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Do the religious really have a right NOT to vaccinate? Contact our experts to find out.

As measles, mumps and other once easily controlled and previously eradicated diseases are now spreading across states and communities in America – the great vaccination debate is once again in full swing. The fact is – vaccinations work. The world’s leading health organizations have proven that beyond a shadow of a doubt. But these days, more and more people are opting out of vaccinating themselves and their children – for a variety of reasons.  The most recent is in Florida where children can opt out for necessary medical or religious reasons. This year, more than 25,000 students have claimed religion as their reason not to be inoculated. And, it’s a number that’s increasing every year. There are concerns among public health experts in Florida that this decision-making is being empowered by the online and well funded anti-vaccination groups who can reach massive amounts of people with its misinformation. And outbreaks are occurring as a result. Medically compromised people are at risk. So, is it time for states to reconsider religion when allowing children not to be vaccinated? Is there a way to prevent the system from further abuse? And what are the consequences to the greater population if this continues to grow at the near exponential pace it is? Or … is this a right that is protected and beyond question? There are a lot of questions and that’s where the experts from Cedarville University can help with multiple angles regarding this topic. Dr. Marc Sweeney is the Founding Dean of the School of Pharmacy at Cedarville University. Dan DeWitt, Ph. D. is the Director of the Center for Biblical Apologetics and Public Christianity at Cedarville University. Both experts are available to speak with media regarding this growing issue – simply click on either of their icons to arrange an interview.

The amazing story of General Casimir Pulaski and the secret the war hero took to the grave

He’s a person who has intrigued Americans for centuries and will be the subject of a documentary airing Monday.  Scientists have confirmed that legendary Revolutionary War hero and famed General Casimir Pulaski took a secret to the grave. The General was intersex. News of this was enough to inspire an episode in Smithsonian Channel's "America's Hidden Stories" documentary series. Georgia Southern University’s Virginia Hutton Estabrook, Ph.D., assistant professor of anthropology, was recently contacted by media for expert perspective and comment. In the documentary — “The General Was Female?” — which premieres Monday, scientists use skeletal remains and DNA testing to make a case that the skeleton was Pulaski’s and that the Polish-born general was intersex, or what used to be known as a hermaphrodite.“That’s pretty much the only way to explain the combination of features that we see,” said Estabrook, who participated in the most recent effort to identify the bones, and appears in the documentary.“He was so important as a touchstone for the Polish community. And it’s kind of cool that in the 21st century, Pulaski can be a touchstone for a different group of people: That, hey, there were intersex people in history, too, and here’s this one who had this really amazing life: heroic, resourceful, all of the features in the American narrative that we value and treasure.” – Chicago Tribune This discovery unearths questions about what this might mean as we all look back at history and the real people who helped write it. Are you covering this story and need to expert perspective, insight and information? That’s where the experts from Georgia Southern University can help. Virginia Hutton Estabrook is an assistant professor of anthropology and played an integral role in this discovery. She is available to speak with media – simply click on her icon to arrange an interview.

Phasing out opioids – can it be done?

It’s a crisis that’s gripped America and has hit epidemic levels. More and more Americans are hooked on prescription painkillers, in fact, in 2017 close to 50,000 people in the United States died due to overdose from pills. And recently, it’s been suggested that perhaps phasing out and replacing these pills with less addictive and dangerous options is the only way to solve this issue? “FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb, who plans to leave his job at the agency next week, wants companies to develop pain drugs that could eventually allow older opioids to be restricted or to come off the market entirely. “Given the public health crisis we face, and that American families are still being destroyed by the opioids epidemic, I believe that the FDA should treat opioids, as a class, differently from other drugs,” Gottlieb told a Senate appropriations subcommittee on Thursday.” - Denver Post It's a bold statement from a bureaucrat leaving his post – but is it possible? · Will big pharma comply?  · Is it a matter of money over morality or are more rigids rules required? · Or is the only aspect left legal and government intervention? There are a lot of questions to be answered and that’s where an expert from Cedarville University help. Dr. Marc Sweeney is the Founding Dean of the School of Pharmacy at Cedarville University and is an expert in the fields of drug abuse, prescription drug abuse and Opioid addiction. Marc is available to speak with media regarding this growing issue. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

Deal or no deal – is Britain about to go bust with Brexit?

It’s pretty much deal or no deal. After a couple of years on negotiating, glad-handing, spinning and voting – Britain is now looking down the barrel of leaving the European Union with no deal in place. With two years to figure things out, it seems infighting and politics have help Theresa May and Britain in a stagnant stalemate when it comes to agreeing on any sort of term for the U.K. to leave the E.U with some semblance of a trade agreement in place. So, what can we expect in the days before April 12? What’s the hold-up now? Is the economy really in jeopardy and what will that mean globally? And is it a big deal? Is it a matter of renegotiating after the deadline or does Britain risk leaving an enormous amount of trade leverage on the table? There’s so much up in the air right now with Brexit - and that’s where the experts from Cedarville University can help. Dr. Glen Deurr's research interests include nationalism and secessionism, comparative politics, and international relations theory. Glen is available to speak to media regarding the rise of extremism – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

It is time to finally change the laws regarding use of force? Let our experts explain.

It’s a recurring subject that is dividing parts of society. What is the proper amount and when can and should police use force? With increased media coverage, very public trials and a country that is seeing deep divisions between law enforcement and the people it is intended to protect – each case of an officer using force now comes with an enormous amount of scrutiny. So, what are the laws pertaining to the proper use of force? What deems an action an improper use of force? How are officers trained and are they properly equipped when confronting a situation? Do these laws need updating? There are a lot of questions to be asked and that’s where the experts from Cedarville University can help. Dr. Patrick Oliver serves as Director of the Criminal Justice Program at Cedarville University. He has over 27 years experience in law enforcement and is an expert in the areas of proper and improper use of force.  He was also he chief of police in Cleveland and suburban Columbus, Ohio. Patrick is available to speak with media regarding this issue – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

After the admissions scandal – Otterbein’s President lends his perspective and pledge

It was a scandal that seemed to rip through some of the top-rated universities and schools in America. The very institutions that portray and image of integrity, ethics and higher expectations had failed in a very public manner.   Universities and colleges are supposed to be beyond reproach and in this case some of the best-known names in higher learning were now subject to accepting bribes and admitting students who may have had wealthy parents and worthy-pocket books - but lacked the essential grades to attend. Mix in a few well-known celebrities and this allowed the story to show that America’s elite have access to the levers of academia that most do not. But out of every mistake, there comes a lesson. And ideally a way to find the right way to do things. That’s how the President of Otterbein University, John Comerford sees it.  He was recently published when asked about his views on the issue as it played out. “We should use the scandal as a moment to open our eyes to this long-standing inequity, because higher education is still the best door to social mobility our nation has to offer. Some institutions, like Otterbein University, are trying to provide opportunity to all students. We are investing more in need-based aid. We are setting transparent, inflationary 2 percent increases in tuition for the next four years. We are intentionally recruiting in underserved areas, expanding the diversity of our student body and providing student support services on campus. Family income will never be considered in who gets into Otterbein.” – The Columbus Dispatch John Comerford is an expert in higher education, regional and national topics. He is the President of Otterbein University and is available to speak with media regarding this issue and how higher-education needs to be made available to everyone in America regardless of income, family name or background. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

Extremism on the rise – Let our experts tell you just how concerned you need to be

Incidents across America and the planet are happening regularly. Protests are turning ugly with damage, violence and even death.  Shootings and attacks on mosques, churches and public institutions are now happening at such a pace that the public is barely only one tragedy and another one strikes. Extremism is on the rise. The calls for thoughts and prayers are now common. The world, it seems, is fraying. What can be done about the rise of extremism? Is extremism being driven by economic, political or other factors? What role is social media and the Internet playing in fanning the flames of hatred and extremism?   What can be done to police, prevent and ideally extinguish extremism? To begin with – we probably need to understand what’s actually going on and what’s the root of the issue?  And that’s where the experts from Cedarville University can help. Dr. Glen Deurr's research interests include nationalism and secessionism, comparative politics, and international relations theory. Glen is available to speak to media regarding the rise of extremism – simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

