OBSERVER Volume 19, Issue 3, March 21st, 2008

March 19 marks the fifth anniversery of the war in Iraq. Students attend radical Budget forum: activist workshop in dc a hostile would have been more helpful to attend environment? workshops that played to her strengths Concerns about diversity as a demonstration organizer. During the Q&A sessions after every workshop, “the prompt consideration of best questions were asked by the people a new budget allocation who were actually organizers, or who were process actually knowledgeable about the subject being discussed,” said Birnbaum. By Ryan Gustafson The majority of the attendees appeared to be college-aged or environs, but a Responding to the outrage of affinity number were older, more experienced groups over the most recent Budget Forum’s organizers. In many workshops, Bard allocation process, Dean of Students students found themselves in attendance Erin Cannan and other members of the administration have pursued legal council photo/Kendra Schirmer with independent media journalists, labor organizers, members of sustainable to determine if Budget Forum violates the communes, and alternative educators. rights of some Bard students. This action When not in a workshop, there was may bring about fundamental changes time for browsing amongst many booths to club funding procedures. The decision run by activist groups, most of whom to pursue legal council is indicative of had also sponsored workshops. There, the administration’s desire to reform the attendees could buy radical books, zines, allocation process, which has traditionally and apparel, and pick up radical flyers, been managed by Student Government’s pamphlets and buttons. It also provided Planning Committee and amended an excellent opportunity for people to talk by the student body at Budget Forum. and connect with one another. “It’s such Although the College’s discussions with Roberta E. Tarshis of the firm Tarshis and Bard students and other conference attendees listen and learn at the 9th an amazing opportunity to talk to people from all over about what is going on in Hammerman are still in a preliminary annual National Conference on Organized Resistance. the radical community,” said Birnbaum. phase, Cannan indicated the Forum might Raskin agreed, adding that he didn’t violate “hostile environment” standards necessarily learn anything new about the and alcohol regulations. Though she has By Becca Rom-Frank About a hundred total workshops were not yet investigated the matter formally, offered over the course of the weekend, movement but that the real experience was At four am on March 6, one day before sharing perspectives and smaller tidbits of Cannan hopes that Tarshis will meet with the 9th annual National Conference and a participant could choose to attend a coalition of interested parties—members up to five workshops in one day. The information. on Organized Resistance (NCOR), an Rachel Worthington, a second-year of the administration, the diversity unidentified cyclist tossed a homemade workshops and lectures, held inside three commission, student government, and different AU buildings, featured titles transfer student, attended NCOR last bomb into the army recruitment station in year as a student at American University. affinity groups—to assess the legality of Times Square. At NCOR, groups of people such as, “In the World But Not of It: New current allocation procedures with the Anti-Authoritarian Approaches to Reform The CASJ are “a pretty small minority on could be heard enthusiastically discussing campus,” she said. “Their involvement ultimate aim of reforming them. Student the news, and one table at the conference Struggles,” and ranged in subject matter Government has already stated its preference from animal rights to environmental contrasts pretty majorly with the rest of even offered free stickers with a sketch the AU student body.” In her first year at that the budget allocation process should depicting a Zorro-like figure on a bicycle justice to gender identity. A series of remain independent of the administration lectures designated as the “Radical Theory AU, Worthington noticed an excessive holding an explosive, with the words “I amount of bullying and tension between and has suggested reforms of its own. Heart the Bicycle Bomber.” The radical Track” included talks by experienced There have been no concrete organizers on the history and goals of a AU students and NCOR conferees. She action of the “bicycle bomber” seemed reports seeing a number of “Frat Boy determinations about what a new allocation generally lauded by the majority of NCOR’s radical movement. A schedule listing the system would look like. Cannan stated times and descriptions of the workshops types” holding petitions to kick “those participants, but anyone who attended smelly anarchists off OUR campus,” that a major consideration of reform should would know that Anarchist Theory is more was distributed, and some “spontaneous be ensuring that certain clubs that “accord workshops” were announced throughout and, due to an impromptu pipe-bomb complex than a punk attitude. construction workshop, rumors circulated with the mission of the institution” more On March 7, twenty-five Bard students the weekend. Speakers tended to be than others have a source of funding that experienced organizers or non-profit that the anarchists were a danger to the drove down to Washington D.C. in order campus. Although the conference is now is unaffected by Budget Forum. In addition to attend NCOR, an annual activist group leaders, although there were several to affinity group clubs, such groups might talks by college professors. All in all, deliberately held during AU’s spring conference held on the main campus break, tensions have not necessarily ceased include academic, literary, and journalistic of American University, which seeks to according to sophomore Dan Raskin, the publications. It has not been determined event was well organized, although the to exist. “It was really weird when I went “bring together activists from a variety last year,” said Worthington, whose family continued on page three of issues, struggles, ideologies and workshops were an unexpected blend of smoothly-run talks by very knowledgeable, resides in Washington, D.C. “It seemed like backgrounds for a weekend of learning most of the AU students who stayed over and reflecting on the state of progressive interesting people, to “really dumb topics run by unqualified speakers.” break hid on one side of campus, while the movements occurring locally, nationally other side of campus turned into a radical and worldwide,” according to the event’s Raskin had been looking forward to attending one particular lecture for vegan-sandwich eating sunbathing fest.” website (www.ncor2008.org). In addition In sum, the conference made a lasting INSIDE to providing an open-minded atmosphere, about a year titled “Radical Sustainability for Autonomous Communities.” The impression on all who attended. “NCOR NCOR offers a range of workshops, panel ruined my life!” cried first-year Johanna discussions, and informational tables workshop was conducted by members Is America too religious? of the Rhizome Collective, a non-profit Warren, when asked about her experience aimed to promote organized action at the event. “It was really informative and p. 2 against “the injustices and inequalities community organizing project based out of Austin, Texas that develops techniques for interesting – but I can’t do anything, now that we confront in our daily lives and in that I’m aware that the world around me is the world.” This year it was held March 7- creating de-centralized, sustainable urban Local food at Bard, p.4 infrastructure. “It’s what I’m interested in, going to hell,” she explained. 9, with workshops running on Saturday Worthington, however, found the whole and Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:00 in the and I wanted to hear about it for myself,” he said. experience empowering. “I don’t feel Bard Rugby, p.4 evening. apathy or a sense of helplessness leaving The conference itself was organized While Raskin was generally satisfied with his schedule, choosing workshops those workshops,” she said. “NCOR brings by a coalition of social action-focused the people fighting for equality, solidarity, Bard in disrepair, p. 5 student clubs at the university, known as proved more difficult for some students. Sophomore Liza Birnbaum chose hers and freedom to its conferences. The Community for Action and Social Justice. conference shows what is being done and Serial Fiction, p.6 They receive partial funding from AU’s based on her interests, and thus attended many workshops on Anarchist Theory. what I, or anyone, can do to help out— to Student Activities Department. spread the word.” Looking back, however, she realized it observer Minds come together to decide is america too religious? By Alex Eriksen Students, faculty and community members filled nearly all 400 seats of Olin Hall to attend a debate held by the Bard Political Union Thursday night, Mar 13. The topic was the resolution “America is too religious” which was supported by President of the college, Leon Botstein, alongside sophomore Frank Brancely and senior Shay Howell. Arguing against was college chaplain and theology Professor Bruce Chilton, with senior John Burrows and sophomore Ben Raker. “What we’re trying to do is create exciting conversation about contemporary issues,” said President of the Bard Political Union, Andrew Simon, a 19-year-old sophomore and American Studies major. “The point of tonight’s debate isn’t necessarily to draw one particular end-all-conclusion, but to start with one particular conclusion and work our way backwards,” said Simon. The debate began with a vote from the audience on the resolution by a show of hands, “too religious” won by majority. “Religion cannot be proven, it is decided,” said Botstein in his opening statement. He Photo/Mae Colburn argued that religion interferes with the democratic process when private religious dogmas become a means of superceding the authority of the state. Botstein argued that education, medical research and women’s and children’s rights have suffered when scriptural law overrides that of the nation. From left to right: Event organizer and President of the Bard Political Union Andrew Simon, College Chaplain and Theology Professor Bruce He cited the practices of the Church of Christ, Scientist, a Christian sect founded Chilton, President Leon Botstein, and Event Moderator Abhay Puskoor. in 1879, which teaches that death, sickness, and the material world are illusions. The to speak was a Catholic student who read Gender and sexuality studies: church prefers prayer in lieu of medical a statement asking the Bard campus not to treatment. As a result, countless children discriminate against religious views. She Revitalized and Re-energized of Christ Scientists have died from for placing the GSS Program within the stated that several of her religious friends y enya himkin treatable illnesses. The church remains had left the college due to the negative B G S Human Rights Program (HRP). This would unreformed to this day. “To impose a atmosphere towards religious students. The not mean that anyone who moderates religious life would end democracy,” said Botstein later responded, in an interview Gender and Sexuality Studies (GSS) in GSS is therefore also a Human Rights Botstein. “We are reasonable, ethical, with the Observer: “I think there’s a lot of Program is not dead. It is alive and well, major. It simply means that in order to logical beings capable of forming a religious toleration, but there’s probably a and undergoing a makeover. Over the past provide the program with a comprehensive government without appeals to the divine.” lot of fun-making of people who are not in a few months, a committee of students— infrastructure, it would be placed under Professor Chilton cut the tension early norm. I think the college needs to do more including Genya Shimkin, Mette Loulou the wing of the HRP. In addition, this on by opening with a joke: “I’d like to thank to protect minorities of opinion. There’s a von Kohl, Evan Spigelman, and Michael means that should a search for new President Botstein for introducing me. kind of thoughtless consensus about many Burgevin— has been working with Dean tenure-track faculty members in Human Now I’d like to introduce him as my boss,” issues and the people who deviate from of the College and the Program’s interim Rights be initiated, the student committee said Chilton. In his opening statement he that sometimes need some protection by director Michele Dominy and a team of could ask that they search for someone identified religious fundamentalism as the institution so they don’t feel isolated. dedicated faculty members to revitalize who would consistently teach GSS courses the true target of the discussion. “Having Society has this hate problem— we’re not and expand the program. At a recent lunch (and perhaps direct the program). Dominy in mind certain specific problems there’s very tolerant when you get down to it and meeting, we shared ideas and discussed informs us that she is very excited about a tendency to take religion for them all expanded course offerings with Dominy, two new hires: Beth Gershuny in clinical we’re not particularly interested in hearing Tom Keenan, Kristin Scheible, and Robert psychology and Elizabeth Holt in Arabic and reach false conclusions,” said Chilton. someone who doesn’t agree with us.” In “If the resolution was ‘America is too Weston. language and literature, both of whom their closing statements each side agreed In the past, the GSS Program has bring experience in GSS. There are still a fundamentalist’ I would not be able to to condemn radicalism while promoting argue against it.” Chilton went on to liken been hindered by a number of factors. number of faculty searches in progress, so civic activity and dialogue. “People who Generally speaking, the program was we may gain more GSS faculty in the near religious radicalism to spiritual junk food never learn to agree to disagree dissent “it’s a lot like greasy potato chips and if strong through the nineties, but suffered future. into offense, people are offended by the a drop in enrollment after the inception For next fall, the student committee you don’t like them, the solution is not other person’s behavior and that’s just of the Human Rights Program in 2002- is working with faculty on new courses. to stop eating,” said Chilton. He stressed wrong,” said Botstein. Both audience 2003, which provided students with new Emily Barton has already signed on to that religion and fundamentalism are members and debate participants seemed interdisciplinary opportunities. Perhaps teach “Development of Lesbian Literature two different things and that eliminating the single largest issue was that of identity in the 20th and 21st Centuries,” and we theological studies only allows We are reasonable, ethical, politics. “The critical distinction is are hoping George Robb will return to fundamentalists to fill the gap and garner between identity as an analytic category teach another section of “The History attention for themselves. “They start with logical beings capable of and personal identity which can be seen of Sexuality.” At our lunch meeting, the infallibility of the bible and they go forming a government as reductive,” explained Dominy. “Faculty Robert Weston provided us with a list of down hill from there,” said Chilton. “What prefer to hold to theory— guide the courses that he would be willing to offer; we need is to find how we can develop a without appeals to the divine. discussion through theory, not to have this list included everything from “Post- discourse to promote healthy debate and students begin with the self.” This conflict Stonewall Literature” to “Perspectives in discussion on both sides of the issue.” -President Botstein caused a number of faculty members, who LGBT Studies” (which would serve as an Student panelists gave their arguments felt that personal identity was playing too Introduction to GSS ) to “Sexuality and the with more brevity. Brancely argued that pleased with the discussions that took much of a role in class discussions, to pull Media.” Other courses for the fall include: widespread public opinion made the issue place. “I thought the debate was really back from the GSS Program, explaining “Theories of Self: Gender, Politics and too broad to make any definite decision. informative, in that it brought up several the limited course offerings. Anti-Racism” with Elaine Thomas, “The Howell cited a letter from her father, given key distinctions that will definitely change GSS’ biggest problem at the moment Literature of Private Life” with Marina to her two days after the September 11 the way I think about religion and politics is that there is no faculty member able van Zuylen, and “Victorian Bodies” with attack on the World Trade Center. Her in this country from now on,” said junior to take on the role of Director. Though a Deirdre d’Albertis. argument centered on mortality as a focal Vivianne Greenwood. Botstein agreed: “It number of junior faculty members have Courses proposed by the student point of all religious consideration. “We was a great event, wonderful to see so many demonstrated a deep commitment to GSS, committee include: “International Hate don’t live in a world of black and white, people, both community people and those they are stretched too thin and cannot Crimes Legislation,” “Sexual and Gender just a spectrum of grey,” said Howell. in the college. Students on the panel were commit to a Directorship. Dominy has Politics in the Middle East,” “Universalizing Burrows and Raker forwarded that systems great, it was very well organized.” The topic stepped in to ensure that the program stays Homosexuality,” and “Seminar on of religious thinking invariably affect had shifted by the end to the conclusion afloat, but what the committee is pushing AIDS.” The student body continues to public life and should be more privatized for is a tenure-track faculty position in demonstrate, in the form of extremely that America is too fundamentalist and GSS. However, this is tricky (and here’s high rates of pre-registration, an intense but that religion itself was not the issue. the vote came out with a more even-sided The remainder of the debate was a light- where it gets a little confusing, so bear with commitment to GSS courses. Rumor has it outcome. “The vote was really just a tool to us). Because GSS is so interdisciplinary, that over 100 students requested spots in hearted exchange between Botstein and gauge what people thought as the came in Chilton. They discussed Pope Benedict hiring GSS faculty has always meant Nancy Leonard’s “Queer Theory” course and what they thought as they left, it wasn’t hiring people into other programs last year. Though there is a dedicated core XVI plans to visit the United States next the integral part of the program” said month and criticized his policy to bar (history, anthropology, literature, etc) and of faculty who will continue to teach GSS Simon. The debate was the inaugural event then having them offer cross-listed GSS courses, in order to meet the demand Catholics who support abortion from of the Bard Political Union, a new group on courses. This was done so that should the for these courses, the program needs a receiving communion. They also discussed campus formed with funds from the senior program collapse, the faculty member director and a tenure-track line. America’s religious future, Botstein gift of the class of 2007. Alumnus Ethan would not lose their job, especially since— However, students interested in GSS suggesting a revival of Catholicism as a Porter is recognized as the club’s founder as Dominy points out— gaining tenure in need not fret. You can still moderate, traditional religion not unlike its surge and senior gift benefactor. The club’s next interdisciplinary programs is often quite though the program is not a stand-alone, in the 1960s. He also predicted Mexican event will take place on April 22 and will difficult. so you must couple it with something and South American churches would play be a debate between students and Colonel While Dominy believes that it is else. If you have questions about GSS crucial roles in shaping American’s future Michael Meese, head of the social studies necessary for a tenured faculty member to moderation contact Michele Dominy or religious landscape. Before their closing department for West Point U.S. Military become Director, she is hesitant to request Tom Keenan, and if you are want to get statements they took questions from the Academy. The resolution will be that the a tenure-track line in GSS specifically. involved with the student committee, audience. One of the first audience members American Military should remain in Iraq. Recently the faculty has showed support contact [email protected]. 2 NEWS

