the.Hillsdale.
Forum
Brothers From Another Mother
CHRISTINA MILLER
STAFF WRITER
He’s handsome. He talks pretty.
He dreams big dreams. He may
not be entirely qualified to be pres-
ident. He has something of a cult
following. His eyes are “dreamy.”
No, we’re not talking about
Barack Obama. Well, not just
Obama. John F. Kennedy was the
original, and here, we take a closer
look at what the two men have in
common:
Consider that JFK was America’s
last senator elected president.
Obama, too, is a senator. Howev-
er, Kennedy had served two terms
in the Senate where Obama served
less than one. Kennedy also served
in Congress.
But it doesn’t stop there. Ken-
nedy frequently spoke to enrap-
tured crowds about bringing “a
new spirit to government.” Sound
familiar? If it makes you think of
Obama’s claim to be a “new kind
of politician,” you might be onto
something.
Both candidates also seem to be
energized by speaking to inordi-
nately large crowds. At the Demo-
crat convention, Obama will not
speak at the Pepsi Center, where
all the other speeches were held.
Instead he will declare his cani-
dacy at at Ivesco Field, a football
stadium that holds many more
people. Kennedy pulled a similar
stunt when he moved his DNC
speech to LA’s Memorial Stadi-
um.
Obama and Kennedy also have
a winsome way with the press.
However, it’s safe to say that Ken-
nedy was better on his feet than
Obama is. Kennedy could come
up with an answer easily, even if
the answer was not particularly
informative. Obama is great from
a script, but stutters in Bushian
fashion when faced with an open
forum.
These two candidates have also
seen their heritage come under
scrutiny. Kennedy faced an uphill
battle with anti-Catholic senti-
ment. Obama has seen his African
heritage, Muslim education, and
even his American citizenship
challenged and questioned. But
Kennedy challenged these trou-
bles effectively where Obama has
floundered.
Kennedy and Obama are also
known for their visual appeal.
Kennedy, at 43, is America’s
youngest president. Obama would
be the second youngest at 47. They
are both seen as a departure from
usual presidents.
These two are Harvard-educated.
VOlume IX, Issue I
Harvard University now has the
John F Kennedy School of Govern-
ment and Obama was editor of the
Harvard Law Review.
If Obama is elected, he will come
into a foreign policy situation sim-
ilar to Kennedy’s. Once again the
world is polarized between two
extreme ideologies and America’s
next president will have to deal
with it.
And lest we forget, the granddad-
dy of all the similarities: the Berlin
speech. Kennedy and Obama have
both stood at the Berlin Wall and
given speeches to the German
people. However, Kennedy gave
a speech that lifted up America’s
capitalist system and called out
the flaws of communism. Obama
stood in front of 200,000 people
who can’t vote for him and pro-
ceeded to trash his country. HF
August 2008
sOUND bITES
University of Maryland political science
professor Thomas Schaller and Harper’s
Magazine Senior Editor Luke Mitchell
as quoted in a July 2008 article entitled
“High Noon for the Republican Party:
Why the GOP Must Die”
SCHALLER: To do better
than 50.1 percent, the Dem-
ocrats are going to have to
mobilize some previously
under-or-under mobilized
groups. And there are a of
different possibilities in that
regard.
MITCHELL: Which groups
would you suggest?
SCHALLER: Latinos are ob-
viously part of it. They in-
creasingly tend to vote for
Democrats, and they also are
increasing as a proportion
of the electorate—a double
whammy. Unmarried adults
likely will soon outnumber
married adults, and they
don’t seem to like Republi-
cans that much. … One out
of thirteen new marriages is
an interracial marriage, for
instance, and that proportion
will continue to grow.
in.this.ISSUE
the Ultimate Guide to
Hillsdale College
PAGES 6-7
=
Summer Movie
Reviews
PAGE 10
=
Break Out Your
Leather Pants (and
Save Money Doing It!)
PAGE 8
=
“Real Hillsdalians
of Genius”
PAGE 8
=
 2
news August 2008

Summer Experiences Shape Students The world has done an ex-

cellent job of raising aware-
ness about Darfur and the
genocide and other human
The French equivalent of the
FCC banned channels from
marketing programs to those
three years of age or younger
respected in D.C.” and that “the dent of Catholic Society, and injustices happening there. in order to shield them from
JULIE rOBISON experience has given me an even signed up thinking she would be However, when the UN’s the “developmental risks”
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF deeper appreciation for the lib- improving her Spanish skills as International Crime Court attributed to young children
For most, getting away from eral arts education that Hillsdale well as her spirituality, but little (ICC) approached Sudanese watching television.
home seems to be imperative, provides.” did she know the impact the trip President Omar al-Bashir re-
which is why most feel it neces- Cara Burke ‘10 took summer would have on her life. She went garding the crimes against A recent study finds that the
sary to go to school in a pseudo- courses this humanity occurring under Amish population has more
Narnia environment (it’s always summer, but him, he and his government than doubled over the course
winter but never Christmas in not to fulfill not only were outraged at the of the last 16 years, and ex-
Hillsdale, MI). This may be why class require- allegations, but emphatically pansion of over 130% in some
most jump for joy at the chance ments for the denied them. Perhaps over states.
to return home for the summer college at a lo- 300,000 bodies isn’t enough to
months, where they can re-co- cal university convince him, but it certainly Rudy Giuliani will be the key-
operate from the harsh academ- in her area, has impacted their fellow citi- note speaker for the Republi-
ic months in their bed or by the as many HC zens of the world. al-Bashir can National Convention in
pool side. Others, unable to en- students do. has also recently rejected the Minnapolis/Saint Paul. Oth-
joy such luxury due to a hatred Rather, she deployment of UN troops to er guests include First Lady
of boredom or sufficient lack of partook in the the Darfur region. Laura Bush, Joe Lieberman,
funds, get jobs to fill the hours Oxford Study and Mitt Romney.
and their bank accounts. Oth- Abroad Pro- Though he attends a Method-
ers, however, enjoy the road less gram, which ist church in Texas and Epis- They finally made her go to
taken: unpaid activities that ac- she heard photo by Katie O’Donnell
copal services when in Wash- rehab, and she said no no no...
tually leave them with less pe- about through Two weeks in Honduras not only allowed Julia Spiotta
ington D.C., President Bush is Amy Winehouse is back in
cuniary funds than before, but Dr. Calvert. to brush up on her Spanish, but helped her to make
reportedly considering con- rehab. Again.
open up worlds of opportunity She decided to some amazing memories as well.
verting to Catholicism when
and experience for them. spend 8 weeks he leaves office in January. New York City Mayor Mi-
Trevor Shunk ‘10 is one of those in the UK because “at Hillsdale in with a self-sufficient mindset, chael Bloomberg proposed
such people. As a Health Policy I learned about studying for its the kind that starts each sentence Universal Music has just August 19th to develop wind-
Studies intern at the Heritage own sake, and decided to apply with “I” instead of relying solely awarded a group of Cister- turbines to fit atop many
Foundation this past summer, it to the summer as well as the on Christ’s strength. Spiotta and cian Monks a recording con- of NYCs famous skyscrap-
Shunk has school term.” She the other college students on the tract after a YouTube video of ers and bridges, a plan that
been able had an excellent trip stayed at Casa Guadaloupe the group singing a Gregorian would supply the city with up
to get an experience, and with the Franciscan Friars of chant “blew record producers to 10% of its energy needs.
inside look enjoyed having the Renewal a few days prior to away.”
of the “nuts close relation- the mission, but for the actual The new Blackberry Bold is
and bolts ships with her mission, they lived with fami- Famed Olympian Mark Spitz set to hit shelves in the United
of modern tutors. “Personal lies deep in the mountains. Her claims that in his prime, he States in early September.
politics.” r e l a t i o n s h i p s group stayed in Majadas, Agua would have “tied” modern
He met helps you learn Blanca, where she interacted swimming sensation Michael John McCain has announced
many influ- more, and to re- with people “who endure so Phelps. that he will reveal his running
ential pub- spect your teach- much suffering on a day-to-day mate at an Ohio rally on Au-
lic figures, ers,” said Burke. basis, who have so little to offer Despite promises to pull out gust 29th, his seventy-second
had exclu- She hope to be and yet willingly give more than of Georgia, Russian troops birthday.
sive tours able to study in they can afford, whose lives are show little proof that they
in the White Oxford again, an unending cycle of uncertain- intend to, indeed, leave the Using his granddaughter’s
House, Pen- and considers the ty, hardship, and pain, yet they country. pink Barbie fishing rod, Da-
tagon, Cap- experience “defi- have the strongest faith I have vid Hayes caught a record 21
itol build- nitely worth do- ever seen.” The experience was LeRoi Moore, long-time saxo- pound catfish on August 5.
ing, and ing.” Her chief extremely rewarding for Spi- phonist for the Dave Mat-
photo courtsey of Burke
Mt. Vernon, Cara Burke enjoying the beautiful advice for those otta personally, but she believes thews Band, died August The United States and Iraq
and was in- sights of Oxford. considering the one does not have to go on a 19th after complications from have reportedly drawn up a
volved in program is to mission trip to experience it. an ATV accident in June. detailed security agreement
lectures, a “work hard and “Christ is knocking on the door that has American troops re-
conservative book club, and a don’t be shy.” of your heart anywhere and ev- American Airlines became the turning stateside as early as
“rigorous op-ed writing class After working for most of the erywhere,” said Spiotta, “wait- first airline to offer in-flight June 30, 2009—it still requires
taught by one of the top editors summer at home, Spiotta decid- ing for you to let him in.” Katie internet and e-mail services acceptance by Iraqi leaders,
in the country.” For Shunk, the ed to take two weeks off to go on O’Donnell ‘09, Jaimie Conley on its longer flights; service is however.
internship was life-changing, a mission trip to Honduras with ‘11, and Anne Morath ‘12 joined available for $12.95.
and has made him eager to re- the Missioners of Christ. She Spiotta in Honduras.HF
turn to campus. He reported that heard about the trip through Ka-
“our professors are very highly- tie O’Donnell ‘09, former presi-
3
August 2008 nEWS
STATEHOUSE
This monthly
the series will high-

EYE ON THE
light the activ-
Hillsdale Forum ity taking place
at your state

staff capitol.
government
State

is frequently
Emilia Huneke-Bergquist overlooked for
the bigger pie
Julie Robison in Washington, James nesbitt
EditOrs in Chief but actions here staff writer
often times have
greater influence on the lives of
Dave Wasmer Legislature (CONTINUED)
Michigan residents. Therefore, we $61,359 — Office Budget per
AssOciate EditOr turn our eye from the east and di- Senator
rect it to the north, bringing you the 132 — # of Days Spent in Session
Heather Shell silly, the pointless, and the critical During 2007 (Senate)
directly from Lansing. To begin our 110 — Members of the House
COpy EditOr series, here are some eye-opening 58—Democrats
numbers of your state government: 52—Republicans
Nate Anderson State Spending 24 — # of Standing Committees
Matt Cole Total Budget for FY 2008: 134 — # of days spent in session
during 2007 (House)
Calvin Freiburger $28,361,609,500
Terms
Increase from Prior FY Budget:
Martin Kraegel III Hillsdale senior Craig Kreinbihl only recently returned $361,609,500 31 — # of Membership Changes
Nathan Lichtman from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China where he Governor
in Most Recent Election
2 — Number of Years/Term
Christina Miller spent over a week as a guest of Coca-Cola Corporation. 8 — Number of line item vetoes
Here he stands in front of the famed Tiananmen Square. 3 — Total Number of Terms/
James Nesbitt by Governor, 2007

THE IRAQ WAR:

Scott Rozell
Staff Writers
CONGRESS’ PLAN FOR EARLY RETIREMENT?
Kate Martin MATT COLE
DC COrrespOndent STAFF WRITER
With fewer American troops dying
each month and insurgent deaths
Dr. Larry Arnn
speculated to be 19,000-25,000,
Rachel Elliott the deployment of an additional
Lizzy Shell 20,000 troops to Iraq has proven to
CONTRIBUTERs be quite successful.
Naturally Republicans are quite
pleased with the way things are
Guided by the going, but surprisingly, so are
principals of liberty,
Democrats. While time tables and
freedom, and justice, troop withdrawals are still being
demanded, such demands have
The.Hillsdale.Forum been reduced to almost realistic
is a monthly student- levels.
run publication of
Most notably, Sen. Barack Obama,
Hillsdale College who maintains he has never altered
striving to inform and his firm anti-war stance, has called
for extended time tables for troop
educate its readers
withdrawal in light of recent
about today’s ever- events, and attempted to downplay
changing Conservative
his initial disapproval of the troop
political climate. surge.
Many have argued recent
Democratic behavior is simply
CONTACT US: party politics, and despite being
raised to prominence with the aid
HILLSDALEFORUM of the far Left, Obama and his
@GMAIL.COM fellow Democrats plan to ride the
wave of moderate America to the
White House.
So stances have been changed
because Obama wants to maintain
his moderate voting base and
Democrats are just happy America
is winning…right? Or perhaps
it is the millions of dollars that
Democrats are now making.
Originally Democrats made
such a big issue about how long
America has been in Iraq because
every year part of the $500 billion
spent on the war has found its way
into Republican pockets.
Republican members of Congress
have been making money since the
start of the war due to their heavy
investment in companies such as
Halliburton which has had almost
exclusive rights in building the
new oil refineries, pipelines, and
chemical plants of Iraq. Such
companies were granted substantial
military contracts from Republican
Congressmen.
As operations in Iraq move from
combat to security, the reason for
recent Democrat enthusiasm has
become more apparent. Despite
denouncing the war, over the
CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
24 — Number of members in
Governor’s cabinet
Terms
4 — Number of Years/Term
2 — Terms/Governor Allowed by
Law
2010 — Next Gubernatorial
Election
Compensation & Benefits
$177,000 — Governor’s Annual
Compensation
3rd — State Rank for Highest-Paid
Governors in 2007
(Behind CA & NY)
$60,000 — Governor’s Annual
Expense Allowance
(Housing and automobile/
airline transportation
provided by the State)
Staffing
84.2 — Number of Full-Time
Equated Positions
78 — Number of Office Staff
Budget
$5,317,300 — Appropriations to
the Governor’s Office
Legislature
4 — # of States with full-time,
professional Legislatures
(CA, NY, PA, and MI)
38 — Members of the Senate
21—Republicans
17—Democrats
19 — Number of Standing
Committees
Representative Allowed
8 — # of Membership Changes in
Most Recent Election
4 — Number of Years/Term
2 — # of Terms/Senator Allowed
by Law
Compensation & Benefits
$79,650—Legislator’s Annual
Compensation
$12,000 — Legislator’s Yearly
Expense Allowance
2nd — State Rank for Highest
Paid State Legislators
Staffing
5—Staff per Majority Senator
3—Staff per Minority Senator
2—Staff Members/Representative
Legislation
2,706 — Number of (House) Bills
introduced in last session
1,521 — Number of (Senate)
Bills introduced in last
legislative session
221 — Number of Public Acts
passed in 2007
Budget
$114,504,000 — Appropriation to
the Legislature for FY
2008
$50,759,900 — House
Appropriations
$34,895,200 — Senate
Appropriations
$24,315,000 — Other Legislative
Appropriations
 4
the rOundTable
CALVIN FRIEBURGER, 2011 It should be noted that this is not a roundtable. Far from a record of the intellectually KATE MARTIN, 2010
August 2008

