809 items found for your search. If no results were found please broaden your search.
(11/28/01 12:00am)
Author: Gregg Eriksen Staff Writer Lt. General William E. Odom, former director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and proud former Middlebury parent, offered his thoughts last Monday in a lecture on United States foreign policy in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. Instead of focusing on terrorism itself, he decided to address terrorism in terms of its possible effects of America's place in the world.Odom observed that since the end of the Cold War, America's foreign policy has paradoxicallyreflected both an overestimation and underestimation of United States' power, and that these conflicting ideas manifested themselves in the haphazard policies of the Clinton and the George W. Bush administrations. He explained that Clinton emphasized economics in international relations to the detriment of the military and relied too heavily on the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to solve issues abroad. According to Odom, the former president also sought too actively to reduce military activity, with a few small exceptions in which he was dangerously inconsistent in his use of force. Odom suggested that Clinton's questionable decisions regarding United States' involvement in Somalia, Bosnia and Iraq indicated that he had no clear line that once crossed meant that he would use force. The former NSA director was also critical of the unfocused manner in which Clinton used funding for the missile defense program. Odom explained that the United States' incoherent foreign policy has not been remedied. Bush began his term by advocating isolationist policies and ignoring the potential gains that cooperation with international organizations offers. His decisions to scrap the Kyoto Protocol (which aimed to combat global warming by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases) and the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty fostered a worldwide resentment of American power. He noted that the Bush administration's bullheaded unilateral policies caused as much anger as Clinton's indecisive multi-lateralism.In the end, Odom felt that the fundamental change that United States'. foreign policy will undergo is the development of an increased awareness of the armed forces in international relations. He suggested that while globalization and the continuing growth of economic interdependence may prevent wars to some degree, the government should not return to the lax military policies of the 1990s. Moreover, he stated that as the wealthiest country in an alliance of democracies that account for 70 to 80 percent of the world's Gross Domestic Product America has a great responsibility to defend its allies and its ideals. This alliance must have substantial physical protection, lest a series of attacks destroy the governments or economies of this financially successful empire. Odom concluded that by placing more emphasis on the armed forces, America can best maintain its worldwide ideological empire of liberal democracy as well as the stability of the global economy. Regarding the war in Afghanistan itself, Odom was quite positive, although he warned against expecting a certain result. "In wars, more than any other activity, the unexpected happens," he said. He suggested that the United States' effectiveness in felling the Taliban has earned the respect of pseudo-foes such as Russia, which was ineffective in its own involvement in Afghanistan. America's success has also had a sobering effect on the unstable situation in Pakistan, since General Pervez Musharraf, who took control in 1999, is more likely to retain power now that his enemies have seen the skill of the United States military. Iraq and Iran are equally unnerved by America's fighting ability and therefore less likely to add to America's troubles. America's greatest danger, Odom stressed, is the possibility of incompetent leadership. While Bush, Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld have done well since Sept. 11, many leaders have historically been afraid to face the results of their actions and have made critical mistakes in an effort to avoid blame. He explained that although this is not a problem now, it could be one in the future.Another obvious issue is how to go about establishing a stable government to replace the Taliban. Odom seemed to favor following the same occupational plans that the victorious allies used in Germany and Japan (the United States' two greatest nation-building successes) in the aftermath of World War II. Ultimately, he said, the other difficulties reside in completing Bush's goals of eliminating terrorist organizations worldwide and defeating the governments that aid them. Odom observed that our generation may inherit this task, but if we learn the proper lessons from Sept. 11, we will also inherit an unprecedented empire of international democracy.
(11/07/01 12:00am)
Author: Luke Coppedge Staff Editor Despite the loss of senior stalwart Jon Carr to graduation, the Middlebury golf team put together another fine fall season. Third year veteran Damon Gacicia '02 stepped up to fill the leadership void as he captained the team to strong early-season finishes at the Duke Nelson Tournament, Williams Invitational and the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Championship. Strong individual performances included Brad Tufts '03 keeping his impressive run alive at the Vermont State Championships where he won his third consecutive title. With this early-season momentum, the team looked poised to make a run at capturing the season-ending New England Championship at the Captains Course in Hyannis, Mass. While most Middlebury students returned home over the long weekend for some respite and relaxation, the golf team grabbed their spikes and clubs and headed south to Massachusetts in preparation for their showdown by the sea. Those preparations were made more enjoyable by the generous offer of Tufts to play two of the finest courses in the Bay State. On Oct. 19, the team played at the Country Club in Brookline, which was the site of the 1999 Ryder Cup. "This place is just teeming with history," said Tufts after walking the hallowed 18. "I was just thrilled to add my own little piece." Tufts was referring to the 40-foot putt he sank on the 17th green to beat classmate Ryan Simper '03 in a hotly contested grudge match. Two-sport star Dave Greiner '03 witnessed the putt and exclaimed "it was incredible. I mean it was a carbon copy of [Justin] Leonard's Ryder Cup clinching putt." Much like Leonard and his American teammates two years earlier, the putt sent Tufts into a frenzy as he cart-wheeled his way to the 18th tee. Simper was furious, responding "granted it was a great putt, but Tufts's celebration was uncalled for and was disrespectful to both me and the game." Despite the tension pervading between Simper and Tufts, the team had another beneficial practice round the following day at Tedesco Country Club in Marblehead, Mass. Everyone agreed the rounds at the Country Club and Tedesco were much appreciated and offered a break from the monotony of the Ralph Myhre Golf Course.Your humble scribe and golf alum/superfan Jon Carr joined the squad on Monday, hoping to propel the boys to their first ever New England Championship. With a promising start, the Middlebury men found themselves in fourth place after the first 18 holes. Leading the charge on day one was captain Gacicia and Tufts, who posted scores of 74 and 78 respectively, while Simper, David Greiner '03 and Charles Clement IV '04 hovered around 80. The talk in the clubhouse surrounded the surprising effort of Simper, who put the episode from Brookline aside and managed to stay well under 100 for the round, despite snapping his driver in mid swing on the third tee box. Unfortunately, the Captains Course was not as forgiving to the men in blue and white on Tuesday, as not one Panther broke 80. When all the scores were finally tallied, Middlebury finished what Gacicia called a "disappointing" seventh out of 33 teams. Coach Beaney commended the team's effort on the initial 18 but shared disappointment in the finish. Greiner echoed his coach's sentiments. He said, "We came out of the gates strong but, as has been our problem all year, we just did not have that killer instinct that marks all great golf teams. I know I speak for the entire team when I express my frustration. We really need to learn how to stick the proverbial fork in our opponents. Right now we are a good team. We strive to be a great team." Coach Beaney was satisfied with the fall season but sees room for improvement in the spring. Beaney said, "I believe the men have taken something away from this fall. Clearly we need to keep our intensity and focus high for 36 holes, not just 18. Their steadfast practice and preparation throughout the winter should contribute to more consistency and an even more rewarding season this spring."As fall gives way to winter here in the Green Mountains, the team has traded in its golf clubs for hockey sticks and gone hibernating in Kenyon Arena. For all you Middlebury golf enthusiasts out there going through withdrawal, you can now watch your favorite golfers on the ice; look for the ever-articulate Greiner on the varsity hockey team and Gacicia and his pals on the intramural circuit. News from the corners is that Gacicia's slappers are known to outdistance his drives.
(11/07/01 12:00am)
Author: Devin Zarkowsky Staff Writer With seasonal regularity, Middlebury College parents inundate local lodgings with reservation requests only to find themselves relegated to various potluck room drawings. Proximal temporary living space for popular College events, such as graduation and the twice-annual Fall Family Weekend, is not necessarily available to 700-plus families. Pomerleau Real Estate Inc., a development group headed by namesake Antonio Pomerleau, seeks to capitalize on this dearth of lodging.Although the community is currently served by various organizations supplying a total of 357 rooms within the town limits, no nationally-advertised chain offers mid-range accommodations; such an establishment might charge between $70 and $90 per night. "Franchise motels are non-existent in Middlebury," said Pomerleau. "My motel will fill a gap almost every other similarly-sized town in the surrounding area, such as St. Albans, has already." Intending to build on a Burlington success, Pomerleau seeks to fill what it perceives to be an available niche in Middlebury's lodging economy.Current blueprints include 80 rooms and a 97-space parking lot. The hotel driveway will feed into Route 7 at an existing traffic light near Brooks Pharmacy.Acquiring zoning approvals authorizing construction has delayed Pomerleau's plans several years. Starting in 1998, Pomerleau sought to comply with Vermont Act 250. According to Fred Dunnington, Middlebury town planner, this particular statewide law governs large developments. Pomerleau's original design did not conform to aforementioned guidelines.Pomerleau offered building numbers as the cause. "Initially I proposed one