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“The Romanian army defects to the cause of anti-communist demonstrators, and the government of Nicolae Ceausescu is overthrown. The end of 42 years of communist rule came three days after Ceausescu’s security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Timisoara. After the army’s defection, Ceausescu and his wife fled from Bucharest in a helicopter but were captured and convicted of mass murder in a hasty military trial. On December 25, they were executed by a firing squad.

“Ceausescu, ruler of Romania since 1965, had resisted the liberalization of the USSR and other Soviet bloc countries in the late 1980s. By the time of his government’s downfall in 1989, Romania was the most repressive and economically backward country in Europe.”

From : https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/romanian-government-falls

From all of us in the Department of Political Science, have a restful, enjoyable and festive winter break, and….

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

FOR THOSE WHO ARE GRADUATING TODAY: All of us in the Department of Political Science congratulate you, thank you for letting us share your college experience with you, and wish you the best of luck moving forward!

WASHINGTON: In an effort to dissuade the Russian leader from invading Ukraine, President Joe Biden reportedly told Vladimir Putin Wednesday, “You know, if I were you, I’d go after Finland.” “Ukraine’s cool and everything, but Finland has, like, an eighth of the people and twice the GDP—it’d be a breeze to annex, really,” said Biden on a phone call, hoping to avert a global crisis by convincing Putin that out of all the bordering countries Russia could possibly attack, the small Scandinavian nation had the most “bang for your buck.” “Look, I’m not trying to step on your toes; I’m just reminding you that you’ve got options. Why would you want a Slavic country anyway? You’re already a Slavic country; it makes no sense. Honestly, I doubt if they would put up much of a fight. Plus, I just Googled Finland, and wow, it looks beautiful. You can’t visit Santa Claus Village in Ukraine.” At press time, Biden added that invading Finland would also put Putin perfectly in position to invade Sweden.

From: https://www.theonion.com/you-know-if-i-were-you-i-d-go-after-finland-says-b-1848174572

(Disclaimer: If you didn’t know, “The Onion” is a satire website…)

Dr. Baekwan Park & Dr. Jody Baumgartner have a forthcoming article in Presidential Studies Quarterly examining the dynamics of the selection of vice presidential candidates.

Abstract: This essay updates the small amount of formal research produced in the past 30 years dedicated to explicating the factors which drive the selection of a vice presidential nominee. Numerous demographic and political characteristics of the individuals on the presidential nominees’ short lists, as well as various measures of presidential ticket balance are modeled for the 24 contested major party vice presidential nominations from 1960 through 2020. Discrete choice analysis highlights the idea that the calculus used by presidential nominees to select their running mate has become more complex in the modern era. Years served in national political office, exposure in the national media, bringing either gender or racial/ethnic diversity to the ticket, youth, and not having been a rival for the presidential nomination, are all factors that seem to matter in the selection process. Predicted probabilities generated from the model correctly identify 18 (75%) of the eventual nominees.

 

ATTENTION ALL CURRENTLY ENROLLED UNC SYSTEM STUDENTS!! Interested in a one-of-a-kind, hands-on experience with the US Army Special Operations Command working on real national security challenges?  See links below for summer 2022 internship opportunities paid at competitive rates! You’ll also get a security clearance and work alongside some of our nation’s finest soldiers and civilians for a rewarding summer at Ft. Bragg, NC.

Apply by December 21^st!

1.      Unmanned Aerial Systems Engineering – Army Special Operations Intern (x2 positions)

https://northcarolina.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/68?c=northcarolina

2.      Strength & Conditioning – Army Special Operations Intern

https://northcarolina.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/76?c=northcarolina

3.      Historical Archive Digitization – Army Special Operations Intern

https://northcarolina.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/75?c=northcarolina

4.      Cognitive Performance – Army Special Operations Intern

https://northcarolina.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/74?c=northcarolina

5.      Psychological Operations Data Scientist – Army Special Operations Intern

https://northcarolina.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/73?c=northcarolina

6.      Political Economic Analyst for Civil Affairs – Army Special Operations Intern

https://northcarolina.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/72?c=northcarolina

7.      Marketing & Communications for Civil Affairs – Army Special Operations Intern

https://northcarolina.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/71?c=northcarolina

8.      Database Research & Development for Civil Affairs – Army Special Operations Intern

https://northcarolina.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/70?c=northcarolina

9.      Data Scientist for Civil Knowledge Integration – Army Special Operations Intern

https://northcarolina.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/69?c=northcarolina

10.  Data Analyst for Civil Affairs Lessons Learned – Army Special Operations Intern

https://northcarolina.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/requisition/67?c=northcarolina

We made it – another semester of classes finished. All that’s left now are exams… GOOD LUCK!

Dr. Sharon Paynter, assistant vice chancellor for economic and community engagement, was one of 28 members named to the board during APLU’s 134th annual meeting. Paynter serves as the vice chairperson for community engagement on the APLU’s Commission of Economic and Community Engagement.

The APLU board of directors provides oversight and direction for the organization’s work. Board members work to foster student success and research and innovation at higher education institutions, while working hand in hand with local communities to solve societal needs.

Full story is here: https://news.ecu.edu/2021/11/26/paynter-named-to-2022-aplu-board-of-directors/.