Gwb_Speech

Joseph Dizon Mr. Kolakoski English 102 February 18, 2010 Rhetoric of President George W. Bush’s Speech Political language is used as a powerful tool in winning the support as well as the consent of both the public and the nation lawmakers, moments of crisis over which the nation may clearly divide. The goal of argumentative writing is to persuade the audience that the ideas are valid. Whether in office or in the opposition, political leaders who deliver public speeches within a national context often tend to manipulate language to best-suit the rhetorical appeal they choose to pass a message through in an effort to gain political advantage, maintain power, and shirk responsibility. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, divided the means of persuasion, appeals, into three categories: ethos, pathos, logos. Ethos or ethical appeal means to project an impression to the reader that you are someone worth listening to, as well as someone who is likable and worthy of respect. Pathos or emotional appeal means persuading by appealing to the reader's emotions. Logos or logical appeal means persuading by the use of reasoning. The person needs to shape the convictions of a particular audience and sustain a positive image of the public speaker. President George W. Bush is a great example of who uses the rhetoric appeals in his speeches. In President George W. Bush’s speech, “President’s Address to the Nation,” he uses a patriotic and historical appeal to persuade the soldier’s families to support the new plans of sending more troops into Iraq to help the Iraqi people’s dream of freedom. On January 10, 2007, President Bush addressed the nation about the situation in Iraq. During President Bush’s speech, he had symbolic items in the White House’s library where he held his speech. The White House is the capital of the United States; the building of power, authority, and importance. The white shirt, blue tie, and red books all represent the colors of the American flag. There was a flame on the left hand side of the library; The library was symbolic because of studying and reading of the strategies in Iraq. President Bush’s attire had a symbolic meaning. He was wearing a black suit, a purplish blue tie, and white shirt, and the books in the library were red. The flame represents hope, and faith. The Statue of Liberty is holding a torch with a flame, and is symbol of freedom and opportunity. The flame can also represent death because people sacrificed their lives to make the War in Iraq a success, and rebirth because America is try to make Iraq a nation of freedom. President Bush said in his speech this is a time of freedom for the Americans and Iraqis. All of these symbols help President Bush use of the emotional appeals. President Bush wore a pin on his suit of the American flag to symbolize the patriotism and unity of the people of the United States because after 9/11 people started to wear more of the colors of America, and put up American flags everywhere. Maybe one day by helping the Iraqis, they will be united as a nation and have the same patriotism for the nation of Iraq as the American have for the United States. President George W. Bush appealed directly to the American people to support a renewed campaign to pacify Iraq. Calling for an additional 21,500 U.S. troops to help the troubled Iraqi government regain control of Baghdad while warning that he would not support an open-ended U.S. commitment. In a widely anticipated nationally televised address, Bush stood in the library of the White House and soberly said he had pursued a flawed strategy and acknowledged for the first time that he had not sent enough troops to provide security for Iraqi civilians. President Bush uses the logical and emotional appeal. He described the situation in Iraq as "unacceptable" to the American people and to himself. "Our troops in Iraq have fought bravely. They have done everything we have asked them to do," he said in the 20-minute speech (Bush). "Where mistakes have been made, the responsibility rests with me" (Bush). President Bush uses the emotional appeal. The sons and daughters of American families have risks their lives to protect America’s freedom. He is taking responsibility of the deaths of soldiers and being unsuccessful in Iraq until now. President Bush is taking actions to make up for the mistakes by making a new strategy, so that America can be successful in Iraq and the troops can come home to their families as soon as possible. At a time when polls show most Americans to be sharply critical of U.S. involvement in Iraq and his party has lost control of Congress, the speech was a chance for President George Bush to change course and convince a skeptical public that the future of Iraq is still worth fighting for. “It is in the interests of the United States to stand with the brave men and women who are risking their lives to claim their freedom, and to help them as they work to raise up just and hopeful societies across the Middle East” (Bush). President George Bush uses the logical and emotional appeal, so that he can persuade them that what they are doing in Iraq is right thing to do. The people of America need to support the soldiers in the Iraq