Today marked the last leg of John McCain's "Commencement Speech Tour '06" - his controversial gig at the New School. His website has the text of his speech already, because it's the same as his speeches at Columbia College and Liberty Unviersity (which is a bit disturbing, because they are somewhat different audiences, in spite of all being graduates). Here's one passage that speaks to different opinions:
We have our disagreements, we Americans. We contend regularly and enthusiastically over many questions: over the size and purposes of our government; over the social responsibilities we accept in accord with the dictates of our conscience and our faithfulness to the God we pray to; over our role in the world and how to defend our security interests and values in places where they are threatened. These are important questions; worth arguing about. We should contend over them with one another. It is more than appropriate, it is necessary that even in times of crisis, especially in times of crisis, we fight among ourselves for the things we believe in. It is not just our right, but our civic and moral obligation.
If you were at the New School graduation, let us know what the tone was like (boos? yelling? annoyed looks from Bob Kerrey?).
Photograph of students protesting from Frank Franklin II/AP
