John Thrasher, the president of Florida State University since 2014 is increasingly ceding control of the university and its policies to a small group of student and faculty radicals.  The result is a growing divide between the university and many in the larger Tallahassee community.

Twice, at the insistence of these student radicals, Thrasher has removed in the dead of night, a statue of Francis Eppes, a grandson of Thomas Jefferson, and one of a small group of persons responsible for the creation of the university.  Eppes' sin:  he was a slaveholder in Middle Florida in the 1830s.  Everyone who founded the school was a slaveholder.  By refusing to acknowledge that truth, these activists are questioning the legitimacy of the university.  In addition, in June, Thrasher terminated the 20 year continuing service agreement of Childer's Construction, builder of more than $100 million worth of projects on the campus.  The sin:  the company's vice president, five years ago, went to an engagement party on Halloween as  Bob Marley.  Childers is one of the great corporate citizens of Tallahassee and Thrasher has effectively agreed with a single former student labeling its vice president racist.  This is not the way to lead a major university.

Thrasher has demonstrated a continuing weakness as a leader at FSU, and as someone unwilling to stand up to the mob.  He has to go.