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Feedback Comments on Famous Speeches. Key words: John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Abraham Lincoln, Mark Twain, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill, Fidel Castro, Jesse Jackson, Barack Obama, format, vision, mission, politics, imagery, emotional appeal, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Feedback Comments on Famous Speeches
by Ron Kurtus
A total of 104 comments and questions have been sent in. They are listed according to date.
List of next 10 letters
Marvelous new militancy in Negro community - USA
Questions about Kennedy's inaugural speech of 1961 - USA
Did George W. Bush do his job well? - Philippines
Mistake in Mini-Quiz - USA
Cuban issue should be settled - South Sudan
Do you know about Sudan? - South Sudan
Wants wedding sermon for Prince Charles and Diana - USA
Don't think the speech was extemporaneous - USA
Marvelous new militancy in Negro community
Topic: Martin Luther King Dream
Question
August 24, 2010
Who or what organization, was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. referring to when in his speech he said "The marvelious new militancy which has engulfed the negro community"
- USA
20286
Answer
In the 1960s, many blacks or African-Americans began protesting the years of discrimination, usually through peaceful demonstrations. When King was referring to militancy, he meant organized efforts to achieve the rights.
The major groups were the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee), CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) and SCLC (Southern Christian Leadership Conference).
King had been the first president of SCLC.
Questions about Kennedy's inaugural speech of 1961
Topic: Kennedy
Question
August 5, 2010
I don't understand why Kennedy says we are proud of our ANCIENT hertitage. Why would he use that word specifically in a new nation, unless he was directly speaking to the Native Americans, which seems unlikely since it was a speech addresses the whole country.
Also when he says let other powers know that this hemisphere intends to stay the master of his own house....I know he is speaking of helping the border countries, however this seems agressivley power hungary.
Maybe you could shed some light on me to understand these two peices of the speech that really stand out to me.
Oh and one more thing, it is my understanding Kennedy wrote this speech himself, yet the beginning and ending have a different tone and sound as if writen by two different writers, in my opinion. But perhaps it was written in phases and his own mood had changed slighty.
K - USA
20192
Answer
John F. Kennedy had several good speech writers, but he also wrote some of the material himself. He did win the Pulitzer Prize in History, so he was a good writer. However, you are very observant to notice differences in the text of his speech.
When Kennedy spoke of "ancient heritage" he was referring to the heritage given by the Country's founding fathers in the 1700s. He was using literary license in referring them as ancient.
At the time of this speech, the Cuba and the Soviet Union were supporting the overthrow of many of the countries south of the United States. He was advocating that those people should be able to direct their own destiny and be "masters of their houses" and not allow other countries take over. It was not being power hungry, but instead seeking to help neighboring countries remain free.
Did George W. Bush do his job well?
Topic: George W. Bush 1st Inaugural
Question
July 27, 2010
Does bush do his job right?
ivy - Philippines
20130
Answer
Former U.S. President George W. Bush did the best job he could. Many people in his political party felt he did a fine job, while those in the opposing political party thought he did poorly.
Major criticisms against him are starting the war in Iraq and allowing the economy to go down.
Mistake in Mini-Quiz
Topic: Reagan First Inaugural
Question
July 21, 2010
For number two in the mini quiz (What did he say about government?), you have c (It should be run by only the very rich.) marked. I believe that this is the incorrect answer. In his speech, Reagan stated, "Our Government has no power except that granted it by the people." By "the people," he meant the common person, not just the very rich. This clearly refutes choice c. I believe that a (It is not the solution to the problems of the country) would be a better choice. He clearly stated, "In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem." By "present crisis," he was referring to stagflation, a major problem that neither the Nixon, the Ford, nor the Carter administration were able to solve. Choice b (It should become like many socialist countries.) can easily be eliminated because socialist countries believe in a large presence of government in the economy and in society. Reagan wanted to give the Federal Government a smaller role in society, stating, "It is my intention to curb the size and influence of the Federal establishment and to demand recognition of the distinction between the powers granted to the Federal Government and those reserved to the States or to the people."
I hope this helps you to improve your quiz.
Best wishes! :)
Anjali - USA
20111
Answer
Oops!! My face is red! I didn't notice I put in the wrong answer.
Thanks for pointing out the mistake. I made the correction.
Cuban issue should be settled
Topic: Castro at UN in 1960
Question
June 21, 2010
I wish the world of today specially the human right watch should look at cuban issue fidel right according to this speech grassroot first I love his leadership. people first.
Samuel - South Sudan
19944
Answer
Thank you for your views. Yes, the Cuban issue should be settled. Both sides need to talk.
Do you know about Sudan?
Topic: GW Bush on 9-11 Attack
Question
June 21, 2010
why is the war against the enemy of the people,s stoped not moving ?Do you know sudan ? and its actities if yes why not and why Sadam houseen was wrong?
Samuel - South Sudan
19945
Answer
Some people in Iraq liked Saddam Hussein, but others in Iraq, who had been abused by him were against his leadership.
Sudan has a ancient and great history. However, its recent government has been accused of wrong-doing.
Most Americans know little about Sudan and its policies.
Wants wedding sermon for Prince Charles and Diana
Topic: Resources
Question
May 26, 2010
We are looking for the wedding sermon for Prince Charles and Diana Spencers wedding. The archbishop of canterberry delivered the sermon.
rick - USA
19797
Answer
The following video footage has some of the sermon. I couldn't find the text of the complete sermon.
http://royalroundup.wordpress.com/2008/07/29/video-footage-charles-and-dis-wedding-ceremony/
Don't think the speech was extemporaneous
Topic: Churchill
Question
May 17, 2010
Re: Churchill's "Never Give In", You wrote :
"Before speaking, Churchill discovered that the students had added a verse to one of the school songs:"
... and finished with :
"This fact was noted in the speech, which may have been primarily an extemporaneous speech."
If you read the speech, he seems to address the fact that the verse had been added (a year?) ago, ergo prior knowledge ... and likely the speech was not extemporareous.
Churchill :
"...You sang here a verse of a School Song: you sang that extra verse written in my honor, which I was very greatly complimented by and which you have repeated today. But there is one word in it I want to alter - I wanted to do so last year, but I did not venture to. It is the line: "Not less we praise in darker days."
WC :
"I have obtained the Head Master's permission to alter darker to sterner. 'Not less we praise in sterner days.'"
Both statements imply some prior knowledge, but I'll accede that the speech could have been updated that day or since the start of his visit
John - USA
19732
Answer
Thanks for your feedback on this.
Extemporaneous can mean unrehearsed and with little preparation. Noting the audience or talking to someone beforehand does not mean a speech is no longer extemporaneous.
However, I've added "unrehearsed" to avoid confusion.
Wars mentioned in Holmes' speech
Topic: Oliver Wendell Holmes
Question
April 25, 2010
what were the two greatest wars refered to by holmes in The Solider's Faith speech of 1895
dave - USA
19605
Answer
Oliver Wendell Holmes primary referred to the Civil War, in which he fought. However, he did mention the Revolutionary War in his speech.
What were the advantages of King's speech?
Topic: Martin Luther King Dream
Question
March 20, 2010
I have a question, What was the disadvantages and advantages of King's speech or was there any?
- USA
19400
Answer
Martin Luther King's speech inspired many people with its simple, but strong message. It helped the creation of laws preventing discrimination.
It was a positive and uplifting speech and not negative at all.
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