ALSO: Early Decision, Conservative Confessions, Midterm Elections Preview, Internships, & Iraq THE PRINCETON From the Publisher

Dear Princetonian, TOctoberORY 2006 Volume XXIV - Issue II During a discussion with interested fresh- men at our open house, there was mention made Publisher of the Tory’s reputation for reactionism. Some Juliann Vikse ‘08 students fault the magazine’s perceived tendency to unleash a harangue against any change our Editor in Chief Production Manager administration attempts to impose. In their eyes, Christian Sahner ‘07 Ward Benson ‘07 this publication is a backward-looking one that Managing Editors Financial Manager routinely associates any sort of progress with the Jordan Reimer ‘08 Matthew Martin ‘08 degradation of traditional values and a slippery Will Scharf ‘08 slope to mass havoc. Production Team Copy Editors Brendan Lyons ‘09 To these students’ credit, mechanical, knee-jerk aversion to change in a col- Jordan Rodriguez ‘08 Rick Morgan ‘09 Bryan Bunch ‘09 Ryan McCullough ‘08 lege environment is not only misguided and impractical, but also largely self-de- feating. I would guess that most—if not all—of the significant changes that Princ- Webmaster Operations Manager eton has instituted throughout the last century have faced at least mild opposition Kira Schiavello ‘08 Madeline Taylor ‘08 by one student group or another. Yet, many of these social and academic adjust- ments have vastly improved student life over the last few decades, far beyond the obvious expansion of student demographics. What role, then, should a magazine Staff Writers such as the Tory play in the campus dialogue? Mike Alonso ’07 Johnny Love ’09 Whitney Green ’07 Brendan Lyons ’09 I concede that a substantial portion of the magazine is usually dedicated to Adam Litterman ’07 Andrew Malcolm ’09 critiquing recent decisions and University developments. In typically conservative Matt MacDonald ’07 Rick Morgan ’09 fashion, we’re known to lament the abandonment of established institutions (for Sherif Girgis ‘08 Emily Peña ‘09 Brian Extein ‘08 Wyatt Yankus ’09 example, Early Decision- p.18), an annoying prevalence of political correctness Matthew Schmitz ’08 Jose Alicea ‘10 (as exemplified by the ORL’s new agenda- p.7), and what we view as the rejection David Colquitt ’09 Jonathan Extein ‘10 of important traditions and moral precepts. However, I contend that this function Leon Furchtgott ’09 Wes Morgan ‘10 is an essential one, for the simple reason that not all change is good change. This past spring, we published articles that analyzed the role of the USG in student and Board of Trustees community affairs, Tilghman’s dealings with stem cell research proponents, and Peter Heinecke ’87 Brian Tvenstrup ’95 the potential pitfalls of the proposed Arts Initiative. Rather than simply compose David Daniels ’89 Wickham Schmidt ’99 resentful diatribes, the authors not only critiqued the actions and decisions made Anna Bray Duff ’92 Timothy Webster ’99 by the University, but also proposed alternative, more realistic means to reach similar ends Peter Hegseth ’02 What we hope to bring to the table is crucial: viewpoints that are too rarely The Princeton Tory is a journal of conservative and articulated. By addressing topical issues, thoroughly researching the University moderate political thought written, edited and produced by Princeton University students and delivered free of institutions in question, and conducting interviews with students and administra- charge to all Princeton students and faculty. The Princeton tors, our writers hope to convincingly express a collective voice of reason that is Tory is a publication of The Princeton Tory, Inc. Opinions normally inaudible over the chorus of overzealous campus progressives. We hope expressed herein are those of the authors and not neces- that you will find our arguments sensible and compelling, if not entirely persua- sarily those of the editors, trustees, Princeton University, sive. Even if agreeing with us is about as likely as a President Hillary, please or the Princeton Tory, Inc. at least read the viewpoints we present and, if so inclined, send a well-reasoned The Princeton Tory accepts letters to the editor. Direct correspondence to: P.O. Box 1499, Princeton, NJ explanation as to why we’re wrong. 08542; or by e-mail: [email protected]. Advertise- ment rates for The Princeton Tory can be found on the We look forward to hearing from you! magazine’s website at www.princetontory.com. Donations to The Princeton Tory are fully tax-deductible. Please mail Sincerely, donations to: P.O. Box 1499, Princeton, NJ 08542. The Princeton Tory is a member of the Collegiate Juliann Vikse ‘08 Network. The Princeton Tory gives special thanks to [email protected] the Intercollegiate Studies Institute, Princeton Alumni Viewpoints, and The Bachman Foundation. The Princeton Tory, Inc. is a non-profit corporation registered in New Jersey. No part of this publication Letters to the Editors: should be construed to promote any pending legislation or to support any candidate for office. No part of this [email protected] publication may be reproduced without express written P.O. Box 1499, Princeton, New Jersey 08542 consent of the Publisher. Copyright © 2005, The Princeton Tory, Inc. The editors welcome, and will print, letters on any topic.

2 · THE PRINCETON TORY OCTOBER 2006 THE PRINCETON TORY October 2006 www.princetontory.com

IN THIS ISSUE:

POINTS & PUNTS 5 The Tory comments on:  Freshman elections  The minimum wage in Chicago  Riots at Columbia and more...

CAMPUS 7 Shirley’s Angels The Office of Religious Life At Princeton Matthew Schmitz ’08 9 My Conservative Confessions An Open Letter to the Class of 2010 Emely Peña ‘09 11 Think Tanks 101 An Insider’s Perspective Brian Extein ’08 COVER: page 7

NATIONAL 14 Quarreling Elephants An Election Preview Joel Alicea ‘10

GLOBAL 16 A Summer of Decision For US Commanders In Iraq Wesley Morgan ‘10

THE LAST WORD 18 Throwing Caution To The Wind Princeton Fumbles Again by Ending Early Admission Will Scharf ‘08

OCTOBER 2006 THE PRINCETON TORY · 3 OINTS UNTS P The freshman elections are taking place in October, and it’s& policies.” UnfortunatelyP for Pelosi, the voters will decide if this clear that they are an exercise in how not to run a democratic really what economic failure looks like. election. The candidates won’t be speaking to the class, and their campaigning is limited to either putting up posters no one will  At the grand opening of the LGBT Center in Frist Campus read or greeting people in a manner that will determine the fate of Center, as reported by the Daily Princetonian, Shirley Tilghman their candidacies. In short, the entire election will come down to stated that “We were named among the top 20 universities in the the candidates’ statements, which people will probably disregard country for LGBT student life... which was more important to me before casting their votes. Why don’t we ask Hugo Chavez to pay than the U.S. News mention of Princeton as the top university us a visit and teach us how to run elections? They would likely be in the nation.” There is nothing wrong with the existence of an more democratic... LGBT center; but is Tilghman placing more importance on the improved comfort of one sect of the student population than on  Mark Warner, former Dem- the advancement of the student body at large? ocratic Governor of Virginia, just announced that he will not  Though it seems highly unnatural, the Tory must applaud a seek his party’s nomination for recent action by Chicago’s long-time Democratic Mayor Richard the Presidency in 2008. Warner Daley. In mid-September Daley vetoed legislation passed by the said that he wants to spend time Chicago city council that called for with his family. I went to high a minimum wage hike that only school with two of Warner’s applied to so-called “Big Box” cor- daughters and interviewed the porations—mainly national retail former Governor myself: He chains such as Wal-Mart. Daley certainly is a family man, but rightly asserted that such a bill, it stretches my imagination to essentially a discriminatory tax on believe that politics did not economically important but widely factor into his decision. Warner unpopular corporations, would Mark Warner has been preparing for this cam- dissuade the retailers from locat- paign since he left the Gover- ing in Chicago and thus harm the nor’s office and perhaps even earlier. Reporters and pundits have economic interests of the poor and been talking him up as a centrist alternative, who worked with minority Chicagoans whom the bill Daley in the right? the Republican Virginian legislature to solve the state’s loom- was intended to help. Supporting ing budget issues. He certainly looks a lot better than Governor his decision is the fact that while Bill Richardson of New Mexico, who is known to “touch” his his veto drew criticism from numerous liberal groups and leaders aides and even the Lieutenant Governor. The fact of the matter is such as Jesse Jackson, the city council members representing the he doesn’t stand a chance against Hillary in the primaries; why mainly minority and low-income districts were the only ones who should he anger the beast by campaigning against her? Instead, opposed the bill. Thus, while the Tory may have many issues he’s putting himself in an excellent position to join her on the with Mayor Daley, we are proud to support him in this effort to ticket as the VP candidate. As the race heats up and the primaries maintain free market forces in the city of Chicago, especially edge ever closer, keep your eyes open and you’ll see Warner when it is everyone’s economic interest. strategically courting Hillary. The Tory wouldn’t be surprised to find his name on the ballot coming voting day, or to hear that Bill  The recent debate over the Office of Admissions’ decision Richardson was found crying in a corner in Santa Fe. to end the Early Decision program has largely focused on issues of equality and convenience for graduating high school seniors.  Now that gas prices have fallen However, it is important to note an alternative take on the deci- for twelve straight weeks, the Dow sion. Every year, hundreds if not thousands of high school stu- Jones Industrial Average has broken dents will send off applications to every Ivy League school, and its record high, and we are at statisti- each will claim that every school is their “top choice.” Given this cally full employment, perhaps the situation, it is difficult to determine which students are truly inter- Democrats should scrap their claim ested in a Princeton education and are likely to become the most that Republicans have mishandled the loyal and dedicated students and alumni. The Early Decision economy. In response to the record program was the single measure by which the Office of Admis- breaking Dow, House Minority Lead- sions could truly measure a candidate’s commitment to Prince- er Nancy Pelosi issued a statement ton—it was a risk many students would not take unless they were encouraging voters not to overlook sure that Princeton was their top choice. Early Decision may not President Bush’s “failed economic Is Pelosi grasping? have been a perfect system, but at least it did more than anything 4 · THE PRINCETON TORY OCTOBER 2006 POINTS & PUNTS else to tease out who really wanted to live the rest of their life in Administration’s foreign policy. While we may want to see the orange and black, and would not have just as easily settled for spread of democracy, we must remember that not all democra- crimson or blue and white. (Read an extended argument regard- cies are created equal and given the situations in many countries ing Early Decision in the “Last Word,” p. 18-19.) in the world, democracy, at least at this point, may not always be the ideal form of government. Moreover, if we are to spread  Aside from the predictable coverage on FoxNews, the recent democracy to countries such as Iran and North Korea, we must be disruption of a speech at Columbia by members of an anti-illegal far more willing to work through established political institutions immigration organization known as the Minutemen received less and leaders. We should not simply call for mass revolutions by attention than it deserved. When students violently charged the the people. Failure to do so will not only doom our attempts to stage and engaged in a protracted scuffle with members of the spread democracy, but probably lead to anarchy and violence on group, they crossed the line between legitimate protest and thug- the same scale or worse than what we have seen in Iraq. gish behavior. The students chanted, “Minutemen, Nazis, KKK!” as the Minutemen tried to engage in a dialogue with members of the Columbia community. Much of what makes the Minute- men movement distressing is the fact that it supports a vigilante approach to justice that may ignore individual rights. No matter how much Columbia students may dislike the Minutemen, they should not adopt the group’s own tactics to fight them.

