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| 2006/5/22-28 [Politics/Domestic/Election] UID:43140 Activity:nil |
5/22 Aide to John McCain attacks New School undergrad keynote speaker
http://csua.org/u/fy5 (huffingtonpost.com) - search for "Mark Salter"
"It took no courage to do what you did, Ms. Rohe. It was an act of
vanity and nothing more. ... McCain was once offered release from
imprisonment and torture ... He declined ... willingly, accepted four
more years of hardships... What, pray tell, have you risked? The only
person you have succeeded in making look like an idiot is yourself."
Rohe's response: http://csua.org/u/fy6 (huffingtonpost.com)
\_ McCain keeps giving the same, consistent speech on his
personal beliefs hoping that he'd gain more conservative
pro-war voters the very same way that jblack keeps posting the
same, consistent freeper URLs thinking that he'd convert
motd liberals into patriotic Conservative followers. McCain
and jblack sure have a lot in common.
\_ Regardless of what McCain stands for, I think this is a pretty
good example of snotty, self-righteous college students in
action (and I'm not even referring to Rohe.) -John
\- Yes, I totally agree with you. And speaking out your
single minded pro-War stance to a bunch of people who
you know hate you, is definitely not at all considered
snotty and self-righteous.
\_ Wasn't he invited to speak there? I would agree with you
if he had pressured the administration or forced them to
take him as a speaker: if not, then it's just fucking
rude to invite the man, then treat him so disrespectfully.
\_ Hint: there was no vote on the invitation.
\_ Hint: that's a problem with the administration,
not the speaker. Don't kill the messenger, etc.
\_ Fine, whatever, but please share where I expressed an
opinion on McCain. Whether or not what he did was
"right" is irrelevant--the response was juvenile. -John
\_ Protest is rarely mature or well-constructed, particularly
from those in their early 20s, but when it includes this
sentence, "I am young, and although I don't profess to possess
the wisdom that time affords us, I do know that preemptive war
is dangerous and wrong", I give the speaker a pass.
is dangerous and wrong", I give the speaker a pass in my book. |
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| csua.org/u/fy5 -> www.huffingtonpost.com/jean-rohe/why-i-spoke-up_b_21358.html?p=7#comments Maureen Dowd's column in the New York Times, among other places, when it was all over. One day after the big event I'm still reeling from all the media attention and emails from professors, students, and other supporters from all over the country, so forgive me if my writing is a little scattered. In my speech yesterday I had hoped to talk about social responsibility in a time of war, but in much more oblique terms. I wanted to speak about communication, and how I have found that one of my strongest and most enjoyable methods of communication is music. I wanted to talk about the New York City public school preschoolers with whom I work each week and how they've been empowered through music, how they've been able to learn linguistic and social skills by singing together. I wanted to talk about my grandfather, who, despite the fact that he has Alzheimer's disease and cannot remember even my name, still knows all the songs he sang in his youth. I wanted to talk about music as a powerful tool for peace. I wanted to encourage everyone to identify his or her talents and to always use them for the greater good. Unfortunately, a certain not-so-dynamic duo of "centrist" politicians foiled my standard graduation speech and forced me to act. Until just the day before commencement I really hadn't understood the gravity of the situation. On Thursday I attended two graduation ceremonies for my two degrees, one at the New School Jazz Program and one at Eugene Lang College at the New School. The Lang graduation was a pretty raucous affair, owing mostly to the dissenting voices of Elijah Miller, a student award recipient, and Mark Larrimore, a religious studies professor and our keynote speaker. Through the cheers at that event I got a sense of just how widespread the student outrage was. Forgive me now if I seem out of touch with my student body, but as a double degree student who had spent the last month in hibernation working on her recital and her thesis, in addition to working with the preschoolers, I hadn't done anything else for weeks. At some point that day I was introduced to Irene, a student who was involved in organizing pins and armbands for students to wear during commencement the next day. We figured out a way to get me and the other student speaker armbands before the event. This same day all of us in the platform party got an email from the event organizer letting us know that certain media representatives would be in attendance, among them Fox news and National Public Radio. When I got home Thursday night after a rehearsal, I decided I needed to at least insert a line in my speech about the armbands. And I would've left it there, had the other student speaker, Christina Antonakis-Wallace, not reminded me in a telephone conversation that night that I should read John McCain's speech from his other two speaking engagements which was conveniently posted on his website. I checked the schedule for the ceremony and realized that I would be speaking just before the senator got his award. And that's when the idea for a preemptive strike began to brew in my little stressed-out brain. What if I tore McCain's speech apart before he even opened his mouth? After reading his speech a couple of times I picked out a few particularly loathsome sections--and believe it or not, none of these actually came from the extensive section where he defends his position on the war in Iraq--and I began planning an attack against him using his own words. At two in the morning when my boyfriend came home I hadn't even started writing yet. And at three o'clock in the morning I woke up my other roommate as I practiced reading it in our living room. "Sounds like you're running for president," she told me. The morning of the event I shared my speech over the phone with my mother who predictably enough, cried. And moments later, in the driving rain, I set off