SEPTEMBER 30, 1 992 VOLUME XV, ISSUE 1

CITIZEN w ACHTEL, FALL FASHION PREVIEW, STu's BooK, BASHING BILLY, AND MoRE ... THE OTHER SIDE Table of Contents Editor's Desk Manacin&' Editors: IJcwr Stolbu and CAMPAIGN '92 PITZER NEWS As editors of a college paper, we're guaranteed to have a full &th Winnick mailbox at the beginning of each year. Not with letters from loyal and hecu.tive Editor.: John 11rac.Un and Bashing Billy Boy Student Senate avid readers, but from syndication £inns who want to sell us articles, JmnySpitz 16 by Jenny Murphy 8 by Justin Rood comics, etc. And we're not so hip on the latest trends in Modernism. Production Editor: Heidi Schunum we're not all that interested. What do these two seemingly unrelated Creative Arta Editor: 7im SJwrp That's ProgTessive? Global Conscience topics have in common, you ask? We are interested in what's going on Sport. Editor: Andrrw Starbin by John Bracken by Alfie Alschuler here at Pitzer. Whether the writing in the magazine would substan­ 18 9 Entertainment Ed: Christin.a Cuppin.s tially improve, whether the design ideas would blow our current Senior Photocrapber: Whit Preston Family Values standards away, it's a Pitzer magazine, and what it's about is giving Sports Pitzer students the opportunity to write about issues, or submit Arti.sta: Tay Suh and 26 by Pieter Judson 10 by Jason Aufdemberg creative work, that represent us. Whether Pitzer is or is not a commu­ JontJthtm Duran Mark Taylor nity, it still isn't easy to keep up with all the current issues on campus, Writers: 7im.AMm and to actually get all the angles on these issues requires more leg Al/U Alsclw.J~r I'm Freaking Out! work then most of us are prepared to do on our own. The Other Side Jason Au{tkmberg INTERVIEWS 12 by Tim Ahern hopes to fill this need. Seth Bridli.n Over the past few years, The Other Side has undergone a Jua~~ Delara Stuart McConnell Alumni Comer transformation which has seen it rise to its position as the best paper JoanntJ Gor(ein 4 by Andrew Starbin 28 by Jenny Spitz on the five campuses. The level of aesthetic and literary quality is /Um Gilnwn unmatched among the Oaremont papers. This is due in great part to Bill Kramer Cesar Vallejo the journalistic freedom extended to the devoted writers, editors, and Jenny Murphy by N'tongela Masilela faculty contributors. The Other Side is unique in that its articles are not 14 simply short, fill in the blank updates of a standard format. While the MottNat.Jumson new editorial staff of the paper hopes to maintain this standard of Rcsemary Robinson Citizen Wachtel quality, or at least try and catch up in future issues, we understand Justin Rood 20 by Travis Wright that it would be impossible to duplicate the format the paper has Adrian ShqJhod REVIEWS adopted under its previous leadership. We can't be them as well as Billy Spri1f8U they can, so we're not going to try. Mark Taylor " Singles" Singles Instead we will attempt to move to a format that will foster TrovisWrigiU 29 by Matt Nathanson investigative journalism on issues affecting the ·~tzer Community," Copy Editinc Aasistant: Heathu Porlru allow for greater freedom to contribute creatively, and will hopefully Production Aasistant: David Sperry CREATIVE ARTS Rock the Vote encourage more involvement from the students and faculty. When Faculty Advisor: Joclti.e Leuering­ Comics 30 by Juan Delara Pitzer can boast many of the best Oaremont athletes, bands, and Rosemary Robinson culturally diverse students and faculty, there is no shame in admitting SuUU;an 34 by that we are more interested in seeing some of these issues covered in Tay Suh Movies The Other Side. What it comes down to is that The Other Side is a Pitzer 32 by Billy Springer paper, so we're going to cover what's going on here. Poetry Adrian Shepherd Lastly, as we say good-bye to the Old Side, we want to say 36 by Tim Sharp Joanna Garfein good-bye to some of the people who are leaving as well. While I've already acknowledged the contributions they've made to the paper, we just want to say that they've been good friends along the way. They've influenced the people here at The Other Side as well. They worked hell hard on this paper, how hard we didn't know until just recently, and Mter reading The Other Side Magazine is a publication of the students of Pitzer they made it fun. They will be missed here and in many areas of Pitzer Cover[5gn: College. The editors reserve the right to edit or refuse any material College, we wish them the best of luck always. The Other Side, submitted,although it doesn't happen often. Address any inquiries or Jooathan Duran letters to The Other Side, c/ o Pitzer College, Box 857, Claremont, CA, 91711. please recycle The opinions expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the Untitkrl, 92 opinions of the editorial staff, or even in some cases the writers.

2 S E PTE M B E R 3 0, I 9 9 2 T HE O THER S IDE 3 Did you feel any pressures during the experience? It was a dissertation to start with, so most of the Interview pressure involved with it was there. Get your degree, get done with it. .. that kind of thing. The book was a pretty natural process- usually dissertations have to be really heavily revised in order to tum them into books. They by practically have to be thrown out and started over again. That wasn't the case with this. Andrew Starbin Why did you focus on this period? The subject matter and why it interests me; as I say in Stuart McConnell, as­ the introduction of the book, I came to it sort of through the back door. I started out being interested in questions of sistant professor of history, community history and local history, and who had local power. I thought, originally, that this would be a good has just published: Glorious window on that you would find some sort of hidden conspiracy theory in which members of the Grand Army Contentment: The Grand ruled local politics and dictated the pecking order of the local business establishments. A quasi-Masonic secret soci­ Army of the Republic, 1865- ety that was the real power; these are the sort of ideas you have when you are twenty-two years old. The more you get 1900. If this subject is unfa­ into the organization, the more you find out that's not what it is really about at all. It is really about nationalism. It's miliar to you, you are prob­ about visions of the nation and memories of the war, taking care of the wounded, questions about what society owes to ably not alone. Professor the poor and the distressed ... Do you talk about the conception of war being changed, McConnell wants to see moving into the era of" modem" warfare, and the effects it has on a society? more interest in History here I have never believed in that "first modem war stuff" about the Civil War. It may be true on some level, but it at Pitzer, and we met with doesn't interest me very much. That is not to say that the attitudes that these guys have toward the Civil War aren' t him to discuss the book, the significantly different from what carne before or what came afterward. But I'm not sure that "modem" is the right way department, and History's to describe it. What I say in the book is that they have a ''Millennia! Republican View'' of the war. They think of role in the college's future. whattheydidasaonetirneonlycrusade. Theyarenotreally comparable with warriors from other wars. If you want an example of how this plays out in real life, you take the veterans of the Revolutionary War, which is probably the Was this your first book, and how long did it take to most significant predecessor. Their veterans organization, complete? the Society of the Cincinnati (they founded the city), is a It was my dissertation for all practical purposes, al­ hereditaryorganization . It's still around because it is passed though a couple of chapters were re-written. If you figure down from fathers to sons. Now you can do that if you I started on it in 1983, I guess it amounts to nine years from conceive of the war that you're fighting as being something the time I first set out to do the GAR (Grand Army of the thatisan "inheritance" to your children. Theothercounter Republic) until the time that the physical product appeared examplewouldbethemodernorganizationsliketheAmeri­ on the market. 1bat exaggerates because the first years can Legion or the V. F.W (Veterans of Foreign Wars); orga­ were mainly research at the Library of Congress; Philadel­ nizations that basically came out of World War I. They're phia; Brocton, Massachusetts; the Boston state house; and still around because they admitted veterans of later wars: Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam. They didn't

THE OTHER S I DE 5 THE OTHER SIDE view their own war as being somehow unique; it was one vented Memorial Day. And, most of the early history of the That's not big enough. You can't do a serious coverage of the clusters, and so on. Students will gravitate to other war among many foreign wars. What you have with the war was written by or under the guise of the GAR. the world with only three people. We only have three slots; courses to fill those requirements, and a result is: History 55 GAR is something different. It is an organization that's What does the retzder take away? What concJusions should one Americanist- me, one Europeanist- whoever we is six students rather than twenty or thirty. Euro 10 and 11 time-bound. It dies when the last member dies. That was be drawn after retzding the work? hire, and Alan Greenberger-who does Asia, Ireland, Italy, has only nine or ten. These courses used to serve that very deliberate, and they intended it that way because they I don't know if the reader is supposed to take away the Jews, and is now doing a course on the Japanese Intern­ function; now they must get the requirements out of the thought of their war as being unique: "a one time only war anything- it's sort of an open~nded book. What I hope ment camps. way, and History doesn't cross their minds. of national salvation". It wasn't for their sons; it wasn't for they will do is think more about what nations are. These So, you would like to see more slots? So, the new requiremenJs are hampering the History de­ veterans of other wars-it was just theirs. An apocalyptic guys really thought that they had saved the nation. That's Well, I think the college has to decide whether it is partment? event that could only have happened one time, and in one what the organization was about, but they find themselves serious about doing History or not. Historically, the His­ Theyarenotdoingitintentionally, but I think they are way. for most of the career of this or­ tory field group here has been a having that effect on our enroll­ Was the GAR open to anyone ganization in arguments over service discipline. That is, we ments. We'll see, it could be a who had served? Were minorities what the nation actually is, what have tended to view ourselves as one year fluke. We have had allowed to join? Did one have to be kind of a nation is it that they simply offering courses as ser­ peopleon leaveandalotofother a "'freeman" in order to join? saved, should it change, should vices to the other field groups, things. But it is clear in the talk­ You had to be a veteran. it not change, and so on. Is it for who have got most of the majors. ing that went on about where the They had black members which, all white people or not, capitalist The social-science disciplines college was going, like who we in the context of the late nine­ ornot. Theseareverybasicques­ (Psychology, Sociology, Anthro­ should hire and what we should teenth century, is unusual. Most tions of not only personal iden­ pology) is reallywhereit'sat here. require of our students, that His-­ fraternal orders were often de­ tity, but national identity. And, That's always been the case. tory is not the uQueen of the signed to exclude minorities. its not only about veterans. I Those people don't take upper­ Social Sciences" and that every Other orders had blacks, too,and don't know that I have the an­ level History courses. Maybe educated person ought to have it what usually happened is what swer to the question: ''What is some surveys or special interests (asWemerWarmbrumsays). Be­ happenedintheGAR: theywere the American nation?". HI did, I which cross over: pop-culture, cause,theydon'tthinkitis. They segregated into black parts and would probably go and run for like the bomb, or political move­ think it is about dead people. white parts. So, in the context of office someplace. ments like Fascism. They're not However, there are exceptions. the late 19th century they were As a professor at Pitzer, what really interested in period courses People like Dan Segal for ex­ relatively advanced. However, if areyour uduties" or obligations? Is They want to study what is hap­ ample, who is basically teaching you look at them in retrospect, there any pressure to be published or pening now and not ''History". History courses in the Anthro­ they are as segregated as any involved in field work? Mostofourcourses, up until five pology field department. Still, it other fraternal order and racial Well, you need to be pub­ years ago, tended to be broad seems to me that there is a differ­ attitudes aren't particularly en­ lished to get tenured. This is, in overviews and we never made ence between someone who is lightened. effect, a tenure book. Beyond that, much pretension to offer a His-­ trained as a historian to teach Your story ends in 1900. Is there aren't those kind of pres­ tory major. We had specialized History and someone who is there more that you would like to say sures. I usually go to two or three courses and seminars, but stu­ coming into it from another dis-­ about the GAR in another volume? conferences a year. The school dents really had to rely on the cipline and picking it up. I've pretty much said what pays you for that. I have articles other colleges. The search for the replace­ l have to say about the GAR, that I'm workingon, and you are How many majors are there mentofPieterJudsonshould take although one reviewer thought always working on your classes. now? well into December. McConnell it was a shame that I ended where I did- the last member You must read new books for that, re-write lectures, and It's actually grown quite a bit. I was hired five years would like to see a woman get the position because "it's a died in 1954. They were the lobbyists for the original even design new courses. Of course there's teaching and ago, Pieter was hired four years ago-and now the hot area and lots of issues are going there". Pitzer has never veterans pension system. There were pensions before the advising, and committee work. I am on the Executive department's attitude toward it has been a little different. had anyone specifically designated for Women's History. Civil War, butnothinglikewhatyouseeafterward. By1893 Committee of the college this year, which is sort of the We want to build something in History where we have lots In any event, the position must cover European History in the federal government was spending one of every three '1'olitburo" of Pitzer College. So, it's a combination. of upper-level courses, more majors, ... that kind of thing. a colonial context. The focus should not simply be on dollarsittookinonOvilWarpensions. Thememberswere Talk about the History department at Pitzer,... But for that, you need more faculty. I think now we have Western Ovilization, but rather Europe and its relation politically active, and worked to get veterans homes built. Its too small. between thirty and thirty-five majors; the last two years with the rest of the world. Our concept of the social welfare system was non-existent Well, what changes need to be made? Pieter ]usdson will be have been high numbers. But we haven't increased our in the 19th century, except for the pensions going to veter­ leaving,sothereisasearch now fora replacement. Is there enough faculty slots at all, and the move in the curriculum seems to ans, widows, children, and the sick. lt becomes a huge interest in History here? be away from History, generally. It seems that way to me. amountofmoney. GARagitationbroughtaboutthepledge That's a touchy subject at the moment. The first thing They are not adding new positions, and our courses don't of allegiance and the flag in the school house. They dealt you have to say, and I have told this to the Curriculum address the new requirements of the college; one in math, with questions of how the war is remembered; they in- Committeeandeveryoneelse,isthereareonlythreepeople. oneinscience,oneinsocialresponsibility,multi-culturalism,

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level. The prophetic role of religion can be met by serving 0 1992 STUDENT (NON) ELECTIONS A Global as a role model. Religious communities should sponsor recycling programs and habitat restoration, as well as ad­ dressenvironmental issues in their religious services. Prof. Conscience: Rogers is working on those sorts of issues in Oaremont and D UNOPPOSED at the School of Theology. Both Rogers and Newkirk were disappointed with Justification for the progress made by our political leaders at the UN Earth A Review and Short History of Pitzer's Political Organizations Summit. Newkirk said that all the people involved in the Higher Education Global Forum who attended the UN Summit were dis­ by Justin Rood mayed by the lack of progress and felt their own gathering was much more productive. President Bush's performance Fall has swept the landscape umnist for the Collage, echoed included information sessions to edu­ by Alfie Alschuler was predictably atrocious. of America, spreading the mud-sling­ Welboum's sentiments: "Obviously cate the voting populace of the Senate's Rogers said in reference to President Bush, " lt ing, spring-action, double-barreled, nobody cares, at all, because nobody's purpose, and those of the other com­ A group of five people from the Claremont School would be difficult to overestimate the depth of anger and madras-wearing, cutthroat spirit of running, people are running mittees. There was a forum, "at which of Theology went to the Global forum this summer, in Rio dismay the world as a whole felt toward Bush and the USA politics to even the tiniest hamlets of unopposed.. .Andifnobodycaresabout the candidates for. ..Senate will par­ de Janeiro. This was a summit held by over 600 NGO's he represents. His watering down of one treaty and his America. Every one, that is, but Pitzer it, nothing's going to happen, and it's take in a limited debate... [T]he candi­ (non-governmental organizations), which ran concurrently refusal to sign another was seen as his reluctance to take College. Fall has borne us witness just useless. We should terminate the dates will be asked questions by the with the United Nations Earth Summit. The Global Forum part in an international effort to heal a world-wide crisis. once again to the happy absurdity of Senate. And if we terminate the Sen­ Pitzer community," according to Stu­ was a separate conference from the Earth Summit. In this While Bush perceives himself as a barometer of the Ameri­ campus politics. ate, then I don't care about it, either." dent Senate: A Structural Revolution, a conference the NGOs made their own treaties and personal can public's wishes, the main problem with the Bush Ad­ The student elections were ...... flyer handed out at the beginning of commitmentstoservetheenvironmentandglobalecology. ministration is the mistaken assumption that being held last week for fourteen positions in The StudentSenate was begun in the fall '90 semester. Grace Newkirk, hom the School ofTheology, came pro--«ology is beinganti-job." This kind ofblackand white the Student Senate, Judicial Council, 1990 as a "modification of the gover­ In 1992, there was no informa­ back with some general attitudes and specific projects that thinking seems typical of the Bush administration. His Student Life Committee and Student nance system," according to the 1990- tion session; there was no forum. In­ she believes will have a positive impact on the earth's attempt to simplify the issue in order to gain political Appointments Committee. Of those 91 Insider's Guide to Pitzer G

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Last Saturday, the Hens outplayed local La Verne team for a l-0 victory, in the first league game. Unfortu· nately, the score did notreflecttheoutstandingand aggres­ Sagehens' siveplaybyourteam. Theyhadnumerousshotsonthegoal in both halfs, but could only capitalized on one shot made in the first half. Soccer If the tie against the defending national champions and the win against St. Thomasand LaVerneareprecursors of things to come, men's soccer should have a promising season. If the Hens continue their strong play they should Triumphs be on their way to a SCIAC title. In Overtime

by

Jason Aufdemberg hero to emerge and out of the Oaremont smog appeared Joel Harper. Joel "Prime Time" Harper's speed and agility 1. Rob '~o Look'' Wood. No Rob, the no and allowed him to take the ball deep into the heart of the look has nothing to do with your tennis game. It Mark Taylor defense. In the early minutes of overtime, Harper put the relates to the minor three car fender bender that Hens on top for good, as he scored the decisive goal. Final resulted from an unsafe, reckless lane change at Score: Hens 2 - St. Thomas 1. the Division III national tennis tournament. Sagehen men's soccer has had why tempers flared in the latter stages its ups and downs in the early going. of the game. As the game became more 2. Los Angeles Dodgers. With a pitching Pomona-Pitzeropened theseason with physical, cheap shots became numer­ staff that contains Orei Hershiser, and Ramon a heart-breaking loss to Division I foe ous. Twoplayerswereissuedredcards Martinez, and an outfield that has Darryl Straw­ Loyola Marymount. The Lions upset and given early exits from the game, berry and Eric Davis, who would have imagined the Hens in the last seconds of over­ while still more players were issued that the Dodgers would have one of the worst time, 2-1. Next, the Hens faced Divi­ yellow cards. records in basebalL Mitch Webster is second on sion ll opponent Cal State San At first, it did not look all that the team in homers with 6; enough said. Bernardino, who are ranked in the top promising for the Hens. The Hens fell 5. The Hens were not up for the chal­ behind, 1-0, late in the second half. 3. Boston Red Sox. WithanotherCyYoung lenge (they lossed 6-0). However, a rally cry was heard from year by Roger Clemens it is still doubtful that the The Hens next opponent was Coach Schwartz on the sidelines. Sox will emerge from the basement of the A.L long time rival and defending national ''Don't just up and give it to them!!," East. champions, UC San Diego. In the past Schwartz screamed. lbis seemed to the Hens have been unsuccessful in the change the whole momentum of the 4. Los Angeles Raiders. After disappoint­ games against San Diego. However, game. The Hens continued to press ing losses to both the Broncos and the Ben gals, the the Hens weTe ready for the battle, and and hustle for every loose ball. It fi­ Raiders opted to replace Jay Schroeder with Todd fought to a 1-1 overtime tie. nally paid off as Andrew Dillworth, Marijuanavich. Although Schroeder is not the Friday the 19th, the Hens finessed the ball off a defender and best QB in the league, he should have been re­ notched their first victory against St. past the outstretched St. Thomas goalie placed after the Bronco game and not the Bengal Thomas of Minnesota. The frustra­ in the final minutes of the game. lbis game. tions of previous games and the hot sent the game into overtime. weather may have been the reasons Now, the stage was set for a

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could oonceivably go on a bombing that grew up in the fifties. But what dent 'n shit. Just think about that, huh! campaign against the CIA, FBI and can be expected? I don't know. Maybe I could DEA, leaving a path of destruction in Even though thesearetwobril­ even get a job. That is if I could find my wake, in a valiant one man attempt liant plans, I have actually thought one seeing the mess that the jerks be­ 1•m Freaking Out! to emancipate our country of the evil about going back to school for more fore us have left, but that's another doers. Ridding Washington of scum. education. Can you actually believe essay in itself. Lately, I have been Yes, I would be branded an outlaw. that?Now,afterfourrigorousandgru­ carefully examining and critiquing They would brainwash Americans ev­ elingyearsofhighereducation I would what exactly I have done for these last I'm freakin' out!!! I'm afraid look anxiously with nervous excite­ erywhere about my evil intentions. actually consider more of this. But this four years, charting my growth, as­ that the dudes in the white jackets are mentaround the room toseewhooould But I would be on a moral crusade, mania does not seem to be afflicting sessing my assets and coming to grips Tale of a going to come into my room in Mead be next. single handedly bringing a crushing only myself. Yes, I have spoken with with my faults. I have come to the and drag me out like a wild and savage This is my fear, this is my night- blow to the industrialists, imperialists conclusion that I can now think! I can beast, kicking and drooling while I mare!! and capitalist jerks disrupting the read a very boring book written by Senior on dreadfully dutch my beloved oom­ I have been walking in a daze world and its development. Their term some archaically inclined professor puter. around campus,enshrouded in a men­ of wrath would be ended. I would be " ... it looks as if who needs to keep his job and then I "I think he's just totally gone tal fog, since my lifeless return to Pitzer the savior of democracy and freedom. can write an absolutely pointless and absolutely and oompletely mad," cries campus. The uncertainty of my future Yes, just think about the possibilities. we've got another boring paper for another professor to the Brink the worried suitemate. '1-fe's running permeates my being, my oonscious­ A modem rebel, lashing out against one of these lost read while he or she is in the process of around stark naked in the suite, hair ness, my soul. Sleep has been very society in a forceful and destructive writing another one of these torturous disheveled, eyes bulging out, banging little, homework uninteresting, life a swoop, transforming our country into seniors who after books that will be forced upon some his head violently, but in a rather jovial mess,andchaosaconstanl lseehappy, a respectable and livable place. unaware and innocent students. I can by and melodic way, against the walls but confused freshmen, lightly jaunt­ I am a little pensive though four years of deep type. I have learned to make a damn while screaming fanatically, 1 don't ing around campus, sucking up their about this sort of career move consid­ tasty burrito at McConnel. My guitar know what I'm going to do with my new found freedom from mommy and cringthepresentstateofthings. "Yes!," and intellectual playing has improved. 1 can read a Tim Ahern life.' ARRRRGR!!!" daddy, drinking to contentment, full I grit my teeth and exclaim when I newspaperthatdoesn'teven havecom­ "Don't worry kid,n says the of excitement and hope, in total enjoy­ silently ponder the idea of being such thought has just ics. (I still haven't learned to clean up voice reassuringly on the other end of ment and expectation of what the life an outlaw. But the fact of the matter is, burst like an over- my room, but please don't tell my the line. "Keep him away from the of academia will bring. "Suckers,» I J just do not think I am fit for the life of mother.). toilet water and don't let him near any whisper under my breath as I walk an outlaw. The constant hiding and used condom. " Myconclusion has been-BFD!! heroin. We are on our way!" past the fools. They are unaware that restraint on mydailyroutinewould be How's all this going to get me away 'Well Charlie, it looks as if in four years they will be a jumbled just awful. Yes, I would thoroughly from suckling the parents' money. I we've got another one of these lost messofoonfused and bewildering facts miss some of my bourgeois pleasures others, who, can you actually believe, have no idea. Am I employable with seniors who after four years of deep which torment their soul. like a good cup of cappuccino, or an want to go onto to Graduate School as such a vast wealth of talent, knowl­ and intellectual thought has just burst I have actually bumped into afternoon of brain-rotting in front of welJ. What has happened to us? Have edge and skills? Which just leads me like an overused condom. Don't forget the odd one or two Seniors who know the TV. So, I must contemplate other they spiked our food at McConnell back into that cycle, which I cannot get the straight jacket and Thorazine like exactly what they want to do after back up ideas, as well. with some sort of mind altering and out of. I keep going round and round. you did last time when that guy started graduation and frankly speaking, I One of my friends has the idea thought controlling drug? Is this some This has lead me to my insanity. The spitting like a Uarna." want to split their head wide open that we can go to the Caribbean and be huge plot against our lives whose mag­ constant churning of thoughts and When they arrive, there I am, with one fell swoop of an ax and glee­ Scuba diving instructors. I could just nitudeiscompletely unfathomable? I ideas and thoughts and more ideas., in my birthday suit, in the exact man­ fully watch their brains ooze majesti­ see my dad's face when I tell him this suspect that Marriot, which serves so AHH!!! ner described. The entire dorm has cally between my toes. Ahh! If life one. many colleges in this country, is the I have actually made an ap­ fiendishly come to witness this grue­ could only be so good. Really, I'm not ''Well dad, after you have just cover for a joint Scholastic- FBI opera­ pointment to see my advisor and talk some display of insanity. The men in the violent type, but I'm a tormented spend about $90,000 so I can think tion, to keep the money flowing to the to him about some of my chaos. I have white jackets swiftly pounce up the soul. Ijustwantalife,agoodlife. Who critically, I have carefully waded Universities and keeping the informa­ even thought about making up are­ stairs with the grace and strength of a give's a shit about the white picket through the options placed before me tion greedy professors with an ample sume, and even going to the Career Cheetah, tackle, straight jacket and fuckin' fence. l just want to go out on and, well, I think that I'm going to the supply of students for slaves, while in Planning Office to check 'em out and drug me in the blink of an eye. The my own. Be an individual, a real per­ Caribbean and teach dumb tourists tum keeping the intelligent people out see what they can do for me. But I stunned and ragged students, who son. Thegreatquestiongnawingatmy Scuba diving." of society and the main stream so that haven't taken such drastic action yel I have gathered in little dusters, all gawk innards is, "what the fuck should I "You little twit. You get your all the stupid ones continue to go to guess I'll sit around the entire year, at the strange scene unfolding before do?" assinlineandmakesomethingofyour­ Washington, work for the CIA, be a tormenting myself. Why be produc­ their glazed and sunken eyes. They I have come up with many self." Typical words from an old dog congressmen, and/or become Presi- tive when you can worry! frantically whisper to each other , and good and well thought out ideas. 1

