It sounded like a great speech. It was eloquently delivered. It combined the common touch (81.5% of the words where from the 1000 most common words in the English language). Yet there was something for the academic with 10% of words being academic or off the main common word list. Interestingly, in the foot steps of Churchill, almost 80 % of words were of Anglo-Saxon origin.
When you actually read the speech, it is clearly flowery, lacking in substantive content. But that’s alright. That’s what these types of speeches are designed to achieve – to inspire without actually saying anything practical. That comes later. And for that reason it was a great inauguration speech.
I like the man. I wish him the very best. But the messianic fervour that has sprung up around him worries me. It leads al least to two problems. One group who may indeed attribute messianic qualities to him; another group, who in reaction, might view him in quite the opposite way – the devil appearing as an angel of light. Both reactions would be very sad.
It is time for America to stand back and gain a realistic appraisal of the man. He is another frail human being with albeit some remarkable qualities. But like you and me, he dons his underwear in the morning, and uses 2 or 3 ply toilet roll.
Respect, admiration, even awe ought not to give way to worship.
Mr President may you continue to have that sense of humilty to execute your office with fairness to all and favour to none.
No comments:
Post a Comment