Rare Protests at Brigham Young Over a Planned Cheney Appearance

[maddezmom]

Source: New York Times


Students at Brigham Young University protesting an invitation to Vice President Dick Cheney to speak at commencement on April 26.

~snip~
Some of the faculty and the 28,000 undergraduate and graduate students, who are overwhelmingly Republican, have expressed concern about the Bush administration’s support for the war in Iraq and other policies, but most of the current protest has focused on Mr. Cheney’s integrity, character and behavior. Several students said, for example, that they were appalled at Mr. Cheney’s use of an expletive on the Senate floor in a June 2004 exchange with Senator Patrick J. Leahy, Democrat of Vermont.

“The problem is this is a morally dubious man,” said Andrew Christensen, a 22-year-old Republican from Salt Lake City. “It’s challenging the morality and integrity of this institution.”

~snip~

In the two weeks since the university announced that Mr. Cheney would be the speaker at the commencement on April 26, hundreds of students have attended respectful and quiet campus demonstrations about his presence, and some 3,600 students and alumni had signed petitions by Tuesday afternoon seeking a “more appropriate” replacement speaker.

Warner P. Woodworth, 65, an independent and a professor at the university’s Marriott School of Management, questioned Mr. Cheney’s assertions about Al Qaeda’s ties to the government of Saddam Hussein and his involvement in disclosing the identity of Valerie Wilson, a covert officer in the Central Intelligence Agency, which led to the conviction of I. Lewis Libby Jr., Mr. Cheney’s former chief of staff.

“It just feels like too much sleaze and not the right values for B.Y.U.,” Mr. Woodworth said. “We espouse honesty, chastity, integrity, ethics, virtue and morality, and he does not epitomize those values.”



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/11/us/11byu.html?ref=us

[rodeodance]

1. Beautiful, just Beautiful to see.

[Ishoutandscream2]

61. Isn't it though! And some of the Republicans there

are walking the walk. They have come to realize that this administration is immoral, and they are letting their feelings be known. I'm very, very impressed.

[silverojo]

2. When even Mormons turn against the neo-cons

You KNOW Bush and Cheney have f*cked up the world.

[customerserviceguy]

11. That's what I was thinking

even Republicans and their supporters finally know the war is wrong. The sooner we get our troops home, the better.

[Initech]

57. I was thinking the same thing!

[truthisfreedom]

3. OMG... darth cheney "feels like too much sleaze..."

How poetic is that?

[ClintonTyree]

4. Do you know what it takes to get the Mormons pissed off.....

about you? :wow: These people bleed red, white and blue. For then to demonstrate against Cheney's presence on their campus is HUGH!!1!1

All kidding aside, when you've lost the Mormons you don't have a leg to stand on. When the squeakiest clean, non-confrontational people on the planet think you're morally reprehensible enough to demonstrate against you've pretty much hit rock bottom.

Cheney is a tool. :rofl:

[Demit]

5. I love it—"morally dubious man." Great phrasing by the student.

[speedoo]

77. "morally bankrupt" is closer to the mark.

dubious

1 : giving rise to uncertainty: as a : of doubtful promise or outcome <a dubious plan> b : questionable or suspect as to true nature or quality <the practice is of dubious legality> <the dubious honor of being the world's biggest polluter>

Nope, dubious is not the right word. There is no uncertainty concerning Cheney's morals.

[Ian David]

6. Oh, those damn far-left atheist... what? Brigham Young? They're far-right religious Mormons?

Someone shut off my microphone. That's it. Cut my mic.

[Solly Mack]

7. Good!

[winston61]

8. When they turn against you in Utah,

you know you's up shit creek.

[tofurkey]

78. Yup

The only "human" that would manage to drown in The Great Salt Lake.

[Pacifist Patriot]

9. Wow, just wow!

[HughBeaumont]

10. Mission Accomplished!

That is, destroying the Republican party for at least a decade. Maybe two.

When you lose Utah, the REDDEST state in the nation (wasn't it like 72% for Bewsh in '04?), you KNOW you're screwn'd.

The Failure Fuhrer, Grand Cyclops Cheney and their cast of corporate warhawk fluffers have so sullied their own party, we could run a plant stand against whoever they put up and win in a landslide, Diebold notwithstanding.

[daveskilt]

91. In '92 Bill Clinton came FOURTH in the on campus poll at BYU

Bush Sr. had nearly 80%
Ross Perot got a chunk
and narrowly beating Bill Clinton was Bo Gritz (platform was basically to get out of the UN and arm everyone over the age of 8)

[Judi Lynn]

12. Students protest upcoming Cheney speech

Source: Houston Chronicle/Associated Press

April 4, 2007, 9:12PM
Students protest upcoming Cheney speech

By BROCK VERGAKIS Associated Press Writer
© 2007 The Associated Press


PROVO, Utah — More than 200 demonstrators held a quiet rally Wednesday at Brigham Young University to protest Vice President Dick Cheney's upcoming commencement speech, while his supporters staged a counter-protest.
(snip)

The invitation from Mormon church officials has drawn criticism from some students and faculty who claim the school is showing a partisan stripe despite church insistence it has no allegiance to any political party.

The anti-Cheney protesters passed out leaflets that slammed the vice president's support for the Iraq war, the United States' prisoner interrogation method and Cheney's ties to his former employer, Halliburton Co.

They held signs that read: "America One Nation Under Surveillance" and "Faithful Mormons Against Cheney."



Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/nation/4689272.html

[EFerrari]

13. Kick. Good for them!

[Kikosexy2]

16. Give him...

the Karl Rove royal treatment...fling anything at him...dog poop is a good start...

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. You go, KIDS, you go!

[gratuitous]

15. 200 against, no estimate of the number in favor

The article studiously avoids mentioning just how many "supporters" there were, but notes that the supporters gathered 400 signatures on their petition. Very strange oversight in the article.

And the kids demonstrating against Cheney? They had to stay in a designated area, couldn't shout or use a bullhorn, couldn't "bait" the Cheney supporters (whatever that means). Yeah, this sounds like a real even-handed treatment by the university.

[EFerrari]

18. Still can't hide the fact that even in Utah, the party's over.

:)

[MAGICBULLET]

17. check out some pics of both sides

<http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070404/480/006c394f4aef40e994c7a30595e8b586>

<http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070404/480/f8b042c71be0476788749fa1a6deb099>

<http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070404/480/462933ba9f9440d6acf0372aa81f98b4>

<http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070404/480/71ba83e5871b4e99bab18fa260449258>

[blondeatlast]

50. Looks as though the anti-Cs outnumber the pro-Cs. They certainly have

the edge in clever signs!

[VWolf]

54. "Vice Presidents Are Cool" WTF????

Is that really the best they can do? Almost seems as if Colbert had a hand in the "counter-protest"

[maddezmom]

55. probably a relative of Harriet Miers

:D

[blondeatlast]

60. LOL!

:rofl:rofl:rofl:

[SammyWinstonJack]

98. ..

:spray: That was too embarrassing, for H. :blush: :silly:

[Oilwellian]

67. BYU students are Democrats?

One of your pics quotes the following:

Democratic Party students hold a protest rally on the Brigham Young University campus against Vice President Dick Cheney speaking at the school's commencement Wednesday, April 4, 2007, in Provo, Utah. The graduation event is later this month. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)

http://news.yahoo.com/photo/070404/480/462933ba9f9440d6acf0372aa81f98b4

Who knew BYU students were Democrats? :rofl:

[wordpix]

71. would be nice to have a bigger crowd than 200 on commencement day---any Utahans out there?

