This also brings up another point: Gov. Daniels should run for President against Pres. Obama. And he will win. With an approval rating of over 70%, Gov. Daniels has the credibility to beat the incumbent. He has done great things for the state of Indiana and made it one of the best states to live and work in in the country. Unlike Pres. Obama, Gov. Daniels has successfully run a state, worked on a presidential committee, and successfully run Eli Lilly, Indiana’s largest corporation. Compared to the other front-runners from the GOP, Gov. Daniels is the best candidate to face this daunting challenge. Mitt Romney? Mike Huckabee? Sarah Palin? I think the choice is obvious. Gov. Daniels does not have as much baggage as Gov. Romney, is less annoying than Gov. Huckabee, and Gov. Palin? See last issues Pro-Con.

While President Obama has been in office our country has undergone a downward spiral into a political landmine. Our budget and deficit have never been greater and our taxes are in constant debate. His approval rating is hovering somewhere around 50% and compared to Gov. Daniels’ rating of over 70% I think we know who the clear winner is. We need someone who has the background like Gov. Daniels to come to the forefront and lead the Republican Party to a victory in 2012. Gov. Daniels is the man for that; he has the credibility and knowledge to fix our country’s problems. What he did in 2005 with the state deficit and how he made it into such an extreme surplus is something Pres. Obama and the Congressional Budget Committee should take notes on. Considering that Gov. Daniels previously worked as director at the Office of Budget and Management under President George W. Bush, he clearly knows what he’s doing. His experience will take him a long way and lead him to victory with the GOP fully supporting him.

>> Listen to Observer staff discuss this article in this week’s Pro/Con Video.

In my humble opinion, I think Gov. Palin should stay right where she is; not because she would make a bad President, but because she seems to be doing extremely well already. Why mess with a good thing? Her job as a contributor to Fox News Channel is a success, her television series on TLC was a success, and SarahPAC (her official PAC) is a success. In April 2010, ABC News reported that the former governor made over $12 million since leaving the post of Alaskan governor. Excuse me, what? $12 million? And this most likely does not include the money from her recent stint on TLC, Sarah Palin’s Alaska. To be honest, I tuned in every Sunday and I thought it was a great show. It not only showed us Gov. Palin’s true family side, but also showcased beautiful Alaskan scenery, a place this twenty-two year old has yet to visit. After watching the show, it’s now on my bucket list. But that’s beside the point. Running for President would probably cost Gov. Palin double that amount of $12 million. Additionally, the President only makes $400,000 a year. I think the choice is pretty obvious. But, when has Sarah Palin ever made a conventional choice? Her sense of shock and awe is clearly tangible in the current political environment.

Additionally, almost all of the candidates that Gov. Palin endorsed in the previous November elections won. Her popularity, especially among the ultra-conservative, has won those she endorses many elections. The crowds and masses she can draw at events are unbelievable. She clearly has the golden touch.

On the other hand, it’s also pretty obvious that the media not only despises Gov. Palin, but they love using everything and anything she does to their own advantage. The term “Mama Grizzly” has become both a term of endearment and a term inspiring laughter across the country. Almost all that Gov. Palin says is put under the microscope and twisted around into something it’s most likely not meant to mean.

For someone who stresses a lot about family, why would she want to give up time with her family during those pivotal years of growing up?

With the 2012 Presidential race already heating up and contenders preparing for the grueling task ahead, Gov. Palin should really just stay up in Alaska and keep doing exactly what she’s doing. Her endorsements are golden, her PAC is on the rise, and the entertainment contracts she possesses are bringing home the bacon. Why would she ever want to submit herself to the wearying task of running for President?

After seven rounds of voting a few weeks ago, the Republican National Committee (RNC) finally elected a new chairman. His name is Reince Priebus and he was previously the chairman of the Republican Party of Wisconsin. This seemingly unknown newbie is a young face for the Republican Party, which is one of the many reasons why he was elected. At 38 and from the working class city of Kenosha, WI he is a fresh new face for the GOP. Members of the committee hope to attract the younger generations of voters and donors with a younger chairman.

In order to win the coveted seat of chairman of the RNC, candidates must announce their intention to run, which usually occurs at the end of the previous year. Many of the 2011 candidates declared their candidacy in the last few months of 2010. Then, on January 14th, outside of Washington, DC, the Republican National Committee met to vote in a new chairman. With 168 voting members, the winner had to have a majority of 85 votes to claim his prize. If 85 votes were not received, then another round of voting took place.

During each of the seven rounds of voting on January 14th, Mr. Priebus came out in first place. It was only a matter of time until previous chair, Michael Steele, was defeated. Steele withdrew from the race after four rounds of voting and slipping to third place. Smart choice, Mr. Steele. Side note: after conducting a few minutes of research, the New York Post is reporting that Michael Steele is in talks with both CNN and Fox News to become a paid contributor. So keep your eyes out…

Chairman Priebus has a lot on his plate the next few years, especially after the Republicans “shellacked” (thanks, Mr. President) the Democrats so badly in November. After such a successful win, money needs to keep flowing in order to finance the 2012 races, which have, for the most part, already started. The GOP “need[s] to raise a whole lot of money and come together and rebuild our credibility as a party, the conservative party,” Mr. Priebus stated at a press conference post election. If the Republican Party wants to win in November of 2012, they need to get moving right now. With Mr. Priebus as chairman, I think the RNC can make it happen. By electing a younger and more energetic person, the GOP can hopefully attract the same generation that Obama so successfully swayed in 2008. We’ll just have to watch and see what Mr. Priebus can come up with in less than 2 years. A big “good luck” is surely needed.

Now don’t get me wrong; I’m a huge proponent of Christmas and all things that go with it, but Thanksgiving is also my favorite holiday of the year. Crisp turkey immediately out of the oven, my mom’s mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, Grandma’s stuffing, and the epicenter of it all, the pumpkin pie for dessert. These glorious necessities deserve some time in the spotlight, too. Seeing how our current culture is overly concerned with money, the major corporations always try to push a successful financial holiday season and we become bombarded with advertisements that promote holiday shopping as early as November 1st.

When was the last time you saw a commercial for homemade sweet potatoes? I think it’s time we took a stand and give Thanksgiving the respect it deserves. Thanksgiving is a holiday when we can be with the people we love, eat good food, catch up on the sleep we lost when we pulled those all-nighters throughout the semester, and maybe, just maybe, work on that paper that’s due the Monday after Thanksgiving (that’s pretty awful). For people like me who don’t live close to BC, the trip home for Thanksgiving seems to come at the perfect time. It’s a motivational taste of what is to come after putting my nose to the grindstone during finals week: an entire month of absolutely nothing. But before that, we need to appreciate the holiday that celebrates our American history and the tradition of turkey and tryptophan comas. Forget about the tinsel and holly just for a day and get in the spirit. If you have a kitchen at school, invite your friends over for Thanksgiving dinner. Last year my roommates and I hosted Thanksgiving at our apartment and invited all of our friends for a great potluck dinner.

After all, we’re all going to need practice for when we have to cook Thanksgiving dinner all by ourselves, right? For now, enjoy the Thanksgiving season and look forward to the delicious turkey, not the Christmas tree just yet. One more week until we’re all semi-homefree; I can taste the pumpkin pie already…

Although it may seem a bit far-fetched, I truly think we will see a new government tomorrow morning. With the rise of the Tea Party and the excitement swirling around such a large, grassroots organization, it seems pretty clear that people are fed up with the current government and want a change.

You have to admit it, though; it’s astonishing to see such a vast, homegrown group of average citizens turn into one of the fastest growing political movements our country has ever seen. We are witnessing pure, American politics in action.
As I stated earlier, today is a huge day for our country. But, in order for today to be most successful and actually show the government what we want and how we want it, we need to actually go out and cast our ballot.

We need to vote. As one of the most privileged and important rights we as citizens who are 18 or older have, exercising this right is something everyone needs to do. Whether it’s circling the ovals at your desk in your dorm, or actually driving to your polling place and casting the ballot behind little curtains, these little actions can make an important difference in the way our country works.
If you attend Boston College and you’re not from Massachusetts, or anywhere nearby, I urge you to vote by absentee ballot.
Although the deadline is long past for obtaining an absentee ballot for this election (shame on you for not getting one earlier), there are always future elections. Hailing from Chicago, I made sure to cast my ballot as soon as it arrived in my McElroy mailbox.
With such a heated Governor’s race and Senate race, I knew my vote was going to count no matter what.

Another option for those out-of-towners like myself is to register to vote in Massachusetts and use your Boston College address as your residence.

All you have to do is fill out an application online and sign a few things and you’re done. Political offices in this area love this option. Because Massachusetts has such heated competitions taking place during this election, candidates are vying for the most votes possible and that means getting college students registered in their precinct. One of the more nationally known House races is actually taking place right within the Boston College neighborhood.

Rep. Barney Frank covers the Boston College area of Chestnut Hill, Newton, Brighton, etc. and is running against a young, new guy named Sean Bielat.
With Bielat closing in on Frank’s lead, college students’ votes are looking very good to both candidates. You know it’s an important election when both the President and Vice President make special trips to help you campaign.

President Obama arrived in Chicago on Saturday to make a last-ditch effort to help out fellow Chicago Democrat Alexi Giannoulias (who is running for the President’s former Senate seat) along with others.

A few weeks ago, the President also hit Boston to help out current governor Deval Patrick, who is running for reelection against challenger Charlie Baker.
Even if you’re not interested in politics or the way your own country is governed by the people you elect, it’s impossible not to realize the magnitude of today.
Turn on your television, right now. You are bound to see some sort of election coverage, even if it’s only a ticker on the bottom of your screen rolling during your daily soap opera fix.
Too busy during the day? Prepare to be bombarded tonight with live coverage across the board. Want to watch a new Glee episode tonight? Ha, think again.
If you’re someone like me, sleep tonight is not an option. My eyes will be glued to the nice HDTV in my room all night (Dunkin’ Donuts will surely be seeing me tonight.).

With such important messages being sent to Washington, whatever tomorrow brings will surely be different than today.
The signals being sent by the voting citizens will make a difference and your votes are the carriers of that message. Whether you’re a Republican or a Democrat, I hope you all voted and got your message sent to those in Washington representing us.

After the Kid Cudi fiasco only a few weeks prior, you would think that UGBC finally realized the disaster potential and fixed the problem. Think again. About halfway into my waiting period, a UGBC Campus Entertainment rep came through the lines and herded us from the warm interior of Robsham to a line that led outside of the building and ended in front of Lower. Sophomores who were walking to class looked quizzically on as they wondered why in the world seniors were up so early waiting in line. After being led like cattle to the front of Lower, the same UGBC member was walking through the line counting the number of people still in line and assigning numbers up to 160. After 160 people, they cut the line and those people were not guaranteed a ticket. If you were lucky enough to receive a number lower than 160, UGBC was guaranteeing you two tickets. Lucky you!

The bitterness of those who were shafted from line was clearly visible on everyone’s faces. Those smart ones immediately got on the phone and called their underclassmen friends because, really, what freshmen and sophomores go to homecoming? As much as I love the underclassmen, their tickets should have gone to seniors. The next day, even juniors were up early and ready to wait in line for fear of sold out tickets. One junior, who was under the impression that tickets would go on sale at 9:00 am, walked over to Robsham around 8:30 and got in line. Fifteen minutes later the tickets were sold out. Apparently UGBC decided to start selling tickets at 8:00 instead of 9:00 since so many people showed up to wait in line early. Not only is UGBC inefficient when they open on time, but when they open early also. Can you say unfair? Although I will give UGBC credit for attempting to put on a good show as an end result, but the process of getting there was ridiculously absurd.

Speaking of getting there, from leaving my room in Ignacio around 8:30 to stepping into the House of Blues around 10:00, the process of arrival was one of the worst experiences I’ve ever had at a UGBC event. After being herded like cattle into the halls of Alumni Stadium waiting to board a school bus for thirty minutes, the line to get into the House of Blues was like nothing I’d ever seen before. The ten-person wide queue took an additional forty minutes to reach the final door inside. Once in, the coat check line added another few minutes to my journey (and an extra $4). Packed like sardines in the line outside, people were being trampled and squeezed to the point of barely being able to breathe.

Overall, homecoming was a very disappointing event with many people coming out of it regretting their $30 purchase and long wait in line. A for effort, UGBC, but a definite “F” for execution. Can I get my final homecoming and $30 back, please?

Just this past week UGBC has sponsored shuttles to the Museum of Fine Arts for their college night, put on a pep rally for the Notre Dame game, organized the ALC Boat Cruise, and even held a freshman tailgate before Saturday’s game. For future events, UGBC is sponsoring discounted priced tickets to see Wicked downtown, the annual Homecoming celebration, and various other activities. These are all great alternatives to drinking and in no way should students feel pressured to drink before or even during these events. Although many upperclassmen make the decision to indeed drink before these and “pregame,” that is not the intention of UGBC.

A few weeks ago, some of us had the pleasure of waiting in line for around 5 hours to get tickets to the Kid Cudi concert sponsored by UGBC. Although there were definitely downsides to the concert, the initial purpose was to provide semi-annual entertainment to Boston College students.

This is another great alternative to drinking that UGBC provides both in the fall and the spring. A large chunk of their annual budget is devoted to these concerts, which are alternatives to drinking.

Although I believe that UGBC does try to provide Boston College students with alternatives to drinking, is that really their job? The purpose of Night on the Heights is to provide students with late night entertainment that does not involve drinking. The Undergraduate Government of Boston College represents the students, and as far as events go, they try to sponsor ones that everyone can enjoy together, regardless if people drink or not. Nights on the Heights is specifically designed as an alternative to drinking. The many UGBC-sponsored events are not meant to polarize BC students into groups of drinkers and non-drinkers, but gather us together at events we can all enjoy. Just this past Friday night (and almost every Friday), Nights on the Heights put on an event with Eagle’s Nest Piano Guy, Dennis Carr.

The Dueling Pianos event was held in Hillside at 9 on Friday. It’s events like these that encourage non-drinkers to still have fun on Friday night and enjoy themselves.

UGBC is a great resource that we, as students, have at our disposal. They sponsor many events that can definitely be considered alternatives to drinking, but I think that Nights on the Heights is an even better resource for this specific need on the weekends.

So next time you’re looking to skip the Natty Light on a Friday night, check out what UGBC has going on. It may cost you a pretty penny or it could be free, but they still put on events that foster the camaraderie between the students. Nights on the Heights, on the other hand, will provide you with quality entertainment for free.

Anthony Russo/The Observer

Gasson under seige.

We’ve all heard of it. Most of us have seen it. The Green Monster. The iconic green wall surrounding the outfield at Fenway Park. But that’s not exactly the wall I’m talking about. Unlike the friendly, heartwarming fence that represents Fenway, this particular one currently shrouds one of the most beautiful buildings on campus.

The rather large, green fence around Gasson is nothing compared to the familiar Green Monster. The construction that began on Gasson earlier this summer is said to last at least a year, if all goes according to plan and we all know that means it’s going to take a lot longer than anticipated. Luckily for the recent graduates, their classic pictures taken in front of the Golden Eagle on Linden Lane were not tainted by the appearance of construction, but for the present seniors, it doesn’t seem like any such pictures will be possible. After my parents will have paid over $200,000 for my Boston College education, don’t they deserve the iconic picture from graduation? I understand that the construction was needed, but what about updating the Plex first? Or building the new Stokes Common, which by the way is going to significantly decrease the size of the Dustbowl? Why not start building Stokes Common during the summer instead of the middle of the year? Additionally, the new stone of Gasson with its alabaster color is so different from the shades of the surrounding buildings that it is definitely not aesthetically pleasing. Being at a school that houses the most beautiful library on a college campus, this construction will surely not put us at the top of another list any time soon.

Housed on such an architecturally wellknown campus (with the exception of O’Neill), this large project does not bode well for high school seniors looking to apply and tour Boston College. I can only imagine the volume tour guides will have to speak in order for their voices to be heard above the racket of construction. It’s certainly a wakeup to hear the drilling and hammering when you’re groggily walking to class at 8:45 in the morning.

Aside from the appearance of our beloved Gasson, the closing of the building due to construction has caused many internal problems as well. With Gasson housing four different floors of classrooms, this loss has surely caused problems within the different departments that use the building. The philosophy, romance languages, political science, and Arts & Sciences honors department are only a few of the effected areas. Classes are now being squeezed into small conference rooms in McElroy and the Arts & Science honors departments has most likely moved to an elusive house on the edge of campus somewhere. It also causes problems for the various clubs and groups on campus that use the Irish Room for presentations and performances. Where will the music department house their student concerts? Where will JCBC have their annual spring show? The loss of the Irish Room makes it even more difficult for groups to find space and bring outside speakers to campus.

Although I understand that the end result of the construction will surely enhance the campus somehow, right now it’s causing more harm than good. Maybe for once the construction will finish on time and the class of 2012 can enjoy the final product that the class of 2011 is sorely missing out on.

Lets say you’re a senior living in Rubenstein and are hosting a massive party in your room. Lucky for you, the Facebook invite you sent out has made its way to the News Feed of a ton of people, which may include freshmen. Because they get so bored on Upper and Newton, these freshmen decide to roam the halls of your building and crash your party. With the implementation of this new policy, they will be able to get into your building and have access to your room. As a senior, you do not want random freshmen at your party. Sorry, frosh, that’s just the way it goes. Or, on a more serious note, if two people are fighting and live in separate dorm “clusters,” there needs to be some sort of safe haven for the individuals to escape to when things take a turn for the worse.

On the other side of the argument are those who are proponents. For those students living off campus and walking through campus to get to a bus stop, sometimes those Blue Lights are not convincing enough. If someone were to approach you as you were walking down the stairs by Ignacio, who knows what could happen in the thirty seconds it takes for the police to show up. If you had access to nearby dorms, it would be a relief to find yourself in a safe building that you know a non-BC person cannot enter. On a lighter note, for those students who have class in the lounges of Gabelli, Vouté, or even the Gate, not being able to get into your class is a problem.

Here are some of my suggestions: 1. Give the students who have class in those residential buildings access during class hours. Waiting outside in the cold for someone is no fun and students can’t help it that they signed up for a class where they don’t live. 2. For those living off campus and studying in the library until the wee hours of the morning, there should be somewhere they can turn to in case of emergency. The same goes for those freshmen that live on Newton. As newly selected for the college experience, it seems daunting that they are unprotected as they walk around Main Campus late at night when they leave the library. Time limits should clearly be enforced, just as the current dorm “clusters” only allows students full access until midnight. If seniors live in Edmonds, why can’t they be allowed access to their senior friends in Gabelli?

Both sides of the argument are very convincing and I think the issues at hand should receive further attention. The safety of Boston College students is a top priority for the administration and this is one issue that should not be taken lightly. We already had one incident last year that luckily did not result in any physical harm, but being on an open campus, anything is possible.

First of all, the food here is good, but not great. It’s definitely not worth the astronomical prices that students are charged. It would be a different story if the food was 5-star quality, but this is not the case. The only item that seems to attract any sort of excitement is Wednesday’s stir fry nights, which can easily be made at home in my own kitchen at a much cheaper price. White rice and sautéed vegetables? That would easily cost less than $5 to make. It seem as though going to the dining halls for every meal gets so repetitive that we just go through the motions; six o’clock rolls around and it’s time for dinner at Lower again. Yes, we have options, but they, too, get old. The food at Hillside is good, but one can only eat a sandwich with 1,000 calories so often. Sometimes we just need a good homecooked meal. Living off campus this year and having the wonderful ability to make my own meals and cook my own food, my friends that live on campus and have a mealplan love coming over and eating freshly cooked food like they would get at home. It’s a great change from the mundane mealplan life.

Another advantage of NOT being on the mealplan is the ability to actually know what’s in your food. MSG? Who knows if that or any other chemicals are added to the food since we can’t witness it being made. For those that choose the vegetarian or vegan option, cooking your own meals and buying your own food is much more satisfying than going to the dining hall and picking through the overpriced vegetarian and vegan coolers. The options at grocery stores such as Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s are endless and surprisingly cheap.

