By just about any standard, the kickoff event for the Academy on Capitalism and Limited Government was a success. There was a large crowd that was in the hundreds, despite severe difficulties with parking. The opening comments by Jim Vermette were excellent and Robert Novak did a great job opening up the forum part of the program that included excellent talks by two U of I professors, Jeffery Brown from the Business College, and Jon Solomon from the Classics department. Steve Forbes speech was also excellent.
There was a lot of enthusiasm in the room and I think we can expect fundraising to pick up substantially. The board has already raised $2 million, is hoping for $10 million by 2009 or 2010 (I can't quite recall) and Jim Vermette has a personal goal of $100 million by 2015.
A couple of the speakers sought to allay concerns about governance and how the academy would fit into the university system.
Democrats were represented by Pius Weibel and Mike Frerichs. The majority of University Faculty was represented by Stephen Kaufman (that's a joke folks, but he was there)
Glad that the intrepid capitalists managed to overcome severe parking difficuluties for their Hummers and Range Rovers! I'm sure it'll be no problem to wring a few million out of the cash kitty of folks like these to support brave capitalists in the face of heathens like Hillary. God forbid that the nouveau riche health insurance companies take over from good old money like ours!
I spoke to several people who attended and they all enjoyed the speakers. A lot of good things were said about Steve Forbes and the passion he holds for his ideas.
Thankfully, I saw more Democrats than Weibel and Frerichs. There were also at least two independents and I believe one "Green", who will remain nameless. Forbes showed his usual devotion to his ideas however, he can get a little "Bushie" with his "my way or the highway" persona. All in all it was enjoyable. Great ideas voiced which I fear will fall on deaf politicians' and their parties' ears. The true value was to attend. The experience of being at the game, going to the play, hearing the speech in person rather than watching/listening remotely.
Thank God that we finally have an academy for capitalism in this country. For too long now big businesses and the wealthy have been oppressed at the hands of the middle class. Perhaps this academy will be the first step toward creating more capitalism in this country, and freeing the business community to finally make some profits. It is about time!
And let me just say how wonderful it was to see the Douchebag of Liberty in person. Now if only I could get a lifesize, signed poster of the man. What a beacon of integrity and patriotism he is!
You know Mark, you can make fun of Steve Kaufman all you like, but the fact is, he beat you. You had him hopelessly outnumbered, you had all the political power, and virtually unlimited amounts of money on your side, yet he, virtually alone, defeated you and your side. He did it because he was dedicated, totally committed, and most importantly, smarter than all of you. While your friends from the Honor the Chief club were burning through $80,000 putting up billboards and buying inserts for the News-Gazette -- hope you enjoyed how your money was used -- Steve instead was making regular trips to the NCAA. Who was smarter?
Now, instead of shedding tears of joy at halftime, you instead have to shed tears for the 3 minute empty hole in your life.
Joke all you want; he won, you lost. Live with that.
How did I make fun of Kaufman???? Go back and reread. What I was saying was a joke was my statement that Kaufman represents University faculty. And yes, Mr. Kaufman's strategy appears to have been excellent.
Kaufman clearly illustrates what is wrong with higher education, life time jobs at tax payer expense with no consequences. Kaufman clearly took advantage of his position in using tax payer resources in his campaign against the chief. For more than 10 years he abused his responsibility as a faculty member and used tax payer dollars for mailings, emails, phone calls, etc. The administration did nothing. Clearly this was against the Illinois ethics code, but because he was tenured no one in UI administration would look seriously into the matter.
Was he charging federal grants for his summer salary while he was working on Chief issues? If so, this is also likely a violation of federal statutues.
To anonymous Sep 29 6:01
The chief issue can be regarded as a University matter, so the use of some taxpayer resources you noted can be justifed. Many university employees conduct personal business using univeristy emails and phone calls. A professor might have discussions related to an outside consulting gig. An art professor might consult with someone about a commissioned art work. A check on line ads for houses and apartments for rent, will reveal an occasional university email as a contact for the lessor.
No one has questioned Kaufman's record as a teacher and researcher.
Michael Fuerst
Kaufman clearly illustrates what is wrong with higher education, life time jobs at tax payer expense with no consequences. Kaufman clearly took advantage of his position in using tax payer resources in his campaign against the chief. For more than 10 years he abused his responsibility as a faculty member and used tax payer dollars for mailings, emails, phone calls, etc. The administration did nothing. Clearly this was against the Illinois ethics code, but because he was tenured no one in UI administration would look seriously into the matter.
Mark Shelden probably looks at this site from work, and I bet a cursory glance through the access logs compared to the timestamp on his contributions would probably confirm that he has at least once even posted from work. Why is nobody in an uproar that he is using County (tax payer) resources to post all kinds of gripes about his employer and the decisions that its board makes? It seems to me that any gripe you have with Kauffman is just as valid against Shelden.
I may wholeheartedly disagree with what Mark has to say on a regular basis, and I am not very fond of him for comments he has made in the past (he and I have met and conversed more than once, but I don't expect him to remember that. He meets and talks to a lot of people, so I understand. [no sarcasm intended]), but he is salaried for what he does. Before one can start making any accusations of misuse of funds, violation of statues, etc. - you have to ask "are they getting done the work they are paid to do?"
As long as the answer to that question is yes, there isn't much room for argument against either person. To my knowledge, Mark does his job on top of what he does here and for the Champaign County Republicans. Unless you have some proof of Prof. Kauffman not doing what we are paying him to do (teaching and research), you really have no valid argument.
I realize I'm late in this thread for a response, but for those of you praising this academy, what exactly do you expect it to do?
I realize I'm late in this thread for a response, but for those of you praising this academy, what exactly do you expect it to do?
I expect the faculty senate to throttle it in its crib.
"I expect the faculty senate to throttle it in its crib." there's a hero of the first amendment for you.
...Not that the said throttling would be what I want, Run4cvrlib - I was answering the call for "those of you praising this academy." I just have zero confidence that the faculty at UIUC will let it go through - there is a cover article in the Daily Illini today and a letter from the faculty senate head to that effect. The faculty have the power to hire and fire professors. They are not going to give that up - and they are ill equiped to hire professors that would advocate the libertarian position - how would they judge someone that would take the John Stuart Mill position vs. someone taking the Ayn Rand position? As far as many professors are concerned, it's like debating the truthiness (tip of the hat to Colbert) of Greek mythology vs. Viking mythology.
D-Man-understood my apologies, yes I am aware that the facility and campus community is going to try to kill it.