September 2013
Volume XXI, Issue I
The Fenwick Review
The Independent Journal of Opinion at the College of the Holy Cross
Thoughts on Social Justice The Difficulty of Applying the Concept to Public Policy
prices that are considered fair, and a major critic of usury, the practice of making unethical loans, particularly through setting excessive interest rates. In terms of policy, this proto-economic thinking It is impossible to avoid the term “social rooted in medieval philosophy differs greatly from justice” at Holy Cross. We hear of the need to the economics espoused by Adam Smith and later promote social justice during homilies, in Religious economists, who argued that prices should generally Studies classes, and from student groups, particularly be determined by freely moving market forces. SPUD and Pax Christi. Founded in the belief in the Desiring a just society is obviously laudable, sanctity of all human life and the inherent dignity of and this should be a goal for Catholics and nonevery person from conception until natural death, Catholics alike. Every person’s life is sacred, and, Catholic social teaching stresses the need to care therefore, should be protected and respected. for one another, particularly for those who are less However, despite how noble the intentions of fortunate than oneself. Ensuring certain forms social justice proponents may be, implementing this of equality among the different social classes is supposed form of justice through public policy considered socially just. becomes problematic because there is no universally Luigi Taparelli, a Jesuit proponent of the agreed upon meaning of social justice, and there ideas of St. Thomas Aquinas, coined the term “social is much debate whether the concept holds weight. justice” in 1840 as debates raged between laissez-faire Income inequality, for example, is frequently cited as classical liberals and socialists. Aquinas, a thirteenth a form of social injustice. However, income equality century scholastic, was an advocate of just prices, can also be considered unjust as such equality requires
Patrick J. Horan ’14 Co-Editor in Chief
The Rise and Fall of Detroit Can the City Rise from the Ashes? By Eric Kuhn ’16 ..... pages 10-11
forcibly taking earned wealth from some to give to others. Equality of outcome inevitably results in some receiving more wealth than they deserve from others. This begs the question: at what point does economic inequality become unjust? Economists have differing barometers for measuring wealth and poverty, but such metrics are made at the discretion of fallible human beings. The American political philosopher John Rawls endeavored to turn the largely theological concept of social justice into a core tenet of democratic government. In his famous book A Theory of Justice, Rawls attempted to create what he considered to be objective standards for what constitutes social justice. Everyone could agree to these standards by conducting a series of thought experiments. Rawls argued that in an “original position,” parties within a civilization would determine the ideal characteristics of that society. Continued on page 5
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Mission Statement As the College of the Holy Cross’s independent journal of opinion, The Fenwick Review strives to promote intellectual freedom and progress on campus. The staff of The Fenwick Review takes pride in defending traditional Catholic principles and conservative ideas, and does its best to articulate thoughtful alternatives to the dominant campus ethos. Our staff desires to help make Holy Cross the best it can be by strengthening and renewing the College’s Catholic identity, as well as working with the College to encourage constructive dialogue and an open forum to foster new ideas.
To The Benefactors In this issue, as in every issue, we must reserve space to offer a heartfelt thank you to our benefactors, without whom The Fenwick Review would not exist. We extend our profound gratitude to The Collegiate Network and the generous individual and alumni donors to The Fenwick Review, for their ongoing enthusiasm and support of our mission. You are always in our prayers, and with each issue we publish, our first goal is to justify the incredible faith you have shown in us. Mr. Guy C. Bosetti Dr. and Mrs. Paul Braunstein Mr. and Mrs. Michael Dailey Mr. J. O’Neill Duffy Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fisher Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Gorman Mr. Robert W. Graham III Dr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Greene Mr. Paul M. Guyet Mr. Robert R. Henzler Mr. William Horan Mr. Joseph Kilmartin Mr. Robert J. Leary ‘49 Mr. Francis Marshall ‘48 Mr. J. O’Neill Duffy Mr. Kevin O’Scannlain Fr. Paul Scalia Dr. Ronald Safko Mr. Sean F. Sullivan Jr.
September 2013
Contents September 2013
The Editor’s Desk Volume XXI, Issue I
1 Thoughts on Social Justice Patrick J. Horan ‘14
3 The Editor’s Desk
Andrew D. Emerson ‘14 & Patrick J. Horan ‘14
4 Holy Cross and the Liberal Arts Chase Padusniak ‘15
5 Thoughts on Social Justice (cont.) Patrick J. Horan ‘14
6 Pope’s Comments on Homosexuality Ken Jordan ‘14
7 Mortal Sin, Confession and Communion Steven Merola ‘16
8 Men as Angels Nikolas Churik ‘15
8 The British Monarchy J. Alex Cicchitti ‘15
9 The Myth of a Decimated al-Qaeda John Castro ‘14
10 The Rise and Fall of Detroit Eric Kuhn ’16
The Fenwick Review
September 2013
3
The Fenwick Review 2013-2014 Staff Co-Editors in Chief
Welcome back, or as they in Ireland, “Fáilte ar ais!”