 Every day in Iraq, dozens of civilians are murdered execu- tion-style or blown up in mosques and marketplaces, coalition forces are targeted by IEDs, and the political system becomes increasingly dysfunctional. Yet despite the clear failure of the US to establish a liberal democracy after the fall of Saddam, the Bush administration continues to call for regime change by any means necessary in Iran and North Korea. Bush seemingly does so without regard to what the likely outcome would be if these regimes fell without an orderly transition. Surely, these  And finally, in another example of politically correct hypoc- regimes, especially that of Kim Jong-Il, are among the most vile risy, a friend of the Tory at Northeastern University in Boston and repressive in history, and of course the Tory supports the reports that as part of the University’s gay pride week, univer- spread of liberal, democratic ideals and institutions throughout sity funds were used to hire male strippers to strip for gay male the world. However, if the Bush Administration is to stay true to students at a university event. During a discussion session (read: its supposedly conservative philosophy, the Tory suggests that it reeducation session) that followed, the student objected to the consult the man who many believe to be the founder of conserva- event, claiming the hiring of strippers for students of any sexual tive philosophy—Edmund Burke. In his work Reflections on the orientation was not an appropriate use of University funds. He Revolution in France, Burke makes two critical points that are was roundly condemned by his student advisors as a bigot and relevant to our current situation. Firstly, while a value such as homophobe, despite his repeated insistence that he would have democracy might be been just as opposed to the hiring of female strippers for male good in the abstract, students. the circumstances of individual political systems determine -Compiled by the Editors whether a particular society’s approach to democracy is, in fact, good. Secondly, political change must be made through the Did you know the Tory existing political and social system because has a website? it represents the society’s collective Check out wisdom on how poli- tics is best conducted www.princetontory.com given their unique for early access to issues as well as the most historical circum- current organizational news. stances. These two points have broad im- How would Burke view Bush’s policies? plications for the Bush OCTOBER 2006 THE PRINCETON TORY · 5 POINTS & PUNTS

6 · THE PRINCETON TORY OCTOBER 2006 CAMPUS SHIRLEY’S ANGELS: THE OFFICE OF RELIGIOUS LIFE AT PRINCETON

ly of Cornell and the U.S. Navy, whose main views of numerous faith traditions which Matthew Schmitz ‘08 responsibilities include serving as chaplain exist at Princeton. If the LGBT director for Hallelujah! a worship service in the Af- were salaried by another university office, It’s time to shake off that hangover and rican-American tradition. But wait—there’s and the pulpit used for preaching instead of meet the priests. Let me introduce the Rev. one other member of Shirley’s Angels who propaganda, there would be no rat to smell. Dr. Thomas Breidenthal, and the Revs. Paul should not be forgotten. To preempt my critics, let me be clear that Raushenbush and Deborah Blanks. They are The name of the fourth member of the ORL should not be using its funding to your deans of religious life. This trinity of di- the Office of Religious Life’s dream team promote conservative issues like the Bush vinity, this trifecta of perfecta, reports to two appears nowhere on any ORL website or tax cuts or the NSA wiretapping program, higher powers: God and Shirley Tilghman. literature. She is a shadow figure, operating because these things have no immediate Your university pays them to preach, protest in cloistered concert with her religious-life connection to religion. and proselytize. Their gospel, though cast teammates. She is as loyal to her radical To give some background on the current in traditional religious terms, is something agenda as Silas was to toppling Tom Hank’s state of affairs, we must go back to the be- much more banal and familiar than any real little secret about Jesus. Her name is Deb- ginning. The inception of what was, through faith. It is the tired ideology of the 20th Century left. Get ready The overwhelming problem with the ORL’s agenda is that it has for the revival. First on the field is the Rev- pursued these goals to the detriment of its religious duties, funneling erend Dr. Thomas Breidenthal. funds away from faith groups so that it can sponsor non-religious Charged with juggling the of- ten-conflicting demands of the events, events which are indeed hostile to the normative views of different constituencies of the numerous faith traditions which exist at Princeton. Office of Religious Life (ORL), Breidenthal has perhaps the least enviable job on campus. As an adminis- bie Bazarsky and she is the director for many changes, to become the controversial trator he is described as “competent” and Princeton’s comma-despising Lesbian Gay Office of Religious Life occurred in 1824 “humane.” He is expected to regularly go Bisexual Transgender Center. An adminis- when students founded a secret Christian on the record on contentious matters, bal- tration source informed the Tory that half of fraternity called Chi Phi. To become a mem- ance antagonistic parties and implement a Bazarsky’s salary comes from an Office of ber of Chi Phi, students had to testify to a controversial agenda. Religious Life endowment. The fact that her personal conversion experience and uphold Second on the ticket is good-old boy and job has nothing to do with religion has not a strict, pietistic morality. reformed stoner Paul Raushenbush. Raush- prevented the University from compensating This all-male, all-Protestant, and al- enbush, who boasts a religious pedigree her with the ORL’s funds. bino-white fraternity soon changed its name second only to Sophie Neveu of Da Vinci The agenda of the Office of Religious to the Philadelphian Society, and actively Code fame. Instead of citing Mary Mag- Life is pervasive and unmistakable. It ex- promoted its views on campus by distrib- dalene and Christ, he traces his bloodline tends from the syncretistic Religious Life uting literature and sponsoring speakers. from two distinguished great-grandfathers, Council to the dubiously-religious LGBT The society also started the program today Walter Raushenbush and Louis Brandeis. Center, and it shares, almost plank for plank, known as Princeton in Asia (then referred The first was a wildly successful evangelist the same platform as that of the political left. to as Princeton in Peking) with the goal of and one of the main founders of the Social The ORL opposed the wars in Afghanistan evangelizing China. Such was the begin- Gospel, a progressive Christian movement and Iraq and supported gay marriage. There ning of the elite and aggressive Princeton that stressed the importance of implement- is no contesting these claims, which are the University Office of Religious Life. Though ing left-wing policies to change society in sad reflection of facts. their mission has changed, their enthusiasm addition to reforming souls. On the other But why sad? Sad because the Tory is in pursuing it remains. side of the family tree is Justice Brandeis, conservative and Princeton is liberal? No. By the latter half of the 20th Century the a liberal lion of the judiciary and the first The overwhelming problem with the ORL’s Philadelphian Society had lost its prestige Jewish member of the Supreme Court. Such agenda is that it has pursued these goals to and influence and was replaced after World are the radical icons who begat Princeton’s the detriment of its religious duties, funnel- War II with the Student Christian Associa- number one Bible-based blue blood. ing funds away from faith groups so that it tion, which in 1967 abandoned its explicitly Rounding out the roster for the collared can sponsor non-religious events, events religious mission and was renamed the Stu- ballers is Reverend Deborah Blanks, former- which are indeed hostile to the normative dent Volunteers Council. OCTOBER 2006 THE PRINCETON TORY · 7 CAMPUS

