More (Yes, More) on Moral Reasoning 22

Michael J. Sandel, professor of government, has the stage of Sanders Theatre and 1,000 rapt listeners, and from the way he acts in class, he seems to enjoy it.

Certainly, the "Justice" lecturer was not to be upstaged during the big debate Tuesday, even by Kenan Professor of Government Harvey C. Mansfield Jr. '53 and New Republic editor Andrew Sullivan.

For starters, his carefully plotted opening statement drew more applause than most anything said by Mansfield or Sullivan.

"Some may say that Professor Harvey C. Mansfield Jr. doesn't need an introduction," he said. "I'd say, given his reputation, he could use a good introduction."

Then, for the next hour, the talk show professor worked the debate less like a neutral moderator and more like Larry King peppering Ross Perot and Vice President Al Gore '69 on the North American Free Trade Agreement (though to be fair, Sandel was far more restrained than king).

The moderator challenged Mansfield and Sullivan--but mostly Mansfield--to back up their arguments, framing his questions in "Justice" style. Sandel's performance may have woken up a few audience members who dozed off as a rather sedate Mansfield squared off with Sullivan, who seemed to think he was still on the Oxford debate team.

Even in class yesterday, Sandel likened Tuesday's class to an episode of Donahue or Oprah.

Was it a debate, or was it an overhyped broadcast to thousands of viewers?

If you missed the debate, it can be heard tomorrow on WHRB.

Water Coolers Redux: Dress Up, But Be Fashionably Late!

You get the feeling that if the Harvard Police Department had its own version of the Academy Awards, you couldn't get a more distinguished guest list than turned up earlier this month for a petty larceny trial in downtown Cambridge.

Two University security guards were on trial in Middlesex County District Court for allegedly stealing two Poland Springs water coolers (total value less than $200) from the Law School. The guards claimed the coolers were in an area reserved for trash.

Defense attorneys were alleging that the police department botched its investigation of the case. So despite the seeming absurdity of having the entire police department leadership gathered because of two missing water coolers, all of the department's senior officials showed up.

They were so fresh-scrubbed and well-dressed, anyone walking through the hallway of the courthouse's 14th floor would have been forgiven for thinking he or she was backstage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion waiting for the Oscars to be awarded.

Nervously standing by the courtroom door was Police Lt. John F. Rooney, sporting a new tan and a well-tailored suit. Sgt. Kathleen Stanford, heavily made-up and wearing a sweater, slacks and two huge earrings, sat next to Rooney.

Across the hall by the elevator landing, the acting police chief, Lt. Lawrence J. Murphy, held court. Manager of Operations for Security Robert J. Dowling donned a scowl and a blood-red sport coat.

Also in attendance were the department's crime prevention officer, Sgt. Lawrence J. Fennelly; detective Richard Mederos; Sgt. Peter O'Hare and Sgt. Arthur Fitzhugh, the department's liason to the court, among others.

In fact, the only person not properly addressed for the occasion was University security guard Stephen G. McCombe. The heavy-set guard and union steward wore a short-sleeved shirt, pants and a New York Mets cap, with its bill placed awkwardly off to the side.

Perhaps someone forgot to send him his invitation to the Oscars.