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culture
Obama Commencement Coverage Focuses on Protesters
Kaitlynn RielyPosted: Mar 26th 2009 2:01AM
Filed under: Culture, Religion, News, Local, Media, Notre DameKaitlynn Riely, a student at the University of Notre Dame, is delivering the latest news and opinions on the growing Obama Commencement controversy from South Bend. See her coverage on the progression of this media event here, here and here.
I'm starting to feel like I'm living in an abortion debate-themed production of West Side Story.
Ever since Notre Dame announced that President Barack Obama would deliver the May 17 Commencement address, those against hosting Obama because of his pro-choice beliefs and actions have been rumbling, mostly on the Internet and in print, with those who want him to speak here.
I can almost hear the snapping.
The argument is taking place in the opinion pages of Notre Dame's student newspaper, The Observer. The national media has picked up the story. Catholic and pro-life blogs and Web sites are condemning the University for asking a pro-choice politician to speak at Notre Dame and deciding to give him an honorary doctor of laws degree.
But for all the Obama drama, I've only spoken to a few students who are against him speaking here in May. And back in October, Notre Dame's student government conducted a mock election and the results were 52.6 percent for Obama, 41.1 percent for McCain.
The reason it seems, from media coverage, like popular Notre Dame community sentiment is against having Obama speak is because the people opposed to Obama speaking are doing a very good job of organizing and getting their opinion out.
Case in point: Today, a coalition of Notre Dame student groups launched a Web site and issued a press release denouncing the University's choice of Obama as Commencement speaker, an objection, they said, that was not based on "political partisanship" but due to Obama's "hostility to the Catholic Church's teachings on the sanctity of human life at its earliest stages."
The coalition, made up of 11 Notre Dame student groups, asked that only members of the Notre Dame community lead protests against the University's decision.
"Over the next several weeks, in response to this scandal, our organizations will host various academic and religious events to engage the University community," the statement said. It was signed by the 11 student clubs, which include the Notre Dame chapters of Right to Life and the College Republicans.
A Notre Dame alum started an online petition for people who support having Obama on campus, but that petition has gotten little notice. Scan the Internet, and it would seem most Notre Dame people oppose Obama speaking and receiving an honorary degree. It is true that there are many, many people who are against him speaking, and their position has merit. But the media is ignoring the large numbers who are thrilled to have Obama speak at Commencement.
The White House responded to the controversy late Tuesday, reported ABC's Political Punch blog. Deputy White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Obama was "honored" to address the graduation class, but said he understands there are students, parents and alums who don't want him there.
"While he is honored to have the support of millions of people of all faiths, including Catholics with their rich tradition of recognizing the dignity of people, he does not govern with the expectation that everyone sees eye to eye with him on every position and the spirit of debate and healthy disagreement on important issues is part of what he loves about this country," Psaki said.
But the negative reaction has been so loud, and so widely covered, that there's been less coverage of the "healthy disagreement" and more coverage of the outrage by some about the choice. I cannot foresee Obama deciding not to come, or Notre Dame rescinding his invitation. When May 17 has passed, will the story of this controversy be that most Notre Dame people were against his coming? Or will it be clear that many students supported Obama speaking at graduation?
As I did yesterday, I'll end again with my favorite Obama Drama moment of the day. Two Notre Dame students were interviewed on Fox's Greta Van Susteren Wednesday night about their opposition to Obama. At the end of the interview, Van Susteren congratulated the girls on their upcoming graduation.
Her congrats came about a year too early. Both girls are juniors, so they cannot go to Commencement anyway. Greta ended the segment before they could make the correction.
Everyone has the right to have an opinion on Obama speaking at Commencement, but let's see the media seek the opinions of Notre Dame seniors, for whom this decision primarily affects.
I'm starting to feel like I'm living in an abortion debate-themed production of West Side Story.
Ever since Notre Dame announced that President Barack Obama would deliver the May 17 Commencement address, those against hosting Obama because of his pro-choice beliefs and actions have been rumbling, mostly on the Internet and in print, with those who want him to speak here.
I can almost hear the snapping.
The argument is taking place in the opinion pages of Notre Dame's student newspaper, The Observer. The national media has picked up the story. Catholic and pro-life blogs and Web sites are condemning the University for asking a pro-choice politician to speak at Notre Dame and deciding to give him an honorary doctor of laws degree.
