L Johnnies Attend Air Force Ira Glasser Academy Assembly —Elizabeth Trice Speaks on# Every year, the U.S. Air Force Academy too many other nations or American citi holds an assembly to discuss an important zens. Traditional issue facing the United States. This year’s The use of international organizations topic was "U.S. Intervention Policy in the such as the UN and NATO was approved as Post-Cold War World." St. John's Santa Fe a way to relieve the United States of its American was invited to send two delegates and chose current responsibilities as World Cop, but Elizabeth Trice and Aysha Massed. The many delegates, especially those affiliated Values three-day conference was arranged into five with the military, balked at the idea of not three-hour seininars, three keynote addresses retaining supreme power de facto. There with Q&A, and an assembly to modify and were few attempts to deny that our nation —Howard Saurtieg ratify a document compiled from the con applies a different standard to itself than the Ira Glasser, executive director of the sensuses of the 10 roundtable divisions. Each rest of the world, hence the uneasiness that American Civil Liberties Union, visited St. roundtable was made up of 10 to 12 delegates empowering the UN might enable it to hold John’s early this month as a featured speaker from over 80 colleges and universities na the United States accountable for its actions. in the Tocqueville Lecture Series. On tionwide. About 40 percent had military Suggestions that the country change its Tuesday, February 7, Mr. Glasser delivered affiliations. general policies to be found acceptable by a 90-minute lecture on the subject “Tradi The first keynote speaker was Dr. Arnold other countries were shot down as being tional American Values” to a mixed audiece Kanter who used to be the undersecretary for impractical in the short-term future. The of college students, faculty, and visitors from political affairs—^the State Department’s long-term future was not discussed. There throughout central New Mexico. third-ranking office. The occupations of other were some attempts made by myself and This year, the Tocqueville Series is linked speakers and roundtable leaders ranged from others to show that proactive action now by the theme, “Citizenship in Democracy." brigadier general to international lawyer to would create more long-term benefits than In a brief introduction to Mr. Glasser’s lec professor of political science to ambassador the current reactive policies, but it appeared ture, President John Agresto remarked that that most people educated during the Cold to CIA offical. we understand the United States to have! In the inital roundtable sessions we were War have fixed mindsets to match the stasis been founded on the premise of protecting asked to come to a consensus about the of the past few decades. individual rights, and that the several lectures characteristics of the post-Cold War world, Johnnies and the Military in the Tocqueville Series address the funda current U.S. interests and values, and the As St. John’s students, Aysha Massell mental issue of the relationship between future role of the United States in world and I found that we stood out in various ways one’s individual rights as a citizen and one’s politics. It was generally agreed that the in roundtable discussion. Besides being responsibility to the collective body of nation is in the position of being the sole considerably more liberal than the majority American citizens, i.e., one’s country. military superpower in a economically mul of the assembly delegates, we found that we Mr. Glasser outlined the 200 years of tipolar world. As expected, there was sub asked entirely different questions than the conflict between the general will of the stantial concern that the country maintain other delegates and were less willing to be democratic majority and the individual’s this position. Apart from national security, confined to the structure laid out by the rights, using famous Supreme Court deci the number one U.S. interest was identified roundtable leaders. Although I occasionally sions as examples of watershed events in to be “preserving, protecting and fostering felt that my unwillingness to allow my American jurisprudence and as illustrations the economic welfare of its citizens.” One of roundtable leader to cut short meaningful of the nature of certain historical trends in the questions that was brought up during the discussion was not appreciated, the poten this country’s legal thinking. The Constitu first Q&A and continued to be asked during tial of the critical thinking that we tend to tion, including the Bill of Rights, was the the following sessions was whether human develop here at St. John’s is respected even standard employed by Mr. Glasser to deter rights issues such as prevention of genocide in the military. After the first Q&A, Brig. mine whether these court decisions reflect or or economic equality with developing coun General Reuben A. Cubero, Dean of Faculty oppose “traditional American values.” He tries could ever be placed at a higher priority at the AFA, approached Ms. Massell and me argued that America’s founding docu than our own economic interests. The over to express his admiration for the St. John’s ments—^the Declaration of Indepedence and whelming answer was “it would be nice, but tradition. Dr. Walling, a political science the Constitution of 1789—are, for all practi probably not.” This attitude was prevalent Professor at the Academy who graduated cal purposes, the primary source material throughout the assembly, and after choosing from the Annapolis campus of St. John's, from which we may learn what national the “neccesary evil” of putting the United commented that he feels a little out of place values are truly “traditional." Notions ofi States above all other peoples, the discus at the Academy, but finds he is well appreci democracy and personal liberty are explicit sion was mostly bickering about how to ated for his ability to think creatively and ask continued on page 3 accomplish this objective without upsetting questions that otherwise wouldn’t arise. 2 N 0 0 M 0 0 N Peter's Walk to the Capitol -Peter Kaltreider My multifarious travels have finally brought me to Santa Fe, his name, what with these bunk specs, was very concerned about the I where I have enjoyed the companies of many old friends and been bill in question and wanted to know if he would have to fill out the coerced into writing an article for your editor Taffeta Elliott, the fine form if he merely withdrew his money from the bank, never person who stole my chair. (I'm glad she is sitting in my chair.) intending to buy anything. Taffeta’s companionship is relaxing—soothing even—and highly If you swing by the capitol you will see this man and how much recommended, but now I would like, if I may, to delineate my he dislikes the government; the main thrust of his argument centered delightful excursion, on foot, to the on his anguish at getting pulled over and asked for immigration papers ev state capitol. These senators are impassioned Some had recommended that I go ery time he drives to Albuquerque. I there with an agenda; I don’t mean to when it is suggested that the govern can understand the inconvenience. start a witch hunt, but there are indi ment should know when they purchase Senators should not get harrassed if viduals on this campus who would they occasionally forget their green have New Mexico change its state items with $10,000 in legal tender. cards. This is the great irony, however; vegetable, the pepper, to the status of here is the humble senator who runs state fruit, which I guess it technically should be. I would have the entire state, pulled over by some glorified security guard with a brought this to the attention of our senators but it became evident that power problem and an I’m-American-what-are-you-doing-here at this sort of participation isn’t allowed; I am struggling at this titude. Great, go ahead and watch them let some Cubans launder moment to resist writing a tirade against security guards, who are, as money at some rancher’s expense, but don’t you dare cruise to we all know, largely superfluous. Albuquerque in your low-rider. For the most part I was impressed with the proceedings and with The capitol is very enlightening and a total Babe-o-Rama. I our senators, even though the session opened with a really cheesy know you’ll enjoy it if you visit, especially if you go with a lot of little prayer (“...we know there are no term limits with You.”) and, curiosity and charity, since everything is better that way. But first, enchanted as I am with the New Mexican lilt, my ear took half an before you go, I must jot down the jokes of the day. The ordinary hour to distingish what the senators were saying. Once the dialect member of your pretentious intelligentsia will not comprehend the is understood, however, the next four hours fly, especially when a pertinence of these little anecdotes of humanity, but those of you touchy issue comes up. The senators all succumb to a speedy who can find solace and wisdom in the wit of great men will “unanimous consent," which is unanimous even if a few outcasts appreciate this; at one point someone, perhaps the lieutenant gov ' yell “No," when legislating over cement-truck weight limitations. ernor, mispronounced the name of Senator Maes as Senator "Mas." But just wait till someone brings up the bill that would require filling The entire gallery arched up in uproarious hilarity, while the out a form every time you buy stuff with $10,000 cash; the debate maligned senator stood up shouting, "No Mas, no mas!” Again, lasted almost an hour whereas the previous thirty or so bills were during the strained debate about the $10,000 form, one senator, a passed, no problem, within minutes. These senators are impas nice enough looking gentleman turned and asked the quorum, sioned when it is suggested that the government should know when "Mister President, how many pizzas will $10,000 buy?” Another they purchase items with $10,000 in legal tender. Perhaps they jumped and said into his microphone, "Why, that would be one very understand the experience of handling such a wad of bills; the large pizza or any number of smaller ones!” Mr. Lunt and I were senators are all professionals—educators, businessmen, lawyers— discussing this and he remarked, "Gee, sounds like Polity.” Yeah, except for the retired people. One gentleman, and I couldn’t discern yeah it does.
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in these documents. Liberty is derived from The first 150 years of American history such individual rights as those of Scott and the concept of “inalienable rights," which offer several examples of court-supported Bradwell, thanks to the fairly recent found are privileges common to all humans from social inequality, Glasser admits. The Dred ing of groups like the NAACP and the ACLU, birth and, hence not to be determined by any Scott decision of 1857 demonstrates the who render financial and legal assistance to democratic election. The founders did not unfortunate tendency of early Americans to injured parties who could not by themselves suppose that absolute social equality neces rationalize that, since "all men are created afford to bring their cases to court. sarily follows from the existence of “certain equal," slaves must not be men but rather The proliferation of civil liberties suits in inalienable rights," but Mr. Glasser holds property. The case of Myra Bradwell, who this half-century is not symptomatic of the the view that the Constitution, examined was barred from practicing law because of decay of traditional American values, as without bias, defends the claim that all citi her gender, resulted in a decision which some believe, according to Glasser. He zens are equal under the law. By this reck declared that women are delicate and have a opined that America is a stronger and better oning, any assertion that the Constitution duty to nurture men and their children. The country today than ever before, because our favors one body of citizens over another is last 40 years, said Glasser, have seen 90 individual rights are now more frequently not tenable. percent of the court decisions defending heard and defended in the courts.
N 0 0 M 0 0 N 3 I have not had a chance to catch too many of the Not That James, Sweet Baby recent releases, but the early part of the year is pretty slim pickings anyway. The one album of All No sooner do I start off my first 1995 to float my way is Christian McBride’s first solo LP, Gettin’ column about the lack of recent jazz to It. McBride has been part of the handful of traditional jazz young organ, when James Taylor comes out bloods that really cook. Over the last couple years he has been “the with a fabulous new EP to prove me bass player to get” and has played with the likes of Freddie Hubbard, wrong. The best news is that he is Roy Hargrove, and Joshua Redman. He is quick to point to his Tffls really just gearing up for a full-fledged influences, and has both Hargrove and Redman play on his album. album coming out relatively soon. Any thought that he might be the next Mingus is dispelled right off Some readers may be baffled at my the bat, but I find it a rather absurd comparison; even Mingus was in review of James Taylor in a column no way ready to take on the Mingus legacy at the beginning of his Jazz such as this; I’m not reviewing that career as a band leader. This is a solid set with a variety of settings James Taylor. This is the James Tay from the big band kickoff "In A Hurry," to the bass trio with Ray James Lunt lor of the infamous James Taylor Brown, Milt Hinton and himself, to the slightly backwards funk Quartet which has been putting out tribute to James Brown, "Gettin’ To It." None of the material on this fantastic organ-based jams since the album shines as much as the work he has done in the Joshua Redman late eighties. While I do not know how many albums he has put out, Quartet, as seen on the best release of last year. Mood Swing. The I can say that this is a stirring example of just what is going on in the strange thing is that Redman appears as the hero of this show too. present scene. The E.P., titled Just That, has five darling songs, and Everyone is claiming that Redman is The Tenor Voice of the Future while two of them have vocals, the band does not really hit its stride (except for the Rolling Stone which has picked James Carter as the until people just shut up and play. The best groove is "Redneck" one to watch. They should stick to rock.), and Redman is playing which flies with a flashy Hammond line thrust on top of a fantastic with increased confidence in