University of Idaho’s “Chief Inspiration Officer”
Over the past year the University of Idaho has hired a Minnesota consultant for $12,500 per month. The Provost calls her his "Chief Inspiration Officer." Faculty thinks she is a nice lady, but they believe she is wasting their time and the UI's money. Read the full version at www.class.uidaho.edu/ngier/consultants.htm [more]
Malvina Reynolds: Poetess of ProtestEvery Wednesday this column is broadcast on Radio Free Moscow in Moscow, Idaho. Last week the station was doing its first ever on-air fundraising last week and the DJ I was working with played a tune by Malvina Reynolds, whose famous song "Little Boxes" is sometimes mistakenly attributed to Pete Seeger. I was inspired to learn more about this remarkable woman. The full version is at www.home.roadrunner.com/~nickgier/reynolds.htm [more]
The Power of Pride: Vice or Virtue?Recently I heard an interview with Tori McClure, who rowed across the Atlantic only after being inspired by Muhammad Ali to do it. After her first failed attempt, she started working for the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Ali told her that she should not live with failure. She realized that Ali was right and went out and achieved her goal. I listened to this remarkable woman for an hour as she was being interviewed by Diane Rehm. There was no boasting as McClure laid out the harrowing details of her feat as if it were just a grueling hike. She succeeded in the face of incredible odds but didn’t crow about it. Read full version at www.class.uidaho.edu/ngier/Pride.htm [more]
*NEWS: Livestock Interests Haze Bison off of Horse ButteBison calves injured, separated from mothers, in a veritable war zone, as livestock interests including Montana Department of Livestock and Yellowstone National Park mercilessly force bison out of Montana...and there's not a cow in sight. [more]
MEDIA ALERT: Wild Bison Harassed Again on Public LandMisuse of public lands, maltreatment of native wildlife, brought to you by the Montana Department of Livestock. [more]
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Brutal Harrasment of Wild Bison by DOL HelicopterWild bison, including newborn calves and pregnant mothers, have been maliciously run off of Gallatin National Forest land and deep into Yellowstone National Park by the usual infamous suspects - Montana Department of Livestock. The DOL is using your tax dollars to harm America's last wild bison population all in the name of the holy cow - and there's not a cow in sight. [more]
Faculty Union Responds to Idaho’s Financial CrisisThe faculty union at the University of Idaho won a $1 million dollar settlement for eight tenured faculty during the 1981-82 recession when a judged ruled that the UI failed to prove a financial emergency. Since that time no tenured Idaho professor has been fired for this reason, and this year no Idaho campus administrator has declared financial exigency, although one could argue that conditions do indeed exist to justify one. Read the full version at www.home.roadrunner.com/~nickgier/IFTresponse.htm [more]
Saving grizzly bears vs. hunter safetyHunter-related grizzly bear mortality in the Yellowstone region has people concerned--is bear spray a realistic alternative for hunters? [more]
Animals are People, TooI was once a "big brain species chauvinist," generously allowing apes, dolphins, and whales into the sacred halls of Personhood. But now after the evidence accumulating over many years, I can no longer draw a neat line between Washoe and Alex the Parrot. See the full version with an image of Alex and his owner at
The Destruction of Afghan Cultural TreasuresDuring the 7th Century AD Afghanistan's Bamiyan Valley was home to ten monasteries and over 1,000 monks. Many of the monks lived as hermits in caves in the cliffs where giant Buddha statues were chiseled out of solid rock. The elaborate cave art is the first ever painted with oils, six centuries before Europeans perfected this medium. Eight years ago this month the Taliban destroyed these statues. For images before and after and a sample of the painting see the full version at www.class.uidaho.edu/ngier/Bamyian.htm. [more]
Internal Pick Best for New UI PresidentAfter being burned in our enthusiastic support for Elizabeth Zinser in 1993, my faculty union is no longer recommending presidential candidates. My personal favorite, however, is Donald Burnett, currently dean of the UI law school. Burnett has the all the makings of a great president: solid integrity, eloquent speaker, politically astute, and excellent interpersonal skills. He knows Idaho and the university and we know him well. [more]
Bluegrass & Beyond Buffalo Benefit!Boogie down for a great cause! Join us in Bozeman, MT, Saturday April 11, 2009 at the Pour House, 15 N. Rouse Ave from 4pm until the wee hours for a dance-filled benefit for Buffalo Field Campaign. A strong showing of fine, talented musicians include [more]
