Thursday, April 13, 2006

Today's Response
Middle Tennessee State University

The peacock vs. the perverts

NBC admits paying the organization “Perverted Justice,” an anti-kiddie porn group, to help it set up a sting titled “To Catch a Predator” for the series “Dateline NBC.” The Washington Post reported that the network paid at least $100,000. NBC officials say this is not comparable to paying for sources. They contend “Perverted Justice” was working as a consultant in the same way the network paid a company for its hidden camera technology. Dr. John Omachonu, assistant dean, College of Mass Communication, says, “I don’t think NBC violated any journalistic ethics in trying to facilitate a process that could put a child rapist or molester in prison. It is well worth it. The key is that NBC’s tactics should be applied only as a last resort. If there are other ways to obtain the same information or cooperation, I am sure that NBC would have explored them.”

Contact Omachonu at 615-898-2695.
omachonu@mtsu.edu

Dedicated follower of fashion

The second and final lecture in the Philosophy Lyceum lecture series for Spring 2006 is “Dressing Down, Dressing Up: The Philosophical Fear of Fashion” to be presented by Karen Hanson at 3:30 p.m. TOMORROW in Room 304 of the James Union Building. Hanson, who begins an appointment as dean of the Honors College at Indiana University this year, is the author of “The Self Imagined: Philosophical Reflections on the Social Character of Psyche” and a co-editor of “Romantic Revolutions: Criticism and Theory.” Her principal research interests are in philosophy of mind, ethics, aesthetics and American philosophy.

Contact Department of Philosophy at 615-898-2907.
principe@mtsu.edu

Say “Hi” to Hiatt

John Hiatt, one of America’s finest songwriters, will discuss his craft and perform a few numbers at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 19, in the State Farm Lecture Hall of the Business Aerospace Building. This event is free and open to the public. MEDIA WELCOMED. Hiatt is this year’s participant in the Tom T. Hall Writers Series, which celebrates songwriters, authors, poets and screenwriters. He is known for such hits as “Slow Turning,” Perfectly Good Guitar,” “Riding with the King,” “Cry Love,” and “Have a Little Faith in Me.” His songs have been covered by artists ranging from Bob Dylan and Bonnie Raitt to B.B. King and Iggy Pop.

Contact Beverly Keel at 615-898-5150.
bkeel@mtsu.edu


TR EXTRA

TOP CHOPPERS—TODAY, 10:30 a.m.—UH-60 troop transport helicopters from the Tennessee Army National Guard will land on the open field next to the soccer field behind the Campus Recreation Center. Landing times could vary by plus-or-minus 30 minutes. Following safety briefings and classes, contracted and enrolled Army cadets will be airlifted on short rides from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. For more information, contact LTC Todd Overby, military science, at 615-898-2470 or taoverby@mtsu.edu.

BOYS AND GIRLS AND EXERCISE—TOMORROW, 3:30 p.m.—Dr. Kathryn Davis, health and human performance, lectures on “The Influence of Gender on Teaching Elementary Physical Education” as the final presentation in the 2005-2006 Women’s Studies Research Series in Room 100 (the Faculty Senate room) of the James Union Building. For more information, contact the Women’s Studies Program office at 615-898-5910 or Dr. Trixie Smith at 615-904-8153 or tgsmith@mtsu.edu. MEDIA WELCOMED.

“THE TEACHER” IS IN THE HOUSE—FRIDAY--Hip-hop legend KRS-One will deliver a special guest lecture at 5 p.m. in Room 221 of the Learning Resources Center. Reporters will have an opportunity for questions and answers at 4 p.m. in the same room. Born Lawrence Krisna Parker in Brooklyn, N.Y., KRS-One originated Boogie Down Productions, “one of the most influential hardcore hip-hop outfits of the ‘80s,” according to Stephen Thomas Erlewine of All Music Guide. “KRS-One was known for his furiously political and socially conscious raps, which is the source of his nickname, ‘The Teacher.’” This event is free and open to the public thanks to support from the Center for Popular Music, the Robert W. McLean School of Music, the Department of Recording Industry and the MTSU Urban Music Society. Contact Dr. Felicia Miyakawa, music, at 615-904-8043 or miyakawa@mtsu.edu.

MULTICULTURAL KIDS—THROUGH MAY 5--It’s time for the annual “Diverse Tales for Diverse Tots” book drive. The Diversity Committee of the President’s Commission on the Status of Women is asking for donations of children’s books that reflect or teach about any aspect of diversity and/or multiculturalism. These books may be old or new and for any age group. They will be presented in May to the MTSU Extended Evening School Program at the Homer Pittard Campus School. Dropoff locations include in the Sociology and Anthropology office (307 Todd Building), the English office (302 Peck Hall), the June Anderson Women’s Center (206 James Union Building), and the Older Wiser Learners office (320 Keathley University Center). Contact Dr. Ida Fadzillah at 615-898-8275 or ifadzill@mtsu.edu or Dr. Elvira Casal at 615-898-2668 or ecasal@mtsu.edu.

ATTENTION: MTSU AUDIO CLIPS

MTSU Audio Clips and radio-ready stories for your newscasts are available at:http://mtsu20.mtsu.edu:880/redirect?http://www.mtsunews.comClick on "MTSU Audio Clips" on the right side of the page.TOPIC 1—BATTER UP!: It’s spring, when every young fan’s heart turns to baseball. Dr. Ron Kates, associate professor of English and Chicago Cubs fan extraordinaire, will celebrate this annual rite of rebirth with the Baseball Literature Conference March 31st. Special guests will be East Tennessee State University’s Dr. Don Johnson, editor of the sports literature journal “Aethlon,” and former Boston Red Sox and Montreal Expos pitcher Bill “The Spaceman” Lee.

TOPIC 2—NATIONAL WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH: The president of the American Civil Liberties Union, Nadine Strossen, will be the keynote speaker for National Women’s History Month at MTSU. Dr. Elyce Helford, chair of the Women’s Studies program, discusses Strossen’s upcoming appearance and the other events on tap to celebrate women’s fight for equality and justice.
Radio stations, if you need audio from MTSU, please call 615-898-2919 or email news@mtsu.edu. We will be glad to send MP3 audio via email or post the audio on our Audio Clips web page http://www.mtsunews.com/. Click on "MTSU Audio Clips" on the right side of the page.

VIDEO UPLINK

TV stations, if you need video from an event at MTSU, interviews with MTSU experts, or other specific video from the MTSU campus, please call 615-898-2919 or email news@mtsu.edu. With sufficient advanced notice, we have the capability to uplink video to stations with digital decoding equipment, or we can make arrangements to deliver tape or DVD to you.