CNN

what good is it going to do to not go? they will cover the contents of the speech by media. think of it this way. why are we in so many wars
the anwser is pride and nolove that is why you hate Obama you want to hurt him. be a dido head with out of a mind of your own....

Does this make sense? George Bush spoke there and he was steadfast for the death penalty. A policy in which the Catholic church also opposes...Where was the outrage then?

I wouldn't get too upset about a 'gift' to President Obama. He earned a 'real' degree from a University much higher on the pecking block. Notre Dame thinks that they have a monopoly on morality. You should see some of my picture from the class of 1997. Notre Dame co-eds need to evaluate the position in the university. Perhaps you should consider Saint Marys'. They will sew your 'gift' shut until you graduate.

Typical Irish racist. Remember folks; before you preach to your Blarney Stone- The sign in the 1800's read: "No DOGS OR IRISH". Those folks you hate so much could at least get in the back door.

Go ahead miss your graduation ceremony. I'm sick to death of all the whining from the "anti-choice" nuts out there. I was raised Catholic and believe me I know a lot about the Catholic church. Why don't we see all this carrying on and protesting when the church is protecting it's pedophiles? Hypochrites!

Many Catholics voted for pro-abortion Obama, and against Pro-Life McCain-Palin. Catholics had a clear choice, but they abandoned the rights of the unborn. Catholics empowered Obama to take the oath of office. It's too late to try to absolve their guilt, over a silly honorary degree.

Obama, is a tool of Satan. I'm not sure if he is ignorant of this fact, or if he a willing participant. A lesser demon, perhaps. I'm not sure if he is really evil and working with Satan or if he is really that ignorant.

Ms. Chetry – You will someday regret this decision – after more than 40+ years I returned to college and I found my graduation ceremony to be such a high – an event that I will forever remember. Yes you have your opinion on the subject and so do others (millions) – but we each learn to appreaciate the others ideal and stand on a number of subject matters.

How sad. A day which one should be proud of, she justs throws away. This is typical christian/catholic intolerance that is turning the youth of today away from the church. Instead of welcoming Our President with open arms and using the opportunity to bring the abortion debate to a reasonable discussion, they turn it into a shrill event. Catholic people need to understand that most people in this country arent catholic and dont subscribe to their beliefs. Why do they continue to try to push their set of beliefs on everyone else?

This girl is a classic example of an obtuse right winger, limbaugh disciple, and non-Christian who's so enshrined on her bigotted beliefs that she even forgets the premise that our Lord Jesus stands for. Notre Dame should have a priest talk to her.

Maybe students like Toates and others can boycott receiving their diplomas as well...oh wait...that would mean that they're actually willing to sacrifice something beyond their weak attempt at recognition....just like Republicans who say that President Obama is not their President, but who have yet to revoke their passports and find themselves another country to live in.....oh wait....the most vocal opposition supporters who were against President Obama don't even have a passport, because they've never been anywhere!

If you are so anti-American as to not show some respect for our President......do us all a favor and expatriate and move to Iran or Saudi Arabia immediately moron. Both her and her fiancee are a disgrace to our nation.

This student is hurting only herself by boycotting the Notre Dame graduation. The article doesn't say whether or not she is graduating senior. If she is, I would remind her that you only graduate once and you will probably regret missing your graduation in the future. People need to learn a little tolerance. Just because someone disagrees with you is no reason to condemn that person. Perhaps a careful reading of the Bible will convince her that her actions would not be condoned by Jesus.

Giving the President an honorary degree is NOT "honoring his policies." Stupid, naive girl....she will regret not attending her graduation when she matures a little.

These are the very same people who did not protest priest raping little boys.

Emily Toates and people like this object to giving a degree to a black man. How come they are all of the sudden so antiabortion? The only reasonable explanation is the personal hatred of the president. And since the president is not anti-catholic must be those Notre Dame are after black. France is a Catholic country that allows abortion and the Pope doesn't have a problem with them. Barack Obama has never performed an abortion, he did not decide Roe versus Wade, he is not responsible for abortion being legal in the United States. His political position is shared by most of American citizens and many Catholics in this country. Only thing that separates him from other politicians and presidents is the color of his skin. And I believe that's where most of the opposition is coming from.

Following Rush Limbaugh's analysis style:
Her decision is only because of Obama's race.

