I apologize if this has been suggested recently (I haven't read all of the recent submissions), but I remember that there has been talk about how much the faculty and staff contribute to Hattiesburg's economy. It seems to me that this might be the moment to let some of the "business leaders" how much of their income comes from us "whining liberals." It is the only measurement that some of them would understand. We do buy cars, houses, and groceries, and we eat out at restaurants and pay taxes and use doctors. Unfortunately, I haven't the training to compile such figures. I do realize this is a monumental task, but I have been impressed by the immense talents and dedication I have seen from the old Fire Shelby days on.

Another thing that might show our economic power is by avoiding one specific restaurant or one grocery store for one day only--sort of like the Great American Smoke-out--where everyone who opposes the current administration eats or shops elsewhere for one day. We could do this on a rotating basis. I do realize that this is rather radical, but several of us were talking about USM's current situation and we thought of the Civil Rights Movement. I realize that it isn't of the same magnitude, but I do think that we are fighting for the very existence of the university we all love.