building. During the review process, the town asked me to alter the design to break up the façade into three sections." Route 7 South borders the intended site, an area deemed "architecturally and scenically established" by the Planning and Zoning commission.As such, all proposed structures' sizes and exteriors must conform to specified trends. During deliberations, the town changed directions again, asking Pomerleau to revert to the one-building scheme. Dunnington said that the previous version connected each wing with open walks that appeared "insubstantial"; these walks now exist as enclosed corridors in the final design.Interestingly enough, a competing corporation, KW Middlebury Partnership, petitioned the town of Middlebury simultaneously for permission to build a separate hotel on a plot across the street from the Pomerleau development. "Basically, it turned into the two hotels dueling at the Planning Commission meeting," said Dunnington. Protracted wrangling over design details displaced discussions instead to court, and subsequent appeals effectively relegated plans to a legal quagmire. Dunnington further comments: "Whereas they [KW Middlebury Partnership] fought the town, Pomerleau exemplifies a bidder successful after working with the town."The Pomerleau hotel's potential impact on the Middlebury economic ecosystem includes 75 new full and part time positions as well as increased consumer traffic in the downtown area. Locals servicing hungry overnight travelers will likely enjoy the largest boom.Questionable, however, is how well an additional establishment will integrate into a sometimes over-supplied market. Blue Spruce Motel's Manager Peter Patel said, "It might be good; it might be bad. It might bring business to the community, but then again, it will compete with our hotel directly." Adds Bill Pearce, guest services director at the Chipman Inn, "I don't know; it is difficult to forecast. Of course it means more competition, and really, there are only a few days out of the year where you need that much lodging, but that has not dissuaded people from taking a risk in the past."Middlebury Planning and Zoning enlisted University of Vermont Economics Professors Ronald Savitt and Michael Gurdon in 1998 to quantify potential effects stemming from Pomerleau's proposed hotel. Savitt and Gurdon's analysis argues that the lodging market is currently in a "mature phase," pointing toward supply saturation. Their conclusions cite seasonal tourism trends as a primary factor defining the Middlebury lodging industry. Originally appearing in the October 1999 issue of Champlain Business Journal, Savitt and Gurdon quote Timothy Shaw, Lake Champlain regional chamber of commerce tourism director: "In terms of marketing dollars … it is not getting the visitors to our region on weekends, but filling the rooms throughout the week that provides the challenge." Changing seasons amplify inconsistent weekly demand. Citing a competing study prepared by Jeffrey Carr of Economic Policy and Resource Inc., Williston, Vt., Pomerleau predicts otherwise. "We will survive. I have several hotels around the country; we have no competition in our price range."Carr's report employs a widely accepted environment assessment equation dubbed IMPLAN. Based on this valuation, Carr's data suggests brand-name recognition will allow the Middlebury hotel to "…increase overnight stays, likely to moderately impact the economy," while adding $15,000 in tax revenue to town coffers. Savitt and Gurdon respond, "The assertion that the proposed project will help the Middlebury community to capture an increased share of the region's overnight visitors is highly questionable. We suggested in our original submission that there is currently over-capacity and the addition of more rooms will simply exacerbate this problem." Additionally, Carr did not release specifics regarding his IMPLAN variable scheme, without which Savitt and Gurdon could not directly rebut his claims.Neither party would comment on new developments, as they have not been involved in the Pomerleau project since the town meeting in 1998.
(11/07/01 12:00am)
Author: Nicha Rakpanichmanee While the Student Government Association (SGA) has traditionally been considered the voice of the student body, representing popular opinion on a wide range of issues, its effectiveness as a forum for student grievances periodically comes into question.In the 1970s, without a student government body, men might still be wearing ties and suits to eat at Proctor, the sorority system might still exist and women's dormitories might still remain segregated to one side of campus.Now, 30 years later, is the SGA still a valuable feature of student life at Middlebury? According to SGA President Brian Elworthy '02.5, if it were not for the SGA "there wouldn't be a diverse student perspective being voiced in one forum, where that forum's objective is to debate, discuss and eventually produce effective legislation that will impact everyone at the College."The Structure of the SGAThe SGA is divided into two bodies, including an executive and a legislative branch. The Presidential Cabinet, which consists of nine students, sets SGA agendas and implements resolutions. The Senate, composed of elected class and commons representatives, discusses and votes on resolutions proposed by specialized committees. The SGA oversees numerous committees, whose members include selected applicants from the student body. For example, the Community Council, which is comprised equally of students and members of the administration and faculty, provides input on policies from the Honor Code reform to allowing satellite dishes in residence halls. In contrast, the Student Education Affairs Committee (SEAC) meets with the Faculty Educational Affairs Committee (EAC) to formulate, discuss and revise academic policies. In addition, a committee like the Student-Public Safety Relations works with a specific department on campus to address issues like installing safety phones around campus and providing shuttles into town.The Presidential Cabinet consists of the student co-chair of Community Council and seven other members handpicked by the President. These members include the