The art of diplomacy

In a Feb. 11 Christian Science Monitor story, Dr. Warner Shilling, Columbia University, spoke of the fine art of diplomacy. Americans, he says, want solutions right away and are not willing to use diplomacy. He pointed to the Truman administration as an example of shaping diplomacy. Dr. Andrei Korobkov, international relations expert, agrees. "We tend to forget that the initial U.S. stance was based on isolationism, interrupted by the relatively short-lived activity splashes (such as during the two world wars). Meanwhile, the Truman administration introduced three new major elements in the international system." One was reconciliation and rebuilding, he notes.

Contact Korobkov at 615-898-2945.
korobkov@mtsu.edu

Crooks cooking books

In the wake of Enron and other corporate scandals, the public has come to see just how easy it is to commit fraud and how lax the system is, says Dr. Ken Edmisson, associate professor, School of Nursing, and expert in the psychosocial foundations of organizations. Top executives of major organizations must be compensated accordingly, both financially and with lucrative benefits, he notes. "They must be able to deal with and 'compete' with those of similar status in similar organizations. However, for those executives to basically steal monies is a blatant violation of the law and of trust." There must be better checks and balances, he adds.

Contact Edmisson at 615-898-5918.
edmisson@mtsu.edu

In whom we trust?

According to findings in the new MT Poll, the military currently merits the highest confidence of any public institutions, receiving a rating of "a great deal" by 67 percent for Tennesseans. Medicine holds second place at 40 percent, followed by the U.S. Supreme Court at 35 percent. In times of national threat, support for the military climbs rapidly; during times of calm, the level of support falls. Forty percent of Tennesseans expressed little confidence in advertising. Lack of confidence in television was expressed by 36 percent--in the press by 32 percent--in public relations by 24 percent.

Contact Dr. Robert Wyatt, poll director, at 615-477-8389, or Dr. Ken Blake, associate director, at 615-210-6187.

TODAY'S MTSU UPLINK AT 10 A.M.

SEGMENT 1: MTSU police chief Jack Drugmand explains the university's tornado alert system. Dispatcher Kim Coots demonstrates the system. (Today's video includes this morning's actual activation of MTSU's alert system on campus.)
SEGMENT 2: This week Rutherford County health officials began conducting training sessions at MTSU in smallpox immunization.
SEGMENT 3: Last night was the grand opening of the MTSU Tennessee Miller Coliseum.

TR EXTRA: TOMORROW, March 20, 4 p.m., the annual John Pleas Award will be presented to Dr. Bertha Clark, speech and theatre, at the MTSU Foundation Reception House, 325 W. Thompson Lane. The award, first presented in 1996 to Dr. John Pleas, professor of psychology, is awarded to a minority faculty member who has set a standard of excellence and contributed in significant ways to the university and community. Contact Clark at 615-898-2661. Media welcomed.
CHANGE OF LOCATION: The venue for the upcoming 14th Annual Volunteer Horse Fair, March 21-23, has been moved to MTSU's Tennessee Livestock Center. (Originally it was to be held at the new Tennessee Miller Coliseum, but inclement weather prevented the completion of certain areas in the new facility.) Friday and Saturday events ($10 admission each day) will begin at 9 a.m.; Sunday ($5) will begin with non-denominational worship at 9 a.m. A weekend pass is $20. For more information, call 615-297-3200. Media welcomed.
TORNADO EXPERT: In light of today's tornado alerts, you may want to contact Dr. James Henry, associate professor, geosciences, who has expertise in the following areas: tornadoes, meteorology, climatology, El Nino, global warming. 615-904-8452.
jhenry@mtsu.edu