Let's Talk Politics

Hey guys!  In our recently read chapters, the textbook has discussed just how important rhetoric is in the life of a politician.  As a PoliSci major, I am seriously considering a career involved with politics.  The way that politicians use rhetoric to manipulate their audience into believing their point is a huge part of why rhetoric has been given a bad name in recent years.  On the contrary, however, I think that many politicians use rhetoric in a valuable way and they deserve a little more credit than they are given.

I may not have been born yet, but I still appreciate the speeches that our former United States President, Ronald Reagan, addressed our country with many times.  Our textbook even discussed Reagan and his beautiful use of rhetoric throughout his years as the leader of our country.  When I read that in the book, I immediately was taken back to my senior year AP Government class in high school.  I remember sitting in my little desk, cramped with notebooks, binders, and textbooks, wishing I was anywhere but there, and my teacher putting on a youtube video.  It was Ronald Reagan addressing the country after the Challenger  Disaster on January 28, 1986.  The speech delivered by Ronald Reagan honestly can send chills down my spine each time I watch it and can make me feel like I am right there with him and he is talking directly to me.  In my opinion, Reagan sums up everything that an orator should be.

Ronald Reagan Address after Challenger Disaster

Watch this video I posted above for yourself.  I am sure that you will agree with me.  He may be on television addressing over a million people, but he does it in a way that makes you feel that he is talking to you and mourning alongside you.  He really uses pathos throughout the entire speech and every person listening was definitely touched and felt his presence besides them.  This use of the television media shows how new technology is making rhetoric even more important in this time.  In the book, they talked about how you wouldn't want someone yelling or pounding on a podium while giving a speech on television trying to capture your attention.  The television gives the orator a much more comfortable and calming presence than ever before.

I love the way Reagan addresses the families of the victims and the "school children of America".  It really adds personal touches to the speech and makes you believe that he truly means every single word that comes from his mouth.

In my opinion, Reagan is the epitome of great orators.

Here is the script of the speech (read it-- it's brilliant):



Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd planned to speak to you tonight to report on the state of the Union, but the events of earlier today have led me to change those plans. Today is a day for mourning and remembering. Nancy and I are pained to the core by the tragedy of the shuttle Challenger. We know we share this pain with all of the people of our country. This is truly a national loss.


Nineteen years ago, almost to the day, we lost three astronauts in a terrible accident on the ground. But, we've never lost an astronaut in flight; we've never had a tragedy like this. And perhaps we've forgotten the courage it took for the crew of the shuttle; but they, the Challenger Seven, were aware of the dangers, but overcame them and did their jobs brilliantly. We mourn seven heroes: Michael Smith, Dick Scobee, Judith Resnik, Ronald McNair, Ellison Onizuka, Gregory Jarvis, and Christa McAuliffe. We mourn their loss as a nation together.


For the families of the seven, we cannot bear, as you do, the full impact of this tragedy. But we feel the loss, and we're thinking about you so very much. Your loved ones were daring and brave, and they had that special grace, that special spirit that says, 'Give me a challenge and I'll meet it with joy.' They had a hunger to explore the universe and discover its truths. They wished to serve, and they did. They served all of us.


We've grown used to wonders in this century. It's hard to dazzle us. But for twenty-five years the United States space program has been doing just that. We've grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we've only just begun. We're still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers.


And I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America who were watching the live coverage of the shuttle's takeoff. I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we'll continue to follow them.


I've always had great faith in and respect for our space program, and what happened today does nothing to diminish it. We don't hide our space program. We don't keep secrets and cover things up. We do it all up front and in public. That's the way freedom is, and we wouldn't change it for a minute. We'll continue our quest in space. There will be more shuttle flights and more shuttle crews and, yes, more volunteers, more civilians, more teachers in space. Nothing ends here; our hopes and our journeys continue. I want to add that I wish I could talk to every man and woman who works for NASA or who worked on this mission and tell them: "Your dedication and professionalism have moved and impressed us for decades. And we know of your anguish. We share it."


There's a coincidence today. On this day 390 years ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboard ship off the coast of Panama. In his lifetime the great frontiers were the oceans, and a historian later said, 'He lived by the sea, died on it, and was buried in it.' Well, today we can say of the Challenger crew: Their dedication was, like Drake's, complete.


The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honoured us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and 'slipped the surly bonds of earth' to 'touch the face of God.'


Thank you.


President Ronald Reagan - January 28, 1986