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(01-13-2015 10:02 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 10:00 AM)Smaug Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 09:58 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  I have a mistake on my truck, that I have been meaning to take off. It is a script "A." I grew up a Bama fan, but eventually I had to choose between my alma mater and Bama. I chose my alma mater UAB. Let's be patient and see what Mr Smith does and focus on Watts for the time being. Now I am not saying Mr Smith shouldn't be criticized, but let's focus on Watts.

A razor blade and some alcohol will take it right off.

My wife gave it to me when we first started dating; she doesn't really like football but she knew I liked it. She is the sole reason it hasn't been torn off and burned.

Do it quietly and without fanfare.

(01-13-2015 10:03 AM)Smaug Wrote:  Fair enough.

I don't know Wes Smith. What I do know is this:

1. The NAS would not have met at all last night if the membership hadn't forced it.

2. After being given a pretty damn clear mandate by said membership, they come out with this candy-ass incoherent statement.

By all means, tell me what I need to know about the man to mitigate these two points.

Thanks. I'll hang up and listen.

You are correct you have every reason to be suspicious of him. But, I am not defending him. Let's focus on Watts and let's see what he does if Watts refuses to step down after several no confidence votes this week.

(01-13-2015 09:46 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  Let's focus on Watts before we start canabalizing ourselves at least. please.

There is no "we" involved here. By publicly praising Dr. Watts, allowing himself to be used to provide political cover, and by thwarting the will of those he is supposed to represent, Wes Smith has shown he is no Blazer.

(01-13-2015 10:05 AM)Smaug Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 10:02 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 10:00 AM)Smaug Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 09:58 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  I have a mistake on my truck, that I have been meaning to take off. It is a script "A." I grew up a Bama fan, but eventually I had to choose between my alma mater and Bama. I chose my alma mater UAB. Let's be patient and see what Mr Smith does and focus on Watts for the time being. Now I am not saying Mr Smith shouldn't be criticized, but let's focus on Watts.

A razor blade and some alcohol will take it right off.

My wife gave it to me when we first started dating; she doesn't really like football but she knew I liked it. She is the sole reason it hasn't been torn off and burned.

Do it quietly and without fanfare.

I guess it could always fall off on the road. And get pissed on and lit on fire. Accidentally of course.

Nobody would object to 2 stickers, so get a UAB one.

(01-13-2015 09:58 AM)nicknitro19 Wrote:  I have a mistake on my truck, that I have been meaning to take off. It is a script "A." I grew up a Bama fan, but eventually I had to choose between my alma mater and Bama. I chose my alma mater UAB. Let's be patient and see what Mr Smith does and focus on Watts for the time being. Now I am not saying Mr Smith shouldn't be criticized, but let's focus on Watts.

Eh, I wouldn't worry about it. My UAB dragon head and "#FREEUAB / Fire Ray Watts" bumper sticker share a window with an LSU decal. Of course the UAB stickers do take positions of prominence in the window.

Sorry to be blunt - but this is BS! Now I understand why Watts put Wes Smith in charge of the committee. How can you not have confidence in someone and then, on a particular day, your confidence is magically restored? It takes a twisted mind to even conceive of such a thing.

Remember, in our minds on the 9th of June Watts may have given us hope, but in his mind he instituted a delaying tactic devised by his PR firm to get by the no confidence votes and to allow him to survive for another three months while hopefully the FreeUAB movement loses steam.

I had no confidence in Ray Watts before the 9th of June. I have had no confidence in Ray Watts since the 9th of June. I have no confidence in Ray Watts now and I would have no confidence in Ray Watts if he restored the football, rifle and bowling tomorrow.

In my mind the NAS has existed until now as a tool of the administration. It's leadership is what it is because no one really cared who ran the organization. Now that leadership is torn between it's loyalty to the administration and the rage of its membership. That is the only way you get a twisted statement like the one they put out.

I have been a member of the NAS as long as I can remember. (Though I may not have gotten around to paying dues in a couple of years.) However, I have not been active. Well I will be active from now on and I hope the rest of you will be as well. We need to turn that organization into one which truly represents the best interest of UAB, regardless which administration happens to be in place at the time.

