I’m inspired by commencement speeches. Steve Jobs, Neil Gaiman, Stephen Colbert, Angela Merkel and Ken Burns have delivered amazing ones. Below are quotes from two speeches given at West Point commencements:
“You leave this place to carry forward a legacy that no other military in human history can claim. You do so as part of a team that extends beyond your units or even our Armed Forces, for in the course of your service you will work as a team with diplomats and development experts. You’ll get to know allies and train partners. And you will embody what it means for America to lead the world.”
“The job of the US Armed Forces is not to host drag shows, to transform foreign cultures, but to spread democracy to everybody around the world at the point of a gun.”
President Obama viewed the graduates as valued partners representing American values and enabling peace. Trump sees the graduates as armed killers to facilitate his authoritarian agenda. So shameful and embarrassing.
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Dee Maitland
Marana
Disclaimer: As submitted to the Arizona Daily Star.
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