The.Hillsdale.

Forum Hayden  Smith  

Volume  XI,  Issue  IV
April  2011
WĂŶͲƌĂďŝƐŵ͗,ŝƐƚŽƌŝĐĂůWĞƌƐƉĞĐƟǀĞŽŶƚŚĞZĞǀŽůƵƟŽŶƐ
The recent Middle Eastern the Visigoth Kingdom in Spain. dle East into the 20th century.
^ƚĂītƌŝƚĞƌ
als advocated the earliest form
SOUND  BITE
revolutions represent more than Arabic culture and language North Africa, however, had fall-­ of Pan-­Arabism. World War
just a desire for representative spread across Syria, Jordan, HQXQGHUWKHLQÁXHQFHRI(XUR-­ I showed promise of bring-­ Democrats on Republicans’
government. They have Mesopotamia, and North pean powers. World War I saw ing Arab unity, but in the end attempt to de-­fund Planned
sparked an increase in rhetoric Africa. France and Britain take charge the British and French decided Parenthood:
concerning Pan-­Arabism. By the year 750, however, of the remnants of the broken against it. Anti-­imperialism re-­
“Republicans want to shut
Simply put, Pan-­ mained the prevalent
down the government because
Arabism calls for Arabic philosophy
they think there’s nothing more
the unification of until the 1950’s, after
important than keeping women
all Arab-­speaking the Baath Party was
from getting cancer screen-­
countries. This established in Syria
ings. This is indefensible and
would mean a union with the aim of Arab
everyone should be outraged.”
between most XQLÀFDWLRQ
Islamic nations Egyptian presi-­
-­Senator Harry Reid
apart from Turkey, dent Nasser was an-­
Persia, Indonesia, other leading propo-­
and Afghanistan, nent of pan-­Arabism
“In 1994, people were elected
which are not from the 50’s to the
simply to kill the National En-­
ethnically Arab. 70’s. For a short pe-­
dowment for the Arts. Now
The origins of riod, Egypt and Syria
they’re here to kill women.”
the movement go existed in union be-­
back as far as the fore Nasser’s ambi-­
-­Rep. Louise Slaughter
founding of Islam tions led the Syrians
itself. to break away.
In the seventh An Egyptian-­ “Let me repeat that, so all those
century, the Arabs led coalition con-­ who want to stomp on wom-­
exploded out of their homeland the Umayyad Caliphate began Ottoman Empire. The period of sisting of Syria, Jordan, and en’s health and women’s rights
into the world. Within a to break apart and within a few European imperialist rule that Iraq launched a concerted at-­ can hear us loud and clear. The
few decades they quickly centuries the Ottoman Turks followed gave rise to the early tack on Israel during the Six-­ dangerous, ideological cuts to
swallowed the Parthian empire had gained control of the Pan-­Arabic movement. Day War. The Arab coalition’s Planned Parenthood that passed
whole, cut the Byzantine region. The Ottoman Empire In the early part of the the House are never, never, nev-­
Empire in half, and destroyed maintained its hold on the Mid-­ 20th century, Syrian intellectu-­ Continued on page 6 er going to pass the Senate.”

Obama,  You’re  Fired.   Marissa  Hulsing   A  New  Look  at   :ŽĞsŝǀŝĂŶŽ -­Senator Chuck Schumer

Trump  for  President? 'ƵĞƐƚtƌŝƚĞƌ Changes  to  the  Core   ^ƚĂītƌŝƚĞƌ

As the highly anticipated
2012 presidential election draws
considered running as a third-­
party candidate with the Re-­
Hillsdale’s core curriculum
might be revamped in the
part of a liberal education.”
He believes that starting
In.this.issue
nearer, billionaire businessman form Party. During the initial near future. The faculty is one’s major early and taking
Donald Trump has evidently hype, Trump advertised his po-­ currently discussing a new core core classes in smaller doses
embraced his inner Republi-­ litical platform in his book enti-­ curriculum that includes an along with classes for the major
can and is seri-­ tled “The Ameri-­ expansion of eight credit hours. will encourage students to see
States vs. Feds,
ously considering ca We Deserve.” Interestingly, the new core is the core as less of a chore and GOP on Liberalism
making a bid for In the text, meant to be taken over all four more of a critical part of their
commander-­in-­ Trump surveyed years, as opposed to the current education. He also says that Page
 2
chief. The famed the American system of front-­loading of core teachers of upper-­level classes
64-­year-­old has political scene classes during the freshman are often surprised when
grandiloquently and proposed and sophomore years. students turn in poorly-­written Facebook Isolation,
spoken of his ap-­ several dramatic Provost Dr. David Whalen papers. Dr. Whalen hopes that Greek-­Life Politics
titude for the po-­ solutions to the says that there is a general constantly taking core classes
sition for almost a issues America attitude among students of will give students better Page
 3
decade now; this faces. His bare-­ getting the core out of the way, retention of the knowledge and
time, however, faced words a belief the core is something skills that the core teaches.
it seems that he drew a lot of at-­ that freshmen and sophomores O b v i o u s l y, though, The Class of 2011
may be engaging tention to his take before really starting expanding the core would
in more than just potential run their education with their put more pressure on some Pages
 4
 &
 5
ULWXDOÁLUWDWLRQ for election, major courses. The new core students, such as double
Speculations forcing voters to LV SDUWLDOO\ GHVLJQHG À[ WKLV majors, those who wish to
of a possible Trump presiden-­ consider what they wanted in perception problem. Dr. Whalen graduate in three years, and Scarlet Letter Debate
tial campaign began prior to a candidate. Although Trump says, “The core is not equivalent economics majors, who need
the 2000 election when the re-­ decided against running in the to a liberal education, but here more economics electives for Page
 7
nowned entrepreneur loosely Continued on page 6 it is the single most important Continued on page 6
2 A
 Less
 Perfect
 Union:
April
 2011
tŚĂƚ^ŚŽƵůĚŽŶƐĞƌǀĂƟǀĞƐŽƚŽZĞƐƚŽƌĞ^ƚĂƚĞƐ͛ZŝŐŚƚƐ͍
Calvin Freiburger
Senior Writer
Few could have predicted
that Barack Obama’s agenda
would inadvertently spark the
rise of the Tea Party movement,
which has gotten Americans
thinking harder about limited
government than they have in
decades.
Chief among the move-­
ment’s concerns is the way
national policies like govern-­
ment-­run healthcare violate
the rights of individual states
to make decisions for them-­
selves. Despite recognizing
the problem, however, con-­
servatives have not yet set-­
tled on a viable solution.
0DQ\VWDWHVKDYHÀOHGODZ-­
suits challenging ObamaCare’s
constitutionality, all but guar-­
anteeing an eventual ruling
from the Supreme Court. This is
entirely appropriate philosoph-­
ically but risky strategically,
since the preferred outcome de-­
'ĞƚZĞĂů͕Kƌ͗dŚĞŽŶƟŶƵĞĚ>ĂĐŬŽĨĂ'ƌĂŶĚ'KW^ƚƌĂƚĞŐLJ
Kevin Shaw
Guest Writer
A little while back I
heard several students decrying
John Dewey as a terrible writer,
loudly wondering why they
had to read him. That same
day I talked with a professor
about philosopher Judith Butler
and he smiled and said that
she wasn’t a very good writer.
I smiled back at him and told
him that Derrida would say we
weren’t “reading” her.
And Derrida has a point.
It is not enough for
conservatives to decry queer
theory and Derrida’s Anti-­
Foundationalist philosophy
and John Dewey’s progressive
educational agenda: they need
counterarguments.
They don’t have any. And
the typical knee-­jerk response
“progressivism/liberalism is
bad for the country” doesn’t
count.
Progressives don’t think
they’re bad for the country.
They think conservatives are
pends on whether most justices
rule based on the original intent
of the Constitution rather than
their partisan biases.
In Minnesota’s 2010 guber-­
natorial race, unsuccessful Re-­
publican nominee Tom Emmer
advocated an amendment to the
state constitution that would
forbid federal laws from taking
effect in Minnesota until gain-­
ing approval by a two-­thirds
vote in the state legislature. It’s
not hard to see this proposal’s
practical failings: deeming all
federal laws illegitimate until
the high bar of supermajority
support says otherwise will in-­
YLWH PXFK ÀJKWLQJ DQG FRQIX-­
sion over the execution of the
law. Besides, there’s no reason
to expect that a state legislature
would be more consistently
pro-­Constitution than whatever
majority holds power on Capi-­
tol Hill.
Nationally syndicated ra-­
dio host Jason Lewis has a more
radical solution in mind. In his
bad for the country. The GOP
response to this typically has
been a puerile ‘nah-­uh.’ It is
not enough for Jonah Goldberg
and other conservative
“intellectuals” to write books
highlighting liberalism’s links
to fascism, nor is it enough for
conservative governors and
legislatures to try to undermine
costly collective-­bargaining
rights for public-­sector unions.
Politics is a game of
strategy, and it is time for
conservatives to start playing
this game like it is meant to be
played. Bill Clinton turned a
massive 1994 political reversal
LQWR KLV ÀQHVW KRXU PHUHO\ E\
getting in front of a television
screen and selling his vision for
America. Governor Walker and
Governor Kasich could do the
same in their states but instead
they trust that they are right and
that as a result, they don’t need
to explain why.
The same is true on the
national level. The moment
the new Republican Congress
WRRN RIÀFH WKH\ RXJKW WR KDYH
recent book “Power Divided Is
Power Checked,” he proposes a
28th Amendment, which would
not only clarify that the General
Welfare and Commerce Claus-­
es of the Constitution must be
construed narrowly, but would
DOVR H[SUHVVO\ DIÀUP WKH ULJKW
to secession: “any state whose
inhabitants desire through legal
means and in accordance with
state law to leave this union of
the several states shall not be
forcibly refrained from doing
so.”
Secession is one of the
Right’s more heated inter-­
movement debates, an issue
that often distinguishes Liber-­
tarian from Republican, North-­
erner from Southerner. This
Hillsdalian happens to think
secession-­at-­will is a danger-­
ous doctrine ultimately at
odds with the nation’s found-­
ing principles. Washington,
Jay, Hamilton, and Jefferson all
saw the Union as a safeguard of
liberty, and Madison explicitly
gotten together and discussed
getting their message out
to the voting populace. Not
merely on important pieces
of legislation, but every day.
The Republican majority
is squandering its national
support by not engaging
in effective information-­
operations and is letting people
like the man from the Daily
