McCall '58 Takes a Symbolic Stand

Hardly a week passes without a Dartmouth alumnus providing fodder for national media. For one reason or another he or she enjoys some level of fame— often for a good deal more than 15 minutes. This column will keep you posted on who's hot in the Dartmouth family at any given time. Usually we will be reporting good news, though bad is always a possibility. Sometimes whether it's good or bad will depend on your point of view.

Just ask H. Carl McCall'58, the state comptroller of New York and the highest-ranking black elected official in the state, who made headlines a couple of months ago. What was this paragon of politicians doing in handcuffs? Well, he was nabbed for protesting the New York City police fatal shooting of unarmed African immigrant Amadou Diallo. When McCall joined a number of other high-profile blacks in blocking the entrance to police headquarters, New York's Finest followed police guidelines and cuffed the lot, including the comptroller. Said McCall, who is generally termed a moderate (and a potential candidate for even higher office), "I am willing to go to jail because I think it is appropriate. I think I have a moral obligation to make this statement today in the hope that it will bring about reconciliation and healing, which is so badly needed in this city."

McCall's brush with official guidelines didn't lead to punishment. But Brad Ausmus '91 wasn't as lucky in his brash with officialdom. Not too long ago the Detroit catcher "made contact" with umpire Chuck Meriwether during an argument precipitated by the ejection of a Tiger pitcher who had perhaps purposefully hit a Red Sox batter. "Overly aggressive?" Ausmus asked rhetorically. "I guess I'm guilty of that. But I don't know if the punishment fits the crime." Ausmus's fine: 500 rhetorical bucks.

In a whole different league, Dr. C. Everett Koop '37 has scored big by taking his med- ical website public. One of many online services providing medical information to those a wag has called "cyberchondriacs," www.drkoop.com earned Dr. Koop a reported $4l million in its IPO. That sounds about right if you figure a buck for every person the good doctor has kept from smoking. Anyway, next time you're feeling logy, log on to Dr. Koop.

If he doesn't make you feel any better, try ART. This is the 1998 Tony-winning comedy that Vincent Canby '45 of The New York Tivies called "The funniest play on Broadway." It says so right there in the ads that also announce Buck Henry '52 is one of its three stars. But drat could change by die time you read this, because it's the sort of play where interest from TV and movie personalities has led to frequent cast ad just- ments. If there's a laugh to be found in this take on the art world, count on Buck Henry.

Fast Company is the name of an up-and-coming business magazine that likes to identify up-and-coming business leaders. Like Jake Winebaum '81, who has led Disney's Internet initiative since its inception. As chairman of Buena Vista Internet Group, Winebaum originated services that include ABCNews, Disney.com, and ESPN.com. In a recent illustrated profile the magazine quotes Winebaum as saying that only about 25 percent of the Internet has been invented. He's working on the other 75 percent and is now starting his own (fast) company that will help Internet start-ups startup.

What are you working on? Made any headlines lately?

Comptroller McCall '58 made headlines when he was arrested along with other high-profile politicians and celebrities for protesting the police shooting of an African immigrant.

Winebaum led Disney's Internet initiative since its inception. Now he's started a company that will start more companies.