BYU Grads Mixed, But Mainly Pleased With Cheney Speech
None by KCPW
(KCPW News) The normal excitement of graduation had a new twist for more than 6,000 BYU graduates yesterday. Pomp and circumstance took a back seat to a high-security and a much-awaited speech by Vice President Dick Cheney."It was totally worth it," says graduate Paul Jensen. "Just the words he spoke and the presentation, it was all just wonderful. He said that everyone deserves a second chance, and I believe that. So that's what I'll remember."
Vice President Cheney's speech lacked any political content, filled instead with personal references and self-deprecating humor. Nor did he make reference to the protestors who lined the entrance of campus earlier in the day. After his brief remarks, 21,000 graduates, faculty and family members gave Cheney a standing ovation. A few graduates stayed their seats, including James Snideman, who was irked that BYU gave Cheney an honorary degree:
"Yeah, I'm a little upset," said Snideman. "It would have been nice if we'd had somebody who is a religious leader come speak to us instead."
LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley was a surprise guest at the commencement ceremony, but did not address the audience.
Later in the evening, former presidential candidate Ralph Nader spoke at an alternative commencement organized by disgruntled BYU graduates.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW
1. LH said:
You can agree to disagree, and even protest, yet still be civil. It makes me sad to see the beginnings of what is tearing this country apart now starting at BYU.
2. Misty Fowler said:
I'm really disappointed in KCPW that there are two articles today mentioning Cheney's visit to BYU, and your sole mention of the Alternative Commencement was to call the students "disgruntled". Those students did an amazing job of pulling the Alternative Commencement together in just 10 days.
And regarding Cheney's standing ovation - Pete Ashdown and Ralph Nader both got standing ovations before speaking a word, and got several standing ovations during their speeches because of the inspiring words they had, encouraging the graduates, and everyone else in attendance, to put actions behind their beliefs and values.