The highlight of my summer in

stimulating conversation found on every sidewalk, in every classroom, and at every party— My summer seemed to revolve
good ol’ Fond du Lac, Wisconsin this is, instead, an abridged version of The Hillsdale Forum’s summer. Just think of it as a around music. As a nanny by day,
would have to be my summer job written version of those “getting to know you” games you loved so much in high school. I spent hours trying to determine
as a Comfort Inn housekeeper, which Jonas Brother is the cutest
which was turned on its head (I’m a Kevin fan), hairbrush-
when housekeeping management NATHAN LICHTMAN, 2011 CHRISTINA MILLER, 2009 lipsynching to Miley Cyrus’s 7
at was temporarily outsourced to I drive a truck. I drive a fairly big truck. Too be more specific for all those This summer I ran Washington, Things, and wondering whether
a villainous, incompetent janitorial truckologists out there, I drive a Ford F-150. One evening this summer, D.C. under the auspices of interning Demi Lovato will actually be able
service called Jani-King, which I was out to dinner with my parents and some family friends and had to for the National Journalism Center. to make something of herself. At
drove the hotel straight into the leave before the rest of them. Walking out of this chic Greek restaurant During the summer, I wrote articles night, I got to leave the Disney
ground, and failed to pay us until in Los Angeles, I was approached by a woman in a Prius. This lady was for WorldNetDaily, rode the Metro Channel circuit for my evening job
Comfort Inn kicked ’em out and your average Obamaniac environmentalist who apparently had a bone to at odd hours of the night, fended as Event Staff at a local concert
took legal action. With the intruders pick with me. She started screaming that I was contributing to the demise off drunk reporters, and learned center. The rock bands and
vanquished, it only took days to get of the earth through the high emissions of my truck and that I was killing the ins and outs of D.C. traffic. country stars provided excellent
the business back on its feet, letting my offspring by overheating the planet. After patiently listening to her That is to say, once you get in good background music as I confiscated
us clean toilets and collect garbage rant, I finally replied that I had to take off and that I was already running luck getting out. I turned around at binocular flasks and danced with
in peace and happiness (wait a late for a book burning followed by a KKK meeting. I had a wonderful the Pentagon a lot. I saw Al Gore drunks. Some shows were great
minute…). My non-janitorial summer. HF talk about environmentalism and (Kenny Chesney was probably
hours were spent reuniting with then hop into his Secret Service my favorite), some were different
high school pals, indulging in JULIE ROBISON, 2010 motorcade to pick up his private jet (The Cincinnati Symphony played
Welcome to Cincinnati, Ohio, where my family has resided since 1837
a probably-unhealthy amount ride home. I heard Canadians beg us the music of Led Zepplin), and
(that’s right, we’re more established than Hillsdale College), a place I
of video gaming, obsessively not to change our healthcare system some seemed pretty unnecessary
can’t throw a stick without hitting a cousin, or at least someone connected
observing the ever-shifting because they will have nowhere (Weird Al), but each night gave me
to my family. Nonetheless, it was wonderful being together, at least for
political landscape (and writing to run if we do. I discovered that opportunities for dance parties and
the summer. My large nuclear family kept it interesting, whether we were
about it to my local paper and in the real world is vastly overrated. great stories to share. Even seeing
having competitive croquet matches or vacationing up East; my extended
the blogosphere), and partaking in You have to pay bills and fend my 35th presidential gravesite,
families had regular get-togethers, and a good number of my close high
local pro-life activism, primarily for yourself. Avoid becoming a (leaving only three to go-Nixon,
school friends were still in town, which made my nights disappear.
a week-long stint operating a Pro- grown-up for as long as possible. Ford, and Reagan), had a musical
My days were spent doing research and editorial work at my father’s law
Life Wisconsin booth at our local Now I am back at Hillsdale for my quality, as the road trip to Tennessee
firm and working for a daily paper an hour away from my house. Why go
county fair. HF senior year. This means I have only created the opportunity for family
so far, one may ask? It’s all about experience, baby. Experience writing,
two more semesters to complete sing-alongs and iPod time when
experiencing people I’m not related to, experiencing a different socio-
this phase of my hostile takeover the family bonding got to be too
MATT COLE, 2011 economic lifestyle, experiencing my first fair…okay, so maybe “county
of the world. HF much. As a sufferer of constant
I spotted her from across the room. fair” wasn’t on my top ten list, but it was an experience I’m glad I survived.
stuck-song-syndrome, I am always
I straightened my bow tie as my One could make the argument that, between working on my tan inside
Martin Kraegel III, 2009 looking for an occasion to burst
sleek dress shoes floated me across the two offices I rotated between (I think I counted another freckle or
into song or tap out the beat, and
two), running with my dog Heidi, the amount of reading I consumed, and As an intern for Northwestern Mu-
the dance floor towards her. I looked thankfully, this summer provided
notebooks I filled with writing, I had a very productive summer. HF tual this summer, he got to fufill his
deep into her eyes and sweet-talked those opportunities in spades. HF
dreams of being a full-fledged young
her with my best pick up line, “Hey urban professional. He spent a lot of time engaged with the market, though
baby, I go to Hillsdale.” She stared NATE ANDERSON, 2010 as a political science major his real passion is watching elections. Sadly,
back at me with fiery passion in her Having already written my first article as a glorification of the motorcycle the 2008 presidential contest has been a real snooze fest thus far. So Mr.
eyes and said, “Beep beep beep.” (a grossly hazardous, beastly machine, that ensures an untimely death for Kraegel has been watching C-SPAN’s Book-TV for entertainment instead.
8:00 a.m., back to reality and time all young thrill seekers, as I sagely informed my impetuous roommate He also worked on two books of his own in his spare time, while finding the
for my seven mile run and then off last semester), I want to remember this summer as the one that I realized time to put in forty hours a week at the office. College is going to be easy! HF
to work. Another day of six year church is not important. Between this revelation, which struck me like
olds chipping balls in front of my a peal of light, and the little thunder god (i.e. motorcycle) which soon EMILIA HUNEKE-BERGQUIST, 2010
mower, mosquitoes attacking me as followed, I had an interesting summer. However, while the two events So, I haven’t played tennis in two years, in a competitive sense, that is.
I plant flowers and paint buildings, may be linked by a quiet anti-institutionalism they are not related by any Back in the day, I held my own—playing on both a traveling team and for
and my boss eating steak in the idolatry. The most practically stirring book I read this summer was Pagan my high school. This is the preface to the really good story that follows.
shade, yelling at me to worker Christianity by Frank Viola and George Barnes. The book does a remark- Having just arrived home from the gym, I was on the phone with my best
faster as I sweat and burn in the able job of demonstrating how the Church today, or for that matter the friend—who abandoned me this summer to earn mad cash as a waitress
summer sun. Such was my summer last 1700 years, is little more that a composite of pagan accretions picked eight hours south of our hometown—and Taco Bell was the topic of
as a mini-golf maintenance worker. up over the centuries. Even the no- conversation. No, not the ninety-cent taco-stand of drunken choice, this is
But this was not my whole tion of an official pastorate they the Taco Bell Western Slope Open.
summer. By day I was just a grunt doing manual labor, but as my shift lambaste as unsubstantiated by Colorado’s largest tennis tournament welcomes hundreds of players of
came to an end each day my Hillsdalian nature took over. My evenings the Bible and truly detrimental to all ages and skill levels to the mesas of Grand Junction in late July, and
were spent indulging in great pieces of literature such as Charles the body of Christ. I realized after she and I decided that 3.0 doubles wasn’t a signed death sentence.
Dickens’ “Great Expectations,” Robert Paxton’s “The Anatomy of pondering Pagan Christianity that Two months and an eight-hour drive over the Rockies later, we played our
Fascism,” Giovanni Baccaccio’s “The Decameron” and Patrick Suskind’s after all this tearing down the great first match and lost to a pair of old ladies. Depressing? Yes. Devastating?
“Perfume.” Work had my body, but it would never have my mind. challenge is to build back up. But, Not entirely. Our pride bruised, we came back to win third place in what
When not focusing on physical and mental workouts I enjoyed life’s I find nothing unbiblical in the idea should be made in to an epic, Rocky-style, comeback movie. Meh, it
simple pleasures: swimming in Lake Michigan, visiting old friends, and that we must be emptied, especially won’t happen, but if it did, it would go straight to DVD. HF
watching over 200 movies. Most of all, I spent my time this summer of the mindless traditions that sup-
looking forward to coming back for another amazing year at Hillsdale. HF port us, if we are to be filled up. HF But wait, there’s more! Scott Rozell and James Nesbitt are on page 12!
5
August 2008 sPOTLIGHT
A MOST REMARKABLE
DECLARATION ting what we deserve. Our empire laration are more remarkable when solve the political bands that have tions, arrests candidates, expropri-
Dr. Larry Arnn building and our “xenophobic in- one remembers that it is an act of connected them to another, and to ates the property of it opponents,
hILLSDALE cOLLEGE PRESIDENT tolerance” are the causes of our treason carrying the risk of death assume among the powers of the it sneers that it acts for the moth-
Friday morning, July 4, our na- coming decline. These sentiments to all who supported it. Especially earth, the separate and equal sta- erland. If in these countries the
tion marks for the 232nd time the are as common in the academy as at the end, where the resolve of tion to which the Laws of Nature people are allowed to work and
signing of the Declaration of Inde- snow in the Midwest (apologies, the signers becomes particular and and of Nature’s God entitle them, to save for their families, it is be-
pendence, which we have always global warming). grim, one can see that the docu- a decent respect to the opinions of cause the interest of the state justi-
regarded as the event that makes Increasingly our politics revolve ment contemplates sacrifice fies it. If that interest changes,
us what we are. Also we have re- around the fashions of other na- as the price of liberty: then their rights are forfeit.
garded it as the event that marks
us a special nation, a nation hold-
ing out a light to guide the rest of
tions or of that vast entity, com-
manding and yet impotent—“the
world,” or better, “the rest of
And for the support of this
“ SELDOM NOW DO OUR Notice the class politics of the
Declaration, with a firm re- POLITICIANS HEARKEN TO THE current presidential race: does
liance on the protection of this idea not have a foothold
the world. the world.” Seldom now do our Divine Providence, we mutu- GREAT DOCUMENTS OF OUR here, too?
politicians hearken to the great ally pledge to each other our REPUBLIC, THE DECLARATION We might remember then,
Always, that is, until lately. documents of our republic, the Lives, our Fortunes and our this Fourth of July, that our
Declaration and the Constitution, sacred Honor. AND THE CONSTITUTION, TO nation may not be perfect, but
Today critics celebrate that the to guide their actions or restrain A lovely sentence, it contains GUIDE THEIR ACTIONS OR it can make a claim available
world is passing us by. Fareed their ambitions. We are reaching, one of the four mentions of to no other: in the name of the
Zachariah declares: “America re-
mains the global superpower to-
day, but it is an enfeebled one.”
perhaps, the place where America
does not matter. Many think this a
happy place.
God to be found in the Dec-
laration. As it forms a link to
God, so it forms at the same
RESTRAIN THEIR AMBITIONS.
” rights of all, it was built from
the first to belong to its people
and not to their rulers.
China and India will soon tower Before we call it happy, we might time a band of brothers, Adams mankind requires that they should It is not given to any nation to be
above us. just revisit this old and neglected pledging his life to Jefferson, and declare the causes which impel guaranteed preeminence of power;
Amy Chua writes in her book friend to see what he has to say. Jefferson to Franklin and Hancock them to the separation. certainly we did not have it at our
Day of Empire that we are get- The universal claims of the Dec- and all the others. It is the mood Is this not remarkable to read in an beginning, and we may not have it
of the battlefield. It age dominated by relativism and in future. Never mind: if we cling
is the prayer of the multiculturalism? We may think to the principles that brought us to
soldier before the today that morality changes with life, we will use whatever power
charge is sounded. the individual, right and wrong we have for good. If others na-
Aeronautics, and awarded it to How curious then is different in one nation than in an- tions do that, we can live with
WAR FROM PAGE 3 the European Aeronautic Defense the contrast between other, but our fathers did not think them in peace and celebrate their
last five years Democrats have and Space Company. Many this solemn and that. They thought rather than our strength as much as they. If they
invested heavily in companies speculate it is because of the large resolute conclusion rights are written “as with a sun- do not, then we should remember
such as IBM, which provides much congressional investment in the to the Declaration beam, in the whole volume of hu- the resolution of our fathers before
of the computer hardware for foreign company. and its majestic and man nature by the hand of Divin- a certain despotic King.
military surveillance, and Johnson Such decisions are all too universal beginning. ity itself” (Alexander Hamilton). The Declaration, you see, remains
& Johnson, which provides soaps, common place in Congress as You have read the Look about the world today and “the last, best hope of mankind on
shampoos, deodorant, and many Representatives place making words: you will see that many powerful earth.”
other grooming products for the money above the safety and well When in the course nations proclaim precisely the op-
troops. being of those they represent. of human events posite of the Declaration of Inde-
These companies received only Currently 151 members comprised [meaning any time, pendence. The doctrine of China,
minor military contracts in the of both parties in Congress have not just 1776, and official and lately reiterated, is that Reprinted with permission from Dr.
early stages of the war, but such large personal investments in not just today] it be- the suppression of religion and Larry Arnn, this piece originally
investments have now become companies dealing with Iraq, comes necessary for free speech by the privileged and appeared at Townhall.com on
amounting to $78.7-195.5 billion July 4th, 2008.
much more lucrative. Democrats one people [mean- the powerful is the only proper =
are beginning to support the war in profit. How long the war will ing any people, not form of “democracy”. When the Dr. Arnn is available for contact at
because they too are now getting last may be determined largely just our own] to dis- Russian government cooks elec- larnn@hillsdale.edu.
paid. on how much money members of
While making decisions that affect Congress can potentially make.
the lives of all Americans, several While we mourn for those whom
Congressmen are voting based on America has lost in the war along
personal financial gain as opposed with the time troops have had
to the well being of our beloved to spend away from home, at
nation. least we can rest easy knowing
Just recently American our representatives are making a
lawmakers withheld a $35 billion killing. HF
contract typically given to Boeing
6 7
August 2008
A
ARBORETUM
Home of “Shakespeare in the
Arb,” the famed Garden Party,
and, where true Hillsdalians
propose marriage
DR. ARNN
The namesake of several Hillsdale
College Facebook groups, he also
runs the big show (and by show,
we mean school). He enjoys tell-
ing jokes, piña coladas, and get-
ting caught in the rain
AIRPORT SHUTTLE
A fifty-dollar scenic tour of US
Highway 12
B
BROAD STREET MARKET
Though labeled as a “grocery
and party supply store,” it is not
where you usually go to pick of a
loaf of bread and quart of milk
c
CHARGER
Officially, a car manufactured
by Dodge; also, the bona fide
Hillsdale mascot. (See Eagle)
CCA
Occurring four times annually,
two of these lecture series are re-
quired for graduation. Sneaking
out is frowned upon, and may
result in a grade reduction, so
choose wisely
d
DEMOCRATS
People typically found on the cor-
ner of Broad Street and Carleton
Road protesting the Iraq War
while sporting the ever-fashion-
able Birkenstock and sock combi-
nation. If found Up the Hill, seek
shelter and notify campus secu-
rity immediately.
Parentless, unpacked, and ready to conquer the Dale with your
campus map in-hand, the odds of you finding the library and health
center are excellent, but what about the things that they’ve neglected
to describe in your official informational packet?
Not just a brush-up on your remedial alphabet skills, this guide
ensures that you won’t be the one with the distant and confused
look the next time someone tells you they’re headed “Up the Hill.”
d h
(continued)
DETROIT
90 miles East of Hillsdale and-
hometown of winners like Tim
Allen and Kid Rock, it really is as
scary as it looked in 8 Mile
e
EAGLES
While an exact count is unavail-
able, the numerous winged
symbols of freedom adorning
campus are a constant reminder
that someone picked out the
wrong mascot.
F
Facebook
The utterly addictive social net-
working website certain to docu-
ment every move you make over
the course of your first few weeks
at school
Ex: “John just finished the first para-
graph and is not going to bed until
he has finished his ten pager that is
due tomorrow.”
Finish Line
With its NASCAR wallpaper and
cheap eats, this greasy spoon is
Hillsdale’s number one hang-
over cure.
G
GREWCOCK
The freshly built student
center featuring a snack bar,
cozy seats by the fireplaces,
pool tables, campus mail-
boxes and the biggest TV you
have ever seen
the HONOR CODE
A promise to Hillsdale that they,
indeed, picked the right appli-
cant to accept
HILLSDALE COUNTY FAIR
Self proclaimed the “Most Popu-
lar Fair on Earth,” the fair’s
attractions include a demolition
derby, mule pulling contest, and
deep-fried Snickers bars
I
IMPRIMIS
Quite possibly the reason you’re
here…
J
JITTERS
Found in Lane, this is the coffee
cart that keeps (some) students
from snoozing through those
dreaded 8 a.m. classes
J.CREW
The unofficial uniform of
Hillsdale College: gentlemen,
prepare your eyes for seersucker
dresses and cardigans, and,
ladies, yes, that guy does have
lobsters embroidered on his
K
KENDALL HALL
A building accessible three ways:
the tunnel, the circular sidewalk,
or across the damn grass (Note:
No coffee cart here, so come pre-
pared)
Open Forum
L P
LIBERTARIANS
The other conservatives at
Hillsdale, typically found in the
Economics department and/
or discussing philosophy over
Lucky Strikes in the old snack
bar
M
the MAG MILE
Slang for Chicago’s Magnificent
Mile, it is a particularly potent
drink found only at Chicago Wa-
ter Grill in Jonesville, MI
N
NIGHTLIFE
Hillsdale’s after-dark activities,
including, but not limited to:
Lord of the Rings marathons,
Scrabble matches, and dancing
atop the speakers at a frat house
o
OFF CAMPUS PRIVILEGES
Rights famously reserved for
males and senior females with
90+ credit hours
ON-LINE SHOPPING
An art worth perfecting, that is,
unless you prefer the couture
offered by the local likes of Wal-
Mart, Fashion Bug, or Peebles
PASSPORT
Needed for travel to experience
the civility of the Mounties, the
laid-back air of the locals, or to
get drunk at a dance club on your
19th birthday
q
the QUAD
The newly grassy areas available
between Central Hall, Grewcock,
and the Dow Center; a likely
hangout of the Vicious Cycle
Juggling Club, quad soccer, Fris-
bee players, and, now, Margaret
Thatcher!
r u
ROCK BAND
Played between meals, classes,
studying and sleeping, this addi-
tion to the college has let student
with no musical talent whatso-
ever experience rock-stardom
RUSHING
For gentlemen, formal is during
the school year, in both the fall
and spring. For ladies, formal is
in January. Also a great way to
meet a variety of people.
s
SAGA
Where hungry students eat, get
seconds, and then complain.
Be sure to say hi to Steve and
“Thank You” to your servers.
s w
(Continued)
SUNSHINE
Rays of sunlight (See Tan)
t
TAXPAYER DOLLAR
REFUSAL
The collegiate equivalent of flip-
ping the bird to big Government
TAN
A skin tone achieved only
through artificial means in the
state of Michigan
“TOWNIES”
An affectionately derogatory
term for the colorful permanent
residents of Hillsdale
UP THE HILL
A location, specifically, campus
Ex: “She went Up the Hill about
an hour ago to get some studying
done.”
v
VISITING HOURS
The times, in which, as a mem-
ber of the opposite sex, you are
allowed to spend time with your
friends/paramour/study bud-
dies in their dorms. Clearly out-
lined on every available surface
in said dormitories,
housemothers enforce these
rules with the iron fists they ac-
quired upon acceptance of the
job, with the assistance of their
mininions, also known as RAs.
(Sir) WINSTON CHURCHILL
The only one smoking anywhere
near the new snack bar
WAL-MART
Your one (and only!) stop shop
for everything you’re going to
need over the course of the next
several months; however, think
twice before you support the
company that requires employ-
ees to reguarly update the “Wal-
Mart Watch.”
x
eXPULSION
The punishment for violations of
the honor code and other general
shenanigans determined worthy
by the respective dean’s office
y
YOU TUBE
An online video website where
some college students choose to
display their funny dorm room
moments and activities around
campus, as well as their poor be-
havior (see honor code & eXpul-
sion)
z
ZERO
The number of classes you
should miss per semester, drinks
you should take if you’re under-
age, times you should light a
cigarette, and likely number of
people who will heed these wise
words.
August 2008
Advice to a
College Student
(Circa 1530)
1. Fear God. Be humble before
God. Have a firm faith. Pray
that your faith may be ac-
tive in charity. Pray for your
country-parents-friends.
Always end prayers with the
Lord’s Prayer. Use the Te Deum
as an act of praise. Read
three chapters from the Bible
every day.
2. Be reticent-more willing to
listen than to speak.
3. Try to learn Hebrew and
Greek as well as Latin; and
some history, and some philos-
ophy, and some science.
4. Keep the body clean and the
clothes tidy but do not wear
clothes that will cause com-
ment.
5. Don’t eat too much. Don’t
drink too much.
6. Keep your conversation
cheerful, and moderate, and
free from malice.
---
The above appeared in the
writings of Heinrich Bull-
inger from the 16th century,
as quoted in The Early Ref-
ormation on the Continent
by Owen Chadwick (Oxford
University Press, 2001).
reprinted with permission from ISI

OPINION
Hillsdale and the Hogs hf
NATE ANDERSON
STAFF WRITER
Today’s best answer to the
shortage of black gold is a surge
of shining chrome. As politicians
debated which regulations to pass,
what fuel standards to mandate,
and (proving that pure sophistry
will never cease to dazzle some)
speculated whether higher gas
taxes may alleviate the problem
at the pump- the people began
to settle on their own solution.
Anecdotal evidence, as well as a
recent report from the Motorcycle
Industry Council verifies that two-
wheeler manufacturers are reaping
the benefits of Washington’s
negligence.
While motorcycle production has
accelerated around the country,
Hillsdale seems to maintain a
general aversion toward these
alluring vehicles. Director of
Campus Security, Mike Wertz,
could not recall more than five
registered motorcycles last year,
PELOSI PULLS THE PLUG
Republicans learn to discuss in the dark as Democrats turn out the lights on offshore-oil discussions
CALVIN FRIEBURGER
STAFF WRITER
Imagine you’re the Speaker of
the House of Representatives. You
promised “the most honest, most
open, and most ethical Congress in
history,” but instead you’ve driven
the body’s approval rating to an
unprecedented low of 9% . What
do you do for an encore?
If you’re Nancy Pelosi, you block
movement on energy exploration
as the American people struggle
with $4-per-gallon gas. At 11:23
AM on August 1, the California
Democrat adjourned the House for
summer recess without permitting
a vote on legislation that would
have expanded offshore drilling.
Turning off the lights and kicking
out C-SPAN, Pelosi and the
Democrats exited, leaving almost
fifty House Republicans to discuss
the matter and bemoan Democrat
inaction, meeting thunderous
and at least two of those were owned
by faculty members. This number
has been relatively constant, and as
of yet, there has been no jump in
motorcycle registrations for next
semester.
The relative nonexistence of
motorcycles on Hillsdale’s campus
is a bit baffling. Not only be the
ideal means of transportation for
college students generally, but
Hillsdale students particularly,
the themes engendered at the
sight of a motorcycle couple quite
well with the lessons espoused
in Hillsdale’s classes. Hillsdale
commonly stands for limited
conservationism as opposed to
radical environmentalism, defends
the notion of manly men who
require no protecting, encourages
a socially communitarian ethic
and boasts of a fiscally libertarian
streak.
These seemingly disparate themes
are parts of a comprehensive
culture, one that is, in part,
shared by Hillsdale students who
have doggedly tracked the trains
applause from Capitol Hill tourists (not to mention environmentally consumption, yet only 25% of that
in the galleries. In a relatively bold reckless) exporters like the Middle is produced domestically.
move, GOP lawmakers not only East, Venezuela and Nigeria ought
pledged to do the same every day
of the next week but also began
circulating discharge petitions that
would force votes on a range of of oil daily, an amount equal to regulations more than alleviate
energy-related legislation.
Why can’t offshore drilling
be put to a vote? Pelosi told
ABC’s George Stephanopoulos
in an August 3 interview, “We
rd
have a planet to save.” The
San Francisco Democrat also
dismissed offshore drilling as a
Republican “decoy;” claiming
that, in fact, “what you saw in
Congress this week was the
war dance of the hand maidens
of the oil companies.”
Though laudable, the goal
of alternative, renewable,
energy is, indeed, something
to work towards in the long-
term,however, independence
from corrupt and volatile
of thought conducted by their
professors, and bikers who have
cautiously followed the endless
road atop their hogs. However,
motorcyclists have traditionally
borne a stereotype that has proven
as persistent as it is false. Ever
since classic biker films such as,
“The Wild One” and “Easy Rider,”
motorcyclists have been consistently
stigmatized as causeless rebels and
countercultural free spirits. We can
hope that the astigmatism caused
by Hollywood’s lens and will
soon heal, as the powerful force
of practically pushes the Norm’s
and Ned’s into laying aside their
reading glasses and grabbing their
driving goggles.
One will hardly hear a Hillsdale
professor or student attack Al Gore
and his regiment of global warming-
mongers without first referencing
the conservationist efforts
forwarded by conservatives like
Richard Weaver, or giving notice
to the biblical command to be good
stewards of the earth. Motorcycles
allow the conscientious good
to be a more immediate priority.
After all, the United States
consumes nearly 20 million barrels
nearly a quarter of worldwide (indeed, in Alaska, porcupine
Al Gore sits opposite Speaker Nancy Pelosi
as they discuss the finer things in life, such
as private jets and impeaching President
Bush. It should be noted that the lamps
pictured are, in-fact, turned off.
8
August 2008
the
CONTACT US
Submissions to The Hillsdale Forum are encouraged but are
subject to editorial changes in regards to both length and
content. Authors will recieve notification of all edits prior
to printing and submissions are published at the discresion
of the editorial staff. Letters to the Editor must be signed
and all items become property of The Hillsdale Forum once
submitted.
PO BOX 122
E-MAIL:
WRITE:
HILLSDALEFORUM@GMAIL.COM Hillsdale, MI
49242
citizen to obey their political in the eyes of liberals, joined with
forebears and religious dictums them in the ranks of enviro-cooks.
without sacrificing traditional The “hybrid” logo prominently
cultural allegiances. A caller nearly displayed on so many new vehicles
castigated by Rush Limbaugh for smacks of the same self-righteous
purchasing an environmentally advertisement that a bright daisy
friendly car evidences the cultural
CONTINUED ON PAGE 9
baggage that automatically
accompanies this well intentioned
choice. He did not attack the
man’s motives, but he did relate
that the conservative caller, had,
debating drilling in general, and
ANWR in particular, since Bill
Aside from the traditional Clinton’s presidency, which was—
caterwauling over environmental you guessed it—ten years ago,
devastation, which modern proving again that, a lengthy wait
technology and US environmental for results is no argument against
drilling; if anything, it’s a reminder
of the urgency of action.
caribou actually like to Hailing from one of the most liberal
mate near the nice, warm, cities in America, Pelosi feels free to
pipelines), liberals scoff at put radical environmentalism ahead
expanded drilling, contending of the average American and the
that efforts would produce democratic process with impunity.
futile amounts of oil, that, With even 51% of Californians
they continue, would take now in favor of offshore drilling, it
nearly ten years to develop. A appears that the Speaker may have
1998 US Geological Survey overplayed her hand, especially if
report estimated that the Artic Capitol Hill Republicans persist in
National Wildlife Refuge could their defiance. Already presiding
hold up to 16 billion barrels over the most disliked Congress in
of oil, while the Department history, Pelosi remains well on her
of Energy believes about 120 way to alienating the entire nation.
billion overall barrels remain So much for “the People’s House.”
undiscovered and recoverable HF
in the rest of the country.
Indeed, America has been
9
August 2008
JEWISH COMMUNITY TAKES A “RIGHT” TURN
NATHAN LICHTMAN
STAFF WRITER
As The Republican Jewish
Coalition of California signs
up its ten-thousandth member
and is awarded the Chairman’s
Republican Leadership Award by
the California Republican Party, it
affords us a wonderful opportunity
to think back on the way that Jews
have slowly but surely moved
towards the right politically.
Dr. Neil Kramer, a lecturer of
history at the American Jewish
University, explained that “from
1789 to 1989, progressive
governments tended to support
Jewish emancipation, equal rights,
and full civic participation.” Dr.
Kramer continued by observing
that, “Jews figured out who their
friends were,” and therefore tended
to be left-wing with regard to their
politics. In 1992, only 11% of
Jewish voters voted Republican.
In 2004, The Jewish Journal of
Greater Los Angeles published
an article about how Jews were
suddenly becoming a two-party
minority. In 2005, The Los Angeles
Daily News published an article
titled “Republican Revolution
among Jews.” Michael Medved
and Dennis Prager, syndicated
conservative radio talk-show hosts,
have brought Jewish conservatism
into the mainstream.
Larry Greenfield, the California
Director of The Republican Jewish
Coalition, explained that, “the
Jewish conversation is broadening,
bringing a wider diversity of
Jewish political thought. Subsets of
the Jewish community, including
Persian Jews, Israeli-Americans,
Russian Jews, Orthodox Jews, Pro-
Israel/National Security voters,
Social Conservatives, Libertarians,
and younger Jewish voters all have
concerns with the leftward tilt of
the Democratic Party with regard to
both domestic and foreign issues.”
Greenfield outlined three major
issues that are leading Jewish voters
to become more conservative.
The first is that Jews are largely
OPINiON
pro-Israel; the left in America has
recently become the anti-Israel,
anti-war party. They have gone so
far as to push boycotts on Israeli
goods. In fact, Walter Russell
Mead, a Senior Fellow for U.S.
Foreign Policy at the Council on
Foreign Relations, says that, “Since
1967, liberal support for Israel has
gradually waned, and conservative
support has grown.” Greenfield’s
second issue that aligns Jews with
conservatives is that Jews are pro-
entrepreneur, pro-free market, pro-
trade, and economically savvy;
liberals increasingly have produced
beliefs, bills, and legislation that
stifle the economy. Thirdly, Jews
are both religious and patriotic,
and therefore see that their views
closely align with their cousins
of the Religious Right and the
patriotism of the Right in general.
Jews are expected to vote for
John McCain in unprecedented
numbers. Some Jews, especially
the elder ones of Florida, are
disillusioned with The Democratic
Party because they were supporters
of Hillary Clinton. Some Jews are
concerned with Obama’s apparent
lack of support for Israel. Some
Jews see McCain as the maverick
politician they have been waiting
for. Whatever the reason, the
Jewish people are becoming more
conservative politically. They are
becoming a two-party minority. HF

