April 2009: Bc Observer

McElroy Commons, Box L-132, Chestnut Hill, Ma 02467

Ayers paid despite cancellation of speech

www.thebcobserver.com

Tuesday, April 28, 2009 Volume XXI Issue 8

BC Active on K-Street Boston College spent $200,000 on federal lobbyists in 2008, $1,050,000 since 1998.

Self-proclaimed terrorist lost invitation to speak at Boston College in March, but still received compensation By Benjamin LaKind For The Observer

Despite the fact that Boston College rescinded its speaking invitation to education professor William Ayers last month, he was still paid. According to Michael Madormo, a Boston College senior and president of BC’s chapter of Americans for Informed Democracy (AID), Ayers received $2,500 for a speech he was due to deliver on March 30, 2009. However, since the speech was cancelled within seven days of when it was to be delivered, Ayers was permitted to keep the $2,500, which according to Madormo was in the terms of the speaking contract that Ayers signed with the Student Programs Office. However, Madormo added that Ayers would have been willing to speak within a few weeks of the cancellation and that Ayers would not have charged an additional fee had he been invited back. Dean Jean Yoder of the Student Programs Office (SPO) noted that AID covered the cost for the event, and that the Clough

In This Issue Immigration and Religion...News, 3 ASSK Campaign Struck Down... News, 4 You Don’t Know Jacq...Opinion, 9

Notre Dame to Honor Obama... Catholic Issues, 10 NSA Wiretap... Opinions, 16

NFL draft picks... Sports, 20

Center for Constitutional Democracy pledged $1,000. However, since the speech was cancelled, the Clough Center never paid the $1,000. Dean Yoder also corroborated Madomro’s statement as to why Ayers was still paid: “It is standard for contracts to state that if the sponsor cancels the event, then payment is still due. Since BC cancelled the event, we needed to honor the contract.” William Ayers, a professor of education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, co-founded the Weather Underground in 1970. The Weather Underground claimed responsibility for planting bombs in the Pentagon and the U.S. Capitol, which Ayers described in a New York Times op-ed as “symbolic acts of extreme vandalism directed at monuments to war and racism, and the attacks on property, never on people, were meant to respect human life and convey outrage and determination to end the Vietnam war.” Ayers had received an invita-

See ‘Ayers’ page 2

BC President, Father Leahy S.J., who lives in this house just off College Road is hoping to acquire more funds for BC science labs in 2009. By Jesse Naiman The Observer Boston College spent $200,000 on federal lobbying efforts in Washington D.C. in 2008, according to lobbyist watchdog group OpenSecrets.org. Although BC has only spent over six figures on federal lobbying once since 1998, BC spent $80,000 per year in between 1998-2007, and has

so far spent $50,000 in 2009. BC has spent a total of $1,050,000 in the past twelve years. The University employs Washington D.C.-based lobbying firm Cassidy & Associates. Cassidy & Associates, which has been in business since 1975, boasts the capability to lobby in over eighteen fields, including education appropriations, which it indentifies as a “core area of expertise”

since founder Gerald S.J. Cassidy began his lobbying career representing colleges and universities. Cassidy & Associates, a firm that has represented institutions of higher education for over twenty five years, claims to help clients gain federal funding for “major construction and infrastructure

See ‘Lobbying’ page 2

Sociology Syllabus Exposed By Jesse Naiman The Observer Sociology Professor Eve Spangler will once again offer “Social Justice in Israel/Palestine” in the fall of 2009 after its introduction last semester. This course is only one of multiple courses that some individuals believe are slanted and use a classroom setting to offer a leftist narrative on current political issues. First revealed by Solomonia and National Review Online, Professor Spangler’s course syllabus corroborates concerns that the course is taught with a pro-Palestinian bias. Her course objectives immediately state the nature

of the relationship between Israel and Palestine as “highly unequal – the relations of an occupier and the occupied.” The culmination of her course is a study/immersion trip to Palestine over Christmas break, but Professor Spangler is said to approach the trip with a specific bias in mind: “On the trip, the primary form of service is bearing witness – to the sufferings and strengths of occupied communities and the courage and wisdom of dissidents.” Her course also focuses largely on narratives of Palestinians, Israelis, and the United Nations, among others. She asks stu-

field of un-

The Sociology department is accused of having an anti -Israeli bias

dents to “remember not only that narratives trump facts, but that these narratives operate within a

See ‘Sociology’ page 2

2

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

News

Lobbying from front

development, technological upgrades and advancements including the establishment of remote classrooms and the purchase of new media and telecommunications equipment, programmatic support including the creation of public/private and community partnerships, research and development programs, and other infrastructure, technological, and programmatic initiatives.” BC’s most recent filing with the House and Representatives and the Senate details BC’s lobbying activities for the first quarter of 2009. In these reports, the lobbying firm lists the bills in which they are involved, and state the reason the client is interested in the outcome of the pending legislation. Among the bills and issues for which Cassidy & Associates lobbied on behalf of BC were the Fiscal Year 2010 House and Senate Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, “for science lab renovations related to the Department of Energy,” the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act for “science lab renovations related to the Department of Energy and in support of a cultural exchange related to the State Department.” The filed addendum lists four additional lobbying efforts: the Fiscal Year 2010 Senate State Foreign Operations act “in support of a cultural exchange,” the

The Observer April 28, 2009

Ayers paid Fiscal Year 2010 House and Senate Department of Interior Environmental and Related Agencies Appropriations Act “related to earthquake hazard and mitigation programming at the U.S. Geological Survey,” the Fiscal Year 2010 House and Senate Department of Transportation Appropriations Bill “for MBTA transit stop improvements” and it again lists the Fiscal Year 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act for “science lab renovations.” Federal lobbying expenditures of other Catholic universities varied. The University of Notre Dame also spent $200,000 in 2008, but it has spent that same amount per year since 2005. The College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts spent $96,000 in 2008, and has spent $16,000 so far in 2009. While Georgetown University spent $196,000 in 2008, it spent $380,000 in 2007, and has averaged over $200,000 per year since 2001. Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington spent $80,000 in both 2008 and 2002, it spent $40,000 each year in between 2003 and 2007. To put these numbers in perspective, Harvard University has so far spent $160,000 in 2009 and $720,000 in 2008. BC spokesman Jack Dunn was unavailable for comment on the benefits that BC hopes to gain from its lobbying expenditures.

from front

tion from AID to speak at Boston College, but the SPO decided to cancel the event due to safety concerns. Citing in part the Weather Underground member’s William Gilday’s murder of Boston Police Sergeant Walter Shroeder in 1970 during a bank robbery, the SPO decided to cancel Ayers’ speech after also receiving numerous threatening calls. In response, event organizers tried both hosting Ayers at an off-campus location and showing Ayers’ speech via teleconference, but the speech was ultimately cancelled altogether. AID and students opposed to the cancellation held a forum on the importance of academic freedom during the time when Ayers was slated to speak, and event organizers wrote a petition lamenting the cancellation of Ayers’ speech, and asked for revisions to BC’s speaker policy, namely to prevent the university from having the right to cancel lectures on campus. They also held a rally on April 15 to echo similar sentiments. Both the American Civil Liberties Union and the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education have written letters to University President Father William Leahy, S.J.. Ayers still managed to make an appearance on Boston College radio program “Blowback” on April 16.

Ayers has lost speaking invitations at other universities besides Boston College. The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that Ayers’s invitation to address Georgia Southern University (GSU) on March 2, 2009 was rescinded because of a $13,000

security costs that the institution claimed it would have been forced to pay, even though Ayers had previously spoken at GSU. The University of Nebraska at Lincoln also claimed that safety concerns forced it to cancel a recent invitation it had sent to him.

ognize that its national existence rests on the expulsion of more than 700,000 Palestinians from their homeland, Israel fails to speak to Jews of conscience.” Martin Solomon of Solomonia, the blogger who broke this story, was highly critical of Professor Spangler and her course. He believes this course to be pure indoctrination of anti-Israeli views, and questions whether she is even qualified to be teaching the course: “This is academic manipulation, fraud and malpractice at its worst… It’s no surprise Spangler has no academic grounds to be teaching this class, but that’s fine as it’s clearly not an academic class.” Fred Schwartz of National Review Online’s “Phi Beta Cons” blog also echoed Solomon’s sentiments, noting that the course content is not in line with her noted area of expertise. However, Schwartz was not surprised the course was offered: “A while ago she started getting interested in anti-Israel activities, and eventually, being an academic, she

decided to teach a class about her latest fascination. It’s no surprise that the idea found a receptive audience around BC’s sociology department.” Although Professor Spangler declined to be interviewed for this article, she has been an associate professor of sociology at BC since 1986, enjoys a 7.2 rating out of 10 on the UGBC’s Professor Evaluation Profiles, has published dozens of scholarly articles in the field of sociology, and serves on journal editorial boards. Professor Spangler, whose interests according to her website lie in “intersecting areas of work and inequality,” also teaches a course on “Inequality in America.” She desires that her students consider the “perennial questions of social justice and fairness that American citizens face.” Among other assignments, students read a book titled Middletown, which Professor Spangler claims shows “the poor are poor because the rich design low wage jobs, withhold mortgage and home improvement monies,

forbid their children to date on “the wrong side of the tracks,” and preach the value of humility, piety and suffering to the poor. Similarly, the rich are rich because their workers, while poorly paid, are highly productive, and politically docile.” In questions she asks students to ponder, she even implies that wealth distribution among classes is unfair: “Why do [workers] accept less than their fair share of America’s great wealth?” Not only does the course consider class differences, students also learn about the relationship between class, race and gender: “Within these class categories, the readings raise issues of race and gender by considering most closely powerful women (instead of the more usual: powerful men), by studying professionals from communities of color rather than white professionals, and by studying impoverished whites in comparison to impoverished African Americans. Thus the readings address the simultaneity of class, race, and gender differences.”

3

News

April 28, 2009

Professor Studies Connection between Illegal Immigration and Religion By Mary Margaret Brinkopf The Observer

Professor William Ayers was not permitted to speak at Boston College, but still received payment.

from front

Furthermore, the question asks students to establish a peace plan reflecting the ideas of one of two individuals of her choosing: “Given your choice, how would you construct a peace-making/ conflict transforming agenda? Please bear in mind, that your peace plan should reflect Rouhana’s ideas (namely that reconciliation requires a sense of history, a sense of justice, and a sense of power) as well as Lederach’s (that states, NGOs, and grass roots movements must all be involved and their actions aligned).” Professor Nadim Rouhana of George Mason University has written extensively on the oppression Palesitneians face, and Professor John Paul Lederach is a professor of “international peace building” at University of Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. In a 2008 article written for Counterpunch, she proclaims that she refuses to celebrate Israel’s 60th anniversary due to its supposed mistreatment of Palestinians: “But, in refusing to rec-

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

Immigrants look to Saint Toribio Romo – the Companion of Journey Migrants for Protection.

Sociology Department equal power.” Many of the narratives she chooses, come from a purely Palestinian perspective, such as Omar Barghouti’s “Boycotting Israeli Apartheid, Evoking South Africa’s Legacy,” or Richard Falk’s, “United Nations Rapporteur for Palestine, Slouching Toward a Palestinian Holocaust.” Professor Spangler also requires that students write five essays, but even these may not give students a chance to objectively explore the relationship between Israel and Palestine. One question asks “We have examined three images of the Israeli occupation of Palestine: genocide, apartheid, and sociocide. Which of these organizing concepts, if any, do you find most persuasive and why? If you wish to focus on an Israeli view of the occupation, please review Morris and preview Swirski, but remember that any argument you make must address the human rights framework.” Benny Morris has authored books discussing atrocities committed by Israelis against Palestinians.

The Observer

As President Obama pushes ahead plans to prevent further illegal immigration across the United States-Mexico border, Professor Jacqueline Hogan of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, spoke to BC students about the human side of illegal immigration. The event, held in Gasson 305, was well attended and sponsored by both the Latin American Campaign and Arrupe International Programs. Professor Hogan’s background on the subject matter included five years of traveling throughout Mexico, Gua-temala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The thesis of her project focused on the strong connection between journeying migrants and the powerful influence of religion. Throughout the lecture, Professor Hogan shared various accounts of illegal immigrants and their journeys to the United States. In particular, Professor Hogan continuously returned to one immigrant, Cecilia, a nineteen year old woman who paid a coyote, an individual that smuggles immigrants across the U.S. and Mexico border, to aid her in crossing it. Cecilia’s experiences, which Professor Hogan read

aloud to the audience, epitomized the hazards involved in smuggling women across the border. Professor Hogan sequentially examined the perilous journey illegal immigrants undertake to reach the United States. She first described the departure process for immigrants. For Catholic immigrants, it is customary to visit shrines of saints to ask for protection on the journey, especially the shrine of Saint Toribio Romo in Santa Ana, Guatemala. Saint Romo was murdered during the Mexican Revolution in 1928 for his affiliation with the Catholic Church. He was canonized as a saint in 2000 and named the companion saint of journey migrants. According to Professor Hogan, numerous immigrants have recounted encountering a young man who provided them with water when they were dehydrated in the middle of MexicanAmerican border desert. Besides visiting the shrine of Saint Romo, some migrants visit up to seventeen shrines with “migrant petitions” asking for a safe journey across the border. For Protestant migrants, instead of visiting shrines, they travel to Ayuno’s, a gathering place to fast. Professor Hogan next delved into the physical journey for immigrants. The migrants have a

variety of choices for transportation: by foot, by a truck, or by a train. Trains are by far the most dangerous method of entering the United States. Professor Hogan explained that migrants are forced to jump on and off trains to avoid being discovered at checkpoints. Oftentimes, migrants injure themselves by continuously jumping on and off the trains – these injuries usually result in amputation. Professor Hogan also added that migrants face numerous social dangers (such as exposure to extreme weather). In order to cope with these terrifying issues, Professor Hogan claimed the imm i -grants rely on prayer and religion. In recent years, many churches have been established along the border as safe houses for immigrants. After visiting several of these safe houses, Professor Hogan said that these churches serve as a powerful network among the migrant population. Further, these churches have even gone as far as erecting temporary “blue flag” water stations for immigrants to provide pastoral care for the migrants. The final part of a migrant’s journey is their arrival in the United States. Although this may appear to be the final leg of the process, Professor Hogan com-

Professor Jacqueline Hogan of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill discussing religion and illegal immigration. mented that most migrants have pledged to return back to their hometowns to visit the saints that blessed them on their journey as an act of faith. In some cases, these pledges take many years to complete. For the last portion of Professor Hogan’s presentation, she offered an opinion on the future of illegal immigration in the United States. She strongly stressed the new administration to look at the

“human costs” of militarizing the border and to create a more “sensible path to immigration.” Following the end of her presentation, Professor Hogan took nearly a half an hour of followup questions. If students are interested in reading further about Professor Hogan’s research, they can purchase a copy of her book, Migration Miracles: Faith, Hope and Meaning on the Undocumented Journey.

Catholic Community Event Continues at Boston Koinonia, an evening of prayer and social time, returns to Boston College and draws students from other campuses. By Donato Infante III The Observer Koinonia returned to Boston College this past Friday. Based on Catholic Underground, an apostolate of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal in New York, Koinonia seeks to unite students for prayer and an evening of wholesome fun. The tagline on the event’s fliers reads, “The alternative Saturday that could be just what you’re looking for.” The evening began with an hour of Eucharistic Adoration in St. Mary’s Chapel led by Father Casey Beaumier, S.J.. Contemporary Christian music was meditatively played in the background by senior Andy Gibbons. Gibbons also led the group in a chant-like version of sung evening prayer. Confessions were heard by two priests during the hour, one of whom was hearing confessions even after the Holy Hour ended. From there, the

group went to Gasson Hall for an more Koinonias...and His Word Franciscan Sisters added a lot. open mic night. Normally held in always needs to be evangelized.” Anne Marie Warner from Bentley the Honors Library, the event was The event was very well said, “They were an order of sismoved to Gasson 205 to accom- liked by those who came. Dee ters that I had not met before and modate Arts Fest. Garrahan, a senior at Wellesley it was great to meet women who Koinonia was a monthly College, said that she came be- have completely dedicated their event the last academic lives to God and seryear but took a semester vice in the Church. “There is talent all around us, and it’s off this past fall. It has It was good to talk awesome to see. I think my favortie part been revived and there with them and get to was being able to see these talents used are plans for it to continue know some of them to glorify God.” next year on a monthly personally.” -Jeffrey Moore basis again based on its Jeffrey Moore Olin College success this year. About from Olin College fifty people showed up, agreed. “One of the including individuals from Har- cause “The magnitude of the re- ways you can tell you’re in the vard, MIT, and Wellesley. Two sources to hold Koininia can’t be right place or hanging out with members of the Little Sisters of matched at my school or any oth- the right people is the presence of the Poor came, as did nine wom- er closer school.” It was not the religious. Just their presence was en from the Franciscan Sisters of first time she had come, and she powerful. Also, they were super the Renewal. added, “This event keeps getting fun, so they added a liveliness to Organizer Leah Gunning, better and better!” Others, like the event that was above and bea junior studying nursing, said, Erik Kennedy from Olin College, yond what is usually there.” “There is always a need for said that he hopes the event can When asked why he would Christ, and there is consequential- continue in some capacity over travel to such an event, Moore ly always a need for community the summer when classes are not said, “I find it very inspiring to in His love. As long as His Word in session. meet other students my age from needs to be spread, there will be For some, the presence of the other schools who are involved in

and dedicated to Christ and His Church. Koinonia is a wonderful place to meet these students, where we can adore Christ and socialize together.” Most students loved the open mic night as well. Moore said, “There is talent all around us, and it’s awesome to see. I think my favorite part was being able to see these talents used to glorify God. It just goes to show how we all do have different gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit.” However, some disagreed. One BC student who asked to remain anonymous said, “Koinonia was a great success, but the open mic night dragged on for too long. While some students were incredible talents, such as two sisters who sang a piece from Godspell, or the Franciscan Sisters who sang, and even one of the poets was brilliant, some people who performed were somewhat subpar. It would be fine if such people shared one poem but three?”

4

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

News

The Observer April 28, 2009

ASSK Campaign Struck Down By Administration AHANA Scholarship will remain unnamed through 2009.

By Mary Margaret Brinkopf The Observer The campaign to name the Asian American Scholarship suffered another setback on April 21 with the rejection of Aung San Suu Kyi, the second candidate put forward by the Asian Caucus in the past decade. The decision cripples the yearlong movement spearheaded by the Asian Caucus to name the scholarship that has been unnamed for fourteen years. The Asian American Scholarship is the only unnamed scholarship of the three African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American (AHANA) scholarships annually given. The scholarship is awarded to a BC junior who has “demonstrated superior academic achievement, extracurricular leadership, community service and involvement with the Asian American community and Asian American issues both on and off campus,” states AHANA’s website. The scholarship awards $15,000 towards the scholar’s fall senior semester at Boston College. The Asian Caucus argued in an e-mail sent out to members of the Asian American community that leaving the scholarship unnamed “speaks poorly to the recognition of Asian American role models and the status of our scholarship.” The movement to name the

scholarship was picked up by the reasoning for rejecting the candi- Aung San’s party successfully Asian Caucus which hoped to ex- date, it is suspected that the main won a majority in the elections, pedite the process. The AHANA reason he rejected her name was the military junta refused to acumbrella organization received because she was not well known knowledge her party and instead approval from the administra- enough.” The website goes on to persecuted her followers. As a tion and was given guidelines for further state that “there wasn’t a result, Aung San Suu Kyi was finding candidates for the schol- large enough student movement” placed under house arrest where arship. In an e-mail sent out to behind the naming of the scholar- she has remained for nearly nineteen years. In her internment, she the Asian American community ship. In 2008, the Asian Caucus was awarded the Nobel Peace on campus, the administration stipulated the candidate must “be selected a second candidate to put Prize, becoming the only imprisoned political leader to a woman, having receive the award. Pan-Asian ties, Before formally and being inspired presenting Father Leahy heavily by faith.” with the applicant, howSeveral years ever, the Asian Caucus ago, the Asian actively sought to build Caucus put forth a large student coalition the candidate, behind the movement. Yuri Kochiyama The crusade was titled for the scholarthe “ASSK Campaign” ship. Mrs. Kochi(ASSK standing for yama was a JapaAung San Suu Kyi). The nese American campaign consisted of whose family was several rallies in March interned following and April to educate the the Japanese atstudent body about Aung tack at Pearl HarSan Suu Kyi. At the bor in 1941. Mrs. Kochiyama’s exBurmese political activist Aung San Suu Kyi, the Asian Asian Pacific Amerperiences in the Caucus’ nominee for the Asian American scholarship. ican Heritage Month (APAHM) celinternment camp ebration earlier this turned her into a human rights activist. She later forth for consideration, Aung San month, the Asian Caucus asked worked with historic figures such Suu Kyi. She is the co-founder students to write letters to Father as Malcolm X. According to the of the political party National Leahy urging him to strongly Asian Caucus’ website, “when League for Democracy (NLD) consider naming the scholarship students presented the idea of in Myanmar (formerly Burma). after her. In exchange, students naming the scholarship after Yuri In 1990, her party ran against the were given a free t-shirt with a Kochiyama, Father Leahy, though military junta, which has ruled picture of Aung San Suu Kyi and he never officially announced his the country since 1962. Although the tag line “ASSK About Me.”

Even UGBC demonstrated support for the movement by passing a resolution that recognized the heroism of Aung San Suu Kyi. On April 21, the Asian Caucus presented Father Leahy with Aung San Suu Kyi’s name for the scholarship. At the meeting, the student representatives were informed the naming criteria had changed. In the new rules, the candidate needed to be an activist and a social justice advocate. Further, the candidate needed to have “an institutional connection to Boston College,” in essence, ties to Catholicism, the Jesuit or Christianity. At the conclusion of the meeting, the student representatives were told that Aung San Suu Kyi would not qualify under these new regulations. Instead, the group was given a list of potential candidates. Following the news, the Asian Caucus called an emergency meeting. Vice President Melissa Lee stated that AC decided to “stick with ASSK and we will continue doing whatever we can to get [Father] Leahy to realize that students want their scholarship named after her [Aung San Suu Kyi].” She further added that although student input is valuable towards naming the scholarship, “ultimately, it was supposed to be the administrators who decided on a name,” and thus the struggle continues.

ArtsFest Dance Showcase: A Cultural Centerpiece University dance groups and clubs perform over the weekend in O’Neill Plaza.

By Elise Anderson The Observer

This past weekend, Boston College hosted its annual Arts Festival. One of its most popular attractions was the Dance Showcase which, as noted on the BC website, included fourteen dance groups performing over the threeday period. The Dance Showcase provided a unique opportunity for these groups to perform for members of the BC community and for other campus visitors. Each of these performances engaged and enthused the audience in O’Neill Plaza, allowing onlookers to appreciate each group’s hours of hard work and practice. A great number of the groups were cultural—including performances from the Hawaii Club, the Japan Club, the Korean Student’s Association, and the Philippine Society, among others. For example, the Philippine Society of Boston College performed a war dance, which was both play-

ful and exciting. With coconutlike bowls placed strategically on the dancer’s body (on the chest, knees, etc), each dancer held smaller bowls to knock against them; the sound produced was similar to that of a castanet, often used in Spanish music. Although there were only four dancers, there was enough energy in the performance to suggest a greater number of performers. The entire performance was in sync—even including the parts that involved partners. It was definitely a crowd pleaser, and most importantly, it was obvious that the dancers were also enjoying themselves. This was evident by their bright smiles. Similarly, the Hawaii Club’s performance was an obvious attraction to the ArtsFest attendees. The performance began with the women on stage, performing what seemed like a traditional hula dance, wearing black tops, red skirts, and traditional shell necklaces. Soon thereafter, however,

the men entered the stage calling and chanting to the audience. The women returned to join the men, donning green garlands around their waists. For many members of the audience who had never experienced such a taste of Hawaiian culture, this performance was the perfect juxtaposition of beauty and elegance that is common in Hawaiian life and art. This Dance Showcase also included a performance by the South Asian Student Association, which was a Bollywood number that combined both traditional and modern influences of dance. At one point, the men grabbed long wooden sticks that they used as part of their dance, a prop not seen in any of the other performances. The performance was able to link traditional dance to a more upbeat and modern sound. At one point, part of a Rihanna song was even introduced into the music, much different than the other Indian feel of the performance. But then for the finale, Kanye West’s

“Stronger” overlapped the South Asian music, creating an energetic feel and an obviously pleasing moment for the crowd. Another performing group, which was perhaps better known to the audience, was the Boston College Irish Dancers. Sophomore Maria Grinko, a member of the Irish Dancers, told The Observer that “performing at ArtsFest is always fun because it draws a different crowd than their biggest St. Patrick’s Day show.” ArtsFest not only brings students to support, but also gives families and other people from the area the opportunity to see the Irish Dancers and experience an incredible cultural show. Because their peak season is around St. Patrick’s Day, by the time ArtsFest comes around, each dance has been perfected and is ready for stage performance. The biggest difference with ArtsFest, of course, is the venue. O’Neill Plaza is much different from The Rat, where the St. Patrick’s Day show is held. But

this change is welcomed by the dancers. As Grinko, explained, “It’s great because the steps make a sort of amphitheater and more people can see. And being able to perform outside on a beautiful day is an improvement from the Lyons basement.” ArtsFest appears to be a favorite among both students and other BC visitors; that much was made clear by the sheer number of Festival attendees. But it’s also important that the dancers—and all of the artists—enjoy the performance; they are all able to demonstrate their respective crafts in an encouraging and supportive atmosphere. For the dancers, especially, Grinko says that another important part of the shows is being able to watch and support the other groups as “the other dance groups are so impressive and the organized chaos that goes on in that little performer’s tent is a fun atmosphere. Every body encourages each other, even if you don’t really know them.”

The Observer

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

News

April 28, 2009

5

Some Signs of Hope UGBC’s Social and Cultural This summer will offer some indication about our ability to climb out of recession in 2010.

Affairs Department Seeks to Promote Causes on Campus

The Social and Cultural Issues (SACI) Department of the Undergraduate Government of Boston College works with many different organizations on campus to promote issues of social justice and religion. The directors maintain that political partisanship is separate from their activities for UGBC. By Megan Rauch The Observer

Lawrence Summers says at least it’s not a freefall. By E. Michael Arnold The Observer Lawrence Summers, President Obama’s economic advisor appeared on Fox News on Sunday saying that the economy no longer appeared to be in an “unremitting freefall.” There are some signs of hope and mixed signals from the economy, whereas a few months ago there was only bad news. He continued to warn that the economy could turn in either direction but that the glimmers of hope are important in restoring confidence in the economy. Some of the question marks that remain include the fate of the American automobile industry. Ford appears to be the healthiest of the Big Three, and Summers was optimistic that the ChryslerFiat deal would reach an agreement and yield positive results. Automakers have been using aggressive marketing emphasizing the changes that they have made in their vehicles, offering payment protection if you lose your job after buying a car, and offering more generous signing day terms. The major banks also underwent stress tests recently which revealed that at least one of the nineteen firms tested will require additional capital. The firm was not immediately identified which will likely lead to some speculation on Wall Street this week. Banks that are lacking in adequate capital will have six months to raise it through the private sector. If they fail to do so, the firms will be eligible for capital infusion through the Capital Access Program. The stress tests have been controversial due to their announcement to the public. The knowledge of the test has created restlessness in the market’s financial sector and the involvement by the White House in the regulation procedures has raised the eyebrows of some critics who believe that regulation by law is supposed to be carried out by independent agencies without political interference.

The political dimensions of our economy have often dominated the news with heated debate concerning how much regulation is required or excessive. There are questions about whether government involvement is stifling free market principles as well as questions that suppose that free markets were disrupted by exploitation of information asymmetry by executives. A healthy discourse is useful so long as it encourages well thought out approaches but it loses its value if it becomes a means to criticize opposition rather than seek solutions. This summer it will be interesting to see the effects of massive government expenditures as the dollars start to trickle through the economy; hopefully increases in the money supply will also be accompanied by some increase in its velocity. If banks are better capitalized, an increased flow of capital and lending combined with increased expenditures could lead to modest steps towards recovery next year. Eventually the focus will shift towards inflation. There is a great deal of uncertainty, and when it comes down to it, I’m just an undergrad Econ major. In my limited experience and studies I found Keynes intuition about “animal spirits” is crucial in remembering the all the numbers we use to gauge economic activity are ultimately human driven. We are not out of the woods yet, but it’s nice to be out of a freefall. If you are waiting for a speedy recovery, you will probably be disappointed. However, this downturn may lead to some behavioral shifts towards more responsible saving and consumption patterns that will be more sustainable in the long run. This is my last article, hence the optimism. I wish the best of luck to my fellow graduating seniors in all their efforts in grad school, the job market, or our armed forces. And I would like to thank the staff of The Observer for the memories over the past two years.

“It feels like we have an event every week,” Alexandra Saieh, the Associate Director of Social and Cultural Affairs (SACI) for the Undergraduate Government of Boston College, remarked. “We cover a diverse range of issues and events on campus throughout the year,” added Meghan English, the Executive Director of the Department. The directors, both students in the Arts & Science class of 2009, met with The Observer to discuss the objectives of their department within UGBC and how they implemented their goals on campus through the various events they sponsor. They also addressed the issue of bias existing within SACI and how it may affect the initiatives the department supports. “Within Social and Cultural Affairs, we have a few main directorships: Social Awareness, UNITY (United Nationalist Integrated throughout the Year), Women’s Issues, Political Action, Learning to Serve (LTS), and Religious Affairs. We work together with other groups on campus, especially the Women’s Resource Center and the many culture clubs, to put on events that will encourage and mobilize members of the BC community,” English explained. “SACI covers a broad range of issues. We aim to raise as much awareness as we can by working together with different groups to help Boston College students become educated and as involved as possible,” included Saieh. One of the bigger events the department organized was BC Votes, which took place during the presidential campaigns this past fall. “For the election events,” Saieh elucidated, “we worked very closely with the Americans for Informed Democracy, the ALC (AHANA Leadership Council), and the College Democrats and Republicans.” SACI coordinated the debate viewing parties that took place in Robsham Theater. During these parties, the presidential and

vice-presidential debates were televised on a large screen and snacks were served. The events, the directors recalled, were very popular with the student body because the viewing parties served to promote a dialogue on campus that included people of all backgrounds and political beliefs and to encourage voting among the student body. Another important event the SAIC put on this year was the UNITY dinner. As Director of Social Awareness Stefanie Joseph described, the “successful” evening was the culmination of the Department’s yearlong efforts “to bridge the gap between UGBC

and the culture clubs on campus and to help in bridging gaps between the culture groups themselves.” Throughout the year, as Director of Social Awareness, “It was also in my role to try and keep the rest of my department and UGBC aware of the issues and events in the culture clubs,” Joseph explained. The Social and Cultural Affairs Department, especially the Women’s Issues directors, were also involved with the events of C.A.R.E. (Concerned about Rape Education) Week 2009. Over twenty different offices and organizations on campus came together to endorse activities to raise awareness and education about rape that took place over the course of eleven days from Wednesday, March 18 to Sunday,

March 29, 2009. “We led the ‘1 in 4 Campaign,’” English illuminated. “The campaign is about how one in four women is the victim of rape or attempted rape. On college campuses that number is much higher. Statistics estimate over one hundred women on a college campus are victims of these kinds of crimes every year.” As the department is also responsible for Religious Affairs in UGBC, they also sponsored a vigil held in September for the Gaza Crisis. Saieh recalled that the event was “very well attended.” The Religious Affairs directors are also developing a new project they hope will be implemented next year. “We want to do something along the lines of Professors and Pastries except with the Jesuits” Saieh said. “The tentative title for this new program is ‘Tea and Theology,’” English added. When asked if the sexual health initiative recently passed by UGBC conflicted with the religious aspects of SAIC, English responded that the two are not related at all. “The purpose of Religious Affairs is to promote the Jesuit tradition as well as the religious diversity at BC. We deal specifically with religious issues that affect and involve all communities on campus. We are also working to promote collaboration and cooperation among the different religious groups,” Saieh replied. Moreover, the two directors insist that any political involvement of the members of their department is strictly separate from their actions within UGBC. “SAIC does have good relationships with many other groups with campus, but our purpose is not to promote one specific cause or agenda. We work hard to support good initiatives that will improve life for the BC community as a whole,” English said. “Our personal beliefs are not a factor in the decisions we make for UGBC. They have no influence and the two are not related at all,” continued Saieh, who is a member of the Global Justice Project, “We avoid partisanship of any kind when it comes to UGBC.”

