Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Ethics, Sexual Harassment, And Bullying - 907 Words

I felt very connected to this week’s discussions, not because I’ve personally been involved in discrimination, sexual harassment, or bullying but because I spent a lot of time managing through these issues when I worked as an Operations Manager for Borders, Inc. At any given time I had ~250 employees and managers in a distribution center reporting to me on three shifts, six days a week. It was rare that I didn’t have some pending issue that required a Human Resources perspective and these issues were very common themes. I’ve never understood why someone would choose to expend energy on any of these actions but always considered my role as one that could protect others when it did occur. As we’ve discussed, having established policies that are frequently communicated allows employers to react swiftly to correct any issues that arise. This was the case when I worked at Borders and it is today at HCA so I feel comfortable everything possible is bei ng done to discourage and prevent these actions from occurring. Privacy is a very touchy subject these days and the knife seems to cut both ways when it comes to who should know what, and when they should know it. On one hand, the privacy of consumer information becomes a bigger concern every day as companies are hacked and information is stolen. There are laws that mandate what companies must to in order to protect this information but I also feel that organizations have their own internal obligation to do what’s right forShow MoreRelatedDiploma in Business Essay1571 Words   |  7 Pages See specifications below for details. Performance objective Demonstrate the skills and knowledge to manage the integration of business ethics in human resources practice. Assessment description Develop a code of conduct and answer a series of questions to demonstrate understanding and ability to apply appropriate standards of behaviour and business ethics. Procedure 1. Develop a code of conduct for JKL Industries (see the case study in Assessment Task 1). JKL has a number of policies andRead MoreWorkplace Bullying : An Analysis Essay1313 Words   |  6 PagesWorkplace Bullying: An Analysis Workplace bullying is defined as the repeated, heath-harming mistreatment of one or more persons (targets) by one or more perpetrators within an organizational setting. It is abusive conduct in the workplace that is threatening, humiliating, or intimidating. Workplace bullies often utilize verbal abuse or sabotage to control and torment their targets through acts of commission (doing things to others) or omission (withholding resources from others). Unrestrained workplaceRead MoreSexual Harassment Within The Workplace1567 Words   |  7 PagesSexual harassment is a continuing, persistent occupational health problem in corporations and work environments. There can be extensive, negative consequences for individual victims and the corporations involved. Assailants and harassers can impact and hurt victims by affecting both their professional work lives and personal lives. The purpose of this paper is to heighten awareness and sensitivity to this important issue, recognizing that insti tutions, clinics, corporations, organizations and office-basedRead MorePros And Cons Of Cyberbullying1180 Words   |  5 Pagesare a loser†, â€Å"no one likes you†, â€Å"you have no friends†. Sending mean messages such as these through text, or email, spreading rumors or posting embarrassing pictures, videos, or fake profiles are all examples of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2017). With virtuallyRead MoreThe Issues Of Discrimination And Harassment1575 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction This essay explores the issues of Discrimination and Harassment, in particular, the legal obligations, protection and resources available to human service clients, within Australia and specifically Queensland. A particular level of knowledge is required by human services workers in regards to the judiciary system, legal accountabilities and statutory obligations, to provide the most appropriate level of care for clients of social workers. By describing how the legal framework is relevantRead MoreSexual Harassment And The Workplace Essay1466 Words   |  6 PagesSexual Harassment in the Workplace Introduction Sexual harassment is an ethical problem in the workplace. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. It can affect your working conditions and creates a hostile work environment. It can also affect productivity, satisfaction, retention, patient care and safety, your physical well-being and mental health. It can also cause low staff morale, increased absenteeism and attrition of staff. This studentRead MoreBullying in the Work Environment Essay628 Words   |  3 Pageswhich is causing stress and pressure at the work station. The employers are allowing bullying as part of the normal work environment, because they feel it motivates the employee’s to do their best on their jobs. The perpetrators claims that they are the victim, not the one that does the bullying. Most bullying cases is related to poor management skills, and lack of self-confidence. Harassment is escalating into bullying among the employees, which relates to s ome health issues. No one knows what stressRead MoreIs Cyberbullying as Pervasive and as Dangerous as Physical Bullying?1028 Words   |  5 Pagesspecifically, cyberbullying is the use of the Internet, cell phones, or other electronic communication devices to spread harmful or embarrassing information in the form of text, photos or videos about another person. Cyberbullying is worse than physical bullying because of its serious consequences, and the person who suffers the cyberbullying would be hurt mentally by harmful messages, which is more difficult to cure than physical injury. First of all, an increasing number of people become victims of cyberbullyingRead MoreThe Global Code Of Ethics1655 Words   |  7 PagesI. OVERVIEW The Global Code of Ethics outlined herein describes how this international organization intends to do business. Because this business is global, working in conjunction with different cultures is of utmost importance. Drafting, implementing, and monitoring the Global Code of Ethics has involved and will continue to include a team from all aspects of the business, including; the Board of Directors, the General Counsel, Human Resources Directors, Managers, and Employee Representatives. FurtherRead MoreCase Study : Harassment At Brademore Electric1129 Words   |  5 PagesCase Study: â€Å"Harassment† at Brademore Electric Question 1 Keith’s case is an engagement that does not violate or involve unethical behavior at the workplace. By definition, sexual harassment involves the unlawful coercion or badgering of a person based on one’s gender or includes unwarranted sexual advances (â€Å"Facts about sexual harassment†). It may include sexual favors as well as physical or verbal provocation based on a sexual infliction. Keith may be infatuated with Maura but he has not made

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Santosh N. Williams. Dr. Washington. 28 March 2017. . The

Santosh N. Williams Dr. Washington 28 March 2017 The American Civil War The American Civil War was a war against the North and the South during the 1860’s. The Southern removed themselves from the Union. The U.S didn’t allow states to be removed from the Union. The North also wanted to get rid of Slavery but the South wanted African American slaves to help them and work for them. The War started when the army in the South attacked a military base in South Carolina. The American Civil War was the first war that killed thousands of Americans in history. During the Civil War thousands of Americans soldiers died. United States had the most slaves in the world, but after the Civil War slaves weren’t allowed anymore. The American nation was†¦show more content†¦The role of the women changed during the war. Political power were going under the control of a single authority. During the war agriculture and manufacturing were needed for the South. Leaders in the South were hoping that European Countries would gi ve up. In the economy, it was a breaking point of the South. Both France and the United Kingdom allowed the south to have warships built in their shipyards. Troops form the confederates weren’t as good as the North was. In the South was plagued with shortages of all kinds. Money was also a problem of the South, to print money to lead to unbelievable increases in the price of everyday items. After the fall of Atlanta, soldiers worried more about their family than staying to fight for their new country. On July 1861, McDowell approached Manassas. McDowell troops and the Union troops composed mainly of poorly trained volunteers clashed on July 21. Northerns predicted that the war would not be over in three months. The confederacy maintained the advantage in the war into late 1862. The battle of Chancellorsville was later seen as one of Lee’s victories of the Civil War. The confederacy remained powerful mid-1863. In Chancellorsville the army had 138,000 men in 1863. General Robert E. Lee attacked the bull run in Manassas. The Mississippi River was seized by the North in the West. Senator William H. Seward of New York became Lincoln’s secretary of state. He placed slavery at the heart of the

Monday, December 9, 2019

Sciences Hawaii International Conference -Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Sciences Hawaii International Conference? Answer: Introduction In certain businesses, multiple promotions functioning in a concurrent manner might be resulting in cannibalizing both promoted as well as non-promoted SKUs. To integrate distributor-level promotions as well as associated forecasts will be allowing Dell towards improving the flow of products as well as actualizing better outcomes regarding availability as well as stock fill rates. In the same manner, to improve the capability of forecasting the impact regarding price changes will be taking place on both revenue as well as gross margin dollars, when it is effectively timed. As per the 5 Levels of Planning Hierarchies, majority of the organizations are having the requirement for a strong SIOP as well as Master Scheduling to schedule production in a more effective way. Why is forecasting essential for a organization to improve its logistics and supply chain management? To increase the satisfaction of the customers For keeping the customers satisfied, Dell is required providing them with the product they desire and when they need it. This forecasting advantage in business will assist in predicting the demand of the product so that there is the availability of adequate product for fulfilling the orders of the customers with short-lead times, on-time. The significance of forecasting is much higher in Made-to-Stock (MTO), JIT Supply Business or Assemble-to-Order (ATO) (Seuring 2013). To reduce the inventory stockouts Organizations such as Dell are required realising the significance of forecasting, even when the organization is working in JIT Process or with suppliers having long lead time. When Dell will be purchasing from long lead time suppliers then the organization is required sending a demand forecast so that suppliers can do the arrangement of raw materials in expectation of actual orders from customers. Regarding the case of JIT Processes, forecasting will assist Dell for timing the organizations purchases for corresponding to when there is the requirement for fulfilling the sales. The less time inventory will be spending in the warehouse, the less amount Dell will pay for letting it simply sit there waiting to be sold (Fawcett 2013). To lower the safety stock need An effective method of forecasting will be having a direct influence to plan the levels of inventory. This will assist in the development of production requests in respect of manufacturing functions, to plan in respect of launching new products, to plan the activities of promotion as well as to plan the seasonal variations regarding demand. When an organization does the utilization of forecasting for planning any of the aforementioned aspects, then Dell is not required carrying out high safety stocks for the management of those events (Fawcett 2013). Describe the three main types of forecasts used within the context of the supply chain. The three main types of forecasts used within the context of the supply chain are considered being demand forecasting, supply forecasting as well as price forecast. Demand forecasting This is regarded as the investigation of the organizations demand in respect of a product or SKU, for including the current as well as estimated demand by industry as well as product end utilization. The importance of demand forecasting in supply chain delves with the aspect of marketing predictions regarding the demand of customers in respect of a product, increasing the customer satisfaction significance, reducing the significance relating to inventory stockouts, scheduling production in a more effective manner, reducing the safety stock needs as well as product obsolescence expenses and also, developing the pricing as well as management of promotion (Ahi 2013). Supply forecasting This is considered being the process of data collection in respect of the present producers as well as suppliers, and also technological as well as political trends that might be affecting the supply. The supply forecasting is associated with the aspect of making an estimation regarding supply of human resources considering the evaluation of present human resources inventory as well as availability in the future. The primary step regarding supply forecasting is taking a stock of the current inventory of human resources such as head count, job family inventory, age inventory, inventory regarding skill, experience, values as well as abilities and so on (Ahi 2013). Price forecast This is depending upon the information collected as well as evaluated regarding supply as well as demand. It will be providing a forecasting of prices that are considered being short-term as well as long-term and the primary reasons in respect of those trends. Price forecasting is considered being an essential analytical method in the present competitive as well as unstable market. Price forecasting can be broadly classified into Fundamental Analysis processes as well as Technical analysis processes. Fundamental Analysis does the establishing of a methodical as well as official process to explore supply-demand in original markets. It will be attempting to do the anticipation of changes as well as information relating to supply or demand as well as evaluating the range as well as direction of price movement that results from the new information. Certain methods in this regard are considered being market research, anticipation survey as well as panel consensus. Technical analysis proce sses are used when relying upon historical data can be done for predicting the price in the future (Seuring 2013). How can a business improve its forecasting abilities? Flexibility regarding forecasting Through the aspect of creating flexibility into the organizational forecasting will be assisting in allowing better precision as well as improved outcomes within the organizational business. Implementing rolling forecasts The rolling forecasts will be allowing the organization in better alignment of the organizations budget with the stated plan of the company while making improvements regarding the precision of the organizational estimations (Gleghorn 2015). Communicating early as well as frequently Since forecasting is affecting every business aspects, the organization is required maintaining an open communication line with every department all through the overall process for assisting in minimizing the concerns as well as ensuring the alliance within Dells functional as well as organizational strategic aspects (Seuring 2013). Involvement of the overall team Forecasting is considered being a team effort so that the departments as well as units are having a better understanding of their requirements. Also, through the utilization of the overall team will be allowing Dell in having multiple traits of stating where the organization presently is and where it will be later. Having clarity about the goals The forecasting objective is doing the prediction of Dells financial future. Forecasting supports in the making of decisions regarding business and to understand their influence prior to their implementation. Hence, Dell is required having a clear understanding of what is driving the forecasting predictions regarding the organization. Tracking of everything There is the requirement for taking into accounting everything in respect of forecasting regarding the next financial year. It is required being alert regarding the trends in the market, behavioural aspect of the clients, and what the nature of the competition is when the finalization of the business forecast is being done (Seuring 2013). What is a 3PL? A 3PL is the provider of outsourced logistic services. Logistic services do the encompassing of anything that is having the involvement of the management of the manner by which resources are being shifted to the places where they are having a requirement. In organizational businesses, 3PL is having a broad meaning whose application can be made to any service contract that is having the involvement of storing or shipping things. A 3PL service might be regarded being an individual service like transportation or warehouse storage or it can be considered being a system-wide collection of services having the capability to do the management of the overall supply chain in an organization (Gleghorn 2015). What is the information you would seek from a 3PL to demonstrate its ability to meet your company requirements? 3PLs Level of technological sophistication The organization is required conforming that the capabilities of the 3PLs processes are having the ability for integrating with the organizations automation needs like the companys order routing as well as tools regarding storefront inventory management (Gleghorn 2015). Financial strength of the 3PL A 3PL that is not having financial stability might be having focus on its individual economic circumstances rather than assisting the organization in improving its business. Therefore, it is required to find out whether the organizations 3PL partners are having the financial stability for weathering major distractions, particularly when there is more restrictions toward capital accessibility. Strong flow of cash is the most significant indicator of financial health. Preparation of 3PL for disasters Disruptions relating to supply chain will be having a significant impact of the organizational bottom line, therefore the organization is required knowing in what way the positioning of the 3PL is done for dealing with them on the logistics side. Irrespective of the growing threat of supply chain disturbances, many organizations are presently underfunding the planning of disruption-mitigation (Gleghorn 2015). What is humanitarian logistics? This is explained as the method to plan, implement as well as control the effective, cost-efficient flow as well as storage of products as well as materials and also information that is related, from the origination point to the consumption point in respect of doing the alleviation of the suffering related to the individuals that are considered having vulnerability (Waters 2014). In general terms describe the roles of six key players in the humanitarian aid supply network identified in the lectures that should collaborate to provide humanitarian support in the times of disasters. Governments The host governments, governments from neighbouring countries, as well as governments from other countries within the global community are considered being the activators of the steam regarding humanitarian logistics post the striking of a disaster as because they are having the power to do the authorization of operations as well as mobilizing of resources. Military Military plays a very significant role as because soldiers are called upon for providing basic support due to their better planning as well as logistic abilities. Aid Agencies They assist the governments in alleviating the suffering that the disasters are causing (Wisner 2014). Donors The donors are providing the funding bulk in respect of significant relief activities. In general, donations are consisting of providing financial means for supporting the humanitarian functions or offering free products as well as services while performing logistics functions (Wisner 2014). NGOs These are including various roles that range from global players like CARE to small as well as micro-organizations that are developing within domestic communities but are having the ability for operating at the global level as well. Logistic and other companies The existence of private-sector organizations such as logistics as well as other organizations is having an increasing growth in the humanitarian relief environment. Within the humanitarian logistics, organizations can perform the roles of donors, collectors as well as providers (Waters 2014). Using Information Technology in Logistics and Supply Chain Management Identify and briefly describe five ways that Information Technology is being used to improve supply chain and logistics efficiency and effectiveness. Electronic Commerce It take into consideration the process of electronic data interchange, e-mail, electronic transfer of funds, electronic publishing as well as shared databases. Organizations are having the ability for automating the method of moving documents electronically within the suppliers as well as customers. Electronic Data Interchange Electronic Data Interchange is providing the advantages of providing fast process regarding information, improved customer services, lesser paper work, better productivity, cost effectiveness, competitive advantage as well as enhanced billing (Voss 2017). Bar coding and scanner These are having major visibility in the super-markets check-out counters. This code does the specifying of the product names as well as the name of the manufacturers. Data warehouse Data warehouse is a consolidated database whose maintenance is done in a separate manner from the production system database of an organization. The organization of a data warehouse is done around informational subjects rather than particular business methods. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) tools Many organizations are viewing the ERP process as the essential element of their IT infrastructure. They assist in capturing the data as well as reducing the manual procedures as well as task related with processing inventory, customer order as well as financial information (Coyle 2016). Describe four activities that IKEA is using to ensure its supply chain is sustainable and describe the ways that IKEA is influencing all elements of its supply chain to adopt sustainable practices. IKEA does the adoption of a demand-driven planning as well as business functioning model that is depending upon real-time demand insights as well as demand shaping. IKEA has built an adaptive as well as agile supply chain with dynamic planning as well as integrated implementation (Fernie 2014). IKEA did the optimization of the product designs as well as product management to supply, manufacture as well as having sustainability for doing the acceleration of profitable innovative aspects. IKEA does the aligning of its supply chain with goals of business through the integration of sales as well as operations planning with corporate planning of business (Fernie 2014). The E-Wheel tool is considered being an effective communication vector with partners, particularly suppliers of raw materials as well as manufacturers, resulting in improved acknowledgement, accountability as well as sensitivity on their part. IKEA did the creation of a code of conduct called IWAY that will be including rules as well as guidelines, which will be assisting the partners for reducing environmental influences. This code does the influencing of the IKEA partners towards following national as well as global laws, not using child labour, reducing waste as well as emissions, following the health as well as safety needs, caring for the environment as well as taking care of the staffs (Dekker 2013). Also, to adopt sustainable practices, IKEA formed a partnership with UNICEF for preventing child labour and as a result, assist its suppliers to manage the aim as well as with WWF for promoting sustainable utilization of natural resources and as a result, supporting the suppliers to manage sustainable resource utilization (Coyle 2016). Discuss the effect that IKEAs sustainable sourcing and supply practices are having and are likely to have upon the entire furniture industry now and into the future. All the suppliers of IKEA are following the IWAY code of conduct stating that they are applying it when supplying to customers other than IKEA as well. As a result, these sustainable activities are having a positive influence on other entities, connected to the IKEA suppliers individual supply chain. This is a type of striking impact regarding the various supply chains (Stadtler 2015) Another impact is because of IKEAs strong market condition. IKEA is considered to be one of the furnishing industrys leaders in most of the countries where it is conducting business, as a result, influencing its competitors. Since, customers are having a keen interest to purchase at IKEA due to its sustainable activities, competitors are having the influence of doing the same. As a result, over a longer period, the entire furnishing chain will be having sensitivity in respect of sustainable practices (Rushton 2014). Describe some of the ways that IKEA uses its customers to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its logistics and supply chain management. Cost-per-touch inventory tactic This process assist the customers in selecting the furniture as well as retrieving the packages themselves. This is considered being an inventory management tactic. In regard to the rule of thumb, IKEA has found out that the more number of hands are touching the product, the more costs are related with it (Rushton 2014). Inventory Management and In-store Logistics for IKEA This strategic aspect will be ensuring that IKEA is having ready inventory for meeting the demand of the customers as well as reducing the expense of lost sales (Mangan 2016). How does IKEA collaborate with its suppliers and logistics partners to ensure end-customer satisfaction with its products? The organization does the focusing on the aspect of making sure there would occur customer satisfaction via the condition of enormous convincing as well as value during the entire experience related with shopping. Accordingly, products that are meeting the needs of the customers are offered in addition to services that assist the customers for easily identifying, purchasing, transporting as well as using the products (Christopher 2016). In addition, IKEA did the establishment amenities like parking facilities, a food court, supervised play area of children, the mini cinema and so on for providing the high convenience of the customers relating to their activities for shopping as well as adding value to their brand (Mangan 2016). Conclusion To conclude it can be stated that the forecasting is considered essential for a company for improving its logistics as well as supply chain management. In this regard, the major kinds of forecasts are being described in the context of supply chain. A description of 3PL has also been given and the humanitarian logistics has been discussed and there has been the identification of the key players in the humanitarian aid supply network. Through the process of repurposing, identifying as well as removing inventory that is considered being obsolete, the inventory volume on hand will be decreasing. Through this, both direct as well as indirect expenses to maintain the obsolete inventory will plummet. To have a standardized steadfast means to forecast demand will be stating that there isnt any excess ordering of stock and this will be reducing the option of obsolete stock. Reference Ahi, P. and Searcy, C., 2013. A comparative literature analysis of definitions for green and sustainable supply chain management.Journal of Cleaner Production,52, pp.329-341. Christopher, M., 2016.Logistics supply chain management. Pearson UK. Coyle, J.J., Langley, C.J., Novack, R.A. and Gibson, B., 2016.Supply chain management: a logistics perspective. Nelson Education. Dekker, R., Fleischmann, M., Inderfurth, K. and van Wassenhove, L.N. eds., 2013.Reverse logistics: quantitative models for closed-loop supply chains. Springer Science Business Media. Fawcett, S.E., Ellram, L.M. and Ogden, J.A., 2013.Supply Chain Management: Pearson New International Edition: From Vision to Implementation. Pearson Higher Ed. Fernie, J. and Sparks, L., 2014.Logistics and retail management: emerging issues and new challenges in the retail supply chain. Kogan page publishers. Gleghorn, G.D. and Harper, A., 2015. Logistics and Supply Chain Management and the Impact of Information Systems and Information Technology. InTechnology, Innovation, and Enterprise Transformation(pp. 295-301). IGI Global. Mangan, J. and Lalwani, C., 2016.Global logistics and supply chain management. John Wiley Sons. Monczka, R.M., Handfield, R.B., Giunipero, L.C. and Patterson, J.L., 2015.Purchasing and supply chain management. Cengage Learning. Rushton, A., Croucher, P. and Baker, P., 2014.The handbook of logistics and distribution management: Understanding the supply chain. Kogan Page Publishers. Seuring, S., 2013. A review of modeling approaches for sustainable supply chain management.Decision support systems, marketing, pp.1513-1520. Stadtler, H., 2015. Supply chain management: An overview. InSupply chain management and advanced planning(pp. 3-28). Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Voss, S., Sebastian, H.J. and Pahl, J., 2017. Intelligent Decision Support and Big Data for Logistics and Supply Chain Management: A Biased View. In50th Hawaii International Conference on System SciencesHawaii International Conference on System Sciences(pp. 1338-1340). Waters, D. and Rinsler, S., 2014.Global logistics: New directions in supply chain management. Kogan Page Publishers. Wisner, J.D., Tan, K.C. and Leong, G.K., 2014.Principles of supply chain management: A balanced approach. Cengage Learning.

Monday, December 2, 2019

U.S. Foreign Policy In Vietnam Essays - Vietnam War,

U.S. Foreign Policy in Vietnam U.S. Foreign Policy in Vietnam In the history of the United States, our foreign policy has caused many disputes over the proper role in international affairs. Because of the unique beliefs and ideals by which we live in this country, we feel obligated to act as leaders of the world and help other countries in need. Therefore, the U.S. has attempted to somehow combine this attitude with economic and strategic gain. After World War II, the Cold War was initiated, and America's fear of communism led Truman to begin the endeavors of the "containment" of communism. As a result, the U.S. became involved with Korea and then Vietnam. The U.S. was determined not to let South Vietnam fall to the communists because President Eisenhower once stated that the fall of Vietnam would have a "domino" effect. Unfortunately, not everyone viewed Vietnam the same way as Eisenhower. Opponents of the war believed that the U.S. had no right to intervene in this civil war, while supporters maintain the attitude of moral obligation for the world by defending freedom and democracy from communism. Three historians in Conflict and Consensus carefully examine our foreign policy and involvement in the Vietnam War. Each article emphasizes different points and explains how one of the most powerful countries in the world lost the war. In the first article, "God's Country and American Know-How," Loren Baritz argues that the American myth of superiority based on nationalism, technology, and moral ideals brought the U.S. into the war. The Americans never understood the Vietnamese culture and their true sentiments on the war. Nevertheless, because of our power and moral prowess, the U.S. was confident that we would prevail. This was our biggest mistake; we were blind and "ignorant"(473). Baritz states that "we were frustrated by the incomprehensible behavior of our Vietnamese enemies and bewildered by the inexplicable behavior of our Vietnamese friends"(470). Because of our isolation on the North American Continent, the U.S. had a difficult time understanding the exotic cultures around the world, especially Vietnam. Thus, as a direct result, Americans considered foreign courtesies and rituals crude and inferior to the customs of the civilized country of America. This point is quite sad and embarassing, but Baritz points out that "cultural isolation"(476) occurs all over the world. It is the Solipsistic philosophy that the universe revolves around the earth, just as all the nations of the world revolve around the U.S. According to John Winthrop, we are the "Chosen People"(473) because of God's favor and presence. So are we obligated to set the standards of culture for the world? Because of our prominence and success as a prosperous nation, we stand forth as leaders; however, no country can define the culture of another nation. The U.S. failed to understand that "everyone prefers their own language, diet and funeral customs"(475). Upon first impression, the American soldiers viewed the Vietnamese people as savages because "they lived like animals"(470). Thus, the soldiers failed to appreciate "the organic nature of Vietnamese society, the significance of village life, the meaning of ancestors, the relationship of the family to the state, the subordinate role of the individual, and the eternal quest for universal agreement"(470). Just because the Vietnamese were poor, we presumed that they were begging for our help; we were "attempting to build a nation in our own image"(471). Furthermore, it is not the "ingratitude or stupidity"(470) which sparked the Vietnamese resistance against U.S. soldiers but rather a cultural misunderstanding. Baritz believes that this ignorance of culture is one of the primary reasons why we lost the war. Dr. Henry Kissinger even admitted that "no one in this government understands North Vietnam"(471). We even thought we understood the Vietnamese to some extent by thinking that "life is cheap in the Orient"(471). However, this ridiculous comment rose from our "ability to use technology to protect our own troops while the North Vietnamese were forced to rely on people, their only resource"(471). This meant that the Vietnamese were willing to sacrifice as many men as possible to win the war. Our ignorance prevented us from overcoming this kind of warfare. As for the cultural misunderstanding of our allies, the South Vietnamese, Baritz points out one custom which the American soldiers could not tolerate: soldiers holding hands. Vietnamese soldiers held hands with other accompanying soldiers. This was a show of friendship for the Vietnamese, but for Americans, holding hands was a sign of homosexuality. American soldiers measured up to "the military's definition of manhood"(472) by compeletely condemning homosexuality. This simple custom caused many problems between the U.S. soldiers and the South Vietnamese. Baritz now provides the