Letter to Annapolis Newspaper and Congressional members.
Flash Member
Member # 15783
posted 03 August, 2008 10:39 PM
I had put off promoting my book until I could get its production worked out. However,I was sent the Mc Sweegan article by a friend and felt the need to issue a response. I have replied with the following letter to my Senators and Congressmen:
RE: EDWARD McSWEEGAN
PERMANENT FEDERAL EMPLOYEE
I am a historian who lives in South Portland, Maine. I am the author of the recently published Disguised as the Devil: How Lyme disease created Witches and Changed History.
I spent over five years researching and writing this work, and although I have had problems with the technical production of the book (POD printing out a draft instead of a corrected final work) I stand by my hypothesis that people in the past who had Lyme disease may have been considered bewitched or treated as witches.
I have theorized that the devil’s mark was a bull’s eye rash.
As an author, I am fully expectant that this might be controversial and that there will be criticisms of my work, but there is a point where a line of decency is passed. Public employee Edward McSweegan has done that.
I have a dedicated my career to public history. I worked for over ten years as a museum curator, educator, and public historian. I have had articles published in a variety of places including the New York Times.
Although affected by Lyme disease, I was able to obtain an MA and have completed all course work, passed both comprehensive and research exams, and am entering the dissertation phase of my PHD(ABD).
In his newspaper column, that is also plastered all over the internet, McSweegan describes me as “a self-described historian” with a 296 page book that is one of the “comics.” After having spent most of my adult lifetime in the field of public history, I wonder what other qualifications I would have to obtain to be considered a historian in McSweegan’s eyes.
I find his comments to be extremely distressing, especially in light of his position as a federal employee in charge of the public's health.
The point of this letter is, why has McSweegan been given a lifetime appointment to the public payroll?
And at what point does the behavior of a civil servant and federal employee just go too far?
Dr. McSweegan has repeatedly insulted many members of the Lyme community, especially online, has complained publicly in a television interview that he has no work to do, and yet produces all sorts of insulting rhetoric that he spreads all over the internet.
I am offended that my tax money is used to underwrite this sort of drivel. People back home here in Maine are struggling to afford gasoline, oil, food and medical care. Paying the salary of this man is a complete waste.
Dr. McSweegan’s activities should be investigated and his workless condition should be made permanent: he should be fired.
Sincerely,
M.M. Drymon
cc. Tom Allen, Mike Michaud, Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins
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