The Battle of Wilsons Creek free essay sample

A report on the often overlooked battle of the Civil War at Wilsons Creek, just outside of Springfield, MO. This paper describes the battle of Wilsons Creek, which is often overlooked when recounting Civil War skirmishes. The writer includes a complete order of the battle and identifies several notables in this battle, among others Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon and Colonel Franz Sigel. On the edge of the meadow was a low rail fence; the Rebels rallied under the shelter of it, and, as if by some inspiration or immediate change of orders, they broke it down in places and started for our artillery. As they got nearer to us, their own artillery ceased firing, because it endangered them. When they got close the firing began on both sides. How long it lasted I do not know; it was probably 20 minutes. Every man was shooting as fast, on our side, as he could load, and yelling as loud as his breath would permit. We will write a custom essay sample on The Battle of Wilsons Creek or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Most were on the ground, some on one knee. The foe stopped advancing.(Bearss, 109) Thats the way it was on August 10, 1861, as seen through the eyes of a soldier from Kansas in Union service. The field of battle is silent now, broken only by the occasional tourist, school group, historian, or Civil War reenactment group camped on the site. Now administered by the National Park Service, the area known as Wilsons Creek National Battlefield was the site of some of the most savage fighting on American soil up to that time. The carnage of Shiloh, Antietam, Gettysburg, and Cold Harbor were still far in the future.

Make your job less annoying tips from Googles former head of HR

Make your job less annoying tips from Googles former head of HR Those of us who have been in the workforce for a while have all come to one inevitable, unavoidable conclusion- no job is perfect. No matter how much- or how little- we like our current positions and workplaces, there are undoubtedly a few things (or many things) that we simply wish were different, and somehow less aggravating and frustrating. And the more time we spend at a job, the more every little minor issue or hassle begins to feel like a monumentally annoying pain that we just can’t seem to avoid or escape. Does all of this mean that each of us is doomed to have to endure every single exasperating and irksome thing about our jobs and simply accept that fact that they suck? Not exactly. In fact, there are some real strategies that you can deploy to make your job more bearable. In fact, Google’s former SVP of People Operations, Laszlo Bock, recently acknowledged at an SHRM Conference that although work can sometimes be a drag no matter what job or industry you†™re employed in, there are ways to effect positive and lasting change.Consider using the following strategies in an effort to make your work life a little less lame.Try to ensure your job has meaning for you.Sure, your job already means a paycheck and a place to keep you busy and occupied during your work shifts, but if you want your job not to suck (and better still, if you want to actually look forward to the idea of working) you should try to find new and improved meaning in your work. Step back and think about your job from a fresh perspective.Ask yourself the following questions: Are there elements of your job that you’re particularly proud of, no matter how small? Do you do anything that helps others? Do you contribute to your greater community? Try to find new meaning and purpose in your work, and it’ll help refresh and renew your attitude and enthusiasm for your job.Seek out fulfilling work relationships.For most of us, we interact with the people we work wit h, as much as- or even more than- our friends and family, so it’s hard to ignore the fact that these folks are a significant part of our lives. Therefore, your attitude toward your workplace can be greatly affected by your relationships with your colleagues. If you have satisfying and enjoyable connections with your professional peers, chances are you’ll look forward to coming into work and interacting with them each day- whether on projects or at the water cooler.Conversely, if your relationships with your colleagues is nonexistent, lackluster, or worse, you’ll likely dread having to come into work to interact with them all day. The truth is, very few of us work completely alone, so make an effort to get along with your coworkers and you’ll help ensure that you’ll have an enjoyable and pleasant workplace to go to every day.Plan for the future.No one likes to feel that they’re facing a dead end- in life or in work. We should always approach our professional lives as a never-ending journey, not a single destination. If you make it a point to always have a plan for career growth, learning new skills, and expanding your professional horizons, you’ll be able to avoid burnout and resist the static and stuck feelings that make most of us begin to hate our jobs over time.Consider developing short-term (one year) and long-term (five years) plans for professional growth, and it will provide you with a roadmap for exciting personal exploration, confronting new challenges, and reaching new levels of success.If your work life is less than satisfying, use the strategies provided here to turn things around and discover new meaning and purpose in your work. It’s important to both you and your organization that you stay engaged in the long run. The key is to make the best of the situation you’re in- create an environment in which you can thrive and hold on to the skills you’re acquiring to make you a produc tive member of your chosen field.

