Clear the runway. Make way for the motorcade. Roll out the black carpet. Vice President Dick Cheney will deliver the commencement speech at the Brigham Young University graduation ceremony next month.
Cheney is arguably the most unpopular vice president in the history of the United States. Judging by the reaction to the announcement, his pro-war, pro-torture, pro-oil, pro-Haliburton, pro-suppression of our constitutional freedoms platform has turned a lot of people off, even at BYU.
There's a petition demanding that the LDS Church-owned school scratch Cheney from the roster, or provide a second speaker who would present opposing views. Protests, alternative off-campus ceremonies and a boycott are being discussed by some grads-to-be. To their credit, students, alumni, and even professors are speaking out.
This from a BYU prof: "If BYU seeks to bring a model of abuse of power, greed and political extremism, which seeks to decimate citizens' rights guaranteed by our laws, then Cheney is a perfect choice."
We count ourselves among those who question the wisdom of BYU's Board of Trustees inviting Cheney to speak, given the moral bankruptcy of his record. But that choice was theirs to make, just as it is the right of anyone who disagrees with the choice to say so. In fact, vigorous debate is a good thing.
It reminds us of 2004 when liberal icon Michael Moore was invited
to speak at Utah Valley State College, and the community went into cardiac arrest. Like-minded students mounted a petition drive to not only kick Moore off the stage, but to kick out of office the student government that invited him. Moore spoke, but in an attempt to placate the aggrieved, Utah County's favorite of the far right, Sean Hannity, was brought in first.
We'll say the same thing we said then. This is democracy at work. Debate, protests, boycotts, issues brought to the forefront - it's all good. It's all part of the participatory process.
So let Cheney speak. Be appalled, or enthralled. He may posture and prevaricate, but he will be speaking to a class of college graduates who presumably are capable of weighing his words against his record.
And, who knows? Maybe BYU will take a cue from UVSC and offer Hillary the chance to appall or enthrall the Class of 2008.

(source: Salt Lake Tribune April 26, 2007)