UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY and PADUCAH COMMUNITY COLLEGE HARASS STUDENT FOR EXERCISING HIS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS
University of Kentucky Continues to Allow This
Paducah Community College
in Paducah, Kentucky is a joke.
Ethical people with consciences
and alternatives are joining the boycott.
Here's one BIG reason . . .
Mr. James Sweatt, a student/employee was asked by a paid consultant what would make PCC a better college for the students. Sweatt's answer was, "Competency testing for faculty members." The president of the college, Len O'Hara, demanded an apology (???) and further retaliated. Sweatt was given a bad evaluation solely because of the comment. Shortly, O'Hara fired him. The college admits that he was fired "in part" due to the comment. The college refuses to pay the employee his accrued earnings. Sweatt was then IMMEDIATELY barred from the campus. This means no attending classes, no attending Murray State classes on PCC's campus, no attending sporting events, plays, public forums, etc. Right is right and this is wrong! The county attorney told this man to ignore the restrictions placed on him and continue to go to class. He did so and was hounded relentlessly by O'Hara's goons. The city cops, when called to PCC, told Sweatt to go ahead and attend his class, that "he wasn't bothering anyone." The next day, sheriff's deputies arrested Sweatt AT HIS HOME for 3rd degree trespassing. The arresting deputy apologized for the strange arrest. The city of Paducah, the mayor, the judge-executive, the PCC board of trustees, and city leaders allow this to go on. SHAME on them! Speak out! Ask questions. BOYCOTT PCC! Complain to the Chamber of Commerce by calling 1-800-Paducah.
"If I were wrong, I'd have walked away quietly from all this.
I will continue to speak out because I know that this is only
retaliation from a little, small-minded man and his cronies.
If O'Hara believed he was right, he would welcome an investigation.
His efforts to silence me speak volumes." -- James Sweatt
(the victim of retaliation)
UPDATE: The little man (O'Hara) has left town.
2002 Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish!
His actions still warrant an investigation.
There is a long-time employee of the college
who knows of O'Hara's dirty deeds regarding
this situation. Now that this person no
longer depends on O'Hara for a job, we believe
this person will do the right thing and speak
out to the appropriate people, requesting an
investigation. This person's personal
integrity calls for such an action.
UPDATE: The clown is gone, but Paducah still suffers
2003 in his wake. An author may write a book
about this terrible injustice. Details later.
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"Suppose you were an idiot... And suppose you were a member
of Congress... But I repeat myself."
-Mark Twain
Update November 2002: This inept congressman didn't last long.
Illinois State Representative Jim Fowler
"Suppose you were an idiot... And suppose you were a member
of Congress... But I repeat myself."
-Mark Twain
The Verdict is Still Out on These People:
VILLAINS:
Governor Paul Patton
of Kentucky obviously is *NOT* the education
governor. He has done absolutely nothing to protect this student's
rights.
Update: Governor Patton visited the campus of PCC on February 16, 2000,
in an attempt to garner support for his goofy budget (including huge
tax increase on gasoline). Worrying about his selfish desires and
ignoring injustices that don't affect him personally--Patton's a
quintessential politician!
Update: Governor Patton has proven what we knew all along:
He is short on morals! We can't wait to hear the result of the investigation
regarding his shenanigans with his mistress and her nursing home.
Update: Governor Patton's latest "bright" idea, releasing convicts early,
has backfired infamously. Many of those released convicts were in
trouble with the law again within days. The "governor" has now scrapped
his latest debacle of an idea.
Update: According to a poll, Patton is the most unpopular governor.
All these items point to a corrupt governor who has lost his moral
authority to govern. The clues were there very early in his "administration"
when he callously turned his back on this horrendous situation.
Perhaps he would care about this student's rights if the student was
from a rich family stupid enough to throw money into Patton's campaign funds.
US Rep. David Phelps, Southern Illinois
This newly elected congressman gives excellent lip service. He is one of the public servants who should be most willing to help, but he is "missing in action" on this issue. In spite of how he spells his name, there is no "help" in Phelps. Maybe his replacement will take this problem seriously.
This arrogant man cares only about getting elected, not about doing his job. He lied to the victim on the phone because he didn't want to be bothered to help. His staff, on the phone, then claimed that Mr. Fowler did help.
Update: This elected official didn't last long either.
US Representative Ed Whitfield, Western Kentucky
US Senator Mitch McConnell, Kentucky
US Senator Jim Bunning, Kentucky 800-283-8983
US Senator Richard Durbin, Illinois
US Senator Peter Fitzgerald, Illinois
State Senator Bob Leeper, Western Kentucky
State Representative Frank Rasche, Western Kentucky
Education Committee
State Representative Larry Woolard, Southern Illinois
Chairman of the Education Committee 618-997-1171
Readers' responses UPDATED 2-4-2006
This page last updated on February 4, 2006.
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