A particularly idiotic letter to the HA

Date: May 18, 2004

A particularly idiotic letter to the HA

Date: May 18, 2004

As long as they continue to be Idiotic, let them eat paint.

Date: May 18, 2004

I am convinced that the editorial page editor of the Hat Am is deliberately selecting idiotic pro-Thames letters for publication.

Robert Campbell

Date: May 18, 2004

Robert,

You may very well be right -- I hadn't thought of that! This writer of this letter seems especially brainless; if he is any indication of the quality of thought support SFT, this situation is even sadder than I had already thought.

Date: May 18, 2004

Sorry: "support" should be "supporting."

Date: May 18, 2004

The argument from these pro-SFT people that we need to "get over it" is really getting old. Does it make more sense to get rid of the people complaining or get rid of the source of the complaints? Many of the faculty/staff who are upset with this administration have been working at USM for several years. These people weren't "complaining" before. The difference in the equation is Thames. If these pro-SFT people think getting rid of all the upset faculty is the solution to this mess I dare them to do it. See how easy it will be to fill hundreds more open positions added to the 112 or so already open.

Date: May 18, 2004

Are we sure this guy is pro-Thames?

"Do what is best for the students, the programs and the future of Southern Miss, please" could easily be taken to mean "fire Shelby Thames immediately," y'know?

Date: May 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
"Are we sure this guy is pro-Thames? "Do what is best for the students, the programs and the future of Southern Miss, please" could easily be taken to mean "fire Shelby Thames immediately," y'know?"

except that it is written poorly and follows the party line of the Thames camp.

Date: May 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
"Are we sure this guy is pro-Thames?

"Do what is best for the students, the programs and the future of Southern Miss, please" could easily be taken to mean "fire Shelby Thames immediately," y'know?"

I assume he is pro-Thames because he says he is tired of the "complaining" which has been the theme of many of these letters. The pro-Thames people have been pushing this "whiney faculty" idea. Also the "take an aspirin" comment I think gives it away. Just my opinion.

Date: May 18, 2004

The reason I was offended by the letter is that it absolutely trivializes a very serious situation. It doesn't even begin to offer a serious response. That is why I assumed it was from a Thames supporter, and why I continue to assume this.

Date: May 18, 2004

I guess I need to enclose comments such as the one I made up this thread with <JOKE> </JOKE> html markups.

I still think an appropriate follow-up to this guy would be to write, "I agree that we need to do what's best for USM & its students. Shelby Thames should resign & if he doesn't, he should be fired."

Date: May 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
"I guess I need to enclose comments such as the one I made up this thread with <JOKE> </JOKE> html markups. I still think an appropriate follow-up to this guy would be to write, "I agree that we need to do what's best for USM & its students. Shelby Thames should resign & if he doesn't, he should be fired." "

DUH! Sorry, Invictus -- I should have seen the humor. I guess I was paying more attention to the message itself than to who posted it! My reaction reminds me of a student of mine who actually convinced his girlfriend that the word "gullible" was not in the dictionary!

Date: May 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: USM Sympathizer
My reaction reminds me of a student of mine who actually convinced his girlfriend that the word "gullible" was not in the dictionary!"

Oh, so you're not a lawyer! Seriously, I take it you are an academic of some sort. Can you tell us anything about the reactions at your location to USM's situation?

Date: May 18, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: LVN
" Oh, so you're not a lawyer! Seriously, I take it you are an academic of some sort. Can you tell us anything about the reactions at your location to USM's situation? "

The reaction of every single person with whom I have spoken has been to be appalled at SFT. Often these were reactions unsolicited by me, usually in response to reading the original article in the Chronicle. I hate to say this, but one colleague quipped that SFT "even LOOKS like a cracker." And this from a person who admires the South.