Viggo Mortensen's speech to the
St. Lawrence University class of 2006
My delectably imaginary boyfriend, Viggo Mortensen, was feted with an honorary PHD from his alma mater, St. Lawrence University.
You can read his whole address at St. Lawrence University: Commencement [2]
When calculatedly dishonest and self-serving behavior is increasingly becoming the norm from many of those holding high political positions in the United States, it is thoughtful individuals such as you, the members of the Class of 2006, who can help mend the frayed moral fabric of the nation by your personal example. Whether you see yourselves as so-called "liberals," "conservatives" or some other political persuasion -- or none at all -- you now, by virtue of your liberal arts education, ought to be qualified to ask intelligent questions and not be intimidated or stifled by unreasoned argument, not matter how forcefully it is presented. This, of course, goes for you non-U.S. citizen graduates as well. I'm certainly not asking anyone to run out and burn down City Hall, or to necessarily engage in any overt protest. I simply advocate your continuing to explore being involved citizens. Don't ever be afraid to ask the question, "why?," or as most small children do, to repeat that question as many times as you receive an unsatisfactory answer. Inquiring minds are essential to a healthy society, and to making an individual art out of living. With apologies to any Latin scholars for my pronunciation, I offer the following epigram:
"Ducunt volentum fata, nolentum trahunt."
For non-Latin scholars, that translates as: "Fate leads those who are willing. The unwilling it drags." Or, if you prefer your words of warning from a Greek, Plato once said that "One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors." Recent election results and subsequent political appointments in this country seem to bear that admonishment out.
And Maha [3] wonders why I want to have this man's babies.
Sigh. There are moments I actually cannot stand his speechifying, like when he waxes poetic about world peace; but 99% of the time his politicking is like foreplay to me. To think I thought this man was a mimbo... [3]
Your turn now : What's turning you on these days?
Hat tip to the thinking woman's Viggofilia site, Viggo-Works [4], which is celebrating their 2nd annniversary. Go RivRes!
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