In speech, Gonzales exhorts students to take on civic duty
Perry Stein
Issue date: 2/20/08 Section: News
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After a several months of hype for Alberto Gonzales' speech on campus, the former Attorney General calmly walked onto the stage of the 560 Building, wearing a traditional suit with an American Flag pin, to a mixture of cheers and jeers, and delivered a 24-minute speech of his American dream to University students.
"We truly live in a country where dreams come true. This is why I believe America is worth fighting for and dying for," said Gonzales in his speech. "She [my mother] never dreamed I would take her from the cotton fields to the Oval Office."
Included in the audience were members of the College Democrats, Peace Coalition and other campus detractors dressed in bright orange prison jump suits. While these protesters did not disturb the speech and only turned their backs to him instead of clapping, Gonzales did acknowledge them by alluding to the challenges that face the United States in the war on terror.
"It is not enough to protest," said Gonzales. "What choices are you prepared to make to bring abut change?"
Despite the anticipation, members of the College Republicans said that only about 600 tickets were given away before the event out of an approximate 1,000 available tickets.
While most students said they did not expect him to address any of his actions that he has become infamous for, such as the alleged illegal authorization of torturing, College Republicans Public Relations Officer Brinton Callaghan said that Gonzales did address these hard issues.
"He addressed the issues that I think people wanted to hear," said Callaghan.
Gonzales did concede that he made some mistakes during his tenure but that he served his country to the best of his ability, although he did not get into any specifics during his speech.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Suzie Que
posted 2/20/08 @ 5:11 AM CST
The protesters and Gonzales' critics must answer some questions too. Such as, why they oppose ANY kind of personal discomfort for our sworn enemies, but are silent when Americans and Allies are killed and tortured?
This is just as important as Gonzales' clarification of the definition of torture and treatment of enemy combatants who do not adhere to the Articles of the Geneva Conventions. (Continued…)
Adam
posted 2/20/08 @ 6:37 PM CST
Hey Suzie, remember that the reason it was held in the 560 building was because Graham Chapel was too small? Oh, and the reason we couldn't allow community members in was cause there were so many students just waiting for the chance to see the prestigious Gonzales. (Continued…)
Lu Rogers
posted 2/20/08 @ 7:51 PM CST
He, Bush, and all that bunch of thieves and liars should be impeached and extradited from this counry. They have viciously punished people unmerciably and that should not be overlooked. (Continued…)
Suze Que
posted 2/21/08 @ 3:14 PM CST
mrsawm:
"Hypocritical...yes. These kids don't know the issues. If they care about protesting torture, violence, then why not protest when Ahmenidijad was here in the U. (Continued…)
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