Beast who impersonated the
Koch Brothers tear their agenda
to ribbons.
We see this happening
outside of the Beltway too.
The ACLU can intimidate
and coerce nearly anyone into
compliance with the agenda of
its patrons because legal fees are
so high and so few entities exist
to adequately oppose litigation
that even lawyers from the
ACLU itself admit is frivolous
(harassing municipalities over
crèche positioning, petty 1st
Amendment suits, etc.).
While not a true Glenn
Beck-­style prime-­time-­
television-­conspiracy, the
liberal control of colleges, the
denied the legitimacy of seces-­ So many of our country-­
men accept statism in large part
sion, explaining that as a mutu-­
ally-­binding legal compact, the because we have failed to be
vigilant in our states and home-­
Constitution cannot be broken
towns. Decade after decade,
by any single party. Moreover,
we’ve allowed progressive
conservatives should carefully
presuppositions about govern-­
consider secession’s implica-­
ment and society to gradually
tions—by breaking away from
infect our politics, education,
the country, a state isn’t merely
and culture. To turn things
rejecting an unjust administra-­
around, we must retake these
tion, but also rejecting our very
institutions at the local level,
Constitution as no longer worth
particularly with renewed at-­
defending within the system of
tention to what our schools are
government it establishes.
teaching. We can’t expect fu-­
So what is the answer? Tak-­
ture generations to recognize
ing unconstitutional laws to
betrayals of our founding prin-­
court is certainly worth the ef-­
ciples if they aren’t even taught
fort. So is amending the Consti-­
to recognize names like Locke
tution to clarify, as Lewis sug-­
or Publius.
gests, that the federal govern-­
We didn’t get here over-­
ment can’t meddle in the states’
night, and we shouldn’t expect
affairs except where the Consti-­
to get back overnight either.
tution explicitly, demonstrably
Meaningful, lasting reform is
authorizes it. But conservatives
the work of generations, which
must recognize that neither will
will demand of conservatives
be a magic bullet, and that the
the patience and persistence to
problem is more complex than
states versus feds. see it through. HF
dŚĞ,ŝůůƐĚĂůĞ&ŽƌƵŵ
Masthead
legal activities of the ACLU,
and the superiority of the
Democrats’ public-­relations
machine combine to make Matt Cole
victories for conservatives quite Catherine Simmerer
GLIÀFXOW $QG WKH LQFUHDVLQJ Editors in Chief
liberalization and politicization
of primary schools will make
conservative victories in the Anna Williams
IXWXUHHYHQPRUHGLIÀFXOW Editor at Large
So instead of cheering for
a small victory in Congress, Rachael Wierenga
conservatives should be asking Associate Editor
themselves why they lost the
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Catharine Clayton
place. Instead of mindlessly
Copy Editor
bashing thinkers like Jacques
Derrida and Friedrich
Nietzsche and Roland Barthes Maria Diodati
(who most of them haven’t read Olivia Tilly
at all, much less attempted to Layout Staff
comprehend), conservatives
should realize that there is much Calvin Freiburger
to be learned from the thought Catherine Sims
of postmodernists and leftist Joseph Viviano
intellectuals. To begin rolling Staff Writers
back liberalism—actually
rolling it back—conservatives
need a grand strategy of, among Sam Sparks
other things, opposing frivolous Business Manager
Continued on page 7
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Rachel Swaffer
Guest Writer
The Greek system at
Hillsdale is saturated with
men and women who willingly
subject themselves not only
to the rule of an executive
board of their peers, but to
an entire system that seeks
to control every aspect of
their lives. Why would any of
XV ÀUP EHOLHYHUV LQ OLPLWHG
government and individual
freedom that we are, voluntarily
place ourselves under the
control of peers, advisors,
national consultants, and
national headquarters? Even
libertarians like myself, who
rail against big government in
Washington and bemoan the
loss of individual rights under
Republicans and Democrats
alike, allow our actions to be
continually scrutinized. We
RSHQ RXU )DFHERRN SURÀOHV WR
monitoring, our conversations
to censure, and our private
actions to discipline and
critique.
Though independents
may scoff at the suggestion...
Continued on page 7
Matt Cole
Editor in Chief
Only four short years ago,
I was an enthusiastic freshman
stepping onto Hillsdale
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time. I had high hopes of
enjoying my own little piece
of Christian-­conservative
paradise. To my great dismay,
however, Hillsdale was a little
more realistic than the idealistic
place I had imagined. In a
TXHVW WR ÀQG DQ RXWOHW IRU P\
frustration I discovered The
Hillsdale Forum: a newspaper
that gave me permission to
be frank and honest in my
expression of displeasure. The
UHVXOW ZDV P\ ÀUVW DUWLFOH DQG
a rather harsh critique of the
College.
Now here I am, a few
weeks away from graduation,
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naive boy I once was, and
contemplate the man I have
become through the time I have
spent at this noble institution.
My experiences here, both as a
student and as a human being,
have been as eye-­opening as
they’ve been reassuring. Many
of my preconceived notions
have been corrected, and many
more of my beliefs have been
SURIRXQGO\UHDIÀUPHG
I consider the people I
have met in this place. Never
before and, I imagine, never
again will I be surrounded by
so many outstanding men and
women. Many of my friends
and neighbors have the best
and brightest minds and the
warmest and gentlest hearts
our nation has to offer. I daily
WDNH LQ WKH EHQHÀWV RI VXFK D
blessing. Whether in the context
of an enjoyable conversation or
at times a heated argument,
I have had some of the most
worthwhile and enlightening
discussions with my friends
regarding issues of profound
importance.
The faculty has encouraged
me, demanded my best, and
expressed genuine interest
in my success. Time and
again I have been challenged
to think more deeply about
ideas and defend my beliefs
and conclusions as clearly as
possible. I’ve been taught by
my professors’ more than just
wisdom; I’ve been taught how
to think and reason on my own.
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writings mankind has ever
produced have been placed
in front of me to continually
sharpen my mind. Every day I
have spent at Hillsdale College
has brought about a better
understanding of myself and
the world around me.
While Hillsdale College
has its faults, as do all human
institutions, I have come to
see that this school—in its
student body, faculty, and
mission—is truly a city on a
hill. Hillsdale serves as a light
in the darkness of the world
and as an emancipator in a land
enslaved to ignorance. Those
who pursue truth, defend
liberty, and passionately strive
to live well can always count on
Hillsdale to direct their path.
To the students, to the
faculty, and to you, Hillsdale
College, and all for which you
stand: thank you. It has truly
been an honor and a pleasure
to grow and learn with you,
and in a few short weeks I will
FRQÀGHQWO\HQWHUWKHQH[WVWDJH
of my life’s journey. I will know
that the principles, wisdom,
and expertise I have received at
Hillsdale College will serve me
the rest of my days as I humbly
try to better our world and
personally grow as a human
being. God Bless. HF

