Okay I'm sorry...

...but all of this has gone a little too far.

BYU "Alternative Commencement"


Dear Entire World,
Guess what. In a few days, the BYU graduating class of 2007 is going to be heading for their commencement in celebration of the fact that they've graduated from university. The degrees they will receive will be diverse, and they will be many. What a marvelous time to get together to honor each other and be honored by peers, faculty, administration, church and government leaders.

That's what graduation's all about, Charlie Brown.

I don't care who you are or what your political/spiritual/grammatical agendas are: THIS IS GRADUATION. It is not a time for political debate, it is not a time to march around with a sign and yell things whether you're "for" or "against" someone, and it is not a time to "highlight the need for alternatives, dissent and diversity."

GRADUATION is about the people GRADUATING. It is to celebrate the fact that we've got some pretty effing talented people coming out of this university by the thousands.

Guys, a graduation speech is a graduation speech, no matter who gives it. So this whole "protest" thing that's going on? Completely inappropriate.

Don't get me wrong-- I think it's good to talk about politics. I think it doesn't happen enough on this campus and I think it's great that students, of all opinions, are getting together to talk about current issues.

But for goodness sake, let's keep this in perspective!

Actually, from my point of view (which is relatively neutral seeing as I couldn't care less about who's coming because this isn't my commencement-- and that means graduation, not political rally), I don't see a lot of actual "discussion" happening anyway. I haven't participated in any support or protest groups because they're not talking to each other, they're talking at each other, and nothing productive is being accomplished here. Curious why there's not much political "discussion" on campus? Because many students don't want to even attempt to discuss politically charged topics if the end result is going to be an entirely separate commencement.

GRADUATION!!!

Furthermore, I take complete offense to anything religious that's being brought into this "protest." People marching around with signs that say things like Because I love the prophet and his teachings I cannot support Cheney and Follow the Prophet: Be Politically Active heighten the level of disrespect to a whole new level. Whenever it comes time to vote, we are all encouraged to do so. We are also reminded, every single time, that the church is politically neutral. And the whole "I love the prophet and his teachings" nonsense? Okay, well how's this:

Because I love the prophet and his teachings I cannot support abortion.

Look, you want to protest Vice-President Cheney (because that's who he is. If you can't have respect for the man, at least have respect for the office), fine. Have at it. Really. WHEN IT'S APPROPRIATE.

Have respect for our administration who approved this visit. Have respect for your fellow students who might support or are at least neutral about the situation. And since so many of you have made this religiously related on the level of the First Presidency, have respect for the prophet and his counselors who ultimately approved this decision.

What began as a "protest against his policies, not his visit" has done a 360. By organizing a totally separate "commenement" you are polarizing this campus and making an enormous issue out of something it's not at all meant to be. You are no longer protesting a set of policies-- you are protesting your very university and the people who are responsible for that piece of paper you're getting on Thursday.

Disgruntled Love,
Emily