Letters

I was interested to see the article on Dean Corren ’77 (“Green Is Good”) in the spring issue. I recently photographed one of Corren’s turbines for the cover of the May 14 issue of Engineering News Record, the weekly newsmagazine of the construction industry. I also wrote the cover story—an examination of ocean energy—and led the story with news of the turbine installations in New York’s East River.

One of my principal sources for the story said that ocean energy (tidal, wave, and other forms) today is at the same stage of development as wind energy was 20 years ago. After 20 years, wind energy is almost competitive with other forms of commercial electricity generation such as coal, nuclear, hydroelectric, gas, and geothermal. People ask why we can’t just use renewable energy for our electricity needs. The answer is mainly cost.

Today, the United States gets about half of its roughly one million megawatts of electricity from pulverized-coal combustion; 17 percent comes from natural gas. Both of these fossil fuels emit carbon dioxide. (Oil-fired generation is negligible.) Renewable energy supplies just under one percent of our demand, and that at a premium price, subsidized mainly by production tax credits and “renewable portfolio standards,” under which regulators require utilities to generate a certain percentage of electricity from renewable resources, without regard for cost.

Renewable energy is promising,
but far from ready for prime time. We will not have a carbon-free, base-load generation source able to replace coal and gas, or to reduce their CO₂ emissions, for many decades. Reducing CO₂ emissions probably will require all of us to pay more for fossil fuels we have always taken for granted. Cheap energy encouraged us to emit CO₂. Perhaps only costly energy will change that.

Tom Armistead ’ 66
Stratford, Connecticut

The writer is the senior editor for energy and environment for Engineering News Record.

I enjoyed reading “Pipe Dream,” by David Barker ’07, in the spring 2007 issue of Middlebury Magazine. In 1945, when I was 15, I started to learn the practice chanter. By 1947, I had advanced to playing the full Great Highland bagpipes, under the tutelage of Pipe Major Robert Dickson. For the past 27 years, I have been a member of the Clan Gordon Highlanders Bagpipe Band. We are a nonprofit organization and donate to children’s charities, along with the Long Island Scottish Clan.

I suggest that other Middlebury bagpipers can find many isolated countryside spots outside of the campus, as did I, where they can play outdoors, without disturbing others. Additionally, David may delight in playing “smallpipes,” which are listener friendly. I have two sets of “shuttlepipes,” and one set of Scottish smallpipes, both made by John Walsh, of Nova Scotia. I play another fine set of “Fireside” smallpipes, made by Jerry Gibson, a Grade 1 piper, and former Royal Seaforth Highlander piper, of East Willoughby, Ohio.

David should continue his pipe dream and keep on piping.

Harold A. Burnham, M.A. French ’ 52
Glen Cove, New York

I wanted to turn away when I saw the photograph depicting 3,500 flags—each one representing an American soldier killed in Iraq—planted in the winter snow outside the student center (Uphill Downhill, spring 2007). (For some reason, soldiers lost in Afghanistan are excluded.) In the photograph, a single individual walks past the display without a glance—either ignorant or indifferent to what it represents—which raises the question, what does it represent?

Surely it can’t be a tribute. No one is present to honor these great people or to remember that they died separated from friends, family, and loved ones. Or that they were individuals of ability and accomplishment with hopes and plans for their lives.

Perhaps this is an antiwar statement—and so we have the memory of soldiers who did their duty press-ganged into a campus peace movement. The question then follows, was this a decent or appropriate thing to do?

I’m not a supporter of the Iraq War. Years from now, historians may have a more measured view, but at this point it appears to be the worst conceived and executed military-foreign-policy adventure in the history of this country. An overly aggressive executive branch and an acquiescent legislative branch chose to fight a purely optional war using questionable intelligence, against the advice of our best generals, with inadequate force levels and troops improperly equipped, and with no plan for winning the peace. Now, these same politicians are frantically trying to extricate themselves from this mess before the voters reach a critical mass of outrage and, oh by the way, bring the troops home—which may presage a second disaster or a series of them.

I believe that Middlebury, like so many of this country’s elite institutions, is anti-military. Even worse, there is a perception that has seeped into Middlebury and other schools that military service is an undesirable job that should be contracted out to those less fortunate and less gifted. It’s a fallacious and dangerous idea. Good historians know better.

Charles Grant, one of Middlebury’s great history teachers, used to remind us of something Arnold Toynbee said: that a civilization fails when its “creative elites” can no longer meet the challenges that confront them. The French—with the largest army and air force in Europe—encountered that stark truth and its consequences in May 1940.

The good news: we’re not there yet. Here is what Thomas Friedman has to say about this year’s graduation ceremonies at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: “Something else struck me at Rensselaer—the number of ROTC grads, including women who came up and collected their degrees in full dress uniforms. It was not only the pride with which they wore those uniforms, which was palpable, but also the respect they were accorded by their classmates. I spoke to one young man who was going from graduation at Rensselaer right out to sea with the United States Navy. As bad as Iraq is they keep signing up.”

If the students and faculty of Middlebury would like to do something meaningful for our military men and women, here are some suggestions for the living, as well as the dead:

• Invite the families of the fallen and the wounded to a memorial service.
• Plan a discussion of the war not by activists who haven’t been there but by the men and women who have—including some of the generals who warned civilian leaders and the Congress before the war of the outcomes we see now. Two who come to mind immediately: General Eric Shinseki and General Anthony Zinni.
• Donate frequent-flyer miles to Fisher House, a nongovernmental organization that aids wounded veterans and their families with travel expenses to and from the places where the veterans receive medical treatment.
• Read One Bullet Away by Nathaniel Fick, a Dartmouth classics major who completed the mentally and physically rigorous journey from the Ivy League to Marine Corps officer.
• Walk up to the people in uniform that you see in airports and thank them for their service. They will appreciate the gesture, and it will do more for you than it will for them.
• Make scholarships or financial aid available to qualified sons and daughters of the men and women who serve.
• Create an ROTC program for the 21st century. With its rich resources in languages and international studies, Middlebury could play an important part in creating the next generation of officers who need to be adept with foreign languages and understand foreign cultures.

There is a great generation out there in Iraq and Afghanistan. They don’t see themselves as heroic figures—just people doing a job that has to be done, a job that’s lonely and hard and sometimes indescribably dangerous. There aren’t enough of them, and we haven’t given them the right tools or even the right strategies to fight with. Too many are coming home with post-traumatic stress because they were deployed far too long. Some will return with injuries much worse than PTSD. We’ve let them down a second time by not providing enough of the promised follow-up medical care. They deserve better.

You can see their faces on the news channels; good faces, endowed with grace and courage. They are American soldiers. Little flags stuck in crooked rows in the snow is a sorry memorial. No platoon leader would ever tolerate such a ragged formation.

George Logan ’ 61
Macon, Georgia

It was shocking to hear that 30 percent of entering freshmen at Middlebury declare that they have no religious preference (“Of Faith and Reason,” winter 2007). How misguided can a Peter Holm ’86 (Letters, spring 2007) be to declare he hopes that in four years the nonreligious percentage will increase? Did his time at Middlebury not include a study in history that America was founded on a strong Judeo/Christian belief? Congratulations to Daniel Urbach ’82 (Letters, spring 2007) for his reiteration that “79 percent of Americans believe there is a God.”

Furthermore, I shudder to think what misguided minds there are on the selection committee that dreamed up inviting the amoral Bill Clinton to speak at Commencement and then compounded the fracture when they further insulted the intelligence of all of us by giving him an honorary degree! (“Hail to the Chief, Part 2,” winter 2007)

As a former Middlebury ROTC student and one who received a degree, I am ashamed today to tell people that Middlebury has gone into a liberalistic, socialistic, anti-religious cesspool.

Did the committee overlook Jimmy Carter or Michael Moore? Was George Soros not available? Why not Alec Baldwin or Rosie O’Donnell? For shame on the Clinton decision and the promulgation of idol worship of a man who brought shame to America by denigrating family and military honor.

Jerry Gross ’ 55
San Diego, California

For what it’s worth, I, for one, thought that Matt Jennings’s article, “Of Faith and Reason,” in the winter 2007 issue was handled with eloquence. The theme was well prepared and the intention of stirring debate about whether religion is a respected topic at Middlebury was clear.

For those who argue that “faith is beyond discussion,” I would ask, Has Western education always neglected so fundamental a matter of the human condition? Poor Aristotle. He just looked down from heaven and cried. Thanks for all.

Bob Magart
Great Falls , Montana

I read your Editors’ Note (Letters) in the spring 2007 issue of Middlebury Magazine addressed to all the “confused readers” who responded to the winter issue cover. Asking the question, “Does God Exist?” is like waving the proverbial red flag in front of the bull. Did you honestly believe you would receive no response to that cover? What your intentions were and the question you wished to address became a supplement to the cover.

In fairness to the readers who “took the bait,” I think it would be a courtesy to print more selected letters from the Does God Exist? group.

Don Beck ’ 52
Ledyard, Connecticut

I found Russ Leng’s article (“Russ Leng’s Midd-Life Experience,” winter 2007) of interest for a number of reasons, but primarily because he mentioned the dean of men who helped save his scholarship. I am sure he was referring to Storrs Lee ’28, who I found to be a fine gentleman, who treated me fairly, in good times and bad. He listened to people and took appropriate action. It’s because of people like him that I have continued to support Middlebury over the years.

Alex Carley ’ 57
Cambridge, Ontario

On page 14 of the spring 2007 issue (Letters), Anne Bailey Burridge ’83 ends her letter about the death of Kimberly Sparks, “Glücklicher Reise.”

For someone who spent two terms in Mainz, Germany, I would think she would have learned the gender of “Reise.” Last I knew it was feminine.

T. Louise Wiebe, M.A. French ’ 57
Berkeley, California

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Grammar 101

I am certain that in the great sweep of world events that a little infelicitous writing is not a major occurrence, but
as Middlebury aspires to be America’s best liberal arts college, perhaps a few comments are appropriate.

