Most now know that Dick Cheney has been invited by the Church to attend and speak at the BYU commencement in April. I previously posted on that topic over at Bloggernacle Times. I have now located (hat tip to A Soft Answer) an online petition for the BYU community, both past and present, to sign in opposition to this appearance, if you are so inclined. You can view and sign the petition here. You do not need to have attended or currently attend BYU to sign the petition. I also encourage you to visit and read Ronan’s post at BCC, as well as Connor’s post over at Conundrums. Finally, Julie M. Smith has weighed in over at T & S as well. All are well done. A late entry into the Cheney marketplace of ideas is Jim Cobabe’s post over at Snail Hollow Gazette.
March 26, 2007
Petition Opposing Dick Cheney’s BYU Commencement Speech
Posted by Guy Murray under BYU, Dick Cheney, LDS Church, Politics, War[49] Comments
March 26, 2007 at 10:23 pm
I’m not impressed with the petition. The re-hashed allegations recited there are weak. Whether you like Cheney or not, I think it is an honor to have a sitting vice president (who is not campaigning) visit the University.
The most recent explicitly political speaker invited to a university-wide event that I can recall was Helen Thomas. Maybe they invited Cheney to balance her point of view.
Yes, BYU has tended to invite more conservatives, but that is no more villainous than liberal universities inviting liberals, which they do.
I’d be very interested to attend a forum by the Speaker of the House. I hope they invite her too; I wonder if she would accept. Incidentally, I’m really looking forward to the forum by Chief Justice John Roberts in October. The last Supreme Court Justice we had was Sandra Day O’Connor and she was great.
March 26, 2007 at 10:30 pm
I think it’s not insignificant that the White House reportedly called BYU, not the other way around. All the more reason to not be so bent out of shape about this, IMO. A request deserves a gracious response, no?
March 27, 2007 at 4:58 am
The gracious response would have been to kindly decline. I thought BYU and the church stuck by its principles through thick and thin. The evidence is strongly there that Cheney is a liar and a violator of the law. Sorry, but I normally wouldn’t care if BYU invites a Republican VP. Cheney is a different individual. He does not deserve the respect of his office.
March 27, 2007 at 4:59 am
Let me put it this way, it would be akin to Captain Moroni inviting Amalickiah to chat with the men who just covenanted to be free.
March 27, 2007 at 5:53 am
Regarding political neutrality, wouldn’t the Church be making more of a political gesture if it turned down the current Vice President?
I never attended BYU, but my guess would be the school would be delighted to have administration officials of either party (perhaps more so if a Dem came).
I bet it would be less likely that Democrats would want to come and subject them to potential criticism from their own side.
And considering the current political climate, Utah County has to be one of the last safe refuges for the VP. Let’s give him a break!
March 27, 2007 at 7:51 am
Why does he deserve a break?
March 27, 2007 at 8:17 am
I support whatever decision BYU and the FP makes, but I believe Dick Cheney to be a fascist neocon warmonger who should be hurled from office and tried for war crimes. Should he come to BYU (the only place in the USA where he might now feel welcome) I’ll be there protesting.
March 27, 2007 at 8:23 am
I posted this on the thread on the Bloggernacle Times, but there are plans for direct action (a protest, a walkout, possibly an alternative commencement) for those who are so inclined.
People who are interested can get more information by e-mailing provopeaceandnoise@gmail.com
March 27, 2007 at 8:24 am
Connor, you shouldn’t be so hard on the fascist neocon warmongers. They have feelings too.
March 27, 2007 at 8:43 am
Perhaps this will be valuable to have LDS people one last major time with this VP be tested in their “discernment” or lack thereof of a wicked spirit in a lying, murdering man.
It might be well to wonder how much “flattery” the VP will spew forth toward BYU and the Church, the first of three dangers we were told by Joseph F. Smith would threaten the church from within in the last days. Specifically he stated:
“There are at least three dangers that threaten the Church within, … they are flattery of prominent men in the world, false educational ideas, and sexual impurity.” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1939, pp. 312–13.)
March 27, 2007 at 10:24 am
Connor, you shouldn’t be so hard on the fascist neocon warmongers. They have feelings too.
To debate the point, or not to debate the point…
March 27, 2007 at 11:02 am
Here’s another petition available for signing:
http://www.petitiononline.com/byuchene/petition.html
March 27, 2007 at 11:18 am
I signed the petition.
March 27, 2007 at 11:28 am
This is all pretty silly.
Here’s a link to my petition that cancels out yours.
)
Don’t Censor Cheney
March 27, 2007 at 11:59 am
I don’t understand the idea that Bradley argues for, that we should be proud that the Vice President wishes to come to BYU.
Certainly the office is important, but it is the man who fills the office that we should respect or not.
Would BYU have been happy to have the opportunity to hear a president speak if it was Bill Clinton in the midst of the Lewinsky scandal? Definetly not. Or would BYU have welcomed Nixon during the Watergate scandal. Definetly….no wait, yeah probably. The “culture of obedience” reigns supreme.
March 27, 2007 at 12:44 pm
This, from the petition to dis-invite Cheney:
to invite him to speak at commencement undermines BYU’s reputation as an institution that promotes a high code of ethics and diversity of opinion.
Now that, is comedy gold.
March 27, 2007 at 3:25 pm
My LDS and Non LDS patriots. We should speak lound and clear that this Vice Presidents does not represent LDS or Utah values. We should be ensigns for peace and work for non military solutions in resolving international conflicts. One can only read the 98th Section of Doctrine of Coventants. and D&C 105:38-39 and you will see challenge we have concerning war and peace and what we should stand for.
We will confront Cheney when he speaks at the BYU Commencement address. Please join us when we march toward the Marriott Center on April 26th. He and the President have done more harm to our nation and our Constitution except President Nixon when they have deceived us in waging war on another soverign country. For more information please contact me at barttip@msn.com or call 801-859-8150. Bart Tippetts / A member for Mormons for Equality and Social Justice. MESJ.org.
March 27, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Guy, I like the new pictures you chose for the post.
March 27, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Ok–Let me get this straight. Dr. Steve Jones, the BYU Physicist, was not allowed to teach anymore when he realized World Trade Center Tower Building 7 came down from controlled demolition (See the video at http://www.wtc7.net/videos.html). You can read his famous paper at “http://www.journalof911studies.com/volume/200609/WhyIndeedDidtheWorldTradeCenterBuildingsCompletelyCollapse.pdf”
Now Cheney, who is responsible for more than 600,000 deaths (see http://news.independent.co.uk/world/middle_east/article2396031.ece) gets to speak at BYU? I’m all for this if Dr . Jones gets say the prayer.
March 27, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Here’s the link again for Dr. Jones’ paper: http://www.journalof911studies.com/volume/200609/WhyIndeedDidtheWorldTradeCenterBuildingsCompletelyCollapse.pdf
If that doesn’t display correctly go to http://www.journalof911studies.com and click on the link under September 2006 titled “Why Indeed Did the World Trade Center Buildings Completely Collapse?”
March 27, 2007 at 6:09 pm
Maybe BYU should have invited a speaker from MESJ. Or perhaps Dr. Jones could regale the audience with anecdotes about the WTC conspiracy.
There must be some medium of sanity that can prevail here. Is there anyone left that _doesn’t_ believe in automatically resorting to hyperbolic outrage when confronted with controversy?
March 27, 2007 at 6:17 pm
Katie (#14) wrote:
I don’t believe “pride” is the issue here. Common courtesy and reasonable behavior would be a better standard of expectation.
Interesting thoughts from WSJ’s Peggy Noonan on this — “That’s Not Nice”
March 28, 2007 at 1:26 am
[...] Other fora: Check this out, Bloggernacle Times, Connor’s Conundrums, Messenger and Advocate. [...]
March 28, 2007 at 8:31 am
This is an issue I really don’t get all that worked up about. I’ll probably sign the petition, but right now I’m just reading about it all and enjoying a little watching others get worked up about it.
However, I’m still ticked at Cheney for making me late for a kickball game last month. The nerve!
March 28, 2007 at 9:18 am
every time dick cheney opens his mouth he lies. when he accuses the democrats of doing some thing illegal his party is the one doing it. people better get worked up about the things going on in our country as the bush administration is shredding the constitution.
March 28, 2007 at 11:00 am
Speaking of BYU speakers, Guy, are the author of the April 11, 1980, letter to the Daily Universe cited in chapter 5 of Brigham Young University: A House of Faith (fn. 52)?
March 28, 2007 at 11:02 am
That should read: “…are you the author…”
March 28, 2007 at 11:04 am
Link to House of Faith here.
March 28, 2007 at 11:50 am
Justin, that would be me, as I was there in 1980, and I’m quite certain there were no other Guy W. Murray’s in attendance at that time; however, to be honest, I have absolutely no idea what I wrote–though given the time frame, I would say I had begun to become more “liberal” as that was toward the end of my BYU career. I left BYU quite bitter–though have mellowed somewhat with age (doesn’t show though does it?
If you have in your infinite abilities to turn up these types of letters, it would be fun to see what rant I was making at that time.
March 28, 2007 at 12:19 pm
I’ll look around for it. The footnote seems to suggest that you were writing about the speaker selection policy (perhaps responding to the ban on McGovern as a speaker).
March 28, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Wow–just found this site and am enjoying it. As an alum though, I take great exception to the invitation of an immoral person of Cheney’s ilk to impart something of compassion and ethics at a commencement speech. If this doesn’t exemplify “jumping into bed with the enemy,” I don’t know what does.
March 29, 2007 at 4:12 am
I feel that this could have a negative impact on the Church. There are many great people fighting to preserve the Constitution of our country who aren’t members of the Church. I would imagine if you are one of these people and read that Cheney is speaking at the commencement address at BYU it would definitely turn you off. I know it would me. After all you lie down with dogs you get fleas.
March 29, 2007 at 5:14 am
I firmly believe that the growth of the Church would rise considerably if the members would study the Constitution and take part in preserving it. If this happened I believe that the people that are fighting for the Constitution, on a daily basis, outside of the Church would come in throngs to the Church because there is no where else for them to turn. Instead though our members are apathetic and invite people like Cheney to speak at our Church university. We are beginning to look just like everybody else.
March 29, 2007 at 8:55 am
Walsh wrote a poor article in the SLTrib today on this issue . I’ve posted a commentary at LDS News Watch.
March 29, 2007 at 9:00 am
Lisa wrote (#32)
One of the most ironic things about the flood of mindless reactionary response this issue has prompted is the remarkable consistency of it all. We are not _beginning_ to look just like everybody else. Rather, some of this company are so thoroughly immersed in identical sameness, spouting the same tired sound-bites and irrational arguments that have been repeated for years.
Why not just link to moveon.org and be done with it?
March 29, 2007 at 6:08 pm
[...] Thu 29 Mar 2007 Church Issues Formal Statement On Dick Cheney BYU Invitation Posted by Guy Murray under BYU , LDS Church , Politics The Church has issued a formal statement on the Dick Cheney invitation to speak at BYU’s commencement in April. The Church’s official statement is on its website here. The subject of Mr. Cheney’s invitation has been discussed at length in the Bloggernacle. I started this discussion over at Bloggernacle Times, just after the story first broke in the Salt Lake Tribune. You can find links to the rest of the Bloggernacle discussions at this prior post here. [...]
March 29, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Jim Wrote (#35)
“some of this company are so thoroughly immersed in identical sameness”
The only sameness I am interested in is preserving the Constitution. I am not for Republicans or Democrats. Actually I wish neither party existed. When an individual supports the Constitution I am for them. I couldn’t care less what party they run under. I believe that the Constitution was inspired by God. Any person holding an office in our government that upholds it I am totally behind.
March 29, 2007 at 7:42 pm
Interesting development.
And even more intriguing, the press statement closes with this express high expectation…
Perhaps the brethren ask too much of BYU, and members in general.
March 30, 2007 at 6:02 am
I’m sure Cheneys words will be carefully crafted to tickle everyone’s ears. While attending BYU in the 70′s I was in attendance when Gerald Ford spoke. He seemed quite the conservative. All I can say by their fruits ye shall know them not always by their words.
March 30, 2007 at 8:34 am
Lisa,
Well said. Just what are the fruits of Cheney’s actions and words? How about a divided America, the legalization of torture, the outing of CIA operatives, the political smearing of anyone daring to criticize the master, the loss of prestige and standing in the world around us, two wars that are going on endlessly….I mean there is just so much to show that he is a failed man, a loser, whose fruit is worth nothing but to be cast off and trodden under the feet of men.
April 1, 2007 at 3:43 pm
Hello;
Vice President Cheney has showed a continual disregard for law and truth, as well as for human life by putting the needs of the oil industry above those of American soldiers and Iraqi citizens. As a dedicated Latter-Day Saint I am appalled that he would be allowed to speak at Brigham Young University, and respectfully request the university to rescind the invitation. There are countless individuals of unquestioned integrity who would more adequately reflect the values of BYU.
Sincerely,
Robert Fantina
April 4, 2007 at 3:28 pm
This is the same school that booed Bobby Kennedy in the gym in ’68. I was there. I’m glad to see that BYU is finally growing a pair.
April 10, 2007 at 9:00 am
Obviously the brethren are OK with this. Why can’t we all assume they know what they are doing and accept it?
April 23, 2007 at 11:04 am
President Benson must be rolling over in his grave. Dick Cheney is a modern Gadianton Robber, and one whom we should not honor with an invitation to speak at a BYU commencement. However, his scheduled appearance is typical and nothing to get excited about. If they invite the likes of Brent Scowcroft to speak at BYU, why not Cheney? I guess to get along in the world, we have to kiss up to gangsters. I just hope we never find out how dangerous that is.
April 25, 2007 at 9:58 pm
Person: No we do not have to accept it.
John: Your comment made me laugh. I haven’t thought about Dick Cheney in those terms; but, I have to say I agree with you on your characterization.
His commencement speech; however, is now made even worse with BYU now bestowing an honorary degree on a man with absolutely no honor.
April 25, 2007 at 10:18 pm
The characterization I feel best applies to Dick Cheney comes from Paradise Lost:
…he seemed
For dignity composed, and high exploit.
But all was false and hollow; though his tongue
Dropped manna, and could make the worse appear
The better reason, to perplex and dash
Maturest counsels: for his thoughts were low–
To vice industrious, but to nobler deeds
Timorous and slothful. Yet he pleased the ear…
April 26, 2007 at 1:52 pm
When I’m handed my diploma I plan to say “go F*** yourself” to show what an example Cheney has been to me and everybody else at BYU!
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