Im guessing every kid that walked out had plenty of undergraduate options. Yet, they chose to attend ND. Why? maybe it was the academics. maybe athletics. maybe the Catholicism. Maybe the campus. Maybe some or all of those things. But they knew what they were signing up for in terms of where ND stood on the intellectual and political spectrum. So they invited a VP with whom you don't see eye-to-eye with to speak? Does that mean you get up and "politely" walk out? Sure, you have that choice and some exercised it. But those same people seemed willing to pay for an ND degree from an institution whose views probably aren't that far off from the speaker. So yeah, it does smack me as a bit inconsistent and "look at me". Would it have been too much to bear to sit "politely" on your hands for 15 more minutes? Everyone has to do whatever they feel is appropriate in each situation. But I couldn't imagine getting up and walking out on Obama or Clinton if they were my graduation speaker (heck, I sat through a Geraldine Ferraro commencement speech-not because I agreed with her but because she was the invited guest, who was far more accomplished than me and who might impart some words of wisdom or inspiration).

if you're that concerned with the speaker, just don't go. Far less disruptive to your fellow graduates and their families.
[Post edited by TpkeHoo at 05/23/2017 11:31AM]