Seems GWU grads had "Ma and Pa Kettle" as commencement speakers

[DeepModem Mom]

WP: Bushes Banter for GWU Grads
Ex-President, Wife Trade Politics for Humor in Day of Ceremonies
By David Nakamura
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, May 22, 2006; Page B03

When the featured speakers advanced to the lectern yesterday on the Mall, the crowd of more than 25,000 that had assembled for George Washington University's commencement buzzed with anticipation....What would former president George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, say? Would they be serious? Sentimental? Political?

Nope, nope, nope.

Instead, the Bushes struck a humorous vein.

Barbara: "I'm sensitive about the age thing. Once when I was speaking, a girl went home and told her mother, 'I heard the mother of the president of the United States -- George Washington.' "

George: "I consider that an honest mistake. After all, you look like George Washington."

One after another came the jokes....The Bush comedy hour drew mostly chuckles from the crowd that included about 4,500 of the 6,500 graduates who received degrees this spring. The pair drew a standing ovation before and after they spoke, with only a handful of protesters....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/21/AR2006052101157.html

[rfranklin]

1. And we spent your inheritance and your children's income....

and their children's income....ha-ha-ha! And we're laughing all the way to the Swiss Bank!

[DeepModem Mom]

2. Just seems disrespectful of these grads not to offer them...

more than this on a momentous day in their lives. Humor is great if the speaker is a comedian.

ON EDIT: And if DeepModem Dad said I looked like ANY man, I would not be happy.

[Missy M]

3. The Bush clan starting new careers trying to be....

comedians. First we had Laura Bush and her stand up act at the White Correspondents' Association Dinner last year. Now we have Ma and Pa Kettle doing their routine. Of course the biggest comedian and joke of them all George W. Bush. Does anyone have the nerve to tell them they aren't funny.

[Misskittycat]

4. As a GWU alumna - yuk. n/t

[WhiteTara]

5. this is supposed to be funny?

"I consider that an honest mistake. After all, you look like George Washington"...not my idea of humor.

[DeepModem Mom]

6. Particularly if aimed at one's self! nt

[WhiteTara]

7. aimed at one's self is self deprecating humor but aimed at

one's life partner, mother of his children, etc is sort of hateful and not funny. Besides George Washington didn't have those bug eyes.

[DeepModem Mom]

8. I wasn't clear. I agree with you. nt

[linazelle]

9. I thought this was a story from the Onion. Should've been. nt