Supremacist Rallies
Roadshow of hate: Travelers fuel rallies: New York Times – Oct. 29
White nationalist and provocateur Richard Spencer had left the University of Florida on Oct. 19 when the day’s most serious trouble erupted just beyond the campus … “My general take is that the number of people who are highly motivated and dedicated to this stuff are relatively small in number,” said George Hawley, who teaches political science at The University of Alabama and is the author of a recent book about the alt-right. “But the ones who are and have the capacity to do so are willing to make long trips.”
Longview News-Journal (Texas) – Oct. 29
Headlines Press – Oct. 29
Global Financial Market Review – Oct. 29
Alabama Senate
Alabama’s Senate special election: You may never see it done like this one again: Al.com – Oct. 29
The campaign to fill Alabama’s Senate seat has had all the elements of a political carnival with appearances from the president, current and former vice presidents, political personalities and celebrities … “We can’t afford these special elections which generally attract only a small number of voters,” said William Stewart, professor emeritus of political sciences at The University of Alabama.
Federal Indictments
UA political science professor comments on Manafort indictment: WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Oct. 30
The initial charges against Manafort and Gates do not cover any activities related to the 2016 campaign but it’s possible additional charges could come later. Former special assistant U.S. Attorney and UA assistant professor of political science Allen Linken thinks that this may just be the tip of the iceberg.
Southern Poverty Law Center
In Alabama’s prison lawsuit, Republicans find a demon in Southern Poverty Law Center: Al.com – Oct. 31
In the ongoing federal lawsuit involving Alabama’s beleaguered prisons, the Legislature and the Department of Corrections have found a common enemy that they’ve been trying hard to demonize: The Southern Poverty Law Center … William Stewart, professor emeritus of political science at The University of Alabama and a longtime observer of state politics, said the SPLC is a “convenient target” because it’s a “liberal group.” “Prison funding has never been a high priority under Democratic or Republican governance,” said Stewart. “Prisoners don’t vote so politicians get no gain when they fund them even at minimally satisfactory levels, which we aren’t doing now.”
Three Minute Thesis
Three Minute Thesis competition invites audience to judge: Crimson White – Nov. 1
The annual Three Minute Thesis semi-final competition will take place today in 324 Lloyd Hall. Participating masters and doctoral students will be challenged to present their research in a way that can be understood by audiences with no background in their fields, all in under time limit of three minutes. The event is from 1-5p.m. and is free to attend. There will be occupancy for about 75 people, but audience members are welcome to come and experience the three heats beginning at 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. The 30-plus participants will cover topics ranging from art and art history, geological sciences, physics and astronomy, economics and finance, psychology, social work, computer science and poetry. The top 15 picked from the semi-finals will move on to the finals on Nov. 13th, which will take place in Russell 159.
Insomnia
New research: Insomnia is largely a state of mind: Inc. – Nov. 1
What does it mean to say someone has insomnia? Most of us see this as a dead simple question – insomnia means you struggle to get to sleep or stay asleep and end up getting way less sleep than you need …The research by University of Alabama psychologist Kenneth Lichstein examined data from 20 previous sleep studies to see how closely correlated bad sleep is with complaints of insomnia. The short answer is that these two things overlap surprisingly little. Tons of people who have objectively bad sleep as measured by surveys, brain waves, and sleep diaries actually don’t feel troubled about their sleep at all. They don’t think of themselves as insomniacs in the least.
Spectrum
UA to hold annual Spectrum concert: Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 2
A special rendition of Steppenwolf’s “Born to Be Wild” will be performed Friday night during The University of Alabama School of Music’s annual fall Spectrum concert. The two-hour, one-night-only concert will start at 7:30 p.m. in the concert hall of the Moody Music Building, 810 Second Ave. Admission is free. Michael Wilk, a keyboard player for Steppenwolf and a UA instructor of music administration, will join the UA Horn Studio to perform the 1968 classic rock staple.