Today, the exclusive spirit of Chi Phi resolutely anti-war. This betrays a surpris- events that address views of the other side. has returned in the form of the Religious ingly widespread liberal bias in the ORL. That, of course, has not been the case. The Life Council, an application only group with The very group premised on difference in urgency of the ORL’s leftwing campus closed meetings that asks applicants to attest opinion – the RLC - plunged headfirst into crusade has led it to forget the reasons for to their experiences of religious difference the partisan fray, guided, it seems, by an irre- which it was established: supporting cam- and understanding. What distinguishes sistible institutional impulse from on high. pus religious life. the Relgious Life Council (RLC) from its The Office of Religious Life also waged Consider, for example, the recent precursor lies in its stated goal. Instead a relentless propaganda war against the difficulties faced by the orthodox Jewish of existing to promote a certain brand of orthodox Christian piety, its stated purpose is to “To deepen understanding The employees of the Office of Religious Life have also polit- and cultivate respect among all religious faiths.” Although members recount posi- icized the pulpit, using the University’s official, though sparsely tive experiences on the council, the RLC attended, Sunday service (where the choir used to sing hymns to has been criticized for its syncretistic “God the Mother”) to make thinly-veiled political endorsements. approach to religion. Don’t believe it? Take a quick look at RLC director Paul Raushenbush’s book, Teen Spirit: One World, Many Faiths, which advances a second Iraq War. It sponsored a lecture by group Chabad, which has been denied rec- cafeteria-style, consumerist approach to Michael Walsh, the editor of the leftwing ognition as an official university chaplaincy religion for the young, encouraging readers magazine Dissent. Walsh condemned the for several years – under pressure from to pick a custom-made faith that suits their war as unjust. He also noted that “Every liberal constituencies in both the ORL and whims and loosest convictions. member of Congress should undergo water the Center for Jewish Life. Meanwhile, in Students, however, have noticed a sus- boarding,” a controversial interrogation the spring of 2005, students affiliated with tained liberal tendency in the Office of Reli- technique where suspects are subjected to a the evangelical group Christian Union were gious Life that extends even to its ostensibly simulated drowning. refused both Chaplaincy status and recogni- pluralist group. During the run up to the The employees of the Office of Reli- tion as a student group. Only after the legal war in Afghanistan, for instance, the group gious Life have also politicized the pulpit, advocacy group FIRE (Foundation for Indi- decided to take out a ‘peace advertisement’ using the University’s official, though vidual Rights in Education) stepped in did over the objections of its members who sparsely attended Sunday service (where the university retreat from its discriminatory believed there was a just-war rationale for the choir used to sing hymns to “God the policy. Whether the ORL would have reacted invading Afghanistan. When the dissenting Mother”) to make thinly-veiled political any differently had it been approached by a members pressed there concerns the group endorsements. At one chapel event, Dean Wiccan coven or another Buddhist club is ‘compromised’ by issuing a peace poem Briedenthal told students, “In the present cli- tough to say, but judging from its reaction to made by alternating peace texts from various mate, while our culture tends to say ‘Blessed religiously conservative groups like Chabad scriptures. Switching the group’s statement are those who will vote in favor of a war and Christian Union, it seems like the ORL from prose to poetry made it less explicit, with Iraq,’ Jesus says ‘Blessed are the peace is only selectively inclusive. but hardly changed its content, which was makers.’” Saying that Jesus does not bless Similarly, the Office of Religious Life one’s political opponents is not quite like was one of the main funding sources for cursing them from the pulpit, but it comes Common Sense, a now-defunct atheist stu- close enough for a Christian minister dent magazine. It has also sponsored events In 2003 Dean Breidenthal declaimed, (see back cover) like The Joys and Toys of “The whole of Christian tradition stands Gay Sex, which have nothing to do with any against the policy this [Bush] administra- religion. Whatsoever. tion is pursuing,” reported John Andrews So, it’s time to take down the tent, in that year’s February Tory. I suppose cancel the choir and call of the revival. The Islamists who compare the War in Iraq to Office of Religious Life should abandon the Crusades would disagree. They, it would its radical gospel or leftwing politics and seem, find it quite Christian indeed. More monetary misappropriation. moderate minds might note there is nothing un-Christian or essentially Christian about spreading democracy. Matthew Schmitz ’08 The Office of Religious Life has used its is an avid sportsman budget as mad-money jar that can be cracked and the Weekly Proj- open whenever there is an event in need of ects Administrator for cash. There is nothing objectionable what- the Student Volunteers soever in sponsoring liberal-leaning events Council. He hails from if they contain some substantial religious O’Neill, NE. component, or if the ORL also sponsors 8 · THE PRINCETON TORY OCTOBER 2006 CAMPUS

MY CONSERVATIVE CONFESSIONS

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE CLASS OF 2010

experienced my first brush with readin’, I stepped through the Fitz-Randolph Emely Peña ‘09 writin’ and liberal dogma. Indeed, my pre- gates on the defensive, armed to the teeth K teachers were less than shy in express- with my New York Times in one hand and Dear Class of 2010, ing their undying support of Bill Clinton, a Starbucks latte in the other. And I didn’t perhaps unaware that the unsuspecting four step outside my comfort zone when choos- My freshmen year began like any other year olds who sat at their feet were hanging ing courses either. Instead, I signed up for – I cried myself to sleep every night missing onto their every word – political ramblings Latin and Math, my two potential majors my mom, my dad and my dog. I attended included. But as I advanced from my ABC’s at the time, along with a course on Early every study break imaginable helping along to simple sentences, and from my 123’s to Christianity taught by Professor Elaine Pa- the freshmen-15 I would gain by June; I division problems, so too did I exchange the gels and a writing seminar on the Culture promptly read all my assignments, attended old axiom of “Bill Clinton is always right!” Wars, for which my arsenal of epigrams every lecture, and took an hour to get ready for its logical converse, namely that “Re- stood ready for battle. But for the first time in my academic life, I Reason forced me to challenge the liberal tenets I had grown up with in was forced to actively think for myself rather New York City public schools, and by the end of the year, managed to push than passively internal- my views to the right. ize my teachers’ opin- ions. I began to slowly realize that the intel- lectual tradition that for each of them. By the end of the year, a publicans are always wrong!” After a three had formed me did not possess a monopoly few of these routines had changed for me, year period of intellectual stagnation in M.S. on absolute truth, but in fact, possessed an but something more significant happened 45, I arrived at DeWitt Clinton High School inherently flawed perspective on the truth. too, a change of worldview: to put it one where I encountered great liberal rhetors As I thought about it more, the plan which way, I would never been writing in this shelling out pithy one-liners – classics like my liberal schoolmasters had laid out for me magazine one year ago. So as you continue “No Tax Cuts For The Rich,” or “Redefeat was beginning to go awry – if I had gone to to struggle through courses, relationships, Bush in 2004.” Public school demagogues a college like Grinnell or Smith, where con- and extra-curricular activities, I’m sure like these brought to completion the project servative thought is utterly stifled, I might more than a few of you will experience both that had begun in nursery school, giving have continued on the straight course, but as trivial and far greater changes like those I inner-city Latinos like me the intellectual I was quick to discover, the ideas of right- underwent over the course of the past year. ammunition and political savvy to get into wing Princetonians – especially the trio of I write to you not as an expert on Freshmen small liberal arts colleges. There, it was conservative boys in my writing seminar, my Year survival – as mine was far from perfect hoped that our minds would be sharpened orthodox Jewish roommate, and magazines – but as someone who experienced sig- by a liberal knife, and our smugness would like the Tory – not only carried currency on nificant transformation. For around this time Around this time last year, my brain declared war on itself. last year, my brain de- clared war against it- self. Reason forced me to challenge the liberal tenets I had grown up flourish. This plan was perfectly realized for campus, but they made sense. Their argu- with in New York City public schools, and most of my friends, who were shipped off to ments shot actual bullets while my liberal by the end of the year, managed to push my places like Wesleyan, Bard, and Haverford, allies and I continued to shoot blanks. But views to the right. but perhaps by some divine intervention, I I still stuck to my guns, continuing to fight To understand where I stand today, I ended alone up at sleepy Princeton, where with hollow weapons, and fearful of where have to take you back to where it all began: I could not have anticipated the changes I my nascent doubts would lead me. P.S. 79 in the Bronx. It was there that I would undergo. A few incidents, however, forced me to

