First of all, there’s a new sheriff in town. I should qualify that. Neither I nor my predecessor ever actually held the office of sheriff—that’s just a figure of speech, one of those wacky “writers’ tricks” we like to use here at TDI. I did conduct a well-orchestrated but ultimately unsuccessful campaign for Sheriff of Grafton County back in ’04, though, so I feel that likening myself to the head of all law enforcement agencies in the Upper Valley is pretty appropriate.

The difference, of course, between Sheriff and Editor-in-Chief, is that I actually am one of them. As with most publications, we select our editorial board via steel-cage deathmatch, and this year, 2-by-4 beat folding chair, so to speak. On a more somber note, our most heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of defending Editor-in-Chief Michael B. Greene ’07—he will be missed.

Filling out the Editorial Board this term, is an excellent cast of characters (and an adjective for each): Executive Editor Jared Westheim ’08 (giggly), Managing Editor Pooneet Kant ’07 (savvy), Associate Editor of International Affairs Chetan Mehta ’08 (enigmatic), Associate Editor of Domestic Affairs Doug Hayes ’08 (taller than me damnit), Associate Editor of Life Mike Murov ’07 (spunky), and Associate Editor of Campus Stuff Carolyn Kylstra ’08 (female).

In addition to electing new editors, TDI, like many confused co-eds on these cold New Hampshire nights, is experimenting—with some new feature content. Beginning with this issue, we’re starting up a biweekly feature called the Snark Snack, a motley mishmash of campus irreverence, pop-culture commentary, and flagrant self-celebration. This week’s Snack features an Awesome Picture, A List of Words that Associate Editor Carolyn Kylstra ’08 Really Likes, an Out/Five Minutes Ago/In, and You Need This, which is a list of some stuff you should probably check out. So check that out, indeed.

BUT THERE’S MORE. We’re also looking to bring you some more serial articles, and we’ve got a themed issue in the works. I can’t tell you what the theme is, but I will tell you that it is, unfortunately, not going to be “A Tribute to Beef Jerky Through the Ages,” though I had lobbied pretty hard for that. As for serials, I’ve kicked one off this issue with the first installment of our Fantasy Writing/English 5 Curriculum Lineup, in which our writers and editors tell you which books we think are essential to a reader’s and writer’s education. This week, Lolita. This you should also check out (the article, I mean, but the book as well, obviously).

Besides that, we’ve got all the stuff you’ve kept coming back for in the past: incisive commentary, informed opinions, excessive-but-still-tasteful flair, the best writing of any publication at Dartmouth, and 100% Real Juice With No Preservatives! So put on your Fun-Times Hat, take off your Not-Reading Pants, and dive in. Or better yet, come to a meeting (Mondays at 7 in Collis 212) and hang out—all of us are very fun to be around and extremely good-looking. It’s going to be a super term.

Lots of hugs,
Ben O’Donnell ‘08
Editor-in-Chief