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Feeds The Ashland University Public Relations Office has compiled a Speaker's Bureau and Experts List to help local media and civic groups identify speakers from the university who are qualified to address a broad range of topics. For a particular topic, click on the appropriate letter below:
Current Event Topics:
Senator Obama and Reverend Wright
"Now that Reverend Wright has spoken thrice at length, and answered questions at length, we have learned much about what he thinks and how he thinks. There was nothing American, or post racial, or post ideological, about anything he said. He has opened the door through which the super delegates-never mind voters in Indiana-can walk, arguing that Obama is not electable. Obama, seeing the danger that this poses to his identity, has moved quickly to denouce both Wright and his words altogether. It remains to be seen whether his statement will be convincing enough to save his candidacy. If not, he will not become the Democratic nominee for president," predicts Dr. Peter Schramm, Executive Director of the Ashbrook Center. Dr. Schramm can be contacted at 419.289.5431 or at bkunkel@ashland.edu.
Where Should You Put Your Money?
"People should not take their money out of the bank for a couple of reasons. First, it is safe there as accounts are insured to $100,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Second, as with Bear Stearns, the Fed will not let the the larger banks fail. Third, if they do withdraw their money, where would they put it with no risk attached? The banks are sound since the sub-prime problem is almost over. Granted, most of them will report poor earnings this quarter but that is the result of actions that they had to take in April and May.
Should they pull out of the stock market? That's an individual preference. The market returned about 11% per year during the 20th century and we have a negative return right now for the first 9 years of the 21st. If people are looking for return, they may be better off in the bond market, but bonds only provide interest income and no price appreciation. Or, they can keep it in money market funds but there is no price appreciation there either. Personally, I am staying in the market as I think there are some bargains out there and the market has always come back after a stint like this," states, Dr. Tom Harvey, finance professor.
Dr. Harvey can be contacted via tharvey@ashland.edu regarding this topic and topics concerning other aspects of the economy.
Lead Contamination and Product Safety
Dr. Weidenhamer's research on products has led the CPSC to recall many items due to lead content levels exceeding the recommended level. U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown has turned to Dr. Weidenhamer's research to bring further attention to the issue and Dr. Weidenhamer has been called upon by various members of the media to assist with stories concerning high lead content in products.
Dr. Weidenhamer can be contacted at 419.289.5281 or at jweiden@ashland.edu.