response to thames 3 - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Jun 22, 2004

response to thames 3

Date: Jun 23, 2004

Why don't you just both meet at the flag pole?

Date: Jun 23, 2004

Because Shelby is not enough of a red-blooded American male to show up.

Date: Jun 23, 2004

Thank you Dr. Polk for saying everything that a majority of the individuals on campus would love to say but are in fear of retaliation. I, too, am worried about the reputation all of this nonsense has caused the state and this university. I am beginning to believe that SFT was placed in the president's position merely to destroy Southern Miss. He is doing a good job of it.

I am only waiting for the next ball to drop - it has been too quiet on campus for too long. This is not a good sign!

Date: Jun 23, 2004

You've put into words what many of us believe! Thanks.

Date: Jun 23, 2004

It seems obvious to me that Noel Polk has decided to leave USM. This series of escalating letters is designed to enrage Thames in an attempt to be dismissed. That also suggests to me that he intends to leave the state (sorry Ole Miss, MSU), because the college board grants tenure at state schools and would be unlikely to do so if someone is dismissed for cause. This is of course just my opinion FWIW.

Date: Jun 23, 2004

Perhaps Noel can join Gary in the salt mines at Texas A & M!! Why does he say the things that he does?? Because he can!!!!

Date: Jun 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: palindrome
"It seems obvious to me that Noel Polk has decided to leave USM. This series of escalating letters is designed to enrage Thames in an attempt to be dismissed. That also suggests to me that he intends to leave the state (sorry Ole Miss, MSU), because the college board grants tenure at state schools and would be unlikely to do so if someone is dismissed for cause. This is of course just my opinion FWIW. "

I like your post, however the "he's leaving the state" logic is faulty if you buy into the UM/MSU conspiracy theory.

Date: Jun 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: tomcat
"I like your post, however the "he's leaving the state" logic is faulty if you buy into the UM/MSU conspiracy theory."

I don't buy into the conspiracy theory. I believe that Klumb is an idiot. He thinks that Thames is improving USM with a new economic model. He has no real interest in the arts and humanities, but will tolerate faculty in these areas if they "toe-the-line". Klumb will be delighted if Polk leaves; it will be one less critical (and highly visible) voice.

Date: Jun 23, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by: palindrome
"That also suggests to me that he [Noel Polk] intends to leave the state . . . because the college board grants tenure at state schools and would be unlikely to do so if someone is dismissed for cause."

Perhaps you are correct and Noel will leave the state. I hope not, because that would be a big loss for Mississippi. I may not be aware of everything, but from what I have read it is my personal opinion that Noel has done nothing to warrant dismissal for cause - unless expressing ones opinion in strong words constitutes cause. He has very likely irritated some higher authorities a bit, but I hope that would not be viewed as cause for termination. In view of the way S&G were treated, however, nothing is certain in the bizarre environment which currently exists on the USM campus.

Date: Jun 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Big Bad Wolf
"it is my personal opinion that Noel has done nothing to warrant dismissal for cause"

Are you saying that if SFT can be goaded into precipitous action, a substantial legal settlement might be forthcoming?

Date: Jun 23, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by: ram
"Are you saying that if SFT can be goaded into precipitous action, a substantial legal settlement might be forthcoming?"

Oh. no. Not at all. The likelihood of litigation hadn't crossed my mind. All I was saying is that, considering my limited knowledge of the situation, I am aware of nothing which should legitimately warrant terminating Noel Polk for cause. It appears to me that he is simply exercising his right to express his views, and those views have probably irritated some people to no end. But in view of the ruthless manner with which G&S were treated, one can't be too sure of anything at USM under the climate which currently exists there and at IHL in Jackson.

.

Date: Jun 23, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Big Bad Wolf
"“But in view of the ruthless manner with which G&S were treated, one can't be too sure of anything at USM under the climate which currently exists there and at IHL in Jackson.”"

I’m sorry, but gangster management at USM has been practiced since at least the 70’s, and very likely since the university started. There have been victims prior to Stringer and Glamser. There will be more victims in the future.

Gangster management is just like it sounds. It is impossible to get gangsters to play nice or fair, or obey any laws, or go to “nice school.”

They rule throughout the world because they get things done quickly, good guys do little or nothing to control them, and few challenge them on law violations.

This leads to a type of legalized slavery. If you don’t bow down to them they will go all out to destroy you (ask Stringer and Glamser). They are the plantation owners and managers, we are their slaves.

They know the slaves have little power because THEY MAKE THE RULES, and they ARE NOT going to share power with the slaves. Why should they? It would cut into their fun and numerous benefits. And they are PROS at what they do.

To change USM, we have to change the thinking of the whole state, and maybe the South.

Date: Jun 23, 2004

Toe-----Ditto, ditto, ditto.

All you had to do was listen to the report on the Till killing on NPR this AM to say ditto, ditto, ditto.

Date: Jun 23, 2004

quote:

Originally posted by: Toe
" . . . . There have been victims prior to Stringer and Glamser. There will be more victims in the future . . . . It is impossible to get gangsters to play nice or fair, or obey any laws, or go to “nice school.” . . . . If you don’t bow down to them they will go all out to destroy you (ask Stringer and Glamser). They are the plantation owners and managers, we are their slaves . . . ."

Toe, it is not like that at all universities. I know that for sure. I am aware of the dehabilitating effect the Bilbo era had on Mississippi's pubic universities, and I read the book Exit 13 concerning the McCain era at USM. I have no doubt that any sequal to that book would be considerably thicker. There are many stories in the big city.

Date: Jun 23, 2004

Shelby Thames may try to fire Noel Polk. But it would be the height of foolishness for him to do so.

Although Thames remains in power, the cost of any further arbitrary firings of tenured faculty is now too high for his sponsors on the Board. They don't want to spend time putting out fires, they don't want to deal with appeal hearings, and they don't need the guaranteed bad publicity. Whether Roy Klumb has figured this out, I don't know, but several of those whose votes he needs to keep Thames in power have surely done so. Even those whose conscious goal is to bust up USM would much rather see it done quietly.

Robert Campbell

Date: Jun 23, 2004

What an incredibly poorly written letter! Check your grammar, sentence structure, tense, AND content! And to think - from an English Professor. Sad...very, very sad. No wonder Dr. Thames is trying to rid the University of inadequate faculty and staff. Or could it possibly be "Those who can't....teach."?

Date: Jun 23, 2004

If Shelboo tries to fire Noel Polk, I am going to sell tickets and refreshments. Then I am going to retire comfortably.

Date: Jun 24, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Just looking
"What an incredibly poorly written letter! Check your grammar, sentence structure, tense, AND content! And to think - from an English Professor. Sad...very, very sad. No wonder Dr. Thames is trying to rid the University of inadequate faculty and staff. Or could it possibly be "Those who can't....teach."?"

EH???? I only see two instances of words that are omitted, and no instances of tense issues or grammar. As for sentence structure, there's a little something called "style" that creative writers play around with (as in the visual arts) where you can break certain grammatical conventions or rules in a stylistic manner in order to create a certain effect (think Hemingway's long, run-on sentences). If you're looking for a boring, 5 paragraph essay from Dr. Polk, I think you're barking up the wrong tree.

And if you don't like the content of Dr. Polk's letter, go troll somewhere else.

Date: Jun 24, 2004

quote:
Originally posted by: Just looking
"What an incredibly poorly written letter! Check your grammar, sentence structure, tense, AND content! And to think - from an English Professor. Sad...very, very sad. No wonder Dr. Thames is trying to rid the University of inadequate faculty and staff. Or could it possibly be "Those who can't....teach."?"

My guess is that Professor Polk was a better grammarian when he finished high school than are most of today's college graduates.

Date: Jun 24, 2004

Thanks, Noel.

NO QUARTER.
Anne Wallace