By the Barrel: 25 Years of the Oregon Commentator

Eugene, Oregon: Oregon Commentator Publishing Company, Inc., 2009. 1st Edition. Hardcover. Fine/Near Fine. Inscribed by Carbaugh on half-title page. Fine. Clean and unmarked. Dust jacket has a small crease on the rear flap, else fine; in an archival mylar sleeve. 24 pages of color illustrations on plates. xvi, 291 pages. A commemorative history and celebration of the 25-years in publication of the Oregon Commentator, the conservative/libertarian student publication at the University of Oregon which was founded in 1983. Being a magazine of opinion and humor, it consistently drew controversy over the years, through dissent from political correctness and providing a considered alternative to the dominant views on campus. It survived several attempts to have it defunded and shut down. Included are an overview of the publication's history; retrospectives on nine key moments that involved attempted de-fundings, vandalism and other significant events; and ten essays written by Commentator alumni. ''The Commentator is useful every several years to test UO administrator's resolve to defend the First Amendment in the face of outrageous journalistic excess... But for the most part, the Commentator should be handled like any other potential toxic: plucked up carefully between thumb and forefinger of a latex-gloved hand, and deposited gently with the recycling, where, by decomposing, it finally can begin to perform a minimally useful social function.'' -- Dave ''Das Frohn'' Frohnmayer, University of Oregon President Emeritus and Professor of Law.