Letters

In the Fick of It

YOU ARE TO BE COMMENDED FOR your remarkable coverage of "one soldiers' story" ("Back from Iraq," Jan/Feb). Captain Fick is one courageous young man who overcame the agenda prevailing on the Dartmouth campus to realize that freedom is not free and requires willing sacrifice made by the few to protect the many. We all owe him and his other colleagues cited our deepest gratitude.

Professor Frank Russell's knowledge of classical Greece reminds us again of that ancient widom: "A society that separates its scholars from its warriors will have its decisions made by cowards and its wars fought by fools." Captain Fick both learned and applied that lesson, undoubtedly in the face of strong counter- currents swirling around him in Hanover. Folks "trapped" in cubicles and others devoted to impersonating Hollywood entertainers may be more representative of our recent graduates. But Captain Fick saw things differently, and his efforts made a difference.

Scarborough, Maine

I JUST READ MATTHEW MOSK'S Excellent piece about Nathaniel Fick. Along with many Dartmouth men, I was drafted and served four years in the Navy.

Years later, when the draft was eliminated following the war in Vietnam, a nephew was part of the construction crew that physically wrecked the Selective Service Building here in Washington. Like him and many in those times, I delighted in the symbolism of that physical act, as we felt bruised by the Vietnam experience. But I also felt a pang that the elimination of the "citizen soldier" requirement might have been a mistake. I now think it is a mistake.

Washington, D.C.

THE ARTICLE ABOUT NATHANIEL Fick's tour of duty in Iraq was a welcome break from the news stories about the war that have neglected the complexity of this conflict. He went into the war believing that Dartmouth students, as representatives of our nation's best and brightest, should consider military service. But after witnessing the horror of war, Fick was honest enough to say what many in the military might not or cannot: that the military was not for him.

I approached this war from quite a different angle, in that I chose to make and gather art to try to heal the war's wounds. A friend and I started a quilt-making project to memorialize those whom Iraqis have killed and those whom U.S. troops have killed.

We need help to remember that, as Fick says, "The human element hasn't changed very much." War is no abstract concept, and when faced with the reality of the death and destruction that it brings, the best and the brightest sometimes look the other way.

Dartmouth ranked third among small colleges and universities in the country for the number of Peace Corps volunteers it sent into the world in 2003. Perhaps we need to ask ourselves why so many of our peers have chosen to work for peace.

I hope DAM will continue to provide viewpoints from alums who are looking within themselves for boldness and use it not only to build up military arms but to build bridges between human communities, that we might come closer to a world without war.

Brooklyn, New York

OVER THE PAST 35 YEARS I CANNOT recall any statement by any Dartmouth organ that presented our military with evenhandedness, much less respect, so it was with no little surprise that I read your article about Captain Fick. I congratulate and warmly thank him—and all of our young men and women, sons and daughters all—who answer the call of their country.

I found insightful the point made by classics professor Frank Russell about "noblesse without the oblige." We have now a generation of Americans, the elite among whom feel no duty to serve in the military. The connection between our civilian populace and an all-volunteer, professional military is less vibrant, more tenuous, than in the past. Dartmouth has played its own part here, most tangibly by expelling ROTC, but also through a more subtle disdain of things martial.

I hope that this article is a first small step away from that prevailing attitude, and that we will not read it and imagine we are doing our part. Meanwhile, that a vanishingly small number of Dartmouth graduates offer their service to our country is a loss for our military, and surely a loss for our polity.

CAPTAIN, USNR, RETIRED Wayne, Pennsylvania

NO ONE CAN QUARREL WITH THE bravery of Captain Fick under fire. What he did was an inspiration. Dartmouth's scholar/warrior was no coward and our resolve isn't foolish! Or is "foolish" the conclusion? The "spin" on this is not in keeping with the wisdom in the professor's advice.

West Palm Beach, Florida

MAYBE TWO YEARS AGO, THERE WAS a New York Times bestseller that narrated the story of a Boston area prep school grad who headed for Marine boot camp rather than pursue his predicted future as an Ivy Leaguer. Instantaneously, this triggered an internal self examination at the school. The question: What did we do wrong?

