While what I am about to suggest will not necessarily be a good thing for
your friend's personal well-being, it is still what he should do. If each of
us looks the other way in the face of corruption, we end up with what we
deserve -  a lousy system that fails to serve the common interest of the
public.

My suggestions:
1. Collect everything in writing, beginning immediately.
2. Put your grievances and concerns in writing and copy multiple parties on
all correspondence.
3. Once you have the documentation, Kamikaze the bastards, if necessary. I
did this once in my early career and it was very liberating. Walk in, state
your case, make your threat and follow it through if the problems are not
corrected. In return, if unsuccessful (as is likely), you can expect an
unsatisfactory job performance evaluation and whatever disciplinary action is
available under departmental procedures, as a possible precursor to
termination. You have to figure "Would I really be that much worse off, under
the circumstances, if I got fired?" If you do get fired, get a lawyer.
Wrongful termination lawsuits are very much in vogue these days, and there's
no way you don't win in a jury trial in Mississippi. I saw it on 60 Minutes
so it must be true.
4. If the party in control of the State House is different than the party of
your local congressman, take your problem to him. Write a letter to the
newspaper, too, so your congressman can't wimp out later when he figures he's
gotten all the political mileage there is to be milked from this, or when he
cuts a deal with the bad guys. File a complaint with the General Accounting
Office in Washington, the watchdog of Congress, as there is undoubtedly some
federal money kicking around in the department and they may be in violation
of federal purchasing regulations if they are kicking contracts to their
cronies.
5. If you have information that can prove illegal activity, call the FBI.
They have jurisdiction in cases of public corruption, particularly since
almost everything involves some level of federal funding.
6. Start looking for another job. None of the above is likely to help you
right away, and it may take years to see anything good come from it.


Edison Coatings, Inc.
M. P. Edison
President
3 Northwest Drive
Plainville, CT 06062
Phone: (860) 747-2220 or (800)697-8055
Fax: (860)747-2280 or (800) 697-8044
Internet: www.edisoncoatings.com
E-Mail: [log in to unmask]

---------- Original Message -----------
From: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sun, 29 Dec 2002 13:27:24 EST
Subject: Re: critique needed

> Mike how timely;
>
> I just had dinner with one of the top archeologists for the state of
> Mississippi who
> is standing up for values and integrity for his profession and
> craft; yet is getting iced by the appointed suits from the capital
> for not window dressing and bending over for the soap when they want
> him too....This is not a crank refusing to be a team player.   its a
> bad situation and he could use the friendship of PTN; and any
> outside  advice he can get.
>
> Its the usual story; state hires sleazy fundraisers to head your department;
> and they try and get rid of you... not because of your work; which is
> stellar;
> ....but because your principals and ethics are  a threat to their
> old boy network and  payola politics of the State dept of Archives
> and History.
>
> I desperately would like to help my friend (he has 5 kids) he needs
> to link up outside this cesspool .....For him Archeology was always
> an untouchable discipline; our system of politics  has allowed suits
> without portfolio to infiltrate and make hollow these disaplines..
> .My friend Jack might need 3 weeks on 42 street with hustlers and
> con artists of the real world but we need to ultimately  throw the
> rascals out. Seeking advise and link ups for Jack .Pyrate
>
> .Ps .see wb site ...radical archeology
>
> --
> To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
> uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
> <http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>
------- End of Original Message -------

--
To terminate puerile preservation prattling among pals and the
uncoffee-ed, or to change your settings, go to:
<http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/bullamanka-pinheads.html>