Why Obama's Notre Dame appearance is so signifcant

[cali]

I'm glad the MSM decided to make such a big deal out of this. It placed Obama front and center on what would have been just a ho hum ceremonial appearance. Instead, his level headed Mahayana like approach to contentious and painful issues, was starkly juxtaposed against the whacko frothing right, further diminishing their already shrunken stature. That is a good thing.

Yesterday, Obama removed some of the poison from the culture war, and the right desperately needs that poison to spread to keep their "movement" alive. That is not an insignificant accomplishment. I suspect that his appearance and speech at ND, will have further reaching impact than most foresee.

Not bad for a day's work.

[FrenchieCat]

1. Aye!

That speech will be getting plenty play!

The Pope probably listened to it, even!

Poor Rabid Right Wingers and their Media Accomplices! Foiled Again!

[VWolf]

2. They're STILL playing checkers

while our President is mastering 3-dimensional space chess.

[cali]

3. Freepers , to my amusement, are blaming it all on the magical "Totus"

which evidently has massive mesmerizing powers.

[Frances]

10. I hope the Pope listened

because the Pope needs to learn from Obama, the President of ND, other speakers at the ND graduation ceremony (e.g., the only member of Eisenhower's race relations committee still alive and the student speaker). I liked the speaker who said torture is wrong.

I liked how Obama said we should do everything we can to make abortion unnecessary and that we should do everything we can to help ensure the safety of babies.

I think Obama's attitude is a Crhistian attitude. I don't think most pro-lifers feel Christian love.

[AlinPA]

4. President Obama and the ND President raised the level of the debate to stress cooperation

in working together and having a meaningful dialog. Doing this made the protesters who didn't want open dialog to appear small. ND and Obama turned what could have been a bad scene for everyone into a big win for America. ND President Jenkins was strong in leadership there, then followed by Obama who drove the point home without bashing the protesters.

[BlooInBloo]

5. Agreed.

[Clio the Leo]

6. And as an aside.......

.... anyone else notice how calm and peaceful it was here yesterday? :)

[Odin2005]

7. "level headed Mahayana" So Obama's into Zen?

Makes sense! :D

[cali]

8. well, no. He's a Christian, but he does have some very Mahayana like qualities

in my opinion.

[Odin2005]

9. ACK, I wasn't being serious (series!) Cali!

:P :D

[BoneDaddy]

13. Mahayana Buddhism emerged around the time the historical Christ existed

and some people have said that his unique (for the area) spiritual viewpoint is very similar to Mahayana buddhism. 15 years of his life are unaccounted for. Many say he wandered among the Muslims and may very have traveled the spice route to India, only to return years later.

[Beetwasher]

11. A Masterful, Skilled Stroke

This is Obama as Political Surgeon. Deft, subtle and devastating to his opponents. He keeps slicing off portions of the other side and grafting them to his support base. Little by little his opponents will be disembowled w/out even realizing how and when it happened.

[HopeOverFear]

12. Indeed