Michael Thanhouser's Blog: Protest at Notre Dame 5/17/09

I came to Notre Dame not to shoot protesters, but to congratulate my brother on graduating. My brother Bill has always been a hard worker and I have always known that he was going to do great things. He graduated cum laude and won an award for best thesis and received a Fulbright Scholarship. He will be traveling to Nepal in September to teach English and will then join the Teach For America Program where he will be teaching English to under privileged. He was captain of the Notre Dame fencing Team and always puts others before himself.
With that said, I’m overjoyed that president Obama was his commencement speaker. Many people never remember who their commencement speaker was or what they talked about in detail after they graduate. Bill and everyone else who witnessed his speech in person, including myself, will never forget it. It was historical and I feel that President Obama handled the controversial topic of abortion extremely well. In his speech he mentioned that the Civil Rights Committee was as diverse as they come and were unable to get any work done or even get along till they realized they had the common interest of fishing. After an impromptu, twighlight fishing trip, the committee set aside their differences and worked to changed America for the better.
I feel that everyone should follow the example of the Civil Rights Committee: set aside your differences and find common ground. We may surprise ourself with what we have in common. Whether you're pro-life, pro-choice, gay or straight, you will have something in common. Whether it be a sport or hobby, a favorite TV show or movie, once you find that similarity you would be surprised what you could accomplish together.

May 17, 2009 Protesters say the president Obama should not deliver the commencement address at Notre Dame University on Sunday. They're upset over his views on abortion and stem cell research.

Police say 23 protesters marched to the Notre Dame campus Saturday and 19 were arrested for trespassing.

A key organizer of the religious protesters in interviewed by members of the media out the Notre Dame campus.

A group of protesters pray before marching on the Notre Dame campus including Norma McCorvey (center). Norma is best known for her legal pseudonym "Jane Roe" during Roe v Wade. Norma was later arrested for refusing to leave the Notre Dame Campus grounds.