Obama: Americans Must Find 'Common Ground'(For Burial Sites?)

The Bulletin ^ | Monday, May 18, 2009 | JOHN P. CONNOLLY

[IbJensen]

President Focuses Notre Dame Speech On His Vision For Overcoming Religious Differences

President Barack Obama is hooded as he receives an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Laws during commencement ceremonies at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., yesterday. (Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press)

President Barack Obama received a controversial honorary doctorate from the University of Notre Dame yesterday and delivered a commencement keynote address focused on religious differences and his vision for overcoming them.

Mr. Obama acknowledged his appearance at the country’s foremost Catholic university had caused controversy over his stance on abortion, but he told of a story from his campaign to illustrate his view of how to come to terms with differences over abortion.

“A few days after I won the Democratic nomination, I received an e-mail from a doctor who told me that while he voted for me in the primary, he had a serious concern that might prevent him from voting for me in the general election,” said Mr. Obama. “He described himself as a Christian who was strongly pro-life, but that’s not what was preventing him from voting for me. What bothered the doctor was an entry that my campaign staff had posted on my Web site — an entry that said I would fight ‘right-wing ideologues who want to take away a woman’s right to choose.’ The doctor said that he had assumed I was a reasonable person, but that if I truly believed that every pro-life individual was simply an ideologue who wanted to inflict suffering on women, then I was not very reasonable. He wrote, ‘I do not ask at this point that you oppose abortion, only that you speak about this issue in fair-minded words.’”

Mr. Obama emphasized finding common ground, but carefully avoided saying the abortion debate should go away. He stressed his view that reducing the number of abortions is the best way to reconcile both sides on the abortion debate once all sides admit to common ground.

“That’s when we begin to say, ‘Maybe we won’t agree on abortion, but we can still agree that this is a heart-wrenching decision for any woman to make, with both moral and spiritual dimensions,” he said. “‘So let’s work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions by reducing unintended pregnancies, and making adoption more available, and providing care and support for women who do carry their child to term. Let’s honor the conscience of those who disagree with abortion, and draft a sensible conscience clause, and make sure that all of our health-care policies are grounded in clear ethics and sound science, as well as respect for the equality of women.’”

Mr. Obama gave a similar message on religion to the one he delivered in February at the National Prayer Breakfast: that the key to unity among religions is in the golden rule.

“It is no coincidence that it exists in Christianity and Judaism; in Islam and Hinduism; in Buddhism and humanism,” he said. “It is, of course, the golden rule — the call to treat one another as we wish to be treated. The call to love. To serve. To do what we can to make a difference in the lives of those with whom we share the same brief moment on this earth.”

While Mr. Obama spoke, more than 200 pro-life activists protested at Notre Dame’s at the main gates. At least five people were led away in handcuffs, according to a report by the Associated Press. Those arrested included Norma McCorvey, the plaintiff identified as “Roe” in the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. Ms. McCorvey now opposes abortion, offering her story to convince others that abortion doesn’t help women.

The controversy over Mr. Obama’s speech erupted because of a 2004 instruction from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), which said politicians publicly opposed to Catholic morality should not be given honors by Catholic institutions.

Fr. John Jenkins, the president of Notre Dame, did not inform his bishop, Bishop John D’Arcy of the Fort Wayne-South Bend diocese, about the invitation until Mr. Obama had already accepted it. Bishop D’Arcy did not attend yesterday’s commencement exercises. Since the presidential visit was announced, over 70 bishops publicly voiced their opposition to the school’s decision, calling it a scandal.

Although many of the students at Notre Dame are favorable to Mr. Obama, the issue has caused an outcry among many Catholics and not a few alumni. One such organization, known as ReplaceJenkins.com, has recorded more than 1,400 pledges totaling almost $14 million from alumni and donors promising to withhold future donations. Other Catholics have responded to the news by returning all their Notre Dame memorabilia to the school.

Polls over the invitation for Mr. Obama to speak havae been conflicted. A Pew Research Survey showed Catholics were not in favor of rescinding the invitation; however, a Rasmussen Poll showed that Catholics think Notre Dame should obey the USCCB. Mr. Obama won a divided Catholic electorate in the 2008 election, but a Gallup poll released last week showed pro-life self-identification is the highest it has been in 14 years.

[McBuff]

Excuse me, Mr. President. . .but I do believe “the Golden rule” was a revolutionary new perspective brought forth by our Lord and Savior. . .it was also a subtle critique of the Old Testament ethic of “an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.” In fact, Jesus paid a very high price for taking many positions that were, decidedly, not in sync with the contemporary standards. Just thought you like to know. . .oh and by the way, Mr. President, just so you won’t be confused. . .when I say “our Lord and Savior” I’m talking about the other one. . .the real one.

[Wuli]

There is a common ground, that a majority of Americans will would chose.

End the tyranny of the courts and revoke Roe v Wade and return the matter of all abortion laws to the states, as it was meant to be.

[Wuli]

The pic = “his smugness”!!!!!!!