Opinion

Finishing next to the 50

By The Observer · Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Before the race started I thought, "Wow I'll run out of the tunnel just like the football players and cheerleaders onto the field and sprint all the way to the 50 yard line." Of course there wouldn't be the 80,000 person crowd cheering me on, but I would have the satisfaction of actually having been on the field sometime during my time here at Notre Dame.

The slippery path to a police state

By The Observer · Tuesday, April 27, 2010

The issue of illegal immigration reform had taken a backseat for the Obama administration and Congress since 2008, with health care and financial reform deemed as more important priorities to resolve first. But now the issue appears to be moving back into the limelight after the state of Arizona signed into law an extremely controversial immigration law last Friday.

Waiting on a family not un-Catholic

By The Observer · Monday, April 26, 2010

I wish to thank Joseph Nawrocki ("Misrepresentations," April 22) and Peter Campbell ("Clarifications," April 23) for providing me the opportunity to clarify my position as presented in my April 21 Letter to the Editor ("Not so friendly"). Nawrocki accuses me of misrepresenting the positions of the "Family-Friendly" petitioners. He says that I "infer" that Campbell believes that the University should encourage students to "live compassionate and moral lives only within the confines of marriage." I infer no such thing. I infer, rather, that Campbell believes that the University's encouragement for moral and compassionate living in the context of marriage should take financial form (increased health benefits), and that he has not considered fully the ramification of this request: that is, if the University should fund family life because it is endorsed by Catholic teaching, then the University will be called upon to fund many other lifestyles and activities endorsed by Catholic doctrine, as well. If I choose to personally provide long-term meals and shelter for a homeless family, can I charge that to the University?

Congratulations to Women's water polo

By The Observer · Monday, April 26, 2010

Congratulations to the Notre Dame Women's water polo team now competing at the National Tournament in Arizona. The team just set the NCAA record for most consecutive National qualifiers in the sport — 12. These women are focused, fun and they commit hours to their team. They compete at a high level in a sport that requires intense physical conditioning. Congrats to the coaches and especially the seniors.

If only college were just lion around

By The Observer · Monday, April 26, 2010

I initially wanted to use this, my final Observer article, as a summation — or multiplication, I might say if I'm in the boastful mood — of my college career.

Inspirational teacher to be missed

By The Observer · Monday, April 26, 2010

Upon reflection of our early school days, the most potent memories are often associated with one particular figure. More often than not, we can pick out one person who made our education light up. We identify one person who had the power to inspire, to spark our curiosity. Someone who demanded our best effort, yet never had to ask because we wanted to exceed his expectations. We all have these figures in our memory, and for me, his name is David Thurston.

Green should be more than a trend

By The Observer · Monday, April 26, 2010

After our Earth Day celebration on April 22, it has become apparent that this University needs to change its technique in being "green." On this campus, becoming green has become a fashion, a trend, a competition — not a chance for us to save our planet.

Happy Birthday

By The Observer · Friday, April 23, 2010

Today is my birthday, and it couldn't have fallen on a better Friday (or weekend, for that matter) of the year: I get to turn Pigtostal, the Blue-Gold Game and Muddy Sunday into additional reasons to celebrate my 19th year of being.

Clarifications

By The Observer · Friday, April 23, 2010

After reading the article in The Observer regarding the Family Friendly Petition presented to the University in which I was quoted ("Graduate students to file petition," April 16), I said to myself, there are numerous ways in which my comments could be misconstrued. I thought, someone is bound to respond to this, and with no small degree of vitriol. Sure enough, in The Observer's April 21 edition, Emily Stetler obliged. Ms. Stetler's letter, "Not So Friendly," demonstrated that some clarification is required on my part lest my comments be too narrowly and uncharitably interpreted, and the cause of the organizers of the Family Friendly Petition be undermined.

Pep rally focus should be students

By The Observer · Friday, April 23, 2010

Notre Dame football weekends are rich in rituals, from midnight drummers' circle to tailgating to cheering in the stands. But the festivities start with the Friday night pep rally.

That Little Black Dress

By The Observer · Friday, April 23, 2010

As our tuk-tuk turned down the dirt road into the center of Vang Vieng (Laos) and I saw the restaurants where televisions were playing old episodes of "Friends;" my face lit up like the top of the Chrysler Building. I was so happy for our arrival at this legendary Southeast Asian mecca of day drinking that one of the Slovenians I was travelling with pointed out the look on my face. I was brimming with excitement.

Take it easy on Golic

By The Observer · Friday, April 23, 2010

As the son of a die-hard football fan and alumnus, a title which hopefully will extend to myself in about three weeks, I know the importance of this university and the desire to represent it with honor. On Friday, the new Shirt will be unveiled for the football season, and, like past years, Mike Golic will be in attendance. As a graduate who made a name for himself here and in the NFL, as well as a proud parent of a current football star, he always enjoys coming to campus. Unfortunately, this time will be bittersweet. For those you who do not know, Mike recently lost a bet to his ESPN Radio co-host Mike Greenberg. The unpleasant task facing Mike Golic, while cheering his school and promoting his new book, is to don USC Trojan red and gold during his time on campus. Anyone who sees him should understand his hardship and refrain from any insults, but rather sympathize with this ambassador to our school and keep in mind the tremendous burden placed on him this weekend. Mike Golic is a man of his word; he endured a live waxing on his show last year due to a failed wager. He truly bleeds blue and gold, so during this weekend look at him with respect and empathy while restraining yourself from yelling any obscenities that become associated with just about everyone who wears those appalling colors. Go Irish! Christopher Lushis senior St. Ed's Hall April 22

Misrepresentations

By The Observer · Thursday, April 22, 2010

In her April 21 letter "Not so friendly," Emily Stetler criticizes the organizers of the "Family-Friendly Petition" for relying "on inadequate theological paradigms" in their effort to encourage the University to provide better health care coverage for spouses and children of graduate students. What these "inadequate theological paradigms" may be is unclear, since the three examples that Emily Stetler offers do not reflect the actual opinions of the organizers, but positions that she attributes to the organizers by taking their statements out of context and making unfair inferences. As a consequence, in arguing against the supposed "inadequate theological paradigms" of the organizers, Ms. Stetler criticizes positions that no one, in fact, advocates.

Peer institutions suspicious of HEI

By The Observer · Thursday, April 22, 2010

It has become apparent that to the administration, neither National Labor Relations Board complaints nor the testimony of workers is a legitimate cause for ethical concern over investments in HEI. So, let's consider something more basic.

How Christians should stress

By The Observer · Thursday, April 22, 2010

Let's take "What Would Jesus Do?" and apply it to finals week. Let's also eliminate the possibility that, as the Son of God, he already knows everything. Let's assume that, fully human like us, this would be a stressful week for him. And that we look to him as a model. So, then, what does Jesus have to teach us about handling the pressures of finals week?