* Knoxville News Sentinel…
The new director of the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge started his new gig Monday, three days after the Illinois Office of Executive Inspector General released a report explaining why [Alan Lowe] was fired from his last one [as executive director of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum]. […]
Lowe has also signed on to be the lead consultant for the quietly discussed National Museum of American Presidents that would – if financing and a number of other factors play out – be placed somewhere in downtown Knoxville.
The project has received little media attention but has been headed for nearly two decades by Knoxville’s Bruce Anderson and Danni Varlan. Recently it has picked up steam. […]
Anderson said Lowe’s issues in Illinois were largely political and will not impact his work with the proposed museum for Knoxville.
“He got permission from all the people he normally gets permission from to do those sorts of things, but apparently the board took exception that he didn’t ask them,” Anderson said. “I’ve known Alan for at least 15 years, maybe longer. I’m not worried at all that this is something that would cause me to think he still isn’t one of the best museum people in the country.”
Yeah. Largely political. Right.
For crying out loud, somebody in Tennessee needs to actually click here and read the Inspector General’s report. Anderson is just totally wrong about everything.
…Adding… Hilarious comment…
Sending the Gettysburg Address by FedEx is “largely political”?
…Adding… Another one…
If “largely political” means overriding objections of qualified ALPLM historians and curators to fedex a priceless and irreplaceable document to an unaccredited museum with no experienced curatorial staff in order to obtain a small donation to pay down a $9 million debt, then guilty as charged.
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 10:54 am:
Sending the Gettysburg Address by FedEx is “largely political” ??
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 10:55 am:
What’s that song about good ol’ boys?
Makin’ their way
The only way they know how
That’s just a little bit more
Than the law will allow
- 4 percent - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 11:14 am:
It’s much safer that the original plan to use the Pony Express and he bought the extra insurance for up to $1,000.
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 11:15 am:
The answer to every question of why?
“It’s mostly political”
The actual facts aren’t in a political lane. The actual facts are disturbingly reckless and insane.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 11:22 am:
By his logic, Bruce Anderson must think the jewel heist at the Dresden Museum is politically motivated.
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 11:25 am:
If “largely political” means overriding objections of qualified ALPLM historians and curators to fedex a priceless and irreplaceable document to an unaccredited museum with no experienced curatorial staff in order to obtain a small donation to pay down a $9 million debt, then guilty as charged.
- Monadnock Pigeon - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 11:26 am:
I’m not sure what was prescribed to Anderson, but I’m pretty sure he shouldn’t be operating a forklift or heavy machinery.
- Thomas Paine - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 11:27 am:
=== “He got permission from all the people he normally gets permission from to do those sorts of things“ ===
The museum had no board at the time.
The only people that Lowe could have conceivably asked for “permission” are the Governor, First Lady, or Gove ror’s Chief of Staff.
Maybe there is more to this story?
- Blue Dog Dem - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 11:31 am:
When I hear FedEx, all I can think of is ‘Wilson’.
- Monadnock Pigeon - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 11:31 am:
==Maybe there is more to this story? ==
Yes, there is. It’s all laid out in the IG report that Rich linked yesterday. And it doesn’t help Lowe in the least.
- Puff! & Pass! - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 11:51 am:
Illinois. In my wildest, haziest, creative writing seminars, I could not come up with this kind of stuff. Cough!
- A guy - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 11:56 am:
If I were at FedEx, I think I’d tout the fact we got the Gettysburg Address delivered by 10am the next business day.
- Jocko - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 12:12 pm:
==fedex a priceless and irreplaceable document to an unaccredited museum==
AND take it out of it’s protective case to let people gawk at (and possibly touch) it.
- DuPage Saint - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 1:22 pm:
The guy should have sent Lincoln’s stove pipe hat. Then claim it was lost in mail and collect insurance to pay down debt
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 1:30 pm:
Would the American Museum of Science and Energy be interested in an “authentic” Abe Lincoln hat?
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 2:02 pm:
Please tell me these people don’t have Einstein’s brain.
- Don't Bloc Me In - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 2:14 pm:
Alan Lowe’s firing certainly was not political, but his next hiring might have been.
- SAP - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 2:21 pm:
For the life of me, all I can picture is Jake and Elwood speeding south in the Bluesmobile after dumping the harp out of Jake’s briefcase and replacing it with the Gettysburg Address and handcuffing the briefcase to Jake’s wrist.
- Stuntman Bob's Brother - Tuesday, Nov 26, 19 @ 5:20 pm:
The Hope Diamond was sent from a New York jeweler to the Smithsonian in D.C. via the United States Postal Service, the package was placed in a standard collection box by the jeweler. So, it appears there was a precedent. Still a dumb idea, though.