I'm at least unaware of any such backlash at Dartmouth. Congratulations and semper fi!

CAPTAIN, USMCR, RETIRED Elverson, Pennsylvania

I FOUND MYSELF DEEPLY MOVED BY Nathaniel Fick's experiences, perhaps because they mirrored my own 36 years ago in Vietnam. I didn't see the combat he described, but I did experience the uncertainty going into the service.

There is a sense of incredible excitement and adventure going in. Once there, the excitement fades, but you develop friends, comrades in arms. These friendships are the best you'll ever have; they carry you through the bad times.

There is a sense of unreality. This is not the real world, this is only play-acting, and then you see four dead bodies. You start to count the days until you come home. At home, you are damaged goods. Nathaniel's mother wisely said, "He may not look it on the outside, but he's been through trauma." He has indeed.

Scholars and leaders in our society need to send our young people to war with trepidation, only with good reason and only when all other alternatives have been exhausted. The price is too great.

Glenmont, New York

AS ONE WHO ARRIVED IN HANOVER in July 1943 in the first V-12 class, I wish to point out that it was not established in 1942. Prior to V-12 being on campus there was a naval officer training program that turned out 90-day wonders. I recall it as being designated V-7. When that program began I do not know. There were about 3,000 in that first V-12 class to train both naval and marine officers. In 1993 a group from the classes of 1945 through 1949 organized a 50th reunion in Hanover that was enjoyed by all who attended.

New London, New Hampshire

YOU MUST HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF criticism for referring to a Marine as a soldier in your display type: "One Soldiers Story," referring to that of Marine Captain Fick. Let me say the piece was timely and well done except for this reference. As you have no doubt learned, to a Marine it is upsetting to be called a soldier. Genetically, I suppose they are and perhaps as the pages of time pass, everyone who puts on a uniform will be a soldier—but not for the time we are in now.

COLONEL, USMC, RETIRED Bethesda, Maryland

Out of Focus

WHILE I UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR photo ("Men in Uniform," Jan/Feb) was not meant to be all-inclusive, let me correct one minor omission. Both Shadrick Williams '98, a lieutenant, j.g., and I (a lieutenant at the time) spent last winter and spring onboard the fast attack submarine U.S.S. Pittsburgh in the Persian Gulf, where our ship contributed to the opening volleys of the war. Shadrick served as the assistant combat system officer; I split my time between the engine room and Tomahawk mission planning.

I'm confident there are alumni whose smiles will be broader knowing that there are Dartmouth men serving today in the worlds finest Navy.

Ann Arbor, Michigan

Editor's Note: Nor were we able to include apicture of Major John Williamson '90, Tu'99,who has been serving in Tikrit with his ArmyReserve unit as a civil affairs officer. We alsomisidentified Brad Davis '99 as being aMarine. He is, in fact, a Navy lieutenant, j.g.

Economics of Scale

CHARLES WHEELAN'S CALL FOR A broad economics survey course ("Dollars and Sense," Jan/Feb) is one of the most valuable pieces I have read in DAM.

Such a course fits perfectly with Dartmouth's commitment to a liberal education. In fact, one can make a plausible argument that the typical Econ 101 course is a waste of capital for non-econ majors. Even if they remember the math and graphs, most non-econ majors will find little opportunity to apply what they've learned later in life. The broad survey course would prepare them for challenges including career selection, retirement investment, exercising the right to vote and making strategic decisions about institutions they may eventually run. And let's not forget lively conversation at cocktail parties.

Such a course could be easy to design, a joy to teach and a really challenging course for non-majors needing a social sciences distributive. Selections from TheEconomist and The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) could be used to cover the core concepts. This could be supplemented with selected general interest readings that apply economic principles: Rubbish! The Archaeologyof Garbage by William L. Rathje or House by Tracy Kidder, for example.

I dropped Econ 101 after the professor concluded that world hunger was a problem of distribution not supply then turned the page, leaving no time for lively discussion.

Since then my math skills have steadily declined but my grasp of economics has greatly increased—thanks in part to a professor whom I met shortly after graduating who suggested I read the WSJ from cover to cover for a year to fill this important gap in my education. I also benefited from reading The Economist.

