Threatening and otherwise inappropriate letters to members of the United States Congress

The authors examine the characteristics of threatening and otherwise inappropriate communications sent to members of the U.S. Congress by a sample of 86 subjects, 20 of whom threatened assassination. We quote excerpts from these letters and provide quantitative data on such variables as the volume, duration, form, and appearance of such communications; the enclosures; the subjects' perceived relationships to the recipients; the thematic content of the communications; and the messages and threats communicated. Comparisons between 43 subjects who pursued encounters with members of Congress and 43 who did not revealed 17 factors associated with such pursuit. In this population, threateners were significantly less likely to pursue an encounter than inappropriate letter writers who did not threaten, regardless of the type of threat or the harm threatened. Inappropriate letters to members of Congress are compared with those directed to Hollywood celebrities. Mentally disordered persons writing to public figures often mention and sometimes threaten public figures other than those to whom the letters are addressed, which raises important issues regarding notification of endangered third parties and the sharing of information among protective agencies.     

Are Monetary Unions Inevitable?

With the rapid growth of cross-border competition among currencies, informed observers predict that the new monetary unions are virtually inevitable in many parts of the world. In fact, predictions of such alliances are misleading and almost certainly wrong. Monetary unions necessarily imply a measure of collective action in the issue and management of money. An alliance requires allies—other states with similar preferences and a disposition to act cooperatively. A survey of proposed monetary unions shows that willing partners among sovereign states are just not all that plentiful. Conceivably some governments could be attracted to less demanding forms of monetary alliance, depending on bargaining context. But prospects for many full new monetary unions are dim at best.     

试评澳大利亚霍华德政府的均衡外交政策

霍华德政府的"均衡"外交政策,是世纪之交澳大利亚政府外交政策的一个显著变化.霍华德四次执政,其"均衡"外交政策的成效是重要因素之一.本文试从当代澳大利亚外交的两大支柱--澳美关系和澳亚关系的角度,评述霍华德政府均衡外交政策的基本内容、发展演变的特点和原因及所面临的问题,并在此基础上,解读未来澳大利亚均衡外交的走向.     

Microbial Sampling and Data Interpretation for Problematic Buildings: Considerations for Construction Related Environmental Claims

Bioaerosol data is often used in cases of building mold infestation alleging damage or adverse health effects upon occupants, despite the lack of consistent sampling and analytical protocols and numerical health-based standards. The most fundamental problem in these scenarios is defining a “significant” difference between a suspect indoor environment and the reference environment, regardless of the type of sampling and analysis utilized. Data interpretation focused upon differences in absolute numerical concentrations of fungi is subject to wide differences in expert opinion. On the other hand, an objective quantification of differences can be expressed in terms of probability and better meets criteria established in evidentiary rules.     

欧盟对华认知变化及政策调整

本文认为,当前中欧关系的核心问题在于欧盟对华认知发生了较为明显的变化,包括:经济上不愿再将中国视为发展中国家,而是将中国视为可能对其造成潜在威胁的竞争者;政治上对中国未能向欧洲价值观靠拢感到失望和焦虑;在安全问题上欧盟出现"美国化"趋势,即在"防范"中国崛起问题上,与美国的共同语言开始增多。欧盟对华认知发生这些变化的主要原因是中欧双方实力对比和相对地位有变、美国对欧盟影响力增强。欧盟对华认知变化已导致欧盟对华政策出现一定调整,对华经贸政策更趋保守、更具防卫性和保护性,在能源安全、气候变化、环境保护等全球性议题上强调所谓"中国责任论"等。未来中欧关系的发展将在很大程度上取决于欧盟对华政策调整的方向和力度。     

关于推进社会主义新农村建设的几个重大问题

社会主义新农村建设作为历史性任务,是今后一个时期解决农业、农民和农村问题的总抓手。本文以此为基点,全面分析了新农村建设产生发展的历史必然性和基础条件,总结了自党的十六届五中全会提出新农村建设一年多各地的实践情况,有针对性地提出了新农村建设要着力解决的六大问题,并就如何进一步推进新农村建设,提出了五个方面的结论性建议。     

论无效劳动合同之确认

无效劳动合同具有自己独特的制度功能与价值取向。法律应当将社会公共利益、第三人利益以及劳动者的合法权益作为判定劳动合同是否有效的一般标准,并据此甄别与清理现行劳动法的相关规定,重新确定无效劳动合同的具体种类。     

中国古代民法与现代民法若干问题比较研究——以物权法为中心

本文以物权法为中心,从古代民法的有无、物权客体的分类、永佃权以及遗失物制度几个方面与现代民法进行了比较研究。得出了中国古代不仅存在民法而且内容非常丰富,对之进行研究将对我国现今民事立法大有裨益的结论。