ST. JOHN'S COLLEGE LIBRARY

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1 60 COLLEGE AVE, ANNAPOLIS FALL 2011 I VOLUME 6 I ISSUE t I DATE DUE L Chick & Ruth's Delly Serving St. John's Students with the Best Breakfast, Lunch, Dinners, Milk Shakes, Appetizers & Desserts since 1965 Write for WE HAVE FREE DELIVERY! ALL OUR GREAT FOODS BROUGHT TO YOU or JUST COME IN AND RELAX WITH US. The Epoch. Visit us at www.ChickandRuths.cont

The Epoch Journal is St. John College's current­ affairs magazine. It publishes researched articles and long reviews of global events and culture­ all written and edited by members of the polity.

We need writers, reviewers, copy-editors, designers, researchers, photographers, and artists in order to produce a professional . magazine.

We meet on Sundays at 7 PM in the Gadfly office, located in the lower level of the Barr­ Buchanan Center, inside of Woodward Hall.

If you can't make it, email Erin Shadowens (at [email protected]) to discuss working on the next issue ..Article submissions for the next issue are due on January 15th, 2012.

165 Main Street, Annapolis, MD 21401 Phone 410-269-6737

Open 6:30 am till 11 :30 p.m. ' Fri. & Sat. till 12:30 am St.Johnsadd10/24/10 Letter from the Editor EDITOR Erin Shadowens

NOVEMBER 201 1 PUBLISHER + DESIGNER J. Keenan Trotter began writing for The Epoch during my freshman year at St. BUSINESS MANAGERS I John's; over the past three years, Shikshya Adhikari I have actively participated in every Andrew Donders issue, writing eleven articles and act­ ing in an editorial position for ten. ILLUSTRATOR Throughout that time, I have seen the SashaWelm publication evolve aesthetically, from loud and colorful maps to a more DISCLAIMER minimalist and understated palate. The Epoch Journal is produced and distrib­ The look of the publication reflects uted in Annapolis, Maryland. Opinions the thinking and taste of the editors, expressed in articles or illustrations are not but it would be wrong to conflate the necessarily those of the editorial board or St. aesthetics with the quality and sub­ John's College. stance of the articles. While the look ADVERTISING of The Epoch has changed, the mis­ To place an advertisement, please email sion has not: to provide quality, in­ [email protected] depth articles that bring the greater world to the St. John's College com­ SUBSCRIPTIONS munity. The Epoch Journal is published four times a In this issue, we have articles on year. Subscriptions and back issues may be terrorist bombings in India, media ordered on our website. and democracy in Ecuador, and His­ panic immigrant culture on the Texas SUBMISSIONS Students, faculty, and staff of St. John's Col­ border. Each of these articles at­ lege are encouraged to submit manuscripts tempts to distill an ongoing issue for fo r to Th e Epoch Journal. Email editor@ our readers while maintaining a focus epochjournal.org for more information. on the human beings involved. I hope that readers will not simply see these MAILING ADDRESS articles as examinations of different The Epoch Journal countries, but rather as looks into 60 College Avenue ongoing, international conversations. Annapolis, Maryland 21 401 Ecuador's debate about democracy is yet another voice in a 2,500 year dia­ WEBSITE WWW .EPOCHJOURNA L.ORG logue, and Mumbai's response to ter­ rorism is eerily comparable to New York City's. I am excited to begin this new year with such a fantastic issue. In the last year, I have been impressed by the growth of student-produced work, from The Gadfly to the Community Exhibition, to Energeia. I hope that The Epoch will continue to bring a distinct tenor to the rich array of voices in our polity.

Erin Shadowens Annapolis, Maryland ael Correa was elected President of the Re­ the fear aroused in them by the current regime, which tar­ ublic of Ecuador in 2007, when he ran with the gets individual journalists and media outlets by imposing mlianza PAIS political movement. Alianza PAIS harsh monetary penalties. llrns, in the service of report­ endorsed a political alliance with the Ecuadorian Socialist ing the truth, Ecuadorian journalists make something of a Party and the Communist Party of Ecuador, and is usually brave statement-about their country, to be sure, but also denominated as the Revolucion Ciudadana ("The People's themselves. Revolution"). The movement seeks to steer the Ecuador­ The anxiety of practicing journalists and private me­ ian government toward "socialism of the 21st century" -a dia has only worsened since May 7th of this year, when concept which acquired global currency when it was ad­ a national referendum-a plebiscite, or ballot-proposed opted, in 2005, by the Venezuelan leader, Hugo Chavez. by President Correa passed by a hair's breadth. The refer­ In the past four years, Correa's administration has dis­ endum in question asked voters whether, in an effort "to mantled Ecuador's Congress and re-written the country's avoid the excesses of media;' there should be established a constitution, among other radical changes to the govern­ "Regulatory Council that may regulate the broadcast con­ ment's structure. But what has undergone the most pro­ tent:' Having won the referendum, Correa's government found and long-lasting transformation is the Ecuadorian has legitimized government censorship and control over media. Shortly after his ascension to the presidency, Pres­ the information and opinions that can reach the public, ident Correa verbally opened fire against various media thus defusing the country's few weapons against govern­ organization, labeling them as "savage beasts;' "informa­ ment corruption. tive mafias;' and "charlatans;' thereby declaring a fiery war Alfonso Perez, the director of one of the most influential against the press. Ecuadorian online newspapers, Ecuador en Vivo, told me In 2008, government officials, citing technical irregu­ that the state-owned media outlets have never reported larities with the station's license, shut down Radio Sucre, a on cases of corruption in Correa's government. According fre quent critic of Correa's administration. The list of me­ to Perez, "All allegations of corruption that have occurred dia stations expropriated by the government since then in this government come only from the private media:' has only increased: El Telegrafo (a newspaper), Cable No­ And Correa has not lacked an expensive taste for corrup­ ticias, Cable Deportes, La Otra Group (a magazine pub­ tion: a recent scandal involved illegal contracts, valued lisher), Radio Universal, GamaTV, and TC Television. (The at 300 million dollars, between the government and the last two stations together account for about forty percent President's brother, Fabricio Correa. of the country's nightly news audience.) Around the same "President Correa needs to discredit the press; he needs time of Radio Sucre's dismantling, officials of Correa's to take away its credibility;' Perez told me, "because the announced that the expropriated stations and the assets press is the only way for citizens to have free and indepen­ seized from them would be sold. (As of 2011, this prom­ dent information that is not originated from the govern­ ise remains unfulfilled.) Meanwhile, Correa's government ment:' created several new media organizations like EcuadorTV, Though Correa has never shown the press much re­ Radio Publica, El Ciudadano, and Agenda Ecuatoriana de spect, he did give much credit to WikiLeaks, the docu­ Noticias ANDES. ment-leaking website, to the point of expelling Ecuador's Three years later, in August of this year, Correa won U.S. Ambassador, in April 2011, after WikiLeaks released a $40 million libel lawsuit he had filed against journalist a series of confidential diplomatic cables of the U.S. State Emilio Palacios, and STOP, the directors of El Universo, Department, which reevealed that the U.S. Ambassador which is one of the largest newspapers in Ecuador. The at the time, Heather M. Hodges, did not endorse Correa's lawsuit cited an article published in El Universo in which decision to retain a former police commander, Jaime Aq­ Palacios, the article's author, remarked that President uilino Hurtado. (In one of the cables, Hodges had specu­ Correa could be prosecuted by a future administration for lated that Correa knew Hurtado was corrupt but kept him allegedly ordering Ecuador's military to open fire on po­ around as commander of the national police to ensure he lice officers during a police rebellion on September 30th remained "easily manipulated':) of last year. When it comes to Correa, Ecuadorians are split in half. This past summer, I interned with TeleAmazonas, As Perez put it, "Correa has unleashed a vicious intestinal which is one of two major television stations that remain ruction in Ecuador, one man against the other:' If you walk unaffiliated with the government. During my time work­ around the streets of Quito, the capital of Ecuador, you ing at the station, which Correa's government has repeat­ can witness, on every corner, of every neighborhood, the edly sanctioned and at one point illegally forced off the fading remains of graffiti promoting Vota SI or Vota NO­ air for three days, working journalists employed the term the residue of last May's national referendum. "self-censorship" to describe their worry of falling prey to At the heart of this national disunity lies a deep disagree- ment on what democracy means for Ecuador. President · uador. The fate of Ecuador's Congress, which balances the 1 Correa's ideology has extended so far as to say that even Executive Power, remains the most vivid example. Near Cuba is a kind of democracy-although Cuba has just one the beginning of Correa's presidency, Congress approved MUMBAI? political party, just one candidate for the Presidency, and his plan to hold a referendum for the purpose of setting up has been ruled by just one man, Castro, since 1959. "Cuba a Constituent Assembly to rewrite the Ecuadorian Consti­ is not a western liberal democracy, but it is a democracy;' tution. The referendum took place on April 15, 2007. But The limits of logic in urban terrorism President Correa told Mexican journalist Jorge Ramos. after the date was decided, Correa revised the referendum "To have a democracy doesn't mean that you have to hold to grant more powers to the Constituent Assembly. One By Shikshya Adhikari. elections every four years, but it is a kind of government of these powers was the authority to dismiss Congress­ of the people for the people:' an authority which Congress itself never approved. As a In a different interview, Correa asserted that he, as the result, 57 members of Congress, which was controlled President of the Republic, functions as the Chief of the by Correa's opposition, reacted by trying to impeach the entire Ecuadorian State: "Listen to me well-the President President of the Electoral Tribunal. Still, Correa, explain­ of the Republic is not only Chief of the Executive Power. ing that their decision was constitutional, defended the He is the Chief of the whole Ecuadorian State; and the Electoral Tribunal's expulsion of those members. Ecuadorian State is the Executive Power, the Legislative Alfonso Perez told me that the Legislative Power, which Power, the Judicial Power, the Electoral Power, the Power is now called "National Assembly" instead of "Congress;' of Transparency and Social Control, the Superintendence, is unlikely to do its job: "The moderator of the executive Attorney, Comptroller; all of that is the Ecuadorian State:' branch, which is the National Assembly, is no moderator" bombings? Correa is arguing in the tradition of Louis XIV, implying he says, "Correa has them handled like puppets': • •people were scared, shocked and mostly an­ gry;' explains Neha Bansod, an Indian citi­ Jyotsna Mehta, a Mumbai city resident, responds some­ that he is the state; he assumes a kind of Hobbesian under­ zen. The city of Mumbai was bombed thrice what differently. She says, "People were sad and support­ standing of representative government. But Correa claims on July 13, 2011. The bombings occurred on Wednesday ive towards the victim. But, most importantly, they were to support a democratic state, too; he won the presidency A few months ago, my brother wrote and published an evening at 6:54 pm, 6:55 pm, and 7:05 pm, killing more disappointed:' Shah, who lives quite close to one of the on a pro-democratic and anti-corruption platform. One article criticizing the national referendum. Among rela­ than 20 people and leaving 141 injured. A Times of In­ bombed sites, Dadar, was on the bus back to Mumbai can sense, in this paradox, either an evolution of Ecua­ tives and friends of my hometown, nobody discussed the dia article ["Three blasts rock Mumbai; 21 dead, 141 in­ from Pune and the bus station is in Dadar. He says, "I got dor's democracy or its total collapse. quality of his article, the strength of his arguments, or his jured;' July 14, 2011] quotes the home minister of India, scared. Nobody wants to run into that. I got the news that "The dictatorial democracy;' Cuban journalist Carlos style of prose. Nobody agreed, or disagreed. "How brave of Palaniappan Chindambaram-"we infer that this was a bombings were still taking place and was advised by my Alberto Montaner has written, "as described and defended your brother to publish that!" or "Finally someone has the co-ordinated attack by the terrorist;' the reason being the family to stay on the bus:' by the Dominican Juan Bosch in a 1969 essay titled 'Dicta­ nerve to speak up!" were the kind of sentiments expressed. close timing of the consecutive explosions. Mumbai has Momentary panic, anger, resignation or indifference - torship With Popular Support; and revived by Venezuela's As president, Correa has transformed free speech into an had three major terrorist attacks in the last decade and the which of these reactions resounded after the initial alarm, Hugo Chavez in the so-called 21st Century Socialism, is in act of bravery, and Ecuador itself into a country where city seems to have been on edge since then. dread, and confusion? It seems that as time passed, so did turn rooted in the enlightened despotism of the 17th and voicing disagreement with public figures isn't a civic right "The year 2006 was bad': says Sidarth Shah, a resident of panic, anger and sad resignation. 18th centuries. It's a type of government in which the au­ or public duty, but an act of valor. Mumbai and a freshmen at St. John's College. "The local Shah says, "Things got back to normal some hours later thority-exercised by an exceptional caudillo legitimized The only thing that Ecuadorians who support a liberal trains were badly hit in rush hour:' and people were completely free to move around. Nobody in the polls by a majority of voters who renounce their democracy have left is their right to raise their voices and On July 11, 2006 Mumbai witnessed a series of seven I know was hurt. As a matter of fact, there have been so rights and their control over their lives - is imposed upon speak their minds. Even if Correa and his supporters think bombings within a period of 11 minutes. This attack was many bombings that people have become indifferent:' the masses allegedly for their own glory and benefit:' otherwise, a great number of Ecuadorians believe that it is quite severe as more than 200 people lost their lives and Mehta adds, "People had 'I am used to this' kind of at­ One half of the country-those who voted NO on the media's duty to monitor the government, not the other over 700 were injured. Mumbai was again attacked in titude. Yes, people got normal the next day. Mumbai was that national referendum- support the "western liberal way around. Left unchecked, Ecuador's government-any 2008. "Coordinated terrorist attacks struck the heart of running at its normal pace once again:' democracy" that President Correa excused Cuba from government-may as well possess, and act with, unlimited Mumbai, India's commercial capital, on Wednesday night, What is normal for Mumbai? What is Mumbai's normal having. A liberal democracy is one in which people al­ power. "Correa doesn't understand that the owner of the killing dozens in machine-gun and grenade assaults on at city pace? Mumbai is one of the most populous cities in low themselves to be governed as long as their individual power is not the state, but the citizen!" Perez said fervent­ least two five-star hotels, the city's largest train station, a India, with a huge metropolitan population of approxi­ rights are protected by a constitution that emphasizes ly. "Therefore the citizen has to be accordingly informed, Jewish center, a movie theater and a hospital" [The New mately twenty million. The city hosts a great number of separation of powers and a system of checks and balances_ and in a plural manner- not only with the exclusive and York Times, Somini Sengupta, November 26, 2008]. The industrie-including the huge film manufacture-and is between the branches of government. alienating information of a government as dogmatic as the attacks had lasted for three days, from November 26 to 29, home to many renowned and respected people. It is the This system of accountability is quickly vanishing in Ee- one we have:' • again leaving hundreds of people dead or injured. "The ef­ capital city of Maharashtra, the Indian State. Mumbai is fects of this attack definitely stayed for a while;' says Shah. said to have the highest GDP (about 200 billion) and it Shah also adds, "The recent bombings [ofJuly 13] were ranks among the world's top ten trade cities. Mumbai also much smaller comparatively. Some shops were hit. How­ contributes seventy percent of the capital commerce to ever, the Dadar train station was not bombed. One of the India's economy. Along with big numbers, big businesses