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Ivy League schools usually cloak their jealousies in politesse, but President Obama’s decision to give the commencement speech at Barnard, and not Columbia, his alma mater across the street, has unleashed online exchanges as nasty as any hair-pulling, eye-gouging schoolyard brawl.

Please watch the video and vote for one of the three finalists. This decision is too important to be left in the hands of uncaring government bureaucrats or Obama.

My daughter called me tonight..."Dad...you'll never guess who is our graduation speaker...I'm in the car with Maggie...[laughing]..."So I say: "Obama!" And she said: "I told my friends I'm not going!" (I raised all good conservatives).

President Barack Obama has been announced as the Commencement speaker for the spring graduation at my alma mater, the University of Michigan. President Obama will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws Degree.

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Mary Ann Glendon was "the heroine of the Notre Dame commencement tragedy" in May, an official of the National Right to Life Committee said as the Harvard law professor and former U.S. ambassador to the Vatican received the organization's Proudly Pro-Life Award Oct. 6. Anthony J. Lauinger, vice president of the pro-life organization and the father of eight University of Notre Dame alumni, said Glendon's "principled refusal" of the Indiana university's 2009 Laetare Medal led the National Right to Life Educational Trust Fund to honor her at its awards dinner. The Laetare Medal, established in 1883,...

Bishop John M. D'Arcy Fort Wayne, Ind., Aug 25, 2009 / 11:35 am (CNA).- Bishop John M. D'Arcy, whose diocese encompasses the University of Notre Dame, is not letting the issues raised by the university's honoring of President Obama lie dormant. Instead, the Bishop of Fort Wayne-South Bend has penned a poignant article for the upcoming edition of America magazine that calls on the renowned university to evaluate the consequences of its failure to respect the authority of the bishops. In an article that will be the cover story of the Jesuit-run America magazine on August 31, bishop D’Arcy...

Merced Sun-Star Thursday, Jul. 02, 2009 Cost of bringing Michelle Obama to UC Merced? More than $1 million By DANIELLE GAINES Dgaines@mercedsun-star.com The total cost for last month’s commencement ceremony at UC Merced has finally been tallied: $1,047,338.82. Private contributions of more than $185,000 (including in-kind-gifts) added to $500,000 in unrestricted interest earnings on a private endowment fund, managed by the UC Office of the President, have helped offset the cost of the event. The balance will be covered by non-state dollars from campus sources and offset by any additional donations that may be made, according to a press release...

Graduating midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis are being told in writing to leave at home or in their vehicles all "ceremonial swords" and anything else "that might be considered a weapon or a threat by screeners" for Friday's outdoor commencement ceremonies featuring an address by President Barack Obama. Inside the Beltway has obtained the academy's list of prohibited items for this year's graduation exercises, which, besides ceremonial swords, includes umbrellas.

From today's you couldn't make it up if you tried file.......Obama's protectors have ordered graduating Midshipmen....and I suppose Commissioned Officers through Flag rank...to leave their swords at home. Full Dress White includes "wear sword". More to the point...those badges of office have been earned in a manner Obongo and his minions just wouldn't begin to understand. Important traditions that inspire are kind of lost on the red banner crowd, apparently. Further, ceremonial swords never seemed to bother the Secret Service for any previous President. And before World War II, the swords were not particularly "ceremonial", I've seen some of those...

Graduating midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis are being told in writing to leave at home or in their vehicles all "ceremonial swords" and anything else "that might be considered a weapon or a threat by screeners" for Friday's outdoor commencement ceremonies featuring an address by President Barack Obama.

SWORDLESS SAILORS Graduating midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis are being told in writing to leave at home or in their vehicles all "ceremonial swords" and anything else "that might be considered a weapon or a threat by screeners" for Friday's outdoor commencement ceremonies featuring an address by President Barack Obama. Inside the Beltway has obtained the academy's list of prohibited items for this year's graduation exercises, which, besides ceremonial swords, includes umbrellas. Yes, cell phones and texting are still allowed.

In my last of a series of reflections on Barack Obama's Notre Dame appearance, I will focus on the speech itself and Fr. Jenkins' words (and lies) leading up to it. While many pro-lifers now seem sad that there was no one in the arena (save a few brave hecklers) to counter the cleverly deceiving abortion addresses by the priest and the president, I contend their lies were subtly undercut by the most poetically appropriate protestor possible—the cries of a baby.

