The Governator at Emory: ‘I was going to speak in Arizona, but I thought I’d be deported’
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger greets graduates at Emory University. John Spink/AJC
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gave the commencement address at Emory University on Monday.
His was a relatively non-political speech, but the Republican’s prepared remarks included this:
“This is my first law degree.
“Finally, the Kennedys will think I’m a success. And Maria can finally bring me home to meet her family.”
And this:
“I was also going to give a graduation speech in Arizona this weekend. But with my accent, I was afraid they would try to deport me.”
On Sunday, we’ve come across evidence that the governator was attempting to form a rather strange political alliance. The evidence comes from a cigar party in Buckhead:
Russ Hardin, president of the Woodruff Foundation (left), the governator, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, and Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. Photo by Denis Reggie
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49 comments Add your comment
Tiger Woods + Jesse James = SuperBAD meets SuperEVIL in "SuperUGLY"
May 10th, 2010
5:58 pm
“The Governator at Emory: ‘I was going to speak in Arizona, but I thought I’d be deported’”…..and THINGS OF THAT NATURE!!!!!
Michael
May 10th, 2010
6:06 pm
Most deported immigrants say “I’ll be back.”
American Glob » Blog Archive » Maybe Arnold Schwarzenegger Should Get Himself a Blogging Account at Daily KOS
May 10th, 2010
6:46 pm
[...] he’s pushing the same misinformation about Arizona’s new immigration law. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gave the commencement address at Emory University on [...]
The Taxman Cometh
May 10th, 2010
7:08 pm
Well, I guess he might be deported if: 1) he was first “stopped” for violating an existing law or statute
2) failed to produce acceptable form of identification
3) was found to be an ILLEGAL alien
But why let facts get in the way. BTW…. Nice poll numbers Ahhhhnulllddd!
Robert
May 10th, 2010
7:15 pm
I think it’s great that Arnold could be lighthearted with the students. He poked fun at Arizona, he poked fun at his wife’s family, who he loves dearly. He probably made some other wisecracks along the way because he’s a personable and funny guy. And, if it was anything like the commencement speech he gave at my school a couple of years back, he talked to the students about the keys to success–work hard, embrace your goal and stay positive through mistakes and disappointments, and surround yourself with a variety of good people.
His policy choices are up for debate. In my opinion, Governor Schwarzenegger’s character is not. He’s a good and decent man.
Lance
May 10th, 2010
7:28 pm
Taxman– about time someone tells it like it actually IS. I am a big Schwarz fan but hopefully his comment was a mere joke and not his belief.
greyhound
May 10th, 2010
7:44 pm
Round’em up and move’em out.
greyhound
May 10th, 2010
7:45 pm
If you don’t like that then you can go with them.
Rich
May 10th, 2010
7:52 pm
Emory…….still trying be be a top notch university like those up north and still coming up short with speakers like The
Governator. Sorry Emory, you’re no Harvard.
EZ Rich
May 10th, 2010
7:59 pm
Emory might not be a Harvard, Michigan, or Northwestern, etc but is WELL Respected throughout the nation. I attended the ceremony and had no problem with the selection. His message was a lot better than others I’ve heard.
TW
May 10th, 2010
8:01 pm
Too bad we can’t build a fence to keep the white trash out. Wait…since meth is illegal, doesn’t that make all nonwealthy members of the GOP ‘illegal?’
Tommy Lee Maddox
May 10th, 2010
8:15 pm
TW – we don’t use illegal drugs. Besides, it would be “we can’t build a fence to keep ‘out’ the white trash. Check “Strunk and White”.
Arnold’s zingers « The Regimen
May 10th, 2010
8:40 pm
[...] California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger gave the commencement address at Emory University on [...]
smartdawg
May 10th, 2010
8:46 pm
An emerrhoid saw someone wearing a Harvard sweat shirt, ran up to him and said “At Emory, we consider ourselves to be the Harvard of the south”
The Harvard guy said “At Harvard, we don’t consider Emory”.
Taytay52
May 10th, 2010
8:52 pm
He also said ( to paraphrase) never doubt that we live in the greatest country in the world. He is grateful of living here and appreciates this country. I’m no liberal but found nothing offensive about his speech detailing hard work for success and working for charities.
It was a very uplifting speech by a grateful and proud American.
MarkTwain
May 10th, 2010
9:15 pm
Rich,
Harvard’s commencement speaker this year was Souter. Even the geeks at Emory wouldn’t take that choice.
Rich
May 10th, 2010
9:16 pm
I also have no problem with the Governor. I like him as a person. He’s just a 4th or 5th rate person when it comes to commencement. Emory is well respected in the south….that doesn’t say much.
