Michelle’s Advice To Graduates: Fraternize With the Enemy i.e. that’s us

BUTT FIRST, THIS SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: MOTUS IS TAKING A SUMMER SABBATICAL

As many of you know, the care and maintenance of a daily blog is rather labor intensive. And while I love the work and adore all of my colleagues here, the hours are long, and the days are short. I’m not complaining, butt I again find myself with a raft of half done and not-yet-started and projects that can no longer be deferred.

Therefore, just like last year, as of today I will be starting my  Summer Semi-Sabbatical. Butt as a famous cowboy once said, “I don’t know how to quit you.”

A shame America couldn’t figure out a way to quit him when we had the chance

So instead of a daily missive I will be posting a “Thought of the Day,” “Topic of the Day” or a “Picture of the Day.” Consider them to be open threads. When time and circumstance permit I will do a full post, and who knows, Little Mo and Dewey from Detroit might weigh in from time to time as well. This will allow me to take care of many neglected responsibilities that have languished nearly as long as Big Guy’s economy.

I hope you MOTI (MOL, MOD and FOM) understand and continue to carry the load around here this summer with all the wit, snark and very special charm we’ve all come to expect and enjoy. I thank you for your continued support, and God bless America!

And now, here’s today’s topic: At her commencement address at Oberlin yesterday Lady M warned the graduates at Oberlin about all the course, nasty people of the conservative persuasion they’re going to encounter after leaving their rarified cocoon of enlightenment and grace:

“And the truth is, graduates, after four years of thoughtful, respectful discussion and debate here at Oberlin -– those seminars where you explored new ideas together, those late-night conversations where you challenged each other and learned from each other — after all of that, you might find yourself a little dismayed by the clamor outside these walls — the name-calling, the negative ads, the folks yelling at each other on TV. After being surrounded by people who are so dedicated to serving others and making the world a better place, you might feel a little discouraged by the polarization and gridlock that too often characterize our politics and civic life.” (snip)

You might be tempted to just recreate what you had here at Oberlin -– to find a community of like-minded folks and work with them on causes you care about, and just tune out all of the noise…Today, I want to suggest that if you truly wish to carry on the Oberlin legacy of service and social justice, then you need to run to, and not away from, the noise. Today, I want to urge you to actively seek out the most contentious, polarized, gridlocked places you can find. Because so often, throughout our history, those have been the places where progress really happens –- the places where minds are changed, lives transformed, where our great American story unfolds.

And if Lady M’s advice isn’t good enough, you can get concrete examples from her HINO. That’s right, Barry “I won, John, the debate’s over” knows exactly how to change the hearts and minds of his opponents. He just stares at them until he bores a hole in their skull. Very effective leadership skills, and if I may so so, never fails to impress your enemy opponent. And if you’re still not convinced, you can ask Paul Ryan or Bibi Netanyahu as well.

Please discuss amongst yourselves, butt “I want to urge you to actively seek out the most contentious, polarized, gridlocked places you can find,” – oh, never mind; I guess that would be right here.