Hello Fire Shelbyites:

The Jihad continues.  Judge Cooley just showed up at his suite at Hawthorne, although he didn't look too good.  A couple of you --- Fire Shelby and present professor --- were right on.  He has been down in New Orleans at the casino this whole time.  Here's the deal.  He was in a marathon high-stakes poker game with Mr. Morial this whole time.  From what I here, it drew huge crowds, tv and paper reporters, the whole thing.  The best news --- Judge Cooley went down there with our last bit of money ($132,000) and returned with $1.26 million.  This means that, not only can we stay around a bit longer, we'll be able to spread some more money around to grease wheels.  Judge Cooley is an amazing human being, I hope many of you get a chance to meet him during his travels around the Hub City.

Tonight I'll be giving you a special report on what always happens when Judge Cooley returns from a successful trip to a casino (all of his trips to a casino are successful).  It will involve a little trip to Paninos tonight (a brief preview).

Our spirits are up again.  Today  I am going to reimburse the City for any expenses it has incurred searching for Judge Cooley.  My associate's suite is vacated for now, so he has yet to hear the news about our boss' return. 

Judge Cooley is showering/shaving now, and I'm working on our agenda for the day.  We are headed to campus first thing to discuss your "grief" (notice my choice of words; i.e. not "low morale").  These are talking points being sent out today by Shelby and Ms. Naylor to the USM community (we have an advance copy).

I'm hoping to catch up with Dean Pood today.  We want to find out what was so important yesterday that caused him to miss the first meeting of the PUC --- that new Council he fostered.  It doesn't make sense, but maybe he's got an excuse.  We also hope to have a little chat with your band director (Mr. Fraschillo).  We hear the "grieving" period is already over for him. 

Again, there is a tremendous atmosphere over here at Hawthorne this morning.  All the employees and other guests are elated.  They've come to know Judge Cooley as we do, and are fully supportive of the good work he is doing here.

Until later.

Thomas Cooley's Risk Manager