Author Archive
Putting the “Plato” back in “platonic”
Valentine’s Day in America is an occasion that simultaneously disturbs the stomach and befuddles the mind. How the legend of a third century Roman priest who was martyred for performing secret marriages has devolved into this nauseating spectacle of commercialized Cupids and confections has always been a source of puzzlement for me. If anything, February 14 is an annual opportunity to reflect [...]
Rethinking – and reclaiming – progress
Ask almost anyone, and they’ll tell you that ours is the most progressive of eras. We live longer than we did before, have more wealth than those who preceded us, and know more about the physical universe around us than at any other point in human history. We’ve gotten to the point where paradigm-shifting technological advancements occur not over the course of centuries, but mere years. If [...]
There is nothing noble in the middle
Earlier this semester, The Observer’s Ryan Williams penned a vitriolic editorial condemning those who take a definitive stance on abortion. Although he titles and begins his piece under the guise of criticizing “dangerous rhetoric” coming from either side of the issue, he soon transitions into a full-blown assault on anyone who has the gall to consider abortion a “black and white, good [...]
Cheers and Jeers
JEERS -BIC Disposable Razors Don’t be deceived by the cute little mascot, with his shiny black head and his bright yellow coat…BIC disposable razors are the mini-hacksaws of Satan. They’re more proficient at ripping apart flesh than they are at cutting hair. I used a BIC disposable razor just ONCE and it looked like I’d just survived a shark attack. Honestly, I could get a less [...]
Michael Floyd suspended indefinitely following DUI
Star receiver barred from all team activities after second alcohol-related arrest Michael Floyd, Notre Dame’s top receiver of a year ago and the school’s all-time leader in career touchdown receptions, has been suspended indefinitely by Notre Dame Football Head Coach Brian Kelly from all team activities. The action comes as a result of the junior team captain’s second alcohol-related [...]
Escaping the clutches of the culture of comfort
We live in a culture of comfort. The way some go on about it, “comfortable” is a state of being that should be strived for, like a plushy nirvana. Anything that helps us achieve this end, whether it is the clothes we wear or the collective experiences and viewpoints to which we confine ourselves, is worthy of praise and distinguished status. We’ve even developed an entire category of [...]
Cheers & Jeers
Musical Selections: “November Blue” - The Avett Brothers “Salt and Pepper” - Caroline Petrik (search for it online) “William Shakespeare’s In My Cat” - Arrogant Worms CHEERS Utah Game Hooray! The Class of 2011’s final home football game as Notre Dame students is nearly upon us! I mean, we’ve already locked up the “Most Losingest Class” award, we’ve [...]
Farewell, Brave Brent: Missing Modak
The perks of being a member of The Irish Rover staff are innumerable. For starters, we get to pull all-nighters writing articles on highly intellectual and important stuff, which, in turn, are read by everyone across campus the very next day. Additionally, the celebrity status attained by simply being associated with The Rover is certainly a plus, although the ceaseless barrage of requests for [...]
Notre Dame receives over $34 million in stimulus funds
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), the University of Notre Dame received $34.7 million to support 29 different research initiatives. Notre Dame is the single largest recipient of stimulus dollars in St. Joseph County, where funds dispersed totaled just over $150 million. The majority of the $787 billion distributed as part of the ARRA were intended to create jobs and [...]
Preparation for Baraka Bouts underway
Last week saw the official beginning of training for Baraka Bouts, Notre Dame’s annual boxing competition organized by the Women’s Boxing Club. Although the first fight will not be held until just before Thanksgiving, over 60 participants are already hard at work, preparing for their time in the spotlight come November. First time participants are the focus of training sessions right now, as [...]