Written by Carrie Martin
The American Studies Institute hosted Laura Ingraham, Tuesday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m. in the Benson Auditorium at Harding University.
Ingraham, a graduate of Dartmouth College and University of Virginia School of Law, has worked as a defense attorney, columnist and television commentator. She is a nationally syndicated radio host and author, who has recently had her latest book “Power to the People,” at the top of the New York Times Best Seller List.
Tuesday, Ingraham addressed American patriotism, a message discussed in her book “Power to the People.” Though comically done, Ingraham grabbed her audience’s attention with jokes about the Democratic Party and maintained that attention by simply being famous. For example, Ingraham took jabs at to President Barack Obama.
“At this point, I expect to see him making an upside down pineapple cake with Rachel Ray,” Ingraham said.
Ingraham ribbed Vice President Joe Biden as well.
“By the way, Joe Biden — just laugh, that’s the joke.”
Now, Ingraham was not totally sacking the Democratic Party, but she was not exactly holding back either — well, maybe slightly because she was on a Christian campus.
Throughout the lecture, Ingraham also brought some interesting to points to the table.
She reported that before she left her room tonight, a CNN poll reported that 52 percent of Americans believe Obama does not deserve a second term. With this statement, Ingraham had her audience applaud even louder.
Ingraham listed four traps that should be avoided in decision making: “don’t fall into bipartisanship, avoid in fighting, avoid the vagueness trap and avoid the apathy trap.
With these instructions, she gave her audience the belief that they have an impact. Most importantly however, Ingraham addressed the students.
“You have more time,” Ingraham said. “You have better opportunities now than you will ever have.
Ingraham rallied for young voters to voice their opinions, even if it means dismissing decorum.
“It’s your country — make sure you vote. Don’t be afraid to speak out; don’t be afraid to offend someone,” Ingraham said.
Ingraham encouraged the audience to work towards making a better nation.
“Our country will either become stronger, or America will be no more,” Ingraham said.
By the end of the night. Ingraham had encouraged many individuals to perpetuate their paradigms and may have garnered more supporters in the mean time.
