By Ed Gamble, originally published in 1992, in the Florida Times-Union. Is the message still relevant today?
FROM THE ONION: “‘Someone’s Gotta Occupy Afghanistan,’ Grumbles Dick Cheney, Shoving Firearms Into Suitcase”
Fresh from the pages of “The Onion”: “WILSON, WY—Following news that the military withdrawal had ramped up after U.S. troops pulled out of Bagram Airfield, former Vice President Dick Cheney was overheard Friday muttering “Someone’s gotta occupy Afghanistan” as he shoved a cache of firearms into a suitcase.
“It’s a dirty job, keeping those terrorists in line, but by God, I’ll do it myself if I have to,” said the 80-year-old former defense secretary, sticking a tactical knife into his ankle holster before placing C-4 explosives, grenades, and his travel neck pillow into a duffel bag. “I should’ve known this day would come. You think you’re all hunky-dory, just set it and forget it over there, but then these assholes go and screw everything up. Now I have to call Condi [Rice], Colin [Powell], and Bob [Gates] and tell them to cancel their plans and come help me. Christ, I’m getting too old for this shit. And where are my goddamn M16s? Well, it’s like I always say: Don’t send an army to do Dick Cheney’s job.” At press time, Cheney was reportedly cursing his late mentor Donald Rumsfeld “for taking the easy way out” as he drew up battle plans to reinvade Afghanistan by himself.”
From https://www.theonion.com/someone-s-gotta-occupy-afghanistan-grumbles-dick-che-1847220332
Dr. Daniel Xu Recognized for Research
Dr. Daniel Xu has been notified this week by IGI Global that his chapter, “Health Challenges for Rural Families: Issues, Policies, and Solutions,” that was published (2020) in the Handbook of Research on Leadership and Advocacy for Children and Families in Rural Poverty was selected for inclusion the IGI Research Anthology on Public Health Services, Policies and Education. The goal of the Anthologies is to assure that the highest quality research findings published by IGI Global are easily accessible in academic research libraries.
Summer Session II Starts
Summer Session II officially began yesterday, June 24. Classes end on Thurs., July 29, with exams scheduled for Fri., July 30.
Looking ahead: Fall classes (in-person!) begin Monday, Aug. 23.
Dr. Lockerbie in the News
Dr. Brad Lockerbie has been interviewed by the media several times in the past few months concerning the proposed court packing, the abolition of the filibuster, the use of executive orders, and more. We all appreciate Dr. Lockerbie sharing his knowledge and insights about the current political landscape!
Dr. Casey Fleming’s “Women of State Government” Forum
Despite remarkable changes in the public workforce since the 1960s, women remain solidly underrepresented in government leadership, particularly in traditionally male-dominated roles. This has led to efforts and campaigns that push for improved gender diversity and to foster and develop women for entry and advancement, such as the recent #13percent movement that calls attention to the reality that only 13 percent of local government chief administrative officer (CAO) positions are held by women (as of 2013). Likewise, attention to gender representation has grown in Master of Public Administration programs.
In his MPA foundations course, Dr. Casey Fleming recently held the second “Women of State Government” virtual forum with women panelists, all of whom are current government directors and leaders at the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management, and the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. Panelists discussed their career paths, told some stories of successes and failures, and offered advice for those entering public service.
It’s “Official”: Juneteenth Is Now A Federal Holiday!
“The US will now officially recognize Juneteenth. President Joe Biden signed a bill passed by the Senate and House, June 15th and 16th respectively – with no opposing vote in the Senate and only minor Republican dissent in the House.
“From its Galveston, Texas origin in 1865, the observance of June 19th as the African American Emancipation Day” makes “Juneteenth … the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States.
Focus on ECU Alumni: Caroline Parrish
We are proud to announce that ECU Political Science Alum, Caroline Parrish (BS Political Science, May 2018) graduated with from Campbell University School of Law in May 2021!
Focus on ECU Alumni: Jason Port
We are proud to announce that ECU Political Science Alum, Jason Port (BS Political Science, second major in Multidisciplinary Studies: Security Studies, May 2018) graduated with his Master’s in Global Studies: Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill in May 2021!
