Don't Start the Revolution Without Me! - Jesse Ventura [113]
Professor Dershowitz smiled, pointed a finger at me, and said: “Very good.”
I wanted to put my chest out, I was so proud. The whole class was chuckling, because the kids knew who I was. But they’d caught on that Professor Dershowitz didn’t. After class when I went down to say hello, he was beaming. He said, “I didn’t even know it was you—until you spoke. Hard not to recognize that voice.”
He told me I was welcome to come anytime, and I did go to a few more of his classes.
Another thing that made my experience at Harvard very unique: Every week at the Kennedy School, they have speakers in the evenings. These events are open to the public, and they generally sell tickets. Jesse Jackson came through while I was there. When we had dinner together after his talk, he said, “We need to get together and cause trouble.” He felt that, essentially, we were after the same result, although we might come at it in different ways. By that, I believe he meant more truthful government.
When I first arrived at Harvard, I’d been concerned because I didn’t see any partying as I walked around campus. I thought, this seems a bit un-American. Then I found out that Harvard does not have fraternities or sororities, but instead has various clubs that own buildings on campus. And that’s where the students go to have fun on the weekends. I was made an honorary member of the Spee Club, the same one that JFK belonged to in 1938. I went to a couple of their parties, which renewed my faith in youth, in college, in America. Because let me tell you, they were partying! All night long!
By working out at the Athletic Club, where only the varsity athletes are allowed, I dropped about thirty pounds. I was able to join because, when I’d visited Harvard earlier, I’d taken time to speak to the football team. So when I came back, they made me an honorary member.
Harvard did wonders for me in many ways. I’d become very cynical by the time I arrived. Being around the energy of the young people, their quick intelligence and enthusiasm, gave me a ray of hope again. It made me wonder, could this be the generation that doesn’t repeat history? Mine sure wasn’t. I wanted to do whatever I could to help them see a clearer way into the future.
After I left in May 2004, some students petitioned that I be named to replace Dan Glickman, who had resigned as dean of the Kennedy School. I said, “Are you crazy? Not even Harvard will do that!” Their reasoning, as they explained it, was that the dean is more a figurehead than a nuts-and-bolts type. “We want to bring attention to the school,” one student said, “and who would be better than you to do that?”
But, like I say: As flattering as this was, I don’t think Harvard would have dared consider it. I don’t have the credentials; all those Ph.D.s and other pieces of paper. I come from the school of hard knocks, no matter which arena it is.
CHAPTER 14
Thinking War in a Peaceful Place
“A conscientious man would be cautious how he dealt in blood.”
—Edmund Burke
After spending two days at Conception Bay, I know. We are going to find a winter home somewhere in the southern Baja. We continue on down Highway 1, through the old capital of Loreto and the new capital of La Paz and, further south, we branch off onto Highway 19. That’s the road toward Todos Santos, an artist’s colony and a great surf spot on the Pacific side. It is also said to be the inspiration for Don Henley and the Eagles’ huge hit “Hotel California,” and how can we resist at least spending a night there?
The Hotel California has been renovated by new owners, and it is a treat to stay in a luxurious suite and wash away the road in an adobe sauna. Terry and I shop around and, sure enough, find a lovely stone house for sale in the vicinity, overlooking the ocean. “This is it,” I tell her. She admits to me later that she’s been planning to make sure I’m all set up in the first two weeks, and then she’s going home.
TERRY: With the memory still fresh of Highway 5, I want no more of this driving a horrible road out in the