Mike Pence is met with awalkout at Notre Dame's graduation and whines about it in his speech [View all]

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Some members of this year’s graduating class at Notre Dame did not want Mike Pence as their commencement speaker. Objecting to his long record of bigotry, homophobia, use of the law to further marginalize vulnerable communities and generally being an all-around horrible person, they organized a walkout to protest his address during the ceremony at the university on Sunday. But poor old Pence didn’t take the rejection well. During his speech, instead of leaving the graduates with inspirational words about their future, he used the opportunity to condemn what he perceives as political correctness gone awry on college campuses—suggesting that Republicans who are finding themselves unwelcome in certain spaces are somehow now persecuted for their beliefs.

He was, of course, referring to the fact that in recent weeks college students have been more than vocal about the fact that Republicans who mean minorities harm through their words and policies such as Betsy DeVos and John Cornyn were unwanted at their graduations. Students are fighting back and Pence let Notre Dame know he was not pleased with the resistance.

 “While this institution has maintained an atmosphere of civility and open debate, far too many campuses across America have become characterized by speech codes, safe zones, tone policing, administration-sanctioned political correctness — all of which amounts to nothing less than suppression of the freedom of speech,” the vice president [said].

“As you, our youth, are the future, and universities, the bellwether of thought and culture, I would submit that the increasing intolerance and suppression of the time-honored tradition of free expression on our campuses jeopardizes the liberties of every American,” Pence said.

“This should not — and must not — be met with silence.”

Pence does partially have a point. Free expression is indeed a hallmark of college campuses. Debate and exchanges between different points of view can be healthy, foster dialogue and create understanding. It is what is sorely lacking in today’s polarized society. And yet, there is a huge difference between tone policing and shutting down hate speech.

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2017/5/22/1664850/-Mike-Pence-is-met-with-a-walkout-at-Notre-Dame-s-graduation-and-whines-about-it-in-his-speech