Although it is convenient at times, I firmly believe it is one of the biggest shams on campus. After confronting a worker in Lower one day last year about the ridiculously high prices of food, he claimed it was only because people steal things too often and they have to make up for their losses. How can they even try to justify paying $4 for a bottle of SmartWater when they sell it in the grocery store frequently for $1? A $3 markup is absolutely ridiculous. Or even charging $1.79 for 20 oz. of soda? A Big Gulp (32 oz.) at 7Eleven costs $1.09. It seems as though Dining Services is all about supply and demand…

As a freshman, the meal plan seems like a good option for getting acquainted to living away from home for the first time and being on your own; just getting accustomed to college life is enough to worry about. After freshman year when you think you know all, you come to realize that the meal plan is, in fact, only there for convenience and the fact that you don’t have kitchens until junior year. It isn’t until you move off campus or live in an apartment on campus that you realize how great it is to cook your own food and choose what you want to eat with many more options than any dining hall can provide.

My friends and I would just like to thank you for some of the three most stressful days of our college careers. A few years ago, your original walk-up plan to choose eight-mans was quite unique, but in the end caused too much waiting in line and overall stress. The following year when you implemented the online system, the “glitches” attributed to the system’s brand new implementation were also stressful. And this year, for those vying for the coveted senior six-mans, you put in a good effort, but once again fell technologically short. After setting up housing lotteries for this long, you would think things would be managable, but apparently not.

Now it’s that time of the year when students face the annual challenge that is the Office of Residential Life housing lottery. This means that  for all freshmen, some sophomores, and all juniors, the scramble for housing has begun. As a freshman, the need to find seven additional people begins its quest as early as November when eager freshmen who know about this grueling process start freaking out and asking around slyly for prospective housing partners. When the actual lottery occurs in March, all hell breaks loose about two weeks before. Roommate Finder on Agora becomes a Top Site and nothing else can get accomplished until after the lottery session is complete. Didn’t get an eight-man? Scramble to split up your group and form a four-man! For sophomores, the wise and all-knowledgeable, the off-campus journey begins as early as September. Realtors from local agencies are everywhere and just vying for an opportunity to show off-campus apartments at outrageous prices to unsuspecting sophomores. In their case, it’s not until a lease is signed, sealed, and delivered when people can relax. The hassle of finding enough people with three years of housing and willing to sign a lease their parents have not seen is another story, let alone figuring out the abroad life and different people’s schedules. For those sophomores that have four years of housing, do you go for the coveted eight-man again? Or live in dreaded Edmonds, but with the perk of a kitchen? It seems that those who choose the eight-man, while probably loving the meal plan, are still bitter about not getting a top choice in the previous year’s lottery and living in a less than ideal location, i.e. not Lower. I’ve heard from past juniors who lived in Vanderslice that it’s a little strange when walking into Lower on Wednesday nights when you realize you don’t really know anyone there because it’s filled to the brim with underclassmen grabbing a quick bite before Perspectives.

Finally, the year everyone can’t wait to start and yet dread at the same time: senior year. Mods Mods Mods! As the Pros and Cons article points out, there are various advantages to living in the Mods, but, for some, Ignacio and Rubenstein are just as great. Ask anyone who ended up in Edmonds last week and they will definitely agree. The lottery for juniors has to be the most stressful out of the other three housing years. In most cases, the eight-man from sophomore year worked out and groups find that they enjoy living together and want to reunite for senior year. Problem: the housing lottery for senior year is for six people, not eight. Solution: find a group of four to make twelve. Problem: which two split from the original eight? Solution: draw straws. Problem: the group doesn’t get a six-man. Solution: break up into three groups of four. The many problems facing juniors in one week could indeed cause anxiety and heart attacks. Congratulations to those who made it out alive and were not affected by the computer glitches in the system last Tuesday. To those who were lucky enough to get Mods, use them well. You know the reputation and obligations that come with living in one, so please, live it up. For the rest of the class that got a six-man or a four-man in Voute or Gabelli, congratulations, you made it out alive and happy. For those who are in Edmonds, I’m sorry for your loss. It won’t be that bad, right? I hear they call it EdMods?

