Michelle Obama scraps graduation speech
Source: The Hill
First lady Michelle Obama is scrapping her plans to deliver a graduation speech for high school seniors in Topeka, Kan., after hundreds signed a petition in protest.
More than 1,750 people had signed a petition protesting the first lady's appearance at the graduation ceremony, angered that security concerns would limit the number of friends and family who could attend.
...
Instead of delivering a graduation speech, Obama will be at the school the day before graduation, and will deliver remarks at a "Senior Recognition Day.".....
"The remarks will celebrate the achievements of the graduating class of high school seniors in Topeka, home of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year," the White House said in a statement.
Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/204285-michelle-obama-scraps-graduation-speech-after-protests
An elegant and gracious solution to a ridiculous controversy. We got 6 tickets to my daughters' graduations and I don't even remember who spoke.
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)Rose Siding
(32,623 posts)samples:
"Victory!!! 2014, the year Americans take America back!"
and
"Wnder how many signatures we need to get Mooches' husband to step down and resign for crimes against humanity, illegal executive actions, unconstitutional appointments, obstructing mmigration law, inciting employers to break the law under the WARN act, failing to meet the constraints of the war powers act, illegally legislating from the executive branch, etc?"
JoePhilly
(27,787 posts)louis-t
(23,487 posts)There just aren't any words do describe the stupid in these people. I doubt this person knows anything about the War Powers Act, the WARN Act, executive powers, etc. This person is repeating something they heard on hate radio.
Demit
(11,238 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)My high school graduation was held in Carnegie Hall (yes, THE Carnegie Hall) and there were no overwhelming requests for tickets. My parents were all that went to it to see me graduate.
Screw them - they're upset because there aren't enough seats? Now the place will probably be half-empty.
Jeff In Milwaukee
(13,992 posts)Where I live, we don't have any extended family in town (or even close by). But we still had four people for my daughter's graduation a couple of years ago. Had any number of aunts, uncles or cousins lived in town and wanted to attend, we would have had to institute some sort of lottery.
OnlinePoker
(5,793 posts)We filled a 3000 seat arena to capacity.
Robbins
(5,066 posts)I guess they don't want a black speaker there.
Response to Rose Siding (Original post)
Name removed Message auto-removed
uppityperson
(115,724 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(176,500 posts)uppityperson
(115,724 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(176,500 posts)Tried to start a thread on this. Whoops. Sent a PM instead
uppityperson
(115,724 posts)greatauntoftriplets
(176,500 posts)uppityperson
(115,724 posts)funny how we get into habits.
greatauntoftriplets
(176,500 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)separate event, in a large venue. That way, there would have been no issue about someone not getting to see a loved one handed a diploma and the kids still could still have had a very memorable speaker.
7962
(11,841 posts)merrily
(45,251 posts)cbdo2007
(9,213 posts)COLGATE4
(14,791 posts)just not enough.
Beaverhausen
(24,548 posts)please give me a break. Graduations have tickets limits these days. It had nothing to do with space.
cbdo2007
(9,213 posts)wow, DU is really slipping if this is the kind of thing we're getting worked up about.
Wash. state Desk Jet
(3,426 posts)and she knows how to get around a problem . Speaking to the students directly is what is of high importance and that is just what she will do. After all the graduates are the first priority .Better the parents are not in attendance, It's all in how you see it, or don't see it. The way I see it, the first lady is also a sharp lady, meaning wise.
1000words
(7,051 posts)olddad56
(5,732 posts)hack89
(39,179 posts)they combined 5 separate graduation ceremonies into one for the first lady. If I was a student or a parent, I would be upset to share that special moment with a bunch of strangers. When you graduate with kids you have known since first grade, it creates a special bond and sense of family that is something to behold.
Beaverhausen
(24,548 posts)Do you remember? I don't. I don't remember who spoke at my college graduation either.
But having the first lady speak, no matter who she is, is something I think many people would enjoy and have fond memories of.
Sorry but I don't buy the space issue or the combined school issue.
hack89
(39,179 posts)my graduation was a celebration with my friends and family. The graduates were the center of attention.
Beaverhausen
(24,548 posts)I don't think the graduates will get any less attention if she had spoken, and I think they would have had great memories. YMMV
jaysunb
(11,856 posts)Senior recognition day event ? That should be very interesting.