that are changing Iraqis’ lives. America is not just fighting for the freedom of Iraq, but also the freedom of American people. America need to protect ourselves from the dangers in the world like terrorism. When President Bush talks about the troubles in Iraq, you feel the sorrowful for Iraqis. President Bush is making the decision to bring more troops so that we can protect the people that are less fortunate. “Will America withdraw and yield the future of that country to the extremists, or will we stand with the Iraqis who have made the choice for freedom'” (Bush) No, the United States will stand behind the people in need of help. America need to share the freedom around the world, so that one day we live in a world of peace. America is a place of freedom and opportunity, and we want to Iraq to be a place of freedom and opportunity also. Bush uses the emotional appeal. Soldiers have been fighting for their freedom to bring hope into the world, so that the future of the Middle East and America will be bright. America wants to be the country that the world can depend on when they need help. President George Bush mentions some of the countries that are in need of help. From Afghanistan to Lebanon to the Palestinian Territories, millions of ordinary people are sick of the violence, and want a future of peace and opportunity for their children. But the Middle East cannot do this all by themselves, they need the help of the America. “In these dangerous times, the United States is blessed to have extraordinary and selfless men and women willing to step forward and defend us” (Bush). The soldiers have protected America, and know that we need to also protect others from harm. The young American soldiers understand that our job in Iraq is noble and necessary and that we need to help the Iraqis’ fight of freedom. They serve far way from their families, who sacrifices the time they could spent time with their families like holidays. President Bush uses the emotional appeal because he is recognizing all the soldiers’ sacrifices, and the families’ hardship of their family members being away from home. They have watched their comrades give their lives to ensure our liberty. “We mourn the loss of every fallen American and we owe it to them to build a future worthy of their sacrifice”(Bush). Iraq appreciates all the help that America have provided. American soldiers are not just heros in America, but also in Iraq. President George Bush and the soldiers understanding that they will not be with their families until the job is done. They are sacrificing themselves for their families and the families around the world. American have fought for their families’ freedom for many years. Now, it is our turn to share the freedom with others. There are many soldiers that have passed away during the war, and we own it to them to finish the job, or else their sacrifice was for nothing. And throughout our history, “Americans have always defied the pessimists and seen our faith in freedom redeemed. Now America is engaged in a new struggle that will set the course for a new century. We can, and we will, prevail” (Bush). President Bush mentions how we fought for our freedom from Great Britain, went through some harsh times, but never gave up, and we fought for our freedom. President Bush wants us to believe in him and have hope in the new plan, so that the Iraqis can have the chance to have hope, and that the future of America will be safe from harm. President George Bush uses the emotional appeal of freedom. With the support of America, and the Iraqis, we will be successful and will have freedom for all. America is a country about freedom of the people. For the first time since the invasion of Iraq in March 2003, President Bush is moving forward with no guarantees of political support in Congress. “Victory will not look like the ones our fathers and grandfathers achieved,” because there will not be winner and loser in this war (Bush). When we successfully fill out what we were called to do it Iraq, Iraq will be a free nation with human rights, and opportunities to succeed their lives. “A democratic Iraq will not be perfect. But it will be a country that fights terrorists instead of harboring them -- and it will help bring a future of peace and security for our children and our grandchildren” (Bush). Iraq’s problems will not automatically be solved, but they will have a chance to change their nation into a better one with a future for their children instead of a future of trying to survive each day, and living in fear. There will always be men in this life who will try to remove freedom from the rest of humanity. President George Bush uses the emotional and logical appeal very effectively to persuade the soldiers’ families to support his plans. As a free nation, it becomes our duty of America to free other humans living under oppression. If America stops fighting for freedom, who will protect the ones in need of help' No one would care about freedom anymore, if people do not fight for their right of freedom. The world depends on American to help the people in need of freedom. Work Cited Bush, George. “President’s Address to the Nation.” Office of the Press Secretary. The White House. 10 Jan. 2007.