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Rachael Wierenga technology increases one’s SURÀOHRQO\NQRZDSDUWLDODQG through real-­life experiences Facebook thus fosters
quality and length of life. But untrue version of the person and memories, not through interactions with technology
Staff Writer it also isolates people from one who made it. Though you can skewed pictures in a shallow instead of with people, which
another. Computers, phones, look at pictures of people’s and virtual realm. isolates people from one
College students are and increasing technological experiences, these pictures do Along with cheapening another and makes them
completely dependent upon advancement make people not convey the emotion and the meaning of friendship, dependent on technology. Even
WHFKQRORJ\ZHWH[WWRÀQGRXW settle for shallow relationships true character of the experience. another negative effect of Bill Moggridge, inventor of
instantly where people are, in an unreal virtual world. Facebook destroys face-­ Facebook is that it makes the laptop, admits this. In the
what they’re doing, or when Facebook is a prime example of to-­face communication and people self-­centered narcissists GRFXPHQWDU\ ´2EMHFWLÀHGµ
they’re eating dinner; we this: it isolates people from each cheapens real friendship. and aggravates human Moggridge describes the
check our e-­mail to keep up to other through creating a realm You can make a “friend” and nature’s voyeuristic tendencies. relationship between human
date on campus activities and in which people know a virtual immediately know his interests Facebook is a database of and software: “Back in 1981, I
assignments for class; and we version of a person instead of ZLWKRXW KDYLQJ WR WDON WR ÀQG pictures where you can ogle brought my laptop home... For
JHW RQ )DFHERRN WR ÀQG RXW his true self. out about his life, and you can yourself and others. It’s WKHÀUVWÀYHPLQXWHV,ZDVVWLOO
what kind of events and parties Facebook skews reality. maintain a shallow relationship centered around the person proud of all the work I had been
are going on, or to keep in $ )DFHERRN SURÀOH JLYHV with quick comments instead using it. It lets you look into doing for a year and a half...
WRXFKZLWKIULHQGV7KHEHQHÀWV one the chance to present an of developing a deeper other people’s lives without thinking how valuable it was
of modern technology— idealized version of himself relationship with personal actually being there: and that’s that I had created the physical
medicine, travel, electricity, and his experiences, meaning interaction. Meaningful SUDFWLFDOO\ WKH GHÀQLWLRQ RI
machinery—are undeniable; that people who view the Continued on page 8
relationships are formed voyeurism.
 Emily  Wagner
4
April  2011
Where are you from?
Portage, Michigan

