Presented with “We Do Not The Cornell Review The Cornell Apologize.” Limited Government. Traditional Values. American First. American

Volume XXVI, Issue 6 12 Pages: Free August 2008

A Wake-Up Call for Young What to Expect Conservatives ERIC SHIVE DR. JOSEPH SABIA FROM OUR ARCHIVE

Dr. Joe Sabia delivered this Welcome to Cornell! You’ve evidently speech to members of the College believed enough of the propaganda in Republicans on September 2, the admissions brochure to shell out 2002. A transcript appears below. $120,000 to sit high above Cayuga’s waters for the next four years. Cornell As I begin my ninth year on University is a great institution with Cornell’s campus, I am still searching many opportunities for you to pursue; for answers to a question that has it’s also an absolute freak show with frustrated me during all these years. some of the biggest social misfits you’ll Why won’t conservatives—particularly ever meet outside of reality television. If young conservatives—confidently, you’re interested in politics or simply a loudly, and defiantly defend themselves casual observer of the political scene, be when slandered by Leftists? Each year prepared for a real experience. To help I look for new pieces to the puzzle to initiate you into the Cornell political explain why Republicans are content landscape, allow me to brutally dissect a to play political badminton while the few of its more common elements. other side is dropping nukes. These are the explanations I have come up with: Welcome, Class of 2012!. The Dirty Hippy irrational fear, narcissism, and plain, old- fashioned sloth. Let me try to dissuade don’t want to sit near you, Joe? her side of the argument, saying: Ithaca is a general receptacle for the you from falling into these traps. Wow, that really surprises me.” “You belong in the Ku Klux Klan.” refuse of the human race, most of which Many Republicans are That was his entire argument. I was Startled, Ken responded, “But consists of hippies. If you would like to scared that they will be called a racist. That’s it. He said this in front I’m Asian. The Klan would kill me.” observe these creatures in their natural “insensitive” or “evil” if they speak of several hundred students and got “Well,” she replied, habitat take a trip to the Ithaca Commons. up against political correctness. big applause for it. I mean, what is “you wish you were white.” The Commons sports a hemp store (or Look, people, trying to debate a liberal that? Saying “you’re a racist” is not an And there you go. This is how the what appears to be a hemp store), an is like arguing with a ten-year-old. These argument. It’s unconditional surrender Left argues. I beg you, do not be scared herbal tea cafe operated by a cult, a coffee people cannot form cogent arguments of any semblance of intellectual of these people. Get in there and mix shop decorated with pictures of ugly so they rattle off clichés, prattle on thought. Whenever someone calls me a it up. If you don’t have a thick skin, naked people, and various businesses about irrelevant minutia, and call you racist, a little bell goes off in my head get one. This nation was founded by employing a pierced and tattooed staff. names. You can’t be scared of these and I know I have won the argument. men who were willing to risk their On any given day heathens can be seen people; you have to challenge them. A Another example: When I was a lives, their fortunes, and their sacred writhing rhythmically to native music few examples of this from on campus: sophomore, a gentleman by the name honor for our liberty. The least we around the outdoor mall as white people Last year, I debated the president of of Ken Lee—who was the editor of a college kids can do is to speak out with dreadlocks dressed in potato-sack the Cornell Democrats on many of the campus conservative newspaper at the against Leftist drivel, even if it means clothing loiter about. Someone needs pressing issues facing the university. time and is a recent graduate of Harvard that our professors, administrators, or to remind them that State Street isn’t An audience member asked us what Law School—was standing with me fellow students will hate us for it. And Haight-Ashbury and that it’s 2006, not our views on race-based dormitories on Ho Plaza during a pro-affirmative honestly, if these people will really hate 1968. It’s time to move on. were. I answered first and stated that action rally. Ken and I began speaking you for expressing your point of view, Unfortunately, hippies do not confine I opposed race-based living centers about all of the reasons we opposed is their respect really worth having? themselves to the Commons. Some because they promoted de facto racial quotas—for instance, it is morally Just last week, a Leftist got angry venture into our campus for “awareness” segregation on campus, heightened wrong to judge individuals based upon with a chalking I did up on North rallies to fight The Man while others racial tensions, and institutionalized their skin color, it is dangerous to Campus. There was a picture of the actually happen to be students enrolled anti-American ideologies like black suggest that racial minorities cannot American flag along with President at the University. In the spring of 2005, nationalism and communism. I stated meet the same objective standards Bush’s famous quote, “You’re either a gaggle of greens decided that the that the situation on campus had as whites, it promotes a permanent with us or with the terrorists.” In creation of a beautiful new, much needed become so intolerable that even the victim-hood pathology, and so forth. response, she wrote a letter to the parking lot over some overgrown bushes lunch tables were racially segregated. Unbeknownst to us, a liberal in the Dean of Students demanding that this known as the Redbud Woods was a The president of the Cornell Democrats crowd overheard our conversation. organization be censored and that the disaster to be thwarted at all costs. This responded with the following statement: She turned to Ken—an American “You mean black students of Asian descent—and presented continued on page 8 continued on page 7

Inside This Issue Campus World Thought

Page Four Page Six Page Nine Shameful neglect of historic Barton Last fall’s act of treason by Concealed carry on campus Hall revealed by Jordan Fabian’s Columbia University exposed stymied by the Student investigative journalism by Kent Haeger Assembly

Page Two Page Eleven Page Ten Sustainability - the administration’s The secrets of Obama’s success Muslim inbreeding in Europe newest buzzword aimed at appeasing - revealed! unleashes a new, mutated the almighty Left threat? 2 August 2008 Five Great Reasons Not to be a “Closet” Conservative 5. The Cornell College A Freshman’s Antidote to Fear Republicans (CRs). For the less writing-inclined Class of 2012, welcome to aspiring active conservatives, the Cornell! I’m certain that many of Cornell CRs may be the answer. the conservatives among you have Ever an important part of campus heard myriad horror stories about politics, the CRs add to campus the monolithic liberal slant of the dialogue both in their presence at university’s student body and, school debates and in their actions indeed, the faculty. Most of them, I throughout the Cornell community. can assure you, are true to one extent Members of the CRs are always or another. Liberal and “far-left” present at political functions on students outnumber conservatives the campus and regional, and by an unhealthy three-to-one national levels—be it debates on margin, and the faculty ratio can topics from the Iraq war to stem only be guessed at (although one cell research (in which we face off poll in an earlier Review article had against the Cornell Democrats and it at about 26:1). Socialists), a Tompkins County Statistics like these can be gathering of area conservatives, or daunting, even terrifying to the the annual Conservative Political incoming Cornell conservative. Action Conference in Washington, It’s not easy to speak up and truly D.C., you can always find a number embrace a right-wing ideology in of the Cornell Republicans there. such an environment, and at first it Furthermore, we contribute to the seems much easier to suppress the campus and local communities urge to speak out against some of the both intellectually and otherwise— clearly outrageous things that you last year, Cornell’s conservative are certain to hear around campus community hosted several or in the Cornell Daily Sun. While speakers, including the National that may be a little less difficult, Review’s John Derbyshire and you really betray your personal columnist Robert Novak, and ethos by remaining silent. I know found other ways to help others, that making your views heard and such as collecting signatures for taken seriously might sound just a letter of encouragement to a Come on out. The campus left is all bark and no bite. this side of impossible, but it truly platoon of soldiers deployed in isn’t. Don’t believe me? Here are will see the biggest diversity 4. The Cornell Review and Iraq. We also make an impression five great reasons to be an active in the conservative movement. conservatism in print. on campus politics—CR President campus conservative. With the far right wing of the While liberal publications such as Ahmed Salem is a member of Republican party losing traction the Cornell Progressive (formerly the Student Assembly and helped 1. It teaches you to defend your amongst moderate voters the door and more infamously known as Turn pass the Diversity of Thought arguments and ideas is wide open for other sects of the Left), Black Perspectives, and the Initiative to ensure conservatives In these surroundings, thick with party to step up. The ballot sports Cornell Daily Sun (certain opinions feel comfortable expressing their people who disagree with you and a varied field of contenders with columns exempted) can be found views in class. Over the years, the will do anything to “enlighten” remarkably different ideas of in great quantities and with great CRs have been an incredibly active you to your supposed errors, if you where they want to go with their diversity scattered across campus, force in enriching our campus make an attempt to be an active presidencies—Romney’s newfound the right-leaning equivalent might community, and will continue to conservative, you’re going to catch social conservative niche, Giuliani’s be slightly harder to find. However, do so over time. some flak. Plain and simple. It might steadfast fiscal conservatism, Ron between the aforementioned Daily be disorienting at first, but in time, Paul’s ardent and striking moderate Sun conservative opinions columns Sure, conservatives on it will become your sort of “School stance, and Tancredo’s heavy and Cornell’s only conservative campus may be a minority, but of Hard Knocks” for ideological border-security emphasis place opinions paper, the Cornell Review, we’re louder than our numbers self-defense. Repeated (and often us at a position from which we the right side of the spectrum is would suggest. We do make a real repetitive) criticisms will cause cannot know where the party will hardly unspoken for. Also, while impact on Cornell, but that alone you to question your positions, go. The internal debate within the each of those papers covers only isn’t why we’re active and proud and, if you take the time to really Republican Party (and our small, a limited scope of the extremely conservatives—above all, we answer those questions, you will but active Cornell contingent) broad liberal ideology, the Review just have fun doing it. If you’re develop counter-arguments to these promises to be some of the best covers everything from fiscal to conservative, and wondering criticisms. Disconcerting as such since the 1980 elections, and can be social, from election opinions pieces whether or not you want to be an an adjustment might be, it really a source of simultaneous education to criticism of the latest Ho Plaza active member of the community, winds up to everybody’s benefit. and entertainment for those who protest. For Cornell’s Republican take my advice and come to a You learn how to defend yourself, participate. contingent, the Review is both an meeting of the Review or the CRs. you develop more nuanced stands outlet for campus conservatives to Odds are, you’ll find yourself on political issues, and you can, in 3. Conservative professor of vent and an enjoyable read for all— relishing your conservative turn, enrich campus political debate government, Jeremy Rabkin. it’s quality over quantity here! identity more than ever before. enormously by making a strong case Wait… he left two years ago, leaving (Also, lest I forget to mention And you had heard there were on your position, be it pro-life, pro- the government department devoid it, the Review staff members have a only liberals here… gun, or pro-fiscal responsibility. of conservative. Sorry. Forget I said far better sense of humor than many anything. of our liberal counterparts.) 2. This is the year when you

The Review welcomes and encourages letters to the editor. Please send questions, comments, and concerns to [email protected]. CR August 2008 Editorial 3 The Cornell Review presented with the Cornell American Founded 1984, Incorporated 1986 Welcome Class of 2012! Volume XXV Number ii Ann Coulter The Cornell Review would of the Cornell Review (all students any way they can. Jim Keller like to take this opportunity of which are taken from Tax rates are higher in the Jerome D. Pinn Anthony Santelli, Jr. to welcome you to Cornell previous issues) will show Collegetown neighborhood Founders University. We won’t spend you, Cornell is a very liberal (where the residents are Jonathan Bautista any time telling you about place. Whether it’s the Student predominately Cornell President how awesome Cornell is, and Assembly’s unwillingness to students) than any other area Eddie Herron Editor-in-Chief how the time you spend here consider allowing concealed in Ithaca. This is despite the William Lane will change you forever. carry of firearms on campus fact that students do not utilize George Pianka We won’t do that for two (page X), or the lack of care Ithaca’s public school system, Executive Editors reasons; 1. You have been given to facilities that house or the vast array of social Kent Haeger Managing Editor hearing it enough from various Cornell’s Officer Training services programs that our tax Raza Hoda school officials and overly Programs (page Y) the Cornell dollars fund. Treasurer peppy RAs, and OLs etc. And community simply does not Even Cornell’s staff has Jordan Fabian Will Cohen 2. It just might not be true for value things that are important fallen to this liberal epidemic. Editors-at-Large you. to conservatives. Its bureaucratic nature reeks While Cornell is a great This liberal skew is prevalent of one of FDR’s New Deal Contributors university, where almost all of at all levels of the community. government programs. There Erica Call, John Cordani, Tristen Cramer, Brian Grambow, Aaron the students, faculty and staff You will undoubtedly see are codes to limit your free Griffin, William Lane, Kent Hae- are all very talented, it is far hundreds more Obama speech, hypocritical policies ger, Raza Hoda, Michael Houle, from perfect. stickers, posters and shirts in in regards to diversity, and an Alexander Kim, Sonia Li, John You will very quickly realize the months leading up until the overall disdain for anything Manetta, Asher Meyers, Victor that sunny days are few and election (and regardless of the conservative. Poiesz, Rachel Quigley, Brian far between (and oddly only outcome you will continue to Being a conservative in such Wolfel occur when it’s Homecoming, see the same stickers, posters a hostile environment can be Board of Directors Parents, or Pre-Frosh and shirts because they demand a very beneficial experience. Christopher DeCenzo, Joseph E. Gehring Jr., Joel Huttar, Ying Ma, Jerome Pinn, Weekends), the long walk to their “voice be heard”.) It teaches you how to defend Anthony Santelli Jr. anywhere from North Campus Within a month of arriving yourself in hostile environment, The Cornell Review is an indepen- gets old really quickly and at Cornell you will sit through and given the academic dent biweekly journal published by students of Cornell University for the benefit of stu- driving in Ithaca’s hilly poorly a nice 45-minute rant by one standards of Cornell you will dents, faculty, administrators, and alumni maintained roads is a pain in of your professors about how be doing it against very bright of the Cornell community. The Cornell Re- view is a thoughtful review of campus and the ass. much better this country will people. Former Arkansas national politics from a broad conservative Before you think The Review be once “King George” is out Governor and Presidential perspective. The Cornell Review is published is just crotchety bastards who of office (but only if Obama Candidate Mike Huckabee said by The Ithaca Review, Inc., a non-profit will complain about anything wins). And do not be surprised when he visited our campus corporation. The opinions stated in The Cornell Review are those of the individual we should point out that if this occurs in a class that last year said he likes visiting a author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or the staff of The we acknowledge that all of has absolutely nothing to do place like Cornell because “it’s Cornell Review. Editorial opinions are those these “problems” are merely with government, history or easy for me to go to a place of the responsible editor. The opinions herein are not necessarily those of the inconveniences that are not any social science for that like (fundamentally Baptist) board of directors, officers, or staff of The worthy of spoiling the “best matter. Apparently Bush has Liberty University and give a Ithaca Review, Inc. The Cornell Review is distributed years of our lives”. been such a bad President that speech because most everyone free, limited to one issue per person, on The point we’re making is: biology professors could do a there agrees with me… but if I campus as well as to local businesses in Ithaca. Additional copies beyond the first in all of the brochures about better job. want to hit a home run I have free issue are available for $1.00 each. Cornell that were mailed to you Since you have been in Ithaca to get a fast enough pitch to hit Issues, rate cards, and other information about our advertising rates can be obtained the sun was shining brilliantly, for about a week I’m sure you out of the park, and that’s what by writing to the address below. The Review reserves the right to refuse advertising for students were walking to class have already noticed how hippy I got coming to Cornell”. any reason and to alter advertising copy smiling without a worry on their of a town it is. Bumper stickers Hopefully you will make deemed inappropriate for publication. The Cornell Review is a member of the Collegiate mind, and any of the pictures of such as “1-20-09 Bush’s Last Huckabee’s challenge your Network. Ithaca’s hills showed them in Day”, “Ithaca is not George’s” own, and not be afraid to speak The Cornell Review prides itself on letting their majestic foliage… not of and “Bush Lied 1,000’s Died” up when you disagree with what its writers speak for themselves, and on open discourse. We do not all agree on every a frustrated college kid trying are on about 2/3 of the cars someone is saying. Because issue, and readers should be aware that pieces to parallel park their Yukon in the city of Ithaca. There if you are conservative and a represent the views of their authors, and not necessarily those of the entire staff. If you Denali on a 30 degree incline is nothing wrong with that Cornellian, it will happen. have a well-reasoned conservative opinion while cars are trying to get by because as any city in America piece, please send it to cornell.review@gmail. com for consideration. in both directions. they have a right to set up their -Eddie Herron, for the The Cornell Review meets regu- Alas, none of these own community, but when editors larly on Mondays at 5:00 pm in GS shortcomings can be solved. their overly liberal policies 144. E-mail messages should be Therefore the Cornell Review affect our lives you can count sent to [email protected]. focuses its efforts on something on the Cornell Review to go to

Copyright c 2008 The Ithaca Review Inc. All we can have a bit more success; bat for you. Rights Reserved. Cornell’s lack of balance on Ithaca, while dependent on the political spectrum. students for economic stability, The Cornell Review P.O. Box 4654 As the articles in this issue continuously try to stick it to Ithaca, NY 14850 CR 4 Campus August 2008 A House of Horrors How Historic Barton Hall Became Dilapidated, and What’s Being Done about It

JORDAN FABIAN officials and engineers who work for EDITOR-AT-LARGE the university agree with Seeber and certify that the building is safe to use. One of the most iconic buildings However, the Ryan-Biggs assessment on Cornell’s campus, Barton Hall claims, “We observed several has stood strong for 94 years, locations that should be addressed for serving as the home for Cornell’s safety reasons.” ROTC program and hosting many According to Page, the university’s campus athletic and cultural events. obligations to Barton go beyond However, underneath Barton’s robust simply providing a basic level of appearance lies a litany of structural maintenance to the facility. Page noted issues that have existed for decades; that ROTC pays for more than $1.9 the vast majority of which have gone million in scholarship money while unaddressed by the university until fulfilling the university’s “land grant just a few months ago. mission” which calls for instruction in “There are structural issues at the agricultural arts, mechanical arts, Barton Hall that have been identified and military tactics. Lt. Col. Page said, for the last, at least seven years, that “We need [Cornell] to step up and require extensive maintenance on a Another tragic victim of entropy and apathy meet [its] part of the military tactics scale of millions of dollars to repair,” land grant mission by providing us fractures can be seen in masonry north wall in the main drill hall has a explained Lieutenant Colonel Brian with resources that reflect Cornell as and the parapets that have caused large piece of insulation hanging off Page, tri-service chairman for Cornell’s Cornell, not substandard facilities.” the structure to bow inward on the which contains asbestos. ROTC. A 36-page report complied by Seeber seemed to agree with Page upper levels of the building. These Other non-structural problems make the structural engineering firm Ryan- about the condition of the facility. cracks have caused the west wall of life difficult for the ROTC employees Biggs Associates in October 2000 “There hasn’t been a significant the building to partially shift out of and students who use the office and identified substantial problems with structural investment to that building place and in some locations; the wall classroom space in Barton on a daily the roof over the main drill hall, the for a long time. There’s no question appears to be leaning towards Statler basis, such as serious ventilation Northwest and Southeast towers, and about it,” explained Seeber. Seeber Drive. problems and an outmoded electrical the masonry on the exterior of the added that Barton’s problems should The areas that appear to be in system. For example, some of the building. be addressed because of the building’s the worst shape are the Northwest original glass from 1915 remains in In their report, Ryan-Biggs egregious maintenance issues and its and Southwest towers, which have the windows and routinely leak air into classified many repairs in either the widespread use by many different multiple cracks through the stone the building. A bulky air conditioning Immediate or High priority, which types of students and academic face, displaced stone, and broken unit sits in Page’s office which’s loud meant that they should have been departments, not just those in ROTC. joints. Decades of water leakage and noise makes it almost impossible to completed either without delay or six However, Seeber made it clear that aging has caused the masonry on the hold meetings in his office during the months to two years after the study’s Barton was not the only building with building’s façade to crumble. Some spring and summer. Additionally, the completion, respectively. Over seven these types of problems on campus. of the fractures are out in the open electrical wiring is crude and most of years later, none of these immediate Seeber cited Stocking Hall as an such as the ones on the staircases, which does not meet the New York or high priority projects have been example that “is more of a wreck but others can only be seen behind State Fire Code, says Lt. Col. Page. completed. Then, the combined than Barton… Barton is clearly not closed doors. From a balcony behind The question of whether or not estimated cost of the immediate and the worst on campus by any means.” the Wortham Military Museum on Barton Hall’s structural issues pose a high priority projects was over $1.8 This odd situation begs the question: the building’s third floor, the exterior safety threat to students, faculty, and million. However, as the problems why hasn’t anything been done about sandstone on the corner of a parapet staff has been a point of contention have progressively worsened over the problems at Barton? One major on the Northwest side can be seen between Page and the administration. time and prices have risen, the quandary that has faced Barton that very clearly. Page contests that many of the estimated cost has gone up as well. both Page and Seeber cited was its Most of the damage on the exterior concerns, including the exposed The most troubling structural lack of an “advocate” to the university can be explained by water damage, asbestos in the main floors restroom weakness of Barton Hall is the roof. and to the State of New York. Most deferred maintenance, and the pure and in the drill hall, loose stones on When Ryan-Biggs evaluated the roof buildings on campus fall under the age of the building. However, Lt. Col. the exterior and general wear and in 2000, they found that the trusses supervision of one of the colleges on Page alluded to other exacerbating tear put Barton Hall’s occupants in do not meet New York State Code, campus, which in turn have Deans to factors that have occurred more jeopardy. Lt. Col. Page recalled an which requires that roofs be able advocate for maintenance projects on recently. Pipes from the Cornell Lake incident that happened during the to bear a minimum amount of dead their buildings. Barton is not owned Source Cooling System installed 2006-2007 winter break in which weight. Ryan-Biggs recommended by one of the colleges, thus leaving under Statler Drive in 1999 and 2000 chucks of stone fell off the roof of the that the wood rafters be replaced it without a formal advocate to work may have accelerated the cracking Northwest tower and landed in the on the roof immediately; however, on its behalf. on the west side wall, however this Cornell Police parking lot. “That’s this still has not been completed. Without an advocate, the findings of claim is unconfirmed by university unsafe for anyone walking by,” said During the winter, the roof is not the Ryan-Biggs were never converted engineers and the Ryan-Biggs report. Page. strong enough to bear snow loads into a formal estimate for repair and The problems go beyond structural However, Vice Provost for Land and in order to prevent any problems; renovation. Also, the building was issues. Obviously Barton Hall Grant Affairs Ron Seeber, who has the heat is turned up to maximum never incorporated into the process contains a substantial amount of recently started to work with Page temperature in order to melt the snow to acquire state funding for a large asbestos as do many older buildings; to resolve Barton’s issues, does not off the roof. Lt. Col. Page commented structural investment. Thus, other however, in some areas, the asbestos believe that the structural problems that the sustainability issues posed by projects on the state-owned portion has become exposed. In the men’s pose a safety risk. “No I don’t think this usage of the heating system were of campus, such as Mann Library and bathroom on the first floor, asbestos it does [threaten health and safety]. Is “laughable.” the Fernell/Rice/Bruckner project insulated piping surrounds the room. it showing age? Yes. Is it crumbling? The extent of the damage at Barton were put ahead of Barton. A warning sign instructs people not to Yes. There’s no question about it. It is stunning; massive cracks span the Now that steps are being taken to “create dust” indicating that asbestos needs structural rehabilitation… I length and run through the thickness remedy the problem, the university could easily be spread through the would leave it to the facilities experts of the interior wall in the main may struggle to find financial air. Also, the warning label indicates to judge whether it’s a health and staircase on the building’s west side. support from the State University that some asbestos in the room could safety problem,” commented Seeber. Also, on the exterior of the north and Construction Fund (SUCF), which be unmarked. A large pipe along the Many facilities management west sides of the building, extensive Continued... CR August 2008 Campus 5 Misguided The Sustainability Farce BRIAN GRAMBOW CAMPUS EDITOR that supposed to mean? meaningful answers for tomorrow.” A recent piece in the Cornell Daily It can mean many different things, I disagree. Let’s take low energy Sun highlighted a freshman student, Everywhere I turn, I see something just a quick took at the sustainable florescent light bulbs. Sure, they are Christina Copeland, and her crew in on sustainability. Whole industries are campus website home page more costly to install, yet they last a campaign to “educate” the Cornell based on this phenomenon. Cornell highlights the Green Purchasing, longer, actually costing the user less community of the irresponsible Even has an office of sustainability, Kyoto protocols, the lake cooling in terms of utility costs. But let’s say impacts of bottled water consumption. with paid staffers even. The word system, transportation management, that you break one of these fancy Miss Copeland’s campaign highlights sustainability appears everywhere increased recycling efforts and expensive lights and expose yourself little factoids about the number of I look: news papers to play bills carbon neutrality. Some of these to the mercury content inside. On barrels used by plastics industry to to even my own Nestle Library. programs actually kinda make sense average, to have a professional make water bottles, and the number With so much attention and hype, if you squint a little; recycling animal cleaning service clean the mess of trucks used to transport those sustainability rarely explained. What manure, dining hall food scraps, would set you back about $2,000. Or water bottles. Interestingly enough, is sustainability? How much more and office paper are easy solutions you could opt to clean up the mess the 1.5 million barrels of crude oil does it cost? What are other net to minimize the financial impact yourself, risking significant mercury used to make water bottles around benefits that making a few liberal on a waste disposal bill. Even the exposure proven. Either way, this the world per year is roughly equal students feel good? And, even when expensive lake cooling system will nice little florescent light bulb cost to the crude oil out put of the state of one goes to find the answers to these start to pay for itself in the next 125 you a lot more trouble than neglecting Texas in one day. Oh, and the 14,000 common sense questions through years. future generations through an old trucks used per week throughout different website through Cornell, However, some things just don’t fashioned filament. the world to transport the water is blogger, or even on the back of quite make cents when it comes Even though sustainability about .2% of the weekly commercial bathroom doors, questions are still to sustainability. With Cornell’s and climate neutrality seem truck traffic in the United States. left unanswered. sustainability program just over 60% synonymous, climate neutrality While, I commend her initiative, The truth of the matter is not even of the university’s paper needs are raises interesting questions. If we her campaign is another example of supporters of the s word can agree. met by 30% and 100% post consumer define sustainability as limiting the horribly misguided efforts in the war Cornell’s own sustainability office product paper. Interestingly enough impacts of our generation’s decisions for sustainability. offers this definition: “Meeting there is about a 20% price difference to just our generation, how will future It seems to be that our generation the needs of the present without between post consumer paper generations update aging, complex and our University have strayed away compromising the ability of future products and virgin paper, with systems, unless they sink many more from the true spirit of sustainability: generations to meet their own virgin paper being the least costly. millions of dollars into retro fits? Or social responsibility. Generations needs.” A quick Google search offers 120,000 reams of paper are costing even, what will future generations before us have eradicated polio, this: “Living and working in ways us, tuition payers. Net print is $0.09; say about us if predictions about stood for liberty in the face of that do not jeopardize our current $0.02 of that is to cover the cost of a changing climate prove to be totalitarianism, and provided for and future social, environmental sustainability. exaggerated? Will they praise us for prosperity to posterity. What will our and economic resources” and “The But paying too much for paper is spending billions of dollars worth of mark be? Heat efficient buildings ongoing process of achieving just a small thing in comparison of resources into an imaginary problem, and recycling programs? It is far development or redevelopment that the costs to maintain a climate neutral without even combating the socio- more “sustainable” to tutor a child does not undermine its physical or university. University President, economic issues facing our time. in reading, or to advocate the end of social systems of support.” “The use David J. Skorton said last February What will they say about our social hunger in Tompkins County; but if of ecosystems and their resources in in his state of the University said, responsibility? We drop millions sustainability is about zeroing carbon a manner that satisfies current needs “Because there are no real cost- of dollars into high technology to dioxide outputs and eliminating without compromising the needs effective solutions to achieve climate retrofit buildings to get 5% energy bottled water, count me out. or options of future generations.” neutrality today, a strong emphasis savings when we only have one day Brian Grambow is a sophomore in To me, it seems interesting that a on education and research, coupled where we “enter the streets.” the School of Hotel Administration. concept coined to protect eco systems with the willingness to make the Even the students are getting on He can be reached at bjg75@cornell. has morphed into its own cult. Social tough decisions now, will produce board the sustainability band wagon. edu. systems of support; what the hell is Barton cont... continued from page 4 plan will need to be drafted to seek out additional more has been done to spruce up Barton Hall. $3 provides planning, design, and construction funds. million has been allocated for repairs in March; funding for SUNY facilities. According to Page agreed with Seeber in that many of Barton’s however, this will go toward more cosmetic repairs. Seeber, the SUCF periodically rates buildings problems stem from its undefined position within Also, on December 18th, a committee was formed on campus on a three point scale: good, fair, and the university. However, he seems to have some consisting of Vice Provost Michelle Moody-Adams, poor. The fund constantly tries to rehabilitate doubts about the fiscal explanations for Barton’s Vice Provost Seeber, and other Cornell Facility poor buildings to good condition. Seeber noted, predicament. “Cornell has money that they Management officials to develop a master plan for “With their rating scheme, I don’t know if this allocate to other stuff. You know, $20 million construction and a plan to raise funds to pay for the building qualifies as poor. Believe it or not, you given away to Ithaca to encourage development numerous rehabilitation projects. Since the committee may think about that for the statutory colleges, in Ithaca, to support the local community. Great was formed, the university engineers for the building that’s sort of how far behind we are in capital and magnanimous decision…At the same time, completed a study that says the problems must be investment on the statutory campus.” we have facilities on campus that don’t meet repaired. They have also hired another engineering Seeber explained that from Governor Mario acceptable safety and living standards. So in the firm to start to make a master plan to fix the HVAC Cuomo (D) and up through Governor George building process, when do we become a part of heating and cooling system as well as electrical Pataki’s (R) term, there, “hasn’t been kind of a that?” system. capital funding necessary to keep these buildings Lt. Col. Page has not been satisfied with Despite the progress that has been made in the past up to a good standard on the statutory side of Cornell’s treatment of Barton Hall in the past. few months in terms of organizing and prioritizing the university.” He said for backup funding for He added that Cornell has “selectively refitted” the structural issues, Barton Hall’s problems are far construction projects on the statutory campus, Barton Hall when it served its own interests. He from being resolved. “It’s not like it’s going to get the university requested $700 million from cited the Hunt Track and Field Center as well solved next year, no question about it,” said Seeber. the SUCF, but “we expect to get $200 to $250 as the new electrical wiring for the vending million funded from 2009 to 2013.”Aside from machines on the first floor, which sit a mere Jordan Fabian is a senior in the College of Arts and the lack of an advocate, Barton may receive twenty feet from the antiquated fuse boxes for Sciences. He can be reached at [email protected]. limited state funding because it is used by the the drill room. general university and not just the statutory Since November, when the problems began colleges. Thus, Seeber noted that a financial to be discussed within the administration, CR 6 World August 2008 Shame on Columbia! submit, is certainly one of those though the people of the United KENT HAEGER things. I’d like to think that by now MANAGING EDITOR States recognize the legitimacy of most of us have moved beyond their government, which in turn “There is a difference between lies having to question whether certain will help him hold onto power in and truth… there is a difference groups of people are subhuman or Iran despite the peoples’ increasing between good and evil. Today we worthy of extermination. Likewise, I dissatisfaction with their theocratic form a new resistance to Western self- think you’d find a general consensus regime. destruction.” that forcing your beliefs on others We should be taking the opposite through terror and violence is Thus were the brave words of a tack – denying this madman and abominable. President Bollinger Jewish leader protesting Iranian his brethren the chance to speak as would obviously disagree with president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s equals. I don’t know if Bollinger me, however, since he apparently invitation to speak at Columbia actually holds some deluded hope believes that debating these “issues” University, and they hardly could that rational debate – or a barrage with Ahmadinejad will aid the have been more apt. September of insults – can change the opinions education of his students. All I can 24th, 2007, marked a new low in the of Ahmadinejad and his irrational say is, thank God I went to Cornell odious history of moral relativism: This is what the Ivy League ilk, but a universal condemnation has been reduced to?! instead. an invitation from an Ivy League of his twisted ideology from the When questioned as to why they university to a genocidal despot the type that desires to bring about people of the United States would would let this madman speak at their whose regime is currently waging an apocalyptic war in order to go a hell of a lot further towards university, Bollinger and Coatsworth an undeclared war against the remake the world the way he thinks stopping his plans than inviting him claim to be defending free speech United States. it should be. In his case, he believes to Columbia did. At the very least, rights. Free speech rights. I don’t Arguing that ideas needed to be that his policies of Islamizing the it wouldn’t hurt. even know where to begin with exchanged and debated, university world and obliterating Israel will One final issue regarding that. This is the same university, of president Lee Bollinger extended hasten the return of the Mahdi, the Ahmadinejad’s visit concerns the course, that didn’t raise a finger to an invitation to the Iranian leader Muslim messiah. History has never undeclared state of war Iran is protect the anti-illegal-immigration to give a speech at Columbia. The wanted for cultists of this sort, but if engaging in with the United States. Minutemen organization from a university claimed that Ahmadinejad Iran’s burgeoning nuclear program We have ample evidence that Iran gang of radicals who disrupted their would be met with critical questions succeeds, he will be the first of his has funded, trained, supported, and presentation and drove them off the and vigorous debate; I wouldn’t ilk to have the means to pull off provided weapons to at least some stage. But besides this curiously know, since non-students weren’t an apocalypse. His ravings against of the terrorists who are currently narrow definition of free speech, even allowed on campus. Israel in particular and the Jewish killing our men and women in Iraq. the argument itself is a fallacy. It turned out that what Bollinger people as a whole are well-known, In fact, we know that Iran has ties Freedom of speech is a wonderful had in mind was a brief verbal and if any man in the modern era to terrorist groups throughout the thing, of course. It’s our right as excoriation of the man, calling him could be called Adolf Hitler’s Middle East, from Hezbollah to Americans to air our opinions, a “cruel and petty dictator” before spiritual successor, Ahmadinejad Hamas, and in fact took an active however unpopular they may be. letting him have the microphone would be a prime candidate. hand in transforming the former And yes, this freedom leads to the for almost an hour. Yes, Bollinger Of course, Hitler analogies from a political party into a terrorist occasional hatemonger spewing an did accuse him of criminal idiocy have become a cliché, but in this organization. There is no reason – odious doctrine like anti-Semitism. for denying the Holocaust. Yes, he case I think it’s a well-deserved ever – to knowingly invite a terrorist But this is where the fallacy comes did get a few good punches in. But comparison. Rabid anti-Semitism? or the leader of a terrorist regime, in. Most lunatics of this sort, while Ahmadinejad was by far the winner Check. Global ambitions? Check. particularly not one who has shed free to preach their idiot beliefs, are from a propaganda standpoint, using Sheer irrationality? Well… we’ll American blood – to speak on our only able to do so in very limited the soapbox Bollinger gave him to give it some time and see if the soil, with the possible exception venues – think, for example, of the its utmost effect. Aside from a few “debate” at Columbia swayed of luring him to America so he crazy street person who harasses patently ridiculous statements such Ahmadinejad’s heart. While we’re can be arrested for crimes against passerby with his theories about as his belief that homosexuals do doing that, of course, he’ll be humanity. the “Zionist-occupied government” not exist in Iran and that women in stoning rape victims and throwing So, let’s recap. Here we have or the conspiracy nuts who blog his country have tremendous rights, students in prison, but hey, we’re at a tyrant who has threatened about Bush’s involvement in 9-11. Ahmadinejad spoke primarily about least trying to be civilized, right? annihilation against our ally Israel The public at large sees these small the plight of the Palestinians (not On the subject of der Fuhrer, (and who may soon have the means groups of unintelligent people and once using the word “Israel,” mind Columbia dean John Coatsworth to make good on his threat), and rightly dismisses their bad ideas. you, instead preferring “the Zionist proclaimed that he would invite whose hands are stained with the This is freedom of speech working regime”) and played the nuclear card anyone – even Adolf Hitler himself blood of America’s heroic armed as it should. What Columbia to score some nationalist points. – for a nice little academic debate. forces. This man is the despotic ruler University (and 60 Minutes) did, Ahmadinejad’s speech disgusted Following public outcry over this of a hostile nation with whom we are however, was to offer Ahmadinejad most Americans, and rightfully so, lunacy, he softened his stand just already in a low-level undeclared a platform from which to speak, but we mustn’t forget that it was a bit, clarifying that he was talking war. Inviting him to spew his venom thus giving his insanity a façade of broadcast to the world at large. Every about the pre-World War II dictator at an allegedly prestigious university legitimacy. bit of it was carefully calculated to who hadn’t yet begun the Holocaust. has given him an immeasurable Allowing Ahmadinejad to speak make him look like a hero in the Ohhhh, the cuddly, fuzzy Hitler. propaganda victory and granted a at Columbia sends exactly the eyes of the Iranian people, standing The one who’d only had a hand in false legitimacy to his depraved wrong message to the world. It up to the evil imperialist superpower the repressive Nuremberg Laws and cause. Columbia’s invitation of gives him a soapbox on which to and its “Zionist” ally. For giving Kristallnacht, rather than having Ahmadinejad has given “aid and speak and be heard. It tells the world this dangerous man a platform upon graduated to all-out genocide. Glad comfort” to our enemies and is thus that we respect the opinions of this which he could appear legitimate, we got that cleared up. an act of treason. fundamentalist despot so much moderate even, and for promising This, then, is the crux of the issue. So it was that your correspondent that we’re willing to debate him at rational confrontation but delivering Columbia’s top brass appear to have attended the protest outside a venerable institution of “higher” ineffective insults, Columbia fallen into the trap of assuming Columbia’s walls. A sizeable learning. And perhaps worst of all, University’s leadership deserves that all ideas are valid enough to group had gathered on the four it hands him a propaganda victory. our scorn. be debated on an equal playing street corners near the university’s Ahmadinejad and his cronies will use That Ahmadinejad is a madman field. But, as one protestor’s sign entrance, and although it was the speech and their “60 Minutes” is not up for debate. He’s the oldest put it, some things are not up for loosely organized, the protestors appearance to make it seem as breed of fundamentalist lunatic – discussion. Killing Jews, I would did draw considerable media Continued... CR August 2008 World 7 What to Expect cont... continued from page 1 group of environmental lunatics to empathize with the sufferings of piece of that. general cleanliness. The absence decided to chain themselves in the minorities but likely live in a gated These reapers of racial rage seclude of multi-colored hair, repulsive University president’s office to community where the only black face themselves inside their ethnic ghettos tattoos, and grotesque piercings also prevent the creation of this lovely is on the lawn jockey. They are the (be it Ujamma, Latino Living Center, contribute to the clean look and feel paved paradise. When that didn’t products of their families’ affluence or Akwe:kon) and then complain of the movement. But not all right- work, they proceeded to live in the but want to prevent others from about their supposed exclusion from wingers are created equal. Some woods to prevent construction from achieving that same status by having the rest of the Cornell community. weak-kneed conservatives at Cornell beginning. Their living conditions the government steal half of their While there’s nothing morally wrong constantly seek to “dialogue” with in the Redbud Woods looked like paychecks. about preferring to associate with the left and try to find common the Swiss Family Robinson on acid. It’s the limousine liberals that people like you (whether you define ground. Their ultimate goal in life is Some of them had actually written use the privilege granted to them “like you” as similar-looking, similar- to be liked by liberals, to be invited to notes to the trees. Yes, they spoke by their parents’ money to get a thinking, or whatever), if you choose their cocktail parties, to be declared to the trees. In the end, the hippies good education, go to law school, to isolate yourself from the greater a “respectable” conservative. were thrown out of their tree houses; enter politics, and then hasten the community you should cede your The Cornell Republicans, on the unfortunately, none of them were socialization of America. So be nice right to complain if you think the other hand, stands for a muscular hurt. Better luck next time. to these rich liberals; one day they greater community is largely ignoring conservatism that will not only take will be deciding your income tax you. Some groups grasp this concept. the heat from the left but give them The Limousine Liberal rate. You don’t ever see the Dungeons & hell right back. Cowards need not Dragons players rallying on Ho Plaza apply. There are other publications The limousine liberal and the hippy The Angry Minority to protest the lack of understanding on where you would be more than may have both voted for Kerry in campus towards pasty white kids who welcome. 2004 but the limousine liberal would Before MTV’s The Real World enjoy playing board games on Friday There are many other breeds of never be seen with someone who became soft-core porn and there were night. D&D players never launched political hacks at Cornell and looks like that. Often the offspring actually real people on the show, an armed takeover of Willard Straight plenty of other walking stereotypes of a wealthy family of professionals every season would have at least one Hall as a group of black students that populate campus, but these in the New York metropolitan area, sassy minority. Cornell has more than did in 1969. Unfortunately, angry descriptions should give you a the limousine liberal’s politics are its fair share of these folks. Of course, minorities have become a celebrated good head start on your Cornell derived from his or her superiority let me be up front and say that there part of Cornell’s legacy as the WSH enculturation. So welcome, freshmen, complex. Conservatives, you see, are plenty of kind, intelligent, and fun Takeover is memorialized each April. to the three-ring circus that is Cornell are ignorant, Bible-thumping, minority students at this University. One of the darkest blemishes on our University. You can find the bearded moron rednecks. Liberals, however, Some of them I consider to be friends University’s history is commemorated lady over in the Women’s Studies are enlightened, intelligent, classy, and acquaintances of mine (my every year, probably to placate the department, the two-headed llama and generous—with other people’s “Diversity Rainbow” as I call them). violent radicals and stave off another over at the vet school, and the dog money. Limousine liberals come to That being said, it’s impossible to takeover. and pony show in the administration Cornell already comfortable in their ignore the nasty, ignorant, and bitter building. Keep your hands and arms families’ wealth and therefore have members of the minority community The Conservative Activist inside the vehicle at all times, but no problem supporting raising other who constantly whine about the brutal above all else, enjoy the ride. people’s taxes and hindering them oppression they suffer at the hands In my completely objective opinion, ~ from enjoying that same prosperity. of whitey. Apparently, part of this the bravest, most-intelligent, and If too many other people get rich, oppression involves their admittance best-looking group of people on Eric Shive is the former Editor-in- who will be left to patronize? to an Ivy League institution, likely campus are the conservatives—the Chief of the Cornell American, from Limousine liberals are some of as a recipient of affirmative action Cornell Republicans, to be exact. 2004 to 2006. He can be reached at the most frustratingly hypocritical and scholarships. If that’s what Unlike the unwashed leftist masses, [email protected] politicos at Cornell. They are so quick oppression is, I’d like to get myself a conservatives enjoy showering and Columbia cont... continued from page 6 attention. Our signs ranged from ashamed that there were so few non- statements was the active evil of a fundamentalists who control so displays of Ahmadinejad ‘s terrorist Jewish protestors; as in the 1930s, it small group of counter-protestors, much of the Middle East, and for credentials (including memorable seems that the rest of the civilized three or four bearded men holding all our righteous indignation, the quotes about Israel’s impending world is idly standing by while signs calling for the elimination of hundreds of protestors couldn’t destruction) to declarations of obvious warning signs flash from the “Jewish entity” and the liberation damp that victory. Like it or not, shame from Columbia students and despotic regimes. “Never again” of Palestine from the “Zionist pigs” Ahmadinejad’s regime’s support of alumni to declarations of the United doesn’t have much meaning if the or even asking Iran to monitor its terror groups in Iraq was a silent – and States’ solidarity with Israel. One Jewish people can’t count on getting Jewish population more closely apparently unnoticed – declaration particularly poignant poster showed any sort of help from their supposed “befor [sic] it is to [sic] late!” The of war against the United States and the image of a young Israeli woman allies. When a man sees a group protestors and counter-protestors all we hold dear. In a just world, who had been killed by a Hamas threatened with extermination, got into a few shouting matches, but the streets of New York City would bus bombing, along with evidence even if he doesn’t identify with that for the most part retained civility… have been blocked with throngs of for Iran’s involvement. Several group, can’t he stand up for them?! with the exception of a heart- protestors demonstrating against prominent individuals, including Too few of us did on Monday. wrenching spectacle in which a man our foe. America would have taken New York Congressmen, spoke over As always, there was a small but whose father had been murdered by a decisive stand against Mahmoud a megaphone, though this reporter belligerent counter-protest, wielding the Iranian regime was reduced to Ahmadinejad and his depravity. was unable to get close enough to signs admonishing us not to attack tears by leftist counter-protestors But not in our world. We welcome hear them. A refrain of “Shame on Iran. The usual anti-Bush fanatics who insisted that Ahmadinejad dictators with open arms and seek a Columbia!” echoed from the crowd were there, carrying a charming wasn’t all that bad. civilized reconciliation. And while almost constantly, summing up our banner claiming “Ahmadinejad is I left the protest knowing full we’re doing that, “their” people feelings about the incident. bad… Bush is worse.” One woman, well who won on September suffer, and the world draws closer to The majority of the protest was clearly out of her gourd, carried a 24th. Columbia University’s a nightmare of nuclear proportions. composed of Jewish groups, some sign welcoming Ahmadinejad, who foolish, cowardly invitation of a Shame on Columbia. Shame on us. displaying Israeli flags, yarmulkes, she called a “seeker of truth.” Worse hostile despot was a wonderful Kent Haeger is a junior in the and other Jewish symbols. I felt than the blatant lunacy of these propaganda victory for the hateful College of Arts and Sciences. He CR 8 Campus August 2008 Wake-Up Call cont... continued from page 1

