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Counseling at Women's Care Center

By The Observer · Friday, Jan. 22, 2010

In this column, "The Notre Dame They Know," I will interview individuals who have been influenced by the University of Notre Dame. I will seek to discover the unique role that Notre Dame has played in their life and vocational journey. It is hoped that this column will inculcate a deeper, more honest and more profound love for Our Lady and Her University.

The Observer

What we can do together

By The Observer · Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

 The old saying goes that there are no atheists in foxholes. Even the most ardent non-believer, in this line of thinking, would desire to pray to a higher power in the face of great fear or impending death. Even though atheists themselves resent this implication, calling it an aphorism rather than a statistical claim, we can perhaps agree and hope that the worst of situations often brings out the best in each of us. So during this 100th anniversary Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, as I find myself praying for the many victims and heroes down in Haiti after the devastating earthquake and aftershocks, I believe and hope that there are no Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Evangelicals, Anglicans or Lutherans in Port-au-Prince right now, but simply followers of Christ, offering food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty and shelter to the homeless, binding up wounds and consoling the many who mourn.

The Observer

Spirit still missing

By The Observer · Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

 We commend the Editorial Staff's intention to apologize for including "The Mobile Party" in your Jan. 13 edition. As you note, the publication of the cartoon was, indeed, an "egregious error in judgment." However, the content of your apology continues to create concern. Referencing what you claim to be the regrettable acts of others (Sen. Reid) as you apologize for your own regrettable actions is an attempt to justify your actions, to make them seem more common, and therefore, less objectionable. As children sometimes say, "Yes, it's wrong, but everyone does it! Why should I be the only one that gets in trouble?" 

The Observer

Spirit still missing

By The Observer · Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

 We commend the Editorial Staff's intention to apologize for including "The Mobile Party" in your Jan. 13 edition. As you note, the publication of the cartoon was, indeed, an "egregious error in judgment." However, the content of your apology continues to create concern. Referencing what you claim to be the regrettable acts of others (Sen. Reid) as you apologize for your own regrettable actions is an attempt to justify your actions, to make them seem more common, and therefore, less objectionable. As children sometimes say, "Yes, it's wrong, but everyone does it! Why should I be the only one that gets in trouble?" 

The Observer

GLAAD on 'Party'

By The Observer · Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

 As a Catholic, a father, and a gay man, I was deeply troubled to see "The Mobile Party" cartoon printed in The Observer on Jan. 13.

The Observer

What we can do together

By The Observer · Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

 The old saying goes that there are no atheists in foxholes. Even the most ardent non-believer, in this line of thinking, would desire to pray to a higher power in the face of great fear or impending death. Even though atheists themselves resent this implication, calling it an aphorism rather than a statistical claim, we can perhaps agree and hope that the worst of situations often brings out the best in each of us. So during this 100th anniversary Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, as I find myself praying for the many victims and heroes down in Haiti after the devastating earthquake and aftershocks, I believe and hope that there are no Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Baptists, Evangelicals, Anglicans or Lutherans in Port-au-Prince right now, but simply followers of Christ, offering food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty and shelter to the homeless, binding up wounds and consoling the many who mourn.

The Observer

GLAAD on 'Party'

By The Observer · Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

 As a Catholic, a father, and a gay man, I was deeply troubled to see "The Mobile Party" cartoon printed in The Observer on Jan. 13.

The Observer

More needed

By The Observer · Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

 Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, has been hit by a massive earthquake, affecting millions of people. Americans have already generously donated millions of dollars to help, but more help is still greatly needed. At this point, it is important to remember to give money to trusted organizations with a history of transparency, low overhead costs and efficiency to truly aid Haitians who need help the most.

The Observer

More needed

By The Observer · Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010

 Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, has been hit by a massive earthquake, affecting millions of people. Americans have already generously donated millions of dollars to help, but more help is still greatly needed. At this point, it is important to remember to give money to trusted organizations with a history of transparency, low overhead costs and efficiency to truly aid Haitians who need help the most.

The Observer

Dissolution of Economics and Policy Studies

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

In The Observer article "Branch of econ dept. to be dissolved," Jan. 19 on the impending dissolution of the Department of Economics and Policy Studies I read that [Dean] "McGreevy said the proposed changes would help faculty members currently in Economics and Policy Studies participate in economic conversations."

The Observer

Dissolution of Economics and Policy Studies

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

In The Observer article "Branch of econ dept. to be dissolved," Jan. 19 on the impending dissolution of the Department of Economics and Policy Studies I read that [Dean] "McGreevy said the proposed changes would help faculty members currently in Economics and Policy Studies participate in economic conversations."

The Observer

Clarification

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

The creative group responsible for the offensive comic strip that appeared in last Wednesday's Observer would like to issue a clarification regarding the persons involved. The Mobile Party is the work of a large creative group, but three people are credited in the byline. Often some of these people do not contribute to individual comic strips, as is the case with last week's issue. The graphics were prepared by Colin Hofman and the content was co-developed by two individuals from the creative group who have elected to not come forward at this time. The Jan. 13 comic strip was not written or approved by Jay Wade or Lauren Rosemeyer and we would like to apologize to them.

The Observer

All-Star voting

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

The NBA All-Star Game is quickly approaching, and per usual Lebron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard all find themselves at the top of the balloting. No surprise there. But as you may or may not have heard, there's a conspiracy that threatens to destroy my favorite midseason exhibition. And we, the fans, started it. If voting ended today, Houston Rockets guard Tracy McGrady and Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson would find themselves starting in the 2010 All-Star Game. Does anyone else feel my pain? I'm not sure what goes through the minds of millions of voters, but I wouldn't vote T-Mac onto my Bookstore Basketball team (yep, we're that good). Correct me if I'm wrong, but we're looking at a guy who has never even advanced past the first round of the playoffs, a guy who can't find a single team to trade for him and a guy who single-handedly ruined my fantasy team in 2008 because of "knee injuries." And then I finally realized who to blame. China. Now don't get me wrong, because I happen to believe that Chinese fans are among the most knowledgeable and faithful fans of the NBA. But in the words of Ricky Bobby, lay off the peyote people. We all know your national hero Yao is out for the year and he's not coming back. That doesn't mean you have to show your support by voting for a bench bum who can't even hold his own in the NBA anymore. I bet Yao doesn't even like T-Mac. What, you think they hang out on the weekends with Luis Scola and play Yahtzee? Doubt it. But enough talk of McGrady. How about the ageless wonder himself, Allen Iverson? The "Answer" has been anything but for the past five years. He was the centerpiece in what will probably go down as the worst trade in the history of the NBA, leading the Detroit Pistons to a first-round exit in the 2009 playoffs. But what am I talking about. I mean he's supposed to be the franchise player, and we in here talkin' about an exhibition. Not a game. Not a game. We talkin' about an exhibition. There's a reason he's never been featured on the "NBA Cares" commercials. Bottom line, don't keep great players, deserving players, like Monta Ellis and Ray Allen out of a meaningless game that we care so much about. As I always say, if you wouldn't put them on your fantasy team, don't put them on your All-Star rosters.

The Observer

Form

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

 The perfect 80s song would just be God.

The Observer

Form

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

 The perfect 80s song would just be God.

The Observer

Family life at Notre Dame

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

This past summer my 1-year old son and I traveled to Le Mans, France, to visit the mother church of the Holy Cross family and the resting place of Blessed Fr. Basil Moreau. Above the marble tomb of Fr. Moreau — around which my son toddled happily for half an hour — is fixed a stone relief of the Holy Family at work: Mary threads, Joseph works wood and Jesus helps. This is an artful meditation on the heart of the Holy Cross charism. Its saintly founder envisioned his sisters, brothers and priests to be like the Holy Family, working together in a familial love for God, each other and those they serve.

The Observer

Clarification

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

The creative group responsible for the offensive comic strip that appeared in last Wednesday's Observer would like to issue a clarification regarding the persons involved. The Mobile Party is the work of a large creative group, but three people are credited in the byline. Often some of these people do not contribute to individual comic strips, as is the case with last week's issue. The graphics were prepared by Colin Hofman and the content was co-developed by two individuals from the creative group who have elected to not come forward at this time. The Jan. 13 comic strip was not written or approved by Jay Wade or Lauren Rosemeyer and we would like to apologize to them.

The Observer

All eyes on us

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

Last week's Viewpoint section was a flurry of activity. As most students are aware, an offensive comic ran, went viral, then national, and resulted in an atypical backlash against both the comics, the editors of The Observer and the University at large. Let me begin by saying this is not a column about Jay, Lauren, Colin or Kara, all of whom have been and continue to be my friends. Rather, this is an attempt to move onto the larger issue here, homosexuality at Notre Dame, and some of the issues endemic to this place.

The Observer

All eyes on us

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

Last week's Viewpoint section was a flurry of activity. As most students are aware, an offensive comic ran, went viral, then national, and resulted in an atypical backlash against both the comics, the editors of The Observer and the University at large. Let me begin by saying this is not a column about Jay, Lauren, Colin or Kara, all of whom have been and continue to be my friends. Rather, this is an attempt to move onto the larger issue here, homosexuality at Notre Dame, and some of the issues endemic to this place.

The Observer

Family life at Notre Dame

By The Observer · Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010

This past summer my 1-year old son and I traveled to Le Mans, France, to visit the mother church of the Holy Cross family and the resting place of Blessed Fr. Basil Moreau. Above the marble tomb of Fr. Moreau — around which my son toddled happily for half an hour — is fixed a stone relief of the Holy Family at work: Mary threads, Joseph works wood and Jesus helps. This is an artful meditation on the heart of the Holy Cross charism. Its saintly founder envisioned his sisters, brothers and priests to be like the Holy Family, working together in a familial love for God, each other and those they serve.

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