Soundbites

Here is a sampling of quotations from Cornell University faculty, students and staff that have appeared recently in the national and international news media:

"If we can't vouch for how it was prepared or where it came from, your best policy may be to make sure it's spicy."

-- Paul Sherman, professor of neurobiology and behavior, discussing the antibiotic potency of spices in food, in The Washington Post, March 2.

"The First Amendment is a shield. It's certainly not a sword in Ken Starr's hands, even though he may think it is. [Starr's citing the First Amendment as a defense is] a smoke screen for what appears to be retaliation for criticism against him. That's way out of bounds."

-- Steven Shiffrin, professor of law, discussing independent counsel Ken Starr's use of the First Amendment to defend his decision to subpoena White House officials he suspects of "misinformation," in The Washington Post, Feb. 27.

"The message is that a failure to adhere to the law can result in damages that far exceed any amount of money that employees could make on the job in several years."

-- David Sherwyn, assistant professor of hotel administration, in an article about a $750,000 award a federal jury gave three waitresses who charged a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., restaurant with discrimination against pregnant employees, in the Miami Herald, Feb. 5.

"Many teenage pregnancies aren't accidental but intentional because of girls who see no life goals other than being a mother as realistically within their reach. Too many teenage girls see themselves as having nothing to strive for. ... Prevention programs based on promoting abstinence don't reduce adolescent sex, and school-based clinics, sex education and contraceptive service programs have little impact on teen sexual activity. ... we have to spend the money up front and provide girls early with the support and skills they need to have a sense of control over their lives and the means to make meaningful choices."

-- Andrea Parrot, associate professor of policy analysis and management, discussing teen-age mothers in the Tampa Tribune, Jan. 25.