author of the chalking be reprimanded are often met afterward by Republicans wealth to other people. What the about. You must become well versed in some way. What would you do in who tell us how amazing we are. In the heck is compassionate about that in political thought. For some of you, such a situation? Would you try to past, I have been gracious in accepting sort of transfer? A politician reaches that means reading John Locke, John explain yourself? Would you schedule the accolades. No longer. Now, my into someone’s pocket, takes his Stuart Mill, and the Federalist Papers. a meeting with the Dean and the Leftist response is “Well, yes I am amazing, property, gives it to someone else, For others, that means watching Bill and try to smooth things over? Would why aren’t you? Where are you? I can’t and then brags about what a kind, O’Reilly, listening to Rush Limbaugh, you try to come to some middle ground? do this alone. Why aren’t you speaking caring, compassionate person he is. and reading Ayn Rand’s novels. Still Or would you do what Ryan Horn, out and mixing it up with these Leftists? As economist Walter Williams says, others may look to Milton Freidman, [former Editor-in-Chief of The Cornell When you keep quiet, they win!” “I prefer illegal looters. They take Friedrich Hayek, and Walter Williams. American] and I did and assert our In the fall last year, a bunch of savage property and then take off. Politicians Whatever you choose, you must have First Amendment rights and refuse anti-war demonstrators marched around take property and then stand there and some idea of what you are talking about. to meet with anyone? Sure it’s hard, Ho Plaza with signs saying “Violence bore us with the whys and wherefores I assure you—most ideas that pop sure people will call us “intolerant” begets violence” and “Stop the war in of why we should be happy about it.” into our heads are not original. They and “mean,” but too bad. We were Afghanistan.” One of the demonstrators I can make a good case for why that have been thought of before and have right. We speak the truth as we know was Women’s Studies Professor Anna transfer is immoral, but there is no been written about extensively. Why it and don’t water our opinions down Marie Smith (whom I affectionately standard on the face of the earth that not learn about these ideas from their so as to be “sensitive” to anyone. call Anna Nicole Smith). When the could possibly side with the notion founders to better understand them? It’s a real gut check for each of local news asked for my comment, I that it is compassionate. Get out Today, I have tried to make the case you. It’s easy to espouse Republican told the reporter that violence begot there and make the argument. Don’t for why you should turn away from principles when you’re sitting around peace as recently as the Second World be scared. Again, if they call you the paths of irrational fear, narcissism, at dinner with a few friends or when War and Gulf War. I also said that I was names, you know you’ve probably and sloth to join the Cornell American you’re sitting in a room with like- surprised that one of Cornell’s women’s won the argument on its merits. and College Republicans at Cornell minded folks. But what if you are in studies professors had decided to Another class of young Republicans and begin the great debate of ideas. a crowd of 100 black nationalists become a prostitute for the Taliban. chooses not to speak up because What has happened when at Ujaama Residential College who This is what each of you has to do— they’re narcissists. I have met a Republicans have decided not to speak are arguing for slavery reparations? stand up to your professors. Even the number of these people over the years. up around here? Let me tell you a little What if your professor stands up in more introverted among us can do it. They are the ones who say: “You about an incident that happened on this front of the class and says that the A great story from one of our College know Joe, I agree with what you say very campus in April 1997. Back then New Deal saved this country from the Republicans, who graduated in 1998: and what the Republicans stand for, the campus was a racial powder keg. Great Depression? What if you are in He was taking an intro-level rural but if I speak out the way you do, I Militant blacks and Hispanics were the middle of a mandatory diversity sociology course. The class met over won’t get letters of recommendation, marching around campus because workshop and a facilitator intimates in Warren Hall and had a few hundred I’ll have a hard time getting into they were upset with the university that Western Culture is not superior students attending lecture. Anyway, one graduate school or getting a job.” president’s plan to desegregate campus to any other culture? Then what will lecture concluded with the professor To these narcissists, I simply say: housing. When a campus conservative you do? Will you have the guts to saying something along the lines of: Get over yourselves. The world does newspaper supported the president and raise your voice in a mob of Leftists? “Earlier historical analysis of this not revolve around you. The whole printed cartoons lampooning the Leftist In the spring of 2000, I was asked matter was blinded by racism. The world is not focused on everything you fanaticism on campus, the radicals to participate in a panel discussion on evidence is now clear and decisive— do during your college career. Neither stole several hundred copies, blocked campus diversity. The organizers of Cleopatra was, indeed, an African your future boss nor your professors traffic for several hours, and burned the the event brought in representatives American. Are there any questions?” are monitoring your extra-curricular newspapers in a Nazi-style book burning. from many racial minority groups on At this point, a young, shy CR activities in college. Neither is surfing Everyone—the administration, the campus and the audience was filled put up his hand in the middle of the web to find conservative quotes you faculty, even the Cornell Daily Sun— with liberals. Everyone gave their this auditorium full of students. made to the Cornell Daily Sun. Neither sided with the protestors and was content opening statements and said the same “Yes, you there,” the professor said. is checking to see if you were ever to stomp on the First Amendment thing, “We need to respect cultural “Professor, I don’t know as much in the CRs or The Cornell American. rights of conservatives. Fortunately, differences, promote racial diversity, as you do about rural sociology. I’m To paraphrase some advice that members of the press like John Leo support affirmative action, support just a sophomore taking this class for a colleague once gave me, “You and Nat Hentoff came to our defense race-based program houses, yada, yada, a distribution requirement. But, I can wouldn’t worry so much of what in the pages of national newspapers. yada.” Then it was my turn. I said: say, with certainty, that Cleopatra other people thought about you In the face of national pressure and “With due respect, this is a joke. Who was not an African-American.” if you knew how little they did.” public humiliation, Cornell reluctantly the heck cares about racial diversity if “That is quite a bold statement. No one is watching you. No one cares. retreated from its totalitarian tactics. everyone thinks the same way? Who What evidence do you have?” You are not that important to have your I don’t want to ever see anything cares if you have a panel of 2 Asians, 3 At this point the class was completely lives monitored — this isn’t the Real like that happen again. That is Hispanics, 4 blacks, 2 whites, 2 Arabs, silent. Everyone was watching, World or Big Brother. So if you are why I have made it my personal and 1 Indian if everyone has the same waiting to see what would happen. holding back in espousing your points mission to see to it that every opinion on the subject being discussed? “Well, Professor, Cleopatra could of view because you are worried about Republican on this campus speaks The only diversity that matters is not have been an African-American your future being adversely affected, out loudly, confidently, and defiantly. ideological diversity of viewpoints. because, well, at the time Cleopatra lived, take a step back from the ledge and Being a Republican on Cornell’s The color of your skin is irrelevant. It’s America had not been discovered yet.” join us in this little place called reality. campus is hard work. We have to work the ideas in your mind and the ability It was a brilliant display by an Conservatives have a unique ten times as hard to produce half the to formulate a coherent argument ordinary CR. With that one bold and opportunity to engage in the great results of the Left, simply because that matter. If you want people to extraordinarily courageous act, he gave battle of ideas by taking on the liberal of the sheer number of Leftists that learn how to think, they need to be his fellow students a lesson on political university establishment. You can exist around here. But victories by exposed to a diversity of viewpoints.” correctness that they will never forget. challenge the status quo and leave the Right happen because we are And with that I was hissed at, called a Will you have the guts to do the same a real impact on the students you smarter, we work harder, and we have racist and so forth. But—and this is the thing when your turn comes? If you are leave behind. Don’t miss this chance. better arguments. God bless each important part—I changed the tone of kicking yourself for not speaking up yet, Other Republicans don’t speak up of you and God bless the Cornell that entire panel discussion. For the rest there is always more time—start now. because they are just lazy. Their idea of College Republicans. Thank you. of the morning everyone was responding There are a lot of progressives fighting political correctness is getting to me, engaging me on this question of running around campus whining drunk, wandering around Collegetown, Joe Sabia received a Ph.D. in ideological diversity. Discussion of the about living wages, global justice, and making sex jokes. I call these economics from Cornell University racial make-up of professors was cast and an end to corporate greed. You Republicans “Man Show Republicans.” in 2004 and is currently an assistant aside in favor of a discussion of why may be scared that they will call I have some news for you—acting professor at the University of Georgia. 