Serena
May 10th, 2010
9:43 pm
He was actually the second choice. Something happened to the original speaker. I heard rumors it was Salman Rushdie.
Ted Striker
May 10th, 2010
10:05 pm
Now that’s funny!
jethro bodine
May 10th, 2010
10:14 pm
Perhaps we should just offer Arizona back to Mexico and if they won’t take it, we’ll attack.
Disavantaged Insider
May 11th, 2010
8:40 am
An Emory Student and a Harvard Student were in a bathroom at a football game, usine the urinals. When they were finished, the Harvard student went to the sink to wash his hands and saw the Emory student leaving the rest room. “Hey you, Emory guy!” yelled the Harvard man. “You know, at Harvard, they teach us to wash our hands after using the bathroom!” “Well, ain’t that nice,” replied the Emory student. “But at Emory, they teach us not to pee on our hands! Bye now!”
Stuart
May 11th, 2010
9:26 am
So Rich, where did you go to school to be so critical of Emory which is a top 20 school in the country, year in and year out? Being a top 20 school NOT in the NE or on the west coast (Emory, Northwestern, Washington University, etc.) is something to be proud of and is a major asset to those who graduate.
BTW – I saw Arnold’s speech in person and it was quite funny with a good take home message. In short, to always strive for more, go get what you want, and don’t listen naysayers. But ultimately, money and fame doesn’t bring the happiness of helping others in need. Arnold claims that his success in bodybuilding, acting, and even politics doesn’t measure up to his work in work in special education and the special olympics. Emory has hosted the special olympics in Georgia for 20 or 30 years and that was why he choose to speak at their commencement.
-Stuart (Northwestern graduate and Emory staff member)
jdog
May 11th, 2010
10:16 am
Funny how probably few of you Internet gawkers were there yesterday.
I was (graduate), and it was a great speech.
Maureen Downey was probably hiding under a rock.
Quote Unquote: Arnold Schwarzenegger Terminates Arizona (with Zingers) | Indecision Forever | Political Humor, 2010 Election, and Satire Blog | Comedy Central
May 11th, 2010
10:45 am
[...] Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger giving the commencement address at Emory University yesterday… "I was also going to give a graduation speech in Arizona this weekend. But with my [...]
Justin
May 11th, 2010
10:52 am
Who cares if you go to Emory or Harvard or Yale, it matters what you do afterward.
Political Irony › Governator Humor
May 11th, 2010
11:21 am
[...] Arnold Schwarzenegger, you have to admit that he has a good sense of humor. On Monday, he gave the commencement address at Emory University in Atlanta (and received an honorary degree in return): This is my first law degree. … [...]
POLITICAL WIRE’S HEADLINES – 5/11 « Accomack County Democrats
May 11th, 2010
1:26 pm
[...] California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R), quoted by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, at a graduation speech at Emory [...]
Schwarzenegger Jokes: I’d be Deported under Arizona Immigration Law « Black Cafe Network News
May 11th, 2010
3:53 pm
[...] Schwarzenegger Jokes: I’d be Deported under Arizona Immigration Law California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has already expressed his opposition to Arizona’s controversial new immigration law, and in a commencement address he gave Monday in Atlanta, he couldn’t help but take a crack at the law. [...]
Longtime AJC Reader
May 11th, 2010
5:39 pm
Why such hostility, Rich? Emory’s faculty includes Salman Rushdie, Jimmy Carter and a special visiting appointment to the Dalai Lama. Along with Duke, Vanderbilt, Rice and a handful of other universities, it’s providing first-rate education in a part of the country that desperately needs it. And the fact is that a majority of students at all of those schools come from outside the South.
I went to Emory for college and Harvard for graduate school, and I found lively, intelligent, passionate students at both. There’s no need to get nasty. If you wouldn’t say something like that in person, please refrain here. Thank you.
[Americas] Arizona House Backs Strict Immigration Bill
May 11th, 2010
6:40 pm
[...] [...]
blady
May 12th, 2010
10:45 am
What’s an “acceptable form of identification” under Arizona’s new law? A driver’s license or must one produce a certificate of birth? Obama has done that and there are still those who question whether he is a U.S. citizen. If a certificate of birth is the answer, who carries that thing around on their person?
John Curtis
May 12th, 2010
11:12 am
I can’t believe these mostly negative comments. The governor has cleaned up the illegal alien problem in CA without passing draconian laws. Good job Arnie.
JonnyAmerican
May 12th, 2010
11:15 am
Arnold is a panzie, he doesn’t have pair, talk about cowardly! Anyone in a position of authority should not mock Enforcement of Laws. Jan Brewer has shown she has more Balls than this panzy ass. Arnold you have been shown-up by a woman, you are a fricken joke and a total failure as a governor!
