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The hidden treasure of digital piracy? It can boost bottom line for manufacturers, retailers

HBO's popular television series "Game of Thrones" returns in April, but millions of fans continue to illegally download the program, giving it the dubious distinction of being the most pirated program. Many may wonder why the TV network hasn't taken a more aggressive approach to combating illegal streaming services and downloaders. Perhaps it is because the benefits to the company outweigh the consequences. Research analysis by faculty in Indiana University's Kelley School of Business and two other schools found that a moderate level of piracy can have a positive impact on the bottom line for both the manufacturer and the retailer -- and not at the expense of consumers. "When information goods are sold to consumers via a retailer, in certain situations, a moderate level of piracy seems to have a surprisingly positive impact on the profits of the manufacturer and the retailer while, at the same time, enhancing consumer welfare," wrote Antino Kim, assistant professor of operations and decision technologies at Kelley, and his co-authors. "Such a win-win-win situation is not only good for the supply chain but is also beneficial for the overall economy." While not condoning piracy, Kim and his colleagues were surprised to find that it can actually reduce, or completely eliminate at times, the adverse effect of double marginalization, an economic concept where both manufacturers and retailers in the same supply chain add to the price of a product, passing these markups along to consumers. The professors found that, because piracy can affect the pricing power of both the manufacturer and the retailer, it injects "shadow" competition into an otherwise monopolistic market. "From the manufacturer's point of view, the retailer getting squeezed is a good thing," Kim said. "It can't mark up the product as before, and the issue of double marginalization diminishes. Vice versa, if the manufacturer gets squeezed, the retailer is better off. "What we found is, by both of them being squeezed together -- both at the upstream and the downstream levels -- they are able to get closer to the optimal retail price that a single, vertically integrated entity would charge." In the example of "Game of Thrones," HBO is the upstream "manufacturer" in the supply chain, and cable and satellite TV operators are the downstream "retailers." Kim and his co-authors -- Atanu Lahiri, associate professor of information systems at the University of Texas-Dallas, and Debabrata Dey, professor of information systems at the University of Washington -- presented their findings in the article, "The 'Invisible Hand' of Piracy: An Economic Analysis of the Information-Goods Supply Chain," published in the latest issue of MIS Quarterly. They suggest that businesses, government and consumers rethink the value of anti-piracy enforcement, which can be quite costly, and consider taking a moderate approach. Australia, for instance, due to prohibitive costs, scrapped its three-strikes scheme to track down illegal downloaders and send them warning notices. Though the Australian Parliament passed a new anti-piracy law last year, its effectiveness remains unclear until after it is reviewed in two years. As with other studies, Kim and his colleagues found that when enforcement is low and piracy is rampant, both manufacturers and retailers suffer. But they caution against becoming overzealous in prosecuting illegal downloaders or in lobbying for more enforcement. "Our results do not imply that the legal channel should, all of a sudden, start actively encouraging piracy," they said. "The implication is simply that, situated in a real-world context, our manufacturer and retailer should recognize that a certain level of piracy or its threat might actually be beneficial and should, therefore, exercise some moderation in their anti-piracy efforts. "This could manifest itself in them tolerating piracy to a certain level, perhaps by turning a blind eye to it," they add. "Such a strategy would indeed be consistent with how others have described HBO's attitude toward piracy of its products."

MEDIA RELEASE: Will Ontario's updated distracted driving laws prompt drivers to finally put down their devices?

Starting January 2019,  the stakes will be even higher when it comes to distracted driving in Ontario. CAA South Central Ontario (CAA SCO) is reminding Ontario drivers that strengthened distracted driving laws will take effect January 1, 2019.   New additions include licence suspensions, increased demerit points and an increase to the minimum financial penalty that can be charged to those guilty of distracted driving.     "CAA fully supports the increased fines and penalties that will be in place for distracted driving starting tomorrow,” said Elliott Silverstein, manager, government relations, CAA SCO. “Hopefully these new rules will encourage motorists to remain focused on the road and keep devices far from reach when operating their vehicle."   Distracted driving continues to be a challenge on Ontario's roads, nearly a decade after the initial legislation banning handheld devices was passed. This new legislation is the first increase since September 2015 when demerit points were added to distracted driving convictions.   Recent CAA research shows that one in three Ontario drivers claim to engage in distracted driving as a result of using a mobile device. According to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, one person is injured in a distracted driving collision every half an hour.   “The new fines and penalties are some of the strongest in the country, and they will further aid law enforcement in their continued effort to make road conditions safer for everyone,” continued Silverstein.   Starting January 1, 2019, Ontario drivers can expect the following fines and penalties if caught driving distracted:   The minimum financial penalty will increase from $490 to $615. A first conviction for distracted driving will now result in a three-day licence suspension, three demerit points and a minimum financial penalty of $615. A second conviction will result in a financial penalty of up to $2000 (previously up to $1000), six demerit points and a seven-day licence suspension. For third (or more) convictions, drivers will face a financial penalty of up to $3000 (previously up to $1000), six demerit points and a 30-day licence suspension. CAA recommends the following tips to reduce distractions behind the wheel:   Turn off mobile devices Stow and secure loose objects Avoid eating, drinking or smoking Prepare children with everything they need Pre-set the climate control and radio Pre-program your route on GPS Allow phone calls to go to voicemail Don't text, surf the web or read emails CAA is dedicated to helping change certain rules and regulations for Ontario’s roads that will improve safety for everyone who uses them. Through its road safety efforts, CAA has been helping to educate and bring awareness about distracted driving, Slow Down, Move Over rules and cycling safety laws.

Cybersecurity expert offers holiday shopping tips for protecting identity

Amid the many warnings this holiday season about protecting your identity while shopping online comes advice from Scott Shackelford, associate professor of business law and ethics in the Indiana University Kelley School of Businessand one of the nation's leading cybersecurity experts. "In some ways shopping online is getting safer," said Shackelford, also chair of the Kelley School's Cybersecurity Program in Risk Management and director of the Ostrom Workshop Program on Cybersecurity and Internet Governance. "For example, a few years ago it was relatively uncommon for many sites to use encrypted https technology, but that's become the norm. However, as may be seen by a quick scan of the news, data breaches continue. "The good news is that the cost of those breaches is going up with Federal Trade Commission and European Commission investigations ongoing into firms like Equifax and Facebook, and consumer patience is also wearing thin," he added. "One recent survey, for example, found that 20 percent of consumers would not shop again at a firm that experienced a data breach." Shackelford offers practical advice for holiday shoppers. In essence, there's a lot you can do to become harder targets for cyber criminals, including: Consider freezing your credit. You don't need it open unless you open a new credit card or loan, and even then you can unfreeze it for a short window to allow for the credit check. Install antivirus and antispyware software, use auto-update, and always enable multifactor authentication on all of your accounts. When using public Wi-Fi, use browsers like Tor to make it more difficult for hackers to spy on you. Keep all software up to date -- especially Windows, but also programs like Adobe Reader, Flash and Java, which are often convenient backdoors that can be closed through frequent updates. Use strong passwords of at least 14 characters, keep them secret, and change them often. Consider starting with a favorite sentence, and then just take the first letter of each word. Add numbers, punctuation or symbols for complexity. And be sure to change any default passwords on your new smart devices. Never turn off your firewall; it's an important software program that helps stop viruses and worms. Use flash drives cautiously; they are easily infected. In fact, one of the biggest breaches of U.S. military systems to date was due to a flash drive. Encrypt sensitive information on your computer. Be conscious of what you click on, both in emails and on the web. When in doubt, double check before accessing new files. Look for sites with "https" in the URL. Do not use banks or other sensitive websites that do not have the "s."

