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No . . . He survived

By The Observer · Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

After reading Austin Holler's ill-conceived and poorly researched "rebuttal" ("A rebuttal," Nov. 17) regarding the current status of the honorable Falstad Wildhammer, we decided a rebuttal of our own was in order. Not only did Falstad survive, in fact he was the leader of Aerie Peak in Vanilla WOW through "Wrath of the Lich King." Hopefully soon he will take his rightful place on the Council of Three Hammers and all will be right in the world ... of Warcraft. I look forward to discussing these complex issues with you in person at Blizzcon 2011. Until then, it looks like you could use another reading of "The Shattering."

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In Loco Parentis?

By The Observer · Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

The administration of Notre Dame never hesitates to heap praise upon itself for its vaunted policy of "in loco parentis." Personally, I know it comforted my parents greatly when the concept was described to them before they left me a thousand miles from home freshman year. They were told that Notre Dame would act as their son's parent in their absence; giving guidance, support and protection while also demanding discipline and accountability.

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Inclusion-Response Spirit

By The Observer · Thursday, Nov. 18, 2010

I would like to thank Alex Coccia for his viewpoint article ("Living up to the ‘Spirit of Inclusion' at ND," Nov. 17). Notre Dame, as a Catholic university, has the mission of upholding Jesus' call to love thy neighbor as thyself, as well as Catholic Social Teaching, which upholds the intrinsic value and dignity of every human being, regardless of their sexual orientation.

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Life is a game ...

By The Observer · Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

Iconic movie character Forrest Gump told the world that "life was like a box a chocolates" in order to stress the seemingly unpredictable and capricious aspects of life. William Shakespeare's likened our existence to a drama, asserting that "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." These metaphors and similes are potent literary weapons capable of deconstructing and explaining human existence. Both Forrest Gump and William Shakespeare used these literary devices to create sense within the world's ultimate mystery — the human existence. Countless others have attempted to explain this same question. To this pantheon of possible answers, I humbly submit my own entry: Life is game of Tetris.

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The evil lurking in Harry Potter

By The Observer · Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

As anyone who did not make the unfortunate decision to eat at North last night is already aware, this week Notre Dame has decided to pay homage to the Harry Potter franchise by hosting a Hogwarts-themed dinner at South Dining Hall. Along with the Yule Ball dance scheduled for Friday evening, the events form the centerpiece of student government's effort to celebrate this week's release of the seventh film of the Harry Potter series. They are also a shameless betrayal of this University's founding Christian principles.

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You are fantastic hosts

By The Observer · Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

We just recently returned from a three day stay in South Bend that included attending the Utah-Notre Dame football game. We want to say thanks to the Irish students and fans for the gracious way we were treated. You were fantastic hosts and impressed upon us a standard of sportsmanship we would like to import to the University of Utah. I can only hope the vast majority of Ute fans treated you with similar respect and apologize if that did not happen. I hope we meet again but not until we find our offense. A job well done Irish!

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Winning during a time of loss

By The Observer · Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

As autumn ends and the words "lake effect" become a more regular, and biting, descriptor in our daily weather report; as we have to sleep in later and later to wake up in sunlight (a challenge many in Dillon seem up for!); and the days of frisbees and bare feet on the quads fade from memory — the Church offers us November as the Month of the Dead. Well, we can't fault them for bad timing; November is, indeed, a time for losing. (Don't tell this to the football team … )

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Living up to the "Spirit of Inclusion" at ND

By The Observer · Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010

Acceptance comes from both the top down and at the individual level. To truly create a spirit of inclusion at Notre Dame, there are things that both students and the administration can do. The administration must add "sexual orientation" to the nondiscrimination clause. True, these are just words. But words send a powerful message. Certainly the University does not condone violence or harassment towards gay, lesbian or transgendered students, but the lack of "sexual orientation" in the nondiscrimination clause seems inconsistent with these beliefs. Second, the University should begin a course selection on Queer Studies.

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My Senior Day experience

By The Observer · Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010

A few weeks ago my friend underwent surgery that kept him temporarily bedridden at St. Liam's Hall, the University Health Services building. When I visited him at his luxury pad on the second floor (no sarcasm here — the rooms are nice) I bragged to him about my impeccable health record. It's true — since the day I was born, I haven't been to a hospital or any emergency health center on my own account. No broken bones, stitches, surgeries or serious illnesses.

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A Cut Above Hermione

By The Observer · Monday, Nov. 15, 2010

Harry Potter mania is upon us. The comparison between South Dining Hall and Hogwarts will become much more apparent when swarms of students in gold and scarlet file in to drink Butter Beer and eat whatever exactly it is that they eat in Harry Potter. Chocolate frogs perhaps?

The Observer

Bouncing right back

By The Observer · Monday, Nov. 15, 2010

This past Sunday was shaping up to be a memorable day. Coming off of the excitement of Senior Day, the football team from my dorm and home for the last four years, Dillon Hall, was playing in the interhall football championship game against Sorin, and it turned out to be a thrilling game. Unfortunately, Dillon lost 7-6 in overtime. And while it may have been disappointing for me as a member of the Dillon community, my heart went out to the players who had put so much time and effort into the team and had sacrificed so much to win a championship. It isn't possible to be any closer to winning a championship than those guys were. But in the end, they walked away empty handed, just like every other team in the league not named Sorin. It just seemed so unfair.

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The silent intellectuals

By The Observer · Monday, Nov. 15, 2010

What defines an intellectual? Popular culture would conjure images of bespectacled professors talking Renaissance art, ancient literature and economic philosophy in the same breath. This image has remained static for a long time — as fitting in 1810 as 2010. The question thus arises as to whether it is relevant in the 21st century. Jonathan Coravos, a student at Bowdoin College, in his article "Defining Modern Intellectualism," refutes the charge that Bowdoin students lack intellectualism. Interestingly, this claim has sometimes been levied against Notre Dame students as well. Initially, one might come up with many reasons why Notre Dame students are viewed as lacking intellectual vigor. Sports are a major part of the culture at Notre Dame, and the football program is arguably the most visible aspect of the University at any given time. Also, the fact that Notre Dame is a Catholic institution may lead outsiders to assume that Notre Dame students lack the questioning spirit that often accompanies intellectual curiosity. However, Bowdoin students have also been charged as lacking intellectualism, so major sports and religious affiliation can't be the whole story. Also, the criticism is oftentimes levied within the Notre Dame community itself. So, is the problem (as Coravos argues) due to the antiquated notion of intellectualism, or are modern students indeed intellectually lacking?

The Observer

Long live Bowie'

By The Observer · Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010

It is an incontrovertible truth that David Bowie is the greatest singer that the world has ever known and will ever know. It is also an objective fact that Brooks Smith has quite an abysmal taste of music.

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