Fashion Opinion Leadership Essay Example for Free

Fashion Opinion Leadership Essay 1. Introduction Consumers influence each other in several ways: they exchange information through communication, seek or give opinions and copy each other’s behaviour. Researchers recognise the giving and seeking of opinions as one of the most important word-of-mouth influences on brand and product choice (Bristor, 1990 and Weimann, 1994). Especially in fashion, social groups and opinion leaders influence product and brand evaluations (Amaldoss and Jain 2008). Fashion consumers often refer to fashion opinion leaders who they desire to be alike. The Internet and social media speeded up the way of communication within reference groups and made it possible to share interests without physical interaction. The following essay will outline an overview of fashion opinion leaders and reference groups before giving a better understanding of how fashion retailers make use of fashion opinion leaders in order to influence customers. 2. Reference groups and reference group influences Consumers use several sources when they seek information or opinions on decisions; informal and social (Goldsmith and Clark 2008). This aspect of consumer behaviour is described as opinion-leadership-opinion-seeking, word-of-mouth, buzz or social communication (Goldsmith and Clark 2008). This means that consumers refer to something or someone when they seek information and clears the way for the term referential or reference group. Solomon and Rabolt (2009) define Humans as social animals that try to fit into certain groups, please others and take â€Å"cues about how to behave by observing the actions of those around† (p. 422) them. A group can simply be defined as two or more people sharing common goals and interests. All members of a group interact by certain patterns, frameworks and networks. A group member must therefore be perceptible to belonging to this group. Groups can be primary (family), secondary (professions), formal (churches), or informal (certain group of frie nds). Belonging to a herd or group, makes consumers want to identify themselves psychologically and physically with desirable individuals of this group. Thus, an individual or group conceived of having significant relevance upon an individual’s sociological attributes, such as evaluations, characteristics, aspirations, or behaviour is defined as reference group (Park et al, 1977). As stated by Holton (2004), Merton hypothesized that individuals compare themselves with reference groups of people who occupy the social role to which the individual aspires. Hence, the group becomes the individuals frame of reference and influences his ideas and decisions. Reference group influence can occur in different ways. According to Solomon and Rabolt (2009), group members of reference groups can be influenced informational, utilitarian or value-expressive. Furthermore, individuals are also mostly influenced by normative referents of the group, such as parents, teachers, or peers (Childers and Rao, 1992). There are also so called aspirational groups of which individuals aspire to be a member of. This phenomenon can be considered as comparative referents, such as public opinion leaders or celebrities. Belonging to a group, aspirational or not, can influence the buying behaviour of individuals, and decisions are often based on what the group members please in order to be accepted (Joel et al 1972). According to the above, a reference group is as an individual or group that significantly influences an individual’s behaviour (Bearden and Etzel 1982). 2.1 Online referential groups and virtual consumption communities Literature mostly concentrates on face-to-face interaction within reference groups on a regular basis or on aspirational groups without direct interaction (Pentina et al, 2008). However, Sheth and Parvatiyar (1995) stated that it is not directly necessary to have physical contact and interactions with members of a group in order to refer to it. More common forms of reference groups are online reference groups, which only exist in the World Wide Web. Within the age of the Internet, arising social media networks and communities it is possible to share interests with people who the individual never met personally (Solomon and Rabolt, 2009). A virtual community of consumption is defined as â€Å"a collection of people whose online interactions are based on shared enthusiasm for and knowledge of a specific consumption activity† (Solomon and Rabolt, 2009, p 426), such as fashion for instance. In the concept of virtual communities any group of people can share common bonds, without being dependent on physical interaction and common graphic location (McDonough, 1992). But the issue of relationships between each other still lies at the heart of virtual communities (Farquhar and Rowley, 2006). Although online sharing of interests takes place on blog websites, social media platforms, like facebook or twitter or sharing services like as Pinterest, members build up relationships when sharing. On facebook, for instance, members liking other people’s post in certain theme groups and commenting on those can explain a relationship. Solomon and Rabolt (2009) state that the impact of virtual communities on individual’s product preferences and decisions are huge. Because of that, an online referential group can be considered as consumers who write about their opinions towards certain topics, seek information, publish recommendations, and post products or services. 