The Spirit of 1776

Yes, today we celebrate the independence of the USA from British rule.  We are now free due to the work of our Continental Congress in a hot, sweltering, Philadelphia summer.  If any of you are history buffs, or have seen the DVD - John Adams, or the Movie 1776, you will know that the decision to vote on independence was not easy for our forefathers.  However, given the increase in taxes on the colonies and the lack of attention to the plight of the colonists, by the British, the Second Continental Congress finally agreed to at least talk about Independence.

If we are to believe the Show, 1776, one delegate from Rhode Island was quoted as saying "..in all my years I never heard, seen, nor smelled an issue that was so dangerous it couldn't be talked about...I'm for debatin' anything".

All of that brings me to my point, today....I wonder how all of you at your colleges and universities are talking about the idea of unions, not only for adjunct faculty, but for the rest of your institutions as well.  I hope you will join in the conversation to let us all know if there is open discussion among groups, among individuals, among administration, etc.  Is this an issue on our campus that might be equivalent to "the sky is falling", or is it one where there is clear, open dialogue?

Please comment.  Your comments come to me and I will post them under any name or pseudonym you like.  The idea is that this should be a transparent discussion and not "so dangerous it couldn't be talked about".

Happy Fourth of July! ---- Independence Day!