Community participation

Date: May 1, 2004

Community participation

Date: May 1, 2004

Excellent sentiments! We need to be ready to give them something to do once they do decide they want to help. Specifically, supply them with Virginia's addresses and numbers. Also we can't count out the power of legislators -- our locals. And poeple who are just around but have some influence. I can't believe there aren't people on this board who can't touch some of the powerful alums -- who knows Jim Payne?

We need these people to speak for us. After all, it was the alums behind athletics who put a huge amount of pressure to force Horace out . . .

Date: May 2, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: formerprof
"USM faculty face an uphill battle in ridding USM of Thames; therefore, we need the involvement of the community. Fortunately, many citizens are becoming aware of the fascist campus environment and are willing to speak out-- e.g., the statements by Bobby Chain in Saturday's Hattiesburg American. We need to make our case to our to our non-USM acquaintances and neighbors--their concerns, their protests probably have a greater impact than ours. It is encouraging that I have friends who are writing letters to IHL board members telling them how serious is our situation. Don't you know someone who will do the same? One last thought--where is Dr. Lucas? Aubrey, your silence is deafening. You are a man of conscience, and USM desperately needs your help. Whatever principle is keeping you out of the fray is not nearly as important as the travesty that is destroying our institution. Please help us! Speak up! l"

I agree with former professor. The faculty and staff will not rid USM of Shelby and company without the support of the community. People like Booby Chain and the Hartwigs have stepped up to the plate and we need others to so so.

From inside the University we often assume the community is behind Shelby and company as that is what the spin machine wants us to believe. In talking with individuals from all over the community, I find many who are embarrassed by his "leadership." Many others sit n the fence and yes, he has some supporters.

We need to co-op the community. The base of support is currently though out the USM faculty and staff. We must focus on behaviors community leaders will find repugnant.

A few words from Dr. Lucas would likely make a huge difference. We can only hope and assume he is working behind the scenes to save the University.

Thanks former Professor for the perspective.

Date: May 2, 2004

All kinds of activism

I posted the following a month ago and it seems like a good time and place to bump it up. A couple things I might add now... those who can afford to fund some of the more visible acts of resistance, please do... those who cannot assign their names to letters, please write anonymously... those who cannot make public statements, talk to everyone, everywhere about your disillusionment with this failed administration. NO QUARTER.

From Sphere:

What is your sphere of influence?

Not everyone is going to attend a rally, put an "Impeach Thames" bumper sticker on a car, wear one of the very cool Polk/McMillan t-shirts, stand a visible broom upside down, or even write signed letters to newspaper editors or board members. Many of the people on this website have and will continue to do these things. Those that have been out front activists cannot be commended enough and their efforts are truly making a difference. However, some people cannot or will not because of their positions in the community. Some cannot or will not because of the much touted fears of reprisal. Some cannot or will not because it's just not their style. That doesn't mean that these people can't be or aren't being effective. Everyone has individual spheres of influence - business dealings, community groups, places of worship, school functions, neighborhood gatherings, golf, dinner clubs, political meetings... A great deal is going on behind the scenes - don't rule out its importance!

Determine your sphere of influence and make the most of it.

Date: May 2, 2004

FormerProf

Aubrey is safely at home, occasionally attending USM events and banquets, where in private he says we need to get USM back on track.

He is a good man, a gentleman, but one who severely lacks courage.

I don't know, but one poster in another thread referred to Lucas' loss of memory when asked about the exact reasons Thames was asked by Lucas to step down from Gulf Park in 1981.

It is Lucas's fault.

He could have stopped the whole thing. We do not know, but it would appear from the surface that Aubrey may have particpated in destroying the documents from 1981. They do not seem to exist.

Anyone have any old newspaper stories about that. I was living thousands of miles away at that time.

Aubrey Lucas' continued silence is not only cowardly, it is ruining the USM that HE helped build.

Date: May 2, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by: RealityCheck He is a good man, a gentleman, ...

Reality chick,

You judge him harshly behind an anonmous e-mail. Don't do this. It is not good for the University or the cause. Shame on you!!

no quarter

Date: May 2, 2004

Don't expect helpn from Dr. Lucas, unless he has had a change of heart.

I used to respect Dr. Lucas, but when the IHL was considering who should be the next USM President, Dr. Lucas rolled over. He supported Shelby Thames.

Maybe by now he realizes what a mistake he made (like Bobby Chain). But, Shelby might not be here today without Dr. Lucas' help. Lucas' days of helping USM are over.

Date: May 2, 2004

In my original posting, I chided Dr. Lucas for not coming forward in public to help remedy USM's plight.

However, I in no way intended to suggest that Dr. Lucas is anything other than one of the most honorable and ethical men I have ever known. I just believe that the university desperately needs him to help solve this problem. Perhaps he is, behind the scenes. And he may be reticent to go public since his name is frequently mentioned as an interim if Thames is removed.

Dr. Lucas would have resolved the resume problem in about two minutes with his usual abundance of diplomacy.

This fight is not about Dr. Lucas so let's not make him the issue.

Date: May 2, 2004

I agree with the former contributor - Let's not drag Aubry Lucus into this. We are dealing with present reality- the reality of the Thames Administration. No transference of wrong doing, please!

Community people do need to step up to the plate and be known and comment publicly I, for one, am drafting my next editorial for the H'burg Am. A letter to the IHL board goes out this week. Everyone is invited to participate in this first ammendment priviledge.

Date: May 2, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: formerprof
"Dr. Lucas would have resolved the resume problem in about two minutes with his usual abundance of diplomacy. This fight is not about Dr. Lucas so let's not make him the issue. "

As is the case and often has been, formerprof, you are absolutely correct.

Date: May 2, 2004

Um, does anyone have a copy of that article/letter from Bobby Chain? I don't happen to suscribe to the HA, but from some of the comments here, I would love to read it.

Date: May 2, 2004

Concerned -

I believe that you can access the article from www.hattiesburgamerican.com

Date: May 2, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: usmstudent
"Concerned -
I believe that you can access the article from www.hattiesburgamerican.com"

I checked the web page, and the article/letter isn't there! I have read many of the articles on their web page, but this particular one isn't there. Anybody know why?

Date: May 2, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Concerned Citizen
" I checked the web page, and the article/letter isn't there! I have read many of the articles on their web page, but this particular one isn't there. Anybody know why?"

http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/news/stories/20040501/localnews/330558.html

Date: May 2, 2004

Boo,

A huge thank you!