Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

Made in China

The Chinese trade surplus expanded to $112 billion in the first half of this year. That’s about 85 percent larger than for the same period in 2006. Even as questions about defective products continue to swirl, the economy continues to boom. Dr. Jinfeng Yue, management and marketing, says, “China’s economy highly depends on its exports and global demand for “made-in-China” manufacturing products. … Since it is expected that China’s currency will further appreciate against other major currencies (especially the U.S. dollar) in the near future, many international companies like to order now instead of order later to pay more. The short-term effect will still cause fast economic growth, just like what we have observed.”

Contact Yue at 615-898-5126.
jyue@mtsu.edu

The war on the wall

For local artist Erin Anfinson, the Civil War has become palpable via paint. Anfinson, an assistant professor of art at MTSU, has been commissioned to create a history-themed mural at The Heritage Center of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. “This experience makes the Civil War much more tangible than I’ve experienced before,” Anfinson says. The work, which is funded by the Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area, will be on display at the center’s main exhibit gallery as part of a permanent Civil War exhibit for the City of Murfreesboro and Rutherford County. While the mural has not yet been named, the exhibit is slated to be titled “The Time That Changed Everything: Murfreesboro’s Civil War Era.”

To request an interview with Anfinson, contact Lisa L. Rollins at 615-898-2919 or lrollins@mtsu.edu
For more information on the center, call 615-217-8013.

Murdoch madness

Rupert Murdoch’s takeover of the Wall Street Journal is an example of “cross ownership” at its worst, says Dr. Bob Pondillo, electronic media communication. “Haven’t we already seen that media conglomeration has been a bone-headed notion these past 14 years?” Pondillo asks. “This outrageous and dangerous deal should send a clear message to the U.S. Congress and the FCC (Federal Communications Commission)—it’s time to stop American media consolidation and pass new laws dismantling or at least highly circumscribing ‘cross ownership’ of media. A corporation should not be permitted to own a national news network and a national newspaper. Why? Concentrated power.”

Contact Pondillo at 615-904-8465.
pondillo@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

AUDIO AUGMENTATION--Give your kids a wholesome, fun extracurricular activity this school year. Enroll your child in the Youth Culture and Arts Center’s (YCAC) next recording workshop at MTSU. The current enrollment period is in effect through Sept. 7 for the upcoming Sept. 13-Oct. 12 workshop in MTSU’s John Bragg Mass Communication Building. The workshop is for youngsters ages 12-17, and the fee is $125 per student. Classes are taught by Ryan York, a 21-year-old MTSU student and teacher of guitar, bass, and drums lessons at Chambers Guitars and Musical Instruments in Murfreesboro. Ryan will provide instruction in cassette four-track instruction, digital eight-track, computer recording and electronic music. All proceeds will benefit YCAC, a program of Youth Empowerment Through Arts and Humanities (YEAH), a nonprofit organization. Call 615-631-9479 or contact York at bororecording@gmail.com.