February 2009: Bc Observer

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

UGBC Petition Dead on Arrival

www.thebcobserver.com

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 Volume XXI Issue 6

BC Professor’s Work Censored

A ballot referendum is poised to pit the next UGBC President against University policy concerning con- Anna Djintcharadzé, a Boston College doctoral student and teacher, may have her doms and sexual health. work revised without her permission because it is “too Christian.” Editor George to the concerns we’ve heard from Thomas Kurian cites the event as “first mass book burning in the 21st century.” By JP Bonner The Observer

A referendum on the Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) presidential election ballot this week will, with a majority of the student vote, require the next UGBC president to pursue improved “sexual health education and resources at BC.” However, specific tenets of the resolution, which include prescription of birth control and “affordable” Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) testing at University Health Services as well as condom distribution on campus, appear to clash with Boston College’s established Catholic policies. The petition gained momentum through a series of emails through listservs, including those of Americans for Informed Democracy (AID) and College Democrats, as well as a Facebook group with over 1,750 members. The effort to put these issues on the ballot was begun by a group calling itself BC Students for Sexual Health (SFSH), comprised of Alicia Johnson, Melissa Roberts, Scott Jelinek, and Alexandra Saieh. “We wanted to give voice

In This Issue State of Safety.... News, 3 Relay for Life... News, 4

You Don’t Know Jacq...Opinion, 9

Chastity at BC... Catholic Issues, 10 U.S. Census... Opinions, 14 Bob Ryan... Sports, 20

our peers about the lack sexual health education and resources on campus,” said the unaffiliated student group in an email. Student initiatives are outlined in Section 2, Article VII of the UGBC Constitution, which is available on UGBC’s website. Essentially, any student initiative can be included on the ballot with one eighth of the student body’s signatures on a petition. Once on the ballot, an affirmative majority of votes cast make it a binding resolution. Assistant Dean of Student Development Mark Miceli commented on the wording of the Constitution. “What exactly ‘upholding the policy of the student initiative’ means in the dayto-day operations of the UGBC will be up to the sitting UGBC President.” Vice President for Student Affairs Patrick Rombalski also weighed in on the issue. “The Constitution of UGBC makes no distinctions between binding and non-binding referenda,” he said, “nor does it delineate any way for the election’s committee to

See ‘Petition’ page 2

By Michael Reer The Observer

A

nna Djintcharadzé, a doctoral student and teacher in the philosophy department at Boston College, may have her published work permanently revised without her permission in order to make it more politically correct. Djintcharadze recently wrote two articles, entitled “African Church Fathers” and “Latin,” for a new, four-volume Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization. The encyclopedia was published in October of 2008, with many contributors receiving complimentary copies of the book before Blackwell Publishing inexplicitly stopped printing copies of the book and destroyed all remaining copies in its possession. According to George Thomas Kurian, editor-in-chief of the project, the editorial board complained that entries in the encyclopedia are “too Christian, too orthodox, too anti-secular and too anti-Muslim and not politically correct enough for being used in universities.” Although the ency-

Anna Djintcharadzé, a BC doctoral student, is facing censorship for her work in the ECC.

clopedia is admittedly for university use, Djintcharadzé disagrees with the notion that just because the book is for a university it must also be completely secular. “We are writing a book about Christian

civilization for Christians,” she explained. Furthermore, as the book’s editor points out, Black-

See ‘Censorship’ page 2

Is Columbus Offensive?

By Jesse Naiman The Observer

A life-sized banner showing a portrait of Christopher Columbus impaled with an arrow hangs in a cubicle on the second floor of 21 Campanella Way. This banner, which reads “Countering Columbus Day,” can be found in a student club office that the Organization of Latin American Affairs (OLAA) and the Society of Native American Peoples (SNAP) share. This banner is not the only way these two clubs have shown

their apparent contempt for Columbus Day. Flyers spread around campus last October advertising a joint OLAA and SNAP Columbus Day presentation featured a picture of Columbus with the following statement “Wanted [for] Grand Theft, Genocide, Racism, Initiating the Destruction of a Culture, Rape Torture, and Maiming of an indigenous people and instigator of The Big Lie. 500 Years of Tourism.” Executive board members

See ‘Columbus’ page 2

Banner depicting Columbus shot with an arrow can be found in OLAA/SNAP’s student office.

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“There is no freedom without the Truth”

Censorship from front

well Publishing does not have the legal right to edit the book at will because the project was conceived and carried out by Kurian and the contributing writers, which makes the project their collective intellectual property. Blackwell Publishing claims that the book’s introduction and several other articles never passed through the appropriate editorial board and that once the management of the company became aware of this, it was forced to reevaluate certain sections of the work. A particular point of contention seems to be over some of the phraseology used in the introduction. For example, when speaking of why only one-third of the world is Christian almost 2,000 years after Christ’s death, Kurian blames “the enemy” for the lack of a mass, world-wide conversion. Additionally, Kurian claims in his introduction that before baptism, every human “is already written over with the message of the anti-Christ.” Blackwell Publishing is set to delete these and other terms of religious connotation, such as “Harvest,” “Beloved Disciple,” “Gates of Hell,” “Witness,” and “Virgin Birth,” out of the book before resuming publication. Blackwell Publishing also objects to some of the 1,450 contributing entries, which cite everything from traditionally Christian terms to historically objective facts. Articles that detail events such as the Resurrection of Christ and Muslim massacres of Christians will be posed in either a more apologetic or more subjective light if the book is revised. Blackwell also has indicated that it will be adding references to the book so that there are some “positive” entries about Muslims. The Observer is currently seeking permission to publish these controversial entries online. Although Djintcharadze acknowledges that “scholarly reviews are indeed necessary and desirable” for any reference work, she argues that the review board picked by Blackwell gives a wanton extension to the concept: it goes beyond the limits of factual proofreading and encroaches upon issues of specific content, filtering it out through an ultra politically correct sieve. “If being politically correct means neutering Christianity from its essence, as well as distorting historical facts (the ‘common era’ did start with Jesus-Christ and not with any other religious founder…), then I do not and will never agree to such political correctness.”

Dealing with issues of censorship is nothing new for Djintcharadze, who spent time in the Soviet Union as a child. She recalled her parents searching for fairy tale books with Christian themes despite Soviet attempts to suppress the volumes. She would also correct some books that were censored, putting their original words in by hand. “When I read books, even as a child, I would change them back to how they were supposed to be,” she said, citing specifically the example of changing the term “Before Common Era” back to “Before Christ,” as well as “Biblical legend” to “Biblical story,” and capitalizing “god.” She compared her experiences in the Soviet Union to the current situation, noting that “such tactics are the exact copy of the Soviet/Nazi sophistries in censorship: good scholarship had…to be ‘protected’ against any kind of religious ‘barbarisms.’ Deletions of everything that could be even distantly and vaguely sympathetic with religious connotations, was… going against the ‘freedom’ of the nation.” The editor and contributors of the book believe that it would have scored a success if published uninhibited. Before publishing stopped, the book was listed online for nearly one thousand dollars and most major universities were figured to be interested in purchasing at least one copy for library use. Djintcharadze said that “the book is likely to be a universal source as it is written in English by an international staff of contributors. I know some places in Germany were interested in purchasing it.” The work also exceeded the three-volume expectation of the publisher, adding another book to the collection at no extra cost. The encyclopedia was also completed a full year ahead of schedule, earning accolades from the likes of Edwin Yamauchi and Mark Noll, two highly regarded historians. The argument over the encyclopedia is likely to end up in the court system as Blackwell Publishing and Kurian argue over who owns the completed version of the book. Kurian, who is currently organizing a class-action lawsuit, has summarized the likely future of the situation by quoting British World War II Prime Minister Winston Churchill and claiming that he “shall fight and expose them in the courts, fight and expose them in the libraries, fight and expose them in the academia and fight and expose them in the media.”

News

The Observer February 17, 2009

Petition from front

evaluate referenda except by the amount and legitimacy of signatures obtained... I do not know what implications the referendum will have for the leadership of UGBC, but it is non-binding for university policies and procedures.” The resolution will be on the ballot, according to Co-Chair of the Elections Committee Joshua Darr. “As long as there are enough signatures, it will be placed on the ballot,” he stated. “The EC refuses to comment on the content of this ballot initiative or on any matters regarding UGBC policy, the UGBC constitution, or the potential effects of this ballot initiative... I have spoken with the administration about this, and they just want to make sure that it’s going on the ballot. They’re treating it like any other election matter.” The result of all of this is that on Thursday and Friday, students will not just be voting for their favorite presidential and senatorial candidates but they will also be voting to determine UGBC policy for the coming year. But even if the resolution is approved, will the new president be able to pursue such a policy? When asked about condoms on campus, Vice Presidential candidate Nick Kazimiroff added,

“It’s something to discuss further if we get elected. We should all work together on this. We do support the idea of STI testing.” SFSH is confident that its mandate will come to fruition. “We anticipate that the referendum will pass and when it does, we will continue to work to bring the goals we have described to fruition. We hope to have cooperation from UGBC and the administration, as its passage would represent a clear mandate from the student body.” Rombalski has other ideas. “I do not believe UGBC will purchase condoms for the student body,” he stated. “A conversation about the sexuality of students is needed as is a more open environment regarding intimacy, sexuality in relationships, and how these are in dialogue with other ethical and religious values such as responsibility and restraint. But it seems to me we should not do this by abrogating our responsibility to uphold Catholic teaching; a teaching that is fundamental to the totality of Catholic sexual ethics and conduct.” BC Students for Sexual Health similarly acknowledged BC’s Jesuit heritage. “We acknowledge and respect BC’s Jesuit Catholic iden-

tity- this is why we care so much about the health and well being of our community. We have based all of our goals off of what other Jesuit Catholic universities are currently providing their students across America. As active members of the BC community, we are advocating for students’ health. We are not asking for a single dime of BC’s money to go towards funding condoms. Knowing that 2/3 of all STI cases occur in people under the age of 25 and at least one half of all new HIV infections are estimated to be among those under the age of 25, we are trying to protect the health of our community.” Philosophy professor Paul McNellis, S.J. doubted this argument. “The mistake of people pushing this view is that they imitate the errors of secular society by seeing sexual issues as issues of hygiene and technique instead of profound moral issues,” he commented. “The best way to avoid STIs is to lead a virtuous life, whether a Christian or a pagan one.” “Although we could do a better job teaching these issues,” he allowed, “I can’t see any way the university would say yes to this reduced view of human sexuality... Their best response is to ignore it.”

Columbus from front

of both OLAA and SNAP were unavailable for comment when asked about the origins and the appropriateness of the sign. However, Dean of Student Development Dr. Sheila Horton offered a mixed reaction to the banner: “The Office of the Dean for Student Development has not received any complaints about the banner. The picture is not consistent with our values at Boston College because of its violent nature. However, this is an example of satire which presents an opportunity for students to learn that Native American history dates back much farther than Columbus and indeed Native Americans may have a different perspective on Columbus than other Americans. Perhaps broader discussion on this issue will lead to a positive result.” As for the issue of whether Columbus Day should be celebrated or condemned, various faculty and students offered different points of view. Professor Dennis Hale of the Political Science Department saw no reason not to celebrate it: “Where would we be without Christopher Columbus? How did Spanish-speaking people end up in Latin America?

You might say that Christopher Columbus is the Father of Latin American Studies.” In addition, Professor Hale wondered why people even bother to protest Columbus Day: “The people who complain about Christopher Columbus have a political agenda that has nothing to do with Columbus. But I don’t know what it is.” While Professor Hale acknowledged that every historical event has both positive and negative consequences, he concluded that “if we were to weigh them all accurately, we’d have to say that Christopher Columbus’ voyage to the Western Hemisphere was on balance a good thing.” Similar sentiment could be found among the student body. Sophomore Corey Javes also came to the defense of Columbus. Javes stated that “Christopher Columbus Day is worth celebrating because it marks the beginning of history in America. Columbus was the first of many Europeans who came to America, bringing their culture along with them making our country what it is today.” History Professor Mark Gelfand noted that people started

questioning whether Columbus Day should be celebrated in between its 400th and 500th anniversary: “Ideas about progress had underwent a great change in the interim, and the issue of what Columbus had wrought was seen through very different set of lens by the later date.” He added that Columbus Day has become particularly controversial in the last twenty years. However, Professor Gelfand called for a “nuanced” approach to the day by marking it as a “commemoration,” so “we can mark the occasion as noteworthy, but also reflect on its meaning in the many different ways it has influenced the human condition.” Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of every October in honor of his discovering America in 1492. The first recorded celebration in the United States took place in New York City on October 12, 1792, 300 years after Columbus discovered America. While the United States observes Columbus Day, a number of Latin American countries celebrate what they refer to as Día de la Raza, (Day of the Race) as part of a resistance to Columbus Day.

The Observer

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

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News

February 17, 2009

Chomsky Lecture Draws Crowd

Celebrity intellectual Noam Chomsky delivers a characteristically enrapturing lecture By JP Bonner The Observer Gasson Hall’s Irish Room was packed to the rafters as famed linguist, cognitive scientist, author, and political activist Noam Chomsky spoke at an event planned by Psi Chi, the psychology honors society. Chomsky, a professor emeritus of linguistics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, covered in roughly an hour topics ranging from advertising, Obama, and mass media to Israel, investment, and the internet. Always a challenging and thought-provoking speak-e r , Chomsky later characterized his overall political philosophy by email. “Taking a long-term view, I think the optimal system we can envision now, at least in rough outline, is libertarian socialist (anarchist). I’ve discussed the topic fairly often. There are articles in several collections.” His visit to Boston College marked one of his first interac-

tions with Jesuits in this country. “ I was quite close to Jesuits in Central America, but in the US only sporadically,” he remarked. During the reception preceding the event, Gasson was filled with students, professors, and readers of Chomsky’s works from as near as Lower Campus and as far as Buffalo, New York. Intense anticipation filled the hall from its old floorboards to its painted ceiling; the vegetables, cheeses and crackers provided by Psi Chi were devoured quickly and excited students packed around and between the rows of chairs made several unsuccessful attempts to begin a “slow clap.” By the time Chomsky, clad in unassuming blue jeans and a sweater, strolled up to the podium to begin his speech, the crowd was already spilling out into the atrium and students were peering in through the windows of the third floor balcony. Asked to comment on the historic nature of the last presidential election, he began in earnest agreement, ac-

knowledging the huge step taken by the United States towards becoming a more civilized nation. He also commented that it is important not to exaggerate its effect and to remember that there is still “a long way to go.” “But what happens from now on?” asked Chomsky of the silent audience. “That depends largely on the actions of people like you. Freedom is never given as a gift; if a population backs off, the gains are lost. People with power do not release it easily, and I wouldn’t expect them to... So now this army of small supporters is sup-posed to be sitting around waiting for instructions, kind of like the opposite of democracy.” He reminded the crowd that other great democratic achievements have been made in recent years outside of America and Europe. Referencing the incredible participation of the native population of Bolivia in its recent elections, he said that “it was real popular participation, entirely about issues. It was not about a

Noam Chomsky brand.” On the subject of brands, he discussed this year’s Advertising Age Award. “The ad industry gives an award each year for the best marketing campaign, and this year it was Obama. He beat out Apple,” he said, to sheepish chuckles from the throng.

Larissa Jones, event organizer and President of Psi Chi, has been working to bring Chomsky to BC since June. “We wanted an interesting, influential speaker who would fulfill Psi Chi’s vision statement to come to BC,”

A crucial part of the healing process from assault or harassment is creating a safety plan for the victim, the Captain says. A member of the police department works closely with him or her to help them “think of the daily activities. That is the true concern—how to go about normal things if the goal is to stay at BC,” explains Connolly. By taking down basic information, the police officer and the victim can begin to look for ways to ensure that the victim always has a safety net intact, whether it is calling home, telling a close friend, or knowing the locations of hospitals, police stations, or 24-hour stores where the person can go if he or she feels “spooked or something gets under their [sic] skin.” Captain Connolly encourages all members of the Boston College community to become proactive in preventing assault and harassment crimes. “Safety begins at home. There needs to be a conversation about how to protect yourself from potentially dangerous situations, which of course becomes more important when there is alcohol involved, which is so often a factor in what

we see here on campus.” She encourages students going out to parties to have a “designated walker, who will keep an eye on everyone and make sure you all get home safely.” When going out—whether it is to class or to a party—the Captain asserts that, “You should carry bags that you can get rid of at a moment’s notice if you need to run or fight. Don’t carry what you care about in them either.” On campus, Captain Connolly encourages all women to sign up for the Rape Aggression Defense (R.A.D.) classes, where one can learn the basic self-defense techniques from a trained police officer. The BCPD is also developing a Bystander Training class for next year that will teach students how to respond to roommates and friends who are dealing with difficult emotional issues, including harassment and assault. If you are a victim of harassment or sexual assault, contact the BCPD immediately. Visit their website www.bc.com/offices/bcpd for information on crime prevention and safety, Massachusetts state laws, university policy, and counseling.

See ‘Chomsky’ page 4

The State of Public Safety BCPD Captain discusses safety issues on campus

By Megan Rauch The Observer

Issues of public safety on the Boston College campus extend far beyond the recent ice, snow, and frigid temperatures. Even after JuicyCampus.com was shut down, according to BCPD’s Captain Margaret Connolly, members of the BC community are still vulnerable to sexual harassment and assault. In 2007, 15 instances of forcible sexual assault were reported on campus and the surrounding public property in “The Boston College Important Notices and Disclosures Report,” up from six the year before. Law enforcement officials classify sexual assault in several different categories. The most serious offense, Capt. Connolly explains, is aggravated rape, which involves one or more perpetrators who inflict serious bodily injuries on the victim. Because it is considered a serious felony, persons convicted of aggravated rape receive life in prison. The second classification of sexual assault is also considered rape, even though the victim is not seriously injured. Second degree rape is punishable by 20 years in prison.

In either instance, the Boston College Police take the victim to one of two local hospitals, Brigham Women’s or Beth Israel. The BCPD’s Sexual Assault Investigative Team serves as a “fact finder” and is responsible for compiling evidence in the case. It is then up to the victim whether to proceed with the case externally through the District Attorney of either Suffolk or Middlesex counties, or internally through Boston College. In choosing the latter route, “The victim has not chosen to go forward with a criminal case. We then use all systems within the university, including the Office of the Dean of Student Development and judicial hearings, to ensure that what happened and how it happened does not happen again,” elaborates Connolly. Among the most common forms of assault and harassment the BCPD deals with on campus is stalking, which is usually civil in nature, meaning that the offender has not engaged in any criminal act, such as use of the Internet to harass the victim. Accordingly, the Office of the Dean of Student Development handles jurisprudence through univer-

sity policy and hearings. These cases are usually highly sensitive because, as Captain Connolly explains, “At BC, we’re dealing with a small city and issues of harassment affect every population. We have to address the cultural differences that can be involved in these cases.” Part of the BCPD’s response to cases of harassment and assault is to work with the victim to develop a plan that allows for healing. “What needs to be done is what is best for the victim. We want you to heal. You are the one that has to live with the decision about how to move forward after an incident,” says Connolly. At the same time, the BCPD also seeks to help the victim’s family and friends deal with the incident. As the Captain emphasizes, “We try to look at everybody involved. Our lives are so intermeshed with others, and it’s important that no one feels that what they [sic] have to say is not worth it. This is especially important for parents because these crimes can be like losing a child. Most of our staff are parents, so we truly understand the importance of the family connection.”

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“There is no freedom without the Truth”

News

Relay for Life brings BC Community together for a night of celebration and remembrance. The twelve-hour event featured music, basketball, and unity for a common cause. By Rachele Reis The Observer Over 1,200 students flocked to the Flynn Recreation Complex to participate in the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) annual Relay for Life. Grouped into various teams, these students walked laps around the indoor track for twelve hours to raise funds for the ACS in hopes that a cure for cancer can be found one day. Teams in the Relay for Life of Boston College were each assigned a country. The team members could dress in their country’s colors and display national pride in decorations around their campsite for the night. Countries represented included Hungary, Ecuador, Barbados, and Ireland. The event opened with the first lap walked by cancer survivors in the BC community. These survivors were ushered around the track by a sonorous round of applause from all present. Then the festivities were in full swing. Representatives from each team were on the track at all times. Participants were entertained by a D.J. and live band, as well as performances from various student groups, such as the Boston College Irish Dance Club and the hip-hop dance group Phaymus. Activities such as a basketball tournament helped keep team members awake during the overnight event. All participants received a t-shirt commemorating this year’s Relay, with a space

A group of students at the Relay for Life. on the back to write their reasons for taking part in the Relay. Many shirts read “My Mom”, “Grandma,” and names of other family and friends. Whitney Downum, Community Executive from the New England Division of the American Cancer Society, said, “This year’s event was a blast and absolutely wonderful. BC is such an amazing community to host a Relay, and I hope we’re able to host it year after year.” Early estimates of fundraising efforts total over $110,000. Relay for Life began in Tacoma, Washington in 1985,

through the efforts of Dr. Gordy Klatt, who circled the track at the University of Puget Sound for 24 hours, raising $27,000. In 1986, the first multi-team relay took place. Today, Relay for Life brings together more than 3.5 million people to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost to the disease, and fight back by raising money to fund the search for a cure. Preparations for the Relay for Life at Boston College began in August by a committee of more than sixty people. These committee members organized

team captain meetings and bank nights, gathered materials for participants, arranged activities for the night of the Relay, and were a source of energy and enthusiasm. This year marked the second annual Relay on Boston College’s campus. BC students previously participated in Relay for Life of All University, at Harvard, collaborating with other schools in the Boston area. All University 2009 will be held on April 10th. Relays are also being held at Boston University, Tufts University, Bentley University, and Brandeis University.

Chomsky from page 3

said Jones. “His political views aren’t what brought him here- it was really the diversity of his expertise.” Indeed, the depth and breadth of Chomsky’s work is staggering. In 1992, the Arts and Humanities Citation Index listed him as the most cited living author. He was introduced on Tuesday as “bringing us out of the dark ages of behaviorism.” Yet along the way, Chomsky has contributed significantly to the development of modern linguistics. Born in 1928, Chomsky grew up in a historically Jewish Philadelphia neighborhood. He wrote his first article at age 10 on the topic of spreading fascism during the Spanish Civil War and later proceeded to earn a B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. Along the way he met his wife, Carol Schatz, whom he remained married to for 59

years until her death in December 2008. He has been a professor of linguistics at MIT for 53 of those years and published over 100 books on linguistics and politics. Throughout his life Chomsky has commented, usually critically, on U.S. government policies. A selfdescribed anarchist, he was an outspoken opponent of the war in Vietnam and continues to deplore practices he sees as hypocritical and harmful. On the whole, Chomsky came across as skeptical of real change coming from the government. “Elections are periods in which groups of investors coalesce to control the state... Twenty-five percent of Obama’s contributions came from donors giving less than $200; the majority was mass contributions from the financial services industry. And when the financial services industry puts you in office, that’s

your constituency. “And look, the first thing we’ve done is give $350 billion to the banks, who have pocketed it. These people should not be planning the next stage of our economy, they should be receiving subpoenas... In a real democracy, the people would take over the banks, but we’ve been trained to hate that idea.” Chomsky’s cynical ire was not limited to the new administration, however. Commenting on the softer, less belligerent tone of the second half of the Bush administration, he said that “the most extreme guys were thrown out: Rumsfeld, Wolfowitz, all those guys. They couldn’t throw out Cheney; he is the government.” He expects Obama’s foreign policy to mirror that of the last four years, taking Vice President Joe Biden’s recent speech as an

The Observer

Dan Moloney Visits BC

KSA and CSA Celebrate 9th Annual Culture Show

February 17, 2009

Walking for a Cure

example. “Europe will like it; they have no higher ambition than to shine Washington’s shoes. They couldn’t do that with Bush, though, he was too arrogant, too brazen. Now they have this nice Harvard grad up there to speak some nice words... around here, the international community consists of Washington and the New York Times editorial board.” Chomsky’s visit to Boston College will remain a memorable one to the attendees. “You’re my hero,” an older gentleman confessed to him on the way out. “I wish we could clone you.” Those who missed it need not worry: his place of work is just down the Red Line. While locating him at MIT to ask questions may prove difficult, Chomsky still makes the effort to answer nearly every email he receives.

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

The Observer

By Matthew Vigliotta The Observer

The Boston College Republicans hosted Dan Moloney, the former senior policy analyst for religion and civil society at the Heritage Foundation, who is also currently enrolled at St. John’s Seminary to become a Catholic Priest. The Heritage Foundation is a conservative political think tank founded in 1973. It is a non-profit organization and is regarded as one of the six most successful non-profits in the United States. As well, it is widely considered to be one of the most reputable and powerful organizations of its kind. Moloney first discussed the great impact of the Heritage Foundation on American politics in the past. The organization is responsible for ten of the fourteen points in former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich’s 1994 Contract with America that helped the Republican Party reclaim a majority in Congress. In his relatively short career at the Heritage Foundation, Moloney has met with congressmen, religious leaders, and United Nations officials. He has also been interviewed on the radio and television. Some religious figures of note whom Moloney has met with include the President of Indonesia—a well-respected expert of Islam—and Chinese religious academics to discuss a future of more religious tolerance in China. To demonstrate the influence Heritage has on Americans today, Moloney explained how the organization affected Obama’s recent stimulus package. After the original bill was written in the House of Representatives, the experts at Heritage examined the bill in order to inform congressmen of its contents. After going through the hundreds of pages in the bill, Heritage researchers realized that hundreds of millions of dollars of the bill were allotted for contraception. Four articles written by Moloney concerning federal funding for contraception, along with the information from the bill, were sent to House Republican leaders who brought this information to the attention of House Minority Leader John Boehner. Majority Leader Boehner brought this pork to the attention of the American people who qickly saw through it. Soon after, President Obama pressured Speaker Pelosi to remove this provision from the bill, which she did.Moloney said that he loved working at Heritage, but this past fall he left to enter St. Johns Seminary located across the street. from Boston College.

News

February 17, 2009

By Mary Margaret Brinkopf The Observer

The Korean Students Association (KSA) and Chinese Students Association (CSA) performed their ninth annual culture show featuring ten various acts specific to both cultures. The show, entitled “When Chow Fun Meets Kimchi,” represented a fusion of Korean and Chinese culture to showcase the “shared Asian-American experience.” In addition, the culture show program stated that the clubs hoped to break common stereotypes and “a recognition of our commonality that our voices as Americans will be heard.” The show accomplished this through its side-skits that featured the trials of an interracial couple, in this case, a Chinese man and a Korean woman who faced criticism from their respective families and cultures. The skits strongly reinforced the idea of fusing the two cultures together. The evening commenced with the Lion Dance: a traditional dance performed in the imperial courts of ancient China. In Chinese culture, the lion is considered a guardian creature, often driving away evil spirits and bringing good luck and fortune. The lion dance features three different lions, which are operated by two individuals. The lion costume consists of a large lion mask with a trailing body. The body covers only the top side of the individual. In most cases, the two individuals who maneuver the lion wear specially decorated pants to correspond with the lion’s color. Martial arts performances from both clubs followed the lion dance. KSA held demonstrations of Taekwondo and Hwarangdo. Taekwondo, which translates into “the way of the foot and the fist,” is the national sport of South Korea. Typically, Taekwondo’s purpose has been to emphasize self-defense and control. The performance featured over twodozen students who sparred with each other and broke wooden boards with their hands and feet. In contrast, the CSA presentation of Kung Fu showcased students dressed in intricately designed blue style robes. In this show, Kung Fu’s “taolu,” or form, was strongly advocated. The “taolu” stresses flexibility, balance, coordination, and strengthening one’s “qi,” or life force. The musical act concluded the first half of the show and was divided into three sections. The first and second part featured a small group of students singing both traditional and modern Chinese songs. The contemporary song attempted to “capture the

different types of conflicts and struggles that one goes through in life,” such as Asian-American generational conflicts. KSA finished the third act with a modern rendition of “Arirang,” a traditional Korean folk song. The second half of the culture show was dominated by dance numbers. The fan dances of KSA and CSA highlighted the similarities and differences between the two styles of fans used in each culture. In China, the fans are constructed from silk, while in Korea, the fans are created from rice paper. Additionally, the Korean Fan Dance (Buchaechum) focuses on the movements of the fan—its closing, opening and fluttering alongside other fans—compared to the Chinese fan dance, where the dance is very movement oriented. The only non-dance number of the second half was the Chinese yo-yo section. Even this performance, however, was set to music as students tossed the yo-yo’s behind their backs and propelled the yo-yo’s across the room. The Chinese yo-yo bears no resemblance to the popular American kind. The Chinese version is much bigger and is not directly wound up inside the two disks. Instead, the Chinese yoyo is a large, two-cylinder disc spun on a long string with two wooden ends that are gripped by the performer. In modern Chinese society, the yo-yo has a dual function—it is mostly used as a children’s toy but can also be used in ethnic dances. One of the most popular acts during the second half was the Talchum, performed by KSA. The Talchum is a traditional masked dance that originated as a rebellion technique against the wealthy and more privileged classes. The students each wore individual masks attempting to portray the faces of the yangban (upper class). These faces often held some sort of deformity such as curled upper lip. Another distinguishing characteristic of the talchum dance was the long, flowing white sheets that covered the performers hands. Throughout the performance, the sheet was retracted or thrown out to add effect to the show. The culture show ended with a hip-hop dance featuring all the performers in the entire show. The performers received a loud ovation from the audience as the music winded down and the performers took their respective bows on stage. The cast members assembled near the ticket booth at Robsham and were greeted by friends after the show concluded.

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KSA’s Buchaechum fan dance was one of the highlights of the culture show.

Student performer poses dring CSA fan dance.

CSA performs Lion Dance as a symbol of good luck

KSA’s Dalchum masked performers prepare to dazzle audiences at the KSA/CSA culture show.

