Florida Republican Defends 'Borrowed' Speech

WASHINGTON — A Republican congressman has apologized for posting a speech on his Web site without acknowledging that it was largely written by a fellow Republican from Georgia.

But Rep. Jeff Miller, R-Fla., says he did nothing wrong in delivering the heavily borrowed address at a University of West Florida graduation in 2004.

While not lifted word for word, Miller's address contains nearly identical passages and the same life lessons as a speech Sen. Johnny Isakson wrote for his son's high school graduation in 1988 and has delivered more than 100 times since.

Miller says he credited Isakson when he delivered the speech, but that attribution was mistakenly left out of a written transcript that was posted on Miller's Web site. After a columnist for The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle raised questions, Miller amended the site to show that the ideas came from Isakson.

Miller's spokesman, Dan McFaul, said Miller apologized to Isakson for the omitted attribution. He defended Miller's address as fair, because Isakson was credited for the general concept.

According to the transcripts of both speeches, Miller replicated Isakson's concept and, at times, his wording. Both speeches outline six secrets to a "happy, successful and fulfilling life," and cite the same historical figures, quotes and analogies.

They call on graduates to treat everyone with respect, and to use their diplomas "like a passport" to be "validated over and over and over again."

Isakson's speech says: "I always find the 235-pound middle linebacker and I put my finger in his face and say, 'Don't you ever kick sand in the face of a 135-pound acne-faced math and science whiz because one of these days, he's going to pull out the scalpel and operate on your knee.'"

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Miller's speech says: "I tell the 200-pound linebackers, 'Don't you ever kick sand in the face of any 135-pound, acne-faced, fast-mouthed science whiz because one day he or she might just be holding the scalpel to operate on your knee.'"

Isakson said he accepted Miller's apology.

"That was a very special speech to me because of where it originated," Isakson said.

_________

On the Net:

Rep. Miller's speech transcript:

http://jeffmiller.house.gov/index.cfm?FuseActionSpeeches.Detail&Article_id

68&Month12&Year2004

Sen. Isakson's speech transcript:

http://isakson.senate.gov/opinion/052006ugalaw.htm

Comments

[Canaris]

Jeff Miller is, unfortunately, my Congressman. He's a worthless piece of fluff. Congressman Miller has voted with the President 100% of the time. He has never written a worthwhile piece of legislation, and we only see him here in his district about twice a year. He is a great example of the worthless parasites now infesting Washington. He's so far up Dubya's butt that I've given up on writing or calling his office with my views. The day he is voted out of office will be a great day for Florida and for America.

[johnnyjust]

You mean like how Obama plagarized Deval Patrick's "Just Words" speech?

I see what you mean.

[larry278]

If you cite your sources, it's scholarship.
If you do not cite your sources, it's plagarism or you are a clone of Joe Biden.
larry lynch

[dadw5boys]

If they will steal the value and equity you have built into a home and then steal your money by driving down wages and the value of the dollar, what are a few words to theives like this??????

[mlaiuppa]

Apparently it's OK to plagiarize as long as you're a Republican.

Let's make some Cindy McCain cookies now.

[kenbomc]

I wonder if McSame will ask Obama for one of his speeches.

[SouthFloridaDem]

Just shows how bad our schools have been when everyone has to lift words that someone else wrote.

[coba]

interesting
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/06/24/lets-play-the-blame-game/

[TGCNY]

They have no Shame do they

[KMKY]

No news here. Everyone is recycling everyone else this year. English and Comp/Rhetoric teachers: good luck in the coming academic year!!!

[JScott]

I that was John Cleese. Albatross....Albatross...