Jerry
May 12th, 2010
11:23 am
This child of a Nazi was a failure of a Governor in California.
He made statements about how illegals were destroying the state and then recanted because he doesn’t have the guts to do anything right.
Stupid Americans that voted for his creep just because he was a Hollywood star.
Look what Reagan did for America!
Destroyed our Unions and gave us Amnesty.
Don’t vote for an actor.
Jerry
May 12th, 2010
11:24 am
I wish Arnold would be deported.
He harassed women like crazy and was still elected.
levotb
May 12th, 2010
11:47 am
He needs to resign yesterday!
doc
May 12th, 2010
1:01 pm
WTF, is that all you fools have to talk about when are/my country is on the verge of collapse, you fools need to talk about how we will take the USA back from the traders and chief, or do you like pressing one for english!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
shirley
May 12th, 2010
1:29 pm
Arnold has a great record as a champion of improving the environment. Too bad he has to joke about Arizona. Maybe he didn’t know Georgia legislature isn’t far behind. Hopefully, Russ and the mayor schooled him.
Jimi
May 12th, 2010
1:30 pm
Most of us in Mexifornia wish Arnold would be deported. Georgia can have him.
June
May 12th, 2010
1:45 pm
To John Curtis. Am I reading correctly? You say the Governator has cleaned up the illegal alien problem in California? Surely you jest. If true, that’s wonderful news. Maybe they’ve all come here to Texas. Now if we could get our governor, Little Ricky, to live up to some of his campaign promises, we may have our state back too.
Larry Brown
May 12th, 2010
2:32 pm
California has been immeasurably damaged by massive unfettered illegal immigration (mostly from Mexico). Arnold Schwarzenegger’s answer to California being overrun by millions of foreigners violating our labor, tax, and immigration laws is to support President Obama’s scheme to make them U.S. citizens. California’s public schools, emergency rooms, and jails and prisons have been overrun and severely degraded by millions of illegal immigrants. The truth is giving legal status or amnesty to illegal aliens would pour gasoline on a blazing fire. California faces financial ruin because it is costing the state over ten billion dollars in public services for illegal aliens. Schwarzenegger has been a colossal failure as governor including his total failure to stand up with U.S. citizens against illegal immigration.
Mike
May 12th, 2010
9:58 pm
Arnold is as dumb as a rock. What a disaster he has been as Governor.
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Howard Stern
May 12th, 2010
11:03 pm
Arnold just tells it like it is.
Arnold 2012
Bobby
May 13th, 2010
3:35 am
Folks, you need to understand something about Arnold. Arnold is for Arnold. I have lived in California my whole life, and it used to be the most fantastic place in the U.S. if not the world. It was a financial powerhouse that occupied the eight largest economy IN THE WORLD!! Arnold has traded turns, blaming illegal immigration for Californias problems and then sucking up to foreign nationals illegally in the State. Believe me, he’s not to be taken seriously. He changes like a chamleon only doesn’t have that creatures skill, so obvious is his on and off pandering.
Tony
May 13th, 2010
12:38 pm
Actually, it would be dicovered he really IS A CYBORG!
Justin
May 13th, 2010
1:04 pm
@ Tony
Actually he is a cybernetic organism:living tissue over a metal endoskeleton
Mikee
May 13th, 2010
6:40 pm
Lol @ The governator is great! It shows his sense of humor, come on give him a break! I wouldnt be so spiffy about the governor since i dont like him very much. But I bought these new sneakers from http://www.sneakerbuff.com and they got here fast! So i’m happy I got a new pair of shoes for tomorrow night. I order from other places but they take forever! http://www.sneakerbuff.com is where its at.
Hasta la vista baby!
robsolo
May 16th, 2010
10:36 pm
LMAO. You’d think he would know that CA has a penal code nearly identical to AZ SB1070. CA Penal Code 834(b).
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/waisgate?WAISdocID=0642303608+2+0+0&WAISaction=retrieve
Tony. M
May 26th, 2010
12:21 pm
I’m Not a Republican but i have voted for Ronald Regan , Thankyou Govenor for seeing the Arizona Law for what it is. Racial profiling is wrong , what Arizona is doing is Wrong, I did’nt like you at first but i am seeing you under a different light and i think you are doing the right thing to boycott Arizona. in the Past Lots of Latinos have Voted for republicans but this Law in Arizona could be damaging to your party , People will not trust your Party anymore and vote in the Favor of Democrats. and there will be no trust with law enforcement if a crime has been committed , all of that will be gone. Racial Profiling will only open doors to racism , Being Mexican American and feeling like i am being profiled is not a good feeling in my own country. I would be feeling like i am a walking Target. Boycott Arizona.