Nancy Pelosi to be Convocation speaker

[phillysportsfan]

Comedians are probably some of the better graduation speakers but they are probably too expensive or wouldnt want to come here.

[Jordan 04]

Think what you will about politicians as convocation speakers, but I think everyone can agree that they certainly make for entertaining eLynah threads.

[KeithK]

Go with a scientist, a doctor, a philosopher, a humanitarian.  Leave politics out of it.

I understand this inclination, but what makes you think that the people who are stirred up by the mere presence of Nancy Pelosi won't find something to bitch about when confronted by some of the most prominent humanitarians out there?  

With few exceptions, most people given the microphone at something like this will want to talk about Something Important. A Weighty Topic.  Such subjects intersect with politics quite a bit.  When Ben and Jerry spoke at IC's graduation, people found political reasons to complain.  

Maybe a quick-and-dirty rule that nobody who's currently serving in or running for political office should be invited for convocation would be good.  But short of instructing every speaker to stay far away from anything heavy while speaking, this seems futile.

Convocation speakers should be speaking ona Weighty Topic. But only a particular Weighty Topic - Graduation and life ahead.

Anyone who gives a graduation speech that is about her pet issue or his political goals is an ass. Unfortunately we have lots of those running around of all types.

Here's hoping that Speaker Pelosi gives an inspiring, apolitical (or at least only lightly political) speech that would appeal to all Cornellians. I think Conan has some free time coming up - maybe he can write her speech?

[Lauren '06]

I think Conan has some free time coming up - maybe he can write her speech?

That's an Onion article waiting to happen.

[ugarte]

Think what you will about politicians as convocation speakers, but I think everyone can agree that they certainly make for entertaining eLynah threads.

HOLY SHIT. Is there a word for when you should have had deja vu? Dementia?

And, of course, there's this and this.

[ftyuv]

Meh. I skipped my convocation speaker (2006), and I don't remember any of the others I've had to sit through. Actually, I don't remember much from my graduation -- and, somehow, that's not because I was still drunk from the night before.  I've never been one for ceremony.

That said, if the University can get a guarantee that it won't turn into a political rally, I think a sitting legislator is an acceptable choice for a Convocation. A lot of the audience (I'd wager a very large majority) will go on to live in the USA or other democracies. It would definitely be appropriate to take the opportunity to remind them that as part of graduating and becoming leaders in their communities, they should take part in their civic duties -- even if it's only at the level of thinking intelligently and open-mindedly about the issues, and maybe even writing to their elected leaders now and then.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that in a democracy, people should not live their lives oblivious to their government. That's an important message for someone fresh out of college, and if a sitting legislator wants to get that message across in a non-partisan way, I'm all for that.

[KeithK]

Think what you will about politicians as convocation speakers, but I think everyone can agree that they certainly make for entertaining eLynah threads.

HOLY SHIT. Is there a word for when you should have had deja vu? Dementia?

And, of course, there's this and this.

I wonder who "Greg Berge" and "Keith K '93" are?  Contributors to this forum had some really weird ideas way back in Aught Four.

(A former president is a both a bigger coup and a better choice by the criteria some of us have set out here.  By American tradition they are supposed to take on e role of statesmen and no longer dive into the fray of common politics.)

[Trotsky]

(A former president is a both a bigger coup and a better choice by the criteria some of us have set out here.  By American tradition they are supposed to take on e role of statesmen and no longer dive into the fray of common politics.)

Yes, I agree with, er, us. :-}  Former presidents are supposed to get a pass -- they become Ambassadors of the Nation.  Although to be honest WJC was in retrospect problematic because he was an arm of the HRC Deathmobile.

[French Rage]

Think what you will about politicians as convocation speakers, but I think everyone can agree that they certainly make for entertaining eLynah threads.

A thread that was going smoothly until CAAB showed up?  I'm shocked!

[Roy 82]

I think Greg has it right. Convocation/graduation speeches should be about celebrating the graduates, sharing a little bit of life experience while being pleasant and somewhat entertaining.

That reminded me that in light of the events this month, I wanted to dig this up and read it again:

http://www.february-7.com/features/conan.htm

That was possibly one of the awesomest things I have ever read.

Is there any irony in the fact that in his joke about correctly making predictions about the future, he talks about the freshman Face book so nonchalantly?

[Trotsky]

That reminded me that in light of the events this month, I wanted to dig this up and read it again:

Thank you.  It is great:

Many of you are justifiably nervous about leaving the safe, comfortable world of Harvard Yard and hurling yourself headlong into the cold, harsh world of Harvard Grad School, a plum job at your father's firm, or a year abroad with a gold Amex card and then a plum job in your father's firm. But let me assure you that the knowledge you've gained here at Harvard is a precious gift that will never leave you. Take it from me, your education is yours to keep forever. Why, many of you have read the Merchant of Florence, and that will inspire you when you travel to the island of Spain. Your knowledge of that problem they had with those people in Russia, or that guy in South America-you know, that guy-will enrich you for the rest of your life.

[RichH]

That reminded me that in light of the events this month, I wanted to dig this up and read it again:

Thank you.  It is great:

Why are you thanking Roy? For quoting my post you obviously skipped over?  ;-)

[Trotsky]

Why are you thanking Roy? For quoting my post you obviously skipped over?  ;-)

No.  It's personal. ::scream::

[Willy '06]

I heard that Madame Speaker is hosting after hours at one of the campus fraternities after the convocation.

She's supplying the booze.

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=123472

[Roy 82]

Why are you thanking Roy? For quoting my post you obviously skipped over?  ;-)

No.  It's personal. ::scream::

Gosh, Thanks. But I hardly know you.::blush::