Great DailyKos Diary: "My Bitch Slap To The Class of 2005"

[Hissyspit]

My Bitch Slap to the Class of 2005
by theglobalizer
Wed May 18th, 2005 at 14:56:23 PDT

I don't know if it is proper DailyKos Etiquette to talk about my speech to a graduating high school class today. That I belittled them in their "moment of glory" and that my actions probably got a good friend of mine fired. All I know is that what I did, I believe was right. I will accept the consequences and move on. But here it is....

Today I attended the "Graduating Seniors Luncheon" at a private high school. (I guess there were not graduating seniors at another luncheon) The assistant principal are old friends from Ohio State. He asked me to give a short 15-minute speech to the group. I was the third of three speakers. The first was an alumni who was about 20-something. He talked about service to God (The school had a religious affiliation.) The next gentleman was a WWII vet. He talked about service to country and bravery. Then me. I was suppose to talk about the challenges that they would face.

However, the WWII vet started me thinking about service to the country and bravery. One line in his speech stood out.

...I didn't know if I would return home alive, but I believed what my country was doing was right. Therefore, to believe that, I would need to die for it.

Now prior to this, I had to walk through the parking lot to get to the luncheon. There I say numerous cars decorated with that special car paint. You could tell who was the "Graduating Seniors". Painted on many were "This-College Bound", "Look out WASP U, Angie is on here way!", etc. However, the other things that I noticed on this vehicles (actually more SUVs, than cars) were the numerous "W The President" and "Bush/Cheney" stickers. So I started to wonder? Service? Bravery?

As I stated my speech, I started to talk about the growing lack of properly educated American students. The growing lack of scientists and engineers. How these kids were going to be fighting for jobs against Chinese and Indian kids. That they would have to commit themselves to getting the best education they could so America could remain a world leader. That they would have to challenge themselves for their country. Then the words of the WWII vets words hit me dead in the face. That is when I went off my script and laid into them.

"...but, I can see that the youth in this room lacks the conviction that it will take. Because I do not see the willingness to serve his county that this man to my right had. How many of you believe in the policies of President Bush?"

Half the room raised their hands. Apparently the other half was still asleep.

"How many of you then have signed up for the military?

Only one hand stayed up.

"Thank you, sir. The rest of you then lack the conviction that is needed for America to succeed. If you are not willing to back the leader of this country in his ambitions to defeat terrorism and promote democracy with your bodies, then how can we expect you to defend it from anything else. So I am going to stop wasting my breath about talking about the Chinese and Indian students who believe it what they preach. Because they have already won. Until American youth and their parents are willing to actually practice what they preach vis vi their bumber stickers, then talking about real threats is pointless. I guess we will continue to graduate hypocrites. That appears to be the new America Way."

I then sat down to silence. My friend took the podium and thanked the three of us speakers. The twenty-something left without saying anything to me. My friend, also said nothing. No student or teacher said a word to me. (I doubt I will be welcomed back). But one person did say something. It was short, but it meant a lot.

"Thank you, sonny." said the WWII vet, "I was about time someone said it."

LukyLuke suggest that I link a previous entry "Are You An Insular American" to this one for a better understand of my position.

[madrchsod]

1. great story

and i agree with the old guy..put up or shut up..take a fuck`n stand . i said no i am not going and for some reason they said ok you don`t have to. i did have to make a stand,these kids don`t have to..bring back the draft with no deferments and see how long the war lasts

[WildEyedLiberal]

2. If that guy really got his friend fired for his "statement"

Then that was the height of selfishness. Also, it's exceedingly ignorant of him to assume that the half who didn't raise their hands were just not paying attention - I am sure not every vehicle had a W sticker. I hate people who make broad sweeping generalizations about an entire group based on circumstantial evidence, like the fact that some cars had W bumper stickers, and that it was a private religious school. I think what he did was incredibly crass and rude, not heroic. He may have cost his friend a job and he painted all those kids with the same broad brush. I fail to see how this is the right way to get our message out to the masses. If that had been my class, I would have been pissed as hell at his presuming to make assumptions about my politics or motives.

[DaDeacon]

3. haha

You did something they needed, you made them think. I find the Americans don't like doing that anymore!

[chalky]

4. So what's the protocol for nominating a thread that's from a post

from another blog?

Ah, hell. I'm doing it anyway. Better to beg forgiveness, right?
:D

[Hissyspit]

5. None that I know. Spread the news...

Unless the guy is making up the story, he deserves to be heard far and wide.

[spuddonna]

6. Amazing! Good for you!

And if your friend was fired for something YOU said, well, that would be about right for Bush supporters...

RNC's new motto:"Freedom's on the march... just not for you!"

Hope your friend finds a better job, too! :)

[A-Schwarzenegger]

7. A courageous action ... but ....

again "bitch-slap" misogynizes a brave act
which has nothing to do with a pimp beating an exploited woman.

[Chomskyite]

8. To Globalizer: Your non sequitur bitchslap to the Leftist cause

I don't doubt that you alienated many more students than you "made think" with your statements. It's one thing to call into question the committment of today's students to their bumper sticker president. But what were you asking them to do? Immediately sign up to have their health ruined and their nerves destroyed for Halliburton's contracts?

I'd have settled for having them ask what the consequences FOR THEM will be of living a life of apathy that sports a couple W stickers. A Jeremiad is probably called for. But when you put them on their heels and then make a point that is at best incomplete . . . that's not worth jeopardizing your friend's job.

[Lab2112]

9. RE: Great DailyKos Diary: "My Bitch Slap To The Class of 2005"

I'm fairly certain that these students won't soon forget this speech. Hopefully, the "courage of your convictions" message will have more meaning and impact on their lives as they grow up further and mature.

LAB