BALL STATE SOURCES FOR POTENTIAL WAR WITH IRAQ
Ball State University experts are available to provide information and background on a variety of issues related to a potential war with Iraq. Story ideas include:
Patrick Barkey, economics professor, can theorize how U.S. and world economies will be impacted by an extended war.
Steve Bell, telecommunications professor, can discuss the life of a war reporter based on his experience covering the Vietnam War for ABC News.
Ann Blakey, biology professor, can discuss possible use of biological weapons by the Iraqis against invading troops as well as the history of such chemicals.
Ruth Howes, a Ball State nuclear physics professor and former director of the Center for Global Security Studies, is available to discuss various weapons of mass destruction and how Americans should prepare in case of an emergency.
Stephen Johnson, a Ball State sociologist, can discuss how religion may play a role in developing anti-Islamic feelings. In a new survey, Johnson found that people who have negative views of other cultures and attend churches with conservative beliefs tend to be more anti-Islamic.
Theresa Kruczek, a counseling psychologist whose specialty is counseling children, is available to discuss how to talk children through the trauma of war.
James Lowry, a retail-marketing analyst, is available to discuss the impact a conflict in Iraq will have on consumer spending, especially during the upcoming Easter season that has become a major revenue-generator for retailers. He believes an invasion of Iraq would create uncertainty, keeping shoppers at home glued to their televisions instead of in stores buying Easter goods.
Scott Mazzetti, an exercise research specialist in the Human Performance Laboratory, is available to discuss how exercise can reduce stress levels during times of conflict.
Robert Pritchard, public relations professor, is available to discuss how the military will handle reporters and cameras crews from networks around the world. He is a retired U.S. Navy captain who specialized in public affairs in Europe and the Middle East.
Cy Reed, associate provost and international affairs expert, can offer insight into how Middle Easterners perceive America. "This is not a clear-cut case of aggression like when Iraq invaded Kuwait," Reed said. "Having the most powerful military force overthrow Iraq won't be a surprise. How the rest of the Arab world reacts afterward and what will happen next will be the surprise."
Melvin Sharpe, public relations professor, can provide insights on how America is perceived by other nations through Hollywood movies and television shows broadcast overseas.
Kevin Smith, history professor, can provide an historical perspective of American military traditions, including the nation's avoidance of starting wars despite evidence of weapons of mass destruction (citing China and the former Soviet Union as examples).
Edward Wolner, an architecture professor, can point out the potential monuments and structures dating back to Biblical times that could be lost during a war in Iraq. "The Ziggurat at Ur (Abraham, the first Hebrew, was born in Ur) is the principal ancient monument that could be lost," Wolner said. "More than likely, the reconstructed walls of ancient Babylon, in present day Baghdad, might also be lost to bombing." Baghdad has at least one medieval madrassah (school complex), and a splendid mosque and minaret (tower for calling the faithful to prayer) at Samarra that could also be threatened, Wolner said.
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