OCTOBER 2006 THE PRINCETON TORY · 9 CAMPUS stop and think. The first came in my seminar catholic Christianity – in shaping the early in the corner of my block who complained on the Culture Wars during a discussion Christian period. Instead, she forced the about government apathy, yet racked up their about legalizing marijuana. At the time, I Gnostic gospels on us in order to advance welfare checks and the food stamps to sell argued that “yes, marijuana should be le- her own decidedly modern, liberal agenda. to local bodegas. I felt no sympathy for their galized” – the drug, I reasoned, had some For example, in one such gospel, Mary condition, knowing well enough that hard medicinal value, and if the government Magdalene is depicted as Jesus’ favorite work could have moved them from those could step in to regulate it, black markets and apostle, and this, in Professor Pagels’ opin- street corners; I in fact felt ashamed that my drug-related violence might end while taxa- ion, provided justification for women in the country would fund such laziness and cor- tion might create extra revenue for positive priesthood. But rather than turn me away ruption. But most of all, I felt betrayed by my government projects like education or wel- from religion with her anti-Catholic views, smug upper-class high school teachers who, in spite of the As I advanced from my ABC’s to simple sentences, and from my 123’s to division lethargy and cor- ruption around problems, so too did I exchange the old axiom of “Bill Clinton is always right!” them, viewed for its logical converse, namely that “Republicans are always wrong!” the struggles of the poor through a i d e a l i s t i c , yet profoundly fare. One girl in the class, however, pushed she sparked an insatiable curiosity about skewed lens, concerned more with liberal me further, challenging me to explain why my faith, awakening the dormant Catholic indoctrination than academic knowledge. all drugs shouldn’t be legalized. It seemed within me. But I rejected their ideas and my own like a no-brainer to me: why encourage a As I moved towards my second semes- politics shifted – I swapped liberal ideo- stoner nation? Why enable people to de- ter, my family (fearful for my job prospects logical one-liners for sound conservative stroy their own lives and the lives of others after Princeton) attempted to push me away principles and I exchanged cold secular through drug abuse? But she was resolute from the Classics Department and towards reason for the truth of my Catholic faith. I in her idea that drug intake was a personal Economics: I reluctantly took Econ 100, a cannot possibly retell in a couple of pages choice, regardless of its moral, social and course which would ultimately complete all the experiences which in so short a time political repercussions – if a person utterly my conservative transformation. During my changed my perception of the world, the destroyed his life, she said, that was his own first few weeks of class, Professor Harvey countless epiphanies and discussions, or the choice and we had no right to stop him. I For the first time in my academic life, I was forced to actively think for myself was appalled, t o s a y t h e rather than passively internalize my teachers’ opinions. least. Such an extreme, al- beit logically consistent view, forced me to Rosen introduced me to the principles of chance meetings with those who would bring rethink my position on the drug wars – it was fiscal conservatism, using reason alone to me to fine organizations like the Tory. I still going to be cocaine, heroin, and marijuana or demolish many ideas I had been taught from question the views placed before me, and I no drugs at all. Having come from a neigh- childhood. Tax cuts, to give one example, will continue do so throughout my years in borhood that is crumbling under the weight as many of us already know, are actually a Princeton for this “conservative transition” of local drug wars, I realized that there was legitimate way to improve the economy for is far from over. But in short, class of 2010, no middle ground between the views of both corporations and consumers. I, on the ‘09, and whomever else will listen, the moral my drug-happy classmate and the case for other hand, had been taught that tax cuts of this story is a hackneyed one – keep an criminalizing all drugs, and I was sold on were simply a Republican ploy to make open mind, for a university (even a liberal the latter, more conservative view. their constituents wealthy and keep the poor one like Princeton) is a place where opinions A second experience occurred in Profes- downtrodden. Capitalism wasn’t the force are traded, beliefs reformed, and worldviews sor Pagels’ course, in which I plunged into preventing certain Bronxites back home realigned. religious texts for the first time with a truly from achieving something greater, it was a critical eye. The course asked us to check quasi-egalitarian system which continually our faith at the door, implying that Christian punished the hardworking and rewarded religious commitments were incompatible the lazy. with scholarly historical criticism. To my By May, I was shocked and angry. I re- Emely Pena ‘09 is surprise, each time I examined an orthodox alized that I had been brainwashed to blindly a sophomore from gospel, my Catholic self overpowered my believe, to fight for unfounded tenets taught the Bronx, NY. intellectual rearing and I found significant as unwavering truths. I went home last She is a resident meaning in each line. Pagels, however, con- summer continuing to question everything, of Butler College tinued to disregard the significant influence skeptically glaring at the very people who and hopes to ma- of institutional religion – namely orthodox, had taught me and the friends I had grown jor in the classics up around – especially the ghetto people 10 · THE PRINCETON TORY OCTOBER 2006 CAMPUS THINK TANKS 101 AN INSIDER’S PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT THEY ARE AND HOW TO GET INVOLVED

ist, and oftentimes wield the power of a cultural knowledge. This is indeed a worthy Brian Extein ‘08 congressional office. Studying think tanks goal (I myself am a History major), but in provides a revealing window into the po- many cases the information produced at uni- It was about 9:30 AM on Wednesday litical process, the intersection of private versities does not have a broad society-wide and I was sitting in the corner office belong- research institutes and government, and the utility, but rather, is oftentimes impractical ing to the President of the Hudson Institute way policy is made in America. They are and theoretical, even in the most ostensibly in Washington, D.C. I did this on a regular also great places to work. “real-world” departments such as Politics or basis as the head of Hudson spent most of Despite the prominence of think tanks the Woodrow Wilson School. Most research his time at Hudson’s New York location. in our nation’s political culture, few people done at think tanks, though, is practical. Scholars at these insti- tutions study events and Think tanks, however, are different from universities in the purpose issues that are pressing of their research: while much of the scholarship generated at places like in the world right now. Their ultimate goal is Princeton is done simply for its own sake, think tanks look for direct appli- to influence policy, usu- cations of their research. ally that of the United States government. Policy institutes are marketplaces in So imagine my surprise when in walks the know much about them. As an intern at another sense as well. They are private man himself. I was facing away from the one of these institutions, I hope to shed organizations that face a form of market door and didn’t notice his presence until light on the way in which think tanks oper- driven competition. Many conservative he walked up next to me and picked up the ate internally, the strategies by which they think tanks, especially, seek to apply free phone. Feeling like a thief caught in mid-act, achieve their policy goals, and the oppor- market solutions to real world problems, I jumped out of the chair and said something tunities that exist for Princeton students to but all think tanks are fundamentally private like “Oh, sir, I’m in your chair.” “Just gotta get involved. institutions that “sell” their ideas on the open check my voicemail and I’ll be out of your A think tank, known formally as a markets of Capitol Hill and the White House. way in a minute,” he replied nonchalantly. policy research institute, is a marketplace of Scholars at places like the Hudson Institute His disarming response failed to disarm me and I left the room thinking Scholars at these institutions study events that are pressing in the world that I had violated a right now. Their ultimate goal is to influence policy, usually that of the fundamental rule of the unwritten intern code. United States government. So goes a typical atypi- cal day at a Washington think tank. ideas. Think tanks are most like universi- don’t literally sell their ideas for money, but Last summer, I interned at the Hudson ties in that they focus on the development they do compete with their peers in a contest Institute in Washington, D.C. Along with of original ideas supported by rigorous to influence government policy. This com- a number of other college students, recent research. Think tanks, however, are differ- petition takes the form of a fight for space graduates, and a few graduate students, I had ent from universities in the purpose of their in policy journals, airtime on radio and TV, the opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of research: while much of the scholarship and the attention of the nation’s lawmakers. public policy, politics, and government in generated at places like Princeton is done The purpose of think tanks is thus twofold: the Nation’s capital. As it turns out, think simply for its own sake, think tanks look to generate persuasive ideas and to present tanks have an influence on just about every for direct applications of their research. For these ideas to individuals in a position to controversial issue that enters the public example, academic disciplines like English, act on them. debate in this country. Think tanks draw Art History and other fields in the Humani- Think tanks have come to play an im- on the research methods of a university ties and Social Sciences are studied in order portant role in the lawmaking process, but professor, share the goals of a DC lobby- to advance the frontiers of academic and this wasn’t always the case. In fact, many

