As reported in the Deseret News today
BYU will award Cheney an honorary doctorate of public service during ceremonies that begin at 4 p.m. Cheney will arrive in Salt Lake City shortly before 2 p.m. and will meet with the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City at 2:30 p.m.
The announcement that BYU would award Cheney an honorary doctorate caused an additional stir on Wednesday, with some faculty and students who oppose the vice president's politics and policies. Some said the degree adds a measure of endorsement for Cheney that made them uncomfortable and that BYU was wise not to announce the degree until late Tuesday.
I don't know about you, but doesn't he look like The Penguin from the Batman series?
"One does wonder what message BYU intends to send with this," political science professor Darren Hawkins said. "Honorary degrees are sometimes conferred by universities to proclaim their approval of the honoree's character and qualities, and if that's what BYU intends to do, I disagree wholeheartedly with the award of an honorary degree. I don't think BYU should be commending Vice President Cheney's character or actions to anyone.
"If they intend to acknowledge his long public service, then I have less of a problem with it because it is certainly true he has risen to a high office and has a long career of public service."
Many people in and out of the church have been concerned with the "alternative commencement" featuring Ralph Nader and the embarassment it will cause the Church and "Dr. Cheney". I think Christian organizations that bestow honorary doctorates on a liar, hypocrite and attack dog embarrass themselves and their courageous members who who speak against Cheney. Whether they are BYU professors, students or Senate Leaders from Nevada.
But as Mary Poppins or PollyAnna might prescribe, "Just a spoon full of sugar helps the medicine go down... in a most de-light-ful wayyy!"