How many times will faculty allow SFT and Co. to punch them in their collective nose before they say, "Hey! I think this guy is trying to kick my a$$!"?

When the news of the Coke Meeting first broke (along with the anti-liberal arts statements), Stephen Judd posted that, basically, "Alright, this is war." [my words paraphrasing his].

However, I have seen today the suggestion posted that video cameras should be used to record every person who enters the Coke meeting when they drive into the complex. Catch them in their cars driving into the parking lot, and we'll know who attended (video to include license plate #s for reference).

The response was posted that we do not want to do this, because not everyone going is pro-SFT. It's about time we draw a line in the sand. You're either with us or you're with SFT. No in-between. No fence-sitting. If you attend the meeting, then you're with SFT. If you're not with SFT, then you decline the invitation with a letter explaining why it is wrong to have a discussion of USM and purposely exclude faculty. If you attend, then your business is going on "the list" and faculty need to go old-school "union" tactics...no dollars to SFT's people. Not $1 spent on campus. Not $1 spent at a pro-Shelby establishment.

Some will say, "We'd hurt our students who work at these establishments." My response is "Which is better: hurting their pockets or allowing their degrees to be devalued?" When business begins to fail at these establishments and letters flow in outlining why 350, 500, or more regular customers have pulled their patronage, then the owners will have to make a choice...profits or politics. When one's whole livelihood is threatened, one's decisions and allegiences may change.

It's time to play dirty. It's time to quit wondering when the fight's coming and realize that we're in the fight right now. It's time to kick SFT and his minions right square in the (figurative) testicles and then keep on kicking until they give up or drop dead.

It's time to stop being nice. It's time to stop playing by the rules. It's time to level the playing field. It's time to preach anti-SFT in class. It's time to sick-out. It's time to hold our own convoaction, invite everyone who wants to come, and then tell them what's wrong with USM and how to make it right. It's time to use every available resource against this bulls#!t artist.

It's time for us to stop being mealy-mouthed complainers and become activists.