Spring 2009 - Issue 5

The Silversword: Home > Op-Ed > I’m Just Saying

I’m Just Saying

Russell M. Thoulag, Op-Ed Editor

So it’s a new year. Time to start afresh and turn some things around, although there will always be things that refuse to improve. I guess some things never change, but I’m just saying, would it be so bad if they just went away with the old year?

Valentine’s Day

St. Valentine never had anything to do with candy hearts, little winged babies with bows and arrows, or greeting cards. The Catholic Church doesn’t even know what the saint did, or if the feast day celebrates a single saint named Valentine, or a number of them. So where did all the chocolates and roses come from?
It’s just a little sad that we have to wait for a single day that multi-million dollar companies (*cough* Hallmark) have deemed the day of love, instead of any other day. It’s even sadder that some feel required to buy the roses and cards. I’m not saying it’s bad to be the occasional romantic, or to show someone some love. It’s just demeaning that a holiday is glorified for profit. Does love conquer all, or greed? What really grinds my gears? Having said all this, I’m still going to buy some cards and roses anyways.

The School Mascot

Imagine the scene: There’s electricity in the air. Lights cascade over bleachers filled with restless fans, waiting for the arrival of their fierce and mighty basketball team. A team whose spirit is embodied in . . . a plant.
There is nothing like having a plant to symbolize your school spirit.

The Haleakala silversword, or the ahinahina is the school mascot. It grows in volcanic ash near the dormant Haleakala volcano. It is subject to freezing temperature and high winds. The silversword is only found on Maui—not Oahu. Oh, and it looks like a lousy sword.

Don’t get me wrong; it is a great symbol and pretty, like a lotus. But have you ever heard of the Fighting Lotuses?

Personally, I don’t like it when other schools like the Notre Dame de Namur Argonauts beat up a plant. It’s a little embarrassing. By the way, isn’t it a little funny that we’re the Silverswords, but our color is blue?

Sex in the Dormitories

Having sex is great and beautiful. Hearing you having sex is not great or beautiful. Enough said.