Category: Blog

Via Reuters: Senate confirms Bush nominee Alito to high court

WASHINGTON, Jan 31 (Reuters) – A sharply divided U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court, backing a second conservative nominated by President George W. Bush in his effort to move the nation’s highest court to the right.

The largely party-line vote was 58-42 to replace the more moderate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor with Alito, a federal appeals judge since 1990, came four months after the Senate approved Bush’s first Supreme Court nominee, John Roberts, as U.S. chief justice.

Well my friends, I hope you like those civil liberties you had…. The court is now officially tipped severely to the right.

-A

Yep… You read that right. Those are our president’s views on the Constitution. At least that’s what Dvorak.org and Capitol Hill Blue are reporting this morning. In fact, just for context, here’s the quote from CHB:

“Stop throwing the Constitution in my face,” Bush screamed back. “It’s just a goddamned piece of paper!”

Interesting, don’t you think? So, Bush doesn’t like the constitution. Apparently, upon further reading, he’s not the only one, also from CHB:

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, while still White House counsel, wrote that the “Constitution is an outdated document.”

Ok.. We already knew that we had an administration who did not give a damn about the civil liberties of the American people. Apparently now, they don’t like our Constitution, either. Kind of brings me back to the comment the shrub made about how it [I believe the ‘War on Terror’] would be easier if it were a dictatorship. In my opinion, this guy needs to go and go now. Isn’t there some way, outside of an impeachment hearing, that we can force Bush out of office? Can’t we recall him like California did to Gray Davis? Seriously, this guy scares me.

Btw.. Anyone seen the rumor that Bush is drinking again?

-A

Technorati Tags: Bush, Politics

I’m a little late to the game on this one, but hey, I’ve got a full-time job and have been a bit busy.

Over the weekend I noticed that 1832 and MU Warrior were reporting on this story. The “Reader’s Digest” version of this is as follows: A dental student blogged about a prof, said some negative comments (even though he never named the prof.), and now the dental school has suspended him for violation of their conduct policy even though the school’s ethicist says there was nothing wrong with him posting this.

Honestly, I blogged while I was at Marquette. I said things about some of the BREC profs. that probably were negative. Guess what, the First Amendment guarantees me the right to do that as long as I’m not defaming or saying anything libelous about them. Now I’m sure that Marquette can supersede some rights since it’s a private institution, however, I would think that they could not touch something hosted on a privately owned server (though I am no lawyer).

Anyway, there’s an online petition that’s sponsored by Dr. McAdams, 1832, the CRs, the CDs, and several other groups. I’m linking to it because I think this whole this is a total load of BS and we should support the student’s right to criticize his prof.

If you want more on the story, there’s full coverage from:

Dr. McAdam’s MU Warrior
The Marquette Tribune
1832
JS Online
and even (thanks to Dr.McAdam’s since I don’t read the blog) GOP3.com

In closing, I think all of us, whether we’re current students or alumni like myself, need to make it known to Marquette that Free Speech is an important right and this student should not have been suspended because he exercised it.

-A

Technorati Tags: dental student suspended, Marquette, Marquette University

And this time I have proof! There was an a blog entry that I came across via John C. Dvorak’s blog called “Why Bush Believes His Lies“. It’s a pretty damn interesting read. Here’s a few snippets..

But recognition only raises the deeper question: why, in the face of incontrovertible evidence to the contrary, does Bush persist in this way? How does it help him to continue repeating himself to a nation that increasingly believes he is lying on several fronts? How does his refusal to meet with Cindy Sheehan help him?

There is a two-part answer to this question: First, as far as Bush is concerned, he is telling the truth; as Madeleine Albright recently said to Columbia Magazine: “the most serious problem is that George Bush now believes what he says.” Like many of my hospitalized patients, Bush has created a vast, detailed but vague delusional system he feels compelled to maintain at all costs. This system helps him manage the terrifying anxiety that threatens to make his already endangered inner world more chaotic.

This, if you hadn’t gathered yet, is being written by a shrink, In case you don’t believe me, here (from his bio):

Justin Frank M.D. is an expert in the field of psychoanalysis. A clinician with more than thirty year’s experience, Dr. Frank has also been a former columnist for Salon magazine and is a frequent writer on topics as diverse as politics, film, and theater.

Anyway, just through I should you know, share the news… Of course, most of us knew this all along….

-A

On iTunes: War Pigs from the album “We Sold Our Soul for Rock’n’Roll” by Black Sabbath

Technorati Tags: Bush

It’s official, we’re staying the Golden Eagles…

Dear Members of the Marquette Community,

I am pleased to announce that our athletics nickname effective July 1st will be the Golden Eagles. This decision was made by you, the Marquette community, through the “MU Voice” voting process. I want to thank all of you who participated in “MU Voice” for taking the time to vote for the nickname that we will use as we enter the Big East Conference on July 1st.

The name Golden Eagles has a proud association in Marquette’s history since it was our name from 1994 to the present. I am pleased that this tradition will continue in the Big East Conference, one of the most prestigious and competitive conferences in the nation. The Big East is also known for the academic quality of its student-athletes, and our Marquette student-athletes will be no exception. They excel both in the classroom and in athletic competition.

Ultimately, more than one-third of the Marquette community eligible to vote participated in either phase one or phase two of the voting process, with 35,777 total individuals casting votes. Thank you for your passion and enthusiasm for Marquette University. Your dedication is vital to ensuring our future progress and success.