The Nanking Massacre of 1937

The Nanking Massacre of 1937 In late December  1937 and early January  1938, the Imperial Japanese Army perpetrated one of the most horrific war crimes of the World War II era. In what is known as the Nanking Massacre or the Rape of Nanking, Japanese soldiers systematically raped thousands of Chinese women and girls of all ages - even infants. They also murdered hundreds of thousands of civilians and prisoners of war in what was then the Chinese capital city of Nanking (now called Nanjing).   These atrocities continue to color Sino-Japanese relations to this day. Indeed, some Japanese public officials have denied that the Nanking Massacre ever happened, or significantly downplay its scope and severity.  History textbooks in Japan mention the incident only in a single footnote, if at all. It is crucial, however, for the nations of East Asia to confront and move past the gruesome events of the mid-20th century  if they are going to face the challenges of the 21st century together. So what really happened to the people of Nanking in 1937-38? Japans Imperial Army invaded civil-war-torn China in July of 1937 from Manchuria  to the north.  It drove southward, quickly taking the Chinese capital city of Beijing. In response, the Chinese Nationalist Party moved the capital to the city of Nanking, about 1,000 km (621 miles) to the south. The Chinese Nationalist Army or Kuomintang (KMT) lost the key city of Shanghai to the advancing Japanese in November of 1937.  KMT leader Chiang Kai-shek realized that the new Chinese capital of Nanking, just 305 km (190 miles) up the Yangtze River from Shanghai, could not hold out much longer. Rather than wasting his soldiers in a futile attempt to hold Nanking, Chiang decided to withdraw most of them inland about 500 kilometers (310 miles) west to Wuhan, where the rugged interior mountains offered a more defensible position. KMT General Tang Shengzhi was left to defend the city, with an untrained force of 100,000 poorly-armed fighters.   The approaching Japanese forces were under the temporary command of Prince Yasuhiko Asaka, a right-wing militarist and the uncle by marriage of Emperor Hirohito.  He was standing in for the elderly General Iwane Matsui, who was ill. Early in December, division commanders informed Prince Asaka that the Japanese had encircled almost 300,000 Chinese troops around Nanking and inside the city. They told him that the Chinese were willing to negotiate a surrender; Prince Asaka responded with an order to kill all captives. Many scholars view this order as an invitation to the Japanese soldiers to go on a rampage in Nanking. On December 10, the Japanese mounted a five-pronged attack on Nanking.  By December 12, the besieged Chinese commander, General Tang, ordered a retreat from the city. Many of the untrained Chinese conscripts broke ranks and ran, and Japanese soldiers hunted them down and captured or slaughtered them. Being captured was no protection  because the Japanese government had declared that international laws on treatment of POWs did not apply to the Chinese. An estimated 60,000 Chinese fighters who surrendered were massacred by the Japanese. On December 18, for example, thousands of young Chinese men had their hands tied behind them, then were tied into long lines and marched to the Yangtze River. There, the Japanese opened fire on them en masse. The screams of the injured went on for hours, as the Japanese soldiers made their leisurely way down the lines to bayonet those who were still alive, and dump the bodies into the river. Chinese civilians also faced horrific deaths as the Japanese occupied the city.   Some were blown up with mines, mowed down in their hundreds with machine guns, or sprayed with gasoline and set on fire.  F. Tillman Durdin, a reporter for the New York Times who witnessed the massacre, reported: In taking over Nanking the Japanese indulged in slaughters, looting and rapine exceeding in barbarity any atrocities committed up to that time in the course of the Sino-Japanese hostilities... Helpless Chinese troops, disarmed for the most part and ready to surrender, were systematically rounded up and executed... Civilians of both sexes and all ages were also shot by the Japanese. Bodies piled up in streets and alleyways, too many for any accurate count. Perhaps equally horrifying, the Japanese soldiers made their way through entire neighborhoods systematically raping every female they found.  Infant girls had their genitals sliced open with swords to make it easier to rape them. Elderly women were gang-raped and then killed. Young women might be raped and then taken away to the soldiers camps for weeks of further abuse. Some sadistic soldiers forced celibate Buddhist monks and nuns to perform sex acts for their amusement, or forced family members into incestuous acts. At least 20,000 women were raped, according to most estimates. Between December 13, when Nanking fell to the Japanese, and the end of February  1938, the orgy of violence by the Japanese Imperial Army claimed the lives of an estimated 200,000 to 300,000 Chinese civilians and prisoners of war.  