Pence to West Point Graduates: ‘A Virtual Certainty’ They’ll See Combat

The Associated Press May 25, 2019 The vice president warns of global danger and tells of support as he addresses the most diverse class to graduate the U.S. Military Academy. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Illuminating the Darkness in the Age of Despair

Staff / Truthdig Jul 4, 2017 In a U.K. commencement speech, the author urges grads to "confront the poisonous authoritarianism that is emerging in many countries today." (Pictured, an anti-Trump march in London.) Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Dustin Lance Black Speaks: Pasadena City College Officials Created ‘Toxic and Dishonest’ Atmosphere

Kasia Anderson / Truthdig Apr 30, 2014 The president and board of trustees at Pasadena City College thrust their school into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons recently with a political and public relations debacle involving PCC alumnus and Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black. Dig deeper ( 7 Min. Read )

Michigan Law Grads Walk Out for Gay Rights

Staff / Truthdig May 10, 2011 More than 100 graduates of the University of Michigan Law School left mid-ceremony Saturday to protest commencement speaker Sen. Rob Portman's position against gay marriage and adoption. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Obama Scores at Notre Dame

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig May 19, 2009 There were many messages sent from South Bend on Sunday. Obama's opponents seek to reignite the culture wars. He doesn't. They would reduce religious faith to a narrow set of issues. He refused to join them. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Obama Sparks Abortion Protests at Notre Dame

Staff / Truthdig May 18, 2009 President Barack Obama attempted the impossible during his commencement speech at Notre Dame University in Indiana on Sunday: He asked those on both sides of the abortion debate to "join hands in common effort." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

The Stakes at Notre Dame

E.J. Dionne Jr. / Truthdig May 8, 2009 You have heard the expression "more Catholic than the pope." We now know that the reaction of right-wing Catholics to Notre Dame's invitation to President Obama falls into this category. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Boycotting Obama at Notre Dame Is Vulgar Zealotry

William Pfaff / Truthdig Apr 1, 2009 In respect to tradition, one would expect Obama to deliver Notre Dame's commencement address in May, but a crowd of Fighting Irish have decided to try to keep the new president away from the hallowed campus for fear that some of his thinking might rub off on them. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

The Corporate State and the Subversion of Democracy

BLANK May 31, 2008 Chris Hedges gave this keynote address on Wednesday, May 28, in Furman University's Younts Conference Center. The address was part of protests by faculty and students over the South Carolina college's decision to invite George W. Bush to give the May 31 commencement address. Dig deeper ( 22 Min. Read )

Colbert to Grads: English Is God’s Language

Staff / Truthdig Jun 5, 2006 As the commencement speaker for a small Illinois college, satirist Stephen Colbert told the graduates, ?God wrote [the Bible] in English for a reason: So it could be taught in our public schools.? Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Truthdigger of the Week: Jean Rohe

Staff / Truthdig May 22, 2006 Truthdig salutes New School University graduating senior Jean Rohe, whose commencement speech at Madison Square Garden on Friday preemptively struck against the address that Sen. John McCain was due to deliver directly after her.Click here for links to the speech, biographical information on Rohe, and the instantly infamous response by one of McCain's staffers in which he insulted Rohe's graduating class and called her an "idiot" in print.UPDATE: Rohe responds to the McCain staffer: "Please don't try to bully me anymore." UPDATE #2: Rohe goes on MSNBC. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Student Tells Why She Ripped McCain as He Listened

Staff / Truthdig May 21, 2006 Jean Rohe, the graduating senior at the New School University who spoke just before John McCain's commencement speech explains why she "tore McCain's speech apart before he even opened his mouth." Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )