women inengineering tasmania

Archive for the ‘big women’ Category

UB40, American reggae band Big Mountain brought a very commercialized version of Jamaican music to the mainstream when their cover of Peter Frampton’s “Baby, I Love Your Way” reached the number two position worldwide for the year 1994. To the band’s credit, though, their three major label albums contain reggae roots music combined with only a few cover songs. The lineup has changed several times, five Jamaicans including rhythm guitarist Tony Chin and drummer Santa Davis – both of whom played with the Peter Tosh band and the Soul Syndicate, and Paul Kastick, whom has played time to time with Shaggy and other top artists.

Big Mountain was originally formed in San Diego as the Rainbow Warriors. After several years of dizzying lineups and two name changes – first to Shiloh and finally to Big Mountain – the group centralized around vocalist/guitarist Quino, with rhythm guitarist Jerome Cruz, drummers Gregory Blakney and Lance Rhodes, keyboard player Manfred Reinke, and bassist Lynn Copeland. That lineup released Wake Up on the Quality label in 1992 and charted “Touch My Light” early the following year. The single reached number 20 in America, but only one year later Big Mountain began to experiment with several different guitarists. After several changes, the Jamaican guitar legend Tony Chin became available and joined Quino and Copeland with new additions of the Jamaica super drummer Santa Davis, James McWhinney (percussion), and keyboard players Billy Stoll and (the Ziggy Marley keyboardist) Michael Hyde. While as a un-signed band in 1993, Big Mountain recorded a cover of “Baby, I Love Your Way” for the Ben Stiller upcoming movie Reality Bites. Included on the soundtrack the group was able to reached number six in the U.S. and became a worldwide hit.

Despite Big Mountain’s success with “Baby I Love Your Way” on the commercial pop charts, most of the reggae community remained faithful to the band; the group headlined two consecutive Reggae Sunsplash festivals in Jamaica during massive world tours that crisscrossed Europe, North and South America, Asia and Indonesia. Third album Resistance was released in 1995, followed two years later by Free Up.

The band’s accomplishment led by Bruce Caplin whom managed them from inceptions throughout the peek of their carrier, was able to establish Big Mountain worldwide from 1994-1997 as the worlds number one Reggae band, with even appearances at Jamaica’s 1994 and 1995 Reggae Sunsplash festivals. The band has recorded with a number of Jamaica’s top sessionmen, including Sly And Robbie and Handel Tucker. In 1995, the single “Get Together” became a major hit in South America and skyrocketed Big Mountain to the top of the Brazilian radio charts once again. In 1997 “Free Up” featured singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow on co-writing credits. In July 1997 Bruce Caplin retired his position as the bands manager Your browser may not support display of this image.and the band has been un able to maintain the success that they had during the Caplin years.

Quino who is the lead singer has ventured into two solo project, one call Quino and the other Quinazo and three independent Big Mountain album releases. Throughout all of these albums Quino embraced Hawaii, Jamaican and Latino culture. It is very common that when in Hawaii, Big Mountain concerts are sold out.

While Quino, who is the only original member still on board, and his younger brother James McWhinney, are the most high profile members of the current ensemble, legendary Jamaican session musicians including drummer Carlton “Santa” Davis and guitarist Tony Chin were featured in the group’s mid-90s lineups, and Bruce Caplin, are commonly heard speaking about the great vocals and talent of Quino and James.

Although the Giant releases (the aforementioned “Unity,” 1995’s “Resistance,” and 1997’s “Free Up”) garnered mixed success in the U.S., Big Mountain became quite popular in Japan and still remains, in Quino’s estimation, the number two reggae act in Japan behind Maxi Priest. (This is excluding one Bob Marley, of course.)

Frustrated by mandates from record executives to put out pop oriented songs, the group left Warner, and, with the financial backing of a Japanese record label, formed its own Rebel Ink label. The 1999 CD “Things to Come” was the label’s first release.

While Big Mountain’s second Rebel Ink release, “Cool Breeze” (2001), was a solid yet polished effort aimed squarely at the Japanese market, Big Mountain’s third release on the label, “New Day” (street date 1/28/03), shows the group returning to a more rootsy mode, exploring themes varying from the plight of the indigenous peoples of the Americas to globalization to love.

            The condition of our economy today is the worst it has been in decades.  The recession can be felt in all levels of the market place, some worse than others.  Perhaps one of the most prominent places this recession is taking its toll is in the automotive industry.  While the foreign players of this market (Toyota, Honda, etc.) are only recording minor losses, the Big Three are facing the worst financial situations in the history of these three storied corporations.  General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler are all experiencing huge setbacks in sales, combined with large costs, which have led to substantial and just about irreversible losses.  The CEO for GM, Rick Wagoner, when appearing before Congress about the situation of his company was quoted as saying the situation is a “catastrophic loss.”  Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli had this to say of a potential bankruptcy of the big three; “2.3 million-to-3 million in lost jobs [at the car makers, dealers, suppliers and associated businesses], $265 billion-to-$400 billion in lost wages and $100 billion-to-$150 billion in lost government [tax] revenue.” 

 

            It has been estimated that GM’s cash flows won’t last through the end of 2008, and many are skeptical of the lives of the other two Detroit players.  With bankruptcy right around the corner for all three players, they have turned to the government for help.  The “Big Three Bailout” has been the focus of the news for the past couple of weeks as many know. However, many do not know what positive and negative outcomes would result from the bailout.  

 

The pros associated with the bailout are able to bring stability by keeping the same auto market in the United States. GM, Ford, and Chrysler are seeking a total of $25 billion to help re-tool auto plants, which would hopefully enable them to turn the corner and get out of this recession in the auto industry.  If the government were to grant this relief we would be able to keep competitive prices in the industry.  The biggest issue with the Big Three right now is that they are not producing an overall fleet that is efficient on fuel, thus turning many consumers away in this time of unsteady gas prices.  In order for the Big Three to switch to more efficient vehicles, they would need to re-tool their plants to produce more cost efficient vehicles, which does not come at a cheap cost.  The re-tooling is completely necessary because without it, they would go under. Hundreds of thousands of jobs and revenue would also be lost and would only contribute further to the already declining economy. 

 

When looking at how consumers would look at the bailout, researchers discovered that eighty percent of consumers would not purchases automobiles from the Big Three if they were to go into bankruptcy. Thus consumers get a feeling of security more with the government’s bailout than if they were to be left to go into bankruptcy. The decrease in the amount of taxes paid by the automakers would be substantial. Not only would the taxes paid directly by the companies decrease but personal income taxes paid by employees would fall as well. It is estimated that the total taxes received by the government would actually decrease by over $40 billion.

 

Other companies will also be affected by the bailout. Resources used in the construction of vehicles, such as iron framing or copper wiring, would cause those companies to decrease their profits. With less demand from the Big Three companies those companies may even need to decrease their workforces and as a result increase unemployment even more. More unemployment may bring more house foreclosures and our economic standing will only become weaker.

 

As with all economic dilemmas there are always two perspectives. While there are some beneficial factors that may come with the government’s bailing out the Big Three automobile companies, there are still detrimental reasons why they should not. One of the biggest groups affected by the bailout would be the employees. If the government decides not to bailout the companies, over 240,000 employees directly employed by the company alone will be laid off. The money received will not even be enough to sustain the amount of employees they currently utilize. Compared to foreign automotive companies, the Big Three have almost three times the amount of employees. To compete, they would have to lower costs meaning their labor costs would be one of the first costs to downsize. Many of their unemployed, therefore, would be consumed by the foreign companies. Those employees would then find themselves having to settle for jobs with lower wages and fewer benefits since the foreign companies are not unionized.

 

            Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors will not miraculously be cured of their problems with the acceptance of the bailout either. With the economic condition diminishing daily, many consumers are finding the best ways to save as much as they can, however they can. Gas prices are one expense that consumers feel they have control over and in which they feel they can save the most. Therefore, the demand for vehicles with low gas mileage will never benefit the Big Three companies when most of the vehicles they sell are not gas efficient. There is no sign of the economy’s downfall turning anytime soon either. Families, who can not afford Big Three automobiles today, will therefore be unable to afford them even if the companies are bailed out. Other families who could afford their cars are saving more which is leading them away from The Big Three signature vehicles, the more expensive trucks and sport utilities vehicles. Even after consumers became more savers than spenders, General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler stand by their gas guzzling trucks and overly expensive SUVs while the own executive spend lavishly themselves. When meeting in the capital to discuss the bailout, each executive took their own private jet on the expense of the company while the plan they came with was not prepared and future initiatives were not even evident. If the government does decide to correct their spending mistakes, who is to say they can even reduce their spending when they show no interest while on the brink of bankruptcy.

 

            With there being both good and bad points to both sides of the story, the relief lies in the hands of the government. With both sides having strong arguments and reasons for either supporting the company of letting them crash and burn, both have the best interest of the country at heart. The security of the employees, those of the Big Three and other related companies, the consumers and the government welfare itself all are being accounted. One group not being considered is the Big Three chief executive officers and other executive board members. While everyone else is suffering, all of them are living uninterrupted lives. With no plans of making dramatic changes to the demand of the consumers due to higher gas prices or making changes in their own useless spending, the CEOs are the only ones that should not get any sympathy.

 

With all the opposing information, the government is uncertain as to how to proceed.  Should they shell out a little more relief (a little in the reality that they have already planned out relief of over $700 billion) or should they let the Big Three crash and burn and move forward from that?  What they decide is out of our hands, but we as taxpayers must be prepared to either pay more for our vehicles if the Big Three go under, or pay a little more in taxes for their relief and essentially stabilize an uncertain market.

Big Brothers, Big Sisters is the oldest and most effective non-profit organization in the United States, whose mission is to help the children to achieve the best in their life through one-to-one relationship with mentors, who have a positive impact on youth. It is the largest youth mentoring organization in USA. It emphasizes on one-to-one youth service, developing positive relationship between mentors and young children.

 

Research has shown that the positive influence of Big Brother Big Sister can make real difference in the life of young children. They guide children of 6 to 18 years of age across the country. Having a Big Brother or a Big Sister gives your child the one-to-one friendship of another caring adult. Together they have fun, talking about their personal lives and develop a special bond. A Big Brother/Sister who knows and understands the unique challenges they face will have a lasting and positive impact in the lives of young children.

 

These days many children of young age are getting involved in drugs and other criminal cases, subsequently dropping from schools and losing their ways. In such cases, Big Brother Big Sister is of great help in boosting the morale of the child as well as guiding them in realizing their goals in life.

 

It is not that the children are the only beneficiaries; Big Brother/Sisters also enjoy the little one’s company. While playing video games, reading funny stories or spending time together with the younger ones, the older ones also feels themselves to be kids. The impact is huge- for both. The older ones can do all the things they love to do already, only they would get to share it with little ones and for this, they don’t have to change their lifestyles.

Impact on children-

1. Perform better in school activities get good results

2. Feel themselves confident

3. Lead a happy life with their families

4. Most children don’t take drugs, alcohol

5. Participate in social activities

6. Friendship with Big Brother/Sister makes them more mature and it helps in taking better decisions in life.

 

Big Brother Big Sister is the most effective organization with a noble cause to help the children to reach their potential through professionally supported mentors. In this way, they enrich the lives of children, their families and societies.