2.1.1 Online referential groups in fashion and fashion bloggers Fashion and apparel shopping are seen as the most popular discussion topic among social networks (Thomas et al, 2007). In fashion, online communities are seen mostly through social media emergence such as blogs or facebook groups. Fashion blogs are mostly run by one person who writes or â€Å"blogs† about different products, occasions or events within the fashion industry. The community is then formed by readers of the blog, so called â€Å"followers†, that read the stories or comment on it. With gaining popularity bloggers are also able to gain money by advertising on their blog websites. According to the Telegraph, the most popular bloggers make up to  £10,000 a month in advertising (Telegraph, 28/10/2012). Meanwhile, also fashion retailers look into the blogging business. For retailers the building up of social media groups could help them to gain direct feedback from consumers while monitoring discussions in referential groups online. Burberry for example not only has its own group on facebook, but also launched a blog, showing images of people wearing their trench coats (The Art of Trench, 28/10/2012). 3. Fashion opinion leadership Referring to an opinion leader is one of the social or informal sources of decision and opinions seeking, named by Goldsmith and Clark (2008) in reference group behaviour. A person who has knowledge about a certain product and whose advice is seriously taken by others explains opinion leadership. An opinion leader or influential is a person, who is frequently able to influence attitudes and behaviour of others (Solomon and Rabolt 2009) Further, it can be explicated by the desire of leaders to distinguish themselves from followers, while followers pursue the countervailing desire to assimilate with leaders (Amaldoss and Jain 2008). Feick and Price (1987, p. 95) state that opinion leaders are more likely in product categories in which association with the product provides a form of self-expression. Fashionable clothing embodies information about the personality and status of its wearer to other people (Dodd et al, 2000). However, Amaldoss and Jain (2008) argue that in fashion, this occurrence is mostly seen within the purchasing of luxury clothing and accessories. There are several types of opinion leaders that can be observed in fashion. Firstly, some heavy consumers of fashion clothing who become extremely interested and preoccupied with it, so that their interest, knowledge and experience qualifies them to become fashion opinion leaders for others (Goldsmith, 2000). Today, these types of fashion opinion leaders occur mostly online, such as fashion bloggers. Secondly there are people who are in the public spotlight, such as celebrities. Celebrities mostly look adorable and therefore individuals follow their look because they desire to assimilate with this leader (Amaldoss and Jain 2008). But sometimes celebrities are being dressed up by personal outfitters in order to create, perform and accomplish a certain image without actually having the interest or knowledge in the area. This shows that also the perception that individuals have about a person can make the person an opinion leader. Of course, there are also people whose profession is related to fashion that can be an opinion leader for individuals, such as designers, fashion photographers, models or fashion magazines. A recent study on Mintel shows that fashion content in celebrity, lifestyle or fashion magazines, newspaper supplements and makeover shows has a direct influence on the shopping behaviour of 2 3.5 million people. Especially women are most likely influenced by such coverage (Mintel, Fashion Online, 29/10/12). As the fashion magazine example illustrates, an opinion leader does not have to be only one person, it can also be a company or an organisation. 3.1 Fashion opinion seeking â€Å"Opinion seeking is the behavioural counterpart to opinion leadership† (Goldsmith and Clark, 2008, p 309) and is important to the diffusion of new fashion products because it can spread word-of-mouth about the advice gotten from opinion leaders. Unlike opinion leaders, opinion seekers do not have the same knowledge of and interest in a product category than opinion leaders in this segment do (Goldsmith, 2000). Opinion leaders do also absorb risk (Solomon and Rabolt, 2009) for opinion seekers when buying a new product. Therefore, Opinion seekers consider opinion leaders as appropriate sources for information and advice (Bertrandias and Goldsmith, 2006). Nevertheless, opinion seekers are very important to opinion leaders because they act on the information they got from the opinion leader. The fashion industry is one of the industries that show the most frequent changes in trends and styles. When consumers determine on buying a new product they might ask or even search for information about the desired fashionable product. Because of that they often make use of informal or social sources when seeking information (Goldsmith and Clark 2008) or opinions on decisions from fashion opinion leaders in any form. Consumers can seek for an opinion through various types of social communication, word-of-moth recommendations, observing opinion leaders, researching a subject or buzz (Goldsmith and Clark 2008). In an online perspective, consumers can use social network communities as sources for apparel shopping. 