tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167645415172480708.post2210579083824310431..comments2024-01-25T04:52:39.451-07:00Comments on Satire Report: Obama's Inaugural AddressMichael Powershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03344463904032126734noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167645415172480708.post-63015040611428666452009-01-22T12:34:00.000-07:002009-01-22T12:34:00.000-07:00I don't recall him saying that to the Germans; cou...I don't recall him saying that to the Germans; could be wrong.<BR/><BR/>My larger point is that invocation of citizens, rather than Americans, does not any less American make (grammar!). If it was good enough for Jackson (Andrew), it's good enough for us.<BR/><BR/> I also think he is aware of the danger of faction -- he spoke about it explicitly -- and of the loss of civility in our political discourse. I think, if anything, the Internet makes that a bit easier to do, even inadvertently -- be uncivil, that is. Hopefully we can put that behind us as a society.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167645415172480708.post-29740954911168666792009-01-22T01:21:00.000-07:002009-01-22T01:21:00.000-07:00Well, he addressed the Germans in a similar fashio...Well, he addressed the Germans in a similar fashion in Berlin...so while it may have been a Roman throw back, I'm not so sure.Michael Powershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09004069768706534990noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167645415172480708.post-59894950215677895622009-01-22T01:02:00.000-07:002009-01-22T01:02:00.000-07:00should say "he is gesturing to" in the last senten...should say "he is gesturing to" in the last sentence.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167645415172480708.post-90165805153810294292009-01-22T01:01:00.000-07:002009-01-22T01:01:00.000-07:00Thoughtful take, though I disagree of course on th...Thoughtful take, though I disagree of course on the issue of science. And fear for that matter. But that's beside my main point, which is that I think you're interpretation of addressing citizens is a bit off. Classical Roman oratory always began with "Quirites," or "fellow citizens." The orators of the early republic took up the habit. So in a way, it's older, and arguably more American, than the more recent locution "my fellow Americans." In this, too, like you point out with Pericles and Lincoln, to a longer rhetorical tradition.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167645415172480708.post-75443775170077122602009-01-20T15:42:00.000-07:002009-01-20T15:42:00.000-07:00Good work. Enjoyed your take.Good work. Enjoyed your take.squirrelyearlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12098250376078894226noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9167645415172480708.post-86644274144992632112009-01-20T12:46:00.000-07:002009-01-20T12:46:00.000-07:00Good analysis!Good analysis!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com