MOTORCYCLE FROM PG 8
did 25 years ago.
Conversely, a motorcycle
proclaims neither a retreat before
an impending environmental
eschaton nor a leap into the Age
of Aquarius. While a European
bubble car might claim similar
gas mileage, a motorcycle has an
undeniable thumotic element. To
be without thumos is to be without a
chest. If you lack one, a motorcycle
will either quite literally tear what
little you have clean out of you, or
aid in cultivating the portion you
have protected, despite today’s
often emasculating culture. It is
a concrete conduit of that famous
Greco-Roman virtue and deserves
proper awe. Though I have only
been a member of this peculiar
brotherhood for a scant two
months, his truth has hit me with
particular force. Bikers do not
merely have modern self-esteem;
they have respect for themselves
and other bikers. Without fail,
every motorcyclist I pass gives me
the signature low, left hand wave,
or, if clutch is engaged, a simple
nod will do. Riding down some of
the most racially divisive streets
of Grand Rapids where Louis
Farrakhan’s racist rag, “The Final
Call,” is commonly distributed, I
have even exchanged waves with
my black brothers. Milling the
same oil apparently means more
than bleeding the same blood. The
communitarian spirit is genuine and
manifests itself in motorcyclists who
unreservedly approach one another
to strike up a bike chat, as well as
dozens of sprawling motorcycle
clubs (many of which have little
in common with more notorious
Hell’s Angels and others), like the
CMA (Christian Motorcycling
Association) and various localized
groups. This remarkable attitude
perplexingly goes hand in hand
with a nearly libertarian ethos.
Not only does biking bring on
the fullest realization of what is
meant by “freedom of the road,”
but, collectively, bikers help make
many of Washington’s proposed
strictures needless.
The classic biker film, “Easy Rider,”
famously portrayed the motorcycle
as the modern successor of the
horse. Motorcycle terms such as
saddlebags, the cross-country trips
many bikers take, the care riders
commonly give to their bikes, as
well as the boots and cowhide that
protect them, all serve to entrench
this conception. The motorcycle
is a natural carrier and teacher of
many lessons that we left to the
horse and buggy days, and of many
lessons that Hillsdale believes need
to be reintroduced and perpetuated
in today’s culture. For this reason,
no Hillsdale student should plug
their ears at the rev of a v-twin or
simply scoff at those who forsake
the safety provided by iron cages.
Imitating our conservative icons
we should give proper obeisance
to the columns that uphold the man
made structure we work and play
in, better known as our culture.
Among these columns few stand
erect, the rest having tottered in
one direction or another as the
overall frame began to crumble;
but, among these few, surely stands
the biking culture. HF
A Freshman Perspective:
Why one incoming freshman thinks you
have nothing to worry about
advanced than I in their collegiate
LIZZy SHELL adventure may have some advice
guest writer
of their own for me, having already
It feels like I have been getting
taken on that challenge head on
advice about college at least
and conquered thus far. However,
once a day for the last two years.
I believe (correct me if I’m wrong)
“Make sure you get really good
that I will be hearing advice for the
grades – colleges only look at
rest of my life – on what to do with
your GPA.” “Grades don’t really
my life after undergrad, on whether
matter – colleges only look at your
to marry, when to marry, who to
SAT scores.” “Don’t get senioritis
marry, etc.
– you’ll regret giving up on high
So, that being said, I have some
school for the rest of your life.”
advice for you. Take all the advice
“Just have fun your senior year
that you hear with an exceptionally
– those are the memories that will
large grain of salt - maybe even
stay with you for the rest of your
more like a half-teaspoon. We’re
life!” And my favorite “Choose
grown-ups now. We get to make our
‘X’ college because….” Everyone
own choices. It’s our turn to make
has his own opinion on every issue
those mistakes they keep warning
in my life. I respect each of them
us they made. From now on, every
for their perspective and their
one of my successes is entirely my
experiences. I know they advise
own. My mom’s nagging – I mean,
me because they care about me.
encouragement - didn’t assist me,
They don’t want to see me suffer
my dad’s disciplinary measures
the negative consequences of their
and guidelines didn’t help me, my
bad choices and they do want me
teacher didn’t initiate any aid, and
to delight in the effects of their
I excelled all by my big self. And

SUBSCRIBE TO
positive choices. It’s often hard for
although some choices may lead to
me to listen to their advice without
desperate failure or heartbreak, I am
some sense of defensiveness – a sort
actually looking forward to claiming
of “who-are-you-to-tell-me-what-
those completely as my own, too.
to-do” pride, a spirit conscious of
With so many millions of alternate
an independence not yet granted