3.1.1 The process within referential groups in fashion: coherence of opinion leaders and opinion seekers The basis of forming referential groups in virtual communities is the process combining interpersonal connectivity, social enhancement and sharing of information. Dholakia and Bagozzi (2004) state that interpersonal connectivity between members is important to retain social benefits of participating online. In fashion opinion leadership and fashion opinion seeking, the process is based on the social need of each other, shown in figure 3. Figure 1: The process of fashion influence between fashion opinion leaders and fashion opinion seekers in referential groups, adapted from Goldsmith and Clark, 2008 This process can especially be observed in online communities where opinion leaders post pictures of themselves wearing a new product. Several opinion seekers may like the product and give a positive feedback to the opinion leader or even share it with others, which shows symbolic validation to the opinion leader and creates a loop. 3.1.2 Victoria Beckham as fashion opinion leader for the Birkin Bag A good example for an opinion leader in fashion is Victoria Beckham. The ex-singer, designer and wife of English football star David Beckham is referred to being an A-list celebrity in the public spotlight. She is not only famous for designing fashion and wearing high-heels, but also for her collection of the Hermes Birkin Bag. The Birkin Bag is a hand-made handbag designed by the luxury fashion brand Hermà ¨s and is estimated to start at $6,000 (Branch, 2004). The bag is often seen adorning the arm of celebrities and has become a cult fashion phenomenon (Tonello, 2009) and is an example of a fashion product that gained high popularity. Its brand, Hermà ©s limited its production, to limit its accessibility. Victoria Beckham is presumed of possessing the largest collection of Birkins (Fashionthroughtravel, 26/10/12). The following figure shows an example of her and her Birkin Bag collection. It can be the fact that Victoria Beckham is popular and has a lot of people referring to her what made the bag so famous and desirable. Followers or referents to her then adopted the product, Birkin Bag. The more leaders adopt a product, the higher value is crated among its followers. â€Å"Thus, followers are buying the product for its reference group effect† (Almadoss and Jain, 2008, p 935). Therefore individuals that look up to their opinion leader may want to follow his choices (Amaldoss and Jain, 2008). As being outlined before, fashion clothing transmits a certain personality and status of its wearer to other people (Dodd et al, 2000) and is also a form of self-expression. Wearing certain trends or accessories like a Birkin Bag show commitment to a certain image of being wealthy, belonging to a higher class or having a sure feeling of trends and fashion. 4. Why and how marketers make use fashion opinion leaders The innovator theory by Rogers (1962) shows that consumer attitudes towards purchasing products can be classified into five categories. The following figure shows Rogers’s adoption of innovations curve. Depending on how quick consumers are to purchase they are either: 1. Innovators or Designers (2.5%), 2. Fashion opinion leaders or early adapters (13.5%), 3. Early majority (34%), 4. Late majority (34%), 5. Laggards or late adapters (16%) Directly after innovators or designers of the product, opinion leaders come second in purchasing or adapting this trend. According to the theory, opinion leaders are the key to product diffusion (Mituse, 05/11/12). Although innovators and opinion leaders combined account for no more than 16% of the overall market, a company can try to target opinion leaders already in early product stages and see if product diffusion will spread to the early and late majorities (Mituse, 05/11/12). Following Rogers’s theory and transferring it to the fashion industry, it can be argued that it is from extreme importance for fashion retailers to get opinion leaders on board in order to establish their designs and products within the market. Thus, the reasons why fashion opinion leaders influence others by sharing information are extremely important for companies (Bertandias and Goldsmith, 2006). Fashion retailers make use of â€Å"key opinion leaders† to influence the purchasing behaviour of consumers through