Utah fires its state archaeologists

[archaeo]

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/5 ... y.html.csp
By Brandon Loomis and Judy Fahys
The Salt Lake Tribune. Jun 21 2011

Utah state archaeologist Kevin Jones was laid off from the Utah Department of Community and Culture on Tuesday. Officials say the measures were budget-driven, but skeptics suspect it is related to opposition of a proposed UTA station.
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Anyobne interested in starting a Facebook group "Boycott Utah Tourism"

[Minimalist]

One might speculate that the mormons were upset that their archaeologists failed to find evidence of "Jewish Indians."

[kbs2244]

A state the size of Utah has a 5 person archeology department?
And now all they have is 2 clerks?

This has nothing to do with doctrine.
It is pure politics.
He was standing on principle.
If he was a little more savvy, he would have gotten something in exchange for “losing” the station site.
And he would still have a job.
As important as the station site may be, the state is full of other deserving sites that he could have gotten protection for.
As it stands the station site is lost with nothing in return.

I expect to see a 100 person department headed by an “appointee,” and filled with “connected” employees.
But if, as I expect, the new guy is a good politician he will know how to get when he gives.

This may end up being a blessing in disguise.
Time will tell.

[Minimalist]

It is pure politics.

For once, kb, I think you are correct.

[archaeo]

A state the size of Utah has a 5 person archeology department?
And now all they have is 2 clerks? ....
This may end up being a blessing in disguise.
Time will tell.

There is nothing disguised here, and you can't spin this 180 degrees with future maybes.

The loss of such experienced personnel, with incredible in-depth knowledge of Utah archaeology, is a great tragedy.
This is a boon to businesses wanting to run roughshod over the past, plain and simple.

Utah archaeology staff layoffs spur outcry
http://m.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/52058934-90/antiquities-archaeological-archaeologist-archaeology.html.csp

[kbs2244]

I don’t know the guy.
Can not say I even remember hearing his name before.
But he was in over his head.
He was a technology guy in a politically charged general management job.

I have seen this same play, with different actors and scenery, played out many times.
Been in it myself in different roles.
Never does the pure technology guy come out ahead.
The politician with enough technology background to be creditable will win every time.

For a classic, high visibility, example look at Apple.
“Woz,” while living a comfortable life, is not the head, Jobs is.

If he is lucky he my get rehired as “Assistant Director of Field Operations.”
That is where he would be comfortable.