The ultimate battle for Yale's political galaxy

Being Right

Is Bill Clinton, LAW '73, one of our nation's greatest presidents? Is our society's feeble sense of morality just relative? Is Yale too elitist? If one even hesitates to offer a resounding "No!" to such questions, then one is not a real conservative.

Yet being Right and knowing it is not easy, either. Many Yalies may cringe at the mere mention of the word "conservative." In the political atmosphere of today, however, one imagines a Bible-banging, insincere, homo-phobic racist who hates any kind of organized government. But is that true conservatism? Is there a place where one can debate the best method of government, where one can objectively discuss religion as it pertains to political philosophy, where one can dress well without cries of snobbery, where one can find the tolerance upon which Yale prides itself?

When I came to Yale, I avoided political debating clubs. What I failed to realize is that these debate clubs often serve as the beginning of a network of friends outside one's residential college. One can easily find a group of like-minded, conservative friends who enjoy a proper mix of gabbing and organized discourse. And no one cares if Tinky-Winky is gay.

The best way to share a glimpse of this fun opportunity is to speak of the Tory Party. What is a Tory? Isn't that some antiquated British political term? Imagine a room full of snappily dressed ladies and gentlemen (if such terms are still politically correct) all sipping fine wine and listening to short speeches by their friends. Civility and subtlety temper the sharp wit characterizing the question-and-answer period following each speech. Moderate Republicans, die-hard capitalists, and even some monarchists wage a spirited war of words across the floor as the night passes and the laughter grows.

You do not have to "be political" to enjoy the world of political debate at Yale. Whether you choose the Tories, the Party of the Right, or the Conservative Party, you can certainly look forward to a fresh world of debate, friendships, and learning.

—Holland Sullivan, TC '00, Tory Party

Graphic by Sara Edward-Corbett.

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