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Bob Woodward, left, and Bucknell Trustee Chair Judge Susan Crawford '69 shake graduate hands.
LEWISBURG, Pa., May 20, 2007 – The Iraq War has taught Americans the dangers of "secret government," award-winning journalist Bob Woodward told Bucknell University graduates at the schoo's spring commencement.
Woodward said his latest book, State of Denial, showed that the administration "for three and a half years did not tell the truth about what was going on in the war."
The lesson, he said, is that "we have to worry about is secret government. Of all the problems in the world, secret government will do us in. Whoever said it got it right when they said that democracies die in darkness."
Woodward said the world had changed after the 9-11 terrorist attacks, but "we in this country have not changed our lives in my view enough to meet the challenge and the responsibilities of that new era. The most important thing going on in the world right now is the Iraq war. It will define your future."
Woodward told the celebrants to not let the Iraq war "teach you that the United States can't engage the world. Don't let it teach you desperation or cause you to retreat into the bubble. Most importantly, don't let it teach you that our country cannot deal with conflict and cannot deal with evil like Saddam Hussein. Because I think we can and we will."
He concluded by saying that while he felt the world was at a point of peril, his friend David Halberstam, the late journalist, had it right. Woodward recalled Halberstam's being fond of saying at commencements, "You'll be fine. There is a determination, a real resilience and a spirit in this country that will not be snuffed out."
Woodward added, "So we'll fix it, but there is more much for you now to fix."
As the degrees were handed out Woodward shook hands with each of the graduates, asking many what they plan to do next with their lives.
At Sunday's ceremony, the University also awarded honorary degrees to Richard Garman, formerly a Bucknell student, who built a reputation in the construction industry and for his extensive civic and philanthropic activities, and Alan Leshner, president of American Association for the Advancement of Science and former Bucknell professor.
Woodward attends one commencement a year.
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