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Monday, April 6, 2026
The Observer

Opinion


The Observer

Where is the fairness?

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When President Obama was elected in 2008, it was seen as a sign of increasing fairness in America. Deserved or not, President Obama himself was seen as a sign of fairness and all that is right when it comes to equality. However, with the new Health and Human Services mandate that he and his administration have adopted, it seems as though fairness can only extend to one party.



The Observer

Pointless parietals

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One of my most special talents is complaining. This may seem like a worthless skill. However, when paired with my natural ability to argue, it has continually proven to be an effective way to A.) cause worthwhile change and/or B.) entertain and/or C.) annoy people to no end.


The Observer

A few good men

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Democrats and Republicans do not agree on much nowadays, but my guess is most can agree on two things: 1) America faces many complex and pressing issues and 2) America needs a President to lead on solutions for these issues. So as the 2012 election nears, there is no doubt that America needs the best candidates that the Democrats and Republicans can produce.

The Observer

Gun culture

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"Don't get that Red Ryder BB gun. You'll shoot your eye out." Everyone remembers the famous line from "A Christmas Story."


The Observer

High time we legalize

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A couple weeks ago, I was going through the exciting process of ND Roll Call when I noticed something a little different: a memo to all students reminding us of the University's notably stringent drug policy.



The Observer

2012's Shirt

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It's great to see the annual debate about the The Shirt has already begun. With that in mind, as President of The Shirt Project, it is my responsibility to shed some insight concerning The Shirt Project and how it operates.


The Observer

Holding Christ hostage

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This article is not endorsing Ron Paul, nor condemning Rick Santorum, nor is this article taking a stance on the legality of abortion. What must be under critical dialogue, especially at Notre Dame, is precisely how to enter a discussion on the topic of abortion respectfully and in the context of the love that religious people believe Jesus exemplified.


The Observer

Disregard the mandate

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In May of 2009, President Obama delivered the commencement address to the graduating seniors at the University of Notre Dame. Despite the significant disagreement on matters related to the sanctity of life between the University and the President, Obama promised to work together on issues where we find common ground. Among those issues, the President said, was a "sensible conscience clause."


The Observer

Fandom found

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For a good portion of the first 18 years of my life, I did not consider myself a hockey fan. Sure, I paid attention to the sport during the Winter Olympics and Stanley Cup Finals, and I knew about star players like Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and Patrick Roy, but I never really paid too much attention to any particular team or regular season outcome.


The Observer

Au revoir, France - hello, ND!

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"Merci," I said to my Political Science professor as he handed me the course syllabus last week during our first class meeting. He gave me an odd look and continued handing out papers to the rest of the class.


The Observer

Belles of integrity

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Throughout history, the bell has been a significant symbol of liberty and unity. Its chime is a beautiful sound that marks the end of suffrage and the beginning of new promise. I now have a new understanding of the Saint Mary's mascot. As a Belle of Saint Mary's, I have had the privilege of attending a school where the women who surround me support one another, exhibit integrity and honesty and unite with one another in various, essential ways.


The Observer

Gabrielle Giffords, you will be missed

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This week, Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona will announce one of the most unfortunate special elections in the history of American politics. The winner will fill the soon-to-be-vacant seat that currently belongs to Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), who announced her imminent resignation on Sunday.


The Observer

Holy Half Marathon

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March 24, 2012 marks the eighth annual running of the Holy Half Marathon, an experience that has become one of the greatest traditions at the University of Notre Dame. One of the largest student-organized events on campus, the Holy Half Marathon is completely unique in its ability to unite students, faculty, alumni, members of the South Bend community, and people from across the country in an atmosphere of fun, athleticism and short-shorts.


The Observer

Spiritual coasting

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We have all experienced spiritual highs, times when we feel so close to God and are confident in his love and plan for us, and spiritual lows, when we experience doubt, frustration and even anger when we don't understand God's ways.


The Observer

Follow Leprechaun Legion, unify "The Shirt" color

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What a sight at the basketball game on Saturday, as a national television audience watched as our sea of green shirts helped cheer on the Irish basketball team to a an amazing victory against No. 1 ranked Syracuse, and then rushed the court at game's end!



The Observer

The wrong website

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 This is in response to "Mathieson must go #1" by Peter Vogel (Jan. 20). He cited a few dating services as evidence to people finding good matches successfully. However, I'm pretty sure Ashley Madison is a website for people who are in a relationship already and are looking to cheat. So if your article was satire, bravo, it was hilarious.


The Observer

Gary Caruso

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Gary J. Caruso graduated from Notre Dame in 1973 with a bachelors degree in American Studies and then earned a masters degree in Presidential Rhetoric at the University of Pittsburgh. After receiving his masters, he volunteered to work in a Pennsylvania congressional campaign and subsequently worked for the newly-elected congressman in Washington, D.C. For nearly 17 years he served as a press secretary, senior communications and legislative director in both personal member and committee offices at the U.S. House of Representatives, working on a total of seven congressional races in Texas, Pennsylvania and Michigan. As a Clinton Administration presidential appointee, Caruso directed the congressional and public affairs efforts at the General Services Administration National Capital Region and served Vice President Al Gore at the White House on the Southwest Border Initiative and White House Community Empowerment Board. He currently serves in a career position within the Department of Homeland Security. Caruso is a longtime softball enthusiast, pitching his junior year for the Notre Dame Inter-mural Lyons Hall campus runners-up team and founding the championship tournament for the Congressional Softball League. He assists the bipartisan team of women senators and representatives in preparing for their Annual Congressional Women's Softball Game benefiting breast cancer survivors each summer. He also assists the Democratic congressmen prepare for their Annual Roll Call Baseball Game against Republican congressmen played each summer at the Washington Nationals Park benefiting the Literacy Foundation and local Boys and Girls Clubs.