This is the text of Mr. K's letter to the H'burg American, 5/5/04:

Being from the class of 1957 and a business major, I was astounded at the fact a professor has written 10,000 pages about 200 poems! It sounds like the congressional record.

I understand that in his circles he has much authority.

Now, let the leaders of the university lead!

I remember a quote from a famous president: "The business of business is business." Get my drift. Shelby Thames is a fine man and is being treated unfairly.

Mark my vote for his continued leadership.

Conrad Kleinpeter, Petal

Sir, you are my senior and a fellow alumnus; I have no wish to be disrespectful.   I would like to point out one bit of trivia that may be known only to us English majors:

That famous president, Calvin Cooledge-- in case it escapes your recollection -- said that "The business of America is business."  Perhaps that is not as trenchant as  the way you remember it, but it seems to be accepted as accurate.  Not to "gild the lily," but the statement was made in the 1920s and is "often mentioned as typical of the overconfidence in the American economy that preceded the Great Depression." 

see http://www.bartleby.com/59/12/businessofam.html

Perhaps your judgment is not quite as acute as your memory.