Opinion

Marching Band's popular debut

By The Observer · Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010

For anyone that might think that the term "marching band" cannot possibly be mentioned in the same sentence as "cool," the Marching Band of the Fighting Irish certainly have disproved that notion by being featured in the recently-released music video by the [insert appropriate hipster adjective here] band OK Go. Sweet.

The greatest fraternity

By The Observer · Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010

My father and mother were graduates of the Notre Dame/Saint Mary's classes of 1917, respectively, and totally dedicated to both schools throughout their life times. I grew up with a constant stream of clergy and former classmates for dinner, picnics (the nuns didn't come in the house in those days), assorted class activities and post football reunions. Whenever we traveled, there were alums to be visited and in times of need to be called upon for help. We were, it seemed, part of a giant fraternity-sorority that proceeded, I surmised later, from the friendships formed and the love expressed on these residential campuses. Friendships characterized by an extraordinary inclusiveness, which continue through life as most graduates who have traveled widely can attest.

Manhattan Declaration

By The Observer · Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010

One hundred fifty-two Catholic, Orthodox and Evangelical leaders recently issued the Manhattan Declaration (MD) in defense of "the sanctity of human life, the dignity of marriage as a union of husband and wife, and the freedom of conscience and religion." MD was drafted by Princeton Professor Robert George, Dean Timothy George of Samford University and Chuck Colson, founder of the Center for Christian Worldview. Online signers of MD exceed 400,000.

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!"

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.

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!"

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.

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:

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.

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.

Find undisputed facts

By The Observer · Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2009

Dear Ms. Pesavento,

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.

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: