The Old Man And The Sea Essays - The Old Man And The Sea

The Old Man And The Sea The Old Man and the Sea is a heroic tale of man's strength pitted against forces he cannot control. It is a story about an old Cuban fisherman and his three-day battle with a giant Marlin. Through the use of three prominent themes; friendship, bravery, and Christianity; the Old Man and the Sea strives to teach important life lessons to the reader while also epitomizing Santiago, the old fisherman, as a Hemingway code hero. The relationship between Santiago and the boy is introduced early in the story. They are unlikely companions; one is old and the other young, yet they share an insuperable amount of respect and loyalty for each other. Santiago does not treat Manolin as a young boy but rather as an equal. Age is not a factor in their relationship. Manolin does not even act as a young boy; he is mature and sensitive to Santiago's feelings. He even offers to disobey his parents and accompany Santiago on his fishing trips. Santiago is viewed as an outcast in his village because he has not caught any fish for more than eighty-four days and is therefore unlucky. Nonetheless Manolin is loyal to Santiago and even when his parents forbid him he wants to help his friend. Their conversations are comfortable, like that of two friends who have known each other for a long time. When they speak it is usually about baseball or fishing, the two things they have most in common. Their favorite team is the Yankees and S antiago never loses faith in them even when the star player, Joe DiMaggio is injured with a heel spur. In this way Santiago not only teaches Manolin about fishing but also about important characteristics such as faith. In the story Santiago's bravery is unsurpassed but it is not until he hooks the great fish that we truly see his valor and perseverance. Through Santiago's actions Hemingway teaches the reader about bravery and tenacity in the face of adversity. He demonstrates that even when all is lost and seems hopeless a faith and willful heart will overcome anything. Santiago had lost his luckiness and therefore the respect of his village. Through the description of his cabin we also suspect that Santiago is a widower. Although Santiago has had many troubles he perseveres. He has faith in Manolin, in the Yankees, in Joe DiMaggio, and most importantly in himself. This is perhaps his greatest attribute because without it he would never have had the strength to persevere and defeat the giant Marlin. Faith is not the only thing that drives his perseverance. Santiago also draws upon his past victories for strength. After he hooks the Marlin he frequently recalls his battle with a native in what he calls the hand game. It is not just an arm wrestling victory for him it is a reminder of his youthful days. His recollections of this event usually proceed a favorite dream of his in which he sees many lions on a peaceful shore. These lions represent him when he is young and strong and could overcome any challenge. Although he is an old man and his body is no longer like it used to be his heart is still great and he eventually defeats the Marlin. Santiago's perseverance and bravery are further illustrated when he tries to fight off the sharks. He was a fisherman all his life and therefore he knows that the fate of his catch is inevitable yet he persists to fight the sharks. The battle between him and the sharks is about principles not a mere fish. Santiago is still a great warrior at hea rt and warriors fight until the end. One of the greatest and most obvious pieces of symbolism in the story is Christianity. From the beginning of the story the reader is shown a unique relationship between Santiago and Manolin. Their relationship parallels that of Christ and his disciples. Manolin is Santiago's disciple and Santiago teaches Manolin about fishing and life. One of the greatest lessons that Santiago gives is that of a simple faith. Have faith in the Yankees my son. This type of faith reflects the basic principles of Christianity. Hemingway's

Macbeth Text Response Essay Example

Macbeth Text Response Essay Example Macbeth Text Response Essay Macbeth Text Response Essay Macbeth Text Response This deed, the murder of King Duncan, has unanticipated consequences for both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. Discuss Macbeth, by William Shakespeare explores the theme of power, sleep and guilt. For Macbeth and Lady Macbeth to be able to be on the throne and fulfill the prophecy, they need to murder Kind Duncan. Unfortunately, Macbeth and Lady Macbeth didn’t think of the unanticipated consequences of committing the murder. The consequences that they are faced with include guiltiness, lack of sleep and broken relationships. The murder of King Duncan comes after Macbeth has heard the prophecies made by the witches. He was told that he will not only be Thane of Cawdor, but King of Scotland. Macbeth and Banquo discuss about the witches, and the latter believes that the witches are evil and tells Macbeth to beware of the prophecies. However, when Ross arrives to confirm the news that Macbeth is now Thane of Cawdor, he is willing to fulfil the witches’ prophecy to be king and starts thinking about the murder of King Duncan. ‘I am Thane of Cawdor. If good, why do I yield to that suggestion Whose horrid image doth unfix my hair And make my seated heart knock at my ribs, Against the use of nature? Present fears Are less than horrible imaginings. My thought, whose murder yet is but fantastical,’ (Act 1, Scene 3, Lines 145-151, Pg 19) Macbeth sends his wife a letter detailing the encounter with the witches and about the prophecies they made. Lady Macbeth, also willing to be on the throne, immediately resolves to have Duncan killed to fulfill the prophecy. ‘The raven himself to hoarse That croaks the fatal entrance of Duncan’ (Act 1, scene 5, lines 41, 42, Pg 24) That my keen knife see not the wound it makes’ (Act 1, Scene 5, line 55, pg 24) Macbeth arrives at the castle and announces that Kind Duncan will be there soon. Lady Macbeth and Macbeth begin to plot the assassination of the king. The latter arrives at the castle and is welcomed by Lady Macbeth. Macbeth debates whether or not he should kill Duncan, and after coming up with two strong arguments against the deed, he decided to go no further with it. ‘He’s here in double trust as I am his kinsman and his subject’ (Act 1, scene 7, Pg 28 lines 12, 13). ‘ s his host, who should against his murderer shut the door, not bear the knife himself’ (Act 1, scene 7, pg 28 lines 14-16). However, when Lady Macbeth reproves him for his cowardice, he responds, â€Å"I dare do all that may become a man/ who dares do more is none’ (Act 1, scene 7, pg 29 lines 50, 51), and he is convinced to go through with the plan. On the night of the assassination, Macbeth sees an imaginary dagger, leading him to Duncan’s chamber; the path to his destiny. He commits the murder and return to his chamber where Lady Macbeth is waiting for him. They both return back to bed to make it appear that they had been sleeping. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth wanted power and to fulfill the prophecy. They were ready to do anything to be on the throne. Macbeth fails his duty of being a kinsman and protecting the king. Instead, Macbeth kills him. The unexpected consequences are that Macbeth has ruined his relationship with King Duncan who has done nothing but good to Macbeth. Macbeth breaks Duncan’s trust and deceives him. Lady Macbeth is very determined to be on the throne and to carry out the prophecy. After the murder of King Duncan, she realises that the throne has not resulted in happiness or peace of mind. Nought’s had, all’s spent, Where our desire is got without content. ‘Tis safer to be that which we destroy Than by destruction dwell in doubtful joy† (Act 3, scene 2, lines 6-9 pg 58) Lady Macbeth’s relationship with Macbeth deteriorates and they become further apart. Lady Macbeth is always questioning Macbeth’s manhood, ‘ to be more than what you were, you would/ be so much more the man’ (Act 1, scene 7, lines 55, 56 Pg 29), and forcing him to make decisions he doesn’t want to make. Therefore, Macbeth doesn’t consult his wife before killing Banquo and Fleance. Lady Macbeth starts to sleep-walk and talk in her sleep for several nights. During her sleepwalking, she reveals the details of the murders for which she and Macbeth have been responsible for. ‘I tell you again, Banquo’s buried. He cannot come out on his grave. ’ (Act 5, Scene 1, pg 94 lines 44-46). Lady Macbeth wants to undo the death of Duncan; change the past but she knows that she can’t. ‘What’s done cannot be undone’ (Act 5, scene 1, pg 92, lines 56-60). She sees blood on her hands, but she cannot remove the imaginary ere blood, ‘out damned spot! Out I say! ’ (Act 5, scene 1, pg 92, line 30). She cannot remove the smell of blood ‘here’s the smell of the blood still. / All perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand’ (Act 5, scene 1, pg 92, lines 43, 44) Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking shows that she can’t escape her guilty conscience even when she is sleeping. The significance of Lady Macbeth’s hand washing is that she can’t remove the guilty thought of the murder of Duncan. Lady Macbeth eventually ends her own life, which is an unanticipated event. The guilt and sleepwalking are the unanticipated consequences that Lady Macbeth faces after the murder of Duncan. Macbeth also suffers from unanticipated consequences. He always has guilty conscience and he goes mad. He feels remorse after killing Duncan. ‘To know my deed, ‘Thwere best not know myself. Wake Duncan with thy knocking! I would thou couldst! ’ (Act 2, scene 2, pg 40 lines 88-91) Macbeth suffers from sleep deprivation which shows he feels guilty for doing the deed. His lack of sleep had also made him unable to make clear decisions. Macbeth is so determined to become King that he kills everyone who got in his way. Macbeth kills his companion and friend, Banquo, which he didn’t anticipate to do. He also murders Macduff’s family which was more brutal and violent compared to the murder of Duncan. This shows that Macbeth’s state of mind was a lot worse when he killed Macduff’s family. Macbeth goes insane and he sees Banquo’s ghost at a dinner gathering. Eventually, he realises that killing Duncan didn’t bring him happiness. He feels like he has nothing to look forward to in his future. ‘I have lived long enough. My way of life Is fallen into the sere, the yellow leaf, And that which should accompany old age, As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, I must not look to have. ’ (Act 5, scene 3, Pg 98 lines25-29) Macbeth is eventually killed by Macduff because he is born of a woman. This is another unanticipated event that occurs. The murder of King Duncan brought unanticipated consequences such as guilt, sleep deprivation and death. Both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth showed regrets for committing the deed and the dream of ultimate power; being on the throne, became too big to save them from madness. The murder was an anticipated, calculated action from them, but they didn’t predict the outcome of their horrible life affecting plan.