Why does this not surprise me. often, republicans were given honors, yet I don't recall hearing about this blatant kind of outrage from liberals.

another example of the far right's "my way or the highway" stand.

it's uncompromising stances like this that will keep far right politicians out of office.

But she feels totally comfortable with the way the catholic church has handled its pedophile priest population. Did she boycott church when that happend?

As long as this group is insisting on applying 4th century logic to present day, they should also file objections to any students being awarded degrees who do not believe what they believe. I defintiely think if this young lady believes this strongly, she should stay home for graduation...in fact, she should refuse the diploma and degree...that'll really teach that university to do what she says! In a diverse world, people of intelligence can agree to disagree.

Gosh, I am amazed how all these people are so ignorant. As if Obama is the one forcing women to get pregnant and abort their children. Instead of focusing so much attention on skipping her commencement (which will do nothing), she should focus resources on preventing unwanted pregnancies instead.

It seems like one thing people are forgetting here is that Obama has only been President for barely six months. If there's a reason to not give him an honorary degree, that's it, not his disagreement with Catholic doctrine. Let him make his impact on history first – that is, an impact that has nothing to do with being the first black President.

Poor fool. Go to your graduation and have fun. Why didn't you leave ND when you found out that priests were molesting little boys? Seems to me ND is producing a few confused, young people.

Go ahead and protest. Eventually someday you will come to the realization that you were wrong.

Maybe after there done protesting him, they can go up and down the steets to many Catholic houses and ask if the woman of the house uses birth control. They all do, and they are all surposed to be such good Catholics. Give me a break

I love how she used the word "educate" when it comes to abortion since the population all must be educated on why they are sinners for not believing what she believes.

I'm also not sure what handing him a degree has to do with endorsing abortion? In her perfect little world I'm sure she does no wrong and she will ride on a unicorn to heaven when the time comes.

Stay away....I doubt anyone really cares if you do.

I have a suggestion for Emily, and anyone else who is pro-life. If you do not like the laws of the US, why don’t you move to a country that supports your views on this? You have some lovely choices: Colombia, El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Angola, Nigeria, Somalia, Uganda, Iran, Mexico, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, to name a few. You would be very happy to be living in a country where abortion is illegal, and most Americans would be happy to have you gone. Everyone wins!

The Catholic Church is against the death penalty and pro-life. Name one big time politician who shares these values. Would the same outcry be made of a pro-life politician who supports the death penalty? I don't think so.

This is merely an attention grab from the pro-life lobby. And these students are being snowed into thinking they're doing something honorable.

the catholic church needs to examing themself molesting young boys and girls these victims there life will never be the same thanks to the catholic church who am i to judge anyone who believe in pro-choice we all have to answer for our own sin.

Go ahead and stay home, who cares, your all lying, it isn't because of his views on anything, its because he is black and you don't like him and you didn't vote for him and your all sore losers.........most staying away from this event will be catholic women who have had the majority of the abortions in this country anyway

Well he doesn't appeal to all – and that's how it works. Did she hear what the valedictorian Brennan Bollman said – she welcomes our Prez.

Thanks Prez – You are an excellent POTUS – Love seeing u at the soccer game with the girls today!

WWJD? He would attend the ceremony......He was a friend to publican and sinners......He loves and accepts everyone.....He palled around with Paul, a former murderer, Peter, a foul mouthed fisherman, Judas, the one who betrayed Him....Where did these holier than God people come from? Alan Keyes looks like a stone cold fool.......His ignorance is raging.......These people are not on the way to the heaven with the big 'G' God.....They are on their way to little 'g' heaven......One Issue Wonders....Peace.....

Relax people, it is really not that serious! Enjoy your life, celebrate your educational achievement and keep it moving, because the earth will continue to move around. Don't miss a once in a life time opportunity of truly enjoying your accomplishments. President Obama has that much power over you? To cause you to miss your graduation? If so, I think you should be in a mental hospital getting treatment because something is seriously wrong with you! I give absolutely no one that much power over me, that would interfere with me celebrating graduation.

I don't understand the problem because Obama is the President of the United States. The Catholic church does not support the war but no one would complain about George Bush if it were him. I think this is politically motivated and the GOP is behind the issue with his visit. Beside the point abortion is a personal choice and Obama is not having an abortion of forcing anyone to get one. I don't understan the complaint over stem cell because if stem cell research was used to find a cure for cancer the people against it would be the fisrt in line for help..

So much for the expensive education you get at Notre Dame. It looks like a lot of people skipped the religion class on tolerance as a message of Jesus.

