Donahue Draws Boos & Walkouts at N.C. Graduation

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southerngale
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Donahue Draws Boos & Walkouts at N.C. Graduation

#1 Postby southerngale » Mon May 19, 2003 12:17 pm

Ok, and a few cheers...but that's to be expected. Some people still think he's popular. :roll:

What a shame! This man has serious ego problems. On the contrary, I just went to a graduation last night from a local private Christian school. The commencement address was so nice and didn't offend anyone. It was full of positive values and lifted people up. The message was simple....and good for all.

HOW VERY VERY SAD THAT HE DROVE GRADUATES OUT OF THEIR OWN GRADUATION!!!

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Some In Crowd Walk Out During Commencement Address

RALEIGH, N.C. -- Talk show pioneer Phil Donahue heard boos and catcalls Saturday during a politically tinged commencement address at North Carolina State University.

Phil Donahue, 67, urged the graduates to help renew basic American constitutional values of free speech, separation of church and state, and respect for the rights of minorities.

Donahue's speech was peppered with his political opinions. It was met with boos that rained down like confetti.

A handful of students walked out of the ceremony at the RBC Center. Some yelled at Donahue to "get off the stage." Others booed when Donahue listed "what liberals believe," including the true separation of church and state.

Donahue told the graduates that the rights and privileges in the Constitution have been eroded.

Without mentioning George W. Bush, he said only Congress can declare war and not the president. He said basic liberties are being undermined by the war on drugs and by a "trend toward to the sword rather than a trend toward civility."

What liberals believe, he said, "is that no one in authority should tell you to 'shush,' that executing retarded teenagers is wrong, and that unions give workers a deserved place at the bargaining table."

A handful of students walked out of the ceremony at the RBC Center.

Donahue, 67, urged the graduates to help renew basic American constitutional values of free speech, separation of church and state, and respect for the rights of minorities.

"Your mission is to challenge your public servants and bring America back to basic constitutional values," he told the students.

He urged political conservatives to be tolerant of those with differing views.

"Take a liberal to lunch," he said. "Take a Dixie Chick to lunch."

Donahue is a nine-time Daytime Emmy winner for his syndicated talk show, which began in 1967 and aired nationally from 1970 to 1996, paving the way for dozens of such shows to follow. His most recent talk show on MSNBC was canceled in February after six months.

He was invited to speak in part because he and an N.C. State professor both attended the University of Notre Dame. He got loud applause by noting that N.C. State beat Notre Dame in this year's Gator Bowl.

"I came looking for liberals," he said, "and here at N.C. State I found friends."

Some in the crowd called his comments "left wing." Others said a graduation wasn't the place for his political platform.

"It was their day to shine," said Brad Royal, who attended the ceremony, speaking of the graduates. "They had achieved four years working for this moment, and he (Donahue) used it to get back in the spotlight, and this wasn't a time for his spotlight. It was their time to shine"

An N.C. State spokesman later said the crowd was generally respectful and that some students cheered his comments.

About 3,700 students graduated from N.C. State Saturday.
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#2 Postby wx247 » Mon May 19, 2003 12:26 pm

Graduation is not the place to spew your own views.

On the same note, some students got up and walked out during a college commencement speech by Rick Santorum as well.
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#3 Postby chadtm80 » Mon May 19, 2003 12:38 pm

Yes it is a celebration of there achievements not a time for Donaloser to spew his views
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#4 Postby Lindaloo » Mon May 19, 2003 1:22 pm

Oh well... what has he got to lose? He is finished career wise anyway right? What was he doing there anyway?
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#5 Postby JQ Public » Mon May 19, 2003 2:25 pm

Yeh i go to ncsu. Some veterans were angered and walked out. From what i hear most didn't want to leave b/c anyone has the right to say what they want in a commencement. But they don't have to agree with what he said.
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#6 Postby j » Mon May 19, 2003 2:29 pm

I'd venture to say he didn't score any points with this one:

"Take a liberal to lunch," he said. "Take a Dixie Chick to lunch."

So JQ...you mean to say you didn't get up and leave??

quick edit...I mis- read what you wrote JQ....you just HEARD about what happened..you weren't actually there.
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#7 Postby Stephanie » Mon May 19, 2003 3:54 pm

wx247 wrote:On the same note, some students got up and walked out during a college commencement speech by Rick Santorum as well.


I would've been one of them...it's ashame that hate is making such a come back! :grr:
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#8 Postby bfez1 » Mon May 19, 2003 3:59 pm

Donahue shouldn't have been expressing his political views at a graduation. Not the time or place. IMO.
Go home Phil, Marlo's calling you.
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#9 Postby Stephanie » Mon May 19, 2003 4:05 pm

I agree bfez - it should be all about the graduates and not about them.
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#10 Postby JQ Public » Mon May 19, 2003 4:29 pm

no i have a couple more years til my graduation. I wouldn't have left tho. Ignoring people for their views isn't gonna help me any.
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#11 Postby Skywatch_NC » Mon May 19, 2003 7:23 pm

Phil Donahue...what a yahoo! :roll:
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#12 Postby fixitmhn » Tue May 20, 2003 3:11 pm

Unfortunately, I was at the NCSU graduation with Donahue. I didn't see this thread and started a new one. My son received his PhD in Chemical Engineering, and sadly, what we will remember about that day was Donahue's speech, not his accomplishments. This was not the forum for him to preach his beliefs. I'm sure that the committee that chose him as a speaker is regretting it. The news reports were mild compared to his speech, and the ensuing catcalls. It really ruined the day for many! But, in the scheme of things I guess it could have been worse. At least we are free to express our opinions without fear of recriminations. That's America for you!
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#13 Postby streetsoldier » Tue May 20, 2003 6:04 pm

Sems as if students everywhere are letting their feet do the talking...whether the speaker is liberal, conservative or just plain boring.
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