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I think President Obama did an incredible job with this speech. Sure, he is always a great speaker, but this one really stands out to me because of its compassion, historical relevance, and balance of humor and seriousness.
First and foremost, it must be kept in mind that this was a commencement speech. Therefore, it's main intent and purpose was to inspire the graduating class, and hopefully, others as well. He truly spoke as if he was speaking to the future of this country, which I found extremely inspiring.
@Interzone stated in his answer that the portrait President Obama painted of America was "somewhat rosy and unrealistic." I agree with half of that. It does have a sense of rosiness, but I think any good inspirational speech should. As for the "unrealistic" part, I could not disagree more. I think the majority of American citizens *are* hard-working and honest people, which anyone who spends with real people can see. I'm so grateful that President Obama realizes this.
I loved that President Obama stayed true to his message of service with this speech. He did a great job of relating service opportunities to careers with his message to the graduates, and the country.
--quote--
With a degree from this university, you have everything you need to get started. Did you study business? Why not help our struggling non-profits find better, more effective ways to serve folks in need. Nursing? Understaffed clinics and hospitals across this country are desperate for your help. Education? Teach in a high-need school; give a chance to kids we can't afford to give up on - prepare them to compete for any job anywhere in the world. Engineering? Help us lead a green revolution, developing new sources of clean energy that will power our economy and preserve our planet.
--end quote--
I also really liked the fact that the President took the time to address the "no honorary degree controversy" at the beginning of his speech with a little humor. He said:
--quote--
I'd like to clear the air about that little controversy everyone was talking about a few weeks back. I have to tell you, I really thought it was much ado about nothing, although I think we all learned an important lesson. I learned to never again pick another team over the Sun Devils in my NCAA bracket. And your university President and Board of Regents will soon learn all about being audited by the IRS.
--end quote--
He then went on to say that he agreed with the university's assessment that he has not yet achieved enough in his life. I think this was the perfect way to handle the situation, and it showed such great humility on his part.
In conclusion, I found this speech to be profoundly inspirational in a time when our country needs it most.
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The picture of America he painted, a country of hard working, honest-to-god people, is somewhat rosy and unrealistic.
The post WW-II US has always acted as a colonial power, relying heavily on its military, i.e. brute force, when it comes to pursuing "national interests". Diplomacy has been utilized primarily in order to provide a quasi-legal justification, usually after the fact, for its military misadventures. Just ask people in Asia, Latin America, Middle East, etc, what they think about "the discipline and valor, and the code of conduct of our men and women in uniform".
Is he going to extradite Henry Kissinger to either Argentina, or Spain..? Both these countries are seeking Kissinger for his part in setting up, supporting and maintaining the various fascist juntas across Latin America, throughout 60's and 70's.
And, what to say about more recent crimes, those of Bush Administration, and Obama's position on the issue?
In conclusion, this speech is aimed at domestic audiences, first and foremost, and I don't think too many people outside US will be very impressed by it.
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I'm proud that he is the president of this country.
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Answered Question
M$5
May 14, 2009 07:03 AM
What did you think of Obama's speech at ASU?
Clips? Commentary? Background? Highlights?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnhkLtlM8Cc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm5-syPg2J8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnhkLtlM8Cc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm5-syPg2J8
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Best Answer Decided by Votes
| May 14, 2009 06:36 PM |
First and foremost, it must be kept in mind that this was a commencement speech. Therefore, it's main intent and purpose was to inspire the graduating class, and hopefully, others as well. He truly spoke as if he was speaking to the future of this country, which I found extremely inspiring.
@Interzone stated in his answer that the portrait President Obama painted of America was "somewhat rosy and unrealistic." I agree with half of that. It does have a sense of rosiness, but I think any good inspirational speech should. As for the "unrealistic" part, I could not disagree more. I think the majority of American citizens *are* hard-working and honest people, which anyone who spends with real people can see. I'm so grateful that President Obama realizes this.
I loved that President Obama stayed true to his message of service with this speech. He did a great job of relating service opportunities to careers with his message to the graduates, and the country.
--quote--
With a degree from this university, you have everything you need to get started. Did you study business? Why not help our struggling non-profits find better, more effective ways to serve folks in need. Nursing? Understaffed clinics and hospitals across this country are desperate for your help. Education? Teach in a high-need school; give a chance to kids we can't afford to give up on - prepare them to compete for any job anywhere in the world. Engineering? Help us lead a green revolution, developing new sources of clean energy that will power our economy and preserve our planet.
--end quote--
I also really liked the fact that the President took the time to address the "no honorary degree controversy" at the beginning of his speech with a little humor. He said:
--quote--
I'd like to clear the air about that little controversy everyone was talking about a few weeks back. I have to tell you, I really thought it was much ado about nothing, although I think we all learned an important lesson. I learned to never again pick another team over the Sun Devils in my NCAA bracket. And your university President and Board of Regents will soon learn all about being audited by the IRS.
--end quote--
He then went on to say that he agreed with the university's assessment that he has not yet achieved enough in his life. I think this was the perfect way to handle the situation, and it showed such great humility on his part.
In conclusion, I found this speech to be profoundly inspirational in a time when our country needs it most.
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Other Answers (2)
May 14, 2009 11:28 AM
Inspired and articulate as always - I particularly liked the "quality of mind, and a quality of hearth" bit - but I still feel the speech is lacking in substance. The picture of America he painted, a country of hard working, honest-to-god people, is somewhat rosy and unrealistic.
The post WW-II US has always acted as a colonial power, relying heavily on its military, i.e. brute force, when it comes to pursuing "national interests". Diplomacy has been utilized primarily in order to provide a quasi-legal justification, usually after the fact, for its military misadventures. Just ask people in Asia, Latin America, Middle East, etc, what they think about "the discipline and valor, and the code of conduct of our men and women in uniform".
Is he going to extradite Henry Kissinger to either Argentina, or Spain..? Both these countries are seeking Kissinger for his part in setting up, supporting and maintaining the various fascist juntas across Latin America, throughout 60's and 70's.
And, what to say about more recent crimes, those of Bush Administration, and Obama's position on the issue?
In conclusion, this speech is aimed at domestic audiences, first and foremost, and I don't think too many people outside US will be very impressed by it.
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Voted as best: masontx
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May 14, 2009 05:12 PM
President Obama's address to the Arizona State University was top class. Starting with a bit of humor, he then demonstrated that he could be humble. He was very frank with the challenges facing the graduates and inspiring as to what those graduates and in fact all of us should be striving to achieve over the course of our lives. I'm proud that he is the president of this country.
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There is nothing wrong with the notion that Americans are hard working, honest people. However, there are other forces at work in America, too, and these vested interests have all but completely marginalized the people, and have exploited their hard work in a gross and rather cynical manner.
Obama did mention the infamous Bernie Madoff - a small fish who was also stupid enough to get caught - but I don't think that he - the President - should even refer to any such an individual (case). Instead, he could have said a word or two about underlying, structural problems that make Bernie Madoff possible. After all, he was addressing an audience of young academics, next generation of American intelligentsia and critical thinkers.
One can be both, inspirational, and realistic at the same time, these are not mutually exclusive categories, and Obama is perfectly capable of balancing them. Going for a safe and simple story was a matter of choice on his part, and it was not the best choice available to him, according to me.
Sure not all problems in the world are about greed vs selflessness. But it's an important point to make, he has a unique platform to make it, and he did it brilliantly, again.
Being a world leader, esp POTUS, is pretty nearly an impossible job. It's a wonder that anyone is remotely as successful at it as they are. Whenever I see Obama in action like that, I think: OMG, maybe here is a guy that is actually up to doing that impossible job.