Perhaps there’s no good time to butt-in on a conversation, but let me say by way of introduction…as an ND grad I’ve sought out several related websites over the years and ultimately found myself gravitating to this one. While it can get ‘animated’ here, perhaps more often than not, the quality of the participants has kept me coming back…(and to be totally honest, the music, wine and travel references).
Now, as a participant, I’m hoping to find a few forum members who share a fundamental goal of reaching “common ground” understanding on a number of issues that have long term importance…e.g. future energy policy, gene editing (re: CRISPR ethics implications), and of course American politics.
On that last point, while I’m happy to go into more detail regarding my perspective, it really boils down to the belief that all of us populate a spectrum that naturally includes conservatives and liberals – to varying degrees from one end to the other…and will forevermore. Consequently, in order to achieve progress/productivity, IMHO it is in our own self-interest to find as much “common ground” as possible.
Parenthetically, politicians have difficulty aggressively pursuing this objective (e.g. special interests, funding sources and ‘the threat of getting primaried’). However, we do not have such constraints, and in fact can band together and “fight like ND Irishmen/women” to encourage such action…not easy, but certainly worth consideration.
Lastly, with regard to “Fighting like ND…”, it’s a pleasure to watch the talent being displayed on the field this year.
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Thanks for the welcome and the help...don't be surprised if I come back to you for more.
Are you a recent secular millennial grad, or a true ND old school Alum?
Thanks for the welcome, 'Ara' (can I call you that?)...yes, I'm a true 'Old School' Alum. I almost chose "Fieldhouse" for my login name, in memory of the "intimate" and truly enervating shoulder-to-shoulder pep rallies there. I'm also a veteran of Emil T. Hofman's Chem lectures/exams...if you are of a similar "vintage"...would enjoy sharing a few recollections.
But this Emil story does not involve me. I only learned of this a couple years back, after watching one of the retrospective ND videos produced in conjunction w/ the 125th year anniversary of ND football. I thought I had seen them all, but somehow I didn't see this one.
This was a road victory over #1 Pitt, featuring Dan Marino. Faust may be considered a bust, but had some big wins, none bigger than this.
I can't do it justice....you just need to watch.
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Nigel, you'll have to share your source for that piece...I can only imagine the 'treasure trove' of memories there. BTW, that video is a double pleasure to many ND alums...seeing and hearing from one of our football legends is enough to put a big smile on you, but the added bonus is Allen's description of the class experience so many of us had (sans the standing ovation) with 'Emil T.'. His comment about the esteemed Professor giving the entire class (500 may be a bit high, but not by much) the day off, conveys a lot about him. He was a fabulous teacher...not just for Chemistry, but for the larger human experience. There are only so many class days available in a semester...there is so much to learn - especially since many in the class don't come with a strong background - and there are so many students involved...yet, he made the calculation that the youthful spirit, unique to Notre Dame, took precedence...a special ND man.
Again...thanks.
I idolized Pinkett. He was a year ahead of me and was pretty much the BMOC my first three years.
Like many, I both feared and loved Emil.
The complaint those days was that our offense was nothing but 'Pinkett, Pinkett, Pass, Punt'.
I ran into Pinkett one day at the bookstore. I introduced myself and tried at stay calm, and he was like everyone always said - friendly and gracious. I actually called my dad (ND, '53) that evening to tell him of my encounter. He then relayed a similar story from his days. It seems one day he was swimming in St Joe's lake, and was struggling to climb up to the floating dock, when suddenly who reached down to help him onto the dock? LEON HART! My dad was just euphoric, and couldn't believe that Leon Hart would help him onto the dock.
The cycle of life, brother.
One of the great things about ND is the mixing of athletes throughout the student body...no athletic dorms. Just one recollection of mine from freshman year...was getting settled into my room, stepped outside for a moment...saw some 6'2", 240lb guy walking up and down the hall...on his hands...said "Hi" to Pete Duranko. He and Bill Wolski were on our floor and were just a part of the "fabric"...nice.
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Ara...A couple of questions I've been curious about for awhile now and wonder if you can help...our class created a "Senior Bar" down around the intersection of So. Bend Ave, and Hill St, I believe...was it still operating when you were there?...Also, was "Sweeney's" still going strong on St. Paddy's Day?...Did they still require wearing one of their 'License Plates' to gain admittance that day/night?
game, and if Kelly can keep his meaty little fingers off of the offensive play calling.
Thanks very much, Baron...my profile gives it away, but I've seen enough disappointments and put enough dents in walls over the years to go "non-linear" over a few mistakes. Again, to my eyes there's a bunch of serious D1 players out there who seem to enjoy being together...just hoping they all stay on the field.
I kid. Things always get heated during election time around here.
I can start something: It is my view that at some point environmentalists will have to choose one of these options: They can stop blocking new nuclear power plants or they can have continued climate change.
It's not very complicated. New nuke plants are the only potential solution.
LOL...You had me there at the response title...good one!
As for your thought on Nuclear...I am in full agreement. I should also confess that I have several years of education and experience in the field...not by any means capable of designing a reactor from scratch, but I know a bit more than the average citizen. For your benefit, and any others similarly interested, there is a book you can get free on-line, written by David J.C. McKay, entitled "Sustainable Energy - Without The Hot Air". He doesn't take sides...just presents technical facts for any energy source. He passed away a little while ago, but he's an alum of the Cambridge Laboratory in England and has given a few talks on YouTube...worth checking out.
I bring this subject up because no one can talk at any length about "Climate Change" without getting 'down and dirty' about our future energy policy...(off my soap box).
I have heard several Left-leaning people here in the Open come out in favor of nuclear power.
But, interestingly, my non-Board (physical world) ND Left-leaning friends still lean fairly strongly against nuclear power. They are all solar and wind power.
On the substantive point: All of the waste generated by the entire industry is pretty small, and it is mostly solid material (e.g., spent fuel rods). Seems like it is easily more easily stored than any other waste material, and it does not pollute the environment.
Hi Ned,
The welcome is much appreciated. If you and others are up for it, we can touch on the key issue of nuclear waste, including what I like to call the "Nuclear Trash Compactor" that is the "Fast Reactor" (can't believe I started working on that 45 years ago and we still don't have a working commercial demo...actually I do get it (proliferation concerns)).
Going to need everything that is feasible and economic...and pretty soon (for multiple reasons).
As far as it goes, that is just an observation, not a political criticism. I don't know if they could've been stopped short of war. The criticism is that Obama didn't really try, IMO, but that is ancient history now.
There are many new designs, and some that don't have the risk of meltdown like Fukushima. Lots of potential there, but highly restricted industry.
As I mentioned in an earlier reply, in the intervening 45 years since I first started working on 'Fast Reactors', no administration has made a serious commitment to nuclear development. Some things are happening now on that front - e.g. Versatile Test Reactor (VTR) in Idaho, and Small Modular Reactors, like NuScale's SMR design...but the discussion on choices, roles and quantities needs to be elevated...and frankly treated on a near emergency basis.
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Hi PB...Like the potatoes, but hold the collards...thanks for the welcome.
Can always use a practical discussion based on facts and not politics.
We're good to go...catch you later.
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Not sure if my reply went through, but thanks very much, Domer for the welcome.
A lot of the banter is tongue in cheek.
Got it...thanks...take care.
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Thanks as well, ef...absolutely awesome displays of running thus far.
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