Leaving for College - A Heartbreaking and Bittersweet Experience Essay

Leaving for College - A Heartbreaking and Bittersweet Experience â€Å"Here’s to the nights we felt alive, here’s to the tears we knew you’d cry, here’s to goodbye, tomorrow’s gonna come too soon.† - Eve 6. I’ve heard this song many times before, but it took me so long to finally understand the real meaning behind it. The last night I spent in Tucson before moving away to college has proved to be the most heartbreaking and bittersweet life experience I’ve ever had to endure, yet it is also my fondest memory of home. I wanted that night to last forever because I never wanted to see tomorrow come. August twentieth was my last night in Tucson. The last night I had to spend with my family, my friends, and my dog. That would be my last night to spend in my own house, with my own personal bathroom, and a big bed. That would also be my last night to pack all of my important material possessions and then downsizing because my dorm room probably wouldn’t hold everything I thought I â€Å"needed.† The night began with that afternoon at what we call the â€Å"G.R. Party.† This is commonly known as a good riddance party. My parents, extended family, and friends gathered together inside my home for my last dinner. All the males were, of course assembled by the grill cooking our wonderful all American feast of hamburgers, barbeque chicken, and hot dogs. Most of the women were mingling with each other, each one almost in tears listening to others talk about how hard â€Å"letting go† of their own children would be and fearing the next few days when my friends would be away to different colleges. My friends and I were busy talking amongst ourselves and watching my younger cousins dazzle us in the pool with their most recent dive or trick. Finally, someone... ... ever had to do. Who knew it would be so difficult to leave those people who shaped the person you are today? I had to face the people that I loved so much and say good bye. I knew I would see them again, but somehow that wasn’t a comforting thought. The only thing I could seem to think of was how hard it was to leave and how excruciating it felt. This experience has left a huge impression on my life. I realized how much I love my life and the people in it. I recognized the fact that this was me, growing up and becoming an adult. I also finally understood the meaning of â€Å"family.† Even though I was leaving my home of eighteen years, I knew I still had a wonderful place to return to. That chapter of my life ended beyond perfectly. Although that night was somewhat depressing it was also filled with fun, laughter, and love. It is by far, my favorite memory of home.

Criticism of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Past and Present Ess

Criticism of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn: Past   and Present     Ã‚  Ã‚   The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is one of the all-time most controversial American novels.   Marks Twain’s masterpiece, narrated by a rebellious boy who rafts down the Mississippi river with a runaway slave, has received a wide variety of kudos and criticism since it first appeared in 1885.   While it is still applauded for its childlike imagination and realistic use of dialogue, the criticisms of Huck Finn have undergone a drastic shift.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Upon its initial release, Huck Finn was blasted by some critics for indecency.   They argued that Twain’s story, like dime novels, would influence young readers to forbid their parents and teachers just as Huck does Miss Watson.   The city of Concord, RI was perhaps the most stringent in its reaction to Huck Finn, banning the book completely from library shelves.   In a telling March 18, 1885 article, the New York Herald reported on this censorship.   The reasons for the banning, provided by the Concord Library Committee, include opinions that the book is â€Å"absolutely ...

Competitive Strategic Management a Case Study of Virgin Atlantics Essay

Introduction: Today, competition in international markets has become severe and in order to sustain relevant position, organizations need to assume competitive strategies so that they can gain competitive advantages. (Rao, pp.185, 2011) The dynamic condition of markets has made it complicated for the organizations to achieve higher level of success without using experts’ promulgated models and literatures. (Flouris, Oswald, pp.19, 2006) Hence, researches have made it simple for the organizations to compete at broader level yet these researches merely gives way to these organizations and they need to develop the strategic plans on their own. Different companies adopt different kind of competitive strategies in order to get higher position in competitive market and for this purpose, it used to perform different activities than the competing firms. (Daft, pp.65, 2009)Virgin Airlines is one of the organizations who have assumed authentic strategies in order to satisfy customer’s need and ultimately got exceptional position. This paper is basically an analysis of the competitive strategy of Virgin Atlantics which it has used in order to gain competitive advantage. The first section analyzes the competitive strategy of Virgin Atlantics, second part deals with advantages and limitations and third part give certain recommendations to Virgin Atlantics in order to better its services. Competitive strategy of Virgin Atlantics: Porter has identified four different strategic options which an organization can use in order to gain competitive advantage keeping the contemporary internal and external environment under consideration. (Griffin, pp.244, 2010) Differentiation strategy is one of those competitive strategies promulgated by Porters In his Generic Strategic model. (Eldring, pp.6, 2009)Virgin Atlantic has based its strategic plan keeping differentiation strategy under consideration. However, if its strategy is scrutinized, it indicates that this strategy has been developed after doing thorough internal and external analysis. As far as internal analysis is concerned, this analysis demonstrates strengths and weaknesses of the organizations and for this purpose, different models like SWOT analysis can be utilized since it allows the organizations to analyze strengths and weaknesses of the organization. (Dibb, Simkin, pp.28, 2008) Virgin Atlantic has also based its strategy keeping internal analysis under consideration since its analysis demonstrate how internal analysis aids in having differentiation portfolio and potential customers. (Strauss, pp.106, 2010) The basic strength of Virgin Atlantic is the financial affiliation which it has with Singapore airline. (Reynolds, Lancaste, 2012) However, its financial information is not disclosed publicly yet it can be found out that the service has been differentiated by the company through identifying the core strengths and cost effectiveness is one of them. As far as weaknesses are concerned, Virgin Atlantic is though providing exceptional services to its customers yet for customers, it is costly. A normal customer cannot have first class or premium class service with this Airline. However, the solution has been provided in the form of three different classes and the average customers can utilize economy class for traveling to different destinations. Similarly, the external analysis has been done through doing market analysis, customer analysis, industry analysis and above all competitive analysis in order to gain competitive advantages. For this purpose, usually PESTEL analysis is done which identifies political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal aspects of the provided services. (Henry, pp.51, 2008) Virgin Atlantic also does PESTEL analysis at macro level in order to gain complete competitive advantage through identifying all essential factors and after doing this analysis, it has developed its differentiation strategy for international market. Porter’s differentiation strategy can be observed from all the perspectives including packages, offers, services etc. For example, it has been offering services for more than 30 different destinations with 43 outstanding aircrafts including airbuses, Boeings and aircrafts. Similarly, this airline has bases in Manchester and London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports and offers services for thirty different destinations including Dubai, Mauritius, Delhi, Sydney and Cape Town, the tourist favorite areas. Moreover, normally airlines offer business and economy class but Virgin Atlantic has three different classes including upper, premium economy and economy classes. In addition, it has infused differentiation strategy through providing Virgin Atlantic Cargo and Holiday services which offers instant and urgent shipments to different destinations of the world. Similarly, different travel packages with outclass offers have also been facilitated to customers in order to gain competitive advantages through dissimilar features. All these examples indicate how differentiation strategy of Porter’s Generic model aids an organization to gain benefits but for this purpose, organizations usually charge premium prices as well. Virgin Atlantic is also costly from other airlines in the market but its unique services have made it ample popular that more than five million customers use its services worldwide and all of them are ready to pay high prices for premium services. The competitive strategy of Virgin Atlantics has been developed keeping the market trends and contemporary needs of the customers under consideration and not only unique and different facilities have been provided but also basic requirements have been fulfilled. Hence, the competitive strategy of Virgin Atlantics has made it successful and preferable for the customers among all large air service providers. For using differentiation competitive strategy, this organization has been cherishing exceptional advantages and some of them are as followed: Advantages: If the analysis of advantages for using differentiations competitive strategy is scrutinized from the perspective of The Strategy Clock, it would appear that the organizations, who utilize this competitive strategy, gain high benefits investing low amount. Source: (Johnson, pp.243, 2008) This thing can be seen from the example of Virgin Atlantics since it has been using different sources to differentiate its services from others in order to gain competitive advantage and hence, achieved high profit in low amount as well. In current markets, the first advantage which Virgin Atlantics has been cherishing is the distinctive position due to providing unique services. Differentiation strategy allows Virgin Atlantics to have distinctive market position that makes it different from other competitors in the market and compels customers to prefer it on other competitors in the market providing similar service. (Thompson, Martin, pp.191, 2010) Second advantage of using this strategy is that it enables Virgin Atlantics to have sustainability in current market environment through gaining competitive advantage. For example, through providing unique services with exceptional features like multi-destination services, entertainment and customer care, shipping service, holiday packages, Virgin Atlantics invested little amount as compared to others but gained double benefits which enables it to have remarkable position in the market. The third major benefit of this differentiation strategy is flexibility which the organization provides. (Doise, pp.82, 2008) Virgin Atlantics also provides ample flexibility to customers in order to allow them to choose from multiple options. For instance, the customer can choose travel class from offered three classes according to his requirements. Suppose if customer has normal budget, he can select economy class whereas if he wants luxurious travel, he can select upper class. Flexibility is offered in packages and customers can choose relevant holiday packages of Virgin Holidays as well. Hence, this thing also proved ample lucrative for the company to achieve competitive advantage in contemporary markets and its environments. Limitations: In current dynamic business environment, using differentiation strategy is though beneficial but only to some extent since there are certain limitations cling to this competitive strategy, some of them are as followed: †¢It is very difficult to sustain elements of differentiation in current business environment since there are potential competitors in the market who try to assume better strategy in order to compete with Virgin Atlantics. These competitors might offer better services and add-ons that might affect core strategy of Virgin Atlantics †¢Changing services and making it unique is often costly. Though core strategy never costs high but sustainability of differentiations strategy usually costs high because the organizations have to spend a major amount in competing with opponents which ultimately compel the organizations to invest more and more for sustaining its position. (Sornarajah, pp.173, 2010) Virgin Atlantics has also faces this situation and spent a large amount on routes and aircrafts in order to differentiate its services from others. †¢Third limitation is the difficult which Virgin Atlantics has confronted in order to achieve differentiation. Since the current market is highly competitive and every organization has been trying to find out the best sources for gaining customer loyalty, this thing has made it ample complicated for the organizations to differentiate their services from others. Hence, differentiation competitive strategy is ample lucrative but these limitations makes it difficult for the organizations to sustain this strategy. However, in order to cope with these dynamic situations, different steps can be taken and the next part of the paper will promulgate all key steps which can augment profitability ratio. Recommendations: Virgin Atlantics can sustain its contemporary position in international markets taking different steps and for this purpose, it has to do analysis time and again in order to assess whether the implemented competitive strategy is compatible with current business environment or not. Following are some recommendations which can be used by Virgin Atlantics for sustaining its current position. Constant analysis: Virgin Atlantics should do constant internal and external analysis and amend the strategy or develop change management strategy according to the market requirements so that it can gain competitive advantages and beat its potential competitors. Additionally, these analyses would also enable the company to assess strengths and weaknesses of the company itself and through overpowering these shortcomings; it can develop its competitive strategic plan. Hybrid strategy: Though differentiation strategy is ample lucrative for providing sophisticated services and gaining customer loyalty yet it cannot be determined easily. Moreover, it might give high market share but market growth is possible only if this strategy is amalgamated with some additional strategy. This strategy can be cost-leadership strategy or focus strategy. Through focusing on differentiation strategy, Virgin Atlantics can obtain not only high market share but also market growth as well. as far as cost leadership strategy is concerned, it can be amalgamated with differentiation strategy in order to double the profit ratio since different researchers have provided combined competitive strategies as the solution of dynamic situation. (Marti, pp.100, 2007) Nevertheless, this hybrid strategy might also affect in a negative way. Competitive prices: Customers usually prefer exceptional services in affordable prices. So, Virgin Atlantics can gain advantages from cheap prices as well. Through providing low cost fleets to different customers, other then the facilitated, this organization could double its profit. However, the budget can be maintained through minimizing provided services during the flights. This thing would enable this organization to have market growth with low price strategy as well. Value added services: Value added services are often referred to as secondary services which are used for attracting customers and sustaining their loyalty with organization (Thurau and Hansen, p.112, 2000) No one can deny the significance of Value added services and marketing and this is the reason why it has remained inseparable part of every marketing plan and differentiation strategy. (Singh, pp.22, 2012) Virgin Atlantics can also gain competitive advantages via value added marketing and for this purpose; it can facilitate its customers with value holiday packages, discounted tickets and packages, lottery system and so on. These techniques would also attract a lot of customers and augment profitability and market share of the company as well. Conclusion: To conclude, it can be stated that this organization has been cherishing top positions on international level only because of using differentiation strategy and for this purpose, it has also invested capital through having partnership with Singapore airline. All its services including multiple destinations, holiday services, cargo services and in-flight entertainment, demonstrate its successful usage of differentiation strategy. However, Virgin Atlantics should also keep the advantages and limitations of using this strategy since there are certain times when this strategy needs slight amendments or changes in order to deal with contemporary circumstances. Virgin Atlantics can use different change management strategies in order to cope with limitations of this competitive strategy. In addition, this organization can also double its profit through taking different steps including value added marketing, competitive pricing and hybrid strategic development. These add-ons can maximize its profitability as well as worldwide recognitions and ultimately it would be able to compete with potential organizations like Emirates and Gulf Air. References: Daft, R. L. (2009) Organization Theory and Design. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Dibb, S., Lyndon S. (2008) Marketing Planning: A Workbook for Marketing Managers. London: South-Western Cengage Learning. Doise, M. L. (2008) An Integration of Corporate Culture and Strategy: The Interrelationships and Impact on Firm Performance. US: ProQuest. Eldring, J. (2009) Porter’s (1980) Generic Strategies, Performance and Risk an Empirical Investigation with German Data. Hamburg: Diplomica-Verl. Flouris, T. G.,Sharon L. O.(2006) Designing and Executing Strategy in Aviation Management. Aldershot, England: Ashgate. Griffin, R. W. (2011) Management. Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. Henry, A. (2008) Understanding Strategic Management. Oxford: Oxford UP. Johnson. (2008)Exploring Corporate Strategy: Text & Cases, 7/E. Dehli: Pearson Education India. Lancaste, G., Reynolds, P. (2012)Marketing. NY: CRC. Marti, M. (2007)Complexity Management Optimizing Product Architecture of Industrial Products. Wiesbaden: Deutscher Universitäts-Verlag. Rao, R. M. (2011)Services Marketing. Dehli: Pearson Education India. Singh, M. (2012)Building Customer Loyalty through Value Added Services: A Case of Telecom Sector. NY: GRIN Verlag. Sornarajah, M. (2012) The International Law on Foreign Investment. Cambridge: Cambridge UP. Strauss, R. (2010)Marketing Planning by Design: Systematic Planning for Successful Marketing Strategy. London: John Wiley & Sons. Thompson, J. L., Frank M. (2010) Strategic Management: Awareness & Change. Andover: South-Western Cengage Learning. Thurau, T, Ursula H. (2000) Relationship Marketing: Gaining Competitive Advantage through Customer Satisfaction and Customer Retention. Berlin: Springer.

The Relationship between Corporate Social and Financial Performance

The Relationship between Corporate Social and Financial Performance With scholars contributing volumes of literature on the topic of corporate social performance, the relationship posted between corporate social performance (CSP) and corporate financial performance (CFP) has been known to differ greatly.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on The Relationship between Corporate Social and Financial Performance specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The differences have resulted to confusion in the process of identifying the contributions of CSP in determining the CFP. The differences between the two attributes have given varying results; with some studies suggesting that CSP has high correlation with CFP, while other studies reporting lower or even negative correlations between the two. A closer analysis of the correlation trends posits that research results carried in social issues in management journals, journals of business ethics among other social science journals reports higher correlations compared to studies carried in accounting, finance or economics journals. In this regard, the hypothesis of this article seeks to show that the differences in these studies have been shaped by institutional logics that affect the cognitions of researchers rather than methodological and factual reasons. In advancing his hypothesis, Orlitzky, (2011), states that research results are socially constructed and thus the social constructions are responsible for the varying scores as far as the correlations of CSP and CFP is concerned. Researchers in varying disciplines have specified institutional logics that affect the quality of the results that they post after the research findings. To unravel the contributions of the institutional logics in determination of the research findings, the article uses a meta-analysis approach whereby various inputs from varying research findings are pooled together and analyzed analytically. In the meta-analysis process, the concept of data input in the ar ticle has been given preeminence to ensure that the variance in the correlation posted does not originate from data quality. At the end of the study, Orlitzky, (2011) proves that researchers enter into a research field with a mindset shaped by the institutional logics. Therefore, the social constructs are responsible for the varying result as far as the correlations of the CSP and CFP is concerned. Researchers in financial, economic and accounting fields have approached the topic with a mind set that the social responsibility has no significant effects to the financial performance of an institution.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, researchers in the business ethics and related fields approach the same topic with a mindset that explains the importance of the corporate social responsibility in the overall performance of the organization. The institutional m indsets, therefore, are responsible for the varying correlations of the concept of CSP and CFP when examined by different schools of thought. In conclusion, the acceptance of Orlitzky’s hypothesis can have tremendous effects to researchers in the field of CSP and its correlations to CFP. This is because Orlitzky, (2011), manages to prove that social constructs are responsible for the differences of the correlation figures posted by different researchers. The result can also have a significant effect to researchers as their objectivity and elimination of research bias is concerned. What Orlitzky, (2011) proves to researchers is that the concept of bias is yet to be overcome by the numerous researchers and thus the result of some of the research conducted may be in doubt. The study has also managed to show the extent to which individual inputs have on the results of a study. The results also has some implications for future research as it offers insights that may be helpful to researchers in order to minimize the effects of institutional logic in the process conducting research Reference Orlitzky, M. (2011). Institutional Logics in the Study of Organizations: The Social Construction of the Relationship between Corporate Social and Financial Performance. Business Ethics Quarterly 21 (3). Pp 409-444

AMAZON SWOT ANALYSIS Essay Example

AMAZON SWOT ANALYSIS Essay Example AMAZON SWOT ANALYSIS Essay AMAZON SWOT ANALYSIS Essay If these suppliers have problems, Amazon cannot supply products and services in an efficient way. Low margin products Amazons business foundation is low cost, which results in high growth in sales and market share, but also leads to a very low profit. Besides, free delivery can cause a negative effect on the profitability. Amazon operating margin stood at 0. 95%, while it was 20. 8% of eBay and 24% of Google ((eyelashes Fraud, 2013). Only online existence Amazon cannot give users the feeling of being touched and tried. Access to Amazons products is also limited to internet users. This means Amazon is ignoring a large umber of shopping customers 2. 3. OPPORTUNITIES E-commerce development customers get used to shopping online will bring more opportunities for the business. Online advertising Amazon has opportunities to take benefits of its reputation and huge customer database for placement of online ads. This can create significant profit like eBay or Google (about 85% of Googles revenues is from online advertising) (Sisyphus Fraud, 2013) Develop private brands With the existing advantages of reputation and systems worldwide, Amazon can save huge expenses in marketing when introducing new products. Launching its own brands will benefit Amazon both profit and image, Kindle is an example. 2. 4. THREATS Intense competition Amazon has many competitors in different industries like Wall-Mart, eBay or Google Moreover the enhanced technologies also increase competition because of convenient Internet facilities entry and easy shopping comparison. This may decrease the companys sales and profit. Government regulations The company depends on various regulations related to both general and internet business such as taxation, privacy, data protection, pricing, content, copyrights.

