NationStates Jolt Archive

My son is graduating high school in a few weeks. His class will be about 450 people. We live in southeastern Michigan. One of his classmates sent letters to both the President and Sen. Kerry asking for interviews for the school paper. Someone from Sen. Kerry's office responded that Sen. Kerry would do one better.... He wants to give the commencement speach at the graduation!!!

While it's pretty cool that someone that important is willing to speak
at my son's school's graduation, I have a few reservations...

Now, my personal political leanings aside, I feel that graduation is about the students, and it would be wrong for either candidate to speak.

Michigan is a battleground state in the upcoming election, and I think Kerry is using this as a political platform to grab 450 votes. I'll be surprised if he doesn't try to turn this into a political rally. Many of the
parents of these kids are upper-middle class, so he may not be well received. Already the school is being inundated with calls from concerned parents. I'm hoping we can pressure the school board into asking him to withdrawal.


BTW: Some of you old-timers might remember my son, he was active here for a while, mostly in the gaming forums, I think. His nation was Xexo.

My son is graduating high school in a few weeks. His class will be about 450 people. We live in southeastern Michigan. One of his classmates sent letters to both the President and Sen. Kerry asking for interviews for the school paper. Someone from Sen. Kerry's office responded that Sen. Kerry would do one better.... He wants to give the commencement speach at the graduation!!!

While it's pretty cool that someone that important is willing to speak
at my son's school's graduation, I have a few reservations...

Now, my personal political leanings aside, I feel that graduation is about the students, and it would be wrong for either candidate to speak.

Michigan is a battleground state in the upcoming election, and I think Kerry is using this as a political platform to grab 450 votes. I'll be surprised if he doesn't try to turn this into a political rally. Many of the
parents of these kids are upper-middle class, so he may not be well received. Already the school is being inundated with calls from concerned parents. I'm hoping we can pressure the school board into asking him to withdrawal.


BTW: Some of you old-timers might remember my son, he was active here for a while, mostly in the gaming forums, I think. His nation was Xexo.

I actually agree with you on this one Redneck.. I would be upset if at my kids graduation either side tried to use it for political posturing. Just like I didn't think it was right when (forget the name of the University) Cheney was asked to speak and he totally used the time to Bash Kerry, well, they in return invited Kerry to speak because of it. It was a bone head move on Cheney part.. and I think this would be a bone head move on the Kerry camp to do this as well. Just my personal opinion though of course.

Frankly - I don't know what you are complaining about. The school asked him for an interview. He offered to speak in person.

Darned nice of him to do that.

They don't have to accept you know. Or could make it contingent on him answering some questions afterwards to avoid it being just a stump speech. But it won't turn into a rally unless the school lets it.

Yes, graduation is about the kids. So I would expect that they would insist on no media for the event to avoid them feeling like they are second fiddle, as well as ensure that there is no other political trappings. But if he does win this fall - do you think the kids might just remember about having the President give a commencement address to them?

Hey - they might even put out the offer to GW: John's coming.... how about you? Not that he will likely apear (unless he can charge the kids $500 per seat to show up to their own graduation), but you never know.


And if some of the parents don't like his politics.... so what?

It's supposed to be about the kids remember?

And if these kids are of voting age, then any parent who attempt to limit their exposure to differing political points of view is a bad parent in my opinion. At that point, you can explain your position to your child - but you have no right to tell them that they cannot decide for themselves.

-Z-

Woohoo - me and the missus disagree!

Bookmark this one.... it doesn't happen very often.....

:wink:

Frankly - I don't know what you are complaining about. The school asked him for an interview. He offered to speak in person.

Darned nice of him to do that.

They don't have to accept you know. Or could make it contingent on him answering some questions afterwards to avoid it being just a stump speech. But it won't turn into a rally unless the school lets it.

Yes, graduation is about the kids. So I would expect that they would insist on no media for the event to avoid them feeling like they are second fiddle, as well as ensure that there is no other political trappings. But if he does win this fall - do you think the kids might just remember about having the President give a commencement address to them?

Hey - they might even put out the offer to GW: John's coming.... how about you? Not that he will likely apear (unless he can charge the kids $500 per seat to show up to their own graduation), but you never know.


And if some of the parents don't like his politics.... so what?

It's supposed to be about the kids remember?

And if these kids are of voting age, then any parent who attempt to limit their exposure to differing political points of view is a bad parent in my opinion. At that point, you can explain your position to your child - but you have no right to tell them that they cannot decide for themselves.

-Z-

I can't argue with that hun, I didn't really think of it in those terms.. but as long as Kerry doesn't turn it into a "stump" speech ya know.. that was my only real objection.. the no media is a good idea..however, how likely is that going to be? :lol:

Frankly - I don't know what you are complaining about. The school asked him for an interview. He offered to speak in person.

Darned nice of him to do that.

They don't have to accept you know. Or could make it contingent on him answering some questions afterwards to avoid it being just a stump speech. But it won't turn into a rally unless the school lets it.

Yes, graduation is about the kids. So I would expect that they would insist on no media for the event to avoid them feeling like they are second fiddle, as well as ensure that there is no other political trappings. But if he does win this fall - do you think the kids might just remember about having the President give a commencement address to them?

Hey - they might even put out the offer to GW: John's coming.... how about you? Not that he will likely apear (unless he can charge the kids $500 per seat to show up to their own graduation), but you never know.


And if some of the parents don't like his politics.... so what?

It's supposed to be about the kids remember?

And if these kids are of voting age, then any parent who attempt to limit their exposure to differing political points of view is a bad parent in my opinion. At that point, you can explain your position to your child - but you have no right to tell them that they cannot decide for themselves.

-Z-

I can't argue with that hun, I didn't really think of it in those terms.. but as long as Kerry doesn't turn it into a "stump" speech ya know.. that was my only real objection.. the no media is a good idea..however, how likely is that going to be? :lol:

Well - you can't keep the media away fro the sidewalk. But you CAN keep them out of the location where the actual speech is going on. Graduations are - after all - not neccessarily open to whoever just wants to show up.

Sure one or two will sneak in, but it won't be that bank of cameras and microphones. And you can cut whatever deal you want with Kerry inculding that he not hold a press conference right before or after the event on or near the property. And if he puts that word out to the press pool that follows him they will mostly respect that.

Besides - some of the kids will love having their school be the center of attention for a day. It seems that everybody wants to be on TV these days....

Frankly - I think this could be managed in a way that enhanced the graduation for the kids more than it would detract from the day. The school would just have to be smart about it.

-Z-

Well, I do agree that what the parents think should be some what irrelevant. If these kids are 18... who cares what the parents think if the kids want it. I guess we shall find out soon enough, as it will make news ;)

Frankly - I don't know what you are complaining about. The school asked him for an interview. He offered to speak in person.

Darned nice of him to do that.

They don't have to accept you know. Or could make it contingent on him answering some questions afterwards to avoid it being just a stump speech. But it won't turn into a rally unless the school lets it.

-Z-

The school didn't ask him to attend, though. A student asked to interview him. He one-upped the student by offering the speech, which the schoolboard was glad to accept.

It wouldn't be a big deal to me for any politician to speak in a non-election year. However, I can't see him (or Bush), staying on topic and talking about whatever it is that people normally talk about during commencement addresses. And I don't see our local schoolboard censoring him. All but one member have stars in their eyes.

Yeah it wouldn't be to good if he turned it way too political. But I think he can use it a little.

I do find that pretty cool that he responded though.

YEah - it strikes me as a very odd message to be sending to the kids:


"You're old enough to vote now. An adult. Finally able to have real input into the direction that this country takes via our fine democratic process. To educate yourself on the issues and platforms and make an informed decision to the greater benefit of all Americans.... Just don't you DARE explore any possibilities besides my own political beliefs!"

What the hell sort of sense does that make?

"Of course we have a democracy Junior.... you are free to vote exactly like we do. Free thought, however, is a dangerous pasttime - so we'll just have to nip that in the bud... OK? Good. Knew you'd understand"

-Z-

Let's not make things up, he hasn't even done this yet.

YEah - it strikes me as a very odd message to be sending to the kids:


"You're old enough to vote now. An adult. Finally able to have real input into the direction that this country takes via our fine democratic process. To educate yourself on the issues and platforms and make an informed decision to the greater benefit of all Americans.... Just don't you DARE explore any possibilities besides my own political beliefs!"

What the hell sort of sense does that make?

"Of course we have a democracy Junior.... you are free to vote exactly like we do. Free thought, however, is a dangerous pasttime - so we'll just have to nip that in the bud... OK? Good. Knew you'd understand"

-Z-

I'm curious, Zep...

Would you have said the same things had I said Bush was speaking instead of Kerry? Can you be that objective?

Frankly - I don't know what you are complaining about. The school asked him for an interview. He offered to speak in person.

Darned nice of him to do that.

They don't have to accept you know. Or could make it contingent on him answering some questions afterwards to avoid it being just a stump speech. But it won't turn into a rally unless the school lets it.

-Z-

The school didn't ask him to attend, though. A student asked to interview him. He one-upped the student by offering the speech, which the schoolboard was glad to accept.

It wouldn't be a big deal to me for any politician to speak in a non-election year. However, I can't see him (or Bush), staying on topic and talking about whatever it is that people normally talk about during commencement addresses. And I don't see our local schoolboard censoring him. All but one member have stars in their eyes.

Ummm - so you are faulting the guy for offering somethig that exceeded what was asked? Boy ... that doesn't happen very often! Heck, I'll bet the kid thought the interview request was a long-shot....

And I thought commencment addresses were supposed to be about the future?


But like I said - it could work if the school put proper limits on things. If they won't then I agree that it could be problematic. Obviously I don't know how the board is planning to handle it so the parents may indeed have justifiable complaints.

However if those complaining are largely Repbulicans who are concerned more about the message than anything else - then I think they are doing their children a disservice.

-Z-

Since Zep didn't answer Redneck's question.. :lol:

I can assure you my husband is quite objective, I've heard him bash Kerry and Bush before. I think his argument would be the same. That's what I believe any way.. I do know him a little bit.. I married him after all ;)

YEah - it strikes me as a very odd message to be sending to the kids:


"You're old enough to vote now. An adult. Finally able to have real input into the direction that this country takes via our fine democratic process. To educate yourself on the issues and platforms and make an informed decision to the greater benefit of all Americans.... Just don't you DARE explore any possibilities besides my own political beliefs!"

What the hell sort of sense does that make?

"Of course we have a democracy Junior.... you are free to vote exactly like we do. Free thought, however, is a dangerous pasttime - so we'll just have to nip that in the bud... OK? Good. Knew you'd understand"

-Z-

I'm curious, Zep...

Would you have said the same things had I said Bush was speaking instead of Kerry? Can you be that objective?

Yes. Absolutely.

I did state that it had to be a controlled scenario with some Q&A or other facility to ensure that it was NOT just a stump speech. That would hold true for either candidate.

I have my beliefs, which I will explain to my children, but I don't plan to sheild my children from opposing points of view. They will run into them and I hope that we will have some lively debates as they toss them about and make their own decisions. I believe in making educated decisions - and that can only happen through learning differing points of view, and a little practice at being your own devil's advocate.

And if GW were coming.... I'd get to teach my kids how to heckle! lol.

Nah... but I might give them some ideas on questions to ask of him. Just as I would hope that you do with your son regarding Kerry just in case he gets the chance.

-Z-

My son is graduating high school in a few weeks. His class will be about 450 people. We live in southeastern Michigan. One of his classmates sent letters to both the President and Sen. Kerry asking for interviews for the school paper. Someone from Sen. Kerry's office responded that Sen. Kerry would do one better.... He wants to give the commencement speach at the graduation!!!

While it's pretty cool that someone that important is willing to speak
at my son's school's graduation, I have a few reservations...

Now, my personal political leanings aside, I feel that graduation is about the students, and it would be wrong for either candidate to speak.

Michigan is a battleground state in the upcoming election, and I think Kerry is using this as a political platform to grab 450 votes. I'll be surprised if he doesn't try to turn this into a political rally. Many of the
parents of these kids are upper-middle class, so he may not be well received. Already the school is being inundated with calls from concerned parents. I'm hoping we can pressure the school board into asking him to withdrawal.


BTW: Some of you old-timers might remember my son, he was active here for a while, mostly in the gaming forums, I think. His nation was Xexo.When you're running in an election where issues such as education are on the table, it makes sense that you'd want to appeal to people who have an education. It makes sense if you want to appeal to people who know about the state of education and to the people, both students and teachers, who have a vested interest in the future of education.