CRITICAL REVIEW & ANALYSIS OF THE SPEECH OF US PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH AFTER THE SEPTERMBR 11TH TERRORIST ATTACKS
This document examines the political elements and features of the speech made by the US President after terrorists flew planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center attempted to perpetrate similar attacks in two other locations. This paper presents a two-part analysis of the speech of the US President, George W. Bush after the incident. The first part of the speech critiques the political content of the speech and its impact on stakeholders. The second part of the speech will present a political news article on the speech that will be based on the assumption that the writer of this paper was covering the speech in real-time.
Part 1: Analysis of Speech
On September 11th, 2001, most media-houses around the world stopped their normal programs and focused on reporting about two planes that had crashed into two high-rise buildings in New York – the World Trade Center. Among the public everywhere, views, opinions and shock was being echoed in the United States and beyond.
Article 2 of the US Constitution creates the office of the President, who is the commander-in-chief of the country’s military. However, subsequent practice has evolved that presents the US President as the figurehead of the nation and spokesman for the government. As such, in the situation where the US was in chaos and numerous views and opinions were sprouting up, it became apparent for the US President to show up to clear the air on this major security breach. This is the impetus for the speech made by President George W. Bush at 15.00 EST to the United States.
The first paragraph of the speech states clearly that the United States came under a deadly attack by terrorists in the early hours of the day. This implies that an official position was taken by the senior-most figure on the land and this confirmed that a terrorist attack of such magnitude had occurred in the country. He outlined that a deliberate attack was staged to destroy American lives and properties.
President Bush goes on to tell the nation and the world that the United States was attacked because of its role in leading the Free World. This is in line with the role of the United States in fighting for democracy, rule of law and human rights since it departed from its policy of Isolationism that heralded US foreign policy in the 1800s. This showed the discerning listener that the US was under siege because of its role in fighting for the voiceless in the two World Wars, the Cold War and against fundamentalist and oppressive regimes and groups around the world. This builds a connection with well-meaning persons around America and in the world.
President Bush also proceeded to provide preliminary answers to provide various degrees of assurance in relation to immediate, short-term and long-term fears and anxieties. First of all, the President states that he had ordered a rescue mission to help ease the pain and suffering of the injured and bring the situation under control. The President goes on to assure the country that emergency security units have been deployed to hunt down perpetrators of acts that could endanger more American lives. This was to assure the ordinary American that the government was doing something to prevent the problem from getting to him or her.
The speech also indicated that essential government units were working to ensure that necessities were provided. This showed that there was no chaos in the face of the terrorist attacks. It showed the world that the American authorities were in a good position to work to seek the best interest of their people at all times. The American people also got the assurance that the country had not run to a standstill. Rather, they could gain access to some basic processes and services where necessary.
Also, President Bush states that financial institutions in America were working. This was to assure foreign investors that their monies were still in safe hand, and no form of terrorist attacks could stop America from meeting the best interests of foreign investors.
The speech also maps out plans on how the United States intended to mobilize troops to fight terrorism within and outside the United States. The US
President identified that the security services were hunting down terrorists within the United States to prevent further attacks. In relation to long-term ambitions, President Bush identifies that the US is willing to work with governments around the world to fight terrorism. He reiterated that in the process of dealing with terrorists around the world, no distinction will be made between the terrorists and those who harbor them. This was an obvious reference to Afghanistan and other nations where militant Islam was thriving. This laid the blueprints for further attacks in the coming years.
In conclusion, US President George W. Bush used various communication skills to provide information to Americans and people around the world about the state of affairs in the US after the World Trade Center terrorist attacks. He uses ethos to state that a deadly attack has been perpetrated against the US and the US authorities were going to protect lives and hunt down the perpetrators. He uses skills in logos to present a strong case that explains the motives of the perpetrators and show that they are against democracy, freedom and the fundamental ideals of America. The President also uses pathos to comfort the perpetrators by quoting various religious texts and other emotional ideas to assure the nation that their interest will be safeguarded.
Part 2: News Article on President George W. Bush’s Speech after the September 11th Terror Attacks in the United States
Who can deny the horrors, fear and anxiety that the events of September 11th, 2011 brought to the American people? In a rare show of solidarity, Democrats and Republicans came together to endorse the speech of the President and mobilize help to fight against terrorism. In the speech, US President George W. Bush called the event a dastardly act aimed at putting shaking the foundations of the United States of America in his speech delivered hours after the terrorist acts.
In the speech, President Bush outlines immediate plans and measures to prevent further attacks and also hint on the activities the US intends to embark on to prevent future terrorist attacks aimed at the American people and their allies. He states in his speech that “America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism”.
The President immediately declares war on terrorism in his speech, and he assures Americans that immediate rescue efforts were authorized by his office after the incidents earlier in the day. He states that US security officials are on the field hunting down persons linked to the perpetrators of the bombings.
In the speech, President Bush shows that America is still intact. He identifies that the federal authorities and essential government workers are still at work. This is to assure the ordinary American that life has not grinded to a halt. America is still in motion. To foreign investors, President Bush states that the US financial sector is still operational, and the events of 9/11 are heavily insulated from the growth of their investments in the States.
President Bush states that the security services are on high alert for any events that might suggest that more attacks are in the pipeline. He also shows promise that a lot of new measures will be taken by his government to prevent terrorists from having safe havens around the world. This indicates that he is likely to use his Executive powers to draft emergency laws against terrorists and also prevent terrorists from moving around freely in various points of entry to the United States.
Another component of the speech is the apparent appreciation the US president shows to governments around the world that have called to show condolence to the people of America in these trying times. This shows an auspicious sign that these governments are willing to help in rescue efforts and also assist in future operations to clamp down on terrorists in distant lands.
In summary, the US President told Americans on Tuesday, that he admits that the terrorist attacks were designed to destroy the very foundations
America is built on – freedom. And he shares in the frustration and panic of Americans. However, he moved to assure Americans that a lot is being done to prevent a carnage and further attacks. And he has shown that the US is up to the task to bringing the perpetrators of the act to task. The US President hints that he is willing to take further measures to prevent future disturbances and ensure that American lives and property are safeguarded. Finally, the US President acknowledges the support received from foreign governments, and he indicates that he is willing to partner with these governments to free the world of terrorism.
Bibliography
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