Spring Break
In defense of The Rover (No, seriously)
Andrew Nesi
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Viewpoint
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Andrew Nesi Presents "Real Men of Genius"
(REALLL MENN OF GENNNIIUUSSSS)
Today, we salute you, Mr. Irish Rover writer. (Mr. Irish Rover writer.)
No matter the topic, you take offense. As a white, Irish Catholic kid from a suburb of Chicago, you truly know what persecution feels like. (But my best friend is a black Jew.)
1-5? Maybe we should hire more devout Catholic football coaches. Then God will be on our side. (He can make Arrelious Benn transfer.)
Vagina Monologues? Queer Film Festival? Heck, you think we should still be all-male. (God likes men better!)
So crack open an ice cold Bud Light, Mr. Irish Rover writer. Or don't. You wouldn't want to disrespect your God-given body like that. (Mr. Irish Rover writer.)
I have a confession to make: I read The Irish Rover. I don't read it (just) for the comedic value. I don't read it (just) for its attempts at sarcasm. I don't read it (just) to find the poor grammar and giggle about it with noted Rover critic and Observer Scene editor Tae Andrews.
I faithfully read The Irish Rover because The Rover does this campus a service. It engages issues from an ideological perspective that, like it or not, is essential to a productive campus discussion. Of course, Rover writers are not universally "real men of genius." But they represent an important section of Notre Dame's population that must be engaged.
The Rover's Web site, outlines the publication's goals: "1. Defend the Faith and honorable traditions of this great University; 2. Articulate conservative principles; 3. Engage in collegial debate." It is not a newspaper per se; its claim to the "news" is tenuous at best. But that's not what The Rover purports to be. It fashions itself as a "watchdog" that defends our University from itself.
And it does a good job of it. According to its web site, The Rover believes that "Notre Dame's Roman Catholic identity has come under attack, due to controversial campus events as well as a steep decline in Catholic faculty." These have become The Rover's pet issues. It consistently bemoans decisions that oppose The Rover's understanding of Catholicism. In doing so, it accurately represents the views of a large number of Notre Dame students and an even larger number of Notre Dame alumni (or so alumni feedback on previous columns about abortion and gay sex would suggest).
(REALLL MENN OF GENNNIIUUSSSS)
Today, we salute you, Mr. Irish Rover writer. (Mr. Irish Rover writer.)
No matter the topic, you take offense. As a white, Irish Catholic kid from a suburb of Chicago, you truly know what persecution feels like. (But my best friend is a black Jew.)
1-5? Maybe we should hire more devout Catholic football coaches. Then God will be on our side. (He can make Arrelious Benn transfer.)
Vagina Monologues? Queer Film Festival? Heck, you think we should still be all-male. (God likes men better!)
So crack open an ice cold Bud Light, Mr. Irish Rover writer. Or don't. You wouldn't want to disrespect your God-given body like that. (Mr. Irish Rover writer.)
I have a confession to make: I read The Irish Rover. I don't read it (just) for the comedic value. I don't read it (just) for its attempts at sarcasm. I don't read it (just) to find the poor grammar and giggle about it with noted Rover critic and Observer Scene editor Tae Andrews.
I faithfully read The Irish Rover because The Rover does this campus a service. It engages issues from an ideological perspective that, like it or not, is essential to a productive campus discussion. Of course, Rover writers are not universally "real men of genius." But they represent an important section of Notre Dame's population that must be engaged.
The Rover's Web site, outlines the publication's goals: "1. Defend the Faith and honorable traditions of this great University; 2. Articulate conservative principles; 3. Engage in collegial debate." It is not a newspaper per se; its claim to the "news" is tenuous at best. But that's not what The Rover purports to be. It fashions itself as a "watchdog" that defends our University from itself.
And it does a good job of it. According to its web site, The Rover believes that "Notre Dame's Roman Catholic identity has come under attack, due to controversial campus events as well as a steep decline in Catholic faculty." These have become The Rover's pet issues. It consistently bemoans decisions that oppose The Rover's understanding of Catholicism. In doing so, it accurately represents the views of a large number of Notre Dame students and an even larger number of Notre Dame alumni (or so alumni feedback on previous columns about abortion and gay sex would suggest).