Booing DuPree - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Nov 7, 2004

RE: Booing DuPree

Date: Nov 7, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by: Seeker
"This was never a race issue until Kenny Fairly made it into a race issue. This was never an issue of class warfare until Kenny Fairly decided that he was getting no cut from the deal and decided to make it an issue of class warfare.

Get real, Seeker. If you think Kenny Fairley created the "race issue" in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, then I've definitely got a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you. You're giving him way too much power.

As for you guys making the accusations that SFT is behind the boycotts of Sweet Peppers, I would like to point you to EagleTalk.net where discussions started and to www.ShowYourGold.com where alumni can find a listing of some establishments that supported the bond issue. Both of these websites are not controled in any way by Thames.

Yep, Seeker, and I'm sure that Bushie and Rovie had NOTHING to do with the Swift Boat Veterans for (gag) Truth. Again, get real. SFT and Co are all over this.

Date: Nov 7, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"ram--i don't disagree with you on whether the bond issue would improve conditions in east hattiesburg. however, when you say it is disingenous to say that USM doesn't help the community, especially east hattiesburg, i think that statment overlooks the employment issues. you are right, it doesn't pave streets and it doesn't improve the sewer system."

Employment? You mean, barely a living wage? I'd like to know how many USM employees (not just Physical Plant employees, but secretarial employees, too) qualify for food stamps and other public assistance. I'm sure the number would be shocking.

Date: Nov 7, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"Employment? You mean, barely a living wage? I'd like to know how many USM employees (not just Physical Plant employees, but secretarial employees, too) qualify for food stamps and other public assistance. I'm sure the number would be shocking."

I believe that graduate stipends in some deparments are greater than secretarial salaries. Pitiful.

Date: Nov 7, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: A daze work for a days pay
"I believe that graduate stipends in some deparments are greater than secretarial salaries. Pitiful. "

Absolutely true. I know of at least one secretary who worked at USM for many, many years and barely got her salary up to $30K before she retired. A grad stipend in Polymer Science is probably up to close to that by now (I think it was $25K or so a little over a year ago).

Date: Nov 8, 2004

Some secretaries were making 14 and they were trying to get them up to 18.

Date: Nov 8, 2004

years ago i talked with the guy that ran antonelli college and asked him why any secretary would leave their job to come work at USM when pay is lousy. he said it's the benefits, specifically insurance. many outside of USM have to pay for their own insurance. i knew a secretary who left her job as a legal secretary to become a secretary at USM for less money. i asked why and she said she had to pay for her insurance as a legal secretary. although her salary at USM was less, she took home more money because she didn't have to pay for her insurance. and then there's state retirement.

Date: Nov 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: truth4usm/AH
"....I'm sure that Bushie and Rovie had NOTHING to do with Swift Boat Veterans for Truth."

I am reluctant to address this matter in a forum that has been and should remain apolitical. I did not support or vote for George Bush, but was fervently anti-Kerry, a position which stems from my personal knowledge of and interactions with the man over 30 years ago. At least half the swift boat group were registered Democrats. The Democratic party could have easily fielded a superior non-regional candidate and defeated Bush. The current primary system is front-loaded in favor of Northeastern presidential aspirants. Kerry's nomination and defeat were the unfortunate consequences of this process. In the most conciliatory tone I can muster, I'd urge that we confine discussion here to matters which advance our primary mission, improving our university by freeing USM from tyranny. Flame away if you wish. I will make no further comment.

Date: Nov 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"years ago i talked with the guy that ran antonelli college and asked him why any secretary would leave their job to come work at USM when pay is lousy. he said it's the benefits, specifically insurance. many outside of USM have to pay for their own insurance. i knew a secretary who left her job as a legal secretary to become a secretary at USM for less money. i asked why and she said she had to pay for her insurance as a legal secretary. although her salary at USM was less, she took home more money because she didn't have to pay for her insurance. and then there's state retirement. "

There's also the free courses and the 50% off tuition for dependents.

The loss of some of those benefits could be a problem for the food service workers and book store workers who now work for a private company. Does anybody know what the benefit package looks like now for those people?

