Remember Ivor Van Heerden? Patriot or Patsy?

[Emperor]

If you want to see how deeply divided everything is, take a read here.

I have no dog in the hunt other than I do not want to see a person slandered and besmirched because of his/her viewpoints. But this example of how all of these higher ups where willing to grind this dude up for money and favoritism; and ultimately cover it up is sadly disappointing. And it could happen to many of us.

When guys like this start losing their fights (and he was almost silenced), it's over.

http://www.businessreport.com/4162013/Moving_on

 

[killdee]

As I recall reading the facts, he was not "fired". He was working under a contract, and when that existing contract expired, he was not issued a new contract and his employment therefore ended.

Van Heerden supporters still call those circumstances a "firing". But in my book, regardless of the political and scientific controversy, if you **** off your employer, and he lets you finish your contract, then chooses not to contract with you again after that, you have not been fired. You have just made a choice between principles and employment. That's very noble, but if you made that decision, then live with it.

 

[Emperor]

Exceprts from the article in hard copy of e-mails and letters exhibited as evidence.

THE TROUBLE WITH IVOR
Shortly before a scheduled trial, U.S. District Judge James Brady denied a request from LSU attorneys to throw
out several exhibits Ivor van Heerden planned to present in court to support his three-year-old case. Three days
later, the judge signed a dismissal order after the Louisiana Office of Risk Management agreed to a $435,000
settlement. Here are excerpts from some of those documents:
"This is astounding and
must be stopped! This
is grandstanding at its
worst. This is not helpful."
SIDNEY COFFEE
, former executive assistant to the governor for
coastal activities, responding to a September 2005 email from Ivor
van Heerden outlining his conclusions about the Corps of Engineers
"One of the issues will be
Ivor.We must get him on
the team and have him
change his story."
CHUCK WILSON
, former LSU vice provost, in a September 2005
email to former Graduate School Dean Harold Silverman and
former Associate Vice Chancellor Robert Twilley
"I am greatly concerned about the deluge of irresponsible
reports to the media being spewed out by a small number
of mainly non-tenure track faculty regarding what may
or may not have caused flooding in New Orleans
.... I have been to Washington several times recently meeting
with the congressional delegation and federal agencies.
In almost every contact, I am asked how so-andso's
irresponsible behavior is tolerated .... Academic
freedom can be a shield to be stupid,
but it is not a license to be irresponsible on public policy issues that
involve lives and public safety. The university will remain in
third rate category unless the 'cowboys' are reined in."
ROY DOKKA
, former director of the Louisiana Spatial Reference Center and the Center for Geolnformatics,
in an October 2005 email to former Vice Chancellor Michael Ruffner www
"On the one hand we ought
to be promoting our faculty
every chance we get. But
on the other I would think
we need to be careful giving
Ivor our 'official stamp
of approval' in light of the
negative reactions he has
generated. "
BROOKS KEEL, former LSUvice chancellor for Research & Economic
Development, in a December 2006 email to then-Chancellor Sean
O'Keefe and former Vice Chancellor Harold Silverman, regarding a
planned nomination of van Heerden for the Environmental Law Institute's
2007 National Wetlands Award for Education and Outreach
"I agreed to no longer
talk to the media directly
because you stated that
my talking to the media
was hurting LSU's
chances to obtain federal
funds .... Vice Chancellor
Ruffner said to send all
media requests to Ms.
Kristine Calongne, director
of public affairs at LSU."
IVOR VAN HEERDEN
in a November 2005 email to former Vice
Chancellor Michael Ruffner and another email address
"Just last week I had lunch with Chancellor [Sean]
O'Keefe. LSU does not want Ivor or anyone else
associated with LSU to testify against the Corps.
Remember, the hierarchy with LSU now is very
Republican-oriented. Also, the top fundraiser for LSU's
huge $750 million drive is former Congressman Henson
Moore. In addition, as I told you all, Chancellor O'Keefe is
a well-connected Republican and I am certain that LSU is
concerned that if Ivor is identified as being adverse to the
Corps and its large, corporate,
pro-Republican interests, it
could have serious adverse effects for LSU."
JERRY MCKERNAN
in a July 2007 email to other attorneys considering van Heerden as an expert witness in Hurricane Katrina litigation

 

[Emperor]

As I recall reading the facts, he was not "fired". He was working under a contract, and when that existing contract expired, he was not issued a new contract and his employment therefore ended.

Van Heerden supporters still call those circumstances a "firing". But in my book, regardless of the political and scientific controversy, if you **** off your employer, and he lets you finish your contract, then chooses not to contract with you again after that, you have not been fired. You have just made a choice between principles and employment. That's very noble, but if you made that decision, then live with it.

He won!?!

The point is, he was being silenced by the State University and the Governor's office in the name of federal funding; and they tried to hide the fact they were doing just that. This was just another example of how the federal government can hold EVERYONE hostage when willing idiots are in on the deal.

I think it's abhorrent.

 

[Robhic]

I always felt the guy was sincere. But, like Don Quixote, VanHeerden was trying to fight "Big Brother" in the form of the Corps of Engineers. You can't win, especially since the corps can't seem to be successfully sued. And LSU fearing a cut or loss of funding (their life-blood like a freakin' vampire) wasn't gonna go quietly. This is just a very unfortunate situation that seems to finally be over. Bad taste in everyone's mouths....

 

[killdee]

He won!?!

The point is, he was being silenced by the State University and the Governor's office in the name of federal funding; and they tried to hide the fact they were doing just that. This was just another example of how the federal government can hold EVERYONE hostage when willing idiots are in on the deal.

I think it's abhorrent.

LSU's primary concern, far and above any others, is money$$$$$$. I agree completely that Van Heerden lost favor because his findings embarrassed and implicated the federal government. And we all know that the federal government (using our tax dollars) is the 900 pound gorilla of funding. But the court decision is typical trial lawyer manipulated, jury-charity ********. No public institution should be required to issue a new contract to anyone, for any reason, under any circumstances, and especially not under threat of a lawsuit. Otherwise, what's the point of contracting versus putting someone on the payroll?

 

[Emperor]

LSU's primary concern, far and above any others, is money$$$$$$. I agree completely that Van Heerden lost favor because his findings embarrassed and implicated the federal government. And we all know that the federal government (using our tax dollars) is the 900 pound gorilla of funding. But the court decision is typical trial lawyer manipulated, jury-charity ********. No public institution should be required to issue a new contract to anyone, for any reason, under any circumstances, and especially not under threat of a lawsuit. Otherwise, what's the point of contracting versus putting someone on the payroll?

I see your point from that aspect.