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Here ye! Here ye! Let’s scuttle these courts.
Would you like it if your apartment building had its own court? Your neighbor could accuse you of a crime and haul you into court — where a jury could convict you and punish you. We have the equivalent of that at many of our universities. These schools have created any number of “laws” to […]
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Would you like it if your apartment building had its own court? Your neighbor could accuse you of a crime and haul you into court — where a jury could convict you and punish you.
We have the equivalent of that at many of our universities. These schools have created any number of “laws” to govern campus life.
To me this is idiotic. Schools should teach. Period. If one kid calls another kid a name, it should be between the two of them. The school should keep its nose out of it — unless one of them breaks a real law.
Suppose your neighbor calls you stupid. Or mocks you. Or laughs at your clothes. Or makes you feel uncomfortable. Or spouts ideas you find offensive. Do you feel you should drag the guy before a neighborhood tribunal? If it finds him guilty should the court order him to clean your car for six months? (They used to do this in Mao’s super-communist China.)
If that sounds stupid, it is. Call me ignorant or simple. But how did we come to this stage with universities? They have their own court systems, where they mete out punishments. They expel students, no less. They humiliate them in public and black-mark their academic records.
Lots of the cases have to do with sexual complaints. He said, she said. So schools proclaim kids must follow step-by-step procedures. She has to say “Yes” at various important junctures. So if he skips past one of the junctures, she can nail him in campus court.
What a croc. What is a school doing sticking its nose into sex between students? It’s none of the school’s business.
President Obama made sexual abuse on campuses a federal offense. Why is a campus any different than Main Street? Sexual abuse is sexual abuse. So, call a cop. Not a campus cop. The city or county police.
These campus courts are ridiculous. Some are real kangaroo courts. They let a student accuse another without formal evidence and without being cross-examined. They won’t let the accused defend himself or herself.
Instead of trying to improve such court systems, schools should destroy them. If there are disputes, let kids settle them themselves. That’s what happens in the rest of society. If kids break the law, call the cops. Take the matter to the community’s existing judicial system.
Here is the most serious problem with these campus systems: Sometimes they try to handle genuine crimes. Crimes that the local police and local courts should handle.
How did we get to this point with universities? With treating them as if they are somehow separate from the rest of the community?
We have done this with the Roman Catholic Church, unfortunately. Church elders had this mindset: The church would deal with crimes its priests committed. That did not work out well, now, did it?
A crime is a crime is a crime. A priest molests a kid? The fact that he is a priest should have nothing to do with it. He commits a crime. And those who know about it and don’t report it to authorities? They also commit a crime.
A doctor and nurse steal money from a patient. The fact that they work for a big hospital has nothing to do with it. This is a crime. Call the cops.
A student molests a kid on a college campus? The fact that he is a student should have nothing to do with it. Call the police.
Too many universities are bubbles. They protect professors, administrators, and students from reality. And they do real damage to some students by sticking their nose into situations where they don’t belong.
From Tom…as in Morgan
Tom Morgan writes about political, financial, and other subjects from his home near Oneonta. Several upstate radio stations carry his daily commentary, Tom Morgan’s Money Talk. Contact him at tomasinmorgan@yahoo.com
Full Repeal of Obamacare Has Always Been the Only Answer
Sen. Mike Lee (R–Utah) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R–Kan.) recently dealt a blow to Obamacare “repeal and replace” efforts [on July 17] when they announced they would not vote for the latest version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, at press time, was trying to schedule a vote to repeal
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Sen. Mike Lee (R–Utah) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R–Kan.) recently dealt a blow to Obamacare “repeal and replace” efforts [on July 17] when they announced they would not vote for the latest version of the Better Care Reconciliation Act.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, at press time, was trying to schedule a vote to repeal major sections of the Affordable Care Act using the reconciliation process, but it still won’t be a full repeal.
The Citizens’ Council for Health Freedom (CCHF) has been calling for full repeal.
Republicans made a commitment to the American people. They committed to repealing Obamacare, and Americans put them in office to do it. Now, Republicans have a chance to finally do the right thing for the American people. They must simply repeal every word of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). A vote on a two-page repeal bill will end the needless quibbling and ongoing drama about the details of a bill that was never full repeal in the first place.
The Better Care Reconciliation Act only further embedded federal controls, federal infrastructure, federal subsidies, and federal dollars of Obamacare into federal law. The Senate bill is not repeal. The House bill is not repeal. Both bills were designed for big insurers and big government. They aren’t bills to benefit patients, and they don’t restore health freedom or affordability. Any “replacement” bill that exchanges one federal program for another is not the right direction. Full repeal has always been the only answer. We call on the Senate to put a real repeal bill up for a vote.
Twila Brase, RN, is president and co-founder of CCHF (www.cchfreedom.org), which says it is a nonprofit, patient-centered, national health-freedom organization based in St. Paul, Minnesota that exists to protect health-care choices, individualized patient care, and medical and genetic privacy rights. This opinion piece is drawn from a news release CCHF issued on July 18.
ANN MARIE WARNER has joined AP as a placement coordinator for the firm’s Syracuse office. She has more than 25 years of experience in the service and staffing industries. Warner previously held positions as an account manager at InFusion Sales Group, safety/HR coordinator at Armstrong Mold Corp., and director of business development at HR Staffing
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ANN MARIE WARNER has joined AP as a placement coordinator for the firm’s Syracuse office. She has more than 25 years of experience in the service and staffing industries. Warner previously held positions as an account manager at InFusion Sales Group, safety/HR coordinator at Armstrong Mold Corp., and director of business development at HR Staffing Solutions, according to her LinkedIn profile.
CATERINA D’AGOSTINO has joined as office coordinator for AP’s Syracuse office. She previously had a successful career in news and television. D’Agostino has extensive experience in organizing and executing live and recorded productions, managing a multi-person crew and fleet vehicles, and connecting with viewers for interviews and story ideas. She holds a bachelor’s degree in the study of television and radio from Ithaca College, an associate degree in electronic media communications, and an associate degree in interior design from Onondaga Community College, according to her LinkedIn profile.
MRB Group, Engineering, Architecture & Surveying, D.P.C.
TIMOTHY P. CARPENTER recently joined MRB Group, Engineering, Architecture & Surveying, D.P.C. as a project manager in the firm’s Syracuse office. He has more than 30 years of experience as an engineer and project manager in a variety of capacities, as well as serving as an active duty U.S. Army officer. Carpenter is a graduate
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TIMOTHY P. CARPENTER recently joined MRB Group, Engineering, Architecture & Surveying, D.P.C. as a project manager in the firm’s Syracuse office. He has more than 30 years of experience as an engineer and project manager in a variety of capacities, as well as serving as an active duty U.S. Army officer. Carpenter is a graduate of Clarkson University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. His career spans design, construction administration, and operations of water and wastewater-treatment plants.
ANTHONY PALAMARA has joined the Syracuse office of MRB Group as construction observer. He has 25 years of experience and expertise working with the Onondaga County Water Authority, most recently as water-distribution manager. Palamara’s background includes managing various civil-engineering projects with the Onondaga County Water Authority. In 2014, he was recognized by the APWA New York Chapter as Professional Manager of the Year Award for Water Resources. Palamara attended Clarkson and is a New York State-certified public water system operator.
JENNIFER ALFIERI has joined Tompkins Financial Advisors’ Central New York team as trust counsel. She is based in the firm’s Ithaca office. With 10 years of experience in the industry, Alfieri will be responsible for developing estate-planning strategies for clients. She previously was an attorney specializing in estate planning, trust and estate administration, and elder
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JENNIFER ALFIERI has joined Tompkins Financial Advisors’ Central New York team as trust counsel. She is based in the firm’s Ithaca office. With 10 years of experience in the industry, Alfieri will be responsible for developing estate-planning strategies for clients. She previously was an attorney specializing in estate planning, trust and estate administration, and elder law with the law firm of Costello, Cooney & Fearon, PLLC. Alfieri graduated from St. Bonaventure University and Syracuse University College of Law. She also holds an advanced law degree in estate planning from the University of Miami School of Law.
DINAH OLSON has joined the medical professional staff at Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) Oswego Center for Reproductive Health. She most recently worked for Comprehensive Gynecology in Syracuse and had previously worked at OCO Health Services. Olson graduated with a master’s degree as a physician assistant from the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A.
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DINAH OLSON has joined the medical professional staff at Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) Oswego Center for Reproductive Health. She most recently worked for Comprehensive Gynecology in Syracuse and had previously worked at OCO Health Services. Olson graduated with a master’s degree as a physician assistant from the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Drake University, according to her LinkedIn profile.
Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy Inc. (GKG) of New Hartford has added employee-benefits specialist MARK J. MEILE, who has joined the agency as VP — strategic business advisor. He was most recently with the Syracuse office of Brown & Brown Insurance, where he was VP of employee benefits. Meile is a 1989 graduate of SUNY Polytechnic
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Gilroy Kernan & Gilroy Inc. (GKG) of New Hartford has added employee-benefits specialist MARK J. MEILE, who has joined the agency as VP — strategic business advisor. He was most recently with the Syracuse office of Brown & Brown Insurance, where he was VP of employee benefits. Meile is a 1989 graduate of SUNY Polytechnic Institute, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance. Following positions in the banking and finance fields, he began his insurance career with Brown & Brown in 2005 as a benefits consultant, later rising to VP. Meile has also worked for the Haylor, Freyer & Coon insurance firm in the Syracuse area. He holds the group benefits disability specialist (GBDS) designation, in addition to the New York State life and health insurance license.
KATARINA (KATIE) KLEINE has joined Bankers Healthcare Group as a balance transfer account executive. She previously worked as a graphic designer for Waterfall Designs. Kleine holds a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from SUNY Fredonia, according to her LinkedIn profile.
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KATARINA (KATIE) KLEINE has joined Bankers Healthcare Group as a balance transfer account executive. She previously worked as a graphic designer for Waterfall Designs. Kleine holds a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from SUNY Fredonia, according to her LinkedIn profile.
CXtec has announced the promotions of CHRIS CHAFFEE, KATE KALIN, CHRISTINA HORNER, IRENE BROWN, ZACHARY BONE, LEE SCRIBER, and JENNIFER SMITH. Chaffee has been promoted to credit/collections team lead. For the past three years he was a credit/collections analysis. He has an accounting degree from Bryant & Stratton. Kalin has been promoted to credit/collections analyst.
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CXtec has announced the promotions of CHRIS CHAFFEE, KATE KALIN, CHRISTINA HORNER, IRENE BROWN, ZACHARY BONE, LEE SCRIBER, and JENNIFER SMITH. Chaffee has been promoted to credit/collections team lead. For the past three years he was a credit/collections analysis. He has an accounting degree from Bryant & Stratton. Kalin has been promoted to credit/collections analyst. She previously served as an account executive in the health-care and federal government departments. Kalin has been with the company for nearly 10 years and attended Onondaga Community College. Horner has been promoted to accounts payable representative. She has been with the company for six months, starting out as an account representative. Horner attended Oswego State University. Brown has been promoted to order resolution specialist. She previously worked as an administrative support associate. Brown has been with the company for a year-and-a-half. She has a bachelor’s degree from Alfred University. Bone has been promoted to receiving team leader overseeing inbound shipments into the company’s Technology Certification and Distribution Center (TCDC) facility. He previously served as an associate in the TCDC facility. Scriber has been promoted to shipping/transportation supervisor. Most recently, he was the supervisor of shipping and inventory. Scriber has been with the company for two-and-a-half years. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology from SUNY ESF. Smith has been promoted to supervisor of voice production. Most recently, she was a team leader of the voice production team. Smith has been with the company for nearly 11 years.

Lendlease breaks ground on Candlewood Suites hotel at Fort Drum
FORT DRUM, N.Y. — Lendlease, a global construction and real-estate development firm, has started work on Fort Drum’s future Candlewood Suites hotel after breaking ground
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