Yesterday, I watched the graduation of Notre Dame University. I watched it online -- I filtered out the media, so I could make up my own mind. I found myself very inspired, and quite pleased again. I needed that after the past few days here in America.

The President gave a wonderful commencement speech, that was - of course - not without protest or controversy. The debate at hand was abortion. What was interesting was who protested at this celebration of college graduates. I am not talking about the 25 or so people who were arrested for trespassing on campus ground before the speech. I am talking about the people inside:


Yup, one man who doesn't even look like he was there for college, OR to celebrate the graduation. Just an old white guy who never had an abortion, and probably never had to be worried about an unwanted pregnancy. The crowd responded to the protester in an interesting way.
It is important to note that while Notre Dame is a Catholic university -- not all of its students are Catholic. Not all are pro-life (anti-choice). Not all are conservative; not all are anti-science.

The Far Right tried to make this a fight. They tried to make this a controversy. They tried to make this a new battle regarding the abortion debate... they failed. The leader of America and the leader of the University itself came together and said explicitly that - despite differences of opinion - we the citizens of this Nation, must come together and communicate.

How can you protest a man who uses words like "open hearts," "open minds," "fair-minded words" and a search for "common ground." You can, if you choose not to listen to what he says and believe what you are told to believe. And please: don't think that I am saying you shouldn't protest a President or question what they do. I believe that protesting is one of the greatest tools we have as citizens. I just want to know exactly what I am protesting. I listen, I read and I research.

The media doesn't really want us to listen, read or research. They tell us what they want, we become despaired or angry and frustrated - I do it all the time. I am sure I will tonight while watching KO or Dr. Maddow- whom I love. I don't hate media - I love it, actually. I just watch it with a jaded eye.

Yesterday, we heard an impassioned plea for people to come together in a spirit of listening, doing and acting. You can read it all here. He isn't perfect. I never thought he would be, but I will take him as Our President over any other Mofo in the room -- flaws and all.

Hang in there- It is going to take a while, but things WILL get better.

:peace: and
Raine