OCTOBER 2006 THE PRINCETON TORY · 11 CAMPUS of today’s most influential think tanks came a junior from California who took her intern- ternships available but they are, of course, into being just a few decades ago. While ship very seriously, dutifully approached the not permanent positions. some say that the Hudson Institute, where couple and asked “Can I help you?” As he Other well known conservative policy I worked, was the first organization to be continued to walk away from the reception institutes such as the Heritage Founda- known by the term “think tank,” it was not area and toward the offices, the man replied tion and the American Enterprise Institute have a broader range of Many conservative think tanks, especially, seek to apply free market positions within the or- solutions to real world problems, but all think tanks are fundamentally pri- ganization and a greater opportunity for less ex- vate institutions that “sell” their ideas on the open markets of Capitol Hill perienced scholars to and the White House. work. The system varies significantly from group to group. I have had several the first policy research institution. One “I work here.” It must have been apparent internships in Washington and last summer of the oldest and best known think tanks is that we interns were still confused because at Hudson was by far the best. First and the Brookings Institution. Brookings is a the woman looked over her shoulder and foremost, the work that I did as an intern was liberal giant in the think tank community, said in a conspiratorial half whisper “Judge entirely substantive. Many DC internships, but despite its size and relative old agethe Bork.” such as those on Capitol Hill, involve a great balance of power in think tanks circles has Most of the interns knew that Judge deal of “secretarial” work like answering leaned toward the GOP for some time. Robert Bork is a Senior Fellow at Hudson phones, filing, and making copies. I did In their 2005 book, Death by a Thou- but few of us had actually seen him. Another none of these at Hudson and after speaking sand Cuts: The Fight over Taxing Inherited Hudson notable is Scooter Libby, Vice Presi- with other interns, I discovered that such Wealth (Princeton University Press), Yale dent Cheney’s former Chief of Staff who menial tasks are actually the norm at many professors Michael Graetz and Ian Shapiro is currently facing charges in the Valerie think tanks. The difference lies in the fact credit conservative think tanks with hav- Plame affair of last year. While think tanks that all of the work done at policy research ing led the fight to repeal the estate tax. In are private institutions, they make use of institutes is substantive in nature. Think particular, they stress the role that several of government contacts to add prestige to their tanks don’t have vast amounts of mail to the large conservative think tanks played in list of scholars and a true insider’s perspec- respond to or a large number of constituents the promotion of this and other issues. As tive on their research. calling in on the phone. Their main job is Graetz and Shapiro explain, the American Different public policy institutes are research and writing and that is what they Enterprise Institute would undoubtedly rank structured in different ways. Hudson is need from interns. at the top of most lists of powerful conser- known as being conservative but there is no Thus summer, I worked on research vative think tanks in Washington. Founded central ideology governing the work done at projects dealing with military reserves, in 1943, AEI is respected for its avowedly conservative scholarship. The Heritage Foundation, founded in 1973, takes a more The purpose of think tanks is thus twofold: to generate active approach than AEI and many other persuasive ideas and to present these ideas to individuals in a policy research organizations. Heritage has a more centralized agenda and functions position to act on them. more like a lobbying firm in the way that it advances its ideas. Finally, the CATO insti- tute, started in 1977, represents the leading libertarian think tank in Washington. the Institute. On the contrary, each scholar oil and natural gas production in Central It is not surprising that most think tanks has a great deal of freedom to pursue his or Asia, the use of science and technology in can be found in Washington, D.C. As the her own research interests. The hierarchy in Homeland Security, and a number of other Nation’s capital, Washington is where the the office is hardly apparent to the employ- issues. In one instance, my boss at Hudson action happens. Policy research institutes ees. Hudson is composed of a number of was asked to appear on TV to discuss the want to be near the center of power so they policy centers such as the Center for Future release of a tape by Al-Queda leader Ay- can see first hand what the government is Security Strategies (where I worked), the man al-Zawahiri. With only a few hours to doing. The location is also important for Center for Employment Policy, and the prepare for the appearance, he asked me to another reason. Many former government Center for Eurasia Policy. Each of these pull together all the information I could get officials make their way to policy research research centers is composed of just a few my hands on relating to this tape. institutes after they retire from government experts in the field. The advantage of this Another great aspect of working at a service. system is that each Senior Fellow has a great think tank is the community. Part of a policy As a case in point, I was talking with deal of autonomy. The disadvantage is that research institute’s mission is to disseminate some of my fellow interns one afternoon it is very hard to find a place at Hudson for the ideas produced by its resident scholars. near the entrance to Hudson’s offices when those who are not already well recognized To that end, policy research institutes host an elderly man came through the door with a experts in their fields. There are very few conferences, lectures, and discussions on a woman who seemed to be his wife. Kristin, junior staff. There are plenty of unpaid in- regular basis. Think tank interns and staff 12 · THE PRINCETON TORY OCTOBER 2006 CAMPUS are encouraged to attend these events when- ever they can — at other think tanks as well Some of conservative Princeton students’ favorite Washington, D.C.- as their own. based think tanks to work for: Occasionally, an organization will host an especially interesting conference such as Heritage did on June 23 of last summer. The event was titled “24 and America’s Im- age in Fighting Terrorism: Fact, Fiction, or Does it Matter?” The lecture featured Rush Limbaugh, Secretary of Homeland Security Michael Chertoff, and best of all, President Logan, Chloe O’Brien, and Tony Almeida from the cast of the show “24.” Being an intern at a DC think tank is also a great way to network. There are a lot of college interns working at policy research institutes like Hudson. Through formal and informal gatherings, they get to know each other. Playing softball on the lawn of the National Mall is a Washington tradition and a great way to meet other students while winning glory for your home think tank. There are also events specifically geared towards interns. Last summer, the Center for Strategic and International studies hosted an intern debate with a number of organizations participating. My debate partner, a senior at the University of Michigan who hosts his own Rush Limbaugh-style conservative talk show, and I were unjustly defeated a few times but the event was productive and enjoyable. Several Princeton students work in think tanks each summer. In talking with some of them, it became clear that many of the positive elements of my experience at Hudson are common among internships focused on cultural and values related issues, look but isn’t extensive enough by itself. at other think tanks. At the same time, as compared to the political research of the Combining Princeton’s listings of think tank different policy research institutes offer type that Jordan and I did at our respective opportunities with an outside list is the best a broad variety of research areas, contact think tanks. Cassy further emphasized that way to cover all the bases. with senior scholars in different fields, and “the summer internship program at Heritage Think tanks provide an interesting op- intellectual life. is just as much a program as it is an intern- portunity to examine politics and policy in Jordan Reimer ‘08 worked at the ship. Heritage organizes “field trips” to local America. They draw on diverse methodolo- Shalem Center in Israel, a think-tank sites in D.C. such as the Pentagon and the gies and resources in order to bring about founded by same Princeton graduates who Supreme Court. We even had the chance to policy change. As such, they are fascinating chartered the Princeton Tory. . He worked talk to Justice Clarence Thomas for a good places to work as well as interesting objects directly with the president of the center in re- hour and a half. of study in their own right. searching education in democratic countries. There are a lot of different opportunities Jordan enjoyed the research and the contact available in the think tank community in with high level scholars. He noted that the Washington and elsewhere. The best way to work was more academic than the policy find out about these opportunities is to write Brian Extein ‘08 oriented research done at most Washington directly to the organizations themselves. is a junior from think tanks. Columbia Books publishes a directory Washington, D.C. Cassy DeBenedetto ‘07 had a more entitled “Washington: A Comprehensive He is a member typical Washington think tank experience Directory of the Area’s Major Institutions of Colonial Club last summer at the Heritage Foundation. She and the People Who Run Them.” It’s a great and the College worked for ten weeks on the effect of reli- resource for contact info of pretty much Republicans and gion on family life, specifically on parenting, every think tank in the city. TigerTracks is majoring in sexuality, and marriage. Cassy’s research list of think tank opportunities merits a good history.

OCTOBER 2006 THE PRINCETON TORY · 13 NATIONAL QUARRELING ELEPHANTS THE BATTLE FOR CONTROL OF CONGRESS IS THE BATTLE FOR THE SOUL OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