chief of staff, director of membership, director of academic affairs, director of student-Public Safety relations, director of student organizations, director of Facilities Planning and press secretary. "Instead of choosing his best friends, Brian did a good job in choosing a diverse group [to serve] on his cabinet this year," commented Kristie Gonzalez '02, director of student-Public Safety relations. "It's important that we don't just have the same group of people because they wouldn't be able to reach different people on campus. And they wouldn't even be aware that they were missing issues," she continued.The SGA Influence"The SGA is the officially recognized voice of the students," said Ann Hanson, dean of Student Affairs. "When we want important feedback from students, we often ask the SGA to let us know what they think."Through passed resolutions and biweekly meetings with President John McCardell, the SGA represents student opinion and often advises the administration on various policies. "Not to say that the SGA in every instance will have its recommendation accepted," said Secretary of the College and Professor of Political Science Eric Davis. "Generally, the administration has tried to listen to what the SGA has to say, though in some instances it is one of many opinions."For Suzanne Slarsky '02, the director of academic affairs and chair of SEAC, the SGA's influence is often "a matter of devoting time, interest and energy into that pursuit." She referred to last year's change in culture and civilization requirement in which her student proposal "counteracted" the faculty proposal. "What passed was definitely sensitive to student concerns," said Slarsky."We have the ability to have a lot of influence," agreed Gonzalez. "We're definitely taken seriously by the administration." Gonzalez cited cooperative efforts with Department of Public Safety Director Lisa Boudah. The Student-Public Safety Relations committee is currently working on two projects: one to station safety phones around campus and the other to provide shuttles into town to prevent drunk driving. "Many of the staff members are helpful and receptive to our ideas," added Elworthy. "Looking at how the administration values our opinion, this conveys a certain sense of legitimacy.""This year's leadership and government have worked hard to foster positive relations," said Hanson. "[SGA members] are serious about their work, committed and they are making tremendous progress."SGA and Student RelationsThis year, Elworthy moved the Senate meetings from Old Chapel to the Robert A. Jones '59 Conference Room for two reasons. According to Elworthy, the Jones House has a larger room, which is "conducive to active student participation." Secondly, "we wanted to separate ourselves from the mentality that the SGA is part of the College administration. Although we work with them and need them for support, we represent the students. We are not part of Old Chapel," Elworthy affirmed."Trying to find ways to interest students is the biggest challenge," said Elworthy. Simon Isaacs '03.5, junior class representative, agreed. "I was elected uncontested," he said. "How much do Middlebury students really care?" Isaacs and Matt Kiefer '03 are hoping for "a small turnout at best" at the upcoming junior class meeting. "It's important that we keep in close contact with the students. The problem is if they don't [show up]," Isaacs said.Slarsky, who has been on the SGA since her arrival at Middlebury four years ago, mentioned similar yet more positive experience. "Very few people would show up for meetings and discussions," she noted. "At a decisive moment, though, when we're going to vote on something, there would sometimes be more people. The actual discussions are not highly attended. It's people who they elect who are present.""There's always a core group of activists that are truly effective in addressing issues," commented Associate Professor of Political Science Matthew Dickinson. "A larger group is apathetic. They spend their time at sports, academics, not the SGA.""I have no idea what the SGA does," said Josh Onion '02. He added, however, that he has spent only his first year living in the dorms, with two years at Weybridge House and now in off-campus housing. "It's my fault, really. I don't go to the meetings, and it's not like I'm trying to find out about it. I guess it'd be the same for someone who's on SGA. They might say, 'I'm really into environmental issues, but I'm trying to do SGA.'""It's hard for a lot of students to be involved," said Dickinson. "There is lots of activism in ebbs and flow, depending on issues in the world at large."Perhaps that is the distinction between the SGA of today and the Middlebury Student Forum that Erica Wonnacott remembers when she served as dean of Student Affairs from 1968 to 1988."In the 70s, there was a lot going on," said Wonnacott. "The whole Vietnam War period. The Student Forum was very active. They used to meet upstairs above Proctor, and I went every Sunday. The room was pretty full, both the members of the Student Forum and people who were just interested."For the early 70s, Wonnacott estimated involvement in the Student Forum to be between 70 and 80 percent of the entire student body. "In the 80s, I think 25 percent would be a high number." She described Middlebury's student government of the 80s as "less vibrant, less popular, less noticed." "I think when people are generally happy about the way things are, they don't get very active about
things," added Wonnacott. "I think if there were issues that students are very concerned about, then it'd become more lively again."Elworthy cited "steadily increasing" student participation. The 53 percent voter turnout in the spring 2001 presidential election marked a steady increase during the previous two years. He and some of his cabinet members credit this to online voting and e-mailing abilities, as well as senators reaching out to seek advice from their constituents."If we don't have ideas and interest of people whom we try to represent, we're not an effective or a legitimate group," said Elworthy, while remaining optimistic. "The apathy is not hurting us, but it certainly is not helping."
