Why Is the “Era of Goof Feelings” a Misnomer Essay

The period of James Monroe’s presidency has gained the term used worldwide as the â€Å"Era of Good Feelings†. It was adopted by this name because of Monroe’s action in visiting the U.S military basis and because of the spirit of nationalism and optimism gained by the people from the War of 1812. Foreign affairs exemplifies why this name is partly fact. However, the perception of unity that this era defines is somewhat misleading. Throughout this period, there were various problems that contradicted the era’s name. Some of the serious issues that divided the nation were economic depression and sectionalism. The first major fracture in â€Å"Era of Good Feelings† was an economic panic and depression that is frequently known as â€Å"The Panic of 1819†.†¦show more content†¦This amendment is known as the Tallmadge Amendment. This bill stated that no slaves could be brought into the state of Missouri and slaves born there would be freed at the age of 25. Southerners were bothered by this suggested law because they felt that it would threaten the sectional balance we had in our country and that Congress would attempt to abolish slavery in southern states. As a solution to this growing dilemma, Henry Clay proposed the Missouri compromise in 1820. This compromise, commonly known as â€Å"The Great Compromise†, stated three important things. One being that Missouri was to be admitted as a slaveholding state. Second, Maine was to be admitted as a free state, in order to keep the balance. Third, in the rest of the Louisiana territory north of latitude 36 º 30 , slavery was prohibited. Although this compromise was accepted by both sides of the country, it upset many Northerners, thus increasing growing sectionalism in our nation. Nevertheless, the â€Å"Era of Good feelings† was badly damaged by Americans’ torn feelings of sectional controversy over Missouri (North vs. South). The â€Å"Era of Go od Feelings† can also be exemplified with positive results. Our country’s Foreign affairs grew increasingly better during this time period. After the War of 1812, the United States adopted a more aggressive nationalistic approach in its relations with other nations. Americans were now proud to call themselves

Relevance of a Budget to an Organization Literature review - 1

Essays on Relevance of a Budget to an Organization Literature review The paper "Relevance of a Budget to an Organization" is a good example of a literature review on finance and accounting. According to Reimers (2007), financial planning in an organization is underpinned with effective budgeting tools and in this regard, he defined a budget as an organization’s quantitative expression of financial plans for a future period that could range between months or years. This essay is aimed at examining the relevance of preparing and utilizing a budget in an organization.   The preparation of a budget is requisite in the determination of the capital structure of an organization. Through the application of budgetary tools, management is able to realign effectively financing of assets through the perfect matrix of equity, debt, and securities (Garrison et al., 2015). As a result of capital budgeting, the management will be better placed to formulate strategic goals, accurately estimate and forecast cash flows, control and monitor the organization’s expenditures. The budget is also instrumental in the formulation and amendment of financial policies. According to Reimers (2007), the budget constitutes an integral part of the decision-making framework within an organization. As a decision-making tool, the budget explicitly depicts the financial plans of an organization thereby providing a framework for the development of appropriate policies and strategies on future undertakings. Garrison et al., (2015) noted that the importance of a budget is furthe r underlined with its role in organization performance monitoring. Organizations should prepare a budget to facilitate the comparability of the actual performance of a firm against the previously forecasted performance. Vis a vis, the budget provides the management with the baseline for the evaluation of the performance of the organization within a specific period. Similarly, based on the organization’s performance, the management is able to evaluate the emergent market trends and strategize on the future performance of the firm (Garrison et al., 2015). In addition, organizations should prepare the budget in order to reduce uncertainties associated with market trends through effective planning for the limited resources, balancing of inflow and outflow of funds and strategic investment of the organization’s income.

Overall Structure of the Oil and Gas Industry

Question: Demonstrate a good understanding of the substantive rules of International law applicable to the oil and gas industry Evaluate the key principles of contract formation in International commercial transactions and key international law principles and trends in the oil and gas sector Assess the effectiveness of international law in addressing the environmental impact of oil exploration and exploitation Demonstrate a critical understanding of the importance of oil and gas law as a distinct subject, studied in a practical and commercial context. Knowledge and understanding: Demonstration of detailed knowledge of the legal framework of oil and gas industry and the implications of national, regional and international law. Answer: Introduction Oil and gas industry is one of the most growing industries amid the global market place. The demand of oil and gas has been increasing over the years approximately at a rate of 1.2% annually (Lukoil, 2013). In this regard, more specifically it can be argued that the demand of oil and gas can be highly observed in the global market due to high consumption and demand of energy in the global market. According to the report of Ernst Young (2014), report it is revealed that the consumption of oil and gas has been increasing roughly around 50% in every year (Ernst Young, 2014; Lukoil, 2013). According to the viewpoint of Parashar (n.d.), it is identified that the whole oil and gas industry is globally recognised as a part of metal minerals industries. In this regard, more specifically Parashar (n.d.) argued that the whole oil and gas industry usually supervised and regulated by the governments with the aim of ensuring the future sustainability development. Moreover, it can be also claimed that the government has adopted economic policies and legal aspects with the aim of ensuring the command over the oil and gas industry. In this context, it is also notified that with the aim of ensuring the future development the government has segregated the overall oil and gas industry into three parts such as upstream, midstream and downstream (Parashar, n.d.). In this particular assignment, the objective is to identify and analyse the commercial, technical and legal aspects of the oil and gas industry, which usually assist governments to ensure the sustainability development for the future. Apart from this, during the discussion of commercial, technical and legal aspects of the oil and gas industry the study will highly emphasise to identify the challenges of this industry. Moreover, the study will try to examine and evaluate the key areas and features through which governments are usually negotiate challenges i.e. oil and gas industry. Additionally, the study will also emphasise towards the factors through which international oil companies can enhance their future performances. Discussion According to the report of UNEP Industry and Environment (1997), it is identified that large numbers of developed countries government has highly emphasised towards the environment planning related principles with the aim of ensuring the sustainability and responsibility of the environment in terms of ecology related aspects. In this context, government and larger oil companies has provided their exclusive attention towards the implementation or execution of the environment related programs. Similarly, the government has also provided their attention towards the legal framework with the aim of ensuring the statutory control over the environment planning related principles. Moreover, government and larger oil companies have also tried to ensure effective execution of the environment related programs through the assistance of constant supervising and monitoring. In this regard, based on the report of UNEP Industry and Environment (1997), it is witnessed that during the monitoring and s tatutory control, government and larger oil companies has incorporated qualitative measure for ensuring the effective execution of the environment related planning programs. According to the report of Swansea University (2015), government and larger oil companies has introduced new Latin Legum Magister (LLM) for the oil and gas industry, which can be referred as a one of the most essential constituent through which it can be possible to ensure the protection of natural resource. At the same time, it can be argued that through concentrating towards the new LLM an oil and gas manufacturing organisation can ensure its conduct and ethics of the business operations. In this context, it can be also argued that through concentrating towards the new LLM, government of UK can protect the waste of natural resource. At the same time, by concentrating on New LLM, government of UK can also ensure the protection of the intellectual property rights i.e. natural resources. Additionally, it can be claimed that the incorporation of new LLM i.e. oil and gas industry may lead significant growth in terms of global commerce. On the other hand, new LLM features also may help m odern gas and petroleum organisations to enhance their business performance in the international market (Swansea University, 2015). Legal Aspects of Oil and Gas Industry In accordance with Soyer and Kurtz-Shefford (2014), it is identified that government and larger oil companies has emphasised towards the contracts and liabilities of the oil and gas industry with the aim of ensuring the life cycle of the gas and petroleum project. In this regard, Soyer and Kurtz-Shefford (2014) claimed that government and larger oil companies has highly emphasised towards the confidentiality agreement with the aim of ensuring the exploration and production of gas and petroleum. Simultaneously, through incorporating confidentiality agreement approach government and larger oil companies has tried to ensure commercial and legal issues during the international trade operations. On the other hand, through concentrating towards the confidentiality agreement government and larger oil companies have tried to ensure the environmental impact i.e. natural resource as well as minerals. Additionally, it can be mentioned that through concentrating towards the confidentiality agree ment during the oil and gas business operations government and larger oil companies tried to reduce serious threats related to the oil and gas industry and it has also addressed potential liability relates aspects (Soyer and Kurtz-Shefford, 2014). Public and Commercial Legal Aspects of Oil and Gas Industry In accordance with Soyer and Kurtz-Shefford (2014), the oil and gas industry is one of the giant industries amid the entire globe. The industry usually operates its business operations in around the globe. In this regard, the report of OPEC (2015), mentioned that through the assistance of innovative as well as courageous approach the oil and gas industry has created its recognition in the global market place. Simultaneously, technological development has assisted the organisation to enhance its growth rate in an extensive manner. On the other hand, the industry has also witnessed certain challenges during its international operations due to internal as well as external aspects. Thus, government and larger oil companies have concentrated towards the legal regulations for overcoming all those challenges. In this context, it can be argued that the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has paid their extensive attention towards the global framework with the aim of reducing the challenges of the oil and gas industry. Moreover, it is also witnessed that the WTO has emphasised towards oil and gas industry with an aim of enhancing the influence of human rights during the international trade operations. Additionally, WTO has also provided its supporting hand towards the developing as well as under developed countries by financing and licensing on the oil and gas projects. Thus, after considering all these above stated aspects it can be evidently argued that through concentrating towards the oil and petroleum industry, WTO has ensured the intellectual property rights i.e. natural resources. Additionally, it has also assisted global organisations to enhance its business competencies (OPEC, 2015; Kurtz-Shefford, 2014). Practice of Law In order to ensure practice of law, government and larger oil companies has highly emphasised towards the commercial aspects. At the same time, the government has also engaged their attention towards the major contracts of the oil and gas industry. Apart from this, with the aim of ensuring the relationship between international traders, government and larger oil companies has highly concentrated towards the negotiable bills of lading. In this context, it can be also claimed that through concentrating towards the engaging tankers and ships government and larger oil companies has addressed international trade and commerce related challenges. In this context, Williams (2014), argued that through concentrating towards the economic policy as well as international trade related laws government and larger oil companies has enhanced overall growth rate of the oil and gas industry. Moreover, it can be also stated that through ensuring the practice of law government and larger oil companies ha s addressed the threat of global warming. In this context, rationally it can be argued that through concentrating towards carbon (CO2) emissions and other dangerous substances such as sulphur and nitrogen compounds among others, government and larger oil companies has reduce the diversified impact of the oil and gas production in the environment and atmosphere (Williams, 2014). Insurance Law According to the viewpoint of Soyer (2014), insurance of ships or tankers is one of the most crucial aspects for the oil and gas industry. In this regard, rationally it can be claimed that during the practice of law, it is highly essential for the government to provide attention towards insurance law for ensuring the recovery of unexpected loss from the disaster condition such as storm, tsunami and earthquake among others. Thus, government and larger oil companies have emphasised towards the insurance law for ensuring the relevance international business operations among the global countries. In this context, it can be claimed that the government of United States (US) and many other countries have adopted insurance law with the aim of ensuring the overseas business operation and it also assured respective position of the commonwealth countries. In this context, more specifically it can be argued that larger oil companies have witnessed several challenges during the negotiation proces s of drafting contracts (Soyer, 2014). International Trade Law In accordance with Tettenborn (2014), international trade law is one of the most essential aspects i.e. of business operations of the oil and gas industry. On the other hand, it can be claimed that through concentrating towards the international trade law it is possible to enhance the structure and operation of international trade in terms of oil and gas. Moreover, specifically it can be argued that through concentrating towards international trade law it is possible to improve the capital improvement plan (CIP) i.e. global business. Apart from this, international trade law also assist an organisation to focus towards the free on board (FOB) and cost, insurance and freight (CIF) contracts among others. Furthermore, international trade law also can reduce the obligations in case of rights of buyers as well as sellers. Additionally, through adopting adequate international trade law it is possible to reduce the risk related aspects and ensure the remedies for breach of contract. Consequ ently, international trade law also ensure the authenticity of the trade transport documents, bill of lading and the insurance of transit goods, which will ensure the protection of law i.e. international buyers. In this context, it can be argued that oil companies have witnessed several challenges during the negotiation process of drafting contracts, which has influenced governments to incorporate international trade law. Thus, the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has highly emphasised towards international trade law for ensuring significant international trade relation between the global nations i.e. oil and gas industry (Tettenborn, 2014). International Litigation and Arbitration In accordance with Leloudas and Wen (2014) international trade disputes is one of the major threats for the global organisations, which may hamper the business performance and also can influence few other challenges for a nation. In this regard, with the aim of resolving this particular challenge government and larger oil companies has established a special national court, which may address the international trade disputes by considering jurisdiction over the global network. In this regard, more specifically it can be argued that through concentrating towards the judicial as well as arbitration structures ICC has resolved the international trade dispute. Thus, it can be evidently mentioned that through considering the special international law government and larger oil companies has addressed international litigation and arbitration i.e. oil and gas industry. At the same time, adoption of special international law has also assisted oil and petroleum manufacturers to resolve business disputes (Leloudas and Wen, 2014). Law and Practice in International Banking and Commercial Payments In accordance with Tettenborn (2014), during the business operation of oil and gas industry, organisations need to adopt international banking and commercial payments mechanism, which may reduce the payment obligations for the buyers i.e. of trade operations. At the same time, it can be argued that through incorporating international banking and commercial payments mechanism global organisations can reduce discrepancy cash payments, documentary credits and bills of exchange among others. Thus, the government UK has incorporated this particular mechanism with the aim of enhancing the quality of the international banking system, which will ensure integrated international payments among the global nations during the oil and gas trading. In this context, Tettenborn (2014) also believed through adopting international banking and commercial payments mechanism global oil and petroleum organisations will witness certain advantages as well as disadvantages during the trade operations (Tettenb orn, 2014). Examine and Evaluate the Key Features of Governments and International Oil Companies Based on the above discussion, it is identified that along with technical and commercial aspects, legal aspects is also an essential factor, which can enhance the operational efficiency of the oil and gas industry. Simultaneously, it can be also argued that through concentrating towards the legal aspects governments can ensure the overall negotiation process i.e. of oil and gas industry, which will assist international oil organisations to enhance their business performances in an effective manner. In this context, in order to critically analyse the key features of the government i.e. of negotiation process it can be stated that legal and other agreement with the business partners will ensure the authenticity and reliability of the business operation (Leloudas and Wen, 2014). At the same time, through concentrating on safety and security related aspects, an oil and gas manufacturer can enhance its operational efficiency. Simultaneously, government should emphasise towards consultation as well as disclosure of the information with the aim of ensuring as well as varying the quality of the business operation in more effective manner. Apart from this government need to be stay focused regarding compensation and resettlement with an aim of significant development in the oil and gas related business projects. In this regard, it can be argued that through providing attention towards compensation and resettlement an oil and gas manufacturer can enhance its market value in the operating market place. Moreover, government should highly emphasise towards the employment for ensuring smooth execution of business operation. In this context, apart from recruitment and hiring, the government should pay attention towards training and development related aspects, which wil l ensure long term sustainability and better execution of the business operations. Consequently, government need to concentrate towards infrastructure and utility related aspects of the oil and gas business, which will ensure greater profitability and long term sustainability for the future (Tettenborn, 2014). Additionally, the government should pay attention towards the health management related aspects, which will ensure health concern of the community and it will also help organisations to build a positive relation with the oil and gas manufacturer as well as its stakeholders. Thus, based on these evidences it can be claimed that through concentrating towards all these above stated aspects an international oil and gas manufacturing organisation can enhance its profit margin as well as overall profitability in an effective manner (Soyer, 2014). Conclusion Based on the above discussion, it is identified that the overall structure of the oil and gas industry has been changed dramatically after the year 1980s. In this regard, more specifically it can be argued that most of the emerging countries governments have incorporated legal aspects along with technical and commercial aspects, which as assisted the global oil and gas manufacturers to enhance its operational efficiency along with enhancing the ability of facing challenges. Moreover, legal aspects have also helped global oil and gas manufacturers to enhance negotiation efficiency during the international trade operations. Additionally it can be argued that adequate legal aspects can improve future prosperity of the global oil and gas organisations. Reference List Ernst Young, 2014. Oil Gas Industry Forecast. Assurance, pp. 1-47. Lukoil, 2013. Global Trends in Oil Gas Markets To 2025. Global Trends, pp. 1-64. Parashar, S., No Date. Legal Aspect of Oil and Gas Sector. Subject: Oil and Gas [Online] Available at: https://www.manupatrafast.com/articles/PopOpenArticle.aspx?ID=3b9928f3-1807-4916-b783-33b3c38992dbtxtsearch=Subject:%20Oil%20And%20Gas [Accessed on 8 July, 2015]. UNEP Industry and Environment, 1997. Environmental Management in Oil and Gas Exploration and Management. Oil Industry International Exploration and Production Forum, pp. 1-76. Swansea University, 2015. LLM in Oil and Gas Law. College of Law, pp. 1-2. Soyer, B. and Kurtz-Shefford, T., 2014. LLM in Oil and Gas Law. Oil and Gas Law: Contracts and Liabilities, p. 2. Kurtz-Shefford, T., 2014. LLM in Oil and Gas Law. Public and Commercial Legal Aspects of Oil and Gas Exploration and Production (Compulsory), p. 2. Williams, R., 2014. LLM in Oil and Gas Law. Charter parties: Law and Practice, p. 2. Soyer, B., 2014. LLM in Oil and Gas Law. Marine Insurance Law, p.2. Tettenborn, A., 2014. LLM in Oil and Gas Law. International Trade Law, p. 2. Leloudas, G. and Wen, S., 2014. LLM in Oil and Gas Law. International Litigation and Arbitration, p. 2.

Standard Paragraphs for VDOT Technicians Field Rep Essays

Standard Paragraphs for VDOT Technicians Field Reports The GeoConcepts representative arrived on site, as requested, to observe and/or perform the followings:- Concrete: Self-Consolidated Concrete (SCC): Observe the placement of 24.0 cubic yards of 5000 psi Caisson Self- Consolidated Concrete (SCC) for drilled shaft #7. Concrete sample was taken from each truck and tested for temperature, slump and air content. All test results were informed to Dewberry representative. One set (Set #23) of nine cylinders (three for 28 day, four for early field breaks and two for permeability) was molded for compressive strength and permeability testing in our laboratory. Curb & Gutter Observed the placement of 90.0 cubic yards of 3000 psi A3 Extrusion Concrete supplied by Vulcan Materials. The concrete was poured for curb and gutter (CG-7) between structure 11-3 and structure 13-3 from station 158+30 to station 173+25 to the right side of west bound of route 50. The concrete observed on this date appeared to be placed in compliance with project specifications with regard to temperature, slump, air content, and batch to placement time. One set (Set #50) of 5 (3 for 28 days lab and 2 field) concrete cylinders (4"X8") for compressive strength of in our laboratory. Storm Water Structure Inverts: Observed the placement of 10.0 cubic yards of 4000 psi A4 Modified Concrete supplied by Titan Virginia Ready Mix LLC. The concrete was poured for the inverts of storm water structures #21-6 (sta.223+75), #22-1 (sta.226+00) on east bound of Rt.606. and structure #28-12 (sta.11+60) on Loudoun County Parkway. No sample was taken for this concrete. Box Culvert: Observed the placement of 80 cubic yards of 4000 psi A4 Modified Concrete (VDOT Design #9026-U-16) supplied by Titan Virginia Ready Mix LLC. The concrete was poured for box culvert (Structure #11-2) Wall and Slab (pour #11) on west bound of Route 659. Concrete observed on this day at this location appeared to be placed in compliance with project specifications with regard to temperature, slump, air content and batch to placement time. One set (Set #23) of seven cylinders (3 for 28 day lab, 2 for permeability and 2 for early field break) was molded for compressive strength and permeability testing in our laboratory. The rebar surface temperature was measured to be 40 F. Prior to concrete placement, the area was covered with plastic sheet, capped with plywood on top and heated with vacuum pump heater. The contractor continued to heat the area during and after concrete placement in order to keep the temperature within the limit of specifications. Bridge Deck: The GeoConcepts representative arrived on site as requested to observe the placement of 170 cubic yards of 4,000 psi A4 General Concrete for west bound Bridge Deck Span "G" on Gloucester Parkway. Concrete observed on that day appeared to be placed in accordance with project drawing and specifications with regard to temperature, slump and air content. Two sets (Set #23 day lab, three for early field break and two for permeability) were molded for compressive strength and permeability testing in our laboratory. Retaining Wall: Observed the placement of 17.0 cubic yards of 3000 psi A3 General Concrete for the 3rd footing section #10 of Retaining Wall #4 (RW-3) from station 229+45 to 230+05 on westbound of Route 659. Concrete observed for this date appeared to be placed in compliance with project specifications with regard to temperature, slump and air content. One set (Set #121) of five cylinders (three for 28 day lab and two for permeability) was molded for compressive strength and permeability testing in our laboratory. Soils & Aggregate: RCP Storm line: Observed the placement and compaction of VDOT #25 stones and soils for 40 linear feet of 15" diameter RCP stormwater line between storm structures #34-16 and #34-17 from approximate stations 199+50 to 200+25 at right side of westbound of Route 606. The contractor installed structure #28-11 on that day. Utilizing the Nuclear Method (ASTM D-6938-08a), checked the compactions of VDOT #25 stones and soils; test results indicated that the compacted material, at the areas and elevations tested, met or exceeded the project requirements of 95% of the maximum dry density of VDOT #25 stone (using suppliers laboratory proctor provided by the Dewberry Representative) and soils (using our laboratory proctor, Project source #S-2N). The soils observed on this date appeared to be placed in compliance with project specifications with regard to lift thickness and moisture content. Roadway Embankment: Observed the placement and compaction of soils for roadway embankment from station 13+50 and 16+50 on east bound of Fort Johnson Road. Utilizing