Author Archives: Harry Graver

To Yale, Professor Kagan has given an almost indescribable tenure — one defined as much by his character as his mind.

It is much harder to acknowledge, to ourselves let alone to others, the powerful moments of isolation that come when Yale is all things to all people except for me.

There is always something a bit off-putting to a column that culminates in the phrase, “I call on Yale to do X.” Such certitude brings to mind a 20-something in a back table at Blue State, slamming down his macchiato with a harrumph, satisfied that he has successfully pointed out that ever-so-subtle bias to which »

Sixth, sell alcohol at Durfee’s.

There is a strong undercurrent on this campus longing for a Country act to come here.

As we put ourselves before the prospect of failure, there is a defensive inclination to protect oneself by, in a way, creating a distance from oneself.

For our generation, there is a particular, profound distinction — and accompanying heartbreak — that comes with this group of players. They are not just a distant era’s group of elite, but they were our heroes, the group of titans that championed the baseball diamond in our childhoods. We won’t get a second batch.

And while this may appear appealing at first — as a neatly conceived manner of restoration — it is positively deleterious to the very core of the academy.

In case you forgot, there is an election today. For many of us, this will be the first time we cast a ballot for the next president of the United States. With the timing of all of this, I thought for a while that I’d write a column about for whom I was voting. But »

Last week’s presidential debate certainly hit its low point when Governor Romney turned to President Obama and said, “I predict, sir, that you will die either by hanging or of some vile disease.” Or perhaps you thought it hit rock bottom when Obama replied, “That all depends, sir, upon whether I embrace your principles or »

“He’s not inspiring.” This is the conventional wisdom surrounding Gov. Mitt Romney. Even after last Wednesday, this remains, by wide regard, Romney’s fatal flaw. He will never give that great, transformative speech. He will never be that generational candidate. Despite all efforts, he will just be Mitt — and that will be far from enough. »

I wonder what would happen if someone unfamiliar with American football were asked to speculate on what a “Student Tailgate Village” might be. Perhaps it’s one of those weird team-building corporate retreats for new employees. Or a fun, hip place where people can study outside, like an academic Disneyland. Or even that weird Swedish toy »