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Modification

By The Observer · Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010

I would like to modify my complaint published in The Observer of Sept. 22 ("Gingrich visit to ND.") As per correspondence and research with University administration, and the "Correction" published in today's South Bend Tribune, the facts appear somewhat different today, as follows:

The Observer

Note to self: don't be like the rich man

By The Observer · Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010

Today marks the autumnal equinox, which for the northern hemisphere marks the official end of summer and the beginning of fall. Here, that inexplicably means a forecasted high of 90 very un-fall-like degrees. What's wonderful about living in South Bend is that (say what you will about our humid summers, the much-maligned "permacloud" of winter, the way spring seems to consist of about three days that sneak in between slushy brown snow and sweaty heat) we're really, really lucky to have four actual seasons here.

The Observer

The American Dream

By The Observer · Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010

The last time I heard anyone use the term "The American Dream" in conversation, George W. Bush was still in office. This recession has really made a lot of us forget where we come from. In the America I remember from 2006, anybody could become anybody with the right attitude and plan because the America of 2006 had the same spirit and identity as the America of 1776. Freedom is a powerful tenet and it implies that even though we are all born the same and we all die the same, what we do in between is really up to us.

The Observer

Realignment and research

By The Observer · Thursday, Sept. 23, 2010

I agree with Andy's comments about why Notre Dame should remain an independent entity in football ("Conference realignment 101," Sept. 21). In fact, I am one of those who say an emphatic "No!" when asked if we should join the Big Ten conference. I will never want to see our storied football tradition and history be gradually whittled away by being part of a conference.

The Observer

Counterculture

By The Observer · Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

I've had many discussions with friends about Notre Dame's lack of ‘counterculture' or ‘alternative lifestyles' or whatever you want to call it. But recently I had an epiphany: Notre Dame does indeed have a counterculture, in the sense that many of the core beliefs shared by this culture go very much against prevailing trends outside "the Notre Dame bubble." I would single out the Irish Rover as one of the premier exponents of this counterculture — the voice thereof, if you will.

The Observer

Cheer for Old Notre Dame

By The Observer · Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

The class of 1964 holds the current record for most losses at 25. The class of 2011 has witnessed 23, and we are only three games into our fourth year.

The Observer

Gingrich Visit to ND

By The Observer · Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

Notre Dame policies and Notre Dame double standards never cease to amaze and appall those of us who work here: just two days after we faculty and staff received a letter reminding us of the policy that prohibits using university funds to sponsor partisan speakers to campus, Notre Dame received the Republican poster-boy Newt Gingrich, who was in town to "Stump for Walorski" according to today's South Bend Tribune.

The Observer

Give me a reason to shake up the thunder

By The Observer · Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

I am writing in response to Todd Velianski's letter to The Observer ("Shake up the thunder," Sept. 21). In the letter, Todd expresses his "dismay" over the "abuses" by majority of the upperclassmen not cheering on the football team enough for his liking.

The Observer

The point of the gospel of life

By The Observer · Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

We would like to tactfully contest some points Mr. Mullen brought up in the discussion of Mr. Williams' editorial ("Gingrich is not Obama" Sept 20). Regarding the death penalty, Mr. Mullen's quotation of Church teaching is correct, but he makes a very common misinterpretation. While it is true that the Church believes the death penalty to be defensible in some cases, in which it is "the only possible way of defending human lives against the unjust aggressor," that should not be a concern in the United States today.

The Observer

The Latino vote

By The Observer · Wednesday, Sept. 22, 2010

Tonight Multicultural Student Programs and Services (MSPS), the Institute for Latino Studies, the Rooney Center for the Study of American Democracy and the Center for Social Concerns will host a panel discussion titled, "American Politics in the 21st Century: The Latino Vote." The event is open to the public and it is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in McKenna Hall Auditorium with a reception to follow at the conclusion of the event.

The Observer

Lazy Sunday

By The Observer · Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010

Sunday is a day of rest — so says God, so says the Bible, so says I. Yet Sunday looms in my mind as the day when I need to accomplish a million and one things on my "To Do" list.

The Observer

Shake up the thunder

By The Observer · Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010

I confess that I did not grow up a Notre Dame football fan, but my freshman year turned me into a fervent convert, and this convert's zeal is what impels me to write on the issues of two abuses which cause me distress.

The Observer

Appearance protest

By The Observer · Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010

I am always amazed at the contortions people go through to justify the positions of their favorite politicians and political parties. Sean Mullen and Andrew Lynch tell us that it was appropriate to protest Barack Obama's appearance because of his position on abortion, because abortion is intrinsically evil. However, they argue, no one should have protested Newt Gingrich regarding his pro-death penalty, pro-war, pro-torture views (which run counter to Christ's teaching) because they are not "intrinsicaly evil." Oh really? By the logic of Mr. Mullen and Mr. Lynch, if Adolf Hitler were alive and speaking at Notre Dame we should not protest him, because Hitler, too, was pro-life, and his policies led to "only" 11 milliion deaths in the Holocaust. I am weary of people who see abortion as the only evil in the world. And who only see evil in Democrats. Evil is evil, I would submit. It is all bad.

The Observer

Protecting our own

By The Observer · Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010

Something much of the Notre Dame community is probably unaware of is that a portion of the Band of the Fighting Irish was effectively "smashed" into a wall by the MSU football team as they celebrated their OT win this weekend. Several instruments were damaged and several band members have soreness and injuries they didn't get from marching.

The Observer

Health care bill and abortion

By The Observer · Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010

I am writing in response to Mr. Mullen's letter to The Observer ("Gingrich is not Obama," Sept. 20). In the letter, he claims that the healthcare reform bill provides government funding for abortion. I am writing to inform him that his claim is factually inaccurate.

The Observer

Conference realignment 101

By The Observer · Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2010

Saturday night marked the end of Notre Dame's annual early-season string games against Big Ten opponents. As such, it seems like a fitting time to discuss our relationship with our large, geographical neighbors. If you turned on ESPN at any time during the month of June, you know that the Big Ten Conference was looking to expand from its current 11 members to either 12, 14 or possibly even 16 schools. The motivation, simply, is increased revenue. If the Big Ten could expand to 12 teams, they could add an additional market for their self-promoting cable network and implement a corporate sponsored, prime-time football championship game (read: money grab). The Pac 10 followed suit and set out to raid the Big 12 conference, eventually swiping Colorado, nearly taking five additional schools, and setting off alarms all across the country. When the Big Ten set out to find the best candidate for its 12th member, Notre Dame, as the prominent independent in the country (located in the Midwest, no less), was obviously the Big Ten's golden goose. As it turned out, Notre Dame stayed true to its independent roots (for now, anyway) and the Big Ten, looking to make a splash, ended up with football power Nebraska.

The Observer

Gingrich is not Obama

By The Observer · Monday, Sept. 20, 2010

 In response to Ryan William's article ("Where's the protest?" Sept. 16), I would like to clarify the motives of many of the 2009 Commencement protesters who will likely be absent for Newt Gingrich's visit Monday.

The Observer

Make it count

By The Observer · Monday, Sept. 20, 2010

Although the Nov. 2 midterm elections seem like they are months away, in reality, they are just a short six weeks from now. Are you ready to vote?

The Observer

When beliefs falter

By The Observer · Monday, Sept. 20, 2010

I propose one overarching question, for which I hope that the Notre Dame community may have the answer.

The Observer

The press box

By The Observer · Monday, Sept. 20, 2010

This letter is written as a response to the column written by Mr. Chris Masoud on Sept. 16 ("Section 32").

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