Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Civil war in Iraq?

In a column in the Daily Telegraph of London, Edward Luttwak, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, stated that the U.S. is making a mistake by interfering with Iraq’s civil war. He cites England’s civil war in the mid-17th century and the U.S. Civil War as examples of civil wars that “worked.” Dr. Karen Petersen, political science, says, “Making comparisons between the civil wars of the United States and England and the current situation in Iraq is a deeply flawed exercise and indicates a lack of understanding of the research on conflict.” Regarding Luttwak’s assertion America should pull its troops out of Iraq, “If we set aside the issue of nuclear weapons (and other WMDs), the pattern of internationalization of civil conflict, the civilian casualties that would result, the interests of other powers in the region (Iran, for example), the Kurdish minorities in other states, and the resulting damage to an already battered U.S. reputation internationally, then perhaps he has a point,” she says.

Contact Petersen at 615-898-2708.
kpeterse@mtsu.edu

No tattoo necessary

Eighty-year-old Mary Wohlford, a retired nurse, recently made headlines by having the words “DO NOT RESUSCITATE” tattooed on her chest. Judy Campbell, associate professor of nursing, says, “It is unfortunate that we have come to this point that someone would feel that the only way that they feel confident that their wishes would be implemented would be such an extreme measure as a tattoo. The documents in the state of Tennessee have been revisited and are much easier for someone to utilize now. An advance directive consists of a living will and the identification of a health care proxy. This is what is needed for all adults to do.”

Contact Campbell at 615-898-5729.
jcampbel@mtsu.edu

Girls just want to have government

The American Legion Auxiliary’s 60th session of Volunteer Girls State will be held May 28-June 3 at MTSU. Gov. Phil Bredesen will address the gathering at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, May 31, at Tucker Theatre. More than 500 rising seniors from across the state will engage in a week of activities, including debating the issues that challenge Tennessee’s state legislature. The girls will form their own city, county and state governments, as well. Two Girls State delegates will be picked to represent VGS at Girls Nation in Washington, D.C. in July. Program leaders will select one delegate to compete for a $10,000 college scholarship provided by the Samsung Corporation.

For more information, including pictures and updates on this year’s VGS event, please visit the Web site at http://www.volunteergirlsstate.org.

TR EXTRA

SAVE THOSE TICKETS!—Due to illness, “Fresh Air” radio show host Terry Gross was notable to fulfill her previously scheduled commitments at MTSU. Her appearance has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 19. Marc J. Barr, electronic media communication, says new tickets will not be printed. Therefore, people with the original April 17 tickets are encouraged to keep them for the September event. For more information, contact Barr at 615-898-5118 or at mjbarr@mtsu.edu.

THE ART OF GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL--High school students can spend a fun and productive summer at the annual Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts June 11-July 15 at MTSU. Youngsters will enjoy intensive study in art, dance, theater and music during the five-week residence program. Students now will receive six hours of college credit instead of three, as was the case in prior years. “We had a fantastic school in 2005, with more than 200 talented students who had a wonderful, life-changing experience at MTSU,” Dale McGilliard, professor of speech and theatre, observes. “Everything from registration into classes, to buses to dorms, to the smallest detail was excellent, thanks to all the school’s teachers who worked so hard to make things happen for these young artists of Tennessee.” Contact McGilliard at 615-898-2274 or dmcgilli@mtsu.edu.