Archive for the Graduation Advice Category

Graduation Advice:  Find The First Amendment (May 15, 2023)

Posted in First Amendment, Graduation Advice on May 15, 2023 by e-commentary.org

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K          “Find the First Amendment.  Don’t quit until you find it.  It may be hidden under a rock.  If you quit and don’t find it, we may get stoned for what we say.”

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K          “Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’23 . . . find the First Amendment. . . .  If I could offer you only one tip for the future . . . find the First Amendment.  You have been studying and partying and extracurricularing at a frantic and frenetic pace.  Now is the time to . . . find the First Amendment.  The assault on the First Amendment is coordinated and unrelenting by just about every large public and private and quasi public/private institution in America.  We all love it in theory but have a hard time applying it in practice, at least to others.  Sentiments such as the First Amendment and Due Process require a level of emotional intelligence and maturity sorely lacking today particularly among the parvenu PMC caste who were expensively school and yet lightly educated. As you join the company of educated men and women, find the First Amendment.”

. . .

K          “Wear sunscreen.  Wear hearing protection; listen attentively.  Wear chainsaw safety chaps; cut with care.  Eat dessert: First.  Learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie).  Stop, pause, think.  Eschew fear.  Transcend:  Maintain FL 44; Make A Few Discrete Dives And Diversions To TPA (Traffic Pattern Altitude).  And find the First Amendment.”

. . .

[See “High Court Declines Arkansas Case on Boycotting Israel” by Marjorie Cohn in “Consortium News” dated March 2, 2023 discussing the one case more than any other case that should have been reviewed and reversed by the Court (the “Illegitimate Institution”?) without delay or hesitation.  See the e-commentary at Senate Repeals Constitution.  Oh, And Happy Presidents’ Day! (February 18, 2019) and House [Also] Repeals Constitution.  Oh, And Happy Civic Holiday In Canada! (August 5, 2019) and the entire Boycott Category.  For good measure, see “Biden’s DOJ Indicts Four Americans for Their Political Views on Russia” by Dave DeCamp in www.antiwar.com dated April 19, 2023.]

[See the original “Sunscreen Column”, the Wikipedia article “Wear Sunscreen” and listen to “Everbody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)”.]

[See the e-commentary at The Möbius Loop Of Stupidity, Dishonesty, Hypocrisy, Incompetence, Indifference, Arrogance, . . .  Oh, And Happy Thanksgiving! (November 25, 2019), Graduation Advice:  Transcend:  Maintain FL 44; Make A Few Discrete Dives And Diversions To TPA (Traffic Pattern Altitude) (May 16, 2022), Graduation Advice: Eschew Fear (May 10, 2021), Graduation Advice:  Stop, Pause, Think (May 18, 2020), Graduation Advice:  Learn To Tie a Bowline (And A Bow Tie) (May 13, 2019), Graduation Advice:  Eat Dessert.  First. (May 14, 2018), Graduation Advice:  Wear Chainsaw Safety Chaps; Cut With Care (May 15, 2017), Graduation Advice:  Wear Hearing Protection; Listen Attentively (May 16, 2016) and the advice to youth at Go East, Young Person (August 25, 2014).] 

Bumper stickers of the week:

Wear sunscreen.  Wear hearing protection; listen attentively.  Wear chainsaw safety chaps; cut with care.  Eat dessert:  First.  Learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie).  Stop, pause, think.  Eschew fear.  Transcend:  Maintain FL 44; Make A Few Discrete Dives And Diversions To TPA (Traffic Pattern Altitude).  And find the First Amendment.

Find the First Amendment

Flee the Mobius Loop

Make 2024 the “Year Of The First Amendment”

“Here in America we are descended in blood and in spirit from revolutionists and rebels – men and women who dare to dissent from accepted doctrine.  As their heirs, may we never confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion.”  Dwight D. Eisenhower.

“I disapprove of what you say, but [I] will defend to the death your right to say it.”  Voltaire

Graduation Advice:  Transcend:  Maintain FL 44; Make A Few Discrete Dives And Diversions To TPA (Traffic Pattern Altitude) (May 16, 2022)

Posted in Graduation Advice on May 16, 2022 by e-commentary.org

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K          “Transcend.”

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K          “Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’22 . . . transcend. . . .  If I could offer you only one tip for the future, . . . transcend.  You have been studying and partying and extracurricularing at a frantic and frenetic pace.  Now is the time to learn to. . . . transcend.  Maintain Flight Level 44 [44,000]; make a few discrete dives and diversions to TPA (Traffic Pattern Altitude) to participate with other members of the community.  Try with all your might to take flight from the Möbius Loop of stupidity, dishonesty, hypocrisy, incompetence, indifference and arrogance when you can.”

. . .

K          “And eschew fear and wear sun screen and hearing protection and chainsaw safety chaps.  Eat dessert: First.  Learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie).  Stop, pause, think.  And . . . transcend.”

