aaronssongs
Banned
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- May 12, 2009
- Messages
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.....Unfortunately, finding that common ground - recognizing that our fates are tied up, as Dr. King said, in a "single garment of destiny" - is not easy. Part of the problem, of course, lies in the imperfections of man - our selfishness, our pride, our stubbornness, our acquisitiveness, our insecurities, our egos; all the cruelties large and small that those of us in the Christian tradition understand to be rooted in original sin. We too often seek advantage over others. We cling to outworn prejudice and fear those who are unfamiliar. Too many of us view life only through the lens of immediate self-interest and crass materialism; in which the world is necessarily a zero-sum game. The strong too often dominate the weak, and too many of those with wealth and with power find all manner of justification for their own privilege in the face of poverty and injustice. And so, for all our technology and scientific advances, we see around the globe violence and want and strife that would seem sadly familiar to those in ancient times.
We know these things; and hopefully one of the benefits of the wonderful education you have received is that you have had time to consider these wrongs in the world, and grown determined, each in your own way, to right them. And yet, one of the vexing things for those of us interested in promoting greater understanding and cooperation among people is the discovery that even bringing together persons of good will, men and women of principle and purpose, can be difficult.
The soldier and the lawyer may both love this country with equal passion, and yet reach very different conclusions on the specific steps needed to protect us from harm. The gay activist and the evangelical pastor may both deplore the ravages of HIV/AIDS, but find themselves unable to bridge the cultural divide that might unite their efforts. Those who speak out against stem cell research may be rooted in admirable conviction about the sacredness of life, but so are the parents of a child with juvenile diabetes who are convinced that their son's or daughter's hardships can be relieved.
The question, then, is how do we work through these conflicts? Is it possible for us to join hands in common effort? As citizens of a vibrant and varied democracy, how do we engage in vigorous debate? How does each of us remain firm in our principles, and fight for what we consider right, without demonizing those with just as strongly held convictions on the other side?
.....In this world of competing claims about what is right and what is true, have confidence in the values with which you've been raised and educated. Be unafraid to speak your mind when those values are at stake. Hold firm to your faith and allow it to guide you on your journey. Stand as a lighthouse.
But remember too that the ultimate irony of faith is that it necessarily admits doubt. It is the belief in things not seen. It is beyond our capacity as human beings to know with certainty what God has planned for us or what He asks of us, and those of us who believe must trust that His wisdom is greater than our own.
This doubt should not push us away from our faith. But it should humble us. It should temper our passions, and cause us to be wary of self-righteousness. It should compel us to remain open, and curious, and eager to continue the moral and spiritual debate that began for so many of you within the walls of Notre Dame. And within our vast democracy, this doubt should remind us to persuade through reason, through an appeal whenever we can to universal rather than parochial principles, and most of all through an abiding example of good works, charity, kindness, and service that moves hearts and minds.
For if there is one law that we can be most certain of, it is the law that binds people of all faiths and no faith together. It is no coincidence that it exists in Christianity and Judaism; in Islam and Hinduism; in Buddhism and humanism. It is, of course, the Golden Rule - the call to treat one another as we wish to be treated. The call to love. To serve. To do what we can to make a difference in the lives of those with whom we share the same brief moment on this Earth. .....
Oh my...I think I'm gonna barf--:2sick1:--not due to Obama--I haven't read that part of your post yet, nor have I read what he had to say today. Your adulation is just a tad over the top.:doh Wow.:shock:What a privilege and a distinct blessing it is, that I am alive to witness it.
Oh my...I think I'm gonna barf--:2sick1:--not due to Obama--I haven't read that part of your post yet, nor have I read what he had to say today. Your adulation is just a tad over the top.:doh Wow.:shock:
over the top? He's the best thing since corn flakes. Sorry you don't feel that way. Maybe you long for the days of Bush and Cheney...or perhaps, Reagan.
By the way...my comments were secondary...the reason I posted the excerpt was for folks to read it, and hopefully, "get it". I failed.
over the top? He's the best thing since corn flakes. Sorry you don't feel that way. Maybe you long for the days of Bush and Cheney...or perhaps, Reagan.
By the way...my comments were secondary...the reason I posted the excerpt was for folks to read it, and hopefully, "get it". I failed.
Hell yeah I long for the days of Reagan.
I read the excerpt. No, I don't "get it". Obama still hasn't proven he can do anything more than talk purty. I'll "get it" when I see some of this famed potential actually become a reality.
It was an awesome speech. It was of value. I do tend to like President Obama more often than not, and this is a part of why.
