The Gadfly Vol. XVI, Iss. II
“To persuade and reproach” - Socrates, The Apology
February 14, 2012
One More Government Mess-up less!), the hearings were adjourned before the bill could even be addressed! Botch C: inefficiencies, miscommunication, and lack of due diligence on the side of the government stalled the bill even further, thus wasting more time of everyone involved (not to mention delaying the benefits of the bill for the citizenry!). Botch D: The government supposedly operates with agreed-upon rules, but during the life of this bill the rules were quickly amended and dropped at will, hindering the bill’s passage. Botch E: A bill requiring a much larger amount of the government’s discretionary funding, but only aiding a much smaller number of citizens, was easily Before I go into the exact details of this bill, I championed by the government, largely due am duty-bound to first stress the failures to sponsors with stronger political clout. associated with this bill’s attempted passage. Botch A: the bill’s sponsoring senator did not It’s about time we vote these bums out of perform up to quality standards by providing Washington, right?! Wrong. Sorry, dear reader, I am not writing about the US govno support once the bill was introduced. Botch B: when the private citizen was actual- ernment, but about our very own Franciscan University Student Government (FUSG). ly called to attend government hearings on And the bill? It’s a simple bill to extend the the bill (with a requested expert witness, no An ongoing government debacle has largely escaped the scrutiny of the mainstream media. A very simple, much-needed bill is being overly-debated, passed around, and generally mishandled. This bill certainly will not significantly change the face of the American way of life, but it will positively affect a large majority of the government’s constituents. Moreover, the bill does not require any increase in government spending, but rather diverts some of the government’s discretionary funds. To make matters even better, this succinct bill was recommended not by a professional politician, but by a private citizen!
hours at Finnegan Fieldhouse (Sunday, anyone?) for the remainder of the semester. I am not here to damage any reputations or name any names; I respect all our student leaders and appreciate their service. That said, my goal is to simply relay the truth and help inform the people who FUSG is liable to: us. If you are in favor of this bill, or at least would expect our own student government to not act like the current US government, let FUSG know! Finally, that bill that was agreed upon without a hitch? It was a bill to set aside $15,000 to the graduate-week festivities. While I don’t know the specifics of this legislation, other than the price tag, it seems that we could respectfully honor our graduates with less than $15,000…and I’m graduating this year.
Kevin LeRoy
Students for a Fair Society: La Via Media Standing amongst students, one may hear any variety of topics. These range from philosophical debates – often debates which were settled by Aristotle, Bonaventure or von Hildebrand – to where one is going to lunch. The food, be it bodily or intellectual, is always of the utmost importance for Franciscan students. In theory, each student at Franciscan University is dedicated to the truth, be it immediate truths, such as what to eat, or the perennial truths, such as the existence of moral absolutes. This is why it irks me to no end to hear lies and calumny against other students. I heard a student yesterday speak of the Students for a Fair Society (SFS) negatively. In itself, there is no problem with this. Each person is entitled to an opinion on any given topic. It was not so much the negativity that roused suspicion in me so much as it was what was directly said. His two statements were calumnious, both of which were then directed first at the SFS, then at another student directly. The first statement, “Students for Socialism” was immediately followed by what this student considered to be a qualifier, “Students for Abortion”. Then, said student proceeded on his tirade against
SFS, speaking of other students with a rather regarding the Five Non-Negotiable Policies, laid out in the USCCB’s document “Forming disdainful comportment. Consciences for Faithful Citizenship”. Here, Often, our student body compartmentalizes it would be absurd to say the Democratic politics, placing one on the right and another Party line is better suited to Catholic on the left. The Right, often considered synthought. The non-negotiable policies are the onymous with the Republican Party, and the most important regarding political elections, Left, often equated as the Democratic Party, but we must also admit that there are more are the two extremes of political discourse. policies to take into account to find the best You are one or the other, so say many of our Catholic candidate. To clarify, I am not saystudents. Even as one begins to examine ing we need to avoid the questions of aborthose independents, they are scrutinized by tion, cloning, et cetera, but we must also look their Rightist or Leftist tendencies, and are at the other social justice issues that have a henceforth judged as a Rightist or Leftist less significant moral weight so as to find the accordingly. Ignoring the poor logic of this judgment, I do propose an idea which may be most fitting Catholic candidate. new to many, and exceedingly obvious to When we look at topics like immigration, others: Catholic identity demands a via media, health care, and the death penalty, we are called to see the big picture. While it is true a middle way. that the Church does leave room morally for I am not speaking of bending or changing the the death penalty, many of the American theology or philosophy of the Church, but bishops have called for a repeal of this policy. rather I am suggesting a deeper personal I, on principle, am for capital punishment but evaluation of the Church’s claims, so as to I too see the absence of necessity in the avoid the dichotomous nature of American American system. politics. Often, many approach the idea of politics, as Catholics, from a necessarily Republican bent. I will be the first to admit, this seems to be the most perfect way for us. The Republican Party line is most fitting as
We have the ability to hold convicts in prison, and in some instances, reform them, but (See Fair Society, page 7)
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St. Moses the Black, pray for us!
Staff: Business Manager: Alexander Pyles (A.S.P.)
Layout Editor: A.J. Miller (A.J.M.)
Copy Editor: Victoria Bonutti
Editor-in-Chief: Daniel Romeyn Davis (D.R.D.)
LETTER FROM THE EDITOR: Dear Gadflies, I find it necessary to begin this letter by issuing a formal apology to the Franciscan University Student Government (SG) for some words that were published in the last edition of The Gadfly. In an article written by Nikolai Vlahakis, members of SG were generically insulted as being “senseless.” Such Ad hominem attacks are clearly not conducive towards courteous dialogue between individuals and have no place in this publication (as they are logical fallacies). As the Editor-in-Chief of The Gadfly, I take full responsibility for not having edited out those comments; I sincerely apologize for my lapse of judgment. In hindsight, it is clear to me that N. Vlahakis’ article did not correspond to the standards that we seek to uphold here at The Gadfly. In other news, I welcome you, the readers, to another exciting issue of The Gadfly! I encourage you all to carefully read the articles in this issue and to keep an open mind about those opinions that may be other than your own. Again, as always, I strongly encourage you to write a response to any article that you might disagree with. In this way, we can keep alive the spirit of Socrates in this publication – which is to “bite the sleeping horse” of those issues regarding student life here at Franciscan University. In Christ,
** Please note that the views held in the individual articles are those of the respective authors and do not necessarily express the views of the whole staff, nor the University administration. **
Interested in writing for The Gadfly? Email us at notestothegadfly@gmail.com
~Mission Statement~ The Gadfly is an attempt to “bite the sleeping horse” in the spirit of Socrates. It is a student publication whose purpose is to facilitate discussion concerning campus and cultural issues as they pertain to students of Franciscan University. It aims to be a forum for open, well-thought out, and honest discussion towards the end of knowing and loving truth in its most robust sense.
Interim Advisor: James Harold, PhD
Advisor Extraordinaire: John R. White, PhD Cover Art: The Death of Socrates; Jacques-Louis David
D.R.D.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Last month, James Fortin wrote short, mostly respectful letter to the editor from a conservative standpoint regarding the Occupy Movement. In that same issue, a more left-leaning writer (took advantage of his insider knowledge?) to immediately respond with a three-page rant directed at James, pretty much implying the dude’s damnation. Although some of Nikolai Vlahakis’ arguments regarding Occupy were well-founded – and I agree with him on some points – the arguments in his letter are far from bulletproof. Nevertheless it is not the purpose of my letter to argue for either side of this debate, but rather to comment on the style of execution. My expectations for The Gadfly are not exactly high, and I’ve come to expect a humorous dose of embarrassing rants in each issue. However, the reason I am writing this letter is due to the almost hilarious level of shameless personal attack in Nikolai’s letter. He makes several unsubstantiated assumptions about James, questions his backbone, and even dares to call James’ nonbelligerent (and much shorter) letter a “silly rant” that was “filled with hatred.” His overall tone lacks decency, respect, and general civility, instead resorting to condescension and denigrating remarks. Let’s take a quick look at the highlights: “I hope the fiery pits aren’t too warm to cause the tires on your BMW to melt…” “…if Conservative Jansenist Secularist Materialism were a religion, you’d be a saint – and so would the most of the campus. Read a book.” In essence Nikolai turns his distaste for James’ point of view into an ap-
parently total and public disdain for the man. Some may object, “But Joe, he was just kidding. It’s supposed to be funny…” One, is that true? And two, if it is, I doubt James found it funny. Listen, people, no matter what side of the argument you fall on, Ad Hominem arguments always fail to contribute to constructive intellectual dialogue. In addition to betraying a lack of moral character, such disrespect is extremely effective in repelling people from your perspective, regardless of its validity. Just a tip for next time. Oh, and to The Gadfly: I’m a little disappointed that you even published a letter like that without asking Nikolai to edit it first. While I respect you for attempting to be a forum for thoughtprovoking discussion, it’s the articles like these that totally undermine the process and discredit your entire publication. If anyone did miss the article, I encourage them to go read it online, as it is a prime example of whatnot to do. “But Joe… didn’t you yourself just make a bunch of personal attacks in this very letter?” No, I’m sure Nikolai is a good man, who truly stands for what he believes. He just shouldn’t be writing editorial letters if he can’t leave his feelings out of it. This is a call to anyone arguing anything anywhere: man up and be decent about it. Sincerely, Joe Houde, Business Manager - Troubadour
St. Felicity, pray for us!
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The Classics?! So this is your opinion of me. Thank you for explaining so fully. Perhaps these offences might have been overlooked had not your pride been hurt by my honesty...
~ Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
A Dash of Prudence: A Response to the Angry Papist's Article "Of God and Body: Why Modesty Is More Than What You Wear" This latest issue of the Gadfly was quite the pleasant surprise: finally, this publication is starting to tackle a major issue that rocks people's boats. Well, that, and it now boasts a self-acclaimed "Wosonman" who appears not to understand the intended humorous slant of the "Man Event" advertising, despite his claims to having a sense of humor, but that is neither here nor there. What I am writing in about is to serve as a reminder to all that opposing Jansenism requires some caution, so that we (in our zeal to safeguard the beauty of human sexuality) do not wind up glossing over some very real issues. I feel that the Angry Papist's staunch offensive against Jansenism rather overlooked some aspects of modesty, in its haste to glorify God's creation. He seems to promote a sort of sexual relativism, where anything can be modest in the correct context. I call this into question. Before I go any further, I'd like to make a very important distinction between two different concepts: sexuality and sexualization. Sexuality, aligned with Catholicism and the Theology of the Body, is an expression and appreciation of the natural physical beauty of the male or female body. It views the body of each sex as good, whole, and integrated with the person. Sexualization, on the other hand, strips the person down to their sex, exaggerating its importance in comparison to the rest of their person. Sexuality is good; sexualization is bad. If you have any objections to this statement, then stop reading, right now. The Papist's article most sought to provoke (and there is nothing wrong with provocation, I might add; I rather enjoyed how provocative both articles on this topic were) reaction by asserting that "Even the bikini, however, can be totally modest if worn with dignity and humility, as well as for the right reasons (like feeling good about one's own appearance, for instance) and in the right place (like a beach or pool)." Fair enough. But this is one example that I would point to of glossing-over. Time to stop being theoretical, and time to start getting practical. In the past two decades, the vast majority of bikini designs are sexualizing. It's as simple as that. They do not promote a healthy sexuality. Here's why. (If you are offended by non-graphic mentions of human
