Another Insipid Entertainer Is Born

Pardon me for not using the stock phrase A Star Is Born, this one below will actually have to accomplish something before achieving that designation. But obviously she's preparing for the day when she can take the stage at the Grammies and, um, speak nonsense to the powerful. Most likely her fifteen minutes today is all the award she'll ever win.

I'm not a McCain supporter. However, the man has served the country in a number of ways far more significant than any of the still wet behind the years children at The New School. Blah!

Summing up the mood of the day, another shouted, "We're graduating, not voting."

Thank heavens for that, half or more of them will probably never get out of bed come many an election day.

The school's tradition of dissent carried on today. Scores of New School students held orange signs, and a few banners, reading "McCain Does Not Speak For Me," and "Our Commencement Is Not Your Platform." What began as mild rumblings of disapproval before McCain's speech soon exploded into boos, catcalls and turned backs.

The spark was provided by undergraduate keynote speaker Jean Sara Rohe, a composed, seemingly innocuous jazz musician and singer. After beginning with a short folk song (true to classic graduation speech form) Rohe quickly tossed aside her prepared remarks to directly address McCain.

"This ceremony has become something other than the celebratory gathering it should be," Rohe said. "The Senator does not reflect the ideals on which this school was founded. This was a top-down decision in which the students played no part." The crowd erupted.

"I consider this a time of crisis and I feel compelled to speak," Rohe continued, referencing McCain's speech at Falwell's Liberty University last Saturday.

Isn't there something she can take for that?

She paraphrased McCain's words on the folly of youthful stubbornness and ignorance.

"I am young, but I do know that pre-emptive war is dangerous and wrong," she said. "Osama bin Laden has not been found, nor those weapons of mass destruction." The vast majority of the crowd gave her a standing ovation.

"Well, we're having fun now, aren't we?" Kerrey cracked before introducing McCain.

The Senator spoke in a dull monotone, without his usual charisma or charm. He was noticeably deflated by the crowd's harsh reception towards him. Remarks such as "I supported the decision to go to war in Iraq," were met with loud boos.

"I stand that ground because I believed, rightly or wrongly, that my country's interests and values required it."

"Wrongly!" one student boomed from the back. Sitting directly behind us, Maureen Dowd and Adam Nagourney of the New York Times, chuckled.

As McCain droned on, students became increasingly restless. One cried, "This speech sucks!" Several students walked out early.

Comments

[Bryce]

Insulting John Mccaine is a natioal past time both on the left and on the right. He is sort of a bipartisan punching bag.

[Jason D]

Mr. Riehl,

You say: "I'm not a McCain supporter. However, the man has served the country in a number of ways far more significant than any of the still wet behind the years children at The New School. Blah!"

I think it is clear that young people have less experience that older people, and it stands to reason that older people have served their country longer and have had significantly more opportunities to serve their country. . . Duh. So. . .
whats your point, Mr. Riehl? I think you just felt like hurling a few insults.

All you have contrubuted to this discussion, Mr. Riehl, is insults.

NO PRODUCTIVE OR INSPIRED CONTENT HERE, MOVE ALONG.

[Maggie45]

Omigosh, Jason, you must be one of the "wet behind the ears" people about whom Mr Riehl is speaking. You made his point for him. lol

[Dan]

I think it is clear that young people have less experience that older people, and it stands to reason that older people have served their country longer

LMAO A New School Grad? Yes, everyone gets to fly combat missions, be held prisoner by the Viet Cong for several years and also hold a Senate seat far longer. They simply need time!

Idiot.

[Jason D]

Maggie,

Again with the insults. . . when you have nothing else to go on, Abusive Ad Hominem arguments to the rescue.

Ok, listen, please, here is a free logic lesson.

Maggie, and Dan, you are both falling into an argumentive falacy. This falacy is of the form:

1) Something about this person is objectionable/different to/than me.
2) Therefore this person's arguments are false/weakened.

FALSE.

I hope you enjoyed your free logic lesson,

[Jason D]

Dan,

Newsflash: McCain is no longer a Fighter Pilot, he is a Politician in service to the people.

McCain was one of the most amazing soldiers who EVER lived, shesh, he pulled a fellow pilot from a burning, shattered A-4 that slammed into the flight deck. JP4 burning like mad, and he still jumped in to the rescue. He KNEW he would be severly burned, he knew the aircraft could blow. That is some seriouslly selfless courage there.

I agree that McCain deserves Honor, and Respect.

I don't agree with the way you try to get your point across. As a journalist, you should really try harder. Resorting to hurdling insults is a sign of weakness.