That about uses up all the good I can say about it.
Even Fox News found no way out of admitting that the crowd was largely in favor of Obama.
Yeah, it's a great speech. He never fails to deliver on that front. I wish he would start delivering on great policies, though.
Why couldn't we have gotten someone of substance to be our first black president? Someone like Colin Powell? Or Condi. Damn...that would have been a real blessing.
How is this breaking news? It's the text of a speech, not a news story.
Please. Must we have an exhibition of "histrionics", eschewing common sense or reasonable retort. The video derails the thread. Thanks. So predictable.
Someone please tell Jallman, that we hardly need an Uncle Tom in the Oval Office....speaking of Colin Powell or Condi Rice. Blacks in white-face, is all they are, although Colin Powell's mea culpa is promising and hopeful, that even Republicans can "see the light".
Someone please tell Jallman, that we hardly need an Uncle Tom in the Oval Office....speaking of Colin Powell or Condi Rice. Blacks in white-face, is all they are, although Colin Powell's mea culpa is promising and hopeful, that even Republicans can "see the light".
Wow. Just wow. You disagree with their politics, so that makes them "uncle toms"?
I know it might be hard for you to understand, but the notion or the concept of "selling one down the river", still resonates within the black community. They simply forgot where they came from...and that is a big "no-no".
Wow. Just wow. You disagree with their politics, so that makes them "uncle toms"?
Obama calls for 'common ground' on abortion at Notre Dame
SOUTH BEND, Indiana (CNN) -- President Obama delved into the abortion debate in a controversial Notre Dame commencement address Sunday, calling for a search for common ground on one of the most divisive issues in American politics.
President Obama's appearance at the University of Notre Dame's graduation touched off a storm of controversy.
Addressing a sharply divided audience at the storied Catholic university, Obama conceded that no matter how much Americans "may want to fudge it ... at some level the views of the two camps are irreconcilable."
Keyes, priest arrested at Notre Dame protest
By TOM COYNE – 2 days ago
SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — 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.
The arrests marked the third straight Friday that protesters have been detained. They are angry about the school's decision to give Obama, who supports abortion rights and embryonic stem-cell research, an honorary degree and have him speak at Sunday's commencement.
"Notre Dame is arresting a priest," the Rev. Norman Weslin, founder of the Lambs of Christ abortion protest group, said as Notre Dame security personnel put plastic restraints on his wrists Friday. "Why are you arresting a priest for trying to stop the killing of a baby? You've got it all backward."
Kinda funny since if anyone is an "Uncle Tom" (or an "Oreo" for that matter) it would be Obama...
I think its safe to say the person who made the comment voted for Obama..I think its safe to say they voted for Obama based on the visual color of his skin.
They voted for what they call an Uncle Tom.
Speeches have no value. Dear Leader was dead wrong on that during the campaign--as he is wrong about most every other topic under the sun. "Just words" are just that....just words. And, in his case, empty, hollow, meaningless words. He says much, promise more, delivers not a damn thing.It was an awesome speech. It was of value.
Why don't you man up and tell me yourself, champ, instead of playing the histrionic drama queen and talking through others. :shrug:
I find it very telling that you, again, start throwing the race divide around by calling powerful and respected African Americans "Uncle Tom's" because you have a disagreement with their politics. "Blacks in white-face"? Seriously?
I, for one, am glad that all the black people I know, for the most part, have a sane view of race relations rather than this blathering nonsense you have spewed from day one. You and Al Sharpton are everything that is wrong with race relations in this country today.
Wow, just wow??????? Hell, yeah I disagree with their politics...but that is not what makes them Uncle Toms. The fact that they failed to hold the Bush administration accountable, in all things, but especially things which impacted blacks and persons of color, negatively, specifically, and could continue being "mouthpieces" for the administration, is what makes them Uncle Toms.
I know it might be hard for you to understand, but the notion or the concept of "selling one down the river", still resonates within the black community. They simply forgot where they came from...and that is a big "no-no".
Although I have you on "self-ignore", let me come off for a moment to address your concerns. You disrespected me. You continue to disrespect me. Therefore I will not engage you. I will overlook your posts, and pretend you do not exist. You have operated dishonestly, and I can find no redeeming qualities to your posts. That being said, why don't you move on, as I have done...because my mission is not to leave here, under duress, but to try to contribute to this forum, in a meaningful way. Rather than to comment on my posts, feel free to ignore them, as I am ignoring you. You think me less than human. I'm not going to reciprocate. I'm going to let you alone. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.
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