DACA Demonstrations

These photos were taken from a student gathering on Notre Dame’s campus on November 11, 2016, in support of making ND a sanctuary campus for undocumented individuals.

Images from Post-Election Demonstrations

These photos were taken from a student gathering on Notre Dame’s campus on November 9, 2016.

Reflecting on the American Variety of Democracy

The United States of America began as, and remains, a brave experiment in democracy. Today, that rings just as true as it did in 1776 and 1789. It rings just as true as when we stained our own soil with our brothers’ blood. It rings just as true as when the Twin Towers fell.

A Week in Athens: IV

As I wait for my shuttle back to school, I wanted to share some of photos from the week.

The streets of Piraeus – There were a lot of hills. I’ve missed them.

The Piraeus waterfront – Sadly, I picked the day with the worst weather to go to the water. Besides a few cafe-goers, a youth soccer match, and sparsely scattered Athenians, the neighborhood streets were quiet.

Fishing in Piraeus – I stumbled upon this group fishing in the harbor, below a ridiculously expensive cafe.

The Piraeus ferry ports – I would have loved to explored some of the Greek islands on this trip.

Piraeus train station – outside the train station, there were three tables right next to each other all selling umbrellas. I’m sure that some economist has been giddy with excitement at that sight before.

The churches here are plentiful and beautiful. Without fail, every single one I’ve gone into has been staffed by an old man.

Athens Central Market – Don’t wear opened toed shoes to a fish market.

Sub-€2 Souvlaki, you will be dearly missed.

Mount Lycabettus – “The one that is walked by wolves.”

Mount Lycabettus – There were two merchants at the peak, both selling the same assortment of refreshments. I made eye contact with one, and he started listing off everything he had. Not to be outdone, the other merchant started listing off his (identical) selection even louder. This is the example I would use to define a vicious circle.

Mount Lycabettus (again) – It was a cool view.

Mount Lycabettus – This hike takes you from the heart of Athens to a quiet perch above the city in less than an hour.

Driving in Athens seems incredibly stressful.

The Temple of Zeus – In Hadrian’s addition to the city, he had “This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus” inscribed on the gate. Hadrian seems like an insecure guy who had a lot of power.

The Temple of Zeus – These ancient buildings each tell a story: rise, glory, struggle for power, ruins, and history.

Presidential Guard at the Greek Parliament Building – After performing their uniformed marching routine, the commander made minute adjustments to the soldiers stances and wiped sweat off of one of their foreheads.

Greek Parliament Building, Syntagma Square – I first heard about Syntagma square when I read the celebration after the “No” vote in the bailout referendum in 2015. The vote later proved to be effectively meaningless. When I was in the square, there were just pigeons and tourists.

The Parthenon – This building once looked over one of the greatest cities in the world.

This cat was one of the most popular sights on the Acropolis.

I caved and took (many) pictures.

Exploring the Ancient Agora

The Ancient Agora

I came upon this Greek couple singing in the hills near the Acropolis. Their voices were wonderful.

I’ll miss these streets.

Ruins old and new.

The beautiful Church of Santa Marina

Well this looks a bit familiar.

A Week in Athens: III

10/21/16 – Athens, Greece

Coming to a close.

Tomorrow is my last day in Athens. This experience will recede from the present and become a mere memory.

A Week in Athens: II

10/18/16 – Athens, Greece

Third day in Athens.

My first day here was overwhelming. It was my first time in Europe, or even in a significantly different culture. I felt hurried. I went to a crepe shop and panicked when I couldn’t read anything on the menu. I ended up with a banana crepe and a scoop of tiramisu gelato in a cup wrapped in foil, with no spoon. I rushed past beautiful monuments, anxious for the time to pass so I could check into my hostel. By the time I got back to the hostel, I wanted to move my flight back to school up a few days. I was overwhelmed and failing to appreciate the city.

A Week in Athens: I

10/15/16 – Chicago, IL

Off to Athens.

I’ve been in this airport many times. A few connecting flights. My first time visiting Notre Dame. After breaks. On my way home for the holidays and the summer.

“I alone can fix it.”

Trump’s 75-minute acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention painted the Republican candidate’s picture of the country and its future. Depending on who you talked to, it was a bright, hopeful vision of the future or a shameful use of fear mongering.

Policy aside, Trump had one particular remark that merits, to a special degree, our attention, reflection, and scrutiny. For a moment, let us forget immigration issues, tax reform, gun control, bankruptcy, and email scandals. Campaign rhetoric, to many observers, is nothing more than conflated, empty political promising. Still, this rhetoric can have immense implications for not just policy, but also the health of our democracy.

Trump’s Wall Inspiration? Look No Further than HBO’s Game of Thrones

Donald Trump, the presumptive GOP nominee, invited a panel of reporters, notably none from the Washington post, to the New York Trump Tower earlier this week to clarify his policy positions in light of the upcoming convention.

Trump discussed his various proposals, including a ban on immigration of Muslims, imposition of heavy tariffs, and large-scale tax cuts. However, the greatest insight into the real estate mogul’s platform came when the conversation turned to his proposed wall between the United States and Mexico, paid for by Mexico.

Gross Domestic Prosperity: Fulfilling Jeb Bush’s Four Percent Promise

On the presidential campaign trail of the 2016 election cycle, Jeb Bush controversially promised annualized GDP growth of a cool four percent (Noah). Among some economists, this goal was considered both unreachable and unhealthy. This complacent and pessimistic attitude towards a perfectly attainable economic growth target is completely misguided. Economic resignation to pathetic growth rates has seeped into the hearts and minds of the American people. This disease of perception must be cured immediately, lest American exceptionalism be left to die, killing with it the hopes and dreams of the great American people. As a remedy, I endeavor to restore economic confidence to the nation and demonstrate the feasibility of Bush’s growth target by proposing a simple, effective economic program to stimulate GDP growth.