Graduating class of 2009 - Commencement treat - Dick Enberg

[Marquette Mama]

ND has a long history of US presidents as commencement speakers.  When my brother graduated, they had Ronald Reagan.  Everyone had to pass through metal detectors (granted an everyday occurance now) and students could not participate in the tradition of bringing champagne into the exercises as there was a concern that the popping corks could not be distinguished from gunfire.

I think they've had something like 6 sitting presidents and 9 total. 

OK -- I was going to close this out with some caustic and sarcastic comments about ND, but have decided to restrain myself. Though I don't think the Obama decision is anything more than adding a 7th sitting president to their speaker tally. 

   

[tower912]

Brewcity, I did.   JP Donnelly S.J. was a scintillating, captivating, spellbinding speaker compared to Rehnquist.

[The Lens]

How do these Catholic Pro-lifers justify the right's stand on Capital Punishment?

And for the record, I voted for Bush, Dole, Bush, Bush, McCain.  And I'm Catholic.  I just don't get worked up over one issue when another is also clearly a violation of my beliefs.

[BrewCity83]

How do these Catholic Pro-lifers justify the right's stand on Capital Punishment?

The volume.  There is a much greater number of abortions than executions.

[mu-rara]

How do these Catholic Pro-lifers justify the right's stand on Capital Punishment?

And for the record, I voted for Bush, Dole, Bush, Bush, McCain.  And I'm Catholic.  I just don't get worked up over one issue when another is also clearly a violation of my beliefs.

I'm Pro Life and against the death penalty.  What's the problem?

I don't understand liberal Catholics problem with conservative Catholics.  I, as a conservative Catholic, choose what charities I support.  I think that is a much more effective use of my cash.  Filtering it through government is a total waste.

[bucksandy34]

On those issues there is some gray area, whereas the stance on abortion is absolute. JP2 did not "condemn" the war, he opposed it, as does Benedict. ...it's seen as a moral obligation for Catholics to choose the closest match to the core social teachings of the Church.

I will agree that on war, there is gray area (just war theory). On the Iraq War, I never said it was condemned, so I'm not sure why that is in quotes. However, when this war has been called a "defeat for reason and for the gospel. The war is beyond all legality and all international legitimacy" by a papal official (that's the best quote I could find with limited time) I don't see a whole lot of gray area with this particular war. Both popes have called it unjust, but if you find something on this war that leaves room for disagreement in the Church I'm willing to listen. The quote from the Catechism you provide also leaves little gray room, saying "the cases in which the execution of the offender is an absolute necessity 'are very rare, if not practically non-existent.'" I think in a civilized country like the US there are other options.

There is definitely room for Catholics of good conscience to support either candidate, and I definitely agree there is a moral obligation for Catholics to chose the closest match to the Church. On these particular issues, however, as well as abortion, there is little question as to who lines up more closely with the Church. Other issues, such as economic policy, can be argued either way.

[bucksandy34]

How do these Catholic Pro-lifers justify the right's stand on Capital Punishment?

This brings up a good point on why Catholics are urged every election by the USCCB to not be single issue voters. It also points out why I would say there is an important distinction between "anti-abortion" and "pro-life". Anti-abortion is great, but is not all there is to being pro-life.

[The Lens]

Also for the record, I have to say to clear my conscience, that abortion disgusts me and should be illegal.  I do however hold very similar beliefs about capital punishment.  Call me crazy, I just don't like killing anyone, no matter how many or how few, no matter how innocent or how guilty.

[ChicosBailBonds]

The volume.  There is a much greater number of abortions than executions.

That, and the little tidbit about a baby not having done anything wrong vs a felon that has.  (we can get into arguments about wrongfully accused, I get it....but the differences between the two are stark.....43,000,000 vs what, 107 at last count?)

[bucksandy34]

Also for the record, I have to say to clear my conscience, that abortion disgusts me and should be illegal.  I do however hold very similar beliefs about capital punishment.  Call me crazy, I just don't like killing anyone, no matter how many or how few, no matter how innocent or how guilty.

Agreed...well put!

[Skatastrophy]

Knock off the politics please.  Basketball forums should be devoid of this serious business.

[MUfan12]

Knock off the politics please.  Basketball forums should be devoid of this serious business.

Fair enough. But I'm actually pleased this did not devolve into what normally happens with politically-related threads on this board. It's been very civil.

[mu_hilltopper]

Exactly .. we keep it civil, and stay away from demagoguery, we can have a decent conversation. 

So far, so good.