(10/31/01 12:00am)
Author: Bob Wainwright Staff Writer At this particular moment in time, I highly doubt my life could be much worse. And yet, despite my immense fury over my current situation, I cannot help but be at least a tiny bit amused over what I have managed to do. For all express purposes, I should not be writing a column right now.Not at all. What I should be doing, however, is working on the 14-page final paper on Australia and its convict origins that is due tomorrow morning. If you could see me now, I have no doubt that you would be unable to tell what's wrong. After all, I am in a university computer lab. I am sitting at a computer. And quite obviously, the computer is working. But herein lies the problem. The bag to my left, while identical to mine in every aspect (save the Atlanta Braves emblem on one of the straps), is actually my roommate's. Consequently I have neither the books nor the disk necessary to write the paper. "But Bobby," you ask me, "Why don't you just return home, collect your backpack, return to the computer lab and then start your paper, instead of boring me with another one of your columns?" To which I reply, "I can't go home. In order to leave, I must have a student card. The card I used to get in was taken by one of my roommates shortly after he let me in. Since I had been planning on spending the night, I told him I would not need it. After all, what better incentive to finish a paper than placing oneself in the least used computer lab on campus with absolutely no way to get out. And no Internet access either!"So here I am, in this penal colony of a country, with nothing to help me write my final paper except a Maxim magazine, a few books on industrial economics, some worn gym shorts and a photo of my roommate's girlfriend…or is that his mom? Economics books. Hmmm. If only I were an economics major, then this would never have happened in the first place. And if it had happened, I would still have had the right books to write a paper. And it would probably have been an important paper too, instead of something absurd like why Australia tried to hide its convict past for so long. Seriously people, this is the type of paper that really belongs in Duh? Magazine, right alongside such groundbreaking news as "prolonged exposure to the sun linked to skin cancer" and "one man's 10-year quest for gold underneath rainbows ends in failure." Allow me to ask you, what would you do if your country had been settled by thousands of people who'd rather pick pockets for a living than get a job? Do whatever you could to hide the truth? Bingo! We have a winner! But, of course, in Australian Studies, the obvious is not acceptable. Instead, I have to come up with some sentence like, "The depraved character of the convicts was rarely questioned by the middle class reading public in 19th century Britain or Australia, and convict ancestry was a point of shame not pride." But what I'd really like to say is, "Why on earth did you academics insist on making your convict origins an issue!? I mean, for gosh sake, you downplayed it so well for so long! "You already had everybody concentrating on how poorly you treated the Aboriginies. Nobody would have remembered that you sprung from the scum of 18th century British society if you hadn't brought it to their attention!" You have to hand it to Australians though. It certainly wasn't easy starting a country as big as Australia with England breathing down the convicts necks, forcing them to do manual labor every morning, five days a week. But they persevered, shed the yoke of England and have done just fine on their own. Oops, I forgot. Australia still maintains ties with the British throne. Maybe that's why spell check wanted to change manual labor to labour. But that's beside the point. Australia has shed its convict past in becoming one of the most law abiding nations in the world. Oh, wait a second. How many times has my house been robbed since I've been here? Three times? I'm sorry; I don't know why I'm so riled up against Australia. I'm probably just homesick. It's just that if I hear one more wisecrack about how absurd it is that I live in a place as cold as Vermont…I mean, does it ever occur to these people that I find their constant 80-degree cloudless days monotonous? Does it!?Settle down, Bobby. Settle down. You know, this whole mess I've ended up in is quite ironic, isn't it? The only thing keeping me from writing a paper on Australia, the gigantic jail, is the fact that I myself am locked in a room, with no way out except the phone on my right...Hey, why didn't I think of that before?
(10/31/01 12:00am)
Author: Kate DeForest Arts Editor This year the College community has been graced by a series of notable lectures and talks as part of the traveling Smithsonian exhibit "Young America." By viewing the majestic, and oft pastoral or romantic, landscapes one gets a sense of the expansiveness the new American horizon presented. All of the benefits one gets from viewing great art, of course, cannot be broken down into terms of dollars and cents. However, the works themselves, be they canvas or paper, painting or sculpture, are very much within the realm of an economic mode that America has grown to dominate: capitalism. The generic idea of American art in the past few centuries was focused through an economic lens this past Saturday, by means of the "Market for American Art" slide lecture. Speakers Frederick Lapham '70, and Paul R. Provost '87 were graciously introduced by Emmie Donadio, associate director Middlebury College Museum of Art. Amidst the copia of the two's various accomplishments (Provost is currently the international business director, American art, at Christie's New York and holds a doctorate in American Paintings from Princeton, after first completing a master's in art history from Williams, Lapham has served on the board of director's for Sotheby's, North America, has been chairman of the Vermont Arts Council and currently owns Lapham & Dibble Gallery in Shoreham, with a second location in NYC, both remain involved in their alma mater by serving on the College's arts council, Lapham currently being chair of that council) Donadio commented on the nature of the successful art dealer: the necessary combination of a quick wit and a lively intelligence and the ability to balance scholasticism with personal charm. Both Lapham and Provost had the easy poise of men used to filling an auditorium with their presence while giving the impression of those who would be equally at home in a hushed gallery. Lapham opened the lecture by launching into the history of American art and the recent market for paintings from the 18th century up to the second world war. He began by examining a rather sweeping landscape by Frederick Church called "Home By the Lake," which provides the first landmark sale for work by an American artist: in 1987 the painting brought in a less-than-modest $8.25 million.The price the Church brought, according to Lapham, "stunned" both those present at the auction, resonating well beyond the walls of that room to reverberate throughout the entire collecting community. The sum paid for the painting isn't incredibly vast compared to the amounts paid for a Picasso ("Femme aux bras croisés" (1902) recently sold for $55 million) or other European impressionist masters, whose finest regularly bring in the tens of millions of dollars, but consider that in 1965 a finer Church painting (in respect to "Home By the Lake") had sold for a comparatively paltry $50,000. The latter painting, now residing in the Cleveland Museum of Art (an institution blessed with extremely astute foresight concerning the purchase of American art through the 60s to the present), is currently valued at about $22 million. The interest in art produced by American artists is a relatively new phenomenon, thought American artists have not been absolutely short of patrons, nor have they been totally neglected. However, as recently as the 1960s and early 70s one could, if one had the means, pick up a masterpiece for anywhere from $5,000 - $20,000. It was, as Lapham succinctly stated, "a good time to learn the art business." One could invest without risking too much, and the market was on the upswing. The boom regularly saw the sale of paintings to be worth ten times the original purchase price in today's market.However, it was the 1980 purchase of a "The Iceberg," another Church masterpiece of considerable size (64 by 112 inches) that proved, as Lapham explained, "a real sea change for the possibilities in the price structure for American paintings."In such a specific and exclusive market (after all, there are a very select few who can drop a couple hundred thousand bucks on what, in the most basic nonetheless truthful terms, is a wall decoration), a few major players are all that is necessary to affect the dynamics of that market. In the early 80s, seven or eight such extremely wealthy players began to drive up the prices of American art, specifically that of the Hudson River School, to heights the art world had but imagined.However, the Hudson River School did not and does not hold exclusive rights to the attention of collectors worldwide. Several other trends emerged during the 80s including appearance of a steadily appreciating market for Western, or so-called "Cowboy and Indian," art. Perhaps one of the most interesting markets from a psychological point of view, the market in this type of work is fueled mostly by collectors who live in the areas the art depicts, and who have made their fortunes by regionally exclusive means like mining and oil. There is something almost reverential about the purchase of such art, the self-made men buying depictions of those who made the West accessible; a way of showing respect to their own.After 1987 the market flattened out, eclipsed by a "feeding frenzy" by Japanese buyers of French Impressionist works. Suddenly, the focus had shifted, and jaws were agape over two major purchases: an $80 million Van Gogh and a $79 million Renior. However, the purchases proved to be the high watermark, the tide receeded and the market fell into a deep depression in 1990. By contrast, the market for American art, has remained relatively constant since its initial boom of the early 70s, the demand for "Cowboy and Indian" art being especially stable. Provost, tailoring his segment of the lecture to Lapham's as finely as the perfectly constructed tan suit he wore, began with a blue-toned impressionist work by Childe Hassam called "Flags; Afternoon on the Avenue." The 1917 work struck a particularly familiar chord as the expression of national pride currently displayed almost everywhere was eerily echoed in the depiction of New York City's legendary Fifth Avenue, bedecked with the American flag. It takes further examination to realize, interspersed among the Stars and Stripes, are the flags of the Allies of WWI. "Flags" was sold, in 1998, for around $8 million.In another astute observation, Provost quoted an artist emblematic of the American creative genius, when he invoked the words of Walt Whitman: "These United States are the greatest poem." He, more than Lapham, theorized on the driving forces of the American art market, naming a sense of patriotism, pride in country and pride in place as the main factors; American paintings are primarily bought by "Americans who have made their fortune in the free economy."Provost's numbers roughly paralleled those quoted by Lapham, though the artists he named – Hassam, Georgia O'Keeffe, Mary Cassatt, Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper and Winslow Homer (about whom Provost had written his dissertation) – evoke quite a different sense of American painting than did the artists of the former time period. The romantic blasted trees and academically realistic landscapes now replaced by opalescent flowers and crisp portraits of rugged workmen. However different the subject matter and style, the major artists of the 20th century are much in demand, especially when put into the context of an American market. Provost gave Cassatt as an example of an artist who, when classified under different headings, could fetch a markedly different price in each instance. Cassatt, the American impressionist who emigrated to France, is considered by those who collect French impressionism to be a "B" artist among the French circle with whom she was grouped (Manet, Monet, Degas). However, put into an American context, she is very much an "A" artist. Though a Cassatt masterpiece would get a similar price under either classification, Provost g
ave an example of a lesser work that was "bought in" (that is, did not sell) when grouped with her French contemporaries, but sold for $700,000 in an American based auction.The market for American art, it seems, is an ever-expanding entity. As American artists, past and present, become more established within the minds of the American people as being masters of their medium, no doubt the demand for such work will continue to increase. As Provost suggested, whether it be a museum purchase or private acquisition, it is above all a passionate appreciation for the art that maintains a successful market.
(10/31/01 12:00am)
Author: Jen LaRosa Staff Writer Oftentimes students will find themselves waiting until the last minute to plan their Halloween attire and, as a result, costumes end up lacking in creativity and being of the same old generic genre as last year's disguise. However, here is a last minute guide to planning an original, yet inexpensive Halloween costume that is sure to find you dressed to kill come Halloween night. As your brain begins to overload with worries about what to be for Halloween and where to find the perfect costume, you can start by searching the Internet for both ideas and costumes. Simply use your favorite search engine and type in "halloween costumes." Over 100 sites will come up with general ideas, cheap stores, makeup hints and make-your-own costume suggestions. You can find everything from spandex-wear to Disney costumes to sexy nun attire. Obviously, if you have waited until today to buy a costume, there's no point in ordering one online, but you can use the Internet as a resource for costume ideas. If Internet shopping isn't your favorite pastime or that perfect "Johnny Luv Pimp" outfit is out of stock, then just make your way down College Street into town to find equally affordable and snazzy costumes. Ben Franklin is a great store to find the necessities for a little homemade Halloween fun. From sheets of fabric to already-made accessories, the possibilities are endless. The store also has a costume selection downstairs that offers some eye-catching outfits. Although the pre-packaged costumes are pretty generic and labeled "one size fits all," they may contain some acceptable pieces that can be put to good use. There is also a great thrift shop called Neat Repeats Resale Shop on Bakery Lane that serves a more daring shopper. If you're looking for a unique costume, one that expresses your true individuality, then a thrift shop may be just the place for you. Not only will you find clothes from all different decades, but you will also find clothes that fit sufficiently well for practically nothing. Currently, the store is offering a 20 percent sale on anything orange in order to celebrate the Halloween spirit."The thrift shop is a very creative and cheap alternative for dressing for Halloween. Having trouble coming up with a traditional costume, I was able to be inventive and come up with the idea of becoming a southern homeboy. I found a pair of overalls, a wig, a corncob pipe, a flannel shirt and a straw hat for just $22," said Andrew Feinberg '04.There is also a vintage store called BeJewelled on Frog Hollow Alley that has several racks of vintage costumes all for $10 or less. The store also offers a plethora of accessories, including hats, belts and scarves. For the truly ecomically thrifty, creative minds can be put to use to invent costumes from within your own wardrobe and with the help of your roommate's closet. Piece together the most offensively colored articles of clothing you own, and if possible a little splatter-painted denim, match them with an '80s hairstyle and you have yourself a Madonna-inspired '80s costume. Or model yourself after a famous celebrity or rock star simply by mimicing his or her style. Once you've found the outfit of your choice and patted yourself on the back for your excellent quick-thinking skills, it's time to turn to decorations and candy. Granted you can be lazy and have your mom send you cheezy Halloween decorations from home, but how about a little individuality? Ames and Shaw's are stocked with candy corn, bags of assorted chocolates and pumpkin lights. The Rainbow Room on Main Street is also having a 50 percent off sale on all Halloween decorations. Now you have the costume, the candy, the decorations and the occasion. You're confident in your choices, and you are ready to go out in style. Now just try to forget about that 8 a.m. class tomorrow morning.
(10/31/01 12:00am)
Author: Neil Onsdorff Staff Writer For those of you who were unable to catch this past weekend's game, there is only one thing to say — unfortunate (although your cardiologist might be pleased). Hard-hitting, heart-stopping, with the Panthers the ultimate victor — all one might want for a harvest homecoming at Youngman Field. There is nothing that could be written here that would do justice to the emotional ups and downs, the intense play of both teams and the climactic finish. This game was its own "Tale of Two Cities" — with the Panthers offense in control for much of the first half and then almost unrecognizable in the second. Dave Nikiel '04 could not have been more correct when he declared, "Offense sells tickets; defense seals the deal." In the first half, the Panthers' offense was able to strike fast and, most importantly, first. Mike Hacker '02, Middlebury's lethal weapon on defense, (who finished the contest with one sack, two fumble recoveries, and a huge interception) made his presence felt on the first Trinity drive of the game by being the bottom man on the pile and coming up with the first turnover of the game. The offense was able to feed off such a delicious treat and ate up the remaining yards into the end zone. Another positive for the Panthers happened on their next drive. The seemingly unstoppable duo of Scott Roberts '02 and Denver Smith '03 was again in full force. They hooked up for two long passes for a combined 55 yards. With that, Smith moved himself into a position to become the Middlebury's all-time receiving yardage leader for a single season (701). With two games left in the season, Smith has a tremendous opportunity to shatter almost any receiving record he wants. Yet the Panthers were unable to capitalize on these aerial bombs because of the all-too-frequent red zone turnover problem that has been driving Coach Ritter and his staff irate all year. The Middlebury defense, which played out of their minds all day, came up with another huge first half play of their own. Hacker once again recovered a loose ball after a Trinity punt returner made one of the more bonehead plays in recent memory, letting the punt hit his hands but obviously forgetting the crucial idea of covering the ball. Coach Ritter, sensing blood, called for a deep play through the air, and Roberts was able to deliver a perfect ball to wide receiver Mike Murray '05 who was stopped just inches short of the goal line. The Panthers were able to pound the ball in for the score behind the strong running of tailback back Matt Wolf '04 on the next play. The sense around the field was that a blowout was in the offering — yet this was as close as the Panthers would get to the goal line for the rest of the game. Trinity was able to strike for a 36-yard pass play to cut the score by seven, and the teams entered the locker room sensing that the second half was going to be brutal. During one of the strangest halftimes ever, the Panthers were forced to send fullback Chris Davis '03, one of the backbones of their offensive, to the hospital for x-rays. (Porter Hospital must have thought