Did Berkshire Hathaway know about David Sokol’s purchase of 96,000 shares of Lubrizol before Berkshire became interested in the company as a takeover bid? Law professor Cornelius Hurley is director of Boston University’s Center for Finance, Law & Policy (formerly the Morin Center for Banking and Financial Law) and former counsel to the Fed Board of Governors. He offers his comment on the continuing controversy surrounding Sokol’s resignation from Berkshire and the details emerging from a new regulatory filing.
“What are the chances David Sokol’s ‘front-running’ scheme at Berkshire Hathaway reflects a pattern of past abusive behavior? I’d say they are very high and warrant a full SEC investigation.”
President Obama will give a speech today to discuss the steps he plans to take in reducing the national debt. The following Boston University professors are available to give expert commentary and analysis:
Tom Whalen, associate professor of Social Sciences; an expert on modern American politics and the American presidency; regular contributor to PoliticoArena.
"That Gbagbo's end has finally come is good for the Ivory Coastl, good for the region, and good for the continent.
"Gbagbo proved an axiom that I've coined: 'Power is a seductive mistress, who once kissed is hard to walk away from.' But, as is the case with all illicit affairs, the end is more often than not tragic.
"Had Gbagbo not been consumed by his lust for power, maybe he would've heeded the numerous overtures for a peaceful transition -- and the healing his country so desperately needs could have begun months ago, without even more injury heaped upon it.
"This is the tragedy. The triumph is that with Gbagbo's removal it seems Africa's arc for the future bends toward democracy."
The internationally recognized leader of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, has imposed a blockade around the presidential compound where Laurent Gbagbo, the incumbent leader who has refused to give up power, is hiding in a bunker. The following Boston University professors are available to offer commentary, analysis and insight on the current developments in the country.
The deadline is approaching on a possible government shutdown. The following Boston University professors are available to offer commentary and analysis on the situation.
Tom Whalen is an associate professor of social sciences, an expert on modern American politics and the American presidency. He is also a regular contributor to PoliticoArena.
"The trend is to upgrade to more choices and more fresh foods that are better for you. If you splurge on a pricey suite or other premium seating area you can not only enjoy the best view of the game, but can order from an extensive restaurant-style menu featuring the most upscale and trendy foods.
She also recommends avoiding the pitfalls of “all-you-can-eat” seats currently being offered a stadiums across America costing between $35-50.00 in addition to ticket price:
"An extra $30 for hot dogs? Those are expensive hot dogs! They are also high in sodium and fat."
Also:
"Eat before heading out to the ballpark so you don't make a meal of these foods, and will be satisfied with snack-sized portions. “Decide what you would really like to eat, factor that into your food intake for the day, and enjoy it while you're at the ballpark,”
A new NBC/Wall Street Journal poll shows that Donald Trump is currently tied for second in the list of possible GOP presidential contenders for 2012. Tom Whalen, an associate professor of social science at Boston University, is an expert on modern American politics and the American presidency, as well as a regular contributor to PoliticoArena. He is available to offer commentary, insight and analysis on the results of this latest poll.
"During the Cold War, France periodically pushed for a European (and mainly French) military capability apart from the overwhelming military force of the United States. From Charles de Gaulle to Francois Mitterrand, various schemes were hatched to achieve this result. None of them amounted to anything.
"In the same period, France launched military interventions on numerous occasions in its former colonies in sub-Sahara Africa, defending proteges from domestic threats or ousting leaders who had lost favor with the former colonial power.
"Now, President Sarkozy seems intent on resurrecting this old policy of robust military interventions, this time for humanitarian reasons in partnerships with the United Nations. Unlike in the past, now Washington appears to be supportive of these independent French operations. And polls show that the French public is strongly supportive as well.
"But the big question is, where is the European Union and its much celebrated European Security and Defense Policy?"
The White House and GOP continue their attempts to avoid a federal government shutdown scheduled for midnight on Friday. Tom Fiedler, Dean of Boston University's College of Communication, is a former executive editor of the Miami Herald and an expert American politics. He spoke with NECN and weighed in on who he feels is the loser in this debate.
"Well, actually I think both sides are going to lose in this. The American public, in general, is looking at this a little bit like a schoolyard fight. It's both sides saying if I don't get my way, I'm going home. There's no question there is a loser in this and that's the American public in general."
Mark Williams, Master Lecturer and Executive-in-Residence at Boston University's School of Management, discusses how rising oil and gas prices impact industries and businesses including travel, transportation, and gas stations themselves.
This is the first installment of a continuing series on gas prices.
Tom Whalen
Tom Fiedler
Graham Wilson
Charles Stith 
Timothy Longman 
Tom Whalen 
Tom Fiedler 
The White House and GOP 