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

The Observer

April 28, 2009 6 News Cast of Sweet Charity Still Sweet in Spite of Difficulties

Silly plot and technical flaws undermine outstanding singing and dancing by the best of Boston College Theater. By Megan Rauch The Observer In many ways, being a member of the audience for Sweet Charity is a lot like falling for one of Charity’s no-good lovers. Expectations are high at the beginning, the road is far from smooth, and by the end you just really want it to be over. The disappointment of the musical, which was held this past weekend on the Main Stage of Robsham Theater during Boston College’s Arts Festival 2009, is not, however, the fault of the performers. Their performances were as sparkly, flashy, and fun as their costumes, designed by Jacqueline Dalley, an adjunct professor in the Theater Department. Perhaps the biggest flaw of the show was the plot itself. Written by Neil Simon with music and lyrics by Cy Simon and Dorothy fields, Sweet Charity centers around a not-so-young-anymore dancehall hostess, Charity (Allison Russell), who finds herself in a state of constant trouble because of her profession and her relationships with men. The confusion in the play begins early on in the first act when Charity sings about how much money she has spent on her lovers, but her descriptions of hotels, taxis, gambling, and other excess seems nearly impossible

for a woman earning “$6.50 a half hour,” which she has to split with the Fandadgo Ballroom’s owner, Herman, played with a smart combination of hilarity and toughness by Evan Cole. Charity also spends a considerable amount of time in the first act with Vittorio Vidal (Chris Graham), an Italian movie star, who is in love with Ursula March (Lindsey Simick). Neither character reappears for the second half of the show, which is a shame because Graham portrayed the vain heartthrob with a goofy accent that earned him some of the biggest laughs of the night. Simick, who was brilliant in Pterodactyls, is wasted in this small role. The lack of cohesion in the plot of Sweet Charity continues in the second act when Charity and her new boyfriend, Oscar (Patrick Connolly), attend Daddy Brubeck’s “Rhythm of Life” Church, which is unquestionably one of the best ensemble pieces in the musical, although it contributes little to the plot beyond emphasizing the tie-dye, peace sign, and marijuana culture of the 1960s. In general, the songs involving large numbers of the cast were the best of the show. In the first act, the Fandango Dancers blew the audience away with “Big Spender,” one of the cleverest and most recognizable numbers from the musical. “Rich Man’s Frug,”

which has almost no singing, exhibited the talent of the ensemble dancers in the production. The finale piece, “I Love to Cry at Weddings,” involvng nearly the entire cast, was funny and touching. The second great flaw of Boston College’s musical, aside from the poor selection of the play, was the many recognizable mistakes of the production team, which distracted the audience from the performers on several occasions. The elaborate sets, in addition to barely acknowledging the New York setting of Sweet Charity, were, as one stage crew member remarked, badly constructed and difficult to move. On several occasions, most noticeably in the transitions before “Big Spender” and the scene in Vittorio’s apartment, the stage crew was still setting things up when the lights went up and even at one point nearly bumped into one of the Fandago dancers as she made her entrance. Even worse, during Charity’s “I’m a Brass Band,” a song that highlighted Russell’s promise as a rising young talent in BC theater, the stage briefly blacked out during Friday evening’s performance when an audience member accidentally walked in front of the projector, causing chaos in the production room, which was noticeable to those of us seated in the back rows of the theater.

Sweet Charity was performed last weekend in Robsham. The sound quality throughout the production was subpar at best, which created an even bigger contrast between the ensemble pieces and the individual singers, especially in terms of audience applause. At times during “Charity’s Soliloquy” the audience was visibly straining to hear the protagonist, and Connolly’s Oscar generated more laughter and shouting during the scene on the elevator than he did singing on Coney Island. Some of the loudest cheering of the night was deservingly for Nickie and Helene (Shelby Thurau and Lauren Tripolitis), Charity’s best friends and fellow dancers, who donned larger than life hair well suited alongside their thick New York

accents. “Baby, Dream Your Dream” sung by the duo incorporated the right amount of spunk, and the two definitely outshined Russell during “There’s Gotta Be Something Better.” The many painfully obvious flaws in the plot and production of Sweet Charity disappointed students looking for mindless entertainment before final exams, especially considering the play ate up nearly three hours of precious studying time. Like Charity, who luckily escapes death in the musical’s final scene, the audience was fortunate to have made it out of this idiotic mishmash of incoherent scenes that denied the fine actors at Boston College an opportunity to strut their talents.

Offensive Flyers Distributed in Residence Halls Flyers targeting Asian stereotypes distributed by an unknown source were confiscated from several residence halls on campus.

By Megan Rauch The Observer

Just prior to Easter Break, students at Boston College received an e-mail from the Office of Residential Life regarding offensive flyers distributed in residential halls on campus. The flyers, according to the email, signed by Henry J. Humphreys, Director of Residential Life, illustrated “stereotypes, and misconceptions about a specific segment of our University population.” Further, “the flyers that have been posted and slid under doors do not provide any context, nor do they have any identifying information.” As Humphreys explained, “After our office received word of these flyers, we activated the ‘Biased Protocol,’ which is designed to address issues of bias and racism on campus. The initial step is to make the entire campus community aware of the incident.” The flyers, which targeted Asian stereotypes, were confiscated from approximately four resi-

dence halls on campus. Through the new program, StarRez, which was also used during the housing lottery at Boston College, the Office of Residential Life was able to send personalized e-mail to students, which Humphreys believed they are more likely to read. “We received about twenty replies to the e-mail. Some students expressed outrage at the flyers and others were thanking us for raising awareness about this issue. Still, other responses argued that the intention of the flyers may have been to initiate a dialogue, which is a part of free speech, and they are correct.” At the same time, however, Humphreys also maintained, “We do not know if the flyers were intended to be offensive or if they were meant to spark a dialogue on campus. In addition to poking fun at stereotypes, the flyers were not labeled, which is a violation of University policy. We require all flyers that will be distributed to be approved before they can be given out or put up. We also

don’t allow anything to be slid under students’ doors, as this is a dangerous violation of the fire codes at BC.” In the e-mail from Residential Life, students were also reminded of the University policy, which reads: “At Boston College, we expect all members of our community – students, faculty, staff, and administration – to be accountable to each other and respectful of how the actions of any individual can impact a particular segment of our population.” This idea was emphasized by a passage from the Student Guide, which was included in the e-mail: “All student members of the Boston College community have certain responsibilities to the institution and to its members, [including] respect for the rights of others, which includes the obligation to refrain from conduct that violates or adversely affects the rights of other members of the Boston College community.” When asked what disciplinary action the University would pursue against the culprits, Hum-

phreys replied that it is varying. “If the offenders are a group on campus whose aim was to begin a campus-wide conversation, we would want to meet with the group and their advisor to discuss the proper ways of getting their message out without also hurting others because some people were hurt by these flyers. On the other hand, if the individual distributing these flyers did so to intentionally inflict harm, then we would consider that a very serious violation of community standards. The Office of the Dean of Student Development would handle judiciary action in this case.” Humphreys also added that no amendments would be made to Residential Life policy or University policy as a result of this incident. He emphasized that groups on campus who want to place flyers in the residence halls must always seek approval prior to doing so. The Office of Residential Life will continue to employ the “Biased Protocol” and StarRez e-mails should something like this happen again, although Hum-

phrey hopes that “these flyers will emphasize the importance of keeping to the standard we expect from members of the Boston College community.” When asked if he thought the flyers sparked dialogue on campus about racism, Humphreys replied, “Maybe I am being overly optimistic here, but I think anything on a college campus can be used to spark an awareness. Creating conversations such as ones about these flyers is a healthy part of college life. Even if these flyers only made someone stop and think for a brief moment, that’s a good thing.” The Office of Residential Life encourages any person with information or questions about the flyers to contact their office or a residential director. “No one has ever come forward about distributing these flyers,” Humphreys said. At the time that this issue went to press, the University’s investigation into who was behind the offensive flyers had turned up no specific person or group.

The Observer April 28, 2009

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

7

8

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

Editorials

April 28, 2009

Hurray for the Seniors!

T

his issue marks the last for three of The Observer’s most prolific writers and leaders. Jeffrey Scott Kanca, E. Michael Arnold, and Donato Infante III have been mainstays of this organization for years, and many of us will never read another copy of The Observer without half expecting their names to appear in print. We wish our seniors the best of luck, and know that they will continue to be a part of our family even after graduation. E. Michael Arnold, who has served as Business Editor for the past two years, is the most talented economics writer on staff at any publication on campus. His independence and consistency allowed the business section to continue from its inception, a little more than a year and a half ago, to its current state. Michael has helped form the vision for the Business Section, which we hope will be fulfilled next year with the freshman class. Michael is entering the Teach for America Program and will be serving students in New Mexico. Donato Infante III has been with The Observer for the past four years, and will continue to serve as an informal advisor next year as he studies for the priesthood at St. John’s Seminary. Many people on this campus take for granted that The Observer is a conservative newspaper with a strong, Catholic identity. The only reason why this publication has retained its Catholic identity is because of Donato Infante III. When the level of staff was at an all-time low, Donato was the only Catholic Issues editor on staff, and literally had to start his section from scratch. Today, this section is the strongest in the newspaper, a true testament of Donato’s work ethic and talent. If Donato is the only reason why there is a Catholic Issues section, then Jeffrey Kanca is the only reason why The Observer is still in existence. After the 2007 academic year, the staff list at The Observer consisted of four names, including Jeff, Donato, and Michael Reer. The newspaper was in debt and had little prospects for survival. Jeff, for lack of a better description, simply refused to let the newspaper die and took the entire project on his shoulders. The fact that the newspaper not only survived, but is now thriving under difficult economic conditions, is a true testament to Jeff’s sheer will power and self-discipline. Jeff is entering UConn Law School with the hopes of becoming a JAG officer. The fact that all three of the seniors are leaving Boston College for service oriented careers is amazing proof to the mission of the newspaper. We consistently have been preaching leadership, duty, and responsibility to our staff and it will pay dividends when our seniors move on to serve God, country, and our local communities. Best of luck seniors!

B

Why Bill Ayers?

oston College rescinded its invitation to Bill Ayers to speak on campus, sparking supposed outrage amongst some students and faculty. Putting free speech issues aside, we wonder why Bill Ayers was invited to speak in the first place. As an unrepentant domestic terrorist, Ayers poses no benefit to the academic development of Boston College students. In fact, it is highly unlikely that Ayers would have been invited in the first place if he had not gained national notoriety for his connections with Barack Obama in the recent election. In essence, this event is nothing more than an opportunity to see someone who has spurned the Constitution, our values, and our very way of life. It was in poor taste that Bill Ayers, as a member of Weather Underground, was invited to BC in the first place. Weather Underground was active in the Boston area and caused deaths on the police forces in our community. It would be a slap in the face to them and their families to pay Bill Ayers to come and speak about these events. We should not allow him to profit on the misery he inflicted on others. We wholeheartedly reject the notion supported by some students that Bill Ayers incarnates the values of St. Ignatius. St. Ignatius spent his life defending the values of life, truth, peace, and obedience. Bill Ayers has made a mockery of these ideals, turning to senseless violence and terrorism to promote “peace,” rejecting truth in an effort to undermine the Constitution, and by rejecting the notion that every life is precious. Simply put, the ideals of St. Ignatius and Bill Ayers are diametrically opposed. The values and life of St. Ignatius cannot be made to fit whatever warped vision suits the temporary needs of student leaders, and to attempt to do so greatly mitigates the life of an excellent man.

The Observer

The Observer Boston College Box L-132 McElroy Commons Chestnut Hill, MA 02467 A Member of the Collegiate Network

Mission Statement

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam—For the Greater Glory of God The Observer at Boston College is a student newspaper produced by members of the Boston College community. It promotes and defends traditional political and religious values both within Boston College and beyond. The Observer strongly champions the ideals of Western Civilization, the free market, limited government, personal freedom and responsibility, and adherence to the Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Taking seriously the values to which Boston College is committed as a Catholic university in the Western tradition, The Observer strives to promote the highest quality of journalism by providing a forum for news, opinion, and editorial at BC that otherwise would not exist. Dedicated towards advancing the intellectual life, The Observer desires an active and healthy exchange of ideas, and encourages letters and article submissions from all of the members of the University Community.

Policies

First three copies free, each additional copy $3.00. Requests for multiple copies can be directed to [email protected]. Subscriptions to The Observer are $50. Papers will be sent by first class mail. Please send requests to the address above. All advertisements in The Observer do not constitute endorsement by The Observer, Inc. The views and opinions portrayed in various articles within The Observer may or may not represent the opinion of each individual staff member. The Observer reserves the right to edit all letters to the editor for length and clarity purposes. The Observer reserves the right to refuse any letter to the editor. The Observer is not responsible for grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling. The Observer welcomes letters to the editor. Submissions may be emailed to [email protected]. The Observer, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization; all donations are tax deductible. All content is property of The Observer and may not be used without expressed written permission. © 2008, The Observer, Inc.

Editor-in-Chief Michael Karl Reer Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Jeffrey Scott Kanca Executive Editor Donato Infante III Layout Editor Andrea Kalsow Managing Editor Mary Margaret Brinkopf Catholic Issues Editor Max Bindernagel Assoc. Catholic Issues Editor Michael Williams Asst. Catholic Issues Editors Shane Ulbrich Rachele Reis News Editor Jesse Naiman Associate News Editor JP Bonner Assistant News Editors Akash Chougule Joe Morabito Opinions Editor Allison Gallagher Associate Opinions Editor Elise Anderson Assistant Opinions Editors Matthew Vigliotta Dana Flynn Sports Editor Erik Kreutzer Associate Sports Editors Lara Barger Kaitlin McKinley Business/Photography Editor E. Michael Arnold Associate Business Editor Paul Kennedy Editorial Assistant Christopher Spellman Photographer Sarah Hatton Editor-At-Large Jared Scheinuk Copy Editor Megan Rauch Webmaster Sarah Gilliland

A full year after “the incident,” Genevieve is still the worst name to have on campus. A professor, speaking about The Observer, said the following: “Those guys are the Papal Storm Troopers.” Far from being offended, we’re getting t-shirts.