lawyer to assess budget forum Continued from page one whether this funding would still come from the Convocation Fund, which is photo/YouTube constituted by the student activities fee and managed by the Planning Committee. Budget Forum would still likely be a part of the allocation process for other clubs. The qualifications that would allow a group to receive funds not subject to the A still from Graeme Reid’s film, “Dark and hostile amendments of the Forum will Lovely, Soft and Free.” Zakhi, the film’s nar- be one of the issues that Cannan would rator, introduces himself. like the coalition to discuss. However, she indicated that the educational events of affinity groups ought to be among those South African funded separately, because diversity is one Gay Rights of the core values of the College. A group are varying definitions of what constitutes process. Most of those present at the Forum of over twenty students from affinity a hostile environment, but it is usually agreed that alcohol ought not to be a part of Activist Speaks clubs met with Cannan to discuss this defined as an intimidating environment the budgetary process, and some suggested issue, and they have already submitted that hinders the capacity of a person that instead of distributing alcohol at a proposal to overhaul the allocation By Frank Brancely to take part in or realize benefits of an Budget Forum that an after-party be held. process. The Anti-Racist Dialogue (ARD), institutional activity or resource; such Student government has continued which composed the proposal, declined Most Americans would be shocked codes typically relate to the workplace to host weekly constitutional reform to find a Constitution designed in the to submit it to the public record. Noah and institutions of higher learning and discussions and plans to hold a previous decade that departs from those Odabashian, a representative of the club, have tended to be applied to cases of constitutional convention at the end of the of Western states and actually improves released this statement to the Observer: “It sexual harassment and racial or sexual semester. The ARD, which did not attend upon the Western model. Heavily [the proposal] has not yet reached a point discrimination. ARD described in an the Forum discussion and seemed less derived from its distinct experience with in its maturity where it would be worth email how Budget Forum constituted a willing to work with student government British colonialism and a comprehensive reporting on. We are in talks with the uniquely hostile environment for affinity and more in favor of the administration’s understanding of the political weaknesses administration to reevaluate the College’s clubs: “Some students, unfortunately, increased role in the process, said: “Oliver of neighboring states, the post-apartheid commitment and support of diversity; one do not see members of affinity groups as Traldi has done a lot of hard work, but he South African constitution bans the death aspect of that is the funding of affinity is a staunch constitutionalist, adhering to penalty and includes a same-sex marriage groups. We will issue a release as soon as Any club that is not directly a faulty constitution at that. This is like clause, granting gay men and women the something materializes from these talks.” dealing with a stick in the mud. Progress right to marry and enjoy the same benefits However, in an email interview with entertaining is at risk of losing needs change and those unwilling to do so a heterosexual married couple. Graeme the Observer, the ARD did offer some a drunken rowdy crowd [Student Government] will be left out of Reid, who is currently teaching in the insight into their proposed reforms. The the conversation. Gay and Lesbian Studies department at ARD seemed to disagree somewhat with -ARD Traldi indicated to those members of Yale University, was a key activist in the Cannan’s view of the qualifications for affinity groups present at the Forum that movement that led to the inclusion of this being exempt from the usual budgetary having voices that come from spaces that it was his preference to work with them to clause in 2006. His lecture Tuesday March process. Whereas Cannan intimated 11 in a crowded room in Olin was devoted are worth knowing about. That is a fact reach an agreement that does not involve that publications might be among those before Budget Forum enters the equation. the administration’s intervention in to the debate that emerged between the included, the ARD rejected this idea: “It is political and non-political actors regarding Add alcohol and procrastination and the allocation process. He also released an option to be a writer for a newspaper on you get a mob mentality that essentially this statement to the Observer: “Firstly, same-sex equality. campus. They have the option of not writing The debate surrounding this “canary just wants to be entertained. Any club members of the administration and the anymore; could the same be said about that is not directly entertaining is at Anti-Racist Dialogue alike seem to be of the constitution,” positive and negative members of affinity groups? No.” It is the connotations attached, is very much alive. risk of losing a drunken rowdy crowd.” under the impression that there is a simple “Nowhere are the ideals of the constitution position of the ARD that the College ought For its part, the Student Government and necessary contradiction between and the reality more discrepant,” said Reid to ‘institutionalize the funding of affinity Association responded quickly to the democracy and diversity. I don’t believe any The gap between public opinion, especially groups,’ to show its commitment to diversity. administration’s proposed intervention evidence in the history of Budget Forum in the rural countryside, and the political Cannan said that the “combative” in the allocation process. The Secretary bears that out. Secondly, the Student platform of the dominant party (the ANC), atmosphere of Budget Forum has been at of the Central Committee, Oliver Traldi, Association, which includes every Bard remains overwhelming. Homosexuality a “low-grade fever” for a long time and announced in an e-mail to the student undergraduate, has also begun formulating is cast as “un-traditional, un-African, and has been an ongoing concern. Because the body that allocation reform would be the a plan to address issues of transparency un-Christian,” a by-product of the West. College collects the student activity fee, she March 12, 2008 Forum’s main agenda item, and fairness within budgeting procedures. Cases of gay and lesbian social equality says, it “takes responsibility for the manner and Forum attendees spent over two hours We welcome members of any club or persistently find themselves argued before in which those funds are allotted” by the discussing ways to improve it. The Forum organization to join us in our work and we the Constitutional Court. And yet the Planning Committee. Budget Forum, resolved that the student activities fee be welcome feedback from administration.”. capacity of the South African political known for its hostile amendments and free raised in some fashion to accommodate As this article goes to press, it is not clear constituency to confront the rights of alcohol, is, according to Cannan, often the increase in clubs and clubs budgets, whether the three parties—administration, gay men and women with liberal results a site of “hurtful” and even sometimes and two proposals will be presented to student government, and the affinity is also perceived as a litmus test for the “racist” debate. She cited the distribution the Board of Trustees. The Forum also groups—will be able to reconcile the sophistication of the country. It will be “one of alcohol as one factor that contributes to discussed constitutional amendment differences between their respective plans of the key barometers” that determines the hostile environment and suggested that proposals that would make the allocation to reform the allocation process. It seems the veracity of its progressive quality, a alcohol ought not to be served at the Forum. product of democracy. It is precisely this process more transparent; these included certain that a change will occur, but the While underage drinking is an the institution of an “observer system,” success and level of agreement among the paradoxical position of gay rights that Reid understood reality for most Forum explored Tuesday evening. which at the very least would allow clubs to interested groups remains to be seen. attendees, the legal issue of a “hostile be privy to Budget Defense discussions and Examples that he used to elucidate this environment” may be less familiar. There paradox included the gay hairdressers in have some influence on the amendment his film, Dark and Lovely, Soft and Free, and the progressive theology found in local Pentecostal churches. As beacons of modernity, gays are seen as embracing bard students respond to Russian election the newest trends, some hair-stylists achieving near-celebrity status. “Why has Matusevich’s concerns are held by oth- speculation.” homosexuality come to yield such symbolic ers in the international community as well. Still, it seems that for most Russians, a power in South Africa? What do questions Through spokesman Thomas Steg, -Ger Putin endorsement is enough. This is likely of gender, sexuality, and kinship tell us?” Illustration/Walker Schiff man Chancellor Angela Merkel noted that, because, prior to anointing Medvedev as asked Reid. Gender, as the audience would “during the election campaign, there were his successor, Putin declared plans to as- learn, was absolutely implicated in the incidents and situations which caused us sume the role of Prime Minister upon the bedrock of erotic possibility. to determine that democratic and constitu- expiration of his second presidential term. “Is there a history of homosexuality tional principles weren’t permanently com- The Russian constitution, like America’s, in an African context? Is it performative? plied with.” only allows a president two terms. Thus, Is it a fashion?” asked Reid. Exploring Under Putin, the Russian federal govern- Putin’s decision to switch titles answered the idea that effeminacy is based on ment has expanded its powers considerably. many questions about how the former KGB traditional gender relationships and the The Kremlin’s control of most media, and agent would retain power, post-presidency. strong association of the perceived rise its frequent intimidation and exclusion of Putin has enjoyed for some time now an of homosexuality with “young people,” opposition parties has led many to declare approval rating above 80%, and has become he juxtaposed these notions with quotes, Putin an autocrat. increasingly infamous in the West for his excerpted from debates that raged during Indeed, many high-profile candidates’ autocratic tendencies. This has raised some the tumultuous process that finally resulted applications to run were dismissed by the questions as to how much power sharing in the inclusion of the clause, “Democracy Central Election Committee for reasons will truly occur between the former and fu- made it possible for people to choose.” varying from bureaucratic “mistakes” to ture president in the next administration. What one woman was bewailing was what the Committee’s belief that endorsement “[Medvedev] owes his whole career to Pu- she saw as the triumph of individual desire signatures were forged. tin,” says Matusevich. over communal necessity, cultural norms Yet, legitimacy questions aside, few doubt Aleeva is equally skeptical of Medve- and religious conversion. that current president and soon-to-be dev as anything more than a Putin proxy. Homosexuality is still seen as inextricably Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s previous “I’m sure that he will continue Putin’s way tied to democracy, human rights, and endorsement of Medvedev was sufficient of solving problems,” she says, “because modernity as well as the demise of tradition. to guarantee victory. In fact, Medvedev is otherwise he would never be chosen as his “The West can represent corruption of By Elias Isquith a relatively unknown personality to most successor.” social values, vulgar consumerism, and Russians. But it may not be so simple. When Pu- sexual decadence, or it can evoke images Although Dmitry Medvedev won Rus- About Medvedev, Anastasia Aleeva, a tin was first chosen as President, many saw of modernity, progress, and prosperity,” sia’s presidential election by a remarkable Smolny exchange student currently here him as little more than a puppet for former 70% of the popular vote, his victory was at Bard, says she has “no idea about his president Boris Yeltsin, a perception now remarked Reid. “Equality between not greeted with cheers by all followers of homosexuality and heterosexuality, as well personality.” Matusevich, similarly states, almost laughable. Russian politics. “I don’t think anyone has a perception of “The president has a lot of power in the as between men and women, could very “I have difficulty calling this an election,” well become a defining issue for modern Medvedev as a person. He’s kind of respect- Russian constitution now,” says Matusev- says Yan Matusevich, a Bard freshman who ed in world business and is perceived as ich. “Only time can tell if something actu- democracies.…. Sexual politics is indeed has lived in Russia and has family in St. Pe- turning into a democratic symbol. This more free market oriented than Putin” but ally changes.” Medvedev’s first term begins tersburg. “No real opposition parties were quickly describes these thoughts as “pure May 7. continued on page seven allowed in the election. It’s a farce.” 3 observer

Hearty Roots Community Farm Local Food at 433 West Kerley Corners Road, Tivoli Benjamin Shute, (845) 943-8699 Bard: www.heartyroots.com Weekly shares: $500; Bi-weekly shares: an update $275. Pickup at the farm. Hearty’s animal farm affiliate Awesome By Tamsin Flanders Farm will be selling chicken, beef, and Here at college in upstate New York lamb this summer and fall. Contact we are lucky to be surrounded by small, Owen at [email protected] owner-operated farms. Getting to taste some of the food grown around us should Germantown Community Farm 4873 Route 9G, Germantown be easy, right? For those who feel strongly Photo/Chas Cerulli about food politics, or who are keeping (518) 537-6139 tabs on our southerly neighbor Vassar germantowncommunityfarm.blogspot. College, Bard is a disappointment when com it comes to feeding students local food. The Farm at Miller’s Crossing Vassar established their farm-to-school 81 Roxbury Road, Hudson program in 2002, which expanded this Katie Smith & Chris Cashen, (518) 851- year to include some frozen food sourced 2331 locally and packaged in a new production [email protected] facility in New Paltz called Hudson Valley Regular share: $425; Single share: Foodworks. Vassar also hosts a weekly $220. Organic beef is also available. community farmer’s market featuring Pickup at the farm on Tues 4-7. twenty-odd vendors and has their own CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture), the Poughkeepsie Farm Project. Local farmers pose in Kline during this year’s Farmer Appreciation Day. Foregoing any discussion about the The barriers Chartwells corporate At a Cornell Cooperative Extension- have started providing locally-grown merits of local food, this investigation products as an option. But for us already will discuss the possibility of local food, standards posed to purchasing local a sponsored Farm-to-School meeting in few years ago seemed insurmountable. Red Hook in the spring of 2006, the in the Hudson Valley, what good is it if the the barriers, and to what extent Bard has food grown around us is shipped south in provided students with a taste of local. Currently, Chartwells sources its food incompatibility between the needs of a food from five or six large food distributors, in service corporation and the capabilities of order to be shipped north again? And even Chas Cerulli is the director of dining if these obstacles weren’t there, most of the services with Chartwells, the food service order to simplify what would otherwise a small farm operation left a room full of be an impossibly complicated purchasing Dutchess and Columbia County farmers growing season happens when we are not provider contracted by Bard. Chartwells in school. Facts are facts. is a subsidiary company of Compass that process. The questions the prospect of local and food-service providers discouraged. posed were many. How could it maintain What was needed, it seemed, was a local The local food you see in Kline today provides higher education dining services thankfully doesn’t come from Baldor for 600 schools nationwide. Chas says that separate accounts with twelve different produce distributor. A distributor of small farmers? How would these farmers be this kind called Northeast Coop based or Riviera, but from a series of local his interest in local food was motivated by partnerships Chartwells has formed over student requests, some before our time, able to make deliveries in an already busy out of Massachusetts had provided such day? And how could the farmers ensure services years ago before it was driven out the last three years. The first of these was but most strongly in the past four years. a creative deal worked out with a local When the topic of local food first came up, a regular delivery that would guarantee of business by United Natural Foods. No enough produce to provide 3,300 meals a farmer in the room had time to take such farmer named Chuck Abraham from Old Chartwells was limited in its purchasing, Saw Mill Orchard in Germantown—you both ideologically and in its policy, by day? The reality of a family farm harvest is a project on again. Chartwells currently that farmers naturally cannot guarantee a receives its produce from two distributors may recognize him as the guy who has national corporate structure. When I come to ladle our cider in the servery started asking questions three falls ago, it constant supply of produce on the scale that out of New York City, Baldor and Riviera. Chartwells needs to feed Bard College. In the last six months both companies in fall semesters past. Chuck Abraham was the very first year we had local apples. coordinates the purchasing, pick up, continued on page six Mens Rugby: new Season, new coach

said Wolf. Wolf would take his orphanage 1998 while driving to see a Bard rugby team and coach them for a month’s tour game as an alumnus. of matches in France in conjunction with The team also has the reputation within the Rugby World Cup. Afterwards, he the student body as being a fraternity. “The returned to the United States where he was big problem with that is that people don’t contacted by Forsyth for his interest in realize we are a sport on campus, a major coaching at Bard. sport, and that we work hard” said Forsyth. Wolf’s plan for the BRFC moves away “Guys come out and practice 4 days a week from brute force tactics and towards quick and play a grueling game. We all work hard thinking and movement. “I think he’s the and sometimes people don’t realize that perfect person to be our coach right now so we don’t always get the proper respect given our situation,” said senior Blaine as student athletes that I feel we deserve.”

Photo/Alex Eriksen Keller. The situation is more than just The sport attracts a certain type of person, the scoreboard problems the team has says Forsyth, one interested in full contact had in the past. They suffer from a lack sport and demanding physical conditions. of larger and heavier players; making 80 The strong bonds formed between players minutes against a team twice their size a are a result of their shared experience. “As grueling task. The team also plays with far as the fraternity aspect goes yes we only an A line, meaning they can’t afford are an egalitarian brotherhood. Except injuries and every man typically plays you pay with your blood, sweat and tears for the entire match. To counter these instead of dollars. It’s a social network as it The Men’s Rugby Club, shown here in a team huddle, plans to work smarter, not harder. problems, Wolf and Forsyth are focusing is an athletic one” said Keller. on better communication, ball handling, The team has also earned the fraternity y lex riksen and technique. “Now we’re going to play stereotype of being heavy drinkers. B A E a smarter game, make the bigger guys on “Drinking is part of the international The Men’s Bard Rugby Football Club Nador won’t be completely out of the the other teams run harder and get out of rugby culture, we don’t officially endorse began their winter training with Brian picture this season. Rumor has it he plans breath so they won’t be able to play that it as a team, but this is a college campus, Wolf, new head coach of the club. Wolf to remain involved as a player’s coach for crash game they’ve been running over kids learned how to drink before they ever is stepping in for John Nandor, who after weight training and conditioning. “He Bard with,” said Keller. got here. I don’t think it’s indicative of any two years as head coach agreed with BRFC always helps out the team, he’s a very The team however also suffers from social maladies that have to do with the President, Joe Forsyth, to take time off. important part of the rugby club at Bard a number of long-standing difficulties team,” said Keller. Forsyth is concerned “Unfortunately John never actually moved in that he’s always been around offering outside the control of player performance that such labels hurt the team’s credibility beyond Bard rugby. He doesn’t have any his help. He’s great for the club” said or coaching. The Seth Goldfine memorial and morale. “I think we do end up as coaching or playing experience besides at Wolf. Nandor could not be reached for field, located behind Kline Commons, a kind of scapegoat for all the negative Bard and maybe a few men’s clubs here and comment. where the team practices, is not regulation things associated with substance abuse on there” said Forsyth. The decision for a new Wolf, a Bard alumnus, graduated in size and so official games cannot be held campus. People only see the social side, not coach came as the fall 2007 season ended 2005 with a major in music but went there. With no home field, the team has the athletic when they think of the team, it with a record of 0-5. For Bard Rugby, the abroad to play and eventually coach Rugby been forced to hold matches on a pitch at makes me feel disrespected and it’s unfair,” plan is to work smarter, not harder this after playing with the BRFC. Abroad he nearby Red Hook High School. At such said Forsyth. season, and Wolf may be the man to make played with a Men’s Rugby club in New a distance, the bleachers of those games Wolf feels the negative reputation comes it a reality. Zealand. After one season, to continue have seen more relatives and personal from misinformation. “The fact that we “We wanted a coach who was more playing, he traveled to Fiji on the advice friends than Bard students looking to don’t recruit, that Bard students come to rugby-specific, one that could teach us of a local Fijian. Wolf arrived in Nadi, Fiji support their team. The poor attendance is us and we make them into a rugby team, more about the sport” said Forsyth. “Last without knowing anyone but soon found an issue of morale the team takes seriously. that’s the true essence of it. It’s a club, its season we felt we were just a bunch of guys himself training with a local Rugby 7s club. “A lot of young players, new players, don’t guys who feel like they get something from going out with our heads cut off; we didn’t Following a season in Fiji he returned to know what’s it’s like to play in front of a playing rugby. It’s not like other sports at know how to play the game. That’s the New Zealand for the beginning of the 15s crowd. It’s a spectator sport and it helps a Bard where you have a team and then go reason we made the decision we did.” The season. There, a friend recommended him lot when people are there to cheer you on,” out and find people to play on your team. team began a four-day-clinic February 20, to an Englishman who was the president said Forsyth. He hopes to communicate Rather with rugby it’s a student club for occupying the Stevenson Gymnasium’s of a Rugby club in Calcutta, India. with other sports clubs and raise funds to guys who want the opportunity to do basketball court. The clinic concentrated Wolf traveled there at the Englishman’s show administration their commitment something physical, to play, or they like on fundamentals as well as play-making invitation and began playing and coaching and need for a home field. Then either the social aspect or just the game. I hope and coordination. “My plan for the team with him. The team was involved with the Seth Goldfine field could be extended other students realize that,” said Wolf. involves raising the rugby I.Q.” said Wolf. a number of charities and through an to regulation size or a new field could be He also hopes to involve the team in local “I don’t feel like I’m coaching or making orphanage, Wolf began to train and put built on campus. The Seth Goldfine field is community service and volunteering. The people do anything for me-- they’re in it together teams of orphans. “Rugby is a also used for large outdoor functions, such team will play its first game at Red Hook for themselves. I want to offer guidance big program for them. It’s hard to get into as graduation, leaving the field in poor High School against Molloy College on with the knowledge I’ve built from my the soccer leagues because of the caste condition. Goldfine, the Rugby team’s April 13. experience, the rest is up to the players.” system but there are a lot of rugby teams,” founder, died in a car crash in February 4 FEATURES

About two weeks ago the Root Cellar suffered a collapsed ceiling in the ‘zine room. The Tremblay basement has been a longtime problem for residents. Besides a new, Tiles, wires, light fixtures and metal beams protruded from the gaping hole that took up strangely pristine laundry room, it remains wet and dirty and generally seems to be roughly one third of the ceiling. B&G fixed the ceiling two days after being notified. The inhabited by monsters. Exposed pipes and wires line the walls and most of the floor is Root Cellar is up and running again––open every day from 12 to 2. frequently taken up by a large puddle. Disrepair at Bard

Photos by Ben Wlody and Kendra Schirmer Text by Jeremy Novak

Half of the Old Gym basement is occupied by the Bike Co-op and Aramark offices. Further into the Bike Co-op, there are increasingly exposed pipes and wires in the ceiling, espe- cially in the bathroom, though it is still functioning. The other half of the Old Gym basement has been condemned for several years. The closing of this area dates back to a mattress that was set on fire on the floor of the Old Gym, causing structural damage and leading to an inspection by the fire marshal, after which many sections were deemed unsafe.

Blithewood Barn was once briefly considered as a potential location for a new student space. It would allegedly cost more to renovate than to demolish it and build a new barn.

5 observer FEATURES eating local continued from page four and delivery of fruit and vegetables from buy local and started a series of farmers half a dozen other farms in Tivoli and in markets in front of the campus center. For Columbia County, including cider, apples, three Wednesdays, Montgomery Orchards pears, plums, cherries, tomatoes, winter (located a mile from campus down River squashes, mushrooms, kale, chard, carrots, Road) coordinated with Hearty Roots and potatoes. Chas reports that the amount C.S.A. to sell fruit, honey, jam, and of local food purchased during the growing vegetables. Unfortunately, sales on the season this year increased 25 percent from second and third Wednesdays weren’t last year. Many of these purchases are used good enough for the two farms to feel like for summer activities and L&T, when the it made the risk of moving produce and growing season is at its peak. By the time exposing it to the sun worthwhile. When we arrive at school, we get to taste the late it reopens in the summer, Wednesday will

Photo/creative commons/Flickr season vegetables, more apples and pears officially be made Bard discount day at the than cherries and tomatoes. What has Montgomery Orchards’ farmstand on 9G. a shelf life though, may be around for a The farm is petitioning to have the shuttle while; Chartwells served up its final batch stop at the stand on Wednesdays. If we are of local beets, parsnips, and potatoes in the lucky enough to have the market come first week of December last semester. back to campus next fall, it will be because And if anyone had any doubts that students, on and off campus, will start Chartwells could make a local meal in thinking about how to plan their meals the middle of the winter, they should with local food in mind. have been in the Stevenson Gymnasium Another alternative is to visit farmer’s on February 1st when Chartwells fed 300 markets in Hudson, Rhinebeck, and looking up at the sky people a no-waste, mostly local food lunch Hyde Park. Bard students who frequent By Jack Kerns as part of Focus the Nation. On the menu the Rhinebeck Farmer’s Market can was chili and potato soup in bread bowls, find mushrooms, honey, maple syrup, coleslaw, beet salad, and apple cider. It was jams and spreads, pesto, yogurt, cider, this week: contrails delicious. candles, homemade pasta, wine, and with Aaron Ahlstrom Three years into this initiative, local at venison and other game. And lest we Bard means more than produce. The tub forget about the Community Garden, I ice cream is usually Sinon’s Ice cream from quote master gardener Paul Marienthal, Often it feels like the sky lives far away team of gremlins mix potions and pour Salt Point, and in the Green Onion you can “I grew more raspberries this year than from us. It appears to be another world, an noxious fumes out the back? Actually, jets find Bora Bora Juice from Highland and Bard students could pick.” Every year the untouchable realm so distant and removed produce clouds in a rather conventional Square Bites snacks from Poughkeepsie garden grows a variety of food, including that we imagine it inhabited only by gods way. When describing how clouds form, (these are obviously locally manufactured out-of-the-ordinary vegetables like brussel and the deceased. Humans, though, have it’s easy to compare it to what happens to rather than grown). Much of the Bread sprouts, sungold tomatoes, purple beans, learned the ways of flight and now visit warm breath on a cold night. The case of in Kline comes from Bread Alone in pattypan squash, curly cucumbers, and the sky on a daily basis. In fact, we have contrails is no different. Those whirling Rhinebeck/Woodstock or Formasano in okra. You just have to get to them in created our own type of cloud in the past engines release hot exhaust into air that’s Saugerties. Some apples and cider comes time-- before other students, or before century. The history of humanity’s cloud below -25° F. Tiny particles in the exhaust from Stone Ridge Farms across the river. they get too big, like the banana-sized began one hundred and five years ago fumes adhere to moisture and crystallize From time to time, most commonly in okra I found this fall. Also, one hundred when the Wright Brothers got themselves while water droplets formed in the jet’s Manor, Chartwells serves grass-fed meat new blueberry bushes to be planted airborne. Nowadays the linear markings combustion process immediately freeze from Prospect Hill Farm in Pine Plains. this spring will be ready to for harvest of jetliners, known as contrails, grace the in the frigid atmosphere, carving out a Last spring Chartwells started filling the this summer or the following summer. sky almost everyday. The word ‘contrail’ visible flight path. Essentially the same milk dispensers with milk from Hudson The relevance of this article in the middle is a mashing together of ‘condensation thing occurs when we see our exhalations Valley Fresh, a Dutchess County dairy of winter is that spring is traditionally the trail’ which unimaginatively refers to the during winter. Hot air mixes with colder cooperative. Although the price of Hudson time to start thinking about what one formation process of these white lines air which then becomes saturated and Valley Fresh milk is $1.09 more per gallon, will eat in the coming year. If you have a in the sky. It’s almost impossible to miss visible. Water formerly floating invisibly Chartwells has felt it worthwhile to assume partial meal plan or live off-campus now contrails’ distinct striations and most around in warmer air condenses into the added cost. Following Bard’s precedent, is the time to buy a local CSA share. Plenty of us have sat miles high sipping Coke tenuous strips. Like someone underlining SUNY Albany recently signed a deal with of Bard kids have had a good experience and eating peanuts while our airplane a blank page, airplanes haphazardly emit Hudson Valley Fresh for all dining halls. with Hearty Roots in Tivoli, a CSA started spews out a lonely cloud column.But contrails across the sky, adding humanity’s Chartwells nationwide has also pledged by Bard alumni. A share—two to three why would jet planes make clouds? Do voice to the chorus of the sky. to purchase cage-free eggs only. Currently grocery bags every two weeks—feeds 3 or they have secret compartments where a Just like all other clouds, contrails can they come from Indiana. 4 people who are cooking for themselves. also signify important developments As a fanatic locavore, I was discouraged Contact them now to ask if they have any in the weather. You might have noticed from attempts to work with Chartwells shares available that start in September. SLC Updates: that planes don’t always manufacture on local food because of the obvious There are also winter shares with three The more you know… contrails. Sometimes they shoot cleanly corporate problem, and also pretty well pick-ups in November and December. What’s been done: through a clear blue sky, dragging convinced that Chas has been working There are a number of other C.S.A.s in • The study space in the Faculty behind a quickly evaporating white tail. hard to bring as much local to the table Columbia County which deserve to be Dining Hall will now be open until Other times, though, a contrail can hover as possible. This fall I decided to work tried as well. (see box page four) five am around for hours like a ghostly testament on alternative options for students to • Chas Cerulli (head of Chartwells) of people’s travels. According to a study has switched coffee providers from by the University of Wisconsin, “how Ritazza to Seattle’s Best long a contrail remains intact, depends Student Space Survey Results • SLC pod casts are on WXBC and on the humidity structure and winds of Total Started Survey: 506 the new logo will be gracing t- the upper troposphere. If the atmosphere Total Completed Survey: 466 (92.1%) shirts everywhere is near saturation, the contrail may exist Total Written Responses: 210 (41.5%) • There will be a CDO forum at for sometime.” In English this means the end of this semester so that that contrails grow more stubborn the Do you think there is a need to increase bookable, student-run spaces on Bard’s students can voice their opinions wetter the environment is. If contrails campus? to April Kinser and Nicole Burman refuse to leave and instead hang around Yes - there is a very strong need 70.7% directly with other clouds for awhile, then it’s Yes - there is a moderate need 21.2% • ‘Coin Day’: an SLC rep will bring likely that some meteorological change Neutral - this doesn’t affect me 5.3% quarters to North Campus to act as is imminent. A nice adage would be, “If No - there is no need 2.8 % a stand in coin machine. Look out contrails endure, the weather’s unsure,” for the date. What’s in the works: or maybe, “If contrails stick in the sky, The Red Barn has been suggested as an INTERIM student space, to be used for appreciate being dry.” the next FIVE YEARS until a more permanent space is built. Because this space • Chas Cerulli is working with SLC Your choice. While contrails can is TEMPORARY, it will only be outfitted with temporary/movable architecture. to potentially use Bard Bucks in present a striking scene when illuminated Knowing this space will be temporary, do you support students accepting it as local restaurants. at sunset, the meteorological world • A student-run taxi service an interim solution? is underway to provide resounds with debates over them. Many Yes - I am excited about this opportunity 37% transportation and there is a resent humanity’s intrusion into the Yes - Not ideal but I’ll settle for this solution 51.9% possibility of rentable hybrid ZIP cloud world and cite contrails’ damaging No - this is not a good solution 5.8% cars for students to check out and effects. Not only do they physically Other (explain) 5.8% drive and a new shuttle bus to go represent pollution being expelled into on a Rhinebeck/Hannaford/Bard the atmosphere, but they also affect If the Red Barn is a 24-hour space, it will require student monitors to keep it loop temperature patterns on the ground. open. Would you be willing to take a monitor shift through workstudy/SRG, Did you know? The exact changes wrought by contrails similar to the shifts students work at the computer labs and late-night study • Punk Rock Prom has been banned are uncertain. Increased cloud coverage space? from Stone Row due to noise both cools the surface by blocking the Yes – I would do this job 70.1% complaints sun’s radiation and warms it by trapping No – I would not do this job 28.7% • There is a proposed class schedule in heat emanating from the earth. One change in which classes will study found that “The apparent reduction Because the Red Barn is in a remote, low-traffic location on campus, some feel be held Monday/Thursday or of the diurnal [daily] temperature range it is a dangerous area to be late at night. Would you support having a security Tuesday/Friday. In this schedule in the Midwestern USA during the post by the Red Barn to ensure the safety of students using the space? there will be twice as many classes last 50 years is partly attributed to the Yes - I believe there is a need for security at the Red Barn 17.5% on Fridays as there are now. increase of contrails along the main flight Yes - I would be fine with security being at the Red Barn 48.0% And Tuesdays will be the new corridors.” While contrails may please us Thursdays. aesthetically and possibly incite a little If students could not distribute alcohol in the Red Barn, but could drink on the • There is only enough money pride at our accomplishment, they also premises (such is the case with SMOG and the Root Cellar) would you still sup- available to build walls on the alter our environment in unknown and port it being used as a student space? extension of Smog OR to actualize likely detrimental ways. Our entrance Absolutely 43.7% the Red Barn. into the world of clouds, though exciting, Yes, but I’d rather students were allowed to serve/distribute alcohol during • A lawyer is coming to Bard involves increased responsibility and the events 51.7% to investigate the hostile need for a better understanding of our No 2.8% environment of Budget Forum. relationship with the sky. 6 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT Book Column Real Chemistry By Nick Scribner It’s been three years since indie rock legend Stephen Malkmus graced his fans with a new album—the longest gap in the sixteen year Pavement/Malkmus epoch. But it appears that Malkmus has done more than just smoke pot and play with his second child during this time. Returning with the Jicks for his fourth post-Pavement album, Real Emotional Trash (Matador, 2008) is Malkmus’s most consistent and addictive release since the glory days of Pavement. Whereas 2003’s Pig Lib lacked cohesiveness and vigor, and 2005’s Face the Truth was a somber retreat from his trademark quirkiness, Real Emotional song to assuage the recent onslaught of Trash marks a new—and better—direction indie twee-rockers. in Malkmus’s disoriented solo career. The most defining component of this The Jicks are also returning with a album is Malkmus’s enchanting guitar reinvigorated sound, replacing drummer jams. His layered array of riffs and 1970s Joel Moen, now a full-time member of rock leads are reminiscent of Pavement’s Short Stories on The Decemberists, with ex-Sleater-Kinney Wowee Zowee, but with a heavier dose of drummer Janet Weiss. Weiss brings a psychedelic divergences. Malkmus and heavier rock n’ roll punch to the lineup, The Jicks sound more confident jamming which was one of the many elements that together, with the band’s chemistry Notable People manifesting itself in psychedelic jams y ack erns The Jicks lacked onPig Lib. B J K But the real focal point of this album is, like “Baltimore.” The last track on the of course, Stephen Malkmus. For once, his album, “Wicked Wanda,” is a hopeful “I am not Jackson Pollock,” the sense. laid-back, neurotic vocals and spontaneous glimpse into whatever lies ahead for narrator announces in the opening guitar solos never drag on tiresomely. The Malkmus’s future musical career. In the story’s first sentence from John And it’s not that the devil is incapable of songs flow together like a tranquilizing end, Real Emotional Trash is a welcome Haskell’s I am not Jackson Pollock, a love. It’s just that what the devil calls “love,” series of psychedelic dreams, and the only return to 1970s guitar-heavy rock n’ roll, collection of short stories on notable and is an album that will reveal itself we call “evil,” and we try to eradicate that discernable break in the flw is “Gardenia,” people. The first sentence of another a three-minute, saccharine bubblegum further with each listen. story, “The Judgment of Pyscho”, reads, evil. In The Exorcist they’ve tied the girl “Janet Leigh was never completely down and with their water and curses and naked during the filming of Alfred crosses they’re trying to destroy a thing that Hitchcock’s Pyscho, but she did have just wants some kind of existence. But they breasts.” The Evening Descends Famous, ludicrous, mythical, don’t give the devil a choice. And the devil, notorious, notable people: their naturally, is upset. It’s hard to think of the By Charlotte Benbeniste personality, to whatever degree, is devil being scared but that’s why it spits out necessarily subsumed. What makes them the thick green bile. To sicken the priests. To If The Evening Descends were a car, other end, to create a set of songs that are unique is dramatically overshadowed drive them away. And they are sickened. it’d be a Toyota Prius, the ultimate easy to swallow and lovely to savor. by their uniqueness. I am not Jackson hybrid. Oklahoma quartet Evangelicals’ Breezy pop jangle “Midnight Vignettes,” Pollock is a collection of meditations The old priest has a heart attack, the young sophomore album successfully combines for example, pleads sincerely, “please don’t on the humanity of these people whose priest starts hallucinating, and let’s say that all the goods of a formidable iTunes tell my mother, she wouldn’t want to know humanity resides in a blind spot. Janet Mercedes McCambridge is the devil. library to create a theatrical, spacey, pop I’ve been goin’ crazy.” Listening to the Leigh is conflated with her character in extravaganza. In an interview post-debut, first twenty seconds of “Skeleton Man,” I Psycho, and her humanity is presented in from “The Faces of Joan of Arc:” Evangelical Josh Jones revealed he had warn you, may result in serious confusion. light of the Trojan War, The Judgment of hopes for the band’s second album to recall “Is that Electrolane I hear? Perhaps some Paris, a painting by Lucas Cranach, and If this sounds gimmicky, you’ve got the the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Mission Ratatat?” you may question while the Girl Asleep at a Table, a painting by Jan right idea. This is what gimmicks aspire accomplished, Josh, Descends could be the album’s third track echoes the pounding Vermeer. In “Elephant Feelings,” Haskell to—what gimmicks want to be when soundtrack to a Broadway reenactment drums of “To the East,” in its baseline and interpolates straightforward accounts they grow up. But John Haskell takes no of the flight to Neverland, starring Marc is sprinkled with the stretched electronic of Topsy, an attraction at Coney Island shortcuts: he creates a wonderful reality Bolan as Peter Pan. chords of “Lex.” The song is upbeat and around the turn of the century (who for each icon. I am not Jackson Pollock Descends opens with its shadowy airy and you’d most likely never guess was an elephant), the Hottentot Venus, resonates all the more deeply because we self-titled track that has trouble deciding that it sings of a black sheep looking for a kidnapped African woman who was think we know the truth about Orson whether to lull you asleep with its ghostly acceptance, or as Evangelicals sing it, “a shown off as an oddity in the early Welles, or about Laika, the first dog in hums or act as a mid-song alarm clock stranger reaching out for your hand.” nineteenth-century in London, and space, but upon realizing we have no blaring 80s Guitar Hero-worthy power If one song on this album epitomizes Ganesha, a Hindu deity with the head idea, we want these fictions to replace chords, setting the tone for the rest of this Jones’ desire for Zombie film drama, of an elephant and the body of a male our preconceived notions. dichotomous fairy-tale. “Bellawood” is it. The song elicits flashbacks human being. I’m not giving anything Haskell cofounded the Huron Theater The Evening Descends is a lyrical Yo- of the glam-rock ghouls of Michael away when I say that Topsy is executed in Chicago where he performed his own Yo, alternating between cleverly playful Jackson’s “Thriller,” video while Jones for being who she was (a minute-long writing; mp3s of selections of I am not quips between doctors and patients and repeats “strange things keep happening short film produced by Thomas Edison’s Jackson Pollock are available at http:// dark and candid warnings of death and all around my head, strange things keep manufacturing company captured johnhaskell.home.mindspring.com/ insanity. But Evangelicals artfully imbue happening” amidst tortured wails and Topsy’s death by electric current), and sound.html extremes of both ends of the lyrical 60s Drive-In Horror movie sound effects. that it all makes perfect, tragic, beautiful spectrum with musical touches from the The album quickly changes pace with highlight, “Paperback Suicides,” a carefree and simple jingle where “Forever” Beach Boys’ harmonies and Kim Gordon-like shouts intermingle. From the beat of the drum to the layers of eerie drones, “Here in the Deadlights,” is almost an exact imitation of the intro to “Comfortably Numb. ” “Bloodstream” closes out Descends with overwhelming harmonies that pre-Uxoricide Phil Spector would happily approve of. Two years after their debut, Evangelicals have still not quite found their own sound, but have certainly mastered combining everyone else’s, which ironically enough, has created a record that is dramatic and strange and dare I say it, quite unique. graeme reid

