Letter: Time to bring back common sense
October 23, 2007
Dear Editor:
The controversy surrounding the President of SIU has begun to bother me. While I have met Dr. Glenn Poshard on several occasions professionally, I have no vested interest in the affair. However, as it is playing out I have several observations and questions.
My first deals with the continuous calls for “open and honest” revelation on the part of Dr. Poshard. If that is the case, why is the same not also required of the person(s) who brought to light the issue in the first place?
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Next, I struggle with a concept of law known as the statute of limitations. I believe that in law there are very few actions that do not have to follow that rule. One of those exceptions is for murder. If an academic panel found the text of Dr. Poshard’s work acceptable more than twenty years ago, why is it an issue now? Please tell me we are not making this “issue” as grave a matter as that of taking a life?
I am also troubled by the faculty vote at SIUE and rationale of the person who proposed it. Quoting a former U.S. President: “What is ‘is’?” In philosophy there is a construct known as “cause and effect.” I wonder what the “real” cause is? Is it academic integrity or perhaps the not so off hand remark to separate the two campuses? Or could it be something else?
In short I find this small rodent-like bump being made into the latest glacial peak. It seems that we are more and more becoming a people caught up in the minutiae while real problems within society remain. Yes, academic integrity is important, but to the detriment of “real” societal issues; I think not!
Perhaps some of those in the academic “ivory towers” and the editorial offices who have been calling for the removal of Dr. Poshard would like to join me in my office where I deal with people who are trying to purchase gasoline for their cars, put food on their tables, pay their rent or keep their utilities connected; “real” issues for “real” people.
Is it not time to return some “common” sense to the issues that seem to drive our media and our lives?
Gary P. Gummersheimer
Murphysboro resident
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