We at The Fenwick Review welcome back returning students and extend a special greeting to incoming freshmen (as opposed to ‘first-year’ students who are on their own)! As economist Thomas Sowell once noted, “Each new generation born is in effect an invasion of civilization by little barbarians, who must be civilized before it is too late.” In that spirit, the FR editors call upon the faculty and upperclassmen to join in the crusade of educating and enlightening this young horde with the utmost vigor. This is the first year in recent memory that The Fenwick Review will be jointly captained. Horan was born and raised off Exit 16W in the beautiful Garden State of New Jersey, while Emerson originates from the libertarian “Live Free or Die” state of New Hampshire. Last year, Horan interned at the American Enterprise Institute for Public Policy Research, a conservative bastion in the heart of darkness that is Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, Emerson was on a year-long pub crawl through Ireland during his studies abroad at Trinity College Dublin. Needless to say, we are enthused to be back atop Mt. Saint James, but we are confronted with the bittersweet reality that this is our last year at the Cross. We shall overcome the tragic close of the Salty Dog (may it rest in peace) by visiting the multitude of Worcester’s legitimate business establishments. We shall rally the troops and restore the Hogan pub to its rightful status of operating more than once a week. In addition to imbibing wonderful beverages, we intend to make the most out our last hurrah by checking off other items on the typical senior Bucket List (Emerson has yet to go sledding, and Horan is hell-bent on getting into the Exorcism Room). On a more serious note, as we begin this academic year, we encourage the eager young minds on the Hill to remain vigilant against the threat of ideological indoctrination. The failure to objectively portray the whole truth and discuss countervailing views, particularly when examining controversial subjects, is unacceptable in an academic setting. Professors are largely guided by the best of intentions – but you know what they say about the Road to Hell. That said, The Fenwick Review, in its mission to “encourage constructive dialogue,” urges students to keep an open mind and be guided by the Jesuit traditions on which Holy Cross was founded.
Best wishes and God bless, Andrew D. Emerson ’14 & Patrick J. Horan ‘14
Andrew D. Emerson ‘14 Patrick J. Horan ‘14
Website Editor
Andrew D. Emerson‘14
Layout Editor in-Absentia Claire S. Mahoney ‘15
Staff Writers
John Castro ‘14 J. Alex Cicchitti ‘15 Kaylie Gage ‘14 Ken Jordan ‘14 Eric Kuhn ‘16 Joseph Lepera ‘14 Mary Maliszewski ‘14 Steven Merola ‘16 Chase Padusniak ‘15 Hayward Shine ‘16
Faculty Adviser
Professor David Lewis Schaefer Political Science
Disclaimers
This journal is published by students of the College of the Holy Cross and is produced two or three times per semester. The College of the Holy Cross is not responsible for its content. Articles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the editorial board.
Donation Policy
The Fenwick Review is funded through a generous grant from the Collegiate Network as well as individual donations. The Fenwick Review is an organization incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We welcome any donation you might be able to give to support our cause! To do so, please write a check to: The Fenwick Review and mail to: Patrick J. Horan P.O. Box 4A 1 College Street Worcester, MA 01610
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We at The Fenwick Review encourage feedback. All comments, criticisms, compliments, and opinions are welcome. As we are striving to promote intellectual freedom and progress here at Holy Cross, opposing viewpoints to anything we print are especially appreciated. Finally, we reserve the rights to print and edit any letters for clarity and length that we receive. Please email you submissions to: fenwickrev@g.holycross.edu
The Fenwick Review
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September 2013
September 2013
The Fenwick Review
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Holy Cross and the Liberal Arts
Thoughts on Social Justice (cont.)
globe. However, if we are discussing common area requirements, it makes much more sense to expose students to those traditions that underlie the original liberal educational heritage of the college. Is it really fair that a student can be an expert in the horticulture of south Thailand, while never reading Plato’s Republic or even St. Ignatius’s Spiritual Exercises? The Common Area requirements ought to acquaint the students with those texts that are of undeniable importance within our own Jesuit tradition. After that, they may study whatever they want. Surely, the Montserrat program is an attempt to pursue this course of action. My own Montserrat was within the fields of Chinese culture and cinema. I loved the class and have no qualms that it is being offered. In fact, I’m glad I took it because it truly was an encounter with a subject matter I never would have confronted otherwise. But the question must be asked, ”Is it really within the spirit of the common area requirements and the Montserrat program?” I now find myself playing catch-up, trying to read such seminal texts as Homer’s The Iliad and Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws in order to be immersed fully in my own civilization’s tradition. Some courses I would like to take would require me to read these texts, but fortunately, or unfortunately, college is a finite experience during which only so many
tions of many people acting in their own self-interest,
good conscience would deny that these rights should
economic inequalities cannot be unjust because no
be protected for all people regardless of income level.
singe agent is consciously responsible for the prod-
Yet those who support the Nozickian and
uct of the market. Hayek asserted, “In a free soci-
Hayekian critiques of Rawlsian or other forms of dis-
ety in which the position of the different individuals
tributive justice are not necessarily opposed to help-
and groups is not the result of anybody’s design--or Their choice would be made from behind a could, within such a society, be altered in accordance “veil of ignorance” that would prevent them from with a generally applicable principle--the differences
ing the less privileged. We see that
Common Area Requirements in Not So Common Areas
Chase Padusniak ‘15 Staff Writer Holy Cross is supposed to be a liberal arts college. In that vein, common area requirements make sense. If we are to become men and women for and with others, then we should be taking classes that expose us to different disciplines in order to be molded into people with diverse interests and fields of understanding. But is that what our current system actually does? If one can fulfill a religious studies requirement by taking a course on religious gardening techniques in East Asian cultures, then have we not lost a part of what is supposed to define these common subject areas? The answer is yes, and the problem is that these fields of study are not so common. Taking a course on Shakespeare, Plato, or even Marx would make more sense in order to expose one to a relevant tradition than a course in something that is entirely unrelated to the cultures and traditions that form the backdrop of our Jesuit education. Now, I am not advocating a “Western culture only” approach to education. One should be able to major in any of the basic liberal disciplines and take courses in philosophies and religions spanning the
“If Aristotle and Plato were good enough for hundreds of generations of our ancestors, they’re probably worth looking into” classes can be taken. Now, I must either read them on my own or never read them at all. It would make a lot of sense to ensure that students are exposed to Shakespeare and Aquinas before reading post-colonial Sudanese authors writing about globalization. Either way, if Aristotle and Plato were good enough for hundreds of generations of our ancestors, they’re probably worth looking into. FR
The Difficulty of Applying the Concept to Public Policy
Patrick J. Horan ‘14 Co-Editor in Chief Continued from page 1
knowing of differences in characteristics such as eth- in reward simply cannot meaningfully be described nicity, social status, etc. From this original position, as just or unjust.”
people – on both the Left and Right, religious
Rawls posited we could know what would be univer-
It should be noted that these differing views sally considered just in terms of political rights and on social justice could be more accurately called economic redistribution. views on distributive justice since they deal with
“There is no universally agreed upon meaning of social justice, and there is much debate whether the concept holds weight.”
the distribution of goods and services in a society. This distinction is worth making because if social justice is to more broadly refer to equality among different social groups or classes, then there may be issues of fairness, which could more easily be settled. For example, there is broad agreement on politi-
secular
of the accused, the right to due process, the right to an attorney, the right against selfincrimination, etc. and if a certain individual were to be denied these rights, this would be deemed a grave injustice. Such injustices are more likely to occur
Rawls’ thesis has been happily accepted by
within corrupt political systems, and corruption is
vast numbers of academics and idealists in areas
more likely to occur in poorer areas. No person in
ranging from political science to sociology to theol-
–
are inclined to donate to charities and to help others. Hayek, who called social justice a “meaningless conception,” nevertheless supported a universal minimum income to protect those who could not meet basic needs in a market economy in the third volume of his Law, Legislation, and Liberty. Anything above a bare minimum, however, would be immoral,
ogy, but it has received substantial criticism as well.
according to Hayek. He maintained, “The assurance
Perhaps Rawls’ most noted critic was his Harvard
of a certain minimum income for everyone, or a sort
colleague, Robert Nozick, who argued that human
of floor below which nobody need fall even when he
beings have a natural right to their property, and,
is unable to provide for himself, appears not only to
therefore, attempts to redistribute property are il-
be wholly legitimate protection against a risk com-
legitimate. Furthermore, Nozick maintained that
mon to all, but a necessary part of the Great Society.”
Rawls made a faulty assumption that human beings
This idea is quite similar to the concept of a negative
are inherently extremely risk-averse behind the veil of
income tax, which has been supported by conserva-
ignorance. People would be limited to pursue what
tives and libertarians for decades.
they considered a full life in Rawls’ scheme. Similarly,
Improving the standards of our fellow human
philosopher Allan Bloom noted, “There is…no nat-
beings, and, in particular, the less fortunate is a laud-
ural-right teaching in Rawls, no absolute limit of any
able goal and has been a mission of mankind for mil-
kind. All freely chosen life-plans must be restricted by
lennia. Indeed, charity and altruism are two of the
the fundamental demands of social union.”
most core tenets of religion and civilization. While
As Nozick, Bloom, and other thinkers chal-
there is still work to be done to achieve equity, Chris-
lenged Rawls’ assumptions, the Austrian economist
tians and others who adhere to theological doctrines
and philosopher F.A. Hayek went so far as to claim
of social justice, and social reformers in general, must
that there is no such thing as social justice in his aptly
be careful when arguing in favor of utilizing public
titled, The Mirage of Social Justice. Since the marketplace is not the action of one single person, but the ac-
and
cal and legal rights, such as the rights
Luigi Taparelli D’Azeglio (1793–1862)
policy in the name of “justice.” FR
The Fenwick Review
6
September 2013
Pope Francis on Homosexuality
Kenneth Jordan ‘14 Staff Writer World Youth Day, which occurs every other year, marks a great moment in the Catholic Church, where millions of pilgrims gather together to celebrate their faith and be in community with their fellow believers. This year marked Pope Francis’ first at World Youth Day, and when he commented about what he expected from World Youth Day he said, “I expect a mess. There will be one. There will be a mess here in Rio? There will be! But I want a mess in the dioceses! I want people to go out! I want the Church to go out to the street! I want us to defend ourselves against everything that is worldliness, that is installation, that is comfortableness, that is clericalism, that is being shut-in on ourselves. The parishes, the schools, the institutions, exist to go out!” Pope Francis desires to transform the Church, but not necessarily in the ways that secular media sources view transformation. While Pope Francis made powerful remarks regarding the Church, Christ, and the gospel, the comments that garnered the most media attention occurred during an interview after World Youth Day officially ended. On the plane ride back to the Vatican, Pope Francis, during a lengthy interview, was quoted as saying “If they [people of goodwill/priests] accept the Lord and have good will, who am I to judge them? They shouldn’t be marginalized…The tendency [to homosexuality] is not the problem…they’re our brothers.” These remarks were immediately seized by the media as a marked change from that of his predecessor Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI and from the traditional teachings of the Catholic Church. Time magazine remarked that these comments will send “shockwaves” throughout the Church, and The Huffington Post similarly said that these comments can be considered “a sea change” in the Catholic Church. His statement, however, does not mark a
the Catechism. The Catechism states,
the Catechism of the Church. It is first important to understand Pope Francis’ remarks in context; he was referring generally to gay priests who are living chastely and the implications of his remarks are that he cannot judge them for their sexual orientation so long as they accept the Lord and lead a life of faith. On a superficial level, this seems remarkable when coming from the Pope, but it is consistent when
Imagine that you are at mass; it is almost
“They [those with homosexual
over, and the priest is preparing to distribute Holy
tendencies] must be accepted with
Communion. You are kneeling in the pew and pre-
respect, compassion, and sensitiv-
paring to approach the altar when a thought occurs
ity. Every sign of unjust discrimi-
to you: I haven’t gone to confession in a while. I’ve probably
nation in their regard should be
committed a few serious sins since the last time I went. Should
avoided. These persons are called
you abstain from communion, then? Oh, but you say
to fulfill God’s will in their lives
to yourself, it would be so embarrassing just to sit here while
and, if they are Christians, to unite
everyone else receives. Besides, the Eucharist will heal me of
to the sacrifice of the Lord’s Cross
such grievous sins! And so, you decide to approach the
the difficulties they may encounter
altar anyway.
from their condition. Homosexual
While such an idea may seem reasonable,
persons are called to chastity. By
that the Eucharist can aid those who are in a state of
the virtues of self-mastery that
mortal sin, it is anything but; unworthy reception of
teach them inner freedom, at times
communion is a grave offense against God, bringing,
gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.” The only element of difference between that of Pope Francis and his pre-
media sources across the board. However, the Pope’s comments were effective in reminding Catholics of the Church’s position regarding homosexuality and
“Pope Francis’ statement on homosexuality does not mark a huge leap forward, but are entirely consist with the position of Benedict XVI and Catholic catechism.”
that “they should be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity.” The way in which the media has covered Pope Francis compared to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is quite remarkable. While it is still the honeymoon phase of his papacy, previous remarks made by Pope Francis have been given similar attention. Furthermore, Pope Francis’ homilies and general remarks have been given additional emphasis by both Catholic and secular news sources. When taken from a news source such as ABC, CNN and other major networks, there is a certain degree of distortion. Yet the media remains a powerful tool for evangelization and the steps made by Pope Francis in other areas, like reforming the Vatican bank, are important steps forward for the life of the Church.
decessor Pope Benedict XVI is that Pope Francis is more direct in how he answered the question. Then it becomes matter of style over substance, as Pope Francis did not change the underlying theology behind the church’s position on homosexuality and the procreative purpose of sexual intercourse. His comments only mark a subtle change that can easily be taken out of context, which is what happened in
Pope Francis understands the unique role that the media plays and he knows the importance of the New Evangelization in bringing new disciples to the Catholic Church. His attention to the poor and to works of charity emphasize the charitable mission of
consider the state of our souls before every com-
it becomes clear why unworthy reception of Holy munion, to determine if we are spiritually prepared Communion is so serious. To receive communion is to receive the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of to receive Christ, the second person of the Blessed Christ. Trinity; it is to receive God himself. However, if one
The best way to prepare to receive the Eu-
has destroyed his relationship with God, in effect charist is clear: frequent Confession. It is in the conturned away from God, then how can that same person fessional where we seek to have our mortal sins foralso receive God in the Eucharist? He cannot.
given, not in the Eucharist. By seeking forgiveness
St. Paul informs us as to just how danger- from God in the confessional, we are reconciled to ous unworthy reception is: “whoever, therefore, eats Him and the Church. In effect, the spiritual death the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an un- which we incur by committing mortal sin is ended, worthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and we obtain “a true ‘spiritual resurrection.’” It is and blood of the Lord…For any one who eats and
only when we are restored to life in God, when we
drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks
have turned ourselves back to Him, only then are we
judgment upon himself.” Mother Angelica frames
prepared to receive Him in the Eucharist.
this impossibility even more clearly: “it is a most
It is for a reason that “the Fathers of the
Communion is similarly to be denied to any-
Eucharist. The Eucharist is mystical and miraculous,
sinner must have full knowledge of the matter’s grav- one who is not in full communion with the Church. ity, and it must be done by free will. Grave matter is This includes Catholics who reject the Church’s
gives our venial sins and fortifies us against commit-
teria: it must involve a grave and serious matter, the
mental grace, they can and should
Given the destructiveness of mortal sin,
market. Instead, we should vigorously and seriously
Church present this sacrament as ‘the second plank
For a sin to be mortal, it must meet three cri-
friendship, by prayer and sacra-
is why it is called mortal.
blasphemous thought, the most blasphemous teach-
as St. Thomas Aquinas wrote, “death to the wicked.”
by the support of disinterested
huge leap forward, but rather are entirely consistent not only with the position of Benedict XVI but also
A Reflection on “Unworthy Reception” Steven Merola ‘16 Staff Writer
tion of the Church, as codified in
7
Mortal Sin, Confession and Communion
World Youth Day, Pope Francis, and the Attention of the Media viewed side by side with the posi-
The Fenwick Review
September 2013
often the hardest part to assess in examining conscience. Simply put, it is anything contrary to the Ten
ing, to say that the Devil and God could live in the [of salvation] after the shipwreck which is the loss of grace.’” Thus, confession is tightly bound to the same person by mortal sin.” and by entering into such a union with God, it for-
teachings on abortion, marriage, premarital sex, con- ting mortal ones. Such grace should, as the Church traception, and those who, for that matter, reject the advises, be received as often as possible. Therefore,
not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false
authority of the Church. To turn away from Christ’s as often as mortal sin is committed, so often should church on earth is to turn away from Christ; one can- it be confessed so that we can partake of Holy Com-
witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and your
not on the one hand reject Christ and on the other
mother.” Remember, even thinking about commit-
presume to receive him in the Eucharist. To receive
ting such a sin constitutes grave matter. For the sin
Communion, one must be in communion.
Commandments, for Christ said, “Do not kill, Do
to become mortal, the sinner cannot be ignorant of
Holy Communion is the greatest spiritual gift
the seriousness of the sin (ignorance can make the
a human being can receive on Earth, the closest we
munion. Frequent confession enables the frequent reception of the Eucharist. In the event that one is unable to confess before mass, that person should abstain from receiving Communion. It is indeed painful to sit behind and
sin venial, or forgivable), and must then do it without can come to the eternal joy of heaven. It is so impor- have to deny yourself Communion with the Lord, and fear of embarrassment can encourage unworany force or coercion. tant to spiritual survival, we should try to receive it at To understand why unworthy reception is every mass we attend. However, this does not mean thy reception. Nevertheless, it is simply contrary to so grave a transgression, we can look to the Cate- we should plod up to the altar as if communion were the teaching of the Church to receive the Eucharist chism of the Catholic Church. The Catechism states nothing more than getting free samples at a super- without receiving reconciliation. As Mother Angelica pointed out, unworthy reception that mortal sin “destroys charity is an offense to God, and while in the heart of man by a grave violation of God’s law; it turns man away from God, who is his
the pain of embarrassment is
difficult to endure, it is far worse
ultimate end and his beatitude,
to offend God, made physically
by preferring an inferior good
present. Instead of unworthy
to him.” Note the language here:
reception, offer up the suffering
mortal sin destroys charity, which
of abstention to God and ask for
is the love of God above all else
the grace to confess and amend
and the love of neighbor. If
your life. FR
mortal sin destroys love for God, then committing a mortal sin re-
Confession Times:
moves all love from the soul of
Monday - Tuesday - Wednesday 8:00-
is certainly present, but this impulse must always be
the sinner. In essence, it wholly
8:45 pm, Reconciliation Chapel (on
tempered by a certain sense of reality regarding how
eliminates one’s relationship with
the lower floor of St. Joseph’s Chapel,
the Church works and what it does for the world. FR
God, causing spiritual death; this
off to the side of McCooey)
the Catholic Church. The potential for great change
The Fenwick Review
8
September 2013
Men as Angels
September 2013
monopoly on virtue…For power untethered from humility is certain to eventually fail.” He continued by admonishing “hubris is terminal.” When he appeared on the Tonight Show, he responded to Jay Leno, “It is humility that makes men as angels.” –St. Augustine whose surname incidentally is Latin for “pimp,” that “I am very ‘umble to the present moment, Master Copperfor him, “hubris was terminal.” Spitzer has, while field, but I’ve got a little power!” –Uriah Heep campaigning, recognized his own “human capacity for error,” yet another warning from the same 2007 Disgraced politicians have found a home in address. The very thing against which he warned so the Big Apple this election season. Anthony Weiner is adamantly was ultimately what brought him down.. running for mayor, and Eliot Spitzer for comptroller. Humility tends not to be a virtue practiced Although both resigned from office following their greatly in politics. In his work Summa Contra Gentiles, respective scandals, they have come back on a smaller St. Thomas Aquinas defined humilitas as “[consiststage in attempts to rebuild their careers. Scandals are ing] in keeping oneself within one’s own bounds, not new or unusual, but extreme publicity does mark not reaching out to thing above one.” It seems that them. In their previous offices, neither were notably this trait, at least in part, is realized in Spitzer’s run humble men, yet in these races both have come back for comptroller, an office which up to this point if not humble, at least humbled. The former governor has perhaps received most fame from the recurring Comptroller Atkins on The Simpsons. While Spitzer is Spitzer has provided an interesting case-in-point. In a 2007 address Eliot Spitzer noted the im- still an unsavory candidate, he has spoken at surprisportance of humility in tempering political power. ing length about the need for humility. Although he “The trick is to fight these battles with humility and held positions of greater power and authority, notaconstant introspection, knowing that there is no bly New York Attorney General and Governor, he
Terrorist Group Remains Active in Arabian Peninsula
has begun his climb back up the political ladder on a low rung. This repositioning provides an interesting example, even if it may seem to be nothing more than a cunning political gesture. Rather than start at the top of the city political food chain, Spitzer has understood the line he once quoted from the prophet Micah, “What is good, and what does the Lord require of thee, but…to walk humbly with thy God?” Unlike Anthony Weiner, whose campaign for mayor offers the “keys to the city,” Spitzer offers his previous experience without grand claims. When he ran for governor, he used the slogan, “On Day One, Everything Changes,” but it appears that this time around he has acknowledged his limitations and aptitude for error and has begun a more toned down campaign. At this time, higher office is beyond Spitzer’s reach, so his abilities, whatever they may be, must go elsewhere. He leads now in the polls, likely because of his experience, and perhaps in part because he has recognized his own failures. If nothing else, this election has shown the necessity of walking with God, not walking as God. FR
The British Monarchy The World’s Fascination with a Decadent Institution J. Alex Cicchitti ‘15 Position
Over the summer, the United Kingdom
celebrated the birth of the newest member of their royal family. Plastered over every mainstream media outlet’s television network were the words: “ROYAL BABY WATCH.” After the birth, specu-
Watch” lasted so long that Duchess Catherine must
Founders would cringe at the thought of their na-
past four monarchs of the United Kingdom com-
tion admiring the very monarchs they fought, even
bined. A child, who has so far done nothing spec-
more peculiar is the thought of a country so brain-
tacular, probably will do nothing spectacular, and
washed that it still officially decrees that a baby
out crises in all corners of the globe for our attention. The only thing spectacular about the British Royal Family is that they have somehow glamorized
lation about the child’s name and its consequences
living on a government paycheck. Once a powerful
dominated the news cycle until Prince William and
political force in the world, the royal family is now
Duchess Catherine introduced their child as George
relegated to the role of a glorified tourist attraction.
Alexander Lewis. Around the same time, the city of Detroit
Although it is strange that a country whose
have done more labor in that time period than the
born to a family that does nothing spectacular beat
Even more remarkable is that 18 days after celebrating the anniversary of its secession from
born via a royal uterus is more fit to represent the nation than all other citizens. In 2012, The Telegraph reported that almost 70% of the British population supports keeping the monarchy intact. The modern argument in support of the monarchy usually revolves around the idea that the British Royal Family
Last month, the United States and other Western nations announced the closing of embassies throughout the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia after the National Security Agency intercepted communications between al-Qaeda leaders indicating a large-scale attack was imminent. According to government officials, the threat was determined to be credible and specific. Furthermore, numerous members of Congress described the threat as being the most serious in recent years and resembling that of the al-Qaeda chatter heard before and immediately following the horrific September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks. To make matters worse, al-Qaeda backed militants managed to attack prisons in Iraq, Libya and Pakistan, freeing hundreds of extremists, prompting the international police agency INTERPOL to issue a global security alert. For experts on al-Qaeda, the public disclosure of a new terror threat was no surprise; however, for the average American citizen, the revelation of a major impending al-Qaeda attack was unexpected. Throughout his second presidential campaign and continuing into his second term, President Barack Obama and his administration consistently maintained that the core of al-Qaeda’s leadership is decimated and that the organization as a whole is on a path to defeat. Consequently, countless Americans wondered how could the terrorist organization, now classified as being in decline, could also be capable of plotting an attack grave enough to prompt the U.S. State Department to close nearly two dozen embassies and issue a global travel warning. Mr. Obama’s assessment about core al-Qaeda is true to some extent. Numerous members of al-Qaeda’s original leadership, including its founder, Osama bin Laden, are dead and other crucial figures, such as Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, are in prison. Further-
Kingdom can point only to only a figurehead as a source of national importance, then perhaps they
the British Empire, the United States gleefully wel-
pality in the history of the United States to do so.
comed images of the descendants of the family
Yet, that was not as important as the newest addition to the family that symbolically reigns over the
whose grasp the Founding Fathers so desperately wanted to escape. On July 4th, 1776, the first sen-
United Kingdom. Also around the same time, a
tence of the second paragraph of the Declaration
high-speed train derailed in Spain and killed 78 peo-
of Independence read, “We hold these truths to be
ple. There were equally less remarkable events such
self-evident, that all men are created equal.” On
as the revelations about government surveillance in
July 22nd, 2013, the United States obsessed over and
These ideas have spread and influenced the great
the United States, the deteriorating political situa-
admired a family who believe themselves greater
nation in which most of us live today. Perhaps an
tion in Egypt, and the escalating civil war in Syria.
than others by birthright; a belief completely con-
idea that the British populace should bring back
trary to the primary principles of the American
arises in a slogan from the English Civil War: “No
dream stated above.
King but King Jesus!” FR
as its feature event in late July. The “Royal Baby
John Castro ‘14 Staff Writer
is an important national symbol. But if the United
filed for bankruptcy, becoming the largest munici-
Instead, CNN ran the “Royal Baby Watch”
9
The Myth of a Decimated al-Qaeda
Humility & Hubris in Politics Nikolas Churik ‘15 Staff Writer
The Fenwick Review
should reevaluate their priorities as a nation. Even for all of its clinging to an irrelevant relic, Britain has a proud history of republican thought. From the Magna Carta to Parliament to the ideas laid out by John Locke, the British have contributed important ideas to cause of freedom.
Photo Credit New York Times
Emergency personnel, runners and spectators react to the two explosions at the Boston Marathon. Although the attack was not directly perpetrated by al-Qaeda, it demonstrates the terrorism threat we still face. more, the Global War on Terror initiated by President George W. Bush, and continuing global military operations authorized by President Obama, including the aggressive use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, more commonly referred to as drones, have forced al-Qaeda operatives to scatter from former safe havens. Hence, it is fair to assess that core al-Qaeda no longer poses as grave a threat as it did in the years before and immediately after 9/11. Unfortunately, this assessment is completely irrelevant considering the terrorist organization has simply remolded itself to better shield its cells and operations from counterterrorism tactics. After operatives were forced out of their safe haven in Afghanistan, numerous smaller affiliated groups were established in multiple countries, especially Yemen, where the national government is unable to adequately detect and dismantle cells. While some of these affiliates, such as al-Shabab in Somalia, are only capable of carrying out Osama bin-Laden’s ideology on a regional scale, others, such as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) based in Yemen, have managed to plot directly against the U.S. homeland. AQAP’s plots include an attempt on Christmas Day 2009 to take down a Detroit bound airliner with an explosive hidden in a terrorist’s under-
wear, a 2010 plot to detonate explosives hidden in printer cartridges aboard cargo planes flying over the continental U.S. and a 2012 plot to bring down a U.S. bound airliner with a more sophisticated explosive device. Fortunately, in the case of the first two incidents, the bombs failed to detonate and in the latter, the would-be bomber turned out to be a double agent working with U.S. and Saudi intelligence agencies. Furthermore, al-Qaeda operatives are actively setting up new cells in unstable countries such as Libya, where affiliates burned down a U.S. consulate in Benghazi and killed the American ambassador and three additional personnel on September 11, 2012, and in Syria, where al-Qaeda linked operatives are assisting rebels fighting President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Additionally, al-Qaeda has actively used the Internet to inspire individuals to carry out attacks within the U.S. on the terror organization’s behalf. This method proved successful in 2009 when U.S. Army Major Nidal Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood, Texas killing 13 and wounding 30. It was later Authorities later determined that Major Hasan had maintained email communication with Anwar al-Awlaki, an American born cleric and recruiter for AQAP. Most recently, on April 15, 2013, two brothers, Dzhokar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, set off two pressure cooker bombs near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killing 3 and injuring approximately 264 people. In the following days, the brothers led law enforcement on a massive manhunt that shut down Boston and its surrounding suburbs. The search and resulted in one police officer being killed and a second severely wounded. Continued on page 11
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September 2013
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September 2013
11
The Rise and Fall of Detroit
The Myth of a Decimated al-Qaeda (cont.)
Can the City Rise from the Ashes?
Terrorist Group Remains Active in Arabian Peninsula
Eric Kuhn ’16 Staff Writer On May 22nd, 1964, President Johnson proclaimed to the graduates of the University of Michigan his new great society with Detroit, Michigan as his model city. It was a good a model as any. At the time, Detroit was the wealthiest city in America in terms of per capita income, had a population of 1.7 million people, was the fourth largest city in the nation, not to mention that its hometown baseball team, the Tigers, would go on that year to win the World Series. The city was the motor of an entire nation, the arsenal of democracy, the city that put the world on wheels, and it was certainly too big to fail. In fact, Detroit and the cars that it produced became such a part of the American psyche that Charles Wilson, a General Motors CEO and Eisenhower’s Secretary of Defence, proclaimed that “What is good for General Motors is good for the country.” This was at a time when GM employees numbered more than the population of Delaware and Nevada combined. Now the city faces an operating deficit of $1.4 million and long term debt of $18 million. As Detroit declared the largest municipal bankruptcy in history on July 18th, people must look back and wonder, “Where did it all go wrong?”
The answer is complex and involved political, social, economic factors, as well as the hubris of city leaders that created a perfect storm for Detroit. The situation is not entirely without precedent as Stockton, California declared itself bankrupt in July of 2012. New York even approached the verge of bankruptcy during the seventies before it was eventually bailed out, ironically enough, by a U.S. president from Michigan. It is unlikely that New Yorkers would be so generous to Detroit today. Stockton and Detroit share similar key characteristics. The demographics of the two cities are comparable, as both are
‘majority–minority’ cities. Additionally, the literacy rate in Detroit is around 47 percent, while Stockton was ranked the third least literate city in America. Stockton’s approach to bankruptcy gives the emergency manager of Detroit, Kevin Orr, a template to work with. However, the problems in Detroit have deeper roots, stretching primarily back to its boom years in the sixties. Many of the demagogues and race baiters in the city attempt to attribute all the current woes to the “white flight” of the sixties and seventies. Coleman Young used to claim that the progressive migration of white people from Detroit during those years stemmed from a police raid on a “blind pig,” the nickname given to unlicensed bars. As the primarily white police force accosted the primarily black patrons of the bar and made their arrests, it devolved into street fighting and eventually a race riot that engulfed the city. The governor at the time, George Romney, was forced to call in the National Guard and Lyndon Johnson contributed a large number of troops from the army (though, he was initially reluctant to help Romney, a Republican, who was considering a run for the presidency.) My parents still recall watching as tanks rolled down the wide boulevards of the city, illuminated by the burning buildings. Words cannot do justice to
the chaos that unfolded over those five days in 1967, so I will use statistics: 43 people dead, 1,189 injured, over 7,200 arrests, and more than 2,000 buildings destroyed. The dollar cost in the end was $80 million, however the long-term damage is incalculable. The riot accelerated the exodus of whites out of the city, already in progress with the rise of suburbia. This migration precipitated the erosion of the tax base that would eventually doom Detroit, yet bankruptcy was by no means inevitable. Though the population of the city would decline some 13 percent, there was still a strong manufacturing sector in the
“As Detroit declared the largest municipal bankruptcy in history on July 18th, people must look back and wonder, ‘Where did it all go wrong?’” city. However this too would pass as city leaders reacted badly to the population loss and raised business taxes to punishing levels –the taxes on commercial and industrial property are twice the national average, four and three percent respectively. In a way, the city mortgaged its commercial tax base against the future. The last major industrial development inside the city limits is Chrysler’s Jefferson North Auto plant, producing the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Every other car factory has either moved out or simply shut down. The famous luxury Packard plant is now a rotting 40 acre hulk on the city’s east side. Just doing business in the city is complicated by the myriad fees and regulations that contribute to the culture of corruption that is present in city government. For example, the process of establishing a commercial enterprise would be streamlined by the paying off of officials or by contracting companies affiliated with former, now jailed, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to do the work. All of these issues aside, Detroit’s current state is primarily the result of one-party Democrat rule in a city that was beholden to public sector unions. As is typical in many similar cities, politicians in Detroit have, in order to get elected, bowed to unreasonable demands from the union class in a way that has, over the years, compromised the financial integrity of the government. A case in point is the city’s pension funds. City governments are legally obligated to put money into the pensions, however, as The Detroit Free Press points out, “politicians and policymakers have plenty of room to make such unrealistic assumptions (about pension growth) — and strong incentives to do so. Rose-colored assumptions about tomorrow mean officials can get away with putting insufficient amounts into the pension system today.” Thus in Detroit city manager and financial wizard Mr. Kevyn Orr’s recent analysis the two city pension funds are currently underfunded by about $3 billion. Continued on page 11
John Castro ‘14 Staff Writer Continued from page 9 One of the bombers, Tamerlan, was killed in a shootout with police. The other brother, Dzhokar, was ultimately arrested; he later and informed authorities that he and his brother became self radicalized through online jihadist propaganda, including AQAP’s Inspire magazine. While it is true that the structure of Osama bin-Laden’s original al-Qaeda organization has been disrupted, it would be a grave mistake for the U.S. and her allies to also categorize the al-Qaeda threat as being in decline. Al-Qaeda members now operate from smaller cells established across Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. As countries in these regions continue to destabilize, al-Qaeda will seize
“al-Qaeda affiliates... such as al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) based in Yemen, have managed to plot directly against the U.S. homeland.”
the opportunity to expand current cells and establish new ones. To date, the Obama administration has relied on drone strikes and Special Forces operations as the main means of mitigating these threats. While these tactics disrupt plots in the short term, they do not eliminate the underlying causes supporting jihadist movements and in some cases bolster recruitment efforts by Islamic fundamentalists. In many countries, it is al-Qaeda, not the central government, who is providing economic, political and social leadership. The Obama Administration must work to strengthen central governments where al-Qaeda strongholds exist without engaging in nation building or large military deployments. Additionally, the Obama Administration needs to refrain from trying to distinguish core al-Qaeda from its affiliates as a way to diminish the threat. Doing so will only confuse the American people and provide a false sense of security. FR
The Rise and Fall of Detroit (cont.) Can the City Rise from the Ashes? Eric Kuhn ’16 Staff Writer Continued from page 10 The debt reached a critical mass long ago and Detroit has had to resort to still more borrowing to service that debt. It is the citizens of the city that have suffered the most as the inefficient bureaucracy and cash crunch have forced the city to curtail essential services – 40 percent of the streetlights in the city are out of order and the response time for an emergency call is often well over an hour. Hopefully though, like the city’s motto, Resurget Cineribus, the city will be able to rise from the ashes of bankruptcy, smaller, leaner, and more efficient. Orr has already started a small government revolution. To cut costs, various city services are being forced to privatize in what is a win-win situation. With the privatization of waste and recycling services, the city will save $15 million a year. The curbside recycling available to residents will also increase to cover an additional 35,000 households. The most elating part of the city’s rebirth is definitely the civic activism of private business leaders. Perhaps the best example of this new-found civic spirit is the M-1 rail line currently under construction. A consortium of businessmen and charitable founda-
tions, led by Bedrock CEO, Matt Cullen, seeing the need for more transit options in the city, banded together with public entities to fund construction of a rail line to spur development on Woodward Avenue, Detroit’s main street Private business has stepped into the void left by a nonfunctioning government. Another stellar example of proactive citizens is Quicken Loans founder, Dan Gilbert, who, of his own volition, moved 10,000 of his employees from the affluent Detroit suburbs into the central business district. He has purchased, through one of his companies, 17 separate buildings in the downtown, representing one billion dollars of investment. The change is tangible as previously deserted downtown streets are once again teeming with young professionals who are going out and spending money, giving the city support at the grass roots level. Those same people are buying apartments and houses in the city, enticed by the rock bottom prices and financial incentives offered by their companies. Gilbert has single handedly made Detroit a burgeoning center for
venture capitalism and tech companies. He has enticed a number of companies from the overcrowded Silicon Valley to a city that is essentially a blank slate for these businesses to write on. The occupancy rates for the downtown area have since skyrocketed to 99 percent and previously stalled development projects have gained momentum. As a result, new economic activity in the region is at levels unseen in decades – four new hotels are planned for the central business district, a $500 million hockey arena and entertainment district is in the works, and Gilbert is proposing another $500 million development on the site of a failed Wayne county jail. Detroit is certainly not doomed –led by free-market capitalism instead of cronyism it has a chance to become a world-class city and the engine of America once again. FR
September 2013
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