places that was bombed was about fifty kilometers away and big people, the great city of Mumbai also consists of from the very populated station:' Hit were the Opera the everyday hustle and bustle of normal people. Mum­ House, Zaveri Bazar and Dadar west localities. So, how bai represents a great mass of crowd with their daily busi­ then did the people of Mumbai respond to the recent ness. With crowded buses, trains, streets, shops, stations, Mumbai's populous is unstoppable. Is it this populace that area:' is being targeted constantly? In the past, Hindu activists have also been responsible When asked why Mumbai has constantly been the vic­ for the bombings in some religious Muslim sites. In 1993, tim of many terror attacks, Shah says, "Mumbai is a popu­ India witnessed a terrible Hindu-Muslim riot where both lar city. It is one of main attractions in India. And, I think parties were equally responsible and victimized. Mumbai, I it is the masses that are triggered all the time:' along with other big cities, have designated Hindu and I Mehta says, "Mumbai has well-developed local trains, a Muslim areas, generally popular among the less wealthy huge population and stock market. If Mumbai shuts down people. Bansod says, "The people of Mumbai have a fairly for some reason, everything drops and consequently, its liberal attitude. There are misguided youths in all coun­ I ---- trade is badly affected:' It is the masses that seem to be tries and India is not devoid of its fair share. India is very , ,, J r Ar\JSAS targeted the most. Delhi, the capital city, with all the gov­ proud of its secular credentials:' ernment buildings and offices, has not been hit as badly Mehta adds, "People are treated equally in middle or and frequently as Mumbai. upper middle class families. However, I cannot speak for "With the masses and the area that contains the masses certain on behalf of the people belonging to lower classes. being targeted, there is so much you can avoid. Person­ It might also be a way for politicians to avoid giving an­ ally, I felt pretty safe to continue using the train. Some of swers and get into deep investigations. So, they usually my friends' families got paranoid and they suggested us­ blame religion:' ing taxis instead of local train. But, that can also go on for Next, Pakistan's role in the bombings became a ques­ a certain period of time. There are small shops in those tion. Reports indicate a connection between the accused places. People have to pass through them to get anywhere. groups and Pakistan; however, the statements are once How much can the police block and for how long?" ques­ again not official. The 2008 attacks by the Lakhshar-e­ tions Shah. Taiba militant groups almost put India and Pakistan into a It seems reasonable for the city to resume its normal life state of war. Pakistan has been under severe international again. Investigations were made concerning the attacks, pressure to recognize the members of these groups since articles were published, certain groups were suspected 2008. However, these groups still seem to be operating. and, condolences offered by the leaders of the nation and Considering the Indo-Pak history, one can see how India of other nations. The general sentiment was that the inci­ blaming Pakistan is the most likely outcome even though dent was yet another terrorist attack --the status quo. Pakistan offered condolences on the blasts. Shah says, Bansod says, "Nowadays, terrorists only choose places "Condolences are offered all the time. There is nothing that are internationally known and where they will be able new in that. Pakistan offered condolences, so did America I to garner maximum publicity. Terrorism is sustained on and Europe:' I publicity these days:' Even though a 'terrorist attack' was Mehta says, "These statements are made by officials and what the investigations pointed to, the official reports I do not think they are true. I believe people in Pakistan I f I n1,wry 1, 1990 are yet to come. Mumbai police detained several men for want peace as well. If brains are washed and people ma­ questioning and among them was Faiz Usmani, the broth­ nipulated, there is nothing that can be done:' er of one of the accused members of the 2008 Ahmedabad It is difficult to calculate Mumbai's response to these scr1r bombings case. Reports say that the first finger was point­ terrorist attacks. The question arises: is Mumbai safe for 1 I 1 ,'~ t"tlfl K lnmete r ~ ed at the Indian Mujahideen (IM) and Student Islamic all? lll(l 1,1 200 M il"'.' Movement of India (SIMI) . Alj ezeera reported [The (in) Mehta says, "Mumbai will never be safe; but, people are I _) visible in Indian terrorism, Irfan Ahmed], "Shortly after and will be more aware. This time people were not inter­ the attack, the police said that IM and SIMI were behind ested in candle-lit protests or other such activities; but, the blasts'; pointing to the fact that Muslims are gener­ they really wanted the government to take some serious Lili l 1Plll g I - _.di 1 vdl..10 t ;;.ulJ•. I '-'IJ DISCLAIMER H1r:Kor·/ ot 1t .... 1np1 ally the first ones to be accused of any terror attacks. The actions:' Tlw· rn.1t•'o.'.1'> t.1·:n_ ra1cd by the Te xas\{\·-----' HK CJ!')' r ... 11t·r.rnpl 11..;frrq r.1s \Gtogrnphlc tnforml;ltlon t/•_• ·:L)1n1:. J'" 111:i dc lo the acc urncy c ' article also expresses that the Muslim population were "There is always a shock that follows;' says Shah. "It into, r11.•li·..,r ~r-. o·: . ri herein nor t o Its ijullrll/ f.ilrl H.iy .. 1: ulSP -===--==----=~~--=----M 1/r , -he: ··c 1lc 11iJ L ef11i on o t s it mi'lppe d CJ) 1,i;;i.1 ~00 generally harassed by the officials after every one of these would be inhuman if there wasn't any. But, shocks last · : ' .~ 1 :·:;:.;,, """ L .. ~-.'·'- ,:.~ "'~' .. -,1. t.t 1p 1.Jp:J i! ed Augusl 2007 by M incidences. less each time. [. .. ] The security is pretty good for what is "It is difficult to claim anything;' says Shah. "One of the possible with the number of people entering and exitin•g SOUTHED~ T ST,~ II bombed sites, Zaveri Bazar, is predominantly a Muslim THE Mumbai per day. I feel safe:' _I'1" ~ Th e fragile future ofSouth Texas's immigrant families By Ian Tuttle, •• They call them sanchas;' says Peggy, a former one woman, whom he considers his primary companion) bination of these motives or others. However, with migra­ hard-working:' And this poses a striking contrast to the manager for Sam Kane Beef Processors, Inc., nor simple adultery (many Hispanic women appear to tion to America, that custom has confronted progressive sense of entitlement Peggy observes in the men. Whether a pillar of south Texas' agricultural economy have accepted that their partners may be involved with American culture. The CDC report shows a threefold in­ these conflicting strains will persist remains to be seen. located on the industrial outskirts of Corpus Christi, Tex­ other women). And for the men it is fully justified. "The crease in the percentage of children born to unmarried Peggy rtotes that younger generations of Hispanics are not as, a Gulf Coast city of 300,000 a couple hours north of the man feels that he deserves to have his needs met;' says women among white Americans since 1980 (the first year demonstrating the same work ethic as their elders. "They border. Peggy is referring to the line workers at the plant; Peggy, "and each woman fulfills a different need. He has of available data for all races), a phenomenon, at least in are unable to cope with the strain of the work at the plant;' there are about a thousand of them, mostly Hispanic, al­ the 'main' mother of his children, then a woman he can part, of decreasingly stringent sexual mores. Hispanic im­ she says. "Our turnover rate peaked at sixty percent at most exclusively male. "I would say nine out of ten have visit on the way home from work, then a woman who will migrants, who are inclined to raise large families, have one point-three out of five hires leaving within months:' someone on the side;' she says-those are sanchas, "other go hunting with him:' And while he only considers one had to confront America's increasingly tolerant sexual The decline of that work ethic-and the perpetuation women:' "It's a very odd culture:' woman his wife, he usually has a child (or children) with culture, and they seem to have embraced a sort of synthe­ of the decline of the Hispanic family-may hinge, at least Precisely what culture Peggy describes is unclear. A each. "We would have a worker request time off because sis: large "families" without the traditional family struc­ in part, on a related trend Mac Donald observes: grow­ chaotic amalgamation of social forces-some arriving his wife had had a child, then come back three months ture. Though this cultural collision may bear partial re­ ing welfare use. That federal and state welfare systems from Latin American sending countries, the rest