Cross posted from
The 10,000 Things
Today was graduation day at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. My niece, 2-time All-American Sarah Elizabeth Berheide (Field Hockey and Lacrosse), graduated Magna Cum Laude today. Her story is already an inspiring one... and it is just beginning. I couldn't be prouder if she were my own.
Included with the 600+ Class of 2006 Honorary Doctorates were bestowed upon 3 distinguished guests, Douglas Greenberg, visiting professor of history at the University of Southern California and executive director of USC's Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education; Thomas Kean, former governor of New Jersey who was head of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the U.S.; and Arthur Mitchell, founder and artistic director of the Dance Theater of Harlem.
Mr. Greenberg spoke about the joy of watching his daughter Molly graduate that day. His memorable quote was that when people asked him what lessons he has learned from history, particularly the Holocaust on which he has particular expertise, he said that there are 3 decisions that people should never make.
1. To be a perpetrator
2. To be a victim
3. To be a bystander
He spoke of Darfur and other troubles in the world today and said that we are all mostly bystanders. Unfortunately I missed what Mr. Mitchell had to say as SPAC is an outdoor theater and it was very cold so I returned to the car to get a blanket for my granddaughter.
Gov. Thomas Kean spoke of public service. He told how when he was the age of the graduating class a young President, John F. Kennedy, urged his generation to public service. He pointed out how his generation was ready to retire and asked who would replace them. He then urged them to at least consider spending a number of their years in some form of public service or other.
And then former Gov Kean (R-NJ) quoted Plato:
"Plato said, "The penalty for not participating in government is to be governed by your inferiors." Think about it. It may be happening."
Gov. Kean did not know that a liberal blogger was in the audience and would be posting his words on the internet within hours. However, Skidmore holds it's graduation at SPAC, The Saratoga Performing Arts Center and it was a full audience. He most certainly knew that he was speaking publicly. By his intonation one could tell that he intended a particular effect. By the applause and laughter he received (from most, not all) one could tell that the effect was achieved.
Elsewhere in Saratoga Springs today, John "anti-New York" McCain was the guest at a fund raiser for embattled Congressman John Sweeney. Swillionaires for Sweeney were on hand to show their support. With 100 in attendance inside reports coming in are that between 30-50 Swillionaires showed their support outside (despite what the paper says).
Meanwhile today, 20TrueBlue and Kirsten Gillibrand were canvassing in New York State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's backyard of Brunswick, NY. Last week, Democracy for the Hudson-Mohawk Region canvassed with Kirsten Gillibrand in Clifton Park, NY, currently John Sweeney's backyard.
"Plato said, "The penalty for not participating in government is to be governed by your inferiors." Think about it. It may be happening."
Democracy is not a spectator sport. Are you participating?