I had planned a more articulate article for my final Advocate piece. Such as it is, I am writing on a cold Sunday night. I have missed my deadline.
I can’t help but notice that as far as books are concerned, with the exception perhaps of the later Harry Potter installments, there doesn’t seem to be a publishing deadline. People more plugged into the world of publishing might prove me wrong, but whereas a newspaper must be published every week, an author of a book may publish at his convenience.
Over the years, this routine of publishing has, in one way or another, affected my thoughts. Occasionally, I have been injudicious in an opinion, or perhaps a little too hyperbolic for the point I was trying to make.
In so far as I have been meditating on the past, I have been meditating on what I ought to have said, or what I would say now. So, if you’ll allow me, I would like to return to a few old topics from past articles.
First, coffee is still delicious. Try as often as you can to drink it from a French press. Have no clue what I’m talking about? Check the Advocate archives; all will be explained.
I wrote a rather bold opinion on the coming of the Kappa Sigma fraternity to campus. I admit that the members of Kappa Sigma have conducted themselves with dignity and poise in these past couple of years. That said, I still stand by my criticisms of the Masonic elements upon which the fraternity is founded.
Masonry includes some very repulsive beliefs and practices. It would be a shame for the upstanding gentlemen of Kappa Sigma to one day be corrupted by this pseudo-religion.
Perhaps my most famous article is “It really is a great day to be a Dragon.” That piece was probably the most fun to write. Yet, it was a touch unwise to go after the administration, the football team and a majority of you students in so few words.
A couple of days after I published that piece, I was seated next to Provost Anne Blackhurst at the luncheon for the Student Academic Conference.
When the topic of my article came up, she kept remarkably cool, commenting that it was “outspoken and …interesting.” I know the administration has been in the news lately.
The Forum covered the recent financial crisis with a huge photo and article above the fold.
A few weeks ago, I ran into Dr. Blackhurst on the edge of campus as she walked her dogs. I asked how she was doing given the amount of scrutiny Owens Hall was experiencing during this whole process. She replied, “It’s hard for everyone.”
Given these two encounters, I want to publically compliment her and retract my excessively negative appraisal of the current administration.
Now for some parting thoughts. If you don’t take a class with Dr. Conteh, Dr. Kramer, Dr. Bramer, Dr. Czynski or Dr. Flores, you have missed out on some of the best professors MSUM has to offer.
The greatest favor you can do for yourself is to learn what conservatives actually think. Believe it or not, we aren’t all members of the Tea Party.
Take these names down: G.K. Chesterton, Russell Kirk, William F. Buckley and Ross Douthat. Read their books and essays before you claim to know what true conservatism looks like.
I look back at these words, scribbled in haste, and cannot but feel a pang of regret.
Just today an old friend came up to me and commented that this would probably be the last time we would speak. We both stood there for an awkward second and then parted ways.
That is what goodbyes have become today: brief, poorly executed and bittersweet. I guess my last apology in this article is for this article.
The last three and a half years of my life have been lived on this campus. I am sorry all I can offer is a parting offer of advice … like you should care what my opinion is.

BY JOHN GOERKE
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