Worthwhile Listening 3

American Rhetoric, the site I've been linking to for these speeches, has this speech at number one. The choice is obvious. Everyone knows this speech. The title has become a common cliché.

However, have you listened to it in its entirety during your adult life? (I specify adult life because some vague memory of it from back in grade school is not the same thing.) There are the parts we hear all the time in audio snippets, but the rest of it is just as good. I've listened to it more than any other speech on my MP3 player.

The man was a master of the metaphor and simile. The skill of his delivery is equaled only by Reagan, and even then, it is not exceeded. I also like how precise this speech is. It is very tight, and by that I mean that King deftly slices off any shoots of misguided thought that he anticipates may sprout from his words in the listener's mind.

And look at this bit:

Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

Good advice for all of us even now.

Don't miss the rest of it.

More Worthwhile Listening

If you find yourself feeling like the republic is headed down the road to serfdom, listen to this. That's not to say that we're not on that road, but imagine hearing that speech from a President today.

It [the Constitution] has met every stress of vast expansion of territory, of foreign wars, of bitter internal strife, of world relations. And it is to be hoped that the normal balance of executive and legislative authority may be wholly equal, wholly adequate to meet the unprecedented task before us. But it may be that an unprecedented demand and need for undelayed action may call for temporary departure from that normal balance of public procedure.

I am prepared under my constitutional duty to recommend the measures that a stricken nation in the midst of a stricken world may require. These measures, or such other measures as the Congress may build out of its experience and wisdom, I shall seek, within my constitutional authority, to bring to speedy adoption.

But, in the event that the Congress shall fail to take one of these two courses, in the event that the national emergency is still critical, I shall not evade the clear course of duty that will then confront me. I shall ask the Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis -- broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe.

For the trust reposed in me, I will return the courage and the devotion that befit the time. I can do no less.

I am happy that we are not so foregone today that a President would be comfortable giving that same speech. At least, that is, I do not think a modern President would be comfortable giving it.

Happy Birthday, Kiddo

The big three. Incidentally, the best three years of our lives. Thanks for that!

Where You'll Find Me Today

Here at 2:00 PM CST on Dylan Ferrell's show. You can watch online.