FGCU library staff can't wear 'proud to be an American'

Naples Daily New ^ | 09/19/2001 | MARCI ELLIOTT

[Lucas McCain]

"What libraries are all about is freedom of information and tolerance of ideas,"

Tolerance for all ideas except for American patriotism, it seems.

[2ndMostConservativeBrdMember]

My dear brother and sister FReepers,

At this, of all times in my lifetime, I would like nothing more than to be able to read these threads and reply to them.  I have much I would like to say.

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Why?

Because I am trying hard to raise the finances needed to keep FreeRepublic up and running so that we can continue to share valuable information and respond to it.

I beg you, if you have not yet donated to FreeRepublic this quarter,  do so now!

If you have already donated, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND GOD BLESS YOU, please ping your friends, and FReep on...!

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If you have no money, please come and bump the Fundraiser Thread.

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[Brownie74]

Does anyone have an email address for this dizzy broad? Whup it on me if you do.

[okie_tech]

It's time to root out this PC crap once and for all! Tar and feather them and chase them out of every community.

[TheDon]

It is time to stand up. This kind of nonsense shouldn't be tolerated. They should quit!

[LurkedLongEnough]

Their whole email directory is at Click here

[wjcsux]

BUMP! I want the e-mail address, too. We need to Freep all of these Anti-American sons of bitches!

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Chicken sh!t. Plain old chicken sh!t.

[LurkedLongEnough]

See post 6.

[JohnFL]

VICTORY! Good morning. The following statement is being shared immediately with the community, media, and our FGCU students, faculty and staff. ------------ This morning Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) has received a number of telephone calls and emails expressing outrage over media reports of a situation regarding the University's Library and employee expressions of patriotism. As the President of Florida Gulf Coast University, I need to reassure the members of the community that FGCU strongly supports this country, and also supports our faculty, staff and students to express their patriotism. There is no FGCU policy prohibiting expressions of support for America. One employee made a terrible mistake, which I find to be reprehensible. Regardless of the motivation for tolerance during these trying times, the decision to ask Library staff members to not wear a patriotic sticker expressing pride in being American is a decision that was made without consulting me or other University administrators. I take this situation very seriously, and want the community to know that the bad decision does not represent a policy, attitude or feeling on the part of the administration, faculty, staff and students at Florida Gulf Coast University. To the contrary, our campus has held services since last week's tragic events to come together as a University community to express our sorrow over the terrorists' actions, and to reaffirm our sense of pride in America. I am in Orlando at a meeting, but am returning to campus today to address this situation. I will have the opportunity with the provost to talk with the Director of Library Services about what has occurred. On behalf of the FGCU faculty, staff and students, please know that we are a patriotic and caring community that is sharing the pain of the terrorism that struck our country last week. Thank you. Bill Merwin, President

[Lucas McCain]

Great news!

Thanks

[RoseofTexas]

F*** this S****, LET'S email them so that something like this will NEVER EVER happen again, AND demand that person be FIRED, ASAP!! I'm sick of those LIBERAL CLYMERS!

[joey'smom]

Couldn't agree with you more -- and I'm a librarian. Yesterday we got an e-mail from the boss telling us not to share Internet sign-up sheets with reporters. Well, guess what? One of the hijackers used our library and I'm getting ready to turn his record over to the FBI. He still owes $3.00 in overdue fines, checked out books and a video on learning English.

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

Mary Kay Hartung, a library faculty member, said she supported Hoeth's decision.

"What libraries are all about is freedom of information and tolerance of ideas," Hartung said. "When (Hoeth) asked me about the issue, I concurred with her that we did not want to offend students or staff members who were not American. I think we're trying to be as prudent as we can in these sensitive times."

Is this an oxymoron or what?  They are all about FOI and tolerance of ideas, but won't allow nor tolerate an employee's desire to espress patriotic sentiments.

[borisbob69]

Hooray for you!

God Bless America!

[Brownie74]

Thank you!!

Your name will be withheld to protect the innocent. LOL!!

[okie_tech]

"Yesterday we got an e-mail from the boss telling us not to share Internet sign-up sheets with reporters. Well, guess what? One of the hijackers used our library and I'm getting ready to turn his record over to the FBI."

Good for you Mom!, but why shouldn't you share this with reporters? I understand if the FBI doesn't want you to but your boss? I can't fathom what the reasoning would be.

[putupon]

Should the human resources departments and/or whoever is responsible for hiring at all American companys and even foriegn/international companies who wish to stay in good graces w/ the USA be informed of which colleges are doing this "we hate the USA" crap? Put the schools that do this stuff out of business by not hiring their alums.

[syriacus]

Thank heavens!!!

The ALA's fight against censorship looks pretty ridiculous when we hear of library employees being censored.

[moyden]

Typical of Library Science graduates, who make the oppressive NEA look positively freedom-loving.

Liberals are fascist thugs.