A couple of years ago, I attended the commencement ceremony of a friend who was graduating from the Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Unlike most graduations, it held the prospect of being somewhat interesting since the commencement speaker was the Dalai Lama. Unfortunately, his semi-coherent spiel was actually pretty damn boring, though he spoke with a rambling rhythm and cadence very similar to another great 20th Century philosopher. It was all "love this" and "love that." Love, love, love, love.

Anyhow, I just found out that this year's commencement speaker is Rumsfeld. As my friend put it, "My how times have changed." An upgrade, as far as I am concerned: the DL never flew fighters, never was a champion wrestler, never was Secretary of Defense, never transformed US Military Doctrine for the 21st Century, never liberated 25 million people and, as far as I am aware, does not know kung-fu.

Dalai-Lama Quote:

"In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher."

Rumsfeld Quote:

"The aim is to kill as many of 'em as possible." (Explaining the use of cluster munitions against the Taliban)