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Saturday, April 4, 2026
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Just a mistake ...

By The Observer · Thursday, April 14, 2011

I would like to extend a "high five" to my classmate Fr. Tom Doyle and the Office of Residence Life. The University of Notre Dame prepared me for life in so many ways and I lived out most of my dream from 1985-1989 as a proud resident of Dillon Hall. But for years, The Office of Residence Life has handed out punishments that focused more on judgment and less on growth. Those passing judgment on the University's "soft" punishment of Michael Floyd should bear in mind how they would want to be treated if they were in his shoes. I was in his shoes in 1988. I, along with my classmate, created and sold the original Catholics vs. Convicts t-shirt. Yes, I was warned to stop by the Office of Residence Life. But I made a mistake just like Michael Floyd did and sold thousands of shirts on October 15, 1988.

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Celebrities, confessions and the Cross

By The Observer · Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Today's dining hall buzz is that [insert celebrity recording artist name here] has been spotted strolling around campus. The country-pop music singer is seen getting out of a black Escalade between Touchdown Jesus and the Stadium. Then, she struts up South Quad before making her way to Starbucks for a skinny vanilla latte.

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Where's the recognition?

By The Observer · Wednesday, April 13, 2011

As I read The Observer on April 12 I looked for some sort of article about the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. 150 years ago the Battle of Fort Sumter occurred. The confederates attacked the union fort and both sides called for war. The North fought for Union while the South fought to protect their constitutional rights and their home. The North tends to ignore that the war ever occurred while some of the South tries to hold on to their past.

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A gentlemenly rebuttal

By The Observer · Wednesday, April 13, 2011

The Men of Morrissey Manor take great exception to slandering of those who identify themselves as gentlemen in Humanity's Bro's recent article (Apr. 13). The iconic men Morrissey produces have long identified themselves as gentlemen first, and prided themselves on chivalrous conduct and always being ready, willing and able to indulge the faintest whim of a member of the fairer sex. It is clear that Humanity's Bro has never encountered one of these upstanding Manorites from the article's description of a gentleman as a stiff prissy with little self-control and no regard for the comfort of a lady. This is of course nonsense and the complete opposite of how a true gentleman strives to act. However the ladies of Notre Dame wish to dress, they should know that any true gentlemen will treat them in a courteous and honorable manner and anyone who does not is unworthy of the title our dying breed is trying to uphold.

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Who wants to tax a millionaire?

By The Observer · Wednesday, April 13, 2011

With April 15 just around the corner and all sorts of stories swirling through the news about budgets, deficit-reduction plans and national debt, it seems as though there is a greater than usual interest in the issue of taxation. Given that the United States is currently racking up trillion-dollar deficits like its nobody's business (compounding a national debt that already totals some $14 trillion) and is facing the prospect of having to drastically increase future spending in order to keep pace with rapidly growing entitlement obligations, it is no surprise to hear some shameless politicians claiming that "it's time for the wealthy to start paying their fair share in taxes." Truth be told, there are few phrases in the English language that are more infuriating than this one for a number of reasons.

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Diagnosing health care ideas

By The Observer · Tuesday, April 12, 2011

As Republican Presidential primaries near, "Repeal and Replace" will become one of the most commonly used phrases by the candidates on health care. "Repeal" refers to the Republican pledge to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), better known as the "Health Care Bill." "Replace" refers to replacing the PPACA with "common sense" ideas. There are two ideas in particular that Republicans have promoted far more than any others: medical malpractice reform and allowing individuals to buy insurance across state lines. As Republican candidates promote these ideas, it is important for every American to understand how little they will accomplish.

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Confessions of a True Gentleman

By The Observer · Tuesday, April 12, 2011

I've got a little secret. It's something I don't divulge too readily, even to close friends. But I'm worried other people can see it. Especially the people who don't know me well — somehow I'm convinced they can penetrate right through the veil of secrecy and see what's going on. The way I walk, the way I talk, the way I eat my dinner all point to one thing: I am a True Gentleman.

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Airline mind games

By The Observer · Monday, April 11, 2011

Southwest Airlines has some definite pros. It often offers dirt-cheap flights to popular destinations. The colorful planes are fun to look at and sometimes the pilot even cracks jokes over the plane's address system.

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Voulez vous faire la guerre avec moi ce soir?

By The Observer · Monday, April 11, 2011

The French are not known to be a warring people, despite Napoleon, WWI and French involvement in Francophone Africa. They have the reputation in mainstream America as cigarette smoking, baguette and cheese lovers who needed bailing out in WWII. In reality, the French have proven themselves to be quite the fighting force under President Sarkozy.

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