Exactly, which is why any decent parent would be disgusted with a bum (i. e. Ridge) speaking at the event instead of a role model.

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Life only becomes meaningful at its extremes

-- S

I'm a decent parent and I've no problem with Ridge giving the speech.

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

You want your kids to have bums as role models?

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Life only becomes meaningful at its extremes

-- S

Having someone give a speech at your graduation does not make them your role model.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Well role models are supposed to be the ones chosen as speakers at graduation events, because the whole idea is to have someone the new generation can look up to. I s'pose I was a bit extreme calling Ridge a bum but the Homeland Security Dept. is anything but leadership.

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Life only becomes meaningful at its extremes

-- S

First of all, I wasn't aware that Ridge is a "bum".

Second of all, my kids never looked to politicians for role models and neither would any child of decent parents.

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

Then why would you put up with someone mediocre speaking at a special joyous occasion instead of a role model?

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Life only becomes meaningful at its extremes

-- S

Personally, I did it because I wanted my diploma. I did take the time to complain afterward that Mother Theresa wasn't shipped in for the occasion.

Who gives a fuck? It's a ceremony.

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"Government big enough to supply everything you need is big enough to take everything you have... The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases."

-Thomas Jefferson

Why a role model? Almost anyone can give an inspirational speech, which is all most graduation speeches are.

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

Shit, I can't even remember who spoke at the three graduations I've been through, much less what they said. The last one was only a month ago!

Hmm. Maybe it's because it really didn't matter who they were or what they said.

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When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid
Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

If you didn't a !@#$, why did you go to the ceremony? You could've collected your diploma by mail. Someone who actually went to the ceremony likely does see it as something meaningful and wouldn't want it ruined w/an inappriopriately chosen speaker.

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Life only becomes meaningful at its extremes

-- S

When you graduate high school, be sure to come back here and tell us what the speaker said. Most of us that have been through high school and college graduations didn't pay much attention to the speeches because we know they're all the same.

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

someone who's a failure cannot inspire, no matter how "inspirational" the speech is made. Can you imagine Rumsfeld trying to inspire students?

The most inspirational speakers are the ones who have good speeches in addition to being inspirations themselves.

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Life only becomes meaningful at its extremes

-- S

Did you word "almost" throw you, cupcake?

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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways - Chardonnay in one hand - chocolate in the other - body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO, What a Ride!"

I think that's an overgeneralization. I figure it is pretty safe to say MOST liberals would not heckle Bush, just as most conservatives wouldn't think of heckling Obama. Which is why I think the story behind this thread isn't enough to get all worked up over.
It's a tiny group on either side either classless enough or emotionally motivated enough (or both) to do such a thing.

Now, PROTESTING in an orderly manner is a whole nuther animal. Yelling at a president doesn't usually change him mind, but using orderly protest to convince other AMERICANS of your position is the way to go.

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Not a day goes by that I don't see something that reinforces my belief that people are idiots.