Election 2018: Wake Forest University experts

From state constitutional amendments to immigration, Wake Forest faculty experts can comment on a variety of 2018 midterm election-related topics. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ John Dinan, professor of political science and international affairs North Carolina Politics State Constitutional Amendments Congressional Redistricting Author of the book, “State Constitutional Politics: Governing by Amendment in the American States,” Dinan is available to comment on amendments appearing on the 2018 ballot in North Carolina and in 28 other states. From voter ID to judicial vacancies, he can place particular amendments in nationwide and historical perspective. Based on his research, he can also address the arguments and issues that routinely surface in campaigns supporting and opposing various amendments. Dinan closely follows North Carolina political races and teaches courses on campaigns and elections, state politics and Congress and policymaking. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Allan Louden, professor of communication Political Campaigns and Advertising Political Debates Social Media and Politics From presidential debates to political advertising, Louden has provided expert commentary and analysis for a wide range of national and regional media outlets. He follows political advertising and candidates’ debates in presidential, Senate, gubernatorial and high-profile House races. Under Louden’s leadership, Wake Forest University’s debate team won the national debate tournament. He can comment on political advertising strategies and how social media, including viral videos, impacts races. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ John Llewellyn, associate professor of communication Political Speeches Political Scandals Public Apologies Llewellyn focuses on political speeches and rhetoric. He is a scholar of rhetoric whose work includes analyzing persuasive language from the nation’s most prominent politicians, coaches and civil rights leaders. A former speechwriter and public information officer, Llewellyn also specializes in crisis communication, having studied the intersection of politics and public relations for nearly 30 years. He can also comment on political scandals and public apologies. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Betina Wilkinson, associate professor of political science and international affairs Latina/o/x Voters Wilkinson can offer insights and commentary on Latino voters for the midterm elections. She is an expert on Latino political behavior in the U.S., studies Latinos in U.S. politics, national and local immigration policy, and racial attitudes among Latinos and other ethnic groups. She can discuss the demographics and election-related priorities of Latinos. Wilkinson authored a chapter “North Carolina Latinos: And Emerging Influential Electorate in the South” in the book “The Pivotal Role of the Latino Electorate in the 2012 Election.” She is also the author of “Partners or Rivals? Power and Latino, Black and White Relations in the 21st Century.” ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Katy Harriger, professor of politics and international affairs Young Voters Federal Special Prosecutor/Robert Mueller U.S. Supreme Court A leading national expert on the federal special prosecutor, Harriger can address the influence the Mueller investigation may have on the 2018 elections. She is the author of The Special Prosecutor in American Politics and is regularly interviewed by national media outlets on the use of federal special prosecutors in American government. Harriger also studies political participation and voting among young people (including college students) and is the co-author of “Speaking of Politics: Preparing College Students for Democratic Citizenship through Deliberative Dialogue.” She can provide expert commentary on the latest Supreme Court developments and how they will likely impact midterm elections. She co-authored the book “American Constitutional Law” published in 2017. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Michael Pisapia, assistant professor of politics and international affairs Gender and Politics Teacher Protests Political Parties and Education Reform Women Running for Congress Gender Equality and Constitutional Law Kavanaugh Hearings Pisapia studies American political development with a focus on women, gender and politics and can comment on tensions between liberal and conservative social groups and the unprecedented number of women who are engaged in political movements, and who are seeking elective office this year. He can also address partisan polarization around education policy, religious freedom and, sex and gender equality in constitutional law, including the significance of the Kavanaugh hearings in the context of the #metoo Movement. Pisapia is working on a book titled, “Educating a Nation: Women’s Empowerment and the Shape of American Federalism. He won the 2013 Carrie Chapman Catt Prize for scholarship on women and politics. He teaches courses on American politics and political thought. ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Hana Brown, associate professor of sociology and Gale Faculty Fellow Immigration Brown studies the effects of immigration and racial divisions on policy outcomes and the micro-level effects of state actions on the lives of racial minorities and immigrants. Her research also focuses on the political origins and political consequences of social inequalities. She teaches courses on political sociology, social inequality, and race and ethnicity in politics. ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Baylor Gerontology Expert: Signs that Your Loved One is Suffering Elder Abuse

Each year, an estimated 5 million older adults are abused, neglected or exploited, according to the Administration for Community Living. Gerontology expert James Ellor, Ph.D., M.Div., professor in Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, shares what elder abuse looks like and how people can respond if they see the signs. Reports of abuse are most often submitted by family members, hospital staff and law enforcement. But churches and other organizations should also be diligent, Ellor said, adding that clergy are considered mandatory reporters in many states. “No one group of caring persons can solve this problem alone; it takes a community of caring lay and professional leaders to even try to start to make a difference,” Ellor said. “If signs are noticeable, the next steps will depend on the type of abuse. In most cases, counseling support is critical, but often the need for medical help or legal help is also very important.” Elder abuse – intentional or negligent acts by a caregiver or trusted individual – comes in many forms: neglect or isolation, physical abuse, sexual abuse, exploitation or financial abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, verbal abuse and threats. Physical Abuse Like any other form of physical abuse, physical abuse incudes odd bruising, broken bones or contusions that are not easily explained, Ellor said. One sign that quickly raises suspicion is when broken bones or bruises happen repeatedly. Drug overdoses or the withholding of drugs are also challenging. Emotional abuse Ellor said this could include yelling at the senior, humiliating him or her, blaming and/or scapegoating. Sexual abuse “This is contact without consent,” Ellor said. “We see this often between spouses, particularly when one spouse has dementia.” Neglect “Possibly one of the most common categories, it simply means not taking the time to respond to a wide variety of needs when one is the designated caregiver,” Ellor said. Financial exploitation “Laws governing guardianship and power of attorney try to address this, but family members who take money from seniors as cash or property are the most common culprits,” Ellor explained. Fraud This can involve financial exploitation or even heath care fraud, but it generally involves either over-charging, selling unnecessary benefits of something, or it may include trying to sell something that would benefit one’s children, Ellor said. Self-Neglect “Some seniors simply choose to not help themselves, often in the name of leaving money or property to family members,” Ellor said. “Evidence of this could be that they don’t purchase needed medications or other resources.” Report suspected mistreatment to local adult protective services, long-term care ombudsman or law enforcement agencies that can investigate the situation. ALSO READ: "Gerontology Expert: Six Questions You Should Ask Before Choosing a Nursing Home" SEE: Baylor University's Directory of Faculty Experts ABOUT JAMES ELLOR, PH.D. James Ellor, Ph.D., M.Div., is a professor in Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work. Ellor works with older adults around issues of mental and spiritual health. He has served on the executive committee of the Midwestern Geriatric Education Center and provided education, counseling and planning for individuals and groups who work with seniors. His research includes work in entrostomal therapy, hunger, the church as service provider, spiritual assessment and intervention techniques with cognitively impaired older adults. ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. ABOUT DIANA R. GARLAND SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK Baylor University’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work is home to one of the leading graduate social work programs in the nation with a research agenda focused on the integration of faith and practice. Upholding its mission of preparing social workers in a Christian context for worldwide service and leadership, the School offers a baccalaureate degree (B.S.W.), a Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree and three joint-degree options, M.S.W./M.B.A., M.S.W./M.Div. and M.S.W./M.T.S., through a partnership with Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business and George W. Truett Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. program. Visit www.baylor.edu/social_work to learn more.

The Storm After the Storm: Scam Contractors Who Prey on Those Suffering After a Natural Disaster

‘The key is to get a lawyer to look at the contract before you sign it,’ Baylor legal expert says WACO, Texas (Oct. 11, 2018) – Following a natural disaster or strong storm like Hurricane Michael, there is usually a second wave of potential destruction – scam artists looking to line their pockets. “After any major weather-related incident, insurance adjusters and contractors swarm the affected area and, unfortunately, some are looking to take advantage of those in distress,” said Stephen Rispoli, L.L.M, J.D., assistant dean of student affairs and pro bono programs at Baylor Law School. As an attorney, he works with victims of insurance scams. Rispoli said most contractors are legitimate businesspeople helping neighbors rebuild. But there are the unscrupulous ones whose practices inflict financial and emotional pain on people already suffering from storm damage. “The primary result of these scams is financial loss,” Rispoli said. “The homeowners may pay much, much more than they should have to fix the damage, sometimes having to pay multiple contractors for the same work. Sadly, in some cases, homeowners could even lose their homes.” In this Q&A, Rispoli shares some tips to help those reeling from storm damage identify and avoid scammers. Q: Who are the most common victims? A: The most common targets are those in distress following a major storm, the elderly and the disabled. Q: How will scam artists approach a potential victim? A: Usually, contractors will approach homeowners they know have been affected. This happens as simply as the contractor driving through neighborhoods looking for damaged homes. Let’s say, for example, they see a damaged roof with a homeowner standing outside looking at it. They’ll quickly pull over and offer to tarp the roof to prevent damage. The homeowner, already distressed by the storm and the damage to the house, agrees. Once the tarp is on, the contractor then starts asking questions about insurance coverage, which insurance company has insured the house, and helpfully offering his or her opinion on how much it will cost to fix the damage. Unscrupulous contractors will try to take advantage of this situation by pressing the homeowner to sign a contract with them. I have even seen cases where the contractor left all the blanks in the form contract unfilled, including the work to be done and the price, saying things like, “Don’t worry about that, we’ll talk to your insurance company and get it all taken care of, just sign it.” Once the unscrupulous contractor has a signed contract, they can fill in the blanks at their leisure. At this point, they are in total control – they know how much the insurance company will pay, and they can try to squeeze the homeowner for more money by charging too much or with add-ons that may or may not be necessary. Q: What are some of the potential losses victims can suffer? A: Financially, victims could lose money by paying more – sometimes much more – than they should for repairs. Or, in extreme cases, they could even lose their homes. That could happen if the homeowner signs a contract with the contractor that contains a mechanic’s or materialman’s lien provision. Under these provisions, contractors can file a lien with the county for work done on the house to ensure payment. If the homeowner does not pay the contractor the amount owed under the contract, the contractor can seek to foreclose on the house to recover the amount owed. Q: What about dealing with the insurance company? A: It’s important that you cooperate with your insurance company and your adjustor. Call your insurance company as soon as you can. Waiting to file a claim may make the process take longer or complicate matters. You should be responsive to their requests, but don’t be afraid to ask questions if you have them. Be sure to take photographs of any damage or evidence of the storm if it’s safe to do so. After your initial conversation with your insurance company, the company will send an adjustor out and will give you a quote. However, after you’ve had two or three contractors come out and give you estimates, if the adjustor’s quote looks too low, don’t be afraid to ask for another adjustor to come out and give you a quote. You should feel comfortable with the process as you move forward. Q: Is it illegal or unethical for contractors to file liens? A: It is not necessarily unscrupulous for contractors to include a mechanic’s or materialman’s lien provision in the contract. Generally, creditors