Bush tells graduating students that community service is an `American idea

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — President Bush's commencement speech at Calvin College Saturday was as much about politics as it was about inspiring the graduates of this Christian college to commit themselves to community service.

"This isn't a Democratic idea. This isn't a Republican idea. This is an American idea," Bush told the students in a bipartisan message about community service that stood in contrast with protests surrounding his visit.

"As your generation takes its place in the world, all of you must make this decision: Will you be a spectator or a citizen?" Bush asked about 900 seniors graduating from this liberal arts college.

The students cheered him warmly before he spoke, but Bush's visit was not welcomed by all. Several dozen people protested outside the event, wearing buttons that said: "God is not a Republican or Democrat."

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/news-25/111670318285210.xml&storylist=newsmichigan

[truthisfreedom]

1. hmm. tell us about your community service, and why you had to do it, mr.

bush. we'd all love to hear.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

3. LOL... I think he's right in the sense that we are one of the first to

make community service a form of punishment.

[Cha]

2. How was the protesting?

I can't stand to read about what Orwellian shit bush has to say.

[Clark2008]

4. In other words, "join the military, so the 'community' can use your body

up before we kill it."

:grr:

[Supersedeas]

16. they don't allow many spectators at Dover either

[Botany]

5. Community service? Of course * likes it ..... he had to do 1 Yr. of it.

COCAINE:
According to a new book, three independent sources close to the Bush family report that Governor Bush was arrested in 1972 for cocaine possession, and taken to Harris County Jail, but avoided jail or formal charges through an informal diversion plan involving community service with Project P.U.L.L., an inner city Houston program for troubled youths at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Houston's dirt-poor Third Ward. (In another new book, reporter Bill Minutaglio, writes that the year of community service was arranged by the Governor's father, ex-president Bush, after he caught Bush Jr. driving drunk.)

That year certainly is out of character with the rest of Bush Jr.'s life. Before and after 1972, he was a rich, hard drinking playboy. Suddenly, and only that one time in his life, he worked for a liberal charity in an inner city ghetto. As soon as the year was over, he resumed his previous pattern and has done no charity work since.

I wonder when the "liberal media" will get on this story?
BTW asking about this is what got Helen Thomas nixed from
asking ?s @ the White House.

Community Service :rofl:

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

14. If only the sheeple would see n/t

[calimary]

6. Before or after you get busted?

:evilgrin:

[thebigidea]

7. a bipartisan speech that stood in contrast to the protests?

yeah, what about his abortion talk, then?

what horseshit - casting Bush in the role of the Great Uniter, as opposed to those nasty, partisan protest types...

[cornermouse]

8. How would he know? He's never done any of it.

And if he wants to say he did, I would require proof such as film footage of him actually performing physical labor gratis for someone else.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. He does have experience

clearing brush at Crawford. Sounds like a great community service idea to me.

[TexasLawyer]

9. The draft

A mandatory 2 year "community service" program for American teens is Bushco code for the draft.

[Renew Deal]

11. Bush tells graduating students that democracy is an 'American idea'

It's only a matter of time.

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

12. Reuters: Bush gets mixed reception at Christian college

By Caren Bohan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (Reuters) - President Bush on Saturday championed faith in American society, but ran into some criticism as courted his Christian base in a commencement speech at a Michigan college.

"We need to support and encourage the institutions and pursuits that bring us together. And we learn how to come together by participating in our churches and temples and mosques and synagogues," Bush told graduating seniors at Calvin College, a Christian liberal-arts college.

The college describes itself as a "center of faith-anchored liberal arts teaching and scholarship," and Bush has aggressively sought to reinforce his support among religious conservatives who helped deliver him a reelection victory in 2004.

But anti-Bush ads that ran in the local newspaper, protests outside the event and buttons worn on graduates' robes made clear that many students and faculty objected to Bush's policies.

<snip>

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=8565484

[flordehinojos]

13. our community service is a way for bush to go on cutting programs to help

those who need help.

[daleo]

15. It is hardly an American idea.

I have a hunch that "community service" is as old as the human race.

[hatrack]

17. Yeah, like he's ever worked harder than hoisting a beer or cutting a fart

"Community service performed by people other than me is an American idea", the president said to cheers and applause.

:puke: