Address to a Nation in Syria, Essay Example

(Then) President Bush and President Obama gave two speeches explaining why they had (unilaterally) decided to go to war. In the case of “kairos”, both Obama and Bush saw war as a key mechanism to prevent the use of detestable weapons and the possibility of terrorism: Bush railed against the patent violations terrorists achieved against the United States during 9-11; Obama warned against the (further) use of chemical weapons against domestic opposition in Syria and neighboring countries. Both presidents also saw themselves in a unique place to affect change; both eschewed a multilateral operation for a US-led operation. On the other hand, both politicians also used kairos in a different way. Bush saw action as necessary, and that a mandated existed for action against the terrorists; something the American people would support. Obama was essentially trying to gain support for a highly unpopular action. Lastly, Bush’s speech drew on more evidence and defiance of the international community; Obama’s speech tried to draw more on the potential implications of not taking action.

Bush’s decision to draw on the intransigence of the terrorist attack allows for a much more forceful delivery, even with the acknowledged chimera of weapons of mass destruction. Bush also draws more on the American ability to affect change in the situation; his language is more forceful than that used by Obama. Obama is trying to affect consensus through his words.

Overall, President Bush depends most on appeals to emotion (ethos) in the speech. Here are three examples of how President Bush utilizes ethos in the speech.

• Claim: The American people have already delivered the verdict.

“We have seen it in the courage of passengers, who rushed terrorists to save others on the ground — passengers like an exceptional man named Todd Beamer. And would you please help me to welcome his wife, Lisa Beamer, here tonight. We have seen the state of our Union in the endurance of rescuers, working past exhaustion. We’ve seen the unfurling of flags, the lighting of candles, the giving of blood, the saying of prayers — in English, Hebrew, and Arabic. We have seen the decency of a loving and giving people who have made the grief of strangers their own. My fellow citizens, for the last nine days, the entire world has seen for itself the state of our Union — and it is strong.”

This is clearly an emotional appeal to the bravery and purity of Americans’ actions during the day. The appeal is meant to move Americans to action not based on President Bush’s words, but based on the inherent values they all share.

• Claim: This is not just an attack against the United States; rather, this is an attack against the decency of man- evidenced by the reaction around the world.

We will not forget South Korean children gathering to pray outside our embassy in Seoul, or the prayers of sympathy offered at a mosque in Cairo. We will not forget moments of silence and days of mourning in Australia and Africa and Latin America. Nor will we forget the citizens of 80 other nations who died with our own: dozens of Pakistanis; more than 130 Israelis; more than 250 citizens of India; men and women from El Salvador, Iran, Mexico, and Japan; and hundreds of British citizens. America has no truer friend than Great Britain. Once again, we are joined together in a great cause — so honored the British Prime Minister has crossed an ocean to show his unity with America. Thank you for coming, friend.

If the (vile) attack offends all nations, not simply the United States, there is a moral responsibility to defeat the force.

• Claim: This is an act against freedom, albeit the second one on American soil.

On September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country. Americans have known wars — but for the past 136 years, they have been wars on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941.

Bush is looking to bring up the emotions of previous wars, and the second only attack on US soil, as a way to build up emotional support for his plan.