There is a farmhouse in Leesburg, VA on sale for exactly one dollar. The 2,500-plus-square-foot house is in good condition and is chalk full of sentimental value. The catch? If you buy the house you have to live in Virginia. Students at the University of Connecticut were determined to run their reputation further into the ground after the NCAA Tournament by having 100 students arrested for various felonies during their annual Spring Weekend holiday. Experts say Jim Calhoun’s questionable recruiting practices resulted in an abundance of criminals who can’t play basketball but who can party their effin’ brains out. As Boston College seniors continue to struggle to find jobs, a few resourceful individuals have managed to line up high profile jobs like babysitting and dog-walking. While these professions have been preferred by communication majors in the past, CSOM students have proven more capable of handling infants than finances.

The seminarians at St. John’s recently sent the Pope a gift for the fourth anniversary of his instillation. The package included a piñata, blindfold, and crozier (to be used as a bat). There’s nothing like a bunch of eighty year old Cardinals scrambling (in a dignified manner) over candy.

The Observer

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

9

Editorials

April 28, 2009

You Don’t Know Jacq with

To the Editor:

This week marks the 100th day of Barack Obama’s Presidency. It was in a similar span of time in 1994 that the Rwandan Genocide killed nearly one million people, while international powers, particularly the United States, knew what was happening but failed to intervene. “The United States has a moral obligation anytime [it sees] humanitarian catastrophes,” stated Obama in a 2007 interview with the Save Darfur Coalition. “When you see a genocide whether it’s in Rwanda…or Darfur, that’s a stain on all of us.” Today the world sees the crimes of the Sudanese government very clearly. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir on counts of Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes. In response Bashir expelled thirteen international humanitarian organizations and three local organizations operating in Darfur. Now, those suffering under the Sudanese government have no one—not even foreign aid—to turn to. America said “never again” after Rwanda, but fifteen years later, the Obama administration is only slowly making good on the promise. It is very encouraging that General J. Scott Gration has been appointed as the new special envoy to Sudan, and that, according to Ruth Messinger, of the American Jewish World Service, “the administration understands the need to ensure the reinstatement of international aid groups into Darfur.” But Sudan needs more than foreign aid, Obama acknowledged in 2007, “We’ve got to have a protective force on the ground….The US needs to make firm commitmentsin terms of the logistics and the transport and the equipping of these troops to make sure they are actually effective on the ground.” Moreover, “The United States should follow

through on the oil sanctions…and we should organize the European Union to be a part of [oil] sanctions.” Such commitments ask much of Americans in these tough economic times, but the conscience of our nation compels us to act. In the past six years more than 400,000 people have been killed in Darfur, and more than two million have been displaced. Well over a million have experienced disruptions in food, water, and sanitation services. America is a nation built upon freedom and inalienable rights. And as the first 100 days of the new presidency comes to a close, we would like to act to remind President Obama that we believe in these principles—not just for Americans but for all people. On Saturday May 2nd, 2009 hundreds of people will be converging on the Boston Common from 1-3pm, and we encourage you to join us in order to make this public statement to President Obama: We support the progress Obama has made regarding Darfur, we encourage sustained action on this issue, and we especially ask for stronger action in the immediate future to 1) bring humanitarian organizations back into Darfur, 2) to support the ICC in pursuing the arrest and trial of President Omar al-Bashir, 3) to place “a protective force on the ground” that is “equipped” and trained to intervene on behalf of the targets of genocide, and 4) to divest America’s oil interests in Sudan and encourage the EU to do the same so as to cut off funds to the Sudanese Government which is orchestrating these heinous crimes. Sincerely,

Kathleen Sellers

Please submit letters to the editor to [email protected] The Observer reserves the right to edit for length and content

Quote of the Issue I’m happy he (Father Jenkins) did it. He has just unleashed the gates of hell against Notre Dame. -Senator Rick Santorum speaking in reference to Father Jenkins’ invitation of Barack Obama to speak at commencement.

By Jacqueline Marie For The Observer

Dear Jacq, I’m studying abroad, and a few weeks ago, I hooked-up with a guy who I like from our program. Afterwards, he told me he has a girlfriend back home. Now I feel guilty because I know it’s wrong to hook-up with a guy who has a girlfriend, but I still really like him. I’m confused about what he wants because he says he really likes me and wants to be with me, but he hasn’t brokenup with his girlfriend, and I don’t want to help him cheat on her. How do I find out what he wants without hurting myself or anyone else in the process? -The Accidental Other Woman Dear Accidental Other Woman, I’m sorry that you got involved in a cheating situation, especially because you didn’t know that he had a girlfriend. What worries me is that you aren’t completely repelled by the fact that he cheated on his girlfriend, and since you say you feel guilty that you still like him, I sense that it’s because you know that you shouldn’t like him, but you do anyway.Well, stop it. I’m also surprised that you’re concerned with finding out what he wants, which leads me to believe that you want him to tell you that YOU’RE who he wants. Well, stop it. You’re not the one he wants because you’re the kind of girl who knows that cheating is wrong, and you don’t want to be with a guy who cheats, no matter how wonderful and charming he seems. Right? Look, if he doesn’t value his commitment with his current girlfriend, then that doesn’t set a good precedent for how committed he will be with his next girlfriend. I understand that you like him and that you want him to choose to be

Subscribe to The Observer at Boston College www. bcobserver.com

[email protected]

you. Sure, that could happen, but would you w a n t to be chosen? Then you’d b e with a guy who

thinks it’s okay to break his commitment with his girlfriend and who also thinks it’s okay to mislead you into thinking that he’s available. How would you be able to trust him, knowing that? An instance of infidelity isn’t a good beginning to a new relationship. If you really are concerned with how to keep yourself from getting hurt, the best way is to stay away from this guy. Don’t put yourself into situations that could tempt you to want to hookup with him again. Just the fact that you haven’t sworn-off of him completely makes me think that you could still be tempted into hooking-up with him again, even if you know it’s wrong. Think about the larger implications of hooking-up with a guy who you know is in a relationship with someone else. If you continue to hook-up with him and turn a blind eye to the fact that he has a girlfriend, then you’re condoning cheating. Not only are you making it okay for him to cheat, you’re also saying it’s okay for you to cheat, and for him to cheat on you. Also, you’re setting an example for others around you. I know it’s funny to think of yourself as a role model to your peers, but the more people there are who practice infidelity, the more socially acceptable it will be. Cheating is one of those issues that both women and men need to stand against, leading their own lives as an example to how a committed relationship should work. On a final note, if your distance from this guy doesn’t send him a clear message that you don’t want to have anything to do with him, tell him that you never would have hooked-up with him if you had known that he was with someone because you value the commitment between a boyfriend and a girlfriend, and his definition of a relationship isn’t something you want to be part of.

The Observer

“Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”

10

Catholic Issues

April 28, 2009

Notre Dame to Honor Obama

By Max Bindernagel The Observer

University of Notre Dame, where Obama will be honored this May. salvo of outcries would have been sounded across the land because of the widely-held belief that the Iraq war is unjust. Without debating the justness of that particular war, we see that if many people would have opposed honoring former President Bush last year because of an issue about which Church teaching is less clear, why do those same people not rise in opposition to the honoring of Obama this year? On this issue, church teaching is strict and clear: abortion and embryonic stem-cell research end lives. Should someone who so strongly supports these things be given great honors by a Catholic institution? The whole nation is watching as Notre Dame decides.

Boston College Student Becomes Jesuit Rob Van Alstyne, A&S 2008, reflects on his first year on the Society of Jesus. By Donato Infante III The Observer Back in March, I sat down at my computer to discuss online with Rob Van Alstyne, A&S 2008, about his life thus far in the Society of Jesus. Rob entered as a novice in the California Province last August. While spending some days studying and doing house chores, he has also been involved in prison and hospital ministries. Prison ministry is done partially through the Office of Restorative Justice, which writes letters to the various parole boards advocating that some of the inmates be granted parole. “Writing these letters was a particularly

moving experience for me. Before writing on their behalf, you read the letters the inmate has written to you describing herself or himself and the twenty or more years spent in prison… Reading about their time spent in jail was a real privilege for me, because more often than I would have expected I was reading these amazing stories of conversion: with the help of the many kinds of programs they had available to them…many of these men and women underwent real conversions. They were often eager to be released so that they could share

See ‘Student’ page 11

their

sto-

Catholic Issues

April 28, 2009

11

Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran of France speaks at BC

Those who oppose honoring President Obama at Notre Dame argue that a Catholic university, particularly one as prominent as Notre Dame, should not honor a politician whose stance on life issues so gravely opposes the position of the Catholic Church. They argue that Rev. Jenkins’ defense of his invitation of the President shows faulty reasoning at best. Opponents explain that inviting someone with political views gravely out of line with Catholic thought to participate in an academic debate or forum is a very different thing from inviting such a person to receive high honors and provide a speech, which serves as the final portion of formation students receive before departing from the university. A contrast aptly highlights

Catholic institution not because he differs from the Church on a political issue, which falls into a gray area of Church teaching (though many argue he does, as well), but because he differs from the Church on a black and white, cut and dry issue, which also happens to deal with life itself and as a result is of the gravest importance. Former President George W. Bush was invited to speak at the 2001 commencement exercises at Notre Dame. This was a little less than two years before the Iraq war was initiated. Were former President Bush to be selected as the 2008 commencement speaker, a somewhat similar, though differently motivated,

“Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”

Cardinal Speaks on Interreligious Dialogue

A Notre Dame alum argues against Notre Dame’s selection of President Obama as a commencement speaker. Most people in the audience disBy Chris Spellman agreed with his extreme views, The Observer yet Notre Dame chose to invite As has been widely publihim to speak as part of a debate. cized by now, President Barack Imagine, however, that Notre Obama will be honored on May Dame had chosen Mayor Barletta 17 during the commencement exto receive high honors and be the ercises of the University of Notre principal speaker at a commenceDame. Upon receiving an honorment exercise, rather than to parary doctor of laws degree, Presiticipate in an open debate on an isdent Obama will deliver the comsue. Those who oppose President mencement address to this year’s Obama’s selection as honoree and over 2500 graduates. speaker this year understand that Some within and without we as free-thinking Americans the Notre Dame community feel should be open to lively debate this is a great honor for Notre with those who disagree with us. Dame, as President Obama only Yet what Notre Dame has done by agreed to speak at three comselecting President Obama, they mencements during his first year argue, is very different from this in office: Notre Dame, the Naval for two key reasons. Academy, and Arizona State UniFirst, Notre Dame is bestowversity. Others feel this is a great ing an honor and giving the great opportunity for dialogue between privilege to speak to the graduates the Catholic Church’s to a man whose views position on life issues regarding abortion, and President Obama’s “A Cardinal Newman Society petition re- stem cell research, gay stance, which is in ceived over 300,000 signatures protesting marriage, contracepstark opposition to the the University’s decision.” tion, and others are Church’s teaching rein direct opposition garding the dignity of the teachings of of the human person at the extremity in selecting Presi- the Church. Notre Dame is not each stage of life. In fact, Notre dent Obama as recipient of high- inviting the President to particiDame’s president, Rev. John Jen- est honors and speaker at this pate in an open debate on these kins, defends his invitation of the year’s commencement exercises. or any other issues. It is giving President to speak and receive In 2007, Notre Dame held its an- him great tribute and recognition honors, explaining, “We are not nual “Notre Dame Forum,” which while allowing him to speak on ignoring the critical issue of the seeks to bring thinkers from a va- whatever he chooses with no posprotection of life. On the contrary, riety of perspectives to discuss sibility of debate. we invited him because we care an important issue: immigration. Second, President Obama so much about those issues, and The University invited several differs from Catholic teaching we hope … for this to be the basis experts on the issue to publicly on issues of life and death, which of an engagement with him.” discuss their views on the topic. are of the utmost importance. He Yet many others do not agree One of the speakers was Louis disagrees with dogma, which has with Notre Dame’s decision. At Barletta, mayor of Hazelton, PA. been in place in the Christian the time of press, a Cardinal New- He spoke openly and severely Church since the First Century man Society petition received against immigrants in his town, (cf. The Didache). Opponents over 300,000 signatures, protest- whom he feels have brought argue that the President should ing the University’s decision. nothing but crime and trouble. not be honored in this way by a

The Observer

ries with the

Rob Van Alstyne, A&S ‘08 (far left) with other Novices of the California Province meet with the Superior General of the Society of Jesus (center).

This past month, Boston College was graced with the presence of Jean-Louis Cardinal Tauran, the President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. Addressing a packed auditorium in Fulton Hall, Cardinal Tauran was welcomed as the 4th annual installment of the Canisius Lecture series, sponsored by the Jesuit Institute. Initially ordained as a priest who served as a pastor in the Archdiocese of Bordeaux, France, Cardinal Tauran later held positions with the Papal Diplomatic Corps, the Vatican Secretariat of State, and as the Archivist and Librarian for the Vatican Libraries. He was elevated to his current position by Pope Benedict XVI in September of 2007. In his talk, the Cardinal spoke on the nature of interreligious dialogue: is it a risk or opportunity? He noted how for 20th century Western culture, despite the dominance of Christianity, “religion became for many an option” in which the faithful often “believe without belonging.” In ignoring the religious roots from which culture stems, the individual has been placed at the core of reality. Slowly, “the supernatural has been terminated.” The results of this cultural movement are multifaceted, but the Cardinal highlighted three noticeable shifts: the Pentecostal or Charismatic movement within Christianity, the increase in the Moslem population, and the popularity of Buddhism. Cardinal Tauran ac-

knowledged this reality and, in quoting the Vatican II document Nostra Aetate, said that “man is the only creature who can question” and thus “there is no homogeneously religious society, especially America.” Because of these inevitabilities in Western culture, Christianity must enter into dialogue with other faith traditions. Dialogue, explained Cardinal Tauran, is what happens when two people disagree and agree through debate rather than violence. Dialogue, especially with regards to religion, is not “being kind” or “negotiating,” but taking a risk. One must neither compromise one’s own beliefs nor be closed to arguments or reasoning which differ from one’s own. The Cardinal emphasized that the interpersonal aspect of interreligious dialogue must be remembered, since “religions do not dialogue, but believers do.” Interreligious dialogue’s primary purpose, he argued, is not to convert another person but to know him as a neighbor. One must take the opportunity to deepen one’s own convictions. In doing so, one ought not search for a “lowest common denominator” nor say that everything between faith traditions is the same, but one should actively search out the dignity of others. Christians approach dialogue from a unique perspective. According to the Vatican II document Lumen Gentium each person who seeks God honestly is considered to be moving towards the Gospel. In this way, as Cardinal Tauran explained, “dialogue

Cardinal Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue is brought about by the moving of the Holy Spirit, who moves as he wills,” demanding the deepest of respect. In approaching other faiths, it rejects nothing that is good and true but sees that “all that is true in a religion awaits its fulfillment in Christ.” In this light, dialogue relies on three main conditions. Firstly, all parties must have strong convictions in religious identity, and hence a profound respect for others. As the Cardinal said, “dialogue cannot be built on ambiguity.” Secondly, personal contact between believers must be regular. To the Christian, Cardinal Tauran suggested reading through other faith’s holy writings, such as the Koran. Finally, the other must be seen as a seeker-of-God with the same dignity as oneself. The Cardinal gave a friendly reminder that while some claim that “error has no rights,” human

persons retain their rights even if they are wrong. Following the three requirements for dialogue, the Cardinal suggested three levels of dialogue. On the most basic level, one must talk with one’s neighbor, person to person. A more fruitful exchange is brought about by the second level – theological discourse. Academic settings provide the ideal place for this type of encounter. Finally, a spiritual exchange is to be most valued. In valuing the prayer life of another faith, one can truly grow in one’s own faith and in understanding of the other faith through the exchange of spiritual gifts. The Cardinal noted the particularly beautiful example of Benedictine monks from Europe who exchanged places with Tibetan Buddhist monks for several weeks for purposes of mutual learning, growth, and enrichment.

