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

awesome post Amedee.

i saw no ranting. just polite and logical statements.

By Amanda C on 05/20/2009 4:35 pm

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Thanks for the feedback! The Catholic Church is not very popular with youths and young men are not eager to join the priesthood; it’s all because of this self-righteous, old school mentality. Without the support of the children of tomorrow, the church will be on a slippery slope to loosing its power. There must be some concession on the part of the church towards change. Those who refuse to see the truth are the ones defending the church. I am still fond of the richness and colorful culture of the church. When I finally attend mass after a blue moon, I feel very at home, but I do not agree with some of these radical teachings that they practice.

Some people just don’t realize that President Obama’s goal is simply to raise the quality and standard of life/ living in the United States; A country where everyone is entitled and equal to all the perks of being an American.

By A Amedee on 05/20/2009 5:03 pm

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We don’t know, however, at this stage when we are not sure, it is better to deal with it then than later. It is all about the state of consciousness. Most often a woman can only tell if they are pregnant after 4 weeks, so…

By A Amedee on 05/19/2009 7:05 am

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It is presented as a womens’ issue but I would sure like to start talking about how we, as a society, will address this with our young MEN. I would love to see some public push on these boys that think it’s a game to get a girl to take her pants off for him. Obama said in a speech during the campaign, that if his daughter made a ‘mistake’, he wouldn’t want her to be burdened with a child. Mistake? Putting on a brown sock with a blue sock is a mistake. Having consentual sex is usually planned. Where’s all the push to educate the boys? Where are the MEN that are suppose to teaching them respect? And God help us, we are looking at the unborn as ‘burdens’ instead of blessings. Come on MEN…start talking to your boys also.

By laureen f on 05/19/2009 9:09 am

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Thank you laureen for bringing up the male half of the issue. I am so sick of reading all of the hate toward women who decide to have an abortion, as well as women who decide to have children they cannot afford to care for. The woman does not get pregnant by herself. Why isn’t there a heated discussion about the lack of responsibility on the part of men to care for their children, or maybe take the necessary steps to avoid making a female pregnant? Are the men somehow excused because biology has given them a stronger sex drive? It’s not just the fathers who should be teaching their sons about sexual responsibility, it is also the mothers.

By Denise W on 05/19/2009 7:16 pm

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Apprieciate the back-up, Denise…I taught my son that girls may be the garden, but he’s in control of the seeds!

By laureen f on 05/19/2009 8:34 pm

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Are the men somehow excused because biology has given them a stronger sex drive?

i dont think that is true at all - just another societal idea. obviously ladies have a strong sex drive also - otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many big-bellied mommies out there ;)

By Amanda C on 05/20/2009 4:37 pm

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Oh! absolutely! 100% agree! Men should be just as responsible as women in this matter. No questions ask!

By A Amedee on 05/19/2009 10:24 pm

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i loved his speech - it was great to see someone in this position deal with the issue head on and call it what it is, divisive - I saw someone lose an election to be a Library Trustee because she wouldn’t come out and say she was Pro-Choice! both sides have lost their minds on this - I give him credit to seeking common ground even if it means he has to change his own stance on it

By Chips AHoey on 05/19/2009 2:29 pm

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I have teenage sons and have done my best to impress upon them that actions have consequences- both moral and practical. That they will have be responsible for the outcomes of those choices and actions. And that I hope they will always show respect for themselves and others in whatever they choose. I hope it works!

By Sandy B on 05/20/2009 5:48 am

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Sandy, the values you instill in child most often reflect in their actions. So keep doing that, at least your children will remember and do the right thing and also pass it onto their friends as well.

By A Amedee on 05/20/2009 8:45 am

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I wish that the energy put into the "baby killing" rant could be put towards the dissemination (pardon the expression) of planned/unwanted pregnancy info/help…

By georgia fatwood on 05/20/2009 6:05 am

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Mercy, Georgia, you know it is so much easier to sit back and be judgmental than to actually spend time doing something productive to address the issue. Positive action vs all day every day spent at the computer spewing self-righteous vitriol…..simply no contest for some. There is some "wheat" in this thread (thank you, ladies!) but sifting through the toxic chaff is quite a price to pay to harvest it!

By ~ countrywoman ~ on 05/20/2009 1:36 pm

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i wonder how many pro-lifers have adopted or fostered children, or have taken in a violent, drug-addicted and pregnant teen into their home to take care of.

By Amanda C on 05/20/2009 4:39 pm

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Georgia, I really think that a lot of people have forgotten why Roe v Wade passed in the first place. They have no clue what women, especially the poorest women, and young girls went through because they were determined to get abortions even if they had to do it themselves(with or without their friends), or they would go to a back alley butcher…..

http://www.prch.org/ben-celniker-md

http://www.prch.org/physicians-recall-suffering-before-roe-v-wade-call-congress-make-abortion-accessible-all-women

http://www.alternet.org/rights/31049/?page=2

By Diana T on 05/20/2009 2:08 pm