Graduation address

For the last four years I have attended the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Today I will receive my degree. The hard work of every graduate will be rewarded with a few moments of glory before our family and friends. This celebration of achievement should unite us together behind such admirable success.

Although my degree will be awarded for political science, I do not think politics should have any part in a graduation. By often invoking political issues with which members of the audience inevitably disagree, partisan speakers divide graduates against each other on a day when everyone should be the most united. But many politicians simply see the opportunity as a chance to promote themselves or an agenda to a large, captive audience.

I was disheartened to learn that my graduation would be overshadowed by a politician: Sen. Claire McCaskill. My concerns have nothing to do with party affiliation. Graduation simply is not the place for political activism.

I sincerely hope that Ms. McCaskill breaks with typical politicians and leaves politics out of her speech so that the focus can remain where it belongs: on the graduates.

Justin D. Smith
Blue Springs

Comments

[CRD]

I'm sure that there are BYU students who have considerably more chagrin at Cheney's having been invited there.

[nosheepleallowed]

Justin it is unfortuante that they have a politician come and speak at graduation.
ALL politicians are out for one common goal.....THEMSELVES and THEIR PARTY.
The science of politics is pretty easy.
Self servance
Power mongering
Tax and spend or spend and tax.
Advocating MORE government at all fore fronts.
Politics is the most crooked and unaccountable profession.

[irishguy]

I would sympathize with you, Justin, if Sen. McCaskill had any record at all of being a partisan hack who wouldn't know the difference between a university commencement address and a political stump speech.

But McCaskill has a distinguished career of public service as a state legislator, county prosecutor, state auditor and now a United State senator.

I wouldn't automatically presume that Kit Bond or even John Ashcroft would go off on an inappropriate partisan rant had they been invited. I find it curious that you presume that about McCaskill.