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Monday, Dec. 22, 2025
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The Observer

Welcome Coach Kelly ... sort of

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010

 The Irish Nation — which engulfs the entire Domer Nation of which the Fightin' Italians are a small subset — certainly is proud of your move to Notre Dame. For them, a Kelly at the Notre Dame football helm is as good as stealing a leprechaun's pot of gold. Yet, despite next season's less than strenuous power-ranked schedule, many of my fellow classmates (both Irish and other) merely express "cautious optimism" regarding your tenure. Having been burned so often in the past, they "sort of" hold an optimistic view of the state of football at du Lac. However, this Fightin' Italian is prepared to shout Dick Vitale style, "At least 9-and-3 next year, baby!"

The Observer

An experience of a lifetime

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010

As a first-generation African-American college graduate from a low-income community in Alabama, my life is a true testament to hope, determination, and the impact of meaningful relationships with effective teachers. When I think back to one of my proudest moments, May 20, 2007 parades itself across my mind. That day marked the culmination of an incredible journey I began in the fall of 2003 as a freshman at the University of Notre Dame. For four years, I had learned to examine constructs critically, intertwine my faith and passion for social justice, and make a valuable contribution to our local, national, and global landscape. I remember how my heart raced that day, reminiscing about my four years at Notre Dame and contemplating the days and weeks to come. Shortly after graduation, I was to begin a new journey as a Teach For America corps member in South Louisiana … an experience that would truly change the course of my life.

The Observer

Welcome Coach Kelly ... sort of

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010

 The Irish Nation — which engulfs the entire Domer Nation of which the Fightin' Italians are a small subset — certainly is proud of your move to Notre Dame. For them, a Kelly at the Notre Dame football helm is as good as stealing a leprechaun's pot of gold. Yet, despite next season's less than strenuous power-ranked schedule, many of my fellow classmates (both Irish and other) merely express "cautious optimism" regarding your tenure. Having been burned so often in the past, they "sort of" hold an optimistic view of the state of football at du Lac. However, this Fightin' Italian is prepared to shout Dick Vitale style, "At least 9-and-3 next year, baby!"

The Observer

An experience of a lifetime

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010

As a first-generation African-American college graduate from a low-income community in Alabama, my life is a true testament to hope, determination, and the impact of meaningful relationships with effective teachers. When I think back to one of my proudest moments, May 20, 2007 parades itself across my mind. That day marked the culmination of an incredible journey I began in the fall of 2003 as a freshman at the University of Notre Dame. For four years, I had learned to examine constructs critically, intertwine my faith and passion for social justice, and make a valuable contribution to our local, national, and global landscape. I remember how my heart raced that day, reminiscing about my four years at Notre Dame and contemplating the days and weeks to come. Shortly after graduation, I was to begin a new journey as a Teach For America corps member in South Louisiana … an experience that would truly change the course of my life.

The Observer

DormBooks strikes again

By The Observer · Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010

The following viewpoint discusses an e-mail sent out to the student body on Sunday night by Jeff Tarullo regarding DormBooks.com:

The Observer

Thank you

By The Observer · Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010

I wanted to write to share the warmth I felt Wednesday before break, during the near-blizzard watching a student go out of her way to help a student in need.

The Observer

Disrupting the natural atmosphere

By The Observer · Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009

Unfortunately for Mr. Easley ("Global warming skeptic," Dec. 7), we already know that climate change has been sped up by humans. Wildfires, volcanoes and other natural phenomena that occur annually have been occurring for a long time. But the amount of carbon dioxide released every time they occur has not been enough to cause a significant long term climate change because nature has counter-mechanisms to remove it from the air. Yes, Mt. Pinatubo's eruption in the Philippines in 1991 did lower global temperatures for a few years. But over time, temperatures returned to levels similar to before the eruption as the greenhouse gases produced by the volcano were removed through the Earth's natural processes. Let me provide an example. When a wildfire occurs, an entire chunk of a forest could be burned down. What happens afterwards? First primary succession, involving the growth of bacteria, fungi and other photosynthetic microorganisms that extract carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, occurs. Otherwise, they would not be able to live on land lacking living organisms. Then photosynthetic mosses and lichens grow, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Subsequently, we get more higher-order plant growth and thus start a new circle of life. But starting a new cycle requires a huge carbon source, which most organisms get from the air to which large amounts of carbon dioxide had just been added. Thus, the accumulation of carbon dioxide emission is somewhat negated.

The Observer

Let's set some things straight

By The Observer · Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009

 In light of the latest Viewpoints, the significance attached to the content of stolen e-mails from climatologists, the current Copenhagen Climate Change Conference and recent U.S. federal legislation, I think it would benefit and elevate the discussion if we straighten a few things out.

The Observer

A most notable defense

By The Observer · Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009

Ah, the global warming debate: perhaps the most infamous and noble human struggle of the last century. It saddens me that so many people argue about the climate, using random facts which only jumble up any sense that can be made from such a pivotal, nay, transcendent issue. I personally would never subject myself to baseless, meaningless debate with other articles. Actually, never mind. Here goes:

The Observer

I'm a believer

By The Observer · Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009

In response to Mark Easley's article, ("Global warming skeptic," Dec. 7), I find several points that he makes alarming. The effects of climate change are having a direct effect on human and ecological well-being. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), sea levels rose six inches during the 20th century. The summer thickness of artic sea ice is half of what it was in 1950. Glaciers and permafrost are melting, flooding some areas and drying up ecosystems in others. These changes impact species on all continents. Seawater is more acidic because of increased carbon dioxide absorbed by water, affecting coral reefs and marine life. Human health is negatively impacted by outbreaks of infectious diseases. Seawater temperatures are warming, contributing to changing weather patterns that bring stronger storm systems to some areas, while causing droughts in others.

The Observer

What is the worst aspect of Foresight?

By The Observer · Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009

That it started. Really? Really Mendoza? Really Notre Dame? This course was at best a joke in extremely poor taste. "Foresight" is the perfect excuse for a course with no substance and no direction. If I were to rank everything that I have learned in life by order of usefulness, all things from "Foresight" would fall somewhere below my memorization of the mating habits of the Burmese mole-rat.

The Observer

I'm still hungry

By The Observer · Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009

I would like to take what Mitchell Myers said in his article Grab and Go system unfair one step further with this:

The Observer

Let's approach climate change

By The Observer · Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009

 Peer-reviewed science continues to provide more and more evidence that climate change is happening and that it is caused by humans. The disagreement among climate scientists on those two points is all but non-existent. Despite what you may hear, there is a clear consensus on those issues. Don't trust everything the media tells you. Don't trust me either. Read the peer-reviewed science on these issues and make your own decision.

The Observer

The best from Europe and America

By The Observer · Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009

This morning I read Mr. Easley's Climate Change letter ("Global warming skeptic," Dec. 7). I am a GreeND member studying in Notre Dame's Rome Architecture Program. His assertion about Europe's worry about climate change is correct; people here are indeed worried about global warming. It greatly saddens me that back at home this is not the case.

The Observer

Elevated discussion

By The Observer · Monday, Dec. 7, 2009

 When I first read Mark Easley's letter to the Observer, I was tempted to write a witty reply pointing out inaccuracies and do my best to delegitimize his argument. But Easley's viewpoint is a snapshot of the larger debate raging among the leading thinkers in our world. Instead of firing rhetoric back and forth in The Observer, why don't we take this opportunity to elevate the discussion? Both sides, if you really think about it, want the same thing: a bright future for our nation and world. In that sense, we are all talking about sustainability here.

The Observer

Online abomination

By The Observer · Monday, Dec. 7, 2009

 Online homework is an unnecessary hassle. Besides being frustrating due to technical difficulties, it takes up more time than regular, written homework, and thus is not a beneficial way to be taught. The majority of a student's time is spent trying to discover how to please the Web site by submitting answers in the format it likes. Another issue is juggling all the things necessary to complete online homework. It becomes problematic when one has to go from computer to book to notebook and back to computer for every single problem. It would be so much more time efficient if the computer were taken out of the equation; if this were done, all technological issues would be eliminated as well.

The Observer

Best band in the land

By The Observer · Monday, Dec. 7, 2009

 I just wanted to take a brief moment to thank the Best D**n Band in the Land. We as players get most of the attention on Saturdays, but I can tell you, what you guys do for both us and the fans deserves to be commended. My favorite aspect of every home Saturday was walking up the tunnel before the game with all of you playing our fight song. Chills would shoot through my body each and every time. It brings a tear to my eye thinking I will never have the opportunity to do that with you guys again.

The Observer

Coaching search

By The Observer · Monday, Dec. 7, 2009

 I have never felt compelled to write in or publicly express my feelings about our great University and its football dilemma until now. I have always respected the position of Notre Dame on academics and athletics and believe strongly that we can win and be a relevant force in the FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) while maintaining academic standards. Having said this we have some to point in our programs history where we need a leader, a proven winner, someone who knows how to motivate and be motivated. I myself liked Charlie Weis but I believe that despite his great football mind he lacked that intangible that takes teams to a higher level. We have great players and they should settle for nothing less than greatness.

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