AndoverMagSpring2015

www.andover.edu/intouchFirst Kirby: “On Dec. 17, 2014, PresidentObama and President [Raúl] Castro did somethingthat had not been done in more than 50years: Addressing their respective citizens, theyboth spoke to and about each other, at the exactsame time, in terms other than hostile. The reactionin Cuba has been one of joy and pleasure atthe prospect of a new beginning that appears to bein place between the two countries and the twopresidents. It may be only the beginning, but whata nice start it has been! The easiest part of all of this,however, may have been the raising of the two flagson the two ‘interests sections,’ to change both toembassies (which they had been in practice, anyway).But a new climate has certainly been set.“What does it mean for the United States? Itmeans that we will join the community of nations.We have been the outsiders, not Cuba. Most othercountries already have normal relations withCuba. Most countries will ask what took us solong. American companies might be able to tradewith this market of 11.3 million people, Americansmight now travel freely, and we will be applaudedfrom the chamber of commerce to the AFL-CIOand from the New York Times to the Wall StreetJournal. Already, dozens of agricultural groupshave banded together in support of the president’sactions and have called for even more openings.“But what remains to be done is, in many ways,the most important: addressing the regulations tosupport and carry out the policy. Every time onepolicy door opens, 10 more need to be enteredas well.“Credit cards are fine, but does that allow directbanking? If we can sell machinery to grow food,why not let U.S. companies sell their food oncredit terms so that they can compete on a levelplaying field with companies from Brazil, Canada,and France?“What about the USAID program? And willthe employees of the new Cuban embassy now beable to obtain bank accounts in the U.S.? If so, allsorts of old regulations need to be erased and newones written.“Much has been made of the fact that onlyCongress can lift the embargo. But that is notnecessarily the case. And some continue to believethat the power of the pro-embargo forces, led nowapparently by Marco Rubio—whose family leftCuba during the Batista regime and never livedunder a Castro—is still strong. But they are in theminority now, and their power is severely limited.“Any administration has tremendous flexibilityunder its licensing authority—which, of course,could be changed by a different president. But thatis unlikely politically: Who would tell the 500,000Cuban-Americans who traveled to Cuba last yearunder a general license that they can no longer dothat? If President Obama really wants to do something,he could do quite a bit by offering a generallicense to people, companies, traders, whomever.“It’s like a sweater: When you pull one string,the whole garment can unravel. This may indeedhappen with the embargo.“Make no mistake: The policy announcementsof last December 17 could result in a big change, amonumental shift in U.S. policy. But it takes awhileto alter the direction of a huge ship powered bymore than 50 years of regulations. In Cuba, theyare hopeful and happy that this may mean animprovement in their daily lives. And if it does,how positive that will be!”And from John: “A short comment on the disruptions/outrages/patrioticmovements (choosemore than one) in Hong Kong. It’s especially challengingto disentangle anything so promising as‘truth’ in a society so separated by degree of sophistication,wealth, provincial or other origin, mothertongue, identification with Hong Kong or anotherplace, and economic and social roles.“Frankly, the international press has reportedevents in what appears to most people I know asan unfairly one-sided manner. There’s been insufficientfocus on the range of realistically possibleoutcomes and the manner in which inexperiencedyoung people were, in a widely held opinion,manipulated by ‘democrats’ who have verylittle following.“Fortunately, there’s been little physical violence,but there is certain to be a long memory ofwhich-side-were-you-on. Government is not evenclose to perfect. One could hope that a specificblessing of democracy—the ability to ‘throw thebums out’—would become part of Hong Kong’sfuture. But [the Hong Kong government] andtheir (unquestioned, on many issues) superiorsin Beijing understood from the beginning that noreplay of 1989 would be consistent with the needsof either China or Hong Kong.“It appears the many advantages this placehas demonstrated as a financial and commercialcenter will persist: highly skilled workers at alllevels; bilingualism (or, increasingly, triligualism,with Putonghua); a familiar legal codeand reliable courts; and unimprovable internationalconnections.“So much more to remark, and to debate, andto await.”My best to all.196055th REUNIONJune 12–14, 2015ABBOTLynne Furneaux ClarkP.O. Box 1087Manchester Center VT 05255-1087802-362-1744puffinplace@aol.comGreetings from frosty Vermont. Your classsecretary is a little behind for this contribution dueto some medical issues requiring surgery on my lefthand and therapy on my right knee. We just camethrough the blizzard of 2015 with far less damagethan neighbors just south of here. Our kids hosteda fantastic surprise 50th anniversary party for meand husband David this past fall, with 60 friendsand family here at the house.There has been some interest in a mini reunionin Santa Fe next fall. Susan Lothrop Koster willbe there and has offered to be the POC. Theyhave settled on the weekend of Oct. 17–18 andrecommend making reservations ASAP. Sarahvon der Heyde Richards would love to attend butneeds three months’ advance notice to arrange herwork schedule. She says she is looking forward toseeing everyone and would like to share a room.She requests a call to coordinate (781-373-5624).She is planning to retire on Dec. 31.Cally Sherman Williams checked in fromNew Mexico, where all is well. She reported somewonderful travels: a cruise and two weeks in Spain.She has done much advance work for the Santa Fereunion. Lissa Dexter said she also would enjoya mini reunion. Joyce Matteis reports she had awonderful Christmas and then went to ParadiseIsland, Bahamas, for six days of beautiful weather.Ginny Pratt Agar sent her greetings fromScottsdale, Ariz., where she spent a couple months;her number is 207-266-2765.Hannah Jopling reports that she and husbandBob are enjoying living in NYC. She is lookingforward to her book being published this yearand is still teaching at Fordham and Hunter.Hannah and Bob have enjoyed travels to Yorkshireand Germany.Charlotte Palmer Moreno requests that wekeep her informed. She has traveled recently toHolland, Belgium, and India.I’m not sure how much longer I can continueas your secretary, since I have taken on a newfull-time job here. Your class secretary is lookingfor a replacement, please! Any volunteers? Manythanks to all of you who made my job easier; ithas been fun. [Editor’s note: The Academy isgrateful for Lynne Furneaux Clark’s service. Ifany member of the Abbot Class of 1960 wouldlike to take over the role of class secretary, pleasecontact Laura MacHugh at lmachugh@andover.edu or 978-749-4289.]PHILLIPSMike Burlingame111 North Sixth St., Apt. 301Springfield IL 62701217-206-7364 (work)217-299-9306 (cell)mburl2@uis.eduIn November, John Darnton received an AndoverAlumni Award of Distinction. The award, whichwas established in 2012, “recognizes and honorsalumni of Phillips Academy and Abbot Academywho have served with distinction in their fieldsof endeavor.” In addition, it “strives to connectcurrent students with these inspirational rolemodels” through a schoolwide presentationAndover | Spring 201581