The Importance of Being Earnest Review

'The Importance of Being Earnest' Review ​​The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wildes most well-known and best-loved play, as well as being an enormous success in his lifetime. For many people, it is the apogee of Wildes work. Like Wilde, the play is the very embodiment of fin de sieclà © British dandyism. However, this seemingly frivolous play has a much darker side. Its critique of Victorian societythough delivered in a velvet gloveis every inch an iron fist. The play is a satire both of the hypocrisies of the society in which Wilde lived, and the damaging effect that these hypocrisies can have on the souls of those live under their rule. Wilde was to become one of those souls shortly after the first performance of the play when he initiated a libel trial that was to lead to his imprisonment for being a homosexual.​ Overview ofThe Importance of Being Earnest The play is based around two young men, one of whom is an upright young man called Jack who lives in the country. However, in order to escape the drudgery of his highly conservative lifestyle, he has created an alter-ego, Ernest, who has all kinds of reprobate fun in London. Jack says he often has to visit his poor brother Ernest, which gives him his opportunity to escape his boring life and have fun with his good friend, Algernon. However, Algernon comes to suspect that Jack is leading a double life when he finds a personal message in one of Jack’s cigarette cases. Jack makes a clean breast of his life, including the fact that he has a young and attractive ward by the name of Cecily Cardew back on his estate in Gloucestershire. This piques Algernons interest and, uninvited, he turns up on the estate pretending to be Jack’s brotherthe reprobate Ernestin order to woo Cecily. In the meantime, Jacks fiancà ©e, (and Algernons cousin) Gwendolen has also arrived, and Jack admits to her that he is, in fact, not called Ernest, but is called Jack. Algernon, despite his better judgment, also confesses to Cecily that his name is not Ernest either. This causes a good deal of trouble in our heroes love lives, as both women have a rather strange attachment to the name Ernest, and cannot consider marrying anyone who does not go by that name. There is another impediment to the marriages. Gwendolens mother, Lady Bracknell, will not countenance her daughter marrying someone of Jacks social status (he was an orphan who was found by his adoptive parents in a handbag at Kings Cross Station). As Jack is Cecilys guardian, he will not allow her to marry Algernon unless his aunt, Lady Bracknell changes her mind. This seemingly irresolvable conundrum becomes brilliantly solved when, on inspection of the handbag, Lady Bracknell reveals that Algernons brother had become lost in just such a handbag and that Jack must, in actuality, be that lost child. What’s more, the child had been christened Ernest. The play ends with a prospect of two very happy marriages. The Importance of Being Earnest combines a labyrinthine plot, the seemingly irresolvable narrative of a farce, and some of the most comic and wittiest lines ever written. It is, as can probably be surmised from its extraordinary to-ings and fro-ings and its incredibly unlikely resolution, is not to be taken as a serious drama. Indeed, the characters and the setting lack any real depth; they are, first and foremost, vessels for Wilde’s witticisms lampooning the shallow and roots-obsessed society in which he lived.   However, this is not to the plays detriment – the audience is treated to some of the most sparkling verbal wit ever seen. Whether luxuriating in paradox or simply in the ridiculousness created by the plot that Wilde has set in motion, the play is at its best when it is portraying supposedly serious things in an extremely trivial matter.   However, this seeming piece of fluff is enormously influential and is actually a destructive critique of the social mores of the times. The emphasis that is put in the play on surfacesnames, where and how people were brought up, the way that they dressbelies a yearning for something which is more substantial. Wilde can be credited, by producing a piece of polished decadence, with contributing to the destruction of a class-based, surface-obsessed society. Wildes play seems to say, look beneath the surface, try and find the real people stifled beneath social norms. Brilliant, inventive, witty andwhen performedabsolutely hilarious, Wildes The Importance of Being Earnest, is a landmark in the history of Western theater, and probably that writer’s greatest achievement.

Environmental Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Environmental Politics - Essay Example Environmental politics can also play an important role in global governance by finding new ways to hold individual governments responsible for their polluting activities. Turner explains this phenomenon in his article on measuring the carbon footprint. He argues that recent approaches towards measuring carbon footprints can be a useful means of assessing the responsibility of each state for reducing and controlling carbon emissions within their jurisdiction. Furthermore, the new measures also provide greater opportunity for deeper engagement and collaboration between states to develop strategies for reducing carbon emissions in various countries.Despite the promises of environmental politics bringing about greater cooperation, the reality also presents a picture characterized by disagreement and conflict. These fears are described by Skjaerseth, Bang, and Schreurs. The authors chart the course of environmental protection negotiations between the United States and the European Union a nd highlight the obstacles which have prevented a global consensus on emission reduction and climate change. Their findings show that environmental politics can only be an effective test of global governance to the extent that there is congruity or integration between the legislative organs and environmental bodies of the member states. If there is a contradiction between the ideals of environmental politics and what global environmental organizations are empowered to do, then productive results cannot be achieved.

Strategic performance management. John Hackling Transport Limited Assignment

Strategic performance management. John Hackling Transport Limited - Assignment Example The study seeks to bring forth the present performance management system and its effectiveness in a haulage company called John Hackling Transport Limited based in England. The company is known for being one of the best haulage companies in England. It has strategically located its depots, traffic and warehousing facilities at lucrative positions across the major cities providing easy and quick access for its main transport routes and its customers too. Comprising of a vast portfolio of customers, comprising of the national international and local companies from different sectors of the economy, the company has successfully delivered to the demands of all its customers over the years. The project begins with the discussion as to how the company sets performance targets as per the strategic objectives of the firm, which is followed by the tools and techniques needed evaluating performances of employees. The various performance criteria which are used for measuring performances are pre sented. In this context the various ways and importance of gaining employee commitments towards desired actions are discussed. Finally the importance and use of delegation, mentoring and coaching for the attainment of organizational objectives are presented in the project too. ... Performance Management System Link between team performance and strategic objectives of the company The first step towards building an effective performance management system is to prioritise the business objectives of the firm and consequently set performance targets with regards to the company as well as individual employees. The strategic objective of the company is to emerge as the top haulage company is UK through its wide diversity of services to customers. The idea is to deliver quality services towards customers with the maximum efficiencies and help them build profitable businesses (Hackling, 2011). The importance of team performance and activities are identified by the company as it is extremely crucial to have group performances and collaboration between team members to deliver services at different locations distributed at distant places across the nation and even in overseas locations. Some of the areas which necessarily require effective team performance and productivit y are logistic services, distribution and logistics, storage and warehousing, freight forwarding, pallet line backloads as well as training and consulting. Some of the necessary links between team performance and the strategic objectives of the company are provided below (Hackling-a, 2011). Because of the existence of a wide range of hauling services which are also provided under a single proof, the company needs to ensure that there is complete reliability, flexibility and convenience in the services provide to customers. This means that in a single service delivery a number of departments come into play and this increases the necessity and possibility of group activities and team work. Team work is also needed for ensuring reliability of local deliveries

Internal External Balance Essay Example for Free

Internal External Balance Essay When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Bernard Baruch In review of trade policy best suited for our Nation it is time for an overhaul and start developing a more complete toolbox. As Kevin Kaiser so poignantly stated in his article in CNN Money: â€Å"The economists that make the worlds crucial monetary policy decisions are the same economists who authored most textbooks in use. While superficially appealing, their theories lack empirical evidence, are riddled with internal inconsistencies, and are based upon tenuous assumptions. Specifically, their models are built on downward sloping demand curves, upward sloping supply curves, perfect competition, rational consumers, benevolent dictators, and general equilibrium; there is no dynamic analysis, no consideration of disequilibrium, and no role of private sector debt† (Kaiser, 2011). The policy cross as shown to the left indicates that as e increases m decreases, and current account improves. To offset this, an increase in g is required. The EE curve is positively sloped in the (e,g) space. An internal equilibrium is attained when the output is at the full employment level thereby raising the interest rate. Moreover, because the economy is fully employed, real output cannot increased beyond a point. Thus, an increase in inflationary pressure occurs, thereby raising domestic price, which shifts the LM curve to the left. Thus, along the IE curve, government spending and interest rate are directly related. As a Post Keynes-Industrialist, the tendency to lean towards comprehensive human market behaviors and interdependent structural issues makes developing a one-size-fits-all policy, such as the policy cross, for internal and external balance a challenge. This is particularly true when evidence for any one theory to-date has not proven to be exact and reliable. Capitalism is fickle, and doesn’t follow slopes as neatly as theorists would like and the global shocks being felt around the world are keeping the economic status of all countries anything but predictable. Paul Krugman wrote an article for The New York Times that explained, â€Å"at the heart of the profession of economics’ failure has been its emphasis on rigor, rather than relevance—that is, economics had been weakened by the desire for an all-encompassing, intellectually elegant approach that also gave economists a chance to show off their mathematical prowess. He offered two recommendations in addition to again making the case for renewed attention to Keynes: scholarship that questions the efficient-market view of the financial sector, and research that incorporates the realities of finance into macroeconomics† (Krugman, 2009). For the purposes of this paper however, it would be recommended that a floating exchange rate be proposed for the following reason: The challenge of fiscal and monetary policies to keep equilibrium could be comparative to eyeballing mass versus weight of internal and external spending and determining which is more relevant at any given time. While a cleanly floating exchange rate assures external balance, it does not assure internal balance and changes in the rate to achieve external balance may exacerbate and internal imbalance. Government monetary and fiscal policies may be used to address internal imbalances at this point with a floating rate structure. â€Å"The following graph can assist in understanding the impacts of booms and recessions on internal and external balances.†(Johnston, M. 2011). For example, the bottom left-hand shows the effects of exports being less competitive, which reduces the number of exports and induces a current account deficit and lower aggregate demand. Currently, the US has a well-known financial problem with a large trade deficit every year. â€Å"It seems many ignore this issue since our debts tend to be denominated in our domestic currency, the dollar.† (Kling, A. para 6). The most recent news release for second quarter 2012 on the Bureau of Economic Analysis states, â€Å"the US current-account deficit decreased to $117.4 billion (preliminary) in the second quarter from $133.6 billion (revised) in the first quarter. The decrease in the current-account deficit was accounted for by a decrease in the deficit on goods and an increase in the surplus on income.†(Bea.gov, Sept 18, 2012 ). This would indicate a small shift in the left lower quadrant just slightly contracting, but very little overall. However damning the current financial situation is, the floating exchange rate remains the better choice as argued in Global Business Today, â€Å"Under a fixed system, a country’s ability to expand or contract its money supply as it sees fit is limited by the need to maintain exchange rate parity, leading to high interest rates† (Hill, 2011). â€Å"Another reason is the because the real exchange rate fundamentals including terms of trade, import tariffs, technology progress, composition of government expenditures and revenues, real interest rate and capital controls are always in flux† (Wong, C. p. 7). When the exchange rate is flexible, in fiscal expansion either government expenditure increases or tax cuts raises output, but worsens current account balances. Conversely, fiscal contraction improves current account balances, but lowers output. If the economy attempts to attain both internal and external balance it could consider expenditure switching, but alone this will be inadequate. â€Å"For example, if an economy is at the full employment level, i.e., internal balance is already attained, but if it is running current account deficits, policy makers in the economy could devalue its currency so that net exports rise. However, the improvement of current account balances would lead the economy to experience over-heating so that internal balance would disappear. If an economy is experiencing an inflationary gap, or over-heating, while maintaining balanced current account, a revaluation policy may reduce total expenditure back to the full employment level, but lead to current account deficits† (web.pdx.edu, para 5). Therefore, changing how we currently think may be necessary to achieve both internal and external balances. Economics has been referred to the dismal science but as Kaiser states, â€Å"True sciences expand and evolve: genetics, psychology, quantum mechanics, astronomy. Economics defends itself – it is an ideology. What we need is an economic theory that is more relevant to a modern capitalist economy – one that embraces uncertainty and disequilibrium, is grounded upon realistic assumptions, is judged by the accuracy of its predictions, and where debt and money are implicit, important factors.† (CNN Money, 2011). References Hill, H. (2011). Global Business Today. New York: New York McGraw-Hill Kaiser, K. (December 16, 2011) Its time for economic theory to evolve. CNN Money. Retrieved on December 14, 2012 from http://finance.fortune.cnn.com/2011/12/16/its-time-for-economic-theory-to-evolve/ Johnston, M (October 8, 2011). AS and A2 Macroeconomics: Internal and External Balances. Econofix. Retrieved on December 12, 2012 from http://econfix.wordpress.com/2011/10/08/as-and-a2-macroeconomics-internal-and-external-balances/ Kling, A. (2004). The trade balance. Retrieved on December 13, 2012 from http://arnoldkling.com/econ/macro/trade.html Krugman, P (2009). â€Å"How Did Economists Get It So Wrong?† The New York Times, September 2. Retrieved on December 14, 2012 from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/06/magazine/06Economic-t.html News Release: US International Transactions. Retrieved on December 14, 2012 from http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/international/transactions/transnewsrelease.htm Wong, C-H. Adjustment and the Internal-External Balance. Retrieved on December 14, 2012 from http://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/content/pdfs/L-1b.pdf World Economy Expenditure Changing Retrieved on December 14, 2012 from http://web.pdx.edu/~ito/Expenditure_changing_switching_RE_-HI.pdf

Simon as the Christ Life Figure in The Lord of the Flies Essay

The Lord of the Flies was written by William Golding. Simon is one of the major characters in this novel. Simon’s character lives by what is morally right as opposed to the rest of the island. Simon represents essential human goodness. There are many biblical parallels in the Lord of the Flies that result in Simon being compared to Christ.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One reason Simon is regarded as the Christ figure in Lord of the Flies is that he commits many selfless acts just like Jesus Christ did. Simon chooses to stay and help Ralph build huts rather than go play with the other inhabitants. Ralph compliments Simon by saying â€Å"Simon. He Helps. All the rest rushed off. He’s done as much as I have† (54). Golding also illustrates Simon’s generosity when â€Å"Simon pulled off the choicest fr...

Earning Management

Does the Commercial Banking Industry of UAE Practice Earnings Management Dr. Mohammed Obeidat Introduction It is the right of external users of accounting information to be provided with more adequate information to protect their interests. Many questionable issues concerning the term of earnings management are still available. Auditors, accountants, financial analysts, and other concerned parties may hold the responsibility of detecting external users from the practices of earnings management. Many questionable issues are still available regarding the term of earnings management.Some people may have no enough idea about what practices are classified under earnings management, and what practices can not be classified under this term. Users of accounting information are different but few of them have the ability to detect the practices of earnings management. Because there are different methods of practicing earnings management, detecting the practices of earnings management is one of the difficult issues. The common practice of earnings management by firms and the negative effects of these practices on external users of financial accounting information justify the investigation of this issue.Many users may lose some of their wealth as a result of practicing this phenomenon. Many financial crises appear in our world from time to time, and some reasons of these crises are related to incorrect announced financial information. The problem of the current study will be simpler, if it is presented through the following question: How investors can detect the practices of earnings management, in order to have the ability to protect themselves from the negative effects of these practices?The answer to this question may seem more difficult, so the current study present an example from the Commercial Banking Industry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Studying the phenomena of practicing earnings management is important, because this will highlight why managers may practic e this phenomenon. Many incentives may be available to managers and promote them to practice earnings management. These incentives will be highlighted later on in the current study, but when investors are knowledgeable with some of these incentives, they can consider and analyze the financial information of their entities more.Moreover, when users are aware with the methods that are followed by managers to practice earnings management, they will be more eligible to detect these practices. The current study will explore the most available methods of practicing earnings management. The importance of the current study is increased, because it highlights how investors can determine whether there is a practice of earnings management or not. The objectives this study is looking to achieve are as follows: 1. To highlight the incentives standing behind the practice of earnings management by managers. 2.To inform users about the methods available to firms' management to manage the earnings. 3. To determine the qualitative and quantitative available procedures that can be used to detect the practices of earnings management. 4. To determine whether the Commercial Banking Industry of UAE practices or does not practice the phenomenon of earnings management. 5. In a case of earnings management is detected, this study aims to detect whether these practices were upward or downward practices. Our study makes a unique contribution to the literature by using data from the announced financial statement of Commercial Banking Industry of UAE.This study differs from the prior studies in its location, methods, objectives, and nature of data used in the analysis. Because the current study involves the commercial banks of ABU Dhabi, and because all of these commercial banks are listed in Abu Dhabi Stock Market, this study is unique in its location. Just few studies outside Abu Dhabi followed quantitative method to investigate whether there are practices of earnings management or not, t he current study is also different from other prior researches.This study depends on cross sectional data because a time series data will misstate the data, so it is unique in its inputs of data. This paper is organized as follows: The first section defines earnings management, and describes the incentives of its practices by commercial banks, in addition to that, it explores the methods of practice and how these practices can be defected. The second section explores the most related prior researches. The third section presents the hypotheses of the current research. The fourth section describes the followed methodology in the current study.The fifth section presents the results, while the fifth explores the findings. Literature Review and Prior Researches Many people believe that the term of earnings management is understandable in its simple form, but most of those unable to determine whether a selected practice is an earnings management or not. Understanding what earnings managem ent constitutes and why it takes place is important for all users of accounting information. This study highlights the different aspects of earnings management, so it identifies clearly this term, and presents the incentives standing behind its practice.Moreover, the current study determines the methods of earnings management used by firms, and explores how these practices can be detected. Earnings management is defined as the â€Å"intentional misstatement of earnings leading to bottom line numbers that would have been different in the absence of any manipulation (Mohanram, 2003). Based on this definition, the practice of earnings management is an intentional behavior, and if this practice occurs unintentionally, it can not be classified under the practices of earnings management.Moreover, this definition states that the practice of earnings management phenomenon leads to users' misstatement. In other words, practitioners of earnings management have different purposes and they cha nge some accounting numbers to affect users in order to achieve these objectives. Healy and Wahlen (1999) state that earnings management â€Å"occurs when managers use judgment in financial reporting and in structuring transactions to alter financial reports to either mislead some stakeholders about the underlying economic performance of the company or to influence contractual outcomes that depend on reporting accounting numbers†.This definition states that this practice is also intentional and purposeful. This definition mentions that contractual issues are incentives for managers to manage earnings. But we have to remember Some concerned people believe that earnings management mean upward manipulation. Actually, earnings management may be exercised either upward or downward. In most cases, the target of earnings determines to a large degree, whether the management of the firm practices earnings management upward or downward.Some people also believe that the all the practice of earnings management are illegal, and no legal practice exists. Actually, there are different practices of earnings management do not violate the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). For example, speeding the size of sales during the last month or the fourth quarter is in agreement with the GAAP. Moreover, activating sales during the last month of the accounting period through granting discounts to customers is also in agreement with the GAAP, and is not a violation to the accounting standards.There are different incentives to managements of firms to practice the phenomenon of earnings management. Most of these incentives are related to benchmarks of earnings. Sometimes, the previous period's performance may be the benchmark to the firm. In other cases, the benchmark to the firm may be the expectations of financial analysts. The promised compensations to the firm's management may be the most important incentive of the practice of earnings management. Benchmarks are ne cessary for the determination whether the management deserves or does not deserve the promised compensation.Sometimes, the desire of the firm's management to increase the stock market price may also be one among the incentives to earnings management, especially, when the management is looking for more compensation. The normal positive relation between earnings and stock market price means that as the amount of announced earnings increases, the common stock market price is also increases. Therefore, when a desire exists to the firm's management to affect the common stock market price, the management will manage its earnings. Reducing the amount of income tax may also be one among the incentives of practicing earnings management.In many countries, business entities are subject to high income tax rates, where different categories of expenses are deducted from the income. When these entities are looking toward reducing the amounts of taxes, they practice the phenomenon of earnings manag ement. The practice of earnings management in this case may be through increasing the amounts of tax deductions, or through the decreasing the amounts of earnings. Sometimes, firm's management may manage earnings to simplify the issue of receiving credits from banks and other financial issues.In addition, firms may also manage earnings to reduce the cost of this credit, because when earnings are reasonable, the firm can receive credit smoothly without such obstacles, and at lower costs, but when the firm's earnings are unreasonable, this firm will face many obstacles to receive credit, and it may receive credit at higher costs. These are some of incentives or reasons of the practice of earnings management, but other incentives may be available to some firms, depending on the financial conditions of the firm's management itself.Managements of firms can follow different methods to manage earnings. Changing the assumptions for accounting standards is one of the most common used methods in managing earnings. It is already known that the GAAP are highly flexible, so managements can employ the high degree of flexibility available in these standards. Examples of this flexibility are the inventory flow methods which managements can use one among these, and the available options to depreciate some of the firm's assets, in addition to these; firms can review the assumed lives of these depreciable assets.As a result a variety of options are available to management whenever a desire to manage earnings exists. Managements can manage earnings through the determination to the bad debts provisions. For example, whenever there is a need to announce earnings higher than its actual value, management can determine these bad debts at amounts lower than their actual, while it can announce lower amounts of bad debts whenever there is a need to reduce the announced income. Managing transaction is one among the available options to management when there is a desire to manage earnings. For instance, management can grant high discounts during the last few days of the accounting period to recognize more revenue through sales under the accrual basis. One option is available to managements of firms is to activate sales or services during the last days of accounting period through the adoption to more sales on credit, and through longer period of payment are given to customers. Two approaches are available to detect the phenomenon of earnings management. The first is qualitative, while the second is quantitative approach.Using the two approaches together when this possible leads to more certain conclusions whether a firm or a group of firms manage earnings. Several steps have to be followed when there a need exists to detect earnings management through the qualitative methods. These steps are presented below: (Mohanram, 2003). 1. Identifying the key accounting policies of the firm or industry. Regarding the industry of the current research, the issues of credit risk an d interest rate risk are of crucial importance to banks. 2. Assessing the firm's accounting flexibility.The level of accounting flexibility may be high to some firms or industries, whereas, it may be low to other firms and industries. 3. Evaluating the firm's accounting strategy, and determining how this strategy differs from other competitors. 4. Assessing the firm's quality of disclosure. 