In Matt Jennings’s Viewfinder commentary in the spring 2007 issue, he describes his ecological footprint and goes on to compare it with that of another member of the staff. He notes that he considers her “to be significantly more eco-conscious than me.” Perhaps the rules of grammar have changed, but I believe that his comment should have been “significantly more eco-conscious than I (am). Similarly, his comparison of her score as “better than me” might be written as “better than mine.”

I am sure that editing Middlebury Magazine is a taxing job and that, like most publications, the final stages of creating an issue are frantic, but as a still recovering product of Middlebury’s “Bonehead English” class, I thought my comments might not be taken amiss. I hope not.

Wayne G. Reilly ’57
Roanoke, Virginia

Editors’ Note: Chagrined, the editor of the magazine stands corrected and assures Mr. Reilly (and the others who pointed out the grammatical mistakes) that his (and their) comments have not been taken amiss.

I received the spring issue of Middlebury Magazine and guess I have been dreaming these past six years. I thought I moved to beautiful Cape Cod in 2001 and still lived there, but apparently I moved to Tavares, Florida, and never knew it! At least that is what you reported in the Letters section of the latest issue. Not only does the editorial staff need a lesson in military rank, but also a lesson in accurate reporting the location of alums. I am happily enjoying life here on the Cape.

Rich Miner ’58
Falmouth, Massachusetts

In this issue’s class notes column for the class of 1992, I have presented my classmates and others with a powerful challenge: to help shed light—and offer support—for those of us who have not achieved “Great Expectations” since graduating and have, in fact, struggled with myriad problems.

I, and many others like me, have been depressed (I, suicidally) for days, months, and years on end. Why can we not acknowledge people like me and find ways to support us by creating a space in this publication for us to share (perhaps anonymously) not only our successes but our failures, as well? Our class notes are filled with tales of triumph and conquest, but what if one’s Kilimanjaro was to climb out of bed, stagger to the kitchen for a sandwich, only to return to bed for two more days? (As was the case with me in 1997.)

I can imagine the Middlebury community being a place where the conventional boundaries of compassion for others are stretched and expanded in ways that I, personally, have not seen any other institution of higher learning, or for that matter, any other institution. I look forward to being a part of that.

Dirk Nakazawa ’92
Rutland, Vermont

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Save the Dates!

Why can’t the magazine give space each issue to showcase future events—sports, homecoming, carnival week, etc? Advance notice might promote more alumni visitation.

I am all for showing the intellectual prowess of our graduates and the others, but it might be nice to visit the campus to see or hear other things, as well.

Also, the continuing thorn in my side (for what it’s worth): How about a survey of present student use of alcohol and other nasty things like drugs, now that fraternity life has been abolished—along with its faults—and replaced by dormitory facilities, which are very nice indeed but any different that how it used to be?

Edward Reichert ’40
Gorham, New Hampshire

Editors’ Note: For what it’s worth, we do publish a “save the dates” box for alumni events. Sports schedules are more problematic, due to our quarterly publications schedule.

As for the drugs and alcohol survey—good idea. Drug and alcohol abuse among college students is an ongoing issue across America and certainly one worth examining.

I was pleased to see Middlebury mentioned again in the pages of the Toledo (Ohio) Blade. (Another recent mention was in connection with the professor who does not accept Wikipedia for citations in research papers.)

In an April editorial titled “The Bard is not to be,” the paper laments the fact that fewer and fewer schools are requiring the study of the works of William Shakespeare. In a study of the course requirements for English majors at top universities and colleges, it was found that Shakespeare is not required at most of them. The Blade says that in a study of 70 institutions, only 15 required a course on Shakespeare of English majors.

I find it hard to believe that familiarity with Shakespeare is not a necessity for a well-rounded person. Not being an English major, I never had concentrated exposure to Shakespeare, but I know we studied some of the plays in our English courses. Because of this exposure, my wife, Leonore Jenkins Johnson ’44, and I have enjoyed attending the Stratford Festival Theater in Stratford, Ontario, for years to enjoy their excellently staged and acted presentations. The things William Shakespeare said have had relevance through the centuries since he lived, or he wouldn’t be quoted so frequently.

The Toledo Blade editorial goes on to say, “It’s shocking that only one Ivy League school, Harvard, requires the Bard and just three Big 10 schools have similar requirements. Among top liberal arts colleges, only Middlebury, Smith, and Wellesley require their students to study Shakespeare.”

Well, it’s nice to know that Middlebury continues its excellence in the classics. And I continue every day to appreciate the education I received there.

Arthur S. Johnson ’44
Cleveland, Ohio

Letters addressing topics discussed in the magazine are given priority, though they may be edited for brevity or clarity. On any given subject we will print letters that address that subject, and then in the next issue, letters that respond to the first letters. After that, we will move on to new subjects. Send letters to: Middlebury Magazine, 5 Court Street, Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT 05753.

E-mail: middmag@middlebury.edu.