The Cornell Review an independent publication The Conservative Voice on Campus “we do not apologize.” vol. xxx, no. iii BLOGcornellinsider.com SITEthecornellreview.com October 13th, 2011 INSIDE Svante Myrick: The Liberal Pipe Dream amidst student apathy, a student runs for mayor By Raj Kannappan squandered away America’s moral proclaimed to voters, “Tonight, standing. more Americans are out of work, interview 11 f only liberals could awaken from Nearly three years in the West and more are working harder for “America, we are better than their pipe dream, they would rec- Wing have revealed the true nature less. More of you have lost your I these last eight years,” he added. ognize the lie they’re living. of Obama’s change and hope. They homes, and even more are watching “We are a better country than this.” On his campaign of change and have shown the country and the your home values plummet. More hope, which ironically began in world what Obama and his team are of you have cars you can’t afford to To this, I say, “America, we are the Old State Capitol building in incapable of accomplishing. If only drive, credit card bills you can’t af- better than these last three years. Springfield, Illinois—where Abra- liberals would take a look at the ford to pay and tuition that’s beyond We are a better country than this.” ham Lincoln delivered his historic facts, as they often like to command your reach.” His “whiz kid” advis- Obama’s campaign was a se- “House Divided” speech in 1858— others to do, they would agree that ers would be wise to pull out this ries of audacious promises. Yet, Senator Obama made promise upon Obama has abandoned his promises quote now and show it to their boss, today America is unquestionably promise to transform the fabric of to them for a grand reelection bid, as voters would need no convincing worse off than it was three years the country and even the world in in which he will once again vie for to believe that one of the Republi- ago. Obama vowed to set America’s order to set everything “right,” to their votes. can candidates had attributed these foreign and defense policy on the undo the evil actions of President Under a fireworks-filled sky in disasters to Obama himself. right—even morally correct—path, Bush and his “cabal” which had August of 2008, Senator Obama Please turn to page 4 Getting Serious about Student Elections Roshni Mehta issues, but were trivial and obscured Staff Writer the candidates’ leadership abilities. Starting his campaign in full- orth Campus had been taken force, Scelfo posted a music video Nover by an omnipresent green via Facebook on September 10. This elf. He was all over the place: video, a rendition of pop-artist Jason sketched on roads in green chalk, Derulo’s hit “Ridin’ Solo,” showed glorified on flyers, walking through Scelfo in different parts of the cam- dorms, on Facebook, and in din- pus, decked out in elf attire and sing- ing halls singing Christmas carols. ing “Votin’ Scelfo.” What did this talkingbiznews.com Today, after a two week campaign, video convey about Peter Scelfo as this green elf sits on the Student As- a candidate and a leader? “My video sembly as Peter Scelfo, having won The Truth about was funny, but I intentionally want- the Freshmen class elections with a ed it to be happy and uplifting,” said whopping 816 votes. Scelfo to the Review. “That is the ulti- Occupy Wall Street “Hey look, it’s Buddy the Elf!” mate purpose of the Student Assem- exclaimed one girl, referring to the bly—to make the students happy.” Noah Kantro Even their slogan – “We are the nine- ty-nine percent.” – demonstrates a 2003 Christmas movie that starred “[The campaign] was not humor- National News Editor mob mentality, as if this small group Will Farrell. ous because that has a negative con- The Student Assembly’s presence chlocracy is the Greek term speaks for 99 out of every 100 Amer- notation. Instead, it was more of a for mob rule. It is the opposite on North Campus is overwhelming happy campaign,” he assured. “When O icans. As if 99 percent of Americans during the freshmen election sea- of the original American system of should want the same thing. people saw me, they didn’t point and government. American representa- son, with candidates using all types laugh at me. Instead they’d want to The protesters claim the rheto- of mediums to publicize themselves tive democracy values using the po- ric of the American dream, claiming take pictures with me, give me high litical system to effect measured and and make their names remembered. they want to grow the middle class. fives, and shout ‘Scelf!’ whenever prudent change. It recognizes the This year thirty-four students stood However, they preach the opposite, they saw me.” importance of public debate and the in the Student Assembly elections calling for the abolition of the free- One can’t help but wonder wheth- ability to petition government for to represent the freshmen class, and dom necessary for companies to er such innovative campaigns defeat redress of grievances. Ochlocracy is campaign techniques varied from create high-wage jobs. Corporate the purpose of SA elections. the uninhibited rule of the general covering every inch of the roads with “greed” allows competitive wages to It is certainly not out of the ques- population. It is not government by chalk to putting on an elf costume. be paid. Without it there is no mid- tion to assume that many of the peo- reason, law, and precedent, but by Each candidate addressed perti- dle class. ple who voted for Peter Scelfo did the demands and reasoning of a mob. nent issues that they were willing to not vote for the Peter who believed It is brought on by demagoguery. Of course, in the Chicago school take action on. Some believed that of politics, no crisis can be allowed that students shouldn’t be fined for The Occupy Wall Street (OWS) lack of garbage cans was the biggest to go to waste. Especially one specif- replacement student ID cards. In- protests are an attempt at ochlocra- issue haunting North Campus, while stead, they voted for the lovable cy. They want what they want (more ically designed to be exploited. The others thought it was more essential on that later) and they want it now. to improve handicapped amenities Please turn to page 2 Please turn to page 8 on campus. That being said, this focus on the Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 – Editorial Page 11 issues was a minor part of the elec- Questioning Virtues DREAM on The European Error Frack Reporter tions. Instead, what dominated the A look at the chronically Cornell chat on illegal Why the wisdom of NY Times reporter campaign season were the innovate misappropriated immigration gets heeding history's lessons Ian Urbina is a poor strategies candidates adopted to principle of tolerance ridiculous is lost on Europe. exemplar of press get noticed in a community of three freedom thousand students. Most of these strategies did not address crucial Page 6 Colonel Cornell He's back and madder than ever. 2 October 13, 2011 Campus as the politically correct jargon attributed to the public’s mental im- goes—to receive public assistance ages of Mexicans. And it is this and Campaigns You Can for higher education. other manifestations of her social Continued from the front page Early on in her talk, she told the and political identity that Peñafort Elf who sang for them at dinner. As Call Them audience that her mother decided to said motivate her activism, which Peter won hearts and votes (more so emigrate from Mexico and illegally includes two DREAM Act marches than any freshmen in over 6 years), enter the US when she was a child, he diverted voters’ minds from the DREAMers and that she had no say in this de- American purpose of the election. Lucia Rafanelli cision. Then she asked the audience Peter ran with a different funda- News Editor with a smile, “How many of you Identity: “It’s mental belief about the purpose of think I’m a criminal?” the Student Assembly—“to make the e question the rationality After resisting the temptation to what happens students happy.” Whether one agrees of justice of this legal sta- “W raise my hand simply to garner ma- with the mentality or not, it was his tus limbo.” terial for this article, I continued to to you when you strategy. And it worked. If the above sounds a tad incoher- listen to Peñafort’s stories, which in- eat, sleep, make That being said, Peter does be- ent to you, you’re more than a little cluded the assertion that her life ac- lieve the campaign conveyed his right. Unfortunately, though, it’s not tually began “with the act of agency friends, and leadership qualities. a typo. Rather, it’s a quote from an my mother took [to immigrate to the “Being outgoing is a really impor- activist speaking at Cornell’s Octo- US].” watch Barney.” tant characteristic of a leader and I rd ber 3 panel entitled “DREAM Act: She also spoke of how she de- think I got that across with my elf A Pipe Dream or Eventual Reality?” suit,” he commented. “When people veloped an American identity. “It’s (one here in Ithaca and one in Wash- saw that I was not afraid to walk to The panel, unsurprisingly devoid what happens to you,” she said, ington, DC). of conservatives, consisted of Tania “when you eat, sleep, make friends, class in an elf costume, they were as- She also called the US “clouded sured of my determination and si- Peñafort, a Cornell student and ac- and watch Barney.” (By this latter by fear and anger” when it comes to tivist; Katharine Gin, Executive Di- criterion, I fear I am quite a substan- multaneously assured that I would debates about immigration. This be- go the extra mile to get concern and rector of Educators for Fair Consid- dard American.) came especially true after 9/11, she voice of the freshmen body heard.” eration; Roberto Gonzales, assistant Peñafort and her mother even- said, when immigration and the War As Scelfo also pointed out, the professor at the University of Chi- tually went through the legaliza- on Terror were conflated, and the fact that a record-breaking num- cago; and Josh Bernstein, Director tion process and were granted green fear of terrorism was used to spur on ber of freshmen voted this year is a cards, but she claimed that, to this the movement for greater border se- manifestation of the legitimacy of

POLITICO curity. Needless to say, the Review is the election results. The question glad Peñafort is not a counterterror- of whether his campaign was too ism agent. trivial for university-level assembly The other speakers on the panel elections should no longer arise. It’s generally echoed Peñafort’s senti- possible that the attention and ex- ments, lauding her efforts as a so- citement Scelfo’s tactics brought to called “DREAMer.” Their talks were the election were the driving force generally more academic in nature, behind the increased turnout this with the possible exception of Josh year. Second place Ross Gitlin re- Bernstein, who described the Re- ceived an impressive 673 votes, more than any first place winner in recent publican filibuster of the DREAM memory. Act as a bunch of anti-immigration Do lighthearted campaigns un- people throwing a “hissy fit.” dermine the importance of Student This falls a bit short of the rea- Assembly elections? The answer is in soned intellectual debate I would the mind of the voter—the students— of Immigration Strategy and Policy, day, she “can’t escape the phenom- expect from a political leader of the and their understanding of the SA’s Service Employees International enological perception of those who world’s foremost democracy, but relevance on campus. But the end Union. judge me by the image they walk there is an obvious explanation: per- result is clear: Peter Scelfo won the around with in their minds of who Peñafort began the evening by haps Mr. Bernstein simply did not elections in an election that brought Mexicans are.” with a largely anecdotal talk about watch enough Barney as a child. more students to the polls than in re- Luckily for the rest of us, she the importance of the DREAM Act, cent memory. clarified this idea with examples. which would, among other things, Lucia Rafanelli is a junior in the Roshni Mehta is a freshman in the Apparently, she has been taken for allow children of illegal immi- College of Arts & Sciences. She can be College of Arts & Sciences. She can be both a cook and a maid, mistakes she grants—or “undocumented youth,” reached at [email protected] reached at [email protected]. Should We Tolerate Intolerance? Kushagra Aniket centuries ago. Aristotle called toler- how it is interesting to Staff Writer ance “painful” because the stronger note that in all such con- the objection is, the more painful flicts, each party invokes hould a democracy tolerate it is to tolerate. In his famous essay the principle of tolerance “Sattempts to replace it by dic- What is Enlightenment? , Kant iden- and argues its point from tatorship? Should a free nation tol- tified the “arrogance of tolerance” as exactly the same axioms erate groups that aim at subjecting one of the causes behind the lack of as its opponents. So how it to foreign domination? And above intellectualism in Germany. While can we reconcile contend- all, should toleration extend to those Thomas Paine described tolerance ers taking opposite posi- who advocate intolerance?” as the counterfeit of intolerance and tions when they all agree This year’s Robert S. Stevens Lec- hence no less despotic, Goethe was on the fundamental ideal ture, delivered by the distinguished even more vehement when he said, of tolerance? political theorist Professor Rainer “To tolerate is to insult.” Forst proposed that Forst of Goethe University, was an Furthermore, even today when tolerance comprises of occasion to rethink some such par- tolerance is considered a ‘virtue’, its objection to “false, wrong adoxes concomitant with the idea meaning and boundaries are matters or bad” views, acceptance of tolerance. In his lecture entitled of serious contention. In this regard, for contrary opinions as on the basis of birth but ‘tolerates’ “Toleration and Democracy”, Dr. Forst provided three contemporary far as they do not violate one’s be- them by not acting on his beliefs, Forst argued that tolerance, which is examples from Germany: the visit liefs and the rejection of ideas that be considered tolerant? Can a per- now seen as an essential component of the Pope causing religious unrest, are downright dangerous or “blas- son possibly tolerate opinions that of constitutional government fol- the ban on wearing headscarf in phemous”, in the religious sense. he regards as immoral without com- lowing Locke’s Second Treatise schools, and the move to declare the But this understanding of tolerance promising his own sense of ethics? C on Government, was not at all fascist National Democratic Party raises a number of paradoxes. Will If what is intolerable is intolerable R an acceptable concept a few unconstitutional. He demonstrated a staunch racist who rejects others Please turn to page 10 Editorial October 13, 2011 3 The Cornell Review Founded 1984 r Incorporated 1986 Ann Coulter Europe’s Self-Destruction Jim Keller Jerome D. Pinn By Kathleen McCaffrey The alternative to this protec- of the distinct states, Prussian in- tionism is a market for govern- terests resulted in the oppression Anthony Santelli, Jr. n August, the German Chancel- ment—not its reinforcement. To of formerly autonomous citizens. Founders lor’s cabinet ratified measures to I paraphrase F.A. Hayek, competition Bismark imposed legal restrictions combat the euro-area debt crisis by Lucas Policastro is a process of formulating opin- on Catholic education and wor- revamping the euro-zone’s bailout Editor-in-Chief ion through diversity, creating the ship, eventually expelling the Jesuit fund. Last month, the leaders of views people have about what is order. In the late 1880s, German An- Anthony Longo Germany and France concocted a President best. This does not require the cre- ti-Socialist Laws tried to repress the plan to salvage the euro by suggest- ation of new nations or the demoli- growing labor organizations. When Christopher Slijk ing another regulatory system in tion of old ones. It requires political leadership changed hands in 1890 Managing Editor Brussels. Additionally, the two Euro diversity. to Wilhelm II, German national- nations will adopt a common cor- Kathleen McCaffrey ism took hold as a primary political porate tax system by 2013, signaling Switzerland was born of dis- Executive Editor concern. greater co-ordination of their eco- sent from the Hapsburg empire Lucia Rafanelli To its credit, the European nomic policy. Though what some and slowly grew to a plurality of News Editor Union has not been void of decent see as co-ordination may just break states with their own autonomy proposals to promote competi- Alfonse Muglia the international edge of the euro and cultures. After the demise of tive government within its borders. Campus News Editor zone. Napoleon’s Helvetic Empire, the Swiss cemented their government Legislation, such as the Shengen Michael Alan The euro was founded on the as a confederation of states at the Agreement, made travel, schooling Campus News Editor promise of creating a level playing Congress of Vienna in 1815, only and work relatively hassle-free for field for economic competition. But Noah Kantro to reassert this sentiment in 1848. EU passport-holders. These sorts of by breaking the rules set out to keep National News Editor Today, Switzerland boasts 26 dis- windows allow for practical com- a strong currency for all, such as Karim Lakhani tinct cantons, each with their own petition, like the tenfold increase in waiving the ECB’s requirement to Treasurer constitution, parliament and courts. applications from British students only accept investment-grade sov- Through their autonomy, every can- to Maastricht University in the ereign debt as collateral for loans Contributors ton is able to attract commerce from Netherlands after their government made to banks, otherwise credible Kushagra Aniket Tianye Liu across the world by voting them- raised tuitions at universities. Joseph Bonica Roshni Mehta economies have made themselves selves into Peter Bouris Patrick Moran vulnerable to the reckless spend- competitive tax Brendan P. Devine Shelby Park ing practices of nations like Greece. brackets within Dillon Hickman Sam Pell Now each euro nation is more vul- the same mon- Raj Kannappan Dennis Shiraev nerable and less structurally inde- Matt Landers Gregory Stein etary system. pendent at the hands of another. Pfaffikon, a Board of Directors The economic integration of the village outside Christopher DeCenzo euro zone is subject to the same of Zurich, re- Joseph E. Gehring Jr. faults as any other cartel. When cently changed Ying Ma they don’t face competition, they its reputa- Anthony Santelli Jr. become sloppy. When they have a tion from a free insurance buy-in, they become Faculty Advisor small town sloppier. History suggests that this speckled with Michael E. Hint brand of autarky is only successful [email protected] dairy farms insofar as it remains unchallenged to a hedge The Cornell Review is an independent biweekly by outsiders. journal published by students of Cornell University fund incuba- for the benefit of students, faculty, administrators, During the Middle Ages, mer- tor. It aims to and alumni of the Cornell community. The chants seeking secure methods of compete with Cornell Review is a thoughtful review of campus trade retreated from the governance and national politics from a broad conservative Zug, once one perspective. The Cornell Review, an independent of local nobles to work in cities of the poor- student organization located at Cornell University, aligned with the Hanseatic League. est cantons in produced and is responsible for the content of this The League functioned as a net- Switzerland, publication. 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All Rights Reserved. are best suited for publication in the Cornell Daily Sun. The Review requests that all letters to the editor The Ithaca Review 102 Highland Pl, Apt. 4 be limited to 350 words. Please send all questions, Ithaca, NY 14850 C comments, and concerns to [email protected]. R 4 October 13, 2011 Campus criticism of the Military Commis- are still waiting for you to come out White House a level of transparen- Liberal Pipe sions Act as a call for making modi- of the closet and declare your sup- cy never seen before. He repeatedly fications to it. Rather, they had per- port for same-sex marriage, which criticized the Bush administration ceived it as a full-throttle call for you tellingly chose not to do in a for its secrecy and adherence to a Dream abolishing military commissions speech to the Human Rights Cam- nefarious form of governance. But, Continued from front page altogether. Yet, where were liber- paign two weeks after the military as he has done on countless poli- to solve virtually all of America’s als when Obama failed to do so? ended DADT. cies, he has reversed course since problems at home, and to redress Where were those who would have In May of 2008, in an interview winning the presidency. On the the vile nature of American politics come out in hordes to protest an ex- with Jorge Ramos on Univision, the campaign trail, Obama told vot- itself. tension of military commissions by most popular TV network among ers that they would have five days Obama vilified the Bush admin- a Republican president? Hispanics in the country, Obama to look at every bill that landed on istration for intervening in Iraq. On a policy that should irk liber- claimed as he did boldly on every his desk. I would ask which voters Channeling his inner pedagogic and als to their core, they have stayed contentious issue, “What I can in their right mind actually believed professorial spirit in a Q&A with mum. In a 2005 speech on the Sen- guarantee is that we will have in the this rhetoric, but apparently many the Boston Globe’s Charlie Savage ate floor, Obama himself remarked first year an immigration bill that I did. Obama violated this promise in December of 2007, he said, “The of the Patriot Act, “This is legisla- strongly support and that I’m pro- over and over, highlighting this best president does not have power tion that puts our own Justice De- moting. And I want to move that with his signing of the Credit Card under the Constitution to unilater- partment above the law,” adding, forward as quickly as possible.” At Accountability, Responsibility, and ally authorize a military attack in a “And if someone wants to know the time, Ramos enthusiastically Disclosure (CARD) Act of 2009 on situation that does not involve stop- why their own government has de- called this “La Promesa de Obama.” May 22, only two days after the bill cided to go on a fishing expedition ping an actual or imminent threat to But three years later, immigrants was finalized in Congress. The law through every personal record or the nation.” Lo and behold, Ameri- and to-be immigrants are waiting, was scheduled to take effect only private document—through library Mr. President. What are you going ca intervened in Libya—that too, after a full year, so I can think of no books they’ve read and phone calls to do? without Congressional approval. In reason why, in the name of trans- they’ve made—this legislation gives Libya! What said the liberals who For someone who so often pon- parency, the White House would people no rights to appeal the need berated Bush for his illegal war, the tificates on equality and peace and not give the public enough time to for such a search in a court of law.” one which actually secured the sup- diversity and fair treatment, the pore over the details of the bill. He concluded his masterful speech president has failed to uphold such port of Congress? Nothing. Unless, Furthermore, despite relent- with the words, “This is just plain standards even in his own house. of course, you include the starry- lessly criticizing President Bush wrong.” Following a meeting with Larry eyed peace activists who want to and Vice President Cheney’s “se- Yet, five months ago, Obama Summers, then-chairman of the Na- banish war itself from the global cret meetings” in the White House, signed into law a four-year exten- tional Economic Council, Christina lexicon. Obama continued the Bush admin- sion of the Patriot Act, claiming Romer, former head of the Council As early as April of 2007, Obama istration’s practice of keeping White without any sign of hesitancy, “It’s of Economic Advisers, stated blunt- House visitor logs secret. Only after was claiming boldly, “As presi- an important tool for us to contin- ly, “I felt like a piece of meat.” For- dent, I will close Guantanamo and increasing pressure from watchdog ue dealing with an ongoing terror- mer White House Communications groups and a federal judge in Wash- reject the Military Commissions ist threat.” Of course, liberals will Director Anita Dunn, who now con- Act!” Liberals need to take a good ington, D.C. did the White House never challenge this or criticize veniently denies criticizing the ad- choose to make some of the visitor hard look at Guantanamo, Cuba their supposed savior because to ministration for its work environ- on Google Earth and tell me that logs public. However, the Center do so would be akin to criticizing ment, minced no words after the for Public Integrity has found that the detainment camp no longer ex- themselves. Obama team prepared a 2008 cam- ists. They should find the transcript the logs omit the names of “thou- Obama has let them down not paign ad which featured no women, sands of other visitors to the White for any one of the many speeches only on foreign and defense policy, stating, “I was dumbfounded. It in which Obama railed vigorous- House, including lobbyists, govern- but also in an arguably more impor- wasn’t like they were being delib- ment employees, campaign donors, ly against the use of military com- tant area—domestic policy. erately sexist. It’s just there was no missions by the Bush administra- policy experts and friends of the Liberals likely do not even re- one offering a female perspective.” first family.” Still, the administra- tion and tell me that Obama has member that he promised to fur- Senator Obama also campaigned tion continues to use as justifica- expunged the policy from the coun- ther increase the hourly minimum vigorously as a model leader and tion for not revealing the entirety of try’s record. In fact, liberals should wage to $9.50. Go to any McDon- paragon of ethical behavior, some- the logs the Bush administration’s have been outraged when, in May one who would in a hundred years ald’s and ask the cashiers how much argument that some visitors are too of 2009, the White House released never allow a political appointee they earn. I can guarantee you that high-profile and fall under the ju- a memo that began, “Military com- to lobby the executive branch after it’s not $9.50 an hour. risdiction of greater national inter- leaving govern- est. So much for the change which ment service dur- liberals so desperately hoped for. It ing the remainder seems that the White House has left of his administra- even its once-ardent supporters out tion. Yet, his ad- to dry. ministration has In short, President Obama has granted waivers to numerous former broken promise upon promise that lobbyists, allow- he so valiantly made to liberals on ing them to serve the campaign trail. and influence To those who fight these claims his policies. Fur- by stating that they did not actual- thermore, his ad- ly expect the president to fulfill all ministration has these promises, I feel sincere pity. allowed for “re- They would never have voted for cusals,” through Obama had they not expected him which former lob- to keep at least some of these grand byists can excuse promises. They would never have themselves from voted for him had they realized discussions re- that most of his promises were po-

© Lucas Policastro volving around in- litically unviable and tied down to a terests for which dream “over the hills and far away.” missions have a long tradition in the In an open letter titled “Equality they used to lobby. However, im- Inexplicably, Obama has managed United States. They are appropriate is a Moral Imperative” to the LGBT plicit in the “recusals” policy is the to displease liberals while continu- for trying enemies who violate the community in February of 2008, understanding that despite serv- ing to anger conservatives. laws of war…..” Obama vowed, “As your president, ing his administration, lobbyists The upcoming presidential elec- Clearly, even as early as mid- I will use the bully pulpit to urge may still have a conflicting loyalty tion falls on November 6, 2012. For 2009, Obama was reversing many of states to treat same-sex couples to a special interest group or cause. liberals’ sake, it’s not soon enough. his campaign calls for change after with full equality in their family President Obama has disregarded recognizing that reality does not and adoption laws.” Mr. President, this and his own beliefs for politi- permit merely feel-good ideas all those lesbians, gays, bisexu- cal gain. Raj Kannappan is a junior in the C to take root. However, his vot- als, and transsexuals who without Obama also campaigned as a College of Arts & Sciences. He can be R ers had not interpreted his question threw in their vote for you leader who would bring to the reached at [email protected]. Campus October 13, 2011 5 of Western Europe and the United States. Fairness and the Free Market Overall, Greskovits and Bohle Christopher Slijk the “conflictual dynamic” of capital- disintegration or a paternalistic wel- present an interesting but flawed Managing Editor ism. Bohle claimed that much of the fare state. notion of capitalist society, particu- change in capitalism in recent years Greskovits presented four main larly in the false dichotomy between apitalism tends to be a nebu- has consisted of “expansion of mar- models of capitalism: “non-regimes” market freedom and public welfare. lously defined term in the mod- C kets at the expense of society”. (nations which had not developed This is a narrative that has cropped ern lexicon: some people envision it The differing styles of capitalism, significantly on any of the six- di up time and time again from the as a system of free markets and trade; said Bohle, are determined by the mensions) “neoliberalism” (refer- writings of Karl Marx to the pro- others demonize it as a scheme for growth of a society on six different, ring here almost exclusively to the testers of the “Occupy Wall Street” the rich to satiate their greed while and in some cases opposing, dimen- liberalization of markets), “embed- movement: growth or stability, eco- the poor languish perpetually. But sions: market freedom, macroeco- ded neoliberaism” (foregoing lib- nomic independence or social in- some have the belief that capitalism nomic coordination, governmental eralized markets for more macro- dependence, freedom or equality can take on forms which most would strength, corporatism, democracy, economic coordination coupled – these are portrayed as opposites traditionally define as mixed econo- and, welfare statism. This “hexagon with a stronger welfare state), and that cannot coexist in the same soci- mies or borderline anarchy. of development” is meant to mea- “neocorporatism”. ety when, in fact, they are ultimately interdependent. One cannot claim On September 30, two profes- sure how well-rounded a society is The Baltic States were presented to support freedom in the market, sors from Central European Univer- in allowing freedom of trade and de- as the archetypical neoliberalist de- nor for the individual, if one also sity – Bela Greskovits from the De- velopment while providing for its velopment of capitalism, believes that the majority, through partment International Relations people. However, Professor Gres- as they have a relatively the arm of government, has a right and European Studies and Dorothee kovits was quick high degree of mar- to take from some and give to others Bohle from the Department of Po- ket freedom but very out of warped perceptions of equal- weak welfare sys- ity, fairness, or need. Some like to tems which have believe that “the rich get richer, the been reduced poor get poorer”, when more often even further as than not the innovations, discover- a result of the financial ies, and products of the rich have crisis. Embedded neoliberal- made everyone, not just the wealthy, ism is typified by Central Europe- better off. an countries such as the Czech Re- Ultimately, freedom is mean- public, Hungary, and Poland, with ingless without the freedom to fail, slower market development but unpleasant though it may be, and stronger central governments and detracting from the successful in somewhat stronger welfare institu- society by making them pitch in for tions. Finally, neocorporatism was those that did not do well not only shown to be symbolized by Slove- distorts market incentives but also nia, which was presented as excel- detracts from the idea of inviola- ling overall, lacking only slightly in ble property rights, the foundation market development. While Gres- of any capitalist society. Professors kovits and Bohle refrained from ex- Greskovits and Bohle seemed to plicitly saying which system was forget that stronger central govern- Slovenia: The paradigm of modern capitalism in Europe. “better”, it wasn’t hard to discern ment, higher-level economic plan- that they held the Slovenian one in ning, and welfare structures pull so- litical Science – came to Cornell to to point out that more often than rather high esteem. cieties further from these roots and, give a joint lecture on the develop- not, countries quickly regressed Interestingly, Bohle pointed out at some point, are so far removed ment and transformation of capital- after a good deal of progress simply that recent trends have shown that from them that they can no longer ism in the wake of the Soviet Union’s because they overextended them- the result of economic turmoil in be called capitalist at all. It is only in collapse. Dubbed “Polanyian Variet- selves by trying too quickly to cover Europe over the last few years has the steadfast protection of individu- ies of Capitalism”, Professors Gres- all of these dimensions. been to push all of these countries al rights, regardless of wealth level, kovits and Bohle used the post-Cold “Capitalist systems” Bohle added, further into the neoliberalist camp, that a capitalist society can truly War development of Central and “are defined by the tensions between with many of them enacting strict prosper economically and socially. Eastern European countries as case marketization and social protec- austerity measures and encouraging studies of different styles of capi- tion,” and that a disruption in this private sector growth rather than Christopher Slijk is a senior in the talism, applying 20th century politi- balance would lead either to social ramping up the government’s role in College of Arts & Sciences. He can be cal economist Karl Polyani’s ideas of the economy as is the case in much reached at [email protected]

her frustration with society’s image of beauty. Other TEDx speakers, in- First TEDx Promotes Social cluding Jesse Turk, ’14, Khamila Ale- biosu, ’13, and author and poet Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon acknowledged Change and Nonconformity that the poems or theatre pieces Dillon Hickman wide array of topics, ranging from generation is on the brink of some- they presented represented the best Staff Writer science, arts, politics, global issues, thing huge.” way they could think about these is- architecture, and music. TEDx, with Each of the event’s speakers sues and express their ideas clearly. he growing popularity of TED “x” indicating independently orga- sought use his unique interests and “Poems are how I think,” Van TTalks has inspired Cornell to nized events, has taken the talks to skillsets to attack conformity in so- Clief-Stefanon revealed. create its own independent event, the local level. ciety. Jeffrey Lipton, a graduate of More closely resembling the tra- TEDx, a self-organized conference I.D.E.A. (Intelligent Design and Cornell’s Applied and Engineering ditional TED enthusiast, Jeremy featuring past and present Cornell Evolution Awareness), a new stu- Physics program and a current PhD Blum ’12 endorsed the concept of students and professors. On October dent organization on campus, orga- candidate at Cornell’s Creative Ma- open source sharing. Open source 3, this diverse group of speakers all nized Cornell’s TEDx event. Its goal, chines Lab, began the program by sharing differs from well-ground- gave presentations on the common similar to TED, was to bring togeth- criticizing the American education- ed societal norms such as copyright theme of “Rethinking Our Society.” er cultures from across the world al system’s attachment to standard- and intellectual property protec- TED (Technology, Entertain- through deep discussion of new ization and to teaching to score well tion in that distributed peer review ment, Design) is a nonprofit orga- ideas and concepts. on tests rather than teaching to learn and sharing of ideas and informa- nization built around the slogan Ankur Bajaj, the master of cere- or discover. tion are supported. Although this “Ideas Worth Spreading.” The group monies for the event, described the “Everyone loves this tangible in- might seem impractical from a busi- began by hosting an annual confer- mission of TEDx as “bettering your- teraction with knowledge,” Lipton ness point of view, Blum maintained ence to connect some of the world’s self to the pursuit of knowledge.” remarked. that one could create some- leading thinkers and activists. Since, Bajaj also mentioned how optimis- Meril Pothen ’13 presented thing, share it, and still make C TED has expanded to encompass a tic I.D.E.A. is about the future. “My “Beautiful,” a poem that addressed Please turn to page 9 R 6 October 13, 2011 Humor THE RETURN OF THE COLONEL Colonel Cornell: Issue #1 Captain America Colonel Cornell—after being frozen in an Arctic Ice shelf for nearly seventy years after protecting Cornell from an atom bomb strike during WWII—is found by Arctic explorers. The revitalized hero decides to return his alma mater. The Colonel re- turns to campus to find it overcome by the worst kind of liberalism—the Church of Che Guevara and the Lat- ter Day Hipsters.

On his way to find the Cornellcave, he acci- ...To the Cornellcave...Exeunt. dentally stumbles into some female hipsters (hipstettes?). Col. Cornell visits the Arts Quad, looking for the entrance Hey, guys... to his former hideout, the Cornellcave. It’s “girls.” Oh, man... Student [loudly]: Hey Jake, did you catch Glee last night?

See, you did it again; try to use gender- Col. Cornell: Great Scott! Tee Fee Crane’s stomping grounds are neutral verbiage. overrun by thespians!

Please avoid using engendered Several people walk barefoot through the quad. language. Hipster student handing out cards: September 11th is a lie, brah. Endangered what? Take one of my quarter-cards and become a Truther; check out our

En-gendered. It unfairly and inaccu- awesome stickers on the Thurston Bridge for further information. rately credits men for being the sole Col. Cornell: Lad, I may have been frozen for seventy years, but even participants who affect society. I know that is bullshit!

What would you have me say instead of Another Hipster: Corporate allegiance is bad! I don’t support big “Oh man”? “Oh they/them…”? corporations! I’m an individualist! [Student is wearing an American Ap-

much Better, We would appreciate if you parel Shirt, Levi ripped jeans, and Vans Sneakers, while drinking Starbucks substituted “she” for “he” in exactly 50% of your statements. Better yet, as most coffee and carrying an Apple Macbook Pro in a Nike strapped bag.] textbooks are adopting, just use “she” exclusively to be safe. Student with dog: Hey old man, want to see my dog do a trick? Especially if the example is a Col. Cornell: Sure, lad. It must be better than listening to this pinko about a scientist: “A scientist is pipetting 50mEq of 3M potas- commie talk. sium chloride. She then mixes… Student with dog: “George Bush.” As a response, the dog rolls to the ground whining, shaking its head, Oooh oooh, that’s so good! *enters near-euphoric state* and then plays dead.

By God in heaven—he shall smite ye fools down. Student in a cape: Lord Voldemort is coming! Everybody run! Col. Cornell: What in blasted tarnation is a Lordvoldemort? Please use “he/she” or just “she” when Student in a cape: “Please refer to him as He-Who-Must-Not-Be- referring to deities. Named,” muggle. [Followed by incomprehensible Harry Potter gibberish.] Col. Cornell: More of these progressives critiquing my rhetoric. My *shits bricks* parlance is impeccable, you lowly piker! For the love of God, I am Ezra’s great-grandnephew thrice removed from his father’s side!

Colonel Cornell is whisked off by a mob of cosplay wizards to the center of the quad, where an intense match of the Harry Potter sport Quidditch is occurring.

Cornell Tour Guide (with a group of prospective students): And this to our left is Cornell’s Division I Intercollegiate Quidditch Team.

Ten people in flip flops with chimney sweepers between their legs (and one with a toilet bowl cleaner) are seen around chasing a bouncy ball, chanting and yelling.

*Cornell applications the following year are down 10%.*

Col. Cornell: Jesus, I need to go to Zinck’s! Old man Zinck will ease my worries.

Col. Cornell walks to the old site of the pub Theodore Zinck’s to find it replaced with “Look-Ah-Hookah” and other similarly-themed storefronts. Tired and weary, Col. Cornell finds the secret entrance to the Cornellcave—secret trapdoor under Ezra’s statue by Morrill Hall. He de- scends into the unknown depths, simultaneously being serenaded a cappella by Cayuga’s Waiters. Little does he know C that his dastardly arch-enemy Privateer Princeton is lurking in the shadows. R Story to be continued in the next issue of Colonel Cornell... while you wait, go look up the etymology of colonel. Humor October 13, 2011 7

hree years after the financial crash of 2008, the world economy is entering another tailspin. Mass unem- Tployment and declining wages, drastic cuts in health care and other social programs, the shutdown of pub- lic schools and rising tuition—these are all part of the right wing conspiracy. The Republicans are naturally evil and would do anything to harm the working class. Personal responsibility is such nonsense. How can anyone be personally responsible when the government takes away welfare for the people who are too underprivileged to work and depend on it to live? The Republicans need to understand that we are jobless not because we are lazy and living on welfare. It’s ALL because of the social causes, such as racism, racism and racism, which out- weighs other factors by about 1 million percent. he decade since the attacks of September 11 has been years of unending war, attacks on the most basic Tdemocratic rights, strongly guided by the inherent racism by the white men. The terms and events that ex- emplify the period are testament to the disaster that has been unleashed: wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and now Libya; Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib, “enhanced interrogation,” and domestic spying; the crash of 2008, bank bailouts, mass unemployment and social austerity. If you have noticed, all these events are targeted at the un- derprivileged people who are not capitalist pigs. You may think that raised national security benefits all of us, but it’s not true for those of us who care about unprivileged, proletariat terrorists in middle east who be- came terrorist not by choice, but influenced by social causes such as class struggle, class struggle and class struggle(and probably racism). We have undeniable proof that September 11 was completely staged by George Bush so that he could launch his massive conspiracy against the proletariats worldwide. Bush is the ultimate source of all evil, and as Chairman Obama constantly reminds us, he still torments us today even after about 4 years since the end of his presidency. Experts say his lasting effect of his evilness will not wear off until another Republican is elected president. t is becoming clear to millions of people that there is something fundamentally wrong with the entire system, Ijust like back in 1917. All efforts to change policy have failed. Chairman Obama, though he has passed many socialist bills, are still giving in to the capitalist pigs. A small layer of corporate executives and Wall Street bank- ers still control the entire political system. People have to realize that rich people are inherently evil and AB- SOLUTELY NONE of them accumulated wealth based on their hard work. Every single one of the rich people inherited their wealth from their parents, and if you trace it back to the first rich man ever, he received it from God, who absolutely doesn’t exist. Therefore, they MUST share their wealth so that the jobless, underprivileged racial and socio-economical minorities can get compensated for what they deserve. orkers and youth need a new program and perspective. The Socialist Equality Party is calling a series of Wmeetings throughout the United States to discuss the socialist response to the capitalist crisis and plan the organization of an independent industrial and political movement of the working class. One of the initiatives we are planning this year is to implement a policy that require all student GPAs to be summed up and divided evenly among all students. As we all know, high achieving students never work hard. They inherit their GPA from their rich parents and it’s an unfair advantage for those of us in the working class. The only reasonable thing to do is to share the GPA so that the effect of class struggle can be minimized. Eventually, we are going to call for a nation-wide revolution. Many people think socialism has been proven to be unfeasible, but this is not true. Jo- seph Stalin, despite killing more than 20 million people, had done many remarkable things to make this world a better place. Sometimes, people’s lives need to be sacrificed for the greater good (though any form of sacri- fice toward a conservative cause is by definition bad, because Bush is bad). Besides, this time we have 7 billion people to throw around. It might even be an effective population control strategy. Join the revolution!

THIS IS A CORNELL REVIEW PARODY AND SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH ANY ACTUAL CAMPUS EVENT

Communism:

It's a Party!

CR 8 October 13, 2011 National it is in their mannerisms and meth- something to do with eliminating they are angry. Joe Biden’s deep Occupy Wall ods. OWS has been camped in pub- the profit motive, something about sympathy can be seen in his words, lic places for a month, having sex in reducing corporate greed, and a de- “The core [of the protest] is: the bar- Street public, performing bodily functions sire to tax the ultra-wealthy. A list of gain has been breached. The Ameri- Continued from front page in corners, not showering, and ren- proposed demands has been circu- can people do not think the system protesters claim to be leaderless. dering the occupied locations unus- lating the internet, which includes is fair, or on the level.” This is from They claim to have no specific de- able and unsanitary. Compare this a $20 minimum wage (paid regard- the man who called the Tea Party a mands (despite their signs, chants, with the respectability of the Tea less of whether one is employed bunch of terrorists. Apparently to slogans and mere presence telling Party. When they rallied in Washing- or not), free college education and the vice president activism is pru- otherwise). Yet this movement is far ton, the National Mall was left spot- healthcare, open borders, trillions dent only when it is firmly behind from organic. The first calls to liter- less. They went home at the end of in environmental and infrastruc- your agenda. ally Occupy Wall Street were made the day leaving only a message, not ture spending, and the elimination If Obama’s army in 2008 was by the Canadian anti-establishment of all public and private comprised of relatively mundane magazine Adbusters, which is fund- debt. While many pro- get-out-the-vote collegians and the ed indirectly by liberal godfather testers may agree with anti-Bush, anti-War, anti-Repub- George Soros (who made his money these ideas, some do not lican crowd, this is the seed of his as a Wall Street hedge fund manag- (or are just there for the army for 2012: socialists, anarchists, er, and now has voiced public sup- party), and the incoor- and agitators occupying the streets. port for OWS). While some people dination of the crowd The anti-republican crowd. The did take it upon their misguided leads to a cacophonic high leadership and the high sources selves to get the protest started, the message. Each group at of influence behind the political and occupation has been far from inde- the protests has a differ- social left have thrown their quiet pendent. Professional community ent focus: economic and but growing support behind the organizers are responsible for pub- taxation issues, wealth OWS movement, and stamped this licizing, romanticizing, and getting disparity, environmen- type of behavior with their seal of attendance for the protest. Big-mon- tal “justice”, social “jus- approval. The force behind it is not ey unions like the SEIU and Transit tice”, the existence of the force of law or democracy, but Workers Union and their full-time corporations, anti-war the force of the mob. activists are out in full force sup- demands, welfare and While OWS is presently nothing porting the occupation. Communist, entitlement programs, more than a mouse casting a large socialist, anarchist, and even liber- healthcare, the cost of shadow due to media light, should tarian groups are active and repre- education, electing Ron the movement grow and find a lead- sented. Antiwar group Code Pink Paul, enacting Marx- er, or should a leader claim to rep- is out in force at these rallies (War ism, or even the nation- resent the protestors as election sea- against our enemies abroad? Never. al debt. The occupiers, son approaches, he or she will be Class war against fellow American though, seem proud of America’s Caesar, a demagogue who citizens? A moral imperative.). Some their leaderless state will ignore or circumvent the Con- of the local occupation movements A protestor in Ithaca demands war against America and lack of direction, stitution at the behest of the mob. have even hired people to protest in a mess. OWS is closer in appearance refusing to specify de- Implementing their demands will order to augment their numbers. to a music festival than an Ameri- mands or promote a specific plan be the crossing of the Rubicon; a vi- to address what appears to be their And the left claims this is their can political movement. When the olation of the Constitution so great main concern of fixing the admitted- long-awaited “grassroots” response Tea Party has an event, the demon- it will herald the end of the repub- ly dysfunctional tax code. Instead of to the Tea Party. When the Tea strators are well-dressed, clean, and lic (Under this analogy, Obama can promoting representatives to voice Party formed it had no professional focused. OWS would do well to note presently be seen as Sulla, an earli- their opinions through our demo- voices behind it. It formed in small, the link between the Tea Party’s be- er Roman leader who was made dic- cratic system, they think rioting in local groups, most of which are run havior and their success. tator after illegally leading an army the streets is the best way to imple- by volunteers (who have families, Of course the Tea Party’s success into Rome, showing that it was pos- ment their economy-crippling goal careers and other responsibilities was most intimately linked with its sible to treat the law with impunity of wealth confiscation and redistri- to attend to), and receive no more and be rewarded for it, paving the message. It formed with the clear bution. That is not the way Ameri- funding than what they can get from way for Caesar’s later domination). goal of opposing Obama’s growth can government works. donations. Contrast this with the “This is what democracy looks of government and electing conser- At the same time, liberal leader- conglomeration of long-established vatives in 2010. To do this, it ral- like,” they chant. They could not be activist organizations currently def- ship wholly supports the demon- further from the truth. lied, presented information, and strators. “God bless the Wall Street ecating across Zuccotti Park. Noah Kantro is a sophomore in raised awareness through legiti- protestors,” said Nancy Pelosi. Mr. Another difference between this the College of Engineering. He can be mate means. The occupiers’ goal has Obama says he understands why group and the Tea Party is subtle; reached at [email protected].

CR 2012 October 13, 2011 9 With Christie and Palin Opting Not To Run, the 2012 Field Is Set Romney and Perry now look to gather up the remaining undecided primary voters – and donors

Michael Alan reflect on my decision. When I saw Campus News Editor serious people from all across the country passionately calling on me thepoliticalcarnival.net Both of these men are very clearly desperate to be President. ver the last few weeks, two po- to do something as consequential as Otential contenders for the Re- running for President of the United so badly to stage a media campaign. I Christie’s backers, however, publican presidential nomination States, I felt an obligation to earnest- think it could be done,” Cox told the aren’t the only ones shopping for a Cornell Republicans during his Oc- new candidate. Former Alaska gov- opted not to enter the race, effec- ly consider their advice.” tively indicating that the field of tober 2nd visit. ernor and 2008 Vice Presidential Christie had been courted by bun- candidates is set and allowing for- But while Christie’s exit may nominee Sarah Palin announced on dlers (the bigwigs that help candi- mer Massachusetts Governor Mitt have disappointed his backers, it October 5th that she too would not dates raise a lot of money) and grass- Romney and Texas Governor Rick seems they didn’t waste a lot of time seek the nomination. The decision roots leaders from the early primary Perry to breathe a sigh of relief. finding a new candidate. Early re- allows Palin to continue her seem- states to throw his hat into the ring, New Jersey Governor Chris ports indicate that another gover- ingly effective policy activism and but it wasn’t until his September 27th Christie, a grassroots favorite for his nor from a Northeastern state, Mitt successful career as an author and speech at the Reagan Library that candor and willingness to take on Romney, is the candidate benefiting Fox News commentator. Candi- his previous Shermanesque state- tough targets like public employee most from his departure. The Wall dates looking for Palin supporters, ments began to be called into ques- unions in his normally blue state, Street Journal reported soon after a list which undoubtedly includes held a press conference on October tion. The speech was widely lauded Christie’s press conference that as the House’s Tea Party Caucus Chair- 4th indicating that he had given the for showcasing Christie’s presiden- many as twenty bundlers that were woman Michele Bachmann, are countless urgings to run his full con- tial potential and demonstrating a waiting for Christie’s decision had hoping to channel their grassroots sideration, but that his decision had grasp of the issues – everything from signed on to support Romney, in- enthusiasm. A Palin endorsement not changed. foreign policy to the federal govern- cluding the billionaire venture cap- was a big prize for Republican can- “For months, I’ve been adamant ment’s ballooning deficits – beyond italist and co-founder of Home didates in the 2010 midterms, bol- about the fact that I would not run what is expected of a governor. Depot, Ken Langone. The New York stering both their campaign coffers for President. My language was Even New York State Republican Times later reported that Rom- and turnout at the polls, and her sup- clear, and direct, no matter how Party Chairman Ed Cox floated the ney had also recruited the support porters are expected to carry similar many times I was asked the ques- idea of a Christie candidacy. “One of another prominent Christie fan, sway in the presidential primary. tion. For me, the answer was never of the things he could do is stay in JP Morgan Chase Vice Chairman anything but no,” Christie told re- New Jersey, because he really wants James Lee, who raised nearly a half a Michael Alan is a sophomore in porters, before adding, “It wasn’t to finish his job there, and use these million dollars for Senator John Mc- the ILR School. He can be reached at until recently that I paused to really big money guys that want him to run Cain in the 2008 campaign. [email protected].

and there and retire at a young age theologically should be Romney ter- with full pension. He then made ritory) and California (where he is himself the enemy of nearly every currently visiting upon the writing The Christie Bid officer in the state. But he didn’t of this article). stop there; he continually worked to But I agree with his decision not Waiting is better… I hope. do everything he could in his power to run this season. He has to finish to make New Jersey more efficient Anthony Longo generally the Republicans in the au- the job he started in New Jersey be- President dience (albeit the few there were) and less corrupt, and (most impor- fore he could claim the experience gave him a standing ovation. After tantly) he seeks to bring in more rev- required for President (although in knew Chris Christie when he was his speech, his presenter joked, enue and increase the incentives to recent years this experience require- Inobody. “Who knows…maybe he’ll be the inhabit the Garden State. ment seems to have been waived). Annually, New Jersey dumps next Governor of New Jersey!” Ap- “He’s unelectable!” jeer his oppo- Christie has decided not to pull nearly a thousand high school ju- plause and laughter. Some chanting. sition, of which there is much of in a ‘Sarah Palin’ and fail to even fin- niors on the campus of Rider Uni- It was clearly a joke. He likely had New Jersey. That may be true. He did ish his term. Palin lost all credibility versity for an event called Boys not even considered running, since infuriate police officers and teach- (if she had any) when she did that. State—a weeklong convention of he didn’t even announce his candi- ers, which by conservative estimates Christie may have been the most leadership, politics, brotherhood, dacy until January 2009. So, I think make up approximately 99.98% of powerful GOP force against Obama, and female-lusting. Every day, the that he may have laughed heartily the state. [Note: by teachers I in- but he still may not have won if he thousand-or-so boys would cram when the statement came up. None clude the “school administrators” ran, due to lack of preparation and into one of Rider’s inappropriately of the thousand hormonally-raging that make six figures and yet have funding (the latter arguably more small auditoriums to hear a present- boys took it seriously, either. never stepped foot in a classroom or important). However, if he chooses er speak—typically a well-to-do New But the joke came true, and on even met a student.] The ardor with (and I hope he does) to run in the Jersey politician or statewide leader. January 19, 2010 New Jersey found which many of these folks lash back next election, he will be an extreme- One of the speakers for 2008 Boys itself at the command of the Newark- is quite scary. And for the teach- ly strong candidate—even despite State, which I attended, was the US born lawyer. He aspired to do what ers, many are spreading this hatred whatever political changes and can- Attorney for the District of New Jer- no New Jersey politician had ever to their students—future voters. didates spring up. But it would be sey, a jovial but hardcore fellow by dreamed of—take on the ballooning, But just because he’s unelectable cool to someday be able to say that the name of Chris Christie. gluttonous, wretched force known in the state does not mean he’s un- some guy I saw speak in some little Of course, no one had ever heard as the Teachers Union. Needless electable on the national scale. In auditorium when I was seventeen of him. (This is not to say that he to say, he simultaneously made en- fact, there is much evidence to sug- became the 46th President of the hadn’t accomplished a lot or wasn’t emies with the 605 school districts gest he is extremely popular—he is United States! an amazing person!) He gave a rous- in New Jersey. He then took on the already the chairperson-at-large of Anthony Longo is a junior in the ing speech of which the contents wage corruption in the police force, the Republican Governors Associa- College of Arts and Sciences. honestly elude me (and I wish I in which officers could rack up gross tion and has fans in every state—no- He can be reached at ajl272@ C could remember), but I remember sums for a little bit of overtime here tably Utah (which theoretically and cornell.edu. R 10 October 13, 2011 Campus should not be to the detriment of the Intolerance rights of the greatest number. Even Urbina’s Journalistic Continued from page 2 Locke, who in his A Letter Concern- ing Tolerance argued passionately to an intolerable extent, tolerance for the freedom of conscience, was Integrity at Question is ultimately reduced to intolerance unwilling to extend this principle towards what is intolerable. to atheists precisely because they Karim Lakhani May of this year and, according to To avoid such fallacies of logic, Professor Robert Howarth’s state- didn’t have any conscience. Similar- Treasurer Forst argued that tolerance is an ab- ment to the Cornell Chronicle: ly, if an authoritarian regime should solute and ethically neutral concept his article is not about frack- “Shale gas is worse than convention- theoretically ban an anti-govern- Ting, its benefits, its dangers, or al gas and is, in fact, worse than coal dependent on our normative un- ment party only if it subverts its au- if I support it. These questions will and worse than oil…” A month later, derstanding of justice, freedom and thority, it is only fair that in a democ- be answered by science, and science the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- pragmatism. Tolerance can be ‘good’ racy, those who reject the principle alone. It is about basic journalistic nology released a study that found only if the reasons for tolerating are of tolerance have no right to be tol- credibility. Ian Urbina, a reporter for that replacing coal-fired power ‘good’. In that case, he asked, who erated. A democracy should never the New York Times, was brought plants with natural gas plants is “the gets to decide what is ‘good’ and allow anti-democratic groups to to Cornell on Tuesday as the “Kops lowest cost way to reduce carbon what is ‘bad’ when it comes to tol- exist even though they are not vio- Freedom of The Press” lecturer. Ur- dioxide emissions by up to 50 per- erance? An authority can grant per- lent or dangerous. bina’s work on hydrofracking has cent.” M.I.T. professors also criti- mission to people to live according Tolerance rests on the twin prin- been characterized by some as being cized Cornell’s study as being “a re- to their convictions as long as they ciples of reciprocity and reasonabil- groundbreaking, but his work is ally poor piece of work.” do not do not challenge its sover- much less reliable and trustworthy ity. One cannot expect treatment When the opportunity came for eignty. However, this vertical form than it seems. Cornell to bring a journalist that from others that one would not give of tolerance can turn out to be a per- For more information, I inter- could speak about Freedom of the to them. Simultaneously, the reasons petuation of domination as it rests viewed Jon Entine, a Senior Fel- Press, it seems as though they fo- given for tolerance must be deduc- low at the Center for Health & Risk cused more on finding an individual on the goodwill of the rulers as well ible from valid and acceptable prin- Communication and the Statistical who backed up their poorly admin- as the clever policy of creating loyal ciples. We cannot ask a racist to be Assessment Service (STATS) at istered study, instead of a fair, un- citizens out of potential enemies. Al- tolerant but we can try to convince George Mason University. Entine biased individual that truly exem- ternatively, people can decide on a him to stop being a racist as racism is writes for publications across the plified journalistic integrity. Urbina common commitment to the princi- a universally condemnable attitude. political spectrum and has closely has manipulated public opinion by ple of tolerance. In this sense, toler- One should try to think as a law- examined Urbina’s work. Entine ex- using unreliable sources and provid- ance is a stance accepted by citizens giver in a democracy to test if one’s plained that there are two clear is- ing biased, one-sided information. towards each other, acknowledging objections to opposing opinions are sues at stake. First, throughout the Cornell has rewarded him in an at- that they disagree on the most im- strong enough. Mere objection is not lecture, Urbina bragged of having tempt to improve its reputation. If portant matters but agree to com- sufficient to justify rejection.- How thousands of pages of paperwork Urbina’s works were opinion pieces, ply with certain basic rules of social ever, indifference should also not that “resulted in and have given rise journalistic principles would not be interaction. Both of these tenden- be mistaken for tolerance because to the impact the series has had.” En- at question, but his fracking series cies co-exist in modern democracy, tine explained that although most of has been classified as investigative it often becomes necessary to stop which invariably involves the power the quotes Urbina uses are from so- news and, astonishingly, the New being indifferent to preserve the in- called “anonymous” sources, Arthur York Times has continued to allow of the majority to define the mean- violability of tolerance. Jonas Pro- E. Berman, a Houston geologist, was its progression. ing of tolerance. ast, who disputed Locke’s notion of cited for his criticism of natural gas All energy sources have risks as- So what should a democracy do tolerance based on the liberal view drilling from shale. What is not ex- sociated with them. It is time we when faced with the questions of that people are autonomous authors plained by Urbina or the “credible” have a clear discussion about natu- freedom of religion or the existence of their lives, successfully demon- New York Times is that Berman had ral gas that fairly analyzes costs and of anti-democratic groups? In a ma- strated that a legitimate exercise of a clear financial conflict associated benefits in comparison to other en- joritarian regime, toleration of dis- power is indispensible in an orga- with natural gas drilling. Berman is ergy sources. I expected more from senters is based on the expectation nized society. Anarchic liberty, if tol- a strategic partner for Middlefield The New York Times and from Cor- that the minorities will submit to the erated, would seriously impair our Capital, a company invested in other nell; “Freedom of the Press” entails dominance of the majority. On the understanding of tolerance. If a civi- non-natural energy companies. Ber- accredited organizations like these contrary, it can be argued that since lized way of life is to survive amidst man had a clear stake in aggressively the freedom to express their opin- it is impossible to coerce a person’s challenges of war, fundamentalism, and publicly opposing natural ener- ions, but the responsibility to clear- and bigotry, the principle of toler- gy, not a sign of a credible source for ly differentiate those opinions from conscience, it is much more pru- an “investigative” piece. facts. dent to accept people’s diverse cul- ance must be upheld, by intolerance The second— and more problem- tural identities rather than discrimi- if need be. atic—issue also discussed with En- Karim Lakhani is a sophomore in nate against ways of life that appear tine is the connection between Urbi- the School of Hotel Administration. unconventional or alien. But one Kushagra Aniket is a freshman in na and the Cornell Study on fracking. He can be reached at kml248@cor- must remember that redefining cul- the College of Arts & Sciences. He can The Cornell Study was released in nell.edu. tural norms or political institutions be reached at [email protected].

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CR Campus October 13, 2011 11 TEDx Myrick Vies for Ithaca: Continued from page 5 money. He reasoned that communi- ties could help identify errors and Should You Care? improve products. Alfonse Muglia students not to express their opin- Commons. In the city of Ithaca, In general, TED talks are de- Campus News Editor ions. He likens unregistered stu- Democrats constitute 8 of every 9 signed to motivate people to impact dents to others in the community registered, party-affiliated voter. society through innovation. Miki vante Myrick, ’09, was more than who cannot vote. These same Ithacans, according Agrawal, a Cornell alumnus, spoke the typical Cornell student. From S “6 year olds can’t vote,” remarked to Myrick, are angry about the in- of her success as a social entrepre- humble beginnings, he emerged Myrick in a recent interview with consistencies of their city’s govern- neur in developing a pizza restau- as a leader on the systematic cam- the Cornell Review, “but we should ment. They also wish the city’s uni- rant called Slice. She noted that she pus by his sophomore year. He as- still keep in mind the interests of 6 versities were more engaged in the had trouble eating regular pizza be- sumed responsibility roles in some year olds.” interests of the town – something fore as a lactose intolerant individ- of the most structured organizations Of course, Cornell students are Myrick echoed. ual, and implied that pizza, a very on campus, yet always remembered more educated than this group of “The University is not contribut- large part of the food industry in the where he came from by showing ea- Ithaca’s future activists, yet their ing enough to the tax base,” he de- United States, contributed to wide- gerness to care for the less fortunate cries are no louder. When Cornell clared. “I will engage the University spread obesity. Although she had no in the Ithaca community. students do speak, their voices are in a conversation.” background in food or the restau- Two years after his graduation, heard. The problem is that they are This is the adult version of the rant industry, she was able to net- this same Myrick – a combination not speaking up in great numbers Svante Myrick that first stepped on work with friends to build upon her of political correctness and devote when it comes to local matters. As the Cornell campus six years ago. concept. humanitarianism – continues to win a result, when issues of interest to This transformation can be attrib- “I urge you guys to commit with the hearts of the Ithaca common the students—like building regula- uted to a young man who realized folk. His allure appears to be work- me, to take that first step, and you tions aimed at lowering rent for ten- the opportunities and resources that ing, as the Ithaca novice has earned too can become a social entrepre- ants and business owners alike—are Cornell gave him. the Democratic Party’s nomination neur,” said Agrawal, who echoed the brought to the table, their voices are “Being in a fraternity taught me for mayor. panel’s call for students to take ad- marginalized. how to best manage personality,” As the calendar turns toward the vantage of their bright peers to cre- said the former SAE brother. ate networks. “At a young age, you are given In an energetic and lively end- the opportunity to manage a ing, professor of Computer Science large household and manage Graeme Bailey emphasized this interests.” need, saying that when an individu- If elected, Myrick would al comes up with a unique concept, be the youngest mayor in “the idea is so slow that when you’re Ithaca’s history and the first a fraction into it, it’s half evaporated. African-American. Collaboration with people in other That being said, he has areas is critical.” come this far by using the TED talks are not designed to same, age-old campaign force ideas upon their audiences. tactics: promising to lower taxes, while pitting the well- Nor are they simply opportunities off against the masses. Itha- for speakers to plug their business- cans have responded posi- es or organizations. The first Cornell tively to the message. TEDx, in the spirit of TED, echoed a Meanwhile, all Cornell call for entrepreneurship and intel- lectual innovation amongst the stu- svantemyrick.com students that face the same opportunities and resourc- dent body. Though events like this es are confronted with the one tend to be populated with liber- conflict between their lives als, their general sentiment is laud- in the real world and their able and serves as a springboard for conservatives to apply tested prin- general election, one may wonder daily routines on campus. Because of this, Myrick—a for- how the presence of a young, Cor- Myrick may have found his oppor- ciples to new concepts. Cornell stu- mer Sigma Alpha Epsilon Vice-Pres- nell graduate in the executive chair tunity to make a difference right dents should realize that in order to ident and Interfraternity Council VP would affect the University’s rela- here in Tompkins County, but most tower above the masses and achieve for Communications—has rightfully tions with the city and the reputa- will do so elsewhere in society. In breakthroughs in thought and deed, chosen to turn his attention to the tion it holds from Cayuga Heights the process, they forget about their challenging societal norms is a interests of the Ithaca masses. to Buttermilk Falls. How could the lives in Ithaca, a city that has been must. Otherwise, it is awfully easy lives of Cornell students – particu- “I knocked on every door, and slow to represent their concerns in to become indistinguishable and larly those with interests in Colleg- learned that the people are frustrat- Collegetown. unremarkable. etown – be touched? ed by the extremely high proper- It is a perennial cycle. Ithaca’s Dillon Hickman is a freshman in The reality is that the mayor’s ty taxes,” he stated. “You hear how elected officials show little inter- the School of Industrial & Labor Re- jurisdiction legally includes a dis- much people love living here. They est in the improvement of Colleg- lations. He can be reached at dgh63@ heartening small portion of Cornell love the culture and what being etown because few Cornell students cornell.edu. students, the majority of whom are around these institutions adds to bring them into office. Student apa- registered in their hometowns and their lives. But a lot of people are get- thy then continues from the lack of therefore cannot vote in the mayor- ting taxed right out of their homes.” support. al election. This exemplified itself in The 24-year-old former-frater- If the 2007 election numbers the 2007 election, when 63 of 8000 nity brother is running for mayor of are any indication, a familiar num- Collegetown residents (Ithaca’s 4th Ithaca with the pledge of lowering ber—99%—of Cornell students will Ward) came to the polls. In that year the property taxes of Ithacans. show little interest in the Ithaca leg- Myrick captured a seat on the Com- “When I decided to run for mayor islative process going forward. The mon Council, and for the ensuring it wasn’t just on behalf of the 4th opportunity for real change in their four years, he represented a constit- Ward,” he continued. “You get in- college living environment will re- uency of whom less than 1% actually volved because you want to do some- main out of reach. voted. thing, and when you look around the Even a 24-year-old Cornellian This phenomenon is the result town or the world, there is no short- mayor will be unable to modify that. of a lack of registration stemming age of things to be improved. from student apathy in the local leg- This is the message that has cap- Alfonse Muglia is a sophomore in islative process. Myrick understands tured the votes of the Ithaca mass- the School of Industrial and Labor this fact, yet finds it no reason for es – the 99% that continues to Relations. He can be reached at C rally before Bank of America in the [email protected]. R 12 October 13, 2011 Wisemen & Fools The Nation that makes a Letterman's top ten list; I they can vote themselves Washington in particular and great distinction between thought probably eight out of money, that will herald one day they got a picture its scholars and its warriors the ten were really funny. the end of the republic. of General Washington, and will have its thinking Chris Christie Benjamin Franklin hung it up in the Back House. done by cowards and its Mr. Allen Could see it and fighting done by fools. If A is success in life, then Our Constitution was they finally asked Mr A if he Thucydides A equals x plus y plus z. made only for a moral saw that picture of his friend Work is x; y is play; and z is and religious people. It is in the Back House. Mr Allen An honest man can feel no keeping your mouth shut. wholly inadequate to the said no. but said he thought pleasure in the exercise of Albert Einstein government of any other. that it was a very appropri- power over his fellow citizens. John Adams ate place for an Englishman to Thomas Jefferson Necessity is the plea for keep it. Why they asked. For every infringement of human The only true labor leader said Mr Allen there is Nothing There are a lot of reasons freedom. It is the argument of is the one who leads labor that will make an Englishman not to elect me. tyrants; it is the creed of slaves. to work and to wages, Shit So quick as the Sight Mitt Romney William Pitt and not the leader who of General Washington. leads labor to strikes, Abraham Lincoln Paying taxes is voluntary. Bill is the greatest husband sabotage, and starvation. Sen. Harry Reid and father I know. No Henry Ford Government is not reason, it one is more faithful, true, is not eloquence—it is force; There is no and honest than he. You do NOT want to like fire, a dangerous servant better way Hillary Clinton be between Michelle and a fearful master. Never to reinforce and a tamale. for a moment should it be the likelihood I did not have sexual Barack Obama left to irresponsible action. that others in relations with that woman. George Washington the world will Bill Clinton And now, a Humorous tale. opt for more It appears that Shortly after Change change change open societies and economies We are an exceptional nation we had pease with England change change change than to demonstrate that our and we plan to keep it that Mr. [Ethan] Allen had oc- change change change own system is working. way! Mediocrity is not in our casion to visit England, and change change change Chris Christie DNA. while their the English took change change change Herman Cain Great pleasure in teasing him, change change change It's not news flash to me and trying to Make fun of When the people find that that I'm overweight. I saw the Americans and General Barack Obama

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