Editor's note: The letters today are in response to the controversial commencement address by Corvallis High School math teacher Rob Cornell. See the full text of his speech at gazettetimes.com.

The third of my offspring graduated from Corvalis High School last night. All three were privileged to have Rob Cornell as a teacher. Regarding Cornell's address to the CHS Class of 2006, I'm sure the predicted flurry of letters will materialize, no doubt accusing him of pushing a political agenda in public school. This is untrue. I was there, and I was paying attention.

Mr. Cornell merely presented a series of documented and sobering facts about the world the 2006 class inherits.

As I recall, he said (paraphrased, recall errors mine) the 2003 invasion of Iraq was unprovoked. Minimum 40,000 Iraqi dead and more than 2,400 of ours. The number of lobbyists in Washington, D.C., has spiked to 65 lobbyists per legislator. Corruption in government has measurably increased. Environmental protection is eroding in favor of profits. The richest 10 percent control 70 percent of our assets and the poorest 50 percent control about 3 percent. Our government lied to us.

Cornell simply urged the new graduates to be people of action. (Specific suggestions included eating local and riding bikes.) He then proceeded to illustrate how the mathematical mean can be misleading (the man is a math teacher after all). Then he came down against reducing complex issues and their solutions to 30-second sound bites. He closed by quoting Alexis de Tocqueville: "The public will believe a simple lie rather than a complex truth." Predictably and sadly, a few so-called adults in the audience embarrassed themselves and proved de Tocqueville correct by their childish booing. Such people apparently don't like to be burdened with facts.

Colleen Dick

Corvallis

CHS speech was not appropriate for graduation

Hats off to the Corvallis High School Class of 2006. It was evident from the graduation ceremony that the graduates are a fine group of individuals who have accomplished much during their tenure at CHS. Good luck in your future endeavor, graduates.

Unfortunately, the program had to be tainted by someone who wished to make a political statement instead of a commencement speech. I have no doubts in the teacher's capability as a math teacher, and I can appreciate the fact that people may have opinions different than mine. However, I hardly think that a graduation ceremony is an appropriate venue to make a dreadfully inappropriate and divisive rant.

There is a time and place for making a political stand. A graduation celebration is neither.

Kevin Gunnell

Corvallis

Keynote was stirring call to action for 2006 grads

It is unfortunate that Dick Hughey heard the Corvallis High School commencement speech as a "diatribe on the evils of America" (Letters, June 14, "Teacher's speech to grads divisive").

In fact, his reaction verified one of the main points of Rob Cornell's speech: too many Americans are unable to focus on more than a 30-second sound bite.

The speech did specifically address some of the uncomfortable truths about America today. This is the point where Mr. Hughey and others like him tuned out, unable to hear anything else. Equating concern for the direction in which the current administration is heading, concern for the inequities between the rich and the poor, concern for the future that faces these graduates (especially those heading into the military) is as pro-American as one can be.

Mr. Cornell challenged the students to look at both sides of the issues, exercise the right to vote and the right to free speech, find the good in America and fix what needs fixing.

Rob Cornell is one of the most caring, compassionate, and appreciated teachers our students can ever hope to encounter, as evidenced by their choice of him as commencement speaker, and by the standing ovation with which they responded to his speech. Thanks, Rob, for being an excellent teacher and role model.

Marie Franzosa

Corvallis

What did Marine think of CHS graduation speech?

Seated in the front row on the floor of Gill Coliseum, prior to the start of Monday evening's Corvallis High School commencement ceremonies, I saw a Marine sergeant approaching me. He was resplendent in his dress uniform, with several medals on his chest, and two hash marks on his sleeve indicating more than a few years of service.

I spoke to him, thanking him for defending and serving our great nation. He replied, "Thank you, sir. I appreciate that." Shortly afterward, Rob Cornell delivered the commencement address. His incitant political remarks were, in my opinion, out of place. The speaker could have informed the graduates of the trials and problems that beset our country without using attack tactics. I wondered what that Marine sergeant thought.

Overall, the evening was a glorious celebration and fitting recognition of the outstanding accomplishments of the fine young graduates of CHS.

Bill Corcoran

World War II vet

Corvallis teacher 1962-1983

Corvallis

CHS speech was thought-provoking and relevant

I agree with Dick Hughey in that heartfelt congratulations are due to the Corvallis High School Class of 2006.

However, I personally believe that Rob Cornell's speech was well thought out and highly relevant, even though some parts of the content did make me feel a bit uncomfortable.

And, I truly believe if one looks at the "spleen" in context with the "whole animal," one would get a very different perspective than what Dick Hughey has put forth in his letter to the editor. I feel it would be extremely worthwhile for the Gazette-Times to print Rob Cornell's commencement speech in its entirety so our great community can read it.

Fred Prahl

Corvallis

CHS commencement address told the truth

Congratulations to the Corvallis High School Class of 2006: What a great sendoff!

I have attended many graduation ceremonies, but non quite as inspiring as this one. From childhood on, these students were told they could do anything they want. While this is still true, the path set by the current administration for the country makes it less likely than when I graduated.

By any measure, we have lost more social freedoms under this administration than any in the past 50 years. We now have polluters in charge of providing clean air, water and food. Money-grubbing industry is in charge of public safety, health care and consumer product safety. These new graduates have less opportunity to advance their education as money ($320 billion) is moved from education and rebuilding infrastructure at home, to tax breaks for rich people and spreading death and destruction around the world.

As Rob Cornell pointed out, the United States exists for its citizens, and if they do not like its policies - death, destruction, pollution, corporate greed, degradation of health care and an ignorant citizenry - they can do something about it.

These graduates are old enough to die, due to the inept policies of this administration; they are old enough to hear about it. Every speaker ends with a challenge to the new graduates. Mr. Cornell's challenge is to make this country a better place to live. What bigger challenge is there?

Way to go Class of 2006: Help this country return to its core values (of which freedom of expression is one).

Steven Skarda

Corvallis

Speech was extreme, uncalled for diatribe

The 2006 Corvallis High School graduation started with the principal, Jay Conroy, stating how great the graduates' parents and family members were for raising such a caring class. Yet he apparently felt it was OK for Mr. (Rob) Cornell, the teacher who spoke for our class, to offend at least half of these family members and graduates with his derogatory comments toward the military, farmers and others.

When I voted for Mr. Cornell to speak at graduation, I had no idea he was going to give a speech on his extreme opinions on what's going on in the world.

As the audience began walking out during his speech, I wanted to leave, too, but was too afraid that the school would try to hold my diploma if I left.

The Gazette-Times reported that most of the graduating class stood up and cheered for Mr. Cornell at the end of the speech. To the contrary; there were many of us cheering in defense of our country and those who serve it.

I feel his speech was uncalled for and feel bad for the families who were insulted during what should have been a joyful celebration.

Emily Fausett

CHS Class of 2006

Corvallis