The Ec Department must believe that everyone who has a semester's worth of interest in economics must have two semester's worth. That leaves those of us off the Merrill Lynch track without an alternative. Take two semesters or take a hike.

If only it followed the lead of our Physics Department, which has four introductory courses ranging from one to three semesters, plus a fifth, accelerated sequence.

Marx My Words

Just how fast are things happening in Eastern Europe? Here's an example:

Two years ago, I took a one semester class on international communism. At the conclusion of the course, the section leader thanked us all for enrolling and predicted that within a few years, the course would have to be expanded to a full year to accommodate decades more of communist history. That was 1987.

Recently, Czechoslovak universities jettisoned their requirements in Marxist theory. Meanwhile, communist regimes and parties in Europe wobbled, fell and even renamed themselves. That was 1989.

The Proper Sin-Tax

Harvard's own Albert Gore, Jr. '69 has done a commendable (but politically naive) deed by wrapping himself not in a flag, but in a non-biodegradable plastic bag. As Mr. Environment, Gore may never get himself elected above the Senate, but at least he's gutsy enough to choose a worthwhile cause.

Now as long as our altruistic Mr. Gore has selflessly adopted the role of our collective conscience on the environment issue, perhaps he'd like to take up a related cause: smoking.

The issue is not as politically suicidal (pun intended) as it once was, and not as extreme either. A complete ban on all indoor public smoking is certainly not a fringe issue, although admittedly it still could cost more votes than it would gain. But an anti-smoking cause would sure fit nicely with his overall crusade.

It's quite a shame that plastic bags and charred lungs aren't as attention grabbing as stars and stripes. They certainly do seem a lot-more important.