05-21-2019, 04:00 PM
(05-21-2019, 03:20 PM)Mike M (the other one) Wrote: When did the definition of Tolerant change?
As far as I know it's the ability to accept others for their different point of views and listening to them even if you disagree.
Intolerant behavior would be walking out or not even hearing what they have to say, you know unwilling to grant equal freedom of expression to those with different beliefs than your own, aka Bigoted behavior.
No mater who would've been invited there is no perfect speaker, anyone can always be twisted into a political thing. Having a powerful figure such as the VP speaking at your commencement is unique, they don't speak at many, only a select few, so respect should always be shown if not for the person then the position of power they hold. If Hillary/Obama was speaking at my graduation, I would endure quietly their speech (you know tolerance) and wait for it to be over so I can move on with the commencement ceremony. Respect is something both sides fail to show a lot and it's sickening.
Being tolerant just means that you're willing to allow the existence of those opinions. It doesn't mean you have to listen to them. That's not something that has changed as far as I know. I would agree that respect is something that is lacking in today's political discourse, but in the eyes of many, Pence doesn't respect them based upon his policy positions. To put yourself in their shoes, why should they show him respect when he has shown disrespect for them?
(05-21-2019, 03:30 PM)bfine32 Wrote: 3. No you don't. It only becomes a political event when politics are discussed or in this case select students and faculty choose to make it so before a single word was uttered. If they would have stayed and walked out once Pence turned political then they may have a point; although, I probably still disagree with it but that's a personal bias.
On this we just have to disagree. If you invite a person who holds an elected office to a function to speak, you have turned it into a political event. That's my position no matter the event type or the political ideology of the speaker. By putting a politico on the agenda you make it about politics.
(05-21-2019, 03:30 PM)bfine32 Wrote: 4. And I've read most were happy to have him there and even made "I Like Mike" T-Shirts, but the point is moot. The University invited someone they wanted to speak at a graduation and some got mad because their thoughts were "ignored". As I said I have 0 issue with the kids walking out; they ruined their own day. But what about that kid that remained and saw one of his/her favorite professors leave? Who short-changed him/her?
The university, by making the commencement political.
"A great democracy has got to be progressive, or it will soon cease to be either great or a democracy..." - TR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." - FDR