Halloween had come early!) With Davis' return in doubt, Middlebury's offense was forced into battle without one of its hardest-hitting generals — and it showed. In an early possession of the second half, Roberts went back to throw and had his clock absolutely cleaned. The ball went flying out of his hands and was recovered by Trinity at Middlebury's own 10. The Middlebury defense was thus called to make their second goal line stand in as many possessions and answered to perfection! With huge plays and hard hitting, the Panthers forced Trinity to a long field goal that they missed, and the score remained 14-7, in favor of the Panthers. Yet with the Middlebury offense moving almost backwards, Trinity was able to move to the Middlebury 11 yard-line on the next drive. But, with the epitome of a bend-but-do-not-break defense, the Panthers were able to stop Trinity and regain some control of the game. With both Roberts and Davis returning to the line-up, the offense looked to regroup and put together a drive — if not to score, at least giving the defense time to regain consciousness. Unfortunately, on the first play of the drive, Trinity intercepted the ball on the Middlebury 30-yard line and was again poised to tie the game. The drive was stopped by another fantastic play by Mike Hacker, this time a sack, and the Panthers offense was given another shot at moving the ball. As was the case most of the day, Middlebury had no answers on offense, and Trinity's offense stepped on the field at their own 23-yard line. After some well-designed plays and some luck, Trinity was looking at a first and goal from the two-yard line. Fans were asking themselves not if Trinity scores, but when they score, would they go for the two-point conversion? But not a single soul on Middlebury's defense was letting that defeatist thought cross his mind. On the first play, Trinity's quarterback play faked, rolled out and threw the ball between the numbers of Middlebury's defensive end Tim Collard '04 for a score-saving interception—what a huge play! Trinity was able to muster one more drive, but it was shut down by a defense that was clearly playing with a lot of heart, a tremendous amount of talent and a bit of luck. For most of the day Trinity's offense controlled the ball, running 116 plays, 80 of which were passes, to Middlebury's mere 69. But the coaching staff and players have to be pleased that they were able to get their first win at home this season, especially during a great homecoming weekend. An exhausted linebacker, Andrew Engdahl '04, talking about how it felt to win such a tight game, said, " 'Cheer, boys, Cheer' never sounded so sweet, never felt so good to sing." Middlebury will be home again next weekend to face Hamilton. Kick-off is at an early 12:30 p.m.
(10/31/01 12:00am)
Author: Elizabeth Logue Managing Editor The government issued a televised warning on Monday evening of new terrorist attacks that may surface in the next week. United States Attorney General John Ashcroft stated that the "administration has concluded … that there may be additional terrorist attacks within the United States and against United States' interests over the next week." The intelligence, according to Ashcroft, is "credible but unfortunately does not contain specific information as to the type of attack or specific targets."Robert Mueller, director of the Federal Bureau of Administration (FBI), also spoke at the brief press conference, explaining that the administration had chosen to warn the law enforcement community to be on highest alert. Ashcroft acknowledged that the advisory had been issued to 18,000 law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. Ashcroft said in the press conference that additional security precautions were being taken by government agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, among other government agencies.By Tuesday afternoon, CNN confirmed that heightened security measures were being put into place by these agencies. There is a visual flight ban effect within 30 nautical miles of the John F. Kennedy International Airport between the hours of 6:45 p.m. and 2 a.m. in response to the World Series Game at Yankee Stadium. The flight restrictions will be in effect until midnight on Nov. 6, CNN reported.Additionally, 80 facilities such as power plants and Energy Department areas imposed restricted flying rules. Director of Public Safety and Associate Dean of Student Affairs Lisa Boudah said that because the Department of Public Safety is not a law enforcement agency, it did not receive specific warnings from the government. She continued, "We are on alert in the sense that we know what's going on in the community and in the country, and are trying to be cautious and prepared for anything that comes up." She stated that if a threat should occur, the Department of Public Safety would defer to the Middlebury Police Department. Thomas Hanley, chief of the Middlebury Police Department, shared the same sentiments, saying that the Police Department has and will continue to be on "high alert." Hanley reported that he did not anticipate any specific threats to Middlebury, but that even though the Police Department is "not doing anything differently" since Monday's press conference, it "will continue to be attuned" to unfolding events as they occur. Update on the Suspicious Envelope The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 struck close to home in Middlebury on Monday, Oct. 15 when the College mailroom received a suspicious letter addressed to a staff member. When The Middlebury Campus reported the events on Oct. 17, the letter was being held by the Middlebury Police Department and was waiting to be taken to the Vermont Department of Health in Burlington. Two weeks since The Campus first reported on the finding, the parcel is still being analyzed by the Vermont Department of Health. Middlebury Chief of Police Thomas Hanley said that the contents of the envelope had not yet been revealed and provided no indication of when the Vermont Department of Health would relay definitive lab results to the department. He stated that there is "concern all over the state" about the threat of anthrax and terrorism, but noted also that the American people have been faced with terrorism to a lesser degree for years in this country. Citing the currently stringent U.S. mail protocol in place, and the Police Department's strict classification of suspicious mail, Hanley is not waiting anxiously for the results of the Vermont Department of Health's tests.Hanley said that alarming letters and packages are classified in one of three categories: threatening, suspicious or hoax. If a piece of mail is seen as a threat by the Police Department, the Vermont Department of Health is notified, as was the case with the Oct. 15 incident. Suspicious letters are "not even opened," said Hanley, but are instead destroyed. A letter is labeled a "hoax" only if a police investigation clearly proves it to be such. —Elizabeth Logue, Managing Editor
