Notre Dame Valedictorian: Obama Practices Catholic Values

[DesertRat]

The media focus on the controversy surrounding President Obama's upcoming Notre Dame speech might give the impression that Obama is not welcome at the university. Class valedictorian Brennan Bollman, the woman who will be sharing the stage with the president on Sunday, says that couldn't be further from the truth.

"This issue has not divided the campus by any means," says the Catholic, pro-life biology major who will be attending Harvard Medical School after graduation.

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Bollman stressed that her peers do not view the president's overall values as inconsistent with Catholicism. In fact, Bollman says Obama is practicing Catholic values in his administration. Like Jesus, Bollman says, Obama is trying to invite "everyone to the table."

(snip)

Bollman stressed that even though the student body is overwhelmingly disconnected from the outside furor over Obama's visit, there is a healthy debate on campus. She explained that the debate is less about abortion and more about Obama's policies towards "advancing this human life" after it's born. Bollman, who voted for Obama, says she and many of her fellow students support the president because of the respect he has "given to human life through many of his policies." Bollman did point out one group, Notre Dame Response, that would be holding a peaceful demonstration during the commencement.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/16/notre-dame-valedictorian_n_204248.html

[Peregrine Took]

1. I'm proud of her (even though I'm mad at Obama for his "W" impersonations)

I just hope the wing nuts don't go after her.

[HopeOverFear]

6. what W impersonations, when????

[rvablue]

2. K&R! Thanks for posting. Totally debunks the MSM who continue to try to stoke this fire.

The grand majority of the graduating class are thrilled!

And I hope some of this makes it into her speech!

[Cha]

3. The party of NO's worst

nightmare!

[DesertRat]

4. I'm looking forward to her speech

I'm sure that most of the party of NO couldn't even spell valedictorian!

[FrenchieCat]

7. Will her speech be televised? It should be, but you know how

the TeeVee people are!

Anyways, good on her! Gives me some hope! :)

[DesertRat]

9. I don't know if it will be televised (hope so!)

But I hope that at least the content of it will be picked up by the MSM.

[FrenchieCat]

11. They might.....they might not!

CNN is shifty that way.

[tanyev]

5. Bravo!

:applause:

[Ocracoker16]

8. Good for her!

There has been such a vast right wing conspiracy to make it look like there are far more people who object to Obama speaking at the commencement of Notre Dame than there really are. I find the comments of this young lady to be quite refreshing. She does a good job of explaining why she approves of the invitation of Obama to speak at graduation even though she is pro-life. Unlike some who only see things in a black or white manner, she recognizes the benefit of listening to those who don't share her opinion. She doesn't demonize Obama, because he is pro-choice. She sees this whole situation as a catylyst for respectful dialogue on campus. She recognizes that she can learn a lot from trying to understand where Obama is coming from. She is respectful of Obama's belief that women are the ones who should get to choose and not government. The issue becomes more than a simple matter of being pro-choice or pro-life.

[DesertRat]

10. Well said!

:thumbsup:

[rufus dog]

12. Bollman was on Faux last night with Greta

It was beautiful, Greta was trying to set her up for a slam and shut her down with a smile and statement similar to the Huffpo article. Even through the plastic surgery, you could see Greta's face drop.

[DesertRat]

14. Thanks for the report

Wish I could have seen it, but I can't stomach Greta...or really anyone on Faux.

[onehandle]

13. No surprise to me. Catholic values are not what most people think they are.

Especially here at DU. Don't let the nut minority project their lies on you.

I think that the Obamas should become Catholic. That would make the nut minority go nuttier.

Not to mention the fundies of the country that HATE Catholics.

[Scurrilous]

15. K & R

:thumbsup: