New College Independent Alumni/ae Association

I’ve now read Peter Gabel’s pleading to WASC, and frankly, he’s become such a predictable bore, I can’t recommend wasting the time suffering any more of his nonsense. I’ve dealt with deluded trust-funders before, and were it not for their inclination to muck up other people’s lives with their fantasies, I wouldn’t give these delinquents the time of day. But since these prima donnas almost always insist on throwing their tantrums in public, I mostly have no choice but to ridicule them in this arena.

Gabel’s latest adolescent whining, typically undeserving of response by mature adults, nevertheless warrants further mockery. The title of his juvenile argument, Truth and Reconciliation, says it all; Gabel doesn’t know the meaning of the phrase. He hasn’t told the truth in ages, perhaps ever. He and his minions have done nothing but lie for the last thirty years–and they’re still at it.

So while all the injured parties from Gabel’s games now have to make the best of the misfortune he has brought on everyone, poor little Peter has chosen to throw himself on the floor kicking and screaming about conspiracies against him and his brave new world. Pathetic.

But even worse than his childish effrontery, Gabel’s assertion that his criminal enterprise must not be terminated, because they ostensibly served underprivileged populations, turns accountability on its head. In fact, it is precisely because the school once had an infrastructure that could do public good, that the malfeasance of Gabel and the other trustees is so reprehensible.

In maritime disasters, boards of inquiry are convened to determine whether any act of misconduct, inattention to duty, negligence or willful violation of the law contributed to the casualty, so that appropriate proceedings against such persons may be recommended and taken. In academic disasters like New College, accrediting commissions investigate similar responsibilities and take measures to prevent public harm. Given all the evidence against Gabel et al, they should be thankful that they aren’t facing criminal charges or personal liability for destroying the institution they were responsible for. That may still happen.