Patriotism and Idealism in the 1990s

Mr. Trudeau addressed the May graduates emphasizing the importance to humanity of asking impertinent questions to get pertinent answers. He praised the new leaders of the eastern countries who had fought their governments for basic human rights. He praised the Chinese students' courage in asking impertinent questions, even at the cost of their lives. He compared their sacrifice to the 1960s in the United States and argued that it was stronger because the Americans did not expect to die. He discussed how the American democracy functions and the importance that the impertinent question plays. He says that this characteristic of the United States is what sustains his patriotism. He concludes by condemning the upfront admission of vices instead of working to overcome them. This growing acceptance of intolerance as a result of ignorance must be overcome by a recognition of the interdependence and connectedness between peoples. Universities have a responsibility to convey that to their stude close