The Nanking Massacre stands as one of the worst atrocities of the bloody twentieth century. General Iwane Matsui, who had recovered from his illness somewhat by the time Nanking fell, issued several orders between December 20, 1937 and February of 1938 demanding that his soldiers and officers behave properly.  However, he was not able to bring them under control. On February 7, 1938, he stood with tears in his eyes and upbraided his subordinate officers for the massacre, which he believed had done irreparable damage to the Imperial Armys reputation. He and Prince Asaka were both recalled to Japan later in 1938; Matsui retired, while Prince Asaka remained a member of the Emperors War Council. In 1948, General Matsui was found guilty of war crimes by the Tokyo War Crimes Tribunal  and was hanged at the age of 70.  Prince Asaka escaped punishment  because the American authorities decided to exempt members of the imperial family. Six other officers and former Japanese Foreign Minister Koki Hirota were also hanged for their roles in the Nanking Massacre, and eighteen more were convicted but got lighter sentences.

America's Media Contribution to Anorexia and bulimia Research Paper

America's Media Contribution to Anorexia and bulimia - Research Paper Example Although mass media is said to be the underlying source for increased incidence of eating disorders, from unhealthy weight loss and perception to obesity, the innate cultural influence of ideal weight and body shape are already well-embedded in the social system of American nations, especially in United States. The prevalence of â€Å"smoke-screened body type† incidence seemed to impact regions in the western culture. Admittedly, Jones et al. revealed the realistic situations plaguing most citizens in Western countries, where weight and shape dissatisfaction concerns had actually yielded to a number of remedy measures to correct the supposed â€Å"inappropriate† body that the media devised (247). As earlier discussed, media coverage had precluded how people should project themselves in society, to the point where their physiological and psychological well-being are affected in the process. Two main groups are said to be affected most by the challenge of attaining an ide al model-like look, the adolescents and the female groups. Adolescents are in a stage where they are in two opposing sides, the innocence of a child and the near maturity of a young adult. In the brink of such confusing state, adolescents are easily influenced for a number of factors. They are vulnerable to nonconstructive events, as this group experience more pressure from their peers (Dines and Humez 260). As their social circle tend to consume large amounts of media information, it may also shape their ideas on what a great social circle must be--one in which teenagers are ideal in both looks and style. Moreover, women of varying age are also prone to implicit media attacks, as the society they live in had long ago constructed and deeply embedded idea on what women should look like--as skinny individuals who are good to look at. It is where they base their attraction to the opposite sex, by striving to attain physical attributes that media wants them to project--a well-made perso n using beauty products and weight-loss services (Brown, Steele, and Walsh-Childers 126). The revelations show that physical beauty must be worked on, and not a natural thing, where those who fail to do so have little chance of getting a life time partners, or be accepted in a society that highly values the concept of beauty. In the Western regions, the rampant cases of bodily dissatisfaction had threaded towards pathological conditions as result of mass media obsession to what is considered the standard look of attractiveness. In failing to do so, individuals develop cases of conscious behavioral patterns in the hopes of gaining the ideal weight in the future. The rising rate of anorexia nervosa, a condition of inability to be content with extreme weight loss, and bulimia nervosa, the state of normal weight but with further attempts at weight loss methods, is pointed to be caused by the burgeoning mass media influence. Such intensive restrictions in dietary consumption may lead to â€Å"repetitive pattern self-deprivation (which) result in bingeing...and worsening self-image† (Derenne and Beresin 257). The high value placed on attaining the too-ideal to be true body projected by media may result in further damage to the health of deprived individuals. In a study to prove the

Cross Subsidizing Political Groups in the Name of Agriculture Essay

Cross Subsidizing Political Groups in the Name of Agriculture - Essay Example The intention of the talk was making fair international law for a balanced trade approach for developing countries.This round could not fetch any results as there was no agreement on farm subsidies and market access.But it also decided to further continue talks in next negotiations. The Ministerial Declaration launching the Doha Development Agenda reflects the "broad agenda" and the focus on development.: It mandates negotiations on agriculture, industrial products, services, intellectual property (geographical indications, TRIPs, and Health), the "Singapore issues" (investment, competition, transparency in government procurement and trade facilitation), WTO rules (anti-dumping, subsidies, regional trade agreements) and trade and environment. Doha Development Agenda, European Union and WTO, Trade Issues, European Unions says that its primary objects in the WTO were multilateral trade rulemaking, market opening, the integration of developing countries in the world trade system and the improvement of the functioning of the WTO   it has believed that doing away with high tariffs, tariff peaks, and tariff escalation will significantly increase trade opportunities between North and South EU points out that market access negotiations on services would help in improving market opportunities for business as well as benefits to consumers worldwide. But it stood against general deregulation or privatization of sectors where principles of public interest are at stake. European Union's stand was that Doha Development Agenda succeed only if development opportunities of individual members, makes a tangible contribution to international efforts in favor of sustainable development and increases. We had seen large protests and processions consequent to every talk. There is a lot of lobbying for and against the trade negotiations inside and outside the international trade bodies. It is not economics, but its impact on domestic politics was the major cause for each and every co untry.The last one decade has seen a tremendous effort from the developing countries going for substantial efforts to make structural changes in their economies as part of reform agenda. Elimination of export subsidies, reductions in, and tighter criteria for, domestic "trade-distorting" subsidies in developed countries, reduction of tariff peaks and standardization and rationalization of food safety and processing requirements In this background there should have been some efforts from the developed world to genuinely address the concern of the developing world. Anyhow Doha meet was failed in reaching any concrete step before the next talk. In the year2003, Members again get together at Cancà ºn to forge concrete agreement on the Doha round objectives. The focus of Cancun negotiations was on agriculture, industrial goods, trade services and customer codes reforms. But again the developed world and developing world fight in the agriculture sector.Here also rich countries’ fa rm subsidies such as European Union's Common Agriculture Policies and US governments agro subsidies were the major roadblock.

Harley Davidson PESTLE Analysis

Harley Davidson PESTLE Analysis This section of the report is concerned with understanding the strategic position of Harley Davidson Inc. in an attempt to formulate strategic options for the company. It identifies three areas: First the changes that is occurring in the environment and how these changes affects H-D and its business activities. Second the resource strength and capabilities of H-D. Finally the expectations and influences of H-Ds stakeholders. THE ENVIRONMENT In order to understand the environment which H-D operates in the following frameworks are used with the aim of helping to identify key issues and challenges and ways of coping with complexity and change. PESTLE ANALYSIS In 2009 H-D stood to gain from the Economic Stimulus Package, passed into legislation by the Barack Obama Administration. The federal stimulus package gives taxpayers breaks if they purchase a new car, light truck, RV, or motorcycle.(Wachter, 2009). In addition, Coachman industries also a manufacturer of leisure vehicles, and a competitor of H-D was eliminated from the New York Stock Exchange. According to the Datamonitor report the Motorcycle Industry segment has had economic growth for the past three years, and has only recently been experiencing decline. In 2007 it declined 2.3%, yet is forecasted to recover 4.3% by 2012. An economic factor in favor of H-D, despite this decline, is that the U.S. industry generated total revenues of $10.2 billion in 2007, of which 98.8% were of motorcycles (not scooters, minibikes, etc.). Furthermore, within the U.S. economy H-D holds the majority of motorcycle sales. Therefore, even while industry growth is declining, H-D sales and other motorcycle sales are still continuing to increase. (DataMonitor 2007). Figure 1 shows motorcycle industry growth versus sales. The Motorcycly Industry Council (MIC) discloses that leisure product industries are facing steep decline however the motorcycle segment though declining ,is not doing so at a steep rate. Tim Buche, President of the MIC says Overall motorcycle sales were down 7.2%, not nearly as sharp a decline as many other consumer products in todays economy/ (Wasef, 2009). Socially H-D has a competitive edge which is owed to its customer base, strong brand loyalty and demographic trends such as the increse in female operators. This loyalty is indicated in the average age of H-D consumers. H-D average consumer buying age is 42 years old and increasing (Gauvin 2005). H-D aspires to increse it consumer demographics, howevr à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦although the younger generation below 35 years of age has posted the largest gains in owernship, the generation that is on the edge of the baby boomer segment will be the main catalyst of growth for the industry (Koncept 2007). One social factor that may negatively affect the sale of H-D motocycles is the stigma that has been attached to these leisure vehicles. Alot of people believe that motorcycles are dangerous and this belief is strengthened due to the high rate of fatalities and crashes. H-D stands the chance of escaping this stigmatisation if the public views their bikes as cruisers and not speed bikes. Technologically H-D can take advantage of antilock brake systems. Antilock brakes cold help riders avoid fatal crases according to a study done by the insurance industry. 