Vol. 38, No.1                                                      November 13, 2007

The HEO Elections: Hijinks Or A Hijacking?

A recent e-mail (click here) from CCNY's Fred Brodzinski has brought a potentially troubling situation to our attention. It seems that the merry krew at Bowen's Broadway Bunker may have been tampering with pending elections for HEO alternate representatives to the Delegate Assembly. Rather than putting forward the names of candidates who took the trouble to attend a nominating meeting, the New Caucus seems simply to have made up their own slate. Another example of democracy, "Dear Leader" style, perhaps?

But far be it from us at The Patriot to jump to conclusions. The probity and propriety of such contests are serious matters, and the rights of the membership are protected by state and federal statute. Indeed, the U.S. Department of Labor conducted an extensive investigation of PSC's 2006 elections. Fortunately for the dues payers, no formal charges were filed. But we do hope that in the case of the HEO Chapter, the Elections Committee and the Executive Council will follow the letter of the law.

Dr. Brodzinski's letter did prompt us to ask a few questions about what has, and has not, been going on of late with the HEO contest, however. In response we've received the following letter from one of that chapter's members that we have been asked to share with you.

An Open Letter of Apology to Barbara Bowen and The New Caucus Party

Dearest Barbara,

Let me say that I am deeply, deeply sorry if there was any misunderstanding between us regarding my absolute and undying loyalty to the New Caucus Party and the Professional Staff Congress (not that I would ever imply of course that there should be ANY difference between the two).

I am extremely relieved to be informed that my proposed formal candidacy for HEO Alternate Delegate was summarily rejected by the New Caucus Leadership, and that "Write-Ins (Please Print)", a loyal member of the Party whom I have never met personally, but is undoubtedly much more worthy and dedicated to The Cause than I, will have the opportunity to serve instead. Thank goodness that the savvy political operatives in the Party have prevailed, and my candidacy was disallowed because of unspoken, but no doubt terribly important reasons. I just hope that no confused Party Members will submit my name as a write in candidate.

For you see, I know I could never hope to match the degree of success that you and the other Great Party Leaders of our Union have achieved, especially with regards to The Great Five Year Triumph, our last contract. It was foolish of me to even think so. Every day, and with every paycheck, we Workers hug each other, deliriously overcome with joy at what your remarkably remarkable leadership has delivered to us. For each and every one of us, it is TRULY a gift that just keeps on giving.

I understand now, Barbara.

You could reach out and see that in the depths of my heart my dedication to the Party did not reflect sufficient loyalty to The Cause. I will try harder. I must try harder. It is my sincerest hope that after a suitable period of reeducation, one day I WILL be completely blind and utterly ruthless in my loyalty to the Party (or if you prefer, you), and therefore might be of some small service to the New Caucus. Our enemies might call these methods unctuous bootlicking, but what they don't know is that boots gently shined clean by the tongues of the Party Faithful will stomp on the yoke of oppression much better than dirty ones.

Yes, I am renewing my commitment to standing tall with you and the party in Solidarity, particularly during this year of difficult contract negotiations, and more importantly, the 80th anniversary of Trotsky's exile from Party leadership. Trotsky weighs heavily on all our hearts on a daily basis, and we know you stand strong and committed to honoring his legacy properly.

Barbara, on a purely personal note, I would also like to extend my deepest thanks. You have helped me to understand an important Party Lesson. Quaint rules are deadly obstacles to the ultimate victory of the Workers over those who would enslave them. Thank you for showing me that the most democratic way to run an election is to bypass oppressive parliamentary procedures and open forums, and have the Party apparatus decide all the candidates for us.

For that, I bow to your wisdom, and can hardly wait until the next election cycle to see what scrawled names on a crumpled slip of paper you will declare as candidates and future champions of Our Cause.

And how can I NOT give monumental thanks to First Vice President Steve London, the modern day Prometheus of the American Labor movement, for his great gift of unwavering loyalty and dedication to the Party. Whether supporting something, or later denying it ever existed, I have always been inspired by the beads of sweat dripping from his rippling biceps and his tousled hair glowing in the sunlight as he leads the PSC Workers in our glorious struggle. Just thinking about him has always caused my heart to beat a little faster. I sincerely hope that he receives the same reward as Prometheus himself, a reward he so richly deserves.

I must also pass on the highest praise to all of the other nameless Noble Warriors of the Party who have labored so tirelessly behind the scenes to make our cherished New Caucus a mighty juggernaut. Enemies of Our Cause may smear them as faceless party hacks making sleazy deals in smoke filled backrooms, but we know that is not the truth.

We KNOW the truth: the New Caucus Party Headquarters is a smoke free environment!

Can you feel it?

I can.

The day is coming. Maybe not soon, or even after three or four more years without a contract, but the day IS coming. The day is coming when we achieve our Ultimate Victory over the parasitic leaders of CUNY, and will march proudly up Broadway arm in arm during the May Day parade. And when we pass Union headquarters, a great cheer will go out and our hearts will soar in Solidarity when we see the giant bronze statue of "Bowen the Great", smiling and holding the manifesto of your choice. It is then that the crowd will erupt and the New Caucus Party credo will be shouted from the rooftops; "One People, One Party, One Dear Leader!"

You are now, and will always be a True Hero of the PSC Union to me.

Eternally yours in Solidarity,

Stephen Peter Russell

CUNY's Queen Turns From the Regal to the Legal

In early October our editor-in-chief, Sharad Karkhanis, received formal notice that he was being sued by Susan O'Malley for defamation and libel in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The sum of $2,000,000 is being sought in monetary damages, as is a permanent injunction prohibiting Professor Karkhanis from "making, printing, publishing and distributing wrongful statements" regarding Professor O'Malley in the future.

Sharad Karkhanis welcomes the opportunity to defend himself and his First Amendment rights in court.

Local and international press coverage of this lawsuit in such venues as United Press International, the New York Post, The New York Sun and Inside Higher Education has been extensive.

So, too, has commentary in print and online. For an up-to-date compendium of the latter, readers of The Patriot may wish to visit our good friends at the Free Speech at CUNY weblog: http://freespeechcuny.blogspot.com

Sharad Karkhanis, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus

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