5. Identifying the potential red flags. The following is an example of red flags: |Unexplained accounting changes, especially when performance is bad. | |Unexplained profit boosting transactions, such as sale of assets. | |Unusual increase in accounts receivable in relation to sales increase. |Increasing gap between net income and cash flow from operations. | |Increasing gap between net income for reporting and tax purposes. | |Unexpected large asset write-offs or write downs. | |Large fourth quarter adjustment. | |Qualified audit opinion or change in auditors. | |Large related party transactions . | 6. The final step is to undo accounting distortions by reversing out the impacts of dubious accounting wherever possible. Earnings management can be also detected analytically, based on the firm's accruals, which can be defined as the difference between net income and cash flow operations.In occasion, firms with high level of accruals are likely to have inflated earnings. Firms practice the phenomenon of earnings management can be determined through segregating discretionary accruals from non-discretionary accruals. In this case, Jones (1991) model can be used to segregate discretionary from non-discretionary accruals. In the current study we use this model to determine whether, or not, the Commercial Banking Industry practices the phenomenon of earnings management. This model is presented below:Where total accruals can be computed by finding the difference between income before extraordinary items and cash from operations in year t. Revenuest is revenues in year t, while revenu est-1 is the revenues at the end of year t-1. Total assetst-1 is total assets of year t-1. Gross PPEt is gross property, plant, and equipment at the end of year t, and B1, B2, and B3 are industry and year specific parameters to be estimated. The residual value in Jones's Model is the discretionary accruals for a firm in a given year, while the fitted value gives an estimate of the non-discretionary component of earnings.Researchers in the accounting literature have often focused on earnings management. Many researchers studied the issue of earnings management; most of these are focused in the Western or Far East Countries. A study titled † earnings Management: Do Large Investors Care? † and carried out by Senteza, Njoroge, and Gill (2005), deserves to be mentioned in the current study. This study mentions that institutional investment activity and behavior is an area that has become more interesting in recent times and so much work has been done so far.The contribution o f this study in the area of earnings management can be summarized in its documentation to the effect of earnings management activity on institutional investor ownership, especially through distinguishing the ownership changes in response to the direction of earnings management efforts. This study finds that institutional investors increase ownership in firms that manage earnings upwards and decrease ownership in firms that manage earnings downward before end-of-year reporting.Moreover, this study finds that the increases observed during an observed upwards earnings-managing activity are followed by decreases in ownership in these firms in the subsequent quarter, which may suggest resource allocation between large and small investors. In his comments at the practice of earnings management phenomenon, Simon (2005) argues that managing earnings is a wrong practice, in his paper titled â€Å"Earnings Management as A Professional Responsibility Problem†.The author of this paper st ates that managers of public companies often want an increase in current reported earnings per share; though they sometimes prefer a current decrease in the earnings they would otherwise report when it will allow them to show a smoothly increasing pattern of earnings in the future. He adds, on his comments on Schwarcz's paper, that â€Å"the ‘limits of lawyering' are the constraints of law, but having said that, the question remains-what do we mean by law? If we take a narrow, predictive conception of law, the limits will be less restrictive than if we take a broader, purposive view. . He also states that the more ambitious conception is most compatible with the idea of lawyering as a dignified calling. Caramanis and Lennox (2007), carried out a study titled â€Å"Audit Effort and Earnings Management† in their trial to determine the effect of audit hours on the practice of earnings management by the Greece Firms. To measure earnings management, the authors use the Jone s (1991) model based on the balance sheet approach rather than the cash flow statement approach because most Greek companies do not provide cash flow statements.There are three main findings of this study. First, companies are more likely to report income-increasing abnormal accruals than income-decreasing abnormal accruals, when audit hours are lower. Second, the magnitude of income-increasing abnormal accruals is negatively related to audit hours. Third, companies are more likely to manage earnings upwards to just meet or beat the zero earnings benchmark, when auditors work fewer hours. Moreover, this study finds weak or insignificant associations between audit hours and the magnitude of negative abnormal accruals.A study titles â€Å"Detecting Earnings Management† for the purpse of evaluating alternative accrual-based models for detecting earnings management is carried out by Dechow and Sweeney (1995). This paper evaluates the ability of alternative models to detect earnin gs management. Concerning this issue, the paper finds that all the models considered appear to produce reasonably well specified tests for a random sample of event-years. When the models are applied to samples of firm-years experiencing extreme financial performance, all models lead to misspecified tests.The second finding of this paper is that the models all generate tests of low power for earnings management of economically plausible magnitudes. Moreover, this paper reveals that all models reject the null hypothesis of no earnings management at rates exceeding the specified test-levels when applied to sample of firms with extreme financial reporting. The most important finding of this paper is that a modified version of the model developed by Jones (1001) has the most power in detecting earnings management.Kerstein and Rai (2007), carried out a study titled â€Å"Working Capital Accruals and Earnings Management†. The purpose of this study is to reexamine market reactions to large and small working capital accruals. This study involves three hypotheses. First, negative or positive large working capital accruals have no impact on the earnings response coefficient of firms reporting positive small earnings surprises. Second, Positive or negative large working capital accruals have no impact on earnings response coefficients of firms reporting small earnings declines.Third Positive or negative large working capital accruals have no impact on earnings response coefficients of firms reporting large earnings increases or declines. The authors focus on nonlinear relations between returns and large working capital accruals and use raw returns computed as the compounded monthly returns from nine months prior to the fiscal year-end to three months after the fiscal year-end as the dependent variable. They find that the market discounts unexpected earnings when there are small increases in earnings using negative large working capital accruals or negative large wo rking capital accruals.They also find little or no evidence that positive or negative large working capital accruals lead to lower earnings response coefficients in the remaining six situations. In his study titles â€Å"Earnings Management, Earnings Manipulation: Evidence from Taiwanese Corporations†, (2008), Chai-hui Chen differentiates between earnings management and earnings manipulation among the Taiwanese companies. In this study, Chai examines 7 hypotheses based on a sample of 90 public firms throughout 1999-2004.The main findings this study concludes that: (1) unlike the control group, earning manipulators face greater capital market and contract motivations to manage earnings; (2) earnings manipulators are more inclined to appoint fewer independent directors to their boards, to appoint fewer independent supervisors to their supervisory boards, and to posses considerably less managerial ownership; and (3) earnings manipulators are more likely than the control group to express aggressive attitudes and rationalizations to manage earnings changes before interests and taxes, or both.To examine the effect of firm's stock price sensitivity to earnings news, as measured by outstanding stock recommendation, on incentives to manage earnings, Abarbanel and Leahavy (2003) carried out a study titled â€Å"Can Stock Recommendations Predict Earnings Management and Analysts' Earnings Forecast Errors†. This study examines hypotheses concerning (1) the effect of introducing equity-market-based earnings targets on firms' earnings management, and (2) the effects of such earnings management actions on ensuring analysts' forecast errors.In this study, quarterly unexpected accruals are calculated using the modified Jones (1991) model. This study finds evidence that a firm's stock price sensitivity to earnings news, as measured by outstanding stock recommendation, affects its incentives to manage earnings and, in turn, affects analysts' ex post forecast errors. Moreover, this study finds a tendency for firms rated a Sell (Buy) to engage More (less) frequently in extreme, income-decreasing earnings management, indicating that they have relatively stronger (weaker) incentives to create accounting reserves.In contrast, this study finds that firms rated a Buy (Sell) are more (less)likely to engage in earnings management that leaves reported earnings equal to or slightly higher than analysts' forecasts. Zhang (2002) carried out his study titled, â€Å"Detecting Earnings Management – Evidence from Rounding-up in Reported EPS†, for the purpose of evaluating a comprehensive list of metrics propsed for detecting earnings management in a setting where managers manipulate earnings to round up reported earnings per share (EPS).This study provide the evidence that adds to the debate on the abilities of accrual-based models to detect earnings management of small magnitude. The study cast doubt on the abilities of accrual-based models to c atch minor offenses, which is likely to be the norm, rather than exception of various forms of earnings management. The metrics under evaluation of this study are deferred tax expense and discretionary accruals computed from DeAngelo Model, Healy Model, Jones Model, Modified Jones Model, Cross-sectional Jones Model, and Forward-looking Jones Model.This study finds that deferred tax expense is able to detect earnings management in the rounding-up setting while discretionary accruals models are not. Moreover, this study provides the evidence that firms manipulate bad debt expense for the purpose of rounding-up reported EPS. Chan, Jegadeesh, and Sougiannis (2004) carried out a study titled â€Å"The Accrual Effect on Future Earnings† in an attempt to clarify whether current accruals affect future earnings. The authors find a strong negative relationship between accruals and the aggregate future earnings.This study mentions that if firms manage accruals upward by $1 today while h olding current earnings constant, aggregate future earnings will decline, on average, by $ 0. 096 over the following three years and $0. 202 in the long run. This study also examines the accrual effects classified by firm characteristics to test the source of the negative relationship between accruals and future earnings. The study shows that high price-earnings stocks experience an enormous accrual impact on their future earnings, with 39% of current accruals reversing in the long run.Moreover, this study shows that firms with high market-to-book ratios also have large accrual reversals, so when this is grouped by accruals, the accrual effects are significantly stronger for high accrual firms than for low accrual firms. Among the additional important findings of this study is that Jones model significantly underperforms the CF-Jones model in explaining the cross-sectional accrual variability, with only 24% of mean adjusted –R2 for the Jones model compared to 57% for CF-Jones Model.This result shows the CF-Jones model superiority in identifying the manipulated earnings. The most recent study concerning the detection of earnings management relates to Miller (2009) and titled â€Å"The Development of the Miller Ratio (MR): A Tool to Detect for the Possibility of Earnings Management (EM)†. In this study, Miller uses new technique to detect earnings management called â€Å"Miller Ratio†, based on net working capital (NWC) and cash flow from operations (CFO). Miller also compares between the esults reached through his own model and the results revealed based on Modified Jones Model. In this study, the author states that the large body of literature on the topic of earnings management provides discussion of total accruals, discretionary total accruals, and current accruals. The findings of this study indicate that neither the Miller Ratio nor the Modified Jones Model predicted the possibility of earnings management at a statistical acceptable le vel of confidence on the body of data with acknowledged earnings management. .Caramanis, A. , and Lennox, C. , (2008), â€Å"Audit Effort and Earnings Management†, Journal of Accounting and Economics 45, PP. 116-138. 2. Jones, J. , (1991), â€Å"Earnings Management during import relief Investigations†, Journal of Accounting Research 29, pp. 193-228. 3. Dechow, M. , and Sweeney, P. , (1005), â€Å"Detecting Earnings Management†, The Accounting Review, Vol. 70, No. 2, PP 193-225. 4. Kerstein, J. , and Rai, A. (2007), â€Å"Working Capital Accruals and Earnings Management†, Investment Management and Financial Innovation, Vol. 4, Issue 2, PP. 33-47. 5. Chen, C. , (2008), â€Å"Earnings Management, Earnings Manipulation: Evidence from Taiwanese Corporations, Available on Line: 6. Abarbanell, J. , and Lehavy, R. , (2003), â€Å"Can Stock Recommendations Predict Earnings Management and Analysts' Earnings Forecast Errors? â€Å", Journal of Accounting Research , Vol. 41, No. 1, PP. 1-47. 