Date: Nov 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"years ago i talked with the guy that ran antonelli college and asked him why any secretary would leave their job to come work at USM when pay is lousy. he said it's the benefits, specifically insurance. many outside of USM have to pay for their own insurance. i knew a secretary who left her job as a legal secretary to become a secretary at USM for less money. i asked why and she said she had to pay for her insurance as a legal secretary. although her salary at USM was less, she took home more money because she didn't have to pay for her insurance. and then there's state retirement. "

I know that this is true, but it doesn't make it right, SCM. To me, this is a sad commentary on the state of health care in the US currently, but I've already gotten into enough trouble on this board by provoking the resident libertarians and neocons.

Date: Nov 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Old Vet
"I am reluctant to address this matter in a forum that has been and should remain apolitical. I did not support or vote for George Bush, but was fervently anti-Kerry, a position which stems from my personal knowledge of and interactions with the man over 30 years ago. At least half the swift boat group were registered Democrats. The Democratic party could have easily fielded a superior non-regional candidate and defeated Bush. The current primary system is front-loaded in favor of Northeastern presidential aspirants. Kerry's nomination and defeat were the unfortunate consequences of this process. In the most conciliatory tone I can muster, I'd urge that we confine discussion here to matters which advance our primary mission, improving our university by freeing USM from tyranny. Flame away if you wish. I will make no further comment. "

OV, no flame, just pointing out that this was only a currently relevant metaphor for the issue at hand. Whatever you think of Kerry, Bush, etc., to believe that Bush & Co. had no connections to the SBV4T is ludicrous, much like thinking that SFT & Co. have no connections to the current "boycott" of Sweet Peppers Deli. Connect the dots, folks.

Date: Nov 8, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Old Vet
"I am reluctant to address this matter in a forum that has been and should remain apolitical. . . . In the most conciliatory tone I can muster, I'd urge that we confine discussion here to matters which advance our primary mission, improving our university by freeing USM from tyranny. Flame away if you wish. I will make no further comment. "

Old Vet - I have no problem with your assessment of the Democratic Primaries and Kerry's nation-wide chances of being elected president, but since you mentioned the politics of this board, and by extension this campus, I do want to comment on the local politics that SFT has stirred up in his fight against Dupree. I have always said that the only thing that can/will bring about SFT's downfall is when he publicly exposes his inherent racism - he is very close to doing that now. His endorsement of Lee Jarrell Davis is despicable - Lee Jarrell might be a swell guy, good family man and all that but when he ran for the Republican nomination for mayor last time against Morgan he ran tv ads claiming the need to crack down on crime and "protect our families" while showing his apparently vulnerable and very white daughter in the ad. You gotta be born in Iraq not to know what that meant - Lee Jarrell was playing the ole Mississippi race card. It got him nowhere last time as he was soundly defeated in the primary, but the fact that SFT would align himself with someone who plays to the worst aspects of this state's past shows just how out of touch he is. Part of me relishes the apparently imminent moment when SFT will publicly say what he really thinks about Dupree, Fairley, and other community leaders, for then we can finally start the countdown to his departure.

Date: Nov 13, 2004

It is easy to throw the race card, therefore people can just dismiss Fairley without having to listen to what he is saying. Why did Dr. Davis of the HPSD support the bond issue when his schools were cut out of the plan? We need to get off this message board and into the streets on this before SFT, AD, RG< and HB hijack our city.

Date: Nov 13, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: disgusted
"DuPree doesn't realize that he lost re-election by not supporting the USM bond issue. No clearer could the town/ gown divide be seen but through the bond issue.
I voted for DuPree for his first term because I thought he had the city's best interest in mind. I'll be much wiser with my vote this election.

"

Sorry...but, if you remember correctly, the mayor DID have the city's best interest in mind when he proposed the $68 million dollar bond referendum that our racially split (3-2) city council voted down. This is what is causing the split in Hattiesburg, not the mayor. WHy isn't the onus of this being placed on the city council??? And what about Rowell having the nerve to get on WDAM and say she wants to unite this comunity? Give me a break! She is 1 of those 3 causing the split. Racism is alive and well and hidden in issues of economics. Placing blame on the mayor is silly and misguided. The USM bond issue did not have the city's best interest in mind to begin with. Find out why the hotels put up a fight. RG tried to sneak in a 5% tax on hotels only. That is when the mayor came out with the REAL bond issue. Learn the facts.