These simpletons have been trying to ban abortion for decades by voting for politicians whose "trickle down" economic policies of favoring the wealthy cause more abortions due to a lack of health care and basic conditions for raising a child. Most women who get abortions do it because they do not want to be sentenced to a life of poverty by either having to quit school or being saddled with a child when they are merely teenagers.

Obama is actually trying to improve the education and economic conditions for poor women, which would reduce the ROOT CAUSES of abortion.

Lastly, I don't remember these "pro-life" hypocrites protesting Bush, whose war-mongering caused at least 100,000 unnecessary civilian deaths in Iraq, thousands of dead or maimed US soldiers, and who put over 100 people to death while governor of Texas. I guess life only matters before birth?

Well, since she is not speaking and will not be sharing the stage with him who cares. The Val. welcome him and she also stated that he is practicing Catholic values which I agree to as well.

Congras to you and enjoy your day of celebration at home. I will go – in your place did you get rid of your tickets?

It is a wonder that any Catholic school can even draw students to its campus, let alone a President. What a history of murdering children, women, Jews and then pretending to be the all-knowing, all-righteous religion.
If I were Obama I would never seek an invitation from such a tragic religious school.

Note to Obama:

You are always welcome to visit a Lutheran College. After all, we are the true catholics.

Well if they don't like it, they certainly do not have to go see Barack Obama speak do they. Personally I would feel honored if the President came and visited my school.

"I do not feel comfortable going and celebrating him as the university hands him an honorary degree..." They don't get it! He's celebrating them! They're the ones that are graduating! He is there to honor them, and it is a great honor to have the sitting president speak at your graduation ceremony. But we have to turn it into a political and/or religious argument, don't we?

I hope that the University of Notre Dame senior Emily Toates, remembers to investigate EVERY future potential EMPLOYER so she will not make the mistake of working for a company that has a pro-choice president or top staff. And make sure that the man that she marries has no family members that are pro-choice either.
Other wise she would prove she self to be Hyprocrital and Contridicting to her values.
I would hope that some one follows her future progress and verifies this as she progresses through life.
She may be graduating....but she is in no way ready for the real world.

as long as this school gets government funding of any kind then this young grad. should hold her tongue and respect the man that is our comander and chief . and if she has sutch an issue with him then maybe higher education has not taught her very much. so boo hoo some place else their are many young and old that would have loved to had the ability to go to such an exspensive school to gane an education .., so get over it and be proud that this president doesn't back out and not give a speech or get an honorary degree

and she needs to go back in history and view all the articles on back alley abortions that women had before ROE V WADE
it isn't about killing a baby its about protecting a womans right to choose .. also this young grad needs to look back and research when women couldn't view or say whats on their mind .. wasn't to long ago ..

so go to your graduation and be proud that you are graduating and that the president of this country is going to be there.

if most of the students don't want him then he should not do it . it would show how small minded the students are . I would not hire any of them to work for me .

can't think outside the box

Gosh, religion is swell.

Protest all you want but do not bring any harm to President Obama. You
people are crazy and have been known to bring death and destruction to
those who oppose you. I do not know who is worst, the terrorists or the
anti-abortion protesters. Please keep it peaceful!!!!

this event was what really sealed my decision not to attend Notre Dame even though I was admitted.

Her choice.

Amazing how that works.

The hypocrisy of some Catholics is also quite amazing.

Just guarantee food, shelter, education and opportunity to every child born in the US and there will be no more abortion. It's just money. With enough money can solve the abortion issue. Surely if Catholics donated 50% of their incomes to this cause it could be solved.

I like the student for her willingness to take a stand and then follow through on her convictions. Her poor grammar and diction (as well as inability to articulate ideas persuasively), however, reflect poorly on her education. My guess is that either she did not do very well at Notre Dame or Notre Dame did not do very well by her. Best of luck and let's hope that her life is as smooth sailing as she needs it to be to feel justified in turning her back on this "dialog".

The church that was started by Jesus Christ himself deserves better than what has been said in these forums. People with no real knowledge are commenting on things like "they worship saints, and Mary" if you think this than you know nothing of the Catholic faith. Please unbder stand what you are talking about, that is only fair. Also if you learned about Catholics you would understand why there is more Catholics in the world than ALL of the "spin offs" combined (baptist, lutherin,...etc)

As for this topic in its self, there is a reason for the firt time in 15 years more people are Prolife than are pro choice.

I could go on for hours trying to teach the ignorant as we are instructed to do by Jesus, however this is not the place. Please just know what you are refering to before you type...

We are not ment to pick and choose what we believe, Jesus said the world would be against his deciples... have the strength to stand for Jesus and not bend to this world.

Ah yes, because Catholics are SOOO very consistent. Just google Pat Robertson and Lawrence O'Donnell to see.

Life begins at its origin, a few billion years ago. Eggs and sperm are alive, and the chain hasn't been broken for billions of years.

A fetus is no more a child, than a child is an adult. Different stages.

There is something just a little bit ignorant about so many with their stance on abortion. I do not believe in abortion but I have also witnessed the results of children not being wanted. These children grow up to be in prisons, mental institutions, detention centers. They kill, rob, rape and do various assorted crimes. And even worse they often commit suicide. It is one thing to be anti abortion, but then how about taking care of these children who are not wanted. It is all so much suffering. Getting out and protesting is ignorant. The protesters are not helping with the suffering in the world and are actually sometimes creating more. Many of the anti abortionist that I have met were generally innocent of the ways of the world. They have beliefs and concepts that are not real and do not understand the consequences of what they preach. Lord forgive them for when you cause suffering it has a tendency come back and haunt you at some time in your life. These protesters need to find compassion for all of gods children and work from there.

Once again it's time for all of these so called "well educated" kids to grow up. They have a right to disagree with the presidents policies but they are taking an educational ceremony and turning it into a religoius free for all. What they fail to see is that if they took the education they got, they could change things they don't like, just like the president has...by using his education not by being spoiled brats and holding their breath til everybody gives into their child like behavoiur.

So let her skip. Maybe she should enlist in the Army and go to Afghanistan and watch her fellow Americans and others get killed after Bush ignored Afghanistan and Pakistan so many years. Obviously, she has no loyalty to Notre Dame

Good for you Emily!! Now really show us your conviction and become a nun....

Why can't she simply admit that she's a moron that, by choice, is going to sabotage her own graduation?
Protest against the honorary degree, protest against his policies, protest anyway, that isa your right. But don't try to spin the fact that you will not be there by your choice... and that's a big deal.

Mr. President....I say, don't go where you're not wanted. All these "separatists" who have issues with you and your policies....let them go form their own nation somewhere far away from the U.S.. Then we REAL americans won't have to hear their whinning and crying anymore.

I hope this is not indicative of the types of students this school is now graduating. If it is, the polarization we now experience, as horrific as it is, will just get worse. Narrow minded, intolerant hate mongers masquerading as "reasonable" people. Next thing we know, they will be bringing back the Inquisition.......................

I deeply respect and admire Dr Ted Hesburgh. He spoke at my graduation nearly 40 years ago! And have a deep appreciation for ND. However, that there is a protest over Pres Obama's speaking at ND commencements is sad. Either ND is provides an eviornment where a variety of views are heard or it is simply a Catholic school seeking to train puppets. Just a thought!

I just love these phoney Catholics, who somehow forget the church's opposition to torture and the death penalty when their greed mongering right-wing pals come to speak, but if someone wants to respect a womans right to make decisions about her own body then whoa we have to protest. Allen Keyes is a perfect example of this.

I especially love all ot the Catholic Bishops who are protesting this. When they themselves have harbored, enabled and endorsed pedophilia in their own ranks for decades. You live in glass houses. You are the ones who bray on about your religion which you then so falsley represent.

Okay, no honorary degree for the President (although I heard he already has a law degree).

Well what’s next?

Will they refuse to give degrees to Notre Dame Students who are prochoice?

Will they refuse to give degrees to Notre Dame Students who have had abortions?

I have always been prolife. But pro-hypocrisy, not so much.

The reason why I have problems with conservatives and their 'morals' is because of how hypocritical they are. I, a Democrat, totally agree with protesting the President because of his stance on abortion. I don't care for it but I still want women to have the right to choose based on their unique circumstances. However, I am consistent. I am also against the death penalty and would have protested Republican Presidents too based on their pro-death penalty stance as well because if I believe God does not want us to kill individuals then that also includes criminals (especially when the alternative sentence could be life in prison which is cheaper and more of a deterent). Based on that Christian pro-life stance, President Obama has a right to be honored especially if the Bushes and other pro-death penalty loving Presidents were honored or were allowed to speak in the past without protest.

