Monthly Archives: June 2009

Letterman’s Palin gag fall-out

TV talk-show host David Letterman’s public apology to Alaska Governor Sarah Palin about a joke he made about Palin’s under-age daughter has both political and (for CBS) advertising ramifications.  College of Communication advertising Professor Tobe Berkovitz, who specializes in political communication, can talk about both angles. Contact Tobe Berkovitz, 617-353-3447, tobetv@bu.edu

Credit card relief

Although few creditors will confirm it, credit-card companies are increasingly willing to settle delinquent accounts for less than owed, with front-line employees empowered to cut deals with customers.  The School of Law’s Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law lecturer Richard Hackett, an expert on credit-card law, can talk about the shifting industry guidelines. Contact […]

When to take car keys from elderly

As a result of the recent driving accidents involving the elderly, Massachusetts legislature is contemplating a bill to retest elderly drivers in the Bay State.   Dr. Robert Stern, a School of Medicine associate professor of neurology and codirector of the Alzheimer ’s Disease Clinical & Research Program, is available to comment on when to take […]

Obama and the DOMA

While the White House says President Obama is committed to signing a repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, his Justice Department is committed to fighting any challenges to the DOMA until Congress changes the law.  The Human Rights Campaign, a prominent gay-rights organization, protests the administration’s legal straddling.  School of Law Professor Linda McClain, […]

Free speech and tobacco regulation

A free-speech fight is brewing over part of the bill, which President Obama will sign, giving the FDA regulatory control over tobacco.  It pits the public interest in preventing young people from smoking against the right of tobacco companies to advertise to adult smokers.  School of Law Professor Tracey Maclin, a Constitutional law expert, can […]

G.M. sells Saab

Bankrupt automaker General Motors will sell its Swedish unit, Saab, to a consortium led by Koenigsegg Automotive, makers of high-performance sports cars.  GM already has sold Opel and is selling or dumping its Hummer, Saturn, and Pontiac lines.  Former Ford executive Louis Lataif, now dean of the School of Management, can discuss the industry’s big […]

Globe union and the NLRB

The Boston Globe’s largest union is to meet today with the National Labor Relations Board for the first time since rejecting a cost-cutting contract offer from parent the parent  New York Times Company.  Meantime, the Boston Newspaper Guild continues talks with Globe management about a new concession package.  College of Communication journalism Professor Christopher Daly, […]

Banks: Regulation plan just proposals

The banking industry is taking a wait-and-see attitude about reports about the Obama administration’s proposals to overhaul the regulation of financial services.  The plans will be formally announced Wednesday.  Robert Bench, a former deputy Comptroller of the Currency now a senior fellow at the School of Law’s Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law, can […]

Medical isotope shortage postpones some diagnostic procedures

U.S. hospitals are rationing nuclear imaging tests following the shutdown of an aging Canadian nuclear reactor that produces one-third of the world’s supply of medical isotopes. This latest shortage puts a spotlight on a problem that for years has lacked corrective action, had little oversight and no long-term strategic solutions, noted Alexander Norbash, MD, Chair […]

International Relations prof. William Keylor comments on Iran crisis