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

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News

The Observer February 17, 2009

The Observer February 17, 2009

Student Groups Seek to End Human Trafficking

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

Business

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Students Speak Against Modern Slavery By Joe Morabito The Observer Slavery has not ended. It has in fact more than doubled its numbers, with currently over 27 million enslaved human beings worldwide, up from 11 million during the height before the Civil War. Human trafficking is modern slavery, and it is the fastest growing criminal industry in the world, occurring all over the world, even in our own city of Boston. On Feb. 3, these facts were brought to light by the new campus group R.E.A.C.T. in a presentation to the College Republicans of Boston College. The group, an abbreviation for Rallying Efforts Against Contemporary Trafficking, aimed to spread awareness to politically involved student groups, hoping that the two could find commonalities. “There definitely can be ways that our interests can intersect,” said Lisbee Mumford, a senior and member of the leadership board of R.E.A.C.T. A panel made up of Lisbee and her fellow R.E.A.C.T. leaders, Hannah and Caroline, spoke on the realities of human trafficking, as well as what their group does to help stop it. Human trafficking is currently the second largest criminal industry in the world and, with its rate of growth, could soon surpass the drug trade as the largest. Hannah, explaining why gangs are switching, said, “Profitably, it is extremely smart because drugs can only be exchanged one time and a girl you can sell over and over again.” The two main types of human trafficking are forced labor and its more notorious counterpart, sex slavery, where adults and children of both sexes are forced into

prostitution. Also included is the problem of child soldiers, such as in Northern Uganda. It is particularly troubling that half of those victimized by human trafficking are minors. Human trafficking is illegal in every country yet the problem remains unresolved mainly because of concealment and problems with enforcement. “Many of the countries don’t enforce it; the police don’t care.” Explained Caroline, “The governments are corrupt, or, like in our country, police would enforce it, but people keep it under cover.” Hannah described how it is so difficult to catch traffickers because trafficked prostitutes are indistinguishable from normal prostitutes, who are criminals themselves. When sex rings are broken up, it is often the case that the trafficked girls are rounded up and prosecuted with the traffickers. Traffickers use this fact to intimidate their captives and keep them from talking to authorities. Another major roadblock to prosecution is getting the victims to testify in court about what has been done to them. It is difficult because their captors have such a strong psychological hold on them. Threats that they will be either deported or imprisoned are common, as well as death threats on their families back home. “Healthcare workers are some of the only people that can intervene because human trafficking victims are kept so hidden from the public eye.” Said Lisbee, “Training healthcare workers to notice signs of human trafficking is absolutely vital.” Lisbee, who traveled on a BC grant to Thailand, considered the global hub of human trafficking, spoke about the conditioning and deception used by traffickers to persuade children to leave home

Boston College students discuss human trafficking with R.E.A.C.T. for this terrible life. “People go into villages to recruit young children saying that they have fantastic jobs in the big city and they’ll be making lots of money to send home, and then families send their children. Once they get to the city, they’ll say you are working in a brothel and you have to pay back all the money spent bringing you here; and until you pay those back you’re going to stick around. And then they inflate the prices of housing and food until it becomes impossible to get out.” Lisbee explained that human trafficking in the U.S. is shockingly common, with 19,000 people brought into the country every year. People are mostly brought in with false documents or are smuggled. Traffickers tell their victims that if they talk to authorities they will be arrested for being here illegally. Trafficking spreads beyond major cities. “The syndicates in the U.S. are connected through small towns and big cities,” said Lisbee. “There have been cases coming up now in small towns in Missouri, Iowa and Wyoming and also in big cities like New York and Boston.” Documented cases of human trafficking have occurred

just miles away from BC’s campus. “In Allston/Brighton they’ve found massage parlors that aren’t really massage parlors and also brothels,” reported Hannah. The resources for combating human trafficking in Boston are deplorably low. A task force of a mere three officers is assigned to cover the whole city. In addition, though there is a federal regulation, there is no anti-trafficking law currently in Massachusetts. Asked why legislation has failed to pass, Lisbee responded, “They’re asking for resources that people aren’t necessarily willing to sign over. And a lot of it is arguments over definitions and terms like what exactly is human trafficking.” Lisbee explained how American consumerism can contribute to the funding of human trafficking. “American consumers are always driving businesses in a race to the bottom to produce things as cheaply as possible.” Almost all cases of slave labor use by American companies were in contracted work. American consumers should do all they can to make sure their products come from slave free labor, yet the R.E.A.C.T. presenters acknowledged how hard this can be. The further production

methods disappear down the supply chain, the harder it is to track what uses slave labor. When issues come to light the companies almost always did not know themselves. What consumers can do is pay attention to international watchdog organizations that track what companies are guilty of use of slavery. Such organizations include FREE2WORK and Free The Slaves. A key project that R.E.A.C.T. is trying to raise money for is a special shelter for victims of human trafficking. Explains Lisbee, “None of the other shelters will take in victims of human trafficking because a lot of times the women and men are still connected to their traffickers; they’re still tracking them. Having traffickers hanging around shelters is going to put everyone there at risk.” Lisbee explained that the group is mainly concerned with spreading awareness. “We want to make sure that it’s not just seen as a women’s issue or a social justice, but really make people aware this is attached to everyone’s lives.” But she also stressed that concrete steps are necessary, saying, “We have to look beyond just knowing what’s going on because people’s liberties are being taken away.

Observer Editors Win Internships One will travel to Prague, the other to Washington D.C.

By Jesse Naiman The Observer

Editor-in-Chief Michael Reer and Associate Opinions Editor Elise Anderson will study journalism this summer in Prague and Washington D.C., respectively. Reer will spend two weeks in Prague as part of the Collegiate Network’s (CN) Geo-Strategic Journalism Course while Anderson will work forty hours a week for eight weeks at The Washington Times. Reer, who is also the President of the Boston College Re-

publicans, applied for a summer journalism internship with the CN. The CN, of which The Observer at Boston College is a member, was founded in 1979 as a support group for conservative and libertarian newspapers on college campuses. After Reer was notified that he was invited to Prague to work on his craft, he willingly accepted. When in Prague, he will be assigned to write either three regular-length news articles or one feature article. The CN will pay all of his expenses for the duration. While Reer was offered an

internship with the CN last summer, he turned it down in order to spend the summer in Chicago working with underprivileged kids. Anderson will spend eight weeks of her summer at the Washington Times, a D.C.-based newspaper. Although Anderson also applied for a CN internship, she also sent an application directly to the Times. They contacted her last Friday and informed her that she had been accepted for an internship. Anderson said that she would “be covering events in Washington and reporting [them]

to the paper,” and that she would also be “assigned to the Business desk.” She spent last summer as an intern for the Fox News Channel in Washington, and is especially excited: “hopefully this experience will allow me to build on everything that I learned there, and maybe even allow me to work with some of the same people or ask them for advice.” Anderson joined The Observer last fall as a writer before joining the staff as the Editor-atLarge before ascending to her current slot. She has written for

both the News and Opinions sections, and has covered a variety of issues with a primary focus on politics. In other news, The Observer has made a splash in the local and regional press for its reporting on professors protesting classroom crucifixes. The Boston Herald covered the story on its front page, and local news channel 7 covered it as well. In addition, it received internet coverage as well from the National Review Online blog The Corner, The Cardinal Newman Society, and CAMPUS Magazine Online.

New Pay Restriction for Wall Street Obama Administration Hits Wallets of Wall Street Executives By E. Michael Arnold The Observer New provisions for executive compensation may leave a sour taste in the mouths of some Wall Street members. The $787 billion stimulus bill has new regulations on compensation that are tougher than the proposed $500,000 salary cap proposed over a week ago. The previous plan applies to any new firms requesting for funds from the now famous, or infamous, Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The new provisions will apply retroactively to any firms that have received government money, past or present. The restrictions will go after the bonuses of executives that have sparked public outcry in recent weeks. These bonuses often constitute the bulk of an executive’s pay for the year. How steep of a cut can they expect? Executives would not be allowed to receive bonuses equal to more than one third of their annual pay. Furthermore, any bonus received would be in the form of longterm incentives, such as restricted stock, which could not be cashed out until the TARP funds have been repaid in full. The provisions follow a rising wave of populism and growing discontent among taxpayers who are frustrated by the lack of economic improvement and the compensation received by executives who were at the helm during the meltdown. “The decisions of certain Wall Street executives to enrich themselves at the expense of taxpayers have seriously undermined public confidence,” said Senator Chris Dodd (DCT). Some top economic advisors of the Obama administration reportedly warned lawmakers that the compensation provisions, while politically popular, may go too far and instigate a brain drain in the financial sector and result in a quick repayment of the federal funds and a new credit tightening as they lose their federal capital cushion.

Furthermore, banks could retaliate by raising the salaries of their employees to make up for the reduction in bonuses. With the pay restrictions applying to top traders, managers, and portfolio advisors, the coverage is much broader than earlier measures aimed solely at executives. Congress is apparently expressing their disapproval at Treasury Secretary Geithner’s ability to crack down on the lavish compensation on Wall Street. In the wake of these moves, top traders could leave banks and head to less regulated hedge funds or even move to foreign banks. The government is stuck in a position of finding a reasonable balance between ensuring that taxpayer money does not reward failure and preventing a case where banks tighten credit and depress the economy further in protest of the measure. There is little evidence in recent years to suggest that Wall Street is above cutting their nose off to spite their face. Among the things to be taken into consideration is where the top talent at these firms will move to find greater compensation. It is unlikely that they will be able to match their compensation during the boom times of the subprime derivative market. Wall Street attracted talent that was seeking the highest pay possible. The government may be able to call their bluff up to a certain price point. There are not many places offering multimillion dollar incentives, but there is a breaking point. I am not particularly concerned by the threat of the “brain drain” of individuals who were too blind or lacking in character to notice the inherent risk of the system they had created. However, the prospect of immediate repayment of TARP funds to avoid federal oversight is a very real threat. The private sector does not have the ability to inject its own liquidity into the market, and if banks refuse government funds, then credit will remain constricted and economic recovery will be painfully slow. Ideally, some balance will emerge.

The government needs to resist populist movements that are seeking the heads of highly paid executives. Overly punitive measures will have detrimental effects on the recovery. The banks need to accept that they played an instrumental role in the collapse of our economy and need to start taking ownership for it. One should not be rewarded for failure. Bonuses leading up to

the crisis were not adequately linked to performance and were largely volume, not quality based. This led to a perverse incentive structure, whose consequences are being felt today. Humility needs to prevail in some way. However, in a showdown between Wall Street executives and Washington politicians, it is difficult to envision this scenario unfolding.

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The Observer

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

Cautious Endorsement for Dea-Hirs

he Observer gives its endorsement to Dea-Hirs in the upcoming UGBC election. The vast amount of experience that the ticket displays as well as the willingness to step back and take an objective look at how the undergraduate government works makes this ticket the best possible choice for Boston College. Both tickets display an excellent platform and both tickets will be successful if elected but we believe that Dea-Hirs present smaller, and more feasible, goals for the BC community. One year is an amazingly short period of time and a campus that moves at a “glacial pace” must be prepared for an undergraduate government to take small, achievable steps to better the lives of students over a long period of time. In keeping with The Observer’s tradition of endorsing candidates who have the highest probability of achieving an acceptable platform, we encourage students to vote for Dea-Hirs. Reilly-Kaz offer many positive points to their platform that we hope Dea-Hirs will accept should they win the election. Taking an objective, business-minded look at all UGBC events and challenging the perception that just because UGBC has funded an event for the past ten years it must continue to do so, is an approach badly needed on our campus. Furthermore, we love the accountability that Reilly-Kaz wish to bring to UGBC by supporting a sophomore on an executive ticket. This would be the first time in recent history that an executive ticket could be held accountable in a secondary election. Ideally, the two sets of candidates would be able to merge their platforms at the end of the election cycle to create an undergraduate government that is both feasible and efficient. We have confidence that Dea-Hirs recognize that there are massive inefficiencies in the current UGBC government and will work to fix them over the course of the next year. No matter who the next administration is, The Observer will be carefully watching and tracking the progress of the executive branch to make sure that campaign promises are followed through on.

Why Should I Pay for your Screw-ups?

Editorials

February 17, 2009

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.

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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.

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student referendum to be placed on the ballot this week calls for condoms to be made available on campus, for STD testing to be partially financed by the university, and for prescription birth control in health services. The petition is being sponsored by a group calling itself BC Students for Sexual Health. The Observer encourages students not to sign the petition and to furthermore vote against the referendum. The issue of STD testing aside, the referendum is incredibly vague, contradicts the university mission, and insults the resourcefulness of BC students. Boston College students are intelligent people who have been taught to be responsible. At no point has anyone been given an inalienable right to sexual health services. Furthermore, sexually active students are fully capable of finding their own contraception off campus at such places as Campus Convenience, a mere two minute walk away. If the generous donations of university benefactors are consumed by students who voluntarily engage in needlessly risky behavior, those who chose not to engage in this type of behavior are robbed of the potential benefits that this money could otherwise bring. Students who desire to live a chaste life should not be required to fund the sexual activity of other students through their tuition money. Tuition is already over $50,000 a year. If students wish to add STD testing to their BC insurance, they should do so solely out of their own pocket. BC is a Catholic university. As such it subscribes in policy to the teachings of the Catholic Church, which believes that the marital embrace is an expression of love that demands a lifelong commitment within marriage. Moreover, the sexual act, when divorced from the possibility of new life by use of artificial contraception constitutes a violation of authentic, life giving love. BC students know and understand the Catholic nature of the university they attend. They should not look to pick a fight they know they cannot win with an administration that has just reaffirmed the Catholic nature of this college.

A Vietnam era documentary with Jane Fonda will be released imminently over Fonda’s objections. Said Fonda, “the American imperialists are trying to ruin my image by releasing documentaries I would rather burn. As a communist, I am deeply troubled by this trend.”

Editor-in-Chief Michael Karl Reer Editor-in-Chief Emeritus Jeffery 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 Danielle Sanchez Opinions Editor Allison Gallagher Associate Opinions Editor Elise Anderson Assistant Opinions Editor Matthew Vigliotta Dana Flynn Sports Editor Erik Kreutzer Associate Sports Editors Lara Barger Kaitlin McKinley Business/Photography Editor E. Michael Arnold Editorial Assistant Christopher Spellman Photographer Sarah Hatton Editor-At-Large Jared Scheinuk Copy Editor Megan Rauch Webmaster Sarah Gilliland

Pope Benedict XVI is to meet with Nancy Pelosi this week to explain why 12th century Catholic anatomy should not carry more weight than current Church doctrine. The Swiss Guard has been issued silver bulAfter BC’s victory against lets and have Duke, Tyrese Rice was erected a wooden quoted as saying “I’m so stake “just in high right now.” case.”

Some BC students want university funded condoms on campus. Right, and Father Leahy is going to remove the crucifixes in every classroom.

In recognition of Chicago’s high standard for ethics, Obama will give Chicago native Rahm Emmanuel charge of the 2010 census. Emmanuel had pledged to extend suffrage to every cat and dog in blue states. Coach Spaziani has returned to the recruiting trail after growing frustrated with Dominique Davis. He is hoping to lure Brett Favre out of retirement.

Sociology Professors rushed the court with reckless abandonment after BC’s win over Duke Sunday night until they realized that students were celebrating a basketball win and not the election of Hugo Chavez to Dictator-For-Life.

