Condoleezza Rice pulls out of giving Rutgers commencement speech

[spanone]

NEW BRUNSWICK — Former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice backed out of giving Rutgers University's commencement speech today amid growing opposition among the school's students and faculty.

In a statement, Rice said she informed Rutgers President Robert Barchi that she has decided not to give the address.

“Commencement should be a time of joyous celebration for the graduates and their families. Rutgers' invitation to me to speak has become a distraction for the university community at this very special time," Rice said.

"I am honored to have served my country. I have defended America's belief in free speech and the exchange of ideas. These values are essential to the health of our democracy. But that is not what is at issue here," she said. "As a Professor for thirty years at Stanford University and as it's former Provost and Chief academic officer, I understand and embrace the purpose of the commencement ceremony and I am simply unwilling to detract from it in any way."

http://www.nj.com/education/2014/05/condoleezza_rice_pulls_out_of_giving_rutgers_commencement_speech.html#incart_river

[grahamhgreen]

1. Chicken. Hawk.

[Scuba]

2. Good. Now, about that war crimes trial.

[Nye Bevan]

3. Good. God forbid universities ever have anyone controversial making a speech.

They should just get someone to make a speech about something that everyone can agree on, such as how puppies are cute.

[WCLinolVir]

6. Well drawing the line at liars who propagated war crimes is a start.

Puppies are adorable, but drawing a simplistic analogy doesn't serve the facts.

[lonestarnot]

9. A well drawn line.

[DrDan]

13. it's to honor those graduating . . . not a platform for someone to promote controversy

[gratuitous]

14. Well, a war criminal would certainly be challenging

But speaking strictly for me, I'd rather have someone a little more edifying speak at my commencement. I'm afraid I'd have difficulty hearing the distinguished Dr. Rice over the screams of her victims. She can just go back to Stanford and continue to provide the counterbalance to John Woo at Berkeley.

[pangaia]

4. Aaaw, poor little Condi...

" Rutgers' invitation to me to speak has become a distraction .."
No, your lies about just about everything when working for Cheney were distractions. And the results were.....?

".... I understand and embrace the purpose of the commencement ceremony and I am simply unwilling to detract from it in any way."
No, again,
The STUDENTS AND FACULTY at Rutgers are unwilling to have YOU detract from their commencement, you self-righteous little twit.

[SamKnause]

5. Good news !!!

She would look wonderful in an orange jumpsuit with handcuffs and shackles for her accessories.

[rocktivity]

7. CUE THE VONAGE THEME!

This Jersey girl is thrilled!


rocktivity

[Paladin]

8. Good, even with her self-congratulatory statement. (nt)

[UTUSN]

10. $35K here, $35K there. n/t

[malthaussen]

11. Glad to hear it.

Since we're never going to arrest her, a little humiliation is in order.

-- Mal

[Whisp]

12. You, and your cohorts in crimes against humanity, are rightly reviled. n/t

[LittleBlue]

15. Why would any university

want this criminal within 10 miles of their campus?

[JEB]

16. Eat shit and die.

We don't need to hear any more lies from cold blooded killers.

[spanone]

18. right wingers are free to express their opinions and they do. war crimes are not childish.