22 out of 23 government department you “mean-spirited” if you defend like an uncivilized savage does not He can be contacted through his professors and 34 out of 35 English free market capitalism. But why? mean that you have joined the great website at www.joesabia.com. department professors are Leftists. These people demand more battle against political correctness. In When Ryan or I stand up to mobs of government intervention in the order to be able to intelligently argue Leftists and make these arguments, we economy so as to redistribute people’s you must know what you are talking CR August 2008 Thought 9 Concealed Carry Heats Up Cornell SA Takes On Controversial Resolution 17 EDDIE HERRON BRIAN GRAMBOW lamented on the lack of objectivity on EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CAMPUS EDITOR the part of the SA, stating that they “were even more disrespectful than our The Student Assembly saw one of liberal counterparts in the audience, its largest audiences of the year last talking while we were talking, and Thursday, at its weekly public meeting. leaving the room” Quigley was also No, the unusually large audience was unhappy with the lack of opportunities not there to see the Cheerleading squad, for rebuttal by resolution sponsors to or Alternative Breaks Program appeal statements made by assembly members their SAFC funding (or lack thereof). and the fact that the SA can call for an It took the controversial Resolution 17 issue to be voted on before the sponsors to get students who would otherwise of any resolution are done making their be apathetic (ourselves included) to argument. come see student run bureaucracy at its Salem also expressed his finest. disappointment with some of the Resolution 17, which called for assembly members saying “When I “(The) assembly (to) strongly urge the brought the resolution forward I knew administration to take whatever action it was going to be an uphill battle. I is necessary to allow for concealed carry had hoped that many of the assembly on campus”, was soundly defeated by members who claim to support the the Student Assembly last Wednesday, Self-defense strictly prohibited second amendment would vote for this March 6th by a vote of 3-14-1. The important to keep in mind because one person requesting permission to as it is a clear extension of it” This strife resolution was sponsored by Student of the biggest misconceptions of the maintain a concealed weapon must; be came to a head in Salem’s interaction Assembly member-at-large and Resolution has been that it intends to 21 years of age (that fake ID you use with Rebecca Stein ’10, who is the Chairman of the College Republicans flood Cornell’s campus with guns. This to get into Johnny O’s will not work in transfer student representative. Ahmed Salem ‘08, Director of Elections is not the case; its aim as described this case), be of good moral character, Stein, who has been an active and cowboy hat maven Mark Coombs by Coombs was to provide a way for have not committed any felony or member in the College Republicans ‘08, as well as Rachel Quigley ‘09 and citizens who want to follow the rules at serious offense, mentally healthy, and for the entire year, was very scathing in Carol Glenn ‘08, both of them College Cornell to have a concealed weapon. never had a pistol license revoked. her opposition to the resolution. Stein Republicans. There were many arguments Additionally, New York law requires claimed it is a waste of time for the The debate about the right to against the benefits of concealed that the permit carrier have good cause Assembly, and that she is embarrassed “concealed carry” has been growing in carry but arguably the most illogical for the permit. to be a member of the College the aftermath of the attacks at Northern was by Rammi Salem ’10, minority Additionally, a permit carrier may Republicans as a result. In an e-mail, Illinois this past month and Virginia representative. After Rachel Quigley never intentionally brandish the Salem said that Stein is no longer a Tech almost a year ago. Over three postulated about an attack in PSYCH weapon without good cause, may member of the group, a fact that Stein dozen college students lost their lives in 101, which, with 1,200 students is one never discharge the weapon in public disputed by stating that according attacks that Salem et al. believe could of the largest classes in the country, areas without good cause, nor may he to group constitution anyone who have been mitigated by the possibility Salem stated in a very cavalier manner intentionally aim the weapon, even attends just one meeting is a member of armed bystanders. As it stands now, “I’m a TA in PSYCH 101, see what without malice, at another person. If for the entire year. Official member of people who do abide by the law are I do if someone brings in a gun.” any of the above terms are violated the College Republicans or not, her not allowed to have firearms on any Although courageous and respectable it is a Class A misdemeanor, which membership has been compromised campus outside of the state of Utah. to offer oneself in sacrifice, there are would be punishable with up to a year for voicing her opinion on an issue Combine that with the fact that 99.9% some reservations about how effective in prison. Therefore, any permit carrier so controversial that it is not bound to of all criminals prefer unarmed victims this “see what I do” argument can who is convicted of any above crime traditional party lines of conservative and, as the co-sponsors argued, you be. Salem could not be reached for will have the concealed carry license or liberal. have a huge potential for future attacks comment about what he would be able permanently revoked. It was not just the Student Assembly on campuses across the country. to do to thwart the attack if he had 5 Coombs pointed out that these who showed a lack of respect for Members of both the College bullet holes in his chest. restrictions, as well as other gun laws the College Republicans’ concerns. Republicans and Cornell Democrats Some of the more reasonable in New York, makes New York the Resolution 17 also drew such a brought signs showing their support arguments against concealed carry sixth best state for gun laws according considerable amount of criticism from or opposition to the resolution. Both were raised by audience members, to the Brady Campaign. Conversely the Cornell Daily Sun. Throughout groups behaved rather predictably. The most of whom were members of that would make them the 44th best the week leading up to the decision Democrats lined the left half of the the Cornell Democrats. Possibilities state for gun laws if you ask the NRA. on Resolution 17, the Sun ran articles Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room such as accidental firings, people’s The resolution was originally ranging from commentary about with cutely decorated colored signs psychological fear of guns, and the use submitted a week earlier and drew poor aim of students to amending attacking the resolution and its sponsors of handguns in emotional arguments immediate criticism from members of Resolution 17 to include concealment such as “Mark Coombs is a fiend, were all brought up by concerned the SA. Then, in an unexpected move, of squirt guns. It is obvious that few don’t pass 17!” and “You don’t trust undergraduate students. The SA voted to move the controversial opponents of Resolution 17 actually Republicans with your government but The possibility of a frat party turning resolution from new business to read the resolution or understand New you trust them with a gun?” into the OK Corral was also a concern “business of the day,” in what could York’s laws concerning fire arms. On the right side of the room the brought up many times. This danger have been an attempt to prevent properly Tony Manfred of the Cornell Daily Republicans had drab signs consisting was unequivocally proven by a math planned debate and organization of Sun wrote that the passage of the of white poster-board and black marker equation in a sign held by a Cornell support for the resolution. Eventually, resolution of would essentially turn but carrying a fundamental messages Democrat which stated “Guns + Frat Coombs and Salem were able to the undergraduate population into an such as “Yes to 17!” and “Gun free Party = Bad” convince the assembly that the issue “armed and paranoid and ready” force zones do not work!” The Republican’s These arguments were made by of concealment of firearms must not looking to “pump nutty grad students signs spoke as loud as the seemingly individuals who did not seem to be brushed aside, allowing the Cornell full of lead in the name of Justice.” The witty posters displayed by the fully understand the core proposal Police and students an opportunity to Sun’s Charley Niesenbaum requested Democrats (they could not go longer of Resolution 17 ; which is to permit express their respective opinions more that the resolution be amended to than 15 seconds without giggling like students to defend themselves. Instead thoughtfully. include water pistols, a frightening school girls after their fearless leader of arguing why Cornell in particular All parties involved returned to trivialization of the right to defend gave them their signs). should be a gun free zone they were the SA meeting a week later. They one’s self with firearms. Coombs started the proposal of the focusing generally on why guns are were supposed to come prepared Eddie Herron is a senior in the School of Resolution by reading a letter from an bad. with arguments, responses from the Industrial and Labor Relations. He can be anonymous Cornell Police officer. The Also the Resolution merely asked representatives’ constituencies, and a reached at [email protected] letter was in favor of the resolution for Cornell to follow New York State’s clear head to objectively analyze the Brian Grambow is a sophomore in the School of Hotel Administration. He can be and above all stated that if people gun laws which are pretty fair and situation. Two out of three ain’t bad reached at [email protected] think there are not any guns on campus straight forward. In New York State, a I guess. After the meeting Quigley then they are mistaken. This is very CR 10 Thought August 2008 Threat of Two-Headed Terrorists? Muslim inbreeding in Europe may be linked to transatlantic flight clampdown

