Kennedy speech encourages environmental activism
By: Troy Montigney
Issue date: 10/9/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 2 next >
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. did not mince words in his indictment of the current presidential administration's environmental track record during his speech Friday evening at DePauw Discourse 2007: Sustainability and Global Citizenship.
"This is the worst environmental president that we've ever had in American history, bar none," Kennedy said. "Most insidiously, they have put polluters in charge of virtually all the agencies that are supposed to protect the environment."
With this appraisal, Kennedy's keynote address entitled "The Contract with Our Future" moved through 80 minutes' worth of reflection on the state of the environment. Although the activist and attorney painted a bleak picture, many students, such as freshman Mara Mote, left inspired by his vision.
"I felt like I was actually moved to do something," Mote said. "I felt outraged and also a little hopeful that something can change."
Sophomore Lindi Conover was also impressed by Kennedy's call to action.
"It reinforced liberal ideas that I was beginning to lose in the face of this Republican administration," Conover said.
In spite of a laundry list of environmental transgressions committed by Republicans, Kennedy said bipartisanship is the means to a resolution of the environmental crisis.
"Democracy is the only way to save the environment over the long-term," he said. "I think the worst thing that could happen to the environment is if it becomes the province of a single political party."
Junior Abigail Oliver described herself as a conservative displeased with the policies of the Republican party's current leadership. She said Kennedy's personable nature could be useful in helping to mobilize a younger generation.
"I personally have never put a lot of time and effort toward helping the environmental crisis," Oliver said. "But his speech was backed with strong evidence, and he is obviously an intelligent man."
Not all members of the audience of nearly 1,000 echoed Oliver's praise. Junior Mike Beeman said he left Kresge Auditorium displeased with the manner in which Kennedy addressed what he felt to be peripheral issues.
"This is the worst environmental president that we've ever had in American history, bar none," Kennedy said. "Most insidiously, they have put polluters in charge of virtually all the agencies that are supposed to protect the environment."
With this appraisal, Kennedy's keynote address entitled "The Contract with Our Future" moved through 80 minutes' worth of reflection on the state of the environment. Although the activist and attorney painted a bleak picture, many students, such as freshman Mara Mote, left inspired by his vision.
"I felt like I was actually moved to do something," Mote said. "I felt outraged and also a little hopeful that something can change."
Sophomore Lindi Conover was also impressed by Kennedy's call to action.
"It reinforced liberal ideas that I was beginning to lose in the face of this Republican administration," Conover said.
In spite of a laundry list of environmental transgressions committed by Republicans, Kennedy said bipartisanship is the means to a resolution of the environmental crisis.
"Democracy is the only way to save the environment over the long-term," he said. "I think the worst thing that could happen to the environment is if it becomes the province of a single political party."
Junior Abigail Oliver described herself as a conservative displeased with the policies of the Republican party's current leadership. She said Kennedy's personable nature could be useful in helping to mobilize a younger generation.
"I personally have never put a lot of time and effort toward helping the environmental crisis," Oliver said. "But his speech was backed with strong evidence, and he is obviously an intelligent man."
Not all members of the audience of nearly 1,000 echoed Oliver's praise. Junior Mike Beeman said he left Kresge Auditorium displeased with the manner in which Kennedy addressed what he felt to be peripheral issues.
Be the first to comment on this story