so mccain, condy rice and other big name, controversial lawmakers have been making the rounds, speaking at college graduations. and maybe to their suprise, they've been protested by students at the school they're speaking at.

talking heads from certain networks have blasted these students as having 'no respect for politicians working hard to make this a better place for them.'

discuss.

Talking heads from certain networks have no respect for the Constitution.

Stupid politicians, speaking to unscreened groups of "citizens".

I think a speaker at your graduation deserves enough respect to not be heckled, but if people want to protest outside, or put messages on their caps and/or clothes, I say more power to them.

The Dixie Chicks' Natalie Maines apologized for disrespecting President George W. Bush during a London concert in 2003. But now, she's taking it back.

"I don't feel that way anymore," Natalie Maines told Time magazine for its issue hitting newsstands Monday. "I don't feel he is owed any respect whatsoever."

Well, in some cases ... you school deserves enough respect that you not heckle their chosen speaker.

yes, i agree with you. i just wanted to be an ass

Sounds about right to me.

And this wouldn't draw the ire of O'Rly and co?

Doesn't the office of the Presidency deserve our respect? Disagree with his policies, sure, but make a dick out of yourself by yelling outrageous things? Your right to petition the government doesn't entail yelling two inches away from the executive's ear methinks.

Who cares if it does, right?

(I can see this is going to be a recurring theme amongst us )

EDIT: You'll be happy to know that Spurs-Mavs game 7 was a priority at 6 PM.

I didn't get to go to commencement today, but my friends who went said there was very little protest inside campus--only from PROFESSORS, with few students... and Condi's speech had little to nothing offensive in it. As a liberal, I'm still honored that we got such a high-profile speaker and I think people need to get a grip since she didn't come here to preach. I mean, we got bigger speakers than "better" schools, so be honored, not disrespectful...

I have no problem with this whatsoever. The ceremony is for the grads, not the speaker. Maybe the speakers should take some time and think about what pissed off the students so much in the first place.

There are mature and respectful ways to protest. Some of these protests, such as giving Condi the silent treatment, in my opinion, are respectful ways to protest.

If protest in a disrespectful manner though, it doesn't give much credence to what you're protesting and makes yourself look like a jackass. Unfortunately, this is the type of protesting that occurs more often than not.

Many people would argue that Condi Rice deserves no respect.

Why? How?

Of all the women in America, I can think of no other that should be lauded more than Condi. In all regards, she is an amazing woman.

I can understand that point of view. But your school deserves your respect. They, no doubt, worked hard to find a high profile speaker, and would like to be able to recruit others in the future. And so do your fellow students and their families, some of whom may want to hear Condi speak.

Making a spectacle of yourself during the ceremony disrespects more than just the keynote speaker.

i disagree. completely. rice was national security adviser under bush in his first term. i rest my case without even moving to term two.

Maybe people who decide they want to be politicians should realize they are fair game from day one.