N.Y. Times reporter booed off stage

www.worldnetdaily.com ^ | 5/20/03 | None

[Colofornian]

N.Y. Times reporter booed off stage Student rebellion cuts off anti-war graduation speech

Posted: May 20, 2003 5:00 p.m. Eastern

© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com

Students at a college graduation ceremony booed a New York Times reporter off the stage after he compared the United States' policy in Iraq to piranhas and a tyranny over the weak.

Chris Hedges was only three minutes into his 18-minute presentation when his microphone was unplugged Saturday at Rockford College in Rockford, Ill., the Rockford Register Star reported.

Amid criticism from both supporters of Hedges and his detractors, college President Paul Pribbenow is rethinking the wisdom of such controversial topics at future commencements, the Rockford paper said.

During the speech, some graduates and audience members protested silently by turning their backs to the stage, while others rushed up the aisle to shout at the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter. One student tossed his cap and gown toward the speaker.

Jeers, foghorns and calls of "God Bless America" also could be heard.

After Hedges' microphone was unplugged for a second time, Pribbenow told him to wrap up his speech.

By that time, graduate Mary O'Neill, who sat next to Pribbenow, already had left the ceremony in tears after she asked the president why he allowed the speech to continue.

Pribbenow appealed to freedom of speech and later argued that it would be the death of institutions like 157-year-old Rockford College if people stopped listening to ideas, however controversial they may be.

O'Neill's husband Kevin was as indignant as his wife.

"This is a ceremony," he told the Rockford daily. "... The day belongs to the students. It doesn't belong to a political view."

The Times' war correspondent said in his speech war breeds a fervor for heroism that sacrifices individual thought for temporarily belonging to a larger cause, according to the Register Star.

He expressed sympathy for American soldiers, characterizing them as boys from poor southern backgrounds who joined the military because they had no other options.

"War in the end is always about betrayal," he said, according to the Rockford paper. "Betrayal of the young by the old, of soldiers by politicians and idealists by cynics."

One Hedges supporter, who read his book on war, said she was horrified at the audience's behavior.

"They were not behaving as people in an academic setting, where you're supposed to be open to a great many ideas," said Elinor Radlund of Rockford, according to the Register Star.

Bob Evans, a political science professor at the college, said the response to the speech is a reminder of the "raw edges of emotion" on the issue.

Pribbenow said a student who rushed the stage might be reprimanded, although he still received his diploma.

"It's important to go on the record that it's inappropriate behavior," he told the Rockford daily.

[Colofornian]

Ah, The NY Times is at such a pinnacle of late.

[maeng]

Ah, yes, the liberals trying again to tell us what appropriate behavior is. Like they know.(snip)

[OpusatFR]

Oh Baloney.

"They were not behaving as people in an academic setting, where you're supposed to be open to a great many ideas," said Elinor Radlund of Rockford, according to the Register Star."

A rant is not the appropriate message for a graduation, come off it. Why do these fools think that once they have the podium, their only duty is not to the audience, but to their individual agenda.

[smith288]

Pribbenow said a student who rushed the stage might be reprimanded, although he still received his diploma.

He got his diploma...What could they possibly do?

[mewzilla]

FOX had some video of this incident this morning. Hedges was really on a tear. Why was this guy even invited?

[Da Du]

Rockford, Illinois is not downtown New York. It is a highly industrialized blue collar community with a lot of "salt of the earth" folks that work hard every day. They pay for their childrens education and the opportunity to improve their lives -- they do not need to be told how to think or believe -- and to have this kind of rhetoric shoved down their throats is an affront to their dignity. I don't blame them for their reactions -- maybe, just maybe it's time for others to LISTEN up and realize we are not all sheep that will blindlessly follow.

Da Du

[netmilsmom]

He expressed sympathy for American soldiers, characterizing them as boys from poor southern backgrounds who joined the military because they had no other options.

---

What a Bigot!!!
Our military is the best and brightest!
I'm sorry, what an elitist A-hole!

[smith288]

I have no problem letting this guy to spout his bile but I also have no problem with graduates throwing vegetables or boogers at him during his inappropriate speech.

[Balding_Eagle]

Too bad some student didn't grab the mic and tell the crowd "This is the kind of anti-American crap we've had to put up with to graduate".

[Between the Lines]

He expressed sympathy for American soldiers, characterizing them as boys from poor southern backgrounds who joined the military because they had no other options.

If indeed they are "poor southern boys" they are still richer in character, pride, integrity and courage than Chris Hedges will ever be.

[Prysson]

War in the end is always about betrayal," he said, according to the Rockford paper. "Betrayal of the young by the old, of soldiers by politicians and idealists by cynics."

Doesnt he see the total irony of his statement.

Saying war is always about betrayel would make YOU a CYNIC...believing in your country and the men and women of our armed forces would be an ideal...so I guess that makes you the betrayer Mr. Hedges.

I noticed that it indictes he is a reporter and not a columnist....[Sarcasm]but isnt the New York Times unbiased in its reporting [/Sarcasm]

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Pribbenow appealed to freedom of speech and later argued that it would be the death of institutions like 157-year-old Rockford College if people stopped listening to ideas, however controversial they may be.

Typical liberal argument: "You're a nazi who denies me my rights if you show the slightest resistance when I trash my own country in favor of middle eastern terrorists."

[Prysson]

Why is it that conservatives always have to remain open to liberal ideas and listen quietly when liberals are talking but its perfectly OK for liberals to protest conservatives and prevent them from speaking like the CLarence Thomas fiasco at the Law School graduation?

That isnt really a question.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

He expressed sympathy for American soldiers, characterizing them as boys from poor southern backgrounds who joined the military because they had no other options.

We always hear this from people who were never in the military and wouldn't condescend to talk to any military members, former or active.

[wayoverontheright]

Jeers, foghorns and calls of "God Bless America" also could be heard.

I think it's significant that these "in your face" displays of patriotism are coming at commencement time, and only at commencement time.

Undergrads cannot express dissent with their leftist teachers because everyone knows the trump card is the power the teachers wield over grades. These kids just simply put up with the spew, tow the line......for four long years....until there's nothing the teachers can do about it, and that's commencement day.

This same surprising backlash on the part of students has occured elsewhere, including NC State last week.

[HEY4QDEMS]

I went to my niece's commencement, there were two speakers who were explicitly told before accepting the invitation to speak that out of respect for individual views of the graduates and their guest, that they're speaches be a-political.

One of the speakers followed the rules while the other one, just couldn't help herself and began to spew liberal anti-war anti-america sentiments.

Some students left, others booed, and sadly some cheered.

My brother was pissed, but we ended up making a joke about it by proclaiming to ourselves that liberals are to stupid to know what a-political means.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

"They were not behaving as people in an academic setting, where you're supposed to be open to a great many ideas bunch of subversives who trash their own country, spit on patriotism, and side with terrorists and dictators to advance a political agenda."

[Redbob]

Kevin O'Neill said:""... The day belongs to the students. It doesn't belong to a political view."

Apparently, the day belongs to the political views OF the students!
Bully for them!

[God luvs America]

Could you hear the booing and jeering on the video?? I hope so!

[CSM]

""They were not behaving as people in an academic setting, where you're supposed to be open to a great many ideas," said Elinor Radlund of Rockford, according to the Register Star."

Their indoctrination is not complete, they can still think for themselves, they are only supposed to be open to a great many liberal ideas. If they can think for themselves then they shouldn't be at this ceremony.