A unique twist of fate led me to go from a traditional Jesuit university, Gonzaga, to one of the most liberal state schools, the University of California at Santa Cruz, at that time known as the archetypal "hippie school." That juxtaposition informs Undici because at Santa Cruz I was exposed to many gallons of progressive pap, and I saw it as such because of the earlier education Undici is about Vermont but it is really about any unquestioned adoption of the progressive's mantra. My parents and one fiery Italian coach also gave to me the common sense and faith to debate, rebut and challenge the accepted doctrines of the day.