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U.S. Interventionism

By The Observer · Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Is it just me or is this "war" in Libya really dumb? The hawks and the pacifists are all unhappy with what Obama has gotten us and our allies into over there. It has been weeks and Gaddafi is not only still in power, but also seems to be winning in a campaign against NATO-backed rebels. The stupidest thing is that the Marines could take Tripoli (Barbary wars, redux?) and have Gaddafi dead or alive in 48 hours if we let them. If we decide to kill people in the name of freedom, we should do so decisively. Obama has been far from decisive on this conflict, not a good characteristic of an American president.

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The first loves of Easter

By The Observer · Wednesday, April 27, 2011

The names are what first catch my attention. As we exult in these Easter days (as best we can with finals hovering over us), we immerse ourselves in the Gospel stories of the Resurrection. For all the spiritual fireworks that are about to erupt with the revelation of Jesus' rising from the dead, these well- known stories of our faith all begin with simple, single, precisely identified names — of a few women.

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Talking about my generation

By The Observer · Wednesday, April 27, 2011

It was 6 a.m. after two weeks in the wilderness on an Outward Bound trip and three days before my 19th birthday when my parents told me I was going to have a little brother.

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Legislation for marriage wastes time

By The Observer · Wednesday, April 27, 2011

America crossed a threshold in 2011. For the first time, according to a CNN/Opinion Research survey, a majority of us approved of gay marriage. It was a slim majority (51 percent), but that number is sure to grow because 60 percent of those polled who are under 50 years old said they approve.

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Hopelessly devoted

By The Observer · Wednesday, April 27, 2011

As a Mets fan since my birth in 1991 in Bergen County, N.J., I'm quite familiar with their routine futility. I find myself in agreement with Laura Coletti's remark that Mets-fanhood is a metaphor for life — with a minor rephrasing. Rooting for the Mets, I've noticed, is just like life. Although at times it can be promising and inspiring, in reality it is hopeless. No matter how many times you win, you will ultimately lose. And the world will laugh at your feeble, meaningless attempts.

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The point of diversity

By The Observer · Wednesday, April 27, 2011

I completely agree with Ms. Lujan's April 27 letter ("A different way to be Latino") where she says, "Our identity is marred by placing ourselves in an exclusive, single-minded group."

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A different way to be Latino

By The Observer · Tuesday, April 26, 2011

The article in The Observer ("Latino students maintain culture on campus," April 20) portrayed Latinos as a victimized group and implied that MEChA is the way Latino students maintain culture on campus. I share a background with the students in this article — I was an immigrant, am a native Spanish speaker, a first generation college student, etc. etc. — but I want to emphasize that I do not share the same view.

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Violence across the world: Something is wrong when being raped is a crime

By The Observer · Tuesday, April 26, 2011

I believe that many would agree that violence against women (VAW) is wrong. Many would be outraged to see their sister, mother, friend or daughter suffer the trauma of rape. The big question at Notre Dame and Saint Mary's isn't whether or not violence against women is wrong, but what is the appropriate way to deal with and prevent it. I would dare to say that women who have been raped on either campus are not penalized for it; rather we question whether the rapists are penalized sufficiently for their crime.

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Empowered individuals

By The Observer · Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Mr. Martin ("University response to Declan Sullivan tragedy," April 20) is rightly outraged at the negligence that led to the deaths of two students in 1991 and the death of Declan Sullivan in 2010. I am of the opinion, however, that Mr. Martin's suggestions for increased oversight miss the point, failing to address a key issue present in both incidents.

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Happy marriages

By The Observer · Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Too many couples are locked into unhappy marriages these days. The divorce rate is higher than ever. The institution of marriage is foundering. What are we going to do?

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University response to Declan Sullivan tragedy

By The Observer · Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Careful analysis of the report reveals that a low ranking official — with insufficient information on the severity of the weather — authorized an action. Lacking severe weather protocol or senior advisement, the low ranking official's clearance resulted in a Notre Dame student dying. In official statements following the tragic event, Notre Dame's administration publically committed to taking any and all steps to prevent a tragedy like this from ever happening again.

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Taco Bell's delivery

By The Observer · Tuesday, April 19, 2011

There are certain eternally-perplexing questions that have troubled humanity since the inception of rational thought. What is the ultimate nature of reality? What is the purpose of our existence? And perhaps most confusing — why doesn't Taco Bell deliver?

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Is this good enough?

By The Observer · Tuesday, April 19, 2011

At a time in the semester when I know that I ought to be focusing on my papers and exams, an email arrived in my inbox Monday morning that I could not ignore ("Message from Fr. John Jenkins," April 18). Reviewing in disbelief the press release on the University's investigation into the death of Declan Sullivan last October, and then the full report with similar incredulity, I could not help but think back to the Charlie Weiss era and his ill-fated proclamation, "9-3 is not good enough."

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Taxing the richest

By The Observer · Monday, April 18, 2011

Ryan Williams (April 14, "Who wants to tax a millionaire?") makes a series of undocumented assertions more suited to talk radio than to these pages.

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Accuweather?

By The Observer · Monday, April 18, 2011

Two years ago, as I began to visit and apply to different universities that could potentially become my second home for the next four years of my life, I did not have any particular preference as to where I truly wanted to go.

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Carbon tax: the reasonable solution

By The Observer · Monday, April 18, 2011

Growing unrest in the Middle East has resulted in a more than 60 cent jump in U.S. fuel prices in a two month time period. Rising fuel prices are threatening recovery from the recession just as job numbers and economic indicators are showing real signs of improvement. Why does the United States continue to tolerate economic reliance on foreign oil from volatile Middle Eastern countries? The answer is fear among legislators that any policy solution responsible for a short-term increase in energy prices will destroy a political career. This political cowardice is already resulting in drastic increases in energy prices by making the well-being of U.S. citizens and the health of the economy liable to foreign governments. Political inaction is resulting in the worst-case scenario. Costs are increasing for non-renewable energy sources while the US is falling behind the rest of the world in developing renewable technology.

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How green is your Notre Dame experience?

By The Observer · Monday, April 18, 2011

Inspired by Bradley McDonald's "How interesting is your Notre Dame experience?" (March 25), I have devised my own highly sophisticated scoring mechanism for rating how "green" you've been during your time at Notre Dame thus far. From personal experience, I can assure you that it's entirely possible to score well on both of these tests. Hopefully my column on green alcohol proved once and for all that fun and the environment are not mutually exclusive. Since excelling at everything is our lifeblood as Notre Dame students, I challenge you to adopt any of the green behaviors below that you haven't already.

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