Obama speech 'will go down in history'
The Press
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Barack Obama's Inauguration
United States President Barack Obama's inauguration speech ranks alongside John Kennedy's as one of the greatest speeches of all time, a Massey University expert says.
"It was definitely in the same league," speech-writing lecturer Dr Heather Kavan said.
"I felt the speech was fast-paced, strong, powerful. I think Obama came across as a very principled person, and the whole ceremony gave him a messianic image.
"He's usually very charismatic, but having Aretha Franklin singing beforehand added to it."
Obama's delivery was strong but indicated a "humble and inclusive" approach to the presidency ahead, as he described the strength of America's "patchwork heritage" of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, and non-believers.
Kavan said views were mixed among her 15 graduate students, who yesterday took part in an email discussion on Obama's oratory.
"Some people loved the speech; others were disappointed by it. The one thing everyone agreed on was there were some memorable lines," she said.
These were the key to a speech being remembered 100 years later, she said.
The favourite was: "A nation cannot prosper long when it favours only the prosperous."
Kavan said the standout line for her was: "We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."
The inauguration address differed from Obama's previous speeches, she said.
"Usually he has a repeated line - a line that he uses as a hook, such as 'Yes we can'. This seemed different. He was speaking in terms of problems and solutions," she said.
Kavan said New Zealand had not produced many memorable speeches or orators. Former prime minister David Lange was an exception.
She hoped Massey's speech-writing paper, offered for the first time last year, would help improve standards. "New Zealand really does need some good speeches."
* How do you rate the speech? Comment below:
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Looks like a collection of sayings from a Japanese martial arts film
sensei: "We will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist" student: "of course wise master" sensei: "know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy" student: "indeed most eminent one" sensei: "A nation cannot prosper long when it favours only the prosperous" etc etc
Apologies for the second posting (presuming my first comes through), but you are not thinking laterally at all.
If we presume that there is a Supreme Being who created everything, then there are one of two possibilities to explain evolution:
1: It is all part of the Supreme Being's plan and it is by design - the fact that **you** can't comprehend all the complexities doesn't mean that a Supreme Being cannot. The idea of "God" is that he/she/it is beyond all understanding.
2: The Supreme Being created everything, set a number of basic rules as the framework around which everything operates, and then left it all to its own devices.
I am a non-believer, but to me, the idea of a Supreme Being is equally sensible or equally daft as "at one point there was nothing and then all of a sudden there was a big bang when everything came into existence".
And what the heck does Mr Obama's mixed-race heritage have to do with evolution?
There is no question that this speech will stand out in history. If for no other reason than it was delivered by the first African-American president. To this extent, it is no more or less "historical" than it would have been had Clinton won - being the speech made by the first woman president.
Obama has presence - no-one with an aptitude for human behaviour can doubt that. Those who understand the language will also be unable to deny that he has some very good speech-writers. To what extent he himself had a hand in the text I cannot say.
I was intrigued by Jon Stewart's skit showing how some of the phrases were strikingly similar to those used by Bush during his presidency.
Obama's election has given people hope - something missing for quite a while. Whatever the man is, however he performs, the mere fact that (I am paraphrasing here because I can't be bothered getting the exact words) a man can stand there when his father as a young man would not even have been served in the local cafe give hope that people and nations can change.
The man has a mana - he has a magnetism. And the partnership of Obama and Bidon presents an amazing mix of personal power, charisma, and old-school political stability that cannot be beaten.
Yes - the world will watch for the slightest slip-up. He has a huge image to live up to. But I believe that he can make a change to the way the world operates.
greatest man ever? thats debatable. being a good speaker (or 1st black presedent) doesnt automaticaly make you 1 of the greatest men ever. surely its your actions that define this and i for 1 think it is going to take a while befor obama can be judged either way
Wow... you must be the worst scientist in the world! Where did you get your degree? In a Happy Meal, on the way to Reverend Phelps' house? Even if the theory that evolution is random is wrong, evolution clearly isn't... but to think that everything so clearly complex was all whipped up in a jiffy is deluded... because if it were, why would it constantly be changing and EVOLVING?! For example, having a half-Caucasian, half-African man... like Obama! (or whatever his roots are). Excuse the pun, but lordy lord...
#52 "Anyone who is in favour of abortion in any shape or form IS NOT IN SYNCH WITH CHRIST"
hahahaha these posts are hilarious!!!!!!!!! OOh I bet he's scared about that...hahahahaha Don't worry Obama, all the fun people are in hell anyway! Bring it on, I'll bring the tequila
Signed A pro-choicer who has had 2 abortions
#44 "How do you explain the fact that I am a scientist (biologist) and also a creationist?"
hahahahaha I can't stop laughing. Um, I don't think I need to explain that, bud....sounds like you're a wee bit confused, my friend
Obama may have some Christian ideals but his views on a number of issues show that it is currently a very low priority
Anyone who is in favour of abortion in any shape or form IS NOT IN SYNCH WITH CHRIST! No argument!
I fear that those that fail to legislate against abortion (murder) when they are in a position to do so will incur God's wrath until they repent and seek forgiveness
You must be the (equal) most confused biologist on earth if you believe in creationism. An often used quote is "Nothing in biology makes any sense except in light of evolution". Go and have a talk to the other 99.9% of biologists and they will explain it to you if they can stop laughing long enough.
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