cannot foreclose on a person’s homestead in Texas. The purpose of a mechanic’s or materialman’s lien provision is to protect the contractor should the homeowner wrongfully refuse to pay for work done on a homestead. On large jobs where several thousands of dollars are at stake, the contractor may rightfully want to make sure that they can be paid for the job. Whether they are appropriate can only be decided on a case-by-case basis. Q: Are there red flags people should look for when presented with a contract? A: Do not sign a contract you are not comfortable with. There are several red flags to look for: pressure to sign a contract, giving you little time to think about it, refusing to let you take the contract to a lawyer, and asking to collect the money directly from the insurance company or pressuring you to give them the check from the insurance company. Q: How do people know if the repair costs presented to them are too high? A: Be sure to get written estimates from several (at least three) contractors. By getting three estimates, you’ll have a better idea of how much the repair should cost. Any estimates that are way lower or way higher than the others are good indications that something is off. If that happens, get another estimate from a different contractor. Do not be afraid to ask contractors to come give you an estimate. It is a normal part of their job, and good contractors will not mind taking the time to do it. Q: How do you know if a contractor is legitimate? A: Do your homework on the contractors. Ask for references and call them, and check with the Better Business Bureau. Be cautious when dealing with contractors who are not from your area, and extra cautious if they are not from Texas or will not provide local references. Q: Contractors often ask for upfront money, don’t they? A: Once the contract is signed and the work begins, be sure to control the money. The contractor will likely ask you to pay some of the contract up front so that they can begin to purchase materials and hire the crew to work on your repair. Try to pay as little as possible. You do not want to give them the bulk of the money up front, because then the incentive to get the job done quickly is diminished. After the job starts, ask the contractor to give you, in writing, progress reports when they ask for more money. Do not pay more than the progress report. Do not give the contractor the final payment until all the work is done. Q: If someone feels they’ve been taken advantage of, are there legal steps they can take? A: The key here is to get a lawyer to look at the contract before you sign it. Once the contract is signed, it will be difficult for a lawyer to undo the damage. If the contractor is trying to foreclose on the home using a mechanic’s or materialman’s lien, a lawyer may be able to save your home. There are several Texas Constitutional and statutory protections for homeowners. If the contractor did not strictly follow the steps necessary to properly attach a lien, a lawyer may be able to keep the foreclosure from happening. ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 17,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. ABOUT BAYLOR LAW SCHOOL Established in 1857, Baylor Law was one of the first law schools in Texas and one of the first west of the Mississippi River. Today, the school has more than 7,400 living alumni. It is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Baylor Law has a record of producing outstanding lawyers, many of whom decide upon a career in public service. Baylor Law boasts two governors, members or former members of the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, two former directors of the FBI, U.S. ambassadors, federal judges, justices of the Texas Supreme Court and members of the Texas Legislature among its notable alumni. In its law specialties rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Baylor Law’s trial advocacy program as one of the top 5 in the nation. Baylor Law School also is ranked No. 50 in the magazine’s 2019 edition of “America’s Best Graduate Schools.” The National Jurist ranks Baylor Law as one of the “Best School for Practical Training” and No. 4 in the nation in its most recent “Best Law School Facilities” listing. The Business Insider places Baylor Law among the top 50 law schools in the nation. Baylor Law School received the 2015 American Bar Association Pro Bono Publico Award, making it only the third law school in the nation to be honored with the award since the award’s inception in 1984. Learn more at baylor.edu/law.

