Bush to speak at Calvin College's commencement

[Rose Siding]

President George W. Bush will deliver the commencement address May 21 to 900 graduating seniors at Calvin College, a leader in conservative Christian studies in western Michigan.
....
Bush will encounter a college officials describe as "unapologetically Christian." Students must take religion courses, including biblical liturgy and theology and developing a Christian mind. Spiritual activity coordinators live in each dorm. There is no alcohol allowed on campus.

Bush, a graduate of Yale and a born-again Christian, owes his re-election last year partially to Christian conservatives. College officials expect he'll have no trouble coming up with an inspiring message.

"Certainly he's aware of Calvin's Christian foundation," said de Haan, adding that he expects spiritual issues to be a part of the president's speech. "It would be a message that they've heard from other speakers as well. This is an amazing opportunity for the Class of 2005."

http://www.freep.com/news/mich/calvin22e_20050422.htm

Froomkin writes...

snip>
The official story, out of Calvin, is that it's all thanks to the persistence of an alumnus, U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers, along with college booster, Republican donor and former ambassador Peter Secchia.

But the Grand Rapids Press says it happened this way: "About a month ago, Karl Rove pulled aside a West Michigan congressman with an idea.

" 'Would Calvin College be interested in having the president as a speaker?' the Bush adviser asked U.S. Rep. Vern Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids.

"The result: The president will speak May 21 at the college's 85th commencement ceremony. It is a major coup for the Christian Reformed-based liberal arts school."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/politics/administration/whbriefing/

[Anakin Skywalker]

1. Expect To Hear A Lot

of "Heil!" "Sieg Heil! Heil Fuhrer Bush!"

Young College Rethuglican yes-men.

[brettdale]

3. Oh yeepers

Its going to be brillant PR for Bushy. During the 2004 election, they showed some footage of Bush giving a speech to a group, and this guy in a wheelchair asked him this hard hitting question, it was more of a statement really, he said.

"Mr president, this is the first time, I can honestly say that God is in the whitehouse"

This guy got a standing ovation from the crowd and bushy just said "Thank you"

Im expecting this speech will be like that, a whole lot of people saying Bush is God like.

This is going to be the best BR BS he will have all year.

Of course no one will mention the war.

[AuntiBush]

2. Just posted about Pat Buchanan Changing History Classes 101

In each and every state at http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3529207&mesg_id=3529207

[MidwestTransplant]

4. If any of those students are staying in Western MI, good chance they don't

have jobs when they graduate. The Bush economy sucks in MI, especially near Grand Rapids.

[LatePeriduct]

5. Those poor students.....

They're getting a lesson in criminal think, not in god.

[Stinky The Clown]

6. Get this on tape ..... pleeeeeze

It will make good fodder for a cannon shot across the bow of the religioroaches in '06.

Kinda like the Bob Jones University (am I the only who sees irony in BJU?) shit that flew after he spoke there ..... but this time with maybe a better chance to stick to some right wing ass.

[electricmonk]

7. A friend of mine goes there.

She's not too thrilled about his appearence.

From my message board:

yep. Our leading terrorist, none other than George W. Himself, is coming to my school to give the graduation speech.
He's going to Yale, Notre Dame, and Calvin. Only 3 schools, and one of them happens to be mine.
This is rediculous. The administration is soooo excited. I'm so pissed I can't stop laughing out of disbelief.

Quote
"It is a great honor to have the President of the United States speak at Calvin," says. "By virtue of his position, he is undoubtedly one of the most influential people in the world. We want our students to leave this place challenged and motivated to renew God's world in whatever they do. For our graduates to hear from President Bush as they prepare to leave Calvin and make a difference in the world is an extraordinary opportunity for them. The presence of President Bush will certainly make this a Commencement that students, parents and the Calvin community will remember for years to come."



gaaaah!
everyone who i've spoken to is in shock, and not in a good way. (I run with a pretty liberal crowd)
ideas for what we can do to speak out AGAINST the things that he stands for, in ways that we won't get arrested or kicked out of school?
I'm just in shock. i don't know what to think.


note: i won't be here at the time of graduation. it's on the 21st, and i'll be leaving on the 18th.
un.fucking.believable.

----------
I can't directly link to it but go to the Politics section and look for the "Georgie Porgie is coming to my college" post. http://www.starcitypunk.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=42b44a6563b8dc8059ed8a89d1deebd7;act=SF;f=8