Obama to speak at Notre Dame

jason_h537

The King is Back
Messages
6,945
Reaction score
581
Contorversy over the scheduled commencement speech to be given by President Obama at our beloved University of Notre Dame. For all your FOX, MSNBC, Rush fans, this is what an educated debate sounds like.

<script src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/js/2.0/video/evp/module.js?loc=dom&vid=/video/bestoftv/2009/05/14/ac.obama.speech.cnn" type="text/javascript"></script><noscript>Embedded video from <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video">CNN Video</a></noscript>

Now discuss
 

Honey Nut Irish

Active member
Messages
285
Reaction score
41
You are right, great discussion there. I think Father Resse nailed it. I don't think there is anything wrong with President Obama speaking at Notre Dame. Also, I hope the students and crowd don't do anything rash.
 

jason_h537

The King is Back
Messages
6,945
Reaction score
581
I trust Notre Dame students to be respectful in their protests. The big issue that has been noted is not in the conservative protests, but in the republican protests that are latching on to make this a political issue as opposed to a moral one
 

jason_h537

The King is Back
Messages
6,945
Reaction score
581
Great Quote by Rev. John Jenkins in the LA Times 5/14

"We are not ignoring the critical issue of the protection of life," said Jenkins, who has declined all other interview requests. "On the contrary, we invited him because we care so much about these issues. . . . You cannot change the world if you shun the people you want to persuade, and if you cannot persuade them . . . show respect for them and listen to them."
 

Junkhead

Community Mod
Messages
7,595
Reaction score
1,354
I just drove by campus, and all the wackos are out waving signs.
 

Rocket's Rocket Fan

Well-known member
Messages
1,499
Reaction score
86
I have no problem with him speaking at the commencement as long as he doesn't talk about his ideas that go aganst the catholic church, such as abortion.

I don't believe he would be dumb enough to talk about his ideas that he knows are againts the catholic church.

And let me say I'm a catholic and I didn't vote for him. (I'm a Republican)
 

IrishAlum1997

"Gru" the Dew
Messages
2,466
Reaction score
216
Contorversy over the scheduled commencement speech to be given by President Obama at our beloved University of Notre Dame. For all your FOX, MSNBC, Rush fans, this is what an educated debate sounds like.

<script src="http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/js/2.0/video/evp/module.js?loc=dom&vid=/video/bestoftv/2009/05/14/ac.obama.speech.cnn" type="text/javascript"></script><noscript>Embedded video from <a href="http://www.cnn.com/video">CNN Video</a></noscript>

Now discuss

Jason, do you watch FOX? There are civil conversations much like this one there as well that do not include Sean Hannity or Bill O'Reilly. Your statement above has undertone that we must not be able to identify 'educated' people. Republicans are dumb. That's what I get from your post.
 

Sureal

Ambassador of Good Will
Messages
2,431
Reaction score
316
I dislike all major news stations really. I normally get the headlines and then just educate myself with some of the reference sites on the net.

For instance:

Congress.org - Key Votes

Shows you exactly who voted for what and what is really stated in a bill. There are other sites that will keep you better informed than the talking heads of the majors.

Just trying to encourage you guys to read/research your news from references rather than watch it...
 
Last edited:

Bubba

Beer Drinker
Messages
2,092
Reaction score
176
so there wackos because they are pro life in their stances on abortion and stem cell research? real cool man

He didn't say what the signs were about. Could have been anti-war like many were at the ASU commencement. Why must everyone assume that each post is a remark meant to attack the other side?
 

notredomer23

Staph Member
Messages
17,634
Reaction score
17,557
He didn't say what the signs were about. Could have been anti-war like many were at the ASU commencement. Why must everyone assume that each post is a remark meant to attack the other side?

I am not assuming that, but this is what the whole problem that the protesters have with him being there. It is a place of Catholic learning, and his stances on abortion and stem cell research go against their doctrine. If he was pro life on all topics, I wouldnt be happy with him being there, but I wouldnt make a big deal about it.

In my opinion, this should just be the last president they have there for commencement, because either way, people will get offended
 

Bubba

Beer Drinker
Messages
2,092
Reaction score
176
I think there is a perception problem. If you watched the video on the first post, Obama earned 54% of the Catholic vote, which was more than McCain received. And, of those polled, only 20% or so (can't remember the exact total) disapprove of him speaking there. Just because a group of people speak the loudest, doesn't make them the majority.

And, you're correct, somebody will always get offended, but that's no reason to stop doing something. It's just part of being the President, some people are going to follow you around and protest your every move. Agree or disagree with any President, I would be honored to have any one of them (past or present) speak at my commencement.
 

NeuteredDoomer

RIP - You are missed
Messages
6,714
Reaction score
434
I like Obama.

Sureal, your post is right on time. Kudos buddy.

DiveRightIn, I'm voting for you tomorrow, and then I score the winning touchdown "Brooks style".

And while I'm on a roll, I also marry Cinderella...

As far as I know (which isn't much), the church also teaches tolerance.

Look at the people Jesus hung out with.

Give it a rest folks. Obama is our President. And I am massively conservative, but really respect the man.
 
Last edited:

MeanGreen

New member
Messages
178
Reaction score
34
I totally agree with Fr. Jenkins, if we shun them they have no chance to hear our argument against abortion. Plus, how many graduates can say their commencement speaker was a seated President of the USofA? Not many. I highly doubt he will use this as a political venue. He and his handlers are way to smart for that. Also, if he isn't aware of the controversy this has caused, his people are and they won't let him fudge this up. Just throwing this out there, would it be the same controversy if it were BC or another catholic university. George W. spoke at a catholic college in West. PA a few years ago. He started a war that has cost many of innocent people on both sides their lives. A life is a life. Why didn't that college and George W get all this "bad" press?
 

NeuteredDoomer

RIP - You are missed
Messages
6,714
Reaction score
434
<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UcMw5UGFCGE&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UcMw5UGFCGE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>
 

Junkhead

Community Mod
Messages
7,595
Reaction score
1,354
George W. spoke at a catholic college in West. PA a few years ago. He started a war that has cost many of innocent people on both sides their lives. A life is a life. Why didn't that college and George W get all this "bad" press?

The hypocrisy of the religious right.
 

fortwayne_nd

New member
Messages
529
Reaction score
36
I totally agree with Fr. Jenkins, if we shun them they have no chance to hear our argument against abortion. Plus, how many graduates can say their commencement speaker was a seated President of the USofA? Not many. I highly doubt he will use this as a political venue. He and his handlers are way to smart for that. Also, if he isn't aware of the controversy this has caused, his people are and they won't let him fudge this up. Just throwing this out there, would it be the same controversy if it were BC or another catholic university. George W. spoke at a catholic college in West. PA a few years ago. He started a war that has cost many of innocent people on both sides their lives. A life is a life. Why didn't that college and George W get all this "bad" press?

Stick to the teleprompter...yeah, Dubya never received any bad press.

I'm still waiting for Dubya to be tried as a war criminal...maybe Obama and Pelosi can sprout a pair.
 

Honey Nut Irish

Active member
Messages
285
Reaction score
41
Just because he disagrees with the church he shouldn't be allowed to speak? Are we going back to the days of the Spanish Inquisition?

Also by 'stem cell research' I am going to assume you all mean embryonic stem cell research. There is a big difference.
 

jason_h537

The King is Back
Messages
6,945
Reaction score
581
Jason, do you watch FOX? There are civil conversations much like this one there as well that do not include Sean Hannity or Bill O'Reilly. Your statement above has undertone that we must not be able to identify 'educated' people. Republicans are dumb. That's what I get from your post.

You are missing the point, I also said MSNBC. I consider myself independent (like my beloved Irish). I just prefer my news unbiased. I give props to Fox for this though

<object width="560" height="340"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eYGlU07e-Vw&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eYGlU07e-Vw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="560" height="340"></embed></object>
 

jason_h537

The King is Back
Messages
6,945
Reaction score
581
Just because he disagrees with the church he shouldn't be allowed to speak?

Most people who are protesting his pro choice stance are asking he does not get an honerary degree, not his being there. Although there is a minority which want him to not show up at all.
 

MeanGreen

New member
Messages
178
Reaction score
34
Stick to the teleprompter...yeah, Dubya never received any bad press.

I'm still waiting for Dubya to be tried as a war criminal...maybe Obama and Pelosi can sprout a pair.

Dubya received bad press for the most part because he was the most ill prepared person to be elected president. He was not a great public speaker, not that that ability makes a great president, but he lacked communication skills. As a president he made a great baseball owner! I loved him the owner of the Texas Rangers. Those were the best years of that franchise. He nor the college he spoke at 2 or 3 years ago were on CNN, Fox or any other news outlet for his attendance at their commencement. The points I was making were 1) It is at ND and therefore all the attention and 2) we get caught up in the abortion issue and forget about other issues such as war.War is basically killing and the church is against killing. Again, a life is a life. It will be much easier to end this war then to stop abortion. To stop abortion we need to educate people everything from abstinence to alternatives to unplanned pregnancy. If we strike down Roe vs Wade tomorrow, how many young girls and women are going to go to some "facility" to have a illegal abortion and end up with a host of medical problems, if not dead. I am against abortion, but just like alcoholism, drug abuse, and any other ill of society we need to educate people and give them viable options.
 

jason_h537

The King is Back
Messages
6,945
Reaction score
581
Well the bigger issue as far as Reagen and Bush when they spoke at Notre Dame is that they are for the death penalty which goes against Catholic teachings.


Also not everyone who graduates from Notre Dame is pro life.
 

Quinntastic

IE's Microbiologist
Messages
1,036
Reaction score
111
Didn't anyone ever tell you guys that you never discuss religion and politics at the dinner table?

You all need to start being respectful towards one another before the mud slinging starts up and I get really pissed.

And you guys won't like me when I'm pissed...
 

jason_h537

The King is Back
Messages
6,945
Reaction score
581
This is what happens during off-season and recruiting is slow...

Now when your pissed do you dance?
 

Quinntastic

IE's Microbiologist
Messages
1,036
Reaction score
111
Well this whole thing is pointless. This is about President Obama making a commencement speech at Notre Dame...whether you like the guy or not, he IS the President, and out of all the Universities he could speak at for graduation, he picked ND. That's saying something.

And of COURSE he's not going to make his speech about abortion, politics or religion. That's one of the most ludicrous things I've ever heard! He's going to say stuff about going out in the world and volunteering and recycle and other warm fuzzy bullshit. Why in the hell any of you would actually think he would make this about abortion is just so...ridiculous to me. He knows the ND is a Catholic school, and he knows that Catholics are (for the most part) against abortion. So why in the HELL would he do something so stupid as to talk pro-abortion to a crowd of Catholics? It's like you're just itching to get into this debate and make a fight out of it.

Be proud that while other universities are getting tv morning show hosts to make their commencement speeches, ND is getting the fucking PRESIDENT of the United States and STFU already.
 

jason_h537

The King is Back
Messages
6,945
Reaction score
581
I do not see a problem with the thread. This is a website created to discuss issues about Notre Dame, and this is currently a big one. It is difficult to completely avoid politicsand religion when the main theme is one of the premier Catholic Universities. Aslong as people are respectful and (which for the most part have been) i do not think this topic is off base
 
Top