The Observer

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

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Editorials

February 17, 2009

You Don’t Know Jacq How to survive a relationship on the rocks By Jacqueline Marie For The Observer

To the Editor:

I must first preface my letter with the statement that I have no connection to Boston College. However, I am a graduate of Omaha’s Jesuit university, Creighton University. I have received both my bachelors and medical degrees from Creighton. I was in the BC bookstore and picked up a copy of The Observer. The article about the crucifixes in the classrooms caught my attention. The comments of the chairman of the chemistry department were both elitist and crude. The chemistry professors should teach chemistry and “get a life.” Boston College is a “Catholic and Jesuit” university, sponsored by the Society of Jesus. Let me repeat: “Society of JESUS.” What figure is on the crucifix? If I was a student at Brandeis, I certainly would not be offended by any art or “icons” of Judaism. I practiced and taught at George Washington University Medical School for 15 years. My par-

To the Editor:

I received my copy of The Observer and I thank you for it, perhaps through the good offices of my friend. It is a well-written and informative student newspaper with a distinctively non-liberal theme is indeed welcome on today’s campuses. I was shocked, yes SHOCKED, about the professors who are allegedly “offended” by the sight of Crucifixes in the classroom. At a minimum, a Crucifix symbolizes the University’s commitment to a Catholic identity, which seems to have escaped some of these protesters. The snide comment about administrators not being “academics” displays a disdain bordering on contempt for the University, which issues their paychecks. At the university where I teach, everyone, Catholic or non-Catholic who is hired to teach is ex-

ish was Holy Trinity in Georgetown, the Jesuit parish adjacent to Georgetown University. There was a “crucifix incident” at Georgetown. The students began an initiative to place crucifixes in classrooms at Georgetown. Today, crucifixes are in all of the classrooms at Georgetown. Muslims, Jews and other non-Christians don’t seem to have a problem with the crucifixes. They realize that Georgetown is a Catholic, Jesuit university. I wonder if the chemistry professors would be unnerved if a woman sat in their classes wearing a burka or a traditional religious habit? I enjoyed your newspaper very much. I especially liked the honesty and challenges presented by your staff of talented writers. Keep up the good work. Sincerely,

Fr. William S. Dunn, MD,MPH St. Mary’s Parish Chelmsford, MA

pected to know and uphold the University Mission Statement which gives due recognition to the Catholic character of the institution. Catholics are expected to uphold the mission, and non-Catholics are required to not obstruct or undermine it. It escapes me how anyone can seriously voice objection to the placing of a Crucifix in a classroom, as a reminder to all about the character of the school. If anyone is so highly offended, they should be counseled to seek employment elsewhere. Congratulations and best wishes to you and all those on your staff for putting forth this needed addition to the BC campus. God bless you for your work at promoting Truth. Sincerely,

Dr. Peter W. Frey Professor Emeritus Holy Family University

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

Quote of the Issue We cannot open the Gospel without finding in every page the sentence of reprobation pronounced by our Blessed Lord against the world. Its doctrines and maxims are placed continually in opposition to those of the eternal wisdom and holiness. from a sermon

-Bishop John Carroll entitled “The Christian and the World”

Dear Jacq, My girlfriend and I suddenly don’t seem to be communicating. She seems to be going through some stuff but talks to her girlfriends more than me. She’s always too busy to spend time with me because of her “issues” but will not even tell me what those issues are. How long can this go on? Should I end the relationship? - Not Communicating Dear Not Communicating, I’m sorry to hear that you and your girlfriend have had a relationship hiccup. I’m glad, however, that you are sensitive to the fact that something is troubling her and that you want to be responsive to her situation. I do get the feeling, though, that you are ready to jump ship on the relationship because you feel that you are not communicating, but I ask you to look at the heart of the issue and see what is really troubling you about her inability to open up in the way you would like. As you have so perceptively acknowledged, communication is important to fostering healthy relationships, although the part that is sometimes left out is that communicating with someone does not necessarily mean telling one person anything and everything. In fact, it sounds like your girlfriend IS communicating to a large extent, except it’s with her female friends and not with you. What’s important to recognize is that, if, for some reason, your girlfriend does not feel that she can disclose certain issues to you, it should not necessarily be a relationship deal breaker, or a reflection of her feelings for you. Sometimes women really need to speak with other women, and you should be glad that she has such good girlfriends that can help her with whatever is bothering her. Now, although her issues could be something that she is unable to share with you, this is not to say that your girlfriend will not ever let you in on what she is dealing with, especially if you’ve done your part to prove yourself as a reliable confidante. Namely, make sure that you have made yourself a willing and listening audience. Instead of saying, “Hey, what’s wrong?” and forcing her to feel that you need an all-or-nothing answer, remind her that you care about her and are there if she needs to talk, without coming across as pushy. I know it sounds strange, but sometimes, even in a committed relationship, one partner may find

it intimidating to enter into certain conversations with his or her significant other. Instead of being so quick to dump the relationship because she has not opened up with you in the way that you would like, see if you can offer yourself as a support figure, even though you don’t know what her exact problems are; she might decide to confide in you at a later point, when she’s ready. I can understand why you are concerned about your girlfriend because whatever she is dealing with is affecting your relationship. Remember, though, that two people in a relationship are a unit, so when something affects her, it is unsurprising that it has the potential to affect you as well. This may mean that the relationship will require more on your part in terms of flexibility and understanding, or it may very well be that your girlfriend isn’t in the right place to hold up her end of the relationship. It is up to you, then, to decide if it is primarily affecting the quantity or the quality of your interactions. If you understand that you cannot expect full disclosure and you still feel that it is negatively affecting your relationship, you need to voice your concerns, or else you yourself have failed to communicate properly. Try saying, “I notice that you’ve been acting differently lately, and I feel like I don’t get to see you as often. I was wondering if there’s something you need from me.” She may not have realized that her mood has been affecting you, or you may have been voicing her very concern. Sometimes it can be your own disclosure that encourages others to reveal how he or she is feeling about a relationship. Remember, it can be really hard for some people to confide to those closest to them. The time that it takes for you to sort everything out might be lengthy, but it may just be a bump in the road and a chance for your relationship to go stronger. Since people come with problems, so do relationships, and you have to decide how you’re going to handle it. Are you going to run off as soon as things start getting messy? Are you able to recognize when poor communication is hurting a relationship? Can you gauge when a relationship is broken and when it requires an extra dose of commitment on your part? When it comes down to it, a relationship involves work on the part of both parties. If you’ve done your part, and you feel that you are not getting any response back, it is necessary to enter into a discussion about it.

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“Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”

Catholic Issues

The Observer February 17, 2009

By Max Bindernagel The Observer To Boston College philosophy professor Fr. Paul McNellis, S.J., living a chaste life in today’s culture is not only possible but necessary. This past Thursday in a packed lecture hall, Fr. McNellis presented his “Chastity and Courage: A Challenge for Men,” a lecture now well-known and highly anticipated on campus. He began giving this talk five years ago in response to the pain he saw in his students, suffering from the hookup culture and one-night stands in an age of emotional detachment. Ever since, the campus has responded with likeminded events such as “Bring Back the Date.” However, as Fr. McNellis notes, even though BC and universities nationwide are turning away from the hook-up scene, such a culture remains the norm. “[Hooking up] is unnatural,” he argued, “It is full of the pain and suffering which go along with using another person.” Though speaking from a pastoral, Catholic perspective, McNellis emphasized that it is simultaneously “a common sense approach.” He urged listeners to

be “Catholics without compromise.” He said that men in particular need to accept this challenge because so many problems in our culture stem from the lack of virtuous father figures. Even though virginity and chastity are seen as being “in some way abnormal,” he noted the presence of all-male spiritual groups at Catholic universities nationwide as a sign of cultural change. One such group at BC, the Sons of St. Patrick, says in their constitution: “Founded on the pillars of faith, fortitude, and fraternity, we seek to create a brotherhood of Christian gentlemen dedicated to leading virtuous lives, whose actions, particularly in their interaction with women, reflect an understanding of what it means to be a true disciple of Christ.” McNellis sees such trends in higher education as a sign of great hope. “Boys can have sex,” he asserted. “It takes a man to lead a chaste life.” Explaining the genesis of current sexual standards, Fr. McNellis noted that the generation of the 60’s and 70’s experienced the greatest social upheaval in history. A 50% divorce rate, abortion

on demand, and a stunning lack of good fathers can all be traced back to the lifestyle of the 60’s. As McNellis said, “Never has a culture survived with these statistics.” Though he would claim that our generation is very profamily, he also notes that “men and women do not relate to each other” very well, and our “moral order is that of broken promises.” The late John Paul II spoke of the culture of death, and such a culture will not change until “men lead chaste lives” and ask themselves, “What kind of man do I want to be? Because women have come to expect far too less from men.” Many listening may have wondered why the two virtues of chastity and courage were juxtaposed by McNellis. He explained that in ancient culture, chastity (or temperance), was valued especially for women for social stability while courage was seen, especially by Aristotle, as being able to face death in battle. With Christianity, chastity becomes valuable for men as well and courage can take the form of speaking the truth in the face of opposition. John Paul II spoke of martyrdom

“by enduring sarcasm,” a martyrdom which McNellis said many Christian men face. From the Catholic perspective, the loving process of procreation is to be of highest value, not a mere mechanized process of reproduction. The Church has always taught that sexuality is inherently incarnational, meaning the body is part of one’s selfhood. To act with the body is to act with the whole of one’s person. With this in mind, a total gift of self ought to manifest itself sexually by a total loving commitment to another. For this reason, McNellis claimed that those who live chastely tend to be more levelheaded and focused. The current accepted divorce between sexuality and marriage can be traced back to irresponsible men who find it too easy to ignore responsibility for their sexual actions. In concluding his talk, Fr. McNellis fulfilled his promise and did indeed challenge men. He urged men to orient themselves towards lifelong love for their future spouse, because “if you use ‘love’ when you don’t mean it, what’s left when you do mean it?” Chaste courtship

By Shane Ulbrich The Observer

Each year the Lowell Humanities Series sponsors a Candlemas Lecture about Church and society. In recent years, the series has featured a plethora of distinguished speakers. On Wednesday evening, Fr. Thomas Reese, S.J., editor of America Magazine (1998 to 2005) and a senior fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center, spoke on “How to Survive as a Thinking Catholic.” The audience turnout was impressive for the number of Jesuits and theology faculty, no doubt due to the provocative title, “A Survival Guide for Thinking Catholics.” As the title hints, the purpose of the talk was to outline—from a self-described liberal point of view—the ways toward more productive dialogue amidst polarization in the Church. Fr. Reese offered ten guidelines for the “thinking Catholic.” Ignatian discernment played a driving role: a person’s words should always be interpreted “in the best possible light,” he said. “I have jokingly noted that people should know that we are Christians by our love rather than know that we are Catholics

by our fights,” he said. We must also ground dialogue in moving beyond sound bites and “doing our homework,” knowing Church history so as to take a holistic view of things. Some further remarks dealt with the need to distinguish disciplinary law (such as priestly celibacy) from doctrine and to understand the relative weight of different magisterial decisions, documents, and encyclicals. Fr. Reese finally suggested the need to settle disagreements by compromise rather than convincing by argument. The heart of Fr. Reese’s lecture, though, came through in his concluding remarks: “One must pray not simply for the conversion of one’s opponents, but for the conversion of oneself. Without humility and charity, we have anarchy, witch-hunts, and schisms—the things which divide and bring down the Church... Christians have faith in the Word of God that shows us the way, and Christians have hope based on Christ’s victory over sin and death and his promise of the Spirit, and Christians have love which compels them to forgiveness and companionship at the Lord’s table. Any survival strategy for

thinking Catholics must be based on such faith, hope, and love.” Fr. Reese set a tone of harsh sarcasm when, at the very beginning of the lecture, he forewarned the audience, tongue-in-cheek: “If you are completely happy with everything that is going on in the Catholic Church, you’ve come to the wrong lecture. If you’ve never had a doubt about your faith, please leave now… If you’ve never disagreed with anything said by a Bishop or a Pope, I think your time would be spent better somewhere else.” Moreover, in the discussion period, Fr. Reese began to draw a helpful analogy for the role of the hierarchy in the Church. Too often, he explained, “the Church” is thought of as simply synonymous with “the hierarchy,” when really the hierarchy is only a part— though a crucial part—of the other, larger Body of Christ. From the mistaken view, clericalism and a kind of undue veneration of the hierarchy easily result. As members of “the Body of Christ,” he explained, the hierarchy is “the skeleton” that holds this body together and keeps it from losing its potency. “They hold us together,” he said. Yet he moved this helpful skeletal analogy further: “They’re

pretty ugly on their own, they’re scary! They’re not the brain, they’re not the heart, they’re not the muscles, they’re not going to get much done…” Much of the discussion period proceeded similarly, with understandable criticisms of recent actions of the hierarchy, and yet with an air of laughing sarcasm unbecoming of ecclesial communion. At several points the evening’s discussion devolved into the exact opposite of Fr. Reese’s ideals of conciliation. Nonetheless, some in attendance raised valid concerns. One professor worried about the lack of avenues for effective dialogue within the Church outside of academia. Parishioners especially find themselves isolated and incapable of connecting to the larger Church. Another asked about the hope for various “initiatives” within the Church for liberal reform which seem to be waning, to the frustration of supporters. In the Rule of St. Benedict, abbots are told when deciding upon very significant matters within the monastery to call together the community and to listen especially to the young, since “the Lord often reveals to the younger what is best.” St. Bene-

Catholic Issues

Rev. Robert John Araujo S.J. For The Observer

By Christopher Spellman The Observer

Father McNellis is natural, healthy and “corresponds to what the heart really wants… and with God’s help it is possible.” Furthermore, he reminded listeners that “Catholics have a great gift with the Sacraments,” including opportunities for grace and healing which are needed for living chastely. BC junior Grayson Heenan said after the lecture, “Chastity is a choice oriented towards our fulfillment as humans… In the end, you lose nothing in being chaste.” At a time when BC hosts performances of the Vagina Monologues and students challenge the university’s policy concerning contraceptives and abortion referrals, McNellis spoke of the true freedom which can only come by leading a virtuous life. “As a Catholic university, you deserve to hear this at BC.”

Dialogue and Discernment in the Church: Is Chastity Possible? Reflections on the 2009 Candlemas Lecture

February 17, 2009

“Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”

11

Review: Prevention First Act Book ‘Priestblock 25487’ Meets Opposition

BC Jesuit Challenges Men Is Chastity Possible?

The Observer

dict’s words from the sixth century are quite applicable to laypersons today. In trying to come to terms with the contentious, confusing, and often spiritually dangerous polarization in the contemporary Church, one ought to listen to all voices, privileging the hierarchy as the guarantors of that “rule of faith,” but also look to the Church where it is most youthful and invigorated. What are the concerns, then, of young, committed Catholics? At their best, young Catholics, without being reactionary, have moved beyond more liberal concerns towards a new understanding of aggiornamento, of a vibrant present in continuity with the past. At their best, these young peers are also eminently Christocentric. They see a Catholicism which has not simply rejected liberalism, as much as it has learned from it and moved beyond it. Those who wish to foster genuine dialogue could follow the Spirit in the Church today, and attempt in faith, hope, and charity humbly to submit initiatives to the discernment of the larger Church. Ultimately, we must first look not to our grievances and confusion, but to him in whom all things hold together, Jesus Christ.

Many have heard of the proposed Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), a reproductive health bill that has been getting much press recently. Yet, fewer have heard of a similar bill introduced in the House and Senate called Prevention First Act. Though receiving little media attention, the Prevention First Act (PFA) also strongly advances a public policy regarding human sexuality that divides our nation. First and foremost, PFA seeks to greatly expand access to and use of contraceptives in the United States, especially among its poorest citizens. Specifically, the bill will greatly increase funding for Title X of the Public Health Service Act, which was established to provide contraceptives and other reproductive health services to low-income and uninsured individuals. Under this bill, funding would more than double, rising from $300 million to $700 million. PFA will provide full coverage for contraceptives for those with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level. It also promises to provide recently pregnant women with information about and access to “emergency contraception,” which remains controversial, with some arguing that it is actually an abortifacient. Lastly, it seeks to provide additional funding for “safe sex” education in public schools, which greatly encourages use of contraception, while providing no funding for “abstinence only” education. Planned Parenthood President Cecile Richards, in a recent statement, argued that PFA is “key to preventing unintended pregnancy and reducing the need for abortion by expanding access to birth control and real sex education.” Planned Parenthood stands much to gain if PFA is passed. The organization receives about 25% of funding from Title X, which would increase from $75 million to $175 million under PFA. It will also receive a great increase in sales of “emergency contraception” kits, from which it profits $37.5 million each year. House Rules Committee Chairwoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY), who introduced the bill, concurs with Richards, explaining that this bill would “empower women to prevent unintended pregnancies through education and access to contraception.” Slaughter and other supporters point to the fact that half of the

over six million pregnancies in the United States each year are unintended. Moreover, nearly half of these unintended pregnancies end in abortion. Supporters of PFA claim that increased use of contraception will reduce the rate of abortion and also of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). By pushing a public policy of contraception, those in favor of PFA seek to attack the dual problem of a vast number of abortions in the United States each year and the rampant spread of STIs. It seems intuitive that increased availability and knowledge of contraception will prevent unintended pregnancies, which lead to both abortion and perpetuating the cycle of poverty when young girls bear children to unstable and impoverished homes. Additionally, use of contraception adds a level of protection against the spread of STIs. Since effective use of contraception does by-and-large prevent pregnancies and help prevent the transmission of STIs, this appears to be a good argument. Yet, PFA does not come with universal support. Many oppose it on the grounds that “emergency contraception” is actually an abortifacient, ending the life of a developing fetus days after conception. Yet, even without a provision for “emergency contraception,” many people oppose increased governmental spending on contraception. They advance the view that more widespread use of contraception actually increases unintended pregnancies and the spread of STIs. Dr. William E. May, Senior Fellow of the Culture of Life Foundation, advances this argument: “The Act is based on the false premise that contraception prevents abortion.

The more contraception is available, the more abortions occur because contraception is the gateway to abortion.” He continues, claiming that most abortions occur “because men and women do not want to have a baby but nonetheless have sexual intercourse. Contraception facilitates premarital sex and has led to an alarming increase of sexually transmitted diseases.” Since the introduction of effective contraception in 1960s, the percentage of both unintended pregnancies and the number of cases of STIs in the United States have drastically increased, not decreased. While there may be other factors leading to these increases, it seems that contraception has not proven itself an effective means to decrease unintended pregnancies or reduce the spread of STIs in society. Opponents of legislation like FOCA and PFA offer an explanation: when contraception increases in society, sexual relations among unmarried couples also increases. The problem is that the effectiveness of contraception, in preventing both the conception of a child and the spread of an STI, is not consistent: it is liable to human error. When this occurs, these couples face unintended pregnancies and possibly an STI. Therefore, accompanying this increase in non-marital sexual relations, especially with multiple partners, is a parallel increase in unintended pregnancies and STIs. Those who oppose PFA argue that the government’s job should be not to make people’s use of contraception perfect, for this is impossible, but rather encourage a return to the only form of “contraception” that is 100% effective: abstinence.

Over the past several weeks the denial of the Holocaust by Bishop Richard Williamson of the Society of St. Pius X has brought to public consciousness the inexorable need to remember and never to forget the atrocities perpetrated by National Socialism. As one ponders the magnitude of the vicious plan to annihilate the Jewish people, the extent of scope of National Socialism’s terror begins to emerge as the identity of additional targeted groups such as Poles, Gypsies, and others come to mind. Hitler’s genocide strategy encompassed many who, while diverse in race, nationality, and ethnicity, professed faith in God. It is clear that National Socialism intended to erode, if not exterminate, the leadership of organized religions if they did not cooperate with the Nazis and submit to their reprehensible will. Included in this category were Catholics— lay, clerical, and religious. Reverend Father Jean Bernard, a diocesan priest from Luxembourg, who denounced the National Socialists, was one example. He was arrested by the Nazis in the spring of 1941 and sent to D a c h a u ’s “ p r i e s t block.” The account of his imprisonment, torture, and remarkable release is the subject of Priestblock 25487. The prisoner number 25487 used in the title is not the ZIP code of a Washington, D.C. suburb, but the identification Fr. Bernard was forced to assume as the dehumanizing replacement for his name at Dachau. This remarkable book was penned by its author shortly after his permanent release from Dachau before the end of the War. It is by the grace of God that he survived the dehumanizing objectification that the Nazis had perfected. Even though he was released and not killed from the camp, he was closely monitored by the authorities until National Socialism collapsed. The reader should find his account from the moment of his imprisonment to his final release a profound insight into the gift of faith and the

resilience of the human person who bears the image of his Creator. Like so many others sent to the concentration and death camps, Fr. Bernard chronicles how the just seek ways of saving themselves and others from the inhumanity that man who has succumbed to evil can devise. Particularly striking about his memoir is the constant desire to remain faithful to God and to the sacraments. This was no small feat as he describes the resourcefulness in the methods the Nazis continued to fabricate to undermine the faith in those who persevered and remained true to their fidelity to God. Although death was always a close companion in Dachau as Fr. Bernard demonstrates in many passages of his memoir, so was this disciple’s yearning to remain committed to what God asks of all who call upon Him as His disciples. With the coming of Lent and the wish for many of us to seek authentic spiritual reading as we prepare to join Christ in his passion, Priestblock 25487 provides an excellent vehicle for meeting this necessity. One fashion in which this extraordinary testament to the faith accomplishes this task is the chapter entitled “Ten Days’ Leave and My Return to Dachau.” [This is the material that is the source of the film The Ninth Day.] Here, Fr. Bernard chronicles his account of a maliciously planned “release” designed to make him an accomplice to the nefarious plans of the National Socialists. I think it fair to say that the “release” did not achieve its objective from the standpoint of the Nazis. In short, the reviewer highly recommends this book for several reasons. The first is that it gives us of the present moment the insight of one who suffered the concentration camps and survived to tell about it. Second, it is the testament of a disciple convinced of and confirmed in the truth of his faith to stand up against the power of evil. In short, Fr. Bernard’s chronicle demonstrates once again the truth that we hear in the preface of the Mass for martyrs that God chooses the weak and makes them strong to do His work and to follow His will in this world. Amen.

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“Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”

Catholic Issues

The Vatican Celebrates Anniversay

The Observer February 17, 2009

Catholic Identity Cardinal Paupard: Don’t be a ‘degree factory’

Vatican City State commemorates 80th Anniversary of Lateran Treaty By Rachele Reis The Observer On Monday, February 9, 2009, journalists gathered in Rome to attend a special exhibit to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Vatican City State. That’s right: the Vatican, the epicenter of the Catholic world, has only existed since February 11, 1929. The Catholic Church in Rome dates back to about 64 AD, when St. Peter was crucified- upside down- in the Circus of Nero and buried nearby on Vatican Hill. His burial site was marked with a red rock, and Christians built a shrine above the tomb a few years later. Three hundred years later, the Emperor Constantine began construction of St. Peter’s Basilica. Built in the typical Latin cross form, the basilica was used until the period of the Avignon Papacy. By the end of the 15th century, however, the basilica was in desperate need of repair. Pope Nicholas V began plans to

restore St. Peter’s, but died before any construction could be accomplished. In 1505, Pope Julius II held a competition for designs for the new basilica. During the next 120 years and 20 Popes, the “new” St. Peter’s Basilica was built. Throughout the years, renovations of St. Peter’s uncovered remains of the Old St. Peter’s and, from 1939 to 1941, Pope Pius XII had Old St. Peter’s systematically excavated. In 756, the Papal States were created and donated to the Church by Pepin the Short, the father of Charlemagne. When Charlemagne took over his father’s kingdom, he affirmed the right of the Pope to control the Papal States and the Pope took an active secular role in governing. Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne the first Emperor of the Romans. It was unclear, however, how much control the Pope had, if the Papal States were separate from the Roman Empire, or if the Pope was an administrator subordinate to the Emperor.

The ratification of the Diploma Ottonianum by Pope John XII and Emperor Otto I, in the mid -10th century, guaranteed the independence of the Papal States. From 1305 to 1378, the Avignon Papacy, the Pope’s control over the Papal States was merely a formality. When the Popes returned Rome, Avignon was added to the Papal States and remained as such until the French Revolution. A piece of legislation, the Constitutions of the Holy Mother Church, was passed during the Avignon Papacy, which became the first constitution of the Papal States. It divided the Papal States into five provinces, and remained in effect until 1816. The French Revolution was disastrous for the Papal States. French forces invaded the Papal States and declared a Roman Republic. The States were restored after the fall of Napoleon and the end of the Napoleonic Era. Dur-

See ‘Vatican’ page 13

Cardinal Poupard By Donato Infante III The Observer According to the Catholic News Agency, President emeritus of the Pontifical Council for Culture, Paul Cardinal Poupard, gave a talk in Madrid recently in which he said the “university cannot just yield to the demands of the market and become a mere degree factory.” The talk, sponsored by the John Henry Newman Institute of the Francisco de Vitoria University raises serious questions for Boston College as a Catholic university in the Ignatian tradition, which aspires to become the

greatest Catholic university in the world. Poupard added that the Catholic university should aim to form the whole person, something which Boston College speaks of often, and said that “the mission of the Catholic university is not complete if it does not aspire to evangelize.” He said that professors are to “be teachers of their students and not only instructors.” In many ways, Boston College succeeds in this regard as well, with programs such as Intersections which get professors

See ‘Identity’ page 13

SSPX Bishops Granted Full Communion Amid controversy, Pope Benedict XVI extends a hand of reconciliation to a famous dissident religious group. By Michael Williams The Observer On January 21, 2009, Pope Benedict XVI signed an official decree lifting the excommunications of four bishops of the Traditionalist Society of St. Pius X. The papal decree was made in response to the Society-head Bishop Bernard Fellay’s December 15th epistolary request for the removal of the excommunications. The decree, made public three days after it was signed, marks a large step for the full communion of the Society as a whole with the Church. With this decree, Pope Benedict lifts his predecessor John Paul II’s 1988 excommunication order on four bishops ordained against his wishes by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the late head of the Traditionalist Society. The then elderly Archbishop Lefebvre was motivated to illicitly consecrate the four priests of his Society so that it could continue to exist under the jurisdiction of one of her own, rather than a non-Society priest. Thus the Society could continue to defend the traditional norms of the Church. However, by disobeying the wishes of the Holy Father, Archbishop Lefe-

bvre patently broke one of the ments.” The Vatican, though re- communion to the Society’s 463 central traditions of the church storing his communion with the priests would be extremely bene– submitting his wishes to that of Church, does not agree with his ficial in a wider celebration of the the Holy Father. Lefebvre and his rather outrageous oversights. A extraordinary form of the Mass bishops thus warranted schism group of French Catholics have made possible through 2007’s and automatic excommunication. also been averse to the Vatican’s Summorum Pontificum. The great No serious attempts at recon- openness towards the Tradition- desire of many faithful Catholics ciliation were made from either alists, stating fears that relaxed to participate in this traditional side up until the turn of the cen- restrictions on the celebration of form of worship thus would be tury. However, since then, both the Tridentine Mass would fur- more readily and worthily satissides have made attempts for re- ther damage church unity with an fied. A wider celebration of the union, escalating in the past few apparent celebration of two dif- extraordinary form of the Mass would also increase awareness in years under Benedict’s reign and ferent Masses. the overall Church culminating in the January 21st decree. Key to “The Holy Father’s decision of the importance of the timethe reconciliation has to restore the four Lefebvrite retaining honored traditions been the Society’s newbishops into full communion with of the Mass, which found desire to “believe firmly in the Primacy of the Church actually represents have sadly gone unPeter and in its preroga- the most Catholic position and der so much clerical tives” under Benedict, stands in a wonderfully ironic manipulation in the ordinary form of the according to Bishop Fel- light.” Mass. lay. While the Holy Father’s The decree has come under However, the Holy Father’s fire from various sources, both decision to restore the four Lefe- decree speaks to his traditional outside and inside the Church. bvrite bishops into full commu- leanings, it also reveals his “antiJewish groups have criticized nion with the Church actually Traditionalist” ecumenical mothe restoration of Bishop Richard represents the most Catholic po- tives. While the restoration of Williamson of the Society due sition and stands in a wonderfully full communion to the Society to his incomprehensible denial ironic light. On one hand, the would be helpful in reorienting of the Holocaust. However, as move speaks towards Benedict’s the Church’s liturgy in the tradiVatican spokesman Jesuit Father desire to restore more traditional tion, its primary benefit would Federico Lombardi stated, “Say- elements in the celebration of the be simply the reunion of those ing a person is not excommuni- Mass. While only acceptable if lost sheep under the care of the cated is not the same as saying the Society submits fully to pa- chief Shepherd of the Church. Alone shares all his ideas or state- pal authority, a restoration of full though this ecumenism is some-

The Observer

“Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam”

Catholic Issues

February 17, 2009

Vatican

13

from page 12

ing Italian nationalization, the Papal States were viewed as an obstacle and eventually Italy declared war on the Papal State and took Rome by force. Pope Pius IX declared himself a “Prisoner in the Vatican” and the “Roman Question” arose. The “Roman Question” was answered in 1929, when the Lateran Pacts were made between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See. These agreements, signed by then Prime Minister Benito Mussolini and Cardinal Gasparri for Pope Pius XI, created the state of the Vatican City and guaranteed independent sovereignty to the Holy See and established Catholicism as the religion of Italy. Fast forward to the present, and the Vatican City State is celebrating its 80th anniversary. An exhibit has been erected over two floors of the “Braccio di Carlo Magno” (Arm of Charlemagne) under the end of the colonnade in St. Peter’s Square. An entire room is dedicated to Pope Pius XI, including his gold and white cope, tiara, and his car – a Citroen Lictoria. Other items on display include wall-sized maps, portraits of the seven Popes who have reigned since 1929, and photographs of the Vatican’s railway

and radio stations. On display for the first time are the original documents of the Lateran Pacts, presented alongside a life-size photograph of the signing and the table that was used at the event. Cardinal Giovanno Lajolo, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State, explained at a press conference that the exhibition is divided into five sections:

“The first concerns the Vatican prior to 1929; the second is dedicated to Pius XI, the architect of conciliation and the great builder of the juridical and architectural structures of the new State; the third focuses on the Lateran Pacts themselves, in other words the Treaty and the Concordat signed in the Lateran Palace on 11 February 1929; the fourth illustrates

the construction of the State, its projects and its new buildings; and the fifth is dedicated to the six pontiffs who succeeded Pius XI, each of whom left his own mark.” The exhibition is the first of three initiatives to commemorate this anniversary. The second is an academic congress that took place February 12th to 14th, on the theme “A small territory for

a great mission” held at the Conciliation Hall of the Lateran Palace and the New Synod Hall in the Vatican. The third initiative was a concert on February 12th in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall. Our Lady’s Choral Society of Dublin Cathedral and the RTE Concert Orchestra of Dublin performed Handel’s Messiah for the Holy Father.

words “Jesuit” and “Catholic” insult the hard-working men of the Society of Jesus who would never say the two words are opposed, even if particular Jesuits disagree with Church teachings.) Boston College must be more adamant about hiring for its mission. The community of Boston College needs to become more spiritually Ignatian. More students should undertake the Exercises under sound spiritual directors. Not only should Catholic professors do likewise, but they should be knowledgeable about the order by having read the autobiography of Ignatius, looked at the Jesuit resources online at websites such as CompanionofJesus.com, and read modern day Ignatian books such as the works of Rev. Timothy Gallagher OMV. It may even be beneficial to train some lay professors in spiritual direction. Do the Catholic professors here seek to understand controversial Church teachings, such as on sexuality, in order to be able to explain it to students? The university needs to aspire to evangelize. To evangelize is not the same as to proselytize. No student should ever feel like

Catholicism is being forced on him or her. However, the Catholic intellectual tradition should be held up as something positive and explanations on Church teachings should be provided by faculty. Controversial university policies, such as the ban on dispensing of contraception from health services, should be explained in full (“the Church is opposed to artificial contraception” doesn’t cut it) to questioning students by the administration, not solely by The Observer or any other student group. Furthermore, Catholic moral teachings, such as abstinence before marriage, fidelity within marriage, and moderation in drinking need to be promoted among all students as part of the law on the hearts of all people and not merely some quaint and prudish teaching of the Church. This is evangelization of the culture. It should not be the sole responsibility of a handful of members of the philosophy and theology departments to promote these, but God bless them for doing so already. Boston College has a wonderful head-start on its way to becoming the world’s greatest Catholic university. Probably

few other Catholic schools in the United States have five Jesuits volunteer to take a year and lead fifteen students through the 19th annotation of the Exercises. However, in many regards, BC still has a long way to go, and much of that lies with what types of professors are hired here and how they go about teaching. “Since the objective of a Catholic university is to assure in an institutional manner a Christian presence in the university world confronting the great problems of society and culture, every Catholic university, as Catholic, must have the following essential characteristics: 1. A Christian inspiration not only of individuals but of the university community as such; 2. A continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith upon the growing treasury of human knowledge, to which it seeks to contribute by its own research; 3. Fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church; 4. An institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human family in their pilgrimage to the transcendent goal which gives meaning to life” (Pope John Paul II, Ex Corde Ecclesiae).

Catholic Identity from page 12

how overlooked by some reactionary progressivists in light of the Traditionalism of the Society, it cannot be denied that it is the Holy Father’s primary intention in bringing the Lefebvrite bishops back into full communion. At the same time, the Vatican must take measures to make sure to not readmit the Society as a whole until it has fully submitted to the Holy Father’s authority and wishes. Benedict’s lifting of the excommunications of the Lefebvrite bishops thus reflects the most typically Catholic attitude, balanced and rational while at the same time inducing tension for further progress. The Holy Father’s timely decision caves in neither to modernists’ demands of a rejection of potentially oldfashioned worship nor Traditionalism’s claims of Vatican II’s illegitimacy. Through his careful and nonconciliatory negotiations for full communion for the Society of St. Pius X, Benedict’s desire to include both of these circles under the same large tent – so long as they respect and submit to his authority as the Successor of Peter – represents the most universal and consequently most Catholic line of action.

involved in the formation of the whole person. Former Superior General of the Society of Jesus, the Rev. Pedro Arrupe S.J., in a famous speech, said that Jesuit universities must produce graduates who do not live for themselves but for Christ and neighbor. This phrase is often worded as “men and women for others.” This is an insufficient rendering and is a symptom of the one area in which Boston College does not measure up to Cardinal Poupard’s talk: aspiration to evangelization. The Boston College community sadly has many members who treat the university as if it is a degree factory. Take, for instance, the recent controversy over religious artwork in classrooms. When Prof. Shrayer, chairman of the department of Slavic and Eastern Language and Literature, said in an interview with The Boston Globe, “I believe that the display of religious signs and symbols, such as the crucifix, in the classroom is contrary to the letter and spirt (sic) of open intellectual discourse that makes education worthwhile and distinguishes first-rate universities from mediocre and provincial

ones,” it was very clear that he is not in line with the principles of Jesuit education. As one Jesuit put it recently concerning disgruntled chemistry professors, “Haven’t they ever read the first principle and foundation? The only reason we do chemistry is for Christ.” The first principle and foundation is the cornerstone of the Spiritual Exercises. It says, “The human person is created to praise, revere, and serve God Our Lord, and by doing so, to save his or her soul. All other things on the face of the earth are created for human beings in order to help them pursue the end for which they are created. It follows from this that one must use other created things, in so far as they help towards one’s end, and free oneself from them, in so far as they are obstacles to one’s end.” Therefore, according to St. Ignatius, the only reason one would study anything is to be brought closer to Christ. It is fine if a particular professor does not believe this, but professors at Boston College need to at least be okay with the fact that Boston College is a Jesuit, Catholic college. (Those who oppose the

14

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

Opinion

The Observer February 17, 2009

Making Sense of the Census

Obama’s transfer of the census responsibilities from the Commerce Secretary to the Chief-of-Staff is unacceptable.

By Elise Anderson The Observer

As Obama settles in to his first 100 days in office, it seems as if he faces an overwhelming number of problems. Obama recently announced his intention of taking control of the United States Census Bureau from the Commerce Department, suggesting that, despite his campaign promises, he may just be like any other politician with ambitious political goals. Ultimately, the Census Bureau assesses population numbers by which districts can be redrawn by the political party in power (gerrymandering). The Census Bureau has been controlled by the Commerce Department since its establishment, and has never served as a political arm of any administration. Historically, the President of the United States has played no role in its operations, other than appointing the Commerce Secretary. In fact, nowhere does it say that the Commerce Secretary is even responsible for reporting the results to the President; instead the Secretary is only obligated to publish the Census findings. But by placing the Census Bureau under the White House, politicians will then control what non-partisan government employees have always run. In Obama’s case, instead of the Commerce Secretary controlling the Census, it would be controlled by Obama’s Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel, former Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). For a president who boasts of trying to reach across party lines, this seems like a blatantly partisan act. In announcing Senator Judd Gregg of New Hampshire as the Commerce Secretary nominee, as well as two other Republican nominees to his cabinet, it seemed that perhaps Obama really was reaching across the political aisle

The Observer

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

15

Opinion

February 17, 2009

So Newsweek thinks we’re Socialists Newsweek cover inaccurately labels our nation as Socialist By Matthew Vigliotta The Observer The cover of the the February 16th issue of Newsweek reads, “We Are all Socialists Now.” If that comes as a shock to you, you are not alone. I was not aware that we are all socialists, but thank God we have Newsweek to tell us. The article went on to say, “We remain a center-right nation in many ways—particularly culturally.” When you put the two together we have a center-right nation composed of Socialists. I guess nobody at Newsweek has read Karl Marx’s Communist Manifesto or witnessed the USSR in the mid 20th century, but true socialism is a step on the path to communism. Socialism is, of course, left of liberal, so how can a center-right nation be socialist? Granted, the bailout in September was very disconcerting and a step away from true capi-

talism, but that does not make us all socialists. Did Newsweek forget that the bailout bill failed the first time in the House? Did Newsweek forget that thousands of Americans called their representatives to tell them not to vote for it? Make no mistake: we are not “all socialists.” I was somewhat shocked that many of my peers were not very upset by the idea of socialism. Free healthcare, universal equality, and all that socialism promises sound appealing to them. Then I realized that our generation was born after or during the fall of a real socialist state in the Soviet Union. We have forgotten what our parents all knew, that socialism is inherently evil. How could we forget this essential premise? Well, it is quite simple. Many of our parents have forgotten and they now glorify socialism in the media and on websites like the daliykos. In reality, socialism is

evil; it compromises the individual, suppresses religion, demonizes hard work, and enslaves a people. Socialism has somewhat lost its meaning over the years be-

cause many refer to quazi-socialist states like France as socialist. However, Marx used socialism and communism interchangeably, and those heavily centralized states like Sweden and France do not fit Marx’s description.

Most of the Newsweek article is focused on the idea that we are moving towards a European-type economy, which is somewhat accurate. However, most European nations are not socialist, but rather they are heavily centralized. Similarly, most Americans are not socialist, as the cover of the magazine suggests. Rather than becoming socialist, we are becoming centralized. However, we are not past the point of no return and considering the lack of public support for the recent stimulus, it looks like Americans are starting to turn away from those European ideals. So let’s look at the bailout that moved us towards a centralized state: are things any better? As far as I can see, millions of that bailout money cannot be accounted for, unemployment is rising, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average has continued to fall. Of course that has not fazed

Treasury Secretary Geithner, who is proposing a new bailout that is even bigger than the last. When questioned about the stimulus and bailout mindset, many Keynesians point to the New Deal spending they claim brought us out of the Great Depression. They apparently failed to see things from the point of view of Henry Morgenthau, FDR’s Treasury Secretary: “We have tried spending money. We are spending more than we have ever spent before and it does not work. ... I say after eight years of this administration we have just as much unemployment as when we started ... And an enormous debt to boot!” We can turn this economy around without falling apart like we did before World War II. And if we listen to Mr. Henry Morgenthau, we can learn about our mistakes from the past rather than have our future doomed by repeating them.

Pro-Life Club Not Vocal Enough President Obama converses with Rahm Emmanuel, his Chief of Staff, who will have authority over the census under the President’s plan. and acting in a bipartisan manner. However, after Gregg’s nomination was withdrawn, due to “irresolvable conflicts,” Obama faces a major setback in building his administration on terms that he has previously communicated. President Obama has established the idea of bipartisan participation and cooperation between parties, but it seems that until he listens to the concerns of the Republicans, his appointments and rhetoric will not win over conservatives. For example, nominating Senator Gregg could have been an important milestone in the Obama administration and could have conveyed the idea of unity for our country, but it is clear that the nomination did not ensure

Gregg’s concerns would be heard or addressed. Senator Gregg refused to support the stimulus bill, a sign that perhaps Obama’s Cabinet would not be as cohesive as he had first intended. But after Obama’s intentions of moving control of the Census Bureau surfaced, it seemed that Senator Gregg’s appointment was just a political move to further Obama’s image. Even the Associated Press reported that, “Obama also had politics in mind when tapping Richardson and Gregg, and neither plan worked out. Richardson is a prominent Hispanic, an ethnic group increasingly important to both parties… And Gregg, a lifelong Republican, would have helped Obama fulfill his promise of building a truly bipartisan

Cabinet.” But Gregg pulled out, and frankly, I would have too. It is unbelievable to nominate someone of another party to the position of Commerce Secretary, claim bipartisanship, and then rid him of his most important duty— controlling the Census Bureau. For a president who seems to be most concerned with change, it is extremely disconcerting to consider the implications of this action. What is most disturbing is how this change will dramatically change the way funds are apportioned, as the Census numbers determine the amount of federal funds that go to each individual city. If the Census is not conducted fairly (and by means which are strictly non-political), some cities may benefit while others suffer. What kind of message does that send? It is imperative that the Census be conducted in a manner that is accurate and efficient, as it determines practical things such as the number of schools that should be built and where they should be located. Similarly, as was briefly mentioned earlier, Census numbers are required for assessing population numbers, by which Electoral College votes are determined and political districts are drawn. If this task is directed by the White House, and let’s face it, any administration is going to be biased, how are we to know it will be conducted properly and fairly?

It’s no secret that Rahm Emanuel played a key role in electing the Democrats into the majority in 2006; it’s hard to imagine he would be able to fulfill the role of controlling the Census in a bipartisan manner. Handing over the Census to a political operative like Emanuel raises a number of important ethical questions. And to put this change in to some perspective, consider this: if Karl Rove and George W. Bush would have tried to politicize the Census Bureau, congressional Democrats (and much of the media) would have used any means necessary in order to stop such a transfer of power. Larry Sabato, the director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, recently told Fox News, “I’ve always remembered what Joseph Stalin said: ‘Those who cast the votes decide nothing. Those who count the votes decide everything.’ The same principle applies to the census.” And I couldn’t agree more— one party will always be in control when the Census is conducted, but the other party should at least be given the opportunity to observe the process to ensure its fairness, especially because the census is only conducted once every ten years. In this case, however, it doesn’t seem as if Obama’s campaign claim of transparency will be in effect.

Anti-abortion club needs to improve visibility By Dana Flynn The Observer This past January, over 300,000 pro-life supporters nationwide gathered in Washington D.C. to participate in the March for Life. The largest organized protest in our nation, this year’s March attracted many newcomers who attended to voice opposition toward the Freedom of Choice Act, which President Obama promised to sign. Boston College’s Pro-Life Club sent only 26 representatives. In a school of 9,081 full-time students, is this number a sufficient representation of Boston College as a Catholic university, and therefore a pro-life institution? The question of student involvement in pro-life affairs can be taken in two directions: is the Pro-Life Club of Boston College enough of a presence on campus? And are the pro-life students taking a sufficient stand on this issue of life and death? The answer to both questions is undoubtedly, no. Two approaches can be taken when defending life: to act in a confrontational manner or a nonconfrontational one. Both ways have their positives and negatives; the non-confrontational manner is one that Pro-Life Club has taken in the past. The club’s approach has the potential to make a strong impact, quietly informing the population of the negative effects of an abortion on a mother, or the number of

children killed each year in an attempt to preserve a woman’s right to “choice” has convinced many a wavering supporter. At the same time, a non-confrontational approach also runs the risk of dis-

missing the importance of the issue. For one to simply hold true to his belief, without making an attempt to inform and persuade others, treats the abortion debate as if it were any other everyday

disagreement over fiscal policy. It is not. It is an issue of preserving the most basic of rightsthe right to life. When speaking with Peter Weicher, a member of the Pro-Life Club, regarding the

Pro-lifers protest Roe v. Wade at annual March for Life in Washington, D.C.

proper approach to defending life, he affirmed that “removing the emotional dimension of abortion for the sake of a debate treats the fetus as if it were not human. If we can talk about it like it’s not human, abortion activists have already won the debate.” If the Pro-Life Club continues to approach their opposition to abortion in such a diplomatic manner, is it likely that their words will run in and out of students’ ears without ever really making an impact? A more confrontational approach, such as displaying images of a child during all stages of pregnancy, certainly is more effective in terms of treating the issue according to its gravity. I believe this is the approach that should be employed by the Pro-Life Club. Although it has many benefits, an overly aggressive pro-life stance does run the risk of classifying the movement as extremist, and scaring undecided individuals toward a more moderate stance. When approached carefully, a confrontational method has the power to plant a powerful message in the minds of bystanders, which will later shape their attitude toward the abortion debate. It is the method with the most promise for positive results regarding gaining defenders of the sanctity of life, and the approach least likely to reduce the issue to a simple politi-

See ‘Prolife’ page 18

16

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

Opinion

Boston Sex Trafficking Must End

The Observer February 17, 2009

Campus Buildings Need Saints Empty Niches for Saints Abound on Campus

Students are obliged to speak out against women trafficking. By Lisbee Mumford For The Observer When I see a public display of affection (PDA), I know that I should look away- I will almost always see something that I don’t want to see. Still, I usually can’t help myself. Last week at South Station, “what I don’t want to see” took on a new meaning when I saw a young woman and a latetwenties looking man making out on the Amtrak lines. While it was their grandiose PDA that originally caught my eye, I soon noticed that they were not like the other lovesick couples trying to get that one last kiss in before they regretfully parted ways. As I passed, the man grabbed the woman’s arms and asked, “Now what are you going to do for me?” She answered, “Have a lot of sex.” I glanced at her to see tears running down her face. I realized that this woman was likely one of many in our city exploited in the rings of sex-trafficking that run rampant through the Northeast. When the making-out resumed as I passed, this time I couldn’t look – I was too heartbroken and enraged to look at the scene. Now, granted, I do not know all the details of this situation. I do not know the context of these snippets of conversation. But what I do know is what sex-trafficking looks like in the Boston area. I do know that slavery is still a rampant practice, not simply in different countries and cul-

tures, but also here in America, in our cities. There are two large categories of trafficking – sex trafficking and forced labor. Though both are rampant in the US, what we hear most about in Boston are the sex-trafficking rings (note: “hear most” is directed at those willing to dig deep into newspapers and local journals). Within the category of sex-trafficking, there is both domestic trafficking that exploits American women, and international trafficking that exploits foreign-born women. When it comes to American women, it must be noted that the term “trafficked” refers to the forced nature of their work rather than how far they were transported – whether they are from across the city or across the country, if they are physically or psychologically controlled and unable to leave the sex industry willingly, they are assigned this term. Further, any minor that is being prostituted is considered trafficked, as coercion and manipulation is inferred. The enslavement of American women in Boston is largely operated through gangs. As Detective Kelly O’Connell said during her keynote speech at the Brighton Center for Peace and Justice, “it seems that girls have become the new drug.” While many gangs once thrived on money made from drug deals, deals involving women have been found to be much more profitable. While a drug is simply

passed from one hand to another, a woman can be treated as a reusable commodity. By roping in just one woman under his influence, a pimp can make thousands of dollars a week. The typical strategy of control is for a man to find a teenage girl who is vulnerable, usually due to an unstable family situation, or simple insecurities. The man will fill a protective boyfriend or father role, earning the girl’s trust while wearing her down. After a matter of weeks, as the girl becomes emotionally and often financially dependent on him, he will present her with a message along the lines of “if you love me, then you will help us make money.” This process is so common that it has been assigned the psychiatric term “seasoning.” These young women sometimes escape their exploitation only by being arrested for prostitution, though at least in Boston, police have made it clear that they want to assist, not prosecute prostituted girls and women. As some agencies have found that the average age of entry into prostitution for American girls is 11-12 years old, it is clear that not only is our social system failing to protect these women from networks of exploitation, but it is largely lacking action against the pimps who re-victimize the women and allow the cycle to perpetuate.

See ‘Sex Trafficking’ page 17

Sex trafficking occurs at many transportation hubs in Boston, such as South Station.

The Observer

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

The Classical Conservative IV “A Rich Jesuit-Catholic Tradition”

By Max Bindernagel The Observer

A vacant niche borders the front door of Devlin Hall. By Allison Gallagher The Observer As a student in a Catholic university, I would expect to walk around campus and see symbols that remind me that the university is religiously affiliated. However, while an occasional cross is visible on some academic buildings at BC, and controversial crucifixes were just installed in classrooms, it seems that there are several places on campus where reminders of our Catholic mission as a university are conspicuously absent. Devlin Hall, Burns Library, Bapst Library, and Gasson Hall all exhibit prominent niches where saints were intended to be displayed. But these niches are obviously empty. The buildings are openly flouting the fact that, although the administration that commissioned them found saints to be appropriate for their Jesuit university, the current administration has not filled such spaces. In London, England, St. Paul’s Cathedral is also stripped of its saint statues, with empty niches circling the building. However, these statues were removed when Protestantism was established as an official religion in Britain; Catholic statues were viewed as offensive. The empty niches on St. Paul’s are reminiscent of the vacant niches on the buildings on the BC campus. Our school is still a Catholic university, so where are our statues? There are a total of 17 empty niches to-

tal among the buildings, with the exception of one on Burns Library, filled with a nondescript, unrecognizable woman holding a scroll and devoid of a defined halo. I propose to fill these niches with saints that reflect the university’s core values, in accordance with our mission as a Catholic university. It would be appropriate to adorn Burns Library, which is home to 11 vacant niches, with statues of patron saints of learning. Lesser-known saints like St. Anastasius XI and St. Ralph could join St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, classic examples of Catholic learning. Nine of the 11 niches flank the main door. Passing under patrons and examples of holy learning when entering would be ideal for a library that showcases educational exhibits on a Catholic campus. For Bapst Library, the art history library, saints associated with art should be placed in a niche to the side of the main door. St. Catherine, the patron saint of art, could flank one side of the door, while St. Bernward, the patron saint of architects, could be housed in the opposite niche. St. Catherine was a Poor Clare nun, which is an order known for its extremely austere lifestyle, who used to paint her spiritual visions. Saint Bernward would honor a building that houses architectural

See ‘Buildings’ page 18

17

Opinion

February 17, 2009

I made an unofficial vow to myself when I began to write this column early last semester not to drift into the subject of religion. Not being the type who likes to go back on his word, something very urgent came about which changed my mind, so I unfortunately need to change the direction of this column for now. In light of recent complaints of crucifixes and Christian art being hung in the classrooms, several questions have been raised. Despite overwhelming positive support from the student body, alums, and the world of Catholicism in general, several professors find the placement of religious iconography “offensive” and “intolerant,” to use some of the less poignant verbiage spewing from their statements. Such claims beg the question: What place does such art have at a Catholic university, especially a Jesuit-Catholic university? In their statements, critical professors and even some anguished students implied that, because Boston College was a Jesuit university, we are radically different from other Catholic universities. Prof. Amir Hoveyda of the Chemistry department was quot-

ed as saying that he believed upon arrival here that “Boston College was an inclusive and welcoming Jesuit University,” a perception which he claims was shattered by the imposition of faith via Christian art. People of such a mindset are horribly mistaken about the nature of both Catholicism and the Jesuit order. Catholicism has easily triumphed historically as producing the best educators, schools, methods of disputation, and pedagogical tools. Some of the most beautiful poetry, art, music, and literature has stemmed from the religious conviction of Catholics yearning to express their love for God and Church. In the recent university effort to put Catholic art in classrooms, the aim was not to impose faith, but rather to offer a warm reminder of the rich history from which BC comes and the values upon which we were founded. But what is the significance, if any, of belonging to a JesuitCatholic school? When Prof. Hoveyda suggested that being part of a Jesuit school was “inclusive and welcoming,” did he imply that the norm for Catholic schools was the contrary? When St. Ignatius founded the Jesuit order, he did so with a certain charism in mind. Each religious order in the Catholic Church

expresses a certain aspect of the faith with particular vigor. Nonetheless, in placing a certain value on a particular charism, such as poverty, the Franciscans bring a unique gift to the Church, as do Dominicans with teaching and Trappists with contemplation. St. Ignatius envisioned an order which paid particularly close attention to fidelity to the Magisterium or teaching body of the Church. In other words, to see a Jesuit who fails in fidelity to the Church is equivalent to seeing a Franciscan driving a Ferrari. The point I am making is that the Jesuit order is not at all in conflict with Catholicism precisely because its aim is to express a certain aspect of Catholicism in a particularly fruitful manner. When transposed to the university level, this does not involve a compromise of academic and intellectual honesty. The university can remain faithful to and foster appreciation for Catholicism without the imposition thereof or the stifling of new ideas. Christian art in the classrooms can and should be seen as an appropriate expression of a Catholic commitment to intellectual growth and fidelity to the Church. Professors are still allowed to challenge and question the claims of Christianity in an open, respectful manner. In fact, a Catho-

lic school is the ideal place to ask such questions. But to assert that the foundation of the school itself should be stifled is ludicrous to an extreme. To quote theology professor Fr. John Paris, S.J. concerning those who go as far as to threaten resignation over this issue, “This is a small problem for those with small minds.” Several teachers say these recent actions conflict with making BC a “world class” university.

A response like that to a student body that overwhelmingly supports the university’s decisions is uncalled for and disrespectful at best. A student body willing to pay this much for these professors’ services elsewhere would be hard to find. I would rather pay upwards of $200,000 for an education which stays true to its principles than one which looks good in the far off eyes of “world class” academia.

ficking in Boston. The student voice has always been a powerful tool, only bound by energy, passion, and creativity. In Boston, it can be used to launch awareness-campaigns on campuses and within the city, rally politicians to support anti-trafficking legislation, pressure stores to sell slave-free goods, speak to personnel who may come in contact with victims (health care workers, police officers, even electricians), pressure newspapers to stop publishing erotic services ads, and raise

money to support local efforts to inhibit trafficking and assist victims. Though not everyone will be able to join the anti-trafficking movement full-speed ahead, everyone has a place in this fight. Broader awareness on this issue is necessary so that there can be a real social space to pursue solutions. Just by living in this society, we are perpetuating some of the forces that drive trafficking – consumerism and gender inequality. If we simply stop and think about our purchasing patterns, our complicity in a culture

that cheapens sexuality, and the guilt that lingers in our silence, and if we can open up discussion on the matter, that in itself will add power to the anti-trafficking movement. I must warn you though that once I began digging into this issue and realized the horrors that still are permitted to persist in our world, I’ve found it impossible to stop from doing everything possible to fight the forces that cut the most basic strings of humanity from 27 million people worldwide.

Christian art in classrooms reflects St. Ignatius’ belief in fidelity to the Church.

Sex Trafficking From page 16

The other face of Boston-area trafficking is the foreign rings which not only traffic women into the country for the purpose of sexual exploitation, but also circulate women through networks up and down the northeastern sea-board. This models the practices most commonly ascribed to human trafficking. For one, debt-bondage is often used, where people are told that they must first work off their travel costs before they can start earning money; added to their tab are inflated costs of living that pile up faster than they can be repaid. Thus while the enslaved people maintain the hope that they will be making money, this is an impossibility. They are often kept from leaving their trafficking situation by intimidation, lack of legal papers, or simply because they are in an entirely unfamiliar culture. Women trafficked internationally into Boston are often

kept in brothels run out of houses or apartment complexes that are largely out of the public view. These brothels are connected to an extensive costal network; often women are circulated between them so that they don’t get too familiar with their surroundings. Knowing this context, not only was I more on the lookout for potential trafficking situations, especially at transportation hubs like South Station, but I was also more brokenhearted by what I heard, because I knew that it was not simply a one-time tragedy, but part of a much larger evil within our society. I spent my bus ride hating how helpless I had been when faced with a potential trafficking victim. But where I was unable to directly assist this one woman, I have the ability to add my voice and time to the slowly rising movement fighting human traf-

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18

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

Opinion

February 17, 2009

Parent Sounds Off On Crucifixes By Michael A. LaTona For The Observer I read with interest your front page article of the 27 January 2009 issue of The Observer, titled “BC Professors Protest Crucifixes.” It served as a vivid reminder of the very real cultural war which continues to rage in the world. Professor Amir Hoveyda, Chair of the Boston College Chemistry Department ‘found it disconcerting the faculty were {sic} not consulted’ before the crucifixes were hung in classrooms. So what? Boston College was founded by Jesuit Catholic priests specifically to serve and educate the children of Irish and Italian Catholic families whose children had no other alternatives for higher education. As such, it was founded as a Catholic university. The earliest Christians wore crucifixes or crosses around their necks to identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. Many Christians continue to do that. Where is the shock or surprise to anyone if a university founded as a Catholic institution displays its most ancient identifying symbol? If Prof. Hoveyda is offended by religious icons, why did he accept a position to teach at an obviously Catholic university? In my research on Boston College before my son accepted BC’s offer to attend, I discovered crucifixes, which had been continuously displayed in classrooms from the university’s founding, were removed at some point in the 1970s so as not to offend the sensibilities of non-Catholic students and teachers. Just as in collective bargaining between an employer and a labor union where a “benefit” once granted becomes very difficult for the

employer to reclaim in the future, tors.” While I have not yet been replacing the crucifixes at BC in any of the affected classrooms which were removed in the 1970s since the introduction of the cruwould likely be a difficult chore. cifixes, I am relatively certain In deciding to accept BC’s offer, they did not replace the Periodic however, my son was pleased to Table of the Chemical Elements. read of University President Fr. I am also relatively certain the William Leahy’s efforts over the crucifixes were not accompanied course of his tenure to reclaim by new textbooks and lesson BC as a more traditional Catholic plans written by long-forgotten alchemists of the Middle Ages. institution. Would Prof. Hoveyda display In other words, the appearance the same temerity if he taught at of the crucifixes in classrooms Yeshiva University and returned has no negative effect on the from a semester break to discover education which Prof. Hoveyda the placement of a Menorah or a is charged with delivering to his Star of David in his classroom? students; they are merely symbols Or would he fear being labeled of in Whose name BC was foundan anti-Semite? Of course, he ed and in for Whose greater glory this eduwill procation is test and “While the uproar raised to be emclaim any f a i t h ’ s by Prof. Hoveyda is dis- ployed. iconogconcerting to me, Fr. spiteD etheraphy is a n a t h - Leahy’s consistent walk a b s o l u t e of ema in with God is gratifying.” lack threat to the classhis acar o o m ; d e m i c however, that is being disingenuous. It is integrity, Prof. Hoveyda “can not being exclusive to display re- hardly imagine a more effective ligious iconography; it is a sym- way to denigrate the faculty of an educational institution.” I agree bol of inclusion! That a private, Catholic insti- with Professor Hoveyda there is tution opens its doors to everyone denigration taking place here; in the name of God, through Jesus however, it is by Professor HovChrist, is the ultimate freedom eyda when he argues administrawhich a private institution enjoys tors “who are either not scholars which a public one neither does or have never in their lives been not nor cannot! If his sensibilities highly respected serious scholare so offended by the existence ars” are not responsible for the of a crucifix in “his” classroom, level and quality of education of perhaps Prof. Hoveyda might be BC students. First, Prof. Hovhappier at the University of Mas- eyda’s premise is faulty as the crucifixes impact neither the level sachusetts. Professor Hoveyda claims nor the quality of education; and “in any respectable university, it second, he immediately launches is the faculty who are responsible into the weakest form of argufor the level and the quality of the ment: personal attack on admineducation of our students; this istrators when he claims they are does not pertain to administra- unworthy scholars. Ironically,

the only way the crucifixes will negatively impact the level and quality of education at BC is if Prof. Hoveyda continues to dwell on them. As indicated above, I am a parent of a BC student, who graduated from a Jesuit high school. In selecting a university, my son had a wide range of schools from which to select. The decision to accept BC’s offer was based, in part, on the reports we found indicating Fr. Leahy has been steadily working to make BC a more traditionally Catholic university. Consequently, while the uproar raised by Prof. Hoveyda is disconcerting to me, Fr. Leahy’s consistent walk with God is gratifying. All BC students are required to take two theology courses as part of their Core Curriculum. Did the introduction of crucifixes come with a corresponding command that students must now take two Catholic Doctrine courses? If not, what has been imposed upon the students? The appearance of a symbol of the religious faith tradition which founded and operates the very university to which they consciously applied and agreed to attend? They have merely been exposed to an icon of the Savior of the world. Finally, the article closed with an unattributed quote which would have been amusing, if it was not so disturbing. The Tony Soprano-wannabe professor who said “. . . I can tell you that we are not going just to sit back and watch this” should not just sit back. He should go to his nearest house of worship and pray for the wisdom to reconsider what is in his heart and then take the appropriate corrective action. May God continue to bless you and the BC community.

Campus Buildings From page 16 reference books and databases. The two saints would greatly improve Bapst’s blatantly empty doorframe. For buildings with no singular use, more university-specific saints would be appropriate. Gasson Hall, for example, also has two empty niches bordering the doorway. Perhaps statues of some the Jesuits whose ideals inspired the university’s founding would be relevant here. Boston College already has a statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola on campus, but his contemporaries Blessed Peter Faber and St. Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus, would be perfect. It is not unreasonable

for a university that is home to one of the largest communities of Jesuits in the world to put statues of Jesuits on their buildings.

sire for service is extraordinarily strong. Boston College students seem to be especially concerned with social justice, as evidenced

“It is not unreasonable for a university that is home to one of the largest communities of Jesuits in the world to put statues of Jesuits on their buildings.” Devlin Hall, home to our admissions center, should showcase the ideals of Boston College for prospective students and their parents. As a university, our de-

in the numerous service immersion trips undertaken by Boston College students each academic year. Therefore, displaying statues of saints who pay tribute to

The Observer

this particular aspect of our student body would be appropriate. Saints like Mother Seton, foundress of the Sisters of Charity of St. Joseph, and St. Francis, who devoted his life to outcasts, would be fitting. When prospective students come to tour the campus, they could be made aware of Boston College’s apparent devotion to social justice, and conscious of the tradition of social Catholic justice that BC is influenced by. BC should undertake filling the niches immediately. What is holding the administration back from making our Catholic university look like a true Catholic university?

Pro-Life Club From page 15

cal disagreement. In this regard, I do not believe that the Pro-Life Club is making enough of a presence on campus. While the group undoubtedly makes a positive effort and does host meetings and pro-life events, the vast majority of my friends mentioned that they had never heard of the club or the opportunity to attend the March for Life – an indication that the Pro-Life Club is not being seen or heard. Few fliers are seen around campus and events are not highly publicized (unless you are on the group’s listserv). For the most part, events that are intended to shock students with the horrifying realities of abortion are not hosted by the Pro-Life Club, and therefore are not likely to make a large impact on any observer’s opinion. Given the magnitude of the issue, the Pro-Life Club should be taking a more visual, vocal, and public approach toward informing students of the truths of abortion and the necessity to protect life. On the other hand, part of the responsibility to uphold Boston College’s reputation as a pro-life institution falls into the hands of its students. Boston College, as a Catholic university, has a duty to defend the right to life from the moment of conception. Although the majority of students may not oppose abortion, an informal survey revealed that there are far more than 26 pro-life students on campus. Why, then, were only 26 students willing to travel to Washington in defense of their beliefs – a trip at little to no personal cost? Considering the ever-increasing importance of standing up for one’s beliefs, and the need to the take a strong stand against abortion, the March for Life should have had far more Boston College attendees – especially considering the threat FOCA poses against the pro-life cause. Boston College often teaches its students they must use their education to make a difference in the world, to stand up for their beliefs. Beginning with orientation, incoming freshman are encouraged to “go set the world aflame,” in the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Shouldn’t this Jesuit principle apply to the defense of the most basic of rights? Shouldn’t those pro-life students on campus be able to find an outlet for their beliefs in the form of a vocal Pro-Life Club? Considering that the debate over abortion is one of the most pressing moral issues faced by our nation today, shouldn’t there be more than 26 students out of 9,081 at the annual March for Life?

