If you're looking for something nice to say today, Richard, you might consider an addendum to your Halberstam post, noting the Crimson's obituary and collection of his writings. Both are excellent:

http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=518467
http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=518453
 

You're not alone, Richard, in feeling really grumpy. Neglect the self-serving post above; is the Crimson now assigning someone to read your blog and figure out a way to direct readers back to the Crimson? Please, please, say no -- we're supposed to treat Crimson reporters as serious journalists, yes?

But -- we all are cranky. Jeremy Knowles' unexpected and harsh fall has hit harder than we could have thought possible, and the winter that dragged on forever took its toll. Spring seems here -- forget getting swept by the Jays (!) -- but the unending curriculum review threatens to take the life out of all.

What do we need? The warmth and the sweep of the Yanks are a good start. (Another Yanks series this weekend also a light in the darkness.) How about the announcement of a new Dean to turn all around? Not to rush, Drew, but surely you know who you want to run FAS by now, and holding us in abeyance while you figure out what to do with the other schools is just cruel at this point.
 

Is anyone else with me in feeling that those two figures in the photo are rather strange, and even ominous, looking? They're like two squat Alaskan totem poles made of some dark Northern wood plonked down into the sand. Watchpeople? Guardians? A pair of Trojan Horses containing alien homing devices? Something out of a Murakami novel? Who knows what lurks within the dark and dangerous interior of those Columns From Hell?