I must be heard

Recently I went to my daughter's graduation at ASU. It was an exciting time. As parents we were so proud. We took our other children and their grandma with us. There was a buzz in the air as we waited for the ceremony to commence. We had our i-pods out so that we could post on our Facebook walls telling the world where we are and why we are there.

Finally the moment had come. The graduates paraded in and took their seats in front of the podium. Everyone hollered and waved as their graduate marched in. We sat and listened to some speakers. Some were very good. One notably good speaker was a Mister Rios. This man had some great accomplishments yet he was a very humble man.He gave an exceptional speech. In fact we talked about it on the way home. Other speakers left us wondering why they were even on the program.

Then came the announcement. We will read the name of each graduate and have them come across the stage to shake hands the important people at the school and give them their empty diploma holder. Please hold your applause until the end so that all names can be heard.

I've been to many concerts at the schools as my children were growing up and I know parents are proud of the little children. Many will holler out as their son or daughter walks on stage. Many seem to get a great thrill from seeing their child wave to them from the stage. Most people however, tend to follow good concert etiquette once the concert begins. Of course there is always some Jethro Bodine type who's mouth is bigger than their brain who simply must yell out his son/daughter's name right in the middle of a song. I think security should escort this individual and everyone in his party out of the auditorium. If he insists on being allowed in to see his student play then take the precious little one off stage and send him out with his family.

Well, so it is at college graduation as well. Things went well and quiet for the first fifteen or twenty names then they called the name of the spawn of Jethro. Suddenly an air horn sounded as what seemed to be an entire section in the auditorium erupted in loud cheers and yelps. Things went down hill from there. Every yahoo in the village then took courage and made a ruckus as Yahoo Jr's name was called. After each yahoo made his presence known the next name or two couldn't be heard. Where is security?

I don't believe that these people are so proud of their son, daughter, parent or friend that they just can't keep it in. In fact I'm convinced that it has nothing to do with the student what-so-ever. It's just an excuse for some clown to say, "Hey everyone look at me even if I am a dork."

Maybe we could pay for the socialized medicine being crammed down our throats by imposing a dork tax.