I got an e-mail from the USF Department of English yesterday that sent me straight through the rook and into orbit. This particular staff person sends out notices of campus functions, the department newsletter submission deadlines, and occassional job opportunities, but is not a professor or dean.

If there is supposed to be a call for the “separation of church and state” (which anyone who understands the intent and CONTEXT of the founding fathers’ design for gov’t doesn’t use that phrase to mean what it is being used for today) then there should be a separation of State-funded educational institutions and politics. Let’s see if anyone can step up to the plate and realize that any staff of a university who sends correspondence to the students is representing the policies and such of the entire governing body of the school. It’s no different than if a music director at a church sends an e-mail encouraging members to join a swingers’ club for his brand of “outreach.” That would be interpreted by the members as an endorsement by the senior pastor and possibly the entire denomination or sect from the very top. If he says it’s cool, someone MUST have approved it and thinks it’s a good idea, right?

That said, here is the e-mail sent “on behalf of” a politically-oriented recruiter.

Progressive Campaign Job Opportunities Nationwide

Sent on behalf of Sxxxx Mxxxx. Please send inquiries to sxxxxx@grassrootscampaigns.com.

We made history last fall. Now that we have Obama in the White House and expanded majorities in Congress, it is time to work for the change America needs. Grassroots Campaigns, Inc. has joined forces with the American Civil Liberties Union, Amnesty International, Save the Children, and other progressive organizations to drive forwards a progressive agenda and undo years of Republican damage.

Grassroots Campaigns is currently interviewing top student leaders around the country to join our team as Assistant Canvass Directors. There is no better time or place to get involved and help to create the new generation that will take this country in a more progressive direction.

“We made history!?” Who is we?

“… the change America needs!?” Make your own change without gov’t crutches and taking more of MY money to build a bigger gov’t.

“… undo years of Republican damage!?” Talk about incendiary and alienating to everyone of a differing political view.

This sort of e-mail distribution has no place in the State university system.