Friday, February 11, 2005
Volume 25, Issue 8

Founding Contra Café

Millions of conservative Americans would love to buy gourmet coffee made by those who fought alongside President Reagan against communism. It was just a question of marketing the coffee to the right people. Thus was born the idea for Contra Café.

Winter Carnival: A Short Primer

Ninety-five years ago, a Dartmouth Outing Club member devised a celebration of winter sports, and invited students from nearby colleges to compete against the unbeatable Dartmouth skiers. Officially named Winter Carnival the following year, the annual event evolved into a legendary festival once dubbed "the Mardi Gras of the North" by National Geographic magazine.

An Interview With Victor Davis Hanson

"There is this tendency in the West not to fear failure, but success... especially in the leisure classes. There tends to be this cynicism, nihilism, skepticism; we have seen it in the upper moneyed class for centuries. We see it in the French court, we see it after World War One in England, we see it now. It is almost as if we have failed to teach our young people why the lights go on, why have a banking system, why the water is not polluted, why we have a modicum of free time and free expression; to not understand it, that is not a natural position to man. It is only because of our hard work and Western values."

Victor Davis Hanson v. Ronald Edsforth

During a debate Tuesday punctuated with evidence from both antiquity and current events, classicist Victor Davis Hanson mounted a vigorous defense of the war in Iraq, while Dartmouth History Professor Ronald Edsforth countered that all preemptive wars, especially in the case of Iraq, fall outside the "just war tradition."

Six Vie for Alumni Trustee Post

Fewer than a quarter of the 62,000 eligible alumni voted in last year's election. Though no one wants to see grandstanding or multi-million dollar fundraising drive these campaigns, if the alumni are to be further mobilized, perhaps it would be prudent to allow communication beyond a few censored blurbs. After all, Dartmouth alums aren't known for their apathy; a bit of urgency and persuasion might direct their devotion toward their ballots. Meanwhile, the wisdom of Dartmouth's sons and daughters will have to suffice this spring.

The Last Word

Another man's style cannot be consciously copied without plagiarism. In fact, trying to imitate another's style is much the same thing as trying to disguise one's identity behind a paper-mâché mask that looks like Bernard Shaw or G. K. Chesterton.

Barrett's Mixology: Fog Blasters

One warm evening I found myself in a local establishment that is best again unnamed. The roaring intensity of the event was notable, mainly on account of the stiff concoction served to guests. I understand the circumstances of the evening only in foggy terms, and the fog grew more and more impenetrable with each sip. Soon everything went black in a great galvanizing last hurrah.