2.1.2 PORTERS FIVE FORCES MODEL Rivalry H-D operates within the Recreational Vehicles industry along with five other major competitors: Winnebago, Polaris, Thor, Arctic Cat and Marine Products. The top performers within the industry and hold 92% of the market share by volume with a market capitalization of 64.653 Billion of a total Industry of 7 Billion (Yahoo Finance, 2009). Other firms in different industries that are direct product rivals include Honda Motor Company Limited, Yamaha Motor Co, Ltd., and Suzuki Motor Corporation (Datamonitor, 2007). The presence of these large multinational corporations with exceptionally high assets boosts the degree of rivalry within the industry. Because of the small number of material rivals, the markets revenue is shared between fewer firms and enhances the degree of rivalry for bottom line profit. This rivalry forces most competitors to try and diversify their business models through geographical expansion or vertical expansion, leading to interests and investments in a variety of other segments such as the automobile, watercraft, industrial and farming equipment areas. (Datamonitor, 2004). Threat of Substitutes The Recreational Vehicle industry faces threats from the Automobile Industry, from public transportation options and from Bicycles. The threat is largely dependent on the indispensability of motorcycles and other lifestyle products to the end user (Datamonitor, 2008). In most developed countries, motorcycles, jetskis and other recreational vehicles are leisure items that lack necessity and are therefore largely dispensable or substitutable by more practical items such as cars or more cost effective means of transportation such as bicycles. This lack of necessity increases the threat of substitutes and illustrates why the external market goes into decline during economic recession. However, even though there is a lack of necessity, when a consumer owns a motorcycle or other product, switching costs to a substitute can range from low to high. Switching to public transportation can be cheap, but switching to a luxury vehicle involves a high cost factor. Because switching costs vary depending on the alternative means of transportation chosen, the overall threat of substitutes within this industry is moderate. Buyer Power Buyer power is weakened by a high level of product differentiation and customer loyalty to dominating brands (Datamonitor, 2008). Because customer loyalty with respect to dealers is high, as is the demand for specific and/or customized products, buyers power is weakened since the consumers rely on companies to produce their preferred product. This high demand allows companies to increase their price due to high product differentiation and low standardization. Relatively large numbers of buyers within the US, coupled with a high level of product differentiation weakens buyer power. This gives Recreational Vehicle manufacturers a competitive edge in the industry because they can produce a product based on customer demand. An increasing factor of buyer power is the fact that over half of recreational vehicles sold in the U.S. are sold and bought through non-retail channels. This provides consumers with an option for cheaper purchasing, and becomes a major threat to the industry if they cannot move their new products. Fortunately for the large competitors, who rely on product differentiation, their customers desire customized products that arent available on the second-hand market. Overall, buyer power is low due to sustainable competitive advantage of product differentiation which is impossible for other brand competitors to match. Supplier Power Competitors within the Recreational Vehicle industry rely mostly on commodities such as metals. There is a highly stressed importance on the quality of these raw materials which enhances supplier power. Also, as global prices of primary raw materials (ie: steel, aluminum) increase, pressure is put on the manufacturers to increase their margins. Furthermore, the increasing consolidation of the steel industry has the potential to lead to even higher raw material costs and product differentiation. The competitors often deal with this high power of suppliers by signing contracts with manufacturers to ensure the delivery of quality raw materials at a set market price. Power of suppliers is decreased by the competitors large size and the fact that manufacturers account for only a small portion of the suppliers revenues. Large multinational corporations such as Harley-Davidson and others can receive materials from many different international suppliers and face low switching costs due to minimal product differentiation. This presence within the international market boosts Industry leaders power. (Competitive Landscape, 2009) Overall, supplier power is moderate. Threat of New Entrants The industry faces moderate threats of new entrants because of moderate industry growth levels and high barriers to entry. The Recreational Vehicle industry is continuing to grow, especially in America, as consumers are traveling shorter distances and on weekends with less planning. New entrants are lured by good market growth, especially in the budget or low-cost areas due to consumer, ownership and demographic trends towards convenient travel patterns. (RVIA.org, 2009) Barriers to entry include large capital requirements and high fixed costs for set-up of new production and provider facilities, an exceptionally high level of brand recognition and customer loyalty. Modes of entry include starting a new company, diversifying and existing companys operations into motorcycle or other vehicle manufacturing, and beginning to export into the host country. Another barrier is the global tightening of emission standards that further ramps up costs as motorcycle and other recreational vehicle redesigns are required, increasing research and development costs. (Competitive landscape, 2009) Along with the tightening of emissions standards is an increase in the global costs of raw materials such as steel. As standards and product costs increase, barriers to entry become larger hurdles for new entrants. In order to be profitable, new entrants must pass on large capital requirement, RD costs and raw material costs to their customers and reflect these in the costs of the finished product. In the current economic recession, this becomes problematic because average consumers and not willing to spend their small disposable income on leisure items. Since sales are sensitive to price, another mode of entry is possible in the sale of budget vehicles. However, these companies would still be subject to the large capital requirements and high fixed costs, resulting in a business that would not be sustainable and therefore becomes undesirable. Overall, this threat is moderate.

Modifications to the National School Lunch Program Essay

Introduction Recent modifications made to the National School Lunch Program menu have caused controversy all across the nation. In last year The National School Lunch program have been under scrutiny and major changes have been made to the ingredients and preparation of school lunches. The USDA reports that the all the modifications to the school lunches are focus towards improving the health of all school age children, contributing to the fight against childhood obesity and succinctly to improve the health of all children across the nation. This research would explore the history of the different federal agencies involve in the national nutritional services, the most comprehensive changes in the school nutritional environment , the old and new menus choices and how changes are impacting students (National School Lunch Program,[NSLP] 2012). Research Statement According to the Unites States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service the recent changes to the National School Lunch program have been an important aid in the fight against childhood obesity and to help change student eating habits towards a healthier approach. In the last 4 years the Senate of the United Stated has proposed different legislature changes to the National School Lunch menu allowing millions of dollars to contribute towards a healthier approach modifying what student age children are consuming during school hours. The most comprehensive changes have been oriented towards reducing fat, sugar and sodium, and including more vegetable as part of the daily school cafeteria menu (United States Department of Agriculture, [USDA] 2012). Initial Research Question How the recent changes to the national school lunch program can improve the student’s health? By analyzing the recent changes to the national school lunch program we will be able to compare some of the differences between some the new and improve school lunch menu and how these changes are impacting students across the nation. Review of literature The National School Lunch Act was a law established under the administration of President Harry Truman in 1946. The original purpose of the act was to help local farmers with surplus produce and using these foods to feed school age children. After reviewing the principles of the act, members of the senate requested the establishment of a national program that under the guidelines of the National School Lunch Act, would oversee all operations associated with school lunch meals, reason for the creation of the National School Lunch program. The National School lunch program manages one of the largest federally assisted meal programs that provides nutritionally balanced meals free or at low cost to school age children. The national school lunch program takes cash subsides and foods provided by the U.S Department of Agriculture, in return the national school lunch program must meet nutritional federal requirements and most important must offer meals free or at low cost to all student age children. According to reported statistics from the U.S Department of Agriculture the National School Lunch feeds over 30 million students each day (NSLP, 2012) There is no