Original Article: http://dartreview.com/archives/2004/10/29/letters_to_the_editor.php
Friday, October 29, 2004
Classical Correx
Sir,
I enjoyed Mr. Rago's assessment of the late President McLaughlin. A few minor quibbles. Mr.Rago, who seems to be pretty well read, made several allusions to classical Greece.
1. In nearly all the original texts, Prometheus was said to be hen-pecked (or should I say liver-pecked) by an eagle, and not by a vulture. It was only in later years (mainly in the nineteenth century) that the vulture entered the legend. Ben Franklin once wrote that the eagle was a bird of "bad moral character." I suspect that Prometheus would have concurred.
2. The quote about the secret of happiness, allegedly made by Pericles, appears frequently, but there's no evidence that he actually said it. The quote is actually by Thucydides, and is merely attributed to Pericles. Thucydides had a habit of putting grand words in other people's mouths, and it is widely believed that this famous quote is a good example of this. In that Thucydides had been a general, and Pericles primarily a statesman, I'm inclined to believe the comment that "the secret of freedom is a brave heart" likelier came from Thucydides—in the 5th century B.C., just as in our own day, I suspect that generals knew more about bravery than did career politicians.
Otherwise, good editorial, good issue.
Cordially,
S. Rainsford
Hanover, New Hampshire
More Correx, Delivered In Song
Sir,
In your freshmen issue of The Dartmouth Review [9/20/04] you gave clean, loyal lyrics to many of the songs we sang in the early 1950s. You say they are not now approved by the administration.
I normally support your many complaints about the administration, which is extremely liberal and politically correct. However, your implication that they banned these innocuous songs is incorrect and misleading. The tunes were sung with raunchy, sexist lyrics. At the time there were no female students, so dorms and fraternities and gatherings of unofficial kinds were all-male. Clean lyrics were sung in official serenades.
I have a recording now over a half century old, made during a tourist trip to New York City by me and my roommates, in which we sing:
Dartmouth's in town again / Run, girls, run / Dartmouth's in town again / Fun, girls, fun [Editor's note: I have removed the rest of the lyrics for reasons of propriety.]
And so on. It gets worse.
If you wish to denigrate the administration on this count you should publish the songs that were banned. Your "selection" is wrong.
With the Korean War in full swing, I graduated and next flew Navy fighters, so I lost contact with and interest in Dartmouth for years. I don't know when or why these songs were banned, but I surmise that dirty lyrics were the cause.
With regards,
Tom Croft, Tuck '54
Atherton, California
Alumni Association Contretemps
Sir,
In December 2001, a resolution was introduced at the annual Association of Alumni meeting at Alumni Hall limiting service eligibility of officers and executive committee members of the Association to three one-year terms, with a "grandfathering" proviso that an incumbent officer nominated for re-election at such 2001 annual meeting who had already served three or more terms would be eligible for re-election to one additional one-year term for purposes of facilitating the transition. The December 2001 Association annual meeting was continued to May 2002, at which time such resolution was adopted almost unanimously by the alumni present and voting. (An archaic Association rule bars alumni from voting unless present in Hanover at the actual meeting.)
Notwithstanding enactment of such resolution by the Association at its September 18th, 2004 annual meeting its nominating committee proposed the re-election of Mr. Nelson Armstrong as Secretary-Treasurer. Mr. Armstrong, Class of 1971, had already been Secretary-Treasurer for more than five years. A point of order as to his eligibility was flatly and immediately rejected by the Association Chairman, much to the astonishment of alumni present at the 2001 and 2002 meetings. The Chairman's failure to honor a duly-adopted Association resolution and the ability of any alumnus to appeal his ruling because of absence of use of Robert's Rules of Order disgrace the rule of law and those basic principles inculcated in Dartmouth students by parents, churches, secondary schools, and the College itself. As useful as the incumbent Secretary-Treasurer may be, he is subject to the same laws as all other alumni. He should acknowledge that fact and gracefully (and graciously) resign in favor of the alternate candidate for such office or another eligible person who can serve until next year's Association meeting.
Yours Truly,
Quentin L. Kopp '49
Redwood City, California
College Hopes To Reduce Influence Of Undesireables
Dear Students of Dartmouth,
This coming weekend marks the annual celebration of Dartmouth Night and Homecoming. Central to the weekend is a parade through town and a rally in front of Dartmouth Hall, culminating with the lighting of a bonfire. For over a century, this event has been enjoyed by thousands of Dartmouth students, alumni/ae, Upper Valley families and other community members.
I am writing to ask for your assistance in keeping these events safe and enjoyable for all who attend. With your help, I trust that we will be able to emphasize the true spirit of community that this great tradition represents. Destructive and harmful behavior by a few makes it less pleasant for all.
