Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

The silver lining?

MTSU’s Consumer Confidence Index shows that, while local consumers view the national economy and the job market more negatively than the country as a whole, they are more optimistic about the future. Only seven percent of respondents consider business conditions in the U.S. to be good, compared with 13 percent nationwide. However, 40 percent say business conditions will be better six months from now, compared with 14 percent nationwide. Thirty-nine percent say their personal financial situation will be better in 12 months, compared with 14 percent nationwide. 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 Dr. Tim Graeff, director, MTSU Office of Consumer Research, at 615-898-5124.
tgraeff@mtsu.edu

They report, you decide.

CNN Senior Political Correspondent Candy Crowley (pronounced KROH-lee) and Pulitzer Prize-winner Walter Mears are among the nationally recognized journalists who will discuss the presidential election at MTSU’s Keathley University Center Theater tomorrow, Oct. 8. “History in the Making: Press Coverage of the Presidential Campaign” is the fourth in a yearlong series sponsored by the Seigenthaler Chair of Excellence in First Amendment Studies that examines the media and the presidential election. At 10:30 a.m., Mears will present “On the Campaign Trail: 48 Years of Covering Presidential Politics.” At 11:30 a.m., Mears will join Bill Kovach, John Mashek and John Seigenthaler for “The Morning After: Who W.on the Presidential Debates?”, a panel discussion moderated by Beverly Keel, director of the Seigenthaler Chair. At 12:40 p.m., Crowley will present “One on One with Candy Crowley.” This event is free and open to the public. Media welcomed.

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

The Roth IRA (Indignation Rules America)

Some people might not think of Philip Roth as a political novelist, but Dr. Robb McDaniel, political science, says his recent novels are devoted to “liberalism and terror.” In “The American Stain: Virtue, Memory and Corruption in Philip Roth,” McDaniel writes, “Exploring the dynamics of American political culture, he depicts an Edenic ideal built upon ice and collapsing under its own weight. His characters construct narratives of their own essential Americanism only to find their identities unraveled by their fateful decisions.” Roth’s new novel, Indignation, is about Marcus, a young Jewish man, whose father fears that his son will be drafted and die in the Korean War. Tearing himself away from his father’s protectiveness, Marcus seeks security at a Midwestern college, but unexpected circumstances foil his plans for living his life his way.

Contact McDaniel at 615-904-8245.
rmcdanie@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

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. tonight, 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.

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. today, 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.

WORKING WARMLY--Dr. Janet McCormick, associate professor of speech and theatre, will present “Happiness is a Warm Workplace,” a brown bag luncheon discussion in the June Anderson Women’s Center’s Career/Professional Development Series, at noon today, Oct. 7, in Dining Room C of the James Union Building. This session is on how to create and maintain a positive communication climate in the workplace. For more information, contact the Women’s Center at 615-898-2193 or jawc@mtsu.edu.

HABLAMOS ESPANOL--MTSU’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing through Oct. 15 with numerous cultural and informational events on tap. 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.