The Gadfly “To persuade and reproach” - Socrates, The Apology
Vol. IX, Iss. 4 October 21, 2008
Voting “Outside the Box” If you're not one of those rank and file FUS Republicans, chances are this election may be a close call for you. If you're tired of the "single issue voting" standard, you might actually be leaning towards Obama. On the other hand if McCain isn't conservative enough for you, you might either be on the lookout for a third party or will just end up voting for your roommate this November. Whatever you decide, just realize that as a swing voter in the state of Ohio, you are part of a privileged group which decided
the election four years ago and may do so again. You may ask, "What if a candidate's Pro-Choice but is right about everything else?" There are always a few brave souls on campus who try to think outside the box – who try to illuminate the usual rank and file FUS Republicans on the notion that there are other issues at stake beyond simply life issues. Certainly, you've heard priests say that it's a sin to vote for a Pro-Choice candidate. Certainly you've seen a plethora of bumper stickers around campus
saying "If you vote Pro-Choice, you are Pro-Choice." But this all seems so dogmatic and uninformed. Well, I think you're mistaken on this one. But in this article I'm not going to appeal to any of these slogans or sayings. Voting for a Pro-Life candidate shouldn't be a matter of single issue voting at all. That's the wrong way to think about it. Check-marking issues on a score card is a misleading analogy when it comes to life issues. On campus, we talk a lot about things being "random." Well, Continued on page 6
SWOP Worker Ode Pray as though everything depended on God. Work as though everything depended on you. Surely, the holy and prudent St. Augustine had the Franciscan University SWOP worker in mind when he jotted down these words of wisdom. I know with certainty that when I read this quote for the first time, ten minutes ago to be exact, that the insight contained within our Doctor’s advice was meant for my ears if not for the ears of all my colleagues. I proudly stand in the ranks of the few, the proud, the minimum wage earners. Those brave men and women,
who keep this humble University on its feet, in shipshape and ever stocked with mail. Did you know that over 800 students are employed by the very institution that educates them? I, for one, though I just read that statistic a moment ago, am not that surprised. One can’t take a simple stroll through campus without practically stepping on a SWOP worker. They are, quite frankly, everywhere. Try to walk through St. Joseph’s on a Thursday morning and you will see my point. Washing windows, polishing floors, vacuuming, dusting, and you should see what the other guy does! In fact,
right now, I would like to give a nod (make that grand bow) to the Christ-like custodial workers. Hands down, the quiet, ragwielding militia has, over all other jobs, my greatest respect. Yes, there are other jobs are that are more physically trying and mentally exhausting, but no one beats the custodial worker in self-sacrifice. One needs only to say “rubber gloves.” And then there is that special group of SWOP workers. I, myself, have secretly longed for one of their jobs, but have long given up the quest. Continued on page 7