Motion for a Recess

‘We Object’ – The Furman University Uproar

Furman University of Greenville, South Carolina invited President Bush to deliver this year’s commencement speech to the graduating class of 2008. Almost immediately, an opposition of over 200 students and faculty signed a statement aptly named ‘We Object‘ which listed their reasons for objecting to his visit, among them are the Iraq war and the administration’s environmental policies (or lackthereof). Conservative students charged back with their own “Support our Seniors” statement claiming the objection is “an empty message” and that the faculty is turning a day of celebration “into a forum to air their political differences.” In most circumstances, I’d agree with Furman’s Conservative Students for a Better Tomorrow but in this case I do not.

President Bush has created his own mess and thus has become such a polarizing figure that you either hate him or love him. So much of what is going on in this country is attributable to his administration’s flawed policies and his insistence that they are above the law and the constitution. It’s understandable that some would see it as a gross misrepresentation of their values and beliefs. And to say that the faculty lacks discipline to practice what they preach (tolerance, open-mindedness) is somewhat distorted considering that the President has had a blatant disregard for the growing opposition and weariness to the war while impinging on our civil liberties.

It must be disheartening to those students who will not get to see some of their professor’s in attendance but they must not confuse what they see as a lack of open-mindedness or intolerance with what is essentially a remonstration.

A Disgruntled American

I, like many other Americans, am offended by Bush’s comments yesterday in Israel. I’m sure if you’re reading this, you already know what he’s said so there’s really no need for me to copy them again. I was reading responses all over the web and watching political commentary on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox. Opinion was mostly split down party affiliations. But honestly this shouldn’t be an issue of partisan politics like taxes or gun control. It’s about being diplomatic and non-confrontational. Just because we disagree with someone doesn’t mean you go and bomb the hell out of their home or threaten them with your gang. It’s these type of mendacious and presumptuous statements that cause enemies to further their malicious agendas, cause our allies to back away from us and some friends to question their support, and even cause war.

The best commentary I have read thus far comes from Will Bunch of Philadelphia Daily News. Some lines that stood out: Continue reading…

Lame Democrats

Once again, the Democrats have proved to concede to the Republicans and White House War agenda. A couple weeks back, Bush requested more funding for the War to which Democrats responded in their usual way – only if a deadline was approved for troop withdrawal. But of course, Bush threatened to veto any bill passed that included a timetable and has stuck to his word. Now let’s get one thing straight. After nearly 12 years of a Republican-controlled Congress, the Democrats came back to the majority by vowing to end the Iraq war and bring the troops home. I understand it takes time to pass legislation and every small push towards achieving the end goal is important, but I have not seen one instance in which Democrats have thoroughly stood up to the Republican demands and followed through with their intents.

I think our anti-war Representatives and Senators are compromising on their values Continue reading…