alone for Madison Square Garden. The entire afternoon leading up to my speech I imagined that everyone who saw me knew what I was up to. But when I heard an organizer on her walkie-talkie speaking nervously with another coordinator about the students outside who had leaflets and armbands, I knew that I would have my supporters. Later, John McCain arrived in the green room, and with the encouragement of Laurie Anderson, another honoree, Christina and I introduced ourselves to him. I almost wanted to warn the guy that I was about to make him look like an idiot so that he would at least have a fighting chance and an extra moment to change his speech to save himself. But he didn't even make eye contact when we shook hands, so I figured I didn't owe him anything. I didn't have a high school graduation, so I was kind of looking forward to the whole ceremony of it, but all I remember is suddenly being in a robe, walking down the aisle of the MSG Theater to the cheers of my friends (who, incidentally, had no idea what to expect) and then I was on stage staring out at thousands of people and trying not to vomit. Then some other people spoke and I tried to pay attention but I couldn't stop gawking at the protesters in the audience. And just before the end of the ceremony Bob Kerrey asked if I wanted to walk out with McCain. Kerrey led me over to him as the recessional music began, and I took McCain's arm. He mumbled something about it being alright, but I think he probably would've rather not had me there. It really wasn't his fault that he got invited into a pit of very well-educated vipers, and it really wasn't my fault that I did what I had to do in the situation. Had he been speaking at something other than our graduation, or had he spoken about almost anything other than his life and his position on the Iraq War and Darfur it might have been OK. Campaigning for the Republican presidential nomination at the New School is like trying to catch fish in a swimming pool. Many thanks go to the people in the audience who managed to capture with a few yelled and widely-quoted phrases, just exactly what was going on there. I suppose I've written enough already, none of which has been particularly journalistic. But I do feel that I need to respond to a couple of things that have been floating around in the news. It's been noted in several columns that anti-McCain sentiment coming from the left may actually help him to garner support from the conservatives by giving him the opportunity to paint us as extremist liberals, so we should all keep our mouths shut. I say we need some "extremist liberals" if we're ever going to get our democracy back. Others have said that he's a moderate at heart and that we should let him continue pandering to the religious right so he can get the vote. Once he gets into office he'll show his true colors and be the centrist he always was. People who truly care about human beings don't vote for an unjust war, among other things, simply as a political maneuver. "I feel sorry for people living in a dull world where they can't listen to the views of others," he said. Yes, McCain was undoubtedly shouted-out and heckled by people who were not politely absorbing his words so as to consider them fully from every angle. We could've all printed out his speech and chanted it with him in chorus. Did he think that no one knew exactly what he was about to say? And it was precisely because we listen to the views of others, and because, as I said in my speech, we don't fear them, that we as a school were able to mount such a thorough and intelligent opposition to his presence. Ignorant, closed-minded people would not have been able to do what we did. We chose to be in New York for our years of higher education for the very reason that we would be challenged to listen to opposing viewpoints each and every day and to deal with that challenge in a nonviolent manner. We've gotten very good at listening to the views of others and learning how to also make our views heard, even when we don't have the power of national political office and the media on our side. I think we must remember that as big as this moment may seem to me today and perhaps to other supporters who are reading this article, this is a very small victory in... |
| csua.org/u/fy6 -> www.huffingtonpost.com/jean-rohe/response-to-mccains-aide_b_21442.html I'd like to say first of all, that I don't believe that anything I've written to the public so far has been quite as nasty to Senator McCain as Mr Salter was to me. On the contrary, I think that my writing clearly reflected my values, which is to say, never was I rude to the Senator nor did I show any disrespect. To pick on me in such a bullying and sarcastic way is a clear admission on Mr Salter's part that his fear is far deeper than any I might have felt when sticking up for myself. your statement point by point, I'd just like to draw attention for a moment to a few things you said. Firstly, it was clear to me why Senator McCain chose to give the same speech at every school. It was meant to show consistency in his message, and, contrary to what you suggested, there is no place in my speech or my other writing where I take issue with that. However, interestingly, it is precisely because the senator's speech had nothing to do with our graduation or anyone else's that it worked so marvelously in all settings. It was equally out of place no matter where it was delivered. In addition, you make many assumptions about who I am and what I stand for. You assume that the words shouted from the audience reflected at all times my opinions and values. You assume that I have made myself look like an idiot, which, I can tell you, is just not true. I'm curious to see which doors have been permanently closed to me in the future, simply because I've spoken up. You assume that I did what I did simply to draw attention to myself for my own personal benefit. I have said in my writing, and I will say it again, I would never have asked for this responsibility in a million years. The entire event was stomach-churning and unpleasant because it was something I didn't want to do, but knew I had to out of an obligation to my own values. I have been a full-time college student and have worked a job to pay my