Thursday, April 3, 2003

Rewarding Mediocrity: H. Carl McCall '58

Two things are disconcerting about the Rockefeller Center's decision to bestow this award upon McCall. The first is the well-founded concern that McCall's public service may have fallen short of 'exemplary.'

The Media v. The Useless Idiots

This kind of condescension is nothing new—nor is it the real problem. What is so disturbing about this distaste for media coverage is that it's disingenuous. Only an aspiring spin doctor could argue with a straight face that constant access to video footage of the war "adds a whole new layer of distancing." Clearly, it does just the opposite. It brings the war right into our living rooms, dorm rooms, and dining halls. Admittedly, it leaves the fear and danger behind in Baghdad. Yet no one can deny that this is the first time in the history of warfare that the public has had so great an awareness of the ugly reality of war.

Citizens of Planet Earth

The Iraqi people are also the victims of America, another speaker claimed—the victims of a 'global dictatorship that represses their society.' Further, according to one speaker, the September 11 attacks could be squarely blamed on the U.S. pulling out of the Kyoto Treaty and lack of World Geography courses in schools.

Dartmouth's Laurelled Sons: Mighty Men of Old

Dartmouth men have always achieved great things, whether in business, academics, athletics, or civil service. Service to others has been a hallmark of the sons of Dartmouth for over two hundred years, so it comes as no surprise that Dartmouth has a long and rich history with the U.S. military, freely giving her sons to causes greater than themselves. The blood of Dartmouth men stains every major conflict the world has seen in modern history.

The Hill Winds Know Their Names

Dartmouth's fabled war dead.

Men of Dartmouth

The following verse is only sung during times of war or memorial.

Put Yo' Foot in Yo' Mouth

"We're here to discuss those times when we say something stupid," Jennai continued, "and we feel really ignorant and we are so embarrassed÷In this time of diversity, when we're getting to know other cultures, it happens to everyone. But when it happens, that's the best time for learning. We can create a safe space and start a dialogue, and say why what you said was so hurtful to me." That day there would be a lot of talk about starting dialogues.