011). Similarly, government records from the UK department of health show that in England, 61.3% of adults are overweight and obsess, in addition to 30% of children. Evidence also shows that overweight or

Monday, November 18, 2019

English Technical Writing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

English Technical Writing - Assignment Example For example, in the customer service division, a secondary expert in divisional support for this area should grant recognition and approval that the activities associated with a job function are accurate and up-to-date on current role. If the organization is attempt to map out a step-by-step procedure manual for a technology support function, expertise in systems training and development should be consulted as a primary resource to support the job role claims. Procedure manuals can be developed for virtually any industry and be built to describe the functions of a variety of job functions. In an academic environment, these manuals can identify meeting protocol for executives associated with corporate policy or those outlined by senior decision-makers that govern knowledge and education. Either internally or externally, some form of consulting expert should give final approvals for the step-by-step guide or improve on what has been inferred from existing data. Mapping is part of the p lanning process and the actual gathering of support materials to assist in drawing a job or functional map of a system.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Marketing Plan: Donor Recognition and Stewardship

Marketing Plan: Donor Recognition and Stewardship INTRODUCTION Economic recession has had its impact on the number of donors. As the economy is recovering, the trends indicate that non-profit organizations continue to lose donors faster than they gain them even if the giving amounts are increasing. The results are troubling because were seeing a trend of charities relying on fewer donors giving larger gifts, said Elizabeth Boris, director of the Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Urban Institute. Charities need to work harder on reaching out to new and different groups of donors. More important, however, is keeping donors for longer than a year, since its much cheaper to retain existing donors than it is to continually find new ones. Non-profit sector is undergoing changes. Maybe its the already-begun exodus of Baby Boomers in nonprofit leadership positions. Maybe its the scramble to understand shifting giving habits as younger donors enter the philanthropic discussion in greater numbers. Whatever it is, it makes us rethink donor relat ions, which is undergoing a metamorphosis in both thinking and approach. background Market Analysis. Childrens Health Foundation is an independent incorporated non-profit organization dedicated to raising and granting funds to supportChildrens Hospital at London Health Sciences Centre, Thames Valley Childrens Centre and Childrens Health Research Institute. Since 1922, funds raised have helped deliver exceptional care and support for children and their families by providing specialized pediatric care, equipment, education programs, therapy, rehabilitation services and research. Childrens Health Foundation is regional pediatric referral center for South Western and North Western Ontario. Childrens Health Foundation is operating in an extremely competitive industry. Canadas charitable and nonprofit sector is the 2nd largest in the world with 170,000 non-profit organizations. Ontarios 46,000+ NFP organizations employ about one million people, 15% of Ontarios total workforce, and have an economic impact of nearly $50 billion. This represents more than 7.1% of Ontarios GD P- greater than the automobile and construction industries combined. More than 5 million Ontarians donate over 820 million hours of their time volunteering every year, valued at the equivalent of 400,000 full-time jobs. Health care is the second largest recipient of donations in Canada (behind religious organizations) and makes up approximately 13% of all donations received from Canadians. Large philanthropic donations from individuals or corporations are becoming increasingly important sources of donations. At the same time, in both urban and rural communities, donor fatigue is becoming a real concern. As residents continue to be asked to contribute to charitable organizations, there comes a point at which their willingness or ability to donate is exhausted. This is of particular concern in large urban areas like the GTA, where there is fierce competition for donor dollars, according to Anthony Dale, CEO of the Ontario Hospital Association. Philanthropy in Canada is highly dependen t on oil and gold prices. Looking back within Canadas philanthropic history, it is noticeable that a year after a recession there was a significant decrease in fundraising contributions. And with Canadas health care system becoming increasingly dependent on philanthropy, its capital planning may become increasingly vulnerable to fluctuations in Canadas resource economy. Philanthropy is essential to the wellbeing of the health care system, allowing hospitals to improve and develop their infrastructure and conduct innovative medical research. This is the reality for Childrens Health Foundation as well, whose infrastructure, hydro, water and salaries only are funded by government. All the specialized programs the foundation provide and equipment is covered with donor dollars. But as we enter the era of plunging oil prices and economic uncertainty, hospital foundations are likely to face harder times fundraising, and this may make any disparities in access to capital projects among comm unities worse. In addition to that, Canadians are becoming less generous and giving fewer donations to charity than they did a decade ago, according to the 2016 Generosity Index published by the Fraser Institute, a think tank. Acquisition of the gift today has become a measuring stick for performance for many non-profits. The fact that 15% of Canadian population makes over 80% of all charitable contributions is evidence of how important stewardship became. Brand Analysis. The brand identity of Childrens Health Foundation which comprises the logo and the tagline is very clear and concise. Their mission to mobilize the community to support excellence in health care, rehabilitation and research for children and their families is fully backed up by all the programs and support they offer (innovative research, world-class hospital facilities and equipment; wide range of financial, legal and moral support to families with sick children). They are very consistent in updating their online s ocial blog, website, Facebook page, as well as uploading not only visuals but also the documentaries on regular basis to strengthen the impact of the message they are trying to convey. Childrens Health Foundation constantly conduct different campaigns to increase their reach and revenue. For the time being they cover South West Ontario, some parts of North West Ontario and have established good relationships with Thunder Bay hospitals. Childrens Health Foundation is promoting their brand on their website by using stories, visuals and documentaries for people to see the harsh reality of ill children and understand the difference they can make with their donations. The foundation also uses the social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to increase their reach as well as newsletters. They are raising funds and increase awareness of the cause by running campaigns, accepting donations on different levels andorganizing fundraising events. Childrens Health Foundations bra nd IDEA (integrity, Democracy, Ethics, Affinity) is very effective which increases its credibility. Childrens Health Foundation focuses on providing full range aid to the sick children and their families by providing high quality support on various levels (treatment, rehabilitation, financial, legal, moral), which is something unique and is the base of their positioning in the market against other non-profit organizations like Sunshine, Save the Children or World Vision. All of these organizations cover different needs of children make their dreams come true, provide financial support or food supplies to malnurished kids. Childrens Health Foundations brand evolve around the most vulnerable part of our society sick children. Because children are our future, donors are very willing to support this cause and it does attract significant amounts of funds. Childrens Health Foundation has raised $8mln. last year. In terms of donations Childrens Health foundation is targeting corporation s and people with various income levels that are not indifferent to the cause as every dollar that comes in is important. The donor segmentation is as follows: individuals, corporations, lifetime giving, legacy, community fundraising. Varied demographics is one of the challenges the foundation is facing when trying to build their donor recognition and stewardship programs because every demographic group depending on level of donations is expecting different things. Looking at the ways to donate, however, it is clear, that the foundation fails to address and engage in their efforts the generation of millennials. The objective of the Childrens Health Foundation is to come up with a plan on how they can recognize and steward all different demographics and customize these programs according to different levels of donations by remaining inclusive. SWOT Analysis Childrens Health Foundation Strengths Brand associated with children. People like to help children. Affiliation with Childrens hospital, Childrens Research Institute and Thames Valley Childrens Centre, so donor dollars are kept under one umbrella. The third largest children health research institute in Canada. Offer various specialized programs to sick children. Strong community event partnerships. Childrens Health Research Institute leverages the seed funding from Childrens Health foundation 10 times over, with external and peer-reviewed grant success. Tax exemption Family Centered care environment through programs as: fund specialized equipment, comfort sick children, establish a new simulation, support families in need, fund pro-bono legal services for patient families. Weaknesses Limited budget. Hospital policy limitations. Limited staff. Targeting a wide range of demographics without particular focus. Website is not very graphic. Opportunities Tap into the market of Millennials and encourage involvement in the cause Cause Related Marketing Innovative donor recognition stewardship programs Having limited resources to focus their efforts towards actions that would bring the biggest return Threats Vulnerable to economic crisis. Charitable giving is one of the first cash outflows that consumers cut back on when money is tight. Since they depend on contributions, they need to avoid the perception of impropriety. Even a small scandal can be damaging. Donor engagements are difficult in hospitals due to health, safety privacy issues Giving trends are changing, its important to adjust competitive evaluation Childrens Health Foundation is competing with every cause being promoted by other more than 60 not-for-profit organizations