Posts by: Dick Taffe

Regulating Wall Street

Word is leaking about about the Obama administration’s plan to regulate Wall Street, to be announced Wednesday.  School of Law Professor Cornelius Hurley, director of the Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law and a former Federal Reserve lawyer, can discuss the likely impact of the proposed changes. Contact Cornelius Hurley, 617-353-5427, ckhurley@bu.edu

Clark Rockefeller: Guilty

A Boston Superior Court jury has found Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter, a.k.a. Clark Rockfeller, guilty of parental-kidnapping.  School of Law Professor David Rossman, who directs the school’s Criminal Clinical Programs, can comment on the jury’s rejection of Rockefeller’s not-guilty-by-reason-of-insanity plea. Contact David Rossman, 617-353-5011, drossman@bu.edu

Eying summer gas prices

Analysts now think gas prices will peak this summer between $2.45 and $2.65 per gallon at the pump, leveling out not so much because of normal supply-and-demand factors but because of the recession and joblessness.  Energy risk-management expert Mark T. Williams, who teaches finance in the School of Management, can comment. Contact Mark T. Williams, […]

As the Globe turns

Names of potential buyers for the beleaguered Boston Globe are emerging  as the paper’s largest union continues to fight parent company New York Times over a rejected contract offer.  College of Communication Professor Lou Ureneck, the Journalism Department Chairman and a former deputy editor of the Philadelphia Inquirer, can discuss this ongoing industry drama. Contact Lou Ureneck, […]

BlackRock creates behemoth

With the $13.5 billion purchase of Barclays Global Investors, the re-named BlackRock Global Investors will have more than $2.7 trillion in assets under management — about twice its nearest competitor.  School of Management Professor Israel Shaked, an M&A expert, can discuss the scope and impact of this deal. Contact Israel Shaked, 617-353-2665, shaked@bu.edu

Health-care reform debate eyes co-ops

With President Obama pushing for a government-run insurance option, a newly emerging option in the health-care reform debate on Capitol Hill is creation of member-run health-care cooperatives.  School of Management Professor Stephen Davidson, author of the forthcoming “In Urgent Need of Reform: Saving the U.S. Healthcare System” can discuss the evolving battle. Contact Stephen Davidson, […]

FDA rule over tobacco just smoke?

After decades of trying, Congress now will give the FDA regulatory contol over tobacco.  College of Communication advertising Professor John Carroll explains in a WBUR-FM commentary how the “smoke and mirrors” of cigarette marketing will likely still leave Philip Morris ahead of the pack. Contact John Carroll, 617-353-3493, carroll7@bu.edu

Crackdown on OTC derivatives coming

Sources say the SEC and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission are drafting legislation to split responsibility for cracking down on over-the-counter trading of derivatives like credit default swaps.  School of Law Professor Tamar Frankel, an authority on securities law, can discuss the possibilities. “It’s time for regulators to remember their mission and cooperate.” Contact Tamar […]

USA Today may push mobile

As the newspaper industry struggles with falling ad revenue, USA Today’s new publisher says that paper’s strategy could be a paid-for electronic edition for mobile phones and portable reading devices.  College of Communication journalism Professor Sasha Norkin, an expert in new media, can talk about the industry’s e-options. Contact Sasha Norkin, 617-353-5804, norkin@bu.edu

Holocaust Memorial shooter known white supremacist

The Southern Poverty Law Group, which monitors hate groups, has been following James von Brunn since 1981.  His alleged fatal shooting of a guard at the Holocaust Memorial has put the spotlight back on separatist groups.  School of Law Professor Robert Volk, an authority on civil rights law, can discuss the history of hate crimes. […]