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In times of tough decisions, our 43rd President held the line. George W. Bush delivers his second inaugural address in 2005. (Credit: Paul Morse) Only three men have stood at the helm of our republic under attack. The first two, Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt, join George Washington atop most rankings of American Presidents. The third, George W. Bush, often ranks near the bottom. Only 5%  of Bush’s own Republican Party view him as the greatest President of the past forty years, preferring Reagan. Right  and left  alike pillory Bush’s leadership. Far fewer books and articles discuss W. than his predecessors and successors alike. This is in large part because so few care to defend Bush—certainly not the man himself. Leaving office in 2009 with a record low 34% approval  rating, a far cry from 92% days after 9/11, Bush took a final act of grace unprecedented in the modern era and stepped almost completely away from politics after leaving office.  George W. Bush entered the Oval Office following the closest election in American history. Having lost the popular vote and secured the electoral college by a mere 537 votes in Florida after the intervention of the Supreme Court, Bush began the most domestically oriented presidency since the 1930s. The lion’s share of his inaugural  address was dedicated to the “compassionate conservative” platform he ran on, calling for work-based poverty assistance, aid to faith-based community initiatives, and standardized testing across American schooling. The murder of three thousand Americans in the worst attack on our nation since World War II lurched his presidency towards the War on Terror, eventually leading to dozens of international entanglements, most famously the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. The war in Afghanistan, directly targeting the perpetrators of 9/11, received near unanimous support. The more controversial invasion of Iraq collapsed the nation into civil war as American-led coalition forces failed to find the very weapons of mass destruction that formed the conflict’s casus belli . The Iraq War was undeniably mishandled. However, fears that an avowedly anti-American dictatorship may be building nuclear weapons were not  unfounded. Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein repeatedly refused to permit inspectors to enter his nation or completely deny such a program. Operating on the best information available, the United States and her allies erred on the side of caution and made the difficult decision to invade. Further, the Iraq of today is nonetheless more free  and more prosperous than Saddam Hussein’s bloodsoaked fiefdom. American forces did succeed, if momentarily, in defeating the Afghan Taliban and countering Al-Qaeda terrorism globally. War was not Bush’s only foreign policy tool, his use of targeted aid to counter  the AIDS epidemic in Africa, cut by President Obama, saved an estimated seventeen million lives . Meanwhile, Bush cut funding to support autocratic regimes to promote global democratization. Domestically, the Bush Administration expanded  healthcare access, established  the Amber Alert, set federal standards  for school performance, and moved money to support  charitable religious organizations previously held back by concerns over violation of the separation of church and state. Bush harangued  America’s “addiction to oil” and gave federal support to market based initiatives for greener alternatives such as nuclear and hydrogen power while maintaining American energy independence. Bush did this while launching the nation’s last major initiative  to cut spending on our largest entitlement program. Social Security reform was stifled, but his privatization plan, akin to those successfully implemented in nations such as Sweden, would have averted a projected insolvency by 2035 . Bush began to reign in the financial sector after the Clinton Era with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act  and attempted  to pass legislation overseeing federal loans corporations Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These efforts, which may have cushioned the 2008 recession, were stymied primarily by widespread opposition from Clintonian New Democrats. Leading the nation in a time when conservative media failed to guide the national narrative, Bush’s legacy has been defined by his critics. Future assessments must look past the propaganda and at the record to assess Bush’s decisions–and his enemies–from the perspective of the information available. When doing so, they will see a courageous president that held fast the ship of state for an unprecedented nation in unprecedented times.

Meet the next slate of CMC Resident Assistants! NORTH QUAD Name:  Hannah Maycock Dorm:  Appleby Hall (North Quad) Hometown:  Geddington, England Major:  Psychology + Gender and Sexuality Sequence Hey guys! I’m so thrilled to be the Appleby Hall RA for the year! I am a psychology major with a sequence in gender and sexuality studies! I am an international student from England so community is really important to me! I’m always around campus whether it be studying, chilling at the hub or hanging out and sunbathing with my friends! Around campus I am a member of the leadership board for the Sexuality and Gender Alliance at CMC and I play on the Women’s Rugby Team! I am so excited to meet so many new people during my time as an RA, and hopefully make some really fun Appleby traditions! Name:  Jim Sangsvang Dorm:  Boswell Hall (North Quad) Hometown:  Burleson, TX Major:  International Relations + Music What’s up y’all! My name is Jim and I’m so excited to be the RA of Boswell! On and around campus, I’m involved with SOURCE, the Claremont Concert Orchestra, and a variety of other pretty random things, and in my down time I like reading, playing games, and messing with people who’re trying to lock in. I love to talk about pretty much anything, but especially music so feel free to swing by my room or any other place I tend to be a lot (Roberts, the Hub, Marks Music Room) and we could talk song recs or really anything else that’s on your mind! I can’t wait to meet all of you I don’t know yet, and look forward to an awesome year! Name:  Thomas Walker Dorm:  Green Hall (North Quad) Hometown:  Los Altos, CA Major:  Economics-Accounting Hey everyone! My name is Thomas, I'm from Los Altos, CA, and I will be the RA of Green this year! I'm an economics-accounting major, but in my free time, I love spending time outdoors, reading books, and playing or watching various sports. I am also part of the CMS men's waterpolo team as well as our Student Government. I'm excited to be able to help spread that positive community at Green and throughout campus. I'm always down to chat and connect with new people, so please don't hesitate to reach out! I'm excited for a great year! Name:  Bella Estey Dorm:  Wohlford Hall (North Quad) Hometown:  Ellensburg, WA Major:  Environment, Economics, & Politics (EEP) Hi everyone!! My name is Bella Estey and I am SO excited to be the RA of Wohlf this year! Here's a little bit about me: I'm originally from Ellensburg, WA where I grew up dancing, playing tennis, spending time with my cat, and exploring the PNW; A few of my hobbies include reading, being outside, trying new coffee, and cheese tasting. One of my favorite things about CMC is the community, and I’m really looking forward to contributing to helping make Wohlf feel like home for everyone as an RA. My door is always open, whether to play Wii, chat, or debate the merits of Teen Beach Movie. Looking forward to a great year! MID QUAD Name:  Lucy Meza Dorm:  Beckett Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Houston, TX Major:  International Relations + Legal Studies Sequence Howdy y’all! My name is Lucy, I am from Houston, TX, and I am one of the Beckett RAs! I am an International Relations major and I recently studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark. On campus, I have been a FYG, an RA for the Lowe Institute, and have taught boxing at Roberts Pavilion. In my free time, you’ll find me hanging out with friends, on a late night walk, or working on an arts and crafts project. I love hosting and meeting new people so feel free to stop by! I can’t wait to meet the new becketters and see some familiar faces. I am so excited to meet everyone and create wonderful memories! Name:  Tamoy Pitt Dorm:  Beckett Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Atlanta, Georgia Major:  Philosophy, Politics, & Economics (PPE) Hey everyone! My name is Tamoy Pitt, and I am excited to be one of the Beckett RA's this year. On campus, I am a team lead for SOURCE Nonprofit Consulting, a mentor for Smart Women Securities, and an active member of CMC's Black Student Association and Black Women's Collective. In my free time, I love practicing the guitar, watching anime, and playing video games (I am hyper competitive at mario kart) so if you are ever wanting to talk about or enjoy these activities together, let me know (I will talk your ear off)! I truly love giving back to the community that has shaped so much of my early young adult life and hope to be both a guide and a friend to incoming and returning students here on campus. Let's make this year a great one! Name:  Jordan Baffour Dorm:  Benson Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Arlington, VA Major:  Psychology Hi everyone! My name is Jordan Baffour, and I’m a proud Ghanaian from Arlington, Virginia. I’m currently a Psychology major planning to become a future dentist, and I’m so excited to be an RA for Benson! In my free time I love to dance, bake/cook, play tennis, and watch movies (I’m also a MAJOR Stranger Things fan); feel free to stop me in the hallway and tell me about a current film/show that had you in your feels. If I’m not in Janie’s kitchen, you’ll probably find me at the CARE center hosting some fun events or somewhere random at the 5C’s. I’m so excited to meet all of you and get ready for some fun community-building events! PS. Ask me about the Black Student Association or on-campus clubs. I stay informed about what events are going on and what lovely organization opportunities there are. Name:  Jaxson Sharpe Dorm:  Benson Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Denver, CO Major:  Philosophy, Politics, & Economics (PPE) Hey y'all! I'm Jaxson. I was born and raised in Colorado (a ridiculously underrated state), and I grew up hiking and camping in the Rocky Mountain backcountry. At CMC, I am majoring in PPE-Gov, and I have an intermittent sequence in imposter syndrome. Big picture, I'm interested in law. Right now, I am the Director of Culture for CMC's Mock Trial team. And when I am not pretending to be a lawyer or a witness, I love to spend time with my friends, build community, play games (when asked to play foosball, I will almost always say yes), go for walks, cook, and meet new people!! When—not if—we see each other on campus, please please please come say hi! To me, what makes CMC so special is not the Ath, institutes, or pre-professional resources—it's you! I am so incredibly excited be an RA at Benson—let's have a great year! Name:  Davis Eglin Dorm:  Berger Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Baton Rouge, LA Major:  International Relations + French What’s up everyone! My name is Davis Eglin and I’m hyped to be one of the Berger RAs. I’m from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and I’m dual majoring in International Relations and French with a Leadership Studies Sequence. On campus, I work as an institute assistant for KLI, instructor for CMC’s Prison Education Project (PEP), club tennis and intramural basketball player (building a superteam next year–let me know if you’re down), and last but not least, doing all things for the Office of Admission. Outside of that, I love watching LSU sports (Geaux Tigers always), eating Frary breakfast, obsessively following tennis, traveling to new places, listening to music, and soaking up the California sunshine. I look forward to helping build an amazing Berger community alongside Crystal and cannot wait to meet everyone! Name:  Crystal Ma Dorm:  Berger Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Pittsburgh, PA Major:  Economics-Accounting + Data Science Sequence with an MA in Finance Hi everyone! My name is Crystal Ma and I’m so hyped to be one of the RA's for Berger this year. On campus, I’m involved with SOURCE Nonprofit Consulting and Claremont Women in Business. I'm a big fan of intense Catan, funky music, cooking/eating phenomenal food, or getting some laps in at the pool (given good weather). CMC is such a tight-knit and special community, and I’m so excited to help continue building a strong, supportive, and fun space in Berger. My door is always open, so come by to chat, hang out, or just say hi — can’t wait for an amazing year with you all! Name:  Kate Schwab Dorm:  Crown Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Boulder, CO Major:  Philosophy, Politics, & Economics (PPE) + Economics Hello! My name is Kate Schwab, and I am SO stoked to be one of the RA's for Crown Hall this year! I am a senior from Boulder, CO (Sko Buffs!). If I am not in Crown, you'll see me at Ath tea with a chocolate strawberry, at the library, or collecting sloth and cat paraphernalia for my dorm! My favorite food is any preparation of a potato, and I am OBSESSED with Jelly Cats and Squishmallows. In my free time, I love listening to music, watching slime videos on Instagram, or taking ill-timed 0.5x photos of my best buds. I am so excited to forge an EPIC Crown culture this year, filled with lots of board game nights and boba! I can't wait to meet you all! Name:  Prateek Vyas Dorm:  Crown Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  San Diego, CA Major:  Economics + Mathematics Hey everyone! My name is Prateek and I am so excited to be one of your Crown Hall RAs! I am dual majoring in Economics and Mathematics with a Data Science sequence and am also involved with Graphite Group and the Claremont Accounting Association. I have worked in wealth management and consulting, but my favorite job might still be when I was a barista at the 7C Library, so if you want coffee recs or just someone to hang with, I got you. I also grew up in the Bay Area and have lived in San Diego for the past 10 years, so I’m basically California through and through and have plenty of So-Cal recs if you're looking for things to do near campus or if you're headed to San Diego for a weekend away from school. I’m excited to help make our dorm feel like home and am pumped to be working with Kate (my co-RA) to plan some awesome events. My door’s always open and I can't wait to meet everyone! Name:  Sophia Castellanos Dorm:  Marks Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Inglewood, CA Major:  International Relations Hi! I’m Sophia Castellanos and will be the MARKS RA this year! I am beyond excited to get to know my residents as well and the new faces joining the CMC community! Alongside being an RA, I am a CARE Fellow, Peer Health Ambassador, and an ROTC cadet. I love being active on campus and building relationships with my peers by learning about their culture, interests, and experiences! I am so excited to welcome you all into the 2025-2026 school year! P.S. I am a huge baking fan so if you ever miss a sweet treat from home I am always down to learn a new recipe! You are all going to do great and if you need anything I’m only a knock away! Name:  Ryu Nakase Dorm:  Marks Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Honolulu, HI Major:  Philosophy, Politics, & Economics (PPE) + Gender & Sexuality Studies (GSS) Sequence Hi everyone! My name is Ryu Nakase, and I am so excited to be one of the Marks RAs this year. A bit about me, I'm a FGLI student from Hawaii PPE + GSS. I love to cook in Janie's, go to the farmer's market, craft a bunch of random things, and yap, so I hope to catch y'all at my open door hours. Super excited to meet y'all and make Marks a fun and welcoming space! Name:  Celine Bernhardt-Lanier Dorm:  Phillips Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Barcelona, Spain Major:  Organizational Studies Hi everyone! I'm so excited to be your Phillips RA this year. I’m French-American and majoring in Organizational Studies. I love dancing bachata, listening to the handpan, solving crosswords, playing spikeball, and taking polar swims. But most of all, I love being around people and creating fun and meaningful spaces — whether that’s for music, deep convos, spontaneous dance parties, or games. My door is always open, and I’m always available to talk about anything. I’m so excited to plan fun events together to help our community thrive. I’m here to support you however I can, so please come say hi and hang out! Name:  Yui Kurosawa Dorm:  Valach Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Los Angeles, CA + Tokyo, Japan Major:  Philosophy, Politics, & Economics (PPE) + Legal Studies Sequence Hi everyone, I’m Yui! I'm a PPE & Legal Studies major. I’m originally from Japan but I went to high school in Hong Kong. I’ve lived in Mid Quad all four years at CMC and am SO excited to be your Valach RA. I love arts & crafts, reading, thrifting, and listening to good podcasts (I recommend Adam Grant and Sam Harris!) On campus, I’m involved in the Model UN team and I-Connect; I also TA for a Japanese language class. I love drinking TEA! I drink at least 4 cups of tea a day. I have a tea-bar cart in my room and would love to share a cup of tea with you if you want to talk about anything. I care a lot that you feel included in the CMC community and hope that Valach feels like home to you. So excited to get to know you all! SOUTH QUAD Name : Ethan Chen Dorm : Auen Hall (South Quad) Hometown : Irvine, CA Major : International Relations + Economics Yo everyone! My name is Ethan Chen, and I'm so excited to be the Auen RA. When I’m not grinding on schoolwork, I love to play pickleball, swim, and work out. I also enjoy playing intramural dodgeball, watching baseball (Go Dodgers!), playing video games (most are made by a small indie company called Riot), and eating most of my meals at Collins. On campus, I’m involved in APAM and the president of the Alexander Hamilton Society; I’ve worked for the Keck Center as well. Don’t hesitate to stop by and chat, share music recommendations, or take snacks from my way-too-big assortment. Can’t wait to build a great community in Auen this year. And try not to get me confused with the other Ethan Chen! Name : Pallavi Raju Dorm : Auen Hall (South Quad) Hometown : Niles, IL Major : Government Hi y'all – I'm Lavi and I'm so happy to be one of the RAs in the 2025-26 cohort! I'm a Government major from 20 minutes outside of Chicago, hoping to go to law school in a few years (please reach out if you need pre-law/government advice!). I was a FYG my sophomore year, which encouraged me to apply to be an RA, so I could continue building community and being a mentor on campus. In my free time, I like dancing and scrapbooking, and my favorite place to study on campus is Heggblade (shoutout amazing DOS staff!). I look forward to a great year with awesome activities! Name : James Frye Dorm : Fawcett Hall (South Quad) Hometown : Bend, OR Major : Economics + Financial Economics Sequence Hi! My name is James Frye, and I grew up in the Bay Area but moved to Bend, Oregon a couple of years ago. I’m an Economics and Finance major with a sequence in Data Science here at CMC. On campus, I’m a Romero Success Coach and a member of the CMS Men’s Basketball Team. Basketball is a passion of mine, and I love watching it both at the college level and in the NBA (especially when Kevin Durant is playing). I’m always up for a hoops conversation, so feel free to come talk to me anytime! Outside of basketball, I love hanging out with friends, playing video games and board games, and spending time outdoors. Having lived in Fawcett as a first-year, I’m excited to come full circle and give back as an RA. Looking forward to an awesome year! Name : Elizabeth Gutierrez Dorm : Fawcett Hall (South Quad) Hometown : Corrales, NM Major : Biology Hello everyone, I'm Elizabeth, and I'm excited to be one of the Fawcett RAs for this year! On campus, I'm also a Head Consultant at the CWPD, so you'll often find me studying/socializing in the writing center. For fun, I love trying new crafting skills -- sewing and crocheting are my current favorites. I have also retained my childhood love for books, so if you ever want to discuss your latest read or need a fun recommendation, let's connect! I'm excited to help cultivate a welcoming and engaging community within Fawcett and the CMC community at large. My door is always open for anyone who wants to chat or needs a study buddy. Name : Desiree Galamgam Dorm : Stark Hall (South Quad) Hometown : San Diego Major : Literature + Gender & Sexuality Studies (GSS) Sequence Hello mga kaibigan (friends)! :D I’m Desiree (she/her/hers), and I’m super excited to be your Co-RA for Stark this year :). I’m a First-Gen Low-Income (FGLI) Questbridge Scholar. I also studied abroad in South Korea. Fostering community motivates me as a Romero Success Coach, CPB’s Vice-President of Creative Programming, and as Club Soda’s Co-President! Feel free to ask me about these or any campus organizations, and we can explore them together. I love volleyball (intramural team?), K-Pop (any Carats?), Greco-Roman mythology, books, blind boxes, and creative mediums like crochet, stamp carving, and painting! Besides Stark, you’ll likely catch me in a Pomodoro session in a Roberts Classroom or chatting with everyone in DOS. Otherwise, my doors are always open for y’all to peruse my overflowing bookshelf, craft together, or just vibe! (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ Name : Tendai Nyamuronda Dorm : Stark Hall (South Quad) Hometown : Harare, Zimbabwe Major : Economics + Data Science Sequence with an MA in Finance Hey everyone! I'm Tendai — I'm in the BAMA program and also pursuing a Sequence in Data Science. I’m originally from Harare, Zimbabwe. I’ve always been big on chess (played competitively back in high school), and when I’m not on the board, I’m probably out playing pick-up soccer with friends or going on random strolls around the 5Cs. One of my favorite things about CMC is the tight-knit, vibrant community, and as an RA, I’m excited to help keep that spirit of support and fun alive! APARTMENTS Name : Fallyn Buckner Dorm : Kendry Apartments Hometown : Chicago, IL Major : Data Science Hey y’all. My name is Fallyn! Super happy to be Kendry's RA. You can generally find me at Heggblade – either at the tables on the first floor or hanging out upstairs at CARE. Data Science is my major, but I really love cybersecurity. I try to embody hacker culture in everything that I do by finding really creative ways to accomplish different objectives and iterating until the objective is accomplished. I play guitar (but not well), skateboard, and I’m always listening to music or podcasts in my headphones. On campus, I am involved with the Black Women’s Collective, Scholar Community, and recently started the Claremont Cybersecurity Club. Feel free to reach out if you ever need anything. I’m excited to connect and cultivate a community on campus where everyone feels supported :) Name : Carol Hutchison Dorm : Kendry Apartments Hometown : Ahuimanu, Oahu, HI Major : Environmental Analysis (EA) Aloha! My name is Carol Hutchison, and I am super excited to be one of the RAs of AK. I am from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, studying Environmental Analysis on the Science track with a sequence in Asian American Studies. In my free time, I love to go to the beach, thrift, birdwatch, and of course hang out with friends and meet new people! On campus, I am a part of Ballet Folklorico de Claremont, 5C Pasifika Student Association, the Athenaeum, and CMC EcoReps. One of the things I love most about CMC is the many wonderful opportunities and the sense of community. I'm always available to talk, and I look forward to meeting everyone! Name : Cahal Connolly Dorm : Senior Apartments 651 Hometown : Castro Valley, CA Major : Environment, Economics, & Politics (EEP) What’s up everyone! My name is Cahal Connolly, and I’m excited to be one of your Senior Apartments RAs this year! At CMC, I am a member of the CMS Stags Basketball team and work at the Roberts Environmental Center. In my free time, I love playing any kind of sport (especially cornhole, pickleball, and volleyball), dominating board games (Settlers of Catan), or doing anything involving the outdoors. I am a die-hard Warriors fan and am happy to watch or argue about anything NBA-related. Whether you’re looking to lose a game of cornhole or Catan, camp out at J-Tree or hike Baldy, or just need someone to talk to, I’m always happy to hang out. Looking forward to a great year with you all! Name : Lucy Jaffee Dorm : Senior Apartments 661 Hometown : San Diego, CA Major : Writing & Rhetoric Hi everyone! My name is Lucy Jaffee (she/her) and I’m so pumped to be one of the RAs at Senior Apartments. Some info about me: I’m from San Diego, CA, I’m majoring in Writing and Rhetoric, and I transferred to CMC second semester freshman year. On campus you’ll find me locking in at The Hub with a coffee (I can only focus amid chaos) or strutting around campus as if it's my personal runway. In my free time, I love to thrift, listen to music, read, and gab for hours with my friends. Let’s yap anytime, anywhere, about whatever you want. I’m beyond excited to help build a community at Apartments that is friendly, inclusive, supportive and fun, and have a great year together! Name : Sophie Podeszwa Dorm : Senior Apartments 671 Hometown : Dallas, TX Major : Economics Hi everyone! My name is Sophie, and I am from Dallas, TX. As a transfer student, I am so excited to get to know my grade (and everyone on campus) even better as one of the senior apartment RAs. I am excited to meet and talk with everyone more! If you are looking for someone to chat with about pop culture, F1, or the best cookies at the 5Cs, I have lots of input. I am looking forward to an amazing year on campus! Name : Rakhshaan Adamjee Dorm : Senior Apartments 681 Hometown : Chino Hills, CA Major : Economics-Accounting with an MA in Finance Hey everyone, my name is Rakhshaan Adamjee, and I am super excited to be one of the RAs for student apartments! I studied abroad in Milan during the spring semester of my junior year and had the time of my life traveling around Europe. On campus, I am part of the Claremont Consulting Group and Claremont Accounting Association. I’ve been doing Indian Bollywood Dancing since I was five and have been teaching young kids for over five years now. I love watching movies, hanging out with my friends, traveling, and trying out new foods. I am super excited for a fantastic senior year back at CMC!

Meet the next slate of CMC Resident Assistants! NORTH QUAD Name:  Chloe Vijandre Dorm:  Appleby Hall (North Quad) Hometown:  Manila, Philippines Major:  Economics + International Relations Hello everyone! My name is Chloe Vijandre and words cannot describe how excited I am to be the RA for Appleby! A little bit about me: I am an international student from the Philippines and was also raised in Vietnam. I am a senior dual majoring in Economics and International Relations. My favorite thing about CMC is the tight-knit community and all the wonderful people I’ve gotten to know throughout the years. From being a FYG, an I-Connect mentor, or simply loitering on Bos patio, I’ve been so lucky to connect with others and I cannot wait to continue fostering such a great community as one of the North RAs. I am always down to chat, jam, play basketball, etc. So come hang out! Name:  Izzy Yau-Weeks Dorm:  Boswell Hall (North Quad) Hometown:  Oakland, CA Major:  Environmental Analysis Hi everyone!! My name is Izzy Yau-Weeks and I’m so excited to be the Boswell RA. I’m a senior from Oakland, CA studying Environmental Analysis on the Race, Class, Gender track. I love CMC’s tight-knit and supportive community and I can’t wait to cultivate a great Bos dorm culture as well. On campus, I’m a Success Coach, member of my 5C a cappella group the After School Specials, and dedicated IM basketball player for THE Jordan Poole’s Baddies. Other than that, I love crafting, jamming out, being outside, and making friends so feel free to stop by my room anytime!!!  Name:  Vito Molina Dorm:  Green Hall (North Quad) Hometown:  Santa Rosa, CA Major:  Economics + International Relations Hello everyone! My name is Vito Molina and I am so excited to be the RA to Green. I lived in Green during my first two years of college and I am so happy to be back! I am an Economics and International Relations dual major from Santa Rosa, California. I love to mountain bike, hike, watch/play soccer, and boulder. On campus, I am involved in SOURCE Nonprofit Consulting (but honestly I still do not know what consulting is). My favorite aspect of CMC is the culture of our close-knit community. There is nothing more inspiring and motivating than being surrounded by such bright, lively, and supportive individuals. I can not wait to meet and connect with all of the Green residents. Looking forward to a great and memorable year together!  Name:  Lucy Thompson Dorm:  Wohlford Hall (North Quad) Hometown:  Bangkok, Thailand Major:  Literature + Media Studies Hello! My name is Lucy, I’m from Bangkok, I’m a Literature and Media Studies major, and I’m going to be the RA for Wolf! I am SO SO SO excited to be part of the RA Cohort, as there is nothing here at CMC I love more than building and participating with our community here. My favourite hobby is HANGING OUT, so please drop my open door hours, Wolf resident or not, and we can chat, read, eat snacks or do whatever together! When I’m not in Wolhford, you can find me creating content for CMC Admissions, singing with the After School Specials, or letting it linger in Collins or the Hub with a cup of tea or a coffee. I can’t wait to foster some awesome dorm community in Wohlford, so shout out Wolf residents, can’t wait to meet you all! <3 MID QUAD Name:  Kobey Jorgensen Dorm:  Beckett Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Hermiston, OR Major:  Biochemistry Howdy! I'm Kobey Jorgensen and I have the privilege of being one of the Beckett RA's! I'm from a few different small towns in Oregon, and I'm majoring in Biochemistry with a sequence in Leadership Studies. I play football for CMS on the D-line and love being active! I pretty much have all of the hobbies: art, reading, exercise, music, etc... I'm not particularly good at any of them though, so come get better with me! I personally have a "work hard, play hard" mentality, and plan on bringing that energy with me to Beckett! Also, I'm actually a transfer student from Silly Goose University, so I'm always down to clown around! I've loved my time at CMC and I hope that you do too! Name:  Nikki Tran Dorm:  Beckett Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  San Diego, CA Major:  Economics Hello everyone! My name is Nikki, I am from San Diego, and I am one of this year’s Beckett RAs! I am an Economics major and on campus, I am involved in APASA, CWIB, RLCIE, and work at the Soll Center and Office of Financial Aid. In my free time, you’ll find me running, at a cafe (anything with oat milk tastes good to me), or talking about a new movie with my friends. Super excited to meet everyone and keep the Beckett vibe alive through on and off campus activities! Name:  Luis Mendoza  Dorm:  Benson Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Warsaw, NC Major:  Philosophy, Politics, & Economics (PPE) + Chicane-Latinx Studies HELLO EVERYONE! My name is Luis Angel Mendoza (he/him), and I'm from Warsaw, North Carolina. I am a QuestBridge Scholar on the pre-law track, studying in the PPE (I can't do Economics for the life of me) program at CMC. I also study Chicane-Latinx Studies, which is a 5C major. You can find me studying (yapping) at the CARE Center, the Motley at Scripps, or the Chicane-Latinx Studies lounge at Pomona. On campus, I have been involved with CARE as a Fellow, Research Assistant for Gould and Keck, Tour Guide, Affinity Group Leader, and MUN (let me know if you have any questions). I also love playing volleyball (who's down to form an intramural volleyball team?), going to the village for some açaí at Ubatuba (better than Pepo Melo), and looking mysterious around campus while listening to music. I can't wait to meet all of the Benson Baddies <3 Name:  Eva Pruitt Dorm:  Benson Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Phoenix, AZ Major:  Philosophy, Politics, & Economics (PPE) + Philosophy  Hi everyone! My name is Eva (she/her), and I’m super excited to be one of Benson’s RAs. I am from Phoenix, Arizona, and I am a dual major in philosophy and PPE with a sequence in legal studies. On campus, I’m one of our Mock Trial team directors, involved with the admissions office, and have loved working with our Philosophy department in research. One of my favorite parts about being a CMC student is going to the Ath! And my other favorite part of CMC is our friendliness, so please say hi if you see me around campus and stop by Benson anytime! I love hiking, reading, making art, listening to music, and being outside. I am also a huge fan of tea, so I'm looking forward to some tea nights in my open door hours :) I am super excited to meet all the Benson residents next year and build an awesome dorm community!! Name:  Meg Birenbaum Dorm:  Berger Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Charlotte, NC Major:  Science Management Hey y'all! My name is Meg, and I am a Science Management major from Charlotte, NC. I am passionate about building community at CMC, and have strived to achieve this as the Vice President of campus organizations in ASCMC and a First Year Guide. I am also involved in Claremont Women in Business, and conduct research at Keck Science. I am a huge animal lover and grew up riding horses and teaching riding lessons. In my free time, I enjoy volunteering at Priceless Pets, going for walks, going to Roberts, or playing pickleball. I look forward to cultivating a fun and welcoming environment in Berger next year and getting to know my residents! Name:  Eddie Wei Dorm:  Berger Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Ames, IA Major:  Economics + International Relations What’s up! I’m Eddie and I am excited to be one of the RAs of Berger Hall. I was born and raised in Ames, Iowa, and study economics and international relations here at CMC. When I’m not working in Poppa, you’ll probably catch me on the pickleball courts, speedrunning every NYTimes game (connections is my favorite!), or leading a campus tour. I also enjoy playing (winning) intramural grass volleyball, watching any law TV show, and cheering on the Iowa State Cyclones. Don’t be afraid to say hi if you see me skateboarding around campus — I’m super excited to get to know anyone I don’t already know and help make everyone’s time here at CMC extra special! Name:  Colin Scanlon Dorm:  Crown Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Sag Harbor, NY Major:  Government + Film Studies Yo! My name is Colin and I am from Sag Harbor, Newww Yoooork. I am a Government and Film Studies dual major, as well as a hurdler for the Track and Field Team. When I’m not at Malott eating breakfast, I love to loiter, scream at the tv cause the Knicks are playing, get funky, discuss leadership battles in the House of Representatives, make obscure references, and to live, laugh, love. Come stop by my room (or else…) for a music recommendation, to overshare, or discuss changes you’d love to see in your community. Now let’s get out there and make a difference! Name:  Kaavya Narayan Dorm:  Crown Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Sunnyvale, CA Major:  Economics Hey everyone! My name is Kaavya Narayan, and I am so hyped to be one of the RA’s for Crown Hall this year. I am from Sunnyvale, California and studying Economics on the Pre-Med Track. If I’m not hanging out in Crown, you can find me losing my voice cheering on the Warriors, giving tours, doing research at KLI, watching the Bachelor, teaching dance at the local senior center, standing in the caprese sandwich line at Collins, or playing on the 5C Club Volleyball team. Can’t wait to hang out with you all soon and build an awesome Crown Hall family this school year!! P.S.--Anytime you see my co-RA Colin, feel free to tell him the Warriors are better than the Knicks :) Name:  Mateo Colbert Dorm:  Marks Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Santa Monica, CA Major:  International Relations What's up! My name is Mateo and I'm from Santa Monica, CA. I'm super stoked to be the RA of Marks! I'm majoring in International Relations (and I studied abroad in Copenhagen). Some people peak in high school, others in college, I'm pretty sure I peaked in pre-school -- I miss nap time and juice boxes. On another note… I like watching TV shows, reading fantasy novels, and frolicking outside. Feel free to hit me up at any time and with any questions. I can’t wait to get to know y’all and plan some awesome events. For those returning to CMC: welcome back, and to y’all arriving for the first time, I’m excited to meet you! Name:  Andrea Posada Dorm:  Marks Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Dallas, TX Major:  Government + Economics Hi! My name is Andrea Posada (she/they) and I’m from Dallas, Texas! At CMC, I’m dual-majoring in Government and Economics (heavy on the Gov) and currently I’m a CARE Fellow, a Student Manager at the Gould Center, and a student assistant at the Faculty Support Office in Kravis. I am beyond excited to be one of the RAs for Marks, and I look forward to creating a safe and fun community for everyone! I love crafting – which includes making collages, painting, making bracelets and embroidery. My favorite snack ever is açaí, specifically from Ubatuba in the village. On campus you can always find me at the CARE Center, the Gould Center, or in my room playing Animal Crossing. Feel free to drop by and chat about whatever, whenever :) I can’t wait to meet y’all!!  Name:  Ilma Turcios Dorm:  Phillips Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Miami, FL Major:  Economics + Government Hi! My name is Ilma and I am SO excited to be Phillips’ RA. I’m Honduran but grew up in Miami, FL, and am an Economics and Government dual major. On campus, I’m a CARE Fellow and have also worked with the Keck and Salvatori Centers as a Research Assistant and at the Mgrublian Center as a Student Assistant. I’m a huge fan of cats, coffee, art, squishmallows, and music. In my free time, I love writing, reading, listening to music, and hanging out with friends–––which I hope to do with my residents. Around campus, you can find me at the CARE center or using up all my Flex at the Motley. I can't wait to meet and get to know all you beautiful people!!! Name:  Daphne Achilles Dorm:  Valach Hall (Mid Quad) Hometown:  Boise, ID Major:  Government + Chemistry Hey y’all! I’m Daphne, I’m a Government and Chemistry major on the Pre-Med track, and I currently call Boise (Boy-see iykyk), Idaho home. I’m so excited to be the Valach RA next year! I can’t wait to host movie and baking nights (Valach has the one kitchen on campus). I am an amateur baker, but would love to hone my skills this upcoming year (If anyone has a tried-and-true gluten-free sourdough recipe, I’m all ears). On campus, I am a peer health ambassador, co-president of CCEMS (I’m an EMT), and I do research in Keck about parasitic infections in local species. Outside of school and extracurriculars, I love spending my free time outside whether it’s hiking, skiing, or rock-climbing! Come stop by and say hi! SOUTH QUAD Name:  Perce Alvarez Dorm:  Auen Hall (South Quad) Hometown:  Riverside, CA Major:  Media Studies Hey Everybody! My name is Perce (they/he) and I'm excited to be one of the Auen RA's! I'm a Media Studies major with a passion for film and animation. On campus, I've worked with the Hive, QRC, and Gould Center on a variety of design projects for queer expression and affinity-focused work. If you've ever seen someone running around the 5C's like a headless chicken with a bell-boy job that was probably me trying to get to class on time. I've been told I'm a bit too passionate about Just Dance but if you're ever looking for a fun challenge feel free to pull up with Rasputin and a Wii controller. All that aside, I am really excited to form new connections with my residents and the CMC community. Name:  Eduardo Mellado Jacinto Dorm:  Auen Hall (South Quad) Hometown:  Los Angeles, CA Major:  Economics + Data Science Hi everyone! My name is Eduardo and I’m from Los Angeles, CA. I’m a senior dual majoring in Economics and Data Science (fun combo but at times too many numbers). On campus I’m involved in SOURCE Nonprofit Consulting (best org on campus!) and you’ll catch me attending 5C Latinx in Tech events. When I’m not busy I like to watch sports (tbh any sport), play video games, try new places at the village, or go out for a coffee. I’m excited to be one of the RA’s for Auen and am looking forward to getting to know all of you. Feel free to reach out if you need anything and say hi if you see me around! Name:  France Ferreira Dorm:  Fawcett Hall (South Quad) Hometown:  Bronx, NY Major:  History Hi everyone! My name is France Ferreira (she/her/ella) and I am from the Bronx, NY majoring in History. I spend most of my time on campus at the Chicano Latinx Student Association building, or in my room! I love anime, baseball and coffee, so if anyone ever comes over, I will offer a cup of coffee while watching a baseball game or an anime. I just spent my junior year studying abroad in Seoul, South Korea, so if anyone would love to chat about studying abroad, please feel free to contact me or find me in my room! I can't wait to get to meet you all and hopefully, we can have a great year! Name:  Stuart McCallum Dorm:  Fawcett Hall (South Quad) Hometown:  Lexington, MA Major:  Economics-Accounting with an MA in Finance Hello! My name is Stuart McCallum. I grew up in Massachusetts, but I’ve really enjoyed the weather in Southern California. I’m studying Econ-Accounting and Finance here at CMC. On campus, I’m part of the CMS Stags Basketball team and the Romero Success Coaches. Outside of my on campus-commitments, I am a board game enthusiast who loves playing Settlers of Catan and a food lover who enjoys both cooking and eating. I love watching all levels of Basketball, especially #d3hoops and the NBA (I am still very much pro-Celtics and anti-Lakers). I’m really excited to live in South Quad for the first time this year in the luxurious Fawcett Hall penthouse. I look forward to meeting and getting to know each of the Fawcett residents! Name:  Brenna Bell Dorm:  Stark Hall (South Quad) Hometown:  Murrieta, CA Major:  Environment, Economics, & Politics (EEP) Hi! I’m Brenna Bell. I’m a volleyball player, research assistant, Coastal Caretaker club president, CMS recreational worker, and now RA! If you want help getting involved on campus, I’m your gal. I’m majoring in Environment, Economics, and Politics, with a minor in Data Science. I love meeting people and helping out! You’ll probably be seeing a lot of boba, crafts, holiday events, and gaming tournaments in stark soon. I love to get outside and play sports of all kinds. If you’re ever feeling brave, challenge me to a ping pong match in Stark! I have two lovely cats at home named Gandalf and Strider. But I love all animals! Especially those underwater. Name:  Kenshin Ueoka Dorm:  Stark Hall (South Quad) Hometown:  Bangkok, Thailand + Kyoto, Japan Major:  Environment, Economics, & Politics (EEP) + Data Science Sequence Hi, I’m Kenshin Ueoka, an Environment, Economics, and Politics Major with a Data Science Sequence. I was born in Japan and grew up in Thailand — CMC is my third home. I’m a Graphite Group Consultant and Romero Success Coach on campus, so feel free to talk to me about anything academic, pre-professional, or personal! Around campus, you might hear me making noise on the Stark lounge piano or on Taiko drums with the 5C Shogo Taiko Club. Aside from that, I love racket sports, golf, boba, photography, and all things anime! I’ve lived in Stark since my sophomore year and loved every minute of it. Let’s go for a game of table tennis, pool, or badminton!  APARTMENTS Name:  Adamaris Sanchez Dorm:  Alexan Kendry Apartments Hometown:  Los Angeles, CA Major:  Economics-Accounting  Hello! Hola! My name is Adamaris Sanchez, an Econ-Accounting major originally from Los Angeles, CA. I am thrilled to be one of the Alexan Kendry RAs this year and look forward to fostering a supportive and inclusive community on and off campus. On campus I am President of the Ballet Folklorico Club de Claremont, a 5C cultural dance performance group! Besides dancing and performing, I enjoy exploring new places with my daughter Everly, studying at my favorite coffee shop Tierra Mia (highly recommend, especially their muffins), and volunteering at early education centers or organizations that serve low-income or first-generation students. I can’t wait to meet everyone and foster meaningful connections with my residents and fellow RAs! Name:  Nelly Haley Dorm:  Alexan Kendry Apartments Hometown:  Chicago Major:  Government + Psychology Hey y’all, I'm so honored to be one of your RAs at CMC! I love community building and interacting with new people. I'm a huge fan of movies/tv shows, books, and music. My idea of a good time is lots of laughs and just making new memories. I love to chat so be prepared for me to talk your ear off. I'm so excited to plan fun dorm events for you guys! Please know I'm here for you all and I hope I can help make campus feel a little more like home. Name:  Matt Meredith Dorm:  Student Apartments Hometown:  Orinda, CA Major:  Economics-Accounting Hey everyone! My name is Matt, I'm from Orinda, CA, and I will be one of the RAs at the Student Apartments this year! I'm an economics-accounting major, also pursuing a sequence in data science. In my free time, I love spending time outdoors, reading books, and playing or watching a variety of sports. I am also part of the CMS men's basketball team. My favorite part of CMC has been all of the amazing people I have been able to meet and spend time with. I'm excited to be able to help spread that positive community at the Student Apartments and throughout campus. I'm always down to chat and connect with new people, so please don't hesitate to reach out! I'm excited for a great year! Name:  Gio Pierre Dorm:  Student Apartments  Hometown:  Woburn, MA Major:  Philosophy, Politics, & Economics (PPE) Hi! My name is Gio Pierre, and I am a philosophy, politics, and economics major from Woburn, MA. I am beyond excited to be an RA at the student apartments this year. My favorite part of my time at CMC by far has been the community. I cannot wait to build a tight-knit community at the apartments and continue to contribute to the wider CMC community. You can catch me playing my guitar or watching the Celtics in my room. I'm looking forward to what the year has in store! Name:  Claire Vlases Dorm:  Student Apartments Hometown:  Bozeman, MT Major:  Computer Science + Ethics Hi! I'm so excited to be your RA this year. My door is always open. I love going to the botanical gardens, being outside in the sunshine, and eating cookies. Catch me at art club, ski club, and coding club! I do love to hit the clubs. I hope to plan a lot of fun events, so let me know if you have any suggestions. I’m so lucky to live in the best community with the best people. :) Let’s make senior year unforgettable! Name:  Xristina Zogopoulou Dorm:  Student Apartments  Hometown:  Preveza, Greece  Major:  International Relations + Psychology  Hey everyone! My name is Xristina and I come from a tiny town in Greece called Preveza. I am a dual International Relations and Psychology major and I will be one of the RAs at the student apartments. I am excited to meet everyone I haven't interacted with yet or reconnect with the ones I have! I love dancing, traveling, and hanging out with people!  Looking forward to an amazing year, my door is always open for you!

America’s education czars don’t need a Kremlin. The headquarters of the Department of Education. (Credit: Chris Zubak-Sees) In seeking to dismantle the Department of Education (ED), the Trump Administration has carried on a conservative fight that dates back to the ED’s creation in 1979. On March 20th, President Trump fired his second administration’s opening volley with   Executive Order (EO) 14242, “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities.” Testing the limits of presidential power, even under the unitary executive theory he touts, President Trump instructed Education Secretary Linda McMahon “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.” In response, McMahon has overseen extensive cuts .  Inspired by this executive order and its ramifications, Ian Akers ‘27 penned a recent article  in defense of the Department of Education. However, this article misses the reality of the Department’s failures. Past unsuccessful attempts by Republican Presidents to suffocate Washington’s educational bureaucracy led the New York Times  to dub  ED “the department that would not die.” Without congressional support, Akers recognizes, Trump’s efforts are equally far from likely to succeed. Nonetheless, they rightfully target a bloated organization that has overseen the decline  of American education outcomes. Akers correctly notes that ED “is not involved in setting curricula, managing schools, or the setting or educational standards” but instead is devoted primarily to managing educational funding and enforcing rules such as civil rights statutes. Despite hiring thousands of staff related to civil rights and other regulations, however, ED lacks any prosecutorial power. The ED can only withhold federal funds, which only constitute an average  of 8.5% of local school budgets. After student aid programs, which were previously administered by a non-cabinet-level agency with significantly less bureaucracy, the lion’s share of ED’s budget funds public schools in hiring administrators to oversee implementations of the dozens of regulations they concoct. ED’s bloated staff, which oversees these regulations, is unnecessary when the Department of Justice already holds prosecutorial power. Further, much of the problem lies in Akers’s observation itself: ED does very little educating. They may delegate federal funding, but spending per student has little  direct correlation with educational outcomes. Meanwhile, federal college loan programs have generated a trillion dollars in student debt while fueling a price bubble inflating  tuition costs since ED’s conception. The Pell Grant for low-income students predates ED; abolishing ED would not mean cutting low-income students out of college, but removing bureaucracy from their path there. Programs that Akers understandably lauds, such as the   National Center for Education Research  and the   National Center for Special Education Research , do not require a cabinet-level Department of Education. This was recognized by progressive Democrat Joe Califano, the last Secretary of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) when he strongly opposed  turning ED into an independent department. Instead, ED’s programs could be administered by sub-cabinet level agencies, as education policy was previously administered within HEW. Akers fixates on the Trump admin's goal of returning educational power to the states, but abolishing the ED is more about returning power to families. Project 2025 , a visionary policy manifesto from a plethora of Republican experts, outlines how abolishing ED would empower American families to pursue education at non-traditional options such as “faith-based institutions, career schools, and military academies” funded by state and local taxpayers through a system of educational savings accounts. Homeschooling is another alternative that has shown itself capable of producing students consistently outpacing  public school graduates across fields. Further, the report outlines the movement of worthy ED programs into the purview of other departments while saving costs on ED bureaucracy.  Already stagnant, educational outcomes have collapsed since COVID. These outcomes make clear that the strategies we have used, with ED at the helm, have not worked. We cannot afford to abandon our next generation. The time has arrived to put children’s futures into the hands of the most fundamental institution of governance, their families.

Democracy thrives if we embrace uncertainty. Harris-Walz supporter reacts to election results at Howard University watch party, November 5, 2024. (Credit: Angela Weiss, AFP via Getty Images) Five months have passed since the election. It is tempting to believe that political grief is fleeting, that disillusionment will fade with time, but Trump’s first month in office may have renewed fears election night brought on. For example, in the twenty-four hours after November 5th, the Trevor Project’s crisis services saw  a 700% increase in volume. The attacks on the rule of law and the very definition of American identity give no reason as to why grief over the election results may have dissipated. This is why we return to this moment. There is no need to relive pain, but we should understand why it may persist, and in doing so, chart a way forward. Great pain comes from what never was. The notion that we could have enjoyed happier memories or achieved greater things can easily plague our minds, and uncertainty about what comes next brings about understandable fears. Yet, we should not let an idealized conception of what we lost poison the possibility of pursuing it in the future. A helpful concept is ambiguous loss –a form of grief rooted in uncertainty and the absence of closure, where something is gone but not in a definitive way. Those affected by it often suffer from prolonged states of unresolved mourning. Americans have recently let feelings of disillusionment from ambiguous loss in politics fuel cognitive dissonance and confirmation bias.  When conversation transforms into confrontation, people become isolated. Political anxiety or mourning should function as a jolt to dialogue. Productive political conversation is more important now than ever as Americans must strive to build consensus rather than continuing the destructive nature of political dialogue. Resorting to political purity tests driven by a desire to avoid interaction or compromise with political rivals will deliver nothing. Living with the circumstances and moving forward with them is necessary to sustaining American democracy. A system where citizens prioritize compromise and resilience over despair prevents us from closing off the possibility for compromise. When we reduce democracy to a zero-sum game–where we conceive of defeat as intolerable or permanent–collapse becomes a distinct possibility. When political loss drives citizens to withdraw from meaningful engagement, either due to apathy or ideological entrenchment, democracy erodes from within.  The grief from an election does not come from losing anything material, but from the collapse of an imagined future. Democratic citizens must have the ability to navigate uncertainty without retreating to absolutes. Research  on the psychology of authoritarianism indicates that a higher tolerance for ambiguity is linked to a lower susceptibility to extremist thinking. If we cannot deal with the messy, unglamorous nature of compromise in governance, then we risk eroding democratic institutions.  The effects of such a breakdown are not unique to national politics. The Claremont Colleges, despite being a center for the exchange of ideas, can fall into debates on issues where reliance on inflexible dogma or indifference stymies productive discourse. At the height of campus protests regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, students felt betrayed by the college institutions that they believed served them. During the tumult, productive discourse transformed into ideological entrenchment and bitter resentment. When engaging with political adversaries is viewed as betrayal and compromise regarded as a taboo, we miss an opportunity to refine arguments or expand coalitions. Instead, we reinforce cycles of resentment and strengthen ideological echo chambers. For institutions committed to fostering the next generation of leaders, these reactions signal a disturbing trend. Refusing to engage with ideological adversaries removes the conditions necessary for democratic prosperity. Mourning losses is natural, but allowing grief to harden into disengagement or absolutism only serves to contribute to the forces that weaken the institutions that enable change. If democracy and all it embodies is to endure on our campuses, in our communities, and throughout our nation, we must resist the instinct to retreat into ideological silos. If nuance in casual political discourse cannot survive the grief we feel in loss, then we cannot hope to sustain healthy communities and the belief that defeat now is not the end of positive political possibilities. Political dialogue is an evolving process where current adversaries may become future allies. Among the greatest challenges of democratic participation is not just savoring the advantages of victory, but in responding to loss with resilience, to not let mourning unseen possibilities isolate us from conversations that can shape our future.

Trump's tariff troubles critically undermine dollar diplomacy, and it will hurt the average American. (Credit: Getty Images) The S&P 500 lost 5.8% in March, marking its worst month since 2022, and leaving investors wondering what comes next. The index is just one critical indicator of a market under strain.  Looking beyond Wall Street, NFIB’s February 2025 Small Business Optimism Index indicates  that the Trump administration’s economic missteps have erased American entrepreneurs' post-election confidence. At the center of this are inflationary pressures and uncertainty over the future.  Blame could be placed on Trump’s trade wars with America’s largest trade partners–Canada, Mexico, and China–but policy uncertainty is the more likely culprit. Heavy tariffs, collapsing trade networks, weakening military alliances, and shifting global orders creates a cocktail of uncertainty that markets and American allies despise. While American wealth may suffer in the interim, confidence in the dollar, which is the foundation of the global financial market and American diplomacy post-World War II, may be crippled. When markets faltered in the past, nations with significant dollar reserves turned to the Fed for lending. Close connections between the Fed and friendly nations’ central banks has helped prevent economic shocks from turning into catastrophes. During the 2008 Financial Crisis  and the COVID-19 Pandemic , the Fed’s cross-border lending and currency swaps stabilized both the U.S. and global economy. Colin Weiss, a principal economist at the Fed, found  that nearly three-quarters of U.S. Treasury bonds, bills, and other safe holdings are held by nations with military ties to the U.S.  Outside of Chinese holdings, the dollar’s dominance is supported by American allies. Trust in American military and economic assistance served as an anchor, even in turbulent times. This mutual confidence spurred nations to buy American currency not just because of its strength, but the interconnected interests of our markets and governments.  Since January, the Trump Administration has dismantled critical foreign partnerships–the very partnerships dollar diplomacy, and in turn critical economic supports, rely on. As China diversifies their reserves to move away from the dollar, America’s need for reliable allies has never been more urgent. But instead of reinforcing these critical partnerships, Trump’s policies erode them, and the administration does not recognize a weak dollar  and American isolation as negative outcomes.  Citizens may see foreign policy and trade deficits as distant concerns, disconnected from everyday costs like energy, groceries, and rent. But, Trump’s economic agenda brings costs off news tickers and onto price stickers. Small businesses struggle to expand or lower prices without a strong Fed, and a strong Fed needs foreign faith and investment.  Trump argues that much of America's debt stems from an unfair imbalance of imports over exports. To him, when countries capitalize on this trade gap, they are “taking advantage” of the U.S., and his solution is to weaken the dollar. There is an alternative perspective: America’s global trade partners invest in the U.S. because they see American markets as safe. The American trade deficit is not a weakness, but a reflection of global desire to invest in America, which causes an imbalance that develops into a deficit. The nation’s greatest export is not cars and steel, but financial stability, global leadership, and economic facilitation.  The Trump administration desires to correct trade imbalances with a weaker dollar that allows manufacturers to sell more exports. This goal displays a fundamental misunderstanding of where American power emanates from and demands severing ties with friendly nations. In doing this, Trump deprives America of its role as a global facilitator. In two short months, Trump has set a course toward isolation. Should his plan fail, America will be marooned with no allies, without economic leverage, and without a strong dollar to anchor its position. Economic interdependence is America’s greatest asset, not a liability. And it all begins and ends with the strength of the greenback.

Closing the Department of Education won’t empower states—it will weaken them. The Department of Education in 2021 (credit: Graeme Sloan/Sipa USA via AP Images) The Trump Administration has made no secret of its goal to dismantle the Department of Education (ED) and “ return [education] to the States. ” On March 20, 2025, President Trump took a dramatic step toward this aim by issuing  Executive Order (EO) 14242, titled “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities.” In this EO, President Trump directed Secretary of Education Linda McMahon “ to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities…”  Just days before the EO, ED initiated  a Reduction in Force (RIF) on March 11, 2025, slashing nearly half its workforce—from 4,133 to 2,183 employees. Secretary McMahon described the cuts as a “significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.” The Trump Administration’s narrative frames ED as a power-hungry bureaucracy that has usurped state authority over education. This is a myth, driven by widespread misunderstanding of ED’s actual role. The ED is not involved in setting curricula, managing schools, or the setting of educational standards like Common Core. Instead, ED plays an essential role in administering grant funding to K-12 schools, providing Federal Student Aid, conducting educational research, enforcing civil rights laws, making rules, and issuing technical assistance and guidance to the states. Many of these initiatives, particularly the research and guidance portions, are little known to the public. Through the many departments under the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) umbrella, ED engages in a wide variety of activities that support effective teaching and learning.  For example, through the National Center for Education Statistics, ED administers the National Assessment of Educational Progress , also known as the “Nation’s Report Card.” It also manages the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System  which tracks higher education data on enrollment, graduation rates, costs, and outcomes. IES also offers competitive grants for scientific study of education programs and best practices through the National Center for Education Research  and the National Center for Special Education Research . These centers also evaluate the efficacy of federal education initiatives like Title I funding. IES operates and disseminates this research through the What Works Clearinghouse , a platform that issues rigorous, evidence-based guides on what works in education. Crucially, IES operates the Regional Education Lab  (RELs) and Comprehensive Center  (CCs) networks. These networks provide direct support, capacity building, research, and training to directly supporting state and local education agencies with their most pressing needs, and to great effect. For example, REL Southeast was instrumental in the so-called “Mississippi Miracle,” helping the state climb from 49th in fourth-grade reading in 2013 to 21st in 2022—a remarkable turnaround. Programs like the REL network are vital to supporting the states in improving the quality of education, improving student outcomes, and evidence-based policy making. Cutting these programs does nothing  to support or improve the American education system. If the Trump Administration were truly interested in a high quality education system, it would not have directed Secretary McMahon to initiate the RIF, which NPR reported  disproportionately affected staff working in education research offices, or issued  EO 14242 to close the Department of Education.  Proponents of the ED’s RIF and the broader efficiency agenda of the Trump Administration have applauded the wide ranging cuts to the federal government, arguing they are cutting administrative bloat. But these cuts are decreasing accountability and efficiency rather than increasing it. Gutting ED in the name of “returning education to the states” is not only disingenuous—it actively harms students, teachers, and parents alike. ED’s closure would dismantle critical research, guidance, and support systems that states rely on, leaving them under-resourced and ill-equipped to serve their students.  There is some reason for hope. As has been noted by multiple media outlets, President Trump cannot unilaterally close ED without an act of Congress. Per the Department of Education Organization Act , there are a litany of programs and offices that are enshrined in statute, meaning that they cannot be closed short of being repealed by Congress. This safeguard offers a crucial opportunity: policymakers, educators, and advocates still have the power to push back and preserve the ED’s vital work. Protecting evidence-based education policy and federal oversight is not only possible—it is essential for the future of the American education system and student success.

Understanding political theory means reading the communists. Vladimir Lenin addressing a Moscow crowd, 1920. (Credit: Grigory Goldstein) Regular readers of The Forum might (correctly) identify me as a conservative contributor. Naturally, I am unsympathetic to socialist thought, let alone the Leninist variety animating most self-identified socialist governments since the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution. But I would be among the first to affirm their importance in world history. Russia’s Revolution and the ensuing debates among Marxists defined the course of global ideological development, setting the stage for the Cold War, decolonization, and the current world order. There are courses allowing students to study canonical authors like Plato to obscure authors like the Islamo-Confucian Wang Daiyu, yet not one course across the Claremont Colleges offers students the opportunity to read the political theory behind the 20th century’s greatest struggle. Lenin’s 1902 pamphlet , What Is To Be Done? , drawing its title from a then-famous 1860s Russian novel, reshaped Marxist approaches to revolution. The communists of the 19th century had predicted that a class revolution would break out spontaneously from “late stage capitalism.” Lenin argued that struggles for better working hours and other labor goals would not lead to the fulfillment of the revolution. Instead, he called for the organization of a “vanguard” political party through which to organize revolutionary action. Understanding this paradigm shift allows one to better understand every major left wing political movement since. Coming in at hardly a hundred pages is Len in’s 1917   magnum opus : The State and Revolution . At the time, Marxists generally understood their revolution as necessarily inaugurating a stateless, classless society. Even fellow Bolsheviks who viewed government as a necessity after a proletariat uprising saw it as a precursor for pure communism. Using Marx’s words, Lenin argued for a “dictatorship of the proletariat,” suggesting that its absence led to the failure of the anti-statist Paris Commune. Lenin argued that “the proletariat needs state power” to bring about the conditions for any transition to communism. Rather than calling for the destruction of the oppressive state, Lenin calls for its inversion. Instead of being used to oppress the proletariat and perpetuate capitalism, the state should be used to oppress the bourgeoisie and usher in communism. He called his model “the bourgeois state without the bourgeoisie.” While setting the philosophical stage for the Soviet Union to rule with an iron first, Lenin mocks liberal democracy in terms that drew an eternal line in the sand between his Bolsheviks and the burgeoning social democratic parties to the west. Amazingly, the entire work was written before the outbreak of revolution in Russia, while Lenin remained in Swiss exile. Reading both texts would be necessities for the sort of communism course the Claremont Colleges lacks. This course could also include intra-Marxist rejoinders to Lenin. Within the Leninist fold, Leon Trotsky’s The Revolution Betrayed  presents the classic critique of Stalin’s USSR as a “degenerated workers’ state.” The works of the revolutionary leader’s closest confidant, Nikolai Bukharin, argued that undeveloped states were unsuited for socialism. As such, Bukharin argued for a reformism that preserved small scale markets, prompting a biographer to declare  that “he alone offered for that country a way forward radically opposed to the one adopted by Stalin.” These views are critically important to understand, for they would resurface  near the Soviet Union’s end. Deng Xiaoping used similar reasoning to justify China’s capitalist turn and transformation into a global power.  Not long before his execution, Bukharin inspired the momentous   Letter of an Old Bolshevik . Such a work might ground a class devoted to Leninist political theory, cataloguing the bloodshed concomitant with history’s communist states. It hauntingly recounts that “all of us old Bolsheviks who have any sort of prominent revolutionary past are now hiding in our lairs…no one will dare defend us.” Many of the followers of Trotsky and Bukharin, after watching their leaders fall victim to Stalinist purges, went on to write great works of anti-communism. Ex-communists that offer their own broadsides against the ideology include Whittaker Chambers in the beautifully written Witness  or the 1948 collection   The God That Failed . A course covering the foundations of communist government could thus leave students intellectually and historically rounded. There are several courses touching on Marxism more broadly. However, these courses typically focus on Karl Marx’s philosophy, which encompasses far more than political theory and has never been politically implemented but through the lens of Lenin and his comrades. Others zoom into specific lenses such as Africana Marxism. These perspectives cannot be understood without a grounding in the fundamental shift Vladimir Lenin and the Bolsheviks brought to international Marxism. One cannot understand Ghanaian leader Kwame Nkrumah’s call to do for “for Africa what Lenin had achieved for the Soviet Union” without understanding what Lenin did to create a revolutionary state from scratch. To understand the thought of the Bolsheviks and their enemies is to understand the world we live in today.

You cannot be a liberal democrat at home and a supporter of apartheid abroad. Mahmoud Khalil outside of Colombia University in 2024 (credit: Seth Harrison) On the night of March 8th, Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student who served as one of the primary negotiators for the campus’s Palestine solidarity encampment, was taken into custody by immigration authorities. Khalil, a permanent resident, is being detained under the pretext that the government has the right to revoke a person’s permanent residency for commission of crimes including “ supporting a terror group .” This action is part of a broader weaponization  of immigration enforcement by the Trump Administration, which has  additionally threatened to revoke the visas of international students expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause. There is, of course, no evidence to suggest that Khalil (or the Columbia encampment writ large) was in fact providing support to terror groups. Furthermore, even if Khalil himself had made any morally objectionable statements (of which there is no evidence) that alone would not constitute a crime— let alone a crime warranting deportation.  Khalil’s detention represents the most alarming expression to date of the Palestine Exception, or systematic threats against the free expression of supporters of Palestinian rights. These threats, in the words of Palestine Legal , “burden Palestinian rights advocacy and chill speech even when dismissed by the courts.”  It is important to situate Khalil’s arrest within the cultural context of the Palestine Exception:  this latest salvo in the Trump Administration’s escalating war on political dissent would not have been possible were it not for a broader culture of systematic anti-Palestinian racism.  Mahmoud Khalil would not have been arrested if we lived in an America where university presidents did not feel the need to apologize for simply hosting events spotlighting Palestinian writers . He would not have been arrested if we lived in an America where politicians received the slightest bit of backlash for using the word “Palestinian” as a slur . And he would not have been arrested if we lived in an America in which the Democratic Party did not consider the mere presence  of a Palestinian-American speaker at the DNC to be too controversial to bear. What Khalil’s arrest makes clear is that America's persistent, forceful condemnation and intimidation of Palestinian solidarity poses a threat to freedom of expression at large. The persistent efforts of American civil society— and, increasingly, the US government— to dehumanize Palestinians and silence voices critical of Israel has laid the groundwork for the Trump Administration’s assault on political dissent. It should not be lost on anyone that the Trump administration chose to target a Palestinian activist as the first victim of a broader effort to weaponize immigration and naturalization law against political dissidents. In the same way that the growing normalization of anti-trans rhetoric has emboldened Republican officials to strip civil rights protections  from transgender Americans, the persistent dehumanization of Palestinians has made activists like Khalil the first victims of the Trump Administration’s crackdown on free speech.  The fate of Mahmoud Khalil and activists like him is inseparable from the fate of political expression in the United States more broadly. If the Trump Administration does end up successfully deporting Khalil, it sets the precedent for authoritarian crackdowns against dissidents of all political stripes under the obfuscatory rhetoric of combating terrorism. In the end, the Palestine Exception may well be the harbinger of a broader suppression of political activism and dissent in this country.  The arrest of Mahmoud Khalil— simply the latest example of the Exception at work— demonstrates that a system which upholds liberal democracy for some and apartheid for others  cannot last. Speaking out in support of targeted Palestinian activists requires that we truly acknowledge their humanity, an act that is inseparable from a genuine reflection on the conditions that Palestinians live under in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. One cannot reject the Palestine Exception without acknowledging the legitimacy of Palestinian grievances. In that sense, defending freedom of expression at home is inextricably linked with the struggle to defend human rights abroad— it is impossible to separate one from the other. And yet, America’s unflinching moral, diplomatic, and military support for persistent Israeli human rights abuses  in the Palestinian Territories, as well as our suppression of dissenting voices against those policies at home, demonstrates that our government simply does not view human rights as being truly universal. For how else can we explain our systematic denial of those rights to a group of people simply on the basis of their race? And if we are not willing to engage in a defense of everyone ’s human rights, then we are in no position to defend anyone ’s human rights.  The singular event of Mahmoud Khalil’s detention and potential deportation crystallizes how America’s refusal to defend the civil liberties of Palestinians is directly linked to the erosion of those rights at home. If we take the concept of human rights to have any political merit, we cannot afford to place any conditions upon them. The act of placing such conditions immediately and unambiguously reveals that those rights are in fact not rights at all, but rather privileges bestowed by a hegemon that (currently) sees no reason to take them away. In short, you cannot be a liberal except for Palestine. You cannot talk about democracy and avert your gaze from your government’s support for apartheid. Either we are all free, or none of us are free.

Meet your next ASCMC Executive Board! On Tuesday, March 4, 2025, CMC students participated in the annual election to determine their representatives for the 2025-2026 ASCMC. With a voter turnout of 61%, 845 out of 1,376 eligible students cast ballots.  Kylee Tevis emerged as the new Student Body President. Tevis led with 330 votes (41.9%), while Tendai Nyamuronda and Carson Bloom followed with 256 (32.5%) and 201 (25.5%) votes, respectively. Tevis edged out Nyamuronda in the ranked-choice runoff by a margin of 425 (55.5%) to 341 (44. 5%) In her candidate statement , Tevis wrote that she aims to “ focus on transparency, accountability, building relationships, and actively seeking out feedback.” Students can also look forward to “a separate line for grilled chicken at Collins” as well. Amrit Dhaliwal, running unopposed, was elected as Executive Vice President with 617 votes.  For Vice President of Student Activities, Bardia Mizani also won unopposed, securing 647 votes.  The position of Dormitory Affairs Chair went to Leah Gaidos, who ran unopposed and won with 596 votes.  In the Senior Class President race, Chloe Ross defeated Michael Sweeney with 128 votes (64.3%) to Sweeney’s 71 votes (35.7%).  Reid Jones edged out Avinash (Avi) Rangarajan for the role of Junior Class President position, earning 106 votes (54.9%) to Rangarajan’s 87 votes (45.1%). For the Sophomore Class President role, Ibukun Owolabi triumphed over Selah Han and Evelyn Chavez. Owolabi secured 123 votes (55.9%), while Han and Chavez received 61 (27.7%) and 36 (16.4%) votes, respectively.

Banning teens from social media won’t fix what’s broken—it just shifts the blame. (Credit: POLITICO) Imagine being told you can’t use Instagram because of a law that treats you like you can’t be trusted. That’s the reality Australia is creating for kids under 16, who will soon be banned from using social media. Starting 2025, popular social media platforms will be legally required  to block underage users, with companies facing fines of up to $50 million if they fail to comply. On paper, the law sounds like a noble effort to protect children from the mental health challenges linked to social media. But in practice, it’s an outlandish overreach with no real shot at success. Worse, it ignores the root of the problem — how these platforms operate — and risks doing more harm than good. Let’s start with the obvious issue: enforcement. The idea that tech companies can perfectly verify everyone’s age is wishful thinking. Kids are resourceful, and they’ve been bypassing age restrictions for years. In the U.K, for example, 22% of young social media users admit  to faking their birthdates to access platforms, and I have no doubt that Australian kids have the same capabilities. Australia’s ban will definitely push teens toward loopholes, turning what was once open social media use into an underground activity that’s even harder to monitor.  Australia’s so-called protective law is nothing short of punitive. Far from reducing teens' screen time, it will simply drive them to other digital escapes like gaming, achieving nothing but a futile game of whack-a-mole. The bigger issue, though, is what this ban takes away. Social media isn’t just a frivolous pastime for teens. It’s where they connect with friends, find support, and explore the world. For some, especially those in rural or isolated areas, it’s even a lifeline. It provides opportunities to seek help, especially when other forms of support aren’t available. Forcing them offline means cutting them off from these connections at a time when they’re still figuring out who they are and how they fit into the world. And let’s not forget the bigger picture. Social media is woven into our daily lives. It’s how we communicate, network, and even work. Denying teens access to these platforms isn’t just out of touch—it actively hurts their ability to adapt to the world they’re growing up in. “This ban is one of the most extreme violations of free speech on the world stage today,” said Paul Taske , associate director of the tech lobbying group. Of course, social media isn’t perfect. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are built to keep users scrolling, with algorithms that often prioritize sensational or divisive content. This can lead to issues like cyberbullying, addiction, and mental health struggles. But banning kids isn’t the solution—it’s a distraction from the real issue: the business models. These platforms profit by exploiting users’ attention, and that’s what needs regulation. Instead of kicking kids off social media altogether, governments should be focusing on holding tech companies accountable. They must regulate algorithms to prioritize age-appropriate content, increase transparency, or impose limits on how platforms can target young users. Banning kids is like putting a Band-Aid on a broken system and calling it fixed. It doesn’t address the root cause of the problem, and it leaves kids unprepared to navigate the digital world responsibly. Worst of all, this law risks alienating an entire generation. Teens already feel misunderstood by policymakers who often seem out of touch with their realities. A blanket ban on social media will only deepen this divide, fostering resentment toward government institutions and creating a “forbidden fruit” dynamic that makes social media even more appealing. When you treat young adults as though they can’t be trusted, you don’t protect them — you push them further away. And by doing so, you risk leaving them less connected to society, less engaged with their communities, and more skeptical of the very systems that are supposed to support them. If Australia truly wants to protect young people, it needs to move beyond simplistic bans and focus on real solutions. Teach digital literacy in schools so teens can use social media responsibly. Invest in mental health resources that address the challenges kids face online. And hold tech companies accountable for the harmful ways they design and operate their platforms. Social media isn’t going away. Instead of trying to keep kids off it, we must teach them how to learn to live with it and integrate into their lives in a positive manner. This article earned an honorable mention in the Dreier Roundtable Op-Ed Contest .

Our desires aren’t too strong—they’re too weak. Love and Psyche by the painter Jacques Louis David. The painting was criticized for its realist depiction of Eros (credit: Wikimedia Commons) The word “eros” invariably calls to mind love and sex. While these are no doubt important parts of the word’s meaning, the classical conception of the word was much richer. For the classics, eros encapsulated not only love but also human longing and desire more broadly. Embracing the classical view of eros could do much to assuage our modern malaise. Two sources elucidate the classical concept of eros; the first is the myth of Eros and Psyche. Eros was the classical god of love and sex, and Psyche, which means soul in Greek, was a beautiful woman. In the myth, Eros falls in love with Psyche, but he leaves her after she betrays his trust. Psyche seeks help from Aphrodite, who gives Psyche four arduous tasks. Psyche completes these tasks with help from Eros, achieving reunion with Eros and ultimately immortality. Here, eros elevates the soul towards immortality. The second source is Plato’s Symposium . In it, Socrates recounts his dialogue with Diotima, an expert on eros. She explains that eros involves recognizing one’s spiritual poverty and seeking transcendence through constant striving. Diotima then describes what is often called “ the ladder of love .” She explains that when properly practiced, eros ascends from desiring lower objects like bodies to desiring higher objects like souls. She argues that this ascent culminates in desire for beauty itself, which is eternal and unchanging. The perpetual human temptation is to stop our ascent along the ladder of love and remain fixated on lower objects, content to rest on a lower rung. Our contemporary campus culture often encourages such fixation. For example, Christine Emba, who recently spoke at CMC’s Athenaeum , argues  that students have lowered their expectations when it comes to sexual ethics. At CMC, many students opt for shallow “hookups” or halfhearted “situationships” instead of awaiting or pursuing long-term romances, much less marriages. Sometimes, students settle for even less than hookups. A 2020 study  found that 92% of men and 60% of women reported using pornography in the past month. Meanwhile, only  43% of men and 55% of women are in a long-term relationship of some form. We can also see this kind of perfunctory eros in our campus career climate. As Shiah Sarkowsky discusses in a recent Forum   article , CMC students imitate the prestige and money-seeking career aspirations of their peers rather than interrogating their true desires. They settle for a career at McKinsey or Morgan Stanley without pausing to think about what a good life looks like. In the words of Sarkowsky, this behavior “corrodes our souls.” Many identify these phenomena as symptoms of excessive  desire. If only we could stifle our sexual desires or check our career ambitions, then we could find true contentment. But this cheap asceticism ignores the transcendent power of desire. In the words  of C.S. Lewis, our desires aren’t too strong—they’re too weak . We’re not too hard to please—we’re too easily sated. We fool about with vapid sex and vacuous careers when life has so much more to offer. No doubt technology is partly responsible for this castration of desires. Instant gratification is kryptonite for Eros. TikTok and Instagram dull our senses. Tinder and PornHub promote desultory lustfulness at the expense of unadulterated passion. LinkedIn flattens the experience of our careers into a self-congratulatory social media post. These platforms geld our desires, impoverish our souls, and leave us with a deep sense of dissatisfaction. Eros tells us to pay attention to that sense of dissatisfaction, that nagging feeling in your heart that something is missing. Too often, we ignore that feeling. Despite what some   ethicists may say, desires are an important facet of our moral constitution. Desires give us clues about what’s truly good. That’s not to say that we can’t desire bad things. Desires must be governed by reason and directed toward the highest good. We must, to use another  Lewis phrase, chase the sunbeam back up to the sun. I’m no exception to the pattern of deflated eros. I frequently fall off love’s ladder. Moreover, it’s not as though eros is fully absent from campus. Some students and professors indulge in the genuine pursuit of truth, and some senior couples have sustained courtships over their four years here. Eros is by no means dead, but it is on life support. So what can we do? Interrogate your desires. Notice how they are structured. Keep climbing the ladder. Don’t come to rest in anything but the highest good. We likely won’t find that rest in this lifetime, and we may have to die for it. But if we fail to do these things, Eros will come to look less like a god and more like a demon.