The 25th Amendment won't work to remove Trump

Multiple amateur constitutional scholars have advocated the use of the 25th Amendment remove President Trump from office, as an alternative to impeachment, but that won't work, says Brian Kalt, The Harold Norris Faculty Scholar at the Michigan State University College of Law. But Section 4 of the amendment is a tool for a different job, and its use under today’s circumstances has the potential to tear the country apart, he says. Kalt says section 4 is a great solution if the president is missing or comatose, but a terrible one when he is conscious and in full control of his Twitter account. What exactly is the 25th Amendment? Kalt can explain. He can be reached via email at kalt@law.msu.edu. A link to to his bio: http://www.law.msu.edu/faculty_staff/profile.php?prof=44 Source:

Former U.S. Attorney Available to Discuss Fallout for Trump Administration in Light of Cohen Plea

Wheaton College Professor David Iglesias, a former U.S. Attorney in New Mexico whose areas of expertise include federal prosecutions, is available for interviews regarding the fallout for the Trump administration in light of Michael Cohen’s guilty plea in federal court on 8 criminal counts, including violation of campaign finance laws. “President Trump is now in a place few presidents have ever been,” Iglesias says. “At this point, he is basically an unindicted co-conspirator to federal crimes.” “I wouldn’t call it the beginning of the end, but it’s certainly the end of the beginning.” Iglesias is an associate professor of politics and law and director of the Wheaton Center for Faith, Politics, and Economics. He can discuss topics including: -The process of presidential pardons -How federal prosecutors treat indicted persons who cooperate with information concerning the crimes of other persons, and the quid pro quo for getting an individual to cooperate with law enforcement -Guilty pleas, hung juries, and sentencing in federal court -Impeachment (What Iglesias calls “the nuclear option for removing a sitting President of the United States”), the process, and why it has happened so rarely in U.S. history -Whether a sitting president can be indicted for crimes -The importance of the rule of law (Why is America the world leader for holding all accountable for their actions? What message is being sent if wealthy and powerful people can avoid criminal exposure for their actions?) -Watergate as a precedent, and similarities/differences with the current situation -Rules of federal investigations (How do federal agencies conduct investigations? What is public and what is non-public? Why are prosecutions that are considered "political" so dangerous for law enforcement?) To request an interview with Professor Iglesias, e-mail Wheaton College Director of Media Relations LaTonya Taylor at latonya.taylor@wheaton.edu. Source:

Understanding Trump’s ‘transition tax’ and who wins and who could lose (a lot)

Last December President Donald Trump signed into law sweeping tax reforms – some which had a purpose of discouraging multi-billion-dollar corporations from parking their money outside of the United States. The goal was to incentivise or encourage American-based companies like Apple and Amazon to keep profits local and ideally taxable in the United States. But the impact of these new laws is trickling down and hurting a lot of people. It seems anyone with dual citizenship or any American with interests in Canada may be vulnerable. And for some it is costing a lot of money that’s due very soon. So how much are companies expected to pay? Who is expected to pay and who will be impacted the most? As well, when it comes to taxes – that often means a windfall of new revenue for governments. Is it just Washington that will benefit or will the coffers in Ottawa see some money too? Tax laws are not an easy topic to understand. There are loopholes, complexities and levels of accounting that are beyond most people’s grasp. But that’s where the experts from Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP can help. Ed Reilly, Managing Partner and co-founder of Freelandt Caldwell Reilly LLP practices in the areas of tax and owner-managed businesses. To contact Ed directly, simply click on his icon to arrange an appointment regarding this topic. Source:

Spike Lee's Cinematic Alchemy of Past and Present is a Warning About the Future

Nearly a year to the day after White Nationalists marched in Charlottesville, the film “BlacKkKlansman” is released. Spike Lee's film is both a representation of a real-life story of an African-American detective who infiltrated and exposed the Ku Klux Klan in the 1970s and as an ideological vehicle for critique of our current social and political moment, says Matthew Hughey, associated professor of sociology at UConn. Together, “BlacKkKlansman” conveys a multi-part message. First, it is cinematic alchemy of the past and present—revealing what has and has not changed over the past half-century in order create a warning about the future. It recalls philosopher George Santayana’s saying “those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” Second, the film eviscerates both American naiveté and intentional hypocrisy regarding racism and racial inequality. The film shines a bright light on the dark methods people use to dress up racism, nativist xenophobia, and hatred as “pride and patriotism,” and the madness deployed to rationalize police brutality and murder as little more than “law and order.” Third, and perhaps most importantly, the film deconstructs the “bad apple” theory of racism. Racism does not exist within the hood-wearing, swastika-sporting, epithet-spewing ignoramus alone, but exists in a systemic orchard that segregates and privileges whiteness economically, politically, and socially regardless of individual intention, worldview, or behavior. In the end, Lee’s film leads us to the conclusion that if “we are all Charlottesville” then “we are all Klansman,” too, says Hughey. Source: