I don't know how many of you have heard this, but Vice President Cheney called BYU and asked if he could speak at their commencement. No other school was willing to take him, but, for some reason, BYU was. I think it is a poor decision that reflects poorly on BYU and on its friends and alumni. Aside from his office, I can't imagine how Vice President Cheney--who, among other things, championed the war in Iraq under questionable terms, awarded no-bid reconstruction contracts to friends and donors, and calls anyone who questions him "unamerican"--could be considered a good commencement speaker.
If you also think that it is a bad idea to have Vice President Cheney speak at BYU's commencement, then you can sign this online petition asking the BYU administration to decline the Vice President's request to speak at commencement. I just signed it, and I was 1,099th to sign. Here was my comment that accompanied my signature: "BYU should respectfully decline Vice President Cheney's request to speak at its commencement exercises. Over the past six years, the Vice President has repeatedly demonstrated political mediocrity and moral flexibility. A commencement speaker should be an enlightening and inspirational figure. I will be sorry if the class of '07 is not afforded that opportunity."
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15 comments:
I just signed the petition... disappointed that i even had to
I'm not sure that I feel strong enough about this one to sign a petition, but I wish BYU hadn't extended the offer. At this point BYU faces bad publicity either way. Cheney is unquestionably unpopular, so having him speak invites protest and damages the integrity of graduation, which should be about the graduates and their academic achievement. Cheney will shift the focus from the students to himself. Similarly, I don't think BYU can rescind its invitaiton at this point. The proper course of action, in my view, was not to invite the Vice President in the first place.
Katie's brother is graduation and we will be in town for graduation. From a personal perspective, I'm very, very curious to see how BYU handles the inevitable protests or acts of civil discontent.
I'm thinking along the same lines as Jayme. I don't know how they could un-invite him either. It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
I've heard conflicting reports - some say BYU invited Cheney and some say Cheney/The White House asked BYU for the opportunity. I wonder which is true.
In a way this could turn out to be an interesting counterpoint to Michael Moore's speaking engagement at UVSC.
I understand that there is no way BYU is going to dis-invite Cheney at this point. I see signing the petition as a way to express my disappointment that he was invited in the first place (and all the reports I have seen indicate that Cheney's people contacted BYU and offered him as a commencement speaker).
Like Jayme, I mainly feel bad for the students who are graduating. Elder Ballard spoke at my commencement, and he gave an engaging, inspirational speech. Cheney's visit is going to turn into a circus. There are going to be protests, acts of civil disobedience, tons of media coverage, and alternative commencement ceremonies, all of which are going to detract from the students who are graduating.
Like CBlakes, I've seen multiple accounts, but the latest ones I have read talk about the Board of Trustees extending the invitation to Cheney. Regardless, I agree that he shouldn't have asked/have been asked to speak, as it will only take away from what should be an inspirational day for the graduates.
One interesting side note and something that seems to be overlooked in all of this can be found at LDS.org. The article discusses the political neutrality of the church and says that Sen. Reid (Senate Majority Leader and prominent Democrat) had already agreed to speak in the fall at BYU. If interested, here's the link:
http://www.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=6b5cb10fd5f91110VgnVCM100000176f620aRCRD&vgnextchannel=ae11627d59eec010VgnVCM1000004e94610aRCRD
I saw this for the first time yesterday and I am still digesting it. I personally am not as against Cheney politically as most of you are, but I would have to say that I am against having him as a commencement speaker for many of the same reason that are put forth by each of you. Graduation is about unifying to support the students for the work they have done. Having Cheney speak is doing the opposite.
A benefit I am seeing, though, is that it is creating a venue for the expressing of alternative viewpoints at a university that, for good or ill, is not known for having that venue. We'll see how well and professionally BYU can manage that discourse throughout the coming weeks. I am almost more interested in seeing that play out. A Tuesday morning forum would have been just that... a better forum to have him speak at.
I would have no problem inviting Cheney or any partisan political figure to speak at a forum/devotional. My problem is that he was invited to speak at commencement. I don't buy the argument that this shows that the church isn't apolitical. I just think that Cheney is not an aspirational figure. I don't think he is a man of integrity or of strong moral character. I just feel bad for the students whose graduation will be overshadowed by all this controversy. It has been interesting to follow how BYU is handling the controversy, and I'm sure it will be interesting to follow as it progresses.
I, along with most of you, am anxious to see how BYU handles the situation. I also agree with Ian that having Cheney speak at a Tuesday devotional or something would have been better. It is difficult to compare a commencement speech (once a year) to Reid's speech in November (35 times a year?) It seems to me that such an invite/acceptance of offer endorses Cheney as a person more so than a Tuesday morning speech. The thousands of students who will likely refuse to attend that Reid devotional on nov 27 because Reid is a heathen, will not have to also choose to forgo their own graduation.
I dont really get what the big deal is. Why is everyone pretending that commencement is so great and amazing. It seems like everyone complains that they have to go anyway.
I'm sure BYU people are excited for this. I remember sitting in fast and testimony meeting and hearing the bishops son stand up and bare his testimony that "he's sick of those pesky Democrats."
This is an unexpected turn. BYU will allow protesters on campus:
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_5554542
I am just more proud than ever to say that I am a Ute! I hope that you all noticed who Utah's commencement speaker is: That would be Thomas S. Monson. I think we all know what University is really the Lord's University!
I think that BYU should also go ahead and have Karl Rove rap the pledge of allegiance at commencement. If you haven't seen his rap at the White House Correspondent's dinner check it out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxcuVlCuX9Y
This White House administration is awesome!
TJ, don't you mean MC Rove?
Pride goeth before the fall. I too signed the petition. Cheney is evil personafied (sp?) I used to think Samuelson was a pretty good guy. Now it looks like he's drinking the royal blue cool aid
As Ian's staunch republican, conservative, adversary and friend I fully supported Cheney's visit and feel honored that he visited our campus. Obviously the Y is making the right decisions when it comes to who they really want to respect....our country and it's leaders.
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