Posted on 05/07/2006 11:06:11 AM PDT by Mr. Blonde
STILLWATER -- President Bush got a friendly welcome Saturday at Oklahoma State University, where he told students they face “unimagined opportunities” upon entering the job market.
A steady mist fell throughout most of Bush’s short speech, which avoided hot-button policy issues such as the war in Iraq.
Bush’s only mention of the war, which has spawned criticism, came after praising former OSU student Luke James, who died in Iraq as an officer in the 82nd Airborne Division after receiving his commission as a lieutenant in 2004.
James, a husband and father, received the Bronze Star and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Twenty-seven Army or Air Force lieutenants received commissions Saturday with their OSU degrees, Bush said.
“While no soldier wants war, he understood the necessity of war - that it can ensure the freedoms we enjoy in America,” Bush said. “Luke James is part of a generation who are every bit as selfless and dedicated to liberty as any that has come before, and our future is better because of the character of young Americans like Luke James.”
Bush arrived in Stillwater aboard Marine One, which soared over Boone Pickens Stadium as part of a fleet of helicopters while the crowd cheered. Before his arrival, a lone unmarked helicopter circled above the stadium.
Bush originally landed in Oklahoma shortly before 9 a.m. aboard Air Force One. That landing was broadcast on the stadium’s JumboTron to cheers from students.
Shortly after stepping off the Boeing 747 at Vance Air Force Base in Enid, he presented a volunteer award to an OSU student.
The president’s speech was not interrupted, though several students were seen with peace symbols taped on the top of their mortar boards. At least 350 demonstrators, both pro- and anti-Bush, were outside the stadium in a designated area about a block away.
World events were referenced only when the president noted what he called the “advancement of freedom.” Bush said more people live in liberty today than ever before.
“The advance of liberty is the story of our time, and we’re seeing new chapters written before our eyes,” the president said. “Freedom is taking root in places where liberty was once unimaginable.”
Bush warned against protectionism in America, saying increasing economic threats from countries like India and China are an opportunity for the nation to excel.
Protectionism is a “sure path to stagnation and decline,” Bush said.
Rapidly changing technology presents opportunities to graduates, but also poses dilemmas, he said. Technology such as the Internet can bring the world to someone’s doorstep, but also isolate them.
“My advice is harness the promise of technology without becoming slaves to technology,” he said.
It was the third time a president has given the commencement speech at OSU, which has nearly 22,000 students on its Stillwater campus. Former presidents Richard Nixon and George H.W. Bush previously spoke.
Like the elder Bush, the president began his speech with a reference to his wife’s absence and a popular Stillwater watering hole.“She was disappointed to learn I’d planned a romantic dinner for two at Eskimo Joe’s.”
The president poked fun at an image popular among his critics at home and abroad.
“If you read the papers, you know that when some want to criticize me, they call me a cowboy,” Bush said. “This cowboy is proud to be standing here in the midst of a lot of other cowboys.”
My thoughts exactly. If I were at OU (my skin crawls thinking about that) I might protest her coming.
Well at my granddaughter's graduation yesterday we had to sit through the guy from the National Endowment of the Arts.
He was just plain stupid.
I lived in Stillwater as a kid when Roderick and Chesbro were coaching and will never forget what it was like being in that gym in those days when OU came to town. Unless you've experienced it, it's hard to explain. I'm sure it's still the same with Smith and the talent he's attracted. Those were great days!
The best moments are when Johny Hendricks is wrestling. Every other fan in the country hates him, and he loves it. It gets so loud because everyone else boos him and we OSU fans have to cheer really loud to make up for it.
Hendricks is an awesome wrestler and is another two-time champ. His finals match against Churella was the best match of the tournament. Why do the other fans hate him so much? Sounds like he thrives on their animus and loves holding his arm in the air for them to see afterward. Good for him. Isn't he back next year?
I've always liked Esposito. He's from the Blair Academy in Jersey. They were always the best team in the state. Wrestled against them many times. How does next year look for the team after losing so much talent this year and last?
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