[sabra]

19. Cheney speech at BYU causes outcry

Source: Daily Herald

At BYU -- in the heart of what has been called the reddest county in the nation -- the mere possibility of Vice President Dick Cheney coming to campus is getting some blue blood boiling.

Cheney is scheduled to be Brigham Young University's keynote speaker at this year's graduation ceremonies. While it is a day of celebration for many, some BYU administrators and faculty, alongside parents and students, are expressing displeasure with the VP's visit.

Despite the opposition, BYU spokeswoman Carri Jenkins said that there are currently no plans to eliminate Cheney as a part of the graduation ceremonies.

BYU Marriott School professor Warner Woodworth said that he has received e-mails from all over the world expressing dismay over Cheney's visit.

...

Woodworth said that administrators, faculty and even some students and parents are refusing to attend graduation ceremonies if Cheney is speaking. Pickets and other forms of protest are also being planned, he said.


Read more: http://www.heraldextra.com/content/view/214149/3/

[WindRavenX]

20. holy shit, when the Mormons even won't sit through a Cheney speech you know you're fucked

I'm moving to Utah in a few months, and let me tell you: BYU and Provo is pretty much the most theocratic region of the country. Utah has the highest approval of W in all the US.

And some at freaking BYU are thinking of *protesting* Cheney?

Damn. That's a shock.

[kestrel91316]

22. Yeah, but just wait. The students who dare to protest in any will

have their diplomas withheld, I suspect.

This IS BYU, after all.

[WindRavenX]

23. yeah, that's true. But still...I'm impressed that there are some who *would* protest

It's a similar situation here at BC: we might be getting Bush Sr :puke: :puke: :puke:

[kestrel91316]

31. Yep. It gives me hope.

[ryanmuegge]

34. That's no joke. A friend of mine goes there...

They don't fuck around.

[daveskilt]

93. Aah I remember my weekly trips to 'check in' with Big Merrill Bateman

I had the pleasure of weekly visits to the university president when I was there. I (briefly) ran the off campus paper that was banned on campus. I used to bring him a copy every week. He was ok - it was the vice president chap Alton Wade who wrote some very nasty emails to my wife when she ran the paper (its how we met - being liberals at BYU) silly man. we published his emails which made him mad - so he wrote worse ones - which we also published. fool.

[daveskilt]

92. We have had a few BYU protests

There was a big one for the six professors fired for being too liberal. Big ones for Cecilia Farr and for Gail Huston's firings.

Also big protests against the first gulf war at BYU.

[bdamomma]

21. I hope the Students protest his attendance.

[Name removed]

24. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[tanyev]

25. Instead of magic glasses, they can all wear magic ear protectors.

[shatter]

39. lol

is that picture real?

[tanyev]

40. Oh, yeah. Taken when Bush spoke to the VFW.

August 23, 2005--Bill Moyer, 73, wears a "Bullshit Protector" flap over his ear while President George W. Bush addresses the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
http://www.ericrasmussen.com/archive/2005_08_01_archive.html

[all.of.me]

43. that is fabulous!!!!!!!

i want some!!!!!

[jdadd]

58. Here ya go.......

http://www.wiseass.org/bullshit.html

[rodeodance]

26. geesh, common politness shuld say---stay away!

[ProudDad]

37. Common politeness would say

don't shoot your 'friends' in the face.

cheney lost contact with common politeness decades ago when he hooked up with rumsfeld and nixon...

[Tom Joad]

27. He should ask aipac to invite him again, where he can get some LOVE

http://www.progressive.org/mag_wx031307 Scroll down for story....

[lpbk2713]

28. They thought they could pull it off.

:rofl:

Things have degraded to a sorry state of affairs when they can't even count on BYU as a platform to spread their lies and propaganda any more.

[HuffleClaw]

29. wow. what great news! n/t

[Maraya1969]

30. Tell them to go and when Cheney speaks stand up and turn your back to him

That will make a great photo op.