doubt that the student nutrition subject has been an important topic of national concern in the history of our country. In 1966, The Child Nutrition Act was a law signed by President Lyndon B Johnson, encouraged by a national concern over nutrition in school age children. The Child Nutrition Act became to be an instrument to facilitate the process of meeting nutritional needs of children under the guidelines of the National School Lunch Program. The act also helped established the school based breakfast program providing free breakfast for children in public and nonprofit schools, during the signing of this act president Johnson use a famous phrase that would change forever the futures of national school lunches â€Å"Good food is essential to good learning† (USDA, 2012) U.S Department of Agriculture is a federal funded division who is responsible to all operations in the nation pertaining to farming agriculture and food. Better known as the USDA the department not only promotes and helps farming and agriculture issues but ensures food safety across the nation. The USDA is one of the oldest federally department created by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862. The USDA oversees a vast amount of operative units in the united states including the USDA Food and Nutritional Services who major goal is to provide healthy food to families in need, the department also collaborate closely with the National School Lunch program providing foods that are of nutritional value (USDA, 2012) On December 13th, 2010 President Obama sign into a law the Healthy, Hunger –Free Act of 2010. This act was creating to combat the alarming rates of childhood obesity cases in the U.S. The now law came to update the school meals standards who reflected very little changes in nutrition in the last 15 years, the HHFK Act also had an impact on the USDA, changing the foods providing to the National School lunch program and succinctly reflecting changes in meal nutritional standards in schools across the nation. In the 2009 a review from the Institute of Medicine recommended several updates to the National School lunch menus, the review found that the school cafeteria menus were not meeting the dietary guidelines for school age children stated by the U.S Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services (Healthy Hunger-Free Act, [HHFA] 2012) In 2011 the USDA proposed new regulations based on the finding of the Institute of Medicine of the United States. The process of modification of the school cafeteria menus begin slowly but steady on schools across the nation, the changes included whole grain servings on all meals; reduce saturated fat sugar and sodium, and more fresh fruit and vegetables. Elizabeth Ippel, executive director of The Academy of Global Citizenship in Chicago, talks about the important of nutrition’s â€Å"good nutrition is essential and a very integral component to effective learning†. The changes are significant and according to Mrs. Ippel the students are responding positive to the modifications (Leamy, 2012) Here’s an example of a before and after lunch menu: BeforeAfter Breaded beef patty on a white roll Baked Fish Nuggets Fruit popsicleWhole wheat roll Low fat milkMashed potatoes Broccoli Peaches Skim Milk Discussion On December 13, 2010 president Obama signed into law 111-296 the Healthy Hunger –Free Act of 2010. The act is one of the most comprehensive proposals in the school nutritional environment in over 15 years; the main goal of this law is to update school meals nutritional standards to help combat childhood obesity and help students achieve healthy eating habits. Beginning in July 2012 the new lunch meal pattern will be in effect changing what students will be consuming during lunch in the school year 2012-2013.The new proposed meal components includes key changes for children K and above, these changes requires that school lunches offer a daily variety of whole grains, fruit and vegetables. In the fruit category, each meal provided by school cafeterias must include  ½ cup of fresh, frozen or canned fruits, prepared or compound with water and not syrup.  ½ of vegetables on each meal is another requirement in the daily school lunch menus; the new regulations required a variety of vegetable groups including: dark green, red/orange, legumes, starchy and other vegetables. On the area of whole grains, breads and cereals are required on each meal as long as the food item includes more than 8 grams of grains. The act has also limit the amount of flavored milks opting for only low fat milk during meals. Calories are also under a scope view limiting the calorie ranges according to age groups. Trans-fat is banned completely from school cafeteria menus and the act has also a plan to limit sodium gradually over the next decade, to reach the goal of keeping sodium at a no more than 600 mg per meal, equal to a diet frozen meal (HHFKA, 2012). The changes in the cafeteria school menu are impacting students and teachers equally, besides of more nutritional value, the new menus now offered more quantity amounts of healthier foods, satisfying the hunger of millions of students and reflecting healthier attitudes in the classrooms. LuAnn Coenen from Appleton Central High School in Wisconsin cheers