Why Operation Varsity Blues has some experts seeing red

It’s a scandal that has all the right ingredients - celebrity, trusted institutions, entitlement, bribery and now stars potentially behind bars. The 50 people charged on March 12 in a college admissions conspiracy include the tennis coach for the Obama family, an investor and friend of Bono and TV celebrities Felicity Huffman from Desperate Housewives and Full House’s Lori Loughlin.   They are all wealthy, connected and parents who participated in a scheme that saw cheating on admission tests and bribery of college coaches to get their kids into some of the most elite schools across America. It’s embarrassing for the kids, the parents and the schools. But nonetheless, there will be consequences. This conspiracy was brought down by the FBI after all. However, there is collateral damage that has also been done to America’s academic community. The reputation, importance and value of a degree from a post-secondary institution has been sullied. And undoing this damage will not be easy. Dr. David Rettinger is Director of Academic Integrity at the University of Mary Washington and President of the International Center for Academic Integrity, an organization founded to combat cheating, plagiarism and academic dishonesty in higher education. “With the recent revelations from the indictments in Operation Varsity Blues, the integrity of higher education is once again under attack. As a scholar of student ethics and President of the International Center for Academic Integrity, I encourage both condemnation of this behavior and understanding of the context in which it occurred. Our society is commodifying higher education, focusing on degrees and not learning. I hope that the public discourse about education can focus on authentic learning rather than degrees and qualifications, so that higher education can remain a public good.” Approved quote from Dr. David Rettinger Dr. Rettinger is available to speak with media regarding this scandal as well as the importance of education and how universities and colleges across America will need to work to rebuild trust in the institutions that have been impacted by these events.  Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.

Is there a storm coming in the South China Sea?

There’s trouble brewing in the South China Sea and there doesn’t seem to be a any way to calm the waters. Taiwan, the small island country that has been persistently seeking independence is pushing toward that goal at a fevered pace. Meanwhile China disagrees, wants Taiwan back in the fold and has stated that the country is seeking one unified China - and soon. At a recent speech, Chinese President Xi threatening to use force to bring Taiwan under its control, though said China would strive to achieve this peacefully. And with a military budget this year of 177 billion dollars (US), China will be able to dictate its definition of the term ‘peacefully’ to suit any of its likely goals. So, what’s next? Can international intervention or pressure call China off its mission to absorb Taiwan? Can China be stopped? Does Taiwan have the political capital at the UN to find actual support or protection and from who? And what would the consequences be in China took Taiwan with force? There are a lot of questions to be asked and that’s where we can help. Professor Elizabeth Larus was recently featured on CNBC Asia and updated their audience on the most recent developments and outlined what seems to be China’s next steps. Professor Larus teaches political science at the University of Mary Washington and is an #expert on China and the field of Asian studies.  She is available to speak to other media pursuing this this subject – simply click on her icon to arrange an interview.

Everything old is new again – Is Joe Biden what the DNC needs or everything it’s trying to avoid?

It’s already a packed race with lots of political all-stars from the centre, left of centre and far left regions of the Democratic Party looking to be the one to face off against Donald Trump in 2020. It seems the only real heavy hitter left to jump in officially is former Vice President Joe Biden. Biden has been seen by many as the ‘one’ who can not only beat Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, but is likely one of only a few candidates with the political chops, thick enough skin and backbone to withstand the barrage of personal and political insults that will come with facing off against the President’s no holds barred approach to campaigning. Now Biden’s resume speaks for itself.  But this isn’t his first kick at the DNC can. Previous attempts at running to lead the party have flopped. As well, the new crop of DNC politicians represents a new age of thinking.  This new group is younger, feistier, more diverse and very much further to the left than the Democrats of the last 30 years – and though popular, is Joe Biden, who is 76 years old, part of the previous democratic establishment that America rejected in 2016?   Another angle to consider is that this will be Biden’s third attempt to lead the DNC – do the Democrats risk, with all due respect, opting for its version of Bob Dole out of obligation as opposed to choosing a fresh face more aligned with the current party?   There are a lot of questions to be asked and that’s where our experts can help. Mark Caleb Smith is the Director of the Center for Political Studies at Cedarville University. Mark is available to speak with media regarding the long journey to lead the DNC in 20220. Simply click on his icon to arrange an interview.