[Star80]

32. Cheney's Bag of Gas-.-.-.Rapidly Delating

The cons are really getting desperate for support, aren't they?

Although I disagree with a lot of what usually comes out of BY, I think this is the right decision. Why would they want Cheney to come and vomit his vitriol all over an event themed with hope and happiness?

[superconnected]

33. Wow, some of them are catching on

it only took 6 years of death and destruction.

[Chemical Bill]

66. No kidding, What took so long? n/t

[ToeBot]

35. "Additionally, he said the invitation violated BYU's policy of political neutrality."

Not at all, it is a strong affirmation of BYU's political policies. If anything, they attempt to be nonpartisan but they are everything but apolitical. It should go without saying that their politics are conservative - nay, ultraconservative. As for BYU being a forum for ideas, where did they buy that notion, Bob Jones U.?

[TankLV]

84. It didn 't say WHAT kind of "ideas"! Aparently, even the Nazi's had "ideas"...

[Peace Patriot]

36. I love these little eruptions of the true American spirit that keep happening.

Rebelliousness. Orneriness. Defiance. Free disrespect for bad--nay, odious--leaders. I think there is a lot of it burning in the good 'ol revolutionary American heart right now. It's been there all along. Remember those kids wearing, was it Kerry T-shirts, who tried to attend a Cheney "rally" during the so-called election? And how appalled people were that free speech doesn't belong at Republican events. And that big fracas when Tim Robbins was banned from the Baseball Hall of Fame for being against the war, early on, and all the baseball writers came to his defense. Is this America or not, they asked? And the Lonestar Iconoclast--that wonderful uppity little newspaper in Crawford, Texas--defending the fort of freedom of the press against all the Bushite efforts to shut it up.

I love what America is and remains in our hearts, despite all that the Bush Junta and its global corporate predator pals have done, trying to stamp it out. The spirit of rebellion. Even at BYU. Imagine.

[Olney Blue]

38. Utah tells Dick to go Cheney himself!

[Solly Mack]

41. I read some of thecomments on line about the visit and a good many

were very - very - against Cheney speaking

Links to comments
http://166.70.44.77/comments/read_comments.asp?ref=5493120&sec=News#1178

Utah's LDS no longer firmly back Iraq war
http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_5517138

[primavera]

42. "Blue blood boiling"?

There's blue blood left at BYU? I would have thought anyone brave enough to espouse a progressive view there would have long since been taken for a ride in the back of a pick-up truck in the wee hours of some loney night and buried in a remote landfill.

I can certainly relate though: I had to boycott my own graduate school graduation ceremony because George Washington University elected to invite Poppy Bush to be the keynote speaker: GW's president Trachtenberg was a long-time supporter of fascism.

[Canuckistanian]

44. "Blue blood" usually means the aristocracy, the "establishment"

It's been in use for centuries. It does not refer to American Democrats.

[primavera]

45. I know, but in this context...

... the journalist appears to be referring to people protesting Cheney's visit, who are presumably people of a more blue persuation politically; "blue bloods" in the traditional aristocatic sense of the term would probably not be protesting a representative of a corrupt administration whose sleazy policies have so enriched their stock market portfolios.

[qwlauren35]

46. Um... I think some of you are missing the reasons.

It is highly likely that Cheney is unpopular with Mormons because he has a lesbian daughter and she is about to become a parent.

I could be wrong, but with BYU, I just don't think it's for any "liberal, anti-war, anti-corruption" type reason.

[Bridget Burke]

48. Those protest signs say he's "Killing Our Troops"....

And "Enemy Combatants" is also mentioned.

I'm sure the students have several reasons to exclude Cheney from Commencement. This isn't just speech they can avoid--if they want their families to see them graduate.

[daveskilt]

94. you overestimate BYU republicans

I doubt many of them even know who Mary Cheney is.

and there have always been liberals at BYU! I am trying to dig out the old photos I have of some protests against the first gulf war at BYU - I was at the front.

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

47. If they really want to make their point...

...they should keep a lid on it now and "ambush" (figuratively) his criminal ass once he steps up to the podium.

[bdamomma]

49. I thank those students for standing up for what is right

[colorado_ufo]

51. Articulately expressed ideals.

Congratulations to these students.

[butterfly77]

52. Finally they realize that they haven't been in a forum...

where they are able to ask questions...They were too busy in the past with their rah,rah meetings...

[Jacobin]

53. Its looking more like 1968

:thumbsup:

[Mr. Ected]

56. The Morally Intolerant

Meet the morally intolerable.

[Gen. Jack D. Ripper]

59. These kids are gonna need to have a long talk with their bishops

tisk tisk...

[daveskilt]

95. I remember all of those talks for my politics at BYU

[hippiechick]

62. "“We espouse ... and he does not epitomize those values"

:applause: :patriot: :bounce: :rofl:

DAMN SKIPPY, KIDS.

[Mad_Dem_X]

63. WOW.

Republicans...Brigham Young...protesting Cheney? Never thought I'd live to see the day. :wow:

[undeterred]

64. Good for them for speaking up- A lot of good people come from BYU.

[Acadia Blue]

65. ROFLOL well, Cheney darth vader, looks like they know your heart.

[Radical Activist]

68. Joseph Smith was essentially a radical left wing socialist.

Its a shame the LDS church strayed so far from the social and political views of its founder when it embraced conservatism.

[porkrind]

82. I can't imagine how you could call Joseph Smith a left wing socialist

Most non-mormon accounts describe him as first and foremost a self-promoting con-artist, scheming, womanizing, brilliant, and authoritarian. I would judge him as uninterested in politics except when he could use them to advance his interests. The only thing I can see in his history that you might construe as socialism was a cynical attempt at one time in forcing the members of his church to deed their property over to the corporation of the mormon church. This created great resentment at the time and eventually ended in failure. One only has to look at the gross economic inequality in the early church at the time to see that Joseph Smith and company had no genuine left wing or socialistic leanings.

Typical of most religions, the ruling elite in the church, led by Smith, lived in prosperity on the tithe of the lower classes who fought for survival. The best modern-day examples of what Smith was are the leaders of the many fundamentalist mormon polygamy sects. Read the recent bestselling John Krakauer book "Under the Banner of Heaven" for a look into this world.

[Radical Activist]

87. Well

A centralized communal economy is socialism, even if you don't like Smith and Mormons. They did it in both Missouri and Illinois.
Obviously the author of "Under the Banner of Heaven" succeeded in his not so subtle attempt to tie-in the modern polygamists with all of Mormonism. Most Mormons and many outside that faith view it as a one-sided hit piece.

Smith also opposed slavery and ordained black priests, which was radical for that time period. He also favored the separation of church and state. Did the communal property effort fail because of hard feelings or because they were driven out of Missouri by mobs and the land stolen by other settlers? Was the time Smith spent in prison for his beliefs the "living in prosperity" you refer to?

Maybe you need to look for less prejudiced accounts of Smith and his views.

[daveskilt]

96. Originally mormons had only common property

called it "the united order" essentially everyone got what they needed for themselves and their family and all other goods were community property. In fact one of the early LDS apostles was excommunicated after he and his wife hid some of their best stuff (cream and buttermilk, I believe) and wouldn't share.

Now THAT is a radical leftist group. too far left for me even.

incidentally the only time the LDS church officially took a stand on which party to vote for they told members to vote democratic - (the dem's offered statehood to the Utah territory)

[grannylib]

69. "morally dubious" is pretty good, but "morally bankrupt" would be more

accurate, not only for Cheney the Dick but the clueless imbecile and the entire corrupt cabal of rePiglicans currently holding office.
Morally, spiritually, ideologically BANKRUPT.