anatomy that you would get in your Biology class, you may stop reading now.) Quite simply, the standard bikini cut is made to pack the breasts in, exaggerating their size and shape, and exposing the bosom with as much cleavage as possible. The purpose of this design is to make male beachgoers well aware of a simple fact that I've known for a long time: women have breasts. (Mind you, this reminder might possibly be necessary for the creature known as the "homo moronis", whom the modern bikini is apparently targeted towards, but it sure isn't necessary for me.) You could actually contrast this with the 40s and 50s bikini, which was far more tasteful, and actually made a point of focusing on sexuality instead of sexualization. It actually looked like a fashion statement, instead of glorified undergarments meant to draw attention to small portions of a woman's body. Now, you answer me this: which approach do you think draws attention to the woman as a complete person, and not just as bits of anatomy that are interesting to look at? I'll let you chew on that for a bit. (I would like to pause here, and reflect on one of the Papist's other claims: "The person sinning will be held responsible in this life and the next, and unless you were purposely trying to lead them into that sin, their sin isn't your responsibility." You may not be entirely responsible in this situation, but that certainly doesn't mean you can be entirely absolved. I offer to you a simple analogy: if you own a gun, but leave it loaded around the house, not in a locked cabinet, are you responsible when a child picks it up, plays with it, and shoots someone? That's legally termed negligence. By default, we do have a responsibility to be aware of our mode of dress, of the temptations it can offer, and of a reasonable prudence in respect to those around us.) The final key to healthy sexuality and modesty is the glorification of the human body as an integrated part of the person. If an article of clothing reasonably and primarily provokes the thought "She's got nice breasts." or "Man, that guy has buff pecs." or "Nice backside!", instead of accentuating and showcasing the beauty of the body of that person, the beauty of that person, something's probably off. (See Prudence, page 7)
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Professor Quote of the Week:
“I don’t want to confuse you, but Jesus offers Jesus to Jesus”
~ Dr. Regis Martin
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St. Idisdore the Farmer, pray for us!
From the Desk of the Layout Editor—An Appeal Dear Gadflies,
This is where I remove my hat as layout editor and put on my writer’s cap. I have someFirst: Allow me to introduce myself. I am A.J. thing to say, and I hope you will hear me out. Miller, the new layout editor for The Gadfly I have worked pretty hard on this edition, and I There has been a lot of talk lately on campus would be remiss if I did not thank the former about the First Amendment. layout editors — especially most recently, “Obama is trampling the First Amendment Anna Schiedermayer — for all of their hard religious freedom with the healthcare bill,” is work for The Gadfly. I am in my third year at an oft-repeated refrain. He is, but that is beFranciscan, and I am a journalism major. I sides the point — after all, there are four othhave been writing for The Troubadour for the er freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendlast semester, so you may have seen my name ment. on their articles — if you read them. Freedom of Speech, Freedom to Assemble Second: Please, write for The Gadfly. We need Peaceably, Freedom of the Press and Freedom more articles. I was rather saddened with this to Petition the Government for Redress of edition that I needed to cut four pages from Grievances. the template in order to remove empty, white pages. I am now faced with an important deci- I could talk about freedom of speech in order to fill the next column and a half, but I’ll just sion: cut my own article or fill almost two entire pages with my own writing. I am a fast give it a brief mention—lip service, if you will. writer and copy-edit as I go, so I think I can Freedom of speech does not give you the right get away with it … this time. to be an a******. Yes, it is a measure of freeThird: We at The Gadfly are always trying to make ourselves better. I was brought on as layout editor in order to have a layout editor that can devote more time to the publication. This is a part of an ongoing attempt to make The Gadfly more appealing to you, the reader. As part of this attempt to make The Gadfly more appealing to you, we would like your input. We at The Gadfly are considering changing away from the current layout . We want to hear from you before we move forward. What do you like about the current layout? What don’t you like? What would you do differently? Would you leave it as it is? Obviously, we can’t please everyone. But we would like to please you, the reader.
A.J.M.
criticizing Franciscan University Student Government (FUSG) so prominently on the front page, especially when the second page included an apology from him regarding libelous comments in Nikolai Vlahakis’ article last edition. LeRoy’s article was given such prominence deliberately, but not by Dan Davis. By me, A.J. Miller. Writing cap: Questioning the government is the duty of citizens. If citizens did not question the government, we would still be speaking with British accents. If citizens did not question the government, Anne Frank would not have survived in an attic for years during World War II. The press is a way to question the government. The press has been called the “watchdog” of the government and the “fourth estate,” adding a check and balance to the Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of the Federal Government.
dom of speech to call SFS “students for communism,” but it is also slanderous and comI know that we are not popular among some pletely unfounded. Freedom of speech lets you circles, but we do not wish to be popular, we name-call and belittle someone as much as wish to be right. Part of doing the right thing you want, but you are still being an a******. is, as Widmer said, to shine light into dark In this day and age, we are told that freedom places and bring up the topics that no-one of speech means that I can say whatever I wants to hear. want without any consequences. It DOES No one wants to hear that FUSG is someNOT. I encourage you, readers (if I have any times incompetent. We would all love to left at this point), to give consequence to peoshove FUSG’s shortcomings into a dark little ple’s words. If someone is speaking slanders, corner and not think about it. We would all correct them; if someone is speaking hate, love to only think about the positive things respond with love and correct them. that FUSG puts out. FUSG’s shortcomingsLets talk about the freedom of the press. Ancorner now has a light on it. Welcome to a dreas Widmer (the Swiss Guard who gave a free press. speech in November) said this about the press: We at The Gadfly firmly believe in a free press “The free press should be the sunlight into for a free society. We do not always publish corners – into shadowy corners.” When there what is popular or what will keep us “under are shadowy corners that need light, the press the RADAR.” We stir the kettle. We publish brings that light to bear. controversy. We “bite the sleeping horse,” as Let me put my editor’s hat back on for a spell: Socrates was wont to do in ancient Greece. Dan Davis, Editor in Chief of The Gadfly, questioned my decision to place the article
A.J.M.
WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! WRITE! Tell us what you think by emailing: notestothegadfly@gmail.com
St. Teresa of Avila, pray for us!
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Cultivating a Free Garden and it is the Catholic values that resonate most truly with the common person’s mind and heart. Catholicism gives a garden its fullest meaning and most vibrant beauty. For example, in the 2008 presidential elections, the policies of candidate Ron Paul, a devout Catholic, corresponded with public opinion more than any other. Ron Paul was eliminated from the race because the media refused to acknowledge his positions and simply kept him from speaking, especially in regard to his opposition of the Federal Reserve. Several of the same men who are heavily invested in the privately owned Federal Reserve Bank also happen to own enormous media conglomerates that serve as the main stage for political debate. This is a dubious coincidence. Catholicism shakes the established economic power center because it gives relatively equal power to every individual, meaning that those who have acquired the most also have the most sacrifice to make. Big business indoctrinates the public with two opposing antiWhat is polluting children? What influences Catholic (anti-universal) platforms, knowing in popular culture are violating children’s that the people would call them to make those freedom to be themselves? The fundamental sacrifices if the public were ever to unite. problem is the culture’s saturation in antiThis subtle manipulation keeps people busy Catholic rhetoric. Society has been manipudisputing among themselves, and not with lated by the corporate media into thinking them. The rich are architects and sowers of Americans are split into two ideological polarpoisonous seeds influencing the minds of ities. These ideologies invade the mental many, but taking root with least resistance in landscape and create the illusion of disagreement. This coerced division is successful pre- the receptive soil of children. cisely because these ideologies, the political The moral dichotomy of the rich, then, manipparties, split Catholic values down the middle, ulates popular culture and consequently polA child’s mind is permeable like the earth. The soil accepts water, acid, coffee, or blood without prejudice. But only water feeds growth, and what does not nourish depletes. A child is a fertile garden with hungry soil. A garden is defined by its borders: where the grasses end and the flowers begin. To fulfill the garden’s potential for beauty, the gardener digs out the waste and the weeds and plants the seeds he wants to grow. In regulating the social influences on children, the objective is to minimize pollutants within the garden and maximize flowering; the goal is to expand children’s freedom to express themselves within the boundaries of who they are. Today’s culture is violent to children because of the massive volume of pollution it rains over their gullible heads and innocent hearts. Adults learn to reject poison, but a child receives everything as good. As a family nurtures its garden, parents must be stewards of their children.
