Opinion

Notre Dame short story

A Veteran's Day vigil

 The University of Notre Dame and the U.S. military share a very proud history. For over 60 years, students at the University of Notre Dame have trained as cadets and midshipmen and commissioned as officers in the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force. Many have gone on to serve distinguished careers in the armed forces along with millions of other Americans. Today, Veterans Day, is a day that we remember the sacrifices of these brave men and women.

Need some respect

 Respect for one's adversary is certainly admirable, as is consistency in principle. I don't know for sure, but it's reasonable to presume that there are men on the Nevada, Washington and even Southern California football teams with military commitments after graduation, who are fully prepared to "make the ultimate sacrifice for us." It's also possible, even probable, given the numbers, that there are players on these "hated" rival teams who have suffered the pain and grief associated with the murder of a close friend or family member. In light of this, to treat teams to a different array of chants and taunts is asinine. Shouting "kill" or "suck it" is always in poor taste, as is "f**k the Pope" or "Rudy sucks" but these swipes are tolerated as the products of fierce loyalty. Although sympathetic concerns like those expressed by Greg Robinson are noble, they were one reason the student section sounded like s**t against Navy for three quarters. When a rival (be it Navy or the 12 Apostles) comes to our university to try to defeat our football team — and have a fairly easy time of it — we maybe need to reconsider our balance of decorum and passion.

Game Day accomodations

Belittling humanities

 I would like to take classes over the summer in order to get my requirements out of the way. I met with my advisor, and he explained that math, science and related classes could not be taken at other universities for credit. However, I could take philosophy, history and theology at other universities.

Congratulations?

 Congratulations on yet another signature loss, Charlie Weis! All the ingredients were there. The way that you motivated our team to come out flat in Notre Dame Stadium? It's unbelievable. The lack of physical domination displayed by our team, especially our lines which only outweighed and not outplayed Navy? It was fascinating to watch. I especially enjoy how you continue to lead our team like the other coaches that earn comparable salaries to you (ex. Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, etc.). It's historic. Losing to Navy two out of three years? Starting another November meltdown? Isn't that what we call a return on an investment when the university gave you an extension?

Eucharistic adoration at Notre Dame

St. Thomas Aquinas defines peace, in one aspect, as the "tranquility of order." However you define it, we are not doing too well in achieving peace in domestic and international as well as cultural matters. Maybe we are missing something. Let me suggest a practice that can help.

Coaching change

I watched in disgust as the football team was hung out to dry this past Saturday. The defense was as ill-prepared as any and the inability to score from within the red zone was baffling. Time after time, I said to my son, "Navy must have 12 men on the field because they seem to have two to three defenders on the receivers." When it was first and goal at the two, we came away with no points. Navy's first play after taking over was a 39 yard run by the fullback — another run — and an eventual TD.I don't expect ND to win every game but losing twice to Navy in three years is unacceptable. Losing to Syracuse last year was unacceptable.Our coach is a 1978 grad. Maybe he should look at his performance through those eyes. I think the book is called "No Excuses" — so put that in to play and admit that you are not a college head coach. John P. Pastorealumnusclass of 1965Nov. 9

Congratulations?

Congratulations on yet another signature loss, Charlie Weis! All the ingredients were there. The way that you motivated our team to come out flat in Notre Dame Stadium? It's unbelievable. The lack of physical domination displayed by our team, especially our lines which only outweighed and not outplayed Navy? It was fascinating to watch. I especially enjoy how you continue to lead our team like the other coaches that earn comparable salaries to you (ex. Urban Meyer, Nick Saban, etc.). It's historic. Losing to Navy two out of three years? Starting another November meltdown? Isn't that what we call a return on an investment when the university gave you an extension?Maybe you and the team did not want to seize upon the opportunity to really enter the BCS conversation especially when so many factors this weekend seemed to fall in our favor. It's possible that we really enjoyed playing in Hawaii last year and just wanted to make a return appearance. It's where our players can perform back flips rather than tackles. Where you can talk a big game rather than actually play in one. On the other hand, Navy seemed really motivated to play us. You can ask about things like "killer instinct" and "desire" when you call your NFL contacts this week. Maybe the Navy players saw you flash your four Super Bowl rings and wanted to play for a winner — albeit the other team. Perhaps, it was just the game plan. After all, who doesn't enjoy watching highly recruited players chase after guys who will never go to the NFL?As you like to say after each and every one of these signature losses, "Where do we go from here fellas?" One proposition is that you learn how to motivate a team by watching Friday Night Lights coach Eric Taylor each week. You both are part of the NBC family and that fictional coach might actually teach you something. Another is to take a hint from the new documentary on Michael Jackson and realize that "this is it" for your head coaching career and simply resign. Tae Kanggrad studentoff campusNov. 8 

Gameday accomodations

True support?

 Yesterday I noticed that the yearly pro-life signs had been posted. This year the slogan is "We support women." My question is: how do you support women? I can't help but wonder if those who are pro-life consider that some young women don't choose to have abortions, but are forced to by family. Some conceive children after being raped or molested. Others realize that they would be bringing a child into an unhealthy and possibly unsafe environment. I find it offensive that every year we are forced to endure the posters and crosses. What about the students who may have had abortions and are haunted by the experience.

True support

Yesterday I noticed that the yearly pro-life signs had been posted. This year the slogan is "We support women." My question is: how do you support women? I can't help but wonder if those who are pro-life consider that some young women don't choose to have abortions, but are forced to by family. Some conceive children after being raped or molested. Others realize that they would be bringing a child into an unhealthy and possibly unsafe environment. I find it offensive that every year we are forced to endure the posters and crosses. What about the students who may have had abortions and are haunted by the experience.You say that you support women, but how? Are you going to provide them with the money they need to buy food, diapers, and clothes? Will you ensure that both child and mother have health insurance? Can you guarantee housing if her parents choose to turn their backs on her? If the answer is no, then I must disagree and say that you don't support women. It's insensitive to force students to see these posters. If the answer is yes, then I will gladly concede the validity of your statement that you "support women." Jacquitta MartinsophomoreMcCandlessNov. 9

Eucharistic adoration at Notre Dame

 St. Thomas Aquinas defines peace, in one aspect, as the "tranquility of order." However you define it, we are not doing too well in achieving peace in domestic and international as well as cultural matters. Maybe we are missing something. Let me suggest a practice that can help.

Need some respect

Respect for one's adversary is certainly admirable, as is consistency in principle. I don't know for sure, but it's reasonable to presume that there are men on the Nevada, Washington and even Southern California football teams with military commitments after graduation, who are fully prepared to "make the ultimate sacrifice for us." It's also possible, even probable, given the numbers, that there are players on these "hated" rival teams who have suffered the pain and grief associated with the murder of a close friend or family member. In light of this, to treat teams to a different array of chants and taunts is asinine. Shouting "kill" or "suck it" is always in poor taste, as is "f**k the Pope" or "Rudy sucks" but these swipes are tolerated as the products of fierce loyalty. Although sympathetic concerns like those expressed by Greg Robinson are noble, they were one reason the student section sounded like s**t against Navy for three quarters. When a rival (be it Navy or the 12 Apostles) comes to our university to try to defeat our football team — and have a fairly easy time of it — we maybe need to reconsider our balance of decorum and passion. Arthur O. KostendtfreshmanDillonNov. 9 

Coaching change

 I watched in disgust as the football team was hung out to dry this past Saturday. The defense was as ill-prepared as any and the inability to score from within the red zone was baffling. Time after time, I said to my son, "Navy must have 12 men on the field because they seem to have two to three defenders on the receivers." When it was first and goal at the two, we came away with no points. Navy's first play after taking over was a 39 yard run by the fullback — another run — and an eventual TD.

Belittling humanities

I would like to take classes over the summer in order to get my requirements out of the way. I met with my advisor, and he explained that math, science and related classes could not be taken at other universities for credit. However, I could take philosophy, history and theology at other universities.

Postponing Panic

Throughout the course of the past few weeks, I've found that I have become more and more tense. I have no time to relax, and I can often be seen running around campus like a chicken with it's head cut off. My lack of time for stems from my overindulgence in a variety of activities that keep me bouncing back and forth around campus like an erratic ping-pong ball. Not to mention the fact that I have 18 credit hours on top of all that. Homework, therefore, takes a backseat. The stack of homework that I am behind on is beginning to resemble the Sears Tower. As my books keep piling in the corner of my room, I am scurrying from one event to the next, in hopes that maybe around midnight I can finally catch my breath.

We need a college coach

I just wanted to vent a little — no big deal. I am not a die-hard fan but I do get upset when we throw away chances to win. I will feel better just putting it down on paper, so to speak. And I realize, too, that there are many, many other facets of Notre Dame than football, but being in the limelight, it gets a lot of press.

Show some respect

Cell phones distracting

My wife and I attended the excellent Notre Dame Symphony Orchestra Concert Nov. 5 and found ourselves constantly distracted by the frequent audience use of cell phones for texting and e-mailing during the actual concert. The glow of cell phones was all around us. I could not for the life of me understand why people could not wait until the concert was over to use their cell phones.