Thursday, October 31, 2019

Women during the American Revolution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Women during the American Revolution - Essay Example Many Indian women favored a British victory since they knew a new American nation would usher in: â€Å"land speculators and settlers into Indian territories and governments that backed unfavorable treaties with threats of military force.† 1 Enslaved women faced an unstable family life and often faced having their children or husbands sold from them. Both the British and Americans viewed slaves as chess pawns rather than genuinely believing in their freedom. In seizing loyalist camps, black women were sold for profit. Black women who served the rebel camps were treated as slaves, used for manual labor, and they were also sold to rebel armies. 2 Many black women also faced fraud and trickery by so-called emancipators who promised freedom. Black women faced assault and starvation from the confusion and chaos of the revolutionary war. Those who were fortunate enough to escape were still bogged down by discrimination and lack of advancement. Those who were not fortunate enough to escape, or remained behind due to fear of their children being hurt or reprisal from British and American camps, remained in perpetual bondage in the south and parts of the north. Free, black women n usually worked as domestic servants and were barred from establishing their own households. In European tradition, a woman's place was in the home, but she retained power and respect in running the home. Through racial and economic oppression, free black women would have no such role in having any measure of power or authority. Such status was traditionally reserved for white women. 3 For white, American women, their roles took a slight shift from strictly domestic house maidens to working in the fields and helping in the shops of male family members. In times of conflict, especially in the outskirts of far settlements, women protected their families and communities when their husbands were away or to simply contribute to protecting their homes.     

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Term Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Term Paper - Essay Example Here, we are talking about US. It is said that GDP grows with time. This is because of the reason that the needs of a country are rising day by day due to an increase in the population. Therefore, it becomes necessary to fulfill those needs, and manufacture products and offer services so that the lives of people are made better. Obviously, there has to be a specific number of people working to undergo this process and they would be paid as well. The overall demand would be met and supply would be increased. The bigger picture would then show that the gross domestic product would definitely increase. It is clearly understood from the above process that when GDP grows, the unemployment rate falls. The reason is that more people would be hired to fulfill a country’s needs and those employees would be paid for their services in the end. It can be said that both these factors, GDP and unemployment rate, are indirectly related to each; when one rises, the other falls. If we look at the World Bank data and make some cross country comparisons, we can better understand how US has been performing when these three major macroeconomic factors are concerned. According to the data presented in 2009, if the whole world’s GDP is taken to be 100 percent, then out of that US takes the second place after Europe. Europe has 22 percent of the GDP’s proportion while US 20 percent of it. (Suranovic, 2013) Similarly, if we look at the unemployment and inflation rates then US has 10 percent unemployment while Europe has 9.8 percent. The inflation rates for both of the countries are positive but relatively stable. Europe has 0.5 percent inflation rate while US has 1.8 percent till year 2009. It is said about the inflation rate that if they are too high, the situation can have bad impacts on the economy while if they are too low, the situation can deflate the economy. Moreover, if the unemployment rates are too low they will create problems as well. The aggregate

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Similarities Differences Between Asian And Global Financial Crisis Economics Essay

Similarities Differences Between Asian And Global Financial Crisis Economics Essay Asia Financial Crisis (AFC) in 1997 was started with devaluation of Thailands baht and followed by Ringgit Malaysia, Philippine Peso, and Indonesian Rupiah. There were some causes of the crisis such as South East Asia current account deficit, overvalued assets prices, corruption and macroeconomic policy mistake and excess lending. Most of South East Asia Countries was facing current account deficit, some countries had 5% above GDP. They solved this deficit by attracting inflows of investment from overseas, regularly on short term investment. This is because financial deregulation and capital liberalization in the west countries, so it began to persuade developing countries to adopt free market as well. Then, foreign investment ostensibly good for economic but actually not, the problem is not from free movement of capital however that the country will be very dependent on foreign short term capital flow. Short-term borrowing (i.e. loans of less than a years duration) meant there should be had liquid assets in the banks account it will causes motivating a large part of their capital inflows were increasing the lending rate, which directly some of domestic banks actively seek foreign funds from the West to finance the lending with the consequences country will facing excess lending. Secondly, the weakness of the South East Asian economies was not practically overvalued their assets make them weak to a quick depression. In Thailand property market become the weakness of financial sector, according to Robert Chote (1998) Thailand bank had lending funds to non bank financial institution, which is property market investors. It is approximation quarter of bank in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia was lending their funds through intermediaries for property related investment. The third causes of AFC has been the internal factor of each developing country that is badly ill of corruption and does not handle capital market in a transparency, there was insufficient regulatory framework in business especially for the bank in South East Asia. For example in Indonesia, banks would never refuse to lend money to businesses have relation with the former president Suharto family, the lenders just think those borrowers would be able to repay the debt, even the investment failed. Another factor was macroeconomic policies, which is pegging domestic currency to the US dollar had significant effects, by maintaining the fixed dollar rate between South East Asian economies in effect caused their currencies to appreciate. Then, when the crisis was develop the inflation of the US dollar give some trouble to those countries facing large deficit, but it would also make it harder to fund their deficit. Therefore the effect of AFC will be affecting in Asia and to the global market. In the Asia region, one of the distinct effects has been the devaluation in the value against US dollar and usually the economy performance can be seen in stock market, which is the country in crisis will experience quick drops in the stock market because stock market would be likely to fall reflect the lower anticipated profit. Another indication of the financial crisis was interest rate will rise rapidly to prevent further devaluation of the currencies, for example in Indonesia they raise overnight interest rate to 300% in 1997, but still failed to stop exchange rate from collapsing. In Malaysia, the stock and the currency market nearly collapses and also GDP growth rate dropped from 7.3% to negative 7.4%, but the economy conditions recover in 1999. The global impact of AFC economic turmoil is expected to give effect of some downturns in economic growth since the crisis began. The devaluation of South East Asian currencies will decrease the demand for western goods which are making the goods more expensive to obtain than usual. But, the positive consequence is the growth of export from major economies. Another impact in devaluation of currencies will give trade advantage to South East Asian companies, but the cost to acquiring assets will be increased as well, as a consequence, foreign direct investment will drop. Compared with current Global Financial Crisis (GFC), the causes of GFC are linked to the turn down of financial markets. In US, banking industries has been affected by subprime mortgage trend which is more likely from real estate. According to Krugman (2009) the crisis growth from housing crisis to banking crisis are very fast. The impact GFC in financial institution in developing countries in Asia, in fact the financial institution in developing country relatively unaffected as they have good track record on borrowing and lending process so, it will help to minimize the risk. Then general recommendation, for financial institution would government should make clear regulation, then by funding market and supporting trouble assets market it will give liquidity to bank. Because this is a global issue, it may require cooperation other countries to make solution. In case of GFC, Asian economies will move slowly, it is because most of the countries dependant to foreign demands, therefore when US and west countries struggle it relatively will give effect to Asian countries. But, since AFC most of Asia countries have good fundamental in their economy but policy adjustments for each country to adapt the situation are necessary. The impacts of GFC in Malaysia are in foreign exchange rate, finance sector, banking system and trade. Exchange rates in Malaysia since de-pegging in from US in 2005 have impact to capital flow to the Ringgit (Ooi, 2008), this depreciation in Ringgit value is related to the demand of portfolio flow and export sector. This will help Malaysia to improve their export for counter global recession. In finance sector, Malaysia have suffered big impact on capital flow because US financial institution more concern to their domestic market, and in capital flow portfolio is the one most volatile. In Malaysia stock exchange, many foreign players involved then when the crisis, many foreign participants take their part back, and affecting to the stock market in KLCI. According to Bank Negara Malaysia (2008), low debt repayment by private sector and official sector cause decreasing in direct investment. The impact on banking system was quite under control as local banks had small correlation with US subprime loan, and also local bank have learned from AFC in 1997. For trade, there has big impact in Malaysia because of very dependent in the world market, in 2009 Malaysia made biggest drop in export rate including in manufactured export, electronic, agricultural and natural resources export. Malaysias exports have a high relation with their import. So when exports decrease, imports also decrease. In conclusion, AFC give good fundamental Asian countries when facing GFC. Then both of the crises always give global impact in economics to all countries in the world, and as financial crisis all financial market will be affected. The differences are just the volume of the impact and how they will find the solution to manage their problem. QUESTION 2 Discuss in detail on the impact of Capital Control imposed by the Malaysian Government in 1998 on the economy in general, giving special consideration on the pegging of Malaysian Ringgit against USD. In 1957, Malaysia adopt floating exchange rate that only volatile around RM 2.50. During the floating exchange rate in 1991 1997, the growth of GDP in Malaysia was higher and was calculated approximately at 9.2 percent a year. On the other hand, during the financial crisis, the economic growth became negative. Moreover, in 1999, the growth started to recover from -7.6 per a year to 6.1 percent a year. This condition can be happened due to the investors confidence has recovered and the business started the expansion movement (Talib, nd). Financial crisis in 1998 caused catastrophe to countries in Asia, such as Indonesia, South Korea, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia. In those years, every country in Asia was preventing itself from the crisis by defensive method. It is also followed by IMF term that every country has to tighten their capital and exchange control. This action is taken due to ensure the investors confidence and stem capital outflow. On the other hand, Malaysia challenged it by imposing restriction on capital repatriation by foreign investor and on offshore trading of ringgit-denominated assets (Sharma, 2003). According to Sharma in The Malaysian Capital Control Regime of 1998, she stated that due to capital control, it downturn the economic in Malaysia. For example, export in electronic especially showed low demand and rises of lower cost producers. She added also that the price of the residential and commercial property increase. Moreover, subsidies are needed in industries, such as automobiles, cement, steel and others. But the troublesome is the falling in the assets quality of the bank because of the uncontrolled rapid credit expansion that made speculative price bubbles happened. Also there was difference in assets and liabilities that made the market vulnerable and seriously exposed. So, when financial crisis in Asia happened, Malaysian Ringgit became very volatile and the trading of Ringgit against USD at RM 4.22 per 1 USD. Thus government made decision to peg the Ringgit with USD at RM 3.82 per 1 USD. The Malaysian government not only concern about the economy in Malaysia but also the virtual pegging of Malaysian Ringgit against USD. At that time Malaysian Ringgit weakened against USD, this is because the unlimited currency trading market. Many speculators that short or sell the Malaysian Ringgit in case of depreciated (Sharma, 2003). Malaysia also imposes restriction on exchange rate transaction to prevent speculator take position against ringgit and also to protect foreign exchange reserves and recover monetary. The process of recovery not only by pegging and controlling the currencies Bank Negara also take a part to support the process of recovery, they impose stretched limit on transfer of capital to foreign countries by residents, the central bank maintains its commitment to exchange rate stability and rules out revaluation, massive capital inflows translate into a massive increase in the domestic money supply, leading to suspected undervaluation and inflationary pressure thi s decision was to prevent potential escape or people try to cheating. The Governments declaration of a guarantee of bank deposit also carries positive effect in Malaysia. In conclusion, Malaysia was able to control the Asia Financial Crisis in 1998, with the collaboration all other sectors including Government and financial institution by designing effective capital control and effective enforcement which are showed political ability and outstanding institutional. QUESTION 3 Based on your understanding of the Financial System in Malaysia, critically argue on how we could minimize the impact from another catastrophic economic crisis (if any). The Malaysian financial system was insecure during the Asian financial crisis. This encouraged the government to take holistic approach towards financial restructuring. It has been