Let me also thank Advantage Research, Inc., the independent firm that administered “MU Voice,” for creating and executing an honest, fair and scientific process. Finally, I would like to acknowledge the work of the Nickname Advisory Committee, comprised of representatives from the Marquette community, for ensuring the integrity and transparency of this process.

For additional information about our athletics nickname, including press releases and voting results, please visit www.marquette.edu/nickname [http://www.alumni.marquette.edu/mw_go.asp?l=575&g=DB2882F2-5737-4F32-9143-CFE7F36CBD63].

Of course, we know that Marquette is first and foremost an academic institution committed to educating men and women to be a leaven for good in our society. We must not lose sight of this important mission rooted in our 450-year Jesuit tradition. Thank you for your care and concern and for the pride we share in the values of this wonderful university. We Are Marquette!

Sincerely,

Robert A. Wild, S.J.
President

So we went through all that voting, for absolutely nothing.
-A

 

Marquette put out a press release:

Golden Eagles and Hilltoppers Move On to Final Round of “MU Voice” Nickname Voting Beginning Today

Marquette University students, alumni, faculty, staff and other members of the Marquette community have completed voting in the first round of the “MU Voice” nickname selection process, and the final two nickname options for the second round of voting will be Golden Eagles and Hilltoppers. The second round of voting opens today, June 7, and runs through Friday, June 24, at 9 p.m.

Now.. the big question… Hilltoppers or Golden Eagles?
-A

Technorati Tags: Golden Eagles, Hilltoppers, Marquette, Marquette University

Well, voting has begun for MU’s new nickname… I need to get ahold of my mom ’cause I need my “MU Voice” information and all MU stuff is still being sent to my mom’s… I swear I’ve updated my address 800 times on the website. Is there like someone I have to email or something?

Anyway, the choices are (with commentary):

1. Blue and Gold
Marquette’s first nickname, circa 1892 – 1916, was used for our football team. Ever since then, “blue and gold” have remained Marquette’s official school colors, in athletics and throughout the university.

Eh… Boring…. Next!

2. Explorers
Marquette University’s namesake, Father Jacques Marquette, was a Jesuit missionary and explorer. The spirit of exploration, whether through seeking truth and knowledge in our classrooms or seeking athletic achievements in competition, characterizes Marquette University, our students and alumni.

Makes me think more of a crappy Ford truck than athletics… Next!

3. Golden Avalanche
From 1924 – 1937, Marquette’s football team was dubbed the “Golden Avalanche” by the sports media for the sight of the football players in golden helmets charging down the field, creating a “golden avalanche” of force. It is a name that represents a powerful force and overwhelming might.

While this is a catchy name, I unfortunately think that many people will associate Avalanche not with the former football team but with the bar that stood on the corner that is now the entrance to Campus Town “Far East”.

4. Golden Eagles
Since 1994, Marquette University’s athletics nickname has been the “Golden Eagles,” effectively combining the gold of Marquette’s athletics traditions with the bold, swift and forceful nature of Marquette’s athletics teams.

I predict that this will be a runner up in the voting.. Actually, it’s more than likely that this will be one of the 2 that survive into the 2nd round…

5. Golden Knights
Knights are known for bravery, dedication and their noble defense of important causes. Our student-athletes are proud to share those same characteristics, as is our university. Knights are part of the athletics history of the Jesuits in Wisconsin, as Campion Jesuit High School in Prairie du Chien, Wis., used the knights as its nickname for 95 years, until it closed in 1975.

Um… No…

6. Hilltoppers
The name Hilltoppers has been connected to Marquette Athletics since 1917 and was first used because the original Marquette building was erected on top of a hill at 10th and State. The name represents a person who has attained great heights, like the lofty goals set by Marquette’s students and coaches.

I actually like this one… In fact, I’m probably going to vote for this one. Honestly, if we want to go “back in time”, let’s go back before the Warriors!!!

7. Saints
The Marquette community has created a special tie to two saints: St. Ignatius, the founder of the Jesuits, and St. Joan of Arc, the namesake of the chapel on the Marquette campus. Saints are among our most revered figures, admired for their strength and perseverance, two qualities also found in every Marquette player and fan.

Name 1 saint at Marquette! (Especially on the basketball team.. No Andy, you can’t vote for D-Wade) I dare you (and no, the St. Joan of Arc Chappel does NOT count!!!)

8. Spirit
In one word, Spirit captures the character and energy of our student-athletes and coaches, and the enthusiasm that our students, alumni and fans bring to every game. At Marquette, our spirit can refer to a higher power.

No.

9. Voyagers
Voyagers take risks, explore new horizons and push ever-forward into new worlds. Like Marquette’s namesake, our student-athletes push the limits of the possible. As an academic institution, Marquette University encourages that same voyage toward truth and knowledge.

Again, why should we name ourselves after a crappy car?

10. Wolves
The wolf is part of the crest of the family of St. Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, and is featured on the official seal of Marquette University. It represents strength and fierceness, two characteristics always found at the heart of our teams.

Another interesting one…. Actually could be a contender.. Shit, at least a wolf would be better than the damn golden chicken eagle we have now.

Oh and of course “Warriors” and “Jumpin’ Jesuits” were specifically said to be not allowed as a write-in.. Damn.. I would have voted for “Jumpin’ Jesuits”… Honestly, I don’t like any of them, however, I think I’ll go with Hilltoppers..

-A

Technorati Tags: Chicago Cubs, Golden Eagles, Marquette, Marquette University, Warriors