Politics Today: When Reality is Stranger Than Fiction
CASTLE CONVERSATIONS Richard North Patterson
L TO R: CHRISTINE DEHNE, DEAN OF THE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES; DWIGHT HILSON, CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES; MINDY HILSON
L TO R: PRESIDENT MICHAEL GEISLER; AUTHOR RICHARD NORTH PATTERSON; AND STEPHAN FELDGOISE, CO-HEAD OF THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP
L TO R: RICHARD NORTH PATTERSON, AUTHOR; BRET STEPHENS, COLUMNIST AND COMMENTATOR, THE NEW YORK TIMES AND MSNBC
Bret Stephens
HELAINE SMITH ’88, DMD, MAGD, MBA, BOARD MEMBER, AND BRET STEPHENS.
“talking politics” can kill a conversation before it begins, award-winning novelist and political commentator Richard North Patterson, JD, delivered a master class in the art of constructive communication during this fall’s edition of Castle Conversations. As the featured speaker for the event, entitled “Politics Today: When Reality Is Stranger Than Fiction,” Patterson discussed his writing, his political views, and how to engage in today’s polarized media landscape. To demonstrate how it is done, Patterson was joined on stage by the evening’s moderator, Bret Stephens, a columnist for The New York Times and MSNBC commentator who is Patterson’s longtime friend, if not political ally. at a time when
In his welcoming remarks, Manhattanville President Michael Geisler, PhD, noted that although Patterson and Stephens 14
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occupy different spots on the political spectrum, they maintain a strong connection through empathetic dialogue. “They continue speaking with each other to reach across the gulf that is threatening to split this society down the middle,” said Geisler. Stephens acknowledged that he and Patterson often disagree, but explained that their friendship has flourished because of their differing opinions, not in spite of them. By continually challenging his arguments, Stephens said, Patterson has required him to think more deeply about what he believes, sharpening his understanding of political topics. “And that is what you want.” Looking at Patterson’s career, it’s easy to understand how he developed into such a formidable sparring partner. A former trial lawyer, Patterson was a US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) liaison to the Watergate
special prosecutor, the assistant attorney general for the State of Ohio, and he has penned 22 best-selling novels tackling complex legal and political issues, from gun control (Balance of Power) to the plight of US veterans (In the Name of Honor) to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict (Exile). Although Patterson’s books are works of fiction, Stephens noted that the plots and characters maintain relevance today. At the end of the evening, President Geisler opened the discussion to an audience Q&A, with students getting the first crack at the microphone. It was clear that they had done their homework, as they asked Patterson detailed questions about the themes in his work as well as his writing process. In one lighthearted exchange, Patterson offered aspiring writers this cheeky bit of advice: “The key to a good plot is throwing out the boring parts.” Questions regarding
the current state of US politics, however, were no laughing matter for Patterson, who bemoaned the lack of empathy and thoughtful interactions happening online and in person. “I think the terrible thing that has happened in America is the people you disagree with become the people you hate,” said Patterson. At the same time, Patterson mused that the current state of affairs might actually reveal a consensus that is currently hidden. “One thing that the age of Trump has taught us is there are common values many of us hold dear, such as the idea that there are limits of what a President should do, that there are values we all admire in a leader.” As the event drew to a close, Patterson and Stephens thanked the audience for their thoughtful questions and Manhattanville College for offering the community a forum for constructive dialogue. “The business of a great college like this one is cultivating the quality of critical thinking,” said Stephens. “You can’t think clearly unless you can speak freely.”
Castle Conversations are open to the public. Check Mville.edu for upcoming events. FAL L 2019
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