I have just "harvested" the e-mail addresses of the members of the Legislature and Senate (see below). These can be collectively copied-and-pasted into one e-mail so that a single message can be sent to the entire Legislature with the click of one button. I have put parentheses and the beginning and end of the list; this means that each legislator and senator will receive what seems to be a private email rather than a message sent to a list. Here is what I am thinking of writing when I send my own message:
AN EMBARRASSMENT TO THE WHOLE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
Dear Mississippi Legislator,
The recent attempted firing of two distinguished tenured professors at the University of South Mississippi gave the entire state a huge black eye. Just when the dust seemed to be settling a bit, however, the president of the IHL compounded the problem in an extremely inflammatory interview on WLOX on the evening of Sunday, May 2. I can assure you that such events have become a cause of growing concern -- and condemnation -- among academics throughout the country. Indeed, anyone who cares about free speech, free thought, and ethical behavior must be saddened by the reputation Mississippi is receiving through the ill-considered behavior of such senior appointed officials. I hope the Legislature will move to remedy these problems to the extent that it can.
I just sent off my message, using the corrected list (thanks for doing that, by the way!). The whole process took less than a minute, but now the entire legislature is aware of Klumb's remarks (if they read their e-mail, that is). I urge others to write to them as well.
The message needs to be changed somewhat. NO free speech was violated. On one thread there was a mention that the settlement violated free speech! Do you really think Justice Anderson would have agreed to that? Come on!
Second, no one has been told not to think!
Finally, using the ethics argument will not work. There is already a public opinion on that about G&S.
If this is going to be done it better be done right!
quote: Originally posted by: NOTEWORTHY "The message needs to be changed somewhat. NO free speech was violated. On one thread there was a mention that the settlement violated free speech! Do you really think Justice Anderson would have agreed to that? Come on! Second, no one has been told not to think! Finally, using the ethics argument will not work. There is already a public opinion on that about G&S. If this is going to be done it better be done right!"
I'm not sure I understand this response. G&S tried to speak and think freely and were punished and vilified, most recently by Roy Klumb, whose most recent statements certainly strike me as unethical. Anyone who tries to think or speak "outside the box" at USM now risks having his or her e-mail monitored -- a fact that also strikes me as unethical (not to mention unAmerican).
In any case, what kind of message would you propose instead? The more we send, the better.
A small piece of good news, for a change: those of us who have written to the legislators have begun to receive some encouraging responses. I urge everyone on the board to keep the Legislature abreast of the latest developments. And, thanks to the ineptness of the other side, there is always something new to report.
I first want to commend everyone for keeping me posted on the goings on on campus. I, as alumni and avid supporter of faculty and students am appalled by how far that this Thames business has been allowed to go. I just emailed all on the list and have gotten some responses from D Dawins, R Patterson, D Reed, and J Fillingane. I also was tuning in to WLOX Sunday night, and wondered why some of the eloquent, outspoken folks didn't call in.
Pressure on the legislative members in Louisiana led to the "early retirement" of one univeristy president in their state. At some point the elected representatives of the citizens, that pay the taxes and tuition that support USM, will have had enough and do what is best for the state.
I've gotten a couple of responses, both negative. Mark Baker was one ~ I can't remember who the other person was. No postive responses yet ~ am glad to hear some people are getting them though.