The Dispatch Monthly Mailbag for March

Andrew Egger is up for the Monthly Mailbag.

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Dear Dispatch Members,

The Dispatch Monthly Mailbag is back with another installment and Andrew Egger is in the hot seat. 

Last month, Haley Byrd Wilt told us all about her favorite science fiction stories, the difference between TV and print journalism, and balancing being a reporter and being a mom. You can read that here.

Now, Andrew is ready to answer your questions. 

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  1. Christopher Cerone

    Hi Andrew - I enjoy your work. Hillsdale amazes me in terms of how it has been able to resist the woke forces, the progressive onslaught of academia (and beyond), and those who want to whitewash or outright cancel our country's history. How does Hillsdale do this so effectively, and what can be done to get other educational institutions to adopt the same sensible approach to teaching and learning as Hillsdale? Thanks, Chris

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    Bendegrow

    Fellow Hillsdale alum and history major here with a few brief questions:
    1) Who was your favorite history professor?
    2) Which, if any, history course have you gained the most appreciation for in your post-college professional life?
    3) Did you or any of your history major contemporaries ever get to take down the classics department for their bowling hubris?

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    Chris

    Hi Andrew - I'm curious on your thoughts on Hillsdale and liberal arts educations in general when someone is not...liberal. I grew up in Michigan and visited Hillsdale, but ended up going to school at a liberal arts college in Ohio where I was quite the lonely elephant during my time there, especially during the 1992 Presidential Election. As time has passed, my alma mater has changed a lot and sometimes I feel like they are trying to give Oberlin a run for its money...so much so that I think it's unlikely my children will even look at a liberal arts college for fear of because of how far to the left many have gone, fearing they might not fit in or even be welcome. I got a lot out of my education but I'm not sure what the experience would be like today. I would be curious to hear your thoughts on this...and apologies for the long windup to this question!

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    J. Eric

    Do you sing when playing your guitar? And if so, was it difficult to learn how?

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    Grego4nier

    Two questions that relate to two of your stated interests:
    1. Who are some modern (within the last 50 years) writers whom you think will make it into the canon and be read regularly over a hundred years into the future?
    2. How would you recommend a guitar player get back into the groove after years of only occasional playing?

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    Bel

    I’m intrigued by the guitar suggestion. Acoustic or electric? I have both floating around the house from previous kid adventures in music.

    Also, regarding liberal arts colleges, did you as a student or do you now looking back have any concerns about attending a small college not necessarily known across the country? I know once you kick start a career where your diploma is from doesn’t matter, but have you learned anything since graduating that made you think of your school choice differently?

    We are admittedly biased in our household toward state flagship universities; if you move to CA they will have heard of UGA but not Mercer or even probably GA Southern. My 16 year old is receiving an absurd amount of mailers from small liberal arts colleges, many I have never heard of, and when he asks “Why would I go there?” I have no answer other then “you wouldn’t 🤷‍♀️“

    A friend from high school maxed out her student loans to go to Bucknell and was extremely irritated when I landed a higher paying job more quickly coming out of Penn State. She was even more annoyed when she went to grad school in Boston and most of her classmates were unfamiliar with Bucknell.

    There seems to be a lot of downside risk to an liberal arts degree from a small college, what do you see as the upside? Is there a reason to not use all those mailers as kindling?

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    John Q. Public

    As a Cardinals fan, how do you think about Albert Pujols's legacy? Do you still resent him for going to Anaheim or was last year a "prodigal son" type reunion?

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    Hunter.Burnett365

    Hey Andrew,
    What are your thoughts on the recent rule changes in baseball (pitch clock, universal DH, bigger bases, ghost runner on 2nd)?

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  9. Laramason

    Andrew, first I just wanted to mention that if you have joined the witness protection program and are required to change your appearance (see the picture that accompanied the email) it is generally also expected that you change your name and job as well, if you wish it to be effective.

    What is your favorite Insane Clown Posse album? Do you plan to cover the 2023 Gathering of the Juggalos for The Dispatch?

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      Aylene Wright

      Hmm. From your line of questioning, I wonder, do you follow Mr. Egger on Twitter as well? Or even in real life? (Although I do recall him mentioning juggalos in his very first TD Podcast appearance, I think some newer TD subscribers might appreciate another explanation).

      And I have now been inspired to ask him yet another question!

      Which is: Unlike your Cubs fanboy clown-phobic colleague, you have not stepped away from Twitter (excepting usually failed Lenten fasting attempts). However I have noticed you are posting less and that your posting style on Twitter, has become less click-baity than in your relative youth. Can you provide a defense of how your current approach to Tweeting is actually productive? Have you considered hiring someone to Tweet for you as your colleague Chris has?

      PS: Yeah, that email pic looks like it got put through some funhouse mirror filter to distort his appearance. Weird.

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    Aylene Wright

    First of all:

    Congrats to Andrew (and his lovely wife) on continuing to expand the world's population of Eggers!

    Ok. The actual questions. Most of which will NOT be what Andrew prefers to answer. 😉

    1. Re Hillsdale: it occurs to me that there's somewhat of a parallel between the Trumpification of the place and the similar corruption of Fox News. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts as to whether you agree that parallel exists. As I know you have, in the past, drawn a distinction between their actual academic mission and all the other stuff they do.

    But this reminds me of the supposed "news vs opinion" distinction at FNC. Unfortunately, the recent reveals about how even Bret Baier wound up caring more about NOT angering Team Trump than actually doing his job a reporter, really does seem to indicate that in the end, the corruption of the opinion side wound up poisoning the news side, too.

    Although Hillsdale has a much longer history that I do think is more distinguished. I do wonder if the political activity has had an effect on its traditional educational mission.

    Indeed, it occurs to me that "history degree from Hillsdale" may not be very helpful in getting jobs outside the conservative bubble these days. That an HR director at a "Woke" firm might assume a Hillsdale grad is a crazy Trumpist election / COVID denier with a high risk of getting accused of discrimination by a colleague, and putting the firm at risk of a lawsuit, etc.

    So, if a high school kid was considering Hillsdale but isn't interested in working for Conservatism Inc, would you still recommend they attend?

    2. What is your take on the "1776 curriculum" that I know Hillsdale was involved in? Is this something that reflects the history you were taught there? Do you agree with the criticism that it's too jingoistic and glosses over historical injustices? And what is your take on the more progressive approach to history that arguably focuses too much on America's historical sins?

    3. From what I know of your personal biography, you grew up in a religious socially conservative bubble, yet you seem to have adjusted very well to living / working in a mostly liberal / progressive city. Any culture shock when you first moved to the DC area? Anything that still shocks you? What do you think made you so open minded and tolerant of people who disagree with you?

    4. What do you think of all the recent MLB "innovations" and changes to the game? Do you think any of them were actually good? Will any actually help them market the game to young people? As you and Declan seem to be part of a rapidly shrinking demographic, of people under 30 who are actually serious baseball fans?

    5. Any good cocktail recipes to share? Would actually appreciate a MOCKtail recipe as I actually don't drink alcohol.

    6. What exactly is a juggalo, again? And have you actually ever... had a Faygo to drink? If so, what does it taste like?

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      Aylene Wright

      Ok, even more questions!

      7. (I am being a good steward of natural resources by recycling some questions I asked your colleague Haley): I know you have been on the TV side of news on occasion and been a guest on FNC and CSPAN when you were at TWS. I get the impression you prefer the print side, but what do you see as pros and cons?

      8. Also, what do you like about reporting vs editing vs pundit-ing? I certainly get the impression that you see yourself as a reporter first and foremost, even though your official title is editor.

      9. Speaking of editing, what was it like editing David French?

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