Poetry Analysis Essay Example for Free

Poetry Analysis Essay Poems are written by many different people, in many different forms. People have written poems about almost everything you could imagine. There is poetry written about everyday experiences, and the most exaggerated imaginations. Death is a form of poetry that I find very intriguing. Mostly because of the little we know about what happens after death. There is no answer to this question only speculation on what each individual believes happens beyond life. This is where poets use their imaginations to entertain us with what they see as life after death. This subject can have no limit because there is no way to prove or disprove any of their thoughts. Everyone thinks about death at one point it is an inevitable part of life. One we all have to deal with at one or more times in our lives, poetry can give us different perspectives of such subjects that are not always easy to deal with. I have chosen Emily Dickenson’s â€Å"because I could not stop for death†, and John Updikes â€Å"Dog’s Death† to analyze. Both of these poems are about death but they are also very different and are told from a different point of view. Emily Dickenson is well known for her poems about death. During the course of her career she has entertained her readers with a very unique view about death. Though each poem about death she writes has a different perspective, a different points of view or meaning, making them very interesting to read. Emily Dickenson’s poem â€Å"Because I could not stop for death† is not in the traditional rhyme scheme that is usually associated with poems. This poem is written in iambic meter in quadrants, meaning that each stanza is made up of 10 syllables. This particular type of â€Å"rhyme† is supposed to be subtle. The first time I read this poem I had a hard time understanding what I was reading. The poem is written in a unique way that I did not recognize. I had to read the poem several times and write myself some notes before I could piece it all together. From what I gathered the narrator of this poem is speaking to us from beyond the grave. The Narrator is â€Å"to busy to stop for death, so death would stop for her†. I felt like in this poem gave death a different persona than we usually see. Death in this poem is kind of courteous when he was alone with her on the carriage leading her to her final resting place. Death also takes time for her by putting away her â€Å"labor and leisure†. Though the description of death were daunting and descriptive of what I would expect death to look like. This poem is a personal journey that she is taking when she realizes that she is dead and watching her own life pass her by on her way to her final resting place. She is pretty calm about the events that are taking place, hinting that either she has been dead for a while or she was aware that death was near. Emily Dickenson is narrating this story as the dead through the course of her life. â€Å"Dog’s Death† by John Updike is another poem about death written in a very different point of view. This poem was written in a narrative point of view, which I think was a good fit for the poem. Typically narrative would be told as a story but it works well for this poem. Though both poems are told by the narrator in â€Å"dogs’ death† there is a show of emotion that is not seen in Emily Dickenson’s poem. Speaker reveals a lot about the nature of the situation by simple terms. He mentions his children, and his wife. These terms make it easy for us to piece together the situation. These clues tell us that the writer is an older male; he is a husband and a father. John Updike uses terms like â€Å"surrounded by love† which gives the reader a way to relate. John’s poem was very cleverly written. John Updike wrote this poem with a limited amount of rhyme scheme but it is still very easy to follow. This poem caught my attention first because I am a dog lover and I can relate to the story teller. I think that this would be true for many of its readers. The images of the narrator holding the puppy, and petting its fur, on the way to the vet show that the narrator is loving and compassionate. These actions are very powerful images that almost anyone can relate to. The words of this poem were easily translated into emotion then easily stored into the memory of the reader. The narrator tells a story about a family with a new puppy, and the family’s feelings surrounding the tragic event that just happened to their dog. In the beginning of the poem the narrator begins by letting the reader know some of the specifics about the story. He tells us about the use of newspaper for training the dog, symbolizing that the dog is still a puppy. He tells of the family including a wife and children which gives depth to the loss of â€Å"family† member. There is also a little insight of what had happened to the dog in the very beginning when He says â€Å"she must have been kicked unseen or brushed by a car†. Then in the second stanza he states that the autopsy later revealed that she had a ruptured liver. This poem does not follow a traditional rhyme scheme just like Emily Dickenson’s poem. Poems are sometimes distinguished by their rhyme scheme, and Emily Dickenson’s poem is a good example of how poetry can work even without a rhyme scheme. John’s poem follows a rhyme scheme but only in certain parts of the poem. Both of these poems are told with a beginning, middle, and end. Though, the perspective of these stories, are completely different. These are two poems about death that could not be any further apart. Emily Dickenson’s poem is told from the afterlife watching her life pass her by as she passes into eternity. This story is not particularly sad and I don’t think it was meant to be. This story is told about a person who lived their life and was accepting that it is time to move on. Though this story is about death it is not meant to be sad or invoke those types of feelings. In John Updikes â€Å"Dogs Death† this poem is meant to be sad. This poem shows a connection with a family member. This family spent time training this puppy, and had developed a connection with the puppy. Both narrators in both poems use very powerful images to tell the story. The reader develops the story even more by telling of the children. This story is also more recent of a poem. In Emily Dickenson’s poem they talk about a carriage, and in John Updikes poem they drive in a car to the vet. They are both written in stanzas using Quadrants. In the end I would have to say that Emily Dickenson’s poem is more sophisticated. I think that her poem shows more creativity and has a very unique point of view. I think that this poem does a very good job at making the reader think about what the narrator is trying to say. On the other side I think that John Updikes poem is one that can relate to the masses. John Updike chose to write about something that all of us can read and relate to. I like this type of poem because it evokes emotion from you as you read. Both of these poems are about death but they are written in two completely different ways, telling two completely different stories, and that is what is great about poetry. References: http://www. gradesaver. com/emily-dickinsons-collected-poems/study-guide/section1/ http://www. shmoop. com/because-i-could-not-stop-for-death/analysis. htmlhttp://www. goodreads. com/topic/show/73624-nov-8-dog-s-death-john-updike http://www. online-literature. com/dickinson/

Beamforming Algorithm for Adaptive or Smart Antenna

Beamforming Algorithm for Adaptive or Smart Antenna *Satgur Singh, **Er. Mandeep kaur Abstract  Ã¢â‚¬â€Ã‚  The Demand of Mobile Communication systems is increasing day by day. New concepts and methods are necessary which required the need for new Technologies to satisfy the demand of this world of network. Smart Antenna system is one of those, which reduces the co-channel interference and maximize the user capacity of communication system, By shaping and locating the beam of the antenna on the mobile or the target thus decreasing interference to other users. The Main purpose of smart antenna system is the selection of smart algorithms for adaptive array. By using beam forming algorithms the weight of antenna arrays can be adjusted to form certain amount of adaptive beam to track corresponding users automatically and to minimize interference arising from other users by introducing nulls in their directions. Thus interferences can be suppressed and the desired signals can be extracted. Many algorithms are introduced due to advancement in technology. Every algorithms has different convergence characteristics and complexity of algorithm, according to our need we use particular algorithm in communication system. Keywords — Smart Antenna, LMS (Least mean square), RLS (Recursive least square), NLMS (Normalized Least Mean Square), Sample Matrix Inversion (SMI), Constant Modulus Algorithm (CMA), VSSNLMS (Variable step size NLMS). I. INTRODUCTION: Conventional base station antennas in existing communication systems are either Omni directional or sectorised. There is waste of resources since the majority of transmitted signal power radiates in directions other than the desired user directions and signal power radiated through the Cell area will be interference by any other user than the desired one. Signal power radiated throughout the cell area will increase interference and reduce SNR. Although sector antenna decreases the interference by dividing entire cell into sector, But some levels of interface still exist. To overcome the above problem of the communication system the Smart antenna introduced. Smart Antenna system combines an antenna array with a digital signal-processing capability to transmit and receive in an adaptive manner. Such a configuration technically enhances the capacity of a wireless link through a combination of diversity gain, array gain and interference reduction. Increased capacity translates to higher data rates for a given number of users or more users for a given data rate per user. In other manner, the system which can automatically change the directionality of its radiation patterns in response to its signal environment. By this manner, increase the performance characteristics (such as capacity) of a wireless system. All elements of the Fig 1: Block Diagram of Smart Antenna System adaptive antenna array have to be combined in order to adapt to the current channel and user. A Smart antenna is therefore a phased or adaptive array that adjusts to the environment that is, for the adaptive array, the beam pattern changes as the desired user and the interference move and for the phased array the beam is steered or different beams is selected as the desired user moves. This weight adaptation is the â€Å"smart† part of the smart antenna system. It is possible to investigate a wide range of beam forming algorithms without the need to modify the system hardware for every algorithm. For this, now we are focusing on improving the performance of the beam forming algorithms rather than on designing new hardware, which is very expensive and time consumption. There are many algorithms for beamforming concept ,Every algorithm has its own merits and demerits ,according to our need we use that algorithm which satisfies our need,which are given below:- II) BEAMFORMING TECHNIQUES:- A) Least Mean Square Algorithm: This algorithm was first developed by Widrow and Hoff in 1960. Shahera HOSSAIN et al.(2008)[ ] proposed that LMS is a gradient based technique where in a quadratic performance surface is assumed. The performance surface that is cost function can be established by finding the Mean Square Error (MSE). The cost function is a quadratic function of the weight vector w. The minimum of the performance surface is reached when the MSE tends to its minimum value this is made possible by finding out the gradient of MSE with respect to weight vectors equating it to zero. The Weights of adaptive antenna are adjusted in the negative direction of the gradient to minimize the error. In LMS, the weights are updated using, w(k+1) = w(k)+ ÃŽ ¼ e*(k)x(k) whereas e(k) =d(k) – wH (k)x(k) ÃŽ ¼=Step size that determines the speed of convergence of LMS algorithm. The weights here will be computed using LMS algorithm based on Minimum Squared Error (MSE). y(n)=wH (n)x(n) e(n) =d(n) −y(n) w (k+1) = w(k)+ ÃŽ ¼ e*(k)x(k)†¦ step size ÃŽ ¼ is a positive real-valued constant which controls the size of the incremental correction applied to the weight vector as we proceed from one iteration cycle to the next. The performance of the algorithm depends on the step size parameter, which controls the convergence speed. The LMS algorithm is initiated with an arbitrary value W(0) for the weight vector at n= [1], [6], [23], [25]. For the weight vector is seen to converge and stay stable for 0max Whereas ÃŽ »max is the maximum eigen value of the matrix R. The Response of the LMS algorithm is determined by three principal factors step-size parameter, number of weights, and Eigen value of the correlation matrix of the input data vector. The LMS Algorithm has many drawbacks which are solved by other algorithm. B) Sample Matrix Inversion (SMI) Algorithm: T.B. LAVATE et al.(2010) [5]proposed that LMS algorithm is slow in convergence not suitable for mobile communication this drawback of LMS is eliminated by sample matrix inversion (SMI) method. The sample matrix is a time average estimate of the array co-relation matrix using K time samples. If the random process is ergodic in the co-relation the time average estimate will equal the actual co-relation matrix .If we use a K-length block of data we define the matrix Xk(k) as the kth block of x vectors ranging over K data snapshots, the time average estimate of array co-relation matrix is, R=XK(k) XKH (k)/K And the time average estimate of the co-relation vector is, r= d*(k) XK(k)/K†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ The SMI weights for kth block of length K as WSMI = R-1r WSMI = [ XK(k) XKH H (k)]-1 d*(k) XK(k) From equation (4) it is seen that the weights of the antenna array will be updated for each incoming block of data. C) NLMS (Normalized Least Mean Square) Algoritm: Shahera HOSSAIN et al.(2008)[4] proposed ,the Normalized least-mean-square (NLMS) algorithm, which is also known as the projection algorithm, is a useful method for adapting the coefficients of a finite-impulse response (FIR) filter for a number of signal processing and control applications. It can persist over a wide range of step-sizes. Theoretically, LMS method is the most basic method for calculating the weight vectors. However, in practice, an improved LMS method, the Normalized-LMS (NLMS) is used to achieve stable calculation and faster convergence. The NLMS algorithm can be formulated as a natural modification of the LMS algorithm based on stochastic gradient algorithm Gradient noise amplification problem occurs in the standard form of LMS algorithm. This is because the product vector xà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  e*à ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  in Equation (11) at iteration, n applied to the weight vector wà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  is directly proportional to the input vector xà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©. This can be solved by normalized the product vector at iteration n à ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ «1 with the square Euclidean norm of the input vector xà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¨nà ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ©Ãƒ ¯Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚  at iteration n. The final weight vector can be updated by, W(n+1)= w(n)+ ÃŽ ¼/||x(n)2.x(n) e*(n) Where the NLMS algorithm reduces the step size ÃŽ ¼ to make the large changes in the update weight vectors.This prevents the update weight vectors from diverging and makes the algorithm more stable and faster converging than when a fixed step size is used. Equation ( ) represents the normalized version of LMS (NLMS), because step size is divided by the norm of the input signal to avoid gradient noise amplification due to x(n) [ ] Sometimes x(k) which is the Input signal becomes very small which may cause W(K + 1) to be unbounded. However, to avoid this situation; ÏÆ' which is a constant value is added to the denominator which made the NLMS algorithm be described as W(n+1)= w(n)+ ÃŽ ¼/||ÏÆ' + x(n)2||.x(n) e*(n) we can conclude that NLMS has a better performance than LMS algorithm. D) Constant Modulus Algorithm Susmita Das [8]proposed that the configuration of CMA adaptive beamforming is the same as that of the Sample Matrix Inversion system except that it requires no reference signal. It is a gradient-based algorithm that works on the theory that the existence of interference causes changes in the amplitude of the transmitted signal, which otherwise has a constant envelope (modulus). The minimum shift key (MSK) signal, for example,is a signal that has the property of a constant modulus .The weight is updated by the equation W(n+1)=W(n)+  µx(n)e(n)* where  µ is the step-size parameter(n) is the input vector,and e(n)=y(n)(R2-|Y(n)|2 where R2=E.[X(n)]4/[X(n)]2 †¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. D) RLS ALGORITHM In Recursive least square (RLS) algorithm, the weights are updated by the following equation. W(n)=W(n −1)+K(n)ÃŽ ¶* (n) n=1,2, Where, K(n) is referred to as the gain vector and ÃŽ ¶ (n) is a priori estimation error which is given by the equation: ÃŽ ¶ (n)=d(n)-w(n-1)x(n)The RLS algorithm does not require any matrix inversion computations as the inverse correlation matrix is computed directly. It requires reference signal and correlation matrix information. E) VSSNLMS(Variable step size NLMS) Algorithm: Ali Hakam et al.(2014) proposed that the main aim of the developed Variable Step Size (VSS) NLMS algorithm is to replace the fixed step size ÃŽ ¼ that is used in NLMS by a variable one. This is to avoid a trade-off issue between convergence rate and steady-state MSE. In this algorithm a large step size is used in the initial stages to speed the rate of convergence and a smaller step size is used near to the steady state of the Mean Square Error (MSE) to obtain an optimum value. To achieve this, ÃŽ ¼ is multiplied by P(k) which is randomly chosen from the uniform distribution [0 1] and each time of the N iteration times. Then to control the variable step value, it is multiplied by a curve function that is as follows: ÃŽ ¶(k) = (6/N)2[(K-(N/6)]2+0.001 1≠¤k≠¤N/6 .001 N/6 Where N is the input signal number. By Multiplying equation (9) by the random numbers P(k) and the normalized step size parameter  µ, the variable step size develops to:  µ(K) = P(K) ÃŽ ¶(K)  µ Substituting the variable step size (10) to the conventional fixed step size NLMS algorithm (8), the proposed algorithm is shown as: W(k+1)=W(K)+ µ(K)e(K)x(k)/ÏÆ'+ ||x(K)|| TABLE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT ALGORITHMS LMS Easily implemented method for on-line estimation of time-varying system parameters. The performance of the algorithm depends on the step size parameter, which controls the convergence speed and the variation of the learning curve.The LMS algorithm do not involve any matrix operations. LMS algorithm is least demanding in computational complexity. Simplicity and ease of computation It does not require off-line gradient estimations or repetition of data. The rate of convergence is slow for a small value of ÃŽ ¼ but this gives a good estimation of the gradient vector since a large amount of data is taken into account. The algorithm requires knowledge of the transmitted signal sending periodically some known pilot sequences that is known to the receiver RLS It requires reference signal and correlation matrix Information The RLS algorithm also converges much more quickly than the LMS algorithm RLS algorithm does not require any matrix inversion computations as the inverse correlation matrix is computed directly the computational complexity hasbeen increased. CMA works on the theory that the existence of interference causes changes in the amplitude of the transmitted signal, which otherwise has a constant envelope (modulus) usefulness of CMA when channel conditions are rapidly changing. disadvantage of the CMA is slow convergence time. The slow converges limits the usefulness of the algorithm in the dynamic environment NLMS known as the projection algorithm, is a useful method for adapting the coefficients of a finite-impulse response (FIR) filter for a number of signal processing and control applications. It can persist over a wide range of step-sizes. Normalized LMS(NLMS) is used to achieve stable calculation and faster convergence. prevents the update weight vectors from diverging and makes the algorithm more stable and faster converging than when a fixed step size is used. NLMS algorithm requires a minimum of one additional multiply, divide, and addition over the LMS algorithm to implement for shift input data. IV) APPLICATIONS: Use of adaptive antenna in existing systems will reduce power consumption and interference while enhancing spectral density in wireless system which is the need of wireless communication systems. V) CONCLUSION: Smart Antenna systems are antennas with intelligence and the radiation pattern can be varied without any mechanically changed. The principle reason for the growing interest in smart antenna systems is the capacity increase and low power consumption. Smart antennas will increase the SIR by simultaneously increasing the useful received signal level and lowering the interference level. VI) REFERENCES: [1] Ali Hakam, Raed Shubair, Shihab Jimaa, and Ehab Salahat,Robust Interference Suppression Using a New LMS Based Adaptive Beamforming Algorithm in 17th IEEE Mediterranean ElectrotechnicalConference,Beirut,Lebanon,13-16 April 2014. [2] H. Takekawa,T. Shimamura and S. Jimaa, An efficient and effective variable step size NLMS algorithm, in 42nd Asilomar Conference on Signals, Systems and Computers, October, 2008. [3] Leandro Vieira dos Santos, Jacqueline Silva Pereira,Least Mean Square Algorithm Analysis for a High Capacity Mobile Long Term Evolution Network IEEE 2013. [4] Shahera HOSSAIN, Mohammad Tariqul ISLAM and Seiichi SERIKAWA, Adaptive Beamforming Algorithms for Smart Antenna Systems,International Conference on Control, Automation and Systems 2008,Oct. 14-17, 2008 in COEX, Seoul, Korea. [5] T.B. Lavate, V.K. Kokate, G.S. Mani, Non blind and blind adaptive array smart antenna beam forming algorithams for w-cdma mobile communication systems ,Second International Conference on Computer Engineering and Applications,2008. [6] Vishal V Sawant,Mahesh Chavan,Performance of Beamforming for Smart antenna using Traditional LMS algorithm for various parameters,Proceedings of the 2013 International Conference on Electronics, Signal Processing and Communication Systems. [7] Haitao Liu, Steven Gao, and Tian-Hong Loh,Small Director Array for Low-Profile Smart Antennas Achieving Higher Gain,IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 61, no. 1, January 2013. [8] Susmita Das, IEEE Member,Smart Antenna Design for Wireless Communication using Adaptive Beam-forming Approach [9] Anurag Shivam Prasad, Sandeep Vasudevan , Selvalakshmi R, Analysis of Adaptive Algorithms for Digital Beamforming in Smart AntennasIEEE-International Conference on Recent Trends in Information Technology, ICRTIT MIT, Anna University, Chennai. June 3-5, 2011

Military Support to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies

Military Support to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies CHAPTER I: Violence perpetrated by Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) increased dramatically in 2006 and continued to rise dramatically through 2010.   According to the National Drug Intelligence Centers â€Å"National Drug Threat Assessment, 2010†, published in February 2010, â€Å"Mexican DTOs dominate the transportation of illicit drugs across the Southwest Border.   They typically use commercial trucks and private and rental vehicles to smuggle cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin† (National Drug Threat Assessment, 2010).   The increase in DTO activity has resulted in an increase of military involvement in counterdrug operations along the U.S. southwestern border region.   The tables in the appendices outline the statistical extent of the problem and the geographic penetration of Mexican DTOs within the United States.   Americas densely populated southern border with Mexico stretches nearly 2,000 miles in length and possesses several established crossing points.   In areas along northern Mexico, DTOs organize and equip themselves with resources that out match Mexican military forces (McCaffrey 2009).   With these developments, it is necessary to consider increased U.S. military support to drug interdiction along the southwest border, as DTOs are a national security threat that directly plays a role in destabilizing the heavily trafficked areas in both the U.S. and Mexico. Problem Statement The problem is to determine what Military Support to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies (MSCLEA) should be brought to bear against Mexican DTOs to interdict and reduce the flow of drugs across the Southwest Border. Research Objective This research aimed at answering and elucidating the following objectives: What capabilities does the U.S. military already have in the southwest border region to counter drug trafficking? What is the DTOs current capability to interdict drugs across the border (e.g. weapons, funding, resources)? What are the American laws and regulations governing the use of MSCLEA?   Is it financially feasible to increase MSCLEA? Assumptions The main premise to this research is based on the assumption that increasing the resources used to interdict the drug trafficking in the southwest border region will have a positive impact in disrupting DTOs operations, decreasing the amount of drugs trafficked and aiding in stabilizing the southwest border region.   Some groups advocate other approaches to the problem such as legalization and establishing additional treatment programs for users and abusers of illegal drugs.   Moreover, on the supply side, the assumption is diplomatic pressure on the countries that produce the drugs or assistance to their military and police organizations is necessary to increase the effectiveness.   This proposal assumes that enhanced interdiction efforts on the Southwest border will negatively impact Mexican DTOs and reduce use of illegal drugs within the United States. Additionally, the results and recommendations for this research assumed that all military assistance falls within Title 32 Duty and Article I,  § 8 of the Constitution that allows the National Guard to be used under the command and control of the governor to execute the laws of the Union, in order to suppress rebellion and deter invasions (Withers, 2010 p. 6). Definition of Terms Military Support to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies (MSCLEA):   Technical assistance rendered to civilian law enforcement agencies.   This can include military resources that are not available to civilians such as aerial surveillance, technical assistance with these resources, and tactical advice.   It does not include actual law enforcement powers (Sergienko, 2006, p. 395). Interdiction efforts:    All efforts used to reduce the flow of illegal drugs into the United States on the ground (or underground) across the Southwest border.   Success equals increased levels of drug seizures. Southwest border:   The land border between the U.S. and Mexico; also called the U.S.-Mexico border. Limitations and delimitations This study is limited to ground interdiction.   Drug smuggling is an incredibly profitable enterprise.   If ground interdiction efforts are to prove effective, it presumes that DTOs would attempt to move their operations into marine and aerial operations.   However, this study will only consider the deployment of marine and aerial assets as they relate to ground operations.   This study will limit its focus of the Southwest to the three major DTO interdiction routes located in Texas, New Mexico, and California.   The strategies proposed or dismissed in this research may or may not be appropriate to compare with the interdiction efforts on other borders such as the northern border with Canada. This study will be limited to cooperation with civilian law enforcement agencies within the United States.   It will not consider support for Mexican civilian law enforcement agencies nor will it consider cooperation with the Mexican military although it will acknowledge that they are now the lead agency in struggle with DTOs within Mexico. All proposals for MSCLEA will be governed by the U.S Constitution, relevant U.S. laws and the USNORTHCOM directives on MSCLEA, â€Å"Military support to civilian law enforcement is carried out in strict compliance with the Constitution and U.S. laws and under the direction of the president and secretary of defense† (USNORTHCOM). CHAPTER II: Literature Review This chapter provides an overview of the literature examined.   It identifies the dominant literature and sources that will provide arguments addressing DTOs drug smuggling, MSCLEAs and the current situation along the Southwest border.   The academic debate concerning MSCLEA on the border focuses primarily on the issue of illegal immigration and second on drug interdiction.   There are only a few books on the topic.   Therefore, research will focus on scholarly articles, government studies, and statistical data available through the U.S. Border Patrol and Department of Enforcement Administration. Timothy Dunns 1996 book, The Militarization of the U.S.-Mexico Border, 1978-1992: Low Intensity Conflict Doctrine Comes Home is a study that compares data collected through interviews with military doctrine, law enforcement, congressional documents, and personal observations.   Dunns intent is to illustrate that increased activity along the southwest border escalated forcing military involvement in immigration and drug enforcement to a level unintended by Congress and defense officials.   Dunn provides insight to the difficulty associated with MSCLEA along the southwest border.   This historical data requires comparison to the post 9/11 challenges. There are numerous government studies and reports related to previous and current U.S. counterdrug program.   The Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) prepared most reports for members of Congress.   The National Drug and Control Policy also have a number of useful products.   Stephen Vina CRS report in 2006, Border Security and Military Support: Legal Authorizations and Restrictions outlines military support legal and policy limitations with in the U.S.   His study states military support to DTO is feasible however, it must be restricted to the employment of Nation Guard for border security missions vice the employment of active duty (GAO, 2003).   The 2010 report Department of Defense Needs to Improve Its Performance Measurement System to Better Manage and oversee Its Counternarcotics Activities demonstrates congressional interest in measures of effectiveness to justify MSCLEA in the early 1990s.   The 1993 Heavy Investment in Military Surveillance is Not Paying Off   report   findings suggest some military assets, such as rotary wing transport and lower-end unmanned aerial vehicles are relatively inexpensive and within the potential budget of federal law enforcement.   Other assets such as large multi-role aircraft and naval vessels, are very expensive operate and maintain.   The GAO (2009) study concluded that military surveillance is costly particularly when modern technology systems designed to detect and control highly sophisticated weapon systems in combat situations are employed against a DTO smuggling threat. Together, these two reports support content from the recent Washington Office on Latin America report that strongly suggest there must be a separation of military and police roles in America.   George Withers would agree there is a lack of measures of effectiveness justifying military support on the border. The GAO study, Secure Border Initiative: Observations on Deployment Challenges discusses the challenges of integrating sensors and obstacles along the 2000-mile Southwest border.   Conversely,   the 2007 report, U.S. Assistance Has Helped Mexican Counternarcotics Efforts, but Tons of Illicit Drugs Continue to Flow Into the United States clearly demonstrates the difficulties of combating the supply of drugs.   This study bring about discussion to identify the gaps in capability could be leveraged with unique available military resources.   The Rise of Mexican Drug Cartel and U.S. National Security hearing conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice illustrated the success of interagency cooperation against targeting DTOs.   The report provides an overview of the capability of the DTOs operating along the southwest border and describes their ability to conduct drug trafficking, kidnapping, bribery, extortion, money laundering and smuggling of profits, and trafficking and use of dangerous firearms.   The report concludes that the best strategy to combat the full spectrum of the drug cartels operations is a holistic approach that employs the full spectrum of our law enforcement agencies and its resources, expertise, and statutory authorities.   The Mexican border states have become much like a war zone with heavily armed military units on the street (since the President deemed local police too corrupt to deal with the cartels) and frequent firefights between the military and the cartels.   According to L.A. Times, as of November 29, 2010, 28,288 people have died in Mexico since January 2007 because of the drug wars.   In relative terms, that number is higher than the number of American troops that have died in Iraq in the last seven years (Mexico under Siege The Drug War on Our Doorstep, 2010). â€Å"Mexico Under Siege The Drug War on Our Doorstep†, is an L.A. Times website that includes all of their coverage of drug smuggling along the Southwest border along with interactive maps, links to television coverage and a host of other information.   This website is the principle primary source for details of recent events and media coverage of the situation.   Additionally, the website â€Å"Drug Trafficking in Mexico† maintained by latinamericanstudies.org traces the history of the drug trafficking between Mexico and the U. S. from 1998-2009.   This website provides links to hundreds of other articles on the subject as well. The Congressional Reporting Service publication â€Å"Terrorism: Some Legal Restrictions on Military Assistance to Domestic Authorities Following a Terrorist Attack† by Charles Doyle and Jennifer Elsea presents the legal definition of MSCLEAs in the wake of post 9/11 developments (Doyle and Elsea, 2005). Increased MSCLEA issues emerged in the 1980s and 1990s with regard to the interdiction of drugs.   However, since 9/11 they have largely revolved around the role of MSCLEA around terrorism related incidents.   The official policy of the United States Army on MSCLEA is contained in the Catastrophic Disaster Response Staff Officers Handbook â€Å"Appendix I: Legal Considerations/Law Enforcement† published by the United States Army Combined Arms Center in May 2006.   This document is supplemented by a paper prepared by Colonel Thomas W. McShane entitled, â€Å"United States Northern Commands Mission to Provide Military Support to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies: The Challenge to keep Homeland Security and Civil Liberty Dancing in Step with the Current Legal Music† (2004). There are varieties of publications that deal with the history of MSCLEA for Counter-drug Operations.   Most of the U.S. policy affecting domestic counterdrug MSCLEA require updates and fails to reflect the realities of the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.   Two of these stand out as having particular importance for this proposal.   The first is The Militarization of the U.S.-Mexico Border, 1978-1992: Low-Intensity Conflict Doctrine Comes Home by Timothy J Dunn, published in 1996.   The second is a Rand Corporation report entitled Sealing the Borders: The Effects of Increased Military Participation in Drug Interdiction written by Peter Reuter, Gordon Crawford, and Jonathan Cave published in 1988.   Both of the documents are dated however, they will provide a historical context to compare to current operations.   Reuter concludes that military support provided in the war on drugs in the 1980s w as costly, ineffective, and distracted military forces from preparing for interstate combat missions. Both documents are roughly twenty years old and this means that their consideration of everything from the technology of interdiction efforts to the scope and influence of DTOs is dated.   On the other hand, both documents precede the emergence of the overwhelming threat of terrorist attacks and therefore the focus is on MSCLEAs in a pre-9/11 context with the emphasis on drug interdiction, not anti-terrorism operations. Most importantly, both of these documents present a negative image of interdiction efforts.   The U.S. military interdiction efforts, although criticize provides an approach from two different perspectives.   The Militarization of the U.S.-Mexico Border, 1978-1992: Low-Intensity Conflict Doctrine Comes Home published by the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas, Austin focuses on the negative effects of the militarization of the border in terms of lost economic opportunities and threats to civil liberties. More condemning, however, is the Rand Corporation document, Sealing the Borders: The Effects of Increased Military Participation in Drug Interdiction.   It concludes that interdiction efforts in general have little impact on the flow of drugs into the United States.   Furthermore, it concludes that an increase in military involvement did not improve the interdiction effectiveness efforts and was unlikely to do so in the future.   The Rand study strongly suggests that the military cannot be the primary interdiction agency and that a major increase in military support is unlikely to reduce drug consumption significantly in the United States (Reuter, Crawford and Cave, 1988). The findings are not practical for exploring renewed efforts to employ enhanced MSCLEA in the interdiction effort in the twenty-first century.   There are numerous reservations about applying this study directly to the current situation.   This study will examine interdiction in terms of interdiction (seizure) rates, not reduced consumption, and the price of illicit drugs as examined by the Rand study. In addition, the circumstances of the drug trade across the Southwestern border have changed considerably over the past nine years, as have the military resources available to employ against interdiction effort.   The DTOs are now using RPGs and other military type weaponry consequently the military has UAVs and other surveillance equipment that was not available in the 1980s. The Rand study is incredibly important to understanding the history of military involvement in drug interdiction on the Southwest border.   However, the findings do not constitute the final word on the subject today as it is over twenty years old. It is imperative to examine literature that relates to the policies and procedures for MSCLEAs and the organization of cooperative efforts between the MSCLEAs.   Doctrine for this already exists for both the military and civilian organizations.   The Joint Task Force North, â€Å"JTF-North Operational Support Planning Guide 2010† outlines the military perspective on joint military-civilian operations.   The police understanding of the relationship is outlined in â€Å"Civilian and Military Law Enforcement Cooperation† published in The Police Chief (Awtry, 2004). The study Preach What You Practice: The Separation of Military and Police Roles in the Americas argues that military employment to assist law enforcement agencies falls the Posse Comitatus Act limits however, there is no imminent â€Å"threat of attack† on the United States.   Therefore, they question the need for a heightened militarization of the southwest border (Withers, Santos, Isacsoni, 2010 p 8).   This report suggest that instead of supporting a military response, the U.S. government re align its resources to focus on additional aid for police and law enforcement capabilities within Mexico.   They recommend this aid be in the form strengthening law enforcement training, equipment, and technology rather than merely training in counter-drug tactics.   The JTF North website lists the following capabilities as operational support the U. S. military is prepared to provide federal law enforcement agencies: aviation transportation, including both insertion and extraction of personnel; aviation reconnaissance; air and maritime surveillance radar; unmanned aircraft systems; ground surveillance radar; listening post and observation post surveillance; ground sensor operations; and ground transportation.   The consensus within NORTHCOM appears to be the military is capable of supplying resources that enhance law enforcement ability to interdict the threats along the southwest border.   Under USNORTHCOM, the military conducts a variety of domestic exercises aimed at using the military and National Guard under the presidents control in a wide range of U.S. homeland emergencies such as terrorist events and even domestic violence.   Which is the threat currently demonstrated by DTOs.   The exercises do not involve any Mexican entities, NORTHCOM suggest that an exchange of military personnel and cadets with Mexico as a means of gaining Mexican involvement in NORTHCOM, as well as regular talks about cooperation could increase the effectiveness of combating DTO activity along the border.   Jose Palafox addresses militarization of the border and the applicability of military counterdrug operations along the U.S.-Mexican border in 1990.   He closely examines the 1996 structure of JTF-6 and then concludes that a JTF consisting of only a brigade-size unit could effectively conduct sustained operations to interdict border drug trafficking along the two-thousand-mile boundary.   JTF-6 was renamed JTF North in a ceremony Sept. 28, 2004, and its mission was expanded beyond the drug war to include providing homeland security support to the nations federal law enforcement agencies. The article states the Pentagon is spent approximately $800 million a year to help enforce the drug trafficking laws alone.   The missions ranged from ground reconnaissance, training, logistics, and research.   In 1995, the Department of Defense transferred military technology equipment to Border Patrol in order to upgrade legacy Vietnam War error equipment.   Due to a joint effort by the Justice and Treasury Departments and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Border Patrol also has its own high-tech Border Research and Technology Center near San Diego. The article suggests that JTF-6 operations supporting DTO activity was a success and a necessity for future operations between military and civilian organizations.   Although, Border Patrol received significant upgrades gaps along the porous border remain specifically training and intelligence collection. Major Mark Van Dries 1990 monograph titled Drug Interdiction: Can We Stop the New Pancho Villa, addresses the feasibility of military counterdrug operations along the border in the 1990s.   The study states that drugs are a legitimate national security threat and the vulnerability of drug cartels to military operations.   Drie conclusion supports employment of military forces along the border where legal restraints are not clear and domestic opposition is less likely.   He further articulates that effectively securing the southwest border in 1990 would require a cordon force of 65,000 U.S. troops. Both the article and monograph fail to mention the 1997 tragic death of a U.S. citizen at the hands of a military service member that exposed the difficulties and inherent risks in employing combat focused forces in training missions in support of domestic counterdrug MSCLEA.   Marine Corps Corporal Manuel Banuelos shot and killed Texas high school student Esequiel Hernandez with a single shot from his service rifle.   The incident inspired a backlash against armed military patrols along the border and resulted in cease of the practice.   The current approach is indirect support to law enforcement such as intelligence, engineering, and surveillance (Dunn, 2001, p 14-17).   In summary, this chapter discusses corroborative information relating to drug cartel along US-Mexico borders and its perpetuation within the region which caused escalation of violence, increasing number of death tool and its serious implication to Mexicos politico-economy as well as its diplomatic relation with nations, specially United States. The succeeding chapters will discuss the methodology. CHAPTER III:   Methodology This chapter tackles the research methodology that will be used to assess the military resource requirements to counter drug activity along the Southwest border.   The author will conduct analysis of secondary information by using (a) timeline analysis to account the historical context about the war on drugs, (b) evaluate the laws and regulations associated with MSCLEA and current MSCLEA support in order to determine the most appropriate MSCLEA to counter drug trafficking along the Southwest border, (c) illustrate key developments in the war on drugs and military involvement in supporting the domestic counterdrug effort and (d) evaluate the significance, extent, resource capacity and feasibility of deploying MSCLEA to assist in the interdiction of DTOs across the Southwest border. Research Design This chapter will examine the issue by means of qualitative and quantitative analyses using variety of sources from media accounts, government reports, academic works, and historical documents.   To a lesser extent, opinion pieces will be used when the information is valid and appropriate opposing viewpoints are available for inclusion. Analysis of the results will provide statistical validity to the interpretation of results for the military and for the other agencies such as drug threats provided by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC). Sample Sampling is irrelevant in this study. Researcher is not using survey method but will be maximizing secondary information from government reports and earlier studies conducted related to the issue on Mexican drug interdiction. Other related relevant sources will also be inclusively considered. Setting The study will be conducted within American soil although it will also make use of documents from Mexican government which will be accessed, reviewed and evaluated accordingly. Instrumentation This is a qualitative and quantitative longitudinal case study that will use a combination of timeline mapping, conflict-analysis, and triangulation to understand the complex and unending illegal drug trade within the region that has been affecting neighboring and the international communities worldwide due to increasing violence within the area despite security management measures. All historical accounts, records, testimonies and researchers from incessant intervention done by the United States of America will be reviewed, analyzed and be maximized in crafting conclusions and recommendations at the end of the study. Data Collection To address research objective number three, DTOs current ability to interdict drugs across the border, the author will review publicly available information from books, journal articles, and corroborated news media accounts.   The book, Drug Smugglers on Drug Smuggling, will be used to substantiate data from the perspective, motivation and experiences of DTO smugglers. This book interviews experienced smugglers who at one time successfully in defeated drug interdiction measures.   The purpose of this research objective is to identify the nature and extent of DTO exploitation of US Southwest border. Specifically, this question serves to identify DTO resources and methods that are uniquely vulnerable to US military capabilities or where the US military resources can augment civilian law enforcement agencies.   Researcher will further use all information that can be sourced from government agencies, libraries, online research institutions, magazines, journals, court documents, magazines and journals. Data Analysis The author will use historical mapping as an instrument to gather information to assess the length of period and extent of the drug trafficking problem within the region. Historical mapping will also be used to determine the MSCLEA method(s) of involvement introduced by US Southwest region, including the outcome and impact of these interdictions.   Historical mapping will also be used to outline the laws and policies governing MSCLEA that were legislated as a response to countering illegal drug trade in the region. Additionally, analysis of government documents produced by Congressional Research Service (CRS), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) will be analyzed to determine the MSCLEA ability to adequately curtail drug trafficking across the southwest border. Lastly, the author will identify and compare the relative combat power of DTOs and US law enforcement personnel operating along the Southwest border.   Determining the capability gap will exhibit the necessary MSCLEA requirement(s) to effectively reinforce the combat power of law enforcement agencies in order to adequately curtail drug trafficking in the region.   As a mixed quantitative and qualitative study, researcher will present an integrated analysis and inferences into coherent conclusions toward a comprehensive and meaningful explication of the subject studied. Validity and Reliability This research is undertaken with serious consideration of the international and professional standard. Inferences and sequential presentation of information are drawn from primary and secondary sources that are critically evaluated based on acceptable standards of sources. Some information used came from government authorities and decision-making bodies who are honored with their credibility as authorities of the state. Readers who may conduct follow-up research may triangulate information and database used here to further validate reports. Ethical Considerations Researcher observes the highest standard of professional ethics required by the institution. Matters of confidentiality are held sacred while authors, writers, and agencies whose contributions to these subjects are wisely utilized were credited and recognized in the references. The succeeding chapter will substantially discuss the theme of this study. Chapter 4- DISCUSSION Resolving the complex issues on narcotics in the south west border require in-depth reflection on historic interventions made by USA which help increase interdiction on illegal drug-related cartel; evaluate the political capacity of DTO to sustain its illegal operations; triangulate policies of USA in its decision to assist in decreasing the movements of illegal drug trade; and assess the fiscal capacity of the American government to allocate against increasing demand of budget for operations. US Military Capacity vs Drug Trafficking In mid-19th century, United States deployed US Army on its southern border and was mandated to protect the border, interdict bandits, secure lives and properties, conduct regular patrolling and support civil law enforcement against illegal drug cartel business (Matthews, 1959). More than a century have passed, USA is still deploying National Guard Soldiers to the Mexican border as post-9/11 politico-military undertakings (Matthews, 1959). To reckon, from 1846 towards this millennium, US Army sustained its security mandates at the borders hard and rugged terrain (Matthews, 1959).   Reports mentioned that amid disputes, there is also a demand to increase numbers of soldiers (Matthews, 1959).   This is further compounded with critical Mexican politics and US-Mexican diplomatic relations that is affecting Armys operations (Matthews, 1959).   Contextualized in such distinct social character, Armys role was fitted to support to local, state, and Federal civilian agencies. Such nature of intervention is already evident since 1920s (Matthews, 1959). During President George W. Bushs administration decided to deploy about 6,000 Army National Guard Soldiers in 2006 to conduct security border patrol as issues relating to potential terrorist infiltration, increase of illegal drug syndicates activity, and leveling-up of apprehension about illegal immigration to United States en route through Mexico (Matthews, 1959). Though this was regarded with disapproval, there is however recognition to improve border security works albeit controversial use of military personnel to support law enforcement (Matthews, 1959). Both America and Mexico shared ambivalent relations since the former tightened its political control in that shared border coupled with cross-border violent aggressions done by Indians and bandits which accordingly increased the level of enmity (Matthews, 1959). There was however a historic epoch when America and the Mexican governments explored revitalization of goodwill when Major General Philip H. Sheridan waged a campaign against the French.   That provided an opportunity to resolve issues relating to US Armys disposition at the border from 1870 to 1886, including its inherent weakness about lack of personnel and passive defenses against cross-border raids. It also discussed the raid in Mexico in 1873 led by Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzies   and that pre-emptive strike led by Lieutenant Colonel William â€Å"Pecos Bill† Shafters. There was subsequent reduction of attacks but this generated political conflict which grind down American and Mexican goodwill (Matthews, 1959). In 1911 to 1917, the Mexican Revolution caused insecurity in the border and US soldiers realized that static defenses and patrolling couldnt cease terrorist raiders who maintained interest to cross the border. This was also same period when Major General Frederick Funstons attempted to stop the Plan of San Diego plotters and Brigadier General John J. Pershing launched punitive action against Francisco â€Å"Pancho† Villa. The military strategies enforced hot pursuits and preemptive strikes into Mexico to restore order to the border (Matthews, 1959). US Army have also conducted responses to WETBACK Operation in 1954 until they increased their presence in 1978 in Mexican border as a response to same issue on illegal US immigration and anti-drug cartel. The military supports for law enforcement at southern border have also evolved (Matthews, 1959). The historic problem remained in these 20th centuries and the issues pertaining to militarys disposition reverberates (Matthews, 1959 ). It still re-echo the need for defensive position and the discussion on conducting cou Military Support to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies Military Support to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies CHAPTER I: Violence perpetrated by Mexican Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) increased dramatically in 2006 and continued to rise dramatically through 2010.   According to the National Drug Intelligence Centers â€Å"National Drug Threat Assessment, 2010†, published in February 2010, â€Å"Mexican DTOs dominate the transportation of illicit drugs across the Southwest Border.   They typically use commercial trucks and private and rental vehicles to smuggle cocaine, marijuana, methamphetamine, and heroin† (National Drug Threat Assessment, 2010).   The increase in DTO activity has resulted in an increase of military involvement in counterdrug operations along the U.S. southwestern border region.   The tables in the appendices outline the statistical extent of the problem and the geographic penetration of Mexican DTOs within the United States.   Americas densely populated southern border with Mexico stretches nearly 2,000 miles in length and possesses several established crossing points.   In areas along northern Mexico, DTOs organize and equip themselves with resources that out match Mexican military forces (McCaffrey 2009).   With these developments, it is necessary to consider increased U.S. military support to drug interdiction along the southwest border, as DTOs are a national security threat that directly plays a role in destabilizing the heavily trafficked areas in both the U.S. and Mexico. Problem Statement The problem is to determine what Military Support to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies (MSCLEA) should be brought to bear against Mexican DTOs to interdict and reduce the flow of drugs across the Southwest Border. Research Objective This research aimed at answering and elucidating the following objectives: What capabilities does the U.S. military already have in the southwest border region to counter drug trafficking? What is the DTOs current capability to interdict drugs across the border (e.g. weapons, funding, resources)? What are the American laws and regulations governing the use of MSCLEA?   Is it financially feasible to increase MSCLEA? Assumptions The main premise to this research is based on the assumption that increasing the resources used to interdict the drug trafficking in the southwest border region will have a positive impact in disrupting DTOs operations, decreasing the amount of drugs trafficked and aiding in stabilizing the southwest border region.   Some groups advocate other approaches to the problem such as legalization and establishing additional treatment programs for users and abusers of illegal drugs.   Moreover, on the supply side, the assumption is diplomatic pressure on the countries that produce the drugs or assistance to their military and police organizations is necessary to increase the effectiveness.   This proposal assumes that enhanced interdiction efforts on the Southwest border will negatively impact Mexican DTOs and reduce use of illegal drugs within the United States. Additionally, the results and recommendations for this research assumed that all military assistance falls within Title 32 Duty and Article I,  § 8 of the Constitution that allows the National Guard to be used under the command and control of the governor to execute the laws of the Union, in order to suppress rebellion and deter invasions (Withers, 2010 p. 6). Definition of Terms Military Support to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies (MSCLEA):   Technical assistance rendered to civilian law enforcement agencies.   This can include military resources that are not available to civilians such as aerial surveillance, technical assistance with these resources, and tactical advice.   It does not include actual law enforcement powers (Sergienko, 2006, p. 395). Interdiction efforts:    All efforts used to reduce the flow of illegal drugs into the United States on the ground (or underground) across the Southwest border.   Success equals increased levels of drug seizures. Southwest border:   The land border between the U.S. and Mexico; also called the U.S.-Mexico border. Limitations and delimitations This study is limited to ground interdiction.   Drug smuggling is an incredibly profitable enterprise.   If ground interdiction efforts are to prove effective, it presumes that DTOs would attempt to move their operations into marine and aerial operations.   However, this study will only consider the deployment of marine and aerial assets as they relate to ground operations.   This study will limit its focus of the Southwest to the three major DTO interdiction routes located in Texas, New Mexico, and California.   The strategies proposed or dismissed in this research may or may not be appropriate to compare with the interdiction efforts on other borders such as the northern border with Canada. This study will be limited to cooperation with civilian law enforcement agencies within the United States.   It will not consider support for Mexican civilian law enforcement agencies nor will it consider cooperation with the Mexican military although it will acknowledge that they are now the lead agency in struggle with DTOs within Mexico. All proposals for MSCLEA will be governed by the U.S Constitution, relevant U.S. laws and the USNORTHCOM directives on MSCLEA, â€Å"Military support to civilian law enforcement is carried out in strict compliance with the Constitution and U.S. laws and under the direction of the president and secretary of defense† (USNORTHCOM). CHAPTER II: Literature Review This chapter provides an overview of the literature examined.   It identifies the dominant literature and sources that will provide arguments addressing DTOs drug smuggling, MSCLEAs and the current situation along the Southwest border.   The academic debate concerning MSCLEA on the border focuses primarily on the issue of illegal immigration and second on drug interdiction.   There are only a few books on the topic.   Therefore, research will focus on scholarly articles, government studies, and statistical data available through the U.S. Border Patrol and Department of Enforcement Administration. Timothy Dunns 1996 book, The Militarization of the U.S.-Mexico Border, 1978-1992: Low Intensity Conflict Doctrine Comes Home is a study that compares data collected through interviews with military doctrine, law enforcement, congressional documents, and personal observations.   Dunns intent is to illustrate that increased activity along the southwest border escalated forcing military involvement in immigration and drug enforcement to a level unintended by Congress and defense officials.   Dunn provides insight to the difficulty associated with MSCLEA along the southwest border.   This historical data requires comparison to the post 9/11 challenges. There are numerous government studies and reports related to previous and current U.S. counterdrug program.   The Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) prepared most reports for members of Congress.   The National Drug and Control Policy also have a number of useful products.   Stephen Vina CRS report in 2006, Border Security and Military Support: Legal Authorizations and Restrictions outlines military support legal and policy limitations with in the U.S.   His study states military support to DTO is feasible however, it must be restricted to the employment of Nation Guard for border security missions vice the employment of active duty (GAO, 2003).   The 2010 report Department of Defense Needs to Improve Its Performance Measurement System to Better Manage and oversee Its Counternarcotics Activities demonstrates congressional interest in measures of effectiveness to justify MSCLEA in the early 1990s.   The 1993 Heavy Investment in Military Surveillance is Not Paying Off   report   findings suggest some military assets, such as rotary wing transport and lower-end unmanned aerial vehicles are relatively inexpensive and within the potential budget of federal law enforcement.   Other assets such as large multi-role aircraft and naval vessels, are very expensive operate and maintain.   The GAO (2009) study concluded that military surveillance is costly particularly when modern technology systems designed to detect and control highly sophisticated weapon systems in combat situations are employed against a DTO smuggling threat. Together, these two reports support content from the recent Washington Office on Latin America report that strongly suggest there must be a separation of military and police roles in America.   George Withers would agree there is a lack of measures of effectiveness justifying military support on the border. The GAO study, Secure Border Initiative: Observations on Deployment Challenges discusses the challenges of integrating sensors and obstacles along the 2000-mile Southwest border.   Conversely,   the 2007 report, U.S. Assistance Has Helped Mexican Counternarcotics Efforts, but Tons of Illicit Drugs Continue to Flow Into the United States clearly demonstrates the difficulties of combating the supply of drugs.   This study bring about discussion to identify the gaps in capability could be leveraged with unique available military resources.   The Rise of Mexican Drug Cartel and U.S. National Security hearing conducted by the U.S. Department of Justice illustrated the success of interagency cooperation against targeting DTOs.   The report provides an overview of the capability of the DTOs operating along the southwest border and describes their ability to conduct drug trafficking, kidnapping, bribery, extortion, money laundering and smuggling of profits, and trafficking and use of dangerous firearms.   The report concludes that the best strategy to combat the full spectrum of the drug cartels operations is a holistic approach that employs the full spectrum of our law enforcement agencies and its resources, expertise, and statutory authorities.   The Mexican border states have become much like a war zone with heavily armed military units on the street (since the President deemed local police too corrupt to deal with the cartels) and frequent firefights between the military and the cartels.   According to L.A. Times, as of November 29, 2010, 28,288 people have died in Mexico since January 2007 because of the drug wars.   In relative terms, that number is higher than the number of American troops that have died in Iraq in the last seven years (Mexico under Siege The Drug War on Our Doorstep, 2010). â€Å"Mexico Under Siege The Drug War on Our Doorstep†, is an L.A. Times website that includes all of their coverage of drug smuggling along the Southwest border along with interactive maps, links to television coverage and a host of other information.   This website is the principle primary source for details of recent events and media coverage of the situation.   Additionally, the website â€Å"Drug Trafficking in Mexico† maintained by latinamericanstudies.org traces the history of the drug trafficking between Mexico and the U. S. from 1998-2009.   This website provides links to hundreds of other articles on the subject as well. The Congressional Reporting Service publication â€Å"Terrorism: Some Legal Restrictions on Military Assistance to Domestic Authorities Following a Terrorist Attack† by Charles Doyle and Jennifer Elsea presents the legal definition of MSCLEAs in the wake of post 9/11 developments (Doyle and Elsea, 2005). Increased MSCLEA issues emerged in the 1980s and 1990s with regard to the interdiction of drugs.   However, since 9/11 they have largely revolved around the role of MSCLEA around terrorism related incidents.   The official policy of the United States Army on MSCLEA is contained in the Catastrophic Disaster Response Staff Officers Handbook â€Å"Appendix I: Legal Considerations/Law Enforcement† published by the United States Army Combined Arms Center in May 2006.   This document is supplemented by a paper prepared by Colonel Thomas W. McShane entitled, â€Å"United States Northern Commands Mission to Provide Military Support to Civilian Law Enforcement Agencies: The Challenge to keep Homeland Security and Civil Liberty Dancing in Step with the Current Legal Music† (2004). There are varieties of publications that deal with the history of MSCLEA for Counter-drug Operations.   Most of the U.S. policy affecting domestic counterdrug MSCLEA require updates and fails to reflect the realities of the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001.   Two of these stand out as having particular importance for this proposal.   The first is The Militarization of the U.S.-Mexico Border, 1978-1992: Low-Intensity Conflict Doctrine Comes Home by Timothy J Dunn, published in 1996.   The second is a Rand Corporation report entitled Sealing the Borders: The Effects of Increased Military Participation in Drug Interdiction written by Peter Reuter, Gordon Crawford, and Jonathan Cave published in 1988.   Both of the documents are dated however, they will provide a historical context to compare to current operations.   Reuter concludes that military support provided in the war on drugs in the 1980s w as costly, ineffective, and distracted military forces from preparing for interstate combat missions. Both documents are roughly twenty years old and this means that their consideration of everything from the technology of interdiction efforts to the scope and influence of DTOs is dated.   On the other hand, both documents precede the emergence of the overwhelming threat of terrorist attacks and therefore the focus is on MSCLEAs in a pre-9/11 context with the emphasis on drug interdiction, not anti-terrorism operations. Most importantly, both of these documents present a negative image of interdiction efforts.   The U.S. military interdiction efforts, although criticize provides an approach from two different perspectives.   The Militarization of the U.S.-Mexico Border, 1978-1992: Low-Intensity Conflict Doctrine Comes Home published by the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas, Austin focuses on the negative effects of the militarization of the border in terms of lost economic opportunities and threats to civil liberties. More condemning, however, is the Rand Corporation document, Sealing the Borders: The Effects of Increased Military Participation in Drug Interdiction.   It concludes that interdiction efforts in general have little impact on the flow of drugs into the United States.   Furthermore, it concludes that an increase in military involvement did not improve the interdiction effectiveness efforts and was unlikely to do so in the future.   The Rand study strongly suggests that the military cannot be the primary interdiction agency and that a major increase in military support is unlikely to reduce drug consumption significantly in the United States (Reuter, Crawford and Cave, 1988). The findings are not practical for exploring renewed efforts to employ enhanced MSCLEA in the interdiction effort in the twenty-first century.   There are numerous reservations about applying this study directly to the current situation.   This study will examine interdiction in terms of interdiction (seizure) rates, not reduced consumption, and the price of illicit drugs as examined by the Rand study. In addition, the circumstances of the drug trade across the Southwestern border have changed considerably over the past nine years, as have the military resources available to employ against interdiction effort.   The DTOs are now using RPGs and other military type weaponry consequently the military has UAVs and other surveillance equipment that was not available in the 1980s. The Rand study is incredibly important to understanding the history of military involvement in drug interdiction on the Southwest border.   However, the findings do not constitute the final word on the subject today as it is over twenty years old. It is imperative to examine literature that relates to the policies and procedures for MSCLEAs and the organization of cooperative efforts between the MSCLEAs.   Doctrine for this already exists for both the military and civilian organizations.   The Joint Task Force North, â€Å"JTF-North Operational Support Planning Guide 2010† outlines the military perspective on joint military-civilian operations.   The police understanding of the relationship is outlined in â€Å"Civilian and Military Law Enforcement Cooperation† published in The Police Chief (Awtry, 2004). The study Preach What You Practice: The Separation of Military and Police Roles in the Americas argues that military employment to assist law enforcement agencies falls the Posse Comitatus Act limits however, there is no imminent â€Å"threat of attack† on the United States.   Therefore, they question the need for a heightened militarization of the southwest border (Withers, Santos, Isacsoni, 2010 p 8).   This report suggest that instead of supporting a military response, the U.S. government re align its resources to focus on additional aid for police and law enforcement capabilities within Mexico.   They recommend this aid be in the form strengthening law enforcement training, equipment, and technology rather than merely training in counter-drug tactics.   The JTF North website lists the following capabilities as operational support the U. S. military is prepared to provide federal law enforcement agencies: aviation transportation, including both insertion and extraction of personnel; aviation reconnaissance; air and maritime surveillance radar; unmanned aircraft systems; ground surveillance radar; listening post and observation post surveillance; ground sensor operations; and ground transportation.   The consensus within NORTHCOM appears to be the military is capable of supplying resources that enhance law enforcement ability to interdict the threats along the southwest border.   Under USNORTHCOM, the military conducts a variety of domestic exercises aimed at using the military and National Guard under the presidents control in a wide range of U.S. homeland emergencies such as terrorist events and even domestic violence.   Which is the threat currently demonstrated by DTOs.   The exercises do not involve any Mexican entities, NORTHCOM suggest that an exchange of military personnel and cadets with Mexico as a means of gaining Mexican involvement in NORTHCOM, as well as regular talks about cooperation could increase the effectiveness of combating DTO activity along the border.   Jose Palafox addresses militarization of the border and the applicability of military counterdrug operations along the U.S.-Mexican border in 1990.   He closely examines the 1996 structure of JTF-6 and then concludes that a JTF consisting of only a brigade-size unit could effectively conduct sustained operations to interdict border drug trafficking along the two-thousand-mile boundary.   JTF-6 was renamed JTF North in a ceremony Sept. 28, 2004, and its mission was expanded beyond the drug war to include providing homeland security support to the nations federal law enforcement agencies. The article states the Pentagon is spent approximately $800 million a year to help enforce the drug trafficking laws alone.   The missions ranged from ground reconnaissance, training, logistics, and research.   In 1995, the Department of Defense transferred military technology equipment to Border Patrol in order to upgrade legacy Vietnam War error equipment.   Due to a joint effort by the Justice and Treasury Departments and the Office of National Drug Control Policy, the Border Patrol also has its own high-tech Border Research and Technology Center near San Diego. The article suggests that JTF-6 operations supporting DTO activity was a success and a necessity for future operations between military and civilian organizations.   Although, Border Patrol received significant upgrades gaps along the porous border remain specifically training and intelligence collection. Major Mark Van Dries 1990 monograph titled Drug Interdiction: Can We Stop the New Pancho Villa, addresses the feasibility of military counterdrug operations along the border in the 1990s.   The study states that drugs are a legitimate national security threat and the vulnerability of drug cartels to military operations.   Drie conclusion supports employment of military forces along the border where legal restraints are not clear and domestic opposition is less likely.   He further articulates that effectively securing the southwest border in 1990 would require a cordon force of 65,000 U.S. troops. Both the article and monograph fail to mention the 1997 tragic death of a U.S. citizen at the hands of a military service member that exposed the difficulties and inherent risks in employing combat focused forces in training missions in support of domestic counterdrug MSCLEA.   Marine Corps Corporal Manuel Banuelos shot and killed Texas high school student Esequiel Hernandez with a single shot from his service rifle.   The incident inspired a backlash against armed military patrols along the border and resulted in cease of the practice.   The current approach is indirect support to law enforcement such as intelligence, engineering, and surveillance (Dunn, 2001, p 14-17).   In summary, this chapter discusses corroborative information relating to drug cartel along US-Mexico borders and its perpetuation within the region which caused escalation of violence, increasing number of death tool and its serious implication to Mexicos politico-economy as well as its diplomatic relation with nations, specially United States. The succeeding chapters will discuss the methodology. CHAPTER III:   Methodology This chapter tackles the research methodology that will be used to assess the military resource requirements to counter drug activity along the Southwest border.   The author will conduct analysis of secondary information by using (a) timeline analysis to account the historical context about the war on drugs, (b) evaluate the laws and regulations associated with MSCLEA and current MSCLEA support in order to determine the most appropriate MSCLEA to counter drug trafficking along the Southwest border, (c) illustrate key developments in the war on drugs and military involvement in supporting the domestic counterdrug effort and (d) evaluate the significance, extent, resource capacity and feasibility of deploying MSCLEA to assist in the interdiction of DTOs across the Southwest border. Research Design This chapter will examine the issue by means of qualitative and quantitative analyses using variety of sources from media accounts, government reports, academic works, and historical documents.   To a lesser extent, opinion pieces will be used when the information is valid and appropriate opposing viewpoints are available for inclusion. Analysis of the results will provide statistical validity to the interpretation of results for the military and for the other agencies such as drug threats provided by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC). Sample Sampling is irrelevant in this study. Researcher is not using survey method but will be maximizing secondary information from government reports and earlier studies conducted related to the issue on Mexican drug interdiction. Other related relevant sources will also be inclusively considered. Setting The study will be conducted within American soil although it will also make use of documents from Mexican government which will be accessed, reviewed and evaluated accordingly. Instrumentation This is a qualitative and quantitative longitudinal case study that will use a combination of timeline mapping, conflict-analysis, and triangulation to understand the complex and unending illegal drug trade within the region that has been affecting neighboring and the international communities worldwide due to increasing violence within the area despite security management measures. All historical accounts, records, testimonies and researchers from incessant intervention done by the United States of America will be reviewed, analyzed and be maximized in crafting conclusions and recommendations at the end of the study. Data Collection To address research objective number three, DTOs current ability to interdict drugs across the border, the author will review publicly available information from books, journal articles, and corroborated news media accounts.   The book, Drug Smugglers on Drug Smuggling, will be used to substantiate data from the perspective, motivation and experiences of DTO smugglers. This book interviews experienced smugglers who at one time successfully in defeated drug interdiction measures.   The purpose of this research objective is to identify the nature and extent of DTO exploitation of US Southwest border. Specifically, this question serves to identify DTO resources and methods that are uniquely vulnerable to US military capabilities or where the US military resources can augment civilian law enforcement agencies.   Researcher will further use all information that can be sourced from government agencies, libraries, online research institutions, magazines, journals, court documents, magazines and journals. Data Analysis The author will use historical mapping as an instrument to gather information to assess the length of period and extent of the drug trafficking problem within the region. Historical mapping will also be used to determine the MSCLEA method(s) of involvement introduced by US Southwest region, including the outcome and impact of these interdictions.   Historical mapping will also be used to outline the laws and policies governing MSCLEA that were legislated as a response to countering illegal drug trade in the region. Additionally, analysis of government documents produced by Congressional Research Service (CRS), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), U.S. Department of Justice, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) will be analyzed to determine the MSCLEA ability to adequately curtail drug trafficking across the southwest border. Lastly, the author will identify and compare the relative combat power of DTOs and US law enforcement personnel operating along the Southwest border.   Determining the capability gap will exhibit the necessary MSCLEA requirement(s) to effectively reinforce the combat power of law enforcement agencies in order to adequately curtail drug trafficking in the region.   As a mixed quantitative and qualitative study, researcher will present an integrated analysis and inferences into coherent conclusions toward a comprehensive and meaningful explication of the subject studied. Validity and Reliability This research is undertaken with serious consideration of the international and professional standard. Inferences and sequential presentation of information are drawn from primary and secondary sources that are critically evaluated based on acceptable standards of sources. Some information used came from government authorities and decision-making bodies who are honored with their credibility as authorities of the state. Readers who may conduct follow-up research may triangulate information and database used here to further validate reports. Ethical Considerations Researcher observes the highest standard of professional ethics required by the institution. Matters of confidentiality are held sacred while authors, writers, and agencies whose contributions to these subjects are wisely utilized were credited and recognized in the references. The succeeding chapter will substantially discuss the theme of this study. Chapter 4- DISCUSSION Resolving the complex issues on narcotics in the south west border require in-depth reflection on historic interventions made by USA which help increase interdiction on illegal drug-related cartel; evaluate the political capacity of DTO to sustain its illegal operations; triangulate policies of USA in its decision to assist in decreasing the movements of illegal drug trade; and assess the fiscal capacity of the American government to allocate against increasing demand of budget for operations. US Military Capacity vs Drug Trafficking In mid-19th century, United States deployed US Army on its southern border and was mandated to protect the border, interdict bandits, secure lives and properties, conduct regular patrolling and support civil law enforcement against illegal drug cartel business (Matthews, 1959). More than a century have passed, USA is still deploying National Guard Soldiers to the Mexican border as post-9/11 politico-military undertakings (Matthews, 1959). To reckon, from 1846 towards this millennium, US Army sustained its security mandates at the borders hard and rugged terrain (Matthews, 1959).   Reports mentioned that amid disputes, there is also a demand to increase numbers of soldiers (Matthews, 1959).   This is further compounded with critical Mexican politics and US-Mexican diplomatic relations that is affecting Armys operations (Matthews, 1959).   Contextualized in such distinct social character, Armys role was fitted to support to local, state, and Federal civilian agencies. Such nature of intervention is already evident since 1920s (Matthews, 1959). During President George W. Bushs administration decided to deploy about 6,000 Army National Guard Soldiers in 2006 to conduct security border patrol as issues relating to potential terrorist infiltration, increase of illegal drug syndicates activity, and leveling-up of apprehension about illegal immigration to United States en route through Mexico (Matthews, 1959). Though this was regarded with disapproval, there is however recognition to improve border security works albeit controversial use of military personnel to support law enforcement (Matthews, 1959). Both America and Mexico shared ambivalent relations since the former tightened its political control in that shared border coupled with cross-border violent aggressions done by Indians and bandits which accordingly increased the level of enmity (Matthews, 1959). There was however a historic epoch when America and the Mexican governments explored revitalization of goodwill when Major General Philip H. Sheridan waged a campaign against the French.   That provided an opportunity to resolve issues relating to US Armys disposition at the border from 1870 to 1886, including its inherent weakness about lack of personnel and passive defenses against cross-border raids. It also discussed the raid in Mexico in 1873 led by Colonel Ranald S. Mackenzies   and that pre-emptive strike led by Lieutenant Colonel William â€Å"Pecos Bill† Shafters. There was subsequent reduction of attacks but this generated political conflict which grind down American and Mexican goodwill (Matthews, 1959). In 1911 to 1917, the Mexican Revolution caused insecurity in the border and US soldiers realized that static defenses and patrolling couldnt cease terrorist raiders who maintained interest to cross the border. This was also same period when Major General Frederick Funstons attempted to stop the Plan of San Diego plotters and Brigadier General John J. Pershing launched punitive action against Francisco â€Å"Pancho† Villa. The military strategies enforced hot pursuits and preemptive strikes into Mexico to restore order to the border (Matthews, 1959). US Army have also conducted responses to WETBACK Operation in 1954 until they increased their presence in 1978 in Mexican border as a response to same issue on illegal US immigration and anti-drug cartel. The military supports for law enforcement at southern border have also evolved (Matthews, 1959). The historic problem remained in these 20th centuries and the issues pertaining to militarys disposition reverberates (Matthews, 1959 ). It still re-echo the need for defensive position and the discussion on conducting cou

Cable Television Essays -- Technology Media Papers

Cable Television The word technology has meant a number of different things throughout the span of time and culture. From the beginning of the stone tablet to the introduction of cyberspace there has been technology; something that has enhance our literacy and improved our detail of life and knowledge. The development of the personal computer seems to be somewhat elementary to all of use now. Technology has made its way into our homes and is continuing to make our lives interactive with those around the world. ?Before the advent of the PC, the television and satellites brought the world into the living rooms of many homes Pictures of life beyond the boundaries of one's own community or neighborhood were made accessible every night through local broadcasting and eventually cable television. Kubey and Csikszentmihalyi find that, "Today, the thing hundreds of millions of humans most have in common with one another, aside from their humanity, is television. It has become our culture’s dominant form of leisure and its most powerful means of mass communication. In four short decades it has become the primary channel for the information that we share as a nation and as a world" (24). The use of cable television is not something that seems that entirely revolutionary to us all now. It is the one thing that most Americans relax to every night and look to every morning to find out the weather for the day. It is said, "one third of waking time that is free, the single activity that clearly abs orbs the most time in modern societies is watching television (Kubey and Csikszentmihalyi 12). TARGET TECHNOLOGY : CABLE TELEVISION Description: ?This page will discuss and explore the implications of one of the greatest technologies ... ...EPRI_Journal/jan_feb97/telecom.html. MCM Telecom selects Lucent Technologies to Build Broadband Local Network in Mexico. Online. Internet. 12 Apr 1999. Available. http://wwwlucent.com/press/1098/981015.nsb.html. National Cable Television Association. Online. Internet. 12 Apr 1999. Available. http://www.ncta.com. Ragdoll. Online. Internet. 12 Apr 1999. Available. http://www.ragdoll.it/10fpen.htm. Segal, Sheryl. Telecommunications Act of 1996. 25 Sep 1998. Online. Internet. 12 Apr 1999.Available. http://www.fcc.gov/telecom.html. Schaeffer, Lee. Western Pennsylvania Television and Video Teachers Consortium. 1 Jan 1999. Online. Internet. 12 Apr 1999. Available. http://www.nb.net/~schaefer/tvt.html. Telewest and NCI Announce Plans For Interactive Cable Television. Online. Internet. 12 Apr 1999. Available. http://wwwnavio.com/news/releases/telewest.html.

Perception of American Exceptionalism Essay -- US Politics Identity

Americans through the years of existence have adapted well to the radical changes throughout the world. Technology, independence and social equality are some of the diverse concepts the United States have adapted to and developed in order to become a more unified country. Our nation believes that it is exceptional when it comes to other countries worldwide. As can be shown through the popular reference to America as the ‘shining city on a hill’. The term â€Å"American exceptionalism† is derived from ideals held by many Americans throughout history. Different people have analyzed American exceptionalism through multiple literary devices. Works such as A Model of Christian Charity, What is an American and Acres of Diamonds illustrate the sentiment that America is incomparable to any other country through different approaches. On the contrary, Democracy in America and How the Other Half Lives are two documents that argue against this theory through harsh yet meani ngful remarks. Since the time of European settlement, Americans have seen themselves as the epitome of the perfect civilization. The works of Winthrop, Crevecoeur and Conwell can support this concept. John Winthrop emphasizes the importance of America maintaining moral values because of their standing as this perfect society in his piece, A Model of Christian Charity, â€Å"For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us† (Winthrop, 20). The belief that Americans are so important that everyone else is analyzing their actions supports the idea of American exceptionalism. By stressing the connection of morality to this high standing, Winthrop indicates that exceptionalism is conditional. In order for America to keep its place on the... ... of the outstanding country. As for other authors, the thought of America classifying itself as exceptional is shameful by the way the country actually functions. These different people have analyzed American exceptionalism through multiple literary devices all through history. Works Cited Winthrop, John. "A Model of Christian Charity." Five Hundred Years. Casper and Daviess. 1630. Crevecoeur, Hector St. John de. "What is an American." Five Hundred Years. Casper and Daviess. 1782. Conwell, Russell H.. "Acres of Diamonds." Five Hundred Years. Casper and Daviess. 1862. Tocqueville, Alexis de. "Democracy in America." Five Hundred Years. Casper and Daviess. 1835. Riis, Jacob. "How the Other Half Lives." Five Hundred Years. Casper and Daviess. 1890. Ferguson, Andrew. "Are Americans Closet Statists?." Weekly Standard, 09 Aug 2010. Web. 7 Dec 2010.

Marketing Analysis of Blizzard Entertainment Essay

Blizzard Entertainment ® is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software. After establishing the Blizzard label in 1994, the company quickly became one of the most popular and well-respected makers of computer games. By focusing on creating well-designed, highly enjoyable entertainment experiences, Blizzard has maintained an unparalleled reputation for quality since its inception. Blizzard’s track record of back-to-back number one selling games spans more than a decade, and with blockbuster hits such as World of Warcraft ®, Warcraft ® III: Reign of Chaosâ„ ¢, Diablo ® II, and StarCraft ®, the company has earned several consecutive Game of the Year awards. In addition, Blizzard’s online-game service, Battle.net ®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active users. The high-quality products based on Blizzard’s games have also proven popular and garnered much critical acclaim. These products include action figures, novels, manga, board games, pen-and-paper role-playing games, apparel, and the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, which is a bestseller in its category. Extending the reach of its game universes even further, Blizzard is currently at work with Legendary Pictures, the studio behind the feature films Batman Begins, Superman Returns, and 300, on a live-action Warcraft movie. The reason that the Blizzard became so successful on making games is that the company interacts with the customers. Firstly, all the staff of Blizzard are the game lovers, they know what is hot, and what the customers want to play and see. This will help the company knows the target market better, also give a direction for gaming development. For example, in the early 90s, when the real-time strategy games came out, Blizzard launched their Warcraft I, and quickly became popular. After the success of Warcraft I, the company launched Diablo I during the 1998 to 2000, this created the new generation of the third person role-play games, which has copied by other companies in the last ten years. Secondly, after the Blizzard’s big success of the Diablo and Warcraft, the company still wanted innovating its products and services through analyzing gamers’ information, the survey questions were posted on its homepage and other big software media, such as computer gaming world, PC gamer and computer life. They were hearing from the Diablo and Warcraft fans for their thoughts of developing new games, and what they want the next games to be. Then the glory days of Blizzard has came—— the Starcraft had launched in late 1998, and became the best real-time strategy game in the 19th century, because the game was perfectly balanced for the 3 species battle in the galaxy. Blizzard could not achieve this without analyzing what the customers want and the data which collected from the gamers. Thirdly, Blizzard is a computer games maker and also providing online gaming servers for the players, such as World of Warcraft and Starcraft. The objective of relationship is more like the cross-selling, once the games are launched by the company; they are going to the market through the dealers such as: Best Buy, Future Shop and also through online shopping, directly from the Blizzard company homepage. Furthermore, Blizzard develops and publishes its own games, then provides them into the market, so they save a lot of avoid selling its games through a publisher like EA Games. Finally, the Blizzard has achieved its success by connecting with the customers; both analyze the data from customers and hire professional gamers giving ideas for the future development. It became more and more important for the company’s marketing in the nowadays.

A common theme in literature

Literature can produce so many themes accumulated from different aspects of life. Authors around the world have utilized almost all the possible concepts, ideologies and themes that could ever exist. As one reads a story, different comparisons can be made regarding other stories as well.Due to the vast capability of literature, there are so many possible similarities that can be well-correlated from stories after stories. Several stories aim to project one common theme.Though most are hidden behind all the well-written flowery words, most themes and concepts can be well realized as a story progresses. Upon reading a story, many readers can analyze the main message being tried to convey by an author.There are so many themes to choose from due to the vast freedom of authors. In this paper, a recurring theme of illusion vs. reality can be concluded with regards to three different short stories, namely â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner, â€Å"The Rich Brother† by Tobias Wolff, and â€Å"A Pair of Tickets† by Amy Tan.Illusion vs. Reality in â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William FaulknerIn order to understand the whole message of this story, there is a need for the adequate provision of analysis. This story is about an eccentric spinster named Emily Grierson.Her life is narrated bu an unnamed narrator who discusses her bizarre relationship with her lover, her father and with the whole town of Jefferson along with her hidden terrible secrets.The story seemed to be a very mediocre one not until the end. The horrific conclusion had assisted readers on what the true persona of Ms. Emily Grierson really was. That twist in the ending made the whole beginning and middle part of the story become preparatory concurrences of the possible realizations.Linking the theme of illusion versus reality with this story can be very easily assessed. The whole reality factor all relied on the essence of the changing generations and the spinning wheel of time that passed Miss Emily.The illusion part is the one where she still dwells in the past and even resulting to killing her love in order to stay at the past. She was just so lost with reality that   she led her life more on the illusion side. Emily completely lived her life stuck in the past. When the new Board ofAlderman approached her she exclaimed that Colonel Sartoris that she had no takes in the town of Jefferson but during this occurrence, Colonel Sartoris was already dead for ten years. Her life revolved around in the past as if time did not exist.She locked herself inside her house in order to dwell on her own world that was unreal. Emily's desire of the past even led him to murder Homer Barron to keep him in the past with her.This story reminds readers that such is the power of the mind that it can alter an individual's perception in life and even cause him or her to lead to doing horrendous actions.This reality of Ms. Emily was only existing in here point of view. The whole town represented the present and the true reality, while Ms. Emily Grierson represented the past and a symbolic characterization of illusion.Illusion vs. Reality in â€Å"The Rich Brother† by   Tobias WolffThe story behind â€Å"The Rich Brother† is about two brothers namely Donald and Pete. Pete is the older brother who is much more successful than his younger brother Donald. Pete is a typical middle-class man of success that has enough money due to real estate, a great wife, a couple of daughters, a beautiful house and a sailboat.His younger brother Pete on the other hand has no family and lives alone. His job is painting houses and he usually stays in an ashram in Berkeley. In terms of financial needs, Donald always goes to Pete in times of needs. But other than this, Donald is a pure, kind-hearted, and spiritual type of guy.It's link to the concept of reality versus illusion is represented through the baffling question of which brother needs more of the ot her brother? Who is the more independent than the other?In realistic terms, Pete seemed to be the more able brother who almost has everything. while Donald on the other hand is a man who always seem to be in need and displays his dependence on his brother. But there is a huge difference on the true message of this story. In Pete's dream, he was blind and he badly needs Donald to help him.Analyzing the story even more, the representation of the blindness of Pete is considered as blindness from faith. Though externally, Pete has been a wealthy man, almost having the resources that a normal man could ever have, he still is not as rich on the inside as Donald. Donald is the representation of a spiritual guide which in turn represents his importance to Pete.Illusion is contrasted with reality in this story through the aspect of Pete and Donald's inner and outer status in life. People are made to believe that Pete is the richer guy in a lot of things but in reality, Donald has everything that a man could ever really need, faith.Illusion vs. Reality in â€Å"A Pair of Tickets† by Amy TanThis story is narrated through Jandale's eyes. She is a Chinese-American woman who's trying to gain more knowledge about her Chinese culture and the past of his mother. This story can be easily related to by women readers due to the fact that it is narrated by a woman and the story revolves around this character.This story largely revolves around the journey towards self-identification and cultural recognition. Before, Jandale never really understood her past, her roots and her identity as half-Chinese and half-American. The journey helped her become a complete person and an individual of more knowledge about the world especially of her culture.Like many other people who can't accept their past and their family's past, Jandale never really embraced her life's history before. But still, that thought of accepting everything, even the past, has become the driving force for Jandale to finally conclude that her life is complete.Her past, culture and her mother's past haunted her to realize it and achieve something that could make her feel at ease and make her mother's dreams complete.Her mother never got to see her two twin half-sisters which were abandoned due to their family's attempt to escape the Japanese. It was Jandale's turn to provide to accomplish that missed dream of her mother.The link of reality versus illusion in this story tells that no matter what happens in life, the truth is that family will always be family and that we should not ignore our cultural heritage. Our lives may change from time to time due to many events that may alter it.But nonetheless, we can't escape the fact that there is a reality about who are family is and where did we really come from. Reality slaps us in the face and assists us to realize our life's true essence and meaning.ConclusionIt is true that many stories that have been told through the years almost reflect a comm on message but expresses and narrates it in so many different ways. The stories   â€Å"A Rose for Emily† by William Faulkner, â€Å"The Rich Brother† by Tobias Wolff, and â€Å"A Pair of Tickets† by Amy Tan, tell us that within the confines of everything, there is still the true reality that matters most in our life.Though in some cases, it would seem hard to find the true meaning of reality in our lives due to the many illusions that we impose in ourselves, truth be told, in the end, reality is all that we've got. We can't escape reality and we should never be blinded by illusions.With the characters of Emily, Pete and Jandale, we could see that there perceptions about reality may have been different from each other, but in the end reality wins over all the illusions and unrealistic perceptions in life. REFERENCESFallon, E., et. al. (2001). A Reader's Companion to the Short Story in English. Westport, CT:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Greenwood Press.Faulkner, W. (n.d.) A Rose for Emily. Retrieved July 13,   2008, from,   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   http://www.ariyam.com/docs/lit/wf_rose.html.