culled later and ask for time off-because his wife had had a sponsibilty, it cannot be the sole cause. As Mac Donald provide financial support for children born into poverty from an increasingly heterogeneous America-is creat­ child. One man had four children in a single year:' For has observed, the illegitimacy rate in Latin America is also may not act as an impetus to out-of-wedlock births, but ing a new culture among American Hispanics, a fusion of some workers, almost their entire paycheck goes to child very high. Can this be chalked up to globalization? That it certainly is no deterrent. Peggy says that the multigen­ old and new world customs that is driving the devastating support fees-and child support checks are addressed to seems unlikely. But immigration is undoubtedly playing a erational Hispanic family structure can better utilize the phenomenon sweeping Hispanic America: the collapse of several different locations. role in the collapse of the Hispanic family; it is the extent monies offered by welfare programs: "The daughters give the Hispanic family. Whether the "sancha subculture" is What is most shocking to Peggy, though, is the whole­ of that role which remains unclear. birth, and the mothers and grandmothers take care of the behind that trend is unknown; regardless, it is indicative sale acceptance of this behavior among many Hispanics. Second is a lack of focus among Hispanics on educa­ babies using welfare money:' However, an official from of the pervasive and problematic breakdown of traditional "There is no stigma behind it whatsoever;' she says. She tion. The contrast here, notes Mac Donald, is with Asian Texas's Department of State Health Services (DSHS), sexual and familial standards that threatens the social sta­ recounts speaking to one of the plant's cafeteria workers immigrants who, on average, demand significant academ­ speaking on condition of anonymity, argues that, where bility of a prominent ethnic group and their adopted na­ whose daughter gave birth at 13; she bore two more chil­ ic effort on the part of their children. That same demand drugs are involved, the system does, in fact, act as an im­ tion. dren before she turned eighteen. "The parents loved it, and effort are missing in Hispanic families. And perhaps petus. Using state welfare money, she says, women can South Texas, a region of twenty-eight counties compris­ encouraged it-they wanted more children in the family:' because of a lack of focus on the classroom, Hispanics are purchase large quantities of meat and trade it for drugs; ing much of the territory south of San Antonio stretching In a 2010 report, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) more likely to end up in poverty, to be unemployed, and to by bearing more children they increase their welfare sub­ to the Mexican border, is seventy-two percent Hispanic. revealed that, in 2007 (the latest year for which data is end up in prison than are Asian Americans, who are dis­ sidy and feed their (or their partner's) drug habit. These Texas, by comparison, is only thirty-eight percent. The available), a little over half of Hispanic children were born proportionately represented at elite universities, are the instances are the exception, rather than the rule, but they region includes four growing metropolitan areas whose to unmarried mothers. While this is noticeably behind highest earning ethnic group, and, according to a study reveal the inherent difficulty of constructing and main­ population growth outpaced that of Texas as a whole from the illegitimacy rate of black women (seventy-one per­ published in 2010 in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and taining a fair and sustainable welfare system. 2002 to 2007, and McAllen, one of those metropolitan ar­ cent), it is much more worrisome with the Hispanic pop­ Drugs, are at the lowest risk of any type of youth substance And illegitimacy takes a devastating toll on the econo­ eas, boasted one of the country's fastest growing real es­ ulation expected to triple over the coming decades. And abuse, from cigarettes and alcohol to marijuana and hard­ my. Sam Kane Beef originally provided insurance for both tate markets in 2008. In age, south Texas is young. Per­ the unmarried birthrate for Hispanics is staggering: Every er drugs. Moreover, Asian Americans have the lowest il­ employees and their families, but a million-dollar bill for sons under the age of twenty-five account for nearly half 1,000 unmarried women bore 108 children, up from 100 legitimacy: just seventeen percent. the simultaneous Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the population, and the median age along the border is at the beginning of the decade and 90 per 1,000 in 1990. Third is an attitude that has been uniquely demonstrat­ treatment of one employee's two out-of-wedlock chil­ twenty-nine. And the region is a natural entry point for The numbers reveal that unmarried Hispanics are having ed in Hispanic culture: machismo, a desire among many dren-each born to a different mother-forced the com­ immigrants (legal and illegal) because it has maintained twice as many children as unmarried whites and one-and­ Hispanic males to demonstrate masculinity. The over­ pany to restrict insurance coverage to employees alone. much of the cultural identity of Mexico, which still exer­ a-half times as many as unmarried blacks. And the trend whelming majority of the men at Sam Kane Beef, notes And the financial burden that the company was forced to cises a significant cultural influence over much of Texas shows no signs of slowing. Peggy, have facial hair, and she suggests that the number offload fell onto the shoulders of Medicaid and other gov­ south of San Antonio. Heather MacDonald, a scholar at the Manhattan Insti­ of wo en a man can claim acts as a sort of "machismo ernment programs. Moreover, the detrimental effects of It is in this region-and in similar pockets nationwide­ tute, has led the effort to study the change occurring with­ signifier;' a type of status symbol. (She describes it as "col­ single-motherhood are well-documented: children raised that the collapse of the Hispanic family is playing out most in Hispanic America, and she admits that determining the lecting" women.) And neither the attitude nor the behav­ by single mothers are more likely to grow up uneducated, prominently- not only at Sam Kane Beef, but within com­ causes of Hispanic family breakdown is difficult. Several ior is restricted to low socioeconomic classes; both are impoverished, and imprisoned-an enormous burden on panies, hospitals, government offices, public school sys­ forces appear to be working simultaneously. present among wealthier Hispanics, she says, just more America's public schools, courts, and prisons. Illegitima­ tems, and churches across the region. However, what is First is immigration, which has forced a clash of cus­ discreetly practiced. cy is proving a massive drain on both private and public occurring in south Texas may be indicative of the future of toms. It is well-documented that Hispanics have signifi­ coffers. the country. The Census Bureau predicts that Hispanics cantly higher birthrates than white Americans, which What in the breakdown of the Hispanic family distin­ will be· the country's largest minority by 2050, tripling in has fueled steady population growth throughout Latin guishes it from the collapse of the black family, chronicled Are there solutions to this trend? The matter goes size to become almost a full third of the American popula­ America and is driving the Hispanic population boom in meticulously since Daniel Patrick Moynihan's ground­ much deeper than public policy, though significant re­ tion by mid-century. So it is likely that the collapse of the the United States, but it is unclear from what this inclina­ breaking 1965 study, The Negro Family: The Case for Na­ forms could contribute to the trend's reversal-or at least Hispanic family, which is already exacting a heavy toll on tion stems: perhaps from the need of those in farm-based tional Action? Mac Donald, in a 2006 City Journal arti­ its slowing. Some have asserted that the Catholic Church, Texas and California, will soon become a national issue. economies to have many children, perhaps because of cle, identifies a key difference: "many of the mothers and focused for so long on internal struggles, neglected its higher infant mortality rates in Latin America, perhaps absent fathers work, even despite growing welfare use:' responsibility to act as a moral force for Hispanics, and The behavior Peggy describes is difficult to classify: it from a deeper concern for the perpetuation of bloodlines Peggy affirms this: "Labor at the plant is enormously dif­ Peggy observes that the men and families in question is neither outright polygamy (the man is married to only than is seen in the United States, perhaps from some com- ficult, and the workers are incredibly diligent, incredibly demonstrate little spiritual activity. "They might believe in God;' she says, "but they are not involved in churches or ticularly disturbing. The DSHS official argues such drug any other activities we might consider spiritually enrich­ use has much to do with familial collapse. Severe, manda­ ing, and they certainly don't talk in spiritual or religious tory sentences punishing drug use lock Hispanic men into terms:' But she wonders whether the reemergence of the the prison system without providing opportunities for Catholic Church would make much difference: "If the rehabilitation; even after their release, a criminal record Catholic Church became a socially engaging force again, diminishes their chances of employment and financial would it even help? The families are the ones encourag­ security. Her theory suggests several crucial reforms: an ing this behavior:' Any process of transformation, then, immigration policy that would strengthen America's bor­ is forbiddingly complex. Effective change will require ders and reinforce ideals of citizenship; drug policy reform significant policy reform in multiple arenas, as well as a that would effectively target minorities and the poor, who moral renewal within both the larger American and Latin are disproportionately more likely to become substance American cultures. The initial problem, amid such over­ abusers; welfare reform that would prevent systemic ex­ whelming difficulty, may be determining where to start. ploitation; and prison and sentencing reform that would However, this is not to say that the Hispanic family is facilitate treatment and rehabilitation. Those changes are in imminent, unavoidable doom. Hispanics have not suf­ not enough, she says, but they will be a start. fered the same ghettoization as blacks-though inklings Finally, employers have the ability to effect behavioral of that can be seen in heavily Hispanic states along the change. Peggy notes that Sam Kane Beef has always been southern border. The Catholic Church remains a poten­ willing to hire individuals passed over or rejected, for tially positive force, particularly when its moral values whatever reason, by other employers; many of their em­ receive backing in the home. Latin America is home to ployees, she says, are "those on the fringes:' Reflecting on half of the world's Catholics, but in recent years Catholics the company's hiring process, she affirms, "If you're will­ have been leaving the church in droves amid infighting ing to work hard, we're willing to consider you:' And, she between conservatives and progressives. Yet, despite the points out, Sam Kane Beef has created a healthy work en­ loss, many Latin American immigrants maintain at least vironment that encourages employees not simply to work a vestigial Catholicism, and new efforts in Latin America hard but also to fulfill familial and social responsibilities­ to reach out to those who have left the Catholic Church from paying alimony on time to attending rehabilitation may prove effective among American Hispanics, as well. programs. Peggy says that local judges are aware of the Moreover, the attenuation of the Catholic Church has not unique atmosphere at Sam Kane Beef and that it factors entailed a widespread rejection of Christianity. Pentecos­ into their consideration of employees' cases. Where the ESSAYS+ REVIEWS tal Protestantism has seen dramatic growth throughout government incentivizes or perpetuates troublesome be­ Latin America, and a variety of denominations hope to fill haviors, individual employers have the opportunity to dis­ the spiritual void. There is ample opportunity for spiritual incentivize by creating healthy, socially responsible work renewal-if these institutions will accept the challenge to environments. Sam Kane Beef offers a strong, encourag­ assert a revitalized public morality. ing example for other employers. And any resurgent public morality must be accompa­ But the burden of transformation remains, ultimately, nied by thoughtful public policy reforms. A study pub­ in the power of America's Hispanic community. And that lished in 2007 in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and community is at a crossroads. If older generations-or, Drugs found that Hispanic immigrants to the U.S. are more perhaps, the newest generation of parents-can shift the likely to engage in illegal drug use and alcohol abuse- and cultural paradigm, the Hispanic family may be rescued. that likelihood increases as they become acculturated. But if they will not, Hispanic social stability faces a long Considering that many of these immigrants are coming slide into chaos, and, as Hispanics become a greater part from quasi-narco-states like Mexico, this tendency is par- of the national population, America will likely slide, too. •

'. TfilCKED Obama as illusionist By J. Keenan Trotter'

efore I get into my review of consequential subject matter: the my entire life. I seriously think I had Jason Mattera's book, Obama easy transformation, in contempo­ an emotional seizure or something. B Zombies (THRESHOLD; $25), rary America life, of cultural rapport My whole body siezed up. I couldn't I want to suggest two changes to into political power. breathe. It's like I really mattered ... his work that should make his ideas To be clear, Mattera deems Obama's I picked the president! That was me! clearer to readers. Wherever Mattera tenure an utter failure: "We've seen a ... I think I'm in love with America mentions the word "conservative" or president who distrusts his country, right now!" Such fervor, as anyone something variant thereof, scratch genuflects to dictators around the who was a conscious human being in it out with an ink pen and write world, and takes massive dumps on 2008 will agree, was widespread. "conservative policy''. And where he the idea of American exceptional­ All of this excitement baffles Mat­ writes "health care;' again scratch it ism;' he writes. Obama's various fail­ tera. Why are these young people so out and write "health insurance''. His ings are not, as noted, the primary enamored by this unknown senator arguments, and his book, make much matter of Obama Zombies, as the from Illinois? Because the Zombies more sense after these edits are made. book's title suggests; rather, it is the were not drawn to him by default, Now, on to the book, which was generation (in which Mattera counts i.e., by repulsion to another candi­ born out of the historic 2008 election himself) largely credited with the date. This is Mattera's theory, anyway, of Barack Obama. This event both success of Obama's presidential cam­ which if evaluated in light of some of surprised and did not surprise this paign- namely, 18-29 year-olds, the his "takedowns" of figures such as book's author, according to whom demographic of which Mattera calls, Jon Stewart (who is "self-loathing': John McCain-Obama's primary yes, "Obama Zombies''. according to Mattera, presumably opponent-"was an atrocious presi­ Mattera's first method of illustrat­ because he employs a stage name) dential candidate" who "looked like ing his thesis is plain, even shopworn: and Stephen Colbert (who is merely death:' Mattera pumps much blood scouring televisual records of the "self-hating"), shall begin to draw about McCain's military history, spe­ 2008 Obama campaign and wait­ concern. cifically his experience as prisoner ing for someone-usually a college of war. in Vietnam, yet the narrative student or celebrity-to say or do Whom Mattera discusses in very McCain's campaign built out of his something ridiculous. For example: little detail is George W. Bush, that heroism strikes Mattera as lukewarm during election coverage arranged by president we had for eight years be­ and ineffectual. "McCain's message MTV at a university in Florida, Sar­ fore Obama. The political moment was about self-sacrifice;' he writes, ah Phillips, a student, was recorded of 2008 can be difficult to recall cor­ "which was, eh, okay:' TI1e glib tone saying, upon witness of the night's rectly because, while Obama was ob­ pervades the work, which might be Democratic victory, "It's probably viously incumbent to the presidency, an inheritance of its very real and the most excited I've ever been in he wasn't yet the actual commander- \ ton, D.C., while interning at Up­ layed seeking medical treatment be­ (given their responsibility to admin­ in-chief. Bush was. And in the years and grossed millions in book deals is Book.Notes town Records in New York City.. cause he doesn't possess health insur:­ ister free health care) that eventu­ leading up to that year's election no somehow comparable to the hellish Between Men . . Today, for better or worse .