The Observer

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

Sports Poor Ranking Prospects for BC Football February 17, 2009

By Kaitlin McKinley The Observer

Boston College finished the 2008 football season with a 9-5 overall record, going 5-3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. During the current off-season, BC has named a new head coach, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, tight ends coach, and offensive line coach. For the 2009 season, the Eagles will have seventeen new players joining them from their recruiting class. Out of twelve teams in the ACC, ten teams signed more recruits to their 2009 football class than Boston College. The ACC team with the fewest commitments to their 2009 class is Clemson, but they recruited such highly ranked players that they are in ESPN’s top 25 for recruitment rankings. In addition to Clemson, four other ACC teams—the University of Miami, Florida State University, North Carolina, and Virginia Tech—also made it into ESPN’s top 25. BC did not make ESPN’s top 25. The Eagles have the fewest and lowest ranked players, according to ESPN. Rankings are not always accurate, and they certainly do not mean that a low-ranked player cannot outperform a higher ranked player. The information and statistics currently available have resulted in these rankings that most people focus on in the

off-season, and it is up to sports fans to decide how much weight to give these rankings. While there are many different rankings out there—ESPN, Rivals, Scout, and others, there are variations between them concerning where teams are placed. For example, Clemson is ranked first in the Scouts ACC rankings but third for the Rivals ACC ranking. One thing, however, remains constant in all the rankings: Boston College is ranked last among ACC teams in every ranking. For the Rivals top 100, BC is ranked 70th, lower than all other eleven teams from the ACC. Many polls are attributing the last place ranking to all of the Eagle’s coaching changes. Whether or not the firing of former head coach, Jeff Jagodzinski, and then the promoting of last season’s defensive coordinator, Frank Spaziani, as the new head coach, had any real impact on the recruiting class, other than the low recruiting rankings, remains to be seen in the 2009 season. BC’s recruiting class consists of one quarterback, one kicker, three offensive linemen, three linebackers, one wide receiver, one defensive lineman, one defensive end, two running backs, one tight end, one defensive back, and two defensive tackles; eight players for the Eagles defense, eight players for the offense, and

one for special teams. Rivals gave only one player in BC’s recruiting class a four star rating, Dillon Quinn, a defensive tackle out of Pawling, New York. Rivals also rated him as the number ten defensive tackle in the country. ESPN ranked quarterback Michael Marscovetra, another recruit, as the number one quarterback in New Jersey. Defensive back Jim Noel is rated as the number three player in Massachusetts and as a top 50 defensive back nationwide. Tight end Mike Naples is rated as the forty-fourth tight end in the country. Sterlin Phifer, a running back, is rated as the number sixty-six player in the country. Andre Lawrence is rated as the number seventeen outside linebacker in the country and number one in Connecticut. Luke Kuechly was rated as the number thirty-five prospect in Ohio and the number four outside linebacker in Ohio. Rolandan Finch, a running back, is ranked as the number three player in Kentucky, and offensive lineman Keith Bourne was rated as the number four prospect in state. With many analysts regarding this as the worst recruiting effort in recent years by BC, Eagles fans will have to hope that Spaziani and his coaching staff can work with these new players to show that off-season rankings aren’t always accurate.

Duke Upset from back

super fans in gold shirts, jumping up and down. The first shot of the second half was a 3-pointer by Rice about 15 seconds into the half. With that shot, Rice became the seventh player in Boston College history to reach the 2,000-point milestone. The last Boston College player to reach 2,000 points in their career was Jared Dudley, who now plays for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA. Dudley, former BC player and 2006-07 ACC player of the year, was sitting courtside across from Duke’s bench during Sunday’s game. After Jackson’s two-point jumper gave the Eagles a 76-74 lead with 50 seconds remaining in the game, Rice grabbed a key defensive rebound when Henderson missed a 3-point attempt. Rice then made two free throws on a foul by Singler, giving the Eagles a 78-74 lead with just 23 seconds left to play. Referring to Rice and some of his key plays from the game,

coach Skinner said, “This is a big stage. He showed the type of player he is. I’m not sure I’d certainly take some of those shots, but you’ve just got to let him.” The Eagles shot 58.8 percent from the field, making 70.6 percent of their free throws, and 44.4 percent of their 3-pointers. The Blue Devils only shot 42.6 percent from the field and 18.8 percent from behind the arc, but made 81.3 percent of their free throws. Each team had 19 fouls. Despite the Eagles turning the ball over 19 times, and Duke stealing the ball four times, BC shot over 60 percent from the field in the second half and made four of their eight 3-pointers in the second half. “We’re not playing very well on the defensive end of the court. In the last two ballgames, teams have shot 60 percent against us and scored 101 and 80 points and this is from a team that has been playing for the whole year really well defensively,” coach

Krzyzewski said. Going in to Sunday’s game, BC had a 13-0 record when they scored 80 or more points; on Sunday, they won 80-74 to improve that record to 14-0. Prior to Sunday’s game, BC had lost two of its last three games. The Eagles had lost two ACC games to Clemson and Wake Forest. Coming in to Sunday’s game, Duke had also lost two of its last three games. The Blue Devils had lost two ACC games to Clemson and North Carolina. Next up, the Eagles will play at University of Miami on Saturday the 21st and against Florida State at home on Tuesday the 24th, both of which are ACC games. Up next for the Blue Devils is Madison Square Garden where they will play St. John’s in a nonconference match-up on Thursday the 19th. After that, they’ll play Wake Forest at home in an ACC game on the 22nd. Wake Forest is currently ranked #7.

19

Tennis Update

By Michael Vann The Observer

The men’s basketball team was not the only Boston College team that had its court stormed on a fantastic Sunday for Eagles athletics. On Sunday morning it was the men’s tennis team mobbing the court after a thrilling comeback victory over Yale University. The Eagles 4-3 win against Yale University was the highlight of a strong showing at the ECAC Championships. The Eagles entered the ECAC tournament, which took place at Harvard University, as the tenth seed, but finished the weekend with a 2-1 record. In the opening round, the Eagles upset seventh seeded Princeton University 5-2. After winning at number one doubles and falling at number two doubles, captain Sam Wagner and Akash Muppidi clinched the doubles point for Boston College with an 8-6 victory. The Eagles rode the momentum from taking the doubles point into singles where they captured four of the six matches. Thomas Nolan, Brian Locklear, and the Eagles’ two diaper dandy freshmen Alex Skinner and Muppidi recorded straight set wins. After defeating Princeton, the Eagles brought their 5-0 season record into a matchup against second seeded Columbia University. However, the teams’ hopes of upsetting another Ivy League opponent were dashed as the Lions ended the Eagles undefeated run. The loss to Columbia set up the epic battle with Yale. The

Bulldogs took the doubles point by winning at second and third doubles, but the Eagles fought back in singles. Skinner earned the first point for the Eagles by blasting past Calvin Bennett. The Bulldogs edged back ahead after Brendon Wong fell at six singles. Down two points to one, all four of the other matches went into a decisive third set. Erik Kreutzer rebounded from losing the first set and rolled past Connor Dawson in the final two sets at third singles, but Muppidi lost at number two. The Eagles ‘hopes looked bleak when both Nolan and Brian Locklear were down 4-2 and a service break in each of their third sets. Nolan and Locklear would both have to win in order for the Eagles to clinch the match. Both players dug deep and broke back each match at 4-4. Nolan finished off his opponent at number one singles with an ace down the middle to win his third set in an exciting tiebreaker. After Nolan’s victory the spotlight was on Locklear who was attempting to serve out his match up six games to five in the third set. After losing his first two match points, the third time was the charm for Locklear who clinched the match for the Eagles on his third match point opportunity. The victories over Princeton and Yale were not the only wins over Ivy League schools that the Eagles have notched on the young season. The Eagles bring their 6-1 record to conference play this week as they open up their ACC season with a road trip to take on Virginia Tech and UVA.

Frisbee from back

tice times during the winter are less than ideal. The average time allotted is 10:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. various nights a week. In these instances, sacrifices must be made. Fortunately, the teams have become close, and practices are more than just hard work; they are quality time spent with good friends. During the weekend of February 5th, members from both teams traveled to Las Vegas and participated in the largest college ultimate tournament in the country. Although the weather was despondent, the team still had a successful weekend out West. Most of the top teams in the country attended, and it was tough competition. The weekend before the college tournament occurred, Cultimate (a newly formed group that sponsors these tournaments) held one just for club teams from around the country. These teams

usually consist of college graduates who just cannot seem to get enough of this exciting sport. The underground world of Frisbee is an intense environment consisting of college club teams from around the country, but it does not stop there. Many college players choose to pursue ultimate at the club level and compete nationally during the club season in the summer. Boston club teams are consistently ranked in the top ten national teams. With one of the most competitive sections in the country, success does not come easily. Both teams from Boston College practice extremely hard and work every spring to make it past the sectional tournament to the regional event. Other schools, such as Boston University, Harvard, Tufts, MIT, Northeastern, Bentley, and Brandeis are all strong competition in these tournaments.

The Observer

“There is no freedom without the Truth”

20

Sports

February 17, 2009

Bob Ryan Speaks on BC Sports Bob Ryan sits down with The Observer to discuss BC sports in the first of a two-part series with the Globe columnist. By Michael Reer The Observer Reer: Is the BC men’s basketball team going to be playing in the NCAA Tournament this March? Mr. Ryan: I was looking at it again today and I was looking at where they’re sitting. There are four locks in the ACC. We all know that. Even Clemson can’t screw it up this year. BC sits at the top of the next year…21 wins and I can’t see how they’re not it. The Harvard game just drives you out of your mind. Reer: Well, that team gets hot and then gets cold. Mr. Ryan: I know. The Harvard game is why they’re not a lock. If they win four more games they’re in. I think they’ll be in and let me tell you what: That’s a great achievement this year. When the season started I didn’t think they had a chance to get in. I’ll be very happy to see them in the tournament. I did hit the nail right on this team, though. The very first game I saw them play (against Iowa), I came back and said,“Here’s the deal: They have components. There are some nights that they’re all going to come together and accidentally play well and beat a great team.” Of course that happened on January 4th (against North Carolina) but then on January 7th the same group of guys come home and lose to Harvard…The x-factor on this team is definitely Reggie Jackson. I compare him to Ryan Sidney. When Sidney came into the game it was like someone threw an electric switch on the entire thing. Reggie

has a little of that in him. Reer: What about Tyrese Rice, though? Is he going to be playing in the NBA? Mr. Ryan: He has a chance. It’s going to be hard, but I think we’re going to find out a lot in the post-season because I’m not sure ultimately how quick he is. He looks quicker than he is. He can create space…I would say it’s about 40-60. I certainly hope he makes it. Reer: What about next year without Rice? Do they regress a little bit? Mr. Ryan: That’s asking a lot. They have won games where Rice was not a big factor this year, but that’s asking a lot. Paris is okay but I don’t know that he’s going to fill Rice’s shoes. They’re going to need some recruiting because you know with Al it’s always a little worrisome about what they’re going to get. People should know not to write BC off, though. That’s the entire story of the Al Skinner era. He does put teams together somehow someway. Reer: Speaking of recruiting, today is signing day for football and BC just turned in one of the most disappointing classes in Division I. Mr. Ryan: I’m a big, profound recruiting day skeptic. I’m not into recruiting day. That’s what they say? Fine. In three years at least fifty percent of the people we will be talking about will have not been discussed at all today. I mean, when has Notre Dame not had a top recruiting class? Not in the past fifty years! It’s just something where people want direct knowledge right away but I’m just not interested. Reer: Do you ever follow BC hockey? Mr. Ryan: Yeah, I just went to a game

Globe Sports columnist Bob Ryan. the other night, my first one of the year. When I was at BC, my first year we went to the national championship so it was hard not to get interested. I’m not a big, big hockey guy but I follow it. Jerry [York] was at school when I was there so I’m a big fan. My wife follows it closer than I do. Reer: We were out in the first round of the Beanpot. A little disappointing… Mr. Ryan: Yeah, clearly. I was watch-

BC upsets #5 Duke The BC men’s basketball team beat #5 Duke 80-74

By Kaitlin McKinley The Observer

With nearly 50 seconds remaining in the game, Reggie Jackson made a two-point jumper to break the final tie and gave Boston College the lead. The Eagles went on to score the next four points for an 80-74 victory over #5 Duke on Sunday. Tyrese Rice led the Eagles (19-8, 7-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) with 21 points including a key three pointer that gave Boston College the lead about halfway through the second half. It was BC’s first lead since their first possession of the game. “They’re good and they have one of the best players in the country,” Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said, referring to Rice. Joe Trapani contributed to the Eagles win with 20 points and seven rebounds. Jackson finished with 15 points and five rebounds. Kyle Singler led Duke (205, 7-4 ACC) with 25 points and eight rebounds. Gerald Hender-

son scored 20 points and had four rebounds for the Blue Devils. When the final buzzer sounded, BC students rushed the court from both ends to celebrate the win. The Eagles had lost the last eight games they played against the Blue Devils, and were 1-9 all-time. The last time they beat Duke was nearly 24 years ago on March 17, 1985. “We always felt that we had the talent. It’s getting them to understand what it takes,” Boston College coach Al Skinner said. Sunday’s victory was BC’s second win over a highly ranked team this season. The first was their 85-78 win over then-number one North Carolina in Chapel Hill on January 4th. It was North Carolina’s first loss. Trapani, who sat out last season after transferring from Vermont, said, “I would say in a perfect world we’re beating Duke and Carolina in my first year in the league.” The Eagles played a nationally ranked team for their third

game in a row. Prior to Sunday’s game, they had lost to #7 Wake Forest and #11 Clemson. At one point, Duke had a 13-point lead, but the Eagles went on an 8-0 run to cut Duke’s lead to five and end the first half 32-37. “You can’t mess around. If you have a team down you have to step on their throats. That’s been a problem with us this year we haven’t approached leads like that, so we need to change that,” Gerald Henderson said referring to Duke blowing their 13-point lead. BC made eight three pointers and had two dunks, which energized the crowd of 8,606 people in Conte Forum. There were a few Duke jerseys scattered throughout the arena, but their cheering was silenced by chants of “Let’s go Eagles.” The student sections behind the baskets consisted almost entirely of

See ‘Upset’ page 19

ing the first two periods and then turned it off because I didn’t see the team having a miracle finish in them. From the start of the season BU and Northeastern have been better. I’m not greedy, though. Jerry’s gotten the job done twice and I’ve been to at least five Frozen Fours or so. I know for a fact that at least twice I went from the Final Four to the Frozen Four. No one else in America did that I can promise you.

Spoonheads and Flix Spring Season Begins

By Lara Barger The Observer

The casual toss of the Frisbee may be fun to some people, but to members of the men and women’s club ultimate Frisbee team, this is not just an apathetic fling of a piece of plastic. This 175-gram disc is a way of life. Many colleges across the country, including Boston College, offer students the chance to participate in a club ultimate team. Men’s and women’s ultimate frisbee are two of the lowest funded club teams at Boston College. Although the team receives nominal funding from the university and does much fundraising to make more money, fun is not absent. The Men’s Spoonheads and Women’s Flix have grown close and become good friends. The name Spoonheads was conceived in the 1970s by free-spirited alumni who used to wear their hair in ponytails, and from behind they looked similar to spoonheads. The women’s team, the Flix, is a variation of one of the

basic Frisbee throws, the flick. “Only one or two of us knew how to play Frisbee before we came to BC, but as a team, we learned from each other and gained good friends, as well,” exclaims Mallory Heitzenrater CSOM ’10. The lone senior captain, Jackie Ouellet A&S ’09, has been with the team the longest and was one of the original members to revitalize the women’s team after a brief lapse without a team. After three years rebuilding the team, they are finally back on top and competing in multiple tournaments in both the fall and spring seasons. Before they can attend tournaments, both teams practice at least three times a week at the St. John’s Seminary fields during the fall and spring. If you ever see someone running with disc and cleats in hand, that’s where they’re headed. During the cold winter months, the teams practice in the annually constructed “bubble” placed over Alumni Stadium. Unfortunately, the prac-

See ‘Frisbee’ page 19