The ridiculous process that everyone goes through the first two weeks back from Spring Break is outrageous. You would think that after hosting housing lotteries for all these years, ResLife would have everything under control, yet every year there seems to be a problem that causes colossal panic for a large number of students who don’t need any more stress in their lives.

By 7:30 pm, the executive board of the College Republicans received word that Sen. Thompson’s plane had been delayed in Washington, DC because of the snow and he would not be landing until after 8:30. Great. It was a long wait until Sen. Thompson arrived, and I would just like to thank those who waited ever so patiently to hear this man speak. Even though it was a Tuesday night with Mary Ann’s calling, there was a generous amount of people who stayed and waited it out. To those who left or gave attitude to the board of College Republicans, do we look like God? We can’t control the weather or air traffic control, my sincerest apologies. But alas, Sen. Thompson arrived and walked immediately into the Irish Room to begin speaking.

As a surly man well over six feet tall, Sen. Thompson seemed genial and ready to start. The overall theme of his speech was what it means to be Republican and the concept of federalism. Although his speech and all of the questions asked were highly engaging, the entire event did not seem worth the $15,000+ Sen. Thompson was paid to speak.

Companies such as the Young Americas Foundation, the Harry Walker Agency, and the Premiere Speakers Bureau work with political figures and other seemingly important people and represent them while booking speeches such as the one that Boston College Republicans held on Tuesday. For a college group such as College Republicans, our budgets only allow us for one, maybe two speakers each year and with unfortunate events such as the weather playing into the situation, it does not seem fair that over half of our yearly budget go to someone who arrived late (not under his control, I know) with a less than satisfactory crowd. In addition to their exuberant prices, the people at these agencies working behind the scenes are more of an annoyance than a help. A last minute police escort requested less than 24 hours before the event? Would you like the Secret Service, too?

Lastly, although Sen. Thompson did arrive late, the numbers in the crowd were a little less than acceptable. I don’t think people realize that opportunities such as these will not continue beyond the college experience. Unless students plan on making a lot of extra cash they can spend freely after graduation, instances such as these are very few and far between. I urge students to take advantage of the FREE speakers held at Boston College. If you have time, go to these events that in the future you might be charged $2,400 to attend. These events are free, people. Eat them up while you still can, the charge is on us.

Scott Brown

Living in an apartment with mostly Democrats, my Republican views are seldom given the last word. But on January 19th, I was finally awarded the last laugh and presented with a victory worth noting for the GOP.

The last Republican to hold a Senate seat in Massachusetts was Edward W. Brooke, who lost his bid for re-election in 1978 to the beginning of a long legacy of Democrats. Senator Brooke was first elected in 1966 and held office for an astounding 12 years. It has been 32 years since the GOP has occupied the “People’s Seat,” which of late has mainly been inhabited by the now deceased Teddy Kennedy. Senatorelect Scott Brown started his campaign on September 12, 2009 and it was clearly a long shot for this underdog candidate. At an early Boston College Republicans meeting in October, Sen.-elect Brown arrived (alone, might I add) after a brief introduction from State Representative Karyn Polito and continued to speak to the crowd and encourage volunteers to acquire the lofty 10,000 signatures required to run for office. It was an intimate gathering and no one could even imagine the political whirlwind that would occupy the next few months in Massachusetts. After a few weeks of gathering over 17,000 signatures, Sen.-elect Brown was on a roll that did not cease until the night of January 19, 2010. All across the country, millions of people became familiar with his story and he attracted national attention from such prominent political analysts as Laura Ingraham, Sean Hannity, and Mark Levin. One of the more remarkable feats the Brown campaign overcame was raising over $1.5 million in 24 hours using the tactic of a “MoneyBomb.” People from all over the country tuned into the multiple media outlets covering the Massachusetts race and gladly donated to such a worthy cause.

It became apparent closer to Election Day that Attorney General Coakley’s campaign was running short. Her smear-tactics left bitter tastes even in the mouths of Democrats and her startling remarks during both the campaign and debates surely did not assist her in the polls. With her shocking comments about the Taliban and even the Red Sox beloved pitcher Curt Schilling, it was all down hill from there. Seriously, Martha? Curt Schilling, a Yankee’s fan? It should be noted that Attorney General Coakley has indeed lived in Massachusetts her entire life. Although early on Coakley was leading by over 15 points, it clearly did not add up to much in the end.