So L
What did you study at Hillsdale?
Classics and English

Where are you headed after graduation and what are you going to do?
I’m entering the graduate program in Classical studies at the University
of Illinois Champaign-­ Urbana.

Seni
Why did you choose to attend graduate school?
I might aim for a Ph.D., or get an M.A. and teach; either way, I’d like
to teach and would like to increase my knowledge of the classical
languages.

How has Hillsdale prepared you for your future?

+LOOVGDOHGHÀQLWHO\SUHSDUHGPHZHOO,QHYHUWRRNDQ\/DWLQRU*UHHN
before I came here, and after four years I’m able to go to grad school for
classics! Drs. Weaire and Garnjobst and Jones really helped prepare me with tons of help on applications
and helping me choose the right activities (such as writing book reviews and attending conferences) to
make me a competitive graduate school candidate…in addition to teaching me a lot.

John  Hann
Where are you from? Why did you choose to attend seminary?
Eden Prairie, Minnesota. It’s a Since the full answer to this question is four pages long, I’ll try and give a
southwestern suburb of Minneapolis, condensed version. Essentially, I felt God led me there because He has given
and you may recognize it from Money me a great desire and ability to teach, serve, and speak, all of which are useful in
Magazine’s 2010 article on the top ten ministry and can be developed in seminary.
places to live in America.
How has Hillsdale prepared you for your future?
What did you study at Hillsdale? The most important lesson I learned at Hillsdale is this: every man must have
Speech Studies, Religion, and Philosophy courage to reach the divine nature within all of us, but also have restraint from
indulging in our base passions like a beast would. No single class or late-­night
Where are you headed after graduation and conversation led to that realization. Rather it came from many, many class
what are you going to do? lessons and interactions with friends. And that leads to a second lesson: do not
I will be moving back to Eden Prairie, underestimate the importance of friendship. Although Hillsdale taught these
where I will begin a three-­year internship lessons and many others, I owe everything to Jesus Christ, who led me to and
with the Young Adults Ministry at my through Hillsdale, and provided me with the best friends I could ever imagine.
church. Later on in July, I will be getting married to my high school
sweetheart, and then in August I will enter Bethel Seminary in St. Paul,
Minnesota, to pursue a Masters in Divinity.

Ralph  Biddle Where are you from?

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Alison  Roberts
What did you study at Hillsdale? Where are you from?
English Louisville (Luhvul), Kentucky

Where are you headed after graduation and what are you
going to do?
I’ll be at the Basic School, Camp Barrett, in Quantico,
Virginia, as a member of the Marine Corps.
Why did you choose to join the military?
My decision to join the military had a good deal to do
with my time here at Hillsdale as a whole. Throughout
my time here, I became more and more convicted
that there are certain things that have to be defended,
not least of which are the heritage and freedoms of
Western Civilization. I love my family, my friends, and
my homeland, and I knew if I could do something to
defend them and make their freedoms more secure, it was my duty to do so.
How has Hillsdale prepared you for your future?
I would say the lessons I have learned in liberty and leadership here at Hillsdale will
continue to guide me as I serve our country, both at home and abroad.
What did you study at Hillsdale?
Latin and English
Where are you headed after graduation and what
are you going to do?
After graduating, I’ll be teaching somewhere
in the North…or South…or East…or West—
basically any place that believes the knowledge How has Hillsdale prepared you for your future?
of a dead language isn’t completely useless. I think a good teacher has to be passionate about both
what they’re teaching and whom they’re teaching.
Why did you choose to teach? Both my professors and my classmates have helped
$IWHU H[SORULQJ WKH LQÀQLWH RSSRUWXQLWLHV to cultivate within me an appreciation and a love for
in the job market for Latin majors, I decided the Classics, especially the Latin language. And, from
WKDWWHDFKLQJZDVWKHULJKWÀWIRUPH0\RZQ the many relationships I’ve built at this place, I have
experiences before attending Hillsdale have learned so much about friendship, leadership and
led me to believe that the Classical model of service. Hillsdale has taught me that to live in a collegial
education is the best way, and maybe the only community means to be humbled, challenged and
way, to educate. But let’s be honest about this sharpened by the virtuous examples of those around
whole career thing: it’s mostly because ring by me. I’m certain these are lessons I will take with me in
spring was a bust. the adventures of teaching.
 5 Kathryn  Rombach struggling with them, and I decided it was time to really learn
something. I wanted a challenge.
April
 2011 Where are you from?
Midland, Michigan At Hillsdale, instead of focusing on a vague desire to “help people,”
I’ve learned the ways that the law and its practice actually exercise
What did you study at DVWDELOL]LQJFRQVHUYDWLYHLQÁXHQFHRQDQLQFUHDVLQJO\GHPRFUDWLF

Long,
Hillsdale? society, because attorneys depend so heavily on tradition and the
Politics and Spanish things that we’ve always held as true.
I feel pretty strongly about the corruption of our culture over
Where are you headed after time, so it’s energizing to know that even my career will enable
graduation and what are you me to challenge it. Also, I’m much better prepared personally and
going to do? VSLULWXDOO\WRVHUYHZLWKLQWKHÀHOG$WWRUQH\VDUHIUHTXHQWO\FDOOHG
I’ll probably end up out of into potentially destructive situations, so learning about what a

iors
state for law school, but I human person is, needs, and ought to have has increased my
fully intend to come back to Michigan to work. I’d love FRQÀGHQFHWKDW,KDYHWKHFDSDFLW\WRRIIHUPHDQLQJIXOVHUYLFHDQG
to end up back here as soon as I graduate, if the College bring Christ into the process.
will have me -­ I’ve been dropping hints that, now that
we have a grad program, the administration needs to How has Hillsdale prepared you for your future?
consider opening a law school. The opportunity to be One of the best things about my experience with the College is
part of that project would be so fantastic. what it has enabled me to do with my time when classes aren’t
in session. Through WHIP and the resources made available by
Why did you choose law school? WKH &DUHHU 3ODQQLQJ 2IÀFH ,·YH KDG VRPH UHDOO\ JUHDW FKDQFHV
Law school was part of the plan even before college, to try out different internships and get a better feel for what my
but Hillsdale changed my perspective on it in terms employment options are once I graduate. I’d always heard that the
of the things I hope to get out of the degree. I chose ODZGHJUHHLVUHDOO\ÁH[LEOHDQGLW·VEHHQQHDWWRDFWXDOO\VHHKRZ
Hillsdale because I didn’t want another four years of that’s true.
what I’d gotten at my public high school. Most of that
The  Class  of  2011:  Who  They  Are   time was spent skating over important things instead of
And  Where  They’re  Going
Kate  Dembinski
Edward  Hojnacki Where are you from?
Martensdale/Indianola, Iowa

What did you study at Hillsdale? How has Hillsdale prepared you
Where are you from?
Religion and Classics for your future?
Commerce Township,
Having talked with other
Michigan
Where are you headed after graduation and religion majors from other
what are you going to do? liberal arts colleges, I know
What did you study at Hillsdale?
I will be studying at the Duke Divinity that Hillsdale has formed
Physics
School in Durham, NC, to earn a Master me into an educated, well-­
of Divinity, whilst taking as many rounded student. The classical
Where are you headed after
Hebrew classes as I can. model used makes sure that
graduation and what are you
students have a solid base off
going to do?
Why did you choose to attend Duke? of which to work, which is
I’m getting married in May
I have a passion for languages, Hebrew especially crucial in the study
 WR P\ ÀDQFpH $VKOH\ %ULFNHU ZKR JUDGXDWHG
in particular, and I love learning and of religions. In Christianity,
from Hillsdale with a sociology major and belongs to
Chi Omega Sorority. We were introduced by a mutual WHDFKLQJDERXWWKH+HEUHZ%LEOH'XNHLVDJRRGÀUVWVWHS which our religion major emphasizes heavily, if
to get my foot in the academic door, and North Carolina has you don’t know where you’re from (patristics, 16
th
friend here at Hillsdale. We plan to stay in Michigan
at least until after the wedding. After the wedding we good weather. Just kidding, the weather had nothing to do century, etc.) then you don’t know where you’re
may go wherever the best opportunity presents itself. with where I go to school. Obviously; I’m in Hillsdale, MI. going. That’s how we get so many crazy modern/
post-­modern theologians; they’re largely ignorant of
the fact that what they’ve said has already been done
and condemned as heresy centuries ago. Thankfully,
Hillsdale is doing their best to avoid creating crazies,
ZKLFK,SHUVRQDOO\DSSUHFLDWHDQGKDYHEHQHÀWHGIURP

Theo  Harwood
Where are you from?
La Crosse, Wisconsin Why did you choose to attend grad school?
I’ve pretty much always thought I would be an academic.
What did you study at Hillsdale? ,ÀJXUHGRXWZKDW,ZDVJRRGDWDQGHQMR\HGDQGFKRVHWR
Latin and Greek pursue an academic career in that.