7. Zhang, H. (2002), â€Å"Detecting Earnings Management – Evidence from Rounding-up in Reported EPS†, Available on Line. 8. Chan, K. , Jegadeesh, N. , and Sougiannis, T. , (2004), â€Å"The Accrual Effect on Future Earnings†, Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, 22, PP. 97-121. 9. Miller, J. E. , (2009), â€Å"The Development of the Miller Ratio (MR): A Tool to Detect fot the Possibility of Earnings Management (EM)†, Journal of Business ; Economics Research, Vol. 7, No. 1, PP. 79-90. Earning Management Does the Commercial Banking Industry of UAE Practice Earnings Management Dr. Mohammed Obeidat Introduction It is the right of external users of accounting information to be provided with more adequate information to protect their interests. Many questionable issues concerning the term of earnings management are still available. Auditors, accountants, financial analysts, and other concerned parties may hold the responsibility of detecting external users from the practices of earnings management. Many questionable issues are still available regarding the term of earnings management.Some people may have no enough idea about what practices are classified under earnings management, and what practices can not be classified under this term. Users of accounting information are different but few of them have the ability to detect the practices of earnings management. Because there are different methods of practicing earnings management, detecting the practices of earnings management is one of the difficult issues. The common practice of earnings management by firms and the negative effects of these practices on external users of financial accounting information justify the investigation of this issue.Many users may lose some of their wealth as a result of practicing this phenomenon. Many financial crises appear in our world from time to time, and some reasons of these crises are related to incorrect announced financial information. The problem of the current study will be simpler, if it is presented through the following question: How investors can detect the practices of earnings management, in order to have the ability to protect themselves from the negative effects of these practices?The answer to this question may seem more difficult, so the current study present an example from the Commercial Banking Industry of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Studying the phenomena of practicing earnings management is important, because this will highlight why managers may practic e this phenomenon. Many incentives may be available to managers and promote them to practice earnings management. These incentives will be highlighted later on in the current study, but when investors are knowledgeable with some of these incentives, they can consider and analyze the financial information of their entities more.Moreover, when users are aware with the methods that are followed by managers to practice earnings management, they will be more eligible to detect these practices. The current study will explore the most available methods of practicing earnings management. The importance of the current study is increased, because it highlights how investors can determine whether there is a practice of earnings management or not. The objectives this study is looking to achieve are as follows: 1. To highlight the incentives standing behind the practice of earnings management by managers. 2.To inform users about the methods available to firms' management to manage the earnings. 3. To determine the qualitative and quantitative available procedures that can be used to detect the practices of earnings management. 4. To determine whether the Commercial Banking Industry of UAE practices or does not practice the phenomenon of earnings management. 5. In a case of earnings management is detected, this study aims to detect whether these practices were upward or downward practices. Our study makes a unique contribution to the literature by using data from the announced financial statement of Commercial Banking Industry of UAE.This study differs from the prior studies in its location, methods, objectives, and nature of data used in the analysis. Because the current study involves the commercial banks of ABU Dhabi, and because all of these commercial banks are listed in Abu Dhabi Stock Market, this study is unique in its location. Just few studies outside Abu Dhabi followed quantitative method to investigate whether there are practices of earnings management or not, t he current study is also different from other prior researches.This study depends on cross sectional data because a time series data will misstate the data, so it is unique in its inputs of data. This paper is organized as follows: The first section defines earnings management, and describes the incentives of its practices by commercial banks, in addition to that, it explores the methods of practice and how these practices can be defected. The second section explores the most related prior researches. The third section presents the hypotheses of the current research. The fourth section describes the followed methodology in the current study.The fifth section presents the results, while the fifth explores the findings. Literature Review and Prior Researches Many people believe that the term of earnings management is understandable in its simple form, but most of those unable to determine whether a selected practice is an earnings management or not. Understanding what earnings managem ent constitutes and why it takes place is important for all users of accounting information. This study highlights the different aspects of earnings management, so it identifies clearly this term, and presents the incentives standing behind its practice.Moreover, the current study determines the methods of earnings management used by firms, and explores how these practices can be detected. Earnings management is defined as the â€Å"intentional misstatement of earnings leading to bottom line numbers that would have been different in the absence of any manipulation (Mohanram, 2003). Based on this definition, the practice of earnings management is an intentional behavior, and if this practice occurs unintentionally, it can not be classified under the practices of earnings management.Moreover, this definition states that the practice of earnings management phenomenon leads to users' misstatement. In other words, practitioners of earnings management have different purposes and they cha nge some accounting numbers to affect users in order to achieve these objectives. Healy and Wahlen (1999) state that earnings management â€Å"occurs when managers use judgment in financial reporting and in structuring transactions to alter financial reports to either mislead some stakeholders about the underlying economic performance of the company or to influence contractual outcomes that depend on reporting accounting numbers†.This definition states that this practice is also intentional and purposeful. This definition mentions that contractual issues are incentives for managers to manage earnings. But we have to remember Some concerned people believe that earnings management mean upward manipulation. Actually, earnings management may be exercised either upward or downward. In most cases, the target of earnings determines to a large degree, whether the management of the firm practices earnings management upward or downward.Some people also believe that the all the practice of earnings management are illegal, and no legal practice exists. Actually, there are different practices of earnings management do not violate the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). For example, speeding the size of sales during the last month or the fourth quarter is in agreement with the GAAP. Moreover, activating sales during the last month of the accounting period through granting discounts to customers is also in agreement with the GAAP, and is not a violation to the accounting standards.There are different incentives to managements of firms to practice the phenomenon of earnings management. Most of these incentives are related to benchmarks of earnings. Sometimes, the previous period's performance may be the benchmark to the firm. In other cases, the benchmark to the firm may be the expectations of financial analysts. The promised compensations to the firm's management may be the most important incentive of the practice of earnings management. Benchmarks are ne cessary for the determination whether the management deserves or does not deserve the promised compensation.Sometimes, the desire of the firm's management to increase the stock market price may also be one among the incentives to earnings management, especially, when the management is looking for more compensation. The normal positive relation between earnings and stock market price means that as the amount of announced earnings increases, the common stock market price is also increases. Therefore, when a desire exists to the firm's management to affect the common stock market price, the management will manage its earnings. Reducing the amount of income tax may also be one among the incentives of practicing earnings management.In many countries, business entities are subject to high income tax rates, where different categories of expenses are deducted from the income. When these entities are looking toward reducing the amounts of taxes, they practice the phenomenon of earnings manag ement. The practice of earnings management in this case may be through increasing the amounts of tax deductions, or through the decreasing the amounts of earnings. Sometimes, firm's management may manage earnings to simplify the issue of receiving credits from banks and other financial issues.In addition, firms may also manage earnings to reduce the cost of this credit, because when earnings are reasonable, the firm can receive credit smoothly without such obstacles, and at lower costs, but when the firm's earnings are unreasonable, this firm will face many obstacles to receive credit, and it may receive credit at higher costs. These are some of incentives or reasons of the practice of earnings management, but other incentives may be available to some firms, depending on the financial conditions of the firm's management itself.Managements of firms can follow different methods to manage earnings. Changing the assumptions for accounting standards is one of the most common used methods in managing earnings. It is already known that the GAAP are highly flexible, so managements can employ the high degree of flexibility available in these standards. Examples of this flexibility are the inventory flow methods which managements can use one among these, and the available options to depreciate some of the firm's assets, in addition to these; firms can review the assumed lives of these depreciable assets.As a result a variety of options are available to management whenever a desire to manage earnings exists. Managements can manage earnings through the determination to the bad debts provisions. For example, whenever there is a need to announce earnings higher than its actual value, management can determine these bad debts at amounts lower than their actual, while it can announce lower amounts of bad debts whenever there is a need to reduce the announced income. Managing transaction is one among the available options to management when there is a desire to manage earnings. For instance, management can grant high discounts during the last few days of the accounting period to recognize more revenue through sales under the accrual basis. One option is available to managements of firms is to activate sales or services during the last days of accounting period through the adoption to more sales on credit, and through longer period of payment are given to customers. Two approaches are available to detect the phenomenon of earnings management. The first is qualitative, while the second is quantitative approach.Using the two approaches together when this possible leads to more certain conclusions whether a firm or a group of firms manage earnings. Several steps have to be followed when there a need exists to detect earnings management through the qualitative methods. These steps are presented below: (Mohanram, 2003). 1. Identifying the key accounting policies of the firm or industry. Regarding the industry of the current research, the issues of credit risk an d interest rate risk are of crucial importance to banks. 2. Assessing the firm's accounting flexibility.The level of accounting flexibility may be high to some firms or industries, whereas, it may be low to other firms and industries. 3. Evaluating the firm's accounting strategy, and determining how this strategy differs from other competitors. 4. Assessing the firm's quality of disclosure. 