every recording. He shines on the five guitar lick. Though this is not the super heroic mix of Spy and Surf tracks he plays on, and the rest of the set is quite nice as well. music found a couple years ago on "Money SPYder" or even the McBride is not a showoff and allows the featured musicians to run brilliant reworking of the "Theme From Starsky & Hutch" (which away with the show. He plays sturdy bass and has an incredible was happily rereleased on 100% Acid Jazz from Telstar last year), sensitivity to the musicians he is either paying a tribute to, or playing it is a solid set that would be a fantastic introduction to an underrated a song with. He has a remarkable sense of what has gone on before, quartet, never mind the fact that they have five members. and yet does not keep his focus there, but is ready to push mainstream Anyone who was there for the second set of the Wynton Marsalis jazz a little farther. A real musician to watch, who may not be living show at the Lensic can attest that it was a treat. While I cannot say up to the hype now, but has quite a career ahead of him as seen in the I am the biggest fan of Wynton’s outspoken slams at the jazz hip-hop last track, a bass only version of "Night Train." thing that has been underway for a few years now, I must admit that A figure in jazz that has not been around long enough to form he is a player of incredible talent, and the fact that I have Louis many traditional alliances is the DJ. Primarily a fixture in either the Armstrong nestled in between my Carleen Anderson and Arrested hip hop or techno scene, the DJ is just starting to push his way to the Development albums shows that I can be a Uttle more open to his side forefront of jazz, but you still need to look for him. The best place of that not-so-great divide. I could suggest would be West Coast Boogaloo by the Greyboy Playing with the able trio of Eric Reed on piano, Reuben Rogers Allstars. This is a rather odd project for a DJ such as Greyboy since on bass, and Ali Jackson on drums, Wynton went through two hour- this is a completely live group, and Greyboy doesn’t really play plus sets effortlessly. Opening with a “Snoopy song," "Joe Cool’s anything. This is not to say that he does not do anything, he has Blues," the quartet ran with a variety of blues, swing and bop. They proven he can keep up in last year’s "FreestyUn," but this is his most played the standard "Lover," at such a speed that it reminded me of accomplished set. A stellar lineup including Fred Wesley from the what Stan Getz said about a version of "It Don’t Mean A Thing" he JB Homs and Karl Denson who is a major tenor voice in the recorded with Dizzy Gillespie, “It was the fastest tempo in captiv embryonic West Coast scene. The eight songs on the album are ity.” But Wynton was most at ease in the mid-tempo swings, with fantastic retro funk numbers that are carried out in typical fat jazz the most powerful moment in the show coming during the third fashion. There is an incredible bond between the band and its encore (of four) when he was playing the same Duke song as material. Highlights include "Fire-Eater," and the eight minute mentioned above, and let in with a most holy growl. A very "Tenor Man" which has Karl Denson singing for the first time—and worthwhile show, but it was a pity that it was held at the Lensic. what a voice he has, reminiscent of Marvin Gaye. A wonderful When seeing a movie there last year, I thought it would make a great version of "Let the Music Take Your Mind" has some of Denson’s club, but upon seeing a show there, with everyone eating popcorn best solos. It is true that Greyboy does nothing but produce this set, out of containers that were big enough to demand ear straps, I but it is still a great album from the folks at Greyboy records. wondered exactly what Wynton Marsalis was doing playing in a Nonetheless, it is a little hard to find. Write to: Greyboy Records movie house anyway. All in all, it is good to see that there are folks 1254 Agate Street San Diego, California 92109 who are willing to remember that there was jazz before bebop, or Correction from last issue: Gene Ammons, and not the myste Coltrane, for that matter. rious Gene Ammos, wrote "Jungle Stmt."
4 N 0 0 M 0 0 N OUIJA MADNESS ----- O PENING Q UESTIONS------AK, Dear Readers, dear followers of the supernatural: Which is more elegant, a circle or an ellipse? In the last installment of —^Amy Ryce "Spookwatch," we heard a startling story of horror. It was a bone- Dear Amy, chilling tale of spirits and the Ouija. You know, that is so thought provoking. I asked eight people this We, the members of Spookwatch, question and all but one person answered, without pause, that an ellipse decided to contact the spirit our is more elegant. Don’t think they were provoked to it; they had just selves. We collected the tools of the thought about it before. trade: a Ouija board, candles, cruci What made them so certain? Well, Melanie Kirby said that ellipses fix, Holy Bible, garlic, and Tryst are longer than circles, and thus more elegant. Kim Harrington associated Chagnon. We took along some elegance with jewelry, and jewels are most often ovular. Mr. LeCuyer backup: Sasha Seyb and Josh Lesk. declined to say why he finds elegance in an ellipse, but he looked fairly At 1:30 in the morning, the kitchen certain. Ben Haller said that because an ellipse “deviates from the norm” of the Peterson building seemed, it is more elegant than the supposed “norm” of circleness. Paul Cadden- somehow, to breathe softly. It was Zimansky asserted, “Seen one circle, seen them all.” Ashley Fischer said there, in that quagmire of psychic that because an ellipse implies motion it is elegant. And, finally, Derek turbulence, that we made camp and Barclay boldly stated that an ellipse is sexy. Who is that one who said laid out our seance. Tony made us a a circle is most elegant in the face of all these ellipse-lovers? batch of ectoplasm sandwiches, we Robert Applegate. Mr. Applegate said that because a circle is perfect lit the candles, and, as dark gloom it is elegant. I don’t necessarily agree with his reason, but I’m going to descended on all our spirits, we be take the side of the underdog. I say that a circle is more elegant than an gan. The following is an excerpt elUpse. from the recorded session. Ah, the circle. Who wants to listen to a flautist blow across an elliptical opening in a symphony when she can listen to the melody of a Tony: O.K., is anyone there? juggist blowing across the ever-so-round top of a jug in a five man jug Ouija: FFFFFffff777 (goes off band? That’s elegance to me. No one sees without great study the the board) elliptical path of the heavens, which due to its movement Ms. Fischer David: I think that’s a yes. says is elegant. BUT, one sees at first glance the round of a full moon Josh: Some kind of code? shining so gracefully down on a romantic scene. What of the mysterious Sasha: Is...is this the spirit ofthe wheel, so elusive in origin, rolling elegant people along in fancy cars and coffee shop? carriages? Do little boys roll ellipses down the street? No, they roll Ouija: Yuihh56... round tires. Why, even the most elegant of princes would like to roll a Tryst: I feel this spirit’s pain. tire down the street. What is most every elegant business office furnished with? Yes, a globe. What’s rounder than a globe? Ha! That’s right, Believe it or not, it’s up to you. nothing! In our next installment—Polter I rest my case. Thank you, Ms. Ryce. geists: is security ready? AK
Senior Essay Q U O T E S Upon handing in their essays on Saturday, February 11, seniors Sebastian Pagani, “I worked fifty- —^Joshua Friedman made the following comments: four of the past sixty hours. Chris Davis, “Funk is on its own behalf.” It was hard. One day I slept one hour. It was hell.” Mike Lane, “Philosophy has taught me to hate life, and life has Irene Owen, title, “An essay on Eros in Plato’s Symposium.” taught me to hate philosophy.” Kere Lamphear, “I’m just glad it’s over.” Malcolm Jennings, “Cynicism is the refuge of frustrated ideal Tracy Locke, “I wrote on phenomenology. It’s a very boring, dry ists.” thing.” Paul Deppler, no comment. Noah Kroloff, title, “Don Quixote—Errant Knights for Errant Darien Large, “Why are you doing this? Blake’s not here.” Readers. ale Hellene, “I’m still recovering from it, John’s not here, and my Dan Benchoff, no comment. mind isn’t working well.” Jillian Conrad, “I was going to call my paper burnt nuts.” Andrew Stickler, title, “Naked I Remain.” continued on page 7
N 0 0 M 0 0 N 5 Public Letters A Response to Dean Van was premature seem to have disappeared or some other language before they get here? Luchene’s Statement of now that the proposed changes are ripe for Should we break up seminars on Aristotle, discussion. Kant, and Hegel into smaller tutorials? Educational Policy and The issues raised at the meeting and in What’s the best way to do the rote memori Program the statement will affect everybody, and in zation in language tutorials? How can St. the years I’ve spent here I’ve heard students John’s fit in with this geographic area (for On Valentine’s Day, Dean Van Luchene talking about this stuff all the time. One example, by making our tuition comparable and President Agresto met with interested student at the meeting accused the absent to that of other colleges in the West, and by members of our community to talk about the student body of the proverbial apathy we making other institutions and residents here new “Statement of Educational Policy and hear about so often, but I don’t think that’s think of us as real neighbors, not just trans Program.” I don’t remember having heard quite fair. Who doesn’ t care about the amount planted people with their heads in the clouds)? of this statement until shortly before the of money they pay to come here? Who How should the program change as we move meeting, but I probably should have been doesn’t care about the algebra test? Who into the future? What factors should tutors’ paying more attention freshman year. Every doesn’t care about our admissions policies salaries be based on? How has federal aid to other year the dean writes a new statement, and our seminar reading list? Who doesn’t colleges, which depends on those of us who trading off with the dean in Annapolis. The care about the paycheck they get from their are voters, changed in the past 20 years, what issues that the statements address are issues work-study job, or their lack thereof? should it be like, and how should St. John’s of concern to everybody in the community, I encourage people to get a copy of the financial aid policies change in relation to such as the role of writing at St. John’s, statement from the dean’s office. The dean federal aid? Can we be better at making the flexibility in the program, and the role of seemed genuinely excited about these ideas transition to calculus? How alike should the tutors. This year the statement focuses on that might benefit us, and the excitement Annapolis and Santa Fe campuses be? “practical difficulties," and much of it cen was a little contagious. I could quote the In response to charges of apathy. I’ve ters around money. parts of the statement that surprised or in never thought of myself, or the other people Only a handful of people showed up at trigued me, andthatithink would surprise or here that I know very well, as apathetic. If the meeting, which may have been partly intrigue other people, but I’m afraid that people choose to do their homework or b^ due to the fact that the meeting had originally without context, quotes might misrepresent with their friends or do something else thejf been scheduled for March 8, instead of the light in which the dean brought forward care about, instead of thinking about these February 8, and had to be rescheduled. The the proposals, and leave out too much per issues or writing for the newspaper or being meeting would have been more balanced tinent information. active in student government, they’re not with more students present, but the good However, here are some of the questions necessarily apathetic. But I think that I, for news is that the discussion about a lot of that both the meeting and the statement one, should spend more time on the latter these issues may never be over. The Dean raised for me, and that the community should activities now and then. This week I tried and the President both expressed willingness be raising for years to come: Could I handle them and found them really worthwhile. to talk with anybody who missed the meet repaying loans that amount to one year’s full And they’d be even more worthwhile if ing, and seemed sincerely to value any stu cost of education? Could I regularly work more people were involved. dent feedback they might get. more than ten hours a week here and still get The people who were disappointed last my work done? Should we require pro —Heather Elliott semester when Ms. Chenoweth’s article was spective students to pass the algebra test and removed from the NOOMOON because it demonstrate sufficient knowledge of French
Capxain Danger. —David Johnston Chapter One: 1936 - Captain Danger, black-cloaked alter ego of millionaire/scientist Jack Storm, responds to an anonymous plea for help. Awaiting the rendezvous, he is attacked by a knife-wielding minion of Zorba, the power-mad genius and financier. After a brief struggle. Captain Danger hurls the thug from the skyscraper into the night air. Freddy “Scoot” Vance, curly-headed young journalist and Jack Storm’s only confidant, bursts from the roof entrance just in time to hear the man’4 scream fading towards the street.