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Masilela: Professor Mezey, you worse form than the Victorian serial, in would take this book seriously today. Where the French Surrealists are cere­ ness in his poetry partly comes from have translated Cesar Vallejo's work which Thomas Hardy had to write His Marxism, which in his novel is bral, Vallejo is absolutely visceral. this historical experience. The Poetic of fiction, Tungsten. Could you describe some of his novels. Vallejo was taking very schematic, very simple-minded, Masilela: I agree with you con­ Mezey: I think that had a lotto do thecircumstancesofyourfirstencoun­ on analmost impossible task. Secondly, and verydisappointing,doesnotseern cerning the cerebralism of the French with it. Both his mother and his father ter with this great Peruvian poet? Cesar Vallejo's life in Paris in most of to mar his poetry. The Marxism in his Surrealists. In his essay, "Autopsy on were cholos, half Spanish and half In­ and Mezey: As I explained in the those years was one of extreme pov­ poetry is complicated by an enormous Surrealism", Vallejo violently attacks dian. Compared to other great Latin Translator's Preface to El Tungsteno. it erty. Probably this novel was written intelligence and an awareness of the Andre Breton for refusing to align Sur­ America poets, for instance Vincente was almost accidental. I was in in haste to support himself. He wrote a complexities of human existence, that realism with Marxism. Vallejo was Huidobro or Pablo Neruda, Vallejo is Religious Barcelona and studying Spanish. My lot of journalistic pieces to keep body one does not encounter in his novel. I sympathetic to Louis Aragon and Paul closest to his Indian origins and ances­ friend, Hardie St. Martin, the famous and soul together. do not know the reason for this. When Eluard because they were moving to­ try. I do not think much scholarship translator, suggested that I translate El Masilela: I would like to pursue he wrote verse, he wrote with his total wards and seeking a point of synthesis has been done yet to determine how Quest of Tungsteno, as a way of improving my this question a little bit further. Not intelligence, whereas when he wrote deeply knowledgeable Vallejo was Spanish. When I read the book, my necessarilythatthereisaneasyanswer the novel, he wrote with only a part oflndianart, cosmology, poetryand heart sank because the latter part of the to it. It is interesting, as you say, that of his mind, as a doctrinaire Marx­ song. This would be a very interest­ Cesar novel was not nearly as good as the when writing Tungsten, Cesar Vallejo ist. ing study. In his early poetry Cesar early part. Although there are wonder­ locked himself in a socialist realist Masilela: In the Translaror's Vallejo uses some Indian wordsand ful passages, it is very programmatic mode, which was fatally constricting Preface to Tungsten, you hold Cesar ideas...... ! respect a writer like Vallejo and full of exaggeration, with all the in many ways, whereas he did not Vallejo's poetry in high estimation. Vallejo because he lived out what by N'Tongela Masilela worst faults of socialist realist fiction. employ this literary style when he You call him a great writer. I concur he believed in: he lived in povery. As I say, I was taken up with the prob­ wrote his outstanding poetry. Vallejo's with your evaluation and judge­ He saw himself as a follower of lem of translation, which is always in­ Spain, Take This Cup FromMe, was writ­ ment. How would you characterize Jesus, and the very title, Espana, teresting, regardless of the quality of ten very quickly as a political response the extraordinary achievement of March 16 was the centennial of A(Xlrta de mi este Olliz, is what Jesus the work one is translating. For all its in poetic form to the Spanish Ovil War Vallejo within modernism? the birth of Cesar Vallejo, who was Christ said, without the Espana. exaggerations, excesses, and preju­ of 19~1939, a book of poetry pro­ Mezey: Modernism is a term born in Santiago de Chuco, northern There are many poems in which dices, the book is honest, because he pelled by high moralseriousnessinter­ I'm less and less comfortable with Peru, in 1892. He died in Paris on April Vallejo seems to portray himself as tellsofhisexperiencesamongthelndi­ twining Marxist philosophy (dialectics) as the years go by. It is a slippery 15, 1938. He wrote four books of po­ a Christ figure. He embodies in his ans in the sierras of Peru and workers and poetic form. The book was written word and it is hard to say what it ems: Los Heraldos Negros 0918), Trilce life that kind of suffering and self­ on the plantations. It is an important in haste in response to a historical cri­ means because it takes in so much. (1922), Esfxlna, aparta de mi este Cilliz abnegation. This is very closely tied document. sis, yet it is a text of great poetry. Spain, By no means is itcoherentorconsis­ (1938), Poemas Humanos (1940). All in with his Communism, a very Masilela: As you were translat­ Take This Cup From Me would seem to tent. In fact, it takes in many things these anthologies have been translated primitive kind of communism. For ing Tungsten, did it bother you that the confirm the existence of a remarkable which are in fact opposed to each into English. Cesar Vallejo is, simply, me theCommunismofCesar Vallejo quality of Cesar Vallejo's poetry is of qualitative difference between the other. But there is no question that one of the greatest, if not the greatest, is different from that of Pablo such a high order, whereas this novel prose and poetry of this always aston­ Vallejo was a modernist, a modern­ poet of our century. He was a literary Neruda. There is something sus­ isofadifferentqualitativeorder?How ishing writer. I do not know whether ist poet. In some ways he is hard to phenomenon from the Third World. pect in Neruda's Communism. This would you account for the difference? this is a question at all. account for. Even though as a young Thomas Merton, the religious philoso­ is true also of Bertolt Brecht, who Mezey: Yes, it bothered me Mezey: No, this is an excellent man he seems to have written po­ pher, has said of him: "Cesar Vallejo is had the best of everything. They Oaughing) ...... question. It exposes many complexi­ etry derivative of Quevedo and the the greatest catholic poet since Dante­ both lived in great comfort. What­ Masilela: Tungsten is a proletar­ ties in his writing. It is true as you say, great Spanishclassics, for the most part, - by catholic I mean universal." Cesar between Marxism and Surrealism. But everone may say about Cesar Vallejo's ian novel...... that Espana, Aparta de mi este Caliz is of he does not come out of Spain nor Vallejo: The Dialectic of Poetry and Si­ I want to come back to something you beliefs, he lived out his politics and Mezey: Poetry and proseare very highquality,even though it lapses now show much interest in the Spanish tra­ lence by Jean Franco is one the best just mentioned: you say that Cesar was absolutely committed. He died different arts. There are good poets and then into Marxist rhetoric. It was dition. He does not seem to have read studies of this Latin American poet In Vallejo is not easily traceable and lo­ very young [46 years old] and very who sometimes do not write good written in passion, late in his career, a great deal of the French Surrealists celebration ofthe centennial, Ntongela catable within the lineages of Spanish untimely, partly because of the way he prose. I have not read enough of after many, many years of not writing and had no serious contact with them. Masilela interviewed Bob Mezey. Rob­ poetry. Could it be that Vallejo's origi­ chose to live. Vallejo's other prose to be able to say poetry at all. The simplest answer is They were too cerebral for him. But ert Mezey, the translator of Cesar nality comes from the fact that he was Masilela: You mentioned a tre­ definitively that the man was not a that he was a born poet. Writing prose, independently, and in isolation from Vallejo's El Tungsteno, is Professor of partly, if not wholly, a Latin American mendous amount of religiousity in good prose writer. But it is not a good Cesar Vallejo was writing in a form the French Surrealists, he is one of the English and Poet-in-Residence at Indian: perhaps theabsolutegreatness Vallejo's poetry. Asearly as 1928, Cesar novel, and there are several reasons for that was not so natural to him. He inventors of surrealism for Latin Pomona College. ofhispoetryisthedirectproductofthe Vallejo's Marxist compatriot, Jose that: first, he had locked himself into a wrote fiction for money. Theonly book America. In this inventiveness, he is clash between the Quechua language Carlos Mariategui, in his book, Seven form [i.e. socialist realism] which is of his that ever made any money is similar to Ruben Dario. But his voice is and the Spanish languageembodied in Interpretive Essays on Peruvian Rftllity, almost guaranteed to produce bad fic­ Rusia en 1931, his reflections on his something totally new in Spanish po­ his poetic genius. This is evident in his tion. An absurd theory of art. It is a travels in the Soviet Union. No one etry; it had not been heard before. book of poetry, Trilce. I think the new- (continued on page 38)