their perceived position of authority. Therefore employing opinion leaders as advertising mascots or models in commercials or adverts, as seen in the figure below, is common in fashion retail. Figure 4: Fashion opinion leaders advertising for retailer Furthermore, collaborations with opinion leaders that are famous for their profession are common in fashion retail. This can be underlined by collaborations between mass retailer hm and designers like Donatella Versace (2012) and Jimmy Choo (2009) or online premium retailer NET-A-PORTER and Karl Lagerfeld, as figure 5 illustrates below. Figure 5: Collaborations of retailers and designers as fashion opinion leaders Nevertheless, marketing products or brands effectively today requires tools that reach beyond normal advertising methods: by prior targeting fashion opinion leaders, marketers are able to engage positive word-of-mouth behaviours (Bertrandias and Goldsmith, 2006) about their products. According to Chaney (2001), opinion leaders act as human information processors and are an attractive marketing tool as part of the overall communication strategy. Influences by fashion opinion leaders are not only verbal, but also visual (Bertrandias and Goldsmith, 2006). In fashion, a product has to be desirable to a consumer. If no one is seen with a certain product, most consumers don’t see a reason in buying it. If someone famous is seen with the product, the probability of referential groups buying or wanting the product as well increases. When word-of-mouth networks are generated around opinion leaders, it can pave the way for spreading news or opinions about certain fashion products. Thus, it is beneficial to address fashion-marketing communications directly to opinion leaders of this segment in order to speed up advertising messages. Therefore, advertisers may address womenswear or accessories fashion campaigns directly to opinion leaders like celebrities or high-fashion magazines. Because of the important role they may have in influencing markets, advertisers may also hand out free fashion product samples to opinion leaders (Yahoo, 29/10/12). Handing out such testimonials, which often embody free designer clothes, handbags or shoes, retailers encourage opinion leaders to wear the brand in order to influence reference groups around the opinion leader visually. Outfitting celebrities that have public appearance for free, mostly sees this occurrence, exemplarily stated in the below figure. Figure 6: Celebrities on the red carpet, adapted from ELLE By doing so, the marketer uses the position of the opinion leader to carry and break down its message to influence its relevant target group. Well-established magazines such as Vogue, Elle or Glamour can also be expected to have high influences on fashion decisions of opinion seekers. A fashion magazine even has the ability to cluster a whole group of fashion opinion leaders together: celebrities, photographers, editors, industry experts and fashion journalists. This might be a reason why opinion seekers use those magazines as information source when seeking for an opinion. Thus, advertising in fashion magazines, outfitting celebrities, or using fashion opinion leaders in adverts can influence target groups in their purchasing behaviour. 5. Conclusion ‘Reference groups in fashion’ are defined as fashion consumers who are heavy fashion users and highly involved in seeking or reflecting opinions about fashion brands and products with others who share the same interests. Further, it is differentiated between fashion opinion leaders and fashion opinion seekers. As being part of a referential group, opinion leaders and opinion seekers are positively related to each other, as the one can’t exist without the other. Today, fashion opinion leaders are often classified as celebrities, people standing in the public spotlight, magazines, or bloggers, surrounded by networks of reference groups that admire to be like them. Especially in the age of social media it has become more important to marketers to understand the process of providing, sharing and seeking of information between fashion opinion leaders and opinion seekers. Therefore opinion leaders are seen to be an important marketing tool in fashion as they are able to influence reference groups in their product or brand purchasing decisions. List of references: Amaldoss, W. Jain, S. (2008), Trading Up: A Strategic Analysis of Reference Group Effects, Marketing Science, pp. 932-942 Bearden, W. Etzel, M. (1982), Reference Group Influence on Product and Brand Purchase Decisions, Journal of Consumer Research, pp. 183-194 Bertrandias, L. Goldsmith, R. (2006), Some psychological motivations for fashion opinion leadership and fashion opinion seeking, Jornal of Fashion Marketing an Management, Vol 10, Issue 1, pp. 25-40 Branch, S. (2004), ‘Hermà ¨s’s jelly ache’, Wall Street Journal Bristor, J.M. (1990), ‘Enhanced explanations of word of mouth communications: the power of relationships’, in Hirschman, E.C. (Ed.), Research in Consumer Behavior, 4th ed., JAI Press, Greenwich, CT, pp. 51-83. Chaney, I. (2001), Opinion