[Nimrod2005]

70. Proud of my mormon brothers!!!

[19jet54]

72. God bless them...

... the 60's were about anti-hypocrisy too - How do such self proclaimed "compassionate conservatives' lead such evil lives?

[ejbr]

73. That boy with dark hair is beautiful!!!

Too bad he is at BYU and must remain celibate!

oh! GO BYU!!

[scarletwoman]

74. My favorite quote from this article is at the end:

Tricia Campbell, 21, a senior from Orem who is a Republican, said Mr. Cheney’s behavior in office “just doesn’t fit” with what she had learned from the university’s mission of promoting of “integrity, character and moral development.”

“I thought commencement would be a spiritual, uplifting exercise in which I could take advice from someone I held in the highest esteem,” Ms. Campbell said. “It seems that was an extremely idealistic notion.”

sw

[Dr Fate]

75. Holy Smokes- Bush is in T_R_O_U_B_L_E. Even the SQUARES are picking up signs!!!

!!!!

[vanboggie]

76. The Cheneyoleon has hit rock bottom

Anything anti-Republican is unheard of in Mormonworld. Cheney, they've just told you to go F yourself. :rofl:

[Arugula Latte]

79. Sure, Dick Cheny lies, steals, tortures, and murders ... but, worst of all -- he used an EXPLETIVE!!

:scared:

[NNadir]

80. Wow. Republicans who actually believe the words they mouthe.

This is something new.

It's one of those things you see that you thought would never happen, like the peaceful liberation of Lithuiana, or a Czech democracy. (These are things that seemed impossible as late as 1987.)

"“We espouse honesty, chastity, integrity, ethics, virtue and morality, and he does not epitomize those values.”

I don't know whether to die laughing or crying. There are Republicans who actually believe those words have meaning?

[lonestarnot]

81. It would be a terrible thing to have to miss commencement.

[TankLV]

83. Wow! I'm surprised AND amazed - there ARE apparently repukes who are not hypocrits!

Color me totally shocked - without any "sarcasm" intended either!

[Bydand]

85. Why am I not surprised?

Typical student behaviour. NEVER listen to the other side because, your professor says they are evil.
If San Fran Nan was going to speak, they would be falling all over themselves to kiss her feet.

[newspeak]

86. what are YOU talking about?

I was once a student and debated with my professors all of the time!!! You think they're all sheep? Maybe some started to actually read about Cheney's business dealings and how fabricating comes so easy for him. Most of the time he gets in front of a camera, it's still to promote the fairytale that Saddam was in cahoots with Al Quaida. Wrong...wrong...wrong.. Yeah, and Iraq had wmds that could hit us in twenty-five minutes. Anyone still listening to this BS is, in my opinion, totally delusional.

I knew before he was first selected, that he had to get in office because Dresser Industries (asbestos lawsuits) was in financial distress. Now, why would Halliburton merge with Dresser? In my opinion, they needed to make those lawsuits go away and that meant someone needed to be in the position to make sure they went away. Maybe you need to do some homework on Cheney's interests. And, while you're at it, you could bone up on *'s family business interests. Let me know if you think they serve the people or themselves.

Oh, by the way, my father-in-law has asbestiosis.

[daveskilt]

88. Find me a BYU professor who thinks Dick Cheney is evil.

BYU is one of the few republican strongholds in academia. (most universities are liberal though - smart educated people tend to be more liberal, funny that coincidence, huh?)

[newspeak]

89. yeah, you're right about that

BYU is not a bastion for "liberal" thought--the last time I was on the BYU campus, there was a strict dress code (I thought I was back in HS). Most professors on the campus are probably ultra conservative-for some to be protesting, truly is a historic event!!!!!

[daveskilt]

90. The link to sign the petition against Cheney (for BYU alum and friends)

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/691512543

[daveskilt]

97. I may be going to hear Cheney speak at BYU - my sister in law is graduating

any ideas? - I'm thinking an orange hunting jacket at least.