S E PTE M B E R 3 0 , I 9 9 2 14 THE OTHER SIDE 15 THE OTHER SIDE

paigns ever and Billy Boy is still in the key word in this boy's vocabulary and, This guy, who played golf at an all lead. And the horrifying reality... his quite obviously, "sensible'' isn't. For white country club and then apolo­ campaign tactics are target practice in example,hehasmadeuphismind that gized for getting caught just might be comparison to what he'll do to this he wants a more expensive govern­ the next leader of this country!? May ' ' country,ifelected.He'salreadywaged ment as well as $150 billion in new Zeus strike us dead now. a hard-ball campaign against Bush in taxes over the next four years to be On the other hand, let me ask hopes of deflecting Republican attacks imposed on upper-income earners, you a question. Just who exactly is on his own character. This election has American corporations that invest running to be the Democratic presi­ Ill I alreadyemerged asa generational con­ abroad, and foreign corporations do­ dent, him or that lovely wife of his, test of unusual intensity in the longest ing business here. Drum roll please for Hillary? You know, not the bimbo he time anyone can remember. There's no the total on the increased spending played musical beds with, but Cookie bill... $266 billion dollars despite the fact that everyone is in an economic They're back. .. and no, I'm not been a circle of famished carnivores slump and we have a minordebtabout talking about the little people in your fighting over that one plumb dead the size of a 50,000 pound piranha. "The mother­ Slick Willy TV, but something more, like flying cuckoo- the naive voter. These are It gets better. We have an all­ broccoli. It's politics time! Once again, notrationallysupportedandeducated of-the-sudden-environmentalist who of-all the American public has beensubjected arguments, but rather, a game of mo­ wants those cute, little environmen­ • • and the to ten long drawn out months of frivo­ nopoly. Put your opponent in jail_so tally fit cars for everyone. But did your lous campaigning and, come Novem­ you can pass go and collect your wm­ little inquiring minds know that back campazgns zs ber, which way shall the arrow point? nings. in Arkansas (home sweet home), he is Dentyne­ Will it be 'ol George (a.k.a. George Butthecandidateinthisyear's letting a hazardous waste incinerator here, with the Bush) or Slick Willie (a.k.a. Bill primaries that has proven to be the sit around despite the public's con­ Clinton)? true master of this game is none other stant complaints and replying only Prince of white Smile It has not been the issues at than Slick Willie, otherwise known when confronted with, "we111ook into hand, but the ways in which they have (and feared) as Bill Clinton. Here is our it." Bill looks. Bill sees. Bill does, noth­ Democratic nominee for the presiden­ been dealt with that has been making ing, nada, nil. Also on the homefront, Sleaze still in tial race, the flaky Kennedy of the 90's: the public deem this whole scheme as where the majority of the country's appealing, beguiling, yet deceiving. a tediouswarwithnopurpose. Firstof chicken population is located, prob­ by Fust of all, one should take the lead." all, people are bombarded by the me­ lems have arisen with the small and dia and tacky, tasteless advertising. note of the "wonderful" campaign tac­ feathery folk. Awhile back, our cluck­ tics Bill has taken up.ltseemsas though Jenny Murphy Dentyne-white smiles plaster the front chance ofcompromise here. Thechoice ing friends turned up infected with Monster, the careerist-mother who pages with Mr. Candidateand his fam­ he has turned everydebateintoa bitter is between two men of two very differ­ disease and contaminated Bill's state. mocks other stay-at-horne cookie bak­ ily, Mr. Candidate and the children of personal attack, while slipping in lurid ent eras. He dealt with this situation by ignor­ ing mothers and shouts out at every rumors here and there. Sadly enough, the future, Mr. Candidate conversing Getting back to the Abbie ing it until the pressure got to him. Bet election appearance, "If you elect Bill, with the poor rural folk, Mr. Candi­ he knows no other strategy, as he first Hoffman generation, let's take a look you can'tguesswhathedidnext. That's you get me!" Well I feel privileged, date hugging the lepers, and (sorry to proved to us in his dealings with at Bill's latest attempts. Like a perfect right, had someone '1ook into it," how about you? Come on, the poor Tsongas. Remember how Tsongas of­ say) the list goes on. But most exciting molded ball of Play-doh made pos­ meaning, "cover it up and don't let the dear is still caught in her 60's activist of all, is that you, the voter, get to look fered to pull his negative campaign sible by the greasy touch, Bill also has press get to it." For all of this and much days and spends her spare time firing adds bashing Clinton if 'ol Billy would forward to the flood of junk mail at turned himself into the well rounded more, I do proudly crown him the cheap shots at Bush's marital fidelity your door, advocators swinging upon do the same in return? In his tendency candidate through the slippery touch Prince of Sleaze. in Vanity Fair magazine articles. your door knocker, and fliers swamp­ to evade straightforward answers, Bill of his enterprising schemes. When With all this in mind, why So, as you can see, the mother­ ingyourwindshield. As darkness shad­ didn't take the offer but replied by asked about his economic policies and shouldn't his character bequestioned!? of-allcampaignsishere with the Prince ows the day, families all across the referring to one of the negative cam­ how he would deal with urban pov­ The more 'ol BiJJy Boy moves up in the of Sleaze still in the lead. Nobody ever paigning tactics Tsongas had used nation tum to the tube only to be faced erty and crime, 'ol BiiJ couldn't an­ polls, the larger the question mark said politics was a polite affair and with cheap and irrelevant debates be­ against him in the past and continued swer. Yet, he didn't hesitate to blame looming over his candidacy. We've Slick Willie has just lived up to that to whine about the way Tsongas was cause the nature of these petty little Republican economic policies for in­ seen this guy argue about sex on statement with all his slickness and characterizing him. Strike numberone. arguments are filled with childish in­ ner-city despair. In another speech, he Donahue (of all talk shows), heard his scandals. It is time for those nervous Well, that's one admirable sults and personal attacks. Have you declares he's tired of all the blaming Elvis imitation on the radio, watched nellies who run the Democratic plat­ seen one eye-opening debate with so­ man. Honest as Iago. What's so ques­ that'sgoingonin thesecampaignsand him attempt to be hip with kids on form towiseupand face reality. This is tionable is the fact that this is one ofthe lutions to the nations problems pre­ ,.,.ants change. In fact, "change" is the MTV and frankly, I'm getting scared. not a game of monopoly. sented smoothly? No. Instead, it has ugliest, nastiest, finger-pointing cam-

THE OTH ER SIDE 17 S E PTE M B E R 3 0, I 9 9 2 16 THE OTHER SIDE

his fickle stand on racism. In March, while taking a break for his choice for AI Gore as a running egate Eleanor Holmes Norton? ing image in the midst of the radical form the campaign, Clinton played a round of golf at the mate. Yet Gore (whose father, like The Ointon campaign pos­ pro-military fervour which folliowed That's CountryClubofLittleRock,aclubwithSOOmembers,none Bush's father, was a Senator for many sessesa winatallcostsattitudeevident the Persian Gulf War. Ointon wants of whom are African-American. In response to criticism of years and has spent virtually his whole in its manipualtive use of Hillary voters to know that (as in the case with this insensitivity, he responded that, "'twas the only place life in Washington) is evidence of Clinton. Last winter, he was only too Sister Souljah) he is like George Bush we had time to play." It was later disclosed that Clinton has Clinton's failure to be "an agent of happy to trot her out to prove that he in the important respects. He will 'stand Progressive? been playing at this all-white club for seven years. Coming change" (his campaign's apparent did indeed have family values. Later, up to special interests' like unions and from a candidate who professes to support civil rights theme). Whereas Bush added a run­ when pollsters discovered that Hillary Jesses Jackson and will not allow un­ (although his state has no civil rights bill) his actions and ning mate who was measurably less Clinton's image as a strong and inde­ ruly Third World subjects such as excuses were pitiful. talented than himself, Clinton added a pendent woman didn't play in Peoria, Saddarn Hussein, to get out of control. Clinton's next offense cannot be written off as an candidate with whom he is virtually her hairstyle was changed and she en­ There are alternatives to An Editorial innocent oversight. His now infamous diatribe against identical: both are young, conserva­ tered a cookie baking contest with Bar­ Clinton (other than Ross Perot). The by John Bracken Sister Souljah as an invited guest at a Operation PUSH tive, white, Southern males. The fact bara Bush. When push came to shove, Green Party, the Socialist Party, Peace convention was clearly orchestrated by his campaign staff that there were no women and only Clinton was only too willing to alter and Freedom, and the New Alliance in an attempt to appeal to white 'Reagan-democrats' who one person of color on the 'short list' for his wife's image to serve hiscapmpaign, Party are all running candidates that resent the Reverend Jesse Jackson-led movement for racial vice-president (Atlanta Mayor rather than stand by her as a capable support progressive politics. How­ ''Spy" Magazine re­ equality. The attack was clearly an attempt by Clinton to MaynardJacksonwasadmittedJythere ever, voting for the President and other follow in the footsteps of the Reagan and Bush, whohave just to make things look better) should higher offices can and should be ques­ cently listed 1,000 reasons played upon white racism in their victorious campaigns. deeply disturb voters on the Left. One tioned as a priority. If one is interested The fact that Ointon's racist tactic came so soon following must ask, would things be any differ­ in voting, local and statewide initia­ the spring uprising in Los Angels only underscores his ent in a Clinton administration? If tives deserve more attention. For in­ why not to vote for George intention of capitalizing on white fears. (Ointon is not he Clinton is serious about women's is­ stance, in California, Proposition 167- first Democrat to blatantly target these voters with racist sues, if the Thomas hearings truly af­ the "tax the rich initiative"- is on the Bush, just in case you didn't actions. In 1988, Michael Dukakis-in a fall campaign that fected his campaign, why did he not ballot. It would reverse drastic budget was similar in Ointon's in that it avoided any contact with choose (or even consider) people such cuts that have been eating away at the Rev. Jackson-appeared in Neshoba, Mississippi without as Texas Governor Ann Richards or state's infrastructure since the end of have any of your own. But referring to the Civil Rights movement or the murder of Washington D.C. Congressional Del- Edmund Brown's tenure as Governor. three civil rightsworkersthatoccurred there.) The Clinton Proposition 165, supported by Gover­ what about Bill Clinton? campaign quoted her out of context from a Washington nor Wilson and other conservatives, Post interview published over a month before Ointon's ' The Los Angleles TJ.IDeS reports in its would cut welfare benefits by 25% to attack. (The interview was published on May 13, Clinton September 26 edition that Ointon had a draft mothers with more than two children. 'I don't belong to any organized political party. I'm madehisremarksonJunelS.) Souljahhadappearedaspart notice cancelled through his use of polilcalinflu­ It is issues such as these, as a Democrat,' Will Rogers once said. Today, millions of of a PUSH Youth Summit that dealt with issues of empow­ ence, specifically 'after a lobbying effort directed wellaslocalballotmeasuresandschool Americans are similarly dissatisfied with what is the least erment and voter registration-she was hardly a featured at the Republican head of the state draft agency.' board issues, that our attention should conservative of the U.5's two major parties. Today these participant, and her comments on the panel were never Ointon has stated that his noI being drafted was be focused; not so much on the circus "progressive" voters refuse to continue the Reagan-Bush addressed by Ointon. 'just a pure fluke' and that he had used 'no woman in her own right. of the national race. Bill Clinton will era, and yet are repelled by a Democratic ticket that is In the aftermath to the Senate's shameful perfor­ leverage· toavoidinduction in the Army in 1969. Clinton's hypocrisy and du­ not deserve the support of progressive crafted to appeal to conservative, white voters. The 1992 mance in the Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings, 1992 The Times quotes the former secretary of plicity on the issue of his draft record voters until he clearly demonstrates a Democratic convention was more conservative than any has been declared "the year of the woman." Yet, a look at Ointon's town draft board as saying she was has been well documented. Recent committment to the issues that matter. other since the inclusion of African-Americans in the party Ointon'srecordhardlyshowsafeministagenda. lnlightof verbally accosted by Ginton in July of'69 when disclosures make it increasingly ap­ racial and gender rights, lesbian and process in 1964. The work of the Rainbow Coalition in the polls showing up to 80% of voters supporting the right to she told him that she could not rescind his draft parent thatOinton indeed used politi­ gay freedom, universal healthcare, last 8 years was either ignored or, slightly altered, adopted reproductive freedom, Clinton has advertised his pro-choice notice. She says he told her he'd 'pull every cal influence to avoid serving in military cuts, progressive taxation, as rhetoric; while the national ticket is composed of two stance. Yet, both he and Al Gore have carefully alterred string he could thinkoftoavoidserving. Among Vietnam.' Previous to these disclo­ improved access to education for all, conservative white males. And yet despite this move to the their views on abortions to appeal to as many voters as the powerful people who functioned as 1ever­ sures, the Ointon campaign made in­ etc. Until then, the Left cannot com­ right, many progressives appear ready to bite the bullet and possible. Both have supported parental notification laws age' for Ointon were Arkansas Senator j. Wil­ complete, misleading, and false reports promiseitselfbyvotingforBiliOinton. vote for a candidate who does not challenge the status quo for young women, and both have opposed Medicaid fund­ liam Fulbrighl and Raymond Ginton (Bill'suncle to the media. Clinton was not an objec­ in any meaningful manner. The only way to vote for ing of abortions for women that cannot afford them. In fact, who was a politically influential Arkansas car tor to an immoral, colonial war waged Clinton would be to ignore numerous incidents in his The New York Times quoted letters to constituent voters (sent dealer). The fact is that Ointon was drafted. had against a Third World people, but campaign, many of which have been forgotten by the media as recently as 1989) in which both Ointon and Gore stated it rescinded, and then failed toserveineitherthe rather was concerned with his already and voters. categorically that they opposed abortion. Army or the ROTC (in which he was inducted in forming public image. The irony is The most pressing reason not to vote for Ointon is Clinton has received much praise from the press order to avoid the Army). that he adopted a hawkish, chest-beat-

S E PTE M B E R 3 0, 1 9 9 2 18 THE O THER SIDE 19 0 0

I Jl Jl n I cc

When I was asked to interview Al Wachtel, a Pitzer professor who is running as the Democratic Candidate in the 28th Congressional District (which An includes Oaremont), I was uncertain how to convey a proper image of him. I have always associated AI with Shakespeare and James Joyce, but recently he reminds interview with me more ofanother great writer, Czechoslovakia's former President, Vadav Havel. Vaclav Havel proclaimed the importance of an intellectual theory- the Congressional link between totalitarian rule and lies and, consequently, between democracy and truth-Havel provided a dramatic illustration of the powerful role ideas played in Candidate toppling the communist regimes throughout Eastern Europe. What once looked to outsiders like abstract and highly idealistic theorizing of intellectuals, became Al Wachtel. immensely practical blueprints for the subversion of a system based on intellectual pretense and falsehood. In much the same manner, AI Wachtel is an outsider with a blueprint for restoring integrity and prosperity to a country whose leaders have become corrupt and self-serving; an individual who hopes to throw the stone that By will break the clay feet of the monstrous marble statue that is the Washington establishment. Travis Wright Al's success depends largely on whether the electorate holds elected officials responsible for the catastrophic state of the economy, and are willing to send a clear message to the political establishment that the American people don't find thecurrentstateof partisan politics acceptable, with its divisive and disastrous effects. If AI Wachtel is typical of the candidates likely to win this November, then there is reason to believe that the Americcrn political system may still hold some resilience. If not, the current crisis is unlikely to be resolved.

NOTE: The following interview was conducted in Al Wachtel's office in Scott Hall, Pitzer College, on Friday, September 17th.

TRAVIS: Why did you decide to run for office? AL: I've been teaching for most of my life and I consider the profession of college teacher as my life's work. But in recent years I've found that the economy and the moral state of our government has grown unacceptable. Finally, I found that I couldn't go on teaching and imbuing in my students sets of values that they ' will see contradicted when they step out into the world and try to function there. That being the case, it was necessary for me to try to correct the situation to insure that the values people learn in their homes, classrooms, and places of prayer have

THE O THER S IDE 21 THE OTHER SIDE

significance in the marketplace. situation? lapsed. mittee? Interestingly enough, his war third) has become an integral part of asan American. And I hope that Ameri­ TRAVIS: Do you think you have AL: Well, for one thing we have What the strategists who de­ chest got rich while the S&Ls failed. mycampaign. That'sTommyRandall, cans interested in coming together and a chance to win? to take an honest view of the situation. veloped that plan didn't recognize is The S&Ls didn't know what was in and he's now the day to day manager helping me, and the country, fight a AL: Strangely (he laughs), I have The incumbent in our district comes that it also brought us to the brink of theirbestinterest,hedidn'tknowwhat of my campaign. But that itself is an war against oppression, which is what a wonderful chance to win. First, our up with outlandish statements and failure. Now we are trying to cut back was in their best interest, and in trying indication of our ability to win. We weare in, will vote forme. I'm hoping country is in a disastrous state, eco­ outlandish proposals which he thinks expenditures, but again in an abso­ to serve their demands he caused them won against the county Democratic to go to Congress and speak to the nomically. H wearenotindepression, will please the electorate. I was sent a lutely irresponsible way. We cut back to fail, and compromised himself. machine, and now we're going to win hundred plus new Congresspersons we are at the lip of depression. People recent letter of his to a beer drinkers on our military spending without pro­ TRAVIS: So you agree that "big against the Republican machine in this and say to them that this is a dangerous recognize that, and they can point viding re-direction for the firms business'' is to blame? situation in which party politics to the sources. The incumbent I'm and the workers who used to be AL: One of the most impor­ will be detrimental. Let us not be running against served for ten employed in the military realm. tant things to do at this critical the new kids on the block. Let us years on the committee that de­ Whether those firms and work­ time is to understand rather than bean interestgroupof non-parti­ regulated the S&L's (Savings and ers were in the military itself or cast blame, Travis. Instead, we san Congresspersons who will Loans). That resulted in a spate of working for defense contractors, have to change the situation. fightforthetransforrnationofthis failures which have saddled the they should have been provided PACsshould not have the kind of country, a transformation of the tax payer, you and me, with a haH for. We should have recognized force that they now have in Con­ laws and procedures of this coun­ trillion dollar debt. A half trillion that there had tobeacooperative gress, and, by the way, in the try, into a form that will help us dollars - that's over five hun­ ventureamong business, govern­ White House as well. PACs defeat oppression and regain as­ dred billion dollars! And by the ment, and labor to re-

S E P T E M B E R 3 0, I 9 9 2 22 TH E OTH ER SIDE 23 THE OTHER SID E

confrontation between powers, or you support in the campaign? ful, that can reduce drug dependency civilization; re-energizing this district manufacturing center of the world, power blocks. AL: Well, at this point I support by increasing the number of citizens as one of the great places to live and to instead of letting it go off to our sister TRAVIS: And we don't know Mr. Ointon. He has a plan, he has who see themselves as potentially suc­ work. A billion dollars invested in nations of the world, which, by gosh, what to do. something in mind to do. The truth is cessful. Thegreat majority of the drug­ such activities would create52,000 jobs we do have the resources to beat, eco­ AL: That's right, because a great that Mr. Bush doesn't have much in dependent people in this country are in this district by way ofspin-off work: nomically. We were the best, we gave deal of our manufacturing and cre­ mind. Bush, Like the incumbent in my drug-dependent because they have no concrete workers, steel workers and so it away, and now we should take it ativeefforthas beendevoted to killing, district, is running around trying to prospects. They see themselves as lost, on. So I see that as a tremendous back. We can, with this kind of re­ developing a war machine, and now give goodies to special interest groups hopeless. Andifwecanmakethemsee opportunity. tooling, re-di rectioning ofintelligence, we don't need most of that war ma­ and trying to divide groups into hate that there's another possibility, their TRAVIS: What else? cooperative ventures, and dedication; chine. Suddenly, we're confronted factions. That's not going to help the lives can becomepositivecontributions AL: I spoke a lot about the bullet not only to R&D (research and devel­ with the possibility of peace-time cre­ country. That'swhatwe'vehadforthe to the success ofthe country, instead of train, but we also need a new sewage opment), butalsoM&P(marketingand ation. ltoughtto be a blessing. Instead, last 4 years plus and that has placed us a drain on its economy. system, one that will save us from pour­ production). We developed the VCR because our government didn't pay in a disastrous position. TRAVIS: Is there anything else ing raw sewage into the ocean every We researched and developed it, but attention to the consequences of the TRAVIS: But don't you think you'd like to address? time it rains; we need a safe water we didn't work on the production and transformation economically, it's be­ that it's going to take more than the AL: Well, I'm perfectly happy supply; we need to do somethingabout marketing well enough, and as a result come an economic catastrophe, result­ nextfouryears. Imean,nomatterwho with what we've spoken about, but if our smog problem in this district. welostouttoot.hernationsoftheworld. ing in a disastrous downturn in all is elected we're going to be paying for you like I could talk about some of the There.fore, we have to develop more Now, part of this is that their employ­ aspects of our economy. But our the sins of the Eighties for a long time. programs I have in mind a little more efficient gasoline engines and try to ees are paid less than our employees economy can be turned around. There AL: The truth is thatyou'reright. extensively. develop alternative engines like bat­ and so forth. But we have to work to are thingsforourcountry to do, invest­ We are in bad economic shape, and we TRAVIS: Okay, what do you terydrivencars,allofwhicharemeans adj.ust these sorts of problems to create "I found that I ments that have to be made coopera­ have to do something about the na­ have in mind for this district? of re-energizing the manufacturing a level playing field in the world tively among, and between, industry, tional debt. This is going to require AL: For this district I have in base in this country. We have to work (continued on page 37) couldn't go on government, and labor, that can tum years of hard work. But I would like us mind a major investment in infrastruc­ on alternativeenergysources, geo-ther­ teaching and imbu­ our economy around. to look at that hard work as a great ture and environmental problems. mal energy, bio-mass energy, wind TRAVIS: For example? opportunity. You know, as my life as Again, not with government pouring energy- "We were the ing in my students AL: For example, all of us can a professorI've done lotsof hard work: in money, but with a cooperative ven­ TRAVIS: But isn't one of the work to become more productive. writing papers, books, stories and ar­ ture among government, industry and majorproblemsthatbigautomaticcor­ best, we gave it sets of values that Labor can begin to put its efforts into ticles-that's hard work, but I loved it. labor, in which there are tax benefits porations buy the patents to new ad­ away, and now we being as productive as possible, in­ And I think we can love the hard work given to industries that re-direct their vancements in alternative forms of they will see contra­ stead ofbeinginastateofconflictwith ofbringing this country back. Let's say attention to these issues, in which energy? should take it management. Management, and in­ that the difficulties we confront give us there's a re-training of laid off workers AL: Yes, the point being that it dicted when they dustry in general, can place its atten­ a wonderful opportunity to become a and the unemployed. F-or example, if has to be made profitable for the car back." step out into the tion into being supportive of the labor unified country again, citizens of a we could build a bullet train of suffi­ industry to re-direct itself into those fo rce, and the nation, instead of look­ nation who want to support and help cicntqualitytoinduceworkerstocease activities. world and try to ing after its own narrow interests by each other. It's a tremendousopportu­ to use their cars to go into LA. every TRAVIS: How? trying to make top dollar for the small nity. morning, a bullet train that runs from AL: Again, a cooperative ven­ function there." group of the company owners. Be­ If we take the money from two San Bernadino into the city in three ture between industry and govern­ cause you can only make top dollar for B-2Stealth Bombers, which don't work quarters of an hour, instead of three ment. We have to persuade these economic trouble. the small group of owners in the short anyway, and re-direct that money into hours on the freeway, think of what companies to see the advantages in TRAVIS: Do you think most term by decimating your company in the Head Start Program, which does that will save in way of environmental pursuing new technologies, instead of people realize the sensitive juncture thelongterm-and that's what they've work to save at-risk children from go­ damage and lost potentially produc­ blindly sticking with what they have we are at in world history? I mean, the been doing. ing into lives of crime, we can fund the tive time. We could have a more pro­ and killing off every new possibility. collapse of the Soviet Union, as well as TRAVIS: That'sthe1980s. program 100% without raising any ductive work force simply by virtue of There has to be incentives for them to Eastern Europe, which preceded it­ AL: That's right, that's the na­ money from taxes beyond what we've a more pleasant way of getting to and investigate these alternative energy that's as big as W.W.l and W.W.IJ put tureofthe 1980s. That has to bestopped. already done. This is one example of from work; and in producing that way, sources and utilize these new tech­ together. TRAVIS: Well, in that sense Bush the wonderful opportunities we have we could be re-employing the unem­ nologies. Again, if the people who run AL: It's huge. is implicated, but, oh, we won't get to re-direct our energies and re-direct ployed, the laid off; re-tooling and re­ these corporations cease to try to make TRAVIS (over-lapping): And into Presidential politics? Unless you'd our funds in positive, redemptive di­ directing the energies of those great top dollar right now and start thinking we're doing nothing about it. like to. rections that can help reduce crime in engineering firms which produced in terms of making top dollar for ev­ AL: It's huge. The whole world AL: Politics is politics. this country by increasing the number weapons of destruction towards pro­ eryone in the next ten to twenty years, is transformed. There's no longer a TRAVIS: Okay then, who do of citizens who see their lives as hope- ducing better items of civilizing and we will regain our ascendancy as the