ANNAPOLIS | President Obama on Friday promised the U.S. Naval Academy's graduating class that he will not send them into combat unless absolutely necessary and will always make sure they are properly prepared and equipped, in an apparent swipe at the Bush administration and the Iraq war.

President Barack Obama delivered his commencement address at the University of Notre Dame on Sunday, and he appeared to dive right into the very issue that made his visit to the Catholic university so controversial — abortion. The President’s appearance at Notre Dame came even as seventy Catholic bishops denounced the university’s invitation. Protests and debates roiled the world of American Catholicism and a major media event was assured. The President began his address with a call for common ground, noting that the generation represented by the young Notre Dame graduates would face daunting challenges. “Moreover, no one person, or...

“ ‘ Take a bite of the apple, Eve,’ and then he slithered away.” That was the online reaction, in its entirety, by one reader of the “ California Catholic Daily” web site to a story about Barack Obama’s May 17 commencement address to University of Notre Dame graduates. Temptation wouldn’t be tempt­ing if it’s repellent. Satan promised Eve great knowledge, not the great suffering he actually intended for her. Is a person more likely to as­sent to do wrong if the invitation comes from a glowering hothead or a smiling master of winning­sounding words? Come with me, graduates, into...

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Nobody protested President Obama’s commencement address Friday morning at the United States Naval Academy. Nobody told Mr. Obama he was undeserving of an honorary degree. Instead, under a nearly cloudless blue sky, the president was treated to a 21-gun salute, a Blue Angels flyover — and a respite from the controversy that has dogged him at two previous graduation ceremonies.

SWORDLESS SAILORS Graduating midshipmen of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis are being told in writing to leave at home or in their vehicles all "ceremonial swords" and anything else "that might be considered a weapon or a threat by screeners" for Friday's outdoor commencement ceremonies featuring an address by President Barack Obama.

Obama vows not to send people to war without cause By DARLENE SUPERVILLE, Associated Press ANNAPOLIS, Md. – President Barack Obama promised graduating midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy on Friday that, as their commander in chief, he will only send them "into harm's way when it is absolutely necessary." In his first address to military graduates, Obama also pledged to invest in the men and women who defend America's liberty, not just in the weapons they would take with them into battle against 21st century threats. "I will only send you into harm's way when it is absolutely necessary,...

The distinct sound of a baby crying broke out in the capacious basketball arena where the Notre Dame commencement exercise was being held on Sunday when President Obama--who was giving the commencement address--began talking about abortion.   Obama not only gave the commencement address at Notre Dame’s May 17 graduation ceremony but also received an honorary doctorate in law from the university. Fr. John Jenkins, Notre Dame’s president, had followed through on his decision to have Obama speak and to honor him with an honorary degree at the ceremony even though that decision was criticized by more than 70 American Catholic...

Obama calls for 'fair-minded' abortion debate The president is greeted by cheers, protests at University of Notre Dame The Associated Press updated 4:18 p.m. PT, Sun., May 17, 2009 WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama strode head-on Sunday into the stormy abortion debate and told graduates at America's leading Roman Catholic university that both sides must stop demonizing one another. Obama acknowledged that "no matter how much we want to fudge it ... the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable." But he still implored the University of Notre Dame's graduating class and all...

From Jill Stanek at http://www.jillstanek.com/ May 17, 2009 Notre Dame update 5/17, 7:40a EST Turns out Norma McCorvey, the Roe in Roe v. Wade who is now pro-life, wanted to get arrested with Fr. Weslin yesterday and was insulted when police pushed her aside to grab the frail old guy. (Above photo shows Norma to Fr.'s right just before the arrest.) Norma attended the rally last night. This would be the quote of the day were it not Sunday. From Fox News, yesterday: Asked what she'd say to President Obama if given the opportunity, McCorvey replied, "I can't talk like...

I don't see ONE seat empty...I even saw Obama logo on hats...When you own the young, you own the country. America is gone. I am so so so sad...

