Monday, April 13, 2009

Prospects

You probably want to hear about the New School protesters but I'd rather show you some pictures of the Spring. Not that there's nothing to say about the protests, but that it's still not entirely clear who did what to whom or who's most to blame. What is clear is that a few protesters scored a major publicity coup, joining ranks with anti-capitalist protesters around the world (I was asked about them by someone in Australia!), and that the president, who called the NYPD on them, has proved his manliness to his constituency, facing down the reckless unworldliness of his restive academic charges. Neither side is likely to back down, especially as it sees the other preen, which is probably bad news for us in the middle, who are trying to bring some stability and confidence to an institution already wobbly because of the president's past caprices. Most of us are just saddened by events. Good thing there's Spring to lift our spirits! (Above is the view from my office - not entirely unlike its splendor in autumn; left that from my bedroom in the early morning; below 12th St., and Verdi Square yesterday afternoon - all are worth enlarging with a click.)