shown in paper4-emerging issues in Malaysian financial system: policy and challenges (2005) the government took approaches to restructure which includes the establishment of Danaharta, Danamodal and CDRC (Credit Debt Restructuring Committee) and promoted consolidation with merge exercise. Within 2 years, Malaysia managed to get out of the crisis with low usage of public funds (less than 5% of GNP) for the restructuring efforts and restoring economic stability. The government realized that the financial sector has to be transformed to address inherent weakness and set foundation for longer term development efforts amidst intense competitive pressures, globalization and liberalization of financial markets. How to cope with the crisis can be in various ways. But the initial priorities in dealing with the crisis were to stabilize the financial system and to restore confidence in economic management. Strong actions were needed to stop bank runs, protect the payment system, limit central bank liquidity support, and minimize disruptions to credit flows, maintain monetary control, and stop capital outflows. According to the financial sector crisis and restructuring lesson from Asia, it suggests that the countries emergency measures, such as the introduction of blanket guarantees and bank closings, were accompanied by comprehensive bank restructuring programs and supported by macroeconomic stabilization policies. Blanket guarantees for depositors and creditors were used in Malaysia to restore confidence and to protect banks funding. Despite the huge contingent costs and moral hazard problems involved, the government opts to guarantee the deposit rather than risking the credibility of their ba nking systems. The guarantees were effective in stabilizing banks domestic fundingalthough in some cases it took some time to gain credibilitybut were less effective in stabilizing banks foreign funding where Malaysia adopted capital controls. The developments within the domestic economy such as embarking on expansionary fiscal policies, easing monetary policy, implementing capital controls, and fixing the exchange rate can help to lead an improvement in the Malaysian economy. A well-functioning and efficient financial system is vital in ensuring effective and efficient conduct of monetary policy. The need to hit information technology will increasingly be important to meet more difficult demand. Banking sector needs large amount of capital investments to remain competitive and be able to assume greater risks. The financial system must adapt to meet the changing requirements for financing new economic activities. In particular, new areas of growth have different characteristics, which may limit their access to the traditional form of the bank-based financing. The capital market will play an important role in financing the growth and businesses. In order for Malaysia to remain internationally competitive, some of the important challenges will include such as continuing to Pursue Liberalization, Foreign Direct Investment, Building Good Governance and an Ethical Regulatory Framework, Restructuring and Upgrading the Industrial and Technological Base. In terms of the foreign exchange, Malaysia can get advantage by pegged exchange rate during the crisis. This brings advantages such as Relative stability in the foreign exchange market, Avoiding the day-to-day management of the exchange rate, The fixed exchange rate provided more certainty for businesses to make business and pricing decisions, Fixing of the Ringgit against the US dollar resulted in some independence in setting the level of interest rate, Avoids a trade-off between an accommodative monetary policy to avoid a contraction of the economy, and the need to check further deterioration in the Ringgit exchange rate. Comprehensive bank restructuring strategies in Malaysia sought to restore financial sector reliability as soon as possible, and at least cost to the government, while providing an appropriate incentive structure for the restructuring. The strategies included setting up appropriate institutional frameworks, removing nonviable institutions from the system, strengthening viable institutions, dealing with value-impaired assets, improving prudential regulations and banking supervision, and promoting transparency in financial market operations. According to the IMFs publication, more transparency in macro and microeconomic data and policies would have exposed vulnerabilities earlier and helped lessen the crisis. Better regulatory and supervisory frameworks would have helped, but supervisors would most likely not have been able to take necessary actions in the middle of the economic boom. No one foresaw the sudden massive erosion of loan values, once market sentiment changed and exchange rates collapsed. Broad-based reforms are under way to strengthen the institutional, administrative, and legal frameworks in the crisis countries, based on evolving international best practices, codes, core principles, and standards. The crisis has shown the need to tailor prudential policies so that resilience is built up in times of economic booms to deal more easily with inevitable economic downturns. International efforts have been undertaken to reduce the likelihood and intensity of future crises. Initiatives include work on the internat ional financial architecture, the Financial Stability Forum, and financial sector stability assessments. The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision has formulated improvements to regulation and supervision of international lenders to address weaknesses that contributed to the Asian crisis.

Friday, October 25, 2019

Greek Myths :: essays research papers

Greek Myths Dear Rebecca,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I am writing to you today to tell you about a few wonderful myths that I have read. I feel that they would interest you as much as they did me. I will give you a brief summary on each so that they will be a little more familiar to you if you decide to read them at some time in the future.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The first story I read was the tale of Hermes. Born on Mount Cyllene to his mother Maia, Hermes was an astonishing child. His growth was equally astonishing for he grew at a rapid rate. Deciding he wanted an adventure, Hermes set out one day and stole a herd of cows from Apollo, the sun god.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When Apollo discovered the missing herd, he set out to find them but to no avail. Hearing of a reward offered by Apollo for the recovery of the herd, Silenus and his satyrs set out as well. Traveling far and wide their journeys brought them to a small cave, which echoed with the beautiful muffled sounds of a melody to which they were drawn. When finding out the music was produced by an instrument made of cow gut and tortoise shell, it was then understood that young Hermes had taken the herd from Apollo. Formal charges were brought to Mt. Olympus. Apollo, while going to get his remaining cows discovered Hermes' musical invention. Intrigued by this astonishing invention he offered his whole flock for the musical instrument. Hermes agreed, after which he invented a shepherd's pipe, which also awed Apollo. He offered Hermes his golden staff in exchange for the pipe but to no avail. In addition to the golden staff Hermes wanted the knowledge of augury. He felt it was a useful art. Hermes returned to Mt. Olympus to tell his father, Zeus, of all goings on. Zeus was very amused. Hermes suggested to Zeus that he be made into a herald. Zeus complied with this suggestion and showered Hermes with gifts.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Sounds like an interesting tale, doesn't it. Well it is much better if you read it yourself. The next tale I read was of Krishna. This one story was the most confusing of the four I read. To fully understand it you must read it and interpret it for yourself. I will try to do the best I can.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Rama and Krsna were two children who loved to play in the village. First they crawled and then they walked causing the village women to laugh and giving them great pleasure. Then Krsna started to untie the cows at

Thursday, October 24, 2019

What Makes a Good Friend

In my opinion a good friend is someone who is always around you. Another quality for a good friend is someone who lets you barrow money if you barrow them money. The last quality is someone who does favors for you if you do favors for them. The first quality to a good friend is someone who is always around you. Hanging out with each other. Another thing is texting them all the time. Also, playing video games. The last thing is going to the movies. The second quality is someone who gives you money if you give them money. Some examples are when I go to McDonalds or Subway and I don’t have money my friend gives me money and if he doesn’t have money I will pay for him. Also my friend always drives me around and I always give him money for gas. The last good quality for a friend is someone who does favors for you if you do favors for them. For example: if I give him money he gives me money, if I help him on homework he helps me on homework, if I buy him lunch he buys me lunch. A good friend is someone who is always around you. Someone who lets you barrow money if you barrow them money. Someone who does favors for you if you do favors for them. Those three qualities are the main three qualities that I am looking for in a friend.

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Brownies

Brownies became popular across America beginning in the sass. Today, a search in the internet can discover over 100,000 brownie recipes. The variations seem endless, containing everything from candy to coffee beans (Blitz, 2014). As a new variation, the company presents a new taste of brownies having Morning Leafier or better known as Malagasy as the flavor because of its growing popularity and relevance. Malagasy is a popular backyard plant in the Philippines.It is once known as a poor man's vegetable, but is now garnering international attention as a â€Å"superegos† of miracle tree† with its proven nutritional value and many uses (Gasman, 2013). This product intends to offer people a healthy lifestyle featuring the extra benefits and nutritional values of the said plant, for this product will be presented as a food supplement to children, teenagers and adults. Studies show that the Malagasy plant is widely used as herbal medicine for a number of illness and other prac tical uses.Malagasy is known as a very nutritious plant, where it is used to combat malnutrition in third world countries especially for infants and mothers, and also as having antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti fungal repertories (AN & Part, 2003). These studies prove the effectiveness of the plant and its great help to people's health that is why this plant was chosen as the new flavor of the brownies. Nowadays, people are looking for differences and distinctions between products and so, companies are challenged in developing new products for people.This product is a solution to people who needs food supplements, but do not want to take the usual medication like in the forms of capsules, syrups, etc. This company is working to offer food supplements in the form of Malagasy brownies. People, who will avail the said product, will get to have the all-time favorite dessert, the brownies plus take pleasure in and have the benefits of the very nutritious Malagasy plant. Thus, the Mornin g Leafier or Malagasy plant is chosen as the raw material of the product which is food supplements in the form of brownies.This product will be offered to suit the needs of people who are in need of help to their health featuring the nutritional values and many benefits of Malagasy. REFERENCES Blitz, l. (25 June 2014). Failed Cake to Family Favorite: Brownie History. Retrieved from http://www. Prepares. Org/Assets/files/Brownie_Recipe_Handout. PDF. Gasman, M. (21 November 2013). Malagasy (Morning)-the World's â€Å"Superegos†. Retrieved from http://www. Classicist. Com/Malagasy-morning-worlds-superegos/. AN, K. & Part, L. (2003). Malagasy Uses, Health Benefits, Side Effects, Preparation.Retrieved from http://www. Indistinguishable. Com/articles/Malagasy. HTML. BUSINESS DESCRIPTION The main purpose of the business is to provide a healthy lifestyle and living in the present generation specifically to children with ages 7-12, teenagers 13-19 and adults tit ages 20 and above. The company will provide food supplements in the form of Morning Leafier or Malagasy brownies as the products. These brownies will offer the unique benefits and nutritional values of Malagasy leaves and plant to health.To be able to produce the product, the company will be offering a partnership to the Malagasy Plantation in Apace, Nag City. This plantation will provide the Malagasy plant as the main ingredient or raw material of the brownies as food supplements. The partnership will be having 70% of the revenues for our company and the engaging 30% for the Malagasy Plantation. The Cacao Farm and Industries will also be another supplier for our company. The company will be management. Under this, there will be subgroups such as the Financial, Operational and Human Resources departments.The Malagasy Plantation will be the head for the Operational department and under them is the Cacao Farm and Industries together with the other suppliers. Job Descriptions: General Manager The general ma nager conducts and administers the overall undertaking in the business. The general manager will asks for the reports and updates from the line managers regarding the business dealings delegated to each of them. Checking the performance of all the managers is also a duty of the general manager.The general manager will also help draw ideas and thoughts together with the other managers to come up with a rational, agreed result in order to achieve the company's objectives. Financial Manager The financial manager is in charge with the overall financial affairs of the business. He identifies costs relating to the business. He keeps the book of accounts and monthly reports. He is also in charge in the preparation of the financial statement. Productions and Operations Manager The productions and operations manager has the task of buying the needed ingredients for the production of the products.He is also commissioned to make an inventory system. He is involved with the planning, coordinati on and control of manufacturing processes. He ensures that goods and services are produced efficiently and that the correct amount is produced at the right cost and level of quality. Sales and Marketing Manager The sales manager has the task of monitoring the sales. He is also tasked with the costs needed in making long-term plans for the business. He furthermore studies and analyses the changes in the market trend and come up with appropriate innovations in the product that will suit customer's taste and preferences.The sales manager studies and reports the supply and demand trends in the business. The marketing manager is in charge of formulating strategies to improve public relations. He also makes a wide campaign via calling cards, referrals of the baked products to make the business recognized. He is also asks for comments, makes surveys from customers and develops strategies to meet their expectations. Human Resources Manager Human resources manager develops, advises on and im plements policies relating to the effective use of personnel within an organization.His aim is to ensure that the organization employs the right balance of staff in terms of skills and experience, and that training and development opportunities are available to employees to enhance their performance and achieve the employer's business aims. In the present times, the company will Just be proposing the Malagasy brownies, but will not be limited to it in the near future. The company will be extending their reduces in terms of new flavors for the brownies or new forms of the Malagasy food supplements.Product development and innovation will be used as marketing strategies of the company depending on the sales and opinions or feedback from the people. The company will do research to give the customers their satisfaction. At the end of the year, the company is tasked to have paid the liabilities from the capital. The company must also seek to improve the lifestyles of people as its main pu rpose and must have provided positive comments and effects to people who will avail the product. OPERATIONAL PLAN The business will communicate with the customers through direct selling or house- to-house selling or person-to-person selling.The company aims to provide the customers an easy way of reaching the product. Another way to promote the product is through the use of social media such as Faceable, Twitter and other websites. Customers are free to contact the company regarding the product or send an email to our official page. The pricing strategy will be based on the materials used and each will cost 25 pesos and a box of 12 will cost 290 pesos (A 3-percent discount is offered). The product does not look like the usual brownies which shapes as square or rectangle, but will be circular in appearance or will look like cupcakes.Customers will be given the chance to avail membership worth 3,000 pesos as an initial payment and will have certain discounts and other benefits. For th ose who will avail the membership, they will have an additional two boxes of the products for one year. The company plans to a consignment for our product to different stores in Nag City particularly in terminals, cafeteria, canteens and eateries. But, the business intends o operate primarily by accepting orders from customers through mobile, e-mail and other means of communication.