(01-13-2015 10:31 AM)CajunBlazer Wrote:  Sorry to be blunt - but this is BS! Now I understand why Watts put Wes Smith in charge of the committee. How can you not have confidence in someone and then, on a particular day, your confidence is magically restored? It takes a twisted mind to even conceive of such a thing.

Remember, in our minds on the 9th of June Watts may have given us hope, but in his mind he instituted a delaying tactic devised by his PR firm to get by the no confidence votes and to allow him to survive for another three months while hopefully the FreeUAB movement loses steam.

I had no confidence in Ray Watts before the 9th of June. I have had no confidence in Ray Watts since the 9th of June. I have no confidence in Ray Watts now and I would have no confidence in Ray Watts if he restored the football, rifle and bowling tomorrow.

In my mind the NAS has existed until now as a tool of the administration. It's leadership is what it is because no one really cared who ran the organization. Now that leadership is torn between it's loyalty to the administration and the rage of its membership. That is the only way you get a twisted statement like the one they put out.

I have been a member of the NAS as long as I can remember. (Though I may not have gotten around to paying dues in a couple of years.) However, I have not been active. Well I will be active from now on and I hope the rest of you will be as well. We need to turn that organization into one which truly represents the best interest of UAB, regardless which administration happens to be in place at the time.

+1 Being active in the NAS is a strong way to air out your concerns/have an actual say in changing this. I urge everyone to become a member ASAP.

(01-13-2015 10:31 AM)CajunBlazer Wrote:  Sorry to be blunt - but this is BS! Now I understand why Watts put Wes Smith in charge of the committee. How can you not have confidence in someone and then, on a particular day, your confidence is magically restored? It takes a twisted mind to even conceive of such a thing.

Remember, in our minds on the 9th of June Watts may have given us hope, but in his mind he instituted a delaying tactic devised by his PR firm to get by the no confidence votes and to allow him to survive for another three months while hopefully the FreeUAB movement loses steam.

I had no confidence in Ray Watts before the 9th of June. I have had no confidence in Ray Watts since the 9th of June. I have no confidence in Ray Watts now and I would have no confidence in Ray Watts if he restored the football, rifle and bowling tomorrow.

In my mind the NAS has existed until now as a tool of the administration. It's leadership is what it is because no one really cared who ran the organization. Now that leadership is torn between it's loyalty to the administration and the rage of its membership. That is the only way you get a twisted statement like the one they put out.

I have been a member of the NAS as long as I can remember. (Though I may not have gotten around to paying dues in a couple of years.) However, I have not been active. Well I will be active from now on and I hope the rest of you will be as well. We need to turn that organization into one which truly represents the best interest of UAB, regardless which administration happens to be in place at the time.

I'm confused on Wes' response also. Watts claims to want better communication, but when he gave his speech last night, he left afterwards. No questions, no listening to what other people are saying, nothing. And Wes says the NAS Board (not membership) is now confident in him? He did this right in front of you!!! Wake up! Watts has not changed. He still thinks everyone is beneath him and does not care what anyone else thinks.

Everyone that doesn't have an agenda is awake.

Wes is a Watts man & decided to speak on his own instead of for those who he supposedly represents.

As long as the NAS is an arm of the university, its independence is compromised.

Maybe there's an organization of UAB alums not beholden to anybody out there somewhere that wants my money.

This pitiful statement is brought to you by the same people who took Blaze and Athletics off the UAB car tags. If they can't even get the tags right how can we trust them with something as important as tyranny?

(01-13-2015 11:39 AM)BlazerRob Wrote:  This pitiful statement is brought to you by the same people who took Blaze and Athletics off the UAB car tags. If they can't even get the tags right how can we trust them with something as important as tyranny?

NAS did the tag exactly as Watts wanted.

What else is NAS (Wes) going to do - that Watts wants then to do?

Just like last night......

(01-13-2015 11:04 AM)Smaug Wrote:  As long as the NAS is an arm of the university, its independence is compromised.

Maybe there's an organization of UAB alums not beholden to anybody out there somewhere that wants my money.

Is there one of these? If not, I imagine there will be soon.

Does any other school have these outside alumnus groups or does anyone know how to get this going or who would be best to get it going?

(01-13-2015 12:03 PM)ndjs22 Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 11:04 AM)Smaug Wrote:  As long as the NAS is an arm of the university, its independence is compromised.

Maybe there's an organization of UAB alums not beholden to anybody out there somewhere that wants my money.

Is there one of these? If not, I imagine there will be soon.

I think the most efficient and practical way would be for the pro UAB football elements to make a stronger push for leadership roles in the existing NAS. In other words, take back the NAS and put it into the hands of those with a desire to support football. Even if connected to UAB, so long as you have people in leadership who don't have salaries directly tied to UAB, you should be able to remain immune from admin mandates.

(01-13-2015 09:19 AM)PTBlazer Wrote:  I've been thinking about this. Wes Smith is chairing the Review Committee. If the Committee comes up with results and recommendations which would make a case for reinstating football, it must go to President Watts. Watts is the President, and will be the President, regardless of votes of no confidence. If you don't believe that, poll the BOT. And he is surely going to be the President of UAB which decides whether or not to consider reinstating football if it is done for the '16 season. And if he chooses not to, the BOT will back him. And everyone on this board is savvy enough to understand that.

In order to get a fair hearing from President Watts, it is probably not in Wes' best interest (or yours either) to take a shot with an absolute slam of a vote of no confidence. What the resolution did say, as I read it was this:

January 9 was a step in the right direction. The review committee will do it's job, and we have no choice but to trust you to hold up your end. We still don't like your bosses in Tuscaloosa, but we'll keep the peace with you while we try and get football back.

I think in the circumstance, that was a pretty smart move. It was also clever of President Watts to put Wes in this role, which basically muzzles the Alumni board. But, I know Wes loves UAB and desperately wants football back.

I don't know why people think speaking in Code at this University is the best thing to do. DAMMIT, speak clearly, speak plainly, and don't mince your words. Wes & Co. didn't do this. Doing any of those things causes confusion and mistrust. JUST SPEAK WHAT YOU REALLY FEEL.

(01-13-2015 09:26 AM)58-56 Wrote:  52 years ago, as ^$%^NBLAZERFAN will attest, a group of Birmingham's black clergy published an open letter to Martin Luther King, begging him to work within the system, telling him that they did not support radical measures. They asked him to shut down the marches and leave Birmingham, so that the black community could get a "fair hearing" (and they used those very words) from Messrs. Connor, Drennen and Green.

I believe we know who stood on the right side of history, then and now.

Ray Watts has had his chance. It is time for him to go.

Wes Smith has had his chance. It is time for him to go as well.

+1

(01-13-2015 12:10 PM)Blazer85 Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 12:03 PM)ndjs22 Wrote:  

(01-13-2015 11:04 AM)Smaug Wrote:  As long as the NAS is an arm of the university, its independence is compromised.

Maybe there's an organization of UAB alums not beholden to anybody out there somewhere that wants my money.

Is there one of these? If not, I imagine there will be soon.

I think the most efficient and practical way would be for the pro UAB football elements to make a stronger push for leadership roles in the existing NAS. In other words, take back the NAS and put it into the hands of those with a desire to support football. Even if connected to UAB, so long as you have people in leadership who don't have salaries directly tied to UAB, you should be able to remain immune from admin mandates.

I agree totally - the staff will always be beholding to the administration for their jobs, but the alumni serving all of the NAS leadership roles - officers and board members - determine the organization's direction. What we have is a group of officers and board members who have been cozied up to the administrations, past and present, for a long time. That's okay I guess when the President of the university actually has its best interests at heart. However this is Ray Watts, so when stuff like this comes up, their loyalties are divided. I am sure that we can find suitable replacements come next election.

or sooner.