in London, Ontario. The advantage of Childrens Health Foundation is that their mantra evolves around sick children, which is more likely to win donors hearts than any other cause. On regional and national level Childrens Health foundation is facing more fierce competition. We will look closer at 3 of 13 Children Hospital Foundations in Canada Childrens Health Foundations, Sick Kids and McMaster Children Hospital Foundation, as they are all competing in exactly same field and are part of Childrens Miracle Network. The point of parity is that all these organizations are Hospital Foundations and provide help to children with severe health problems. Competitive Evaluation Childrens Health Foundation Sick kids foundation McMaster Children Hospital Foundation Simple, clear landing page. Appealing video on the landing page of their website. Simple landing page. No specific partners mentioned. Partners are not listed. Partnerships with well-known companies. Not very pictorial when it comes to kids. Very creative in terms of content and use of graphics. Impactful. Good content. Easy way to donate whatever amount you wish to. Different approaches to donate for specific programs. Easy way to donate. There is a donor recognition page on the website. Donor wall shows how the foundation have recognized their donors. No donor wall to identify donors. Conducts bowling competition to save lives of children. Have kids lottery system to raise funds. No upcoming specific programs to raise funds. Does not target millennials. Has a page on their website which allows to create own fundraising campaign and customize it for birthday etc. Does not target millennials. Has an extensive specialized program variety for family support (financial, legal etc.) Deals with a large variety of serious diseases and has a long history and solid reputation as an establishment offering word class programs like Motherisk. Focus on cancer, mental health and eating disorders for children. Sick Kids is very established foundation with long history, strong website and variety of programs they offer. They do target millennials offering them to customize their fundraising activity on Sick Kids website. Childrens Health Foundation should look into this market as well as to enhance their website for a stronger impact. opportunity identification Childrens Health foundation is very similar to competitors in terms of services, target audiences and fundraising activities. The opportunity lies in differentiation. The organization could do that by implementing innovative donor recognition and stewardship program, segment their donors more efficiently to focus their efforts in order to maximize the return and tap into market of young donors. goal statement In this marketing plan, we will focus on developing Donor Recognition Stewardship strategies for several donor segments: Planned giving as one of the sources of large donations to ensure future gifts. The planned giving component can promote long-term endowment building as well as assisting support over time as an inflation hedge. Lifetime giving to ensure loyalty and repeat gifts to support steady funds. Individual giving by millennials to ensure we engage the young generation in philanthropic activities. marketing objectives To increase planned giving by 10% by the end of the year. To maintain ongoing relationship with long time loyal donors. To increase millennial giving by 20% with engaging recognition and stewardship program by the end of the year. communication objectives   Ã‚   Planned Giving: Raise awareness about planned giving opportunities for a good cause -Childrens Health Foundation Lifetime Giving: Increase engagement with lifetime donors to strengthen the relationship. Individual Giving: Raise awareness about giving opportunities among millennials and engage them in such activities. creative objective planned giving Our basic creative strategy is to position planned giving as the most meaningful way to leave a legacy. creative strategy planned giving Target audience for this campaign are people of 60 and above (70% women as they are more likely to donate to health-related charities), who will be soon retiring or already retired with a significant amount of funds or estate at their disposal in South West and North West Ontario. Some of them have already started will /estate planning. They are single with small or no family, married with no children, or married couples with successful children. They have been donating to charities regularly or are connected to charitable giving in other ways, like volunteering. They are quite conservative and relationship is very important to them. This audience is into traditional media and listen to classic radio. They search online for real estate or auctions, could use twitter, but mobile phone is regarded as a practical tool rather than entertainment device. This audience are big fans of both water and motor sports. They have high rates for going to community theatres, baseball games and golf events. And personal finance appears to be one of their favorite indoor hobbies. We have chosen this segment because Childrens Health Foundation finds it challenging to steward this type of donors and often, some of the greatest and most transformational gifts to an organization come through bequests and other planned gifts. In Canada, the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce estimates that Canadian boomers are about to inherit approximately $750 billion from their aging relatives over the next decade. Now the baby boomer generation is entering retirement and many are willing to pass on their inheritance to charities rather than to their children. Regional disparities should be taken into consideration as well. Ontario residents expect to get the bigger bequests: 6.4 % look to receive more than $500,000, almost half as many as the 4.4 % across Canada who anticipate receiving such a large inheritance. As the boomer generation ages, it is increasingly crucial for all health care foundations to establish a planned giving strategy, giving donors even more ways to fulfi ll their philanthropic goals and touch the lives of others. The population of people of 55 years of old and over is continuously increasing in London and make up around 35% of its population. Seniors are most likely to donate to health-related charities. Positioning For lifetime Philanthropists, the Childrens Health Foundation is the ultimate way for leaving legacy by providing long lasting value to the most vulnerable part of our society sick children and contribute to our future. Childrens Health Foundation commits to full support for these kids and their families including treatment, rehabilitation, innovative research, financial and legal assistance. Recognition and Stewardship Conventional donor recognition and stewardship model does not work for this type of giving. As planned gifts are revocable, deferred and can be changed by the donor at any time, it is very important that these donors are recognized and thanked systematically. Proposals for planned giving could be shared with the current donor database. Planned gifts can be an important part of most major gift proposals to donors who pledge a specific amount while alive to purchase equipment or help pay for construction. A deferred planned gift can supplement this support by creating a permanent endowment that will provide perpetual support for the same program or building. Planned gift proposal could be incorporated into all charitys fundraising efforts. Donors who establish life income arrangements (charitable trusts, gift annuities), arrange for retained life estates, or donate life insurance policies (all irrevocable) as well as those providing for bequests or naming your charity as a beneficiary of their retirement plans or life insurance policies (revocable) should be nominated for Guardian Circle. The common theme of these donors is their belief that providing for the future of the organization is important and that their funds will be used for a noble cause to help those in need when they will no longer be with us. Donors are becoming philanthropists and investors, and will require different types of information, greater transparency and access to leadership. Which means legacy donors should be provided with Inside Reports on a regular basis or perhaps a personal perspective on something happening at the charity. These should be from someone high in the organization and could be sent on society letterhead to reinforce the feeling of belonging to a community of special donors. It is important to meet them face to face and as often as a donor deems necessary. Small tokens of appreciation could be sent on regular basis: crafts made by kids, maybe some tickets to a classical music concert given by sponsor or other type of gift received on the basis of partnership with for profit organizations. There is no cost involved and shows that these donors are being though off. Planned gift donors should be invited into every fundraising event to make sure Childrens Health Foundation has as many touch points with these donors without forcing unnatural interactions like compulsory monthly calls. To keep a database of their birthdays or anniversaries, their children or grandchildren birthdays or other events (exotic holiday, wedding, someone is sick) to make sure that these donors and their families receive a card or follow up phone call (with no ask) on these occasions. Greeting cards could be prepared by kids. It is a very personalized attention, that shows the donor that you care and remember. In this way, it is possible to involve all the family in philanthropic activities and potentially increase donations from other sources. Board members could organize a yearly lunch or dinner evening only for this type of donors to discuss in more detail the struggles and plans of the foundations. The cost of such a dinner could as well be a gift from a restaurant to the Childrens Health Foundation if arranged. Every planned gift donor should have an opportunity to have a tour of the facilities, to speak with researchers and employees of the hospitals at least once, so they would get a feeling of how they can contribute to the cause rather than just see the numbers on the paper. This would help them to feel more involved. Planned gift donors may as well become monthly donors to assist in covering some immediate needs or vice versa, so while maintaining an ongoing relationship it is important to leverage different opportunities and to offer them to the donor as an option. Planned gift donors should have contact details of their main contact in the foundation should he have any questions. All their problems should be resolved in a timely and effective manner. Donors should be publicly recognized to the greatest extent theyll allow, which, would help make planned giving more accessible to other potential contributors. It would be nice to name a building, garden of the hospital or some other place of the facilities after the name of the legacy leader and honor a person with the largest contribution this way. Media Channels Ad on Classic Radio, TV and magazines, brochures to be handed out at theatre, art galleries, golf events, fundraising events; Twitter, announcements on website, face to face, telephone. creative objective lifetime giving Our basic creative strategy is to position lifetime giving as a vital source of income, enabling Childrens Health Foundation continue making difference for many families lives. creative strategy lifetime giving Target Market INDIVIDUALS Target audience is 40+ years old persons (men and women) with advanced degrees and minimum $100,000 + income per household who have already made at least 3 donations in their lifetime. They are either empty nesters or married couples with university-aged children They have high rates for going to the theatre, symphony, art galleries and the ballet. At home, they read lots of books, listen to classical music radio stations and subscribe to business, news and travel magazines. They are politically active, rank high for working on community projects, serving as volunteers and writing letters to public officials. They also support a long list of philanthropic causes, exercising their well-developed social conscience with both their time and money. They read business and travel publications, watch TV golf shows and jazz festivals. This audience is one of the top clusters for buying financial products. These savvy Canadians invest in virtually every kind of mutual fund available. Positioning For philanthropists, the Childrens Health Foundation is an investment that makes a real difference and offers a priceless return a tremendously improved quality of life of children with severe health issues. Childrens Health Foundation commits to full support for these kids and their families including treatment, rehabilitation, innovative research, financial and legal assistance. CORPORATE Target audience consists of large and mid-size businesses Childrens Health foundation have not cooperated with. These businesses are looking to incorporate philanthropic activities into their brand and culture to raise awareness and increase their brand equity as well as to contribute to their communities. Positioning For socially responsible businesses, investment in Childrens Health Foundation is a most efficient way to make a difference in the lives of their communities, by helping the most vulnerable part of our society children to lead a quality life recovering from life threatening diseases. Childrens Health Foundation commits to full support for these kids and their families including treatment, rehabilitation, innovative research, financial and legal assistance. We have chosen these target markets because middle class is declining and it is increasingly important to retain the loyalty of the donors to ensure steady revenue flow. Corporations is as well an important source of continuous revenue for charities for smooth daily operations. Childrens Health Foundation is currently working on the recognition and stewardship plan and came up with the below thresholds for lifetime giving. Individual $25,000 $99,999 Individual $100,000 $499,999 Individual $500,000 + Corporations $250,000 + Recognition and Stewardship Donor recognition and stewardship program should be aimed to form deep and lasting relationships with the donors, by adopting a long term ongoing mindset rather than to check off a box on a checklist. Conversation should be dynamic and ongoing rather than static. Ideally every level should have a name of the circle who would enjoy the benefits of a specific level of donation. INDIVIDUALS Individual $25,000 $99,999 Give donor a photo frame of the children being helped. To thank them in person if feasible to strengthen the relationship. Develop a stewardship section on the website where all new memberships of the circle are being announced acknowledging the loyalty and support of the new member. A pin of the circle. Invitations to all fundraising events Individual $100,000 $499,999 A painting with colorful handstamps of children of the hospital as an authentic way to say THANK YOU. It should be given in person. Send cards or make a phone call during these birthdays, anniversaries, etc. That way, your donor will know that theyre on the top of your mind. Invitations to all fundraising events. A pin of the circle. Tickets to an art show or complimentary golf rounds received from sponsor so it would not cost anything and donors would feel appreciated. Individual $500,000 + A necklace made by children in the hospital as a thank you gift. A yearly dinner with board members to discuss issues and make the donors feel they are part of the family and get a feeling of what is happening behind the scene. A pin of the circle. Invitations to exclusive events received from sponsors. Send cards or make a phone call during these birthdays, anniversaries, etc. That way, your donor will know that theyre on the top of your mind. Invitations to all fundraising events. A public announcement (if donor agrees). Media Channels Brochures to be handed out in art galleries, theatres, symphonies, fundraising events; ads in business and travel magazines; TV golf shows or jazz festivals; email, face to face, website, Twitter, LinkedIn. CORPORATIONS $250,000 + At the completion of a project or campaign, provide them with a small photo book that showcases the project from inception to completion. A photo book is tangible evidence of how their dollars were spent and serves as a constant reminder of the organization. When creating the photo book, we should be certain to select results-oriented pictures that are tied to your cause and show the impact our organization makes. Highlight a donor on the website or with newsletter. Include why they are such an important part of your organizations family. Honor major donors that stand out with a personalized plaque. A 2 to 5 minute thank you video to publicly recognize them through social media and promote your organization to other potential supporters. Use social media provide the chance to recognize donors in a regular and ongoing way. Media Channels Face to Face, telephone, brochures, email. creative objective individual giving/millennials Our creative strategy is to position Childrens Health Foundation as a cause that invites our young generation to participate and therefore, make a difference. creative strategy individual giving/millennials Target Audience is men and women from 18 to 30 years old singles or young families. Their income is not very high as they are still in college/university or working in entry level jobs that do not bring high income. These young, tech-savvy consumers find their entertainment online. They are doing volunteer work in an effort to improve their community. They tend to donate to whatever inspired them at the moment and are looking for causes with social value and alignment to a higher purpose. They want to participate and co-create products as well as for disruption of the status quo in ways that appeal to their sensibilities. This group is very influenced by their peers. < Rainforest Deforestation | Essay Rainforest Deforestation | Essay There are many reasons why the rainforests are disappearing right before our eyes. There are two main causes total deforestation, agriculture and fuel wood collection in dry areas. The main cause of the disappearing forests are logging, mining, industrial development and large dams. Tourism is also a large threat in deforestation. They all play a major part in the degradation of all forests. What is logging? Many may ask that question to a forest expert. Logging is simply the cutting down of mature trees for their timber. Large areas of the forest are destroyed only to remove a few of its logs. The heavy equipment used to break through the forest causes even more damage. As the soil is compacted and the trees are cut down by the heavy machines, the chance for the regeneration of the forest decreases significantly. The tracks made by the heavy machinery are a site foe extreme soil disturbance which will eventually erode in heavy rains. Now the lives of all the forests inhabitants are disrupted by the removal of only a few logs. The International Tropical Trade Organization (ITTO), was established in 1988 to regulate the trade of tropical timber, but the amount of logging was insignificant on a world wide scale. Most rainforest timber on the international market is exported to rich countries. There, it is then sold hundreds of times the original price paid to the indigenou s people whose forest have been plundered. The timber is then used for the production of doors, wood frames, crates, house hold utensils, and other items. The next cause of deforestation is agriculture, the shifted cultivators, cash crops, and cattle ranching. The term shifted cultivators is commonly used for the people who have moved into the rainforest and established small scale farms. These people are landless peasants who followed roads into the damaged areas of the forests. Shifted cultivators are being blamed for 60% of tropical forest lost. The reason they are called shifted cultivators is that they are forced to move off of their own land and move into the forest which they had no knowledge in order to sustain themselves and their families. After a time these farmers encounter the same problems as the cash crop farmers do. The foil does not stay fertile for a long time, so they are forced to move or shift again to a new area in the forest destroying it more and more. Its evident that shifted cultivators have become part of the destruction of the rainforests but not the cause. Undisturbed areas of the rainforests are being clea red in order to provide land for food crops and grazing cattle. Much of these crops are grown to be exported to rich industrialized countries, which leaves the poor population to go hungry and fend for their selves. Because of the delicate nature of the rainforest soil the productivity of cash crops grown declines after a few years. Mono-culture plantations are those that produce only one species of tree or type of food. The reason they are referred to as cash crops is that the only reason they are planted is simply to make money and make it fast, with very little concern about the environmental damage they are causing. Most cases involve cattle damage, the cattle damage the land to such an extent where the ranchers have no use for it anymore, they move on destroying more and more of the rainforest. The forest is not the only thing being destroyed; cattle ranchers have exploited the land leaving it barren and stripped of nutrients not being able to sustain any life at all. The third cause of deforestation is fuel wood, fuel wood is used for heating and cooking. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that 1.5 to 2 billion worldwide rely on fuel wood for many purposes. The problem is worse in drier regions of the tropics. A solution will probably mean the return of the forest to local people who know how to control it. Another cause is the production of large dams, in India and South America millions of acres of forests are being destroyed by the building of these large hydro-electric dams. It was a dominant view that hydro-electric dams had to be built or these countries would suffer from am energy crisis. The construction of the dams not only destroys the forests but also displaces the tens of thousands of families, not only destroying their land, but also their culture. The rates of waterborne diseases increase significantly. The downstream ecosystems are destroyed by the dams which trap the silt, trapping many valuable nutrients. The irrigation and industrial projects that are powered by these dams lead to extensive environmental damage in the future. The irrigation leads to destruction of soils and the industry leads to pollution. Mining and industry is the fifth cause of rainforest destruction. Mining and Industrial development lead to direct forest loss due to the clearing out of land to establish projects. Roads are built through unattainable land, which then opens up the rainforest. This later causes sever water, air, and land pollution. One more being the Colonization Schemes, government and international aid agencies for a time believed that by encouraging the colonization and the trans-migration schemes into the rainforest, they could improve the poverty felt by the people of the financially poor countries. It has become obvious that such schemes have failed numerous times, hurting the indigenous people and the environment. These schemes involved the relocation of millions of families into over populated parts or the forest. For example, in Indonesia, the Transmigration program begun in 1974. it is believed to be the greatest forest lost in Indonesia, directly causing an average loss of 200,000 hectares. These people suffered the same problem as the shifted cultivators did. The soil was not fertile enough, which made them move into another part of the forest destroying more land that was originally intended. The last cause is tourism, the creation of national parks has unquestionably protects rainforests. Though national parks are open to the public, the tourism is damaging most if these areas. National Parks are often advertised to vacationers before sufficient management plans have been developed. Insufficient financial support is to be paid for the preservation of forests by government departments. These government departments see tourism as an easy way to make money, therefore tourism is highly encouraged. Ecotourism or environmentally friendly tourism should educate the tourists to be more environmentally aware. Unfortunately many companies and resorts that advertise themselves as being ecotourist establishments are only exploiting the land for a profit. In conclusion we all have a part in destroying the rainforests; whether it be by logging, mining, industrial development, agriculture, or tourism. In order to make the world a better place for everyone to live in we all must come together and protect what we are destroying. Without the rainforests there wouldnt be oxygen and without oxygen there will be no way for any for of life to survive. So I ask how important are the rainforests to you?

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Iagos Mind in William Shakespeares Othello Essay -- Iago Psychology

Iago's Mind in William Shakespeare's Othello In Shakespeare’s play Othello, the character of Iago takes on the role of a person warped within his own thoughts and feelings. Although people today have the benefit of psychology, back in the 1600s people with severe psychological disorders were left un-medicated and free to roam as citizens of society. Although Iago would have benefited from medication of today, in his mind he was the best, even though his own imagination got the better of him and fed his own misguided mentality. One of the best examples of this warped mentality is a conversation which Iago has with Othello mid-way through the play (3.3.160-66). As one analyzes Iago’s words, the depth and complexity of his mental unrest ooze between the lines of this speech. And after careful analysis of the complexity of Iago’s thoughts in this speech, Iago’s psychological shortcomings of conceit and self-worth unravel before our eyes. At first glance, as Iago starts to verbally protect his reputation in the eyes of Othello, who has accused Iago of â€Å"†¦conspir[ing] against thy friend†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (3.3.147), Iago appears to be speaking of the nature of his reputation. But the lines can be analyzed on a much deeper level. When Iago says, â€Å"Good name in man and woman, dear my Lord†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (3.3.160), the obvious first impression is that he is issuing the beginning of a statement about his own reputation. But, deep within the layers, this statement can be seen as a start in expressing how Iago feels about Othello having taken his reputation as a man and smashed it in the public eye. Iago mentions early in the play that, â€Å"†¦it is thought abroad that ‘twixt my sheets / He has done my office† (1.3.369-70). By this earlier statement we s... ...y as a man, Iago ploys, â€Å"Reputation is an idle and most false imposition, oft got without merit / and lost without deserving† (2.3.251-52). Hence, we wonder, was Iago speaking of Othello, or Cassio? Or both? Within this albeit short speech we get a strong glimpse at how tangled the web of Iago’s mind can be. We get a feel for the depth of his psychological unrest and see how his mind can wrap quickly his feelings from one person to another in one quick jump of phrases. In these seven short lines we see Iago’s self-concern about how others perceive him, we see his own fixation on how great he sees himself, and we see how he deceives himself. For me, Iago’s psychosis intrigues me to read this play again and again since, on a very basic level, most of us can probably see parts of Iago within ourselves, no matter how deep within ourselves we have to look.