English
Where freedom has been put to test then speeches are twisted to fit the timing in preparation for war. However, time has brought change that has added further freedom and power to individuals. The consequence of this power change is the huge shift in the way leaders give speeches. Political leaders are no longer, held; with the same breath as educational scholars, thus much teaching is not, expected of them. However, accountability and clear reasoning is one of the many things expected by people. By these, speeches are therefore explanatory in nature as the leaders defend their position. The aim of this piece is to state the change and the nature of change. The paper will explain what this change says about the American society in comparison to the way it was in the past, suggesting what has changed and why? In the first section this piece will discuss change as a whole, while in the second section the paper will address War, the difference, reaction, and interpretation.
Change
The days when freedoms were taught and repeated to people's ears by scholars and educated politicians are slowly slipping way. America in the 20th and 21st century has centered its belief on personal freedoms that define national freedoms and all other freedoms that Americans have chosen to enjoy. With the advent of technology the sentiment of Thoreau (149) that the government is at its best when it governs a little have been, long forgotten as people clinch on government for protection even more than before. Political leaders having, been faced by increased call for securities have used the opportunity to increase areas of governance, and none can claim that government governs less. The desire for a government that does not govern at all Thoreau (149) is a long distant wish that is moved even further by the day. American desire for safety has seen them invest heavily in homeland security at the expense of freedoms of governance. People today are all pro government system and are heavily invested in their leadership to ensure benefits. Few will dare state that there is no need for the government; however, Thoreau, (150) states the democratic governance of the majority is not necessarily right or wrong, but physical. He speaks of conscience and asks can freemen resign their freedom to legislation. While these were a deep desire on Thoreau’s part today, legislation has become not only the pillars freedom but over the years, it has become the backbone of governance. Right at the beginning people were seeking personal freedoms from slavery, and later on people joined up to seek national freedom before today when people fight for ideological freedom. Obama’s speech stated it is clear that the society is no longer interested with wars for a nationalistic value as every leader’s goal is to achieve economic freedoms for its citizens (2). The wastefulness of war as depicted by Pyle (301) is constant as today’s wars have a serious impact on the American economy. The American society has decided that it is best not to go to war, in most America has shied away from it to fight for its economic freedoms. Many are of the opinion that America is getting weaker though Obama (2) counters this to state America has no peer militarily and is free from fear of the days of the cold war. He points out at the American economy as dynamic and most innovative. America has changed to recognize the revolution just as Thoreau (161) had imagined refusing to recognize an allegiance and in unity to stand and resist the government when its inefficiency is unendurable. Revolutions that Americans engage today are not against foreign armies but against political administration to which all foes and failures are relegated to ensure smooth operational economy. As in the days of slavery men today are interested with commerce and concerned by matters of humanity. In Afghanistan Obama points to the sacrifices made by the Americans in order to restore human dignity. These are a big shift from Thoreau (151) narration of when the southern traders, farmers, and merchants were inclined to ignore the loss of freedom of others for personal economic gain. America today stands as a father whose duty has been to ensure success and humanity in the entire sphere of the earth. Today's American society is a believer in freedoms but also aware of the surrounding environment which instills fear of terrorism, fear of loss of individual freedoms and fear of economic failure. People are more concerned about each other with fewer ready to defend their position in the stance of war. However, those special few are selected and meticulously trained to protect American desires and freedoms and many more. Obama (3) states that it is the right of every individual to see his children grow in the absence of the fear. These are where people don't go worrying about of kidnapping, or being killed for reasons to do with political or religious belief.
The War, The difference, Reaction, and interpretation
People in America use speech to communicate far differently than they did in the past. Speech in the days of Thoreau was used to inform the populace that was not so literate to make them think in a more literal manner. However, today's speech is used differently as the audience has changed, and information flows faster than our thoughts. These means, if one has nothing to say and another does then the latter will be listened to and judged regarding to the weight of the evidence he or she provides. Today speech of war is filled with sentiments of humanity as governments explain and ponder on the reason war is taking place. However, some years back speech was used to foster temper and encourage emotions in a twist of propaganda to see men march to war. These are the only ways to explain how the brave men in the Second World War as depicted by Pyle (301) would march towards death with little second thought. Today’s speech targets at an audience that is more literal and thus its main message is that of encouragement more than education. An example of this is in the now almost constant line by Obama (4) that states America leads the world stage because if it doesn’t then nobody else will. Additionally speech today is a platform for a reason as it was used before however as in the case of the Obama speech is explanatory. The reason for this is power no longer lies with presidency and generals but with the people served. This realization has caused leaders today to use speech to explain why and why not more than just stir up emotions with conservative and liberalistic statements. In the past war determined which the stronger nation than the other was. War was about territory and resource. War was, aggravated by a desire to conquer and control with only a few, interested in solving humanity problems and thus many perished to decisions made for them and not by themselves. However, today war is the last resort in the error of diplomacy. Any advancement towards a location aims solving a problem that the leadership has not managed to correct. Leadership across the world agree that warring Is essential to stopping forces like Isis and others who seek to take over the freedoms of others. However, wars fought today are designed to foster peace and not just destruction to lives and people's livelihood. Leadership and military as Obama (4) states are separate and military action should not the primary tool for leadership. He states that the fact the US has the best hammer it is not to mean every other problem is a nail. This view towards war is different from the one reiterated by Pyole (300) that is marked and spinner in death. The reaction towards war today is one that sends mixed messages. The deployment of the American soldier’s pre-Obama was, hailed as a great decision by many. However as the war prolonged the same citizens turned up to state they were no longer interested in the war. These happened not once but twice in Afghanistan and Iraq. This proves the desire of the Americans to support but not to support indefinitely. As the cost of war goes higher the economic shocks have pushed not only the Americans but also other countries to concentrate on their economic wellbeing. While Americans are interested with providing humanistic aid the economic success is of great importance to them. However, many view war as an expensive, dangerous expenditure whose time has ran out. Considering Pyole (300) narration, one has nothing else but agreeing.
Conclusion
Speech has long come to be, known for steering thinking; like every other steered object its only adequate If pointed to the right direction. However, today’s speech is largely explanatory explaining either what will be, done or what is, already done. Likewise, American view of war has changed invoked by public demand. People are no longer just following but evoking their freedoms to guide them. In the past leaders were in deep need to exert change in the hearts of their citizens. However to achieve this they had to push for change. These is not the same as today when leaders are often the ones push to change in a world that is full of reasoning and philosophical ideology
Works Cited
Barrack, Obama transcript of President Obama’s Commencement Address at West Point. 2014 New York Times. Print
Casper, Scott E., and Richard O. Davies. Five hundred years: America in the world. “On Civil Disobedience” by Henry David Thoreau Boston, MA: Pearson Custom Pub, 2006. Print. Page 149-155
Pyle, Ernie. Brave men. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 2001. Print.
