A Class at the John Edwards School of Political Opportunism

My column on commencement addresses, both tacky and tactful:

Giving a commencement address is not an easy charge, but betweenboredom and blatant politics, there is a balance. Between self-servingtripe and the stale and trite, there is room for inspiration,entertainment and consideration.

For four years of work,college students deserve speakers who are willing to find that balance.For John Edwards, however, it’s the four years in the White House thatis much more important.

For those of you who didn't notice, Edwards used a commencement address last weekend to tell new England College students to go forth and...protest the war! As if 20-somethings at a Northeastern liberal arts school haven't already been doing that for four years.