lutes children. On one end, their example teaches that the goal of business is monopolization of industry. The best way to preserve one’s status is to eliminate competition. This is, roughly, called modern “conservative economics.” The irrational recourse to violence, the undeserved respect given to gangsters, the disproportionate interest in sports, and the dull concern with being rich are all symptoms of the “conservative” imbalance. It is an imbalance because it ignores the doctrine of equal human dignity. The “conservatives” erect fortifications to profile their gardens but the ground inside is dead and barren. “Liberalism,” on the other end, results from rich people’s lack of discipline in love and irresponsible use of power. Society is led to believe that morality is relative because it is “just too hard” for some people not to have an abortion, or not to have premarital sex, or not to commit adultery, or not to act on their homosexuality; and therefore, they say, these acts must be identifiable with who those people are as persons, specifically as members of a family. But this is an imbalance at the other end. The monstrous majority of people in history have agreed about what a family is: one man and one woman bound by a life commitment. The “liberals” build gardens without boundaries so that the word garden becomes indistinguishable from wilderness. Children cannot be amputated from the popu(See Garden, page 7)
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St. Ansgar, pray for us! The Dark Night:
Poetry Corner
I clench my fist and slam it on the table that lies before me, A sharp cry of pain issues forth from my parted lips, Not a cry of physical torment. No, but rather a cry issuing out from the very depths of my soul. A cry that seeks understanding, that seeks meaning, For out of the center of my consciousness lies brooding a dark void.
Wood and Imagination A lone rocking horse sits on a street corner coated in years of dust two hand prints can be seen made by the elderly man who carried it there It is nothing fancy no buttons to make noise no electronics to light it up just simple wood and yarn but oh, the memories it encases! The children who once rode it are now grown and have children of their own who play with lit screens and whirring machines never to know the simple pleasure of a wooden rocking horse and the imagination and then the garbage truck comes...
There exists the very heart of emptiness, the core of my being, An emptiness, that from its throne goes forth to infect every fiber of my being, Slowly now, day-after-day, this emptiness has been growing within me, Growing to a size and darkness not yet seen before, And I tremble upon seeing this void. I shake with that unquenchable fear of the man who stands before the firing squad. As a man so wholly self-absorbed in his own impending disaster, That disaster of his approaching death. For at that moment the clock strikes midnight, and the breath of man falls still, And man is never again to breathe in that sweet oxygen, that formula of life. That formula upon which all life depends, it is pitiful, this state of ours, and so lamentable, but who is there to lament our fate, For there is no one, no one beyond ourselves to decry our fate
what a modern world we have fashioned.
Thus, we are alone here on this journey, For no one can join with us when we cross the river Styx, That path must be taken alone, and to what end, nobody knows.
Angelina Ferralli D.R.D. Crayola can be Confusing As you smash your candy necklace into clattering fragments and allow your biggest bubble to pop on the sidewalk, beware of the inner child And as your clothing tightens, pressed against your curves as the eyes of men are drawn to your oil canvas face, beware of the inner child You walk with feline confidence today elevated above your peers on shoes made of sticks, and you have forgotten her. For this she will whisper doubt into your left ear her sticky fingers will draw out the words “What happened to your dreams?” And then I will pity you as you try to glue the sugar back into a necklace, you’ll grab frantically at your bubble wand using it to conduct an imaginary symphony to the inner child And she will grin Angelina Ferralli
Thankful Gratefulness uncaught by word A melody thats seldom heard a beauty not believed by sight humble heart reach heavens height this power lures the other here his spear impales the heart with fear and blood pours out into a song a hymn of praise a life-time long History testifies to Love nature's flight seeks God above And spirals of creation flow from tree to sky, from sun to soul Time beseeches men to listen to the memory of Tradition Monumental arts and missions Lover's liturgies like litmus Now, fatherless so lost to lust daughthers not free to love in trust pain comes from lessons forgotten families destroyed as devils plotted
A hidden Hero comes to call the one the Son anointed raw Empty vessel, broke inside, he shouts aloud his battle cry: "O God how great thou art, who sees the gratefulness of he who bleeds and gives to him the gift of growth in likeness of Your Holy Host Jesus, in whose name we pray though soaked in sorrow, still we play in garden that Your Body made which gathers thickness from the rain A spousal flesh, an earthen home Holy Spirit's seed thats sown Your water washes over world Born of the "Yes" of Heaven's Girl Sunlight spectrums blossom from Her soul, and Life the victory won Her womb bears it, immortal fruit, freedom birthed, eternal youth." Cole Viscichini
Your poem ^here^ submit to: notestothegadfly@gmail.com
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St. Clare of Assisi, pray for us!
Pop Culture Quote: ”Alright, but apart from the sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?“ ~Monty Python’s Life of Brian charity, and one would do well to remember this. The Students for a Fair Society, as hopefully My speech is short, perhaps ineloquent, but all the groups, households and persons on necessary. I do not wish to say that you must campus strive to be, are dedicated to Catholic not vote in the upcoming election, nor will I Social Teaching in all its aspects. We cannot say how you should vote. The non-negotiable assume that being for health care is being for policies are important, and remember them abortion. We cannot suppose being antiwell as you enter the voting booth. But do capitalist – which, to extents, the Church is – not assume that economics, immigration, means being socialist. More well-versed stuhealth care or any other social justice issue is dents and professors can explain the Catholic not important at all just because it carries a third way economic system of Distributism, less significant weight. Aspects of the Left supported by G.K. Chesterton and lived out in and the Right are fully correct, but it is this the Catholic Worker Movement, established dichotomy that we must abandon. We must by Ven. Dorothy Day, amongst various other remind ourselves that the Catholic way is the faithful Catholics and non-religious persons. via media, the mean between the extremes. To say, specifically of other students, that they are anti-Catholic because of the differing view on the economy, immigration, or health - Joseph Antoniello care is defamatory at best. It is a sin against But above all else, be Catholic.
(Fair Society from page 1)
that is something for another time. The Church has often encouraged basic health care be granted for citizens, and in itself, did not oppose Obamacare. Rather, it was aspects of this reform that the Church did object to, e.g. abortion, contraception, and euthanasia being covered. The Church is also heavily critical of immigration laws in America. Often, persons say that welfare states should not allow for immigration. The Church objects, saying that well-off nations should necessarily welcome migrants (cf. CCC 2241). If one only looked at these positions of the Church, they might say the Church is for Democrats. If one only looks at abortion and same-sex marriage, one might say the Church is Republican. Are either of these statements true? Simply put, no. The Church is Catholic. As I have said in the past, be a Democrat or be a Republican.
ing particularly emphasizes, to the detriment Those thoughts are not bad to have, but they of all else. certainly shouldn't be the overriding or priIn the end, that's the important point. Some mary points of interest at first glance. They clothing does present a substantial barrier to really shouldn't be the points which the clothmodesty, because it exaggerates sexualized features of the body. That exaggeration is (Prudence from page 3)
dren should be informed about why the world is divided the way it is and be taught to balance the existing political duality against a comprehensive understanding of reality and its oneness. They cannot rely on science, for mere science is like the conservative’s garden: it is logic without love for people. Mechanistic reasoning will not survive the test of peer pressure; few human beings will value a mathematical formula over their friends. Nor will a relativistic morality suffice, for then men and women are degraded to irrational beasts, as if a garden were equivocal to any common field
(Garden from page 5)
lar culture because the social environment is a necessary element of their education. Connecting with the contemporary social paradigm is an important rite of passage. That is why parents must embrace their responsibility as the primary educators. “The role of parents in education is of such importance that it is almost impossible to provide an adequate substitute.” Adults must equip the youth with the critical thinking skills they need to discern wholesome truth amidst the media’s barrage of half-truths and imprudent opinions. Chil-
made, to the detriment of modesty and to the detriment of sexuality. Don't settle for less. Settle for class. ~Curubethion in nature. Children should be raised in the image of God, accepting Christ as their Truth and The Spirit as their Love. Children should be gardens defining their limits by Christian Teaching and decorating their hearts with the fruits of Charity, and then, they will flower through the seasons with an infinite array of colors and beautify the earth to their supreme potential.
Are you experienced?
As a writer, that is.
Join the Gadfly!
Cole Viscichini
St. Catherine of Alexandria, pray for us!
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Wine, Wit and Waggery Kittens, the embodiment of all sin and desolation on the planet, Daemonic minions disguised behind a cute, cuddly, and alluring facade. I am here today to warn all of the terror that is - the kitten.
again, and eat, more and more.
Sloth. No kitten does not sleep through most of his or her lives, some sleeping up to 26 hours a day. Every kitten shows their enslaved humans that sleeping and becoming lazy are things to While one would assume that something made by God could not be relished and enjoyed. Kittens will go so far as to sit upon a possibly be so inherently evil, and one would assume that some- human’s lap while it is watching television, or attempting to accomplish some real work, to prevent it from arising, and makthing so cute would be safe, one would be dangerously wrong. ing it harder to complete the work it set out to accomplish. KitBehind the face of every kitten sits a snarling monster, waiting tens will also assume sleeping positions atop humans who are to devour another poor soul for the glory of his or her dark Lord. asleep, to entice them to sleep ever longer. As Catholics, we are taught to destroy all evil, so thusly we are Greed. Kittens always want more. More attention, more sleep, required by Church law and teaching, to eradicate every kitten more love, more worship, more things to scratch, more yarn to on the planet, to save souls from eternal damnation. ruin, more little red lights to chase around the floor in cute little Now you may think I sound crazy, and maybe I am, but maybe circles, and more cat-nip. They teach all humans, that more is I’m not, and I’m not going to risk my soul being eaten by a ven- always better, more is more pleasurable, more enjoyable, more omous “kitty-kat”. You may not believe me, but I hope to prove happiness, and more always leads to wanting even more. it to you, before it is too late. Envy. Anytime two kittens are in the same room, they each need I shall begin by stating that they are vile tempters and temptequal attention, equal food, equal play, equal everything. If one resses, who allure us with their lavish lives of sin and debauchreceives slightly more, a blood feud erupts between the two kitery. tens. Kittens also use their cuteness to create deep-seated feelings of envy amongst other cat owners. Cat owners always They show us the path clearly through the seven most deadly flaunt the cuteness of their kittens, and whenever one sees anothsins. er kitten that they consider cuter, they immediately begin plotPride, the root of all evil, the one thing every kitten shares. All ting the downfall of the other, following the guide of their own kittens believe that they are far superior to every other being. pet kittens. Since the beginning of kitten kind, they have lorded themselves Lust. Kittens, Pussy Cats, whatever you would like to call them, over humanity, even going so far as to enslave an entire race of people, the Egyptians. They enslaved them, taught them idola- does not change the fact that they have been engrained into our culture as symbols of lust, sex, and debauchery. All throughout try, and made them bow before their mighty prowess. Every person who has ever owned a cat falls to their vile nature, claim- the Internet and other forms of media, kittens are used in reference to sexuality. They are used to describe anything to be lusting that they, these “cat-people”, are far superior to any other ed after. kind of animal loving person. By now it should be clear that Kittens will lead you down the Wrath. Anyone who has ever pet a kitty knows that they are surest path to damnation. The only way to save humanity is the quick to anger, lashing out with their claws they easily entice more to fall victim to the wrath that they themselves embody. A entire annihilation of the cat species. The Lord knows that anything that could lead us to sin is inherently evil, and thus could certain man by the name of Poe captured this in one tale, a tale not have been made by him, and is really a conjuration of the where a lone cat drove a man to wrath-filled insanity. devil. He knows and trusts that we will see this ploy, and save Gluttony. Some cats gorge themselves on a daily, going so far as ourselves. I propose that the first step toward the salvation of to torment the people that they live with, for we all know now mankind should be the total eradication of all kittens. that cats really own the people, incessantly until they have been fed their fill. These people learn from their cats, and they too begin to gorge when they become frustrated with their kittens, ~ The Q and with every forced trip to the pantry, they become hungry
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