Tillerson, in wake of clashes with Trump, warns VMI graduates of crisis of integrity

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, kpete: Rex Tillerson, unplugged

Tillerson, in wake of clashes with Trump, warns VMI graduates of crisis of integrity among U.S. leaders

By Alison Graham [e-mail] 540-981-3324 2 hrs ago

LEXINGTON — Former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson warned the graduating class of the Virginia Military Institute on Wednesday that there was a crisis of ethics and integrity in America.

In his commencement address, he told the graduates that the ability to seek out the truth was the essence of freedom itself and encouraged them to stand up to leaders who mislead the public. ... “If our leaders seek to conceal the truth or we as a people become accepting of alternative realities that are no longer grounded in facts, then we as American citizens are on the pathway to relinquishing our freedom,” he said.

VMI announced Tillerson as this year’s commencement address in February, when he was still serving as secretary of state. Just a few weeks later, President Donald Trump fired the former ExxonMobil CEO via Twitter after the two continually clashed over the Iran nuclear deal and other policies.

Tillerson didn’t mention Trump or speak about his time as secretary of state during the address Wednesday, but his points seemed targeted at the president, who has been repeatedly accused of lying and misrepresentation. Tillerson alluded to some policies of the Trump administration by decrying those who neglect or ignore long-standing allies or deny that free trade is an engine of global growth.
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The Associated Press contribued to this report.

[gordianot]

1. Late in the game and way too vague.

Make a deal with the devil then complain about the smell of sulfur.