Students hear criticism of war

[ridgerunner]

Sunday, May 8, 2005

Reporter Thomas speaks against world's injustices; hopes for peace

By Shannon Russell
Enquirer staff writer

>snip

NKU, which awarded 1,300 degrees, featured former White House correspondent Helen Thomas as keynote speaker.

>snip

The Norse students and faculty treated Thomas to a standing ovation when she was presented. Some audience cheers turned to boos when she delved into a politically laced speech.

Thomas told students to shape the world and rid it of racism, injustice and poverty. She said to be outraged against atrocities committed against prisoners of war and secrecy in the government "that deprives the public of its right to know." She urged scholars to "question leaders who take us into war (and) ... rationalize it as spreading democracy."

"I thought (the speech) was too politically motivated. It should have been more neutral," said Crescent Springs resident Heather Flannery, 23. Flannery graduated with degrees in political science and history.

more:http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050508/NEWS0102/505080404

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NKU is Northern Kentucky University just outside of Cincinnati

[XanaDUer]

1. Hmmmmm....

So ending injustice is now seen as "political"? What side of the political spectrum, I wonder, do they consider ending things like racism, sexism, ageism, etc?

[90-percent]

2. former?

Isn't Helen still on the WH beat?

Didn't she get her old seat near the front back?

What does she have to say about Guckert?

-85%

[Redleg]

8. The objections were to her mention of how our leaders

used false pretenses to justify the war in Iraq. It seems people just can't handle the truth.

[wtmusic]

3. If only everyone was a little more "neutral"

we could let our leaders run the country without us getting in the way!! :eyes:

[saigon68]

9. I guess HEATHER FLANNERY

GETS OFF ON A LITTLE RACISM, INJUSTICE AND POVERTY

She sounds like the kind of girl who loves to see a black man throttled by a crowd of Rustic Cops, like Rodney King had the CRAP beat out of him!!!!

[Redleg]

12. Harsh! I see Ms. Flannery as a typical college kid who hasn't yet

concerned herself with the world. One day, I pray, she and others like her will wake the fuck up.

[Sabriel]

19. All the more ironic, considering her majors

How can a poli-sci/history person see neutrality in ANYTHING? Hasn't she attended class at all?

[Cha]

4. You Go, Helen!

"Give Peace A Chance, and let it begin with us!"

That's a cool pic of Helen Thomas.

[sarcasmo]

5. Helen, trying to preach common sense to the Hillbilly's.

[Redleg]

7. Nice stereotype. That's a real liberal way to act.

I happened to be at the commencement when Helen Thomas spoke. In spite of what you may think, most of the people there weren't "hillbillies" and even if they were, what difference does it make?

[Redleg]

6. I was there when Helen Thomas gave that speech.

It was a great speech- she told the truth and I applaud her courage. Perhaps it wasn't appropriate for a commencement ceremony but I think it's high time people hear the truth instead of pretending these problems don't exist.

[LizW]

10. I think it is absolutely appropriate for a commencement ceremony

These young people are the ones who will be asked to risk their lives in Bush's wars. They are the ones who will be paying back the tremendous deficit. They are the ones who will scarcely remember a time when there was free speech if the Helen Thomases of the world don't demonstrate it to them.

I am sure that some of the things Ms. Thomas said aren't easy for young people to hear. They aren't easy for any of us to hear, but they need to be said.

Like you, I applaud her courage.

[Redleg]

11. Many of the faculty applauded.

Ms. Thomas gave a powerful speech that ought to get people thinking. I am curious as to what the fallout will be at the university (I am a professor there). This part of the state (and Cincinnati as well) are very conservative. I'm sure there will be a lot of whining in the letters to the editor. LOL

[bvar22]

13. I love Helen Thomas.

A Hero and a Patriot.
Helen Thomas personifies what is good about America!

[Daphne08]

15. Yes, she is. She's been around a long time and

has seen much. Those students would do well to remember her speech.

[PennyLane]

14. Thomas..........

.......knows what she's talking about! She's lived all of it. The
abuse she's taken from this administration though, has been tough on her. I met a camera person during the Kerry campaign who was a close
friend to her. She said that Helen Thomas has suffered much heartache
at Bush's hand. If I live to be 100, I'll always remember her now
famous, "Mr. President"!!

[Zerex71]

16. Heather Flannery's college education just went down the toilet.

Hope her parents are real proud of the little ignoramus they sent off to school.

[Kerrytravelers]

17. "Flannery graduated with degrees in political science and history"

You would think that she, of all people, would appreciate what is happening in politics... wait, never mind... probably a rethug who refuses to believe that * has ever done anything wrong. :eyes:

[Javaman]

18. Heather Flannery is just another robot graduate of the moron*

school of politics.

She prescribes to the homer simpson concept of reality: "Pffft, you can prove anything with facts".

[gratuitous]

20. Compare and contrast

Reception of Helen Thomas vs. the reception of Ann Coulter at our nation's universities.

Extra credit: Compare and contrast the methods of gaining and exercising power of the National Socialist Party in Germany from 1932-1937 and the Republican Party in the United States from 1999-2005. Bonus for any comparisons between the Reichstag Fire and any analogous events in the United States during the relevant time frame.

You too could be awarded a degree in Political Science and History from Northern Kentucky University!

[Redleg]

21. Hey- no dissing Northern Kentucky University.

It's a good school- I should know, I am a professor there.

I do like how you relate the rise of the Nazi totalitarian state with that of modern Republicans.