the new regulations in the cafeteria menus and states† Since the introductions of the new food program, I have noticed and enormous difference in the behavior of my students in the classroom,†Ã¢â‚¬ I can say without hesitation that it’s changed my job as principal†. It seems that less sugary foods and drinks are impacting student’s behavior. An associate professor of education at the Lehigh university conducted a study of over 2000 lunchrooms across the nations, the conclusions indicated that healthier and less sugary meals carries a calmer atmosphere in the classroom this calmer demeanor is reflects when students go back to the classrooms creating a trickling effect. Taylor a student from Appleton High commented about the changes she felt since the cafeteria menus changed â€Å"I’d say being able to concentrate better†. Susan Graham principal from Melrose Elementary in Tampa Florida confirms that her discipline referrals have decreased 50 % â€Å"We get a lot more done, I think it’s a lot more efficient work environment for all of us,† Grahams said (abcnews,2012). Berger (2005) wrote about the importance of a well balanced meal for the proper development of children’s brain development, and how school meal programs played an important rolled in children’s brain development, by providing a well balanced meal while in school children can achieve proper brain development a subsequently their ability to learn will be maximized (Berger, 2005). The changes happening in schools cafeterias might seem insignificant, but replacing extra-cheese pizza, deep fried chicken for whole wheat pizza and baked fish nuggets, represent a huge step towards making students healthy. Some modifications to the school lunch menu have happened slowly and some hidden from students, like replacing full fat cheese with a low fat mozzarella cheese in the pizzas, as well as using whole wheat bread on grill cheese sandwiches. Dr. Saira Jan a Rutgers University Professor (2006) comments on children obesity and diabetes rising numbers â€Å"Kids choose from what they are offered. They are hungry, they will eat. You can offer carrots or French fries. We have a big health-care problem. We can’t just talk about it† (Weekly Reader, 2006). Conclusion In conclusion the overall national concern over childhood obesity and the rising rate of diseases in children related to overweight issues is currently being addressed by different entities in charge of school nutrition. The National School lunch program has and will make modification on the students’ lunch menu to feed students healthier foods in the effort to fight childhood obesity. Even though there has been mixed opinions about the effectiveness of the lunch menu modifications, the HHFKA guidelines demonstrate how References About USDA. (2012). United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Retrieved from http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=ABOUT_USDA Berger, Kathleen. (2005).The Developing Person Throughout the Lifespan. 6th ed.Worth. 140-142 Child Nutritional Act.(2012). United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Retrieved from http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-26/pdf/2012-1010.pdf Food Fight! Should School Lunches be healthier? Current Events, a Weekly Reader publication,17 Feb.(2006) Retrieved from Healthy Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010. (2012).United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Retrieved from http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/governance/legislation/cnr_2010.htm Questions & Answers on the Final Rule, â€Å"Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs†(2012).United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Retrieved from http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Governance/Policy-Memos/2012/SP10-2012osr2.pdf Lazor, K., Chapman, N., & Levine, E. (2010).No.80. Vol.4. 200-206 Soy Goes to School: Acceptance of Healthful, Vegetarian Options in Maryland Middle School Lunches. Journal Of School Health. Leamy, Elizabeth.(2011). Exclusive: USDA to Announce Healthier New School Lunch Guidelines. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ConsumerNews/usda-announce-school-lunch-guidelines/story?id=12603193 Mary Bruce. (2010). Coming Soon? Healthier School Lunches. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/healthier-school-lunches-senate-approves-45-billion-bill/story?id=11345256 Mcginn, D., & Popescu, R. (2007).No 150. Vol.17. Unlucky Charms At Lunch. Newsweek. Retrieved from http://mediacast.usw.edu:8045/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA169875850&v=2.1&u=nm _a_elin&it=r&p=ITOF&sw=w National School Lunch Program.(2012).United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Retrieved from http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Lunch/ Nutrition Standards in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Programs, No 17, Vol.77. (2012). United States Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service. Retrieved from http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2012-01-26/pdf/2012-1010.pdf Students behave better with healthy lunches. (2012). Abc. go. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AmericanFamily/story?id=125404&page=1