I apply my autodidactic economic education ucation when training recruits at Price- waterhouseCoopers and Goldman Sachs. Some are graduates of Dartmouth who are clearly hungry for and fascinated by economics. Too bad that a course such as Mr. Wheelan suggests was not available to them.

Mr. Wheelan's valuable suggestion raises the bar. Let's hope a Dartmouth professor picks up the baton. Lets get it done. I'll help.

Wayne, New Jersey

WHILE I AGREE WITH MR. WHEELAN that most people could benefit from a greater understanding of international trade issues and fiscal policy, I disagree that this understanding can be taught in a course for non-majors. I was an economics major and I feel my own understanding of these issues is scarcely adequate. Mr. Wheelan claims that the most important ideas in economics are intuitive, but I argue that, for example, comparative advantage is not an intuitive but rather a difficult idea.

There is plenty of high-quality "Economic for Poets" already in the world: Pop Internationalism by Paul Krugman, Innumeracy by John Allen Paulos or perhaps Mr. Wheel an s book..

A history course on economic thought would appeal to economics majors and non-majors alike.

Washington, D.C.

Plural Responses

WITH ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS' budgets being reduced, sports teams being discontinued and tuition rising at an alarming rate, surely there must be a better use of funds than the newly created Office of Pluralism and Leadership.

While reading DAM's interview with Dean Woon ("Responding to Reality," Jan/Feb), I was at a loss to understand what exactly his office hopes to accomplish. If Dartmouth truly wishes to attract a more diverse student body and faculty, perhaps it should look into cutting tuition and raising salaries before hiring more bureaucrats.

New York City

I READ WITH SOME INTEREST YOUR interview with the new dean of pluralism and especially his comment that Dartmouth will be diverse enough when Dartmouth no longer has a "majority population." Perhaps you can explain how this assertion differs from a quota system.

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

IT WAS INTERESTING TO READ THAT Dartmouth now has a dean of pluralism and diversity, whose mission it is to make education about diversity and leadership relevant and meaningful to every Dartmouth student: Only three pages earlier in the issue ("Around the Green," Jan/Feb) we learn that in a poll by TheDartmouth, 96 percent of faculty members who were among the 900 respondents to the poll said they have a negative impression of President Bush.

Perhaps it's time to broaden the portfolio of the dean to include promoting diversity in the political philosophy of the faculty.

Toledo, Ohio

THE JAN/FEB ISSUE WAS PIVOTAL for me. How discouraging to read of yet another administrator (Tommy Lee Woon) whose dedication to diversity for diversity's sake is both dull and unconvincing. I also learned that 96 percent of the Dartmouth faculty have a negative impression of President Bush—leading me to ask what kind of diversity is that? At that point I was ready to close my checkbook for next year's campaign.

Then I read about Nathaniel Fick '99, a true scholar/warrior in "Back from Iraq." His story speaks of a depth of character that I suspect Dartmouth had only a minor influence on. Nevertheless, while individuals like this still get to walk the hallowed grounds of my alma mater, I can write one more check.

Perhaps he could be asked if, after he completes his graduate studies, he might be interested in an administrative position at a small college in dire need of role models with some practical experience.

New York City

BECAUSE THE COLLEGE HAS BEEN espousing diversity for a long time now and my Random House dictionary includes under diverse, "a wide range of diverse opinions," I was struck that 96 percent of faculty members said they have a negative impression of President Bush.

I think recent surveys of Americans typically are in the 45 to 65 percent positive range, depending upon current events. I ask Dartmouth faculty, students and applicants and the parents thereof, administrators, alumni and reporters (including "diverse" ones, I hope) assigned to report on it, to think about what this large disparity tells us.

Hamilton, Massachusetts

Life Cubed

ALTHOUGH I ENJOYED PARTS OF Liam Kuhn's article on weekends in the "real world" ("Life in a Cubicle," Jan/Feb), I became ridiculously annoyed by it.

Kuhn seems to wallow in his own in- action, and that totally bummed me out.

Guess what? Many people actually do not sleep weekends away, don't feel the weekend is only 15 hours long and stay away from the televisions zombie-trapping programming. People are responsible for their own time.

I would suggest that Kuhn delve into his own creative self and draw upon his surroundings for ways to get the most out of his weekends.

New York City

Dartmouth on Ice

THE ARTICLE ON SHAUN PEET '98 ("Is This Any Way to Make a Living?" Jan/Feb) was a treat. Shaun's adventures in the professional hockey world are shared (I hope not as colorfully) by other Dartmouth grads plying the ice in southern parts. Jamie Herrington '02 was a member of the ECHL All-Star team in 2003 and is back playing for the Pensacola Ice Pilots after rehabbing from knee surgery.

Pete Summerfelt '03 was with Pensacola but has been traded to another ECHL team. Chris Taliercio '02 was with the Louisiana Ice Gators in 2002-03 and I think is still playing elsewhere.

I have had the opportunity to meet all three after games against "my team," the Mississippi Sea Wolves. Hockey is alive and well in the South. Come on down and see first-class minor-league hockey!

Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Poor Taste

MICHAEL MARANTZ '63 EITHER missed the "Great Issues" course—or missed its point. He bemoans an economics professor joining the Bush team and compares the president to Hitler ("Letters," Jan/Feb). Even if one disagrees with the administration, this kind of name-calling reflects poorly on a Dartmouth education.

New York City

MICHAEL MARANTZ'S LETTER SHOWS just what is wrong with American politics today. The implicit accusation that President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, Attorney General Ashcroft and Professor Samwick are Nazis or worse not only ignores historical reality and is the worst kind of hyperble but also precludes any kind of civil political dialogue.

At the Dartmouth Mr. Marantz and I attended, civility marked even the most heated political debate. I sometimes wonder what has caused us to change so much for the worse.

Silver Spring, Maryland

I AGREE WITH MR. MARANTZ THAT some things you want to brag about; others are best left unmentioned. His use of the Bush team/Hitler team comparison indicates that either he failed in the time he spent at Dartmouth or Dartmouth failed him. In either case, it should be an embarrassment; there are other more intellectual and substantive ways to express ones political view.

Baroda, Michigan

Investing in the Future

MAY I SUGGEST ONE REASON FOR what many perceive to be a waning interest in the affairs of the College? In its fantasy effort to become another Princeton, the College is building buildings and expanding graduate programs and studies. This takes money.

Correct me if I am wrong in my recollection, but didn't the College endowment take a dramatic hit in 2000 and thereafter, due to adverse market conditions (tech stock investments)? If so, that throws a damper on everything, and a puerile attempt at quick resurrection by way of hedge fund investments, which, according to DAM ("Charting a New Financial Course," Jan/Feb), underperform in a bull market, needs no further comment. This is serious, folks.

The Indian symbol, the moose or any other symbol, political correctness, cultural diversity and the dean of pluralism- none of this matters if the endowment is being torched.

Traverse City, Michigan.

MAYBE IT WAS THE YOUNG MARINE on the cover. At any rate, this disaffected alumnus who typically looks at nothing but his Class Notes decided to read the latest issue of DAM (Jan/Feb). Or at least some of it. Then I decided to offer my reactions.

For starters, it was bold at minimum for Dartmouth to admit its foolhardy actions of June 2000 in "Charting a New Financial Future." It was hard for me, a retired investment professional, to see how the administration and trustees could have deserted common sense so absolutely. It reminded me of California, where monies were spent in good times with no thought of what the future might bring.

As for "Responding to Reality," does Dartmouth really need yet another dean? Given its mishandling of finances, it could have used the money for something better.

Then the articles about the three young alumni:"Life In a Cubicle" was "dull fluff, but from a recent grad, so he is forgiven; "Back from Iraq" was an excellent cover feature; then, "Is This AnyWay to Make a Living?" The answer: Of course not, but which of us never wished at some point that he had done his "thing" after graduation?

Dellwood, Minnesota

QUOTE/UNQUOTE "That a vanishingly small number of Dartmouth graduates offer their service to our country is a loss for our military, and surely a loss for our polity." JOHN FRONDORF '69

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