Posted on 05/25/2004 6:29:31 AM PDT by Mich0127
Hofstra University's commencement speaker, E.L. Doctorow, didn't break new ground when he used his time at the pulpit to launch a scathing attack on President George W. Bush over the weekend. In fact, many commencement speakers use this kind of forum to explore political issues that seek to poke, prod and reveal changes in society.
But where Doctorow crossed the line was using a strident, personal and partisan attack in an environment where families gather to celebrate personal accomplishment and academic excellence. If they wanted to hear the author excoriate the president, they would have probably preferred a venue such as the opinion pages of this newspaper.
Winston Churchill used a 1946 commencement address at Westminster College in Missouri to warn democracies that the post-World War II alliance that had confronted the Nazis was imploding. In a speech that is now part of history, he told students, "From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of central and eastern Europe."
But Churchill, unlike Doctorow, did not use the commencement address as a vehicle to demean or condemn. Rather, the British leader spoke of his personal insight, wartime observations and resulting lessons for the students seated before him. He brought insight, not invective, to the podium.
While Doctorow may be personally incensed at the Bush administration, he may not have understood the personal dynamics of the audience before him. Typically, parents are sitting in the bleachers, having invested tens of thousands of dollars into securing a college education for their children. They want an address that will open one more door, create one last collegiate opportunity for the graduate to move on to a new chapter in their life. And the student is equally demanding to glean insight into how those at the podium conquered adversity to achieve success.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsday.com ...
Here are some of the contacts...as a 2005 grad, I don't want to be forced to sit through something like this and incensed on one of the most important days of my life, my graduation from Law school!
Hofstra:
President Stuart Rabinowitz:
Office of the President 144 Hofstra University Hempstead, NY 11549-1440 Phone: (516) 463-6800 E-mail: president@hofstra.edu
Hofstra Law:
Dean David Yellen: Fax: (516) 463-6091 Email: lawdny@hofstra.edu
Vice Dean Marshall Tracht (a very nice man, by the way) Fax: (516) 463-6091 Email: lawmet@hofstra.edu
Write them and let them know that in light of Doctorow's speech, that it is necessary to either warn potential speakers or screen their speeches to prevent a future occurance! People have a right to their opinions, but there is a time and a place for everything, and a captive audience at a college graduation is not it! Bashing the President at a time of war to a group of graduates is nothing short of Un-American!
Bump!
BUMP!
BUMP! Please help a fellow NY'er!
BUMP!
Another limousine liberal implodes. Gotta love it!
Very Good editorial!
I'm surprised Newsday published it.
"But where Doctorow crossed the line was using a strident, personal and partisan attack in an environment where families gather to celebrate personal accomplishment and academic excellence. If they wanted to hear the author excoriate the president, they would have probably preferred a venue such as the opinion pages of this newspaper."
Hard to believe they don't see the selfishness in giving a commencement address like this. Ego.........
When will these people learn? Never mind.....they won't.
bump for later
BTTT!!!!!!!
These twits depend on a captive audience to spew their propaganda. No one would listen to them otherwise. I agree that it was totally inappropriate for Doctorow to make such a negative speech at a college graduation. The word "buzzkill" comes to mind.
Exactly! That is why I am taking preemptive action, because if I hear something like that at my graduation from Hofstra Law next year, I will literally walk up to the stage and scream at the speaker!
BRAVO BUMP!!
Some Hofstra professors said Doctorow was on target in discussing the war. "I thought this was a totally appropriate place to talk about politics because that's the world our students are entering," said sociology professor Cynthia Bogard. "I only wish their parents had provided them a better role model."
I e-mailed the pompous professor at Cynthia.J.Bogard@Hofstra.edu , asking her who she was referring to - the parents, the speaker, or the president. Not surprisingly, she has not responded. Perhaps if we all gave her a little love note, she might make her feelings better known.
Thanks for the ping!
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