Posted by fanoftroy (anonymous) on July 24, 2009 at 11:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How out of touch with reality is this guy? Our finest hour, a time for hope? What is he talking about? Unemployment at record highs, people losing their homes, education system going into pro-ration and this guy is making these kind of comments. Is he insane? God help us if this one gets elected Governor. He is obviously a typical politician who is way out of touch with what it is like to be a real person in this state

Posted by rowdytgr (anonymous) on July 25, 2009 at 3:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well, according to the Incas, the Aztecs, the Hopi Indians, Nostradamus, and some old lady that lived in a cave, after December 21, 2012, there won't be many, if any, of us around to worry about such things, as this is supposed to be the time that the earth exactly lines up with the center of the Universe, and strange and weird things are supposed to happen leading up to that time. However, there is always hope, because the Bible states that no man (or woman in a cave) knows the time or day the earth will end or the return of Jesus to our earth. So let's be kind to one another and enjoy our years left on this beautiful earth, no matter how long (or short) it may be!

Posted by fanoftroy (anonymous) on July 25, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

rowdy, what does your posting have to do with this article.

Posted by regis (anonymous) on July 26, 2009 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)

This Bradly Byrne is a real piece of work.

Let me guess, "A Crowes' chicken leg in every pot"...."ask not what I can do for you, ask what you can do for me"...."Mr. Floyd, tear down this wall!"

Posted by BadMoonRising (anonymous) on July 27, 2009 at 12:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

a campaign pitch for a commencement address?

Posted by fanoftroy (anonymous) on July 27, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I was appalled and disappointed by Mr. Byrne's commencement address. Those graduates deserved much better than a campaign speech. They also deserved more than someone telling them that this out finest hour and the economy is not that bad and other such nonsense. I wasn't the only one that felt that way. You could look around the auditorium and see the disgust on people's faces and you could hear the groans. After the commencement, I spoke with several parents who were as outraged as I was. The University should make sure nothing like this happens again.

Posted by MessengerReader23 (anonymous) on July 27, 2009 at 12:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I would very much like to add my voice to those already posting to condemn this absurd idea that the current economic climate is the "finest hour" of anything. His remarks are not only "out of touch" (as previously noted) but also dangerous. We have had plenty of people who just say blind little positive comments and ignore the tough realities of inadequate state budgets and unfair economic policies and the long litany of other problems facing the state. Graduates ought to be clear-eyed and not fed lines of campaign fodder by a rich guy. Shameful.

Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on July 27, 2009 at 1:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If Bradley Byrne takes his ideas to a political campaign....I sure hopes he loses.

I don't understand either how this guy can think this is America's finest hour?

Sounds like some of those attending this graduation left with their eyebrows raised.

I wish the graduates hope and success basing their own contributions to society on their own ideas and merits and not from this guy's idea that this is "America's finest hour".

I'd like to have some of what's in this guy's water.

Posted by alexh (anonymous) on July 27, 2009 at 6:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I was upset and so was my daughter who graduated. Mr. Byrne should have never been invited to give a campaign speech at her graduation ceremony. It was highly inappropriate. Furthermore, the content of his speech proved that he was either delusional or ignorant of the conditions of our economy and the issues facing our state right now. We had a small gathering at our home for my daughter, some of her friends, and their families after the ceremony and My. Byrnes idiotic speech was the focus of conversation. This man obviously has some very serious problems or is viewing the world through the rosiest glasses in history. I didn't know anything about the man before that speech but since that speech, I know more than enough to know I wouldn't vote for him for dog catcher much less Governor. Who in their right mind would cast a ballot for this moron. Thanks, My Byrne, for turning a perfectly wonderful graduation ceremony into a stage for your bafoonery - you should write each member of the graduating class a letter of apology and Dr. Hawkins should write each graduate a letter of apology as well for allowing that to occur.

Posted by turtle (anonymous) on July 27, 2009 at 11:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I certainly hope we have a better speaker at my commencement ceremony. This guy sounds like a real genius <sarcasm>.

Posted by Bamabunny (anonymous) on July 28, 2009 at 9:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Usually in a commencement speech the topic is aimed toward the graduates honoring them for their hard work throughout college.....and encouraging them to find their own ways and means to make a positive contribution to society.

This guy had to be so egotistical and seemed to talk about no one but himself.

I hope the grads can get past this and Dr. Hawkins needs to do a bit of research before inviting a speaker to the next commencement exercise. Perhaps if he requested an outline of a proposed speech prior to graduation from an invited speaker...things will go a lot smoother.