Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Obama asks for the fair minded in order to put an end to abortion debates
Associated Press ^

Posted on 05/18/2009 10:45:49 AM PDT by texasdoesitbetter

Obama calls for 'fair-minded' abortion debate The president is greeted by cheers, protests at University of Notre Dame The Associated Press updated 4:18 p.m. PT, Sun., May 17, 2009 WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama strode head-on Sunday into the stormy abortion debate and told graduates at America's leading Roman Catholic university that both sides must stop demonizing one another.

Obama acknowledged that "no matter how much we want to fudge it ... the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable." But he still implored the University of Notre Dame's graduating class and all in the U.S. to stop "reducing those with differing views to caricature. Open hearts. Open minds. Fair-minded words. It's a way of life that always has been the Notre Dame tradition."

One of the noisiest controversies of his young presidency flared after Obama, who supports abortion rights but says the procedure should be rare, was invited to speak at the school and receive an honorary degree. "I do not suggest that the debate surrounding abortion can or should go away," the president said.

The Rev. John Jenkins, Notre Dame's president, introduced Obama and praised the president for not being "someone who stops talking to those who disagree with him." Jenkins said too little attention has been paid to Obama's decision to speak at an institution that opposes his abortion policy.

(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...


TOPICS: Religion; Society
KEYWORDS: abortion; abovemypaygrade; achillwind; bho44; bhoabortion; bhocommencements; obama; presidentflipflop; prolife
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-32 next last
With the constant debate on abortion this new outlook Obama has just might be the best bet in order to put an end to the abortion debate.
1 posted on 05/18/2009 10:45:50 AM PDT by texasdoesitbetter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter
Obama has just might be the best bet in order to put an end to the abortion debate.

This would mean that he will give up some of his principle on the issue in order to take a step to 'put an end' to the debate.. so tell us, what of his principles is he giving up on this issue?

2 posted on 05/18/2009 10:46:55 AM PDT by mnehring
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter

“Just walk away, nothing to see here”


3 posted on 05/18/2009 10:47:03 AM PDT by BlueStateBlues (Blue State business, Red State heart. . . . .Palin 2012----can't come soon enough!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter

Ya, OK Obama “Can’t we just all get along?


4 posted on 05/18/2009 10:47:44 AM PDT by 70th Division (I love my country but fear my government!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter

this is rich, coming from the guy that voted in favor of infanticide when he was a state senator . . .


5 posted on 05/18/2009 10:49:02 AM PDT by JohnBrowdie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter

Fair Minded- Liberal translation

One who is willing to stand on their principles until they aren’t. Methods to help one change their principles; lies, money, power. If you are not able or willing to change your position for one of these items, you are not fair minded. Please see DHS description of “potential domestic terrorist” for your definition.


6 posted on 05/18/2009 10:49:45 AM PDT by wombtotomb (ITS NOT ABOUT RIGHT VS. LEFT, ITS ABOUT RIGHT VS. WRONG!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: mnehring
This would mean that he will give up some of his principle on the issue in order to take a step to 'put an end' to the debate.. so tell us, what of his principles is he giving up on this issue?

Somehow I think that the White House thought this was going to die down after Obami's speech.

The Obortion debate has only begun and the left will lose because they have neither faith nor reason on their side on this issue.

7 posted on 05/18/2009 10:50:57 AM PDT by frogjerk (C-NJ)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter

If he puts up a pro-abort for the Supreme Ct., there needs to be loud and frequent protests from the conservatives out there. Just like the tea parties. Call him out on it.


8 posted on 05/18/2009 10:51:12 AM PDT by FrdmLvr (What fresh hell is this?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter
Obama, who supports abortion rights but says the procedure should be rare,

If it really is nothing, why make it rare? I don't hear of anyone trying to make tonsil removal "rare" (BTW, mine never were removed).

9 posted on 05/18/2009 10:53:12 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (If you like the Dept. of Motor Vehicles, the IRS, and the Post Office, you'll love govt Health Care)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: frogjerk

Uh-O. wants an end to the debate because liberals do not tolerate dissent. Look at Al Gore. He won’t respond to calls for a one on one debate on the myth of man-made global warming.

It isn’t about “winning the argument”, it is about limiting the audience for those who have counter arguments.


10 posted on 05/18/2009 10:55:05 AM PDT by a fool in paradise (If you like the Dept. of Motor Vehicles, the IRS, and the Post Office, you'll love govt Health Care)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter

If anyone wants the non MSM filtered version, you can get the full transcript at

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090517/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_obama_notre_dame_text

or watch the video at

http://cspan.org/Watch/Media/2009/05/17/HP/A/18634/Pres+Obamas+Commencement+Address+at+Notre+Dame.aspx

He uses the word ‘cling’ twice.


11 posted on 05/18/2009 10:55:55 AM PDT by posterchild (Endowed by my Creator with certain unalienable rights.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter

Let’s all compromise and give me everything I want ...


12 posted on 05/18/2009 10:56:21 AM PDT by ClearCase_guy (We are a ruled people, serfs to the Federal Oligarchy -- and the Tree of Liberty thirsts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter

The sound byte I heard he said he wanted respect shown for both sides of the debate, including the women ‘choosing’ abortion.........but he said nothing for the unborn women who would chosse life.


13 posted on 05/18/2009 10:59:04 AM PDT by smartymarty (When you know why you believe what you believe, leadership is inevitable.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: a fool in paradise

What an excellent point.


14 posted on 05/18/2009 11:00:42 AM PDT by brytlea (Jesus loves me, this I know.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: smartymarty

Of course, the pro abortion side never wants to even acknowledge the fact that there is a second person involved in every abortion decision.


15 posted on 05/18/2009 11:01:54 AM PDT by brytlea (Jesus loves me, this I know.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter

He wants to debate to end when everyone is thinking like he does.


16 posted on 05/18/2009 11:03:53 AM PDT by Leftism is Mentally Deranged (liberalism is truly evil. and liberals have no sense of humor either.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter

You are kidding, right? To a lib, “open minded” means agreeing 100% with him, and anyone who doesn’t is dismissed as “closed minded.” Seriously, you aren’t falling for this blather, are you? Or did I miss the implied /sarc tag?


17 posted on 05/18/2009 11:05:50 AM PDT by piytar (Obama = Mugabe wannabe. Wake up America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: wombtotomb

“Fair Minded- Liberal translation

One who is willing to stand on their principles,(then move their feet up and down vigorously) until they aren’t.”

Zero spoke to the non aborted audience. I wonder if there might have been a few sitting there wondering just how close they themselves came to being aborted.


18 posted on 05/18/2009 11:07:21 AM PDT by Islander2 (Abort Planned Parenthood and other abortuaries)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: texasdoesitbetter
The b@st@rd equated his daughters' possibly getting pregnant with their catching an STD.

May he rot!!!
19 posted on 05/18/2009 11:12:06 AM PDT by Sudetenland (Partial-birth abortions are state sanctioned torture/murder.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: smartymarty

You are right. I suspct that if we framed the debate as “what would you say about someone in a case where one person was named jury judge and exercutioner of them? Wouldn’t you consider that wrong?”


20 posted on 05/18/2009 11:13:16 AM PDT by chris_bdba
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-32 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson