Criticism over Obama invite mounts at Notre Dame

[WI_DEM]

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Jimmy Carter came to Notre Dame in 1977. So did Ronald Reagan in 1981 and George W. Bush in 2001.

The University of Notre Dame has a tradition of inviting new presidents to speak at graduation. But this year's selection of President Barack Obama has been met by a barrage of criticism that has left some students fearing their commencement ceremony will turn into a circus.

Many Catholics are angered by Obama's planned appearance at the May 17 ceremony because of his decisions to provide federal funding for embryonic stem cell research and international family planning groups that provide abortions or educate about the procedure.

The consensus Thursday on the campus of the nation's most-prominent Catholic university was that any president should be welcomed at Notre Dame.

"People are definitely entitled to their outrage, but I think the main thing is to see that it's an honor to have the president of the United States come to speak here whether you agree with him or not," said Katie Woodward, a political science junior from Philadelphia.


Bob Reish, the student body president and a graduating senior, said there is a "general excitement" about Obama's visit, although he is aware there are people on both sides of the issue.

As of 2 p.m. Thursday, The Observer, the student newspaper, had received 612 letters about Obama's appearance - 313 from alumni and 299 from current students.

Seventy percent of the alumni letters opposed having Obama giving the speech, while 73 percent of student letters supported his appearance. Among the 95 seniors who wrote letters, 97 percent supported the president's invitation.

http://enews.earthlink.net/article/us?guid=20090327/49cc5d50_3421_1334520090327-1399009379

[rurallib]

1. Funny thing is they would probably take Boosh in a moment even now.

People ask me who my favorite team is and I say "Who is playing Notre Dame?"

[pnwmom]

10. 97% of the senior class supports Obama's coming. n/t

[melm00se]

2. They are a private university

and their alumni have the right to voice their opinion.

But the University will not disinvite the president...and the graduating class will voice their opinion as college students are wont to do.

[bluestateguy]

3. It's not patriotic to smear a sitting president

that plays into the hands of the enemy.

[Tesha]

4. George W. Bush, who through his official policies killed thousands of post-birth children,

was welcomed, of course.

Tesha

[PhilosopherKing]

5. the point that never gets made

in the MSM.

[underpants]

6. Play like a champion today Notre Dame

[WeDidIt]

7. Why do Notre Dame Alumni hate America? n/t

[pnwmom]

8. 97% of students support the invite. They'll be alums soon, too. n/t

[Larkspur]

11. I'm a Notre Dame alumna, class of 1983, and I support my alma mater's decision

to invite President Obama.

I would question the term "many Catholics". How many constitutes "many"? I deduce that "many" refers to the small number of blowhards who speak louder than those that support the decision.

[WI_DEM]

9. I bet Reagan said in his Notre Dame speech, "go out and win one for the Gipper!"

[pnwmom]

12. Here's a petition to sign for anyone who wants to counter the right-wingers.

And you don't have to be a Catholic or a Notre Dame graduate to sign it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=8296485&mesg_id=8296550

[Captain Hilts]

13. They didn't invivte Bubba to speak? nt

[Johonny]

14. outrage?

over a desire to give health care to children?
over a desire to give hope to those in need of healing through embryonic cells that they have no problem with being made in the first place?
over a desire to end torture?
over a desire to end unfair sexist work practices?
over a desire to bring jobs to the out of work?
over a desire to bring education to the uneducated?

These Christians have a funny sense of outrage