Letters

Unforgettable Inferno

THE INCREDIBLYHONEST AND DEEPLY emotional photographs by jim Nachtwey '70 ["The Witness," June] arrived this Memorial Day weekend as I was moving my flag to half-staff in honor of the men we operated upon and lost in Vietnam during our tour in 1968-69. With wars currently "somewhere else" and America in the rapture of its rich self-indulgence, these photographs brought home the reality to all in our family, particularly our kids, who found it difficult to believe there are people starving. Praise to Jim for his bravery and his message.

Twain Harte, Californiajnbaldwin@mlode. com

OF ALL THE PIECES IN YOUR magazine over the years, I found the story on James Nachtwey's photography to be the most moving. Apostponed IPO is not the inferno we in Silicon Valley think it is.

Palo Alto, Californiaquinn@pobox.com

All Gassed Up

AN INDIGNANT ALUMNUS DEFENDS the teaching by Professor Perrin that electric cars conserve energy ["Letters," June]. He cites an electric car ( www.solectria.com ) that uses only 137 watthours per mile, which he says is the equivalent of 240 miles per gallon. I'd like to know what kind of power plant he is using to convert gasoline to electricity at 100-percent efficiency, since most power plants do that at about 35-percent efficiency. On this planet those 240 mpg become 84 mpg.

Checking www.solectria.com, one finds that the ephemeral car attains this great efficiency when cruising at 45 mph. Factoring in power for accessories might bring the efficiency down to 50 or 60 mpg—before you factor in losses in transmitting the electricity or storing it in a battery. By comparison, hybrid vehicles exist today that can exceed 60 mpg of gasoline.

We have not gone very far to separate what is really good for the environment from what is just wishful thinking. Teaching the ideals of environmental responsibility is a good start, but some facts would be helpful too.

Niskayuna, New Yorkjwestney@bellevuewoman.com

Thinking Mans Coach

READING ABOUT 808 BLACKMAN ["On the Hill," June], I remember well when he was introduced to the faculty. President Dickey invited Bob to be the speaker at a faculty tea. I was working in the admissions office and was pleased to be able to attend. John Dickey anticipated more accurately what was in store for the audience than the faculty did. Mr. Blackman explained and beautifully illustrated what would be expected of the squad. He was magic—with charts and a football bible, all done with care and zest—a most articulate and entertaining speaker. I was behind two members of the philosophy department when I noticed one nudge the other and say, "One has to be really smart to play his kind of football."

East Orleans, Massachusetts

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Our Arboreal Heritage

I READ "NURTURING NATURE" [May] with great interest. It is wonderful that the College is protecting its arboreal heritage. Unfortunately, the Dutch elm disease, for which the College tree warden is ever vigilant, is but one of thousands of invasive non-native plants, animals, fungi and microbes that threaten Americas native ecosystems. Invasives, whether imported unintentionally, like zebra mussels, or deliberately, like kudzu, wreak havoc with natural ecosystems. Arguably, invasive species will create much more ecological damage much sooner than will climate change. With Dartmouth's location relatively proximate to natural systems, it would be great to see the College address this issue.

Alexandria, Virginiascameron@us.chep.com

IT WAS EXCITING TO LEARN THAT Dartmouth's tree program now qualifies as a leading academic arboretum and that the class of 1950 has played such a key role in attaining this status. In addition to the online inventory of campus trees, I wonder if a few other steps might make the information more broadly accessible. For example, some or all of the trees could have discrete labels, as is common practice in other arboreta. Also, brochures sketching short walks to visit selected specimens might be prepared (using recycled paper, of course) for campus visitors.

Potomac,Marylandmcnellis@olg.com

MY FIRST INTRODUCTION TO THE Parkhurst Elm was through my Dads classmate, Al Dickerson 30, who wrote the class of 1930 bulletin for many years. Al referred to this tree as the "bulletinelm."

Glenn Ridge, New Jerseywgfrench@erols. com

Too Much Control

THE ADMINISTRATION DURING THE late 1950s worried about alcohol abuse and fraternity life and made noises about curbing them, as it has ever since. Finally it is getting its way.

When the initial items of concern, which have led to the student life initiative, were stated by the trustees, it was clear to me that the result was contained in the questions. Whenever those in authority criticize disorderly or unwise behavior and want to make rules to control it, anyone resisting can easily be made to seem irresponsible.

The lack of controls on my behavior during my time at Dartmouth felt like a vote of confidence. Since then I have viewed it as wise policy. Students learn by exploring, adopting and rejecting or retaining a variety of ideas; and, in similar fashion, they test a range of behaviors. Full freedom to make the right choices must also include the freedom to make the wrong ones, and either to correct the mistakes or not.

The core element of Dartmouth's elite education is learning to think clearly and independently. This is instilled by instruction, example and practice. The coming controls will weaken that process.

Mayer, Arizona

It's the Bucks, Stupid

REGARDING MR.FRECH'S NOTE ON the high-tech generation ["Letters," June]: We truly live in amazing times. However, "It's the Ideas, Stupid!" [April] now has become more of "It's the First Round Pre-Seed Venture Capital Backing, Stupid!" After all, who does not have the idea for the next great high-tech startup and/or dot-com? If only I knew some sawy investors!

Eugene, Oregonedward hopkins@usa.com

A Royal Farewell

I JUST READ THE LETTER FROM CARL Tourtellot '45 about Kappa Sigma's role regarding the 1947 Carnival Queen ["Letters," April]. A close friend of ours for many years, [former queen] Gwendolyn LaTour Allen Rosier, fought a long and tough battle with cancer and, this March, lost it. She was thrilled with "Skating on Thin Ice" [March 1998]. She was a good athlete, loving parent and a great sport. We will miss her.

Whispering Pines, North Carolinaphchase@mindspring. com

Through the Roof

WITH REFERENCE TO THE LETTER titled "Big Dig" ["Letters "April]:

It occurs to me that it's too bad Dartmouth doesn't offer a major in public policy. Considering that the College has a building program that includes an undergraduate residence hall whose cost is only $100,000 per bed (!), Dartmouth has much to teach our nation's future leaders about solutions to the seemingly intractable problem of homelessness.

Champaign, Illinoisjwason@paign,Illinois

Kudos to Dratch

JACQUES STEINBERG'S PIECE ON the success of diminutive comedienne Rachel Dratch '88 ["Live from New York," May] left out one important aspect of her rise to SNL: my Jeanne Dixonesque esque role in predicting—nay, inspiring—her current fame.

A week or two before the loth reunion of the class of '88, I literally bumped into Ms. Dratch at Union Station in Washington, D.C., while waiting for trains. Having not seen each other in a few years, we exchanged pleasantries, and then I inquired as to her then-current activities and plans to attend reunion. She glumly informed me that she had been struggling in improv groups, "just wasn't successful" and therefore didn't want to attend our reunion, which would be populated with dot-com millionaires and glamorous Wall Street tycoons. Recalling her many humorous antics in College, I gave her a "who loves ya, baby?" wink straight out of the Telly Savalas handbook, and said, "Honey, you're going to make it. Now quit being a drip and make plans for reunion."

Long story short—she did attend reunion. The rest is history.

Washington, D.C.corcoranb@howrey.com

THANKS FOR THE ARTICLE ON Rachel Dratch. We attended the same summer camp as kids, but I didn't know she also went to Dartmouth! It's great that she has done so well (especially after initial disappointments) and has remained humble and down-to-earth. What an inspiration!

Berkeley, Californiaekushner@pacbell.net

Almost Heaven

AS I WALKED OUTTHE FRONTDOOR of the Hanover Inn recently, I encountered a group of Dartmouth coeds. When I asked one student how she liked Dartmouth, she answered, "I love it." The second girl gave me exactly the same reply. The third student gave me a different but delightful response: "If there's any place nearer heaven, I want to go there."

I guess nothing much has changed since my student days—about threequarters of a century ago.

Norwich, Vermont

A Profound Notion?

JOEL LASKY '54 COMPLAINS THAT there is too much being said about the Indian symbol issue ["Letters," April]. That, however, does not deter him from throwing his gasoline on the fire by contributing his letter. Moreover, he offers the profound notion that those who disagree with his position are insensitive, obsessed and immatureand gives the advice that they "grow up." Advice for Lasky: Try to write or do something which is important, useful and accurate.

Grantham, New Hampshirewoolson@smet. com

Letter Perfect

THE MARCH 10 LETTER TO THE Dartmouth community by Dean of the College James Larimore and Dean of the Faculty Edward Berger is the finest statement of any kind to emerge from the Dartmouth administration in many years. The letter is remarkable in its candor and clarity, as is the Colleges admission that the alleged cheating had roots not only in the students but also in the faculty.

Further welcome are the Colleges avowed dedication of the Committee on Standards to the principle of fairness in its hearings and the Colleges rededication of all constituencies to the honor principle.

Rochester, New Yorkrbrown9@rochester.rr.com

QUOTE/UNQUOTE "A postponed IPO is not the inferno we in Silicon Valley think it is." BOB QUINN '75

QUOTE/UNQUOTE "The lack of controls during my time at Dartmouth felt like a vote of confidence." JOHN MILLS '62,