Monday, March 5, 2007
President Clinton lectures Friday at Bramlage Coliseum at Kansas State University about his concern for global issues. He said that every citizen has the responsibility of improving the world.
MANHATTAN — Former President Bill Clinton said his lecture was going to be a trip through his mind.
“It might be scary,” Clinton said during his visit to Bramlage Coliseum at Kansas State University.
Clinton spoke to about 9,000 people Friday in Manhattan about national and international relations. He said the line between the two was fading. Clinton said every concerned citizen, regardless of political party or anything else, needed a framework for understanding how local actions affected global issues and vice versa.
“I think we have to take care of us too, but we can’t take care of America’s next generation unless we take care of the world,” he said.
Clinton said he questioned himself regularly about how his actions affected a changing world. He said interdependence and sustainability were always outcomes he tried to reach.
“The world we live in today, we just, we can’t keep going this way,” he said.
Clinton cited top-soil erosion and under-stocked fishing areas as evidence of climate change, which he said was the predominant reason for instability.
He also said that unlike the previous century, Americans constantly felt vulnerable because of Sept. 11 and fear of incurable diseases like the bird flu.
He said America needed a strong security policy to enforce and help create a more sustainable world. Then, he pointed to a group of several hundred soldiers from Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth who attended the lecture.
“We have to have a security policy like these people,” Clinton said, and the coliseum erupted into applause.
He then said that during times of conflict, the military could only be successful if the U.S. had strong diplomatic solutions and strove for peace at the same time.
pullquote
We can’t keep going with the health care system we’ve got.
-former President Bill Clinton
“You always got to have politics at work with the military,” he said.
That part of the lecture hit home for Spc. Robert Mather, who is stationed at Fort Riley.
Mather said he liked that Clinton gave soldiers a lot of credit during his speech. He particularly enjoyed when Clinton pushed for diplomacy instead of violence when dealing with a restless Middle East.
“That means we don’t have to leave our families and go do a bunch of nonsense,” Mather said.
Another big issue for Clinton was universal health-care coverage.
“We can’t keep going with the health care system we’ve got,” Clinton said.
He said that 60 percent of an American’s income was spent on health care, and that no other developed nation spent more than 11 percent. He also said the U.S. insured 84 percent of its citizens while all other developed nations were able to insure all of their citizens.
Clinton also touched on public education, job growth and the increasing role of technology in the workplace while fielding several questions from the audience.
He ended his lecture by asking the audience who was responsible for improving the world.
“Whether in or out of government, you are,” Clinton said.
Kansan staff writer Tyler Harbert can be contacted at tharbert@kansan.com.
— Edited by Carissa Pedigo
Bush visits K-State; KU speech programmers wince
Kennedy advocates environmentalism
Robert Kennedy Jr. said the environment is intertwined with everything in his ...
General address Bush, terrorism in speech
Gen. Richard B. Myers spoke about terrorism and his relationship with President ...
KU professor talks politics across globe
Burdett Loomis gives lectures for the U.S. State Department.
Hall Center to hold lecture with T.R. ...
Writer and NPR regular will talk health care in the U.S. compared ...
Biden says he and Obama ‘share a ...
Barack Obama and Joe Biden were officially named the Democratic presidential and ...
U.S. Rep. Dennis Moore speaks at Delta ...
The congressman discusses politics, the economy and the election at Delta Chi ...
Letter: Obama the best choice for the ...
Sen. Barack Obama demonstrates the leadership and optimism needed in the next ...
Students support climate action
Lawrence participates in a national movement to educate citizens and encourage change ...
Forum teaches students about American health coverage
Students talked about their experiences regarding insurance companies and what must be ...
Editorial: Will the real Slim Shady please ...
The Editorial Board faces bigger issues as the Eminem maritial dispute continues ...
Vice president to Carter preaches mutual respect
Walter Mondale is credited for revamping and establishing the modern practice of ...
Speaker: Change pledge of allegiance
Despite being ruled against by the Supreme Court in 2004, Michael Newdow ...
University student sets sights on Kansas House ...
William Stewart-Starks, Whittier, Calif., senior will run as a Libertarian in the ...
It's easy being green
KU Hillel members created a documentary to observe other students' reactions to ...
King and queen to be crowned in ...
Anyone is eligible for the crown in the “‘Stache and Lash Drag ...
A guide to the proposed health care ...
A look at the health care bills that are being passed around ...
Political event lures students with pepperoni
New York Post correspondent will share his experiences over pizza today.
‘Confrontational Evangelist’
Brother Jed, a self-proclaimed preacher, travels around to college campuses in order ...
Governor’s departure poses problems
Sebelius’ acceptance of HHS secretary leaves Kansas’ future and Obama’s health care ...
Professor brings fun to classroom
Craig Martin’s methods may seen unconventional to his 1,000 students in Budig ...
Students to soldiers
Facing possible deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan after graduation, 81 University students ...
Willbanks: Life without insurance
Individuals share their stories dealing with personal health care issues.
Dole speaks at RNC event
The former senator and presidential candidate backs McCain, slams Obama
Students contemplate Sebelius’ future
Obama aides say Kansas governor might be next Health and Human Services ...
Professor to preach on porn
Tonight’s lecture will address how pornography affects relationships.
Author discusses American values
In his presentation in the Lied Center Tuesday, John Kasich discussed a ...
Transgendered man shares stories
After a childhood of playing sports instead of dolls, Dylan Scholinski said ...
Harold Godwin to speak on health care
Godwin will discuss the issues former Gov. Sebelius will face in her ...
Some who can’t vote still care
These international students followed the presidential elections though they weren’t able to ...
Urban planners begin new lecture series
New lecture series focuses on new developments in the future of urban ...
New Joint Chiefs Chairman visits Leavenworth
Newly Appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Michael Mullen ...
Student Housing sponsors lecture on LGBT issues
John Corvino will visit Hashinger Hall theater to heighten students’ understanding of ...
Atheists lead a discussion to educate public
People have the chance to ask questions of a belief system they ...
Letter to the Editor: Defending conservatives
Liberal mindset may be too sensitive toward terrorist attacks.
Chief Justice discusses constitution
The judge spoke at the Lied Center Wednesday night as part of ...
Daschle speaks on current issues
Former runners help train current team members
Cross country team benefits from the help of athletes who return to ...
Insurance essential but often unaffordable
Students without health coverage hope for changes in policy.
Political speakers in high demand
Dole Institute and SUA attract figures for political lectures.
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
KUnited presidential candidate Libby Johnson and vice presidential ...
1 comment
Comments
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID