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70Th Anniversary November 2017 November 2017 V.70|N 70th Anniversary November 2017 November 2017 v.70|n. 11 Issue Highlights 3 Toward a Strong and Sustainable Officers Club Jonathan L. Gifford President 6 Destruction of Capitalism Deanna Marcum Vice-President 10 Into the Stars Wendy Frieman Secretary 13 Jazz Evening Robert P. Bremner Treasurer 16 Outlook for the US Economy David R. Ford Past President 18 Democracy for Hire Board of Management Donald P. Hilty (also Assistant 20 Club Anniversary: Honoring the Treasurer), Philip E. Huber, Ronald W. Past While Anticipating the Future Manderscheid, Ruth Rudolph Perlin, Lisa A. Olson, Anthony A. Williams, Caroline 23 Staged Reading: Luther C. Willis (also Assistant Secretary), Arthur E. Wise 25 Diplomacy: Persuasion, Trust and Values General Manager: Mitchell Platt 29 The Wharf on the Southwest Waterfront Cosmos Club Bulletin published monthly (except August) at 2121 Massachusetts 31 Photos on Display Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008. 34 70 Years of the Cosmos Club Editor: Judy C. Holoviak. Bulletin Associate Editors: Ann Crittenden, David B. Bowes, D. Elizabeth Crompton, Jean 38 From the GM Taylor Federico, Susan Pearce, George E. Watson and Barry D. Wood. The Cosmos Club does not take a position Senior Advisor: Marlene Tanzer. on the views expressed at programs held at the Club. Editors Emeriti: John R. Gibson and Ian S. McDonald. Cover. Facsimile of the cover of the Desktop: Michael Cramblitt. first issue of the Cosmos Club Bulle- [email protected] tin produced in November 1947. See www.cosmosclub.org page 34. 2 COSMOS CLUB BULLETIN President’s Column Toward a Strong and Sustainable Club By Jonathan L. Gifford (’98) During the 2016-17 Club year, the Board of Management made great progress in understanding import- ant facts about the Club’s ability to develop our property. The idea that we could expand our facilities has been something many Boards have dis- cussed in the past. This year, the Board, with the aid of a special Development Commit- tee*, gained substantial insight into our options. We learned that our land occupies two different zoning districts, which permit limited devel- and the bylaws, the Board presented opment in the back or north parking this information to the membership. lot and more substantial development After careful consideration, the on our south parcel, particularly the Development Committee recommend- west garden parking lot. We received ed and the Board agreed at its meeting expert opinion about what we could on September 28 to bring negotiations do in light of current regulations per- with Fivesquares to an end. The Devel- taining to historic preservation. And opment Committee, having finished we obtained legal guidance about its work, has disbanded. protecting our status as a private Club This process has highlighted the and non-profit entity. This information need to make the Club financially is invaluable and far more specific and healthier and more attractive to new informative than the Club has ever and existing members, and to be good had before. stewards of our property. In the com- As many of you know, we also ing months, the Board will launch a received an interesting proposal from series of small discussion groups to Fivesquares Development, a compa- focus on “The Future of the Club.” All ny that was prepared to enter into a interested members will be invited to partnership on terms extraordinarily participate. favorable to the Club. The recent discussion and debate In keeping with its fiduciary duty have also made it obvious that our NOVEMBER 2017 3 Club’s “social capital” is not nearly as Let us all keep Powell’s dictum in strong as many of us believed. Dis- mind as we strive to build a strong and cussion of the development proposal sustainable Club. brought to the fore a deficit in our In closing, I offer my very best good will towards each other. We wishes for Thanksgiving and the ensu- must also tackle that issue. How can ing holiday season. We have much to we discuss difficult and sometimes be thankful for at the Cosmos Club, controversial issues in a manner that not least a superb staff and strong preserves and strengthens our comity management team, who carried us and good will? through a very challenging summer of John Wesley Powell, our illus- construction and renewal of our kitch- trious founder, provides wisdom in en and dining room. If you haven’t yet this regard. At the time of the Club’s visited the Garden Dining Room and founding in 1878, Powell was leading the new 1878 Grille, I encourage you the effort to consolidate a number of to do so soon. different surveys of the Western lands In the meantime, please let me that were being vigorously promoted know your thoughts and suggestions by competing agencies. Washburn’s at [email protected]. history of the Club describes Pow- ell’s intense desire to create a Club in Thank you. which social interactions could exert a moderating force on influential Wash- *Those who served on the recently ingtonians when they debated issues disbanded Development Committee: like this. Here is Washburn’s descrip- appointed members – David Ford (’08), tion of Powell’s views: Steven Trachtenberg (’78), Anthony Wil- liams (’12), Art Wise (’95, chair), and “Misunderstanding and suspicion can Deborah Yogodzinski (’14); ex officio govern the relations of good men when members – Jonathan Gifford (’98, Presi- they are separated from one another. dent), Deanna Marcum (’94, Vice-Pres- Disagreements and misunderstandings ident), Robert Bremner (’05, Treasurer), are more readily overcome if one can Barbara Culliton (’89, House Committee meet one’s peers informally and social- Chair) and Paul Taskier (’10, Legal Advi- ly than if both sides remain removed sor). and aloof.” Minutes of Board meetings are posted on the website for all members to see. They can be found at Member Resources/Governance/Board of Man- agement/Board Minutes. 4 COSMOS CLUB BULLETIN Programs and Events Schedule Reminders Full information about the following events appears in the October Bulletin. Reserve through Member Services or online. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE Wednesday, November 1, 6:30 pm – Robert Daley will assess the assets and deficiencies of the United States and China as global superpowers. Price: $45. (October p. 29) SHAKESPEARE AUTHORSHIP GROUP Friday, November 3, noon – Elisabeth Waugaman will discuss the influence of the French language in Shakespeare’s plays and poems and in the creation of diverse characters in his plays. Price: $22. (October p. 30) SCIENCE GROUP Monday, November 6, noon – Elizabeth Tasker will lead an exploration of exoplanets – worlds more extreme than anything in fiction – and ask whether any could be called home. Price: $19. (October p. 31) MOVIE NIGHT Monday, November 6, 7:30 pm – North by Northwest (1959), the fourth and final teaming of Alfred Hitchcock and Cary Grant. No charge. (October p. 31) Short Fiction Discussion Group Monday, November 13, 5:45 pm November’s selections are “I Stand Here Ironing” by Tillie Olson and “Son- ny’s Blues” by James Baldwin. Items for the Short Fiction Discussion Group can be found in 100 Years of the Best American Short Stories edited by Lorrie Moore and Heidi Pitlor. NOVEMBER 2017 5 PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP Photographer’s Choice Wednesday, November 1, noon “November is the most disagreeable larger than approximately 1800x1000 month in the whole year,” said Lou- are strongly preferred. isa May Alcott’s Meg. Well, maybe; December’s theme is “bridges”; but we hope to have a pleasant and January’s theme is “speed.” agreeable photo luncheon to begin the Those wishing to join the discus- month. There is no specific theme for sion must make advance reservations; this session. otherwise, the room assigned for the Those wishing to submit pho- program may not be large enough to tographs for review and discussion accommodate all comfortably. should send them as e-mail attach- Charles Jackson (’07) ments to [email protected]. Photography Group Photos can be in any common file Lunch at noon. Reserve with Member format. Images with pixel dimensions Services or online. Price: $19. PROGRAM COMMITTEE Destruction of Capitalism – Reflections and Reforms Thursday, November 2, 6:30 pm Americans are increasingly concerned that massive corporations in the Unit- ed States and abroad have aggregated and now wield enormous economic and political power. These companies overcharge consumers, commit fraud on a huge scale, do not adequately protect the personal data they hold, and have the political power to put their people into key positions of gov- ernment. They not only threaten our culture and our democracy, but capi- Ralph Nader talism itself. In part this new public aware- remarks by candidate Donald Trump, ness can be attributed to “populist” which thus far have not resulted in 6 COSMOS CLUB BULLETIN corporate reform, but have instead ernment reform causes.” Nader is the yielded more power to the business person behind the formation of a great elite. Whatever the cause, voices today many public-interest organizations are calling for everything from limit- and movements, a former candidate ing the size of the largest companies to for US president and someone whose capping executive salaries. What kinds name became a household word. He of reforms make the most sense? will share his reflections on how giant Ralph Nader has spent decades firms are destroying capitalism and his considering how corporate power proposals for reform. might be tamed. Wikipedia describes Bert Foer (’07) him simply as “an American political Program Committee activist, author, lecturer and attorney, Cocktails at 6:30 pm; dinner at 7. Reserve noted for his involvement in consumer with Member Services or online. Price: protection, environmentalism and gov- $45. ON THE MOVE GROUP Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery Saturday, November 4, 1 pm Ellen Miles (’05) will lead an intro- (or more, if desired), there will be a ductory tour of the pre-Civil War break for coffee (not included as part of building (1836-1860) that now houses the tour) in the magnificent courtyard, the National Portrait Gallery and the with its soaring glass roof designed by Smithsonian American Art Museum.
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