5. Identifying the potential red flags. The following is an example of red flags: |Unexplained accounting changes, especially when performance is bad. | |Unexplained profit boosting transactions, such as sale of assets. | |Unusual increase in accounts receivable in relation to sales increase. |Increasing gap between net income and cash flow from operations. | |Increasing gap between net income for reporting and tax purposes. | |Unexpected large asset write-offs or write downs. | |Large fourth quarter adjustment. | |Qualified audit opinion or change in auditors. | |Large related party transactions . | 6. The final step is to undo accounting distortions by reversing out the impacts of dubious accounting wherever possible. Earnings management can be also detected analytically, based on the firm's accruals, which can be defined as the difference between net income and cash flow operations.In occasion, firms with high level of accruals are likely to have inflated earnings. Firms practice the phenomenon of earnings management can be determined through segregating discretionary accruals from non-discretionary accruals. In this case, Jones (1991) model can be used to segregate discretionary from non-discretionary accruals. In the current study we use this model to determine whether, or not, the Commercial Banking Industry practices the phenomenon of earnings management. This model is presented below:Where total accruals can be computed by finding the difference between income before extraordinary items and cash from operations in year t. Revenuest is revenues in year t, while revenu est-1 is the revenues at the end of year t-1. Total assetst-1 is total assets of year t-1. Gross PPEt is gross property, plant, and equipment at the end of year t, and B1, B2, and B3 are industry and year specific parameters to be estimated. The residual value in Jones's Model is the discretionary accruals for a firm in a given year, while the fitted value gives an estimate of the non-discretionary component of earnings.Researchers in the accounting literature have often focused on earnings management. Many researchers studied the issue of earnings management; most of these are focused in the Western or Far East Countries. A study titled † earnings Management: Do Large Investors Care? † and carried out by Senteza, Njoroge, and Gill (2005), deserves to be mentioned in the current study. This study mentions that institutional investment activity and behavior is an area that has become more interesting in recent times and so much work has been done so far.The contribution o f this study in the area of earnings management can be summarized in its documentation to the effect of earnings management activity on institutional investor ownership, especially through distinguishing the ownership changes in response to the direction of earnings management efforts. This study finds that institutional investors increase ownership in firms that manage earnings upwards and decrease ownership in firms that manage earnings downward before end-of-year reporting.Moreover, this study finds that the increases observed during an observed upwards earnings-managing activity are followed by decreases in ownership in these firms in the subsequent quarter, which may suggest resource allocation between large and small investors. In his comments at the practice of earnings management phenomenon, Simon (2005) argues that managing earnings is a wrong practice, in his paper titled â€Å"Earnings Management as A Professional Responsibility Problem†.The author of this paper st ates that managers of public companies often want an increase in current reported earnings per share; though they sometimes prefer a current decrease in the earnings they would otherwise report when it will allow them to show a smoothly increasing pattern of earnings in the future. He adds, on his comments on Schwarcz's paper, that â€Å"the ‘limits of lawyering' are the constraints of law, but having said that, the question remains-what do we mean by law? If we take a narrow, predictive conception of law, the limits will be less restrictive than if we take a broader, purposive view. . He also states that the more ambitious conception is most compatible with the idea of lawyering as a dignified calling. Caramanis and Lennox (2007), carried out a study titled â€Å"Audit Effort and Earnings Management† in their trial to determine the effect of audit hours on the practice of earnings management by the Greece Firms. To measure earnings management, the authors use the Jone s (1991) model based on the balance sheet approach rather than the cash flow statement approach because most Greek companies do not provide cash flow statements.There are three main findings of this study. First, companies are more likely to report income-increasing abnormal accruals than income-decreasing abnormal accruals, when audit hours are lower. Second, the magnitude of income-increasing abnormal accruals is negatively related to audit hours. Third, companies are more likely to manage earnings upwards to just meet or beat the zero earnings benchmark, when auditors work fewer hours. Moreover, this study finds weak or insignificant associations between audit hours and the magnitude of negative abnormal accruals.A study titles â€Å"Detecting Earnings Management† for the purpse of evaluating alternative accrual-based models for detecting earnings management is carried out by Dechow and Sweeney (1995). This paper evaluates the ability of alternative models to detect earnin gs management. Concerning this issue, the paper finds that all the models considered appear to produce reasonably well specified tests for a random sample of event-years. When the models are applied to samples of firm-years experiencing extreme financial performance, all models lead to misspecified tests.The second finding of this paper is that the models all generate tests of low power for earnings management of economically plausible magnitudes. Moreover, this paper reveals that all models reject the null hypothesis of no earnings management at rates exceeding the specified test-levels when applied to sample of firms with extreme financial reporting. The most important finding of this paper is that a modified version of the model developed by Jones (1001) has the most power in detecting earnings management.Kerstein and Rai (2007), carried out a study titled â€Å"Working Capital Accruals and Earnings Management†. The purpose of this study is to reexamine market reactions to large and small working capital accruals. This study involves three hypotheses. First, negative or positive large working capital accruals have no impact on the earnings response coefficient of firms reporting positive small earnings surprises. Second, Positive or negative large working capital accruals have no impact on earnings response coefficients of firms reporting small earnings declines.Third Positive or negative large working capital accruals have no impact on earnings response coefficients of firms reporting large earnings increases or declines. The authors focus on nonlinear relations between returns and large working capital accruals and use raw returns computed as the compounded monthly returns from nine months prior to the fiscal year-end to three months after the fiscal year-end as the dependent variable. They find that the market discounts unexpected earnings when there are small increases in earnings using negative large working capital accruals or negative large wo rking capital accruals.They also find little or no evidence that positive or negative large working capital accruals lead to lower earnings response coefficients in the remaining six situations. In his study titles â€Å"Earnings Management, Earnings Manipulation: Evidence from Taiwanese Corporations†, (2008), Chai-hui Chen differentiates between earnings management and earnings manipulation among the Taiwanese companies. In this study, Chai examines 7 hypotheses based on a sample of 90 public firms throughout 1999-2004.The main findings this study concludes that: (1) unlike the control group, earning manipulators face greater capital market and contract motivations to manage earnings; (2) earnings manipulators are more inclined to appoint fewer independent directors to their boards, to appoint fewer independent supervisors to their supervisory boards, and to posses considerably less managerial ownership; and (3) earnings manipulators are more likely than the control group to express aggressive attitudes and rationalizations to manage earnings changes before interests and taxes, or both.To examine the effect of firm's stock price sensitivity to earnings news, as measured by outstanding stock recommendation, on incentives to manage earnings, Abarbanel and Leahavy (2003) carried out a study titled â€Å"Can Stock Recommendations Predict Earnings Management and Analysts' Earnings Forecast Errors†. This study examines hypotheses concerning (1) the effect of introducing equity-market-based earnings targets on firms' earnings management, and (2) the effects of such earnings management actions on ensuring analysts' forecast errors.In this study, quarterly unexpected accruals are calculated using the modified Jones (1991) model. This study finds evidence that a firm's stock price sensitivity to earnings news, as measured by outstanding stock recommendation, affects its incentives to manage earnings and, in turn, affects analysts' ex post forecast errors. Moreover, this study finds a tendency for firms rated a Sell (Buy) to engage More (less) frequently in extreme, income-decreasing earnings management, indicating that they have relatively stronger (weaker) incentives to create accounting reserves.In contrast, this study finds that firms rated a Buy (Sell) are more (less)likely to engage in earnings management that leaves reported earnings equal to or slightly higher than analysts' forecasts. Zhang (2002) carried out his study titled, â€Å"Detecting Earnings Management – Evidence from Rounding-up in Reported EPS†, for the purpose of evaluating a comprehensive list of metrics propsed for detecting earnings management in a setting where managers manipulate earnings to round up reported earnings per share (EPS).This study provide the evidence that adds to the debate on the abilities of accrual-based models to detect earnings management of small magnitude. The study cast doubt on the abilities of accrual-based models to c atch minor offenses, which is likely to be the norm, rather than exception of various forms of earnings management. The metrics under evaluation of this study are deferred tax expense and discretionary accruals computed from DeAngelo Model, Healy Model, Jones Model, Modified Jones Model, Cross-sectional Jones Model, and Forward-looking Jones Model.This study finds that deferred tax expense is able to detect earnings management in the rounding-up setting while discretionary accruals models are not. Moreover, this study provides the evidence that firms manipulate bad debt expense for the purpose of rounding-up reported EPS. Chan, Jegadeesh, and Sougiannis (2004) carried out a study titled â€Å"The Accrual Effect on Future Earnings† in an attempt to clarify whether current accruals affect future earnings. The authors find a strong negative relationship between accruals and the aggregate future earnings.This study mentions that if firms manage accruals upward by $1 today while h olding current earnings constant, aggregate future earnings will decline, on average, by $ 0. 096 over the following three years and $0. 202 in the long run. This study also examines the accrual effects classified by firm characteristics to test the source of the negative relationship between accruals and future earnings. The study shows that high price-earnings stocks experience an enormous accrual impact on their future earnings, with 39% of current accruals reversing in the long run.Moreover, this study shows that firms with high market-to-book ratios also have large accrual reversals, so when this is grouped by accruals, the accrual effects are significantly stronger for high accrual firms than for low accrual firms. Among the additional important findings of this study is that Jones model significantly underperforms the CF-Jones model in explaining the cross-sectional accrual variability, with only 24% of mean adjusted –R2 for the Jones model compared to 57% for CF-Jones Model.This result shows the CF-Jones model superiority in identifying the manipulated earnings. The most recent study concerning the detection of earnings management relates to Miller (2009) and titled â€Å"The Development of the Miller Ratio (MR): A Tool to Detect for the Possibility of Earnings Management (EM)†. In this study, Miller uses new technique to detect earnings management called â€Å"Miller Ratio†, based on net working capital (NWC) and cash flow from operations (CFO). Miller also compares between the esults reached through his own model and the results revealed based on Modified Jones Model. In this study, the author states that the large body of literature on the topic of earnings management provides discussion of total accruals, discretionary total accruals, and current accruals. The findings of this study indicate that neither the Miller Ratio nor the Modified Jones Model predicted the possibility of earnings management at a statistical acceptable le vel of confidence on the body of data with acknowledged earnings management. .Caramanis, A. , and Lennox, C. , (2008), â€Å"Audit Effort and Earnings Management†, Journal of Accounting and Economics 45, PP. 116-138. 2. Jones, J. , (1991), â€Å"Earnings Management during import relief Investigations†, Journal of Accounting Research 29, pp. 193-228. 3. Dechow, M. , and Sweeney, P. , (1005), â€Å"Detecting Earnings Management†, The Accounting Review, Vol. 70, No. 2, PP 193-225. 4. Kerstein, J. , and Rai, A. (2007), â€Å"Working Capital Accruals and Earnings Management†, Investment Management and Financial Innovation, Vol. 4, Issue 2, PP. 33-47. 5. Chen, C. , (2008), â€Å"Earnings Management, Earnings Manipulation: Evidence from Taiwanese Corporations, Available on Line: 6. Abarbanell, J. , and Lehavy, R. , (2003), â€Å"Can Stock Recommendations Predict Earnings Management and Analysts' Earnings Forecast Errors? â€Å", Journal of Accounting Research , Vol. 41, No. 1, PP. 1-47. 7. Zhang, H. (2002), â€Å"Detecting Earnings Management – Evidence from Rounding-up in Reported EPS†, Available on Line. 8. Chan, K. , Jegadeesh, N. , and Sougiannis, T. , (2004), â€Å"The Accrual Effect on Future Earnings†, Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, 22, PP. 97-121. 9. Miller, J. E. , (2009), â€Å"The Development of the Miller Ratio (MR): A Tool to Detect fot the Possibility of Earnings Management (EM)†, Journal of Business ; Economics Research, Vol. 7, No. 1, PP. 79-90.