With a strong victory for Brown, this is a definite turning point in the turmoil that is currently dwelling in Congress. With Sen.-elect Brown’s swearing-in ceremony not taking place until next month, Democrats are scrambling to pass legislation they know will surely falter when they lose their 60 vote majority to block filibusters (which, consequently, only work if all Democrats and two Independents vote together). Additionally, the issue of health care is a main concern for Congress, but with Nancy Pelosi already seemingly conceding defeat, I’d like to say there isn’t much hope for the complete reform President Obama is striving towards. Recent polls have suggested that the majority of the general public does not even care for this bill that was rushed through the Senate on Christmas Eve. The process of passing any joint healthcare bill now includes Brown, who terminated the Democratic supermajority in the Senate. After President Obama’s State of the Union address last week, both majority leaders Reid and Pelosi claim a healthcare overhaul will pass in the upcoming year. This attitude seems to be more despairing than previously demonstrated last year. With Sen.-elect Brown’s 41st vote, Republicans now have the power to stop a healthcare overhaul that is in its later stages. Never fear, there is hope Republicans can come out on top and this sticky bill filled with hundreds of stipulations will be brought down.

I think attorney and political activist Phyllis Schalfly states it best by remarking “While Coakley was sipping wine with drug and insurance company PAC representatives, Brown was shaking hands with the voters.” With an excellent smear-free campaign, GMC-driving Senator-elect Brown hit a homerun and proved that red can indeed invade blue.

Clearly, we live in different times than those in the early 20^th century, but that does not mean that our veterans should mean less. There are no longer any parades or carnivals honoring our soldiers, but instead meager town ceremonies that commemorate the many years soldiers have committed to this country.

After almost a century of existence, many people would not even remember Veterans Day was still celebrated, if it were not for the reminder on the news or a small banner on the cover of the daily paper.

Although life does go on, Veterans Day is a national holiday, but for whom? The national government and its agencies shut down, but most other businesses do not. So much for a holiday for veterans since most veterans, if they’re not retired, are employed in the working world that does not shut down.

During the mid-twentieth century, our country was just ending a war in which most of our nation participated. Political views set aside, the country came together as one to build a strong base for those men fighting for us. Although current efforts are still made to help our soldiers, the question still remains if most of the country participates in these efforts.

We have become so enraptured with political ideology that we forget this national memory is not just for the Republicans or Democrats, but for everyone. All political parties should be disregarded, and we should come together as a solid nation to honor those who have risked their lives and made sacrifices for us so that we may sleep soundly at night. These people did so much for us, the least we can do is give them a celebration one day per year.

Evidently, not enough is being done to honor this national memory that has been around for almost a century. On Veteran’s Day, I saw an officer in uniform walk up to the elevators in Campanella when an entire throng of students exited and not one person greeted the officer with a “Happy Veterans Day!” Do we, as young adults, not know the significance of this national holiday? As the new majority of the population, will we carry on the tradition of Veterans Day as we grow older?

Surely, there will always be friends of ours in the military, but will you remember to give them a pat on the back and say thanks? Chances are, probably not. If it were not for the reminders, pre-written in planners, or broadcasted on the news, I doubt anyone would remember. It usually is not until the day after that we realize it has already passed because of the photographs taken and stories written about such ceremonies or events honoring our veterans from the day before.

I was pleased to find out that at St. Ignatius on Wednesday, November 11, it was a packed house to celebrate Veterans Day and the dedication of the new memorial built to honor the BC alumni who were killed participating in war. About 850 people gathered to celebrate this beautiful memorial and the people whose names are carved into the strong, black granite on the Burns Library lawn. Although this touching memory is a wonderful exhibition of our gratitude for those who have served, I hope that even if the memorial was not being dedicated, this many people would be at St. Ignatius anyway.

In order to preserve this national memory that has lasted for a century, we should set aside our political beliefs and say thank you to those who risk their lives to protect ours. Veterans Day should not only be once a year, but every day. All it takes is a “thank you” to show those in uniform our appreciation for everything they do.