Continued from page two is not surprising....This is precisely what defines democratic cultures; their order is not defined by nature, or by any other transcendence: God, tradition, culture, or religion.” Graeme Reid’s lecture inspired various informed questions and reactions, not just about the South African experience but about the entire apparatus of politics, anthropology and queer theory.

7 observer ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT The new Son:

Part 2 Illustration/Sofia de Guzman By Nick Ogonek

“So,” Peter asked, “Has anything come Fiona had turned from the sink and back yet?” was leaning against the counter, facing the Fiona, leaning over the table to heap boys. Peter looked a little hurt. “You don’t a second serving of linguine onto the look thirteen.” amnesiac’s plate, knew Peter asked not out “No. I’m sorry,” he turned to Fiona, “I’m of rudeness but a kind of impatient caring. sorry.” She could not really admonish him, though “You look tired,” she said. – she was just as curious and was grateful “I . . . you both have been so good to that he had steered the conversation in me,” his voice cracked and he looked at the Orangey-gold.” He brought his eyes down tea, toast and a shower. In her mind, she that direction instead of her. uneaten plate of pasta in front of him. His to hers. wrote a draft of the letter she would write “Not yet.” The boy smiled at Peter and eyelids sagged. Peter closed the notepad. “See you in the morning,” she said, and the boys for when they woke up. She would then at her. Fiona had found some more He had written two lines. gross feet and went downstairs. put it on the kitchen table along with some band-aids and Neosporin for him after he don’t know age. Peter was pleased when Fiona told him money. Good morning! I’ll be back around took a shower. He looked a little better. He “You should go to sleep,” she said to the the juicy new tidbits from the ascent to the 5:30 or 6:00. Feel free to eat anything in picked up the fork and looked at it. “This is strange boy. It was 7:27. The sun had left strange boy’s room. He wrote them down the house – there’s leftover pasta if you’d nice silverware.” He quickly set it down. the sky, but its color had not. right away on the notepad, forgetting to dry like it. The money is for groceries– Peter Fiona wanted to try a more focused tack. “Yes,” he said, the relief in his voice his hands of the dishwater. Suds stained the you know where to go. I’ll call at lunchtime “Do you remember something you were tangible. notepad and he wiped them off impatiently, to give you the list. Also, Peter – not too really good at or something you really While Peter worked on the kitchen, smudging his writing. And later, after the much TV . . . and then she saw a body liked doing? Maybe that’ll give you a clue.” Fiona walked the stranger up to the guest kitchen had been bullied into something stretched between the front door and the She set the serving bowl down and slid room. He was gripping the banister as if approaching tidiness, when she and Peter screen door. He was wearing her green T- back into her chair. dragging himself upstairs. were sitting in the living room, reading Shirt and black pants, and his head was at “Hmm . . . When I was taking a shower, I “Long day, huh?” she said. (though she could tell that he was itching an angle that seemed unnatural compared noticed that my feet were really gross.” “I was thinking, about my feet. I to watch TV), Fiona thought she might to the rest of his body. As she came closer, “Gross?” remember a wood floor, with a black mat have figured something out. I wonder her feet like lead on the dusty floor, she saw “Yeah, there were blisters and,” he over it. The mat was really . . . rubbery, and if he was a dancer, she thought, her eyes that it really was him, the stranger. That he yawned, “ calluses.” the floor was slippery.” directed at but not focused on the book held tightly in his hand one of the canvas “Hmm.” Peter said and got up from his “What kind of shoes?” in front of her, absentmindedly stroking bags she had bought from a local library chair, crossed to the desk in the corner “Thin-soled ones.” Pacha the cat. The blisters, the shoes. She fundraiser. Some silverware, Peter’s and rummaged beneath stacks of bills and Fiona and the boy thought for a minute. thought about the floor. She had danced Gameboy, and maybe ten loose twenty- fliers, and found a notepad and a pencil. They were on the threshold of the bedroom. as a girl, and the wooden floors at the dollar bills spilled from the bag. She “What from?” He turned the light on, the yellow light community center where she took classes wondered how he had found the money. “What are you writing down?” spreading over the darkened room. Fiona were hard to get a good grip on, especially She had hidden it so well, she thought, “The things you’re saying, so we don’t began to hope very much that he would with the thin shoes you wore. Before class, so secretly in the old cigar box beneath at have to remember it all.” stay with them. It was easy to imagine him the teachers unrolled a black mat over the the back of the pantry. A breeze shifted The strange boy frowned. “Oh.” A staying, going to the same school as Peter floor which was easier to dance on. She the bills, nudging them in little eddies darkness slid down behind his eyes. He did. They would have to make him take a got to class early most weeks. She would around his face. In his other hand, he was looked down at the table and then at test, to find out what grade he should be watch them. Was that what the boy meant? gripping what looked like the keys to her Peter. “Something where I used my feet in. She could see him intriguing the girls She was about to tell Peter but didn’t. She car. He was wearing a pair of her flip-flops. a lot.” and frustrating the boys. He was good wanted to sleep on it. They were much, much too big for her but “Do you remember how old you are?” looking in a vague, unconcerned sort of That night she slept soundly, as she they had been on the clearance rack at K- “How old do I look?” way. Did he have parents? she thought. usually did, but was woken by a crash she Mart. This was why she bought them – she Fiona had got up and began to clean Would they come looking for him? They thought came from the first floor. She had wanted something to wear for when she up the kitchen from her cooking. Peter should take him to the police tomorrow to almost got the covers off and the bedside gardened. They were too big for the boy, studied the strange boy. “Older than me, see if anyone had reported him missing. lamp on when she realized it was probably too. She guessed, with a slow coldness, that and I’m eleven.” And if they hadn’t? She could keep him, the cat. As always when this happened, he had tripped over them while navigating “Do you remember anything about she decided, a new son. If they couldn’t she thought how does that tiny cat make between the two doors. Before he could get school?” Fiona suggested from the sink. help him remember his name, she would so much noise. Turning over on to her up, the door, which was very heavy and “I already told you. I don’t remember call him . . . other side, she was back asleep almost uneven on its hinges would have swung anything.” “I remember the sunlight,” he said immediately. onto the back of his neck, she thought, “You look about seventeen or eighteen.” looking at the dusty light-fixture he had In the morning, Fiona went downstairs. would have broken it. She could see a drool “Maybe I’m sixteen or twenty? Or just turned on, bringing her back to their It was 8:30. She had to go to work in an of blood, already congealed, run from his thirteen?” conversation. “It was, like, afternoon light. hour, which gave her just enough time for mouth onto the ground. political ads heat up presidential Johnson won that election in one of the urban, a procession of smiling, not-too- chief campaign strategist, insists there greatest landslides in American history. ugly-not-too-pretty faces, and maybe a bald race is a direct correlation—the commercial Most ads, though, are boring and eagle soaring for the conclusion. Yawn. achieved at least one of its objectives, ineffective—especially those that don’t Perhaps Obama’s refusal to manipulate placing Senator Clinton’s message front- involve the implied murder of the voters’ Ohio and Texas voters’ more primal fears and-center in the media narrative. children. For a candidate like Senator can explain the fact that, despite spending That’s the paramount goal of a political Clinton’s challenger, Senator Barack nearly three times as much as Senator advertisement, and the most successful Obama, the political ad is an especially Clinton on TV ads, he lost both contests. and famous ads in history are those that difficult task. Obama’s campaign is partially If a candidate has a choice between fear have provided the voters with a phrase based on a rejection of such scare-tactics. and hope, the smart gambit—at least when or image to immediately associate with That might be preferable in a moral sense, it comes to political ads—seems to be fear. a candidate. For Ronald Reagan’s 1984 but it sure leads to some boring TV time. After all, if you’re afraid of the dark, you’re reelection campaign, it was “Morning in Inspirational piano in the background, more likely to be awake, ready for that America”; for Bill Clinton in 1992, it was a sunny day in a piece of America that is three A.M. phone call. “Don’t stop thinking about tomorrow” and somehow both stereotypically rural and the accompanying Fleetwod Mac song. It can also work to great effect as an attack against an opponent—Walter Mondale’s “Where’s the beef?” on primary opponent By Elias Isquith Gary Hart remains part of the pop-culture lexicon today, and was instrumental Hillary Clinton’s recent “Red Phone” in ensuring he would be the Democrat political advertisement is the first of the humiliated by Reagan in ’84. 2008 presidential race to garner serious The most famous (or infamous) political chitchat. In the ad, we see a normal commercial of all time is an attack ad, and suburban home in the dead of night (the it only ran once. Referred to as “Daisy” narrator tells us it’s 3 A.M.), accompanied the ad was produced by Lyndon Johnson’s by seemingly endless close-up shots of campaign during his 1964 contest with slumbering, innocent white children. The Barry Goldwater. “Daisy” is really the narrator continues throughout, telling us mother of all fear-mongering political ads, that an important call is occurring in the all the way to Clinton’s new “Red Phone.” world, and it is our vote that determines In it, Americans saw a very young girl who in the White House will pick up the in a field of flowers, slowly and adorably other end of the line. Someone who knows ineptly plucking petals from a daisy while the world’s leaders, who has extensive counting to 10. As she runs out of petals, experience—or someone who, we infer, the image freezes, zooms in on her eye, and just doesn’t. The ad ends with Senator an ominous, doomsday countdown begins. Clinton, diligently taking notes and, we Suddenly the screen is full of mushroom assume, answering calls, all under a subtle clouds. “These are the stakes,” the narrator but wonky-looking desk-lamp. tells us, urging us to vote for Johnson— Although the direct effect the ad had on who says in the ad that “all God’s children” Clinton’s victories in the Ohio and Texas must learn to “love each other.” Watching it primaries on March 4th is unclear—Mark today, the ad is so heavy-handed I couldn’t Penn, the ad’s originator and Clinton’s help but laugh, but it should be noted that 8 ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT OPINIONS america is not too religious, it is too diverse by Mike Levine Both President Botstein and Chaplain stop eating. Religion as a whole is not the homogeneous society that I described. Chilton looked cool, calm, and confident problem; fundamentalism is the junk food But is heterogeneousness really an as they walked down the isle of the America should cut out of its diet. advantage? In America, there is a constant Olin auditorium. In just a few minutes, I was quite disappointed by Chilton’s power struggle between political parties, they would begin the first debate of a counterargument. It seemed that Chilton religious groups, and intellectual circles. series hosted by the newly revived Bard and his two student panelists were content These sub-societies within American hold Political Union. The format of the event with taking the defensive in the debate. common beliefs and values, and strive to was quite simple. The moderator began Instead of attacking President Botstein’s shape society in accordance with their by announcing the resolution, and the argument, Chilton chose to divert the views. Instead of working together to do Campaign 08: audience voted on the validity of the claim from religion as a whole to a specific what is best for the society as a whole, statement. The resolution was short, simple, form of religion. Chilton appeared to we find ourselves in petty arguments When Surrogates and controversial. America is too religious. merely want to take the pressure off of the dealing with the value judgments that Hands flew up in support of this resolution, Catholic Church, and used the Church’s define our sub-societies. Conflict between Attack and it is likely that over two-thirds of the embarrassing younger cousin as the these different groups is an intrinsic audience supported the claim. The night characteristic of our society; people desire by Elias Isquith followed with arguments by Botstein and In an ideal society, all to live in societies in which the law parallels Chilton, followed up by shorter statements the citizens would, by their beliefs and, because the structure and Senator Barack Obama won Mississippi by student panelists. The debate panel then nature of our country prevents this, each Tuesday night, adding to his already had an open dialogue, which, towards the their own free will, group fights for control over law. America substantial delegate lead over Senator end of the debate, was opened up to the hold the same religious, is certainly not at an advantage because of Hillary Clinton. But, although every audience. Botstein and Chilton made their being heterogeneous, and if anything, it is win in a primary contest as competitive closing statements, and then the audience philosophical, and the source of most of our internal conflict. as this one is valued, elections haven’t voted again. The final vote appeared to be political beliefs. In an ideal society, all the citizens been the story since Clinton’s big wins more evenly split amongst both sides, but would, by their own free will, hold the in Texas and Ohio. Instead, the heated only two-thirds of the audience remained, same religious, philosophical, and political rhetoric emanating from advisors to so the vote may have been inaccurate. scapegoat. beliefs. In this society, all laws would be the campaigns has inspired the most Both sides presented rational I pose an alternative to Chilton’s just as they would be derived by the values commentary. The hubbub began with arguments. President Botstein argued counterargument. Botstein argues that and morals to which all members of the Samantha Power, a Harvard professor, that religion should be a private matter, religion is a private matter, and asserts society subscribe. Of course atheists in a Pulitzer Prize winner, and now-former and should not enter the public realm. that one is only free to practice their heterogeneous society would state that foreign policy advisor to Barack Obama, Like Immanuel Kant claims in What is religion as long as it is in accordance with America is too religious; a society with and her comments to a reporter from the Enlightenment and Henry David Thoreau the laws of the government. However, this some religion-based laws does not parallel UK paper The Scotsman. Although the in Civil Disobedience, Botstein maintained claim seems to question the integrity of their idea of the ideal society. If America interview was initially agreed to be off the that while an individual is free to believe the American government: who has given was not too religious, conservatives would record, at some point Power proclaimed what they wish, they ultimately must follow the government the right to set limits on think it too liberal, capitalists would think Clinton to be “a monster” for her tactics the laws of government. If one wishes to our freedom of religion when they are it too socialist, immigrants would think it in Ohio. Predictably, the comments were reject the laws of their government and live supposed to be separate entities? I know I too nationalist; the list could go on and on. published; more predictably, the Clinton by the laws of their faith, they must do so certainly did not. It is no surprise that the president of Bard camp called for Power’s “resignation” in civil disobedience, and accept the state’s Our government is inherently unjust College, the second most atheist school in though she held no official position. punishment. In his argument against because, unlike Locke’s political society, the United States according to Princeton The speed in which Power acquiesced religion-based government, he claimed we as citizens do not have a social contract Review, would think that America is too and bowed out was surprising. At a that laws based in religion only adhere with the government. We are born religious. moment when many Obama supporters to certain practices and are extremely American and from the moment of our While both speakers made convincing (myself included) were anxious for the subjective, and that it is inherently unjust birth we are told we must accept the laws arguments, I agree with neither President Senator to show a little more bite, to to subject a state to laws created by some of the country. We can not choose to leave Botstein nor Champlain Chilton. Religion place his “new politics” aside for some unseen power. the American political state and form is not the problem. It is the intrinsic old fashioned toughness, the quick loss The counterargument to Botstein’s societies which better suit our needs. Here injustice within our political society that of a brilliant foreign policy mind—the statement, while rational, seemed to sidestep is where the problem lies, not in religion. makes religion appear to be a problem type of thinker who would not have around the issue at hand. Chaplain Chilton Individuals would prefer to be a part of a to the non-religious. There will always advised authorization of the Iraq war— claimed that what Botstein labeled religion political society in which the members be a power struggle between ideological was a disheartening sign. Obama’s was actually fundamentalism and that the share common beliefs and abide by laws societies within America; compromise is quick release of Power, coupled with correct resolution would be that America of which they, as a collective, believe to our only option. Until then, we have debates Clinton’s recent comments that Obama is too fundamentalist. Fundamentalism, be just. We are not part of a society that such as this one to keep us entertained. has not passed the “commander-in-chief Chilton claims, “is the potato chip of has been formed in such a way. Botstein threshold” appeared at first to be a deadly American culture.” Just because America claims that “we have the advantage of combination, possibly casting Obama as has become fat does not mean we should being heterogeneous,” as opposed to the an overly intellectual pushover. And while there is an argument to be made that by sticking to his guns—continuing to run a campaign of high moral standards and thorough classiness—Obama impressed zizekian sparring and comforted supporters and neutrals alike, I believe that the situation blew by Myles Curtis over more because of Clinton and an increasingly high-profile campaign A daring group of young men can have these men restrict their activity to fundraiser than anything else. be spotted about campus, in a Literary the court! These essence-sappers betray The most salacious news items Obama Theory survey or an Introduction to Hegel themselves in their own demands––for can—and has begun to—use to greater class, at a Hitchcock screening or a two- how could these men possibly restrict impact have been the recent comments page Observer spread. Likely one also their activity when they are duty-bound from former Vice Presidential nominee finds them on Friday or Saturday among to their boundless will, a will they can no Geraldine Ferrano, a Clinton supporter our own distinct beau monde, toasting more refuse than a full sail a mighty gust. and fundraiser. Ferrano cast herself and posing with the brightest lights Bandy these men were born to do and as yet another Clinton surrogate to of our generation’s grand intellectual bandy they must! One never tires of the bring race into the contest, saying that constellations. This is conjecture, however, brow-furrowed deliberations that precede Obama’s skin color is all there is to for the author is an invalid who spends his their games: what today, you Olympians in explain his success and that “if he was weekend nights quietly reflecting upon his white shorts? The One-up? The Ironman? a woman (of any color), he would not be collection of melancholic objects (skulls, The Cuthroat? I squeeze my eyes closed in this position,” he added. “He happens flames, mechanical birds, etc.). Thank and supplicate: The California! begs my to be very lucky to be who he is.” Obama God that such sickliness is on its way out, private desire. The California it is! Oh, rightly called the comments “patently thanks to these remarkable athletes: The ecstasy! The players line up. The lady absurd,” but his response proved to be Men’s Racquetball Tournament is in full besides me is lost in a swound. premature—Ferrano had more to say. swing! A disturbing incident: seated in the Ferrano recently added, now speaking These boys have never looked cuter, shade, per doctor’s order, I follow the about her first flap, “I really think they’re even when they break a sweat––a rare, volleys of two young men as they warm up. attacking me because I’m white.” I’m sweet occasion! One marvels at the One man misses the ball (but only because not sure who “they” are in the context effortlessness of their unbreakable focus, he was waving to his passing paramour), of Ferrano’s sentence, but I bet if we their irrepressible pluck, their smooth, and it lands by my feet. An undiscovered tried hard enough, we could guess. At controlled lobbies, their dignified, spontaneity seizes hold of my left arm. I first, although Power “resigned” nearly powerful returns. It is fascinating to watch fear heart failure and prepare my soul for immediately after her brief, unintentional such unsurpassed dexterity from the the angelic fold. My reverie is interrupted: comment, Ferrano remained on-board bleachers. Who’s on the bleachers? The “Nice throw!” yells one of these young the Clinton campaign for days. Long ladies, of course! The ladies and the non- men. Against all odds, I seem to have enough for the Senator herself to say athletic gents, young men wasting away thrown them back their errant rubber ball. that she disagreed with Ferrano, while from extreme latency. (One fears they They approach me––I feel my mouth go making a point to claim attacks that are incapable of producing an heir.) Their dry and send my attendant for some lime- “kind of veer off into the personal” have hope, however, is displayed in front of aid. They eye a collection of books I have been an ailment of both candidates’ them: who would not be made potent from brought with me to read in between their campaigns. On Wednesday, Ferrano the sheer vigor and vim of these men? One vying; falsely intrigued, they invite me to resigned, writing to Clinton that “the is overwhelmed by the virility generated by play a round. “Good sirs!” is all I can say, Obama campaign is attacking me to hurt their bandying about of the shuttlecock. and in a state of near delirium I make for you. I won’t let that happen.” To think some gripemongers would home across the freshly-cut grass. Considering how long and contentious this primary has become, I doubt this will be the last resignation we’ll see. 9 observer