Where are you headed after graduation and what How has Hillsdale prepared you for your future?
are you going to do? Hillsdale has been great for me. I’ve learned to think
Grad school: either Cornell University in deeply about a lot of issues in a lot of ways, to see things
Ithaca, New York, or Catholic University of from a lot of perspectives. The Classics department has
America in Washington, D.C. honestly given me just about the best preparation for grad
If I go to Cornell, it will be for their Classics school that I could get.
Ph.D. If I go to Catholic U, it will be for an
M.A. in Greek and Latin and a Ph.D. in Early
Christian Studies.

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7 his course of action, he has to
April
 2011 have a say. This, again, main-­
Greek Politics, from page 3
the political structure and atmo-­
sphere of the Greek Fraternity
or Sorority shows many paral-­
lels with the Founding spirit of
$PHULFD -XVW OLNH WKH $PHUL-­
cans of 1776, though we Greeks
relish our individual liberty, we
agree to give some of it up in
service of a shared ideal. For the
Founders, the shared ideal was
the Constitution; for the Greek
house, it is our fraternal bonds.
But since our Founding,
American politicians have
struggled to maintain the bal-­
ance between freedom reserved
and freedom given up. My ex-­
perience in the Greek system
has shown me, on a small scale,
how governments maintain,
or conversely lose, respect and
voluntary obedience. These are
my observations:
First, too many rules and
regulations kill morale and de-­
stroy voluntary attachment to
the law. People will put up with
a certain amount of regulation
in service of a higher purpose,
 Worse:
 Dimmesdale
 or
 Chillingworth?
but there is a breaking point at
which the feeling of restriction
 Debate
 over
 Hawthorne’s
 ^ĐĂƌůĞƚ>ĞƩĞƌ
overpowers the love of country
or fraternity. At this point, the
people lose all respect for the
law: obedience becomes subjec-­
tive, and they make and break
rules with impunity. People
will put up with a moderate
amount of regulation, but when
the burden becomes too heavy
they don’t just take off the ex-­
cess weight, they throw off the
entire thing. Governments of
all sizes have to pick their bat-­
tles in order to maintain order
while still allowing citizens to
retain their individual freedom
and independence.
Second, the people must
always feel that their voices are
heard. Government has to act
above the passions of the peo-­
ple, so sometimes it’s best that
the people’s opinion not be tak-­
en into account. Regardless of
whether their sentiments have
been reviewed or not, it is criti-­
cal that the people remain con-­
vinced that they have. Nothing
infuriates the masses more than
a President (of a country or of a
Greek house) who acts without
consulting those who put him
in power. Even if a leader knows
make the people think that they
Catherine Sims
Staff Writer
that. He earnestly hopes that
Dimmesdale will never confess
the emblem of dishonor that
graces Hester’s outerwear. But
tains the people’s voluntary at-­
his sin and thereby fester in hell
Upon completing Nathaniel for all eternity.
this activity proceeds while
the town lauds his holiness
tachment to law (in the country Hawthorne’s mandatory classic Without attempting to DQG WKH FKLOGUHQ ÁLQJ PXG DW
or in the house). The Scarlet Letter, the reader discount or downplay the Hester for her unclean state.
may well need to spend some rather enormous character
$ ÀQDO IDFWRU WKDW PXVW He’ll speak with Hester and
time in solitary contemplation ÁDZVRI&KLOOLQJZRUWK,ZRXOG
be present in a country or in a bestow affectionate caresses
to recover from the onslaught of argue that he is not the true
Greek house to maintain vol-­ on his strange little child in the
larger-­than-­life characters that villain of the story. That title
untary obedience is a personal seclusion of the forest, but when
haunt the novel’s pages.
connection between the indi-­ goes without a doubt to the Pearl asks if he’ll walk hand in
$W ÀUVW EOXVK LW ZRXOG insipid, quivering, spineless
vidual and government. In De-­ hand with them back into town,
seem that one need look no excuse for a man known as
mocracy in America, Alexis de his answer is predictably in the
further than the nefarious Arthur Dimmesdale.
Tocqueville claims that second-­ negative.
Roger Chillingworth, husband
ary local institutions are crucial Not only does His Pastiness Say what you like about the
of chief protagonist Hester initially decline to reveal
for combating individualism Chillingworth, but I understand
Prynne, to discover the villain himself as the fellow sinner of
and isolation of the people from his reaction. He comes to
of the story. What could be Hester’s adultery at the scene
government. It’s the same in $PHULFD WR ÀQG KLV ZLIH RQ
worse than a man who lives of her public disgrace, but he
D *UHHN KRXVH /RZHU RIÀFHV public display for adultery,
to exact revenge on his wife, a persists in thus hiding for the
and positions within the Greek with no man beside her to share
woman he promised to protect entirety of the novel. Rather
house do much more than del-­ the blame. So he hunts down
and cherish in his wedding than openly admit himself as
egate power; they create a per-­ the knave who wronged his
vows? He hounds Arthur the author of Hester’s disgraced
sonal connection between the wife and goes for the jugular.
Dimmesdale to the grave, existence and their child Pearl’s
individual and government. This, at least, is the response of
prodding and tormenting him uncertain future, he contents
Every member must feel in-­ a man. Dimmesdale wallows in
until the unfortunate minister KLPVHOI ZLWK PRUWLÀFDWLRQ
volved in the political process, VHOIPRUWLÀFDWLRQ WKDW VPDFNV
folds and gives up the ghost. and self-­recrimination in the
so that their individual wants more of self-­congratulating
Apparently this man believes privacy of his own room.
and needs will become synony-­ pity than contrition and then
Hester’s and Arthur’s single
mous with the common good. +HÀQGVLWZLWKLQKLPVHOIWR postpones his public confession
sin of adultery warrants a HPEDUNRQERXWVRIÁDJHOODWLRQ
Obviously I didn’t join a until a few seconds prior to his
lifetime of punishment, and and even carve an “A” on
Greek house for the politics or death. True to his ideals of self-­
not just any punishment at the skin of his chest to match
for the opportunity to be in-­ Continued on page 8
volved in the smallest of small
republics. I joined for the Who’s
friends and for the ability to get
off a Saga meal plan. But in-­ A
Graphics Credit: “nannahs” on deviantart.com
evitably I have realized that the
politics of my sorority can teach Anna Williams When Chillingworth at last for revenge exacerbates his
gets to Boston, he sees his wife physical deformity, but his
me just as much as a Hillsdale Editor at Large
standing on the town scaffold, medical skill and apparent piety
College politics course. HF Nathaniel Hawthorne wearing a scarlet letter (“A” lead the town to have him move
created an odd set of characters for adultery) and holding baby in with the ailing Dimmesdale.
for his most famous work, “The Pearl. Intent on revenge and too G.K. Chesterton wrote,
GOP Strategy, from page 2 Scarlet Letter.” The heroine, proud to acknowledge that he’s “If you do not understand a
Hester Prynne, commits been cuckolded, he conceals his man you cannot crush him.
ACLU litigation and more adultery (well, you could call
effectively getting the message it fornication, since she thought identity and settles in Boston to And if you do understand
practice medicine and discover him, very probably you will
about their Congressional her husband dead) with the
goals out to people who are closest thing the book has to the identity of Pearl’s father. not.” Chillingworth defies
As time passes, Hester Chesterton’s aphorism: after
undecided. And above all, a hero, the good Reverend
they need to realize that the Dimmesdale. Their child, grows strong and independent discovering the real cause of his
in her isolation from the town, patient’s illness, he understands
war between conservatives Pearl, is a mischievous little
and liberals is primarily being elf of a girl, capricious and but Dimmesdale tortures Dimmesdale thoroughly and
himself in an attempt to relieve uses that knowledge to crush
waged in America’s schools. uncontrollable.
Everyone knows this. his guilt. A battle rages within him. Slowly. Because he enjoys
And then there’s Roger him between the pastoral doing it.
And everyone knows Chillingworth. An old
liberals and progressives, misshapen scholar and necessity of seeming holy and a And just in case
burning desire to tell his secret. Chillingworth’s actions aren’t
DV W\SLÀHG E\ -RKQ 'HZH\·V husband of the unfortunate
agenda laid out a century ago, Hester, Chillingworth had sent If he were to confess, he would enough to convince the reader
probably face the gallows-­-­ that he’s a horrible person,
have had a very long head start. his wife to Boston (not the Ann
A Republican “grand strategy” Arbor of the East, mind you, an attractive option given his Hawthorne says that the
excruciating psychological townspeople detect “something
should begin by considering but 17th century Puritan Boston)
how to get less biased textbooks from their home in Amsterdam pain. But his congregation ugly and evil in his face” and
would lose their Christian conclude that the man is either
in schools, better curriculum before the story begins. His
formulation, and more plans to join her there were faith entirely if they found out “Satan himself” or “Satan’s
the truth about their saintly emissary.”
sympathetic teachers involved. delayed when Indians held
It doesn’t seem like much, but him captive, hence the popular minister. At worst, Dimmesdale S o y o u h a v e a s e l f -­
is a hypocrite paralyzed by ÁDJHOODWLQJ SHQLWHQW PLQLVWHU
it’s a good start—certainly a lot belief that he had died and
better than conservatives have Hester’s doomed affair with guilt and indecision. and a sadistic agent of the
Chillingworth is another devil—is there really a question
been doing for themselves. HF Dimmesdale. story. His ravenous thirst about who’s worse? HF
Facebook, from page 3
form, with a nice looking dis-­
play that folded over the key-­
board. But soon I felt myself
 2011
being sucked down into the
virtual realm, concerned only
with how I interacted with the
software, and forgetting the ex-­
istence of the physical object.
That’s when I realized the sig-­
QLÀFDQFH RI KXPDQFRPSXWHU
interaction.”
People forget the physi-­
cal reality of interacting with
people and do not realize that
Facebook sucks one down into
a virtual realm. When you look
at a computer screen with a
person on it, you are looking
at pixels on a screen instead of
D UHDO ÁHVKDQGEORRG SHUVRQ
You develop a relationship with
software instead of with a per-­
son. The common phrase “ad-­
dicted to Facebook” illustrates
the idea that Facebook makes
people depend on a computer
screen. Think about it, people,
you’re getting an emotional
high from a virtual interaction
with a pixilated version of your
peers.
The next time you feel bored,
restless, or lonely, go out and
develop a friendship with a
real person instead of with a
computer screen. Conversing
face-­to-­face with a thoughtful
Hillsdale friend is a lot more
IXOÀOOLQJ WKDQ UHDGLQJ ´RPJ
lol” on a glowing rectangle. HF
Scarlet Letter, from page 7
 HILLSDALE
 FORUM
indulgent fear to the end, he
never has to live with the pub-­
lic consequences of his crime as
Hester did.
In our present age, where
manliness is under constant at-­
WDFN 'LPPHVGDOH W\SLÀHV HY-­
erything a man should not be: a
pale, wounded spirit, who glo-­
ries in his pain and guilt with-­
out taking responsibility for his
actions. Genuine courage lies in
confession of the wrong done,
not in obsessive self-­abuse. His
sniveling lifestyle of weakness
not only makes Paris of Troy
appear macho in comparison,
but is also reminiscent of a fa-­
tal tendency in today’s cultural
portrayal of men. His emotional
remorse tied to his prominent
lack of backbone present a far
more sinister and far-­reaching
problem than Chillingworth’s
manic drive to make Dimmes-­
dale pay. HF
It’s What Brings Us Together
Lauren Wierenga / Guest Writer, Graphic Artist 8
Since arriving at Hillsdale,
I’ve rediscovered the simple
but almost any kind of jam
or marmalade under the sun April
Real Hillsdalians of Genius
joy of toast. I’d never realized would be purposeless without
you could do so much with so the magical might of toast.
little – that you could deliver so Sure, you could just throw
butter and jam on baked bread,
much joy through merely a slice
of bread that has been subjected but you might as well be eating :ŽĞsŝǀŝĂŶŽͬ^ƚĂītƌŝƚĞƌ
to intense heat in a small iron raw corn-­on-­the cob, or eating
Here’s to you, Mr. Disgruntled that the police department’s
box. Maybe this is because roots without making root beer.
Hillsdale R.A. You’re on the budget should be cut last.
when all else fails at Saga, when It’s heinous even to think of it.
front lines of defending the Does the college not know
you want something warm, and Therefore, I have come to the
virtue of the freshmen class. KRZ GLIÀFXOW LW LV WR ZULWH XS
when you can’t stomach any conclusion that toast, though
Once, and sometimes even the visitation-­hour-­violation
more pizza or burgers, toast is the FDA does not distinguish it
twice, a week, you are asked papers, or how boring it is to do
always there. It is the reliable as a completely separate entity
to protect your dorm against homework until 1am? Sure, my
failsafe that endures through from “bread,” is one of the few
seductive females by sitting in R.A. cousin has broken up knife
every Taco Tuesday and perfect foods on Planet Earth.
your room with the door open. ÀJKWV DW KLV VWDWH VFKRRO EXW
triumphs in the face of Sunday Smile on, toast, because you
It is a grueling task that requires has he ever had to accomplish
Dinners. know that underneath your
WZR PHQ SHU ÁRRU <RX DQG the exhausting task of collecting
And not only does Hillsdale crunchy, buttery surface lies the
your compatriot have to rein in room request sheets near the
survival depend upon toast, hope of an entire campus. HF a score of hot-­blooded males,
end of a semester? I don’t think
Toast: A Debate and you are only compensated
a couple thousand dollars for
so. That is why there are so
many more R.A.’s in Hillsdale
your efforts. Now that the dorms: the work simply could
It’s What Tears Us Apart stigma against the other
college is restructuring their not be done by fewer guys. That
counter areas! Let
Rachael Wierenga / Associate Editor us stop clinging budget, they are asking some is why I’m saluting you, oh
Hillsdale students are unreasonably to the condiment of you to take only a thousand protector of the peace, because
usually considerate and mild. section, refusing to inch over a dollars for being a champion only you know how dangerous
They walk “carrying their heads couple of feet and give the other of virtue. That is outrageous! Hillsdale dorm life would be
on one side” like the doctor who counter-­areas a chance! Every city councilman knows without your watchful eye. HF
GHOLYHUV 'DYLG &RSSHUÀHOG LQ On behalf of the hundreds
Dickens’ novel, afraid of getting of people with toast in their
in anyone’s way. Except when hands and with eyes burning
it comes to (peanut-­)buttering hate-­rays into the back of your
E-­‐MAIL: hillsdaleforum@gmail.com
and jamming toast at the toast-­ oblivious head, I have a polite
condiment-­station in Saga. request for all you inconsiderate
Happily I consider myself jerks: MOVE OUT OF THE
a member of the few, the WAY!! I WANNA JAM ME
proud, the 5% of students SOME TOAST!!
ZKR DSSUHFLDWH HIÀFLHQF\ DQG To encourage compliance
consider others’ toast needs. with said request, I move that a
THE
Would that there were more of rules sheet entitled “Preparing
us. When it comes to buttering Toast in 10 Easy Steps” be put
hillsdaleforum@gmail.com
toast, 95% of Saga-­goers park up. It would read as follows:
it in front of the condiment 1) Get bread out of bag
section like Jimmy Stewart 2) Put bread in toaster
JHWWLQJ UHDG\ IRU KLV ÀOLEXVWHU 3) Move away from toaster
in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington: 4) Get plate and knife while
with no intention of moving or bread toasts
leaving anytime soon. And they 5) Remove bread from toaster;
take about as long as Jimmy put on plate
Stewart to butter their toast, 6) Move to condiment station
until I’m the one falling over 7) Take knife-­full of butter/
bleary-­eyed. jam/ peanut butter; put on
I will never understand side of plate
how one can justify blocking 8) Move to vacant counter
the condiment station for 10 space such as milk area
minutes to make sure every 9) Spread butter/jam/peanut
crevice in his toast is adequately butter on toast
smothered in butter-­like-­ 10) Get the heck away from
product. The cereal and milk the toast area, your work here
counter-­areas are nearly always is done.
free, and serve as excellent Envision Soup Nazi from
toast-­buttering stations. Seinfeld here, people. Toast is
Why have so many of us too important to mess around
chosen to spurn these equally with: clog up the line, NO
viable regions? Brothers TOAST FOR YOU! HF
and sisters, let us end this