Posted on 04/13/2007 6:20:45 PM PDT by Chi-townChief
The country is "hungry for answers" so former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright dished some out Tuesday at Saint Xavier University in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood community.
"I refuse to become silent," Albright said. "We need every available voice speaking up for democracy, tolerance and peace."
Albright, who attended Wellesley, a women’s college, and now teaches at Georgetown, a Catholic university, was embraced by the largely female crowd of about 1,000 at Saint Xavier, a 150-year-old Catholic institution that started accepting men since 1969.
She relishes being able to speak candidly about politics and foreign affairs now that she’s no longer a cabinet member.
Albright called the Iraq war a "fiasco." And she said it’s time for America to regain its "moral authority."
She defended House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for going to Syria against the wishes of President George W. Bush.
And she reiterated her endorsement of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s 2008 presidential bid, saying it will be "an unbelievably difficult job of getting the U.S. out of the hole we’re in" and Clinton is ready for the task.
"Role model" was used more than once to describe the first woman who served in the highest-ranking cabinet position.
"She paved the way for women and minorities," said Karen Thomas, 53, of Oak Lawn.
Albright, looking regal in a royal blue suit, was down to earth and sometimes humorous —- describing herself as "an optimist who worries a lot" —- in delivering her speech.
Earlier in the evening, Albright sat at a square table with 22 Saint Xavier students selected for their academic, extracurricular and leadership abilities, Dean of Students Candace Passi said.
Among them was Adeeb Odeh, a 21-year-old psychology major from Tinley Park, who sat beside Albright. Odeh’s mother immigrated from Palestine, his father from Jordan.
He said he was honored by the experience because it brings him closer to achieving his parents’ goal of the American dream.
"It’s unbelievable to be a part of this," he said.
Mark Wilkey, 23, of Evergreen Park, scribbled copious notes on a yellow legal pad during the discussion.
"I (now) have a better understanding of what’s happening in the world today," the computer science graduate student said.
Looking professional in a suit and tie, David Perez, Student Government Association president, thanked Albright with a handshake. His peers then followed his lead.
"I wanted to make an impact," the aspiring politician from Chicago’s Garfield Ridge community said, explaining his attire.
The conversation with students spanned topics around the globe but focused heavily on the war in Iraq.
"People are very hungry for answers," Albright said after the discussion. "This war will go down in history as the greatest disaster in foreign policy. ... It’s a war of choice, not of necessity."
William Daley, brother of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and who served with Albright in President Clinton’s cabinet, introduced her as "one of America’s most provocative thinkers and distinguished diplomats" at the inaugural "SXU Voices and Visions Speaker Series."
Albright, 69, who was promoting her book "The Mighty and the Almighty," explained that politics and religious values can work together to promote peace.
The daughter of a Czech diplomat, her family converted to Catholicism from Judaism to escape persecution.
Albright began the 45-minute lecture, which was followed by 15 minutes of audience questions, by praising the bright students she met earlier in the day.
"They expect the best for America and want the best for the world," she said.
Courtney Greve can be reached at (708) 633-5983 or cgreve@dailysouthtown.com.
Note to Mark, you are the reason IT jobs are being outsourced to India.
She probably spent 14 minutes answering the first question.
That picture will give me nightmares for a month!
Oh, yes madam. You left us such a wonderful arrangement in Iraq. Am pilots shot at daily patroling no fly zone, sanctions falling apart due to UN corruption, nuclear inspectors kicked out. Yessireebob. You did great.
I wonder if the Arab world appreciated that political diversion her boss used?
I can just imagine her on the phone with Saddam. “Just ignore these missiles, my boss will be getting it wet again in a few days, then you can relax again.”
I wonder if it was Hillary that ordered that strike.
If truth be known, I bet shes ten times worse on the eyes.
Let us not forget: This cretin took extraordinary measures in the 90’s to hide the fact that she is a Jew — until her heredity jumped up and hit her in the face.
What a despicable shrew she is!
350 cruise missles @ $1 million each. Then Bush said he couldn’t see wasting a million on bombing a tent. LOL
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