the Room: Evangelicals, Libertarians, and licans have traditionally wielded an edge or Joel Alicea ‘10 the Battle to Control the Republican Party. run only slightly behind the Democrats. With Such sentiment is certainly a breathtaking disapproval numbers so high, it is impossible “The Republican Party is a divided, indictment of the current Congressional to say that Democrats and independents are lost, and intellectually deficient group that leadership and the Bush Republican voters the only Americans who disapprove of the has destroyed the budget and will soon lose who support them, but it is also understand- President’s performance. Clearly, some tra- control of Congress.” able when viewed in the context of what the ditionally Republican voters are also angry A statement like this would normally Gingrich Republicans stood for in compari- over the current budgetary situation. Addi- be expected to have come from Nancy Pe- son to the current Bush Republicans. After tionally, the nomination of Harriet Miers to losi, Harry Reid, or some other liberal lion all, the Contract with America advocated the Supreme Court, the profound misman- attempting to gain an advantage in the up- balanced budgets and a smaller and more agement of Hurricane Katrina (which many coming election, but the man whose words efficient government above all else. Cur- Republicans viewed as a case study in inef- are paraphrased above is none other than rently, though, the U.S. is faced with record fective government bureaucracy), the Dubai former Republican Speaker of the House, deficits, unbalanced budgets for the foresee- Ports deal, and President Bush’s insistence Newt Gingrich. As shocking as this may able future, and a government bureaucracy on a comprehensive immigration package seem, Gingrich is part of a growing seg- that has blossomed into a red tape behemoth including guest worker permits have all ment of the Republican Party has become recalling the days of President Lyndon John- combined to fan the flames of Republican disgusted with Congress and the president son. That assessment is drawn from a policy discontent. for what it sees as a betrayal of the principles analysis by Stephen Slivinski of the Cato There is now a palpable anger within the of 1994’s Contract with America. A struggle Institute entitled The Grand Old Spending party that Newt Gingrich is giving voice to, and it has reared its head in Gingrich’s own personal turn of events. His 2005 book Win- It is apparent that contrary to public perception and Dem- ning the Future: A 21st Century Contract with America was an instant bestseller, reflecting ocratic attacks, President Bush has actually led the party in a the mobilization and growing interest among much less conservative direction than he could have, and this Gingrich supporters. Gingrich has become exceedingly popular among Republicans fed trend has the Gingrich Republicans furious. up with the current state of affairs. All the actions that precipitated his downfall in the late nineties have been forgotten as he tours Party: How Republicans Became the Party the primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire, has begun between Bush Republicans and of Big Spenders. Slivinski, along with liber- and other early battlegrounds for the 2008 Gingrich Republicans for the heart and soul tarians who have traditionally supported the Republican presidential nomination. As of the Republican Party, and the upcoming Republican Party, have thrown their support John Fund noted in his editorial for the Wall midterm congressional election represents behind Gingrich’s faction of the G.O.P. in Street Journal on September 25, Gingrich the next great battle in that fight. The results advocating a return to the days of disciplined was “given a rock star’s welcome” at the of this election will have a real impact on the and lean government. recent Family Research Council hosting for future of Grand Old Party and, consequently, This faction is not a small or insignifi- potential 2008 contenders. His popularity the future of the country. cant portion of the party. Indeed, the Gin- continues to rise, and the Gingrich Repub- “I think the Republican brand is in trou- grich Republicans are a force to be reckoned licans continue to grow in numbers. ble. People forgot why they were doing what with. An NBC News/Wall Street Journal Meanwhile, the Bush Republicans they were doing…The party is confused as poll conducted earlier this year showed that remain committed to a new Republican to its identity…The real breakthroughs we fully 70% of the electorate disapproved of Party platform, one that differs very much need require a level of intellectual depth Bush’s handling of the budget, and a separate from the Contract with America. Over the that is not one of the strengths of the Re- NBC/WSJ poll found that more Americans last six years, President Bush’s “compas- publican Party.” This is the actual statement now trust Democrats over Republicans on sionate conservatism” has led the party in Gingrich made in an interview with Ryan matters relating to taxes. These are startling a strikingly new direction that blends ideas Sager for Sager’s new book The Elephant in and damning figures in areas where Repub- from across the political spectrum. The 14 · THE PRINCETON TORY OCTOBER 2006 NATIONAL results are domestic and foreign policies and Democratic attacks, President Bush has upcoming election will answer is not who with which Gingrich Republicans strongly actually led the party in a much less conser- will win control of Congress but rather, disagree. Bush Republicans embrace Big vative direction than he could have, which whether the Gingrich Republicans will Government (a liberal ideal) when it comes has infuriated Gingrich Republicans. turn out to support the Bush Republicans of Congress with whom they disagree. The House and Senate are both on the verge of If the Republican vote, specifically the Gingrich Republican falling into Democratic hands, and the only power that will keep this from happening is vote, is depressed because of the malaise that has gripped the a united Republican base. Therefore, if the base of the party, Americans can expect to see Speaker Nancy Gingrich Republicans come out in force to Pelosi being sworn in come January. stand behind the Bush Republicans, then the GOP will likely retain control of the Senate and have a shot at keeping the House. The most noteworthy outcome would not be that to national security policy and a prescription Why is the significance of this anger and Republicans avoided losing the election, but drug benefit for Medicare while at the same division among Republicans? The answer rather, that the fissure within the Republi- time supporting deep tax cuts and privatized is simple: midterm elections are decided by can Party would not yet have reached the Social Security (conservative tenets). They which party is more capable of energizing critical point at which the party’s electoral advocate spreading democracy across the its base. The exit polling data on this point dominance would be in jeopardy. However, globe and engaging in nation-building are widely known. Midterm elections simply should the Gingrich Republicans stay home (neo-conservative) and simultaneously push aren’t very interesting to the average Ameri- on Election Day and the GOP lose control for a guest worker program for illegal im- can. Only truly motivated voters actually of one or both Houses of Congress, the migrants (liberal). In short, there is a wide cast ballots in a midterm election, and those time will have come for the party to decide gulf between the White House and the new voters are almost always the die-hard bases between the two factions, and there is only guard in the GOP on a wide array of issues, of the respective parties. Thus, if the base one way to settle that dispute—the 2008 of the Republican Party is divided GOP presidential nomination. In short, the and apathetic come Election Day, results of this election will determine the the result will be a very bad morn- conditions for 2008 and for the future of the ing for Republicans on November Republican Party. 8. Republican leaders know this, The GOP is now a party divided be- and have already expressed anxi- tween those who adopt President Bush’s new ety over the lack of energy in the vision those who support the ideas of former Republican base this year. Mike Speaker Newt Gingrich. The differences Allen and James Carney’s Time between these two blocs are substantial and, magazine article from October 1, in many cases, irreconcilable. With the GOP “The G.O.P.’s Secret Weapon,” control of Congress hanging by a thread, the states that “Republicans acknowl- only chance for Republicans to retain their edge one ominous vulnerability: majorities is if the Gingrich Republicans, by for more than a decade, the party far the most disgruntled and depressed group has benefited from an intensity gap. of the party base, turn out to vote on Election Stoked by hatred of Bill Clinton Day. If they do, the party may keep control or love for George W. Bush, GOP and stave off internal warfare. However, voters have been more certain to if the Gingrich Republicans stay home on vote than Democrats—meaning November 7, they will have announced to that the party tends to perform the rest of the party that the 2008 presidential better than the final opinion polls primary season is going to be a showdown suggest. Representative Rahm for the soul of the party. It all comes down Emanuel of Illinois, head of the to November 7. House Democrats’ campaign com- mittee, recently told Time that gap had counted for as much as five to from entitlement programs to foreign policy, seven points for the Republicans. But he Joel Alicea ‘10 is a where Gingrich Republicans would prefer thinks this election year might be differ- freshman from An- to see a tougher approach taken with Iran ent.” If the Republican vote, specifically dover, MA. He is a and North Korea. Even in areas where they the Gingrich Republican vote, is depressed resident of Butler find common ground, such as the religious because of the malaise that has gripped the College and member conservative agenda, Bush Republican base of the party, Americans can expect to of the College Re- congressional leaders don’t want to use the see Speaker Nancy Pelosi being sworn in publicans. He hopes political muscle to pursue it seriously. It is come January. to study politics. apparent that contrary to public perception The truly significant question that this OCTOBER 2006 THE PRINCETON TORY · 15 WORLD A SUMMER OF DECISION FOR U.S. COMMANDERS IN IRAQ heavy-duty four-star command in Baghdad. els in Anbar would need to remain steady in Wesley Morgan ‘10 General Casey and his newly assembled the foreseeable future. staff, drawn from among the best and most But in other provinces once dominated This September, Gen. John Abizaid, experienced officers in the Army and Marine by insurgents, “clear and hold” seems to commander of all U.S. forces in the greater Corps, arrived in Baghdad in June 2004 dur- have been a successful strategy. In Diyala Middle East, made a long-awaited an- ing the aftermath of the broad insurgent of- province, for example, the U.S. presence nouncement, perhaps the most crucial (and fensive that had seized Falluja and stretched has been cut in half since the autumn of dangerous) decision affecting American U.S. and allied capabilities to their limits 2004, and in August, a large portion of the military strategy in Iraq since the summer of across the country. Replacing the poorly province was handed off to a different com- 2004. Since last spring, General Abizaid’s prepared command that Lt. Gen. Ricardo mand, signaling that a full brigade would no immediate subordinate, Gen. George Casey, Sanchez had led since the initial invasion, longer be needed in the area around Baquba. the commander of military forces in Iraq, this new headquarters was forced to devise a In Salahuddin province, the story is much had delayed offering a resolution to this most completely new strategy to defeat the largely the same. Despite major setbacks in some difficult dilemma: with the insurgency as Sunni insurgency in Baghdad, Mosul, and towns and accusations of unnecessarily strong as ever in the western Anbar province the rural towns in Anbar, Salahuddin, and harsh tactics against Col. Michael Steele’s but apparently petering out in the north of Diyala provinces. brigade, U.S. troops have gradually worn the country, should the overall number of The effect of the new command was out the insurgency in Samarra, Bayji, and American combat troops in Iraq be reduced, twofold. First, its strategy prompted a shift even Saddam Hussein’s hometown of Tikrit. or, with civilian death tolls soaring amid in counterinsurgency tactics among field Finally, in the vicinity of Mosul, the city of rising sectarian violence in and around commanders in Iraq, a new attitude typified Tel Afar – once feared as “another Falluja” Many are worried about the depression of wages; the burden on local schools, Baghdad, should forces instead be directed by the British-inspired counterinsurgency – has largely overcome its insurgency thanks into the capital in an effort to stem the Sunni- academy in Taji. In addition, the new com- to a highly successful 2005 offensive led hospitals, and services; and the influx of foreign criminals. These fears have Shiite conflict? In the starkest terms, the mand made major alterations to the strength, by Col. H. R. McMaster, one of the Army’s not been calmed by the near-treasonous claims by some Latinos that parts of the choice was between continuing to treat Iraq posture, and organization of U.S. forces in best-known officers. In Salahuddin and as a battlefield in the war on terror - with preparation for a long campaign of “clearing farther north, U.S. troops have made great US rightfully belong to them, since the land was originally owned by Mexico U.S. troops keeping up the fight against and holding” insurgent strongholds across strides with the security situation; in July, al-Qaeda and other fundamentalist Sunni the country. That summer and fall, the the commander in northern Iraq, Maj. Gen. insurgents while Iraqi forces dealt with the number of U.S. Army brigades and Marine Thomas Turner, went so far as to say that internal strife – or committing American regiments jumped from twelve to fifteen, in places like Mosul, Tel Afar, and Tikrit, units to a whole new campaign – bringing and by late 2005, to a peak of eighteen “Security is [finally] at a level where we calm to a city that has descended into a state – almost all of them poised to launch the can begin worrying about economics, about of civil war. new campaign in Sunni areas of the coun- projects,” instead of the intense combat The U.S. commanders in Baghdad try. Disparaged by Senator John McCain as operations that have characterized the Iraq dragged the decision out across the summer, “a game of whack-a-mole,” the “clear and campaign since the fall of Baghdad. using every stop-gap measure available to hold campaign” (which began at the battle In Anbar, while U.S. soldiers must slow their decision, but by mid-September of Samarra and the second battle of Falluja) remain in their present numbers to fight a fe- it was clear that the generals in question proved long and bloody, but over the course rocious insurgency near Ramadi, in Diyala, had committed the U.S. military force in of two years, it has yielded positive results. Salahuddin, and the far north, the “clear Iraq to the open-ended, dangerous mission In the insurgent-dominated Anbar province, and hold” campaign that General Casey of subduing Baghdad, at the expense of the one Marine operation after another retook initiated in 2004 is drawing to a close. The more essential counterinsurgency effort in Falluja, Haditha, Qaim, and other towns, immediate consequence of this long-awaited Anbar. Now looking ahead to the future, if sealing the Syrian border by late 2005, and success is an opportunity to cut the number this course is maintained, the only remaining by early 2006, confining the worst of the of U.S. combat troops in the provinces question is how many American servicemen still-potent insurgency to a stretch of the north of Baghdad. In December 2005, the will lose their lives in another nation’s civil Euphrates valley near the long-contested growing success in Diyala allowed U.S. war when they could and should be fighting urban battlefield of Ramadi. Today, despite commanders to cut the force in Iraq from Islamist terrorists. the progress, more casualties lie ahead, with eighteen brigades and regiments to fifteen, This careful but misguided strategy was enemy attacks in the Ramadi area escalating with a sixteenth brigade (now stationed in the end product of a personnel change in Iraq and the commander in the region, Maj. Gen. Baghdad) on standby in Kuwait – the first made over two years ago: the creation of a Richard Zilmer, predicting on that troop lev- major cut from the peak force level that ac-

16 · THE PRINCETON TORY OCTOBER 2006 WORLD companied the December elections. Mean- new rotation plan and the extension of the sions in Salahuddin and Diyala complete, while, in light of the strong security situation Stryker brigade’s deployment in Mosul. By brigades could have been cut from the force in Tel Afar this June, General Turner allowed September, with the announcement to keep rotation, with remaining units focusing on the brigade stationed in that city to be reas- seventeen brigades and regiments in the war the difficult but essential task of isolating signed to the Marine command in Anbar. zone well into 2007, these plans had vanished and defeating Islamist insurgents in Anbar For the first time in the war, it seems safe entirely. cities like Ramadi. To the detriment of the to say that brigade-strength U.S. combat The announcement that troop levels U.S. military and possibly Iraq as well, units could be pulled back from northern would remain high into the spring shows Generals Casey and Abizaid chose not to Iraq without the chance of its lapsing into that the second strategy among Iraq’s senior follow that course. Instead, troop levels will insurgency hands. military commanders has won out. Unlike be maintained through the spring of 2007 This summer, the crucial question for those who wish to withdraw units once their at least, though several of brigades will be the military headquarters in Baghdad and counterinsurgency missions have succeeded, devoted to patrolling the streets of Baghdad. for lawmakers in Washington was where, as this second school of thought is a more ide- If General Chiarelli’s plan succeeds and the battalions began to leave the north, would alistic one. Calling for the large-scale move- extra manpower does in fact quell the strife the units scheduled to replace them go? ment of American units into greater Baghdad in the capital, then there may be hope for During the tense summer months, with the to quell civil strife between Shiite and Sunni order central Iraq within the next year, and White House requesting its first National groups, this strategy sees a halt to sectarian even for Iraqi democracy. Intelligence Estimate on Iraq since mid- violence as essential to protecting American As the recent spike in civilian casual- 2004, commanders in Baghdad quietly but personnel as well as bringing peace and order ties in Baghdad shows, the plan now being fiercely debated this question. To delay the to the Iraq’s fracturing center of gravity, and implemented is a long shot. Moreover, decision, General Casey employed every in turn, and to the rest of the country. Need- flooding Baghdad with more U.S. combat stop-gap measure at his disposal, from shift- less to say, this strategy is long-term and, for troops will come with two certain costs. ing U.S. forces within Iraq to constantly and the U.S. military, it is very risky; as General First, the U.S. military will suffer a steadily erratically altering deployment schedules. Abizaid himself stated in August, Baghdad’s growing casualty toll. Second, the Baghdad Only in September did General Abizaid sectarian violence, brutal as it may be now, campaign has already begun to suck battal- end the summer of uncertainty when he is only beginning. ions out of Anbar, where the essential battle announced that troop levels would not dip Yet to equate the optimism inherent to against Sunni fundamentalists still rages in below seventeen brigades and regiments as this approach to the naiveté that tarnished the half a dozen war-torn cities. If this trend before spring. first summer of war under General Sanchez continues, as it seems likely to do, it will The internal debate at Baghdad head- would be ridiculous. After all, Lt. Gen. Peter not be long before the brigade in Ramadi quarters was between the two prevailing Chiarelli, whose strategy is now the blueprint and the regiments elsewhere in Anbar find schools of thought among the veteran coun- for at least the next half-year in Iraq, is one themselves even more undermanned than terinsurgents on General Casey’s command. of the most adept and experienced counter- they already are and incapable of holding To some officers the answer was clear: if a insurgents in the ranks of the officer corps. any area for more than a few weeks at a number of units in the north have finished Moreover, he shares his viewpoint with many time. Albeit with the best of intentions, the two-year campaign of clearing and hold- of the most successful officers in Iraq over Generals Casey and Chiarelli have turned ing, having made deep enough dents in the the past two years, including Lt. Gen. David down the best chance yet at drawing down insurgency, then they should not be replaced Petraeus *87, Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey, and the unsustainable number of combat units when they leave. By crippling segments of Col. H. R. McMaster. Throughout his tenure in Iraq in favor of a massive gamble. The the insurgency, they reasoned, the brigades as second-in-command in Iraq, General Chi- stakes of this gamble are high – both the had fulfilled their deployment orders and arelli has advocated deploying large masses stability of Baghdad and Iraq and the con- should return home (or at the very least, be of U.S. troops to demonstrate commitment, tinued effectiveness of a U.S. Army and repositioned to Kuwait and put on standby employing minimal violent force, and tak- Marine Corps are on the line. But most of in case of emergency). Several times in May ing part in highly visible reconstruction all, our generals risk any possibility for and June, General Casey hinted that a plan programs. When applied in the past on a victory against the Islamist terrorists who for some kind of withdrawal during 2006 smaller scale, as in McMaster’s Tel Afar and have flooded Anbar and the Euphrates val- was in the cards, and for supporters of this late-2005 Falluja, this strategy has brought ley since 2004. These are stakes with which strategy, a June article in the New York Times order to chaotic urban battlefields, but as the no general should gamble. suggested that this school of thought might U.S. casualty rolls demonstrate, this order be prevailing. As the military acknowledged comes at a heavy price. Moreover, the results soon after the report was published, General so far are not promising: although in the wake Casey had briefed the National Security of the reinforcement of Baghdad, both U.S. Wes Morgan ‘10 Council on a possible drawdown to twelve military and Iraqi civilian casualties dropped, is a freshman from brigades and regiments by the end of 2006, by September, the rate of sectarian killings Watertown, MA. followed by an additional drawdown to had risen yet again despite the deployment He is a resident six or seven by late 2007, with additional of additional troops. of Forbes College brigades placed on standby in Kuwait. The The U.S. command in Baghdad had and hopes to major prospect of such drastic drawdowns shrank a chance this summer to begin its two- or in military history in late July with the announcement of the three-brigade drawdown; indeed, with mis-