THE HILLSDALE FoRUM

paths, so much I could potentially
to me. Now, finally, the big day
be, my choices now affect the rest
has come. Stepping into college, I
of my life in a new, fear-striking,
am about to take on a much heftier
awe-filling, wonderfully exciting
portion of that adult independence
way. I, personally, am looking
see page 12 for details that comes so heavily laden
with responsibility. Those more forward to each one. HF
 10
Arts&Entertainment August 2008
Kayne Remembers Fireworks SUMMER MOVIE REVIEWS

Over Lake Michigan

JULIE rOBISON
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Kayne West’s newest album,
Graduation, may offend those
who are not able to see past certain
vocabulary usages or subject
matter; others may not like it if
their ears are not accustomed to
following the jagged sound of hip-
hop. Nonetheless, West’s latest
album is a phenomenal musical
achievement; he spins tales from
his life, and pulls his listener into
its solid beat and has them relating
to meaning within his chords. West
tackles controversial topics as
well as the usual focus on women,
money, drugs, and the fast lifestyle,
but isn’t afraid to put a different
spin on it amidst the melodies.
In “I Wonder,” West discusses
the women who come to see
him perform, and he poses the
question of “How many ladies in
the house? / How many ladies in
the house without a spouse?/…
all the independent shit/ trade
it all for a husband and some
kids/ you wonder what it all
really means?/ you wonder if
you’ll ever find your dreams.”
‘Big Brother’ discusses his
tumultuous relationship with his
mentor and fellow rapper Jay-
Z; West shows a wise side to his
lyrics, when he recounts how he
“should talked to you like you like
the hillsdale forum presents...
a man/ should told you first/ but
I told somebody else/ and that’s
what made shit worse.” West
understands the worthlessness of
holding grudges, and went on to
say, “Here’s some advice from your
kid brother/ if you admire someone/
you should go ahead and tell them/
people never get the flowers/
while they can still smell them.”
In ‘Everything I Am,’ West
discusses modern African-
American culture, saying that
“people don’t usually rap this/ but
I have the facts to back it” and for
saying so, he can “say good-bye
to the NAACP award/…they’d
rather give me the ‘Nigga Please’
award” and seems to be suggesting
that he wants them to rise above
the excuses, because “people
talkin’ shit/ but when the shit hit
the fan/ everything I’m not/ made
me everything I am.” This song is
perhaps is a light in the dark tunnel
of rapper culture, which includes
living high and fast, where killing
another and spending time in jail
merely gives one ‘street cred.,’
opposed to West’s opinion that
“killing’s some whack shit,”
and is critical of how the Black
community may be perpetuating
their own disastrous cycle.
West’s album displays how
versatile rap music can be; while
he still features fellow rappers
to accompany him in his songs,
including Mos Def and Dwele,
he also has singers, techno, and
instrumentals in the background
of his songs, which juxtapose
against West’s own voice. Summer
favorite ‘Stronger’ features
“Harder, Better, Stronger, Faster”
by Daft Punk, and ‘Homecoming,’
a standout song about going back
to his home town of Chicago,
features Coldplay’s Chris Martin
singing and playing the piano.
West is from inner-city Chicago,
and even with his good-will
message within songs, he is still
no soft-core rapper, and will not
be found rapping at bat mitzvahs
or birthday parties any time soon.
West still gets prime time in the lime
light, but perhaps it is for this very
reason that he seems to understand
that rap and his songs is the way he
can reach a whole generation, trying
to give them hope to “reach for the
stars so then you can land on the
clouds” and teach them about life.
He has a great sense of pride for
Chicago and where he came from,
and believes he represents “Chi-
Town.” It is for this very reason
that West takes his rap so seriously,
taking such care in his work and
writing autobiographically in order
to better reach the masses, which
only leaves his audience wanting
more of West’s slammin’ hip-
hopology. HF
The second Narnia movie install-
ment is just as exciting as the first,
if not more. The fast-moving pace
of the film keeps all intrigued, and
Jack Black easily carries this hu-
the excellent actors enliven the
morous film with his voice, but the
minds of the audience. Fervid Lew-
plot is one both adults and children
is fans be warned: the screenplay
can embrace, adding deeper mean-
strays from his original tale, but
ings of life, forgiveness, and new
with stepson Douglas Gresham’s
beginnings to a seemingly juve-
blessing, the plot is fluid and does
nile movie. The supporting cast is
justice to Lewis’ Narnia, as well as
also excellent, and will keep you
wet the appetites of those who have
laughing. The film is friendly for
and have not read the books. –JR
the whole family; even so, I saw it
with six other 20-somethings, and
all went away satisfied. –JR
An animated film set in the fu-
ture, WALL*E it tells the story of
a robot left behind by humans on
a decaying planet Earth. Though
slightly political in nature, it still It’s the day every man dreams of:
tells a story of self-discovery and his best friend/the woman he’s in
friendship using the charming wit the love with asks him to be her
that made PIXAR famous. A fun maid of honor. Misadventures ga-
see for the whole family, its worth lore, male-female dynamics, and
renting. –EHB plenty of tender moments fill this
movie to the brink; added bonus of
Bill Clinton-Monica Lewinsky ref-
erences, which Hillary most likely
did not appreciate in the midst of
There is not much one can expect
her presidential campaign. Moral
from a self-proclaimed “Stoner-
of the Story: stick with the sweet-
Action” flick except a couple of
heart you’ve always had, and don’t
laughs in the slap-stick sense. De-
wait for her to get swept up by an-
spite the decent acting, there was
other man in a kilt. –JR
a sense of misplaced time, and a
wondering of what else one could
have been doing during that time
slot. On an interesting note, al-
though the film started off seem- Christian Bale’s raspy voice as

Real Hillsdalians of Genius ingly pro-legalizing marijuana (as

well as historically inaccurate),
it left the audience with neither a
Here’s to you, newest freshman of Hillsdale College (otherwise known as “fresh meat”). pro-pot nor anti-doobie feeling, but
merely leaves it as an established
You arrive to campus over-packed, over-fed, and brimming with anticipation. You’ve fact, and leads one to wonder if the
just realized that your roommate situation isn’t going to be a nightmare, that you will miss high is worth the overall cost. –JR
your momma’s home cookin’, and that this may be the scariest-most exciting with
a capital ‘P’ee in your pants kind of day: D-Day, that is, Declaration of freedom
With dozens of designers signing
Day as you jump start the next phase of your life. on to be a part of the Sex and the
Batman may make you giggle in
the beginning, but he will have you
watching intently and earnestly,
cheering him on every step of his
epic battle against Heath Ledger’s
magnificent portrayal as the Joker.
The other supporting roles are just
as strong, and you feel a tug in
your chest when Batman wins and
loses at love, showing how money
is only half the equation. The other