(for ance and would therefor have to pay ally the arrangement would begin to person took a stronger beating than brutality Senator McCain faced as a worse) . . . Combs is a household for the treatment (surgery) without resemble either the for-profit health him. The possibility missing from prisoner of war. Beam yourself back ritten over nearly a decade name. . . . Diddy loved music, subsidies. care industry or the socialized sys­ Mattera's book is that without Bush down to reality, Zuckman:' W Chad Harbach's Th e Art of loved promotion, loved the spot­ Here is Mattera: "Hey, dude, if tems of Western Europe. Since this there would be no Obama, or, to It's true that though Obama's fa­ Fielding celebrates the sweaty (and light, and worked his derriere you don't have health care, and experiment rests upon the certainty be more specific, no particular fer­ ther never finished his doctorate, very mental) toil anyone great or even merely good at anything-baseball, off to achieve his dreams. Uncle don't want to pay for it, then don't that tithing is preferable to taxing, vor which swirled around him and his mother did, and it's also true that scholarship, writing, love-confronts Sam didn't orchestrate it. He did. go snowboarding! If you still believe that those who help others ought to anointed him with powers of fore­ Obama graduated from Columbia in daily life. Harbach's book features Not Washington. in personal responsibility, any per­ do so out of their will rather than a sight and wisdom. To many of the and Harvard, at both of which he a South Dakotan dirtbomb-prodigy sonal responsibility, raise your hand. forced contribution, then why would Americans quoted in Mattera's book, almost certainly benefited from af­ named Henry Skrimshander, whom This paragraph is a rather large Why should you, I, or anyone have to a more efficient means of ensuring af­ Obama seems not only inspiring or firmative action policies in place. He Mike Schwartz, a Harpooner at Wes- . tactical error. Mattera wishes to see fund this brother's [sic] snowboard­ fordable access to health care remain affirming but penitential, the public's has written two best-selling memoirs. tish College (whose mascot takes federal government-all govern­ ing accident?" Two things. First: As beyond the frame of a person's will? reward for enduring eight long years And yet-and this is perhaps to Mat­ from a singular visit to the college by ment-end its involvement in the mentioned before, Mattera shifts the Wouldn't you want to guarantee, on of a very unpopular presidency. tera's credit-this remains a difficult Herman Melville, in 1880), discovers lives of private human beings. And discussion from health insurance a moral principle, that those less fo r­ But no. Mattera's theory of Obama's position to argue from. It seems vul­ at a random Illinois baseball game. yet he mentions that Combs was to health care by equating the two tunate than yourself aren't financially success is this: the voting public was gar to discuss the extrapolitical life Skrim's performance, we learn, "was "born in the public housing proj­ terms. (This is an important and pos­ ruined by one hospital visit? systemically fed misinformation of John McCain, so I won't here, but like taking a painting that had been shoved in a closet and hanging it in an ects of Harlem, New York:' Who sibly conscious decision on Mattera's It's not as if America doesn't have about the fiscal and social policies that leaves Mattera's statement un­ ideal spot. You instantly forgot what funds public housing? Combs, had part: it is the necessary condition of a defacto socialized health care sys­ with which Obama marketed him­ answered. Even so, do we really want he lacked proper housing (and, very advancing the argument that health tem-it does. But it operates not self, and also suffered from the most to weigh the personal hardships of likely, health care via Medicaid) may care-all health care-ought to go out of one policy but in isolated ser­ technologically-advanced presiden­ presidential candidates? Is that a pro­ have had a very different life: the rea­ the way of plastic surgery and LASIK, vices to certain populations: Medi­ tial campaign in history. The Repub­ ductive discourse? After all, Mattera son for which the social contract­ which is to say the way of the free care (seniors), Medicaid (the poor), lican party-or, variously, "conserva­ himself seems to resist any judge­ funded by taxpayers, administered by market.) Second: the idea of "person­ CHIP (children), various state laws tives" -had no chance winning. Plus, ments not strictly based on policy. government agencies-exists in the al responsibility" is, in fact, admis­ (Romneycare, most famously), the "Gramps;' Mattera repeats, speaking first place. sible here. If Humphreys wasn't pre­ EMTALA legislation (for those who of McCain, "looked like death:' The author persistently critiques It's clear that Mattera has read pared to suffer injury, he should have cannot afford the emergency room), Mattera is correct to recognize the Hollywood-and its central figure, his Ayn Rand. He salts his prose avoided the possibility of injury. But TRICARE (servicemembers and vet­ evolving, and growing, influence of the celebrity-because, as Mattera in a manner intended to convince what if, instead of tearing his rotator erans), and a collection of govern­ media on the outcomes of electoral argues, its members gain the most the reader that he or she is essen­ cuff, he was diagnosed with cancer? ment policies, charities and religious politics. He writes somewhat well from the free market yet consistently tially awesome and super-talented Is it within his personal responsibility organizations for every ailment imag­ about the game the news cycle makes favor candidates who wish to regu­ and hence should not be taxed. It's to avoid cancer? Mattera's question­ inable. Is this patchwork array truly of campaigning. This game, he sug­ late it. This dissonance has trickled Rand's method, paraphrased and in­ why I should help subsidize this man's preferable to a more open and less gests, rotates through trials of iden­ down to mere consumers, especial­ terspersed with one-liners, hey-ohs, health care with my tax dollars-is confusing system? It's true that such tity, race, religion, class, education, ly Zombies, who vote against their jabs. For both clear policy and a hu­ answered simply: because under that a system has enabled much innova­ and so on. But instead of reporting own interests. This is Mattera's cen­ the room had looked like before:' morous perspective on the political system he-everyone-would do the tion in health care, from which we get on this game, the primary product tral thesis: that popular culture has That's a pretty good way to de­ scribe the experience of reading The scene, Obama Zombies is strangled, same for me. the koan that America has the "best of which is caricature and distortion, made us unable to recognize what it Art of Fielding. Though · wrought almost numbingly incoherent. When A popular counterargument says health care system in the world:' But Mattera elects to play it himself. For best for us; that individuals like Sean from rather fine depiction (a charac­ he has something to say, he tends to that redistributive policies aren't in­ who could mistake our system, which example, Mattera quotes from an Combs-the overfamous rapper and ter's eyes are "a lovely, light-bearing get it completely wrong. herently anti-capitalist but inevita­ actively conspires to deny people on-air transcript of a conversation entertainment mogul-have replaced color, like the lucid amber in which Yet however frivolously a author bly become so when made govern­ treatment-either as a function of between MSNBC News Live host politicians as the monuments of pub­ prehistoric insects were preserved"), considers the task of honest thought, ment policy. Under this argument, the profit motive or actuarial sci­ Tamron Hall and Chicago Tribune lic life. The Art of Fieldings real success rests his critic ought to treat the objects various charities, and churches in ence-for some kind of international reporter Jill Zuckman, who was re­ Combs, apparently, is an exemplar upon Harbach's recognition of short­ of his output seriously-especially in particular, ought to administer (or example?' Who would confuse a Gu- porting on a television advertisement of the free market because of his out­ coming of language as it pertains to politics. subsidize) health care to those who touting McCain's military record. sized success. Here is how Mattera the relationships ambition forges be­ One issue, for example, that Mat­ cannot afford it by themselves. In "Senator Obama's got a great success sees it: tween men. Thinketh Schwartz: "Maybe it tera handles with particular con­ theory, there's nothing obviously * The relevant journalism here is that of story, too;' Zuckman says, "and it's wasn't even baseball he loved, but cern is health care. He introduces wrong with this idea- it reflects the the Los Angeles Times, whose reporter just a different one and I think voters As a boy, Combs was born in the only this idea of perfection, a per­ Gabriel Humphreys, whom MTV arrangement of early America-but Lisa Girion demonstrated, between 2006 are equally impressed with what he's public housing projects of Har­ and 2008, that a bunch of health insur­ fectly simple life in which every move interviewed for a report called "The tax dollars still go to those institu­ all about:' lem, New York, and was only a ance companies in California practiced had meaning, and baseball was just Young, Hot, and Uninsured:' Accord­ tions in the first place, and those in­ Mattera, verbatim: "Ah, yes, the sto­ child when his father was tragi­ the medium through which he could startling amounts of "recission'; a policy ing to the report, Humphreys injured stitutions would inevitably request ry of a kid who was sired by Ph.D. par­ cally murdered. He attended make it happen:' whereby the company's "customers" are himself while snowboarding but de- more and more tax breaks and grants ents, went to two Ivy League schools, Howard University in Washing- investigated for fraudulent applications cci store for a hospital? a lot of contexts, but it probably will were asked whether they would fa­ government agencies to--as Mattera The Daily Show? If he'd chosen to sit Book Notes Then Mattera attempts semantics. never work in the health care indus­ vor a "grade redistribution" program would. surely agree- the most pow­ down and watch, he might have rec­ Is health care a "right" or a "com­ try, or at least not directly. Mattera whereby students with certain grade erful military force in the world. Ev­ ognized Stewart's method. In place Improvement Art modity"? Mattera argues the latter might read this last sentence and point averages would relinquish their ery successful American benefits, of critiquing the emotings of excited by telling us-with complete seri­ think, but what about all those "for­ extra points to students who didn't in some way, from the government. college students at political rallies, he Chairs are Where the People Go is a collection of monologues ousness-that "food is a much more profit" health insurance companies? earn enough good grades to gradu­ That's bad news for someone who in­ Stewart walks his audience through T by Misha Glouberman, a Canadian basic necessity than health care, yet Again: health insurance is not health ate. This is, of course, a stupid idea, stinctively distrusts the government the prevarication and silliness of artist, who discusses, variously, gen­ we do not have food-based insur­ care. The point of health care reform and the George Mason students said to do its job-to even exist. American politics, a model of investi­ trification, relationships, email spam, ance, or even food-based savings ac­ was to ensure the former to guaran­ so. Then the students were asked if gation which "traditional news sourc­ racial consciousness-nothing espe­ counts:' Actually, we do. It's called the tee the latter.* The underlying debate they supported raising tax rates on Mattera devotes a delightful es" have chosen, out of either fear or cially daring-but most importantly Supplemental Nutrition Assistance is whether we have a right to treat­ the upper echelon of taxpayers. The though often strange and misguided money, to eschew. the philosophy of improvisational Program, also known as food stamps, ment. It's a very good question. The students were unanimous: they sup­ chapter to two important figures in Matter's indictment of comedy acting, which is obviously Glouber­ into which every citizen pays. only piece of insight Obama Zombies ported the tax hike, which is-yes­ entertainment: Jon Stewart and Ste­ might be his biggest mistake. To Mat­ man's deepest concern but is also Moments such as these deflate Mat­ adds, however, is that Mattera is un­ a method of wealth redistribution. phen Colbert. Mattera is correct to tera, it's like a taste or a temperature: one of those things-among them tera's book, and will anger the reader, organic food, parenting, environ­ aware of food stamps. Then Cordova asked what the dif­ assert that, when considering the a physical sensation. Literally, a "feel­ especially one who reads authors like mentalism-which make for writing ference was between redistributing cultural forces involved in ensuring ing''. This is terribly wrong. Comedy Mattera in order to rehearse and con­ of health so boring that readerly fatigue often Mattera's treatment grades and redistributing income. I Obama's victory, these two men can­ is a subset of thought, a powerful tool firm their own political convictions. care is intended to demonstrate the won't quote the students' defenses, eclipses the potential for change the not be ignored. Stewart (and by ex­ of recognition and resistance. Stew­ subject matter presents. What's strange is that when Mattera mortal sin of government: wealth re­ nor Mattera's heckling, because the tension, Colbert, who was eventually art and Colbert employed it foremost Locavorism, attachment theory, confuses terms (namely, health insur­ distribution. Mattera is slightly more former were probably edited down to granted his own show) is known for for entertainment. It required the and androgenic climate change ance versus health care) it is often to skilled here than when he's talking inanity (it was, after all, for YouTube) his satirical news program, The Daily accident of a terrible presidency for his tactical disadvantage. It would be about celebrities or health care. The and because the latter just laughs. So Show, which Comedy Central broad­ their words to sublime into political hard to argue that he believes him­ anecdote he provides to illustrate his there is no difference! casts. The Daily Show in its present power. self when he insists that "personal point is fairly well-known. In April of There is a difference. Unlike grades, form debuted in 1999, but it rose to I think Mattera is trying to ac­ responsibility" will solve the problem 2009, a young woman named Alyssa which are only earned-and that's to prominence only with the second complish something similar with of how to provide health care to 300 Cordova videotaped interviews with say nothing of the SAT tutors high election of George W. Bush. Stewart's this book. The technique's all wrong, million American citizens. I say this students at George Mason Universi­ school students either employ or (as basic-cable status never limited his though. He ventures African Ameri­ because I do not think Mattera un­ ty. The conceit was this: the students college students) become-wealth appeal. (His quips benefitted much can Vernacular English for zero rea­ derstands what he is actually saying, comes to an individual from many from the nascent video-sharing web­ son except shock. He brands Gideon particularly about health care. sources. One of these is income. An­ * The crucial example here is South CS­ site, YouTube.) And his influence Yago, a former news correspondent For example: Why, he asks, not just other is inheritance. Wealth redistri­ Carolina's Jerome Mitchell, who, as re­ is obvious: Stewart's haranguing of for MTV, "effete;' "the mother of all exercise the free market? Why: be­ bution, as a model of social welfare, ported by Reuters last year, purchased Bush-era policies, and the cast of pol­ metrosexuals'; "the uberwoman of all cause health care within a free mar­ seeks to account for the fact that hu­ private health insurance from Fortis iticians who enabled them, created a men;' and "tight-pants Gideon''. He ket which is not profitable will not mans are born into wildly different (now known as Assurant) before leav­ generation of young viewers distrust­ deploys the exclamation point in the be administered. Mattera would be circumstances; that the conditions, ing for college, in 2001. A year later, ful of the ability of grown-up policy­ same manner a better author might forced to admit this. It's the free mar­ Mitchell was diagnosed with HIV, soon the household, the money in which makers to say what they mean. And use a question mark, or a period. The ket. Yet in health care we are not talk­ after which he learned that Fortis had a person is raised depend nothing on nearly all of them were capable of effect is disarray: judgement and ac­ ing about cellular phones or shoes. rescinded his health insurance for what "individualism" or "working hard" or voting in November 2008. Did Stew­ cusation without reason or reflection, are of significant meaning to our We are talking about the welfare of turned out to be an erroroneous note any language ·nvolving the straps of art enable Obama's presidency more and throughout a mercurial contain­ lives, and future lives- and this is human beings. The market works in one of Mitchell's nurses- not Mitchell boots but pure, utter luck. It's true himself- had written during his diag­ than we'd like to think