got less that half their mini- Allotments as % of Convocation Fund, Spring 08 Spring 2008 Old Affinity Groups 17% mum budget, and 39 got less New Clubs 4% than three quarters. Old Clubs 49% The convocation fund doesn’t Publishing and Entertainment Clubs 25% grow between the fall and the Not Clubs 5% Budget Fiasco spring, so budget increases for Checksum 100% by Rob Ross some clubs need to be funded by Net Change in Allotments, Fall 07 to Spring 08 type party. reductions in funding for other Old Affinity Groups 0% The student body is at risk of losing a While democratic, this system has some clubs. But some clubs asked for New Clubs -7% serious flaws. The Committee doesn’t keep larger increases than others. Old Clubs 8% considerable amount of power and author- Publishing and Entertainment Clubs 0% ity. The unprofessional operation of the very good records of semesterly budget A close analysis of the budget Not Clubs 0% Planning Committee and the incoherently awards, nor does it keep records of what printed in the last Observer hysterical reaction of the Anti-Racist Dis- clubs actually spend their money as op- shows that “affinity clubs” on % Requested Budget Increase Spring 08 posed to they say they will. The Committee average asked for a 74% increase Old Affinity Groups 74% course (ARD) club have put the student New Clubs 100% does a horrible job of communicating with body in a position where it could lose con- in their fall ‘08 budgets (affin- Old Clubs 10% trol of part or all of the convocation fund. the student body; they don’t post club’s full ity = clubs purporting to be an Publishing and Entertainment Clubs 10% This would make it much harder for stu- budgets along with awards, making it very organization of minority stu- Not Clubs 0% dents to get funding for social events, for hard for club heads to decide whom to at- dents; LSO, BSO, etc.). By com- tack at budget forum. They don’t publish Net Minimum Requests as % of Convocation Fund innovative club ideas, and would ultimately parison, non-affinity clubs that Old Affinity Groups 30% remove one of the things that makes Bard a the Committee’s minutes, including which were more than two semesters New Affinity Groups 1% member voted for what cut. This time old asked, on average, for a 26% New Clubs 6% unique institution. Second Semester Clubs 4% Every semester, seventy dollars comes around, the Committee met even though increase from their fall ‘08 bud- half of the members were absent. Old Clubs 52% out of your tuition and goes into a spe- gets. Had affinity clubs actually Publishing and Entertainment Clubs 28% cial fund that the Planning Committee Worst of all, the Committee doesn’t keep gotten their minimum budgets, Not Clubs 5% allocates to student organizations. After books, doesn’t know how much money is these organizations would have Sum 126% the Committee makes its allocation deci- actually in the fund, or how much they’ve gained 30% of the total convo- sions, clubs can try to take money from spent of the $100,000 surplus that was re- cation fund, 13% more than they with outrage. But instead of bringing one another at budget forum. If a club is cently ‘found’. The record situation is so were awarded last semester. their case to the student body at budget still unhappy with the amount of money it bad that one recent graduate embezzled Of course, this is not to say that they forum, they began a boycott of the en- has received, it can petition departments money from the fund, and other students didn’t deserve the increase. Nor is it to tire budget selection process. This club for funds. The Athletic Department funds covered it up because they were afraid of say that they expected to get their mini- was the ARD. Their hubris is succinctly most sports teams and academic depart- repercussions against the Student Asso- mum budget. Most clubs know that the summed up by ARD member Marika ments fund some academic clubs. Also, ciation (no one on the committee now hands far outnumber the dollars, and Plater’s comment: “The Planning Com- clubs can always fundraise. was involved). One wonders how any- that they’re lucky to get 50% of their mittee cannot deny funds to the only This system is unlike that of most in- one on the Committee ever thought that minimum operating budget (My own resource on this campus for students stitutions because at Bard, the students this was an appropriate way to disperse club, the Bard Economists, got 13% of of color.” The Hindu Student’s Organi- decide which activities to support, which almost $150,000 of student’s money, or our minimum). In fact, the total mini- zation might be surprised to learn that activities are valuable to them, and which how this system would ever have passed mum budget requests exceeded the con- they are not a resource for students of aren’t. Here, funding decisions represent an IRS audit. vocation fund by 26%, or $36,000. The color (FYI, they got a budget increase of our communal values, rather than the sto- This spring’s budget process was rough ideals exceeded the fund by 66%. 227%). gy, capricious whim of a select few admin- on a lot of clubs. Half the Committee was One club, however, thought that they The ARD also insinuated that the stu- istrators (imagine Leon deciding which missing and Secretary Oliver Traldi had were entitled to a budget increase of dents on the planning committee and at clubs get funding). At Drew University, to fill in. More clubs applied for budgets 73%. They thought that their club was budget forum were prejudiced, or worse: students can’t get money for kegs from the this semester than last, and most clubs far more important than other clubs, “Affinity groups like A.R.D. must not have administration; they have to foot the bill asked for more this semester than they and, when the Committee awarded them to defend their budgets in front of a Plan- themselves if they want to have a ‘Manor’ had been allotted last semester. 26 clubs 15% of their minimum, they reacted ning Committee made up of mostly white Continued to page eleven nAFTA: WHO mESSED UP? by Caroline Friedman consumers. Others would argue that the share to rob the Mexican economy of the crops. But the government completely In this harsh climate of the primary benefits extend beyond consumers. Some comparative advantage that it might have miscalculated the importance of corn in season, candidates Obama and Clinton claim that NAFTA has actually benefited in agricultural production, the Mexi- Mexican society. Corn has been grown have recently been striking a much more the Mexican economy, citing its increase in can government does not remain blame- in Mexico for thousands of years, and re- populist tone in their rhetoric. Perhaps this per capita income. However, judging any- less. A fair assessment of NAFTA should mains today as a symbol of its culture and is due to the perception that low-income, thing without delving into particular sec- criticize the Mexican government, even history. Perhaps out of tradition, perhaps white voteRs are Clinton’s stronghold, and tors has rarely been helpful, and obviously if that is less popular and less entertain- out of subsistence, corn accounts for 60% Edwards, the populist dujour, dropped obscures reality in favor of pro-business ing than bashing the US. The fact is that of the cultivated land in Mexico. How the out of the race. Both candidates have been interests. Surely, a few large farmers and the Mexican government has continually government thought that this much agri- criticizing the North American Free-Trade transnational food corporations have ben- pursued policies that have failed the rural culture could simply be shifted is outra- Agreement (NAFTA) for a variety of rea- efited from liberalized trade with Mexico. poor, endlessly prioritizing the business geous. Beyond the cultural implications sons, including lax environmental and but the Ginni coefficient (a number that sector over the popular sector. Since sign- of corn, the lack of credit and technology labor restrictions, and a loss of American represents inequality within a country) ing NAFTA, the government has removed that a rural farmer has access to makes it jobs. But criticizing NAFTA in this fashion has steadily increased. NAFTA has had a many government support programs that impossible to switch to more competitive fails to address its greatest victims: farmers mild impact on the US economy. Almost used to address the needs of the country’s crops at the drop of an Iron Hand. It has in the Mexican economy. Citing Ameri- 900,000 domestic jobs have been lost, but it neediest. The Mexican government con- been shown that farmers with good qual- cans as the primary victims of the bill is is hard to parse this out from other modes sistently favors modernization over taking ity land, access to credit, and government neglectful and irresponsible. While anti- of outsourcing. It is around this fact that care of its poor. support have actually fared well under the globalization activists have been protest- Obama and Clinton have coalesced, with agreement. But the Mexican government ing against NAFTA from the get-go, and it Obama even offering tax incentives for A fair assessment of NAFTA is not creating the conditions necessary is clear that it has had a deleterious effect “Patriot Companies”. However, it is a su- should criticize the Mexican for success. on Mexico’s rural poor, there are decisions perficial position to take because it com- One of the most egregious mistakes the the Mexican government has made that pletely ignores the horrible effects Ameri- government, even if that Mexican government has made is its ne- has exacerbated its problems, and there are can agriculture is having on NAFTA and glect of the allowed tariffs. Mexico was steps that they could have taken to soften on Mexico. Neither candidate would want is less popular and less allowed to keep tariffs on corn trade un- the harsh blow of freer trade. to touch with a ten foot pole for fear of entertaining than bashing til 2008, which would’ve provided a much NAFTA is the world’s largest trading alienating America’s (miniscule) farming longer period of adjustment for farmers. bloc in terms of combined GDP, even sur- population. the US. However, Mexico chose to drop corn tar- passing the EU. Its main purpose was to The US government artificially lowers iffs as soon as NAFTA was passed. Instead phase out the majority of trade tariffs over the prices of its main agricultural export, Mexico has more free trade agreements of phasing out tariffs over fifteen years, a fifteen year period. It was passed by the corn, by offering huge amounts of subsi- than any other country in the world. This it was done in 30 months. What was the Senate in 1993, following the addition of dies to mostly large farms that could not is a clear recipe for export-led growth, as hurry? environmental standards by Bill Clinton. conceivably make a profit in a truly com- well as wage exploitation. This is a trou- It is fair to say that the US and Though it appears to act as a pact between petitive market. In 2000, US subsidies to bling policy, especially considering the Mexico share equal responsibility in three countries, in many cases agreements the corn sector alone were $10.6 billion, World Bank’s finding that greater eco- the squashing of Mexico’s agricul- are only bilateral. For instance, the pact be- which comes out to roughly ten times the nomic openness is inversely related to in- tural sector. The US has forever pur- tween the US and Mexico contains much entire Mexican agricultural budget. It’s as come for the bottom 40% of a society. It is sued unfair trade agreements, and wider agricultural liberalization than the if David and Goliath decided to call it a simply unacceptable that 81% of those liv- many would consider their agricul- US agreement with Canada. It has been fair fight, no rocks allowed. This creates a ing in rural areas in Mexico are impover- tural subsidies to be illegal. The US largely successful in opening up trade be- situation in which US growers are able to ished, and that for farmers rates of poverty basks in the glow of its exploitative tween the countries: trade between the US sell each bushel for only 2/3s of what it cost have increased by 10%. policies. No, wait, that is the glow of and its two partners has increase by 130% to produce. It is these kinds of duplicitous, NAFTA is only one example out of industrial waste. Subsidies are prob- since its signing. exploitative actions that undermine the many of the Mexican government favor- ably in the Top 5 worst policies of the Free trade has always been touted as a true spirit of NAFTA. ing corporate interests. Though Mexico United States, no kidding. However, way to lower prices for (mostly American) While the US is certainly doing its fair has been heavily courting Foreign Direct it would be a mistake to paint the Investment, only 0.3% of this investment Mexican government as an innocent has gone toward agriculture. What is has victim. In a hasty and irresponsible succeeded in is inviting corporations attempt to modernize, the Mexican such as Campbell’s, Hunt, Conagra, and government has ignored its poorest Tyson’s to increase their operations in sectors and exacerbated its problems. Mexico. What clearly needs to be done to cre- The Mexican government was not sur- ate equal advantages from NAFTA is prised by the injurious effects its policies, a reversal of US agricultural policy, a and blind free-trade agreements, have reprioritization of Mexican econom- had. They knew that growing corn would ic policy, as well as greater access to become completely untenable. However, financial and government services to they hoped with all their might that “in- its citizens, and greater regulation by efficient” farmers would just find new the WTO over subsidies. 10 OPINIONS Eliot spitzer’s fall from grace

Why Eliot with all the moral-crusading zeal that he became famous for using against Wall Spitzer should Street. The nature of the outrage against Spitzer is not the type that was brought not have against Bill Clinton, but rather it is most akin to when gay-bashing politicians are resigned... outed; excluding homophobes, people are angry at their hypocrisy, not their by Enrico Purita homosexuality. However, while there is a part of me The most shocking part of the breaking that is among those who are glad to see news on New York Governor Eliot Spitzer’s the man that The New Individualist called involvement in a high-profile prostitution the “Ayatollah General” back in 2005 get ring is not the prostitution aspect. Instead, his comeuppance, what makes me very it is the incredible speed at which the story uncomfortable is how Spitzer got busted.

broke. Spitzer apologized and resigned. For Illustration/Walker Schiff I think that this is the real story here, and enemies and friends of Eliot Spitzer alike, I think that it ought to make everyone else this turn of events is pitiful because it dis- uncomfortable, too. plays the continued taboo nature of victim- To try and keep things brief, there less crimes in this country. are federal banking laws under which, Now, many people would probably for example, a $10,000 deposit at your ard out of line agree that Eliot Spitzer was by no means a bank will automatically generate a “sus- perfect governor. He was probably an im- picious activity” report for you. Appar- Continued from page ten provement over George Pataki, but that’s ently, Spitzer was trying to get his bank not saying much. However, what makes to split up some big-dollar transactions his resignation irksome is the fact that it into smaller bits to try to avoid being students and at a Budget Forum of mostly had nothing to do with his politics or poli- flagged as “suspicious” under these laws. drunk, mostly white students [emphasis cies. ...and why his The banks, however, are also required by added].” The reference to race is a cop- By paying for prostitution, Eliot Spitzer these laws to report the type of banking out—an insulting one at that. But it’s con- did not falsely allocate taxpayer money, detractors should activity that Governor Spitzer was en- sistent, as far as I can tell, with this club’s he did not infringe upon the rights of New gaging in as “suspicious.” other communications. Club head Carolyn Yorkers, and most importantly, he did not lie not be happy I think that any American who is con- Lazard told me on the phone that I could to his constituents. While our president may cerned about the ever-increasing surveil- by Jason Mastbaum not attend an ARD meeting because “the not have paid for prostitution (that we know lance society that is developing in this ARD only admits students of color,” and of), he has done all the rest and yet he retains country ought to be very concerned by emails stating “Friday’s workshop is for I’m going to have to respectfully dis- this obvious breach of privacy. Regardless his post. agree with Enrico Purita about the na- people of color” were sent out to members By hiring a prostitute, Spitzer wasn’t disre- of whether what has happened to Spitzer of the community. In fact, I was barred ture of the Eliot Spitzer prostitution was spurred by political maneuvering or garding his duties as governor. The illegality scandal. The issue here is not really the from attending that event. Thinly veiled of prostitution in the United States falls into was simply a result of law enforcement, accusations of racism, closed meetings and usual, “Politicians sleeping with pros- people need to realize that this can hap- the same category as illegal drugs and gam- titutes is going to degrade the morals selective admittance are a troublesome bling. Because Spitzer was forced to submit pen to them, too. There should not be laws pattern of behavior, and everyone at Bard of our society!” claptrap. In reality, the that presume you to be guilty of a crime to some arbitrary moral code propagated by reason that a lot of people are happy to should give it serious consideration. the over-zealous religious voting populous, because you were handling more money The ARD has gone to the administration see the now former Governor Spitzer at the bank than the government thinks is the man that was elected governor is now go down over this prostitution scandal arguing that budget forum is a “hostile en- gone because he decided to pay for sex a cou- appropriate. Unless, of course, we are not vironment,” and that something needs to is that he had previously been involved actually a free country anymore. ple times. Regardless, prostitution goes back in prosecuting prostitution operations, be done to correct the process (at $2K plus, to biblical times anyway. Yes, I’m talking to I wish someone were hostile to me). The you, Mary Magdalene. administration is now considering, among Some may argue that Spitzer infringed apology and resigned. in the Oval Office. Clinton’s critics argued other options, dedicating a portion of the upon his duties as governor by not up- The false taboo against victimless crimes that while Ronald Reagan never took his fund to affinity groups. This, ARD argues, holding the illegality of prostitution. What in this country will never be stopped if suit off while in the Oval Office, Bill Clin- would eliminate the need for affinity clubs isn’t being addressed is that prostitution politicians don’t begin to stand up for ton couldn’t even keep his pants on. How- to compete for money. as a crime is a ridiculous concept to begin their own personal values. Change does ever, no one seemed to argue that a presi- In fact, the ARD’s argument is igno- with. not happen through such submission and dent could send troops to Iraq whether he rant of the facts. The total percent of I take issue with Spitzer on this one politicians along with their constituents was wearing a fancy Italian tie or nothing the convocation fund awarded to af- point. He obviously thought prostitution have to realize that it’s the 21st century, but tighty whiteys and slippers. finity groups this semester amounted laws to be frivolous since he himself par- and that scarlet letters along with the Prot- Now, there have been other ongoing to 17%, exactly the same as in fall ’08. ticipated in the act. So, why then, does estant work ethic died with the 1800s. investigations into Spitzer’s involvement ARD didn’t lose money to non-affinity he not defend his values rather than con- This terrible trend of a politician’s per- with more serious corruption charges. clubs; they lost money to groups similar forming to his voting populous by doing sonal life affecting his status in office has This is what should be focused on. Instead, to themselves. In fact, the total convoca- the “righteous thing?” got to stop. No one needs to be reminded Eliot Spitzer will be remembered as the tion fund disbursement pattern did not Spitzer should have come out and said, of the insanity of the Bill Clinton debacle New York Governor that hired prostitutes. significantly change from last semes- “Yeah, I paid for a prostitute, so what?” that caused a good president to be remem- It’s a shame that the moral police are writ- ter. What did happen was that the ARD Instead, he offered a seemingly insincere bered for the harmless blowjob he received ing the history books. didn’t get the massive increase in their budget they wanted. This would have happened even if the fund were parti- tioned. Incidentally, ARD was the big- gest winner at budget forum, gaining $2,350. At the end of the day, they actu- A note from the Editors: ally increased their budget by 5%. That’s more than a lot of clubs can say. Why Bard take a stake in journalism This debate is not about the value of af- finity groups. They are valuable, and no- body argues that. This is a debate about who gets to decide how the student activity Many students complain that Bard how to conduct interviews, research an amount of time and energy to organizing fee is spent: the students or the administra- is a bubble; at odds with the realities of investigative article, write objectively, and and recruiting at the beginning of each tion. Be assured, it should be the former. I the outside world. The editors of Bard practice good photojournalism, are skills new school year, the paper is in danger of hope that Erin Canaan and the other ad- publications then, are working from inside that most students will use throughout petering out. ministrators involved agree. Forcing an a double-walled bubble— isolated from their college careers and beyond. Additionally, due to the time and energy immovable partition would impede the both the college and the world at large. That being said, the editors of the it takes merely to keep campus newspapers student body’s ability to spend the fund as Bard does not have a journalism Observer are incredibly grateful for the afloat in the absence of any permanent it sees fit, and putting part of the fund un- department, nor does it offer any classes high level of freedom and autonomy we structure to rely upon, coupled with the der administrative authority should be out that could be strictly categorized as such. have been granted. With a (more or less) fast-paced nature of news reporting, of the question. Perhaps the reasoning for such a gaping guaranteed money source and complete there is little time for editors to pass The community should be wary of hole at a school teeming with writers control over how we spend it, each new their collective journalistic knowledge to the ARD. Not because they have proven and artists looking for an outlet is that group of Observer editors has the power writers and artists. Furthermore, most themselves incapable of participating in journalism is regarded as a trade, and, to remake the paper to match their own editors are almost as much in the dark rational public discourse, but because in general, the college shies away from ideals of what campus journalism should about journalistic styles and methods as their rhetoric seems to toe the line. Rac- career-oriented pursuits. Yet there is a be. Additionally, various short-lived contributors. To ameliorate such holes in ism has no place here. In the budget mat- Conservatory program, where students publications are constantly sprouting up the journalism that is practiced every day at ter, ARD’s behavior has been juvenile, devote the bulk of their undergraduate to meet needs or goals not being met by Bard, we ask that the college work towards separatist, and in opposition to the spirit education to their prospective existing publications. Journalism at Bard developing a journalism program, which of community and cooperation makes instruments in the hopes of making it then, is entirely what the students of each would host lectures, hold workshops, and Bard unique. The Committee needs a lot in the music world. The same can be class make of it. offer classes. of work, but this is not the way to begin said for many dance majors, studio art While the Observer would be loath to With resources at our fingertips, campus that process. At the end of the day, the majors, and film students. give up the unique level of freedom granted newspapers could blossom into more ARD got the funds that they needed (per The difference between such departments us, we ask that the college offer more effective and intelligent publications. It is normal procedure, Erin gave them mon- and journalism, many would argue, is resources to further campus journalism certainly not a dearth of talent or interest ey to host their speaker), and the student that the former lie under the umbrella not only for the Observer and other which prevents such a transformation, body, both minority and majority, were of “the arts”, while the latter is mere publications, but for the student body at but a lack of journalistic resources at the left exposed. The community should not vocational training. Yet as anyone who’s large. There are several unpleasant side- college. By distancing itself from the only tolerate this kind of behavior… from ever written, photographed, or edited for effects of the separation between campus journalism taking place on campus, the anyone, regardless of race. a Bard publication can likely attest too, the journalism and the college at large. For one college hinders the potential academic Or, at least, that’s my opinion. creative and intellectual processes involved thing, campus newspapers, even the long- and artistic growth of prospective artists, extend beyond the scope of the professional standing Observer, have no permanent writers, and journalists. world. Whether or not one is looking structure in place. Therefore, if a motivated towards a career in journalism, learning group of students does not devote a large 11 New by Chloe Della Costa Orleans illustrations by Sofia de Guzman

Smile finally I could shake the Bothers of my place. Fearlessness and Others and round Eyes that I held. editors: Grace Dwyer, Mae Colburn, Us in Rachel Meade, Lizzie Munro, Caroline Another state Friedman, Jason Mastbaum, Justin Leigh, Fingers and coffee next Becca Rom-Frank, Nick Ogonek, Homer To mold. Hill, Jamie Crawford, Ben Bliumus More real or contributors: Emma Quaytman, Chloe fake a cliché: della Costa, Sofia de Guzman, Becca You can’t understand you weren’t there. Rom-Frank, Kendra Schirmer, Ryan Gus- You can to tafson, Alex Eriksen, Genya Shimkin, Mae Forget work and play is Colburn, Frank Brancely, Walker Schiff, To make them real. Elias Isquith, Tamsin Flanders, Chas Ce- rulli, Ben Wlody, Jeremy Novak, Aaron Peeled off so Ahlstrom, SLC, Student Space, Jack Kerns, Easily so easy. Nick Scribner, Charlotte Benbeniste, Nick Because I didn’t Ogonek, Mike Levine, Myles Curtis, Rob Matter because I did. Ross, Caroline Friedman, Enrico Purita I romanticize. OBSERVER observerATbardDOTedu please recycle

SUPPORT THE LIVING WAGE CAMPAIGN

From the Archives a response: We, the students, are faced with an Vol. 4 No. 2 October 9, 1961 profits are negligible and Slater System unpleasant three-fold situation in dining would be delighted to drop the coffee shop commons. The nature of the situation altogether. is: overcrowding, inadequate meals, and 7:48 – Motion is introduced at council perpetual chaos. Slater [Food services] meeting for granting a concession to five Of the first condition, overcrowding, students who agree that they will sell coffee we have no control. Admissions is the slapped by student and doughnuts to the school the following concern of the administration, and if there morning. Debate follows. have been admitted more students than 8:06 – The sign-up sheet for rides to Ann’s Bard seems able to accommodate that is By Richard Brown protest has been posted for six hours in Hegeman. no fault of ours. One person signed up. He has crossed his The solution of the food problem may for those willing to drive students to Ann’s name off. not be immediate and will ultimately be 8:30 a.m. – Coffee shop opens: Hostilities for snacks. 9:02 – After lengthy discussion on the the result of negotiations between the commence. 2:30 – Student-run concession is established student concession to determine time, administration and the Slater system 9:06 – Freshman girl buys cup of coffee on lawn to protest unsanitary conditions in place, tenure, etc., the question is finally representative. initiating general denunciation of finks dining commons and coffee shop. For the called and the motion is finally passed. The chaos is caused by and can be and strikebreakers. first half hour, it is patronized chiefly by 9:16 – (from Council minutes) “After eliminated by the students. Bard is neither 10:03 – Mr. Asip closes coffee ship flies, ants and an occasional grasshopper. numerous decisions had been arrived at, a country club nor a finishing school, and 10:16 – Signs are posted encouraging Eventually, its clientele expands to include Mr. Weissman appeared to announce if it were to develop into either it would be students to boycott coffee shop. several students. that the five students mentioned found a prostitution of the college. 11:00 – Statement by leaders of boycott: 3:15 – The entire assemblage of student themselves unable to offer the community As vague as is the “Bard ideal,” that “We, as students and members of this coffee shop (proprietors, patrons, and such a part-time service for various sundry for which students seem to fight, one can community refuse to be intimidated by insects) mill around collectively abhorring reasons.” easily associate scholarship with the Bard what is obviously a desperation move on the unsanitary conditions in Slater’s coffee 9:25 – Council is informed that as it is that most of us would enjoy. With the the part of Slater [Food] System in closing shop (the customers are the least articulate, meeting, there is a concession operating development of the mind, though, should the coffee shop. We will continue our the expression of their indignation being illegally in the lobby of Albee. come a certain amount of dignity and boycott of the coffee shop to support our somewhat stifled by stale bread and salami 9:26 – There is evidently a faction present self-respect. An individual possessing principles and advise all students to do the of dubious origin). which is pressuring for support of the dignity and self-respect will in turn have same.” 4:00 – The sign-up chart in Hegeman has student concession in the lobby. respect for others. One finds little dignity 11:23 – Statement by Mr. Asip: “It was the been up for just over two hours. One person 9:27 – Noble intentions notwithstanding, it in dining commons. Aside form slight administration that closed the coffee shop, has signed his name. It is for Tuesday at is felt that the group should be condemned physical exertion, the gymnastics that not Slater System. We intend to keep it four o’clock and Friday at nine thirty. because it is using a lobby. are occasionally noticed, lack of dignity closed until the situation can be cleared up 5:30 – Student Boycott committee posts 9:30 – Mr. Strauss called the illegal is manifested at means by unsavory table once and for all. twenty-foot long sign in Dining Commons concession an “illegal concession.” manners and lack of consideration for 12:15 p.m. – Rebuttal by leaders of boycott: stating that they are “personally insulted” 9:31 – In defending the illegal concession, others. My cry is not for gracious living “We are not rabble rousers! Simply, we by Dining Commons food. In shocking Mr. Lensing made a motion that the at Bard; I will never expect hors d’oeuvres intend to use all sensible means of protest red ink, measures are outlined to show Community Council state is sympathetic at dinner. But, is dignity, self-respect, and that are at our disposal. We assure the Slater System that they “mean business.” with anyone attempting to improve the consideration alien to us at Bard? We, the community that we will be mature and The first one is “Attend all meals!! existing or arising conditions; that the students, can easily correct the perpetual judicious in all of our actions.” (including breakfast).” It also advises council is willing to aid any such groups chaos in dining commons. We need no 1:05 – Leaders of boycott overturn food students to continue the boycott and have in any way possible. As Mr. Lensing is posters, no petitions, no great organization platters in Dining Commons. no inhibitions about complaining. talking, just above his head, in the lobby with a “vital core” campaigning. Even 1:14 – Student waiters and waitresses clean 7:06 – The sign-up chart in Hegeman has of Albee, a dungareed student in glasses two hundred students thinking for only up overturned platters and food. been posted for five hours. So far one is doing his part in attempting to improve a few minutes at each meal about his or 1:17 – Student waiter, asked for comment person has signed up. existing conditions and support the her actions would eliminate some of the on protest while cleaning table: “No one 7:40 – From discussion in council, the boycott by selling salami sandwiches and unpleasentries at meals. For those of told me about a protest, I thought they point emerges that Slater System runs the cider. The salami sandwiches are forty us who pride ourselves on our ability to were just slobs!” coffee shop largely as an accommodation cents apice. The cider is ten cents a cup. think, would it be so difficult to remedy the 1:25 – Mr. Hoyt, asked for comment: to the school. It would seem that Slater The sandwiches cost him just under 18 perpetual chaos, one third of our dining “What protest?” System is not making a fortune through cents apice to make. He buys the cider commons’ malady? 2:06 – Sign-up chart posted in Hegeman 25-cent hamburgers. Apparently, the from Mr. Hoyt. -Marjory Eckmann 12