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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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Posted on 07/08/2003 11:31:38 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
You won't see his picture in the post office, but Clarksdale businessman Hartley Kittle is now listed as public enemy No. 1 by the outd-of-sync administration at Ole Miss.
And with that, Kittle becomes the darling of the "vocal minority." That's how Athletic Director Pete Boone referred to the defenders of traditions at the Oxford-based campus.
And here's what Kittle said in the state's largest publication in Mississippi - The Jackson Clarion-Ledger:
"They took the flag, we don't have 'Dixie' and now it's Colonel Reb. They can say whatever they want, but they'll realize the deal when they count the donations and they come up with less than they'd hoped for."
With the demise of Col. Reb, many Ole Miss supporters - some well-to-do and some not - have decided to send a message to the university.
NO MORE MONEY!
Boone denies that the unpopular move has hurt financial contributions. However, the lack of money problems began at precisely the same time that Boone said he wanted to upgrade the mascot's image.
Boone currently is on "Dream Job No. 2." He quit his first dream job when he resigned as Rebel AD a few years back to go back into the banking business.
With the firing of his predecessor John Shaffer, Boone accepted his dream job for the second time. At the time, it looked like a great hire. The dream is now a nightmare for most Ole Miss fans.
My opinion is that it's been a total disaster. Boone let football coach David Cutcliffe make a fool out of the administration shortly before the Independence Bowl in 2002 when "Cut" temporarily flirted with the head coaching job at Kentucky, not once, but twice.
The Rebel basketball program is now in shambles. Coach Rod Barnes has recruited as poorly as one can to try to compete in the always-tough SEC. Next fall, Tad Smith Coliseum should look like Hiroshima did in late August of 1945.
But let's get back to my newest found hero, Hartley Kittle. Here's some more of his most recent experience with the Ole Miss Dis-Loyalty Club.
"I got an e-mail from the Loyalty people last week asking for a donation (for the new indoor practice facility), and (I) sent one back saying, 'This must be some type of joke.'"
Kittle, a football and basketball season-ticket holder has canceled his season tickets for basketball after 15 straight years, and he's not the only one.
Sources say the biggest dollar supporter in Panola County has also called it quits over the same flak. Others in this area are pulling out.
And the amazing thing about the entire situation is that the Ole Miss brass says the Col. Reb situation has nothing to do with lack of money coming in. I said in an earlier column, these "progressive" leaders were no more than Hilliary Clinton spinning in disguise. Need I say more.
George Smith, the father-in-law of Clarksdale's Max Schmitz says those sharing the same opinion as Kittle represent a vocal minority.
Huh?
Except for a few newspapers and less than one handful (5), no one has defended Smith, Boone and Khayat's position. Talking about a majority! This is the ultimate super group at keeping quiet.
The attack on Col. Rebel is not what the uproar is all about. It's a continuation of an attack on Ole Miss traditions that are so dear to a huge majority of Rebel supporters.
Twenty years ago when the university disassociated itself with the Confederate Battle Flag, there were a few Nostradamuses that warned, "It won't stop here."
And they have been proven right. It also won't stop with Dixie and Col. Reb., trust me.
And to you Hartley, I say this, "Run for mayor, governor or president and you've got my vote. I appreciate you having the guts to stand up for the true voice of Ole Miss.
You are a true hero.
**********
On the reservation at Alcorn
While the issue had to come up sooner or later, it is now out for the public to digest.
The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is putting together a study on colleges with Indian, or should I say Native-American mascots.
As you know, Alcorn State prides itself in being called the Braves. And the campus and football field is often referred to as "the reservation."
This commission will also be calling on Florida State, Illinois and some of the big boys to change their nickname and mascot.
And Mississippi College has honored the Choctaws all through the years with an arrowhead logo and tribal nickname.
The reason colleges and/or pro teams use a form of the Indian is for their fierce way of fighting. They were outstanding warriors that were overmatched by the white man when they came to the new world. To be referred to as an Indian, a Chief, a Brave or even a Squaw is in honor for the American Indian and the way they fought in battle.
Hopefully, the good folks in Lorman and the ones that support the Braves will take a stand for what's important to them.
If they don't, they'll lose their identity.
Time will take care of it all, so we'll just have to wait and see.
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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It is in the breaking news sidebar! |
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This sentiment has been stated by 99% of my clients that are and have been supporters of Ole Miss. I guess the Ole Miss politically correct are depending upon Federal Support to float the university.
Echoes what I have heard, especially from FR alum. When I looked into post-graduate programs, and quickly crossed them off my list.
LOL!! It's gonna be hard to afford a steak meal with just the price of a donut in yer pocket.
free dixie,sw
My next door neighbor said the same. Kudos to Mr. Kittle et al.
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