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What will Donald Trump’s National Defense Strategy mean for Americans and its citizens?
The Department of Defense recently published an unclassified synopsis of the Trump administration’s first National Defense Strategy (NDS). The document, is missing the usual and sometimes expected Trump-like rhetoric of ‘America First’ and instead focuses on a balanced and cooperative approach among nations. At Augusta University, our experts have been examining the strategy, they have found that within the NDS the following stood out: • More money will be spent on military, private military contracting firms and cyber firms. This could benefit the local economy but does show that we’re worried. • Our military is growing more high-tech with artificial intelligence and robotics. The future of warfare could start to resemble something out of Hollywood. • For the last two decades, we were concerned with small-scale wars, counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism. Now, we are preparing our military for a Great Power War. In other words, we are preparing for a WWII type engagement, versus Iraq or Afghanistan. • Trump’s policy is very assertive whereas Obama’s policy was more conciliatory and forgiving in nature. • We are clearly focused on reasserting ourselves as the superpower. But what will this mean for every-day Americans? Will it be a boost to our economy as we invest in our military or will it mean other programs suffer as a result? Are we on the verge of another cold war? There are a lot of questions to answer – and that’s where our experts can help. Dr. Craig Albert is an expert on American politics and political philosophy. He was recently appointed director of Augusta University’s new Masters of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies. Dr. Albert has experience with all forms of national and local news organizations and is available to speak to media regarding Donald Trump’s National Defense Strategy. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview. Source:
Baylor Presidential Rhetoric Expert Featured in USA TODAY re: Scalise, GOP shooting
Martin Medhurst, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric and Communication, is featured in this USA TODAY story regarding the role of rhetoric in the shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) and four others. Medhurst, a renowned expert on presidential rhetoric and political communication, helped put into historic context the role of violent and divisive rhetoric in American history. "You can go back to the election of 1800 between Jefferson and Adams and find a whole lot of quite outrageous statements made on both sides," he told USA TODAY. "The same is true throughout American political history. We had one guy, [Charles] Sumner, who was caned on the floor of the Senate and almost killed. We have a long history of violence in this country, both rhetorical and otherwise." "I think what has changed in the 21st century is the nature of the different media of communication and especially the rise of social media, where people apparently believe that they can pretty much say anything," he said. Source:
Cedar Crest Adds Advanced Degrees as Need for Nurses Grows
Cedar Crest College is celebrating National Nurses Week as it launches new advanced nursing degree programs. The new Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs will launch this August, with the Doctor in Nursing Practice (DNP) to follow. The decision to establish the DNP and add new MSN programs was based on both internal and external demand in the field. Internally, nearly 68 percent of the college’s nursing students indicated that they planned to pursue an advanced degree after earning their BSN. Externally, chief officers from major health care networks in the region encouraged Cedar Crest to pursue this program due to the high demand for nurse practitioners. In 2010, the Institute of Medicine issued a report calling on the country to double the number of nurses with doctorate degrees by 2020. Cedar Crest College’s nursing department prides itself in preparing students to make a difference for their patients, community and world. In 2017, the College’s Registered Nursing Program was ranked number two in the nation by the Community for Accredited Online Schools. Our experts can talk about the industry demand for nurses with advanced degrees and the career outlook for nurses. Source:
A Party Divided - Will Infighting Lead to a Government Shutdown in Washington Friday?
President Donald Trump will celebrate 100 days in office Saturday. But one day shy of that milestone, he may see Washington and the rest of America’s government grind to a halt. But with Republicans controlling Congress, the Senate and the Presidency – a standoff of this nature seems almost impossible. There is almost guaranteed to be negative consequences publicly and financially – and to follow it through just doesn’t make any political sense. So why? Is it President Trump’s demand for a funded wall that he promised to be built along the Mexican border? Are there left-over aspects to the Affordable Care Act that have some members of the GOP divided? Other issues that have the GOP at a boiling point? Or, is there a way out so each side can make a point but save face in the end? Politics is seldom simple and almost always confusing. That’s where the experts from Augusta University can help. Dr. William Hatcher is the director of the Master of Public Administration program and an associate professor of political science. He is an expert in politics, policy and the relationships between different levels of government. Dr. Craig Albert is an assistant professor of political science and an expert in American politics and political philosophy. Both are excellent speakers, have experience with all forms of national and local news organizations and are available to speak to media regarding this latest development in Washington. Click on Dr. Hatcher or Dr. Albert's icon to arrange an interview. Source:
Is there life out there? Our experts can provide some insight
According to a study published Wednesday in Nature, and announced at a NASA news conference in Washington – a mere 40 light years away, astronomers have discovered seven planets similar in size and shape as Earth. As well, scientists believe these planets are made of rock and not gas – meaning if the conditions were right, they could support life. This is an amazing discovery and a great step for science but what does this mean? What’s next? And how will we ever find out if there’s life out there? How far away is 40 light years and how long would it take to make contact or for a satellite to get there? There are a lot of questions. And astronomy and physics are not simple fields to understand nor comprehend. That’s where Missouri State University can help. Dr. Peter Plavchan is an assistant professor of physics, astronomy and materials science at Missouri State. He researches the formation and frequency of exoplanets around solar-type and low-mass stars, and is an expert in astronomy and astrophysics. Dr. Michael Reed is a professor of physics, astronomy and materials science at Missouri State who specializes in asteroseismology, binary stars and extrasolar planets. Both experts are well-spoken, available to speak and can explain to the media what this all means for science, the study of space and if there might actually be life out there. Click on either of their icons to arrange an interview. Source:
Kennesaw State political science professor Kerwin Swint says that while Trump may not want to use his new Twitter handle when it is handed to him on inauguration day, he believes that Trump is setting up a war on traditional media that is unusual in its intensity and apparently strategic in nature. "He is trying to de-legitimize the media, and use social media to communicate directly with the American people. Trump is using Twitter the way FDR used radio - go over the heads of the mass media and communicate your message directly to the American people. Why would he stop?" said Swint, who explores the use of social media in political communication. Swint, who wrote the book, "Mudslingers: The 25 Dirtiest Political Campaigns of All Time" is now working on his newest book which will delve deep into the political nastiness of the historic Trump - Clinton election. Source:
