SOUTH BEND, Indiana (CNN) -- President Obama delved into the charged abortion debate in a controversial Notre Dame commencement address Sunday, urging civility and a search for common ground on one of the most divisive issues in American politics.Addressing a sharply divided audience at the storied Catholic university, Obama conceded that no matter how much Americans "may want to fudge it ... 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," he said. "But surely we can do so without reducing those with differing views to caricature."
The commencement ceremony was boycotted by a number of graduates dismayed by the university's decision both to tap Obama as its commencement speaker and to give him an honorary degree. The president is a supporter of abortion rights and federally-funded embryonic stem-cell research -- positions that are anathema to traditional Catholic teachings.
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Many students were angry at Obama even being allowed to speak at the comencment ceremony in Notre Dame. It was said that many were arrested and numerous were booed and beaten. But why? Aren't they not allowed to express their 1st Amendement rights?
I can empathise with these catholic students who ae frustrated at President Obama being allowed to speak at their graduation. For me graduation is a day to remember all of the days you worked so hard; staying up late researching, writting paperes, going to school for days on end. And why would one want this day, a day of embracing accomplishments and being happy to be rained upon by a President they do not agree with? I think everyone should get off the backs of these students and allow them to feel angered, hurt, frustrated etc. Because it would be like you having to take your younger sibling out with you on your senior ditch day in highschool, or be forced to stay at home and watch your dog rather than go to Italy. Just try to see it at their level, get your nose out of the air. And maybe america and the President can stop looking down their nose at a situation and try to view it from the ground up.
I think having the President at your graduation would be awesome. I have three degrees and I can't remember the keynote speaker at any of the graduations.Students are picking one issue and focusing on that issue. I think it is small minded and petty and they are probably being manipulated from on high.
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