leaders as a segment for marketing communications, Marketing Intelligence Planning, p. 302 Childers, T. Rao, A. (1992), The Influence of Familial and peer-based Reference Groups on Consumer Decisions, Journal of Consumer Research, pp. 198-211 Dholakia, U. Bagozzi, R. (2004), A socialinfluence model of consumer participation in network- and small-group-based virtual communities , International Journal of Research in Marketing, Vol. 21, Issue3, pp. 241-263 Dodd, C., Clarke, I., Baron, S. Houston, V. (2000), ‘Looking the part: identity, meaning and culture in clothing purchasing – theoretical considerations’, Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, Vol. 4, No. 1, pp. 41-48 Farquhar, J. Rowley, J. (2006), Relationships and online consumer communities, Business Process Management Journal, pp. 162- 175 Feick, L. Price, L. (1987), `The market maven: a diffuser of marketplace information, Journal of Marketing, Vol. 51, p. 95. Goldsmith, R. Clark, R. (2008), An analysis of factors affecting fashion opinion leadership and fashion opinion seeking, Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, pp. 308-322 Goldsmith, R. (2000), ‘Characteristics of the heavy user of fashionable clothing’, Journal of Marketing Theory and Practise, Vol. 8, No. 4, pp. 1-9 Holton, G. (2004), „Robert K Merton – Biographical Memoriesâ€Å", Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society 148 (4) p 506–517 Jetsetsocialità © , Jetsetjunior, Accessed: 26th October 2012, Source: from: http://www.jetsetsocialite.com/2008/10/19/the-hermes-birkin-bag-buying-guide/ McDonough M. (1997), â€Å"Frequently asked questions: virtual communities†, internal paper prepared for virtual community hosts at the Thomson Viral Community laboratory Mintel Oxygen, Fashion Online UK March 2012, Report Brochure, Accessed: 29th October 2012, Source: from: http://ezproxy1.hw.ac.uk:2840/display/590053/?highlight=true Mituse, Accessed: 06/11/12, Source: from: http://www.mitsue.co.jp/english/case/concept/02.html?lang=en_usoutput=json session-id=fae8bc3e4d3cd76794dcbdbd8fbff715 Park, H. Cho, H. (2012), Social network online communities: information sources for apparel shopping, Journal of Consumer Marketing, Vol. 29, p. 400 Parvatiyar, A. Sheth J., (1995), ‘Relationship Marketing in Consumer Markets: Antecedents and Consequences’, Journal of Academy of Marketing Science, vol.23, No.4, pp. 255-271 Pentina, I., Prybutok, V., Zhang, X., (2008), THE ROLE OF VIRTUAL COMMUNITIES AS SHOPPING REFERENCE GROUPS, Journal of Electronic Commerce Research, pp. 114-136 Pierce, S. Yahoo, Clothing, Accessed 29th October 2012, Source: from http://news.yahoo.com/why-celebs-free-designer-clothing-221500536.html Rogers, E. Mituse, Accessed 28th October 2012, Source: from http://www.mitsue.co.jp/english/case/concept/02.html Rogers, E. (1962), Communication of Innovations, 2nd ed., The Free Press, New York Solomon, M. Rabolt, N. (2009), Consumer Behaviour in Fashion, 2nd ed., Prentice Hall Salter, J. (2012), The Telegraph, Fashion, Accessed 28th October 2012, Source: from http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/beauty/news-features/TMG7037668/Britains-best-fashion-bloggers.html

Causes of the Afghan Civil War

Causes of the Afghan Civil War Mohammad Haseeb Daudzai Who destroyed Kabul? The Afghan Civil War which started in 1989 and ended in 1992 was one of the bloodiest and most destructive wars in Afghan history. This war had two phases. The first phase was fought between the Afghan government and the Mujahedeen, and the second phase was fought between different parties of the Mujahedeen. The Afghan Civil War which resulted in more than 100,000 deaths and the destruction of Kabul was caused by various factors some of which were: Afghan people, Afghanistan’s economy, Afghan politicians and foreign involvement. First of all, Afghanistan is a multicultural country with more than ten ethnic groups and more than thirty languages. Afghans have some differences in their culture, too. The majority of Afghans follow either of the two schools of fiqh (schools of Islamic law) namely Jafari and Hanafi. The literacy rate is also very low in Afghanistan. These cultural differences, religious issues and low literacy rate make racism a common phenomenon amongst the people and it’s very easy for anyone to provoke a war in Afghanistan. In 1992, racists from different ethnic groups started inviting their ethnic groups to fight against other ethnic groups, so they could gain power in Afghanistan. The economy of Afghanistan was very weak in 1989 when the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was leaving Afghanistan. Unemployment reached its peak. Although Dr. Najibullah planned different strategies for making a stable economy in Afghanistan, but because gas wells were under the control of the Mujahedeen, the government was completely dependent on the USSR aid, hence most of those strategies failed. As a result of unemployment, people started starving in some parts of Kabul, so they started protesting against the government in Kabul. These protests gave the Mujahedeen a good excuse for attacking Kabul which marked the first phase of the Afghan Civil War. Back in 1980s when the USSR had full control of Afghanistan, eight parties were formed in opposition to the People’s Democratic Party of Afghanistan (PDPA) which was directly supported and under the influence of the Soviet Union. All these eight parties called themselves Mujahedeen (Holy warriors). These parties fought against the USSR for nine years. After nine years of fighting in Afghanistan, the USSR lost the war to the Mujahedeen and were forced to withdraw their forces from Afghanistan. In 1989, before leaving Afghanistan, the USSR selected Dr. Najibullah to be the president of Afghanistan after they left. Dr. Najibullah was a member of the PDPA, hence his government was not acceptable to the Mujahedeen and they continued to fight, which provoked a civil war between Afghan army and the Afghan Mujahedeen. More than 20,000 Afghans were killed in this first phase of the Afghan Civil War. In 1992 Dr. Najibullah resigned from his position. Afghan warlords knew Dr. Najib would finally resign and every one of them wanted to take his place so they organized a gathering in Peshawar, Pakistan. This gathering resulted in forming a new government and a cabinet which was supposed to take power after Dr. Najibullah resigned. Additionally, Ahmad Shah Masood formed a supervising council known as Shura e Nazar, which was composed of 120 military generals from different parts of northern Afghanistan, to supervise the activities of the upcoming government. In 1992, the new government gained full control of Kabul and major parts of Afghanistan. Sibghatullah Mujadeedi was appointed as the new president of Afghanistan, but due to his poor leadership skills he was soon replaced by Burhanuddin Rabbani. Rabbani was a member of Shura e Nazar and except Tajik warlords no one wanted him to be the President of Afghanistan. After a month, the second and bloodiest phase of the Afghan Civil War began. More than 50,000 civilians were killed only in Kabul and it was divided into di fferent parts, each part controlled by a different party. As an example Kart e Parwan district was controlled by Ahmad Shah Masood’s forces and only Tajik people lived there, Taimani district was controlled by Abdul Ali Mazari’s forces and only Hazara people lived there and if anyone from Kart e Parwan dared to go to Taimani or vice versa, the opposite party would kill him. After two months of Rabbani’s government the Mujahedeen started firing rockets across the streets of Kabul as result no one was safe anywhere in Kabul. Meanwhile Gulbudin Hekmatyar, who was supported by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, wanted to be the president of Afghanistan, hence he started fighting the government and Abdul Ali Mazari joined him. The Civil War in Afghanistan was part of the Cold War. According to George Crile, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) launched Operation Cyclone to fund the Mujahedeen against the USSR. In 1980 the amount of these funds reached $30 million per year and in 1987 this amount rose to $630 million per year. The CIA also provided weapons including Type-56 rifles and FIM-92 stingers to the Mujahedeen. The first stinger which proved to be a very effective weapon, was launched in 1986 near Jalalabad by the Mujahedeen, hence 500 additional stingers were provided to the Mujahedeen by the CIA. Pakistan also started supporting the Mujahedeen which resulted in the USSR providing additional AK 47s to the Afghan army. The USSR also provided more than 2500 SCUD missiles to the Afghan government. Dr. Najibullah used the SCUDs against Pakistan and gave the AK 47s to the Afghan army. Hundreds of missiles were fired on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan as a response to Pakistan’s suppo rt of the Mujahedeen and the US weapons supplies to the Mujahedeen that came through Pakistan. In 1992, Dr. Najibullah resigned. Dr. Najib’s resignation marked the end of the first phase of the Afghan Civil War. Pakistan continued supporting Gulbudin Hekmatyar against the Afghan government and asked him to keep fighting against the government till he gained full power in Kabul and replaced Rabbani. Saudi Arabia also started supporting Hekmatyar. The second phase of the War began after Hekmatyar started shelling Kabul. Relations between Shura e Nazar and General Abdul Rasheed Dostom who now had the full support of Uzbekistan, had soured and Dostom had to leave Kabul. After leaving Kabul, Dostom started shelling Kabul from the gates of Kabul. More than 50,000 civilian were killed in Kabul in blind shelling (1) (also called rockety koor ([blind rockets]). To conclude, during these two phases of the Afghan civil war, which lasted from 1989 to 1992, more than 100,000 Afghans were killed, thousands of Kabul citizens were injured and lost their homes and nothing was seen in Kabul except bombarded buildings and signs of different weapons used during the war. The Afghan Civil war was caused by four major factors, the Afghan people, Afghan economy, Afghan politicians and foreign powers.

Sophocles Antigone †Comparing the Symbolic Alignment Utilized by Creo

Sophocles' Antigone – Comparing the Symbolic Alignment Utilized by Creon and President George Bush ... he who has not first laid his foundations may be able with great ability to lay them afterwards, but they will be laid with trouble to the architect and danger to the building. - The Prince by Machiavelli Sophocles addresses this very problem in his play Antigone by the methods Creon uses to rule Thebes. Creon begins ruling Thebes in a very difficult time and circumstance. The polis has been embroiled in tragedy for over a generation. Creon must rule the city and consolidate the Theban citizens behind him. He resorts to symbolic means to unite the people, but he goes too far-- he is unyielding in his adherence to the symbolic policy he adopts, and too late becomes aware that he is actually losing the people he tries to lead.Creon capitalizes on recent tragic events in Thebes to consolidate his power and legitimize his position. The latest war in Thebes was waged between two brothers-- Eteocles and Polyneices. Polyneices, the elder brother, was to have the throne; but Eteocles drove him out by convincing the people that Polyneices carried Oedipus' curse. Polyneices went to Argos and raised an army, then returned in order to drive Eteocles out and retake control of Thebes (Oedipus at Colonus 1532-5). In the ensuing battle, the brothers killed each other-- they "worked out their share in common death" (Antigone 162). Their strife is over. Polyneices' army has returned to Argos, leaving the kingship of Thebes to Creon.Creon has just come to power in a city that has had more than its share of grief: King Laius was murdered, then the Sphynx and a plague tormented the polis with death. Next, Oedipus discovered his own crime... ...e question is not unique the ancient Thebes, however, and it behooves us to examine Creon's methods and goals in light of current events. For example, President Bush is currently using the tragedy of the World Trade Center attacks last year to unite the American people... more importantly to unite them under his leadership. His approval ratings are sky-high, up in the 70th percentile, according to polls by Gallup, CNN, USAToday, Fox, the Christian Science Monitor, Time, and others (http://www.pollingreport.com/BushFav.htm). By making his policy one of "Good vs. Evil," he has polarized the conflict, and who wouldn't want to be on the side of the Good? This method is not inherently wrong or bad, but with it come many caveats, as Creon discovered, and as Machiavelli warns. Symbols can be useful tools, but like any good tool, they can be dangerous if used without care.

Why was Italy not unified after the Congress of Vienna (1815)? :: essays research papers

Before the Congress of Vienna the French occupation had far reaching affects on Italy. The power of the Church and the Pope was reduced, changes were made in landownership and land was redistributed. A new middle class began to appear. Agriculture was improved and the peasants were freed from their old feudal ties and obligations. Then when Napoleon was defeated and the restoration of the old regime and monarchs was started, Italy again became a country divided into eleven independent states, excluding the tiny principalities and the Republic of San Marino. So Italy was not unified after the Congress of Vienna due to a number of reasons, such as the foreign influence of the Central European Powers, parochialism within the states, the lack of a common language and a strong economy coupled with the poor geography that separated Italy from itself and the rest of Europe.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the major factors that contributed to Italy not being unified after the congress of Vienna was the impact of foreign influence. Before the restoration of the old regime in Italy state boundaries were rearranged a number of times, ending up with a division of the peninsula into only three parts instead of eleven states. One third, including Piedmont, was annexed to France, one third became the Kingdom of Italy, and Napoleon’s brother, Joseph, as the Kingdom of Naples, ruled the remainder. Yet at the restoration of the old regime in Italy after the Congress of Vienna, the Pope was among those who regained their positions. During the Napoleonic occupation successive Popes had been taken into exile in France, and the temporal power of the Pope as ruler of an Italian state had been declared at an end. But when the Pope returned he was intent on restoring temporal, as well as spiritual, control. The Papal States were divided into seventeen provinces, five of which were under the authority of Papal Legates, or Cardinals, who acted as provincial governors. The remainder, which were nearer Rome, were controlled by priests known as Delegates. The whole administration of the Papal States was in the hands of the clergy. The lay people had no part in government, apart from a few lay members of advisory bodies called ‘congregations’. Politically, Italy was fragmented. Further, half the states were governed by kings or dukes who already occupied or hoped soon to inherit the thrones of the non-Italian countries.

Deliberately is to think about your actions Essay

Checkpoint 1 Living deliberately is to think about your actions, and to make good choices based on the consequences of those actions. One also prioritizes the more important things in life.Living deliberately is to think about your actions, and to make good choices based on the consequences of those actions. One also prioritizes the more important things in life.Living deliberately is to think about your actions, and to make good choices based on the consequences of those actions. One also prioritizes the more important things in life.Living deliberately is to think about your actions, and to make good choices based on the consequences of those actions. One also prioritizes the more important things in life.Living deliberately is to think about your actions, and to make good choices based on the consequences of those actions. One also prioritizes the more important things in life.Living deliberately is to think about your actions, and to make good choices based on the consequences of those actions. One also prioritizes the more important things in life.Living deliberately is to think about your actions, and to make good choices based on the consequences of those actions. One also prioritizes the more important things in life. Viewpoint 1 I think the essential facts of life are to be born, to live and to die.I think the essential facts of life are to be born, to live and to die.I think the essential facts of life are to be born, to live and to die.I think the essential facts of life are to be born, to live and to die.I think the essential facts of life are to be born, to live and to die.I think the essential facts of life are to be born, to live and to die.I think the essential facts of life are to be born, to live and to die.I think the essential facts of life are to be born, to live and to die.I think the essential facts of life are to be born, to live and to die.I think the essential facts of life are to be born, to live and to die.I think the essential facts of life are to be born, to live and to die.I think the essential facts of life are to be born, to live and to die. Viewpoint 2 I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living. I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light a t the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living. I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living. I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living. I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living. I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living. I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living an good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.I think, â€Å"To live what is not life,† means you are not living a good life, you are not happy and you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Perhaps you feel invisible or maybe you are being bullied. I think that is â€Å"to live what is not life†, because life is supposed to have good times and sad times. When you only experience the sad times, you are not truly living.

How Much Land Does a Man Nee Essay

A parable often contains irony, because the lesson of the story may be obvious to readers but not to the main character—at least until it’s too late. Irony refers to literary techniques used by a writer to portray differences between appearance and reality, expectation and result, or meaning and intention. In dramatic irony, there is a contradiction between what a character thinks and what the reader knows to be true. In irony of situation, an event occurs that directly contradicts the expectations of the characters or the reader. Often, an event in a story is ironic only in hindsight. Complete the following chart by telling why each example listed from Tolstoy’s story is ironic. The first one has been answered for you. When you are finished, answer the question that follows. Unit 2: Striving for Success Story Event 1. Pahom says, â€Å"If I had plenty of land, I shouldn’t fear the Devil himself!† 2. Pahom is angry when he gets fined by the woman’s manager, because he is careful with his animals. 3. Pahom’s heart fills with joy as he looks at his land. Why It’s Ironic The devil is listening and will tempt Pahom by giving him land. 4. Pahom is ten times better off in the Volga than he had been. 5. Pahom thinks he is tricking the Bashkir chief by getting a great deal on the land. 6. Pahom dies of exhaustion after marking off a huge area of land.

Caring for Cooper City Essay

There are many factors affecting the health of this community. I believe lack of health education and access to health care are the primary problems. The problems of pinworms and anemia are most preventable with hygiene education and nutritional education. The high premature births and neonatal death rate can be addressed with pre-natal education and care. The ability for the mothers and care givers to access these services may be impaired because of lack of access to health care related to transportation and economics. A cultural norm in many of Hispanic families is both parents work at minimum pay jobs with no benefits, while a family member takes care of several children. This care giver is often an older person (grand parent or aunt) and often does not understand or speak English or is an adolescent that is not able to drive. Because of the noted issues accessing health care during â€Å"business† hours are impaired. It is difficult for the person that may have access to transportation and one that speaks English to arrange a day off to take the child and/or pregnant woman to their doctor appointments Because a large population of the Hispanics go to the Catholic Church getting the local priest or a trusted community involved may help with accessing the population. Information about the clinic, health education classes, and setting up a clinic in the Catholic Church on the weekend may all be options to improving health care. Health education in the schools is another way to get the message to the public. A school health fair or school projects focused on prevention may be ways to help educate the parents. Education of adolescent about birth control, pre-natal care and support are other methods to improve the health of the community. . The planning group will need to have many members of the community. Having someone from the city council, the local priest and pastor, a representative from the high school, a medical representative such as the local md, or nurse practitioner a cultural community representative and representatives of the local business would be the best task force mix. Having the community leader’s access funds to provide free transportation to the health clinics or having a mobile health clinic to access the outlying population. Another option is to have a clinic at the major employer’s place of business. All of the suggested health options will need the support and commitment of the community. As a community health nurse you can support and encourage that commitment.