RAZA HODA ONLINE EDITOR

Early last week, President George W. Bush urged twenty-seven European governments to tighten security and heighten awareness on flights outbound to the United States. He called for the increased presence of armed U.S. air marshals on these flights and detailed reports on the families of travelers. This was met with protest from the Belgian government, which urged other EU nations not to allow themselves to be bullied by the Americans. Last time I checked, 3,000 Belgians didn’t die when airliners loaded with jet fuel were hijacked and flown into A chilling portent of things to come? skyscrapers — they don’t exactly for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, they would have enough on our plate battling one- have a right to complain. Our strong be a little more sensitive. Regardless headed jihadists. Britain needs to not and steadfast president used a hard of the reactions from the EU, steps only prevent these rampant incestuous tone with the Europeans, stating that are being taken by the Department of relations, but also prosecute those guilty countries who do not comply with Homeland Security to ensure America of fornication with family members. For the clampdown may see requirements remains terrorist-free. Europeans will the sake of Americans, of our national for visas to visit America in the near soon have to ask for permission online security, and most of all of common future--a requirement already in before planning a trip to the United decency. It means that the Europeans place for countries such as Pakistan, States. must be more active in complying with Afghanistan, and all the other -stans, as But why did President Bush urgently the rules and regulations of the United well as North Korea and Iran. If they call for immediate action? Why now? States, whether or not the Belgian want to tempt the fates and defy the Early last week, about the same time the waffles approve. It means we should United States, they can plot themselves president made the demands, British be grateful to have a great and glorious on the Axis of Visas along with those environmental minister Phil Woolas leader like President Bush, who sees other degenerate rogue states. warned Muslims against their common the danger before it becomes a danger, One of the main issues the Belgian practice of inbreeding. Muslim families to protect us from mutant Muslims out government has with the new policies have a tendency to arrange marriages to get us and our freedom. is privacy. Identity theft and protection with first cousins. This sickening trailer- of digital information were some of park tradition is not against British law Raza Hoda is a sophomore in the the big concerns. As if America really — but bloody well should be. Even College of Arts and Sciences. He can cares if Jean l’Homme is having an though these unions are responsible be reached at [email protected]. affair and has cancer. America has for only three percent of births in the bigger fish to fry like Abu al-Qaeda United Kingdom, their children make and Nawaf bin Taliban. Like Belgium, up one-third of the population afflicted the Association of European Airlines, by genetic disorders. Recent studies or AEA, which is composed of thirty- have also shown that political ideology one airlines, including Germany-based is genetically linked. Lufthansa and Air France-KLM, cried What does this mean for America and out against the demands. “[There is] the War on Terrorism? It means that an no international legal foundation,” arranged marriage between families of they argued. Right, and which of the radical Islamists who hate everything thirty-one airlines have had their pilots about freedom and democracy results stabbed with box cutters and planes in offspring who hate twice as much; crashed into government buildings? that this twisted family tree of Taliban- How much did their airlines suffer eqsue beliefs gets compounded until after that fateful day in September? it produces a two-headed, double- Perhaps if British Airways had filed bearded megaterrorist. We already CR August 2008 Humor 11

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CR 12 The Cornell Review August 2008 Wisemen and Fools

The most fundamental fact about the the best job possible, let the flak pass, willing to do absolutely anything to Democracy forever teases us with ideas of the political left is that they do and work towards those goals. save the biosphere, except take science the contrast between its ideals and its not work. Therefore we should not be ~Donald Rumsfeld courses and learn something about it. realities, between its heroic possibilities surprised to find the left concentrated ~ P.J. O’Rourke and its sorry achievements. in institutions where ideas do not have Arms discourage and keep the invader ~Agnes Repplier to work in order to survive. and plunderer in awe, and preserve A politician will always tip off his ~Thomas Sowell order in the world as well as property... true belief by stating the opposite at Democracy does not guarantee equality Horrid mischief would ensue were the beginning of the sentence. For of conditions - it only guarantees I have never wavered from my intention the law-abiding deprived of the use of maximum comprehension, do not equality of opportunity. to advance the cause of diversity in new them. start listening until the first clause is ~Irving Kristol and more effective ways ~Thomas Paine concluded. Begin instead at the word ~ Jeb Bush but... Democracy means not “I am as good as It is better to be violent, if there is ~Frank Mankiewicz you are” but “You are as good as I am. Democracy is the art of running the violence in our hearts, than to put ~Theodore Parker circus from the monkey cage. on the cloak of nonviolence to cover Liberty is not a means to a higher ~H.L. Mencken impotence. political end. It is itself the highest America’s support for human rights ~Mohandas Gandhi political end. and democracy is our noblest export to Those who govern, having much ~Lord Acton the world. business on their hands, do not Liberal: a power worshiper without ~William J. Bennett generally like to take the trouble of power. In politics it is necessary either to considering and carrying into execution ~Geroge Orwell betray one’s country or the electorate. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice new projects. The best public measures I prefer to betray the electorate. everywhere. are therefore seldom adopted from The republican is the only form of ~Charles de Gaulle ~Martin Luther King, Jr. previous wisdom, but orced by the government which is not eternally at occasion. open or secret war with the rights of Public opinion, I am sorry to say, will I personally call the type of government ~Benjamin Franklin mankind. bear a great deal of nonsense. There which can be removed without violence ~Thomas Jefferson is scarcely any absurdity so gross, ‘democracy,’ and the other, ‘tyranny.’ Amidst all the clutter, beyond all the whether in religion, politics, science or ~Karl Popper obstacles, aside from all the static, are The college idealists who fill the ranks manners, which it will not bear. the goals set. Put your head down, do of the environmental movement seem ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

In your heart, you know we’re right.

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