Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

What ever happened to doing your time and then getting on with your life. He did his time and frankly who cares what he does now.
Another none story from the Projo

What is it with RI's love afair with this person??? They lionize him. It's a prime example of the thought processes that make this state exactly what it is - a corrupt mess.

Everyone wants to point out the myriad of good things he supposedly did for the city of Providence. Really? Well, what's being missed is how much COULD have been done if he didn't interject blatant corruption into the government at multiple levels? THAT'S the lesson that we should be teaching. Did he pay his price to society? Yes, he did. But it doesn't make him a role model because he can still exude charisma.

Unbelieveable.

What is wrong with the people at Rocky Hill. Why not get Mike Tyson, he did all the same things that Buddy did, and still some.

the worst thing that can be done for a sociopath is to give him an audience, especially of young people.

He is nothing more or less than a slimeball and self promoter.

Shame on Rocky Hill

I am a parent considering many schools for our child. I know that any institution that would ask a convicted felon to be a role model for its graduating class would not be a school for my family.

I am fine with someone paying for their mistakes and for forgiveness, but I feel that to promote such a person sends the wrong message.

Knowing Cianci's role in Providence, the good and bad, I am surprised that no parents of the graduating class objects to this. Good for Cianci that he is still in demand. Shame on the headmaster for asking him to speak. When anyone glorifies someone's bad behavior it sends the wrong message.

Only n Rhode Island. How lucky for this class. Let's hope the speaker is not an indication of their lives to come. I know everyone loves Buddy, but it is what it is and he is what he is!

You have got to be kidding me! This is a twice convicted felon, who, to this day, has failed to repent, or even say he was sorry. He still claims he did nothing wrong despite the rampant corrutption he presided over. What a disgrace and what a total shame it is that a school would hold him out as a role-model.

I cant help but wonder, what do the parents think?

As a parent from RHS it should be understood that none of us knew he would be the commencement speaker.. That is quite an uproar at the school and the headmaster has a lot of explaining to do.

Honestly, I don't think this event deserves this much attention, outrage, and disgust. People are overreacting. What matters is that the Class of 2009 enjoyed their graduation, key-note speaker and all. And it looks like they did. Education is power. And these students are highly intelligent and educated, and have learned about Cianci in their history classes – so they know about the good and bad things he has done. I think that is all that matters. This undeserved negative attention this matter is getting puts a burden on what is supposed to be a happy time in their life. Good job everyone!

In addition, I think everyone who has a problem with this should think twice about outwardly ridiculing Jim Young or Rocky Hill. Jim Young had the intentions of showing the Class of 2009 that "success and failure" can exist hand in hand. There are so many people in this world that are extremely intelligent and successful, but have also gone through darker times of failure. I think everyone is getting overly worked up about this.

To Citizen and Carlos: I totally disagree with you both. There is nothing wrong with the people of Rocky Hill, Citizen. How could you say that without knowing the thought process behind having Buddy Cianci at Commencement? Shame on YOU! Not Rocky Hill.

To Frank Maher: Well then don’t send your child to Rocky Hill. Your choice. That’s unfortunate that your kid will miss out on a wonderful education at a truly unique institution. You don’t find the qualities of Rocky Hill anywhere, I can tell you that much. Also, Rocky Hill was not glorifying his bad behavior. They had Buddy Cianci speak because they wanted to show the students the contrast that can exist in life and how important resilience is. Young students need to know to never give up, to always keep trying. His message was what mattered. And the students graduating from Rocky Hill fully understood the good advice Buddy Cianci was trying to give them. So please…Take a seat…

My son texted me about 15 minutes before Rocky Hill graduation started. The text said, "Mom, Buddy Cianci is speaking at graduation." My immediate thought was that the talk would be entertaining. Personally, I believe everyone makes a mistake or two. I like Buddy Cianci. I voted for him when I was a resident of Providence many years ago; however, was he the best choice to be a speaker at graduation? Probably not. I did enjoy listening to him. He has a great sense of humor. His message was clear -- Follow your dream...don't give up, even if you mess up. Pick yourself up and move on. Overall, I am very please with Rocky Hill School.

I am a Rocky Hill School parent and attended the commencement exercises. I will say that walking into it, I was a little baffled by the choice to ask Cianci to be the speaker. After hearing the headmaster's introduction and Cianci's address, I thought it was well done.

Mr. Young (the headmaster) did not laud Cianci as any sort of role model or hero. Nor did he skirt the issue that Buddy was a figure who was controversial, or that his past was tainted by bad choices. He presented him as someone who had experienced highs and lows, had accomplished much and lost much. He noted that he was a person who perhaps had lessons to share with the seniors who were about to embark on their own journeys and would have choices to make and failures to deal with as well.

Buddy in turn, spoke directly and openly about choices and determination. He encouraged the students to strive to do their best and when they do fail, to never give up. He was funny and witty and captured the audience's attention as he has always done. The main focus however was on making good choices even when they are not popular and finding your way back from the mistakes you do make.

Like the man or not, respect him or not, Cianci delivered a thoughtful and engaging message that I think the students will remember. And, in hindsight, I have to applaud the headmaster's courage for bringing in someone like Cianci in order to deliver a message he thought would benefit the students and resonate with them after the fact. Headmaster Young is an intelligent, thoughtful and deliberate person who certainly knew he would take some heat for this choice. Just because a speaker is controversial or has even broken the law, does not mean he/she is incapable of sharing a meaningful massage.

If it had gone off like Cianci was some sort of man of the year, I certainly would have felt differently. That just was not the case.