Monday, December 6, 2010
Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University
CamScam
The NCAA ruled last week that Auburn quarterback Cam Newton would be eligible to play in the SEC Championship Game (Auburn routed South Carolina 56-17 on Saturday on the strength of a tour de force performance by Newton.) since the association has no evidence that he or Auburn knew about his father’s efforts to shop his son around to schools in apparent violation of NCAA standards. However, the younger Newton, the lead contender for the Heisman Trophy, is not totally in the clear. The Mississippi Secretary of State’s office will question former Mississippi State player Kenny Rogers on Thursday, Dec. 9, about Rogers’ role as the alleged middleman in the scheme. Dr. Colby Jubenville, health and human performance, says, “Though he is young and mistake-prone, ignorance will not be considered a defense. If Cam wants to clear his name, it’s not up to Auburn, the head coach, the SEC, the NCAA or his dad. It’s up to Cam Newton to clear Cam Newton.”
Contact Jubenville at 615-898-2909.
jubenvil@mtsu.edu
School officials in several states are prohibiting students from wearing “I (Heart) Boobies!” bracelets to raise awareness of breast cancer. But David Hudson, adjunct political science professor and First Amendment Center scholar, says those school officials’ actions are unconstitutional. “The bracelets are entitled to the same free-speech protection as the black peace armbands that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled middle-school and high-school students in Des Moines had a First Amendment right to wear to school in Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969),” says Hudson. “The lesson of Tinker is that school officials can’t ban ‘booby’ bracelets simply because they don’t like them or fear that a few people might be made uncomfortable by them.”
Contact Hudson at 615-727-1342.
A penny saved is a penny burned.
How much of a hit have savings accounts in Tennessee taken due to the recession? You might be surprised to learn that 26 percent of respondents in the latest Middle Tennessee Consumer Confidence Index say they are saving more now than prior to the recession. However, 38 percent say they are saving less. Dr. Tim Graeff, director of MTSU’s Office of Consumer Research, says, “Consumers were also asked to look ahead and predict their level of saving after the current recession ends and the economy strengthens. More than half (54 percent) expect to save more of their income than they are currently saving. Very few (5 percent) expect to decrease their level of saving. This suggests that some consumers who would like to be able to save a greater amount of their income are currently unable to do so.”
Contact Graeff at 615-898-5124.
TR EXTRA
HAPPY HOLIDAYS--It’s time again for “Operation Christmas Care,” the project that sends holiday cheer to wounded warriors. The service, which was started in 2006 by Lee Ann Newton, executive aide for the Tennessee Mathematics, Science and Technology Education Center, has sent more than 20,000 Christmas cards to hospitalized military personnel. “Unfortunately, our soldiers’ individual support systems often dwindle after the life-threatening danger has passed,” says Norton, “and yet their painful daily regiment toward recovery continues. E-mails are nice, and they’re appreciated, but a colorful card or letter with a heartfelt message of support and encouragement can beam from the walls of their hospital rooms until they leave.” Contact Newton at 615-904-8573 or lnewton@mtsu.edu.
posted by Today's Response From MTSU @ 8:25 AM
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