Last year the US government imposed semiconductor export controls on China amid concerns that the country was using civilian technology for military purposes. Elizabeth Larus writes that these and other measures such as the denial of license applications by the US Commerce Department and nuclear nonproliferation controls have put US trade, investment, and defense industry lobbyists at odds with national security hawks in Washington. Read more.
George Van Sant Honored as Veteran of the Day on Aerotech News
George M. Van Sant was born Nov. 20, 1927, in State College, Penn. He attended St. John’s College in Annapolis, Md., and enlisted in the U. S. Marine Corps in June 1945. His college education was interrupted when he deployed to North China with the 1st Marine Division just as World War II was winding down. He returned to the U.S. in 1946 and was able to graduate from St. John’s in 1948.
Two years later, Van Sant was recalled by the Marines at the outset of the Korean War. He was commissioned and assigned to Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He served as a platoon commander and as the company’s executive officer.
After the Korean War, Van Sant received a letter from the men who’d served under him thanking him for his “deeds of action” and his “leadership while taking care of your men.” Home, he went back to school, earning a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Virginia. He stayed in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1977, retiring as a colonel, and went on to teach philosophy at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va.
Van Sant died in 2013 and is buried in the Quantico National Cemetery.
We honor his service.
Swerzenski Shares Photoshop Expertise on ‘With Good Reason’
Assistant Professor of Communication and Digital Studies James Swerzenski
Assistant Professor of Communications and Digital Studies JD Swerzenski spoke to With Good Reason radio for an episode titled “Seeing Isn’t Believing.” Photoshop recently unveiled a new function that integrates generative AI, a cutting-edge technology that can produce images from text. JD Swerzenski says we’ve reached a point where photo manipulation has never been so easy. Listen to the show.
Konieczny Publishes in ‘Semigroup Forum’
Professor of Mathematics Janusz Konieczny
Janusz Konieczny, professor of mathematics, published a research article, Normal subsemigroups of finite transformation semigroups, in the journal Semigroup Forum.
O’Dell and UMW PreHealth Students Volunteer at Remote Access Medical Clinic
PreHealth Advisor and Professor of Biology Deborah O’Dell
UMW PreHealth Advisor and Professor of Biology Deborah O’Dell and 8 UMW PreHealth students (Arianna Chase, Gabriella Nguyen, Rita Bishai, Carolina Llamas-Plascencia, Mallory Thompson, Olivia Pierce, Katherine Scott, and Rachel Cervantes-Amaro) gave their time to assist medical, dental, and vision professionals providing services to the community in Montross, VA on Sept 16 & 17. Dr. O’Dell and the students left UMW at 4 am to travel to Westmoreland High School to assist at the Remote Access Medical (RAM) clinic, returning to UMW at 4:30pm. Their assistance allowed medical professionals to provide services to over 400 clients from the Northern Neck. Students were also able to network with professionals and medical and dental students from schools such as VCU/MCV, UVa and organizations such as RAM and the Virginia Department of Health. The Center for Career and Professional Development provided transportation for the students that allowed them to participate.
Farnsworth Lectures on Political Participation
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, “Political Participation Under Pressure,” at the Constitution Day meeting of the League of Women Voters, Charlottesville, Virginia.
[White House pleads with media outlets to scrutinize House GOP impeachment push (The Washington Times)] Stephen Farnsworth, a politics professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, said there is always “a lot of give and take among government officials and reporters over how to shape the news, and this is just another example of those contentious arguments about how to contextualize current events.” “Stating the administration’s views via a memo like this is a very cost-effective way for the White House team to express itself,” he said. “Not only might the summary shape the current round of impeachment investigation stories, but the memo can also make news in its own right.” Read more.
[Virginia Decides: Education, abortion remain key issues ahead of early voting (WUSA 9)] Dr. Stephen Farnsworth of University of Mary Washington, who moderates debates, said with most voters who are already decided, energizing them to hit the polls is the goal. “The question is not about how to persuade somebody else but rather but how to make sure people who will vote for you, actually turn out to do so,” said Farnsworth. “It’s a time when it isn’t likely there will be a lot of turnouts, so, an idea of really creating a fearful environment is going to be a strategy that both parties are going to be using throughout the Fall.” Read more.
[Virginia General Assembly candidate’s campaign rocked by sex tape revelation (Nation World News NBC 29; Hartford Courant; Axios; AL.com; Washington Hispanic; Sentinel Colorado)] Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, says that even in an age more open to personal denials, Gibson is unlikely to win. “Donald Trump downwardly redefined what is acceptable in public life, but this is not the kind of behavior Democrats can sell in a suburban Richmond district,” Farnsworth said. Read more.
https://www.axios.com/local/richmond/2023/09/14/susanna-gibson-sex-videos-henrico-virginia-election
https://richmondfreepress.com/news/2023/sep/14/sex-sale/
[On ‘Meet the Press,’ Trump refuses to say whether he watched Jan. 6 attack unfold on television (Fox 10 Phoenix; KTVU)] New developments this week in the legal challenges against the former President include a trial date of March 4 in Washington, D.C. and news that the judge will allow cameras and Live streaming of the case in Georgia. Political expert Stephen Farnsworth breaks down the impact on the case. Read more.
https://www.ktvu.com/news/trump-meet-the-press-interview-kristen-walker
[Va. Dems outraise GOP, but Youngkin’s White House buzz helps close gap (The Washington Post; MSN.com)] “This is on track to be the most expensive Virginia midterm in the commonwealth’s history,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “Because the parties are so much more ideologically distinct than used to be the case, the stakes are very high for the future direction of Virginia.” Read more.
[In Virginia, a battle over history standards ends in compromise (The Hechinger Report)] “In Virginia, Youngkin can’t begin to do what Ron DeSantis can do in Florida on questions of ‘wokeness,’ because there is a Democratic Senate majority that is blocking much of Youngkin’s preferred agenda,” said Stephen Farnsworth, the director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Read more
[Republicans, Democrats in Virginia make last push to encourage early voting (ABC News)] “What’s clear is that this will be an immensely expensive and hard-fought campaign,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political analyst at the University of Mary Washington. Read more.
[Virginia opens new trade office in Taiwan (VPM)] Taiwan’s role as a tech hub and chip manufacturer make it a good future bet for Virginia’s corresponding industries, according to Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. And Farnsworth said Youngkin’s political calculus may also be a factor. “Getting more engaged in one of the world’s hotspots helps build his international profile,” Farnsworth said. Read more
[Republicans, Democrats both lose from late-night TV’s silencing (The Hill; Fox 59; MSN)] “It’s OK for the top shows to run reruns during much of the summer, when the hosts might be taking vacations or the audience might not be there, but as the election cycle draws closer, their absence at 11:30 p.m. will be sorely missed by millions of viewers who had gotten used to tuning in,” said University of Mary Washington professor Stephen Farnsworth. Read more.
https://fox59.com/hill-politics/republicans-democrats-both-lose-from-late-night-tvs-silencing/
https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/late-night-tv-strike/2023/09/20/id/1135243/
[Early Voting Could Spike with New Republican Push (Williamsburg Yorktown Daily; Inside Nova)] The strategy is something Republicans should have done for past elections, according to Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “Gov. Youngkin has recognized that Republicans have been at a huge disadvantage with early voting over the last several election cycles and the governor is moving aggressively to try to reduce that early participation gap that has so strongly favored Democrats in recent years,” Farnsworth said. Read more.
[Va. GOP group launches ad painting Democrats as out of touch on abortion (The Washington Post)] “Even in red states, when abortion has been on the ballot, Republicans have lost,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “Arguing that Democrats favor infanticide is an example of how difficult their position is.” Read more.
[Early Voting Underway in Virginia Ahead of Big Election (The Roanoke Star)] The strategy is something Republicans should have done for past elections, according to Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. “Gov. Youngkin has recognized that Republicans have been at a huge disadvantage with early voting over the last several election cycles and the governor is moving aggressively to try to reduce that early participation gap that has so strongly favored Democrats in recent years,” Farnsworth said. Read more.
[As shutdown looms, Va. leaders urge Congress to ‘get their act together (Richmond Times-Dispatch; Martinsville Bulletin; Daily Progress)] Read more.
[Youngkin’s nightmare: A GOP-led government shutdown (Axios)] “Republicans in Congress are making it harder for Republicans in Virginia to win,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at University of Mary Washington. “Taking away someone’s paycheck, even temporarily, is a major source of anxiety.” Read more.
Larus Offers Guest Lecture to Pacific Forum Fellows
Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at Pacific Forum, offered the (virtual) guest lecture “Is the US Abandoning the One China Policy?” to Young Leaders Fellows of the Pacific Forum on September 26. Professor Larus explained that the US ‘one China’ policy confuses Beijing, which follows a ‘one China’ principle, resulting in misunderstandings and tensions in US-China relations. She also explained that despite Beijing’s misgivings, US support for Taiwan, including arms sales, does not violate the US ‘one China’ policy. Misstatements by US presidents concerning US military support for Taiwan further confuses Beijing.
Larus in other news:
Larus Comments on Cairo News on Pacific Island Leaders Summit
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at Pacific Forum, commented September 25 on Al Qahera Cairo News on President Biden’s Pacific Islands Leaders Summit. Professor Larus indicated that the meeting is part of an attempt to counter China’s growing influence in the Western Pacific as well as address the harmful effects of climate change on the island economies. Part of this effort is to pledge $40 million for infrastructure development and an additional $200 million over the next decade to address climate change. To increase US presence in the Pacific Islands, Biden announced formal recognition of the Cook Islands and Niue, both freely associated states near New Zealand, and opening or reopening of embassies in Tonga and Solomon Islands. View the interview (in Arabic).
Larus Comments on Egypt News on China Sanctions
Elizabeth Freund Larus, Ph.D., Professor Emerita of Political Science and International Affairs and Adjunct Fellow at Pacific Forum, September 15 offered comments to Egypt’s Al Qaher News on China sanctions against Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman. China claims that the firms’ participation in US arms sales to Taiwan violates China’s 2021 Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, which restricts individuals or entities making discriminatory measures against Chinese citizens or entities from doing business in or with China. Professor Larus indicated that US law prohibits arms sales to China, but the two firms still do business with China’s civilian aerospace industry. She also clarified the difference between the US ‘one China policy’ and Beijing’s ‘one China principle.’ She explained that US arms sales to Taiwan do not violate the US one China policy and is consistent with the US 1979 US Taiwan Relations Act (law). Watch the segment.
Jenkins to Facilitate Virginia Talent + Opportunity Workshop
Antoinette Carter Jenkins
The Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce is holding two workshops: Virginia Talent + Opportunity Partnership (V-Top) Workshop: Developing Our Workforce Through Internships. The workshops will be held on Oct. 4, 2023, at Germanna Community College. They will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dr. Antoinette Carter Jenkins, director of UMW’s Center for Career and Professional Development, will be the facilitator. Read more.
Moon Discusses Race-based Discrimination in Alexandria
Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon
The large lecture hall at the Holiday Inn down the street from Wegman’s in Carlyle began filling up well before the start time Tuesday evening August 29. Hundreds of Alexandria residents on both sides of this heated debate turned out for a three-hour information session, as they heard from housing experts on the plight of housing in the city of Alexandria.
Many more watched the panel session from home. The room was packed with several more people standing in the back. “We are here to educate, inform, and update you on the most recent data, and to hear from you,” began Nancy Wilson, assistant director, City Planning and Zoning.
Krystyn Moon, professor of History and American Studies at University of Mary Washington discussed race-based discrimination and mortgages in Alexandria and the history of redlining in our city. Read more.
Liss Elaborates on Correlation on Location of Residence to Happiness
Professor of Psychological Science and Department Chair Miriam Liss
The state of Indiana falls in the bottom 20th percentile on a new ranking for the happiest states to live in by personal financial website WalletHub.
The results released Tuesday cite that more than 75% of Americans who have experienced price increases where they live report feeling “very” or “moderately” stressed.
In addition, only 50% of Americans feel “very satisfied” with the way their personal life is going.
University of Mary Washington Professor of Psychology Dr. Miriam Liss said she considers one’s autonomy to be the leading indicator in being happy where you live. Liss pointed to affordable housing for what policymakers can do to attact and retain new residents. Read more.