own rent and my own expenses for the past two years. You assume that I live in an "echo chamber" of liberal head-patting, when, in fact, I live in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a neighborhood notorious for its cultural diversity and sometimes, conflict. I live in New York City where every human interaction is a test of our willingness to coexist as citizens. And finally, I think it is unfair to assume that I have not considered the hardships of Senator McCain's life. Indeed, one of my first feelings upon seeing him in the flesh was compassion for how much he must have endured in his time as a POW. If there's one thing that I know about myself, it is that I care for people, and in that sense I have a great deal of character. The bottom line, Ms Rohe, is that you're obviously very intelligent and thoughtful, and those are two qualities which frighten the conservative power structure to their bones in this, the most feverishly anti-intellectual nation on earth. it was clear to me why Senator McCain chose to give the same speech at every school. It was meant to show consistency in his message, and, contrary to what you suggested, there is no place in my speech or my other writing where I take issue with that. However, interestingly, it is precisely because the senator's speech had nothing to do with our graduation or anyone else's that it worked so marvelously in all settings. It was equally out of place no matter where it was delivered." The other reason McCain delivered the exact same speech, in three similar, if out of place, events is that the sound bytes buried in his presumably measured text now have TRIPLE the probability of getting media airplay. Proving your point totally that none of this was about you. " If you and your fellow grads didn't want to be McCain's wallpaper for a Bush-style "staged" event, you know what? I don't think he will be doing anymore bullying anytime soon. I have to think that this is not not the outcome they had in mind when scheduling the commencement engagements. you've just been smacked down by a young lady who has far more intelligence, far more conviction to her values, and far more grace under pressure then you both will ever have. I'd say forget about the slime balls, but, unfortunately, in true slime fashion, they will probably try to unleash the pundits of slime now... that you are a mere college student speaking your mind, your values, and your convictions... and anyone who feels the need to try and run you through the mud has no morals whatsoever. Don't be afraid to use that because they are heartless dogs of war. Ms Rohe, While you had every reason to fear that your statements would make enemies that could hurt your future, your calm under fire and your poise and carriage have won you far more friends. You are living your fifteen minutes right now, but my advice is: stick to your music, stick to your values, go on Letterman and then take a nice vacation. Mark Salter is a paid-off Republican who will always defend his leader no matter what. I wouldn't worry about his response, he was just trying to keep his job and I doubt he actually believes what he says. McCain and Salter are also hypocrites since they suck up to Bush, even when Bush tried to destroy McCain's credibility when he was running as a Republican candidate. Nothing good ever comes out of this Republican Congress, Salter is just another example of that. People like you have to be the voice for so many of us that don't have the opportunity to confront the government officials that are literally destroying this country. Disgracing the Constitution they swear to uphold and continually repeating lies contrary to fact. Be proud of yourself for speaking out, as your family and friends must be and now hundreds of thousands of your fellow Americans. I don't think he will be doing anymore bullying anytime soon. I have to think that this is not not the outcome they had in mind when scheduling the commencement engagements. McCain treated this and other commencement speeches he gave as campaign stops. As for the service he performed for his country, he cheapened it himself for using it as political capital. He voted for Alberto Gonzales for Attorney General who believes in treating other people much worse than Senator McCain was treated. There you went and hurt poor Mark Salter's career aspirations. If he can't properly smear a humble college grad, how's he ever gonna make it big with the Republican Party? Giving decent folks like yourself the chance to stand up to the slimemasters of the Right and expose them for what they truly are -- priceless. best of The spineless McCain wouldn't stick up for his wife and kid when attacked by Goebells and The Sinian Boy King. Not surprising he has to get a minion to fight his battles. best of Jean, whatever doors may be closed to you in the future, be assured that you would never want to enter. Your compassion and bravery will open a hundred more in their place. If they choose to let this idiot aide answer, they simply prolong the life of the issue. If they choose not to reply, it gives the appearance that the young lady one-upped both the aide and the Senator ......... best of Yeh Salter, keep picking on the girl from Brooklyn, New York, who isn't afraid to tell you to go jump off a bridge. You are doing Johnny Mac much good by going after the college student who stood up for peace. Because nobody would ever expect a college student to stand up for peace. They should be grateful that the establishment Senator who sold out by sending the young men and women to war should even be willing to show up. Thank you Jean for teaching us all that we CAN follow our hearts. Obviously, Jean, you know plenty about the "real world." It's ridiculous how so many of my contemporaries dismiss the ability of youth to express true wisdom. best of Jean, Mark Salter's response is merely a reflection of how dead on your respectful, thoughtful remarks were... whether it was from your words directly or from the attention and response they receieved. best of Jean Rohe: I have never posted to HuffingtonPost until now, but your actions and courage have inspired me to do so. Congratulations on not letting Mark Salter intimidate you. He has neither the integrity... |