2008 Woodie Awards
Lecture met with protest
Former SGA president attends protest
Kate Olesin, Collegian Staff
Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: News
He also stated that a democracy is "really a responsibility of participation." Speaking alone in a democracy "does not dictate a change," whereas participation can incite one. Card gave the example of New Hampshire, a favorite state of politicians, which possesses a participatory, grass-roots political nature and dedication to debating difficult issues such as taxes, war, and abortion.
Addressing a growing sense of skepticism and cynicism towards governmental processes was another main point in Card's lecture. Urging UMass students to refrain from being cynical and apathetic toward government he said, "Where is the line between cynicism and skepticism?
I'm glad I never crossed the line to cynicism, because, cynicism invites apathy in terms of participation. I plead with you not to become a cynic.
"What drives us to participate in politics?" asked Card. "Usually fear drives us more than love." However, he urged the audience to find issues and people they can support.
"Politicians always try to be love magnets…I don't know any politician who stood up and said 'hate me,'" he said.
Card emphasized the importance of the president and what the hardest part of the job is: being alone in your ideas, policies and intent to defend the constitution.
"So as you consider who the next president will be, please consider the job description," he said. Presidents are required to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution by an oath. "See which one of them [the candidates] has the courage to be lonely," he continued.
Card described the numerous times he had seen George W. Bush visit hospitals with wounded soldiers and bestow upon them the words, "On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your sacrifice," emphasizing the President's sympathy toward the soldiers and his lonely burden of being Commander in Chief.
Card closed his talk with his definition of citizenship.
"Citizenship is an obligation, it is a great privilege, it is an honor, but it is an obligation," he said.
Addressing a growing sense of skepticism and cynicism towards governmental processes was another main point in Card's lecture. Urging UMass students to refrain from being cynical and apathetic toward government he said, "Where is the line between cynicism and skepticism?
I'm glad I never crossed the line to cynicism, because, cynicism invites apathy in terms of participation. I plead with you not to become a cynic.
"What drives us to participate in politics?" asked Card. "Usually fear drives us more than love." However, he urged the audience to find issues and people they can support.
"Politicians always try to be love magnets…I don't know any politician who stood up and said 'hate me,'" he said.
Card emphasized the importance of the president and what the hardest part of the job is: being alone in your ideas, policies and intent to defend the constitution.
"So as you consider who the next president will be, please consider the job description," he said. Presidents are required to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution by an oath. "See which one of them [the candidates] has the courage to be lonely," he continued.
Card described the numerous times he had seen George W. Bush visit hospitals with wounded soldiers and bestow upon them the words, "On behalf of a grateful nation, thank you for your sacrifice," emphasizing the President's sympathy toward the soldiers and his lonely burden of being Commander in Chief.
Card closed his talk with his definition of citizenship.
"Citizenship is an obligation, it is a great privilege, it is an honor, but it is an obligation," he said.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
UMassGrad
paul J Rae
posted 4/12/07 @ 6:48 AM EST
I'd just posted a comment about Greg Collins story on visiting "Professor" Finkelstein, wondering if there might have been a protest about his visit, as had been for Professor Mike Adams' last fall. (Continued…)
S. Dougherty
posted 5/11/07 @ 10:05 AM EST
This is an extremely poorly-written piece of reporting. The focus is scatterbrained, and word choice and sentence construction are poor.
This passage, "As the audience posed questions to Card, student protestors forcibly shouted from the back of the ballroom, waved signs and carried mock, dead soldiers from the room. (Continued…)
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