Topic: Colby College

Commencement season: Speakers share inspiration, insight, and advice with college grads

It’s college graduation season and the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” which began in late April, will be heard at commencement ceremonies until mid-June. Many more speeches have yet to be given that impart the usual pearls of wisdom and advice on pursuing dreams, being daring, and contributing to society. Here’s a sampling of excerpts from speeches given to graduates around the country.

Why Ron Paul is shivering in Maine instead of cavorting in Florida

The other three GOP presidential candidates are stumping in Florida ahead of the Jan. 31 primary, a winner-take-all-delegates affair. But not Ron Paul. Here's why he's up in Maine.

Obama's one big advantage going into 2012 election: fundraising

President Obama has raised $155 million for both his campaign and for the Democratic National Committee. That's way more than all the Republican candidates have raised, combined.

Little girls or little women? The Disney princess effect

In today's highly sexualized environment – where 5-year-olds wear padded bras – some see the toddlers-and-tiaras Disney princess craze leading to the pre-teen pursuit of "hot" looks. Do little girls become little women too soon?

Japan nuclear crisis: Seven reasons why we should abandon nuclear power

The disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station underscores – yet again – the need to abandon nuclear power as a panacea for energy independence. Experts may never determine what caused all of the emergency cooling safety systems at Daiichi to fail completely. But they have learned that they are nearly powerless to bring the smoldering units under control. In the meantime, significant amounts of radioactive gas have vented, and partial meltdowns of at least two reactors have occurred. Indeed, nuclear power will never live up to industry promises. As a whole it is ultimately unsafe, an accident waiting to happen, and far more expensive than proponents admit.

Colby College professor Paul Josephson gives seven reasons why we should abandon nuclear power and instead turn to solar, wind, and other forms of energy production that won’t experience such catastrophic accidents.

Who is Pete Rouse? He's not Rahm Emanuel

The president's new chief of staff Pete Rouse, hailed by Obama as a 'skillful problem-solver,' is a Washington veteran known for working quietly behind the scenes and avoiding the media.

A new era for campaign finance

Obama’s fundraising record could signal the end of public funding for major candidates.

If superdelegates pick nominee, Democrats face backlash

The idea that party insiders would decide contest strikes many as 'undemocratic.'

Potomac primaries: Obama holds momentum

Clinton's recovery plan counts on the big-state contests on March 4.

Watchdog FEC sidelined as elections roll

The Federal Election Commission has vacancies in four of six seats and it hasn't acted on a new ethics law.