Send the Freshmen Out For Gin!
No- make that champagne!
Yesterday American Papist (http://www.americanpapist.com) reported that Mary Ann Glendon, Harvard law professor and former US ambassador, has informed the University of Notre Dame that she cannot, after all, accept the school's Laetare Medal at the commencement in May.
Why? Because... but let her tell it:
"...as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award [President Barack Obama] an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it."
This is good news. Since UND has decided to have Barack "Kill The Babies" Obama as its commencement speaker, it's nice to know there are people out there with the character and integrity to let out a big "I'd rather share the stage with a rabid squirrel."
Father John Jenkins, president of the university, issued a response to Ms. Glendon's refusal:
“We are, of course, disappointed that Professor Glendon has made this decision. It is our intention to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient, and we will make that announcement as soon as possible.”
But all this brings up the question: who will the "deserving recipient" be?
DIH has looked up "Laetare Medal" on the web, and according to her research the award does not include cash. Therefore she is not personally interested.
There's another downside to being named the new recipient: you gotta come up with an acceptance speech fast. Glendon started working on hers last year. The new honoree has barely three weeks to write something classy, memorable, with a whole lot of "let's-forget-the-Glendon-thing-ever-happened."
Sheesh. Who they gonna call?
Yesterday American Papist (http://www.americanpapist.com) reported that Mary Ann Glendon, Harvard law professor and former US ambassador, has informed the University of Notre Dame that she cannot, after all, accept the school's Laetare Medal at the commencement in May.
Why? Because... but let her tell it:
"...as a longtime consultant to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, I could not help but be dismayed by the news that Notre Dame also planned to award [President Barack Obama] an honorary degree. This, as you must know, was in disregard of the U.S. bishops’ express request of 2004 that Catholic institutions “should not honor those who act in defiance of our fundamental moral principles” and that such persons “should not be given awards, honors or platforms which would suggest support for their actions.” That request, which in no way seeks to control or interfere with an institution’s freedom to invite and engage in serious debate with whomever it wishes, seems to me so reasonable that I am at a loss to understand why a Catholic university should disrespect it."
This is good news. Since UND has decided to have Barack "Kill The Babies" Obama as its commencement speaker, it's nice to know there are people out there with the character and integrity to let out a big "I'd rather share the stage with a rabid squirrel."
Father John Jenkins, president of the university, issued a response to Ms. Glendon's refusal:
“We are, of course, disappointed that Professor Glendon has made this decision. It is our intention to award the Laetare Medal to another deserving recipient, and we will make that announcement as soon as possible.”
But all this brings up the question: who will the "deserving recipient" be?
DIH has looked up "Laetare Medal" on the web, and according to her research the award does not include cash. Therefore she is not personally interested.
There's another downside to being named the new recipient: you gotta come up with an acceptance speech fast. Glendon started working on hers last year. The new honoree has barely three weeks to write something classy, memorable, with a whole lot of "let's-forget-the-Glendon-thing-ever-happened."
Sheesh. Who they gonna call?
Welcome back!
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Glad to have you back, Desperate!
Thanks, guys.
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