McDermott & Friends

I must have hit a nerve.  In response to a post I made on October 30, 2006, (Tom McDermott, Jr.) -- talking about McMayor's Clintonian parsing regarding whether or not his extended family is making money off of projects undertaken on behalf of the citizens of Hammond, McDermott blew a gasket.  Below is a copy of what he said:

I think it's funny that you post such crap on your website Maurice. If you only put forth such effort into your teachings at PUC, you would be a much better teacher. That's why your students hate you, and your class, you put forth no effort and are lazy.

I am sure that's why you are so intimidated that I now teach in your department. The students, who are used to hearing only your point-of-view, now hear the truth from the Mayor of Hammond. Instead of hearing from one who could never get elected, they hear from one that got elected.

One of my greatest enjoyments in teaching Lake County Politics occurs when your former students realize what a crappy instructor you really are. It usually takes only a week or two for them to realize that they were ripped-off when they paid good money for your "course." Your a joke Maurice, and an embarrassment to Purdue University, even your 19 year old students think you're a joke!

However, if you insist on lying and dragging my families name through the mud, I will sue you for defamation. Although I am sure you are judgment proof, I will not tolerate such lies to ever be said about me, or my family. You really have no shame,

Maybe I missed it, but I don't see where McD has addressed any of my actual comments.  No denial, no quasi-denial -- heck not even a Clinton like "right wing conspiracy" theory.  But at least I learned what his truly great pleasure is in teaching Lake County Politics.  He might want to show his post to his good acquaintance Howard Cohen, Chancellor of Purdue Calumet -- just in case the Chancellor is unsure why handing out adjunct teaching positions to friends in elected office is problematic (particularly friends who appoint him to the RDA). 

But McD has friends and these friends, on a blog about politics in NWI, want to critique me on how I cared for my dying father while in a nursing home (Comments (2)). I have nothing to apologize for -- I do not now, nor will I ever apologize for ensuring that my father received the care that I was paying for and the care that anyone in his position would deserve (but I should add that I have never engaged in the type of behavior that McFriend accuses me of.  This can be confirmed by the staff there to this day).  And since McFriend works for the City of Hammond's Community Development, I think we can safely assume that McMayor has asked McFriend to post blogs that take me to task (of course, caring for my dying father is a personal issue, not one of the public trust as an elected official -- it's a distinction apparently lost on McD and McFriend) .  So be it, Hammond's government sinks lower. 

Comments

[Tim]

I find this sort of sad. I attended PUC in the late 80s - early 90s. I majored in accounting and got a minor in political science. I always felt my "poly-sci" minor helped me in a lot of ways in my career. The faculty at the time was bright.

The way you talk about the Chancellor and his relationship with the Mayor is just plain silly. The Chancellor should cooperate with the Mayor. They are both smart people.

I rationalize that you are trying to promote yourself to compete in some wierd way with Morton Marcus from IU who also has a strange negative sarcastic way about himself.

You argue that the Mayor is hitting below the belt by bringing up your work performance. You seem to be doing a fine job of that yourself. The Chancellor should have you terminated for things that you have written.

[Patricia L.]

I took a class with Professor Eisenstein in 2003. Not only did he inappropriately touch me, and make lewd gestures at me away from class, Professor Eisenstien made it quite clear that, if I were inclined, he would like to see me "away" from Purdue University.

I filed a complaint with the Dean and the Chancellor over this harassment, and Maurice was diciplined accordingly (although he kept all the classes he taught before this incident, after all, Maurice has tunure).

Knowing what I know about that pervert, I would never believe anything he says about anyone else. And if your an attractive female student, stay away from this class. Maurice is a pervert who takes advantage of his students!