. . .

J          “Go East, young person.  Go to Rome, D.C. and get in on the looting before it is too late.”

. . .

[See the original “Sunscreen Column”, the Wikipedia article “Wear Sunscreen” and listen to “Everbody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)”.]

[See the e-commentary at The Möbius Loop Of Stupidity, Dishonesty, Hypocrisy, Incompetence, Indifference, Arrogance, . . .  Oh, And Happy Thanksgiving! (November 25, 2019), Graduation Advice: Eschew Fear (May 10, 2021), Graduation Advice:  Stop, Pause, Think (May 18, 2020), Graduation Advice:  Learn To Tie a Bowline (And A Bow Tie) (May 13, 2019), Graduation Advice:  Eat Dessert.  First. (May 14, 2018), Graduation Advice:  Wear Chainsaw Safety Chaps; Cut With Care (May 15, 2017), Graduation Advice:  Wear Hearing Protection; Listen Attentively (May 16, 2016) and the advice to youth at Go East, Young Person (August 25, 2014).] 

Bumper stickers of the week:

And eschew fear and wear sun screen and hearing protection and chainsaw safety chaps.  Eat dessert: First.  Learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie).  Stop, pause, think.  And . . . transcend.

Transcend

Flee the Mobius Loop

Graduation Advice: Eschew Fear (May 10, 2021)

Posted in Graduation Advice on May 10, 2021 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “You have been through this drill over the past year.  If this signal is now coming through to you or to some of you, we can proceed with the second virtual graduation ceremony in school history.  Learn to eschew fear.  I realize.  Easy to say; hard to do.”

. . .

K          “Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’21 . . . learn to eschew fear. . . .  If I could offer you only one tip for the future, learn to eschew fear.  You have been studying and partying and extracurricularing at a frantic and frenetic pace.  Now is the time to learn to eschew fear.  Fear debilitates and demoralizes and immobilizes and immolates.  Look at who is trying intentionally to frighten you.  We are in the halcyon days of the Virus and the Vaccines and their consequences.  The future will not be as calm.  But learn to eschew fear.”

. . .

K          “And wear sun screen and hearing protection and chainsaw safety chaps.  Eat dessert.  First.  Learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie).  Stop, pause, think.  And learn to eschew fear.”

. . .

J          “Go East, young person.  Go to Rome, D.C. and get in on the looting before it is too late.”

. . .

[See the “Sunscreen Column”, the Wikipedia article “Wear Sunscreen” and listen to “Everbody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)”.]

[See the e-commentary at “Graduation Advice:  Stop, Pause, Think (May 18, 2020)”, “Graduation Advice:  Learn To Tie a Bowline (And A Bow Tie) (May 13, 2019)”; “Graduation Advice:  Eat Dessert.  First. (May 14, 2018)”, “Graduation Advice:  Wear Chainsaw Safety Chaps; Cut With Care (May 15, 2017)”, “Graduation Advice:  Wear Hearing Protection; Listen Attentively (May 16, 2016)” and the advice to youth at “Go East, Young Person (August 25, 2014)”.] 

Bumper stickers of the week:

Wear sun screen and hearing protection and chainsaw safety chaps and eat dessert.  First.   Learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie).  Stop, pause, think.  Learn to eschew fear.

Eschew fear.

Graduation Advice:  Stop, Pause, Think (May 18, 2020)

Posted in Covid / Coronavirus, Graduation Advice on May 18, 2020 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “We will try it again.  If this signal is now coming through to you or to some of you, we can proceed with the first virtual graduation ceremony in school history.  Stop, pause, think.”

. . .

K          “Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’20 . . . learn to stop, pause, think. . . .  If I could offer you only one tip for the future, learn to stop, pause, think.  You have been studying and partying and extracurricularing at a frantic and frenetic pace.  Now is the time to stop, pause, think.  We are in the halcyon days of the Plague.  The next days and weeks and years and decades will not be as calm.  Stop, pause, think.”

. . .

K          “And wear sun screen and hearing protection and chainsaw safety chaps.  Eat dessert.  First.  Learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie).  And stop, pause, think.”

. . .

J          “Go East, young person.  Go to Rome, D.C. and get in on the looting before it is too late.”

. . .

[See the “Sunscreen Column” http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-schmich-sunscreen-column-column.html, the Wikipedia article “Wear Sunscreen” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wear_Sunscreen and listen to “Everbody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)”.]

[See the e-commentary at “Graduation Advice:  Learn To Tie a Bowline (And A Bow Tie) (May 13, 2019)”; “Graduation Advice:  Eat Dessert.  First. (May 14, 2018)”, “Graduation Advice:  Wear Chainsaw Safety Chaps; Cut With Care (May 15, 2017)”, “Graduation Advice:  Wear Hearing Protection; Listen Attentively (May 16, 2016)” and the advice to youth at “Go East, Young Person (August 25, 2014)”.] 

Bumper stickers of the week:

Wear sun screen and hearing protection and chainsaw safety chaps and eat dessert.  First.   Learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie).  Stop, pause, think.

Stop, pause, think

Graduation Advice:  Learn To Tie a Bowline (And A Bow Tie) (May 13, 2019)

Posted in Graduation Advice on May 13, 2019 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “Learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie).”

. . .

K          “Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’19 . . . learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie). . . .  If I could offer you only one tip for the future, learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie).”

. . .

K          “And wear sun screen and hearing protection and chainsaw safety chaps.  Eat dessert.  First.  And learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie).”

. . .

J          “Go East, young person.  Go to Rome, D.C. and get in on the looting before it is too late.”

. . .

[See the “Sunscreen Column”, the Wikipedia article “Wear Sunscreen” and listen to “Everbody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)”.]

[See the e-commentary at “Graduation Advice:  Eat Dessert.  First. (May 14, 2018)”, “Graduation Advice:  Wear Chainsaw Safety Chaps; Cut With Care (May 15, 2017)”, “Graduation Advice:  Wear Hearing Protection; Listen Attentively (May 16, 2016)” and the advice to youth at “Go East, Young Person (August 25, 2014)”.] 

Bumper stickers of the week:

Wear sun screen and hearing protection and chainsaw safety chaps and eat dessert.  First.   And learn to tie a bowline (and a bow tie)

Better to know a knot and not need it than to need a knot and not know it.

Graduation Advice:  Eat Dessert.  First. (May 14, 2018)

Posted in Graduation Advice on May 14, 2018 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “Eat dessert.  First.”

. . .

K          “Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’18 . . . Eat dessert.  First. . . .  If I could offer you only one tip for the future, eat dessert.  First.  would be it.”

. . .

K          “And wear sun screen and hearing protection and chainsaw safety chaps.”

. . .

J          “Go East, young person.  Go to Rome, D.C. and get in on the looting before it is too late.”

. . .

[See the e-commentary at “Graduation Advice:  Wear Chainsaw Safety Chaps; Cut With Care (May 15, 2017)”, “Graduation Advice:  Wear Hearing Protection; Listen Attentively (May 16, 2016)” and the advice to youth at “Go East, Young Person (August 25, 2014)”.] 

Bumper sticker of the week:

Wear sun screen and hearing protection and chainsaw safety chaps and eat dessert.  First. 

Graduation Advice:  Wear Chainsaw Safety Chaps; Cut With Care (May 15, 2017)

Posted in Graduation Advice on May 15, 2017 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “Wear chainsaw safety chaps.”

. . .

K          “Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’17 . . . wear chainsaw safety chaps . . . if I could offer you only one tip for the future, chainsaw safety chaps would be it. . . .  Wear chainsaw safety chaps . . . and cut and craft with great care.”

. . .

K          “And wear sun screen and hearing protection.”

. . .

J          “Go East, young person.  Go to Rome and get in on the looting before it is too late.”

. . .

[Ponder the graduation commencement speech titled “This Is Water” by David Foster Wallace.]

[See the e-commentary at “Graduation Advice:  Wear Hearing Protection; Listen Attentively (May 16, 2016)” and the advice to youth at “Go East, Young Person (August 25, 2014)”.]

Bumper sticker of the week:

Wear sun screen and hearing protection and chainsaw safety chaps

Graduation Advice:  Wear Hearing Protection; Listen Attentively (May 16, 2016)

Posted in Awards / Incentives, Graduation Advice, Journalism, Newspapers, Press/Media, Pulitzer, Pushitzer on May 16, 2016 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “Wear hearing protection.”

. . .

K          “Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’16 . . . wear hearing protection . . . if I could offer you only one tip for the future, hearing protection would be it. . . .  Wear hearing protection . . . and listen attentively.”

. . .

K          “You are surrounded every day by noise.  Nail guns, guns, chop saws, generators, ice augers, pressure washers, snow mobiles, atvs, planes, boats, vacuum cleaners, power drills and ads by the underwriters on public radio and then when you return from your cabin are assaulted and assailed by the din and cacophony of daily life.  Protect your hearing; hear what needs to be heard.” 

. . .

K          “But trust me on the hearing protection.”

. . .

J          “I hear you.”

. . .

[See the “Sunscreen Column”, the Wikipedia article “Wear Sunscreen” and listen to “Everbody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen).”]

Bumper stickers of the week:

“Wear hearing protection; listen very attentively.”

“Do one thing every day that scares you.”  Mary Theresa Schmich, the author of “Everbody’s Free (To Wear Sunscreen)” and a most deserving recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 2012 and a recipient of the Pushitzer Prize for Commentary nunc pro tunc to 2012.

Be kind to your knees, you will miss them when they are gone.  Be very, very kind to your knees.  Be even more kind.

Floss.