For more than a decade, Miami Dade College has sent a letter to the President of the United States asking him to deliver a commencement address. This year, the President finally said yes. The Miami New Times describes the Kendall campus, where Bush spoke on Saturday, May 5th, as a “former community college.” We did some research and found that in addition to listing The Kite Runner as the Spring 2007 selection for “A Good Read!” on their homepage, Miami Dade College offers 150 different Associates Degrees, 50 fast-track vocational training programs and a full complement of adult education classes, GED preparation classes, and classes for fun and recreation. We’re not sure where the “former” community college part comes in. To add further perspective, the Times notes that the Hialeah branch of Miami Dade got the mayor of Hialeah as their commencement speaker. So how did the institution get such a prestigious guest speaker for the Kendall campus? One unnamed faculty member is quoted as saying Miami Dade was a pretty safe bet because Bush got to enjoy his base and talk about his policies while the college got to have the president give their commencement. This doesn’t sit well with Times reporters Calvin Godfrey and Tamara Lush who call the town to task:

That’s right, Miami: We are the Bush family’s bottom bitches…With the president’s disapproval rating bouncing, of late, between 50 and 60 percent, now must’ve seemed like as good a time as any to head for acolyte country.

Don’t beat yourself up, Miami. But, may we suggest a new book for the Kendall campus Fall 07 “A Good Read!”? Don’t Call That Man!
All Hail, the King of the Smurfs [Miami New Times]