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HAIL TO THE BOSS 5/18/2009 2:00:41 PM
Several people have asked me how I feel about President Barrack Obama delivering the commencement address at Notre Dame on Sunday. Prior to reading the speech, I am moderately ambivalent to his appearance at that dome of inspirational learning.
Separation of church and state has been a way of life (not always recognized nor understood by the citizenry) ever since its adoption by the Founders from its origins in British Common Law. Ironically, over there beneath the Union Jack, separation of church and state was enacted because religion was a government mandated activity and subject to all the whims and whiles the Brits could concoct. It was “separated” only from the rules and regulations imposed by the monarchy (the titular state,) not those of Parliament (the government.)
Over here, of course, the implication is just the opposite, as we have no monarchy (thank God, to compound the issue.)
Our separation of church and state carries two obvious tenets: we are Constitutionally free to pursue (or not) any theological activity we wish, and, secondly, churches are exempt from paying property taxes on the land whereon they reside.
So, the question is begged, what does Mr. Obama’s commencement speech have to do with the University of Notre Dame?
Apparently a great deal.
Notre Dame is, principally, an academy closely aligned with the Roman Catholic Church, a large, worldwide Christian organization administered by the Holy See from within Vatican City, itself a recognized sacerdotal-monarchical state, ruled by an elected official, the Bishop of Rome who, according to another of its tenets, is the infallible conduit through whom God speaks. The Holy See has decreed that abortion, birth control, and stem cell research are evil activities.
Mr. Obama, it’s reported, represents a faction that, given a variety of circumstances, feels differently.
Consequently, to this observer, his acquiescence to address the graduating class at Notre Dame has less to do with separation of church and state than it does with rankling the theological idiosyncrasies of a handful of radical protestors who want to use the school’s religious connections to propagate their own agenda.
I seriously doubt if Mr. Obama will use his position or his podium to present by innuendo any subjects that might be construed as promoting an agenda contrary to opinions held by even the most liberal elements of the faculty or student body. In order not to compromise his own beliefs, he may even make references to controversial issues, but to protest his appearance before such an erudite and august congregation will only render such protestations less valid and more suspect.
Not surprisingly, secular politics is very concerned. The head of the Republican National Committee, Mike Steele, says, “I think it is inappropriate. . . . The [P]resident should speak, but the [honorary] degree should not be conferred.” White House spokesman Bob Gibbs said, “This is exactly the kind of give and take” that occurs on college campuses everywhere. (I don’t buy either argument; I tend to agree with Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John Jenkins, who reportedly stands by his decision to invite Mr. Obama “because of conscience and respect for people who differ.”)
But as this is being written on Sunday morning, the speech has not yet been delivered, and I have not objectively read its text. Considering, however, the man’s own education and command of common sense, I am sure Mr. Obama’s remarks, like those of hundreds of prominent commencement speakers this season, will, in the words of Lincoln on another matter of grave importance, be “[of] little note, nor long remember[ed].”
Do I think our Chief Executive was well advised to accept Rev Jenkins’ invitation in the first place? Not being privileged as an advisor to the President, it is very easy for me to say: Absolutely not! Were I an advisor to him (or anyone else,) I would never suggest doing anything I myself would not do.
That includes HALO skydiving, jet skiing, mountain climbing, lion taming, high wire acrobatics, volunteering for medical research, space walking, karaoke singing, needlepoint, etc., etc.
