President Obama could’ve played to the crowd for his entire Rutgers University commencement speech; instead, he went out of his way to call out the kids for their intellectual cowardice.
Specifically, he slammed them for their protests against the planned 2014 commencement speaker, ex-Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice — protests so angry that Rice opted to withdraw.
“I don’t think it’s a secret that I disagree with many of the policies of Dr. Rice,” the president said. “But the notion that this community or this country would be better served by not hearing a former secretary of state or not hearing what she had to say — I believe that’s misguided. I don’t think that’s how democracy works best.”
“Don’t feel like you got to shut your ears off because you’re too fragile and somebody might offend your sensibilities,” Obama added.
Yes, the prez also made a few slams at Donald Trump. But what stands out is that he told the graduates some hard truths that apparently got left out of their education.
Maybe next year’s class will get the message — and extend a new invite to Condi Rice.