Kenbot: "I want to see KW lynched" - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Mar 4, 2005

RE: RE: RE: RE: Kenbot: "I want to see KW lynched"

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Invictus
"Sheesh! I'm sorry I reiterated the "racially-sensitive" stuff, because the discussion of it has sidetracked the whole point of this thread. The point isn't that Malone used this word or that word but that he has basically announced a vendetta against a newspaper reporter. Does this sound like something out of "All the President's Men"?"

You make my point more eloquently than did I. Malone's vendetta against Kevin Walters is somehow being confused with and buried in tangential side issues. Malone seems to be a petty, small minded, perhaps even an evil man. That's all, and that's enough. What's the point of introducing one's personal politics and animus toward "right-wing economic development types" into the equation. I don't know whether he's right-wing or not, don't really care, but clearly he's an individual of questionable character who's conduct must be exposed. That is precisely what Mr. Walters is doing, and he's doing a rather fine job of it.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

Wow, you people are something down there. I would surely get in trouble just speaking regular English. Is there some book that tells a visitor what words can and can't be used. There is a lot of gang violence over drugs etc. and the prison population is also dominated by minorities. Are people also sensitive about the words "shooting", "drugs" and "prison"?

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Least Venerable
"You make my point more eloquently than did I. Malone's vendetta against Kevin Walters is somehow being confused with and buried in tangential side issues. Malone seems to be a petty, small minded, perhaps even an evil man. That's all, and that's enough. What's the point of introducing one's personal politics and animus toward "right-wing economic development types" into the equation. I don't know whether he's right-wing or not, don't really care, but clearly he's an individual of questionable character who's conduct must be exposed. That is precisely what Mr. Walters is doing, and he's doing a rather fine job of it. "

LV, you're right on the money here. The point is that Ken Malone is a sad shadow of an academic administrator, and furthermore, he's now revealed his petty dangerous self for all to see. The foundation of SFT's empire is crumbling, and I just wonder how much long he can hold on?

I also wonder how many staff members were at this meeting of their own volition? Any info from others who attended?

Date: Mar 4, 2005

I am a staff member (I attended the meeting of my own free will) and I was very offended by Kenbot's comments. Although there are some negative things that have happened on this campus, I am one who believes that there have been many positive things that have happened as well and that is what this meeting was SUPPOSED to be about. Unfortunately, Kenbot's comment is not an example of that! It is an example of how someone will do something that is so utterly idiotic that it will completely obliterate all the good things that have happened so that people no longer see the good only the bad. Then those people who only look for the bad in Southern Miss have their ammunition and use it against us very well. Thanks Kenbot.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

1. Interesting that you call him "Kenbot"

2. We have been almost begging people to post positive things this administration has done. At least two threads have been started to that effect. We are waiting. People who care about USM (which includes almost everyone on this board) genuinely want good things to happen at USM. Unfortunately, people are so tired, so disillusioned, so beaten up that many of them have lost heart, are angry, and so you perceive a lot of negativism.

But remember -- people post angry negative comments on this board, then get up and go back to work the next day and work their hearts out for USM.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

The venerable Mr. Malone seems to shoot from the hip, possibly occasionally hitting a toe himself. Last March he was heard to say loudly and widely to city leaders that Glamser and Stringer would be in jail within a month. I've heard that this can be verified by several people.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: sparkplug
"I am a staff member (I attended the meeting of my own free will) and I was very offended by Kenbot's comments. Although there are some negative things that have happened on this campus, I am one who believes that there have been many positive things that have happened as well and that is what this meeting was SUPPOSED to be about. Unfortunately, Kenbot's comment is not an example of that! It is an example of how someone will do something that is so utterly idiotic that it will completely obliterate all the good things that have happened so that people no longer see the good only the bad. Then those people who only look for the bad in Southern Miss have their ammunition and use it against us very well. Thanks Kenbot."

Please, please Sparkplug, please tell us some of the positive things that happened and/or were discussed at the meeting. The people who want to defend Dr. Thames need this information, but we can't seem to find it anywhere. I tried using the "moving forward" and "positive ideas" themes, but people rebut me with facts and evidence. I need specifics to counter their arguments. Please tell me what positive thing was discussed at the meeting. Pretty please?

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Downtown
"The venerable Mr. Malone seems to shoot from the hip, possibly occasionally hitting a toe himself. Last March he was heard to say loudly and widely to city leaders that Glamser and Stringer would be in jail within a month. I've heard that this can be verified by several people."

I realize I'm contributing nothing constructive to this discussion and name calling isn't my thing, but I can't help myself. Pardon the salty language, but if I may recycle an appellation from my Navy days that seems apt, this guy Malone, in addition to being a dangerous loose cannon, seems personally to be what we would have called a flaming a$$h*le. Not just a bad actor, but a person with serious personality issues. Am I wrong?

Date: Mar 4, 2005

That's sort of my point, LV.

I have heard no evidence that Malone is a racist. He's a jerk who is in SFT's hip pocket and willing to do whatever the boss wants and/or whatever it takes to keep the boss in power. Malone is dangerous, because he operates inside the university, outside the academic community, below the radar, and above the USM "law."

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Wait Just A Minute
"That's sort of my point, LV. I have heard no evidence that Malone is a racist. He's a jerk who is in SFT's hip pocket and willing to do whatever the boss wants and/or whatever it takes to keep the boss in power. Malone is dangerous, because he operates inside the university, outside the academic community, below the radar, and above the USM "law.""

Well said. Using his own imagery, I think that Malone needs a visit from some "night-riders." And - don't flame me - I am poking fun at Malone's callousness.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

After his negative comment, a woman stated that the university just hosted two successful recruitment events. The Presidential Scholarship Competition and Leadership Scholarship Competition. Presidential competition had 75 scholars visiting campus (ACT's of 32). I think that is pretty positive.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

Originally posted by: sparkbot
"Presidential competition had 75 scholars visiting campus (ACT's of 32). I think that is pretty positive."

sparkbot - That would be positive if those ACT-32's actually enrolled. My experience is that there are many hi performance students who visit as many schools as extend them an invitation. There's lots of competition out there. USM's rapidly fading reputation across the state and across the nation is not going to help to attract many of those ACT-32's.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

I was just going to say, as Sparkbot did, that the University just hosted two successful scholarship competitions. No, not all 75 of those students will attend, but apparently only 50 attended the event at all last year (according to that young lady that brought the topic up). By the way the 50 who attended last year attended when when we weren't having all these accreditation issues. So statisically we are doing better already this year anyway. These students are the academic cream of the crop that we want to sit in our classrooms this fall.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: sparkbot
"After his negative comment, a woman stated that the university just hosted two successful recruitment events. The Presidential Scholarship Competition and Leadership Scholarship Competition. Presidential competition had 75 scholars visiting campus (ACT's of 32). I think that is pretty positive."

Thanks sparkbot. These are positive, but hasn't USM been doing this every year for some time now? Maybe the number of scholars are up and that would be good. I wonder how many will leave when they discover USM plans to reduce its support for the Liberal Arts?

Date: Mar 4, 2005

What do you mean by "plan to reduce support of Liberal Arts?" I am a Liberal Arts graduate. I haven't seen anything about a reduction of support...do you have an inside track on information that you need to share with us?

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Sparkbot
"What do you mean by "plan to reduce support of Liberal Arts?" I am a Liberal Arts graduate. I haven't seen anything about a reduction of support...do you have an inside track on information that you need to share with us?"

Look at the thread about the article in The Independent.

Also, as the person who used to run the Presidential Scholarship competition from 1995-2000, you need to ask if the criteria have changed for that scholarship (I believe I remember hearing that it did). Back in the day, it used to be open to all National Merit Finalists (regardless of ACT/SAT scores) and anyone with an ACT score of 30 or above. Again, it matters not how many people come to compete, but how many actually enroll at USM.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

can't say how many will attend, but the criteria for interview are the same--an ACT of 30 or higher.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Sparkbot
"What do you mean by "plan to reduce support of Liberal Arts?" I am a Liberal Arts graduate. I haven't seen anything about a reduction of support...do you have an inside track on information that you need to share with us?"

Man, weren't you around to see the massacre? You must have just arrived at the Greyhound station.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Leave the drivin' to us
"Man, weren't you around to see the massacre? You must have just arrived at the Greyhound station."

Oh no, I've been around long enough to know all about the Stringer/Glamser exodus. I just thought there might be something new afoot. After reading the string about the Independent "article", I am once again left thinking that many people are getting extremely riled up about "lack of support for Liberal Arts" or lack of support for fill in the blank over something with very little merit or background investigation. Are you, an educated individual, relying on a quote from Bonnie Drews in The Independent? Please.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Spybot
" Oh no, I've been around long enough to know all about the Stringer/Glamser exodus. I just thought there might be something new afoot. After reading the string about the Independent "article", I am once again left thinking that many people are getting extremely riled up about "lack of support for Liberal Arts" or lack of support for fill in the blank over something with very little merit or background investigation. Are you, an educated individual, relying on a quote from Bonnie Drews in The Independent? Please."

Nope. Never heard of Bonnie Doop. But I have seen the ever continuing exodus from English, to name just one bit of evidence.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: stinky cheese man
"can't say how many will attend, but the criteria for interview are the same--an ACT of 30 or higher. "

Or be a National merit finalist.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

Just a question:
Does Ken Malone’s statement constitute a “threat” to Kevin Walters?

Is that statement enough to warrant a visit by federal authorities i.e. the FBI?
My personal opinion is that (Malone’s) statement is the same as inflaming a crowd to “git the rope” (western-slang voice).

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Leave the drivin' to us
"Nope. Never heard of Bonnie Doop. But I have seen the ever continuing exodus from English, to name just one bit of evidence. "

Is the exodus from lack of support from administration or is is self inflicted? Ah...

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Green Hornet
"Just a question:
Does Ken Malone’s statement constitute a “threat” to Kevin Walters?

Is that statement enough to warrant a visit by federal authorities i.e. the FBI?
My personal opinion is that (Malone’s) statement is the same as inflaming a crowd to “git the rope” (western-slang voice).
"

I wondered the same thing. Does Kevin Walters have a legal leg to stand on? I am still in shock from the whole thing.

As someone who was there for a "positive" meeting, and then to have a top university administrator say this...

Date: Mar 4, 2005

I tell my good undergraduate students not to go to USM's grad programs. If I ever get the chance, I will tell any good high school students not to go to USM at all. I cannot, with a clear conscience, let anybody who deserves a top-notch education go to USM, because they will get shortchanged. Not by faculty, but by an administration that steals money from academic programs and the library, cuts academic programs, plays a farce with shared governance, etc.

I encourage no one to go to USM. Not for a bachelor's. Not for a master's. Not for a Ph.D. Not for a job as a staff member. Not for a job as a faculty member.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

I, too, spent some time this fall convincing a good friend not to take an interview at USM.
I felt like it was my moral responsibility.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Un-Recruiter
"I tell my good undergraduate students not to go to USM's grad programs. If I ever get the chance, I will tell any good high school students not to go to USM at all. I cannot, with a clear conscience, let anybody who deserves a top-notch education go to USM, because they will get shortchanged. Not by faculty, but by an administration that steals money from academic programs and the library, cuts academic programs, plays a farce with shared governance, etc.

I encourage no one to go to USM. Not for a bachelor's. Not for a master's. Not for a Ph.D. Not for a job as a staff member. Not for a job as a faculty member."

Are you still employed by Southern Miss? If so, I think you need to quit immediately. How can you, with a clear conscience, work for an institution you so obviously loathe? Do me a favor and kindly pack your bags and quit drawing a paycheck from this institution that I happen to love.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

quote:
Originally posted by: Sparkplug
"
Are you still employed by Southern Miss? If so, I think you need to quit immediately. How can you, with a clear conscience, work for an institution you so obviously loathe? Do me a favor and kindly pack your bags and quit drawing a paycheck from this institution that I happen to love."

Have you ever had a pet that you loved? What happened when the pet got terminally ill? Did you consider having it euthanised?

I've got a really big needle. Perhaps it's time we use it to put USM to sleep.

Thames has decided to wage open war against faculty (specifically Lib. Arts), calling the Coca-Cola meeting. Comments have been made that make it clear that these bigwig supporters do not want faculty making decisions. It's time to stop subjecting students with options to this type of nightmare. In 5 years, the advanced/performing side of art, music, theatre, and dance as well as classics, history, sociology, anthropology, etc., may all be defunct if Thames is allowed to continue.

It may be time to start a letter-writing campaign to high school guidance counselors.

Date: Mar 4, 2005

RE: RE: RE: RE: Kenbot: "I want to see KW lynched