Gosh. This is an absolute scandal, Brian. I'm appalled — first, by the clumsy and callous treatment of you and your department and, second, by the fact that we seem to have forgotten what the humanities teach, which is (that not inconsequential thing) humanity. There will be many, many, many people who have become better, more interesting, more interested people thanks to your work over the years. Good luck with everything. This cult of shallow and narrow utility which has bizarrely taken hold will crumble soon enough!