Here is a sampling of The Eagle editorial board’s 2005 Weeper Awards, which are meant to recognize uncommon achievement in ill-considered, foolish and downright dubious public statements and events.
The full list is here. Did we miss any?
The “What’s the frequency, Kenneth?” award
To Paul Mirecki, professor of religion at the University of Kansas, who lost his job as department head after sending an e-mail saying that his proposed course on intelligent design would be a “slap in the big fat face” of “fundies.”
Mirecki later claimed to have been stopped and beaten up by two thugs who mentioned the controversy. Police are still investigating.
Meantime, Mirecki will continue as Larry, Moe and Curly Distinguished Professor of Rhetoric at KU.
The “Houston, we have a problem” award
To Max Ary, former Kansas Cosmosphere director, who was found guilty of stealing from the museum various space program artifacts and auctioning them for his personal benefit.
Buyers, check the expiration date on those space food sticks.
The “What color is my parachute?” award
To Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Hays, who first declared himself out of the running for the 2006 Kansas governor’s race, then said he had been persuaded to reconsider it, then announced that he had decided not to run after all, saying, decisively, “This is over.”
Are you sure? Don’t rush into anything.
Posted by Randy Scholfield
Follow us
