The $30K Question: Ann Coulter or a Job?

you are amazing (n/t) (4.00 / 1)

Check out my mediocre blog.

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by: nirmal @ Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 10:08:47 AM CDT

Well done! (4.00 / 1)

Geez, I almost don't need church anymore. :-) Way to poke at the difference between the big names and the sad reality.

Thanks, Liberallucy. You've been doing some kicking work lately.

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by: joan @ Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 10:21:43 AM CDT

It's only good work if... (0.00 / 0)

...we can stop Ann from taking money that deserves to go back into the community.

But thanks, I know I'm a part of an equally-dedicated community and that's what's so rewarding.

I want to change the world, not help people adjust to it. - Millie Jeffrey, MI - National Women's labor and Democratic activist, Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient

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by: LiberalLucy @ Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 11:27:32 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

here's a copy of the email i just sent to... (4.00 / 1)

...the economic development folks on your list, and the argus:

Just a quick note to congratulate you on making an inspired economic choice for your region by selecting Ann Coulter to honor the Cleary University community.

Obviously nothing creates an interest in tourism and business relocation like being in the national media spotlight for supporting someone who promotes hate in such a public manner; and I'm certain the robust local economic environment will be seeing substantial benefits from the association.

This could even be the beginning of a trend-I understand Don Imus, David Duke, and the Imperial Klans of America all are available for speaking engagements, and the Klan even offers a 24-hour phone number for your convenience. (http://www.kkkk.net/...)

So good luck, Livingston Economic Club, and thanks for the lesson on how to make an economy better by promoting hate,

hope it helps...

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by: fake consultant @ Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 11:44:40 AM CDT

and here's the first reply... (0.00 / 0)

...from fred dillingham:

"The Economic Club Luncheon Series was created by Cleary University in 2004 as a service to their students and the Livingston County community. The mission of the Livingston Economic Club "is to enrich the Livingston County community by hosting speakers who can share a broad spectrum of social, political, intellectual and cultural experiences".

The Economic Development Council of Livingston County is a founding partner in Livingston Economic Club. We were series sponsors in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Due to budget shortfalls, the EDC is not a sponsor for this year's series.

The EDC did not participate in either the selection of speakers or the solicitation of sponsors for the 2007 series. Having participated in this process in the past, I know the Economic Club Advisory Board would welcome your suggestions for future speakers.

Further comments can be directed to Cleary University at www.cleary.edu."

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by: fake consultant @ Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 11:45:46 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

They've been removed (0.00 / 0)

from the "Please Contact List" (see my post yesterday).

I emailed Fred Dillingham and suggested that they ask the LEC to remove their name from the website.

Thanks for helping out!

I want to change the world, not help people adjust to it. - Millie Jeffrey, MI - National Women's labor and Democratic activist, Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient

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by: LiberalLucy @ Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 11:53:14 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

my hope is... (4.00 / 1)

...he and the chamber of commerce reps will see the potential problems created with this action, and perhaps he'll put some pressure out as well.

sorry for not keeping up, but i came to this from your diatribune diary...

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by: fake consultant @ Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 11:58:56 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Agreed - but it's going to take a real fight! (0.00 / 0)

It's definitely going to take all of us working really hard on this.

Thanks for stopping by - I'll update the diary on Diatribune.

Hope you'll join us again!

I want to change the world, not help people adjust to it. - Millie Jeffrey, MI - National Women's labor and Democratic activist, Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient

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by: LiberalLucy @ Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 12:00:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

we have a second reply... (0.00 / 0)

...from rich pelberg:

"I understand your point. But I was wondering if you think we would have been better served had we scheduled speakes such as Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton or Al Franken?"

...and the response:

"First, thanks for taking the time to respond.

As regards potential speakers, consider a middle ground-how about Norman Schwarzkopf, Fareed Zakaria, or Thomas P. M. Barnett?

Perhaps Mohammad Yunus, Colin Powell, or Sandra Day O'Connor, for that matter.

Why reach out to divisive characters on either side, when lots of truly inspiring options were available?"

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by: fake consultant @ Wed Apr 18, 2007 at 23:43:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The ball is back in Cleary's court (4.00 / 1)

I got the same e-mail from Mr. Dillingham this morning and noticed he referred any further comments to Cleary.  I also noted on the LEC website that Cleary is listed as one of the founding partners and they're hosting Coulter as part of their Founders Week Celebration. 

How does that square with Cleary's outreach to prospective students in the Flint area where they is a very diverse population of people of color, religion, etc?  The school's web page has an article about two open houses they're holding at Mott Community College in Flint in their attempt to recruit new students.  I think the school is being terribly insensitive and inconsiderate to the very population of students they're reaching out to.  I wouldn't feel comfortable attending a college that shows such disrespect for people, and I certainly wouldn't want to spend my money there. 

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by: KS @ Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 12:48:24 PM CDT

Who sponsors hate? (4.00 / 1)

When asking Tom Sullivan yesterday where the $30,000.00 comes from to have Coulter speak, he said tickets sales and "gifts" from sponsors.

I would LOVE to find out who is sponsoring Coulter.  Many of us in Livingston County are more than happy to boycott those businesses and spread the word about who is behind promoting hate in our community. 

Anyone have any ideas on how we can find out this info?

Great work, Liberal Lucy!!!

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by: skelly @ Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 14:40:59 PM CDT

Great Question! (0.00 / 0)

Let's pose the question to the MichLib Community.

What about a diary on the subject, skelly? The great thing about MichLib is that its a community of folks, not just one or two of us. Time for some new voices to join in! :-)

I want to change the world, not help people adjust to it. - Millie Jeffrey, MI - National Women's labor and Democratic activist, Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient

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by: LiberalLucy @ Tue Apr 17, 2007 at 14:51:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

board members know the answer... (0.00 / 0)

...and the chamber of commerce reps make public contact part of their job.

phone calls and a friendly office visit to start?

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by: fake consultant @ Wed Apr 18, 2007 at 05:30:13 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

to correct... (0.00 / 0)

...cleary u's board is the pressure point, not the lec board.

i shouldn't type before engaging brain...and my apologies to the chamber reps.

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by: fake consultant @ Wed Apr 18, 2007 at 05:33:42 AM CDT

[ Parent ]