What I'm Reading 5.18.09

Text of Obama's Notre Dame Speech, WSJ
Obama is always a great speaker and he makes some excellent points. One issue underlying this event is the question of whether Notre Dame should have invited Obama in the first place. I think that it was important that they did. On all issues, it is important to listen most to those with whom you disagree. It is the only way understand different perspectives and work toward resolution. Those that protested the speech don't want to hear what Obama has to say, they are threatened by contrary ideas. And that is contrary to American values of free speech.

The year for health care. San Francisco Chronicle
The article layouts out some of the goals and obstacles to getting health care passed. It brings up the excellent point that Obama will have to be personally involved in the writing of the bill or risk losing control of the bill to far-left nutbags in Congress. I think it will also be important to bring some Republican voices to the table to include things like Tort reform and other methods to reduce health care costs. Let's hope that something gets pushed through, Obamacare may not be perfect, but it's quite a bit better than what we have now.

Lesbian leading committee could weaken values, GOP chief warns. By Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Fair treatment and equal opportunity for all U.S. citizens is at the heart of what it means to be American. It is disappointing to see these relics of intolerance still advocating for naked discrimination. His party should put a muzzle on him or else he should be censured by the state legislature. It is also a blow to the GOP on social issues, the party definitely doesn't need a George Wallace-type figure grabbing headlines. Wallace was a Democrat by the way.