The other night there was a big gathering on the campus of the small private college in my town. In light of this week’s events, I bet you’re thinking it was a candlelight vigil for the victims at Virginia Tech or a discussion about campus security. You’d be wrong. What brought hundreds of students out was a debate on whether or not it’s an honor to have their scheduled commencement speaker.
So, who’s the speaker that can stir up so much dissention? How about none other than President George W. Bush? We’re a small town and it’s a small college, but we do get a lot of attention from the big whigs in D.C. That being said, some strings were pulled and favors called in and ta-da! W is on the way.
The main (and actually only) problem seems to be that a lot of the students disagree with George’s politics (this area is typically a democratic stronghold). They can’t see how it’s right to have the man speak when they don’t like his politics. This attitude leaves me speechless.
I was brought up by a man whose thinking was apparently archaic judging by the lack of like-minded folks I run into. He taught me to show respect. To my elders. To my leaders. To my teachers. To my neighbors. To the woman handing out towels for tips in the restroom. To myself. I didn’t have to agree with these people or even like them, but I did have to show them respect and courtesy. There are ways to disagree and accomplish things that are not disrespectful.
When did giving respect go out of fashion? People still crave it. Turn on any talk show or listen to a rapper and you’ll hear the reasoning behind the violence as being "they disrespected me." I have to ask, why don’t you start by respecting yourself? Stop acting like a gangster who dropped out of school in the third grade and make your momma proud. Ladies….put some clothes on. A little mystery is a good thing. If you present yourself as a ‘ho, the guys are going to treat you like one.
Getting back to the political thing. I can’t understand how these kids would not be honored to have the President of the United States speak at their commencement. Whether you like his politics or not he is the leader of this country and therefore for much of the free world. How many chances will you have in your lifetime to hear a man this powerful speak? Agree or disagree with him, it will still be interesting. How could you not want to hear what a man like him has to say?
A few years back, George stopped here on the campaign trail. My mom’s husband had tickets to hear him speak and he wanted to take my kids. It meant that they would have to miss a day of school. I gave my permission. I felt it was worth it for them to have the chance to see the political machine in action and to meet the President. I saw it as a great learning experience. My kids got nothing but grief from their teachers and the administration. Not for missing a day of school, but for missing to see Bush. Had they been going to hear John Kerry it would have been fine. I lost a lot of respect for several teachers over it. But you would never know it by my demeanor toward them.
It’s just my little, meaningless opinion, but I think we could do with a lot more respect. If everyone started showing everyone else respect the world would be a much better place.
I agree with you. We need to have more respect. we also need to be willing to listen to those we don’t agree with.
Comment by Dr. John — April 19, 2007 @ 8:29 pm
I would tend to agree as well; problem is, the venom from the Left is so vile, it’s hard to show much respect to that kind of subcivil conduct.
Comment by Skunkfeathers — April 20, 2007 @ 7:25 am
Yep, Dr. John, there’s nothing wrong with listening. You can’t decide what’s right without hearing the whole story.
Totally agree, Skunk. It can be awfully vile but I’m not sinking to their level.
Comment by Stacy — April 20, 2007 @ 11:37 am
Amen!!! I totally to everything you just wrote!!! Thank God for people like you! R - E - S - P - E -C - T, as Aretha would scream it, where did all these kids’ manners go? i read in your profile you’re about 42??? gosh, we’re just about the same age!!! not that old, i would like to say, but we have our manners all in check. we know when to pay our respects, even to the people whose opinions differ from us. bottomline, i guess it’s all about how these kids were brought up, HOME . . . is where it all begins. children learn what they live, they learn from what they see around them. it’s frustrating how we’ve become such a dysfunctional society. whether i agree with the President’s policies, but i’d welcome the opportunity to have the President of the United States as my commencement speaker on the day of my graduation. nothing’s more memorable than that.
oh & btw, i’d like to thank you for dropping by my blog earlier and leaving a comment. it was so nice of you to do that. i enjoyed reading your other posts & i’d love to drop by your blog again to read some more. i’ve linked your page to mine so you’ll just be a click away, hope that’s okay with you. pls. let me know it it’s not so i can take off the link. thanx!
Comment by Ingrid — April 20, 2007 @ 1:44 pm
Ok..before I get stomped on here, just let me say that I agree with your premise. I think showing respect is important. Having said that, I now need to take it a step further. This means having respect for everyone and not taking pot shots like “the venom of the left is so vile.” Because then you have to look at the venom from the right which is just as bad. There are fanatics in every party, every religion, every country.
I think respect is important for all of us to give from all sides to everyone at the table, not just those in our party, or of our political sentiments.
Comment by Maria — April 20, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
Hi, Ingrid. Welcome! I don’t mind the link at all. I’ll return the favor soon. I’m just too tired to mess with it tonight.
Nobody had better stomp you, Maria. You are right. There’s crap in every corner. I just meant that I’m not sinking to the level of anyone that behaves that way…..and I apologize for the times when my temper does get away from me.
Comment by Stacy — April 20, 2007 @ 9:04 pm
How bizarre are those who hate the President. It’s like they are a breed apart that they can’t even listen to the most powerful man in the world without letting their pettiness get in the way.
Comment by jan — April 20, 2007 @ 11:42 pm
I couldn’t agree with you more…I think it’d be pretty awesome to hear/see the President of the US speak, regardless of how I feel about him.
I really hate mud-slinging politics…it seems to get worse and worse every year. Sad.
Comment by chesneygirl — April 24, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
AMEN! X1000000.
Comment by MamaLee — April 25, 2007 @ 9:21 am