S E P T E M B E R 3 0 , t 9 9 2 24 THE OT HE R SIDE 25 THE OTHER SIDE

rest of an extended community, to with children. Their children had ine that at some level the can retain insure their subsistence. Most Eu­ no time for childhood, since they their humanity, even in a system ropeans didn't experience a shift to worked from an early age. And based on the commodification of Family Values­ an industrial economy until as re­ although their homeand workplace human labor. As long as we con­ cently as the 19th century. When it were now separate places for work­ tinue to see family and work as two hit them, it tore apart the world as ing-class people as well, their homes different places, requiring differ­ they had know it. People no longer rarely offered them recuperation, ent standards of behavior or val­ worked at home for subsistence. rest, or relaxation. ues, we will continue- however At What Cost? fam­ Now they worked in factories for a uncomfortably-to believe that wage. ily values don't apply to the realm Middle-class people expe­ "Family values of work while blaming social prob­ rienced some similar changes,since allow people to lems in that realm on a lack of fam­ ''Family values" are privileged in the family which they claim al­ their places of business became ily values. The Historical values- moral habits with which ways preceeds social life. That's separated from their homes. imagine that at Treating the family as a pro­ onecan'targue. Theyarepresented why there's something special Middle-class women no longer some level they tected site where special values are Development as universal, as if they apply to all about them and why we refer to helped in the family shop or taught and practiced allows us to humans everywhere. Even those them as "family values." Yet his­ surpervised the journeymen and can retain their deny the increasing evidence that and Present­ who oppose the Bush torically, we know the nuclear fam­ apprentices. Instead, the moved instead of providing nuture and Administration's current use of the ily is a recent phenomenon, one away from the site of production to humanity, even in support, the family is often a site of term rarely question the term itself. new suburbs, where they raised a system based on exploitation and cruelty. This week day Affects of Single parents, lesbians and gays, their children. New middle-class the a Floridacourtishearingthecaseof minority communities, all claim to "... 'family values,' ideologies conceived of the home Gregory K., a child who seeks a ''Traditional" practice their own equally valid now as a place of rest, relaxation commodification of legal separation from his natural form of family values. as we think of and recuperation for the tired hus­ parents. Gregory, who has accused Family Values But I want to make a differ­ band and father, worn out from his human labor. " his parents of neglect and abuse, ent argument. I want to point out them, are not tradi­ travails in a cutthroat world ofbusi­ wants to be adopted by his foster that "family values," as we think of ness. It became the wife's role to Having crudely outline the parents. Gregory's biological them, are not traditional, but are in tional, but are in create that restorative world, al­ recent historical origins of this form mother, her lawyer, several news fact, a relatively recent invention of fact, a relatively though she did not receive a wage of family and its values, I want commentators, as well as religious by industrialcapitalist societies. These for this work, since middle-class crudely to suggest some functions and political figures complain that "values" fulfill the crucial function recent invention of ideology imagined housework to that those values may have taken a decision in Gregory's favor will Pieter Judson of helping us, ideologically at least, flow from her nurturing tenden­ on in industrial society. In a capi­ strike a blow against the American cope with the painful contradic­ industrial capitalist des, and not from hard work. talist industrial sodety, "family family. They would protect the Assistant Professor tions inherent in our system of or­ When middle-class ideolo­ values'' can't apply to public, social family at the expense of their ganizing production and social life. societies. " gists noticed the misery of the new intercourse. The realm of labor, children's health and safety. If we of History The very term "family val­ working-class slums, they imag­ business, and politics requires a continue to privilege the family, ues" suggests both its historical ined the workers and their wives to different set of attitudes to func­ how can we end the physical, emo­ roots and contingent qualities. The which emerged from the trauma of be morally wanting. Those work­ tion. Capitalism couldn't repro­ tional, and sexual abuse practiced fact that they are called "family'' the industrial revolution in 18th ers' wives should have been pro­ duce itselfwithout competition and behind its protective facade? And values suggest that there might be and 19th-century Europe. viding their husbands with a dean profit taking, neither of which is if we continue to make the family otherkindsofvaluessuchas"work­ In pre-industrialsocieties in home in which to recuperate, and compatible with the nurturing val­ the exclusive realm for the teaching place values" or "marketplace val­ Europe, for example, very little their children with healthy sur­ ues of the family realm. Privileging and practice of fundamental val­ ues." Why should we privilege the separated family life from worklife. roundings. Of course, what these family values leads us to imagine ues, how can we hope to affect values which apply to one type of 'Work'' and "family'' took place at ideologists took to be "normal" that the suffering which we encoun­ change in the larger community of social situation (the family)? Does the same location, and those two (husband works, wife creates home, ter in the public realm of work is production and work? this mean that we don't wish to categories would not have been un­ kids are "raised") rarely applied to not aninevitable part of the system, have values in all social situations? derstood as separate in pre-indus­ working-class reality. Working­ but rather the result of some indi­ Proponents of "family val­ trialcommunites. Children labored class women toiled in factories vidual or group's moral failing. ues" explain the term in this way: alongside their parents, grandpar­ alongside their husbands and often Family valuesallow people to imag- theonlylegitmatevaluesaretaught ents, cousins, neighbors, and the

THE O THER SIDE 27 S E PTE M B E R 3 0, I 9 9 2 26 THE OTHER SIDE

For Pitzer alumnus David Straus and was taken on as a member of the Soundgarden, but I don' t always like when this ex- Replacement decides to ('90), returning to Pitzer as a featured Clinton National Advance staff. their song writing. This tune lets release a solo album, I hope the new speaker for the Atherton Society, Straus's job consists of going to the site "Singles" Cornell pour it all out vocally, while songs have a bit more soul than these marked not only an opportunity to see ofa slated campaign stop and research­ thesongitselfisbeautifullystructured. two. old faces and chow down on a ing pertinent community issues for the As a musician and lyricist, Chris The Love Mongers, fronted by Alumni McConnell tofu burger. It was a chance Governor to speak about, as well as, Cornell is beautiful and scary and this sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson, do jus­ to address thePitzerCommunity,once '~elping empower the local commu­ Singles song helps restore my ever dwindling tice to the Led Zeppelin song ''Battle of again, about an issue he feels strongly nity to organize this event." Straus is faith in rock music. It's too bad that I Evermore." I waiver between really about. very eager for people to realize that by Matt Nathanson don't have the same positive things to liking this song and really getting an­ The AthertonSociety'sdinner Clinton campaign workers come from Corner say about Soundgarden's weak offer­ noyed by it. It was recorded live and on September 16, was Straus's chance a very diverse working background ing. ''Birth Ritual" isanobnoxious song. there is not a lot of low end to be found to make what he calls, "a full circle". and that, "anyone can work on a Presi­ When Seth asked me to review a Kim Thayil gets stuck in a guitar riff in the mix, which at times gets grating. Straus was referring to the first time he dential campaign." new album for this paper I was really thathecan'tseem toescapefrom, while Ann and Nancy Wilson are both in the spoke to a group in the McConnell When asked what experience pumped on it, until I realized that there Cornell's high pitched whine truly band Heart and it is safe to say that An Interview Founders' Room during his freshman have been no good albums released grates on the ears. Moving on... although this song might get annoy­ year. He asked Pitzer to help the group since the middle of the summer. I Next we arrive at "Dyslexic ing, it is not half as annoying as Hearts with he had founded, "Students Concerned ended up choosing the soundtrack for "It's most Heart'',oneofthetwo Paul Westerberg mid-80's to early 90's career. Hope­ for Soviet Jewry", a group that worked the film Singles. The album was re­ songs on this album. Both this song fully, this song signals a return for the David Straus to help Jewish "refuseniks" leave the leased in mid July, but the film has just been released, so I decided that I could and 'Waiting For Somebody" grow on sisters to the raw edge of Heart's ear- former Soviet Union. Because of his important to you, and are good pop songs. But that work, he received the opportunity to get away with reviewing it now. Well is it- not a lot of substance. If and (continued on page 38) by fly to Boston and meet with Kitty get involved in enough explanation... Dukakis and Sen. Edward Kennedy Alice In Olains opens the al­ Jenny Spitz during the 1988 presidential race. bum with a scorching track called However, this time around, Straus the grassroots "Would?" The song, built around a came to Pitzer to speak on the topic tribal drumbeat and a thundering bass "Elections 1992" from his viewpoint as level." Line truly showcases Layne Staley's a member of Governor Clinton's Na­ unbelievable vocal talent. His voice is tional Advance Staff. has meant the most to him while work­ thick and terrifying, he is a truly un­ Straus, who also began the ing on the Clinton campaign, Straus derrated singer, in a truly underrated improvisational group "Without a replies, "watching the crowds get en­ band. The Alice In Chains track is one Box", had joined the Diane Feinstein ergized seeing Governor Clinton of the best on the album. campaign staff during the 1990 Cali­ speak." As for the worst thing he's Pearl Jam donates two tracks fornia race for governor, following his seen during the campaign, he recalls to the record, ''Breath" and "State of graduation. He worked first as a field Pat Buchanan's speech during theRe­ Love and Trust." The latter is defi­ coordinator on college campuses and publican convention, and says that it's nitely the bette.r of the two. It opens then moved on to her advance staff. asicksocietythatwouldgiveBuchanan with a typical, reckless Stone Gossard After his work on the Feinstein cam­ a voice. riff and then unravels with hard driv­ paign, Straus worked on several cam­ Straus is about to leave the ing fury. I'm sure you have heard it a paigns for private groups, mainly as a Clinton staff to begin study at UCLA million times, but Eddie Vedderis bril­ press consultant. film school. His future plans are to liant and his voice shines on both songs. Following a year of campaign "affect public policy through film mak­ In "Breath," Jeff Ament's bass domi­ work, Straus left for Hungary on a ing, although not necessarily through nates the song, while the bands vocal Fulbright Grant to study and make a making documentaries." As for ad vice harmonies, though sometimes border­ video documentary about political that Straus would give Pitzer students line cheesy, add a richness to the song. changes on the Jewish identity. Dur­ interested in working in politics, he Pearl Jam is one of the greatest bands ing his year in Hungary he also pub­ says that it's "most important to get around today. These songs are both lished an article in the Hungarian press. active in the grass-roots level," and welcome pieces to the album. Returning to the United States that students should get involved in Chris Cornell's acoustic song, in June, 1992, he went to the Los Ange­ the campaign at its start, not right be­ "Seasons," is another of the les Clinton campaign headquarters, fore the election. soundtracks highlights. I love

S E P T E M B E R 3 0, I 9 9 2 28 THE OTHER SIDE 29 THE OTHER SIDE Rocking the Vote W'ith n ' s Revie'\Ving the Pitzer By Rosemary Robinson and Juan Delara

