What is Tom Monaghan thinking with this interview? GQ isn't an unknown outlet that recently changed its approach; for example, the recent July 2007 issue mentions an article from GQ in 2005 - "Unforgetable Breasts of Movie History" (Photo from GQ Magazine online)

This issue's "Women of GQ" include:

+ Photo by Steven Klein
+ Photo by Glen Lutchford
+ Photo by Michael Thompson

Do the aforementioned photos make you uncomfortable? The photos are essential to establish that the magazine far exceeds the Viagra ad found in the back of Family Handyman Magazine. The central issue is how to square Monaghan's "vision" - and the promotion of an enterprise named after an honored reference to The Blessed Virgin - with an interview granted to a magazine where photos like this are both unavoidable and central to the magazine's main theme. Monaghan knew people would read this magazine, right? Will a copy of this GQ be available in AMU's library? Monaghan's business partners already nudged him away from the "Catholic town" concept; maybe this interview is part of a strategy to dispel the "enforced innocence" associated with his Ave Maria "brand".

The interview is much of the same 'ol media stuff, except for two points.

First, it is interesting to note that Monaghan's wife, who is not Catholic, will not be staying with him in Ave Maria Town:

Monaghan has already bought a condo on the piazza. He will live there when he is not in Ann Arbor and when his wife is not with him in Florida, where she prefers their home in Naples for now. On bachelor trips to Ave Maria, Monaghan will enjoy a view of the church from his balcony and an easy walk to the university of which he is chancellor, perhaps the only one in America without a college degree.

Monaghan made a reference to the issue of his wife back in 2003 at an independent schools conference in Michigan, during his speech on "Making Schools Work" (NAPCIS) - "And my wife is not totally sold on it yet [moving to Florida]. The first thing they asked me "Am I moving down there?" I said "Well, I'll live where my wife lives. Ask her." "

The second interesting note is found during Monaghan's now hackneyed defense that Ave Maria Town will not be a Catholic town. He added, "And we're not going to control the police."

OK.

Is such an overcompensating statement meant to convey a sense of safety from Monaghan, particularly in light of the recent firing of AMU's best friend and former Provost, Fr. Joseph Fessio... a firing in which Monaghan enlisted security to send Fessio packing within hours?

Understand Monaghan's words with caution. His concept of "control" is not consistent with its standard meaning. Monaghan said that he did not control Ave Maria College in Michigan. Yet, he used his power to eviscerate it, then close it. He did not control Orchard Lake St. Mary's. Yet, he sold it. He does not claim to control Ave Maria School of Law in Michigan. Yet, he is using his power to close the campus and move it - kicking and screaming - to his south Florida real estate development. Mr. Monaghan never claims to "control" anything in public. Yet, he is able to execute his will in these projects down to the dress code, and his many discontinued ventures are strewn over Michigan like the broken toys of an eccentric billionaire.

He doesn't "control the police". But will he own the security business overseeing the university, as he did with the College and Law School in Michigan? He is the Chancellor of the University, the Town's main employer. He owns or controls, whole or in part, University land, Town land, condos, a bank, and road/construction materials. Every flick of a light-switch and flush of a toilet comes back to him as part owner in Ave Maria Utilities. And Monaghan knows how to influence:

And the [Collier Country Florida] government authorities - I went to see the commissioners. They have 5 county commissioners that run the county and they handle all the re-zoning petitions. They were all Republicans. I couldn't believe it. And the Chairman was a strong active Catholic, and at least 3 of the other 4 were. I don't know about that fifth one, he might be Catholic too - but if he's not he's intimidated. (2003 NAPCIS Meeting, Michigan)

Let's see if Tom Monaghan exerts his influence to have GQ sold, or banned, in Ave Maria Town.