Opinion

Is Notre Dame's cutting edge breaking the bubble?

 In the last week alone, Notre Dame has had three sneak movie premieres. First, Universal's "The Fourth Kind," next, the Bengal Bouts brainchild "Strong Bodies Fight," and most recently, a screening of the limitedly released "Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day." This type of media attention on campus is unprecedented until recently.

Abortion Column

In my tradition of callous sensationalist grandstanding in the Viewpoint, I've made a minor name for myself. But gradually I've started to run short of things to make fun of. This is bad because the predatory masses, always hungry for the next big thing, won't let me have a slow day. They're out for blood. They want me to pick an issue and absolutely carpet-bomb the living daylights out of my opponents with rhetoric that will make Joe McCarthy sound like William Blake, and they don't think it's too much to ask that I do so every two weeks, like clockwork.

Real experience providing support

 I am writing in response to Ms. Jacquitta Martin's letter ("True Support?" Nov. 10) regarding the pro-life movement's support of women.

Christian and pro-choice

Jacquitta, ("True Support?" Nov. 10), your comments are very true and very well thought out. Not everyone at Saint Mary's and Notre Dame is against abortion. Further, to imply such defiles Catholic Social Teaching that as human beings we are all different and posses qualities that make us unique. While I am pro-life, I am also pro-choice. The realities of this world render it impossible for abortion to be a black and white issue. There is a lot of gray area. The decision of a woman to have an abortion is not one that a woman comes to lightly. A lot of very serious thought goes into it. It is not as simple as some would like it to be. Babies go through around 18 diapers a day. That costs money. Women have to take pregnancy leave and a lot of employers will simply fire them. What if the woman has other children for whom she must provide? Is she to let them go hungry because she was fired from her job? Not everyone in this world is as fortunate as I am to have a family who would financially and emotionally [support me] should I find myself pregnant. Not everyone has health insurance, a stable job, money. Pope John Paul II once said "It is useless to talk about the right to life unless you are willing to ensure that those who come into this world are given the means by which to live a dignified life." As Christians, we must remember these words before we pass judgment on a woman forced to make the most painful decision of her life.

A Notre Dame short story

 Part 7 by Mary Laird

Yes, true support

I am the co-president of Saint Mary's Right to Life and am working on the campaign to support pregnant women on campus. I worked 45 hours every week this summer in the Bronx for a crisis pregnancy organization called Expectant Mother Care. I have worked with the victims of rape, incest and domestic violence and remember their names and stories. I have personally moved 15-year-old girls out of their houses into maternity homes because their parents refused to support them unless they got an abortion. I have talked with women who have no idea how they will support another mouth to feed or provide shelter for a new life. Our crisis pregnancy centers do provide food, diapers and clothing. Our organization has helped thousands of women over the years find housing in supportive maternity homes, medical care, and other resources necessary to continue a pregnancy, and then to support themselves and their children. And yes, I have worked with women who are haunted by their experience of an abortion. I have witnessed their suffering and, most of all, their need for support. I care deeply for all of the women I worked with this summer and did everything in my power to support them. 

Borderline faith: Mass on the Rio Grande

On Monday, Nov. 2, the Feast of All Souls, I had the great privilege of concelebrating Mass at the border between Ciudad Juarez in Mexico and Anapra in New Mexico. It was the most moving and powerful Mass of my life. Each year Mass is celebrated at the border, offered for all those who have died trying to cross the border. I began crying before the Mass started and cried off and on during the entire Mass. 

A fierce loyalty

 To the freshman commenting on loyalty, we all learn soon enough that you don't have to cry foul whenever someone suggests something contrary to your blind fan philosophy. Don't be so naïve to think that your loyalty supersedes all else. Navy students also honor a fierce loyalty, and I assure you theirs is a lot more meaningful than yours. The product of your loyalty is sometimes another tally in the win column; the product of their loyalty is sometimes a folded flag. I doubt you would choose to burden yourself with the demands of their commitment. So respect it, and respect them. And I know the "kill" and "suck it" cheers are utterly demoralizing and singlehandedly erase all doubt of an Irish victory, but no volume of fan noise and student chants could have saved us on Saturday.

Defending Charlie

 After Saturday's loss I heard phrases such as "his head is on the chopping block" and other such references to Charlie Weis. While the buck does stop with him, I wanted to make sure my initial reaction to the game was correct. After watching the game again (yes it was painful) on nbcsports.msnbc.com, I found out why I initially thought the loss didn't hinge upon Charlie's coaching. Here is a list I compiled.

No excuses

 It's no secret that Notre Dame football and its dedicated fans have become a national punchline in the past fifteen years, and especially over the last two and a half seasons. After an unprecedented bowl losing streak, mediocre performance against all but the weakest competition and four failed coaching hires that the Irish faithful would gladly banish from our collective memory, that punchline has been well-used and well-justified. Nonetheless, some would point to the end of the nation's most ignominious bowl losing streak and the influx of talent-laden recruiting classes as reasons for continued optimism about Coach Weis' tenure.

Respectful rivalry

 I have nothing but undying respect for the United States Navy. As it were, a close friend of mine is attending the Naval Academy. For these reasons, I refuse to tolerate any excuse to chant "kill" or "suck it" to the honorable members of our armed forces. Like Greg Robinson ("Show some respect," Nov. 9), I cringed when I heard the band play the Imperial March, and I was utterly disappointed that the student section largely went along with it. I will concede Arthur Kostendt's point ("Show respect," Nov. 10) that many of our opponents may one day join the armed forces, but when they are on the football field, they are representing Nevada or Washington or Southern California, not Army or Navy or the Air Force. Last I checked, the order of importance went God, Country, then Notre Dame. I love Notre Dame. Like many of us (hopefully all of us) I hope to see us compete for a BCS Bowl every year. But without the sacrifices of our men in uniform (the kind not on the football field), there would be no BCS. There would be no Notre Dame.

Three cheers for student government

 In my time at Notre Dame, I have never felt that I, as a student, had benefited from any of student government's initiatives, programs or meetings. I like the idea of the readership program, but by the time I got to the dining hall, there were rarely any copies left. (I'm not a breakfast guy). The retreats are nice, but not my thing. As far as I can tell, there was never a printer in my section of the dorm (and possibly not anywhere in Zahm). Perhaps this is my own fault. Maybe I didn't reach out enough, or maybe I'm just a student government cynic and will remain so indefinitely.

Notre Dame short story

A Veteran's Day vigil

 The University of Notre Dame and the U.S. military share a very proud history. For over 60 years, students at the University of Notre Dame have trained as cadets and midshipmen and commissioned as officers in the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. Many have gone on to serve distinguished careers in the armed forces along with millions of other Americans. Today, Veterans Day, is a day that we remember the sacrifices of these brave men and women.

Need some respect

 Respect for one's adversary is certainly admirable, as is consistency in principle. I don't know for sure, but it's reasonable to presume that there are men on the Nevada, Washington and even Southern California football teams with military commitments after graduation, who are fully prepared to "make the ultimate sacrifice for us." It's also possible, even probable, given the numbers, that there are players on these "hated" rival teams who have suffered the pain and grief associated with the murder of a close friend or family member. In light of this, to treat teams to a different array of chants and taunts is asinine. Shouting "kill" or "suck it" is always in poor taste, as is "f**k the Pope" or "Rudy sucks" but these swipes are tolerated as the products of fierce loyalty. Although sympathetic concerns like those expressed by Greg Robinson are noble, they were one reason the student section sounded like s**t against Navy for three quarters. When a rival (be it Navy or the 12 Apostles) comes to our university to try to defeat our football team — and have a fairly easy time of it — we maybe need to reconsider our balance of decorum and passion.

Game Day accomodations

Belittling humanities

 I would like to take classes over the summer in order to get my requirements out of the way. I met with my advisor, and he explained that math, science and related classes could not be taken at other universities for credit. However, I could take philosophy, history and theology at other universities.

Congratulations?

 Congratulations on yet another signature loss, Charlie Weis! All the ingredients were there. The way that you motivated our team to come out flat in Notre Dame Stadium? It's unbelievable. The lack of physical domination displayed by our team, especially our lines which only outweighed and not outplayed Navy? It was fascinating to watch. I especially enjoy how you continue to lead our team like the other coaches that earn comparable salaries to you (ex. Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, etc.). It's historic. Losing to Navy two out of three years? Starting another November meltdown? Isn't that what we call a return on an investment when the university gave you an extension?

Eucharistic adoration at Notre Dame

St. Thomas Aquinas defines peace, in one aspect, as the "tranquility of order." However you define it, we are not doing too well in achieving peace in domestic and international as well as cultural matters. Maybe we are missing something. Let me suggest a practice that can help.

Coaching change

I watched in disgust as the football team was hung out to dry this past Saturday. The defense was as ill-prepared as any and the inability to score from within the red zone was baffling. Time after time, I said to my son, "Navy must have 12 men on the field because they seem to have two to three defenders on the receivers." When it was first and goal at the two, we came away with no points. Navy's first play after taking over was a 39 yard run by the fullback — another run — and an eventual TD.I don't expect ND to win every game but losing twice to Navy in three years is unacceptable. Losing to Syracuse last year was unacceptable.Our coach is a 1978 grad. Maybe he should look at his performance through those eyes. I think the book is called "No Excuses" — so put that in to play and admit that you are not a college head coach. John P. Pastorealumnusclass of 1965Nov. 9