Notre shame

The University of Notre Dame has outdone itself in stupid ideas. Its decision to invite President Barack Obama to speak at their commencement is, by all regards, far worse than its decision to sign Charlie Weis to a 10-year contract.

As a South Bend native, I was ashamed. And as a practicing Catholic, I was horrified. The church has long been one of the loudest opponents of abortion, perhaps the worst practice in America today.

Obama’s status as president doesn’t make up for the fact that he supports abortion. The Notre Dame I used to know would recognize that Obama’s support of abortion decreases his status not only as president, but as a man. But instead, the University has chosen to indirectly support Obama’s pro-choice stances.

And now, even students who oppose his visit have backed down. How pathetic.
ND Response, a group of students opposed to the Obama invitation, have now decided that carrying through with Obama’s speech but revoking the honorary law degree the university offered him would be an “acceptable compromise.”

These students have failed the many Catholics who look to them to represent the views of the church, and worse, they’ve failed themselves. The student body gave up before it even started.

Apparently, these Notre Dame students couldn’t muster enough inspiration – or perhaps courage – to make some noise. Quite frankly, that’s the problem with most anti-abortion groups.

Mailing red envelopes, joining Facebook groups and putting up bumper stickers is obviously not enough to reverse the evil with which Roe v. Wade plagued our nation. And though I respect the prayer protest the group held last week, let’s face it: Those students could implement more drastic measures while in prayer.

These students had a real opportunity to start a revolution of sorts, but they opted for the easy way out. Until the millions of pro-life people in this country realize it’s going to take a little effort to reverse Roe v. Wade, abortion mills will continue to suck the brains out of living humans with suction vacuums.

Yes, that’s what abortion procedures often consist of. Perhaps the most troublesome effect of abortion laws is the censoring of the procedures these laws protect. I encourage everyone to do his or her research; America might realize that abortion isn’t just another issue on a candidate’s ticket – it’s murder.

Notre Dame students have the opportunity every day to walk their campus with strong, beating hearts. Many probably have high hopes to make the world a better place after graduation. Yet they failed to take advantage of an opportunity to protect the beating hearts of millions of children – and they failed to do their part to rid our world of a genocide our own president supports.

Notre Dame, like many pro-life groups, settled for an easier battle. But for every “compromise” these groups make, another innocent life is compromised.

The “American Dream” Obama is so passionate about bringing back is all about opportunity. Until he recognizes that abortion strips humans of the most basic opportunity – a chance at life – he shouldn’t be supported by anyone.