THE FORTNIGHTLY, A WASHINGTON COUNTY INSTITUTION

Several years ago, I was invited to attend a dinner meeting at the Washington & Jefferson College Commons of one of Washington County’s most unique and under the radar organizations. Shortly thereafter, I was asked to join the group and readily became the newest inductee into The Fortnightly, a Washington County Institution.

The Fortnightly name comes from the original by-laws which direct the members: “to meet each fortnight with no more than two regular meetings to be held in any one calendar month.” The first meeting of the group occurred on November 16, 1882 in what is now the First United Presbyterian Church on West Wheeling Street. Since its inception, The Fortnightly has been an eclectic group of lawyers, physicians, college professors and theologians. The meeting format has evolved into a brief social fellowship that proceeds an informal dinner, followed by a business meeting, ending with a written presentation by one of the members and a Q&A session.

Since 1952, The Fortnightly has found a permanent home at W & J College, although it has never considered itself a college function or literary society.  The stated purpose in The Fortnightly by-laws is to provide “mutual entertainment and improvement through the discussion of suitable subjects.”  

Many well known local residents have graced the roles of The Fortnightly, over its long history.  Early member W.C. McClelland served the organization from 1889 until his death in 1925.  Physician and Coroner Earnest Abernathy was a member from 1956 through 1996.  Judge Alexander W. Acheson, a descendent from one of Washington County’s oldest families (1954-75); Reverend Reginald E. Dozer (1959-83); attorney James McCreight (1954-95); Observer Reporter Publisher John L.S. Northrop (1969-76) and farmer, historian and Meadowcroft Museum founder Albert Miller (1985-94) were all active members.

Several unwritten rules have emerged over the years to guide The Fortnightly speakers. First, partisan politics and religion are not appropriate topics for discussion. Second, speakers should refrain from framing their talk around their career or profession.  Third, the weekly discussion topic is presented to the membership in the form of a riddle and not disclosed until the speaker delivers his/her presentation.  Members are encouraged to bring guests both to hear their presentations and to introduce prospective new members to The Fortnightly program.

Since becoming a member, I have learned about the Underground Railroad in Washington County; the history of William Marshal, a medieval knight, Anglo-Norman soldier and statesman, who served five English kings; and plans to deflect wayward asteroids heading for our planet.  Over the years, topics have run the gamut from philosophy, science, history to the newspaper comics. When I return from a meeting of The Fortnightly there is always an interesting topic and often visual aids to discuss with my wife.

Recently, efforts have been undertaken to make The Fortnightly more relevant for the college community that surrounds our meetings and toward the public at large. At the suggestion of former member and humanist Richard Haddad, a scholarship was established that rewards a Washington & Jefferson student who is majoring in one of the liberal arts.  Each year the recipient of the scholarship is invited to become the designated speaker at an April meeting.

The Fortnightly realized that it was sitting on a treasure trove of unique history and scholarship stretching back over 130 years.  A project is almost complete to digitize all of our records in the form of meeting minutes and in some cases entire lectures.  All of the archives will be available to the public.

The challenge for The Fortnightly going forward will be to recruit new members who have the time to attend meetings and to prepare papers for presentation to the group. The challenge includes a dedicated effort to recruit more woman and minority participants.  Each member is normally called on once every other year to address the gathering, so this requirement is not onerous. The reward in meeting a new and well rounded group of friends, eager to discuss topics outside the ordinary, far outweighs the time and trouble.

The longevity of an organization like The Fortnightly depends on its ability to stay vibrant and relevant from one generation to the next.  At the same time, traditions and original purpose must be maintained. 

The Fortnightly, has struck the right balance and will continue to provide a forum for learning and understanding.  In the words of scientist Neil deGrasse Tyson: “know more today about the world than you knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You'd be surprised how far that gets you.”

ENJOY ART AND RISE ABOVE THE MUNDANE.

“To become a maker is to make the world for others, not only the material world but the world of ideas that rules over the material world, the dreams we inhabit and dream together.” Rebecca Solnit

Established art museums around the world continue to draw in large crowds. There is competition with one another to stage monumental exhibitions of works by classical masters and newer modern artists. Last month, within days after the Louvre in Paris announced the largest exhibit of Leonardo Di Vinci paintings and sketches ever assembled, over 260,000 advanced tickets were sold.

Recently, the Arab world has challenged Europe by becoming a new cultural center with The United Arab Emirates capital of Abu Dhabi investing in art museums.  The Louvre Abu Dhabi opened in 2017, the Zayed National Museum is well underway, and plans for a branch of the Guggenheim have been announced.

If one is searching for a diverse cross section of humanity, all participating in the same activity, an art museum is the ideal place to go. Whatever the nationality or language, or background, art naturally causes something to stir up in the mind.  The emotion may be curiosity, awe, or frustration at not being able to grasp the artist’s intent, but it awakens something in all of us.

 Art has the ability to change perspectives, to look at life in different ways. Consider the different emotions one feels when viewing the enormous scale of Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel; the minute details of Starry Night as envisioned by Van Gogh from his asylum room just before sunrise; the curious splatters created by Jason Pollock; or the political message embodied in Picasso’s epic mural Guernica. Each work so different, inspired by pure ideas and histories, born from a few supplies and a vision singular to the artist.

An art museum is a visual library with each painting telling a story. It is an impossible task to “take in” the entire collection, or even one floor. The average person spends 17 seconds looking at a work of art in a museum, intent on quantity over quality. Understanding each work of art requires the dedication to slow down, observe and interpret.

Experience has taught my wife and me to find a short term special exhibit that draws our attention and to read about the curator’s intent before seeing the paintings. We will often purchase the gift shop exhibition guide to help us along.  Many of the exhibits we have attended in recent years are designed to focus on a certain period of an artist’s career or to show collaboration and inspiration among artists of the same period. All have left us energized and eager for more.

Over the years we have adopted one late Renaissance artist, Caravaggio, as our special favorite.  We have scheduled a unique tour in Rome to view his work in small churches and always seek out his paintings wherever we travel.  We have read about his boisterous lifestyle and can feel his spirit in his work, which influenced so many later artists.

So how can a family situated in Southwestern Pennsylvania learn to appreciate art? Most accessible are the local schools, art galleries and libraries that feature resident artists from time to time. Washington County has developed a thriving art colony over the years that is well represented in nearby venues.

A short drive will open a completely new level of exposure to viewing art. The Pittsburgh Frick Museum, The Carnegie Art Museum and the Andy Warhol Museum all offer excellent viewing experiences without being overwhelming.  It is a good idea to sign up for the museum newsletters online to find out about ever changing exhibits. Westmoreland County features a hidden jewel of an art museum, in Greensburg.  It is truly a regional collection with a national presence.

For the more adventurous with a weekend to spend, New York City (the Met., MOMA, The Frick, among others); Philadelphia (The Barnes, The Museum of Art); and Washington D.C. (The National Gallery, National Museum of Art, National Portrait Gallery) all offer world class experiences. While any destination will be rewarded, our recent favorite is the Barnes, a new modern museum with outstanding lighting, which features one of the best impressionist collections to be found anywhere.

Lastly, on a cold winter’s night, when television reruns and cable news do not excite, there are excellent presentations of art from the world’s great museums on the internet. Staging a Michelangelo, Di Vinci, Van Gogh, or Picasso evening can be great fun, especially when accompanied by a biographical movie or National Geographic Special about the painter.

Art appreciation takes some work.  One must break away from what is habitual and ordinary in order to take in that which may not at first be clear.  But the reward is a deep, mysterious and beautiful experience, that one shares with all of humanity. According to Frederick Nietzsche: “we have art in order not to die of the truth.” In today’s political climate, he may have been on to something.

GRATITUDE, JOY AND REFLECTION

When it comes to the impeachment proceedings, the Democrats have drawn a bad hand. Attempting to move the electorate toward support for removing the president during the holiday season, between Thanksgiving and the New Year, may be an impossible task.  As go voter’s opinions and attention spans, so go the members of the Senate in an impeachment trial.   

The gratitude of Thanksgiving, joy of giving at Christmas and Hanukkah and personal reflection in the New Year do not encourage the mindset that is needed to punish the President for his conduct.  It is difficult to watch multiple holiday movies and specials on redemption and second chances and then to send the President packing back to Trump Tower.

On the other hand, perhaps this same six week period of holiday cheer, family sharing, spiritual renewal and resolutions for self-improvement, is the perfect time to reset the national mood toward a commitment of reconciliation with those we disagree.  A bit of spiking the eggnog with tolerance and understanding.

With this thought in mind, I have reviewed the literature of several well-known philosophers, educators and political commentators, in search of some answers.  Does it make sense to articulate a common creed, a national project that all Americans believe in?  Is it within our better nature for all of us to give something of value to members of the other tribe with whom we so vehemently disagree? Is the traditional model of representative democracy still possible in America?

First, consider the gratitude of Thanksgiving where we often take time to remember the goodness that life has bestowed upon us.  Conservative historian, David Kennedy, has some interesting thoughts on developing an “American Creed” for which we can all be grateful. (WSJ Weekend Interview, November 30, 2019)  He believes that diverse societies like the United States require stories and myths to articulate what we all have in common.  He laments that many historians have forgotten this point by celebrating differences rather than what the nation is working toward collectively.

Professor Kennedy scolds Trump supporters who have forgotten that America’s absorption of immigrants has always been exceptional, throughout our history. He likewise criticizes liberal thought for placing cultural differences on a pedestal rather than supporting assimilation of new Americans.  He also takes a swing at progressives by pointing out that the American Creed has always been resistant to socialism.

In the interest of reconciliation and gratitude, Mr. Kennedy would emphasize return to a master narrative about American History that embodies: “the perfection of the idea of democracy in this country. The process was incremental, slow and back and forth, but it gave Americans a way to talk about their national project.”

Second, consider the joy of giving over the holidays as a platform for reducing animosity and disrespect for those with opposing political views.  Conservative commentator George Will’s political philosophy as espoused in his recent book, The Conservative Sensibility, is a good place to start.

Mr. Will believes that our founder’s vision was one of limited government, separation of powers, maximal federalism and inviolable individual freedom.  Conservatives have given us the impulses to keep politics in its place and religion outside of government. We should all welcome the conservative gift of giving American society adequate time to breathe, to live and innovate on its own, which gives the nation a healthy ballast.  It would be well for progressives to remember that our most radical movements for change, including suffrage, civil rights and sexual freedom all invoked conservative expressions of America’s founding ideals, found in the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, rather than rejecting them.

On the opposite side of the political spectrum, liberals have many gifts to offer their conservative counterparts. Republicans would do well to review recent history when many democrats under President Woodrow Wilson were as nativist as Trump Republicans are today. After Wilson, Democrats finally changed their policies and began inviting immigrants into the party. After 1932, Democrats held the White House for five terms, the most dominate run in American history.  There are many Latin and Asian immigrants who believe in conservative values, if the Republican Party gives them the chance to join the American experience.

John McGowan, distinguished professor and author of American Liberalism: An Interpretation of Our Time (2007), offers up several endearing liberal gifts for all of us to enjoy this year: trust in a constitutionally established rule of law, a conviction that modern societies are irreducibly plural, the promotion of a diverse civil society, and a reliance on public debate and deliberation to influence others' opinions and actions.

Lastly, let us consider the reflection that comes with the New Year. Ronald Dworkin, among the world’s leading legal and political philosophers, called for a new political debate in his short 2006 treatise, Is Democracy Possible Here?  Dworkin was concerned with the animosity and lack of civil political argument that existed during the presidency of George W. Bush.  He  would not live to experience the Trump years.

Dworkin’s goal was to develop baseline precepts that all political actors could both agree and reflect on before making their separate arguments on the issues facing America. As with many other observers, he understood the tension between liberal views on equality and conservative views on liberty.  He did not believe these two founding principles were incompatible.

Dworkin’s two basic beliefs of human dignity are that: (1) each human life has a special kind of objective value (equality) and (2) each person has a special responsibility for realizing the success of his own life (liberty).

Assuming that all of us can agree on these points, liberals and conservatives can each seek to build well-reasoned arguments on taxation, human rights, foreign aid, the environment, the role of religion and abortion. While Dworkin takes the liberal position and frames his analysis accordingly, he issues a challenge for conservative thinkers and policy makers to do the same.

Happy holidays to the readers of the Observer Reporter. May you all find abundant rational political discourse in 2020.