In closing and in answering the question posed by the lecture’s title, Cardinal Tauran said that interreligious dialogue is both a risk and an opportunity. In leaving ourselves open and given witness to our faith, we take a risk. Yet simultaneously, we are given the wonderful opportunity to reflect on our own Christian identity. “Believers today are heralds of two messages,” the Cardinal said; the message that only God is worthy of adoration and that all men and women belong to the same family with the same calling. Christians must specifically remember that in light of Trinitarian theology, “our God is by essence dialogue,” given new spiritual depth to our own interreligious dialogue experiences. “When we pray, then we can evangelize. This is the best interreligious dialogue tool we can use.”

poverty, chastity (which amounts to celibacy in this case), and obedience, are, for the one who desires to profess them, incredibly liberating commitments; they are liberating because they lead the one who professes them to live life more fully, more intimately with God.” Overall, Rob described the experience thus far as “very good, and also challenging.” He used the example of community life. When he arrived in August, seven men who had never met before all moved into the same house to become novices. Doing everything together, he says, “presents its challenges, yet it’s amazing for me to look back over the past seven months and see how close I’ve become to these guys who before then I’d never met.” In November, the novices

made a thirty day silent retreat designed by St. Ignatius called the Spiritual Exercises. Prayer in the Exercises is done by imagining one’s self in the Gospel scene. “All of this leaves the impression in your mind that you’ve actually spent the last hour with Jesus, and it leaves you with real memories….For me, I think the importance of the retreat lies in these memories of being with Christ - by the Sea of Galilee while he multiplied the loaves and fishes, or in the boat after a storm, or as he’s walking up the hill to his death - of witnessing these different events through which he demonstrated his love, and coming away with gratitude to him, and feeling an increase in faith in him and hope for the future.” Speaking about the Exercises and other aspects of Ignatian

Spirituality, Rob said, “They do have a lot to offer to anyone who is seeking to not just ‘restrict God to one part’ of their life, but who seeks to open their life entirely to God, and live it most meaningfully, receiving all the things he has in store. They are tools that help us to recognize his presence and care for us, and also to identify what brings me the most joy in life. That’s what all vocations, to a religious order or otherwise, are about: responding to God’s invitation to live the life that will bring us the most joy and fulfillment. That’s why I entered the novitiate, to discover if God is inviting me to live this way, and it has been a very joy-filled six and a half months so far, and I am very glad to be here.”

Student Becomes Jesuit from page 10

youth from their communities in hopes of dissuading them from following the same path. Their faith in God and gratitude to him for preserving their lives, and leading them away from a life of drugs, alcohol and violence was a beautiful thing to see; and yet I was one of the only ones who was able to see it, communicated as it was in these letters, while they remained in their cells.” “Having met so many Jesuits I looked up to at BC, I wanted to do this in a way that imitated them. I could see myself happy doing the things that they did: be involved in student faith-groups, teach classes in theology or philosophy, get involved into the students’ lives and try to be a witness to Christ through it all. All of these motivations are still at the heart of my desire to

be a religious, but encounters like the one described in the last paragraph have opened my eyes to the great weight of importance of ministry to the weaker and marginalized populations: the incarcerated, the sick, immigrants, and the poor. Mother Theresa’s focus on Jesus’ words ‘I thirst’ comes to mind: the novitiate has been full of opportunities to see Christ thirsting in the poor. And it has also been an awesome opportunity to be with incredible people God has sent to minister to them.” In his classes, Rob has studied Vatican II, Ignatian Spirituality, and the three vows which Jesuits take: poverty, chastity, and obedience. These vows are made after the two years of novitiate. “Far from being anything burdensome, these vows to live a life of

“Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”

12

Catholic Issues

The Observer April 28, 2009

The Catholic Coalition on Climate Change challenges Catholics to care for the environment and the poor.

Millions of people around the world celebrated the 39th Earth Day on April 22nd. Participants in this year’s day of environmental celebration and education were especially excited about the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 that was recently released for discussion by Henry A. Waxman, chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee and Edward J. Markey, Chairman of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee. According to Chairman Waxman, “This legislation will create millions of clean energy jobs, put America on the path to energy independence, and cut global warming pollution.” One of the groups that Waxman has met with to discuss his legislation is the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change. This Coalition focuses on the idea of environmental stewardship. The founders of the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change are building on 19 years of environmental concerns voiced by prominent Catholic leaders. In 1990, Pope John Paul II issued the message Ecological Responsibility at the World Day of Peace. In his letter, he examined Jesus’ teachings on care for Creation and the poor and noted the work of saints such as St. Francis of Assisi. The US Conference of Cath-

olic Bishops created the Environmental Justice Program in 1994 and began to focus on climate change. In 2001, they published the pastoral letter, Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue, Prudence and the Common Good. With the support of both the USCCB and the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change, an organization consisting of twelve national Catholic groups, was born in 2006. The Coalition is based off three questions: What are the moral implications of climate change? Who is most impacted? What should the Catholic community do? They employ three Catholic principles to answer these questions: prudence- thoughtful, deliberate, and reasoned action; poverty- concern for those least able to bear the burden; the common good- promotion of solidarity over self-interest. Concern for the poor, those most affected by climate change, is at the forefront of the Coalition’s goals as the American Clean Energy and Security Act is deliberated. John Carr, executive director of the USCCB’s Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development and Coalition chairman, commented on the Act, saying, “There is going to be a huge debate, in fact a struggle … and our voice is going to be that voice that puts the poor first.” Carr added that when Coalition

representatives met with Henry Waxman, he was very receptive to their concerns. The Coalition presented the Catholic Climate Covenant on April 21st, to coincide with Earth Day. The Covenant is intended mainly for parishes and schools, combining prayer with actions to reduce carbon footprints and influence on public policy. Specific steps suggested by Coalition leaders include lobbying Congress and state legislatures for prudent legislation that does not neglect the common good, namely not overlooking the poor and how they are affected by climate change. Bishop William Skylstad of Spokane, Washington is the honorary chairman of this campaign. Skylstad says, “The effort is important because it brings Catholics together around who we are, what we already do, what we believe and how we can impact the consequences of climate change.” To spread the word about the campaign, ads ran in 10 metropolitan newspapers, depicting a poor mother and child under a footprint and the words “Who’s under your carbon footprint?” This ad will soon run in Catholic publications nationwide. The National Religious Partnership for the Environment helped to fund the ads. The National Council of Churches of Christ, the Coalition on Environment and Jewish Life, and the Evangelical Environmen-

By Chris Spellman The Observer

tal Network join the USCCB in the Partnership. Catholics can join the Covenant by signing the St. Francis Pledge, a pledge to care for creation and the poor. According to the Covenant’s website, the pledge is “a promise and a commitment by Catholic individuals, families, parishes, organizations and institutions to live our faith by protecting God’s Creation and advocating on behalf of people in poverty who face the harshest impacts of global climate change.” The St. Francis Pledge consists of five elements: Pray, Learn, Assess, Act, Advocate. Catholics are asked to pray and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and the protect the poor and vulnerable; learn about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change; assess how we, as individuals and in our families, parishes and other

affiliations, contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, and waste; act to change out choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change; advocate for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable. Coalition and Covenant leaders hope to positively influence the American Clean Energy and Security Act as it is deliberated and molded in the Energy and Commerce Committee. The ECC will complete consideration of the legislation by Memorial Day and President Obama has asked Congress to pass clean-energy legislation by the end of the year. Learn more about the Catholic Climate Covenant and sign the St. Francis Pledge, at http:// catholicclimatecovenant.org.

NY Archdiocese Warmly Welcomes New Leader

If they tuned into Catholic TV on Wednesday, April 15, Boston College students would have witnessed the installation of Timothy Dolan as the tenth Archbishop of New York. In late February, Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of the 77-year-old Cardinal Edward Egan, Archbishop of New York since 2000, and appointed Dolan as his successor. Before taking up his assignment in New York, he served for seven years as Archbishop of Milwaukee. The liturgical celebrations for the installation began with a solemn vespers service on Tuesday evening at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The Cathedral was also the setting for the installation Mass itself, which was attended by 12 cardinals, 115 bishops and archbishops, more than 800

priests, and 2,000 guests from around the Archdiocese, who welcomed their new Pastor with great enthusiasm. Archbishop Dolan is known for his larger-than-life personality. He once described himself as a “sort of fish-fry and bingo guy” who by far prefers “being with the folks” to executing the administrative tasks of a Church prelate. The media, which Dolan does not shy away from, was easily able to capture his simple yet profound visual gestures and his warmth in greeting all those around him at the Cathedral. Moving slowly at the closing procession, garrulous Dolan made his way down the Cathedral isle greeting priests and parishioners from throughout the Archdiocese with embraces, a few words, and joyful smiles. As joyful as his out-going personality is Dolan’s enthusiastic embrace of Catholic orthodoxy. At a press conference on

the morning of the installation, he said, “Our goal is to change our lives to be in conformity with Jesus and his church and not to change the teachings of Jesus and the church to be in conformity with what we want.” For the Church in America, he has been an outspoken and eloquent voice on pro-life issues, and makes no apologies for the urgency with Catholics treat the issue. In September 2008, he wrote, “We cannot be mute on this premier civil rights issue of our day.” At the same press conference that morning, he said, “The church is at its best when we invite, when we appeal to people and call forth what’s best in them.” Since the installation, Dolan has wasted no time indicating what sort of tone and priorities he will have as shepherd of the Catholics of New York. On Monday, April 20, he visited Westchester County’s Bedford Hills Correctional Facil-

ity for Women to celebrate Mass and visit with the women. “You couldn’t come to see me, so I came to see you,” he said to them. “I’m your archbishop, too.” He personally greeted each of the 150 women present for Mass, as well as sick prisoners in the infirmary. Speaking of their situation, he said, “Don’t see it as a curse, see it as a possibility,” and encouraged them to think of and unite their sufferings with Jesus’ Passion, in the hope of his Resurrection. At one point in his installation homily, Archbishop Dolan addressed his New York priests directly, saying, “My brother priests: you are the apple of my eye! You mean everything to me. Without you, I can do nothing … In you I see men who continue the power of the resurrection at the altar, in the confessional, in the classroom, with the sick, searching, and the poor. I have

13

Catholic Issues

Harvard HIV expert agrees with Pope Benedict that condoms are not effective in combating HIV in Africa.

Dolan Installed as Archbishop of New York By Shane Ulbrich For The Observer

April 28, 2009

“Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”

Condoms for Africa?

Catholic Climate Covenant Unveiled By Rachele Reis The Observer

The Observer

long admired you from afar, but today for the first time I can say, ‘my brother priests’ of the Archdiocese of New York—my admiration, deep appreciation, and unflagging love to you.” Referencing the Gospel reading from Luke, about the encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus, Dolan concluded: “My new friends of this great archdiocese, would you join your new pastor on an ‘adventure in fidelity,’ as we turn the Staten Island Expressway, Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue, Broadway, the FDR, the Major Deegan, and the New York State Thruway into the Road to Emmaus, as we witness a real ‘miracle on 34th street’ and turn that into the road to Emmaus? “For, dare to believe, that from Staten Island to Sullivan County, from the Bowery, to the Bronx, to Newburgh, from White Plains to Poughkeepsie… He is walking right alongside us.”

“Impeach the Pope!” cried a Washington Post columnist, who is Catholic, no less. “Grievously wrong!” proclaimed the New York Times. “A disaster,” said Vatican insiders to the London Telegraph, referring to the Pope’s comments. Yet, why were all these people so deeply upset with Pope Benedict XVI? It is his stance regarding contraception: perhaps the most opposed of all of the Catholic Church’s moral teachings. More specifically, the Pope spoke against the use of condoms in Africa as a means of controlling the spread of HIV. He encouraged abstinence before marriage and the monogamy of partnerships to prevent the spread of disease. For the record, these are not his personal positions, but rather the official positions of the 2000-year-old Church he shepherds. Yet why was the Pope defending his Church such a big news item? It seems that the Western press is so vociferously opposed to the Pope’s comments because it desires to defend the position that condoms are good for society, especially in preventing HIV. In a recent editorial, the New York Times declared that, while Pope Benedict has the right to defend his Church’s position, “He deserves no credence when he distorts scientific findings about the value of condoms in slowing the spread of the AIDS virus.”

These are strong words, which demand strong evidence. Yet where is the evidence to defend these statements? First, consider the position that the press and many members of the public take: condoms help reduce the spread of HIV because they facilitate “safe sex,” in which the transmission of venereal disease is vastly reduced. They also go on to say that it is foolish to expect people to be abstinent before marriage or to be monogamous in their relations (“They’re going to do it anyway”) so why not provide the protection people need to keep themselves healthy, despite their sexual choices? After all, freedom and individual autonomy are the ideals to be pursued according to this view and suggesting that people should act according to certain rules of sexual conduct gravely opposes one’s freedom to do what one pleases. While this position appears to have much ideological support, the more important question remains, does this position have empirical support? One initial consideration is simply the scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of condoms in preventing the spread of HIV. Various studies have shown that “consistently” using a condom should prevent the spread of HIV roughly 80% of the time. This may seem convincing, yet considering that HIV leads to AIDS, a fatal disease, is a 4 in 5 success rate really that compelling? Moreover, researchers gained these numbers

through controlled studies in the West. Are there certain cultural or other factors, which lead to condoms becoming much less effective in Africa? One scientist who has studied this issue in depth is Dr. Edward C. Green, the director of the AIDS Prevention Research Project at Harvard University and a renowned scholar in this field. He wrote in a recent Washington Post article, “Major articles in peer-reviewed journals such as the Lancet, Science and BMJ have confirmed that condoms have not worked as a primary intervention in the population-wide epidemics of Africa.” He states that the Pope is right. Green, who is quick to identify himself as a liberal and an agnostic, is certainly not supporting the Pope because of his ideological or religious views. Rather, he agrees with the Pope because he feels the evidence is in the Pope’s favor. Among the evidence supporting the Pope’s position is what Green identifies as “risk compensation.” Condoms, he avers, cause people to feel a false sense of security and, as a result, they tend to engage in riskier sex, which leads to the spread of HIV. Another factor is cultural. People tend to avoid condom use in sustained sexual relationships because it implies a lack of trust. Condom use increases in casual and commercial sex, he argues. Yet in Africa, it is the steady sexual relationships that drive the spread of HIV. Many

Pope Benedict XVI greets the faithful in Africa people in Africa have more than one sexual relationship at one time and sustain several sexual relationships over the course of a lifetime. Green points to the fact that HIV is spreading in the general population, not just among specific kinds of people, such as sex workers, homosexuals, or drug users who inject. This indicates a cultural problem, which leaders must address in manner different from simply distributing more condoms. Green and others state that only two solutions have proven effective. One is male circumcision, called the surgical vaccine. The other is reducing multiple partnerships. This is the same strategy that Pope Benedict recommended in his brief comments. Green and others, based on the data available, argue for monogamy, or at the very least the reduction of these partnerships, as the best way prevent the spread of HIV. Green points to Uganda’s success with pro-monogamy campaigns, which have drastically helped reduce the spread of HIV. Despite this reality, Green and his colleagues lament that

very little of UNAIDS, the UN’s worldwide organization to address the AIDS problem, is devoted to methods that have actually been shown to work. Only 5% of the budget goes to male circumcision and an even smaller portion goes to encouraging monogamy. It seems as if those who are in power are trying to defend the use of condoms as beneficial and healthy by offering them as a solution to a problem they cannot solve. Ideology obstructs genuine help for needy people and unfortunately the only ones served are those of us in the West who advance a pro-condom agenda. Perhaps such brave souls as Dr. Edward Green will convince the establishment that we must go with the evidence and not the rhetoric when making life and death decisions that affect millions of the world’s impoverished. Whatever one’s view of condom use, let us work together to fight HIV-AIDS, following methods shown to be effective, and putting aside those shown to fail. And let’s also remember that the Pope is much wiser than most journalists are willing to admit.

Mary Ann Glendon Replies to Notre Dame Mary Ann Glendon, former U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See and current professor at Harvard Law School, has recently written to Notre Dame president, Fr. John Jenkins, concerning her forthcoming honors at the university’s commencement ceremonies. Glendon will refuse the Laetare Medal, which she was selected to receive, due to the university’s choice to award President Barack Obama with an honorary degree during the same ceremony. The Laetare Medal, considered the most prestigious award to lay Catholics, is confered annually upon a Roman Catholic layperson by the University of Notre Dame in recognition of outstanding service to the Roman Catholic Church and society. Her letter, released just yesterday, is reprinted here, courtesy of First Things: Dear Father Jenkins, When you informed me in

December 2008 that I had been selected to receive Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal, I was profoundly moved. I treasure the memory of receiving an honorary degree from Notre Dame in 1996, and I have always felt honored that the commencement speech I gave that year was included in the anthology of Notre Dame’s most memorable commencement speeches. So I immediately began working on an acceptance speech that I hoped would be worthy of the occasion, of the honor of the medal, and of your students and faculty. Last month, when you called to tell me that the commencement speech was to be given by President Obama, I mentioned to you that I would have to rewrite my speech. Over the ensuing weeks, the task that once seemed so delightful has been complicated by a number of factors.

First, as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award the president an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it. Then I learned that “talking points” issued by Notre Dame

in response to widespread criticism of its decision included two statements implying that my acceptance speech would somehow balance the event: • “President Obama won’t be doing all the talking. Mary Ann Glendon, the former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican, will be speaking as the recipient of the Laetare Medal.” • “We think having the president come to Notre Dame, see our graduates, meet our leaders, and hear a talk from Mary Ann Glendon is a good thing for the president and for the causes we care about.” A commencement, however, is supposed to be a joyous day for the graduates and their families. It is not the right place, nor is a brief acceptance speech the right vehicle, for engagement with the very serious problems raised by Notre Dame’s decision—in disregard

of the settled position of the U.S. bishops—to honor a prominent and uncompromising opponent of the Church’s position on issues involving fundamental principles of justice. Finally, with recent news reports that other Catholic schools are similarly choosing to disregard the bishops’ guidelines, I am concerned that Notre Dame’s example could have an unfortunate ripple effect. It is with great sadness, therefore, that I have concluded that I cannot accept the Laetare Medal or participate in the May 17 graduation ceremony. In order to avoid the inevitable speculation about the reasons for my decision, I will release this letter to the press, but I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time. Yours Very Truly, Mary Ann Glendon

14

My Ten Five Cents By Matthew Vigliotta The Observer

1. It seems that even in this time of severe economic crisis the Federal Government is not going to cut spending. Rather, we are printing American dollars faster than Usain Bolt can run one hundred meters, which of course will bring us massive inflation. Somebody will have to pay for all of this spending and to think that my future children will be stuck with the bill is unimaginable. So for this week’s issue I have decided to take Gandhi at his word, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” and save money myself by only offering my five cents. 2. On April 15th hundreds of thousands of Americans participated in “tea parties” all over the United States. The protesters looked to show their opposition to high taxes and excessive government spending. Unfortunately, all media outlets covering these Americans proved to be abysmal. Fox News practically advertised for them and had news anchors at some tea parties virtually firing up the crowd on screen. However, CNN and MSNBC lowered the bar even more by insulting the protesters with sexual innuendos. Anderson Cooper of CNN referred to the protests as

The Observer

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

“teabagging” saying, “It’s hard to talk when you’re teabagging” causing CNN analyst David Gergen to burst out laughing at his comment. The sexual jokes were even more prevalent on MSNBC, with David Shuster saying, “[The teabaggers] want to give President Obama a strong tongue-lashing and lick government spending.” So now America is left with zero adequate television news sources. Fox News needs to remember that they are a news station and not a populist organizing institution. And, well, you stay classy CNN and MSNBC. 3. President Obama is now days away from reaching the landmark of 100 days in office. He has had some shining moments including signing his stimulus bill, his great reception in Europe, and filling out a fairly decent March Madness bracket. He’s had some low moments including giving Prime minister Gordon Brown 25 DVD’s t h a t don’t e v e n work in European DVD play-

Opinion

ers (Brown gave him a pen made from theVictorian anti-slave ship HMS Gannet), sending the Bust of Winston Churchill out of the White House and giving the Queen of England an iPod. Some may say that President B.O. is stinking up the office after his first 100 days, some claim that he does not like England but surely reasonable people can differ. One thing we do k n o w is that nobody in the

April 28, 2009

White House wants the President to get him or her in the White House Christmas gift swap. 4. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has recently been the center of some controversy after The Department of Homeland Security report warned law enforcement agencies about the rising threat of “right-wing extremist groups.” The report reads “Right-wing extremists have capitalized on the election of the first African American president, and are focusing their efforts to recruit new members, mobilize existing supporters and broaden their scope and appeal through propaganda, but they have not yet turned to attack planning.” The only problem is the report offers no statistical evidence; in fact the entire report is speculation. DHS spokeswoman Sara Kuban said, “[The] DHS has no specific information that domest i c

right-wing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence…” The report does offer some classifications for right-wing terrorists including veterans, gun owners and pro-lifers. Perhaps Secretary Napolitano thought the report was supposed to be about threats posed to her personally and not the United States. 5. Miss California, Carrie Prejean, was the front runner going into the Miss USA pageant. That was until blogger Perez Hilton asked her “Vermont recently became the fourth state to legalize same-sex marriage.  Do you think every state should follow suit?  Why or why not?” Miss California stood on stage in front of millions and defended her belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman. She subsequently wound up coming in second place in the pageant and received a verbal lashing from Hilton and other media types, many of whom used colorful four lettered adjectives in describing her. In fact the former Miss California, Shanna Moakler, claimed that Prejean does not represent Californians. I guessed she missed the memo, California voted down gay marriage with Prop 22 in 2000 and Prop 8 in 2008. The score is now two points for traditional marriage, gay marriage: goose egg.

A civil libertarian questions the motives of the academic freedom movement.

I am a free speech Nazi. A university’s primary purpose is to exist as a forum for debate and the free exchange of ideas. In order for such an exchange to take place, anyone should have the liberty to offer any opinion and invite a speaker no matter how controversial s/he may be. Therefore, I do not agree with BC’s decision to cancel Bill Ayers’ lecture in March, despite the fact that he should live out his days in a federal prison instead of a faculty office at the University of Illinois in Chicago. The university should not have cancelled this lecture out of “safety concerns” stemming from a few phone calls that the administration deemed “threatening”; if this was the real reason for the cancellation, it sets a dangerous precedent as anyone who desires the cancellation of an event they oppose need only call spokesman Jack Dunn or the Student Programs Office to express their anger. Considering my position on the matter of the Ayers cancel-

lation, readers may be surprised to learn that I will not sign the BC facebook petition to support academic freedom. While many students who are involved in this petition may genuinely support academic freedom, I detected a hint of hypocrisy. At this point, 1,186 people have joined the “Support Academic Freedom at BC” facebook group that was formed to combat BC’s decision to cancel Ayers. But when was the last time so many individuals in the BC community signed a petition regarding a speaker on campus? In 2006, when 1,703 people signed a petition asking the university to rescind its commencement invitation to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The common connection between these two events is clear. Petitioners appear to be riled on the basis of the political ideology of the speakers who have been invited or disinvited, not on whether academic freedom was infringed upon. A large segment of the university population supports academic freedom when a self-proclaimed terrorist is invited to BC, but a cohort of a similar

size also lined up to oppose the Secretary of State, who just happened to be working in a Republican administration. Although I have never necessarily believed that every person who signed the Ayers-academic freedom petition would have signed the anti-Rice petition, I still wondered whether today’s underlying calls for academic freedom were only a guise for the right to invite leftist speakers while still protesting conservative ones. My suspicions were heightened by a statement made by sociology professor Charles Derber. At an April 15th rally in support of academic freedom, Professor Derber lamented BC’s lack of commitment to academic freedom that it displayed when it cancelled Ayers’ speech. Believe it or not, this is the same Professor Derber who was the 120th person to sign the petition asking BC to disinvite Secretary Rice. When I asked Professor Derber how he justifies inviting Ayers but not Rice, he responded by stating that he supported inviting both to campus, and that he only opposed conferring an honorary degree to Secretary Rice for

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

Opinion

April 28, 2009

15

Reaction to the Arrest of the Craigslist Killer

Ayers Cancellation Raises Eyebrows By Jesse Naiman The Observer

The Observer

Bill Ayers, the education professor whose lecture at BC was cancelled last month. her role in the Iraq War. However, this belief did not stop him from signing the petition, whose writers were explicit in their demands: “We ask the university to rescind its invitation to Dr. Rice and the offered honorary degree.” The purpose of this critique is not to berate the students who genuinely support academic freedom on campus or those who felt angry over the cancellation.

Organizers of the Ayers event certainly worked hard to put on an event for the university community, and to have your event cancelled for “safety” reasons certainly raises legitimate questions as to whether this university truly supports academic freedom. Unfortunately, for every person

See ‘Ayers’ page 15

A Reaction to Philip Markoff, an engaged, WASP-y medical student at Boston University being arrested as the violent rapist, thief and murder who target women on the popular website. By Megan Rauch The Observer

colleges, where both were involved in campus life. Scott played golf. Philip volunteered at Pieces of ticker tape still lina local hospital and was a regular ger on the floor of Agganis Arena poker player with friends in his and the ink on the Terriers’ 2009 dormitory. NCAA Hockey Championship More importantly, increasbanner has barely dried. A new ing debt is cited in both cases as development out of Boston Unithe killers’ motives. In the Scott versity, however, has eclipsed Peterson trial, the prosecution the men’s hockey team’s 4-3 vicclaimed Scott and Laci’s finantory over Miami University last cial problems exacerbated how month. More specifically, Philip Scott did not want a family, an Markoff, a second-year student at idea compounded by his affair the School of Medicine, has been with Amber Frey. An article from identified as the Craigslist Killer: The Associated Press explained a violent rapist, thief, and murthat Philip Markoff pursued the derer. Local authorities and the women on Craigslist to rob them FBI accuse Markoff of targeting to help offset his debts, much of women who posted information which is attributed to his alleged about themselves in the “Erotic” gambling problems. At the time section of the popular website. of his arrest, Markoff was, as the As students at a rival school, AP stated, in the midst of “planwe could, at this juncture, make ning an elaborate wedding this jests about how we always knew summer to a beautiful woman.” BU attracted an unusual breed of Furthermore, during his trial, people. We could laugh about Scott Peterson was noted as exhow the dismal campus environpressing little emotion, which ment located just a few T-stops parallels how Markoff remained away could drive anyone silent during his arto kill. There is alraignment last week. ways the classic, The frightening “If the cliché about serial killers is although slightly trend of privileged that they seemed normal and no one safe remark, that Caucasian men turnBU girls are so saw their attacks coming, then Philip ing to violence as a unattractive that it Markoff could be the poster child for means of relieving is no surprise this the stereotype.” financial burdens -Ryan Tate is far from limited guy was soliciting Writer, Gawker Media Online to the twenty-first erotic massages and prostitutes. century. For exOne might also go ample, in the 1970s, so far as to scoff at District Attor- serial killers is that they seemed a well-educated accountant from ney Daniel Conley’s suggestion normal and no one saw their at- Westfield, New Jersey violently that a Boston University student tacks coming, then Philip Mar- murdered his wife, his mother, “thought he was too smart for us” koff could be the poster child for and his three children in their 19to ever be caught. We at The Ob- the stereotype.” Recent memory room Victorian mansion. John server could even take the route calls to mind Scott Peterson as List, who became one of the most of a lesser newspaper by express- another young white male from notorious killers on the loose coving our appreciation that Boston an upper-middle class back- ered on America’s Most Wanted, College does not have a medical ground, whom friends and family was continuously unemployed school. perceived to be well-adjusted and and faced large debts, includAt the same time, news that happy. He was apprehended for ing $11,000 in mortgage back Craigslist culprit had been named the Christmas Eve murders of his payments. He claimed to have arrived in the wake of the tenth wife, Laci, and their unborn son, killed his family to spare them anniversary of the Columbine with whom his wife was eight the embarrassment of losing their massacre. Both events left count- months pregnant. The similari- lavish lifestyle. Much like Scott less individuals angry, frustrated, ties between Markoff and Peter- Peterson and Philip Markoff, he and questioning how something son are striking. In addition to too was envisaged as stable and such as this could happen. In the their analogous WASP lifestyles normal, so much so that in his 18 case of the Craigslist killer, many and friendly dispositions, both years on the run from the FBI, are shocked that this young man, men attended highly respected John List assumed a new identity, whom the Boston Herald called “a seemingly clean-cut medical student,” could be capable of such grotesque actions against women. The Associated Press described Markoff as “handsome,” and the headline for FoxNews.com read that Markoff had been arrested as the “unlikely” suspect for the Craigslist killings. Moreover, those who knew Markoff personally are especially stunned to learn of the accusations against him. One of the defendant’s neighbors remarked, “He was smart. He carried himself well. He was a clean, a goodlooking guy. He seemed like the type who would have it all.” Markoff’s friend from college in Albany recalled, “There was nothing unusual about him.” He is remembered as “friendly guy who always had a smile on his face. He always seemed happy.” On the other hand, as The Gawker’s Ryan Tate wrote on April 21, the day after Markoff was arrested, “If the cliché about

Philip Markoff, dubbed the “Craigslist killer,” at his arraignment on April 21. remarried, and found a new job as an accountant. The irony with the List case, of course, is that the family home had a Tiffany skylight, which is believed to have been worth $100,000 at the time of List’s murders. A less ironic—and perhaps more unfortunate—aspect of these three cases is the willingness of the murderers to take advantage of women. Although both Scott Peterson and John List took the lives of their wives, Philip Markoff attacked strangers he found on the Internet. As previously mentioned, Philip Markoff is engaged. His wedding is set for August 14, 2009. Most event reports maintain that Markoff’s fiancée, Megan, is standing by him. In the age of DNA testing, the esteemed concept of “innocent until proven guilty” has lost some of its luster. Authorites would not have pursued Markoff if the evidence were not overwhelmingly in favor of doing so. Records on both his cell phone and computer indicate that Markoff was in contact with all three of the named victims in this case. In an article in The Boston Her-

ald, one law-enforcement official is quoted as saying, “Police recovered evidence from Markoff’s apartment to suggest he kept mementos from his victims.” Markoff was even arrested on his way to a Connecticut casino, which underscores his gambling problems as a motive. As a devout Eagles’ fan, who can vividly recall the painful last ten seconds of the December hockey game against Boston University, I would somehow consider myself disloyal to support any action taken by the rival school. Boston University did, however, earn a small nod of approval from me when I read that Philip Markoff was immediately suspended after his arrest. Like many others, I find myself wondering how Markoff could commit these heinous acts of violence, especially when the first rule of being a doctor is “do no harm.” For now though, I am just left with the question of how his fiancée could be standing by him through this, and I would recommend she follow in the footsteps of BU and suspend Markoff from her life.

fully would support Tancredo’s right to speak as well. However, masses of students and faculty have tended to only support academic freedom when they believe that they are subjected to censorship. I wish that a genuine bipartisan movement in support of ac-

ademic freedom could flower on campuses nationwide, but since they only arise in the former conditions, I have chosen to omit my name from the petition.

Ayers

from page 14 who wants this campus to be a free marketplace for the exchange of ideas, there is someone who desires free expression only for those who share their political views. Conservative speakers have been heckled at universities around the country. The most re-

cent incident was when University of North Carolina students rudely interrupted illegal immigration foe and former Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-CO). As a result of leftist protesters’ actions at this event, Tancredo was only able to speak for only five minutes be-

fore campus police escorted him from the stage. In this instance, “academic freedom” was a meaningless concept to the leftist protesters. Those students at Boston College who supported Ayers’ right to speak on college campuses hope-

16

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

Opinion

The Observer April 28, 2009

Recent controversy surrounding the investigation of Jane Harman leads to further questioning of the constitutionality of the NSA wiretap.

By Dana Flynn The Observer

In light of recent findings regarding California Democratic Congresswoman Jane Harman, critics are once again questioning the constitutionality of the NSA wiretap. A 2005 wiretap of Harman recorded conversations with members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC); the conversation revealed Harman offering to intervene on behalf of two members of the pro-Israel group being investigated for espionage in return for support in her own campaign to become chairwoman of the House Intelligence Committee. Given that the wiretap is clearly successful in uncovering the covert and unlawful actions of our elected officials, where do we find the right to declare it to be a violation of rights? Why are some protesting its implementation? The Washington Post declares that the AIPAC members

were accused under a “World War I-era espionage law” and that prosecutors are talking about dropping the case. However, even if the charges against Harman’s conspirators are deemed false, surveillance reports still reveal Harman’s willingness to engage in corrupt behavior. Regardless of the nature of the investigation, whether or not the accusations are warranted, Harman should have, on principle, avoided contact with individuals potentially compromising national security. Furthermore, any sense of moral uprightness would have stopped a Congresswoman from utilizing corrupt bargaining and bribery to achieve a greater position of authority. Therefore, how can we possibly be warranted in criticizing the wiretap? Harman is undoubtedly the strongest evidence officials have to continue surveillance of communication between citizens and foreign intelligence. The intent of the wiretap is to monitor communication between

parties that the NSA deems to be relevant to national security. It is solely for the purpose of protecting the security of the nation and its citizens – not the attempt of an overbearing government to encroach on the rights of its populace. When the public protests that a practice such as the wire-

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

17

Opinion

April 28, 2009

Would BC Host Obama?

Wiretap Successful

Congresswoman Jane Harman was investigated in 2005 by the NSA.

The Observer

tap is a violation of the rights to privacy and freedom of speech, they forget that it is implemented for the good of the nation. Once a concern for upholding the letter of the law is placed above the protection and preservation of the lives of our citizens, legalism sets in. While the principles outlined by our founding fathers are undoubtedly to be held in the highest esteem and should ideally be foremost in lawmakers’ minds, reality must not be forgotten. In the grand scheme of things, the government needs to have the power to investigate possible underground and illegal communication in order to properly defend the nation. Who would actually prefer to run the risk of compromising national security for the purpose of upholding personal rights to the letter of the law? Should some crisis of defense occur, those personal rights that many are so concerned about will likely be the first thing to be taken away. Instead, isn’t an ounce of protection worth a pound of cure, as the adage goes? I cannot describe the placement of an ideal of totally unmonitored communication above the safety and human lives as anything but absurd. Furthermore, while many tend to claim that the authorized surveillance of the wiretap is a taking away of basic rights, they forget that no rights are really being violated. Individuals are still perfectly able to speak freely without concern of legal punishment – under the condition of course that their communication contains nothing that could be deemed a threat as a matter of national security. If a person has nothing to hide, not a single one of his rights are violated. He is simply being monitored – not prevented from speaking his

mind or writing his opinion. The argument that the wiretap is an infringement of basic rights in unfounded, and frankly, it indicates a lack of understanding regarding the true goal in protecting the rights of citizens. As a citizen, I feel that my rights are protected when my elected officials act to ensure my safety and protect my country– a country that upholds its democratic principles (and would not have the ability to do so if it simply rolled over and waited for information to fall into its lap, rather than actively pursuing it). To ask a government to simply sit and wait for information regarding foreign intelligence that could be vital to the security of the nation or the lawfulness of its representatives and citizens, all in the name of protecting my right to freedom of speech, is ridiculous – especially when the fact remains that I am fully able to speak freely, so long as I am not involved in any clandestine conspiracy, corrupt agreements, or unlawful behavior. It is my belief that no lines were crossed in wiretapping Harman’s conversations with members of the AIPAC. If in fact she was engaging in a corrupt method of attaining a position of authority, she should have to take responsibility for her actions. If, for some reason, she was not guilty of any inappropriate conduct, then she will have no problem in an investigation. Regardless, we should all take comfort in the fact that the NSA wiretap is enabling the government to successfully investigate potentially illegal actions, and therefore uphold the ethical uprightness of the nation’s leaders and enforce its policies which protect the country from foreign dangers. These goals should always be a priority in policy-makers’ minds.

Given the campus reaction to Ayers’ cancellation, it is probable that BC would love to follow Notre Dame’s lead and host Obama as a commencement speaker.

By Allison Gallagher The Observer

Catholic universities across the nation are increasingly forgetting their mission as religiously affiliated schools. In order to accommodate liberal speakers, schools like Notre Dame, BC, and most recently, Georgetown, are giving priority to their controversial message and bowing at the altar of Obama. What is a more blatantly obvious showing of a Catholic university’s apparent willingness to discard their religion in order to accommodate an incongruous message than Georgetown’s covering up the Jesuit symbol, IHS, for President Obama’s speech on April 14th? In a glaring metaphor for the times, Georgetown placed a piece of black painted plywood over the symbol in order to comply with the White House’s demand that all university symbols and signage be covered during the address. Notre Dame, once considered one of the nation’s top Catholic universities, is hosting Barack Obama as their 2009 commencement speaker. Not only is the President hosted in a position of extreme honor, he is receiving an honorary degree. Notre Dame is despicably implying that its students should look up to Obama, while he represents a serious break in the Catholic teaching for which the school stands in the form of his fanatical support for

abortion. To hold an individual with such anti-Catholic values as Obama in high-esteem, let alone give him an honorary degree, is to essentially condone his disregard for the value of human life and the importance of the family. BC recently had its own scandal; the Bill Ayers controversy was, frankly, an embarrassment. In a story that is now very familiar to students, student groups including, but not limited to AHANA and the College Democrats, invited a controversial speaker who is a self-admitted domestic terrorist to speak on education. It was not highly publicized. When students who objected to having a terrorist speak at their school protested, BC cancelled the event, claiming it did not have the infrastructure to ensure the safety of a controversial speaker. Not one member of the Boston College Administration has said that Bill Ayers’ speech was cancelled because of his past actions, because it was not. In fact, Bill Ayers addressed the BC community through BC’s television system shortly after. The student backlash against what some termed their denial of academic freedom on campus was momentous. The atmosphere at BC was not a palpable one of relief after the original Bill Ayers event was cancelled. It was one of indignation and protest. In fact, a free speech rally was held on April 15th, and a sizable crowd

of angry students attended. Students were not happy that BC (although only for “safety reasons”) cancelled the unrestricted speech of a terrorist and maintained its Catholic identity. Even the alumni, who remember attending a school with strong Catholic ties and therefore make donations under the assumption that the school is still religiously conscious, are confused by BC’s apparent willingness to completely disregard their identity. The generational divide between alumni and the current population of Boston College threatens the donations BC has become dependent on. Clearly, these top three Catholic universities are placing superficial prestige over their stated principles and ethics. Given that this seems to be the status quo, if BC had the opportunity, would we have hosted Barack Obama as a commencement speaker? Clearly, the campus reaction to Bill Ayers’ cancellation is an indication that this Catholic campus would not be unwelcome to honoring Barack Obama. Almost 1,200 members belong to the “Support Academic Freedom at BC” Facebook group, an indication that a large portion of the student body felt they were wronged in some way by not hosting Ayers, even though his past associations with the Weather Underground, a domestic terrorist group, are well known. These same people

Obama required the Jesuit symbol, IHS, to be covered with black painted plywood when he spoke at Georgetown on April 14th. would probably rejoice in hosting Barack Obama’s message at BC also, all in the name of so-called academic freedom. This campus is just not conscious that ethics are being trampled to promote an agenda that is not the mission of the university, and the Bill Ayers backlash proves this. In the Boston College Speaker Policy, the administration holds that, “To maintain an environment in which such freedoms can thrive, while at the same time being sensitive to and respectful of the Catholic heritage of the institution, the University administration reserves the right to review presentations funded by student activity monies… or, in rare

instances, to cancel the event.” Boston College clearly invoked this policy when cancelling Bill Ayers, although not because of the “Catholic heritage of the institution” but because of safety concerns. Their failure to respect their own speaker policy and cancel Ayers because of his disregard for Catholic tradition in his blatant show of hatred for his country hints that they would jump at the chance at hosting Obama. The campus and administration would host Obama, much to the dismay of the students and the alumni who are desperately wishing the university would occasionally remember its Catholic identity.

Application Numbers Down 5 Percent Are Economic Factors Making Boston College a Less Competitive University? By Elise Anderson The Observer Many colleges and universities have recently announced that their application numbers for the 2009-2010 school year have dropped significantly, especially compared to the record numbers that many schools saw in 2008. Boston College Admissions Department, for example, saw a 5 percent drop in applicants. But although this may seem like an issue, it really is not, especially when you consider how many high school seniors still decided to apply. Because Boston College is a larger school than some of the smaller liberal arts colleges of only a few thousand undergraduates, BC can still use discretion when considering its applicants. For other schools, however, like

Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, a dramatic decrease in applications presents a worrisome issue. For example, this year Williams saw a 20 percent decrease in applications. When one considers the fact that there are only about 2,000 undergraduates at Williams, not being able to select only the top students for the incoming freshman class can present a number of difficulties for the following years. However, this does not seem to be a concern for many of these schools. Instead, the caliber of students applying seem to be the same as years previous; it is just that those who apply are applying to fewer schools in general. So what does this mean for Boston College? Well, Boston College only saw a 5 percent drop in applications. Luckily, for BC’s

Students approach Devlin Hall, the admissions building for Boston College. Office of Admissions, there still remained over 29,000 students who applied for admission to the University. Boston College is notorious for seeing an incredible amount of received applications

year after year, so this in no way means that it has become less popular when compared to other colleges and universities. Rather, it is likely that the economy has played a role in the admissions

statistics for this particular year. For example, instead of students applying to a number of different

See ‘Applications’ page 18

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

18

Opinion

The Observer April 28, 2009

Obama, Netanyahu and Iran In our post Cold War world, we are no longer accustomed to the pinning of freedom and liberty against tyranny. Those days are surely coming to a close. As Iran comes ever so close to attaining nuclear capability, much of the world watches without any action. Despite his humanitarian efforts, the specter the President and his well-meaning liberal compatriots refuse to face is that if Iran obtains the bomb then we will have reached a point of no return. Some may call these warnings drastic and dare I say it “war mongering” but we must face the truth. The radical Islamic threat that the Shi’ite sect of the Muslim world poses against us all has gone very much unnoticed. Nevertheless, it exists. Unlike the Kurds and Sunnis, the Shi’ites believe the twelfth imam will return at the end of days. They also believe that they can speed up his return with chaos, a maninduced Armageddon. Although these Shi’ites are not the majority of the Muslim world, or even the entirety of the Shi’ite sect, they do make up much of the leadership in Iran. If those who wish to bring chaos to the world and induce Armageddon obtain the power of a nuclear warhead we will be in a time of unprecedented danger. We would face the greatest threat ever posed to mankind in his great climb from anarchy to democracy and those who fail to recognize the severity of our situation dismiss a reality and a threat to our very livelihood. Our environmentally friendly President can surely understand the logic behind our situation. We are at a point where we can still prevent this looming danger to humanity. Like global warming, after a certain point we will no longer be able to reverse the ef-

fects. The same is true with Iran. Unlike the Soviet Union their quest is not world domination and slavery of the human race, they seek true terror and chaos so that the twelfth imam will return. That is why it is so disturbing that the President wants to negotiate with these rouge dictators. This is not Gorbachov, instead the Iranian theocracy laughed at President Obama’s video message. The President contradicted himself in that apology video. On January 20th the President told the world “We will not apologize for our way of life.” And although the President did not say “I’m sorry American loves freedom and liberty” he might as well have. President Obama showed the Iranian government that he misunderstands them. They hate us because of our way of life, and they hated us long before President Bush was ever elected President. These radical Iranian Shi’ite don’t seek material gains, this is a religion driven by fascism that seeks to destroy the world. Iran has recently spent 20 million dollars building a road into the capital city in preparation for the twelfth imam and Mummhand Ahmadinejad told the United Nations that the imam is coming soon. This is truly what they believe. There is still time to act, but should we fail to prevent this rouge nation from obtaining nuclear warheads then we will be faced with a direr situation than even the Cold War. The battle has already begun whether we decide to fight or not, and every moment that we refuse to act is a lost moment in securing our freedom. The world must decide; there can be no bystanders. We will either abandon all that we have held dear for so long or we will stand up in the face of terror. We cannot purchase our freedom from fear by appeasement; we cannot keep the enemy at bay because

schools—including a number of “safeties”—it is possible that students are merely applying to fewer “safety schools,” or schools in which they are less interested. And so, despite the 5 percent of students who opted not to apply (maybe to narrow down their school list and save money on application fees), the 95 percent who still decided to apply may be even more likely to attend BC if accepted. However, another economic factor could be that prospective students

are more likely to apply to state universities or schools closer to home—where, perhaps, they would receive more financial aid or where tuition is cheaper to begin with. Really, there is no single reason for these changes (many Ivy League schools, in contrast, have seen an increased number of applications and, subsequently, a reduction in the percentage of accepted students). Personally, I haven’t seen this application-drop impact the Boston College community. I

April 28, 2009

Basketball Playoffs Begin

attack, but also bring a needed energy level for any successful playoff team. The San Antonio The time is here. Yes, it is Spurs, once again, are right in the time for basketball playoffs. mix in the West, finishing fourth. Throughout the 2008-2009 NBA, However, their postseason hopes trades have occurred, injuries seem dim because of the seasonhave happened, and storylines ending injury to Manu Ginobili. have unfolded. With the reguPredictions for the Western lar season in the books and the Conference Finals: Lakers over playoffs having just started, I am Nuggets: 4-2. going to break down the bracket, Is this the year LeBron gets and predict (hopefully accurately) his ring? The Eastern Conference the 2009 NBA Champions. is headlined by the Big Three. The Western Conference is No, I’m not talking about Pierce, stacked with depth from top to Allen, and Garnett. I’m talking bottom. The Los Angeles Lakers about the Cleveland Cavaliers, lead the pack having ended with a the Orlando Magic, and the BosConference-best of 65-17 record. ton Celtics. The Cavaliers led the The Lakers, still bitter from last way by finishing with an impresyear’s defeat at the hands of the sive 66-16 regular season record. Celtics, are looking to rebound Mo Williams proved to be a huge and capture their 15th Champi- addition to this team who was in onship. It is obvious that Kobe need of another scorer to compliBryant leads this team, but their ment LeBron. They were nearly success is going to come down to perfect at home in the regular how the roll players perform. La- season, which makes this team mar Odom and Trevor Ariza need the most feared in the Eastern to come up big in the playoffs if Conference this playoffs. this Laker squad has any hope of The Boston Celtics once ending on top. again have dominated throughout The Denver Nuggets sur- the regular season, but this is not prised the entire basketball world looking like a team that could reby finishing second in the West peat their 2007 title run. With the behind the Lakloss of Kevin ers. Heading into Garnett and the season, the Leon Powe, Nuggets were the C’s defense predicted to be is nowhere as fighting for the good as it was final playoff last season. The spot. However, real question is with the Iverson how far the new Western Conference trade, hometown big three, Paul Finals: hero, Chauncey Pierce, Ray Billups, brought Lakers over Nuggets 4-2 Allen, and Raa new level of jon Rondo, can professionalism carry this team. Eastern Conference and attitude to With the loss Finals: this squad. The Cavaliers over Magic 4-2 of KG came acquisition of some good Chris “Birdman” news, however, 2009 NBA Finals: Andersen and as Brain ScalCleveland Cavaliers over abrine returned Dahntay Jones Los Angeles Lakers 4-3 to the lineup in also gave this team a much the third game needed defensive against the spark. The BirdBaby Bulls. man finished secThe Orlando Magic, led ond in the league in blocks, aver- by Defensive Player of the Year aging an astounding 2.46 blocks Dwight Howard, is looking to per game. Jones takes on the op- make a deep run in the playoffs. position’s best scorer on a nightly Howard is often criticized for basis, and has also dramatically not being “mean” enough on the improved his offense throughout court, and so far in the playoffs the season. With home court ad- this has surprisingly been true. vantage until the Western Confer- The 76’ers have given the Magic ence Finals, the Nuggets hope to all they could handle thus far, so make some noise in this year’s a serious improvement is going to playoffs. be needed if the Magic have any The youthful Portland Trail- hope of beating the Cavs. blazers have made great improvePrediction for the Eastern ments this season, finishing third Conference Finals: Cavaliers in the West. Led by All-Star over Magic: 4-2. Brandon Roy, these diaper-dan2009 NBA Finals: Cleveland dies have not only assembled Cavaliers over Los Angeles Laka frighteningly good offensive ers: 4-3.

