Kirby worthy speaker for commencement

I refer to Bailey Loosemore’s article on IU’s decision to have Justice Michael Kirby speak at your upcoming commencement ceremony (“Commencement speaker choice lacks student voice”, April 17).

While I cannot comment on the process by which speakers are chosen at IU events, I would like to comment on Justice Kirby’s career and stature as these are worthy of consideration.

Over here in Australia, Justice Kirby is far and away our most well-known and controversial and respected judge of recent years.

He’s something of a legend, both in legal circles and in households across the country. He is an outspoken and tireless defender of minority rights, the environment and the importance of a bill of rights (which Australia does not yet have, making it unique amongst first-world countries).

Justice Kirby is also a first-rate orator and is constantly in great demand. His lectures here are always packed; his advice and wisdom are of the utmost profundity. His complete online speeches, dating back some 34 years, are available at http://michaelkirby.com.au/. In 2008 he gave some 91 public speeches.

I realize that all this may be little consolation and that Justice Kirby is a far cry from Barack Obama, but he is well worthy of your attendance and a half hour of your attention.

Tim West
Sydney