While rummaging through some old issues of PAW, I came across one of 20 years ago (September 25, 1978) with a feature entitled "What Carter Could Learn from Wilson," based on an interview that William McCleery conducted with Arthur S. Link, the leading authority on Woodrow Wilson 1879. In view of our present horrendous crisis, you would perform a national service by reprinting an updated version with a new title, "What Clinton Could Learn from Wilson." Perhaps the most relevant part is the passage that Link invoked from Wilson's speech "Democracy," delivered in 1891:
"A correct polity of free popular choice, like our own, depends for its success upon the permanency of a certain character on the part of the people. Without a firm love for order on their part, a sagacious insight into the character of men, and a steady preference for openness and honesty in the conduct of affairs, the whole structure would go presently to pieces."
Edward A. Tiryakian '52
Durham, N.C.
I have read and enjoyed PAW for many years and have been variously amused, outraged, and informed by its letters to the editor. Now I am writing one myself to express my grave concern over the appointment to the University Center for Human Values of Dr. Peter Singer (Notebook, October 7).
I understand that Dr. Singer has a clinically utilitarian view of human life -- especially that of infants and anyone who has become a "burden" to family, state, or health-care system. Apparently the criteria for continued existence turn on the pivot point of "rational and self-aware." Absent that remarkably subjective condition, one can be declared a "non-person" (a genus heretofore only metaphorical).
I presume in the rational and enlightened world of Dr. Singer we can blamelessly bid adieu to babies still in the womb, the profoundly retarded, the aged -- especially those with dementia -- and the chronically ill and impoverished. Human values indeed!
Ben F. Troxell III '62
Boca Raton, Fla.
The appointment of Peter Singer makes me ashamed and astonished at my once-beloved university. In a recent newspaper article I read quotations from Mr. Singer that expressed his beliefs that the lives of chimpanzees should have more protection under the law than some infant human children. He purports that killing a chimp should be a crime akin to murder, but the slaughter of less-than-perfect newborn or preborn children is justifiable.
This is the view of a man who is sick, and out of charity we ought not to humor him by entertaining his perverted ideology. I am insulted that he degrades human life and equates rational creatures in the image and likeness of God with mere animals. If he is so certain of the equality of chimpanzees with human beings, then why doesn't he teach at the local zoo?
Francis S. Pagnanelli '90
Bayonne, N.J.
I am disappointed by the decision of Princeton football to change its helmet to the design used by the Michigan Wolverines (Sports, September 9). Michigan's continuous use of this design for the last 60 years certainly gives it more claim to that heritage than we have. Although Stas Maliszewski '66 spins this change as a "return" to the traditional Princeton helmet, the design was used by the Tigers for just three seasons. Moreover, although not an expert on the matter, I have been given no reason to believe that 1935-1937 was the "Golden Age" of Tiger football. All the photos in the Princeton Football Association's ad in the same issue -- including a shot of Dick Kazmaier '52, Princeton's only Heisman Trophy winner -- show players wearing the traditional orange helmet.
The change from the orange helmet is more than a loss of our gridiron heritage; it may also be perceived as an attempt to imitate another school's football program and thereby bask in reflected glory. Princeton should not appear to be casting itself as an "Ivy-League Michigan." We apparently are stuck with the design for the time being, but I hope it lasts no longer than the original did.
Matt Bodie '91
Cockeysville, Md.
After more than 25 years, the Princeton Triangle Club will return to its traditional schedule of fall shows with the opening of 101 Damnations: A Humorous Look at Sin and Vice, at McCarter Theatre on November 20, 21, and 22. Directed by B.T. McNicholl (assistant director of the Broadway version of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), and with a return appearance by music director Jay Kerr '67, it is a musical revue written and performed entirely by students and featuring Triangle's traditional all-male kickline. Tickets are available at the McCarter box office.
Three weeks later, the cast and crew will embark on Triangle's annual Christmas tour, with performances in New York (December 17), Boston (December 18), Rochester (December 19), Toronto (December 20), and Washington, D.C. (December 22).
Thomas H. Paine, Jr. '75
Chairman, Triangle Club
Belle Mead, N.J.
I read with interest and pride in the September 9 Notebook that the classes of 1963, 1958, 1953, and 1948 topped the list of total dollars given to Annual Giving. Somehow, the great Class of 1973 was left off the list. We gave a total of $2.95 million to Princeton as part of our 25th-reunion effort, making us the third-best class for total dollars given this year.
Vincent P. deLuise '73
President, Class of 1973
Woodbury, Conn.
A limited number of VHS video tapes covering the Class of 1943's day-long 1998 Reunions Forum entitled "The Amazing Human Mind" are now available at cost. The forum featured eight distinguished researchers discussing the latest findings in the exciting and rapidly evolving field of neuroscience. A two-tape set is available for $30. Anyone interested can reach me at 141 Rolling Mill Rd., Skillman, NJ 08558 (609-466-2994; JFBrain@aol.com).
John F. Brinster '43
Skillman, N.J.