6 NOOMOON Rethinking U.S. National Interests Senior Essay Quotes, —Aysha Masseii Continued from page 5
Dave Friebus, “The Shit...” " It is a well-known fact, openly discussed in the Air Force Academy Assembly that I Jenn Jackson, “You really should have tried attended with Liz Trice last week, that the rise of communism was often used as a veil to when we were still chunk.” hide the real incentives behind U.S. foreign intervention in the past 50 years: namely, Michael Hudson, “But a person who is com securing access to vital resources such as oil, and protecting foreign-based U.S. corpo pletely himself, immersed in his own actual rations which depend upon large and cheap labor forces. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall ity, cannot help but be immensely attrac and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, however, the United States has been undergoing tive—it is the attractive power of both the an identity crisis. No longer can it portray international political, social, or economic Don Giovanni and the Prime Mover.” upheavals in such stark terms such as communism or capitalism. The enemy has been William Frielingsdorf, “Oh goodness, oh gosh, removed, and the United States remains the sole military superpower in a world where you probably called the wrong person. Is money and trade, not miUtary strength, are the guiding forces behind each nation’s that a viable answer?” actions. With the enactment of NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) and Benjamin Friedman, “There is a red storm GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), there will be an increased flow of rising. I just wrote about communism.” businesses and goods between national boundaries, and the country will be forced to Suzanne Vito, “It’s over. Go away.” define its new role in the emerging world economy. Daniel Flaumenhaft, “Context is necessary These sweeping political and economic upheavals in recent years will, it is hoped, for understanchng.” serve as catalysts for the reevaluation of U.S. interests abroad and at home. In the past, Bob Kasenchak, “I think my paper was about the quickest road to riches and natural resources has been of vital concern for U.S. how stupid Meno is, and Socrates' efforts to business and government. The modem world gives testimony to the problems that such knock some sense into his thick skull. Or narrow views have created. The United States is facing a huge deficit, due mostly to high maybe he was just hitting on him. I dunno.” levels of miUtary spending and unsound business practices, resulting in government bail W. Wendt, quote, “The inspiration of the outs like the Savings and Loan scandal. The gap between rich and poor expands, as promise of happiness is at once the promise unemployment increases and social services decrease, all leading to civil unrest and of a window opened out unto the infinite, increased crime. Natural resources diminish, and pollution of air and water leads to loss and the promise of a whore, naked, lubricious, of human and animal life. The future of the nation is uncertain, both domestically and and poised at the edge of a bed.” ^abroad. Yet many people seem unable to accept that the current situation is a result of past actions, perhaps because this view affords no easy solutions. Just look at Proposition 187 in California, where the majority of the voters (by no means the majority of the voting population) support the denial of social services, such as education and health care, to illegal Latin American immigrants. At the same time the voters want to spend more money at the borders to build a wall between Mexico and the United States, and to increase the forces of the border patrol. This is an unrealistic and basically racist approach to a very real problem. As long as there remains such a huge economic disparity between our country and other nations of the Western Hemisphere, foreigners will flock towards the wealth, no matter how many fences and policemen stand in their way. It should also be noted that fences built to keep some people out, can also be used to keep others in. If U.S. citizens were truly interested in stopping the flow of immigrants, they would seek to improve the conditions from which these people flee. Unfortunately, the wealth of this country is for a large part based on the exploitive measures it has used in extracting raw material and resources from these same countries. The United States is notorious for actively supporting repressive military regimes that are favorable to business, letting the gold in U.S. pockets outweigh a conscience burdened with gross violations of human rights. But perhaps now there can be a serious discussion examining the long-term implica tions of U.S. national interests. Is it truly in the U. S. citizen’s interest to defend and protect foreign-based businesses no matter what the context, and suffer the consequent reactions, such as a continuing influx of immigrants? Is a cheap cup of coffee worth more than one human hfe? Do the short-term benefits of winning an oil war erase the fact that oil will one day disappear? Is it not much more realistic to develop alternative energy sources? I question the sanity of policy makers who fail to look around the comer in choosing their jiext direction. The U.S. is facing problems which have no easy solutions, and the remedies rest in overhauhng the old system in favor of a new one that can look twenty years into the future without groaning.
