Opinion

Reaction to Fort Hood

On Nov. 5, Army Major Malik Hasan reportedly killed 13 American soldiers and wounded 31 others at Fort Hood in Texas. The Notre Dame Muslim Student Association (MSA) condemns the criminal act of Malik Hasan. MSA stands by the statement of the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR) released Nov. 5. No religious or political ideology could ever justify or excuse such wanton and indiscriminate violence. The attack was particularly heinous in that it targeted the all-volunteer army that protects our nation. American Muslims stand with our fellow citizens in offering both prayers for the victims and sincere condolences to the families of those killed or injured. It is unfortunate to see that this tragedy is being used by some to bring loyalty of American Muslims under suspicion. Islam does not tolerate such acts of violence. We reject any attempts to associate this appalling act with Muslims or Islam. We embrace Notre Dame community in peace, unity and prayer.

Senior week

 When I realized that we were not going to fulfill my admittedly optimistic prediction of a national championship this season, I became more and more preoccupied with one game: UConn. One of my best friends is a senior walk-on wide receiver who has busted his ass and sacrificed his body (knee surgery, shoulder surgery and broken hand) for this team over the last four years. It is customary that on the last home game of the season, senior walk-ons get a chance to live the dream and play football in Notre Dame Stadium. But, if the game is close or we are losing the walk-ons don't get to play. We are a much more talented team than UConn and should easily beat them. But, on the outside chance that we play a close game (or lose) to an inferior team on senior day (see Syracuse 2008), this is a plea for the walk-ons to be put in at the beginning of the game so they will get to play no matter what the outcome. Come on, Charlie, do the right thing. These guys have earned it.

Activism present but subdued

This week, the 40th anniversary of the ‘Notre Dame 10' — the now-famous group of students suspended for their demonstration against Dow-CIA recruiting on campus — brings to mind several questions about the present state of student activism at Notre Dame. Specifically: Where is it? Though conditions on college campuses today are incomparable to those of the Vietnam War era — most notably there is no draft for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan — there are still issues that students are passionate about, ones they could and should work for to effect change. The apparent lack of activism today might also be explained in part by the current career-oriented college culture, which positions students on a one-track mindset: take the right classes and land a great job that reflects the value of a Notre Dame degree. Students of the 1960s student revolution were of a different breed, going to college to get an education for education's sake, not just for the increased earning power of a degree. For many, an education included social change and protest. In remembering the 1969 protests, it's important to note the atmosphere at Notre Dame was not like that of, say, Berkeley in the 1960s. The demonstration by the ‘Notre Dame 10' is perhaps the most-well known protest action to take place on this campus for social and political change — and it's a far cry from massive riots resulting on arrests and deaths on some college campuses in that era. Today, the activist spirit at Notre Dame is even weaker than it was in 1969. The lack of visible student activism is lamentable, as is the complacency and apathy of the majority of the student body. Certainly there are numbers of groups and organizations — like the Campus Labor Action Project (CLAP) and the Progressive Student Alliance (PSA) — working for change every day. There are also groups that stand up for what they believe to be right, like ND Response, which formed around last spring's Commencement controversy. Notre Dame's Catholic culture instills the value of community service, both at home and abroad, in its students. Service is a form of activism, and it effects a necessary change. But service is only one part of the picture. Campaigning for greater social change — the work of groups like PSA, Right to Life and CLAP — is another part of the picture, and it shouldn't be ignored. These students' efforts may not as visible as the actions of their predecessors. Destructive and violent protests and riots of the past are not called for on today's campus. But their actions, whether through petitions, marches, rallies, masses or debates, are vital. They are the active few on this campus working for the issues they believe in. The lack of visible student activism is not their fault. They are doing their part and attempting to raise awareness. But the student body as a whole needs to open its eyes beyond the campus, classes and the job search and appreciate the work of these groups by joining them and supporting the causes that call them to act. 

Don't sweat the small stuff

In response to Mr. Petrocelli, ("The Actual Facts," Nov. 18) I would like to humbly suggest that the search for truth in morality is not only "not that simple" but completely pointless. I mean, "no one knows the truth," so why bother even looking for it? You're right, the search for truth in morality "should not be treated as a civil war," so let's work together to reduce the number of moral philosophers in this country, who are constantly dreaming up and debating such personal issues like abortion, about which we can know almost nothing. Is it a person, isn't it a person, who really knows? We shouldn't be divided about substantial moral issues to the point of conflict, for now that the slavery issue has been settled, there are decidedly no more objective moral injustices to be resolved. With only gray moral differences remaining, we should should respect all stances merely because the individual has chosen them. If some people want to kill babies and others want to save them, how can we know which side is on the side of Truth? Why can't both sides be right? If we just compromise to a position of loose platitudes, even if held for different and incompatible reasons, we will never have to actually resolve these issues, or even think about them, and that sounds like something everyone can get behind. Just as you say, there will never be a consensus in these complex moral issues, so what we need to do is stop asking questions like, "Does human life have inherent value?" or "What constitutes a good life?" and realize that because these questions are unknowable, trying to answer them is an utter waste of time and our society's intellectual resources. Instead, let us celebrate the magnificent panoply of human choice through respect, no matter who those those choices affect, and not sweat the small stuff. Thank you, Mr. Petrocelli, for giving us the actual facts.

Hold on to ideals

I am writing in response to Mark Easley's piece entitled "Terrorists are not American" (Nov. 19) which concerns the trying and detaining of suspected terrorists. He states, "Terrorists demote themselves to second class citizens ... and we should treat them accordingly." I must respectfully disagree. We have every right to be angry. We have every right to want justice. But the justice that Americans hold dear is not mere retribution, rather it is a fairness afforded each person, not because of his or her individual merits, but because of the Creator who endows each man with inalienable rights. Terrorists seek not only to destroy American lives; they seek to destroy American ideals as well. They seek to instill hatred, fear and corruption. If we let our hatred and fear blur our vision of justice, if we forsake mercy for retribution, and if we forget that it is God who instills all men with rights, then the terrorists have already won. Therefore, let us remember, in the case of those awaiting trial, that our ideals declare a man innocent until proven guilty. And for those found guilty, that punishment and detention are different from vengeance. By seeking revenge we usurp the role of God, and make ourselves devils in the process.

Terrorists are not Americans

 American Civil Liberties are for Americans.

Lighten up

 As a longtime fan of both humor and Mobile Party (not synonymous, but darn close) I fully support the Nov. 13 installment. Considering aforementioned observation that Mobile Party is approximately equal to humor, I am in favor of their work. From what I gather, Mobile Party makes fun of anything and everything that most Notre Dame students consider humorous (or highly offensive). Given this standard, I find it equivalently humorous that someone would choose the unfortunate ginger issue to take a stand on ("Ginger Pride," Nov. 16). 

Appreciate what you are offered

 Earlier this week, Scholastic published an article examining the issue of whether or not student athletes should be awarded a portion of the revenue they bring to the University through private business deals. The article was a thoughtful consideration of the issue, but was unfortunately overshadowed by one quotation from a member of our football team. I am going to repeat this quotation in its entirety, simply so everyone who's behind in reading their school publications can experience the full effect:

Don't judge a movie by its unicorn

As all of the dedicated readers of our classified section should know, "The Last Unicorn" is a great movie. A sports production editor quoted me as saying so in Monday's paper because he thought my statement was ridiculous.

Determinism

 The controversy between free will and determinism continues to rage. In one way, this is unsurprising: The same controversy has raged, in one form or another, for two millennia, and it is clearly a question near to us in our understanding of ourselves. In another way, however, that the controversy continues is deeply surprising: Since the rise of quantum physics, it has been clear that our world is fundamentally indeterministic — that nothing, including human action, is bound by determinate laws.

Your GPA and the end of the world

 Each mid-November, just as the perma-cloud settles in over South Bend, the days get depressingly shorter, and due dates for papers and exams start looming on the horizon — the Church starts talking about the end of the world. And while the Church Fathers who set the calendar surely couldn't have predicted the weather patterns or exam schedules of the university that Fr. Sorin had not yet founded, this talk about the end of the world these days seems somehow to, well, fit.

What about the Notre Dame 88?

Party at my place

Seriously. You are all invited. Although it will not be a typical Notre Dame party, it will be a good time.

The actual facts

The statement "You cannot be pro-life and pro-choice at the same time" ("The facts," Anne Barbera, Nov. 17) is not a fact. There is no well-constructed fence that divides the abortion debate.

Remember the Good

On Nov. 21, the seniors will play their last football game at Notre Dame Stadium. A lot will be made of it, and hopefully they will bounce back from the last couple of weeks and win their last home game.

The Notre Dame 10

Today is the 40th anniversary of an important event in the life of Notre Dame. On Nov. 18, 1969, 10 students were suspended under the famous "15-minute rule" after a demonstration protesting the presence of recruiters from Dow Chemical and the CIA. The 15-minute rule, announced by Fr. Hesburgh earlier that year, was viewed nationally as a get-tough response to student protests. "Disruptive" students were to be given 15 minutes to "cease and desist." If they failed to disperse, they would be suspended. If they remained five minutes longer, they would be expelled and subject to arrest.

True justice for terrorists

Christie Pesavento's Nov. 17 column "Taking terrorists at their word" is another absurd lash by the right wing in an attempt to smear the Obama administration. To suggest that the Obama administration is not taking the threat of terrorism seriously is an enormous misunderstanding of the Obama administration's commitment to the principles this nation was founded upon.

Coach suggestions

Dear Mr. Swarbrick,

Faking it

There is a lot of faking at Notre Dame.    

Go ahead and 'kill'

I would like to add my support to Lizzie Laughman's letter in which she encouraged the student body to put competition aside for the UConn game ("Be class, respectful," Nov. 16). She's right — even though we just lost to Navy for the second time in three years, our main concern should be not to hurt the opposing team's feelings. Maybe we will win the coveted College Football Bowl Subdivision award for "Classiest Football Team" or "Nicest Student Body." We can put that trophy right next to the Jeweled Shillelagh and all of the BCS trophies we've won recently.