You have no idea of what lies before you, but you’re excited, and you’re eager, and you’re City movie, it is no shocker that,
at some points, the movie felt like
ready—much like a puppy at a dog park. The next four years are to be some of the best of a very long commercial for Louis
your life (or so you’ve been told), and the people you meet will change your life forever. Vuitton. Far from worthy of the
hype, it is a chick-flick worthy of
So pull up a seat between your parents at commencement and soak up the wise words of Dr.
“Girls Night In” but, whatever you
Arnn. Welcome to Hillsdale College—where your best hasn’t been good enough since do, don’t make the boyfriend sit
1844, and your future has never been brighter. -JR & EHB through this one. –EHB
half is ethics, and one’s character,
which the Bat repeatedly proves
he has both as he saves a thank-
less Gotham repeatedly, only to be
doomed to a life on the run. It is a
long movie, but with such a strong
cast and superb special effects, it
keeps you wanting more. –JR
11
August 2008
With a variety of artists, an assortment of venues, and
four writers to explore them all, this summer’s music
scene was hot no matter where you were. From coast
to coast and back again, the HF Staff put their musi-
cal tastes aside to explore the likes of Jimmy Buffet,
Gavin DeGraw, Radiohead, and OneRepublic without
any disappointment in sight.
No Apologies Needed:
OneRepublic Returns to Colorado
Emilia Huneke-Bergquist
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Wedged between a demolition
derby and a variety of carnival
rides just one screw away from
collapse, the stage stood small in
the middle of the rodeo arena at
the Mesa County Fair. The black
mesh backdrop transparent
enough to see an RV sitting idly
backstage, hundreds of fans sat
uncomfortably perched upon
metal bleachers, heads careening
for a glimpse of the band. Usually
reserved for up and comers, the
fair scene is an unlikely place to
find OneRepublic, a band with
two international number-one
hits.
Before the big show, however,
The World Romantic took the
Nothing “Creep”y About Radiohead Live
Rachel ElliOTT
GUEST WRITER
Fact #1: I don’t cut it as a hard-core
Radiohead fan. Dead Air Space is
not my home page, nor do I check
At Ease everyday. I don’t even own
a Radiohead poster or know all the
words to a single Radiohead song.
Fact #2: Despite this shortcoming,
Radiohead’s concert at Cuyahoga
Falls rocked my world. Yes, it was
my first time seeing them live, so
it might have hit me harder than
it hit more seasoned Radiohead
fans. But judging from the keen
reaction of the thousands filling to
capacity the spacious and beautiful
Blossom Music Center, I don’t
think I was the only one to feel
part of a surreal, almost religious,
musical experience. Opening with
stage right on time, quickly
wooing the audience with
their soft and soulful sound,
reminiscent of bands like Kings of
Leon and the Killers. Handpicked
by the headliners, they played
songs from their newly released
album One Hundred Million
Lights before opening the stage
to OneRepublic.
Wasting no time between sets,
OneRepublic took to the stage
quickly, playing several songs
before pounding out their number-
one hit “Apologize.” Showcasing
their raw musical talent using an
array of instruments, the music is
classifiably rock with undeniable
undertones of both jazz and folk.
An excellent live performance,
OneRepublic is certainly worth
seeing. HF
“15 Step” from their latest album
In Rainbows, the über talented
quintet from across the pond
swept us away with their energetic
enthusiasm and pure performance
perfection. Topping the exquisite
pleasure of hearing performed
live such masterpieces as “How
to Disappear Completely” and
“Paranoid Android” was seeing a
spectacular light show, courtesy
of energy-efficient LED lighting.
Another highlight for me was
watching Thom Yorke get into
the music with his crazy dancing,
infecting me and other fans with
a similar madness. Nor could you
ignore Ed O’Brien, perpetually
standing in a cool, rocker stance
and unbuttoning more and more of
his smart black shirt as the show
went on. The band rocked for
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT
Buffet Knows Best:
KATE MARTIN
DC CORRESPONDENT
Parrothead: An extreme Jimmy
Buffet fan. One who often
dresses up in hula skirts and shark
hats before coming to a concert.
Each year, the Jimmy Buffet
concert is the biggest show in
Cincinnati. Selling out in under
5 minutes, tickets are the must
have items of the year. Through
my super-sweet job at the local
concert-center, I experienced my
fifth Buffet show. As always,
Buffet failed to disappoint.
From the stage elaborately
decorated like a beach, to the
giant remote-control shark that
roams above fans heads, the
place certainly looked the part.
Then bring out Buffet himself
who has great stage presence,
doing everything from his
classics to his cover of ‘Brown-
Eyed Girl’ which almost makes
me say “Van Morrison who?”
His easy back and forth with
the audience and his band, ‘The
Coral Reefers’ adds to relaxed,
yet energetic, atmosphere of the
show. Nevertheless, it is the
Parrotheads, just as it is every
year, which truly take the show
over two hours, returning for two
encores and wrapping up with Kid
A’s “Everything in Its Right Place”.
Towards the end, Thom bent down
and reached out to the crowd as if
he’d decided to go crowd surfing.
But it was just more of his crazy
dancing, and him waving farewell
and thank you. I think we all left
feeling we’d bonded with him
and the other genius musicians,
sometimes accused of being cold
and distant. This show proved the
opposite, and left me wishing I was
one of those hard core fans who
had bought tickets to more than
one Radiohead concert. To make
up for it, I’ll have to feed on all the
beautiful memories from this one.
HF
After over 40 years in the music business, this
“Cheeseburger in Paradise” isn’t rotten yet!
to the next level. Ninety percent
of concertgoers arrive in some
sort of tropical attire, from a few
strings of lei, to men in little more
than hula skirts. They come on a
mission to have a good time, and
are quick to dance with anyone
they feel is not having enough
fun. No matter how much time
these Parrotheads seem to spend
in ‘Margaretville,’ they never
seem to have any problems doing
the ‘Fins’ dance (popular here for
Oh Chariot... I’m
Singing Out Loud
Julie ROBISON
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Let’s just say that Gavin DeGraw
is not my cup of tea; I have no
protests towards the man or his
music, it is just not what I would
normally listen to on a day-to-day
basis. So when my friends suggested
we go see him at Bogart’s, a local
music venue, I said, why not?
I openly admitted my cynical
attitude towards the quality of the
show, but was intrigued by the
long line of people who wrapped
around the block to see him.
Gavin walked on stage already
sweating in a gray shirt (not a
good combination) and had an
easy-going manner. You could tell
he wasn’t going to leave the stage
until everyone had a good time and
his shirt was a darker color gray.
Gavin’s voice grates when you
first hear it; it is raw and gravely,
and makes you want to cook
him soup for his vocal chords.
He sang a combination of well-
known and lesser-known songs,
played the guitar and piano,
and had a charisma all could
embrace, drawing the audience
(ages ranging from high school
kids to middle-age couples) into a
body-rocking beat, bringing even
the most reluctant of audience
members into a foot-tapping,
hand-clapping frenzy, to the point
of singing along to songs they did
and did not know. The pinnacle of
the concert had him standing on
the opening line “She came down
from Cincinnati…”). Whether
you are laugh at them for trying
to sneak in jello shots under their
coconut bras, or joining them in
screaming the unwritten words to
‘Margaretville,’ it is impossible
not to have fun when you are
with a Parrothead. In turn, that
leads to an extremely enjoyable
concert, making it one of the
best that I saw all season. HF
top of the piano, singing loudly
along with the swaying audience.
His encore was notable, as well as
enjoyable: he came out, sang a few
songs, talked about his down-and-
out days in NYC, and ended with the
corresponding song “Sometimes
You Need a Few Drinks to Fall in
Love.” His timing was impeccable,
and added laughs to the concerts
whenever people would shout at
him. When someone yelled out,
“Take off your pants!” he replied
earnestly, “You first baby, you first.”
Now, I am not a Gavin DeGraw
convert. I did not leave the concert,
get into my car, and blast him as
I drove away (as other fans did),
nor did I go out and buy his cd.
Nonetheless, there is a deeper
appreciation for the man, as well
as his musical abilities. If there’s
one thing to be said about him, it
is that he relates to the people, is
one of the people, and sings for the
people. When he introduced the
members of the band, you knew
he appreciated them. DeGraw
gives the impression that he does
this concert not for himself, but for
you, the audience member, and all
he wants is for you to be happy,
and to have a good time. When a
lady shouted out, “I love you!” to
him, he didn’t ignore it and keep on
playing. He said, “I love you too. I
don’t know who you are, what you
look like, or what you believe in;
but I think everything’s going to
work out just fine.” HF
 12
the.Last.Laugh JAMES NESBITT, 2009
August 2008
agents also have developed the theory
that subject 354 may have played a
This summer, agents observed
role in establishing this center. He
James Q. Nesbitt (subject 354)
was observed at a press conference
subverting government authority
announcing the launch of the new
XXXXXXXXXXXX in Columbus,
center and may have obtained other
Ohio. During the day, subject 354
sensitive data now publicly available
was observed in many different
on the site. Although agents invested
government buildings around Capitol
significant resources XXXXXXX to
square, completing subversive duties
uncover subject 354’s personal life, it
on behalf of the Buckeye Institute
was discovered that he had none. HF
for Public Policy Solutions. Subject
354 was frequently observed in close For your safety and security, minor redactions
proximity of Auditor Mary Taylor’s have been made to this account by the
office, although agents have not ruled Department of Homeland Security.

STAFF BIOS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

out the possibility that he was simply
traveling to his office on the floors
above. Subject 354 obtained capital
budget bill requests of numerous state
legislators, which agents believe could
be very damaging to key political
figures if released to the public. In
addition, agents suspect subject 354
is the brain behind the username
XXXXXX of ohiosunshine.org, a
website established by the Buckeye
Institute’s new Center for Transparent
and Accountable Government, which
After visiting Rocky Mountain National Park this summer, artist Gretchen Birzer (daughter of Dr. threatens to expose details which could
and Professor Birzer) was kind enough to provide us with a picture of her time there. From the looks jeopardize the status-quo operations of
of it, there was some rain, some sun, and a beautiful rainbow! certain government agencies. Certain
Hillsdale, MI 49242
PO BOX 122
Please Mail All Subscriptions to:
SCOTT ROZELL, 2009
I interned at a real estate broker-
age specializing in land and high
end homes for the summer. I took
two vacations, one to Jackson
Hole, WY and the other to Sonoma
County, CA. The sights and sounds
of the my travels was spectaluar.
One particular highlight was play-
ing golf, with and thanks to Chasen
Drackett, under the shadows of the
Grand Tetons without another soul
on the course. I am excited to get
back to Hillsdale for one more
semester. HF

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