I just spoke by phone with a friend, Sonny Torres, who went to Notre Dame this weekend with his wife Karen to protest the university giving Obama an honorary degree and a platform for promoting his policies which include murdering unborn children. Neither of my friends had any intention of getting arrested, but the Lord apparently had other plans. After six hours of joining in the protests off campus, Karen and Sonny left to begin their long ride back to Virginia. But they got turned around and pulled into the parking lot of a credit union bordering the university campus...

Notre Dame, The President’s Perspective According to Reuters News Agency, the following quote was given by the President to the University of Notre Dame in his Commencement Address. “SOUTH BEND, Indiana (Reuters) - President Barack Obama urged both sides in the abortion debate on Sunday to pursue a "fair-minded" discussion as he sought to quell a firestorm over his invitation to speak at Notre Dame, a premier U.S. Catholic university. The President has proposed his vision of a fair minded approach when he signed off on the confiscation of tax monies to fund abortions on an International Scale. The Bible...

SOUTH BEND, Indiana (Reuters) - President Barack Obama urged both sides in the abortion debate on Sunday to pursue a "fair-minded" discussion as he sought to quell a firestorm over his invitation to speak at Notre Dame, a premier U.S. Catholic university. Notre Dame's decision to confer an honorary degree on Obama and invite him to be the keynote speaker for the commencement sparked petitions and several days of protests. Some students vowed to boycott the commencement. But the speech itself drew mostly cheers, applause, standing ovations. Critics who said Obama's support for abortion rights violated Catholic Church doctrine had...

Bishop: Obama at Notre Dame 'day of shame' BY DANA MASSING Published: May 15. 2009 1:15AM Erie's Catholic bishop has added his voice to those opposing the University of Notre Dame's invitation to President Barack Obama to speak at Sunday's commencement and receive an honorary degree. In a statement released this week, Erie Bishop Donald W. Trautman called Obama "a relentless advocate of unrestricted abortion" and said it was a "bad decision" by Notre Dame officials to give him a platform. The U.S. Catholic bishops, in their 2004 statement "Catholics in Political Life," had said that "the Catholic community and...

(CBS/AP) Protests continued through the night at the United States' foremost Roman Catholic university, as demonstrators object to the school's decision to invite President Obama to give the commencement address this afternoon, given his stands on abortion and embryonic stem-cell research. Anti-abortion activists promise to disrupt the president's appearance on Sunday at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., where he also will receive an honorary degree. Mr. Obama is scheduled to speak at 2:00 p.m. ET. South Bend police expect thousands of demonstrators opposed to abortion rights on Sunday, reports CBS affiliate WSBT. But some anti-abortion right...

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama ventures to America's foremost Roman Catholic University, where the country's deep divisions over abortion and stem-cell research have moved to the forefront in a time of war and recession.

Date Presidential Approval Index Strongly Approve Strongly Disapprove Total Approve Total Disapprove 05/16/2009 +4 34% 30% 55% 44% 05/15/2009 +7 36% 29% 57% 43% 05/14/2009 +8 37% 29% 57% 42%

In May 1995, his first year as Pennsylvania governor, Tom Ridge was invited by Gannon University, a Catholic college in Erie, Pa., to give the commencement address and receive an honorary degree. But the distinguished Republican and native son had a problem: he was a pro-choice Catholic. Erie Bishop Donald Trautman expressed his "concerns." Governor Ridge declined the degree. "The last thing I would want is for those differences to distract in any way from this wonderful day of recognition for Gannon's class of 1995," said Ridge. His spokesman explained that the decision "came from the governor." Ridge did the...

At the rate things are going, Pope Benedict XVI may find his next trip to the U.S. dogged by airplanes overhead trailing banners with images of aborted fetuses. O.K., that's a bit of hyperbole. But while several prominent conservative Catholics in this country are apoplectic over the University of Notre Dame's invitation of the pro-choice Barack Obama to give the school's commencement address on May 17, the Vatican has stayed completely silent on the matter. The two very different reactions to the question of whether a Catholic institution should honor anyone who disagrees with the Church's teaching on abortion are...

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – President Barack Obama strode head-on Sunday into the stormy abortion debate and told graduates at America's leading Roman Catholic university that both sides must stop demonizing one another. Obama acknowledged that "no matter how much we want to fudge it ... the fact is that at some level, the views of the two camps are irreconcilable." But he still implored the University of Notre Dame's graduating class and all in the U.S. to stop "reducing those with differing views to caricature. Open hearts. Open minds. Fair-minded words. It's a way of life that always has been...

SOUTH BEND, Ind.—President Barack Obama confronted the issue of abortion head on Sunday at Notre Dame, acknowledging that differences over the issue are largely irreconcilable but issuing a plea to those on both sides to tone down harsh rhetoric and search for “common ground” he believes is possible. “I do not suggest that the debate surrounding abortion can or should go away,” Obama said. “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...

Thank you, Father Jenkins, for that generous introduction. You are doing an outstanding job as president of this fine institution, and your continued and courageous commitment to honest, thoughtful dialogue is an inspiration to us all.

18 More Anti Abortion Activists Arrested at Notre Dame on Saturday; More Arrests Planned for Sunday. Notre Dame Warns TV Networks that They Will 'Cut the Feed' of Any Network that Covers Disruption of Obama Speech on Sunday Dr. Alan Keyes to be available soon for interview - judge grants hearing and posts $1,000 bond each for 5 prolifers that have been held in jail without bond. They will be released soon. Contact: Kathy Veritas to schedule an interview with Alan Keyes after his release from jail. Contact: Kathy Veritas, 904-687-9804; stopobamanotredame.com SOUTH BEND, Ind., May 16 /Christian Newswire/ --...

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Former Republican presidential hopeful Alan Keyes, a Roman Catholic priest and 19 others were arrested Friday after marching onto the University of Notre Dame campus to protest President Barack Obama's planned commencement speech.....

Each year, the University videotapes the Notre Dame Commencement exercises. This year, you can see the following ceremonies live via streaming video.

Abortion Plane and Trucks Will Show Gory Abortion Images to Graduates and ParentsContact: Mark Harrington, Center for Bio Ethical Reform, 614-419-9000, cbrmidwest@cbrinfo.orgSOUTH BEND, Ind., May 16 /Christian Newswire/ -- Today the Center for Bio Ethical Reform (CBR) begins its 20th day of operations of the Obama Awareness Campaign in South Bend, IN. For three full weeks CBR has been forcing students, faculty, and trustees to see what America's abortion President means to unborn children. CBR's tow banner airplane and billboard trucks have educated students, faculty, and the community by forcing them to see abortion differently. Now, when abortion is mentioned in...

Breaking News! AIPNEWS.com Exclusive According to AIPNEWS.com correspondents who are on the ground at Notre Dame, as expected, Norma McCorvey, the "Roe" in Roe v Wade, was just arrested on campus as she and others prayed and protested the honors which are being bestowed by the Catholic institution's leaders on pro-abortion politician Barack Obama tomorrow. Apparently there were more than twenty pro-life witnesses who were taken into custody along with Norma McCorvey. We will be updating this story as more information becomes available. If you have additional information on the historic events which are taking place in South Bend, and...

In case you missed President Obama's first commencement address late Wednesday night (East Coast time), here are some highlights: He made light of Arizona State University's decision not to award him an honorary degree (though it did name scholarships after him). "I have to tell you, I really thought this was much ado about nothing, but I do think we all learned an important lesson. I learned never again to pick another team over the Sun Devils in my NCAA bracket. It won't happen again. President Crow and the Board of Regents will soon learn all about being audited by...

Appearing on FoxNews, Bishop Samuel Aquila of Fargo discussed his opposition to the University of Notre Dame’s decision to award President Barack Obama an honorary degree. “It certainly is perceived by the average layperson as condoning or giving an appearance of supporting his ideas on human life and the unborn child,” Bishop Aquila said. “Certainly NARAL or Planned Parenthood would never invite Benedict XVI, much less extend an award to him.” Bishop Aquila revealed that university president Father John Jenkins, CSC, had not responded to a letter criticizing the invitation.

Two Priests Arrested With Dr. Keyes and 20 Pro-Lifers: Will One Bishop Pray With Us At Notre Dame On Saturday?; Statement by Randall Terry   Police violate rights of peaceful praying people, refuse to allow Dr. Keyes and others to bond out of jail. Norma McCorvey, AKA "Jane Roe" of Roe vs. Wade, to pray and risk arrest with others at Notre Dame at Saturday, May 16, at 12 noon. SOUTH BEND, Ind., May 15 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a statement by Randall Terry, founder of Operation Rescue: "Is there one - just one - Catholic Bishop in...

U.S. President Barack Obama will mention protests over his speaking at Notre Dame University in Indiana when he appears there, a spokesman said Friday. About 15 anti-abortion activists were arrested Friday at Notre Dame, Fox News reported. They included Alan Keyes, the right-wing pundit who ran against Obama for the Senate in 2004 in Illinois and has become a perennial candidate for president. Obama's pro-choice position on abortion and his reversal of the Bush administration ban on stem cell research has angered some Catholics. Robert Gibbs, Obama's press secretary, told reporters at the daily briefing that the president, who has...

Contact: Catherine Rouse, Vision America, 936-560-3900, Catherine@visionamerica.usSOUTH BEND, Ind., May 15 /Christian Newswire/ -- Vision America President Pastor Rick Scarborough said he was sickened by what he saw when those protesting Obama's speech at Notre Dame were arrested on the campus. "I wept when I saw my friends arrested and taken to jail," Scarborough disclosed. "They almost broke the arm of a priest who appeared to be in his 80s, by dragging him on the ground." Scarborough, who's a Southern Baptist preacher, said he was in South Bend in solidarity with Catholics who are protesting the upcoming commencement speech at...

Many are questioning why officials at the University of Notre Dame are inviting the most pro-abortion president in our history to receive an honorary doctorate of laws. Doesn’t this make a mockery of Notre Dame’s historic role as the premier Catholic university in America? Doesn’t this create a scandal for the Catholic faithful as well as for the larger community of Americans who are not Catholic? Much of the fierce public debate has centered on why Notre Dame would extend such an honor. The divisions exposed by this invitation are deep and worrisome. What we need to ask is why...

From a reader…. what I am assuming is the text prepared by the University of Notre Dame for bestowing an the honor of a doctorate of law on President Obama. "At the 164th Commencement The May Exercises The University of Notre Dame Confers the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, on the 44th president of the United States, whose historic election opened a new era of hope in a country long divided by its history of slavery and racism. A community organizer who honed his advocacy for the poor, the marginalized and the worker in the streets of...

The University of Notre Dame's invitation for President Barack Obama to speak at Sunday's commencement is an opportunity to broaden the debate on issues important to Roman Catholics, not a step at odds with church teaching, the school's president said in a letter to graduates. "Ultimately, I hope that the conversations and the goodwill that come from this day will contribute to closer relations between Catholics and public officials who make decisions on matters of human life and human dignity," the Rev. John Jenkins said in the letter dated Monday and first reported Wednesday on a blog of the Jesuit...

Day Gardner of National Black Pro-Life Union Comments on President Barack Obama's Decision to Speak at Notre DameContact: Day Gardner, President, National Black Pro-Life Union, 202-834-0844, dgardner@NBPLU.comWASHINGTON, May 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- The senior students at the University of Notre Dame worked to complete their degrees and have earned the right to celebrate the joyous occasion of graduation. Graduating college is an event that marks the culmination of hard work and perseverance. Graduation day should be remembered and revered in the way that we remember weddings, happy birthdays and warm holidays with family and friends. This year, due to the careless...

Fargo's Roman Catholic bishop is taking a national television platform to denounce President Obama's prominent role in the University of Notre Dame's commencement this weekend. Bishop Samuel J. Aquila will appear Thursday at about 9:30 p.m. on FOX News' "On the Record, with Greta Van Susteren." Aquila will be interviewed for about five minutes while he is in Chicago for a conference on spirituality, said Fargo Diocese spokeswoman Tanya Watterud. Aquila joined others in opposition to Obama speaking at Sunday's commencement and receiving an honorary doctorate degree when he wrote a letter early last month to the Rev. John Jenkins,...

SOUTH BEND, Indiana, May 13, 2009 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The president of the University of Notre Dame, Fr. John Jenkins, has issued a letter to graduates addressing the controversy that has exploded over the school's invitation to President Obama to deliver this year's commencement address and receive an honorary degree. In the letter Jenkins expresses his admiration for President Obama and his record."There is much to admire and celebrate in the life and work of President Obama," wrote Fr. Jenkins.  "He's a remarkable figure in American history and I look forward to welcoming him to Notre Dame."(To see full text of...