[raccoonradio]

Steve Almond is the author of the story collections ''The Evil B. B. Chow" and ''My Life in Heavy Metal."

[Ramius]

Funny that they've still got the same old boring (and discredited) talking points. Is this the best they can do?

[Lancey Howard]

Hilarious! What a pompous ass!

[in hoc signo vinces]

"Please" let the door hit you on the way out, arseclown!

[Godzilla]

Hope she doesn't let the door hit her rear on the way out.

[zook]

"...adjunct professor of English..."

Wow. Such a loss for them!

[raccoonradio]

Letters to the Editor of the Globe, from earlier this week:

May 8, 2006

AS A STUDENT at Boston College, I find myself with conflicting views toward the impending commencement speech and honorary degree for Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (''Invitation to Rice debated at BC," May 3.) While I support free speech and acknowledge that Rice is a good role model for women, especially African-Americans, I believe that this decision by the BC administration is not purely motivated.

This past year, many have noted the college's increased valuing of a Jesuit education and policies in line with the teachings of the Catholic Church. However, the administration has become increasingly hypocritical in terms of what groups it allows to be heard on campus. For example, most attempts by prochoice or gay-rights groups to organize in an official capacity have been shut down. Now, possibly the third most influential person in the Bush administration, which is responsible for a war denounced by the Church, is about to receive an honorary degree. This essentially condones her actions; I strongly oppose the decision and hope that BC realizes the hypocrisy.

CHRISTINA MARSHALL
Watertown

---

I AM GRADUATING from Boston College on May 22 with a master's degree in nursing. Condoleezza Rice is an amazing woman with a string of impressive accomplishments and skills. I wouldn't mind a seat next to her at a dinner party, but I do not want her representing me or my graduating class. For those of us who are shocked by BC's choice, we are forced to choose between attending our own party (one we have earned, paid for, and deserve) or conceding that the BC corporate machine has again disappointed us and declining official celebration. It's not right. As my mother asked when I told her who the speaker is, ''Would it be poor etiquette to be both the mother of a graduate and a protester?" Mom is coming into town for my graduation. She'll be spending the morning at the IHOP on Soldier's Field Road. Now I need to decide where I'll be.

AMY O'MEARA
Newton

THE FALLOUT resulting from Rice's selection to deliver this year's commencement speech at Boston College seems highly politicized when juxtaposed with an unopposed 2004 commencement speech at BC's law school that was delivered by Walter Dellinger, a law professor at the Duke University School of Law who served in the Clinton administration. Dellinger has championed NARAL Pro-Choice America's cause and chaired NARAL's 1992 commission to defend Roe v. Wade in direct conflict with Roman Catholic values. Are we therefore witnessing another dissenting group struggling to maintain the religious character of a Catholic institution or another virulent strain of red state-blue state discord?

MARK D. CONSTANCE
Roxbury

[bondjamesbond]

Lookin' hard to see the down side here...

...

Nope. Not findin' it!

[theDentist]

steven.almond.1@bc.edu for now....

[AxelPaulsenJr]

I wish one of our talented Freepers could find the guys email addy. Would love to wish him well on his life journey into continued insignifigance.

[Sam Cree]

"Many members of the faculty and student body already have voiced their objection to the invitation, arguing that Rice's actions as secretary of state are inconsistent with the broader humanistic values of the university..."

The university's values are totalitarianism, brutality and socialism? No surprise there, I guess. Anyhow, that's one down!

[Lovely-Day-For-A-Guinness]

Did you hear the stain on WRKO this morning?

One of the rudest, arrogant, condescending, and hypocritical whiners I've ever heard.

This guy is a true liberal's liberal, and can only function in the safe and closed confines of academia.

He didn't have an answer when asked why he didn't resign when the Sinkmeister was playing tough guy with Bosnia.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Egad those Liberals are sooo tolerant, aren't they?

[reagan_fanatic]

Something tells me the good Professor would have been slightly more mute in his objections had this been a member of a DEMOCRATIC administration.

Liberals are such childish pukes.

[Robe]

This guy certainly doesn't let FACTS get in the way of his opinion

[NAVY84]

Sounds like we should have sent Rumsfeld instead, Condi only got one. I bet Rummy could get 20 to 30 and maybe some heads would even explode.

[Kokojmudd]

Dear Mr. Prof : Good riddence you commie pinko rat! Take your dog and pony show to pyongyang.

[UncleSamUSA]

One down and 20,000 or so more left wing academic nut-jobs to go !!!!

[ladyjane]

Adjunct quits. No big deal.

Boston is loaded with unemployed English PhD's. BC probably already has 500 applicants for that job.

[jigsaw]

Steve Almond

BC website: "Steve writes about chocolate and modern romantic disaster..."

[Tokra]

One down - ten thousand to go.