Monday, October 6, 2008

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

How low can you go?

The confidence Middle Tennessee consumers have in the economy is at rock bottom. Dr. Tim Graeff, director of MTSU’s Office of Consumer Research, says the latest Middle Tennessee consumer confidence index is at one—that’s right, one—compared to 30 in May. In February 2007, the overall index was at 319. “Unfortunately for local retailers, when consumers begin to feel uncomfortable about their unemployment situation and the outlook for the job market, and they are forced to tighten their budgets in response to increased gasoline prices, they become less willing to make large purchases,” Graeff says. The index is based on telephone interviews with 411 randomly selected adult residents from Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson counties on Monday, Sept. 29, and Thursday, Oct. 2.

Contact Graeff at 615-898-5124.
mailto:615-898-5124.tgraeff@mtsu.edu

Is Tina Fey available for weddings and bar mitzvahs?

Boo-boos in presidential and vice presidential debates are nothing new. Dr. Larry Burriss, journalism professor and First Amendment expert, says we probably don’t get much from these encounters. “The offhand remark, the nervous tic, the shifty gaze, the nasty exchange or the funny line that brings genuine laughter, often are what sticks in the public's mind after presidential debates,” Burriss says. “In fact, there is evidence that the only reason people watched the vice presidential debate last week was to see if either Joe Biden or Sarah Palin would make a mistake that might cost them the election. These indelible moments are like video shots at a wedding - the only parts you remember are the ones you see again and again.”

Contact Burriss at 615-898-2983.
mailto:615-898-2983.lburriss@mtsu.edu

Can we get Al Michaels to do the play-by-play?

The public is invited to join the MTSU community at a free and open debate-watching party beginning at 7:45 p.m. tomorrow night, Tuesday, Oct. 7, in the State Farm Lecture Hall of the Business and Aerospace Building. Dr. Russell Church, professor of speech and theatre, will provide an introduction to this second of three televised debates between U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) at Belmont University in Nashville and lead a discussion afterward. Light snacks will be provided. “MTSU is especially interested in providing its students with opportunities to discuss important issues with members of the surrounding community,” says Dr. Jim Williams, co-coordinator of the American Democracy Project, which will sponsor the debate party along with the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs. “It would be great for townspeople to join us and share their perspectives on the election.”

For more information, contact Williams or ADP assistant Betty Rowland at 615-898-2632. The ADP Web site is http://www.mtsu.edu/~amerdem.

TR EXTRA

GENTLEMEN, START YOUR RHETORIC.--The official timekeeper and line producer for all of the 2008 presidential and vice presidential debates, Paul H. Byers, will be the next guest speaker in the continuing fall lecture series, “Politics and the Press: The Relationship Between Government and the Fourth Estate,” presented by the University Honors College at MTSU. Byers will talk at 3 p.m. today, Oct. 6, in Room 106 of the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building. Byers is director of the Center for Ethical Concerns at Marymount University in Arlington, Va., where he has taught in the Communications Department since 1988. His journalism experience includes nine years with Post-Newsweek Stations, 11 years with CBS News and two years at NBC News. He also has worked for Congressional Quarterly, WAMU-FM in Washington, D.C., and The Eastern Educational Radio Network, the forerunner of National Public Radio. For more information, contact the University Honors College at 615-898-2152.

THE HORRORS AT HOME--The June Anderson Women’s Center (JAWC) at MTSU will augment its constant concern for the health and safety of women and girls in October with observances of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Janine Latus, author of If I Am Missing or Dead—A Sister’s Story of Love, Murder and Liberation, will be the keynote speaker for Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities. Latus will deliver her address at 4 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 7, in Tom H. Jackson Hall with a reception and book signing to follow. If I Am Missing or Dead chronicles Latus’ courage in breaking out of a repressive marriage only to learn that her younger sister, Amy, had been murdered by her boyfriend. Contact the JAWC at 615-898-2193 or jawc@mtsu.edu. This event is free and open to the public.

HABLAMOS ESPANOL--MTSU’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing through Oct. 15 with numerous cultural and informational events on tap. Today, Oct. 6, Sidelines, the student newspaper, features a crossword puzzle with a Hispanic history theme. Prizes will be awarded in KUC Room 326 for the first five correct submittals. Also, ongoing Hispanic Poetry Periods and Latin music experiences will be conducted near the KUC Knoll, and special programming will be shown in dormitory lobbies. WMOT-FM (89.5) will air Latin jazz every Sunday. All events are free and open to the public. For additional information, contact the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs at 615-898-5812.

NO NEED FOR THE TIM RUSSERT MEMORIAL DRY ERASE BOARD (FLORIDA! FLORIDA! FLORIDA!)—MTSU students will prepare and broadcast their own election night roundup live on MTTV, Channel 10, from 8 p.m. to 11 or possibly later, on Election Night, Tuesday, Nov. 4, depending on how close the tallies are. “It becomes more than just an organizational exercise, which is important,” says Dr. Bob Pondillo, who teaches “Electronic Media Production: Election Night News Coverage.” “However, it’s one thing to know how to make great television, but it’s quite another to know how to engage the community.” Although arrangements are subject to revision at a moment’s notice depending on the circumstances, the class is planning on three bases for live shots. The percentages in each race will be displayed at the bottom of the television screen through a black box Associated Press interface device. Contact Pondillo at 615-904-8465 or pondillo@mtsu.edu.