USS Langley (CVL-27) - World War II

USS Langley (CVL-27) - World War II USS Langley  (CVL-27) - Overview: Nation:  United States Type:  Aircraft Carrier Shipyard:  New York Shipbuilding Corporation Laid Down:  April, 11, 1942 Launched:  May 22, 1943 Commissioned:  August 31, 1943 Fate:  Sold for scrap, 1964 USS Langley (CVL-27) - Specifications Displacement:  11,000 tons   Length:  622 ft., 6 in. Beam:  109 ft. 2 in. Draft:  26 ft. Propulsion:  Four boilers powering 4 General Electric turbines, 4 Ãâ€" shafts Speed:  31 knots Complement:  1,569 men USS Langley  (CVL-27) - Armament 26 Ãâ€"  Bofors 40 mm guns Aircraft 30-45 aircraft USS Langley (CVL-27) - Design: With  World War II raging in Europe and rising tensions with Japan, US President Franklin D.  Roosevelt became worried over the fact that the US Navy did not expect any new aircraft carriers to join the fleet prior to 1944.   As a result, in 1941 he asked the General Board to investigate whether any of the cruisers then under construction could be converted into carriers to supplement the fleets  Lexington-  and  Yorktown-class  ships.   Completing their report on October 13, the General Board offered that while such conversions were possible, the amount of compromise required would badly reduce their effectiveness.   As a former Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Roosevelt pushed the issue and directed the Bureau of Ships (BuShips) to conduct a second study. Responding on October 25, BuShips stated that such conversions were possible and, while the ships would have reduced capabilities relative to existing fleet carriers, they could be finished much faster.   After the Japanese  attack on Pearl Harbor  on December 7 and US entry into World War II, the US Navy accelerated the construction of the new  Essex-class  fleet carriers and decided to convert several  Cleveland-class light cruisers, then being built, into light carriers.   As conversion plans were finished, they offered more potential than initially hoped.    Featuring narrow and short flight and hangar decks, the new  Independence-class required blisters to be attached to the cruiser hulls to aid in offsetting the increased weight topside.   Maintaining their original cruiser speed of 30 knots, the class was significantly faster than other types of light and escort carriers which allowed them to sail in company with the US Navys fleet carriers.   Due to their smaller size, the  Independence-class carriers air groups often totaled around 30 aircraft.   While initially intended to be an even mix of fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers, by 1944 air groups were often fighter heavy. USS Langley (CVL-27) - Construction: The sixth ship of the new class, USS Crown Point (CV-27) was ordered as the  Cleveland-class light cruiser USS Fargo (CL-85).   Prior to construction commencing, it was designated for conversion to a light carrier.   Laid down on April 11, 1942 at New York Shipbuilding Corporation (Camden, NJ), the ships name was changed to Langley that November in honor of USS Langley (CV-1) which had been lost in combat.   Construction progressed and the carrier entered the water on May 22, 1943 with Louise Hopkins, wife of Special Adviser to the President Harry L. Hopkins, serving as sponsor.   Re-designated CVL-27 on July 15 to identify it as a light carrier, Langley entered commission on  August 31 with Captain W.M. Dillon in command.   After conducting shakedown exercises and training in the Caribbean that fall, the new carrier departed for Pearl Harbor on December 6. USS Langley (CVL-27) - Joining the Fight:        Ã‚   Following additional training in Hawaiian waters, Langley joined Rear Admiral Marc A. Mitschers Task Force 58 (Fast Carrier Task Force) for operations against the Japanese in the Marshall Islands.   Beginning on January 29, 1944, the carriers aircraft began striking targets in support of the landings on Kwajalein.   With the capture of the island in early February, Langley remained in the Marshalls to cover the attack on Eniwetok while the bulk of TF 58 moved west to mount a series of raids against Truk.   Replenishing at Espiritu Santo, the carriers planes returned to the air in late March and early April to strike Japanese forces in Palau, Yap, and Woleai.   Steaming south late in April, Langley aided in General Douglas MacArthurs landings at Hollandia, New Guinea. USS Langley (CVL-27) - Advancing on Japan: Completing raids against Truk in late April, Langley made port at Majuro and prepared for operations in the Marianas.   Departing in June, the carrier began launching attacks against targets on Saipan and Tinian on the 11th.   Helping to cover the landings on Saipan four days later, Langley remained in the area as its planes aided the troops ashore.   On June 19-20, Langley took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea as Admiral Jisaburo Ozawa attempted to disrupt the campaign in the Marianas.   A decisive victory for the Allies, the fighting saw three Japanese carriers sunk and over 600 aircraft destroyed.   Remaining in the Marianas until August 8, Langley then departed for Eniwetok. Sailing later in the month, Langley supported troops during the Battle of Peleliu in September before proceeding to the Philippines a month later.   Initially in place to protect the landings on Leyte, the carrier saw extensive action during the Battle of Leyte Gulf beginning on October 24.   Attacking Japanese warships in the Sibuyan Sea, Langleys aircraft later took part in the action off Cape Engaà ±o.   Over the next several weeks, the carrier remained in the Philippines and attacked targets around the archipelago before withdrawing to Ulithi on December 1. Returning to action in January 1945, Langley provided cover during the Lingayen Gulf landings on Luzon and joined its consorts in conducting a series of raids across the South China Sea.    Steaming north, Langley launched attacks against mainland Japan and Nansei Shoto before aiding in the invasion of Iwo Jima.   Returning to Japanese waters, the carrier continued to strike targets ashore into March.   Shifting south, Langley then assisted in the invasion of Okinawa.   During April and May, it split its time between supporting troops ashore and mounting attacks against Japan.   In need of an overhaul, Langley departed the Far East on May 11 and made for San Francisco.   Arriving on June 3, it spent the next two months in the yard receiving repairs and undergoing a modernization program.   Emerging on August 1, Langley departed the West Coast for Pearl Harbor.   Reaching Hawaii a week later, it was there when hostilities ended on August 15. USS Langley (CVL-27) - Later Service: Pressed into duty in Operation Magic Carpet, Langley made two voyages in the Pacific to carry American servicemen home.   Transferred to the Atlantic in October, the carrier completed two trips to Europe as part of the operation.   Finishing this duty in January 1946, Langley was placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Philadelphia and decommissioned on February 11, 1947.   After four years in reserve, the carrier was transferred to France on January 8, 1951 under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program.   Re-named La Fayette (R-96), it saw service in the Far East as well as in the Mediterranean during the 1956 Suez Crisis.   Returned to the US Navy on March 20, 1963, the carrier was sold for scrap to the Boston Metals Company of Baltimore a year later. Selected Sources ​DANFS: USS  Langley  (CVL-27) NavSource: USS  Langley  (CVL-27)WW2DB: USS  Langley  (CVL-27)

Cloud Atlas Film Analysis Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Cloud Atlas Film Analysis - Movie Review Example At some point, one may be able to say that the film is a combination of various issues about life in the society that have dynamic link to religion, philosophy, politics, socio-economic and socio-political, science and so on. The film is broad in its concept, because it tries to depict almost all of these aspects within its entire storyline. On the other hand, at some point, we know that this film employs many characters because of the various settings and time involved. Perhaps, one will be able to grasp the point why for instance, Hanks, Berry and Grant were given multiple characters in the film is to be able to save on the necessary costs and to meet other relevant considerations in the actual film making. However, the writer and the director of the film did not make it by mistake or may have intentionally employed it that way. In fact, as far as spiritual and religious concepts are concerned, there is a point to consider that the characters have significantly moved to a life of t ransformation, some of them were led to being good and the other evil, the very reason why for instance, they might have essentially played different characters from various time settings. From the philosophical standpoint, the concept of good and evil is therefore primarily employed in the movie film. Cloud Atlas therefore is trying to depict the whole picture of what we can substantially observe today particularly in various principles that the human race has significantly embraced. Therefore, we can say that the movie is a story of our lives, yesterday, today and in the days to come. Since it is not only confined in the past and at present time, it is also good to discuss about the essence of employing the future within the film. The futuristic setting of Cloud Atlas has something to do with the influence of the directors. Lana and Andy Wachowski are the directors of the film â€Å"The Matrix† and who happened to be the directors of the Cloud Atlas. We substantially know t hat the â€Å"The Matrix† is not only rich in philosophical concepts, but including other areas of life like spirituality, science, politics and so on, which are issues integrated in the film and projected to take place in the future (Watkins 19). It is the same trend which happened in the movie Cloud Atlas especially in the futuristic Korea in 2144. The directors are therefore fascinated to reveal or say something about the future of the human race. They are not only after of showing a high calibre form of entertainment in this sense, but above all, they want to explicate a very important message, something that will remind us of our actions today, and will warn us to leave away those will not contribute to the good of the majority in the days to come. In fact, with our inability to foresee the things to come ahead of us, the directors were fascinated to essentially include year 2346 in the plot or the storyline. This is to showcase the probable level of societal advancement in the future. From the point of view of the directors, society will then to undergo post-apocalyptic experience, where civilization might turn very primitive and language might end up to a weird hybrid, just as truly what the movie has clearly depicted. In other words, the movie film is full