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Enlightenment

By The Observer · Monday, Dec. 6, 2010

The economic and social framework of the modern state — valorized as the very condition of human freedom — renders inescapable certain forms of manipulation: The free laborer, no longer a serf, can now give of himself without his lord having any obligation to ensure his welfare; the criminal, no longer tortured, is now imprisoned until he demonstrates his eagerness to serve the society that has chained him. One tends to think of these economic and social reforms as gestures of humanity, not manipulation — and yet it is not coincidental that the free laborer is one who can work in whichever task the capitalist most needs him, that the reformed prisoner is one who can return to the capitalist the resources that were spent on his rehabilitation. Wage slavery is far more profitable than chattel slavery, rehabilitation far more profitable than retribution.

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There's nothing like the family

By The Observer · Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010

The tricky aspect of professional sports is the line that is drawn between a sports franchise as a business and a sports franchise as a family. Without both the smart business deals by owners and the love and respect between the owners, coaches and players, teams do not succeed. However, two recent business deals in two different sports have convinced me that the side of family is more important than the business — nothing replaces the family.

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A school by any other name ...

By The Observer · Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010

As I sit on my futon, writing this column and watching the snow fall outside, I find myself thinking about why I chose to come to Notre Dame.

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Actual deficit reduction

By The Observer · Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010

Over the past two years, the Republican Party has waged a tireless campaign to inform Americans that they are strongly against the current levels of government spending. The Congressional Republican Leadership has included its solutions to cut government spending in A Pledge to America, a list of promises that Republicans will pursue during the next Congressional term.

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Penalty box contest

By The Observer · Sunday, Dec. 5, 2010

My wife Kathy and I have sponsored the visitor's penalty box at the new hockey complex. We would like to reach out to the Notre Dame student body to help design a plaque incorporating a message to the visiting team member who will be spending two to five minutes in the penalty box as a result of "committing a foul" against one of our pure Notre Dame hockey players! We're hoping to tap into the creative juices of the Notre Dame student body to develop a catchy saying that would leave a "lasting memory" on any visiting member. We're also hoping the students could have fun with this project and create another one of the many famous sayings around campus!

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Tis the Season to Give

By The Observer · Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010

It's now time for ugly sweaters and our favorite animated Christmas films. In just a little under three weeks, most of us will be home. We'll trim the tree and drink hot cocoa with our parents. We'll get to sleep — what a concept! I'll hopefully be spending the first Saturday back waking up in the wee hours of the morning to help at my high school's annual food drive. Mishawaka High School has hosted the Food Drive around Christmas for more than 25 years, and I was actually sorting soup cans at the Food Drive in 2007 when I got my Notre Dame acceptance letter (a friend went to my mailbox at home and brought it to me).

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Cheering until the end

By The Observer · Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010

So here we are, at what has become our favorite weekend of the year. Football season is over, and we can finally relax, decompress from a season of disappointment and spend our Saturdays doing something productive, like this ever-increasing pile of homework.

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Where's Tiger?

By The Observer · Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010

When people looked ahead to the 2010 schedule and saw Augusta, Pebble Beach, St. Andrews and Whistling Straits, the speculation of a calendar year grand slam began. His performances in 2000 at Pebble and St. Andrews were as close as one can get to attaining perfection in golf. Tiger, himself, probably saw this as his best chance to win all four majors in the same year. His goals for this 2010 season were put on the shelf on the night of Thanksgiving 2009.

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Singing in tune

By The Observer · Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010

A full orchestra tuning their instruments prior to the start of a concert sounds utterly peaceful to my ears. Violins, cellos, flutes, horns and a host of other instruments adjust their pitches in preparation for a night of music. The brass, the upper and lower strings, the wind and the percussion instruments "tune up" to make one perfectly harmonious and beautiful sound.

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Comprehensive immigration reform

By The Observer · Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010

When it comes to the issue of illegal immigration, there are many different voices with valid points trying to talk over each other at the same time. Everyone is concerned about aspects that really matter. How can you tell the family that has been affected by drug war violence that the border is not an issue? How can you tell millions of people to just up and leave? How can you stop people from trying to get their own piece of the American Dream? There are real issues at stake and many good people stuck in the crossfire, but we need to have a solution soon if we want to move forward.

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Dialogue and hospitality

By The Observer · Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2010

Last week these pages included coverage of the "Contending Modernities" research initiative and its opening conference in New York. But the conversation that "began" there is hardly new to Notre Dame. The address given by Fr. Jenkins was part of a longer contribution to interreligious scholarship and dialogue led by another Notre Dame theologian, Fr. David Burrell. A self-described "Mediterranean person," Fr. Burrell is an emeritus Professor in Theology and Philosophy, and he served at the Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem for over 25 years. He was recently the central figure of a small colloquium held in the Catholic center at Northwestern University, in Evanston, IL.

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I hate America

By The Observer · Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010

Man, I can't stand America. This country just stinks. Especially since the government isn't doing exactly what I want it to do. Sometimes it seems like those bloated Washingtonian fat cats don't have any idea what I think government should be doing, or what I need it to do. Even when I voice my concerns loudly, say to coworkers or in a letter to my congressman, I rarely see the kind of sweeping changes in national policy that should accompany my every pronouncement and whim. Hello! Aren't we supposed to be living in a democracy?

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Enjoy Christmas season

By The Observer · Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010

Eddie Pola and George Wyle had it right when they wrote the classic "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year." Forget papers, projects, finals and break. It's finally Christmas season, indeed the most wonderful of all.

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Ghost Rider

By The Observer · Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010

Outlined against a wet black November sky a lone horseman rode. In dramatic lore he is known as Ghost Rider. This is only an alias. His real name is Tim Kelly. He was not seen on any TiVo, slo-mo, high def, official review or replay. He was invisible to the naked eye and the camera. But to the eyes of the hearts and souls of those who knew him, his presence at Saturday's game was as unmistakable as the gleam on the Golden Dome, forcing the errant throw and two dropped touchdown passes on the game's final drive.

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All I want for Christmas: The Silent Night Silent Auction

By The Observer · Tuesday, Nov. 30, 2010

Need some help getting into the Christmas spirit? Not to fear, Silent Night Silent Auction (SNSA) has lots of holiday cheer! This Thursday Dec. 2 from 6 to 9 p.m., Pasquerilla East (not to be confused with Physical Education … sorry "The Week") will be hosting its annual signature event, the Silent Night Silent Auction in the LaFortune Ballroom. SNSA is a charity event auctioning off Christmas baskets full of goodies that make perfect gifts for family and friends, as well as provide you with great bargains on the items in the baskets.

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