Before reading the blog post, remember that the assignment for Friday is to post a comment on whether Notre Dame should continue to host ROTC given that Selective Conscientious Objection is illegal in the Military and that the Military will not allow a required class in Just War Ethics into the curriculum.
Also, as background, just today the South Bend Trib has published a short follow-up essay by Joshua, since they incorrectly noted he was dishonorably discharged. It addresses the oath that Notre Dame's ROTC grads will take.
So read the whole post, the links, and others' comments. And then give your response to whether ND should continue or should halt the ROTC program. Graham got the discussion off to a good start with a thoughtful response.
It seems important to clarify just what did happen at the protest. A group of persons from the Catholic Worker movement went to Mass at 11:30 at the Basilica. Afterward they went and silently knelt and prayed by the relics of St. Marcellus, a Roman soldier who became a conscientious objector in 298 and was executed after proclaiming he was a soldier of Christ and could not do violence.
After praying at his bones, the group exited the the Church and gathered in front of the Dome building. They then read out the trial of St. Marcellus, from the year 298. I was walking there after finishing teaching. As I approached, I saw the group. I was impressed from a distance as I saw an actor arresting one of the group, part of the play I figured.
As I approached, I saw that this was not part of the play. People were being arrested. The group had not even begun to carry the coffins into the building. After Mass, apparently security was ready. They were told to leave, but they responded that they wished to read aloud the story of this saint. When they did, the arrests began. Read the Observer article here.
Rather than debating the ethics of whether arrests should have been made, let us use this chance to have an academic and respectful debate about the points raised. Here is a brief excerpt of the letter the group issued to Father Jenkins, and then let the discussion begin:
Dear Fr. Jenkins,
With great joy, we Midwest Catholic Workers celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation at the University of Our Lady, the Queen of Peace. Stiving to emulate Mary's humble "Fiat" (Latin for Yes, let it be done, which Mary said to the angel), we pledge ourselves to bear witness as disciples of her Son, the Prince of Peace.
We believe Notre Dame has ceded its autonomy as a Catholic institution of higher education and compromised the values of its mission by allowing the Department of Defense to exert financial and academic control over the education of its ROTC students.
We call upon Notre Dame to reject military funding for ROTC. Second, we would like to see a more vigorous committment to supporting those who wish to study peace. ANd finally, we urge Notre Dame to support generously those who in conscience decide they can no longer participate in ROTC but wish to continue their education at Notre Dame.
We ask Our Lady, the Queen of Peace, to pray for Notre Dame, the pre-eminent American Catholic university (they forgot Holy Cross), that it might bear ever more faithful witness to Jesus Christ, her Son, the Prince of Peace.
45 comments:
So I was pretty surprised to read that the protestors were arrested so quickly yesterday. I was over at Notre Dame around 2 and was surprised to see that no one was there. I understand the rights given to an American citizen under the first amendment and I understand why those men and women were arrested yesterday, but lets get to the meat of the arguement. Yesterday in class we weighed the pros and the cons of an ROTC program, especially one at Notre Dame. After reviewing the arguements I completely sway all my arguement to the side of having an ROTC program. I know that the Catholic group that protested yesterday had a valid arguement, but eliminating an ROTC program for Notre Dame does no good, it only creates more of an arguement. They say in their letter to Father Jenkins,"we urge Notre Dame to support generously those who in conscience decide they can no longer participate in ROTC but wish to continue their education at Notre Dame." I know Notre Dame has a 4 billion dollar endowment, but the minute you start giving money to one student another student is going to expect the same conveince. I look at it like this. The military is always going to exist. Its reality accept it!!! Catholics make up 30% of the army. Wouldn't you have catholics like Kelly Jordan in the army oppossed to "Joe Blow" who could care less about ethics and morality? I know I would. I respect the protest, but I disagree 110%. The ROTC program is a good program, especially at the University of Notre Dame.
Hi, I'm Angela Sturm and I wish to post that I believe that the devil is having his heyday, as both Catholics and Christians alike debate each other about almost everything instead of joining forces, God help us all!
Catholics and Christians alike? How are they alike? I'm lost.
It would be a great disservice to the armed forces for Notre Dame not to have an ROTC program, they need all the qualified individuals they can get.
Putting as much money as we do into the military towards peace, as Griff said during class, would eventually reap huge benefits for our economy. Moreover, by spending less money on military, a country would be less of a threat to its enemies and decrease the threat of war. The theory of mutually assured destruction is putting our economy out of business. Maybe its acronym is MAD for a reason.
This is my post for friday. Concerning the idea that we should get rid of ROTC at Notre Dame until people are able to file for SCO. I would like to say first of all that I like you Griff as a person, but think that you could not be more wrong on this subject. We need all of these educated men and women in order to steer the military in the right direction. I have also found that most people who oppose the idea of war are very contradictory. Today in class you said that you believe we should get rid of the ROTC program until people can file for SCO status. The reason that people would file for SCO is if they feel a particular war is unjust. You said it yourself that Pope Benedict stated that he believes a modern war could never be considered just by the catholic church.Therefore these people by right would disagree with every war. Also, I disagree very storngly with the catholic worker's protest. What these people do not realize is that if we did not have soldiers fighting for our country they would not even be able to voice their opinion. We should keep ROTC around at Notre Dame becuase it brings good values to a military that is in need of well educated young men and women. So, the idea of cancelling ROTC until people can file for SCO is ludacris. Here is the best way to be a Consciencious obejctor........ DON'T JOIN!!!!
I believe that Notre Dame should continue to host ROTC because of the Catholic "just war" theory. ROTC is good to have when a war falls under the description and meets the requirements of a just war. However, the way they run it bothers me. War and ethics classes should be required for all ROTC students so they can be prepared for whatever faces them and the decisions they will make.
I believe that Notre Dame should continue to host the ROTC program. ROTC produces officers who are knowledgeable and ready to serve their country. A just war ethics class should be part of the curriculum though. An ethics class such as this would provide students with an understanding and more knowledge to make good decisions in their future. Students should be informed about what they may face in their career in the military. These future officers should also be made aware the fact that sco is illegal, this way, students will know what they can and cannot do in the military. Even though Notre Dame should be able to continue hosting ROTC, these changes need to be made to conform to our ever changing society and government.
Good comments. As a follow-up to Courtney's though, let me make things more complicated, and perhaps realistic: suppose the military does not allow those changes to the curriculum,then what should ND do?
Shea, you make a good point about our huge military expenditure and its relationship to the peace of the world. With the amount of money we spend, I agree there should be peace; however, the fact that there is not peace is not directly related to the size of our military expenditure. Decreasing military spending during peacetime, I am not talking about current levels which include expenditures for Afghanistan, Iraq and other war zones, would have a great impact on America. First, it obviously would weaken our defenses. Second, it would deprive agencies that a mutual benefit of providing technological advances for both military and civilians, such as DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Program Agency). Third, America perceived strength greatly affects our economy.
On the issue of ROTC not requiring a military ethics class, not all individuals that are in ROTC attend colleges that offer such classes. Although I have no experience with ROTC myself, I am sure that the program has to be applicable to a wide range of state and private colleges.
I would like address something someone said it class. They said that America is hated because we have so much more then other countries or something to that effect. This is definitely not the case with Arabs. The people in the Middle East began to hate us as soon as we intruded their lands. That of course was when the state of Israel was created. Ever since then the Middle East has been bitter to us. Also I was thinking that the Catholic Just War Theory is just another way to say Catholics are for non-violence. I doubt there has been or will ever be a war that fits those guidelines.
I believe that Notre Dame should continue having its ROTC program. We have already explored the benifits of having one on campus, so I do not need to go into detail. As for SCO, let me just say that it does not work in the military. It is like partial circumcision: either go all the way or forget about it. Either join the military and fight the country's wars or say out of the military's buiness. To finish, I would feel safer knowing that military officers that graduated from Notre Dame's ROTC would have a strong ethical background, just from being raised Catholic, making dessisions on whether to fire upon buildings that may contain innosent people or not.
I believe that their is such a conflict between cathloic values and the hosting of ROTC at the University of Notre Dame that it should be suspended untill they change the rules of begin a seelective conseientious objector. I dont understand how the Holy See can be so aginst the war and still allow catholic institution such as Notre Dame contiune to sponsor such programes just for the benifit of money. it seems to me its typical American greed at work.
Should Notre Dame drop its ROTC program because the military does not permit SCO? No way. Regardless of the denial of SCO, ROTC members from ND are probably far more prepared to properly handle moral dillemas in the military than their counterparts at other schools.
Should Notre Dame drop its ROTC program because Just War Ethics classes are not mandatory? No, but they should take whatever action they can to make it a required class. If more members of the military took classes like that, maybe there would be more soldiers like Joshua Casteel who have the balls to stand up and refuse to torture people.
A few quick reflections and reactions to this ROTC discussion:
WHERE do our natural rights come from? Rights such as freedom of speech come from God, and not human governments. Despite what the bumper-stick crowd thinks, freedom is indeed free (as are all God's gifts).
WHAT then is fought for? Since the rights are always held, and can not be taken, it only follows that they can not be won. Those who are opposed to SCO but believe that rights can be fought for are highly encouraged NOT to carry this train of thought to its conclusion... it spells bad news for your worldview.
ARE ROTC grads from ND really all that moral? Take a look at the weekend behavior of College Students: Drinking, vomiting, and fornication (in no particular order). Let's not delude ourselves here, Notre Dame's Catholicism often times (but not always) amounts to little more than a numbing agent which dulls parents' senses about how their children act. As Griff says, "The Church needs to get back to the business of being The Church."
Finally, two closing quotes. The philosopher Elizabeth Anscomb articulated, "It is better to be destroyed than to do a moral wrong."
And the Nobel Prize winner Thomas Mann, "Tolerance becomes a crime when applied to evil."
Many, not all, students in class express a love for Notre Dame. The love mostly stems from Notre Dame’s divine teachings of Catholicism that create an environment that enriches the lives of the students. It is pure and simple that the attitude of Notre Dame separates it from other universities. Therefore, it is extremely hypocritical for Notre Dame to have its ROTC graduates forced into a military that completely disobeys the word of our Pope. Notre Dame, a private school, can and should follow the teachings of the (current and previous) Pope. It is a shame and complete disregard for Notre Dame’s virtues to continue to have a ROTC program while our country doesn’t let its soldiers exit the military based on their beliefs. Going back to nearly everyone’s love for Notre Dame, why is that you love this school? You can not sit there and attribute it to ND’s integrity and continue to say there shouldn’t be question to whether or not the ROTC program should be active when the country completely contradicts the virtues of the University. I am astonished how everyone continues to support Notre Dame in supplying our military with smart and ethical soldiers, while it is quite clear that these soldiers have no choice but to fight in a war that their school’s church doesn’t find ethical.
My personal opinion follows the just war theory of the Catholic Church. Notre Dame, clearly should hold out for SCO, or it will continue to compromise the integrity that makes it so special in all other aspects.
first off i whole-heartedly agreee with tim. notre dame should not drop rotc but rather use it's sway as the top rotc school in the nation to persuade the government to put the curriculum changes into affect. and andrew, i can see where your coming from with your comment "I have also found that most people who oppose the idea of war are very contradictory." especially when you cited the popes feelings that no modern war can be just. but the key word there is MODERN. modern warfare has lost any sense of honor that was ever found in war. no longer do militaries take their wars to a field of battle, a grouond that is at least somewhat neutral, where battles can be fought away from everyday civilization. they now wage their battles anywhere from these fields to the streets of a city crowded with civilians, to a farmhouse that one of the militaries has taken over because they think it would make a good base of operations, not mattering if the family was there or not. the second problem with "modern" war is that militaries no longer use swords and bows, they are not just limited to guns, but they now have, at their command, fleets of missles and bombs, whose capability of devistation are so great that no government, given "modern battle fields," wouldn't even be able to lie and say there is no chance of civilian casualty. i believe that these are to key deterants from being able to consider "moder war" honorable, let alone just.
I agree with what Luke Bruner said. I think he hit the nail on the head. I also think saying Catholics going into the military is right because it will bring ethics to the military does not make any sense. I seriously doubt that most of the people going into the war have a great moral sense at such a young age. Most Catholics/Christians probably let the war they fight in decide their ethics instead sticking to their predecided ethics while in war. This may seem cynical but I don't think in war ethics there is much difference between Catholics and any other religion. Most people follow their country even if they do not agree because they fear jail or prison.
sorry, i know i've already ranted enough but i just wanted to reply to lukes comment. you're right when you say that freedoms are a gift from God, but those gifts can be rejected and opressed, even, sometimes, to the point of needing to go to war. an extreme, and often overused, but valid example is nazi germany and wwii. the nazi's did not take away freedom from those sent to the concentration camps, but rather killed them for that freedom. does this mean i think martyrdom is bad? no. what it does mean is how can any moral person: christian, muslim, atheist, or any other; just sit back and allow genocidal martyrdom.
as to your generality of not only a majority of ndrotc students, but nd students period, as vomitous-alchoholic-nymphomaniacs, i think you have greatly and cynically over-generalized their student body. do i think these things don't go on? no, i'm not blind, deaf, or stupid. but i also think there is a far greater number of holy and moral students, both rotc and non than you give credit for. i do, however, agree with you that, as part of the Catholic Church, notre dame, it's faculty, and it's student body need to step up more in taking care of "the business of being The Church," and teach those students who have been blinded and struggle to see moral truths.
We hearken back to the perennial problem of being in the world but not being of the world. Catholics are people in the world. The world has injustice. We are called to correct injustices, and sometimes that means participating in warfare that aims to correct injustices. So, SCO is an absolute necessity if we expect to be in the world but not of the world.
I think ND should keep ROTC on because being in the world means being practical, and it's very practical to train Catholics properly for military service. Practically speaking, war will most likely not end. It is much more likely that we can prepare soldiers to fight with ethics and background knowledge of what is just and what is unjust that it is that war can be eliminated. I still really feel that it would be the best short- and long-term solution to put morally strong soldiers in. I also feel strongly about SCO being legalize because it seems to be the best way for Catholic soldiers to be in the world but not of it sometimes, when wars are deemed unjust. So maybe suspending the ROTC program at ND until SCO is legalized would be a radical enough and bold enough statement to effect some desired change.
There are definitely valid points on both sides of this argument. Graham's assertion that it is better to have Catholics like Kelly Jordan in the military rather than people who don't care about ethics or morality struck a cord with me and at first. But after more thought I have come to the conclusion that hosting ROTC should stop at least until the milltary allows Notre Dame to serve its purpose as a Catholic institution. I understand the military wanting to set their own curriculum since it is their money but, why are they afraid of allowing a course on Just War Ethics to be part of it? ND is a private school and should not allow the government to micro-manage the education of her students.
Hi, I believe that things should stay as they are at Notre Dame for now. Further investigation and research needs to be done. I do believe that a person should have the right to object about certain wars, the just war theory. In times of war it is extremely important to keep a level head and to make decisions with a lot of evidence, just like the Catholic Church takes a long time to make decisions about apparations. (Angela)
I agree with many others that ND should continue to hold the ROTC program. I always enjoy going over there and see cute guys in uniforms. ;) But on a more serious note, if anyone, I believe Catholics will steer the United States in the right direction. I don't think they should be required to take a war and ethics class, but heavily influenced to.
I believe that ND should not keep its ROTC program. Notre Dame is a catholic university, and an ROTC at the time being does not support what the pope believes. The Iraq War is not a just war when you look at the criteria, and for the most part no war ever again will be considered a just-war under the criteria. On another note subjective consciencious objection will not and can not ever happen in the military. We can not have soldiers that decide they want to sit out in a certain war because they do not think it is right. This is not an effective military practice. This is why I believe that Notre Dame can not continue to have a program that doesn't even teach them about the just-war theory. This is not a question of whether the United States should have a military or if we should be fighting against any countries, it is a question of whether or not a catholic university should support something that its leader has deemed illegal. By allowing this program we are sending in catholic soldiers and not allowing them to make decisions on what their religion says, and this is wrong.
I know I already posted, but I was taking a look at some of the posts and Luke's caught my eye. Now Luke and I are good friends and I think he is one of the smartest individuals at our school, but I am not sold on his post. The part about Notre Dame students not being the most moral of indivduals. I look at it like this...no one is perfect, whether you go to Notre Dame, or to Buffalo State Tech majoring in Drinking. The facts are this, 30% of the military is Catholic. That's one third. Notre Dame and their ROTC program contribute to that number, and despite their blemishes they contribute to the military cause. I would rather have someone from Notre Dame's ROTC program in the military opposed to "JOE BLOW" who could give a rats behind about morality. I know we say we need to focus on being the Church, but is that what this is all about. Maybe it is, but lets be real. If you can get a soldier, and a catholic soldier at that, thinking about morality you've done more than you think you have. Despite their not being any classes on War and Ethics in the ROTC program, Notre Dame and its philosophy due. You can say what you want about Notre Dame and its "actual" affiliation with the Church, but lets be real, you can't walk around that campus and not feel God. If you remove Notre Dame students from the military you are taking a step towards taking God away from the military. You take out Catholics from the military, and you still have close to 300,000 individuals in the army. Today's warfare doesnt even require that much man power to fight a war. Most war, like we said in class, is done by the push of a button not by the sword and the shield. I wont lie, if we eliminate Catholics from the military thats one hell of a big step, but its no where close to a solution. So I am sticking with the ROTC program. I would rather have individuals educated at the University of Notre Dame by the likes of Kelly Jordan than by some "warhawk" teacher from Buffalo Tech Community College who could care less about morality and just wants to kill somebody. Josh is right "blood doesnt make the green grass grow." However, its naive to think that people don't believe that. We talk about the military needing morality. If you take out the people providing the morality you dont have any. ROTC stays, its the best concept for everybody.
Notre Dame should continue to have an ROTC program and should require its students to take a War and Ethics class. I would rather have a military filled with self respecting and conscientious soldiers who take the oath to protect our country, but simultaneously have an oath to God. I would hope that Notre Dame-trained ROTC soldiers would have the courage to refuse an action that is illegal, unlawful, and unjust. Instead of protesting the ROTC program at ND, I think protests should be made in Congress to allow for SCO. If you choose to enter the military, you should be prepared for the consequences when something is unjust and you disobey, or take a non-combatant job. Notre Dame can require its students to take a War and Ethics course, and from what I have heard, I believe Lt Col Jordan provides much insight to his cadets regarding war and ethics.
After are class discussion i understand the point of view of peaceful protesters. But i feel its almost impossible to ban the ROTC at ND. Many students depend on ROTC to pay their tutition. THe argument that a 3 billion endowment could pay for the tutition is somewhat valid but this change will not happen over night. THe endowmnet money is proably going towards other programs at the university, are they just suppose to cut other program? But the university should maintain thier ROTC but create requirement for all student on the morality of war so that not only will the troops understnad morality, so will people who will someday be political leaders, scientist, performers and teacher, the people who will have a major effect on sending troops to war.
When you make the argument that the ROTC program should stay, you have to insure a few things. Firstly, a Notre Dame class on just war should be required. Secondly, the cadre of the ROTC program have to have the same ideals as Notre Dame as a whole. Instead of teaching the army as a war machine, the ROTC program must teach Catholic ethics first a formost and how you should practice it in the Army. From first hand exerience as a member of the Army ROTC program, I know that what we are taught aligns with my personal morals and Catholic morals. LTC Jordan talks first about our loyalty to God and religion then talks about duty to country. It is clear what is most important the the ROTC program. If they can consistently turn out good Christian soldiers, then the decision whether to keep the program is obvious.
I think ROTC is necessary at ND if only to allow students to afford a ND education. $44,000 a year is ridiculous. If ND ever got their heads out of their butts and provided more aid with that endowment, then I would support getting rid of ROTC. As for the protest, I have nothing against "peaceful" protests." However, when you start taking a coffin into the golden dome on ND campus, you're just trying to start conflict. To me, that's when it's not a "peaceful protest."
Great posts, great posts. Just a factual clarification. I saw yesterday in an ND publication for employees, the endowment is now, drumroll please.... 5.5 Billion Dollars.
I think for Notre Dame to have a ROTC program in their school is like they are contradicting themselves. For a catholic school to teach to bear arms to a group of individuals and then turn around and teach in a theology class or even in the church that to kill someone is wrong and that you will go to hell....it just kind of makes you think what this world is coming to. If they continue to offer the ROTC courses, they should have to take a ethics course while they are in the ROTC program. I think that that is the only solution to this problem. The ROTC is not a bad thing. I just think that they should learn about everything they are getting into.
I believe that the ROTC service two grand important purposes. 1. Is it pays for the education of students who might not otherwise to be able to attend college and the 2nd important purpose of the ROTC is that it gives our military some of the brightest and well educated students to shape our military and to help defend our country. I do believe ND students should take an ethics or war class because it would be important for all students to be aware of current events and have critical thinking skills in order to understand what’s going on in the world today.
I agree with Amara. The ROTC program gives kids opportunities to go to college if they cannot afford it. They also get a chance to travel. I also agree that they should have a war and ethics class so the ROTC students will be able to recognize what is the moral thing to do in a situation. I mean, I almost joined the ROTC program at ND, but I didn't becuase it is not the right fit for me, in other cases it is the right fit for other students.
Saddam being given the Key to the City of Detroit on one of his many visits to the United States.
Pot. Kettle. Black.
Poor governance of a country is not grounds for a war, Deo Gratias!
i agree with Harrison in regards to the peaceful protest. some great things have happened in history as a result of peaceful protests. i think that the group would have more support from the public if they didnt try and take a coffin in the main building. reading out the script about the trial was a good idea, and if they would have done just that and protested peacefully, then i think their argument would have been a little more legit. instead i feel they compromised their credibility by trying to bring a coffin into the dome. just my thoughts on the situation.
i agree with Harrison in regards to the peaceful protest. some great things have happened in history as a result of peaceful protests. i think that the group would have more support from the public if they didnt try and take a coffin in the main building. reading out the script about the trial was a good idea, and if they would have done just that and protested peacefully, then i think their argument would have been a little more legit. instead i feel they compromised their credibility by trying to bring a coffin into the dome. just my thoughts on the situation.
It is grounds when that government is in violation of directly infringing on the freedom of its citizens. However, is it justification for the US’s action in Iraq? I feel it is not. If the citizens of Iraq desire freedom, then it is their responsibly to acquire it, through war if necessary. The US’ insistence to fight on behalf of others, following the world wars, has lead to its greatest failures: Korea, Vietnam and, although this remains to be seen, the Middle East.
Look, let us NOT descend into a debate about leaders, who's evil, who's really evil... This is a debate about us, who we are. I will say this: Saddam was a murderous tyrant. Period.
He did not deserve to govern. That should not be the question; the question for Ethics is what means are used to achieve a good end. What ought we do when confronted with very real situations, and the only answer to that question is not war. There are other answers. I respect those who support the war, but if you do so the reason cannot be Saddam was a bad guy.
I think that notre dame should continue to have the rotc program weather the military legalizes SCO or not. And i hope for the sake of the united states military that the sco is never offered as an option because then there will definately be more cowards taking the "HONORABLE WAY OUT" this entire debate is how costeel found god while in the military. My opinion has changed since the last blog but i think that people who would apply for sco would only be using god as a "Circumstance god is good" and not really going the entire way with the religion.It's only when they get scared when they want god by their side and I think that's bull.
Eric, I think your post needs to be rethought.
Let's obtain clairity on some things:
*A government's infringment on the freedom of its citizens is not a cause for war. This holds true EVEN OF GENOCIDE. Genocide, as an infringment of rights, is not a cause for war. Rather, Genocide triggers the "Defense of Innocence" clause in Just War Doctrine.
*The citizens of Iraq have always had freedom. It is a natural right built into the human person. It can neither be taken away nor given away.
*Korea was a U.N. directed operation, and was quite successful from a military perspective.
*Vietnam was also quite successful, from a military perspective. The VC had been all but defeated, the NVA was on the verge of defeat. The Tet Offensive was an unprecedent victory for American Forces.
After reading all these posts, my opinion has swayed back and forth between keeping ROTC or discontinuing it until SCO is a valid option. However, when thinking about what SCO really is, i don't think this will ever happen. I don't see the american government allowing a soldier to leave the military because the war is unjust. I can't imagine our nation admitting to participating in an 'unjust' action. I believe that if our Gov. allowed members to be dischared for not being in a 'just war' that it would cause much more internal controversy than there already is, especially in a war like Iraq. On that note, the more members in ROTC with a ND education, i say the better.
Neumann Jones,
I honestly do not think that if Christ Himself were to approach Fr. John Jenkins, that He would give a 'thumbs up' to the ROTC program at Notre Dame. The fact that it is currently up and running gives Him more than enough breathing room to chastise ND for claiming to be a Catholic institution while at the same time inadequately educating and preparing its students for war and the violence it entails. Why do I say inadequate?--the Dept. of Defense which exerts financial and academic control over ROTC (this being a paramount problem in and of itself) does not require that the students of Notre Dame take any courses on peace and justice. This is a serious problem. ND students are being educated about one side of the coin, but not the other. In summation of my point, I end with this comment: get rid of ROTC; all it represents is a highly sophisticated way of teaching students how to kill.
I agree with Fetters...it does give many oppurtunities to students that do not know what direction they are going. Although i never ever thought about joining ROTC...it does give students that are strugling with direction in life a chance to figure things out.
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