She's not actually missing her graduation, just the group assembly. What a loser.

It would interest me to find out if the GOP is quietly stirring up this little ant's nest at Notre Dame. I am a Catholic and I am outraged that anyone would protest this…..the Catholic church has not spoken for the average American for 30 years.

Perhaps these same students should ponder why they don't protest against the Church instead for its outmoded and obsolete positions on women in the church, allowing priests to marry, and allowing the most basic of birth control. We are not living in the 19th century….the prices to attend Notre Dame sure reflect that!

Some people need to grow up. Yearsof university and still some people are still living in the dark ages. Your religious views are your own. Embrace them as you see fit, but don't try and shove your beliefs down peoples throats. When are these ignorant individuals ever going to learn. america was founded on separation of state and religion. The separation of church and state is a legal and political principle derived from the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. What really makes me laugh at the ignorance of these religious people is that they support death penalties, war and yet scream blue murder about abortion. Bunch of hypocrits.

Get a life and join the 21st century!

Don't go, plain and simple. Don't attend the graduation no one really cares. It will probably make the ceremony a lot shorter if those who are so intolerant of someone else's opinion. It's stupid anyway because President Obama has never stated he was for abortion, he is for a women's right to choose. If that bothers you so be it. Under her reasoning they should look at all the graduates and not give degrees to anyone who believes in a women's right to choose, there that will show them. How stupid some people are.

Notre DAme doesnt want OBama there but it was OK for Bush who invaded Iraq for not reason and his lying failed policies had killed over 800,000 Iraiqis and over 5,000 USA soldiers.

Now now, dont forget Bush is a war criminal yet it was ok to let him speak there.??

she is not going to your own graduation because you don't like the black man. seriously, people, this is the first president that ND stand against. they did not stand against bush on death penalty. This is pure racism. religion must stay away from the state.

ND authorities gave a plank for someone who supports infanticide. You cannot be remotely catholic and support either ND's decision or Obama.

This is the reason for separation of church and state that our founders worried about. The issues does not belong in our politics and is causing such a divide among us because of a few who believe they should dictate to the many. For me don't go to your graduation and also if you do not like abortions do not have one.

I think this whole thing is absurd. Yes, people have a right to protest, blah blah blah...but this is like apples and oranges or whatever. Maybe Notre Dame should simply expel all their pro-life students, and immediately refund their tuition...same for former Notre Dames students. Suppose the Fighting Irish got some really awesome football coach that restored them to their former glory...would anybody care a flip if he was pro-life or pro-choice? Geeez...what a non-issue...

One has to wonder what sort of tolerance and academic freedom is being taught at Notre Dame. How sad that anyone would childishly refuse to attend their own graduation because the distinguished speaker does not agree with them.

Well I can understand that, at least she is willing to not attend the ceremony and disrupt it for others. I do feel that it is unfortunate that these single issue people cannot get past their personal views to accept the honor of the President of the United States. Even if you do not like the person, the office should be respected. The real question I have is this, how can someone graduate for a modern university with such medieval views? She may not like abortion, as many do not. But the solution is simple: If you don't like abortion; don't have one." What this really is about is that in your face arrogant group of people who have gone beyond trying to "convert" people to the point where they would like to bring back Inquisition Courts. Convert or else. Its my way or no way. Well, I am sorry this is the arrogance the rest of the country has seen from the religious right for the last 30 years and we are tired of it.

but she would have gladly sat and watched her school give a degree to Bush right? Gotta love conservatives

My lord. Is this woman going to resign from America? Perhaps move to the country of Texas? We live in a diverse culture, and while she may not agree with Obama on the issue of abortion this is seeming more and more like a racist attack by the University. I'm sad for my country when I see that there is zero tolerance by many for any kind of difference from their skewed and narrow view of the world. Hopefully Ms. Toates will find a place, job, life where everyone agrees with her view of the world and how things are and ought to be. Of course she's free to have and express her opinion, but it seems as if she and the others like her are going to have a very narrow life. Plus, I thought that the followers of Jesus are to love and accept their neighbor, even if they disagree.

This is utterly ridiculous. Notre Dame has had MANY other pro-choice commencement speakers before. This is America, isn't it?

Let's ask Ms. Toates how much she sold her family's graduation tickets for. Oh, and if she majored in Media. (Hey, a girl needs a job, right?) And if her family has always voted Republican. Uh-huh.

interesting that white Presidents who were 'pro-choice' spoke at ND without incident