Obama and Notre Dame
This blog is my reply to the above referenced blog:
Gary
Im not sure if those tweets you were reading were mine, but I know I was vocal about the issue...so-heres my take (without going into the abortion issue).
Notre Dame is a Catholic Ivy League College. For MANY years, ND had a repuation of being very hardline on Catholic "issues", even going so far as to not hire non-Catholics (I am led to believe that this practice ended several decades ago OR when it had to do with their football program.)
In the past decade, ND has turned their back on the foundation upon which it was built.
For example, ND hosted the play "The Vagina Monologues". Now, by most standards-you will say-"Whats wrong with that?" Nothing if it was done in any other University. Notre Dame should have been held accountable by the Board of Trustees.
When it was announced that Barack Obama was invited-and subsequent drama that unfolded up to his visit-I must admit, that I was truly appalled. This has nothing to do with the fact that he is now our President. This has EVERYTHING to do with legislation that he supported and/or signed. Supporting abortion rights, embryonic stem-cell research, tax-payer funded abortions outside of the United States --and the list goes on.
I asked myself-How in the world can an Institute such as Notre Dame invite someone who is so opposed to principles within the Catholic faith? And then to give him an honorary degree? HELLO? Our President, Barack Obama was educated in an Ivy League college and obtained a law degree...What sense does it make to give him a "fake" degree?
I want you to know that I did listen to his speech to the graduating class. I was thoroughly disgusted by his remarks (and his garb that honors Mary) and felt as if I was watching one of Obama's election speeches. His remarks in no way were directed to Notre Dame graduates.
If class Valedectorians have to have their speeches approved, why wasnt his? 3/4 of his speech directly went against the teachings of the church.
Notre Dame has allowed blasphemous events to be held on campus and invites those who do not uphold our Catholic values for far too long...And THIS is why I am no longer a supporter of Notre Dame.
Gary
Im not sure if those tweets you were reading were mine, but I know I was vocal about the issue...so-heres my take (without going into the abortion issue).
Notre Dame is a Catholic Ivy League College. For MANY years, ND had a repuation of being very hardline on Catholic "issues", even going so far as to not hire non-Catholics (I am led to believe that this practice ended several decades ago OR when it had to do with their football program.)
In the past decade, ND has turned their back on the foundation upon which it was built.
For example, ND hosted the play "The Vagina Monologues". Now, by most standards-you will say-"Whats wrong with that?" Nothing if it was done in any other University. Notre Dame should have been held accountable by the Board of Trustees.
When it was announced that Barack Obama was invited-and subsequent drama that unfolded up to his visit-I must admit, that I was truly appalled. This has nothing to do with the fact that he is now our President. This has EVERYTHING to do with legislation that he supported and/or signed. Supporting abortion rights, embryonic stem-cell research, tax-payer funded abortions outside of the United States --and the list goes on.
I asked myself-How in the world can an Institute such as Notre Dame invite someone who is so opposed to principles within the Catholic faith? And then to give him an honorary degree? HELLO? Our President, Barack Obama was educated in an Ivy League college and obtained a law degree...What sense does it make to give him a "fake" degree?
I want you to know that I did listen to his speech to the graduating class. I was thoroughly disgusted by his remarks (and his garb that honors Mary) and felt as if I was watching one of Obama's election speeches. His remarks in no way were directed to Notre Dame graduates.
If class Valedectorians have to have their speeches approved, why wasnt his? 3/4 of his speech directly went against the teachings of the church.
Notre Dame has allowed blasphemous events to be held on campus and invites those who do not uphold our Catholic values for far too long...And THIS is why I am no longer a supporter of Notre Dame.
Labels: Barack Obama, Notre Dame, personal
posted by KickIT Consulting @ 5:46 PM
1 Comments:
At 10:24 PM ,
garyarthuryoung said...
Hey Sheila,
Thanks for the comment and response. Your tweets (and the tags in them) led to a whole other world of opinions and criticism and < 140 character real-time rants.
Some of the stuff I read from others was just plain ugly and reactionary.
I get where you're coming from, though. Well, on one hand I think there's nothing healthier than inviting debate from people that we disagree with. And hosting our political and rhetorical opponents with respect is a dignified and magnanimous thing to do. It doesn't necessarily mean that you endorse that person's opinions.
Either way, it's an honor to host the POTUS.
It seems like institutions -- especially the ideological ones -- are finding it harder to close their doors and walls against the larger culture/society.
Maybe they're trying to be relevant. Maybe they're becoming more moderate. Maybe they're embracing controversy for pragmatic reasons. Either way, I can definitely understand being disillusioned.
I just read the transcript of Obama's speech. I thought it was pretty good. I mean, he didn't shy away from the controversy. Kind of took it head on.
I think that I may have a similar belief as the President, because I also believe that demonizing those you don't disagree with is destructive and petty.
Like, he wasn't suggesting that those in the audience become progressives or moderate whatevers. He was saying, take all of your ideals and compassion and values and use them to solve problems. To change the world. To make progress and have impact while respecting your philosophical opponents and detractors.
Given recent events, I'll say this: You don't change hearts and minds with verbal or physical violence. You don't sway opinion to your side by being vicious and petty. (And I mean that for every side of every controversial issue.)
I'm rambling. I'll stop.
Still, he is a politician, right? What would you like to have heard? Is there anything that would have not left you with a bad taste?
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