Jailbreaking

When Apple designs these products, they come with a redesigned firmware that restricts certain capabilities that otherwise the device would be able to do, such as wife mobile hotshots, direct downloading capabilities, and more Insignificant features, like moving screen savers. Along with the understandable, â€Å"deserved† capabilities Jailbreak offers, It also enables the ability for the user to access and download APS, and settings that Apple's firmware protected against due to their Illegal content. Thus the question on the topic Is If jailbreak is the â€Å"right† thing for a user to do with his/her device.Due to the fact hat the user purchases the device outright, they should have the right to do whatever they please with the firmware and device itself even if it enables illegal activities, the user should be able to decide whether or not to obey the law, and the user should have full control of their apple device. When someone purchases any material object, it is the assumption that the buyer has the right to do as he/she pleases with the purchased object, and the situation should not be any different for the ‘Touch, Phone, or Pad, Thus making the process of Jailbreak morally acceptable, as well as legally Just.If a restriction Is put on a person's own property, then the property really Is not owned, which Is okay, If that Is pre-deloused to the buyer so that they know that everything about the purchased object must maintain its original construct. In the case of these Apple products, stipulations were not pre-disclosed to the buyer, and instead Apple attempted to put restrictions on the process of jailbreak after the products were sold, which is morally unacceptable, as well as unfair to the user.When someone goes to the electronics store, or apple vendor to purchase the phone, r one of its cousin devices it is always the situation that the device is purchased outright, even if it is purchased with an attached cell phone contract, the device belongs to the buyer, but for some reason Apple still believes that although they have sold their product outright, they should still be able to control what the purchaser does with the device sold. This idea that Apple has Is completely ludicrous, and to put the situation In perspective, let's change the scenario, being the object purchased, and the business selling.Suppose someone went to a typical car dealership and purchased a brand new rives home in his new car, and starts tinkering with the engine, installing a blower through the hood, and a super charger for the extra speed. If the dealership called the buyer and told him that these modifications aren't allowed by their company, the buyer would be thoroughly confused and upset, for it is policy that once an object is purchased the buyer can do as they please with the object.Although there is a great difference between a car and an phone, the concepts involved with the two of them are essentially the same, when someone buys a car they can tinker, and add on to the icicle as much as they want, and the situation should be no different for any of the Apple products under discussion. The main point that Apple tried to use when trying to make the process of jailbreak illegal was when they stated that the process was in violation of copyright laws because it modifies the boatload they had designed, and have complete ownership of.Unfortunately for Apple, their case was lost in court, and the process of Jailbreak was proved to be legal, an article written about the case took an excerpt from the trial's outcome, writing, â€Å"Federal regulators lifted a cloud of uncertainty when they announced it was lawful to hack or â€Å"Jailbreak† an phone, declaring Monday there was ‘no basis for copyright law to assist Apple in protecting its restrictive business model. â€Å"(wired. Com).After losing their case in court, Apple decided to make a policy for Jailbreaks devices that disavowed any Apple Care (insurance) on the Jailbreaks pods. Apple's main reasoning for the policy they made, is that the modifications to the SO that Jailbreak does causes system errors, and other minor problems to the devices performance, Apple states (when speaking of why Jailbreak should not be permitted), â€Å"Disruption of services: Services such as Visual Biochemical, Youth, Weather, and Stocks have been disrupted or no longer work on the device.Additionally, third-party APS that use the Apple Push Notification Service have had difficulty receiving notifications or received notifications that were intended for a different hacked device. Other push-based services such as Mobile and Exchange have experienced problems synchronizing data with their respective servers. â€Å"(Redmond). Although what Apple states about how Jailbreak an hinder the devices performance, and cause otherwise non-existent problems may be true, it is not Justification to put a limitation on what a user can do to the devic e.Even if Jailbreak made the Apple product completely break without hope for repair, the act of doing it should always be the user's choice. Another aspect to look into when considering if the devices in question should be allowed to be Jailbreaks, is the illegal side of the capabilities Jailbreak offers. It is a known fact that once an phone is Jailbreaks, due to the fact it can connect online ritually anywhere due to the cell service, it can be one of the most devastating tools for a hacker.The significant difference between one of the Apple devices hacking, and a computer hacking, is this difference in internet connection, as well as mobility and concealment. After all, someone sitting outside of a house with a laptop and an encoder attached to the computer would look a lot more conspicuous than a passerby that seems to Just be testing on an phone, when in fact they could be using one of the many wife hacking APS like â€Å"rickrack† to access the files on your amputees, o r in your â€Å"cloud† trying to get social security numbers, credit card electronic storage.The fact that an phone alone could give hackers and identity thieves the Holy Grail they have awaited is a fact that Apple tried to exploit when giving reasons as to why Jailbreak should be illegal. Apple stated, â€Å"Security compromises have been introduced by these modifications that could allow hackers to steal personal information, damage the device, attack the wireless network, or introduce mallard or viruses. † (Redmond).Although every claim Apple made is a act, and there are security risks that come along with the legalization of Jailbreak, it is very obvious once the situation is examined, that if a hacker truly wished to us an Apple device to his/her evil ends, it really would not matter whether or not the process was legal or not for hackers and identity thieves are already doing illegal things, thus even if Jailbreak was â€Å"illegal† they would still do it .Although the negative aspects to Jailbreak are often magnified, there are actually more benefits than risks to the process. When a device is Jailbreaks, its full attention is reached. An entirely new app store is revealed to the user, APS that could not/ would not contract with the Apple app store are available for purchase, and sometimes for free.Along with thousands of new APS, Jailbreak also allows the user to customize the load out (home screen) and dock (bottom toolbar) to their liking, while still being connected to the original Apple app store. In an article about the pros and cons of Jailbreak PC world wrote, â€Å"Acadia and its newer, lighter competitor Icy are the unofficial app stores available only to Jailbreaks. In these tortes, you'll find hundreds of terrific APS that have been rejected from the App Store for providing features that Apple would rather you not have.Examples? Accorder is a camera app that enables video-recording on pre-ASS phones; Pedant allows tethe ring of your 36 connection to your laptop; and Gobble is an app for the Google Voice service. Plus, you can still get free and paid APS from the official App Store, so Jailbreaks get the best of both worlds. â€Å"(popcorn). With this substantial advantage given to Jailbreaks, it is understandable why it is done, and why it is the est. thing to do if the user truly wants complete control of their device without limitation.This reasoning for Jailbreak also proves that malice is not attached to every reason for Jailbreak, the process can, and more often than not is simply done to access APS, and customizations restricted by the app store, and as long as the reasoning is pure and without foul intention Jailbreak is the right thing to do. After every aspect of Jailbreak is examined, the pros and cons, the risks, and legalities, it is more than apparent that the process is morally acceptable to do, as Eng as the Jailbreak is also the owner, or has permission from the owner of the device .The process is also acceptable because of the simple fact that as of today it is legal, despite Apples efforts to make it otherwise. Through the use of the situation between Apple and Jailbreak people can be reminded of the importance of owning anything in life, the responsibility that comes along with the situation, as well as the great satisfaction, for when anything in life is truly owned the only person/ thing that can make the rules is the owner, a situation that is too often taken for granted in today's society.

My Life As The Bathroom Scales

My Life As The Bathroom Scales Nine years. It's been nine long years that I have sat on these cold tiles, staring at the mold between them. I can still remember vividly, the day I was brought home from the corner drugstore. I was excited by the whole new experience of becoming the bathroom scales. It had promised to be a better occupation than being a bicycle - but the excitement wore off quicker than I thought. The excitement fled when I saw my family.The Logan's, much like any other family, have their physical flaws. Despite this, on my arrival, they seemed somehow at ease with my presence. I must admit their style of introduction was quite unique and disgustingly arousing. I always thought people exchanged names before they felt comfortable enough to take their clothes off and prance around in front of strangers, like the dancers in a Cabaret. I thought all healthy relationships began with "ÂÆ'‚‚˜Hi'? Apparently not.In this household, it was whoever undressed the quickest, who would become more acqu ainted with me. Nevertheless, I watched on.It took me several days to clearly distinguish between two members of the family. Observing from the angle I was at; it was hard to make out the father from the mother. They both had enough curves to qualify for the opposite gender. They both had enough wobbly bits to qualify for both genders. They were so easily confused. I later figured (I cannot tell you how, your too young and innocent for my detailed account of the story) that the obese of the two characters was Carmela, a mother of two. People are right when they say having children ruins your figure, although by the cognitive faculties she displayed, it seemed as though she had never had a figure to begin with. Bernard, the father (I assume so, anyway), seemed to have been reincarnated several times. When he takes his towel off, he is without doubt recycled. Although his physic is not all too appealing, I have grown rather fond of him, all the same. It must be his damaged hair follic les. He seemed so tragically disillusioned by that bald spot, that no words could accompany it. Unless you're a sadist.Then there is our daughter from hell; our daughter who is too obsessed with her weight, that she fails to recognize she eats too much. She has the sort of thighs that would make a number 18 chicken step aside on a narrow bridge.The one who fascinates me the most is Steven. Steven yearns for biceps that would cause confusion in the fruit shop if he gripped his wallet too tightly near the watermelons. Steven wishes he could scoop vanilla ice-cream out of the tub using the muscle formation on his upper torso. Steven is obsessed. I can tell the way he pretends to have left the toothpaste lid off, as an excuse to come into the bathroom and admire himself in the mirror. From my positioning in the bathroom, his torso reminds me of a photo I once saw of Mick Jagger (slightly fanciful, I know). His arms have elicited from woman who say things like, "sensitive"ÂÆ'‚‚à ‚  and "don't bowl overarm, love, you might snap something."ÂÆ'‚‚  Don't get me wrong, he has a great body for an ectomorph whose pet rat used to eat most of his school lunches. Oh, if only I could yell out, "No you are not an omnipotent, all-powerful, godlike being after all. You're just a kid with feet of clay, funny knees and a tendency to sound like Cyndi Lauper when you sing in the shower."ÂÆ'‚‚  He wouldn't listen. Nobody in this family listens to me. They think that I am an insignificant object, but as you may have already gathered, much of the world can be seen from the bathroom floor (Mount Kosiosko just walked in). The number of times I have been ignored would actually have me believe that I am merely an object, without perceptions or feelings. I am a sensitive new age scale (others would call me vain) - after all if I wasn't, Carmela would have closed down Jenny Craig by now.I can recall the first day I came into this bathroom. I was overwhelmed b y the attention and quite liked being a new respected member of the household. However, as quickly as I came, I was just as quickly forgotten. It was hard settling in to the bathroom. The Logan's did not realize their bathroom floor had a gradient, that next to the shower I would get wet and I was exactly positioned opposite the bathroom mirror. That was not a good thing, especially after our daily jobs had been done and the bathroom door was closed. When we were left for the night to relax, that was when the bitching started. The wall mirror thought she was so superior because she occupied the bathroom wall and was so much higher than myself. She often told me I only deserved to be stepped upon. I just respond by pointing out that feet are much more attractive than the other body parts the family had to offer. That put her in her place. She knows that one would rather my respected position; to face the ceiling all day rather than a transparent shower screen, where all can be seen a nd nothing is concealed.I had made a stand! Every member came to learn of my new found status. I was not to be stepped on! (Figuratively speaking, of course.) My other colleagues were quite friendly, although they preferred to keep to themselves, than end up in a feud with me- I had a certain reputation and air of respect, after all. I tended to make friends with the short term visitors, the toothpaste, soap and shampoo, as they tended to be good listeners. They were such good listeners I do not recall ever hearing them speak (hmm"ÂÆ'‚‚ ¦). There was one member of the bathroom, who kept to himself - the bathroom cabinet. I loathed him and the way he had a weird compulsion to rattle every time the toilet flushed. I figured it was a consequence of depravation.The bathroom mat had a crush on me at one stage. I did not find her attractive. That's why I was secretly glad when the Logan's decided to renovate the bathroom and change the color schemes. She was replaced by a young er peach mat who was much more attractive. However, to my disappointment she would not mix work with pleasure. I would not say I loved her, it was just an attraction. My closest encounter with love was Nikey, Carly's left running shoe. From the moment I saw her I knew it was true love. These feelings were confirmed when she stepped on to me, her feel, her touch"ÂÆ'‚‚ ¦ just recalling the memories sends shivers down my batteries. Our meetings were rare but when we did meet, it was as though we had never been apart. We caused fireworks to explode (a small exaggeration - that's what the toaster did. We just ignited a small candle flame- but it shone brightly!) On one occasion, we were packed in Carly's suitcase together for an Orienteering Camp. What a weekend that was! We had fun frolicking in that suitcase! Then one day she never came back. I have never known why, but I suspect Carly bought new shoes. Not even a goodbye. It was too painful to bare. Traumatized, I refused t ell anybody their weight for weeks. The Logan's were convinced I was broken or had a loose spring. Then I was severely unscrewed and when they realized nothing was loose, I was reassembled then left on the tiles for dead. It only took them a few days to replace me. They went to buy "Mr. Perfect"ÂÆ'‚‚  scales, those digital kind they advertise on television. He cost them an arm and a body panel, but he was "worth it"ÂÆ'‚‚ , after all he was guaranteed not to die. They also figured any scale with a built in winch was not designed to run forever (I did my job"ÂÆ'‚‚ ¦). Their purchase proved to be the silliest thing they had ever done. They were children of the "ÂÆ'‚‚˜60s, so you can imagine how bad some of the things had been. I later heard Bernard complain that the "Mr. Perfect"ÂÆ'‚‚  scales cost the same as their first four-wheeled vehicle, 14 years ago. On his arrival he entered the bathroom, nose up in the air, chest puffed out (a pathetically outdated piece of macho posturing) ignoring my presence and resided in "ÂÆ'‚‚˜my spot'. Some "Mr. Perfect"ÂÆ'‚‚  he turned out to be! Twenty-four hours later, the shower started, he got wet and a short circuit killed him (it was either that or Bernard's dermatitis). Really reliable.The day Grandma came to stay is a quite a memory. She came into the bathroom for a shower and when she started undressing I knew there would be a problem. She begun with her dress, then her second and then her third. You needed to call the State Emergency Service to help her undress. Why do old people feel the need to wear so much in summer, let alone know their weight? My pointer arrow popped out of the number dial from such an overwhelming exposure to "ÂÆ'‚‚˜wrinkles and rolls.' Then on she hopped. I could feel my oxygen intake ceasing and my screws tightening. I felt choked and unable to breathe from the voluptuous woman that had casually lifted her leg to stand on top of me. If I had cheeks they would have been as red as hers. Poor, poor Grandma! No wonder she feels the need to wear so many pieces of clothing, she has so much of everything to conceal. It was a very traumatic experience for me and if there had been some kind of "ÂÆ'‚‚˜Scale Anonymous Group,' I would have gone for therapy.Apart from her occasional visits I would like to think I have managed my afflictions well. Now, even despite the trauma, as I sit here waiting for the recycling truck to come and take me away, I know I will miss the Logan's. After many years of analysis I have come to the conclusion that the Logan's are not such a bad family after all. They appreciated my worth eventually. They needed me. Okay, I must admit I needed them too. Over the years they have offered me affection, athlete's foot and a great survival story to tell others. My story is bound to leave all other appliances in tears. Truly, I am one of a kind- a hero, a pionee r for all my battery operated, electrical and digital comrades, who are currently enduring similar human torture.I wonder with whom the Logan's will replace me with? I am sort of looking forward to a new experience. Another change of image would do me well. Who knows I might end up in the Logan's kitchen this time"ÂÆ'‚‚ ¦, and they will not even know it.