But for all the Obama drama, I've only spoken to a few students who are against him speaking here in May. And back in October, Notre Dame's student government conducted a mock election and the results were 52.6 percent for Obama, 41.1 percent for McCain.
The reason it seems, from media coverage, like popular Notre Dame community sentiment is against having Obama speak is because the people opposed to Obama speaking are doing a very good job of organizing and getting their opinion out.
Case in point: Today, a coalition of Notre Dame student groups launched a Web site and issued a press release denouncing the University's choice of Obama as Commencement speaker, an objection, they said, that was not based on "political partisanship" but due to Obama's "hostility to the Catholic Church's teachings on the sanctity of human life at its earliest stages."
The coalition, made up of 11 Notre Dame student groups, asked that only members of the Notre Dame community lead protests against the University's decision.
"Over the next several weeks, in response to this scandal, our organizations will host various academic and religious events to engage the University community," the statement said. It was signed by the 11 student clubs, which include the Notre Dame chapters of Right to Life and the College Republicans.
A Notre Dame alum started an online petition for people who support having Obama on campus, but that petition has gotten little notice. Scan the Internet, and it would seem most Notre Dame people oppose Obama speaking and receiving an honorary degree. It is true that there are many, many people who are against him speaking, and their position has merit. But the media is ignoring the large numbers who are thrilled to have Obama speak at Commencement.
The White House responded to the controversy late Tuesday, reported ABC's Political Punch blog. Deputy White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Obama was "honored" to address the graduation class, but said he understands there are students, parents and alums who don't want him there.
"While he is honored to have the support of millions of people of all faiths, including Catholics with their rich tradition of recognizing the dignity of people, he does not govern with the expectation that everyone sees eye to eye with him on every position and the spirit of debate and healthy disagreement on important issues is part of what he loves about this country," Psaki said.
But the negative reaction has been so loud, and so widely covered, that there's been less coverage of the "healthy disagreement" and more coverage of the outrage by some about the choice. I cannot foresee Obama deciding not to come, or Notre Dame rescinding his invitation. When May 17 has passed, will the story of this controversy be that most Notre Dame people were against his coming? Or will it be clear that many students supported Obama speaking at graduation?
As I did yesterday, I'll end again with my favorite Obama Drama moment of the day. Two Notre Dame students were interviewed on Fox's Greta Van Susteren Wednesday night about their opposition to Obama. At the end of the interview, Van Susteren congratulated the girls on their upcoming graduation.
Her congrats came about a year too early. Both girls are juniors, so they cannot go to Commencement anyway. Greta ended the segment before they could make the correction.
Everyone has the right to have an opinion on Obama speaking at Commencement, but let's see the media seek the opinions of Notre Dame seniors, for whom this decision primarily affects.
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anne
7:33AM 7:33AM Mar 26th 2009
Kaitlynn, you are so wrong that this effects the Notre Dame seniors only---what an inane comment.
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mayabelle1107
8:20AM 8:20AM Mar 26th 2009
You're liberal agenda has oozed its way into every school across this once great country. No God, No Faith, No Morals, No Values. Now when students at a private university take a stand on an issue that is unquestionably about the murdering of viable children, you are outraged? What about it do you not understand? There are doctor's that will tell you when they pull the fetus out, so they can suck the brains out of its head, the baby frequently begins crying. Breathing on its own, a viable human. If you can convince yourself otherwise, you are conveniently ignoring truth and reality. Though that's not rare for a liberal.
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mike clark
11:23AM 11:23AM Mar 26th 2009
I agree with you completely mayabelle!!
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Tatiana
6:25PM 6:25PM Mar 26th 2009
Oh look...a Republican lying. That's about as unusual as cold weather in Minnesota in January.
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cindy
9:08AM 9:08AM Mar 26th 2009
Zero-bama's assertion that this is just a "healthy debate" which is what he loves so much about our country is such a selfish remark! This is about the "health" (to use his word) and very LIFE of citizens of our USA who are murdered before they can take their very first breath of life. Was he elected to be the president of the people, by the people, for the people---even those conceived and born in the USA on his watch?...or just those who voted for him?
"While he is honored to have the support of millions of people of all faiths, including Catholics with their rich tradition of recognizing the dignity of people..." Doesn't he understand? The TRUE Catholics, the ones who respect and believe in their Faith, DO respect the dignity of people, ALL PEOPLE, even those who have no voice or power to speak for themselves, and therefore depend on US to speak for them, those who should be safely ensconced within their mother's wombs till they are given the grace to be born with a natural birth....For who among you would want yourself to be KILLED in order to support Zero-Bama, the Obama-nation of our nation? He always thinks everything is about him.
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G
10:33AM 10:33AM Mar 26th 2009
I'm not sure why you're outraged that the number of those opposed to Obama are growing by leaps and bounds. And for a news media to be outraged by the opinions of those within a PRIVATE University speaks (in my opinion) of the Oxymoran that Obama represents. After all, he loves to discredit those against him. If you think that Oxymoran Obama is presistent, lady, just wait until you hear from the 48 percent that didn't vote for him now joined by those in the 51 percent that did vote for him and regret their decision have to say! Keep on dreaming -- Oxymoran.
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Carol
10:39AM 10:39AM Mar 26th 2009
Lets see here..Obama breaches the constitution by not providing his vaulted birth certificate, hired felons through Acorn to cook the voter registrations, supports abortion up to and during the 7th month of pregnancy, holds the record for being the biggest spend thrift in the country, hires tax cheats, breaks every campaign promise of two full years, changes religions like the weather (one day he's Christian, the next he's Muslim), defends a minister that damns America and a wife that writes her college thesis on her hatred of white people. This is the best they can find as an example or mentor for college graduates? This type of person I would avoid like the plaque.
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dick brooks
9:32PM 9:32PM Mar 26th 2009
carol...great comments...and there's more...if his wife hates white people so much, then she needs to get her ass out of the white house and to a porch in alabama along with her empty suit socialistic husband...these two people are evil
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stephanie
9:16AM 9:16AM Mar 28th 2009
Wait a minute Dice, we don't want either of them down here in the South, they need to be sent to some liberal loving state like California or New York, but please don't burden the South with slugs like them.
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Tim
11:05AM 11:05AM Mar 28th 2009
Hey Carol. I agree with you when you say Obama is wishy washy and changes from day to day. Also, his wife absolutely does not like white people. She sais after Obla-blah was elected (and I quote):For the first time in my life, I am proud of my country (The U.S.).Why would lieing your way into the white house make someone proud?
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shani
1:08PM 1:08PM Mar 26th 2009
Will Obama be performing abortions at the school? Will he be financially funding those choosing to abort, or will he be speaking as president at a commencement ceremony? The arrogance and stupidity of people is mind-boggling. And for those still waiting for Obama to produce his birth certificate (I tried to stifle the laughter, but it's bursting through) please hold your breath until you pass out... or die, preferably.
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beau
3:23PM 3:23PM Mar 26th 2009
I guess whoever wrote this is a liberal that voted for BHO. Catholics, all around the world are angry, their virtues are being thrown to the wind, so a popular figure (his followers elevate him to god status)can give his partisan speech to a group of people who do not like his beliefs, this makes it look like anyone at the ceremony is in support of his beliefs. That is the real deception. There have been quite a few protests against the BHO regime, it never makes the news, how about the 250 Tea Parties in all 50 states? that is never in the news, but BHO false approval rating is. So bring both parts of the story when you spout off. No one is saying that a few people would like him there, but I guess the POPE (as close as a catholic can get to God) would not like this much. everyone makes everything with BHO racist, or liberal against conservative. Maybe some of us just don't like him, his family or what they stand for. It's that simple. There are almost 200,000 signatures asking Notre Dame to recind BHO's invitation. He is going to recieve a diploma from a school that teaches direct opposition to his beliefs. BHO attended a racist church for many years, if I went to a church that dis-respected African Americans the way reverend Wright disrepected all caucasians, I would be in jail for hate crimes. funny how the race card goes both ways. how about all the support BHO is giving to ND and the flooding. BHO dislikes all caucasians, so there will be no federal flood assistance, until its too late, but no one will claim he is just like Bush. If it were in South Chicago, we would have national guard, FEMA, Army, etc. etc. because he likes his own kind. So when you bring up the racism card, remember your president is one.
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shani
9:00AM 9:00AM Mar 27th 2009
Will Obama be performing abortions at the school? Will he be
financially funding those choosing to abort, or will he be speaking
as president at a commencement ceremony? The arrogance and stupidity
of people is mind-boggling. And for those still waiting for Obama to
produce his birth certificate (I tried to stifle the laughter, but
it's bursting through) please hold your breath until you pass out...
or die, preferably.
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irish 93
1:21PM 1:21PM Mar 26th 2009
None of today’s “outraged” protesters had much to say when pro-choice, pro-death penalty, pro-war, pro-torture Condoleezza Rice spoke at Notre Dame’s commencement. At least President Obama agrees with the Catholic Church on most of these issues.
Support the University’s decision. Sign the petition:
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/4ObamaatND
.
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beauin
3:25PM 3:25PM Mar 26th 2009
I guess whoever wrote this is a liberal that voted for BHO.
Catholics, all around the world are angry, their virtues are being
thrown to the wind, so a popular figure (his followers elevate him to
god status)can give his partisan speech to a group of people who do
not like his beliefs, this makes it look like anyone at the ceremony
is in support of his beliefs. That is the real deception. There have
been quite a few protests against the BHO regime, it never makes the
news, how about the 250 Tea Parties in all 50 states? that is never
in the news, but BHO false approval rating is. So bring both parts of
the story when you spout off. No one is saying that a few people would
like him there, but I guess the POPE (as close as a catholic can get
to God) would not like this much. everyone makes everything with BHO
racist, or liberal against conservative. Maybe some of us just don't
like him, his family or what they stand for. It's that simple. There
are almost 200,000 signatures asking Notre Dame to recind BHO's
invitation. He is going to recieve a diploma from a school that
teaches direct opposition to his beliefs. BHO attended a racist
church for many years, if I went to a church that dis-respected
African Americans the way reverend Wright disrepected all caucasians,
I would be in jail for hate crimes. funny how the race card goes both
ways. how about all the support BHO is giving to ND and the flooding.
BHO dislikes all caucasians, so there will be no federal flood
assistance, until its too late, but no one will claim he is just like
Bush. If it were in South Chicago, we would have national guard, FEMA,
Army, etc. etc. because he likes his own kind. So when you bring up
the racism card, remember your president is one.
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Jim
3:27PM 3:27PM Mar 26th 2009
I'm a 66 year old Catholic. I quit going to Mass on a regular basis when the church started passing out hundreds of millions of dollars to pay for the sins of the pedophile Priests. If this man gets banned in the name of the Catholic Church, I will find another place to worship. The bishops should change the name of the church to the Holy Rollin RepubliKKKan.
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jewellsix
6:52PM 6:52PM Mar 26th 2009
To Gary, I wish you would reconsider your views on the Catholic Church. We are followers of Christ and his teachings, not the People that work in the church. Think of it as America. Would you abandon your country because you don't like the way people in congress use your money? Or would you support your country good and try to fix the problems within it? Your faith should not be taken so lightly.
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Gary Krager
4:11PM 4:11PM Mar 26th 2009
Anne,
Why do you feel the need to misquote and misrepresent what was written? Nowhere does the article state that the decision "effects the Notre Dame seniors only."
What it does say, quite accurately, is, "Everyone has the right to have an opinion on Obama speaking at Commencement, but let's see the media seek the opinions of Notre Dame seniors, for whom this decision primarily affects."
It is, after all, the commencement speech for that class.
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AvaLlea
6:40PM 6:40PM Mar 26th 2009
This has nothing to do with the majority or minority of voters - this has to do with Notre Dame being a private CATHOLIC institution. We are either aligned with our faith and the Holy Father or not. OBAMA is NOT.
He is the MOST LIBERAL, PRO-ABORTION politician on record. He has no sanctity for life at any stage. To honor him on the grounds of a Roman Catholic Institution consecrated to the Blessed Mother is blasphemy.
As the Pope said - the cafeteria is closed.
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AvaLlea
6:43PM 6:43PM Mar 26th 2009
Then go find somewhere else to 'worship'. Keep in mind there is only one place you are able to receive the Eucharist.
The true faithful say adios to people like you. Weed'em out - the sooner the better.
Good Luck.
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