NYT reporter addresses unenlightened Midwest audience

[The Mad Hatter]

William Buckley gave a commencement address at my college years back and spent the whole time talking about how liberals and the media lost the war. No one shouted him down.

It is sad that on a day honoring graduation from a liberal arts college, the students can only demonstrate that they have learned nothing about intellectual discourse.

The response of the super patriots in the audience reminds of the Bush administration's response when Kofni asserted that the U.S. had invaded Iraq without Security Council authorization and should make sure to fulfill its obligations as an occupying force. The got all mad. Right now, the truth itself provokes an angry response.

[Grace]

Originally Posted by Aaron Brachowitz

Well, when the criticism regards the post-war well-being of the Iraqi people, it does seem appropriate to point out their pre-war plight. Doesn't it?

It didn't regard the well-being of the Iraqis in this case, and often doesn't in others. The improved lot of the Iraqis also doesn't automatically trump any question of how this war was handled either.
It's absolutely appropriate to point it out when the criticism regards the post-war well-being of the Iraqi people, but depending on the context, it may or may not be all that meaningful to do so.

[Dr T Non-Fan]

On what date did we decide that the Iraqi people's plight is more important than, say, the security of the American people?

We seem to be in more danger now, according to our own government's high-tech system.

Schools are for teaching and learning. The commencement speaker was teaching. He learned a lesson.

[Grace]

Originally Posted by Dr T Non-Fan

On what date did we decide that the Iraqi people's plight is more important than, say, the security of the American people?

On the day people started questioning whether GWII would lead to an improvement in the security of the American people.

[Triweasel]

Wasn't that a couple of years ago?

[E. Blackadder]

Originally Posted by hatter

William Buckley gave a commencement address at my college years back and spent the whole time talking about how liberals and the media lost the war. No one shouted him down.

But he's so polite. I'll bet I'd get shouted down if I tried that.

It is sad that on a day honoring graduation from a liberal arts college, the students can only demonstrate that they have learned nothing about intellectual discourse.

He was discoursing. They were engaging in overly enthusiastic dialogue.

The response of the super patriots in the audience reminds of the Bush administration's response when Kofni asserted that the U.S. had invaded Iraq without Security Council authorization and should make sure to fulfill its obligations as an occupying force. The got all mad. Right now, the truth itself provokes an angry response.

Perhaps Kofi should place sanctions on the US. He could invoke no-pay zones in the key cafeterias in NYC.

Assuming that it's the truth. I'm going to listen tonight. Before dinner. I'd rather lose my appetite than my lunch.

[The Mad Hatter]

Just listened to it. It's only 18 minutes and that is with two interruptions. I have sat through much longer and more tedious commencement speeches (when you're in the band, you go to all of 'em).

Anyway, roughly the first third he spent asserting that America's occupation of Iraq is a big mistake for a variety of reasons. He also compared the U.S. to Putin and Sharon in terms of our willingness to use brute force in response to terrorism. He pulled no punches and referred to the U.S. invasion of Iraq as a 'blunder'.

The rest of the speech (~2/3) was a critique of war in general (not specific to Iraq). Much of what he said had merit and I am guessing that he has been influenced by Hoffer. I would say the real story here is that liberal arts graduates had no tolerance for dissent against the war in Iraq. And apparently, no interest in a critique of why war makes us feel good.

[George W Bush]

It's not patriotic to not blindly follow W. That's why the Republicans on this board are such great patriots. Bush is Great!

[Aaron Brachowitz]

Originally Posted by George W Bush

Bush is Great!

Let's not get carried away. He's no Ronny. Plenty of time yet, though -- about six years to go.

[Guerilla poster]

I think he is a better conservative than Ronny - he just is a much worse presenter.