OCTOBER 2006 THE PRINCETON TORY · 17 THE LAST WORD THROWING CAUTION TO THE WIND

PRINCETON FUMBLES AGAIN BY ENDING EARLY ADMISSION

in this case Admissions Department data to end of Dillon Gym. Will Scharf ‘08 undermine Nancy Malkiel’s justification for Hyperbolic speculation aside, how- grade deflation. The crumbling, ivy-covered ever, there is one on-campus issue that has For those of you who are new to the façade of the once-monolithic Sorority of not received attention commensurate to its Tory, welcome, and for those of you, our Evil is testament to the political skill of our devastating impact – namely the hastily faithful legion of returning readers, who are soft-spoken leader. Kudos, Lenahan, and announced decision to follow the Crimson veterans of Princeton’s journal of conserva- keep up the emails! leader and do away with the early admission tive political indignation (now available Although I’d love to comment on the process in its entirety. electronically as well as in print), welcome four-year college system, and lambaste Nas- Special attention needs to first be paid back. This first Tory of the academic year sau Hall once again for waging a senseless to the timescale of this shocking move. marks the first anniversary of my ascension war on the peaceful drunkards of Prospect, Harvard announced its decision to drop early to this particular chunk of column inches Burstein and Co. have yet to present an hon- admissions on Monday, September 13th. Two known as “the last word”, a significant mile- est and well-articulated plan for the imple- days later, Dean of Admissions Janet Rape- stone by any system of measurement, so I’ll mentation of the college system, so there is lye was quoted in the Prince as saying, “I try to make this column especially good. really not all that much to say. It is worth literally can’t predict what we’re going to do, The fall has been a politically tumultu- noting, however, that the almost laughably or maybe we won’t do anything. We don’t ous one for the Princeton political scene, overdone residential college public rela- have a plan in place.” On September 18th, ex- and, at the risk of appearing to have startling tions offensive – launched this fall with the actly a week after Harvard’s announcement, tunnel vision, I am going to dispense with intent of convincing gullible underclassmen President Tilghman declared that Princeton commentary of any sort that might interest that they can have more fun listening to would be following Harvard in doing away people not living between Faculty Road poetry readings in a college common room with early admissions. In four days – from and Nassau Street and instead discuss some than they can in Cottage’s newly renovated the 14th when Rapelye made her clearly flus- tered, equivocating, unsure, and damned It’s worth interjecting that the last decision Nassau Hall made which unmanly statement to the Prince, to the was accompanied by pronouncements of “well, everybody’s going to do 18th when the deci- it too” was grade deflation, and as is commonly noted, not a single other sion was announced – including a week- school has since set A-range quotas à la Dean Malkiel. end over which our pampered battalion of deans were assumedly startling developments that certainly merit taproom complete with its gigantic plasma not in the office – a decision was made to concern and, indeed, outrage. flat-screen – would not have been launched throw into the dustbin of history a selection Credit must go to Alex Lenahan, first if the fledgling implementation plan for the process through which approximately half and foremost, for having the guts to say colleges wasn’t something to be worried of current Princeton students were admitted what we have known all along: we are about. Personally, having suffered through – a hasty move to say the least. It seems that smarter than our alumni parents were, and two years of Forbes’s vaunted fare and leaky Nassau Hall had a relatively unformed plan we deserve every last A-range grade that bathrooms, nothing short of a prophetic vi- to move on the early admissions issue before we can wrest out of the struggling hands of sion or a freak gasoline fight accident would Harvard did so, and I find myself wonder- disgruntled grad-students with no social life make me leave the indestructible walls of ing whether we were just trying to beat the to speak of. Joking aside, it really is great Charter Club for some newfangled Whitman rush of schools that would assumedly follow to see a USG President playing elements of quad complete with anti-social roommates Harvard’s lead. I suppose in this respect the administration against each other, using and scenic views of Spellman and the back we were successful in that we beat UVA

18 · THE PRINCETON TORY OCTOBER 2006 THE LAST WORD to the punch, but I’m hardly comforted by if applications magically appear in West just apply early somewhere else to get the this honor, particularly since the number of College, and then a set proportion of early insurance provided by an early admit? How elite universities who have done away with and regular applications are passively ac- about economically advantaged, well-quali- EA/ED can still be counted on half a hand. cepted by some sort of supernatural force. fied students who will similarly look for the It’s worth interjecting that the last decision This ignores the fact that it’s Rapelye’s assurances of a letter in December? Is the quality of our student If the administration were truly concerned by the proportion of rich kids body going “gaming the system” through EA, then there would be a very simply solution to to suffer to the advan- this--reducing the number of rich kids getting in early by reducing the number of tage of peer students admitted early, or by more actively screening for early applicants from schools like Yale, Co- disadvantaged backgrounds so that they too could do absolutely noting during the lumbia, or winter and spring trimester of their senior year after getting the thick letter. Brown? I do not k n o w t h e answer to Nassau Hall made which was accompanied own Princeton Admissions Office that is these questions, but neither do Rapelye and by pronouncements of “well, everybody’s responsible for the various ratios of appli- Tilghman, and that is why I am angry with going to do it too” was grade deflation, and cations to admissions and early or regular this decision. Had early admissions been as is commonly noted, not a single other acceptance rates. If the administration were scrapped after a year-long in-depth study school has since set A-range quotas à la truly concerned by the proportion of rich into application patterns here and else- Dean Malkiel. kids “gaming the system” through EA, then where, I would not be writing this column. Hastiness aside, though, even the there would a very simple solution to that But this decision was made in a week, and University’s rationale for doing away with – reducing the number of rich kids getting was prompted purely by something one early admissions makes absolutely no sense. In her statement an- nouncing the policy shift, President Had early admissions been scrapped after a year-long in-depth Tilghman proclaimed, “We believe that a single admission process will study into application patterns here and elsewhere, I would encourage an even broader pool of not be writing this column. excellent students to apply to Princ- eton”. I’m left wondering exactly how broad a pool we need. For the class of 2010, we had 17,478 applicants for in early by reducing the number of students of our rivals did. I am reminded of Coca- an estimated 1,220 spots. That’s over 14 admitted early, or by more actively screen- Cola’s disastrous attempt at modernizing applicants for each desk. You can’t tell me ing for early applicants from economically their formula to match Pepsi, which led to that there aren’t qualified students already disadvantaged backgrounds so that they too plunging sales and a rapid reintroduction of being turned away, and I really don’t think could do absolutely nothing during winter Coca-Cola “Classic”. If only we could bring that increasing the number of applicants and spring trimester of their senior years back “Admissions Office Classic” with Dean to 25,000 or 30,000 would produce a true after getting the thick letter. Above all, if Fred Hargadon – the father of the early ad- qualitative difference in future matriculated Princeton has difficulties admitting smart missions system at Princeton – at the helm, classes, and I’m even granting President minorities, it’s an image problem – in order now that would be something. And that’s Tilghman the benefit of the doubt on the to diversify, West College has to spread the the last word. question of whether or not cutting EA/ED word better about our superior financial aid altogether will produce an increased number packages and work to dissolve Princeton’s Will Scharf ‘08 is of qualified applicants. reputation for elitism. But these are public a history major The second rationale relied on illogical relations problems, not early admission originally from class warfare-like rhetoric that is neither problems. New York. An of- productive nor honest. President Tilghman I’m all for socioeconomic diversity, ficer at Charter justified the decision by saying that Early but the goal of socioeconomic diversity Club, Will is also Admissions unfairly favored economically was not necessarily served most effectively involved in a advantaged students, and that disadvantaged by scrapping the whole early system. How number of con- students were thus further disadvantaged by about well-qualified, disadvantaged students servative political the policy since their rich neighbors were who in past years would have applied early, and Jewish reli- getting a leg up through early admissions. gotten in, and therefore been bound to Princ- gious groups on I find this argument fundamentally flawed. eton, but who will now apply to multiple campus. Tilghman and Rapelye make it sound as schools and perhaps choose elsewhere or

OCTOBER 2006 THE PRINCETON TORY · 19