Connecticut ping!
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Posted on 05/22/2006 10:10:08 PM PDT by demlosers
DANBURY — A speech by television journalist Catherine Crier turned the 108th commencement ceremony at Western Connecticut State University on Sunday into an impromptu forum on free speech.
"What better place than in a university setting to bring up discussion?" said Paul Simon, director of WestConn's Student Center/Student Life.
Crier, a judge, TV journalist and author, addressed the 1,060 graduates with a speech about the government and laws passed to protect people from terrorism that she feel take away citizens' rights to privacy and freedom.
The star of Court TV's daily "Catherine Crier Live," which discusses legal perspectives on breaking news, talked about the government spying on citizens.
"The fears (of terrorism) are eroding our protection of freedoms," said Crier, who received an honorary degree from WestConn. "The government is trying to shut down those who bring the truth," like journalists.
Later, one of West Conn's newest graduates, Krista M. Lindstedt, exercised her right to free speech.
When Lindstedt received her degree, she spoke into the microphone, "Pray for the troops at home and abroad."
The News-Times could not reach Lindstedt for comment.
"The university does not, and should not, dictate" speakers' speeches, said WestConn President James Schmotter.
A staff sergeant in the U.S. Air Force graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in psychology, Lindstedt yelled comments to Crier during her speech, then walked away from the ceremony, but returned. Police officers stood nearby.
Some people stood and clapped for her. Others like Heide Lock of Bethel, expressed their opinions by turning their backs on Crier.
Crier continued her speech, saying, "Graduates, you have the freedom to choose where your life will lead. You have freedoms, privileges … Those in the audience, don't want to hear if freedoms are taken away? This is not a political statement. I am concerned with America, about defending this country. I am suggesting that we are headed for some real trouble. It is a crisis that is real. Who better to speak to than the young people who will take on the role as citizens of this country?"
WestConn social science professor Jack Sikora is adviser to the WestConn Veterans Civilian Alliance, a community service organization whose members include Lindstedt.
"There must have been something that she thought was deeply and profoundly offensive," Sikora said. "She is a very level-headed young woman. This is most uncharacteristic of her."
"She is an extraordinary young woman," said Sikora, adding Lindstedt, an emergency medical technician, was deployed to New Orleans in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
"(Crier) should have made the message about uniting, not dividing," said Sarah McCarthy, 33, of Monroe, sister of graduate William J. Gill Jr. McCarthy and her father, William J. Gill of North Carolina, booed Crier.
"It was pretty inappropriate," said Tim Kilcourse, 21, of Bethel of Crier's speech.
Rose Damas, 23, of Hartford, who received a degree in business management and human resources, called Crier's message good and "everybody (booing) was being close-minded. I think she is entitled to her own opinion. People can decide what to take in or they don't have to listen."
Amir Kearney, 22, of New Milford, felt Crier's speech discussed important issues, but "it was the wrong place and the wrong time."
Graduate Pauline Goncalves, 31, of Newtown, thought "it was too long of a speech. "It was very political for this occasion. It should have been more about celebrating the graduates and their achievements."
"It is definitely an achievement," Goncalves said of earning her masters degree in special education. She took five graduate courses at once at WestConn.
A third-grade teacher in Middlefield and Durham, she received her education and social science degrees from WestConn in 2001. She plans to open Excell Tutoring in Newtown.
"We are in the business of changing lives," said Schmotter at the end of the ceremony. He told graduates to continue to challenge themselves to better their lives and others.
WestConn's vice president of student affairs, Walter Bernstein said "the speech was filled with lots to think about. Having a free exchange of ideas is what makes a university so great. There is strength in liberty of differences of opinion."
Contact Heather Barr
at hbarr@newstimes.com
or at (203) 731-3331.
Furthermore, I heard Crier proclaim that the US is turning into or has become a totalitarian state. If that was the case, Ms. Crier would most likely be executed for her dissent.
Yeah. Too bad we can't have a free exchange of ideas on maybe the Internet?
The Democrats need to start PROVING their crazy accusations and 'statements' of fact.
When is someone going to make them prove their allegations?
It's quite scary how easily their lies are construed as facts by an unknowing general public.
The only free exchange of ideas happening at US universities is leftist dribble.
There is no give and take during a commencement address. How can it be called exchange of ideas.
A commencement address is no place for this nonsense! You know, I had Schumer speaking at my graduation last Friday and he at least had the decency to leave politics out of it. Glad she got booed.
LOLOLOLOL. Stop. You're killing me. LOLOL
I think this is just one more example of how third rate speakers show their rudeness and lack of civility. I don't care if the person giving the political rant or screed is from the left, right or center.
To turn a graduation ceremony into a shout-fest replete with mutual insults and boos is nothing but classless, egotistical behaviour. It's the wrong message in the wrong forum.
The people of the day are the graduates and commencement means "beginning". The address should be about them and their future.
I was privileged to hear a commencement address delivered by Eleanor Roosevelt. She didn't give a stump speech about the New Deal or a tirade about contemporary American foreign policy or how rotten and misguided a path the nation was on.
No, she gave a truly uplifting and inspiring and encouraging message. The listener sensed that it was sincere and took it personally to heart. To this day, I still remember some of her words.
I can't help but contrast that with those who selfishly choose to make the ceremony about THEM. It's a shame that for so many students, parents, guests, and supporters, what could be a treasured and proud memory is turned into a farce.
Laura played this on her show yesterday. CC got ROUNDLY booed by the majority. She was way out of line and sounded like the worst of the kooks. The story severely underplayed her negative reception. Yeah, and whatever happened to those uplifting commencement adresses?
Hard to believe that this stupid piece of work was once a judge in Texas. Why is she still around spouting her nonsense?
"she feels take away citizens' rights to privacy and freedom."
She feels. Typical liberal elitist.
Where's Joe Friday when you need him.
" The facts maam, just the facts"
Who is Catherine Crier?
And what we need to do is to challenge them at every opportunity to prove their outrageous claims. When I hear one of my co-workers, colleagues, friends, family members, or happy hour barhounds, make statements like this lady, I immediately challenge them to back-up their allegations with facts -- who, what, when, where, and how. I ask them to give personal experiences and examples of how their rights have been taken away or at least negatively effected. When they can't give me any, I ask about their friends, family, anyone they personally know, and again, they can't provide a single instance based upon personal or even second hand knowledge. They then focus upon hypothetical situations and talk generally about how the government could be aquiring all this personal information about its citizens, and I just laugh and say something like, "You mean like Visa, Mastercard, the three major credit card reporting agencies, Walmart, and your internet service provider?"
I have never heard one conservative talking head do what you just described. It is so frustrating!
Didn't Catherine Crier used to be a conservative? Maybe I'm getting my TV judges mixed up...
Connecticut ping!
Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.
If only the exchanges were between 2 opposing ideas.
Here's some truth for you honey...
Note: Heather needs to take a remedial writing course.
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