a "fake-news" ment of his own hatred. I wonder if what makes the book so frustrating. that some very successful people nosis. Now, consider this for a moment. anchor could? this was intentional in some way. The contradictions posed by per­ arise from not much of anything. But after they receive a potentially expensive Did no one at Fortis think that denying Mattera thinks so. But this is not, Obama Zombies might be a purely formance, group dynamics, emo­ the imaginary figure whom Mattera diagnosis. Under the auspice of honesty, Mitchell treatment for HIV would be he argues, to Stewart (or Colbert's) performative work intended to com­ tional release-all of which improv often conjures- the go-getter who these health insurance companies scruti­ a fairly big deal, especially since HIV is credit. They merely indulge young municate Barack Obama's effect not reveals-even when treated with doesn't need and has never needed equal consideration, suffer Glouber­ nized the records their insurees submit­ notoriously expensive to treat? Did no people's desire fo r a good joke. "Re­ on those who voted for him, but on ted when buying their policy with the one there think that conspiring to deny the government-is extinct. I will not man's unwaveringly positive attitude, placing any type of traditional news Mattera himself. This is what you did goal of finding the smallest of errors- a an eighteen year-old HIV-positive man bore you with the details of the gov­ which liquefies all matter into easily source with acerbic comedians is to me, he's saying, even if he doesn't misspelling, for example, or a failure to was clearly a moral harm, and also evil? ernment's silent, benevolent influ­ swallowable self-help gel capsules. crazy;' h~ writes. "Young people know it. And who wouldn't like that? For ex­ report a small cough on two separate The better question might be: did it sur­ ence on your life, from the food you forms - and, in the many cases in which would rather laugh than think, feel Obama Zombies is a book in ample: at a public-confessional event prise any person at Fortis/ Assurant that eat to the roads on which you bike or a company found an error, retroactively the state of South Carolina would force than analyze. Humor is a feeling, search of blame. Whom to charge, he organized for his college reunion, drive, to the water you drink, to the canceled policies. All of which of course the company to pay Jerome Mitchell ten so it plays right into the left's best though? Mattera seems unsure. Is it Glouberman notes that "there was food stamps you might need if you demonstrated that health insurance million dollars, on top of reinstating his weapon: emotion:' Mattera does not MTV, whose undue influence on the this African American guy who de­ lose your job, from beneficial (but companies profit not from administering health insurance, for hedging their prof­ understand his own arguments here. minds of young people manufactured scribed a kind of racism that had yes, sometimes messy and inefficient) health care, but from withholding it. its with his life? Has he ever watched an episode of Obama's victory? Is it academia, with been invisible to all of us:' Must ear­ nest effort always suffer from itself? its proliferation of books that aren't Mattera's "six-point battle plan': Book l\Iotes The Federalist? Is it Obama himself? which concludes his book, is refresh­ Monography Mattera does offer a clear explanation ing in its honesty. Bush was "reckless''. Government "ruins lives': Reagan is for the Republican defeat: John Mc­ •• T o start with, look at the Cain. Here I'm inclined to agree with "the greatest modern president''. But all the books": This is him. McCain's campaign, as Mattera yet again I don't think Mattera has how the third novel of notes, was painful to watch and must walked himself through his own ar­ Jeffrey Eugenides, The Marriage Plot, have been embarassing to support. guments. After and before which he commences its long survey of col­ (You need only one figure, Sarah encourages his readers to change the lege senior Madeleine Hanna, or at Palin, to understand the cynicism world they inhabit by embracing con­ least the room in which she eventu­ and stupidity of McCain and his han­ servative policies, he informs us: ''All ally awakens on the morning of her graduation from Brown University dlers.) This explanation would lend the 'we can change the world' mumbo in 1982. Mention of just how wildly jumbo we hear on commencement legitimacy to the idea that Obama is this begining differs from the nature a bad President, at least according to day is utopian and immature. Truly. of the author's first two novels (the the terms by which Mattera judges We've got to grow up:' Can or can­ choral grief of The Virgin Suicides, his leaders. not young people-can anyone-do the melodic exuberance of Middle­ But Obama is, actually, a pretty de­ much of anything about their station sex) may seem petty, but we soon cent president. He inherited a broken in life? Mattera can't quite decide. learn it's not: this is a book about economy and has worked assidously The author could be discredited for the travails of college students as to fix it. He passed health care reform, his approach. He does, after all, argue they come to terms with the books, 7 which, though imperfect, will protect that "Obama Zombies" would, with citizens from documented abuses and enough education, rescind their po­ excesses. Though he won't take credit litical convictions. This means that he for it-doing so would disadvantage thinks the Zombies are generally stu­ his 2012 run-he is responsible for pid, perhaps as a consequence of their the maneuvering required to abolish youth or their generation's anomie. "Don't Ask, Don't Tell': And he ended But they're not stupid, and Mattera the murderous legacy of Osama bin knows this. The only level on which Laden. he can engage them is by calling them The reality of the Obama presiden­ crazy, or brainless, or simply ridicu­ CONTWBUTORS cy makes Mattera's book an aesthetic lous. Which is, frankly, at least a little exercise. It physically pains Mattera reassuring. Nobody ever gains much Macarena Pallares is a junior from Quito, Ecuador. She has worked at TeleAmazonas, one of Ecuador's that Obama sits in the White House. of anything with such little to say. and the ideas those books arouse, few privately-owned television stations. It is not a huge discovery that a lot of Yet it's a little heartbreaking, I want as they leave behind a leafy college people, on the other hand, really like to add, that Mattera has chosen to quad. Eugenides is correct to recog­ Ian Tuttle is a sophomore from San Antonio, Texas. He has worked in the office of U.S. Senator John Cornyn. Obama, especially the facts which his call those whom he hates most-the nize just how fresh and exciting it is skin color and upbringing convey: supporters of President Obama-as to read "difficult books" -e.g., Derri­ S11ecial thanks to Noah Litvin. that you can be an ethnic minority, something other than human. This da-a sensation only heightened by that you grow up in a single-parent kind of strategy befits his book, his novel's post-Vietnam setting, but home, and still become the President which gives its reader everything it it's a pretty weak foundation. Books of the United States. Mattera treats promises-several conspiracy theo­ alone, books only, are not enough. We never find Hanna or her this sort of recognition- Obama/ ries, the "unmasking" of liberal me­ peers-Leonard Bankhead, a de­ President as symbol, not policy-mak­ dia, and the frequent hypocrisies of pressed philosopher-scientist of er-as an error in human judgement. celebrities. (Al Gore's "Live Earth" uncommon brilliance, or Mitchell It's difficult to disagree with him here. concert series, and what it intended Grammaticus, a wayfaring theolo­ You should vote in your interests, to accomplish, remains baffling.) gian cursed with religious ambiva­ which is to say in terms of policy, not But such a method won't work in lence- actually using a book to make identity. But you're not going to con­ politics, the arena Mattera obvious­ sense of their lives. Like Eugenides, vince Mattera that a single voter fa­ ly hopes to enter. In that sphere of these college graduates quote books vored Obama because of his policies. American life, fractured and ridicu­ like exquisite literary impresarios Though you'll wonder which manner lous as it is, you are required to en­ without digesting any their value. Th e Marriage Plot survives on Eu­ of voting, in terms of Obama, Mat­ gage your adversaries as human be- genides's emphasis that books can tera thinks is worse. ings. • depict and inform and question hu­ man life but cannot replace it. ST. JOHN'S COLLEG E LIBRARY 1 1111111111111111~mr1r1r1 1 1111rm1111111 1 111 1 1111 . 31696 01155, 6311

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