"he's 'trying to stop the economy from going over a cliff.'"

Really? From where I am sitting, he appears to be increasing the rate of our progression toward the economic cliff.

-Dave

Does anyone think that Notre Dame invited Obama to come so he can explain his pro-choice views? No. So there goes the argument that the invitation was legitimized because of intellectual "diversity." His opinions on abortion had nothing to do with the invitation, so defending his opinions doesn't justify the invitation.

Second, Notre Dame isn't inviting him to come and debate. The university is giving him an honorary degree. Do you know what a degree is? It's a public statement that the university certifies the recipient. Notre Dame isn't just listening to Obama - it's certifying Obama.

Third, it isn't that abortion is a political trump card. It's that Catholics believe that abortion is a grave human atrocity. To overlook it as just one issue among many would be equivalent to saying that the Holocaust is just one issue among many.

___________________________

I could go through a whole list of objections to Martin's scatter-brained piece, but let me settle for this. This kind of arguing is a classic case of disrespect. Let me explain what I mean.

The mafia movies have distorted our public perception of what we mean by "respect." We don't demand respect because it makes us seem like petty tyrants, or ego-hungry. But that's not what it means at all.

When you respect someone, it means that you acknowledge that the rest of humanity aren't just "obstacles" to your pursuit of your desires. Others have feelings too, as well as rights, opinions, needs, and their on pursuit of happiness. As you go about your business, you can't dismiss them. It's simple appreciation for their value as human beings. Respect is when you won't trample over other people.

Here's why that matters to Martin's argument: she doesn't appreciate how Catholics feel. To her, abortion is OK, so what's the fuss about? She never takes the time to appreciate that Catholics are deeply offended by abortion. In short, she doesn't respect Catholics to understand why we protest this. 

All she cares about is that this is a chance to praise Obama, and she doesn't care that bestowing a Catholic honor on a pro-choice politician goes against Catholic principle. She doesn't respect Catholic principles. She doesn't care about it. In her argument, Catholicism doesn't matter.

And the academic freedom angle? It's a stalking horse. It's something she can talk about, even if its purely tangential, to give her a chance to commit her disrespect for the protestors.

by a Rev. who is in the mold of a Nancy Pelosi Catholic?

Maybe the invitation and subsequent award is a way to tell the Vatican that Notre Damn is changing Catholic teaching where killing the unborn is concerned and that there is nothing anyone can do about it?

Maybe it explains why the invite doesn't go against the grain of the student body?

Running the risk of being redundant, I will once again say, IF SOBama had he any class, he would decline to attend and save the embarrassment already heaped upon a once great Catholic University!

But it would require the class SOBama possesses none of!

Notre Dame has a large following because it once had a great football program and an even greater Publicity Department. But, to call it the "Catholic College of Catholic Colleges" is an absolute joke. As one poster said, Boston College is probably more Catholic than ND.

As a greaduate of two Catholic colleges (Detroit and Dayton), I wouldn't let my kids near most of them today. Most Catholic colleges really are no different than state schools (and are not worth the difference in tuition).

I recently read an article that there are only about five true Catholic colleges in the U.S. They are all smaller schools and ND and Bc didn't make the list.

BW222

Once again, those damn Christianists who think it cruel to kill unborn babies.

One of the 34% who thinks George W. Bush was a great President. One of the 61% who wants to bring back the stock and pillory (yep...approval for Congress now at 39%...do you believe that!?).

Fr Frank Pavone, Priests For Life , to be on stage with Obama ...to engage in a dialogue for these Catholic graduates and let Obama explain his position on 'choice' while having a backdrop of photos from Fr Frank of what abortion really is ....apparently these Catholic students have not been exposed to true Catholic teachings on the protection of life...if so, as a student body they too would be outraged that their beloved University would hone this person...

America will not reject abortion until America sees abortion ...

http://www.priestsforlife.org/images/index.aspx

 "We cause no one to stumble in anything, in order that no fault may be found with our ministry; on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselves as ministers of God, through much endurance, in afflictions, hardships, constraints, beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, vigils, fasts; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in a holy spirit, in unfeigned love, in truthful speech, in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left; through glory and dishonor, insult and praise.

We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful; as unrecognized and yet acknowledged; as dying and behold we live; as chastised and yet not put to death; as sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

We have spoken frankly to you, Corinthians; our heart is open wide. You are not constrained by us; you are constrained by your own affections. As recompense in kind (I speak as to my children), be open yourselves."

-St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 6:3-13

Just goes to show that people haven't changed much in 2000 years.