I have been on the mailing list of a "respected" professional historian connected with a state historical commission. This historian is responsible for much of the upcoming Civil War planning, publishing and communication from this state. I find this a very disheartening communication, as it reinforces my view that many of our "so-called" professional educators and historians have given up any pretense of upholding an historians creed to present factual and useful information without bias or ulterior motives. I am also puzzled that a PhD and representative of a state agency would feel it appropriate to send such an email to a large distribution list of what are apparently other historians and educators. Apparently, this person believed his audience was in agreement with him and welcomed his crude references.
I'd like to hear your comments to the email and my response.
Jim
----- Original Message -----
From: ????????
To: Jim Martin
Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2011 9:56 AM
Subject: Could this really be true?
or a fig newton of some tea bagger-SCV's conspiracy freak's imagination?
http://foknewschannel.com/video/the-first-guess-lying-about-the-civil-war/
(name, title and state agency redacted)
Dear "Dr." ?????,
Please remove my email address from any further communications. These vile references in your email to a perverse sexual act ("tea bagging") are not appreciated. Should you choose to send any further communications of this nature, I will be forced to forward it to the (state historical agency) with a formal complaint and a request for disciplinary action.
Unfortunately, these "over the top" and unprofessional remarks by you have reinforced my disgust with so-called professional educators and historians. There is no history in you, only ideology and self-interest.
With best regards,
Jim Martin
History-Sites.Com