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Obama at Notre Dame | 05/18/2009 8:40 am

Obama Confronts Abortion Controversy at Notre Dame (Video)

On Sunday, pro-choice President Barack Obama gave the much-debated commencement speech at the Catholic university.
By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Obama at Notre Dame

From pro-life demonstrations before his arrival to hecklers during his speech, Barack Obama’s commencement address at the University of Notre Dame seemed like it could have been explosive, but the president did his best to soothe controversy. 

As a pro-choice Democrat speaking at a Catholic university, some students, faculty and parents felt his support of abortion rights was a conflict of interest to church teachings. Speaking in front of an estimated 12,000 graduates, Obama expressed his gratitude to be there, his views on the world economy and, yes, the abortion debate.

That’s when we begin to say, ‘Maybe we won’t agree on abortion, but we can still agree that this heart-wrenching decision for any woman is not casually made, it has both moral and spiritual dimensions.’ 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 not carry their child to term.

The president also urged people to approach the debate with an "open heart," for "when we open our hearts and our minds to those who might not think precisely like we do or precisely what we believe — that’s when we discover at least the possibility of common ground."

Watch Obama’s commencement speech, which aired on Fox News, via YouTube (Part one):

 

Watch Obama’s commencement speech, which aired on Fox News, via YouTube (Part two):


Tell us: What do you think of President Barack Obama’s commencement speech?


324 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Amanda C
i’m serious! who would ever say that HELPING THE POOR AND SICK is a bad idea? that should not make you laugh, it should make you furious!
By Amanda C on 05/20/2009 4:18 pm
Mary Quite-Contrary
Great link…HB. A well thought out article…is that the same Star who has posted here? Anyhow…great point..all higher education has become a regurgitation of far left theology. Today’s true paragon of higher education diversity is probably the local computer tech school where politics are never mentioned. And btw, Orgasmic lectures…at Harvard?
By Mary Quite-Contrary on 05/18/2009 12:08 pm
Kay Kosten
OOOOh! Really? How do I get into THAT course?!? ;)
By Kay Kosten on 05/18/2009 9:05 pm
Maggie W
Star Parker is a conservative crusader who frequently appears on FOX.  Rush Limbaugh is also her fan.  So, consider the source. 
By Maggie W on 05/18/2009 10:50 am
Barbara B
Thanks DeBurca for that information and I appreciate you understanding my post.
By Barbara B on 05/18/2009 11:09 am
Mahulda Fite

Since the pro-choice folks want to dismiss the recent abortion poll because of "sampling size", does that mean those of us on the right can dismiss the polls showing Obama’s 60% approval rating for the same reasons? Rasmussen has conducted this poll for many years. This is the first time pro-life has dominated. I wonder if you pro-choice folks embraced this same poll in August when the pro-choice % was 50 and pro-life was 44%?

Maybe people are using logic and realizing what abortion really is. All of us passed through the gestation stage of development or we wouldn’t be here today. Is it any less agregious to kill a baby than a 10 year old? Or to kill a 12 year old than an adult? All humans pass through all of these stages of development, hopefully, but they are humans through every stage.

We know that making something legal does not make it morally acceptable. If abortion was illegal, there would still be abortions, just not as many. Similar to murder—it is illegal, yet murder still occurs. What if we made murder legal—do you think there would be or less murders? If there are no consequences to your actions, then you are less apt to comply, that what society is for—to uphold our consciences. 

By Mahulda Fite on 05/18/2009 12:18 pm
Green Tears
Nicely said, thank you.
By Green Tears on 05/18/2009 12:22 pm
DeBúrca obj
Do what you want. My guess is that you already dismiss the positive polls for Obama.
By DeBúrca obj on 05/18/2009 12:55 pm
Libra Lady
Mahulda…thank you…..you are so very correct.
By Libra Lady on 05/18/2009 2:36 pm
Amanda C
If there are no consequences to your actions, then you are less apt to comply, that what society is for—to uphold our consciences. 

and what would outlawing abortion do, excatly, that would uphold our consciences?

By Amanda C on 05/20/2009 4:19 pm
Norma Grooms

I applaud the President for going to Notre Dame and discussing the issue of differing stands on abortion.  How sad that some could not listen with respect to what the President had to say.

After all, he was invited there to speak and share his wisdom and knowledge with the graduating class.

 

By Norma Grooms on 05/18/2009 12:32 pm
marta pont
God bless Mr Obama to have the guts to address this thorny issue in front of Catholic double standard.  In Catholic countries, well to do women have abortions -even though it is illegal- in the best sanitary conditions, paying huge fees for this right of choice & poor women died by the thousands in septic neglect.  Someone has to be brave enough to call spade a spade & remind the world that women have the right to choose. 
By marta pont on 05/18/2009 12:46 pm
caj p
Everyone seems to think that if you say you are Pro Choice that it automatically means you agree with ALL abortions well that is far from the case I would say.  Many like myself I’m sure believe in a woman’s right to choose what to do with her own body as that is a personal choice, but abortion is not a form of birth control in my opinion and that is where I draw the line at abortion!   In other cases of rape and incest I do agree with abortion no one should be made to have a child conceived in that manner, but that is my own personal opinion on that of course.
By caj p on 05/18/2009 1:04 pm
Mahulda Fite
caj p—I understand what you are saying and you are right, I think a lot of pro-choice people think like you do. It is not an either or proposition for some, but a matter of thought and degree. I think you stated your opinion eloquently.
By Mahulda Fite on 05/18/2009 1:16 pm
Kelly In Texas

Mahulda…I think that is true as well. The problem is that not very many abortions are due to the compromised life of the mother. There are certain medical reasons for abortions, certainly…yes.

However, in the case of rape….how is that proved? Can you imagine the cases against men just to prove it was rape? Enough women lie about that as it is. Yes they do…better to be a victim of rape than to be seen as a sexually active individual.

That is the problem with abortion. It IS used as birth control. Strict guidelines need to be in place. Medical guidelines. There are CONDOMS and the MORNING AFTER PILL.

No more excuses……people are sick and tired of the excuses for murder.

Medical situations are a separate issue altogether for many of us.

By Kelly In Texas on 05/18/2009 1:43 pm