Obama To Notre Dame Grads: Seek Common Ground Not Caricatures (UPDATE: Video Added)
President Barack Obama seemingly turned a potential political lemon into political lemonade in his controversial address to Notre Dame’s graduating class by using it as an occasion to stress the importance of adversaries seeking common ground on controversial issues — rather than indulging in exaggerated caricatures:
The 44th president, speaking at commencement ceremonies, directly addressed the split his visit had caused on campus and in the Catholic community. As he spoke, hundreds held a prayer vigil across campus in opposition to Obama’s positions on abortion and embryonic stem cell research, capping off a weekend of protests on and around the university grounds.
Protesters in the crowd sporadically interrupted Obama’s commencement address before they were shouted down by the rest of the graduates.
But Obama called for “open hearts, open minds, fair-minded words” in the midst of such lasting debates.
Obama pointed to the abortion issue as a prime example of a hot-botton issue that provides a chance to be respectful and seek comon ground.
He said the views of the two sides of the debate are “irreconcilable” but can be respected.
“I do not suggest that the debate surrounding abortion can or should go away. Because no matter how much we may want to fudge it — indeed, while we know that the views of most Americans on the subject are complex and even contradictory — the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable,” Obama said.
“Each side will continue to make its case to the public with passion and conviction. But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to caricature,” he said.
Here’s the full text of his speech.
Obama accurately characterized the problem in American politics: the tendency because of the way 21st media is set up — fast-paced, “high concept,” where ideas and opinions are communicated in a way to be grasped within seconds, favoring controversy over serious discussion because it is the way to attract and hold readership/listenership — is towards an almost gleeful caricaturization of opponents. Common ground requires a little more time, more thought, and a lowering of voices and editing of adjectives.
Here’s some live Twittering of the speech…
UPDATE: Here’s the video of the speech:
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15 Responses to “Obama To Notre Dame Grads: Seek Common Ground Not Caricatures (UPDATE: Video Added)”
I am not a big Obama fan but watched his address and thought it was excellent.
The fact that Barack Obama is OUR President makes me prouder than ever to be an American.
“If nothing else, that knowledge should give us faith that through our collective labor, and God's providence, and our willingness to shoulder each other's burdens, America will continue on its precious journey towards that more perfect union.”
“our collective labor”???? More than 50% of “taxpayers” DON'T PAY TAXES!!!!
“God's providence”???? Come on, Barry — where are you trying to lead us?
“willingness to shoulder each other's burdens”???? When ACORN is taking hundreds of millions of our tax dollars to change the culture of our great nation????
“more perfect union”???? Barry — do you mean UNIONS???? AFL-CIO? Teamsters? SEIU??? All payback for your “more perfect election”??????
I am more than appalled at President Obama's statement that I somehow have to respect those who view all human life as worth valuing, even the greatest scum of the earth like Tim McVeigh, and Adolf Hitler, but somehow, a pre-born baby is not living enough to be protected. I am sorry, there will never be common ground on that, and I cannot respect anybody who says that the infanticide that is abortion is acceptable.
I thought Obama's speech was excellent. I also loved Father Jenkin's speech (introduction of Obama).
Father Jenkins and Obama may be on opposite sides of abortion, but both called for respect of others' views, and for dialogue.
Obama is right that the two extremes are irreconcilable, but Obama is also right when he says we should work towards reducing the number of abortions by supporting programs (such as making adoption easier) for women who do carry the baby to term, but can not care for the baby.
Obama handled himself well and seemed very comfortable on stage.
I just finished watching and listening to the speech. It was extraordinary.
I see we have two troll-like beings who show yet again how pathetic some of those who call themselves conservatives can be.
I have seen nothing in history that would indicate the Catholic Church should be granted any moral authority. It's origins were as a state religion for the Roman Empire. It supported tyrannical kings who could pay the church in Rome enough money so that the church officials could live their decadent lifestyle. The church castrated young boys so it could have it's falsetto choir. And then who can forget the glorious Spanish inquisition. Most recently it was pedophilia. The Catholic Church has no business preaching morality to anyone.
>I see we have two troll-like beings who show yet again how pathetic some of those who call themselves conservatives can be.
The irony is so thick is practically overpowering. The two anti-freedom comments in this thread are the exact opposite of what Obama advocated.
The point being, it doesn't matter whether you are on the pro-freedom of choice or anti-freedom side of the argument, there are still points of agreement that everyone can reach without compromising your position. Reduce the need for abortions, increase the ability to adopt, provide proper health care for women who choose to carry a child to full term – these are ideas that pretty much everyone can agree upon whether you are on the pro-freedom or anti-freedom side of abortion.
Old and busted: The politics of division and exclusion
New hotness: Finding areas of agreement and working towards a comprehensive solution.
This is what Obama alludes to when he is talking about changing how Washington works. He may be hopelessly optimistic in that ideal, but I'd rather have a hopeful optimist in the White House than an incurious fool.
Let's call a spade a spade, shall we. Abortion is legalized murder, plain and simple. There are no two ways about this. It is done intentionally, without regard for the life that is being taken, and usually with a flimsy justification, not of self-defense, or defense of a third person, not of any of the usual mitigations or defenses to murder. No, therapeutic abortions (to protect the life of the mother) are quite rare. This is about the right of a woman to take away the life of a child she created, usually irresponsibly. The women who have abortions, the doctors who perform abortions, the nurses who aid in abortions, all of them should be facing life in prison for murder, because that is just what they do…murder innocent children.
Obama expresses a nice sentiment, but I don't believe it's anything but sentiment as long as Nancy Pelosi and the “abortion on demand” crowd are running Congress.
Pelosi is as determined to ramrod her agenda through as much as the worst of the Republicans were a few years ago – she's Tom DeLay in a skirt. Everything she does in Congress undermines Obama's lofty rhetoric of finding common ground. Not that the Republicans are off the hook by any means, but with Pelosi's attitude in the Speakership, they have no incentive to cooperate even if they wanted to.
So unless and until Obama reins Pelosi in and gets his OWN party to look for common ground instead of playing up Rush Limbaugh, his words are empty fluff.
It is done intentionally, without regard for the life that is being taken, and usually with a flimsy justification, not of self-defense, or defense of a third person, not of any of the usual mitigations or defenses to murder.
Just out of curiosity, how do you know this?
No, therapeutic abortions (to protect the life of the mother) are quite rare. This is about the right of a woman to take away the life of a child she created, usually irresponsibly.
Your misogyny is showing.
So unless and until Obama reins Pelosi in and gets his OWN party to look for common ground instead of playing up Rush Limbaugh, his words are empty fluff.
What would common ground on the abortion issue look like to you? Can you define it?
What would common ground on the abortion issue look like to you? Can you define it?
I think common ground could be found in partial-birth abortions, parental notification and better definition of fetal viability.
I don't have a problem with how Obama defined his common ground on abortion. I'm pro-life, and I'd work with him on that. (I like DaGoat's suggestions as well.) But working with Obama doesn't do me a whole lot of good unless Pelosi – who actually writes the legislation – is on board as well. And she's not. That was my point, and what makes Obama's words an empty gesture to me.