For the safety of our students and guests, it is important that the Dartmouth Night/Homecoming activities proceed without incident. In the past, the Homecoming celebration has sometimes been marred by inappropriate behavior during the building of the bonfire and during the so-called "freshman sweep," resulting in injuries to students and destruction of property.
The Homecoming committee comprised of students and administrators has been working very hard to develop sound plans and procedures to make certain that all of the Dartmouth Night and Homecoming events continue to be not only exciting, but also safe. As they have in recent years, the Bonfire organizing committee and class councils have worked together to make several successful changes that resulted in a safer and more enjoyable event for all.
The Homecoming committee has put into place procedures that will guide the participation of the Class of 2008 in the Homecoming Parade and the first-year sweep. Instructions on the procedures for joining the first-year sweep will be posted in all residence clusters. The sweep will begin at 7:25 p.m. at the River Cluster and will follow a designated route through campus, allowing students to join along the way. At the end of the sweep, the Class of 2008 will join with alumni and other current students in the full Homecoming parade. Students are expected to follow the direction of the sweep leaders and maintain the designated route. Students will not be permitted to enter campus buildings during the first-year sweep.
The Homecoming committee has also developed a set of procedures by which the construction of the bonfire is to be guided... If destructive behavior occurs during the construction or lighting of the bonfire, bonfire activities will be suspended or discontinued. With your help, that undesirable outcome can be avoided.
Students and organizations found violating College regulations and the rules for the safe management and enjoyment of the bonfire will be subject to College disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or separation from the College or revocation of organizational recognition. A couple of years ago, for example, a student who was found responsible for intoxication, disorderly conduct, and physical violence at the bonfire was suspended for an extended period. At the bonfire, for obvious safety reasons, students may not touch the fire or climb the structure. Violations are likely to result in penalties of College Discipline, so please help us keep these Homecoming events safe and fun.
The Homecoming committee has taken a number of safety precautions. Construction lights will illuminate the area around the bonfire and additional Safety and Security and police offices will be on hand to assist with management of the event. In addition, an area around the bonfire will be marked, by white paint on the ground, to indicate the area where the bonfire could fall when it collapses from burning. Students and others are required to stay on the outside of the painted area...
The success and safety of these events depends upon your cooperation and assistance. I ask that you conduct yourselves appropriately, encourage others to do so as well, and cooperate with the plans and procedures outlined by the Homecoming committee. By working together we can ensure the success and continuation of these great events.
Sincerely,
James A. Larimore
Dean of the College
MR.MR. JOE OKARO Propositions MR.MR. JOE RAGO
Sir,
I know you will be surprised to hear from me since you don't know me personally. I am MR.MR. JOE OKARO, the son of MR.MR. SIMBA OKARO, a former minister who is presently on house arrest in Zimbabwe. I got your contact through your country's Information Exchange in my search for a reliable and reputable person to handle a very confidential transaction, which involves a transfer of fund into a foreign account and I decided to write to you.
The war veterans of the ruling Government of President Robert Mugabe for their alleged support murdered my late brother among the few black Zimbabwean rich farmers in cold blood for the Movement of Democratic Change (MDC), which is against Mugabe's rule.
The land problem arose when Mugabe introduced a New Land Act that wholly affected the rich white farmers and some blacks vehemently condemned the modus operandi adopted by the government.
This resulted to rampart killings and mob action by the war veterans and thugs. More than 78 people have so far been killed. Heads of Government from the West, especially Britain and United States of America have voiced their condemnation of Mugabe's Land Act. Subsequently, South Africa Development Community (SADC) has continuously supported Mugabe.
It is against this background that my family and I who are currently in South Africa have decided to transfer this money out of Africa as we no longer feel safe anymore and want to transfer this money to a foreign country where we can establish ourselves.
Just before my father's arrest, he took me to Johannesburg, South Africa to deposit the sum of 20,000.000.00 with a security and finance company, as he foresaw the looming danger in Zimbabwe. This money was deposited in a box with the finance company.
As the eldest son of my father, I am saddled with the responsibility of seeking for genuine foreign account where this money could be transferred into without knowledge of my government who are tactically freezing our family's wealth and the South African government seems to be playing along. I am faced with the dilemma of investing the money here since both countries have almost the same history. More so, the South African Foreign Exchange does not allow such investments.
As a business person whom I have to entrust my future and that of my family, I must let you know that there is no risk and the nature of your business does not necessarily matter. Therefore, should you be able and willing to help me and my family, we are willing to discuss your percentage once you confirm your interest to me pls. It is our wish to invest our money on commercial property based on your advice and I will also receive assurance that you would not sit on this money when transferred into your account.
Best regards,
MR.MR. JOE OKARO