My personal standard is "WWTD" ...
What Would Ted Do? Perform a social/political/personal statistical analysis of all commencement speakers during the time between Fr. Ted becoming President through his death (because I have to think he played a role in all such decisions even as President Emeritus). Would a particular speaker fall within that spectrum? If so, then they are acceptable as a commencement speaker, as far as I'm concerned.
And although JN makes very good points about why Pence's policies are reprehensible, I think he probably would have made the cut under Fr. Ted. I don't agree with him on the vast majority of issues -- certainly not any social issues -- but I think he passes the test. Honestly, my biggest beef with Pence as a commencement speaker is that, based on his remarks at Fr. Ted's "funeral" at the JACC, he's a crappy speaker.
Trump would not, for reasons more personal and social than political. There's a line where "respect the office" stops and "consider the person in that office" starts. That particular office deserves a massive amount of latitude -- I would have been fine with anyone between Nixon and Clinton speaking at Commencement. Trump falls waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay outside that particular bell curve.
Complete thread:
- Talk about ND Graduate walk out? or enough politics for now? -
Grantland,
2017-05-22, 08:56
![[*]](themes/default/images/complete_thread.png "Open whole thread")
- I'm at my son's preschool graduation right now - Jeff (BGS), 2017-05-23, 14:52
- Protest is good and Pence is irredeemably awful. -
fightinamish,
2017-05-22, 15:53
- Now hold on a second - CW (Rakes), 2017-05-23, 11:20
- I'd say people have every right to do it -
Greg,
2017-05-22, 15:06
- Don't think so -
JN,
2017-05-23, 08:27
- A lot of hypocrisy here in the echo chamber -
scriptcomesfirst,
2017-05-24, 11:00
- Obama was the president; Pence is not - JN, 2017-05-25, 11:09
- I don't remember the discussion at that time. -
KGB,
2017-05-24, 12:09
- I agree with all of that
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-
scriptcomesfirst,
2017-05-25, 04:37
- I agree with all of that
- I thought it was fine for Pence to speak -
Jay,
2017-05-24, 11:18
- Easy for you to say, Jay -
scriptcomesfirst,
2017-05-25, 04:36
- I might take exception... - PMan, 2017-05-25, 11:15
- I agree that both are fine. -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-24, 12:41
- I signed that (excellent) letter that was going around -
Jay,
2017-05-24, 13:24
- I disagree with people like Milo Y. -
Bryan (IrishCavan),
2017-05-25, 08:28
- Agree, but there's a 1st Amendment issue at public schools -
HCE,
2017-05-25, 10:34
- My understanding is that the courts have not been consistent - Bryan (IrishCavan), 2017-05-25, 10:51
- It's also important to note -
Jim (fisherj08),
2017-05-25, 08:32
- Right after he outed/mocked a trans student at UW-Mil -
HullieAndMikes,
2017-05-25, 08:41
- I thought the ND prof's argument... - Slainte Joe, 2017-05-25, 09:21
- Right after he outed/mocked a trans student at UW-Mil -
HullieAndMikes,
2017-05-25, 08:41
- Agree, but there's a 1st Amendment issue at public schools -
HCE,
2017-05-25, 10:34
- Yes. -
Angel,
2017-05-25, 07:15
- The honorary degree complicates matters - HCE, 2017-05-24, 16:34
- d'accord -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-24, 13:28
- I disagree with people like Milo Y. -
Bryan (IrishCavan),
2017-05-25, 08:28
- I signed that (excellent) letter that was going around -
Jay,
2017-05-24, 13:24
- It's a paradox. -
Pat (Moco),
2017-05-24, 11:34
- Life! -
Grantland,
2017-05-24, 11:39
- Wait a second. Is "snowflakes" some kind of -
Grantland,
2017-05-24, 11:38
- Snowflakes -
CW (Rakes),
2017-05-24, 11:46
- HA: -
Grantland,
2017-05-24, 13:07
- he should meet some young people -
Jay,
2017-05-24, 13:09
- he should meet some young people
- OK, but I do find... -
Greg,
2017-05-24, 11:48
- there's a lot of misinformation around "safe spaces" -
Jay,
2017-05-24, 11:51
- Love to - Greg, 2017-05-24, 12:00
- there's a lot of misinformation around "safe spaces" -
Jay,
2017-05-24, 11:51
- HA: -
Grantland,
2017-05-24, 13:07
- Snowflakes -
CW (Rakes),
2017-05-24, 11:46
- Life!
- Easy for you to say, Jay -
scriptcomesfirst,
2017-05-25, 04:36
- There are different ways to make their point, though -
Brendan,
2017-05-23, 10:49
- What's the point of a genteel protest? -
HullieAndMikes,
2017-05-23, 12:25
- I think the point is that - OGerry, 2017-05-25, 04:45
- What's the point of a genteel protest? -
HullieAndMikes,
2017-05-23, 12:25
- On what grounds do you think he shouldn't have been invited? -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-23, 09:21
- He agreed to run with an authoritarian ape. -
domer.mq,
2017-05-23, 13:32
- He's a truly awful person who did real damage as Gov -
JN,
2017-05-23, 11:44
- I'm trying to articulate a standard... -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-23, 11:57
- If it were up to me politicians wouldn't be the default -
JN,
2017-05-23, 12:28
- I'd like to see a broader range of speakers -
HCE,
2017-05-24, 07:57
- It should be deprioritized. -
KGB,
2017-05-24, 08:46
- As I said in a previous post, my biggest complaint about - BillyGoat, 2017-05-24, 13:37
- At least with politicians, you know it's all bullshit -
Greg,
2017-05-24, 08:33
- Sure, everyone has bias and baggage -
JN,
2017-05-24, 08:35
- So true -
Greg,
2017-05-24, 09:00
- So true
- Sure, everyone has bias and baggage -
JN,
2017-05-24, 08:35
- Yes. -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-24, 08:26
- But isn't that balanced out a bit - Grantland, 2017-05-24, 08:21
- Absolutely -
JN,
2017-05-24, 08:10
- It should be deprioritized. -
KGB,
2017-05-24, 08:46
- I would certainly endorse a policy... -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-23, 14:12
- No to any President who does not respect the office. -
Grantland,
2017-05-24, 07:23
- There may be a few others who would have failed, post- - BillyGoat, 2017-05-24, 12:24
- That's a tough line to draw -
JN,
2017-05-24, 07:48
- He was disbarred for lying under oath. -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-24, 08:36
- I'm not sure it was meant as a rousing compliment. -
KGB,
2017-05-24, 08:52
- thank you - JN, 2017-05-24, 09:31
- well -
JN,
2017-05-24, 08:49
- Based on the pictures coming out of today's meeting, -
Jim (fisherj08),
2017-05-24, 08:56
- Acc. to the Italian press, - Bryan (IrishCavan), 2017-05-24, 12:01
- And that's right after he swatted away Trump's hand -
BPH,
2017-05-24, 10:13
- Based on the pictures coming out of today's meeting, -
Jim (fisherj08),
2017-05-24, 08:56
- I'm not sure it was meant as a rousing compliment. -
KGB,
2017-05-24, 08:52
- Funny. My response was not real well thought out but JFK - Grantland, 2017-05-24, 08:29
- He was disbarred for lying under oath. -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-24, 08:36
- I think once you open the policy door - DEM, 2017-05-24, 06:36
- I would approve of that policy. -
BillyGoat,
2017-05-23, 15:02
- No to any President who does not respect the office. -
Grantland,
2017-05-24, 07:23
- I'd like to see a broader range of speakers -
HCE,
2017-05-24, 07:57
- My personal standard is "WWTD" ... -
BillyGoat,
2017-05-23, 12:07
- I agree- see my post above. I think we can say he himself - Grantland, 2017-05-24, 07:25
- I tend to agree. - Slainte Joe, 2017-05-23, 12:50
- If it were up to me politicians wouldn't be the default -
JN,
2017-05-23, 12:28
- I'm trying to articulate a standard... -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-23, 11:57
- He cut public health funding, causing an HIV outbreak -
Jim (fisherj08),
2017-05-23, 11:07
- Can you provide some evidence for this claim? -
Larry,
2017-05-23, 14:51
- Short answer, yes. - Jim (fisherj08), 2017-05-23, 16:12
- Are you saying... -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-23, 11:58
- To be clear, I'm a bit blinded by my animus for Pence -
Jim (fisherj08),
2017-05-23, 12:48
- Fair enough. - Slainte Joe, 2017-05-23, 12:51
- He's saying that you shouldn't if you caused an HIV outbreak -
NDTerp,
2017-05-23, 12:39
- Come on now. -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-23, 13:16
- Whatever you say, Mr. Leavitt -
NDTerp,
2017-05-23, 14:18
- Whatever you say, Mr. Leavitt
- Come on now. -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-23, 13:16
- To be clear, I'm a bit blinded by my animus for Pence -
Jim (fisherj08),
2017-05-23, 12:48
- Can you provide some evidence for this claim? -
Larry,
2017-05-23, 14:51
- I agree with you - Jeff (BGS), 2017-05-23, 10:02
- He agreed to run with an authoritarian ape.
- A lot of hypocrisy here in the echo chamber -
scriptcomesfirst,
2017-05-24, 11:00
- I doubt they'll regret it -
Jeff (BGS),
2017-05-22, 16:01
- We had Mary Ann Glendon, maybe the worst speaker ever -
Greg,
2017-05-23, 07:45
- I had Indiana Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan -
Brendan,
2017-05-23, 10:54
- Apparently we are classmates. I remember all that - BillyGoat, 2017-05-23, 11:14
- Not just a vet, a POW. - Pat (Moco), 2017-05-23, 11:11
- Our graduation speaker was Cardinal McCarrick -
Jim (fisherj08),
2017-05-23, 11:03
- Makes sense. I've spent much of the last decade and - BillyGoat, 2017-05-23, 11:44
- She refused the Laetare right? Because of Obama? -
Grantland,
2017-05-23, 09:28
- I seem to recall that. - Greg, 2017-05-23, 09:31
- If she was worse than Condeleeza... -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-23, 09:22
- Hah! We were saved by Sr. Helen Prejean - Greg, 2017-05-23, 09:30
- Walker Percy received Laetare at ours. Love him ever since -
Grantland,
2017-05-23, 09:24
- Now that would be great! I love him. -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-23, 09:33
- Book Rec: -
Grantland,
2017-05-23, 09:42
- Yes, it is very good. -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-23, 09:47
- Yes, it is very good.
- Book Rec: -
Grantland,
2017-05-23, 09:42
- Now that would be great! I love him.
- I had Indiana Lt. Gov. Joe Kernan -
Brendan,
2017-05-23, 10:54
- We had the head of the UN as a speaker. -
domer.mq,
2017-05-23, 06:56
- That was an awful speach. I remember him being - BillyGoat, 2017-05-23, 10:57
- I agree. I've never found undergrad ceremonies - oviedoirish, 2017-05-22, 16:16
- We had Mary Ann Glendon, maybe the worst speaker ever -
Greg,
2017-05-23, 07:45
- Don't think so -
JN,
2017-05-23, 08:27
- Always gives me a chuckle... -
Bill,
2017-05-22, 14:23
- It's right up there with "Pro-Lifers" who support capital -
BillyGoat,
2017-05-22, 14:24
- I actually get those people's argument -
Greg,
2017-05-22, 14:58
- War, access to healthcare, access to education and food - Frank, 2017-05-23, 05:46
- Depends on their arguments for why abortion is wrong. But - BillyGoat, 2017-05-22, 15:01
- That has always bothered me too. -
Grantland,
2017-05-22, 14:56
- I actually get those people's argument -
Greg,
2017-05-22, 14:58
- It's right up there with "Pro-Lifers" who support capital -
BillyGoat,
2017-05-22, 14:24
- I'm surprised it got so much coverage -
Jeff (BGS),
2017-05-22, 10:22
- our valedictorian ripped GHWB a new one -
Jay,
2017-05-22, 12:04
- It was a very ND protest. -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-22, 15:21
- ha! exactly -
Jay,
2017-05-23, 11:22
- it was anarchy on the way out of the Stadium - Pat, 2017-05-23, 12:57
- ha! exactly -
Jay,
2017-05-23, 11:22
- It was a very ND protest. -
Slainte Joe,
2017-05-22, 15:21
- Agreed: -
Grantland,
2017-05-22, 10:58
- Also, I think ND might be one of the more conservative -
BillyGoat,
2017-05-22, 11:09
- I agree. -
oviedoirish,
2017-05-22, 12:33
- It may be conservative -
CK08,
2017-05-22, 12:51
- I'd agree with that at the student level, for sure. -
BillyGoat,
2017-05-22, 13:23
- I'd agree with that at the student level, for sure.
- is there a more conservative top-20ish school? -
Jay,
2017-05-22, 12:43
- Maybe Vandy, Duke, or Rice? -
Jeff (BGS),
2017-05-22, 13:09
- Not Duke, IMO. - PAK, 2017-05-23, 06:14
- If Duke is conservative - IrishGuard, 2017-05-23, 05:52
- My nephew went to Vandy -
Jack,
2017-05-22, 13:39
- I would think Duke and Vandy would have more students from -
Grantland,
2017-05-22, 14:07
- Duke is basically the birthplace of the alt-right. -
domer.mq,
2017-05-23, 06:57
- I feel like Balls & Shaft from PCU... -
KGB,
2017-05-23, 08:42
- Speaking of a casual shoe for boating -
Greg,
2017-05-23, 08:53
- Ha! Great question. -
KGB,
2017-05-23, 09:00
- Last weekend of July through first weekend of August -
Greg,
2017-05-23, 09:02
- Cool. -
KGB,
2017-05-23, 10:10
- Good to hear. I am hitting the Cape this summer, as well. - River, 2017-05-23, 10:16
- Cool. -
KGB,
2017-05-23, 10:10
- Last weekend of July through first weekend of August -
Greg,
2017-05-23, 09:02
- Ha! Great question. -
KGB,
2017-05-23, 09:00
- Speaking of a casual shoe for boating -
Greg,
2017-05-23, 08:53
- Duke puked up both Richard Spencer and Stephen Miller -
HullieAndMikes,
2017-05-23, 07:01
- I feel like Balls & Shaft from PCU... -
KGB,
2017-05-23, 08:42
- Duke is basically the birthplace of the alt-right. -
domer.mq,
2017-05-23, 06:57
- I would think Duke and Vandy would have more students from -
Grantland,
2017-05-22, 14:07
- How socially conservative is ND these days? - HCE, 2017-05-22, 13:04
- Brown -
Greg,
2017-05-22, 12:47
- I was curious since my only sibling is a Brown alum. - River, 2017-05-22, 13:05
- Maybe Vandy, Duke, or Rice? -
Jeff (BGS),
2017-05-22, 13:09
- It may be conservative -
CK08,
2017-05-22, 12:51
- I agree. -
oviedoirish,
2017-05-22, 12:33
- Also, I think ND might be one of the more conservative -
BillyGoat,
2017-05-22, 11:09
- our valedictorian ripped GHWB a new one -
Jay,
2017-05-22, 12:04
- Hard pass. -
MHB (Rakes of Mallow),
2017-05-22, 10:06
- I tried. -
MHB (Rakes of Mallow),
2017-05-24, 10:19
- I tried.