We were late. The band was in change what is going on. Although that they all liked. Film Benefit the middle of their soundcheck. We "Rock the Vote'' is a non-partisan Part of what makes the band's were there to interview Mary's Dan­ movement, Julie herself supports unique are the lead singers Gretchen by Deryck O'Brien ish, a band thatgottheirstartonKROQ Clinton. She is also involved in the and Julie. We asked the latter if being with the song "Don't Crash the Car Bohemian Women's Political Alliance. a female in the music field has created Tonight." The Los Angeles Harbor The BWPA is a group of 40-60 female any problems. She explained that in On Friday, Sept 11th, Pitzer Col­ PitzerPresidentMasseymadeaspeech to Nintendo playing 12 year olds. The College auditorium was small,600oc­ artists, photographers, actresses and the beginning, thebandfelttheyhad to lege held its 12th Annual Film Benefit thanking everyone for attending the general premiseofthemovieisa "mad, cupantmaximum,and ''Rock the Vote" singers in the Los Angeles area. This earn respect in the male-dominated at Universal Studios in Burbank. Ap­ benefit. Once the speeches were fin­ but brilliant scientist" makes a com­ posters covered the walls. TomCornett, mobilization group is focused on is­ industry. Sheremembersasoundman proximately 325 people showed up to ished, people entered the Alfred puter chip that can save or destroy the a Polygram representative, and the lo­ sues like voter registration and free once exclaiming, "Oh, You were good! support Pitzer's fund raising efforts, Hitchcock Theatre to see a private whole world depending on whose cal college radio station, KHCR, put choice. Julie points out that the new I'm surprised!" However, they've and to watch the movie Sneakers on its screening of Sneakers. hands the chip falls into. Robert together the free show. Someone at album cover has a tofu burger drip­ come to view their gendert as an at­ opening night. According to the Redford, and his rag-tag Nconsulting KROQ, however, had gotten word of ping on an Uncle Sam hat. However, tribute and they have clearly earned Alumni and Development Depart­ firm" are given the task of spying on the gig and the expected attendance while Mary's Danish has definite po­ the repsect of the industry and fans ment, just under $100,000 was raised, the same mad, but brilliant scientist was growing way beyond capacity. litical beliefs, their main priority is the alike. and that will be matched dollar for "To sum it up After some twists and turns, it is Everyone dressed casual, but looked music. Julie met Gretchen while at­ dollar by the Weingart Foundation. Redford et al. versus Ben Kingsley for very stressed. The band has explored many tendingcollegeat U.C. Berkeley. They The total of about $190,000 will go quickly, it is control over the computer chip. Al­ Tom,ourconnection,asked us different styles and sounds. For the used to joke about how if they ever had towards interest-free loans for Pitzer though it takes an hour to even hear of to sit and wait until he could get the newalbum,AmericanStandard,released a band it would be funny to call it students. The event, which was the Wargames meets the chip, it is all predictable after that. band to talk with us. We waited and last week, they have moved away from Mary's Danish. After returning to Los idea of Mrs. Bud Austin, has been held Ben Kingsley,mostfamousfor his star­ waited. Fmally, about an hour and a their funky side and have focused on a Angeles and working at a record store for twelve years, and has allowed ring role in the epic film Ghandi, is halfbeforetheperfonnance was sched­ more rock oriented style. American inThe Valley,Juliedecidedsheneeded guests to see such movies like White Die Hard and the now reduced to uttering dramatic lines uled, we noticed Julie, the lead singer, Standard is more than just another al­ an escape. The band was formed as a Palace and Cape Fear on their opening like "You MUST give the chip to me," was standing only a few feet away bum. It is an accomplishment that way to have fun. The only goal they night. Ghostbusters. " and wearingA.rmani suits, and a pony from us in front of a "register to vote" brought Mary's Danish together when had was to get one gig. Obviously, the The evening began with cock­ tail. The quality of the movie falls after display. In fear of not getting the inter­ they were on the verge of collapsing. band's current success has gone be­ tails, where students, faculty, alums, that point. The movie ends with a few view, we took the matter into our own The six membergroupcombines much yond what they ever imagined; but it and trustees mixed. The a ward for The movie itself is disappoint­ P.C. mutterings about the control of hands and asked her if she would talk diversity and each member has differ­ hasn't been easy. Making albums and 'rMost LA" goes to a man in a black ing. To sum it up quickly, it is computers over our lives, and then to us for a minute. She agreed cooly, ent styles and tastes in music. On touring the country has put a lot of leather jacket who spent most of his WarGames meets Die Hard and the drops dead. At this point, some people yet happily. previous albums, there were some strain on friends and family. Julie said timetryingto get his eel-phone to work. Ghostbusters. Overall, it is silly, and in the audience had fallen asleep. First we asked Julie why songs that Julie, or other band mem­ that she tries to get involved with local He was later seen resorting to the pay­ overcast The stars of the movie in­ Overall, the night was enjoy­ Mary's Danish was involved in ''Rock bers, hated to perform. It had reached goups and other projects, but she al­ phones like the rest of the masses. clude Robert Redford, Dan Aykroyd, able, and Pitzer College and the stu­ the Vote." Julie said that when a band a point where they seriously consid­ ways has to leave in the middle for Cocktails were followed by BenKingsley,Sidney Poitier,and River dents benefitted. However, if Sneakers reaches a certain level, it has a respon­ ered breaking up. They were lured work with the band. She points out dinner at the Studio Restaurant. Dur­ Phoenix. Suffice it to say, an "actor'' of is still in the theaters when this is sibility it can take or leave. Music is a back into the studio because they that even the worst bands work hard to ing the dinner, a raffle was held, and River Phoenix's ability could have car­ printed, avoid it. vehicle to get personal views across, couldn't give up music and they knew get a record deal and they ought to get donated prizes,suchasanautographed ried the whole movie, and it would such as registering to vote. She added that the popularity of Mary's Danish respect copy of the Sneakers script, were given have been better presented as an X­ that many people these days complain was too good to lose. So they decided away. Other prizes included: wine, Men comic book rather than a movie. It about their country, but do little to to stick it through and create an album David Furman pottery, and a Univer­ almost seems like a Saturday morning sal Studios V.I.P. tour. After dinner, cartoon, and will probably best appeal

S E PTE M B E R 3 0, 1 9 9 2 30 THE OTHER SIDE 31 THE OTHER SIDE

boys in the first rows. Directly in front How I Spent My Summer of where I was sitting, two college­ HELLRAISER aged men were discussing, in inten­ tionally loud voices, the problems of III Vacation and A Movie Review modern day hairbrushes. A large muscular man with numerous female of ''Honeymoon in Vegas'' tattoos to my left was speaking to the blank screen, encouraging the movie VOTE ARSJ: ASK QUESTlONS I..A1ER. to be on schedule with, "Come on, Mr. BY Movie, you know you want to start By BH~ SJxi1ger ADRIAN SHEPHERD by Joanna Garfein now." Fmally, the lights dim, and we see the routine LA.Tunes plug and a Bob Roberts is a refreshing new in L.A. The closest theatre to Pitzer is For those of you who felt that Girl Scouts. I spent my sum­ when the work is stacked up to your few previews for films with plots not movie that makes you think about the AMC in Pasadena. If you like the second movie of this series devi­ mer surrounded by them. Hundreds lovely asbestos ceiling and cleaning even intellectually stimulating enough American politics. In the style of Spi- original and creative movies, then ated from the original, you11 be happy of little Beverly Hills 90210 followers toe jam is more appealing?) I hopped for Dan Quayle. Although, there is one nalTap,itisamockdocumentaryabout Bob Roberts is definitely worth to know that in his latest movie, "'Hell who were entertained by dramatic into the new and improved JoMobile promising movie coming out shortly a fascist folk-singer running for U.S. thetriptogoseeit. On the Billy Raiser ill, Hell On Earth," Oive Barker Barbie trading card readings. These and took off for Rancho Cucamonga in which is called "Hero," starringDustin Senate from the state of Pennsylvania. Springer scale of movies returns to the original story line. Just as are the same little girls who can idolize search of an entertaining flick. During Hoffman. This political satire shows how one (Single, Double, Triple, in the other movies the effects are sur­ both Luke Perry and a psycho camp my twenty minute journey, I drifted "Honeymoon in Vegas." The candidate manipulates the American Home Run), Bob Rob­ real. Pinhead is the main demon and mascot named Tajar at the same time. off into Ia-Ia land, singing to myself title sounded like something a newly­ people to vote for him. The whole erts is a stand up some new demons are created. Also And yes, I chose to spend my summer and be-bopping alone in my car to the wed couple would name their photo movie, which is meant to be one big Triple. most of the questions you had from the this way. Just call me "Jovial," camp IndigoGirlslatestbrilliantinstallment. album. My roommate recommended joke, is filled with serious overtones first two movies are answered. counselor at your service. The most amusing part of my this film, and I was curious to see how that are supposed to make one look at The plot is simple: the main I knew you were all wonder­ afternoon occurred before the movie Sarah Jessica Parker has progressed the current political situation from a character, Joey, is a reporter who is ing how I spent my summer vacation, even started. Obviously I wasn't the since her first role in "Girls Just Want different angle. looking for a story and finds one that so now all ofyour curiosities have been only victim of the waste-an-aftemoon­ To Have Fun." To review this moviein Bob Roberts, played by Tim leads her to a place where everyone in answered. AU of them except, 'What and-money-1-don't-have attitude. Sit­ a few words, I would say that it is Robbins, gains popularity by going on the other stories have ended up-hell does this have to do with a movie?" ting in the middle of the theater, predictable and dumb, but still enter­ tour singing some very funny songs on earth. Pinhead, for those of you that Well, the reason for my autobiographi­ towards the back section, I sat amongst taining. I'd recommend it for the act­ such as, "The Times Are A Changing haven't seen the second, was trapped cal excerpt was to point out that I was a group of interesting movie-goers. ing alone, simply because all hopes for Back." Don't worry, there is no in a monument at the end. At the be­ up sixty seven hundred feet in the Two pre-teen, New Kids On The Block agoodplotareshattered. NicolasCage soundtrack for this movie! We see ginning of the third movie, a bar owner mountains for three months with no type girls were giggling about the cute delivers a wonderfully comic perfor­ Roberts on the campaign trail manipu­ buys the monument, and one night remote access to civilization, let alone mance as the pathetic boyfriend afraid lating the media to create the image of some blood is spilt on it. That's where a decent movie theater. Okay, so in the ofmarriage. Thewholemovierevolves an all-American white male born to the trouble begins. After the monu­ local town (if that's what you call it) of around his hesitation to tie the knot. serve the people. The real drama of the ment got blood on it, it had to have Idyllwild, there is one tiny theater Cage plays his anxieties successfully movie is highlighted by the conflict more in order to release its captive. called The Rustic. However, when I through a mix of sarcasm and humor between a radical African-American After two people are brutally killed by did receive time off and went into which is visib1e through his actions reporter (who is devoted to exposing the monument the real problems start "Idyllhell," the one movie being shown and body language. There was noth­ the evil truths about Bob Roberts) and and Pinhead is set loose. This leads to there always happened tobeonewhich ing really spectacular about Sarah Jes­ Roberts' campaign managers who ere­ hell being set free on earth. The only I had seen months previously. Let's sica Parker's portrayal of Cage's ate a mafia-style scandal to combat the way Pinhead can be sent back to hell is just say that I also lacked the conve­ fiancee, but this is a step in the right arguments of the reporter. if he uses the window of Joey (her nience of electricity, a television, and a direction for her career. I hadn't seen I enjoyed this movie because of mind) and then is killed with thepuzzle VCR (not that video stores are plenti­ her in a film, except for a small part in its originality. It is not your usual Jove cube. Two new demons in this movie ful in thewildemess,orthat they would "LA Story," since "Girls Just Want To story or action adventure. This film are "CO-man" and"CaJnera-man" (my have anything besides "Bambie" or a Have Fun" (which happens to be a forces you to think about the nature of nicknames for them), and they both How-To-Sell-Girl-Scout-Cookies-Suc­ favorite movie from my pre-teen/ado­ politics and makes you wonder how help in making the deaths that much cessfully video guide). lescent years). JamesCaan'sscheming much information is actually being more impressive. On to the movie part of this character- the fiancee-stealing withheld from the public. Even though the movie is easy article. One boring Sunday afternoon charmer- was quite convincing and Sadly, this movie is only playing to follow, it contains the information (don't they all seem to be that way (continued on page 37)

S E P T E M 8 E R 3 0, 1 9 9 '2 3'2 THE OTH E R SIDE 33 THE OTHER SIDE

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SEPTEMBER 3 0, I 9 9 2 34 THE OTHER SIDE 35 THE OTHER SIDE

going out and meeting the public: I'm Citizen Wachtel meeting the people on the streets; I'm Global Conscience Poetry (continued from page 25) going door to door; I'm going to super­ (continued from page 9) markets;l' mgoingtosmallcoffeesand markets. But these are wonder­ teas in people's homes; and whenever ever, that should not excuse us from ful opportunities for us to work to­ possible I'm speaking to larger groups, action. Each one of us is consuming an gether. These areas are all areas for and in that way we're conducting this incredible amount of the earth's re­ cooperative discussion, legislation, campaign on a grass-roots level. sources. 50% of the world population changes in manufacturing techniques, TRAVIS: Is it working? lives off an annual salary of less than and so on. Theseare wonderful chances AL: It's working very well. And 400 dollars. This is particularly dis­ A hotel of the mind for us to work positively together, I see I need to tell you that Republicans, turbing to me if I compare it to how Room for rent them as very hopeful. Democrats, supporters of Ross Perot, much money I consume every year to Come and you will find Set it free TRAVIS: When we spoke earlier are all very interested in lending a go to Pitzer college- approximately you said you weren't running a con­ hand onourcampaign.and I'm thrilled, 24,000 dollars a year. That is the same Escape goats and leeches Let it breath the dirty air ventional campaign. What does that and gratified. amount of money that supports over Fluffy small creatures And hear the screams of the broken entail? Obviously, you aren't doing TRAVIS: I wish you luck. 72 people in many countries. How Actors and hermits direct mailings or other modern tech­ AL: Thank you very much. doesonegoaboutreconcilingthisenor­ souls niques of the political campaigning. mousdrainonglobalresources? What Bus drivers and preachers Set it free AL: Right, wedon 't have the type * * * are we giving back? Grace Newmark All naked and muscled Upon a new request of money the incumbent has, and we and Frank Rogers have developed a don't have the unfair advantage the globalconscience,anawarenessoftheir Searching for rhyme Let it wash the dreaded smell incumbent has. The incumbent just Honeymoon in Vegas connection to the planet and not just -Tim Sharp From its shin sent a mailing to every household their country or state. In addition to masking it as a questionnaire to find (continued from page 33) this, they have made efforts to put this Let it swim the vision streams out what people think. Why does he consciousness into action. And great green trees have to find out what people think authentically executed. As an actor, 1 Few of us will have the oppor­ Shake the shackles and now? The Congressional legislation like Caan because he successfully de­ tunity to go to a Global forum or Earth period is just about over, and by the liverslinescharacteristicoftheroleshe Summit. This does not mean we arc Climb a tree- smile at the monster time the questionnaires are completed plays, as appropriately demonstrated excused from action. Everyone should Weak trembling touch and returned it will be too late to use in "Misery." claim ownership of our devestating them. It's clear that it was not sent out In short (too late), I would tell impact on the earth. An awareness of Kind of strange Fuch the monster with fright inorderforhimtogetopinionson how anyone interested in seeing this film our global citizenship and responsibil­ The smell of the found And fear- and violent jubilation to vote on legislation, so what was it that it is definitely rentable. It a great ity is vital. The only way I can justify -Tim Sharp sent out for? We can guess. One pos­ movie to watch with a large group of my own extravagant education, is by Of dogs in heat sibility is to get his name before the friends who desire pure entertainment making the commitment to use this Cutiing up to a completely suspecting mate public. Well, fine- but that's cam­ and some good laughs. Oh, and I expensiveeducationforaconstructive Its structure means play thing paign advertising. Andifthat'swhatit would really encourage any Elvis fans purpose. We all should realize we are is, he should have paid for it out of his out there to run out right now and see livingduringa world-wide crisis. Until Main thing campaign fund, instead of using his this movie, and wear your most attrac­ we act and use the resources available Wanna thing franking privilege, which means the tive King outfit. to us, we are no better than President 'Tfie Otfier S iie U.S. mail carried hisself-advertisement Basically, Iliked ''Honeymoon Bush. Everybody here knows each other back to this district for free; and, by the in Vegas." I enjoyed my summer vaca­ wefcome.s c.ontribu titms of I know you way, he spread it wider than the dis­ tion, and until next time.. . Remember pOt. try, You have the smell trict because he doesn't give a damn to drive fifty-five when passing * * * sfwrtfo.tion, how much he spends of our money. through Pasadena on the 210 freeway, Of the found artwOTt Ultimately, we, the tax payers, have to because Mr.Policeman loves to point Kiss me- I'm expecting you aruf otfier crwtive pieas. pay for such activities on the part of his little radar gun in your d irection. Congresspeople, and that has to stop. Especially, if you advertise Pitzer Col­ -Tim Sharp Contact Seth x4183 or Davex6128 In any case, we can' t afford to do that lege on the back of your car. onourcampaign. Sowhatl'mdoingis * * *

S E P T E M B E R 3 0, l 9 9 2 36 TH E O THE R SID E 37 THE OTHER StDE

"Singles" Singles edge of this band. The song begins it, is by far the most eschatological and Mary's Danish I with a lone guitar progression and the most religiously rooted. After all, Goals of Residential Life (continued from page 29) builds to a feedback-ridden thump fest Karl Marx was a Jew. However much (continued from page 30) that leaves me awestruck. This song is he hated Jews, Marx was steeped in lier records. beautiful and powerful, and this band Jewish thought and categories. Marx­ Our casual conversation came "The goals of the Residential Life Program are: Since Andy Woods death his is just so tight! The drumming is su­ ism has many Judeo-Ouistian notions to an end at this point. Gretchen walked 1. To provide and maintain, in cooperation with Campus Faci1ities and band, Mother Love Bone, has long since perb, the guitar playing is superb, the running through it: for instance, the up and urged Julie backstage to get Maintenance, clean and functional living, study, and recreational spaces ready for the performance. So Julie been disbanded and disregarded by band is superb. Thank God for Smash­ end of history and a sort of final judge­ within the residence halls. the listening public. H you are reading ing Pumpkins and Butch Vig, breath­ ment. So, it does not seem to me at all took off, apologizing for the hasty re­ 2. To provide residences that are conducive to a balance of study and social this and consider yourself musically ing new life into the dead carcass of strange that a certain kind of Catholic treat, but left us with the last words, interaction, where civility and respect for others are the norms for commu­ ''Tell your friends not just to register, "in touch/' but don't own either rock-and-roll. sensibility would be deeply drawn to nity life. "Shine" or "Apple" by Mother Love This soundtrack is really nec­ Marxism. Cesar Vallejo is not so but to vote!n The band is currentJy 3. To foster a greater understanding of the elements that compose a positive Bone,stoplyingtoyourself.lfitwasn't essary. H you own it, good. lf you strange: the person most precious and doing a "Rock the Vote" concert tour Jiving community; to value elements of trust, fairness, and communication; for Andy Wood's influence on the al­ don' t, go buy it. You shouldn't have dearest to him from his first day to his with other bands such as The Soup to encourage the acceptance of responsibility for one's actions [sic] impact Dragons, The Wonder Stuff, and Tears ternative/metal scene, a band like any trouble finding it. AU these great last, his mother, was deeply Catholic. on others within the community. Jane's Addiction would not exist. bands should be next to Paula Abdul This insured that he would be deeply for Fears. Watch for Mary's Danish 4. To promote a greater awareness and acceptance of differences related to Mother Love Bone's track, "Chloe and Ugly Kid Joe in the Alternative religious. In some of the poems there is later in theyearas they goon their own gender, race, cultural heritage, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic Dancer/Crown of Thoms'' is a beauti­ section at your local record store. a kind of rage and blasphemy against tour. In the meantime, their new al­ background; to encourage mutual understanding and an increased accep­ bum American Standard is now avail­ ful piece of music. It begins with a God for what he has done to men, a tance of diversity. simple piano riff and builds into a hard raging against God as in Job. It's al­ able. 5. To facilitate self-understanding and discovery, such that students are driving, intense beast. It is incredible, ways against a God who exists. There encouraged to make self-directed decisons and choices as they mature there is no other word to describe it. * * * is no atheism whatsoever in Vallejo's intellectually, emotionally, and scoially.' Mudhoney'scut"Overblown" poetry. Even in his late poetry, written * * * is raw and invigorating. The song is on behalf of Spanish revolutionaries, justa distorted assaultof power chords much of his diction comes from the and sarcastic lyrics. What morecould a Bible and from the liturgy. The sensi­ music fan ask? bility is absolutely Catholic. He would Fire Safety I've never been a big fan of Cesar Vallejo have had to repudiate his mother to Top Ten Best Course Titles: Jimi Hendrix, but I do like his slower deny that part of his personality. That 'In the Event of an Actual Fire: songs, and "May This Be Love" is one is why I love him so much. I forgive (continued from page 15) 10. The Damned and the Divine 1. Keep low to the floor if smoke is present. ofthose. Thissongisaclassic. Beauti­ him his politics, because his impulses 9. Playing Games 2. Before opening the door: ful melodies running smooth over a were so pure. He never understood or saw him as a great religious poet. 8. Eros and Anxiety in Fin de a. Feel the door knob.lf it is hot, do not open the door. loose rhythm section. The highlight is Octavio Paz today embraces Vallejo as saw the contradictions or the mon­ Siecle Europe: Politics and Cul­ b.lf the knob is not hot, brace yourself against the door and open it Hendrix's solo, it is true emotion, true agreatCatholicpoet rather thana Com­ strosities of the Soviet Union that we ture, 1880-1914 slightly. H heat or heavy smoke is present in the corridor, close the soul. see,of course with hindsight. He never munist poet. How are we to under­ 7. The Museum door and stay in the room. The Screaming Trees cut saw the horrors of Stalinism. He met stand this enigma or dialectic of 6. The Desert as a Place 3. If you cannot leave the room; "Nearly Lost You" is another positive poets like Mayakovsky [Vallejo inter­ Communism and Catholicism in 5. Rushdie Judgement a. Open the windows. pieceofthissoundtrack. Although the viewed Mayakovsky on one of his sev­ Vallejo's poetry? 4. The Lotus or the Robot b. Seal cracks around the door with towles or sheets to keep out chorus is a bit too agreeable, the songis eral trips to Moscow from Paris], who Mezey: It's one of those strange 3. The Atomic Bomb in American smoke. really good. The only real problem were still enthusiastic supporters of oppositions in the world where the Culture Since 1945 c. To attract attention if you are trapped, hang an object out the with this track is that radio, if they the revolution. Had he lived to see two opposite things at a certain point 2. The Alien God and the Occult window, such as a sheet, jacket, or shirt. Yell for help. have not already done so, is going to some of the horrors of Communism, seem to be the same thing or to con­ Philosophy 4. If you can leave your room: eat it up and tum it into an ugly staple verge. Obviously, in our century and he would have changed profoundly, 1. Three Friends in a Photo a. Oose all windows behind you as you exit. This will retard the in their pathetic, money-gropingdiet­ in the preceding century, the Catholic although I think he would have re­ spread of smoke. kind of like the sad death of "Losing Church and Communism can be seen mained a Communist. 1 think it would b. Go to the nearest exit or stairway. My Religion." as two great antagonists. There are have changed his writing. But this is a c. If the nearest exit is blocked, go back to your room. close the door, Well, I have to say the best obvious reasons why that should be supposition. open the windows, and follow the procedure described above.' track on this album is "Drown" by so. At the same time, Marxism, of all Smashing Pumpkins. Butch Vig, once (from the 1992-93 Pitzer College Student Handbook) political philosophies or political again, does an unbelievable job of pro­ economies, whatever you want to call * * * ducing. He truly brings out the raw

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