N 0 0 M 0 0 N 7 ANNOUNCEMENTS Kenyon College professor of history Peter RutkofF will give a lecture, “America, The Holocaust and the Jews," at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 4, in the Ault Evers Room of the Meem library. Editor in Chief: Taffeta Elliott Fasching, a masquerade ball, will be held at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, in the Great Hall. Tickets are $3 in advance and $4 at the door. For more information, contact Production Editor: Daniel Cortez. Elizabeth Trice Copy Editor: Collegium Musicum will be held on Faculty Seminar Day, which is Wednesday, Aysha Massell March 1. If you are interested in performing, please contact Elizabeth Stanton by campus mail before February 24. Photography Editors: Andie Streator, Josh To all students who want to make the program better: Goldberg, Jacob Edkber The Student Instruction Committee is a group of students who meet weekly to Advertising Manager: discuss the academic life of the student body. We also provide mock algebra tests and Annemarie Catania guerrilla seminars. All students are invited to come to our meetings, which take place at lunch every Wednesday in the Private Dining Room. Whether you only want to attend one Taste & Judgment meeting to discuss a specific idea, or you want to join the group and discuss whatever issues Sarah Jane Kent, arise, we will be more than happy to have you join us. If you can’t attend, but want to bring Justin Dehnert something to our attention, just leave a note in Steve Pearson’s campus mailbox. Grammar Queen: Suzanne M. Vito The Student Activities Office would like to take this opportunity to inform the community of the activities and services that it provides. This semester’s extra-curricular The NOOMOON is an independent bi activities include: life drawing, ballroom dance, pottery, Tai Chi, yoga, and Zen medita weekly student newspaper of St. John's College in Santa Fe, New Mexico. All tion. For those fish who would rather float, the swim bus leaves at 6:45a.m. Monday, opinions expressed are those of the authors. Wednesday, and Friday mornings. Breakfast tastes great afterwards. Volleyball takes Issues are distributed at no charge to studeny^^ place Tuesday nights. There are two city league teams which one can play on: basketball and faculty on the Santa Fe campus. Yearl^^^ and softball. If one prefers to participate on an intercollegiate level, then the soccer and subscriptions are available for $35. Tax- fencing teams should satisfy his/her desire. Fencing is in full swing now. Soccer will start deductible contributions are accepted. when the weather warms up. A ton of equipment wishes someone would use it: skis, soccer All contributions are welcome. The next balls, bikes, basket balls, windsurfers, croquet set, skates. Twister, and Jon Thompson’s deadline for submissions is Thursday, old surfboard. Usually, there are weekly cross-country ski trips. Downhill ski trips are March 2, at midnight. Written work may possible if enough people sign up. Now that the school owns rafts, river trips will take place be submitted in any Macintosh-based word in the spring. Occassionally there is a good oT camping trip with cowboy style coffee and proeessing format on a 2^1" disk, along bacon for breakfast. with a typed, double-spaced copy and the author's name and phone number. Typed, double-spaced submissions are tdso ac A vanload of Johnnies from Annapolis will here the week of March 4-10. Anyone ceptable. The NOOMOON reserves the interested in hosting an Annapaloid should contact Liz Trice x4204. right to edit or reject any submission.