During a weekend packed with protests, President Obama May 17 urged the graduates of the University of Notre Dame in Indiana to have “open hearts, open minds.”
Dozens of anti-abortion protesters were arrested, mostly for trespassing. The protesters thought President Obama, who supports abortion rights, should not speak at the Catholic college’s graduation.
Obama addressed the controversy during his speech, which at points was interrupted by protesters. “Maybe we won’t agree on abortion, but we can still agree that this heart-wrenching decision for any woman is not made casually, it has both moral and spiritual dimensions,” he said.
“I do not suggest that the debate surrounding abortion can or should go away. … The fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable. 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.”
Comments (16)
jmjorat
18 May 2009 at 11:36 EDT
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This entire controversy is hypocritical. Pregnant women are killed in war. Do they not bare unborn innocent children? Is it OK for us to kill the unborn in the act of war? Remember the Sixth Commandment? Does it give us a free pass to kill the unborn during war.
Also, whatever happened to the (Republican) party of personal responsibility and leave the decision to the States and respect individuals’ personal decisions?
http://tinyurl.com/r4cm7w
Kayla
Location: Mississippi
20 September 2009 at 04:25 EDT
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God bless you… To support nor deny a baby killed go on you tube watch the truth to lay a live breathing baby down to let it suffer min by min feelings it’s body shut Down its under developed lungs gasping for air and say it has no rights as an infant can’t they show you signs they don’t like peas are you just not informed on what happens could you image being a parent of a still born that didn’t do It on purpose and hearing someone take for granted a baby and letting it breathe then take it’s life opposed to some unprotected drug addict who can’t put aside their life for their baby as opposed to putting it up for adoption I guess If we didn’t have clinics to help support for nine months and wecould just take it out at three months and give it away we wouldn’t have to kill them.
Dr Ravinder Singh,Medical anthropologist,IHBAS,New Delhi,India
18 May 2009 at 23:55 EDT
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I full agree with Mr President, that Abortion neither be abolished nor it continues more! It has to be seen morally whether it is reqiured or not in the benefit of the woman,if it is harmaful then it must be adviced for the abortion. Here one must take a seroius view of Doctor as well as of the woman in question. We all know what is right or worng in a given “Context” the morallity depends upon the the this context. We can not universalise the Abortion is Crime at the same it is not the Crime! It changes in Time and Space. Such Issues which Mr President is hearing the Voice(s) in favour or against indicates the a just View of the President. I welcome his view which fr om the Open Herat ,with an Open Eye. Keep it UP for the welfare of the People of America as well as of the Other rest of the world.
John Moses
19 May 2009 at 03:26 EDT
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Abortion is a deadly act. God in His infinite wisdom has a purpose for every being. God knows every unborn baby so if you abort them, the person is causing a great havoc to the human race. Moreover, the women go through a lot of physical and emotional trauma which words can not describe.
Kayla
Location: Mississippi
20 September 2009 at 04:46 EDT
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Your right we shouldn’t and just are physicaly impossible to suffer labor now in the past maybe so since we can’t just take them out at. Two months and give them to someone who doesn’t try to justify abortion and would never take a living under developed gasping baby as soMeone in anyway justifiable to the mother then we should just induce labor and kill them it just that simple we offer so much money to clinics to support people who can’t support a baby or the pregnant drug attacks but I mean what’s the point of a clinic now we as a country don’t care these aren’t moving heart beating god creatures why keep those let’s keep the legal way to put a human life in our hand and take it let’s play god and decide well let’s do so and so’s baby on Tuesday and yours on Wednesday let’s end the human race it don’t matter till there one then why you drowned them you go to jail do it now instead of giving it away and feeling labor pains instead let the innocent baby feel it body shut down slowly you tube will let you in onthe facts and if you sill not convinced look at your kids then listen in on others conversations saying man where is my life going i’m so young I miss partying I’m thinking about it
Mirta
19 May 2009 at 04:37 EDT
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Go on Mr. President!
Europe is with you
It would be very nice to see all those graduated protesting against death penalty too.
Nyapwele
19 May 2009 at 14:29 EDT
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Mr President, I am Catholic a woman and I know that this is a sticky issue in our church, however if a woman is in danger and adoctor prescribes “abortion” I am sure that this doctor is already trying to save at least a life and not loosing two lives! Any sane person would do this, unless it happens to YOU then you will understand. Keep on Mr President
oluebube
19 May 2009 at 18:29 EDT
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Abortion is a terrible act [MURDER].And any form of it [SIN] is punishable by God.Inasmuch as we are forthright,let us not forget our creator to whom we will render account on the life we have lived here on earth.
Jerry Chua
19 May 2009 at 22:36 EDT
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I am troubled that the President had called for open minds and hearts, yet his abortion policies for his first 100 days seemed not to emulate his words! Almost every important political appointment has gone to someone who has a history of pro-abortion leanings. This is a sad day for America! Europe may be for America, but not Asia, I hope.
Mohsen Afouna
20 May 2009 at 10:30 EDT
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Needed or Not based on Benefits-to-risk ratios of all parties involved. Go a head Mr. President. You are exactly right.
Jeanie Rule
20 May 2009 at 21:13 EDT
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Mr. President,
Most Catholics are very sensible people and are appalled at the actions of a fundalmentalist few.
Where were they when GW Bush, an advocate of capital punishment, torture and preemptive war, was at Notre Dame?As my Irish grandmother used to say, it’s a bit of a convenient crock.
Anne Bishop
21 May 2009 at 13:11 EDT
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If one is a true christian then abortion
is truly abhorrent. Life starts at the
moment of conception and unless that
life is seriously damaged or impaired
then we have no right to make the
decision to abort. It is the unborn
baby’s right to live. There should be
more responsibility out there and I am
somewhat surprised at President
Obama’s stance on this as he has
mentioned he is a christian.
Michael Krumwiede
25 May 2009 at 06:26 EDT
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Mr. President I am disabled from polio and now suffering from Post Polio Syndrome. This is a very painful relapse of the Polio. When my wonderful wife Dr. Ginny Krumwiede received her diploma in Conflict Analysis and Mediation, We were sure that after investing all that time and money that the P.H.D. would help us get out of debt. Unfortunately that was not the case. Maybe your staff or one of your many embassies could use the best mediator that the good Lord has granted America with.
We have tried to use your refinancing on our home of fifteen years, but almost five weeks have passed and we have heard nothing. Can you or one of your team try to give us a lead in the right direction? You and your team are our last chance of survival. Please show some compassion and the ability to help, If anyone can help it would be you or your wonderful first lady.
Michael Krumwiede
25 May 2009 at 07:01 EDT
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Mr. President I wanted also to let you know that both my wife and I voted for you and the first lady, and now we need you to help put a good word in to Chase to help us refinance our home that we have lived in for almost 20 years
PLEASE MR. PRESIDENT, CAN YOU HELP US WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU. IF ANYONE CAN DO SOMTHING YHAT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERANCE YOU COULD!!!!! We desperatly are counting on you and the first Lady. Or at least try my wife Dr. Ginny Krumwiede as one of you many embesy personel, you would be very proud of her ability to solve just about any problems that might arise. Thank you for your time. I will be looking for your response sir. Michael Krumwiede FortMcCoyoy Florida
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Location: Puerto Rico
14 September 2009 at 03:42 EDT
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I’m sorry, I can’t.
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Location: Mali
14 September 2009 at 07:30 EDT
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You don`t say so!
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