By Erik Kreutzer The Observer

their goal is to eradicate all that we stand for. Their law is their religion, and all who don’t follow the conventions of Islamic law inside Iran are punished by the government. And so we must unite. All of our Hollywood friends who are so concerned with acceptance and open mindedness will surely be concerned with this cause. They must be appalled by the bigotry that this fascist threat poses to us all. The world must come together and decide to stand with freedom, liberty, and self rule or side with terror, and those who look to avoid the confrontation will only aid the enemy. Alexander Hamilton once said, “A nation which would prefer disgrace to danger, is prepared for a master, and deserves one.” And so we cannot look to isolate ourselves and only be concerned with this economic crisis. Our enemies who seek total destruction and chaos will only grow stronger. If we allow them to acquire the bomb which we have declared they cannot obtain, then we will be disgraced, and if Hamilton’s words have any truth to them then we deserve a master. We must stand up to these radical Islamic fascists. We can no longer pretend that Iraq or Afghanistan is the extent of the threats we face, they only represent the subsequent results of what Iran has perpetrated. There are some who see this looming threat and have decided to stand up to Iran. Israeli’s new Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees the reality of the situation saying, “You don’t want a messianic apocalyptic cult controlling atomic bombs. When the wide-eyed believer gets hold of the reins of power and the weapons of mass death, then the entire world should start worrying, and that is what is happening in Iran.” Netanyahu recently offered President Obama an ultimatum essentially saying you stop Iran or we

will. As far as American or Israel’s capability of militarily taking out Iran’s nuclear facilities, one of the Israeli Prime Minister’s advisors said “The problem is not military capability; the problem is whether you have the stomach, the political will, to take action.” And we will soon see what kind of stomach President Obama has. Each generation in our nation’s history has faced the threat of eradication. And just as our grandfathers fought Hitler on the beaches of Normandy and as Reagan, John Paul II and Thatcher brought down the evil empire, so today we must rise in the face of this enemy and say as Reagan told the Soviets, “There is a price we will not pay. There is a point beyond which they must not advance.” The world must unite before this threat grows greater; we cannot let this last hope of man on earth fall to hate and intolerance in the name of fear. The world is waiting for America to lead as we have so many times before. This

is a battle of freedom versus fear; this struggle will be the struggle that defines this generation. Either radical Shi’ite Islam will march all over the world spreading hate, death, and terror or liberty will make yet another stand in the face of oppression and good will defeat evil. We can still write our destiny, but we don’t have the luxury of waiting four years to do it. We cannot be apprehensive in articulating what it is that we believe because we are afraid of offending others. They hate us because of our freedom, equality, and because in no other nation can a person become President from Lincoln, to Reagan, to Obama. Dr. Martin Luther King said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” And so we must confront this great threat to justice, and the ticking time bomb that is Iran. Or our very way of life will be unknown to future generations.

haven’t seen anyone running around frantically because there aren’t enough high school seniors who want to don a Superfan t-shirt next year and cheer on the Eagles. If you have left your dorm room in the last few weeks, chances are you have seen hoards of visitors touring the campus. Now maybe they aren’t all high school seniors—but some of them probably are. And if they’re not seniors, they’re high school juniors who already have BC on their list of options. Regardless,

at some point in the near future, a fair number of these visitors will be applying to BC. Even so, demographics have been known to fluctuate over time, and, in some years, certain schools are more popular than others. Even winning a national championship can dramatically increase a school’s popularity, as the school’s notoriety increases. So, really, it’s too early to tell why BC’s application may have dropped 5 percent, but I really don’t think it’s anything to worry about. Boston College still

remains to be seen as a prestigious institution of higher learning, and it still remains versatile enough to attract a variety of different students. With a great athletics program, a valued focus on academics, a strong Jesuit foundation, a prime location right outside of Boston, and many other unique qualities, BC remains—and will continue to remain—a top university, despite an insignificant drop in application numbers for this particular year.

Netainyahu has long been an advocate for an aggressive approach toward Iran.

Applications from page 17

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

Hardwood Update

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls on President Obama to stand up to Iran. By Matthew Vigliotta The Observer

The Observer

Predictions for West & East Conference and NBA Finals

19

Sports

Interview with Tony Sanchez, BC Baseball Catcher We all know Tony Sanchez is a star, but how well do you know him? He sat down with The Observer and spoke his mind

By Ben King The Observer

What characteristics do you feel you have as the leader on the field? As the leader on the field I basically take control of the whole game and make sure everyone is where they are supposed to be. I really try and develop a strong relationship with my pitchers so they have the most confidence in me, which in turn will help them do well. I really take pride in my defense and I use that a lot on the field to help the team win. Do you feel pressure to produce offensively? In what ways do you lead by example for the younger players? Sometimes I’ll get myself in trouble while hitting if I am putting too much pressure on myself to produce runs. You have to let the game of baseball come to you because if you try too hard and put too much pressure on yourself you’re not gonna [sic] succeed. So most of the time, I just try and stay as relaxed as I can and let everything else take care of itself. We have a bunch of young guys this year who play extremely important roles and they look at all of us older guys and try and learn how to act on and off the field. I happen to run with a freshman while we are on the road; his name is Brad Zapenas and he has always come to me if he’s ever had a question or needed help with something that’s bothering within baseball. So basically we just try and be there for those guys so they can mature even more as soon as possible. How have the young guys stepped up? Who is the most improved? The young guys have done a great job of coming in and being guys that we can look to and have them pick us up. They have come in and matured and are doing a great job for us. Brad Zapenas was our everyday second baseman and has gotten some huge hits for us and is a great defensive player. With the injury to our starting shortstop, Brad has made the move to that position and that has made the fact that were missing one of our better players a little less stressful. Mike Dennhardt was a guy that had a lot of hype coming into the season and he has shown us that he can be a guy who can completely dominate a team on the mound. He has done a good job for us and will only get better as he gains more experience. I can’t wait to

Tony Sanchez, BC Baseball cathcer see what these kids can do once they get some more experience under their belts. In terms of the pitching staff, how do you interact with the pitchers on an individual level? Describe the process of working with multiple pitchers with different styles and pitches. As I said before I try and develop as strong of a relationship as I can with each and every pitcher so that they can feel as comfortable as possible while they are out there. Getting used to each and every one of their pitching styles takes time but at the end I know what each guy has and what his pitch is doing. Why did you choose to play ball at BC rather than somewhere closer to home? This is the question I get asked the most and it’s the easiest to answer. Nobody else recruited me out of high school. I knew I could play and I wanted to play in the ACC and be an impact guy from the beginning and when no one was interested and BC called. I knew then that BC was my best chance to do what I wanted to do. What is your relationship to head coach Mike Aoki as well as the other coaches? How have they helped you blossom as a player? Along with developing some strong relationships with the players I’ve also developed great relationships with my coaches. They have definitely been the main reason for my blossoming and the team doing as well as we are this

year. I know that I can go to them if I need help with my swing or my defense and they know they can come to me and tell me if I need to change something I’m doing on the field. Reaction to phenomenal season. What do you attribute your personal/team success to? The key to the success we are having is our overall team work ethic and attitude. We’ve never worked harder as a team and we’ve never had this much talent so were just trying to take this season one game at a time and see how far we can take each other. What did you do in the offseason to prepare for the season? During the offseason I basically treat it as a train every day time period. I’m always hitting or working on my defense with either my coaches or some of the guys on the team and I also work out a lot to get my body in shape and able to deal with the everyday grind of baseball. personal goals at BC and for the future? My goals at BC off the field are obviously to obtain my degree as soon as I can. Off the field I really want to pursue baseball as a career and want to be a successful catcher in the major leagues. Favorite MLB team and player. My favorite MLB team is definitely the hometown Marlins and my favorite player is Yadier Molina, catcher for the Cardinals because I try to play the game exactly how he plays.

The Observer

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

20

Sports

April 28, 2009

Raji and Brace Head to the NFL Boston College’s Own Drafted to Packers and Patriots By Kaitlin McKinley The Observer

“The good Lord just didn’t make people like this,” said Ted Thompson, General Manager for the Green Bay Packers, referring to Boston College’s BJ Raji. For the second consecutive year, Boston College has had a player selected in the first-round of the National Football League draft. In 2008, Matt Ryan was drafted third overall by the Atlanta Falcons, and in the 2009 NFL draft, BJ Raji was drafted ninth overall by the Green Bay Packers. Raji became the 17th player in BC football history to be drafted in the first round. During his football career at Boston College, Raji, a defensive tackle, started 37 of 49 games and totaled 105 tackles,

59 solo tackles, 12.5 sacks for minus 78 yards, 32.5 tackles for a loss of 136 yards, nine pass break-ups, and four quarterback pressures. In his first season as an Eagle in 2004, Raji appeared in 11 games as a true freshman. In the 2005 season, he became the starting defensive tackle and started in 12 games. During the 2006 season, Raji again started 12 games at right defensive tackle and was second-team all-Atlantic Coast Conference. In 2007, he was sidelined the entire season because

BJ Raji attempts to sack Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen.

of academics. Of sitting out an entire season, Raji said, “That was probably the hardest thing I had to go through. I knew if I could get through that and get back on the right track, I would be OK.” He got through it and got back on the right track in the 2008 season where he started all 13 games at right defensive tackle. He had a career high of 42 tackles, which included a team-high of eight sacks and 16 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He became the first BC defensive tackle to lead the team in sacks in 23 years and was first-team all-ACC. Packers GM Ted Thompson said of Raji who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 337 pounds, “He’s a rare guy physically. He’s genuinely a powerful, powerful man, especially in his lower body. He has the ability to take people backwards where they don’t want to go. It’s unbelievably hard to find the combination of skill set that he brings.” Thompson continued, “BJ Raji is a really good football player.” Another really good football player is fellow BC teammate and Raji’s counterpart, Ron Brace, who in this year’s 2009 NFL draft was drafted in the second round, 40th overall, by the New England Patriots. Brace said, “The fact that I ended up with the Patriots is just crazy. I never thought I’d end up playing for the team I watched when I was younger.” Like Raji, Brace’s first season with the Eagles was in 2004, but he redshirted, like Raji did in 2007, and didn’t make any game appearances until the 2005 season

where he started one game as a freshman. Brace became a regular starter in the 2006 season and finished with 20 tackles. As a defensive tackle, Brace started 37 straight games for the Eagles. During the 2007 season, Brace recorded 27 tackles and was honorable mention for all-ACC selection. In the 2008 season, he totaled 19 tackles in 14 games and was second-team all-ACC selection at defensive tackle. Brace became the 14th player from Boston College to be drafted by the Patriots, the first since Dan Koppen in 2003, and he is only the fourth BC player to be picked by the Patriots in the first two rounds of the NFL draft. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said of Brace, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 330 pounds, “Brace is an inside player, big man, powerful, explosive. So he gives a good element of size and power.” The Patriots also drafted Darius Butler, Sebastian Vollmer, and Patrick Chung on the first day of the 2009 NFL draft. Belichick said, “We are looking forward to getting them on the field and letting them compete for the opportunities that we have on our team. [There are] a couple local connections. It’s coincidental, but it’s always good to build your roster with guys from BC, UConn and the New England area. It’s a little added cherry on the top.” As for Brace, who was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, he can’t believe he gets to play with his hometown NFL team. “I just know it was a dream of mine and it actually came true. I’m hoping I’m not dreaming right now.”

Campus School Part of 28,000 Runners in Marathon By Lara Barger The Observer Marathon Monday: a day we have all come to love. A day filled with camaraderie and inspiring runners who make the 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to downtown Boston. While many of us choose to spectate from the sidelines of Commonwealth Avenue, some of us choose the more respectable task of actually participating in this grueling mission. While numbers are still being estimated for the total number of participants in 2009, in 2008 there were 25, 283 official runners and many more without numbers. It is also estimated that every year over 500,000 people choose to stand on the sidelines and cheer on these inspiring runners. It was a cool, overcast day on April 20, 2009 when the Boston Marathon runners lined up on the starting line to commence the start of their journey they had been preparing for eighteen months. “It was a long and tiring process, but the end result was definitely worth it. Being in Hopkinton at the starting line

was so exhilarating,” exclaimed sophomore E.J. Rumpke, CSOM ’11. Many of the runners from Boston College participate in the Campus School program in which they raise money for the Campus School. This group of dedicated runners got together every Sunday to train for the marathon as it has urged people to train in groups to foster a sense of teamwork in this individual sport. While most people think marathons are for experienced runners only, the Campus School organizes a training schedule that exclaims with the right amount of training, even non-seasoned runners can complete this invigorating race. Many of the runners awoke around 5am on race day to mentally prepare themselves for the daunting task ahead of them and hopped a ride from the Campus School to Hopkinton. Race time officially starts at 10:15am and 10:30 for the non-elite runners (who are divided up into waves), but the elite men and women start at 9:35 and 10:00, respectively. The Men’s Champion was twenty-eight year old Deriga Merba from Ethiopia who ran an

astounding 2:08:42 and the Women’s Champion was thirty-two year old Kenyan Salina Kosgei, who ran a 2:32:16 with Boston’s own Kara Goucher close behind coming in third. The Boston Marathon is the only race in the country in which runners must have a qualifying time in order to obtain an official r a c e

number. Runners must run a certified marathon in order to qualify for the elite Boston Marathon. For example, men and women in the 18-34 year range must run a 3:10 and 3:40, respectively in order to qualify for a race number. A second way to obtain a number is to raise money for a specified charity. While over 28,000 people

Runners at the 16 mile marker near Wellesley.

obtain numbers, many choose to run the race on their own without one. Many of the Campus School volunteers run sans numbers because they are so hard to obtain and each year the runner from Campus School that raises the most money for the cause receives a coveted official race number.