Letter to Walt
Walt,
I agree with your article. We do need to do something to keep the spirit of MSMS alive and kids wanting to go there. It was definitely one of the top ten opportunities in my life (along with meeting presidents, prime ministers, ambassadors, and kings). Barbour's plan to charge for this education is ridiculous, and I have no clue really how to change that except by penning him the anti-education governor much in the same way as Musgrove and Allain were viewed as education governors. Perhaps, that will change his mind, but I am not certain as Barbour (as well as Bush) has not seemed to place a high priority on high minded students. They are more concerned with helping those just getting by to get by. I am (as a libertarian), of course, strictly opposed to this.
I have worked for Pickering, Lott, and Wicker and will write them a letter stating how I feel about this situation - hopefully, my personal connection will mean more than the average citizen, but I am not certain. The main people we need to convince though are our local legislators. I mean hell - we have a member from MSMS from every county - we should be doing grass roots action and getting them to write letters to their local representatives; I believe that would carry much greater weight in the long term as MSMS is not federally funded. Barbour and I do not get along since I endorsed John Arthur Eaves (my cousin) for governor this past year - before that we were friends - but HB holds grudges.
Another thing I think should be done is to publicize the accomplishments of our fellow students. Stephanie Crabtree is about to become a doctor, Patrick Kennedy already is one, Keyana Mitchell is doing who knows what but I am sure she is changing the world, Amber Hurst is a pharmacist, I am in my last year of law school and already have a master's degree in public policy and am planning on running for a house seat one day in the near future. Plus, the are students making a difference not only in this country but around the world. Avanti Sharma has set up her own foundation - the Anokhi Foundation to help AIDS/HIV victims around the world:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2258193457
We don't have to remain in MS to make it a worthwhile venture - MSMS provides a strong backbone to help students make a global change - we, as change agents, are making a better future and MSMS was the first stepping stone towards that end.
Sorry so long of an email - but it is something I do feel passionate about - let me know how I can help you.
Thanks for your efforts.
Niles
I agree with your article. We do need to do something to keep the spirit of MSMS alive and kids wanting to go there. It was definitely one of the top ten opportunities in my life (along with meeting presidents, prime ministers, ambassadors, and kings). Barbour's plan to charge for this education is ridiculous, and I have no clue really how to change that except by penning him the anti-education governor much in the same way as Musgrove and Allain were viewed as education governors. Perhaps, that will change his mind, but I am not certain as Barbour (as well as Bush) has not seemed to place a high priority on high minded students. They are more concerned with helping those just getting by to get by. I am (as a libertarian), of course, strictly opposed to this.
I have worked for Pickering, Lott, and Wicker and will write them a letter stating how I feel about this situation - hopefully, my personal connection will mean more than the average citizen, but I am not certain. The main people we need to convince though are our local legislators. I mean hell - we have a member from MSMS from every county - we should be doing grass roots action and getting them to write letters to their local representatives; I believe that would carry much greater weight in the long term as MSMS is not federally funded. Barbour and I do not get along since I endorsed John Arthur Eaves (my cousin) for governor this past year - before that we were friends - but HB holds grudges.
Another thing I think should be done is to publicize the accomplishments of our fellow students. Stephanie Crabtree is about to become a doctor, Patrick Kennedy already is one, Keyana Mitchell is doing who knows what but I am sure she is changing the world, Amber Hurst is a pharmacist, I am in my last year of law school and already have a master's degree in public policy and am planning on running for a house seat one day in the near future. Plus, the are students making a difference not only in this country but around the world. Avanti Sharma has set up her own foundation - the Anokhi Foundation to help AIDS/HIV victims around the world:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2258193457
We don't have to remain in MS to make it a worthwhile venture - MSMS provides a strong backbone to help students make a global change - we, as change agents, are making a better future and MSMS was the first stepping stone towards that end.
Sorry so long of an email - but it is something I do feel passionate about - let me know how I can help you.
Thanks for your efforts.
Niles