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January 21, 2005
Sneak preview...
Poets priests and politicians
Have words to thank for their positions
Words that scream for your submission
And no one's jamming their transmission
'Cause when their eloquence escapes you
Their logic ties you up and rapes you
As a matter rhetorical theory, I'd be happier if Sting had switched the positions of "logic" and "eloquence" in this lyric, but that would have screwed up the meter.
I'm thinking of these words this morning as I continue to work on my analysis of the Bush inaugural address. I plan to post it this afternoon no later than 6:00 p.m. CST.
I have read a few analyses and editorials indicating the writers were impressed with the eloquence of the speech but had a difficult time figuring out what it all means. For example, here's what the Springfield News-Leader wrote:
President Bush's second inaugural speech was a lyrical, flag-waving tribute to freedom. But it was also a cryptic riddle, with the substance lurking between the lines.
So Sting's lyric springs to mind. I won't promise to explain any cryptic riddles. I did not find any. What I did find will, however, challenge the notion that this was an eloquent speech.
For a sneak peek (or would that be a sneak listen?), tune in to Radio Rhetorica today at 1:30 CST. Just click the "on air" button to the left, and choose audio stream #1.
Posted by acline at January 21, 2005 7:32 AM | | Spotlight