I don’t post that often but I really don’t like what’s going on so here goes. The job at Washington has been vacant for two years + if I’m not mistaken. If Mr. Emmert wanted to go home he could have had this job a long time ago. What changed that made him decide to go home now? When the state tried to cut funding a couple of years ago Foster became involved and stopped the cuts and kept Mr. Emmert from going to S.C. with a raise. However it started with a proposed funding cut and he would have left if the cuts were instituted, raise or not. http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?s= 713858 http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?s= 793920 In my opinion the current climate at the state level is regressive and Mr. Emmert saw the handwriting on the wall. The first thing that our DOLT of a governor did was to cut funding for higher education which would require this man who is professionally driven to come to her hat in hand and beg for funding. She may be a DOLT but she is not stupid, she knew from past experience with Mr. Emmert if you cut the funding he would be gone. If left alone and funded properly for another three to five years Mr. Emmert would have brought in more economic impact to the state than they would saved by cutting the budget. A top-notch academic/research institution will when established bring in dollars from a myriad of sources including industry -yes jobs- over the long run. Jobs equal tax dollars, which is the only way to bring us back to solvency. This was not a budget cut in my opinion but was a step back in time and a blow to one of the best and brightest things Louisiana and Louisiana State University had going for them. Some people have a vested interest in keeping this state uneducated and this current administration seems be lining up on that side of the ball. If not that, then they show a complete lack of vision. This whole thing affects the athletic side in a profound way. If a coach were to leave (any coach) I would not have worried for a second because this chancellor would hire the best and nothing but the best and we as fans were confident in that. This man inspired confidence in me and everyone around him. That is lost now. Recall the DOLT? I don’t know, it would take someone with deep pockets to fund it. Emails, letters or even phone calls would be the only way to make any impact on this situation if at all. Brett I apologize in advance but I believe this a political post about sports and the very health of our beloved LSU. LSU makes it possible for us to live our lives vicariously through its athletic department that has been directly affected by this situation.
"Dingbat" seems especially appropriate in Mrs. Blanco's case, as I've been saying all along that we've elected Edith Bunker as our Governor.
You are no doubt correct in your assumptions that people have a vested interest in keeping Louisiana uneducated. I posted the same thing on Tigerbait earlier. It isn't Blanco as she is just a puppet on a string but the powerful people in this state that have backed her. The people with the deepest pockets in this state need the status quo to keep their leverage in the political arena while lining their pockets. Just look at the people that supported Blanco and you will find the wealthiest people in the state. They don't want Louisiana to be educated and be able to think for themselves as it would put a damper on their ability to run the show. As long as Louisiana stays dumb and uneducated, the masses will continue to elect based on the ignorance.
Seriously, wouldn't you just love to be a fly on the wall of the Governor's Mansion? You could listen to "Coach" Blanco telling Kathleen to stifle herself and to get out of his chair.
I think the post was spot on...and the links, if read...paint a very interesting picture... As soon as cuts came, Emmert went shopping and looking... Also...the U-Dub job was open for TWO years? Why didn't Emmert leave before now? What is the deal with the timing?
