Analyzing Mccain's Speech A Cause Greater Than Self

What is the definition of patriotism for America? This question can be answered in various ways, but is not always focused upon in daily life. Spanning from Colonial America up until today, this answer has fluctuated due to the happenings within the country. Although separated by time, many previous beliefs reflect similarly upon more modern occasions. Patrick Henry’s Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech provides ideas that can easily transpose to current events in present day America. In his speech, there is the one overruling idea, that of patriotism, and a few supporting points, such as individual liberty and interpretation of freedom.

Kennedy provided the American people the hope and motivation that they originally lacked during a time of international chaos through one of the most inspiration speeches in American history. With an excellent use of ethos, pathos, and logos throughout his speech, Kennedy not only inspired just the American public, but also people of other nations around the world. Without the use of such strategies, the American people would have lacked the amount of motivation and hope they required in order to make the fight to change

Kennedy’s inaugural speech had a bigger historical impact because it brought immediate change. Kennedy made a statement that clearly resembled the tone he wanted to set for our nation’s foreign affairs: “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” This evidence shows the willingness that Kennedy had to do whatever it took to preserve and protect civil liberties, and to defend our freedom as well as the freedom of allied nations. With his famous words,” Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.” With these words, Kennedy sparks a sense of nationalism in the hearts of citizens. The well-being of the United States is the primary importance, and the idea that any problem that mankind encounters could be resolved, or at least a solution could be

The speech, which was given on January 20, 1961, conveys his future legacy through both his words and tone. Kennedy says, “‘Now the trumpet summons us again - not as a call to bear arms - not as a call to battle - but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle - a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.’” (22). His use of rhetorical style elements persuaded everyone listening, capturing the imagination of an entire country. JFK challenged the nation, and gave them hope for a better tomorrow. He asks, “‘Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?’” (23). His faith in the people of this nation and hope for the future shone through him and spread onto

Every patriot had a role to play during this tough time, they all had to work together and work to win their war. They had

Kennedy uses an appeal to patriotism to motivate citizens of the United States to defend freedom and democracy. He wants Americans to act

Patriotism is often referred to as one's love for their home country or rather respect and devotion. In her book, "Common Sense Etiquette", Eleanor Roosevelt, claims that loving your country means treating every citizen of the world with the same respect given to a fellow American. To be a true patriot, one must treat everyone with the same respect as given to a normal American and fight to achieve freedom for all. The United States has long experienced division in the country since the day it declared its independence.

In John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech, his main point is to give a hope and comfort to the United States and assure his position as leader, since he was elected during the Cold War. Also, that this was the time to act and that we have to fight for our rights and liberty. During the speech, he wanted to let the world know that we all do bad thing an as a nation they were willing to accept any consequences just to assure the survival and the liberty of the States. To illustrate, here is what he said “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty” (Kennedy). Moreover, Kennedy wanted to let know America that the United States of America were willing to help the other countries in order to obtain liberty, and that the USA is not looking to conquer another country, this can be seen when he says “Let all our neighbors know that we

Mark Twain once commentend that a patriot was, “the person who can holler the loudest without knowing what he is hollering about.”, implying that the majority of patriots do not know why they are patriotic. Americans are taught from birth to love the United States of America; if an American does not absolutely love America, then they must despise it, an act certainly shameful. Most Americans find themselves devoted before ever asking if the U.S. deserves devotion. Philosopher Carol Nicholson writes in her article, .Why I Am Not A Patriot, “Fixing love on an abstraction such as ‘country’ leads to...a recipe for intolerance, hate, and war.”. Devotion to a country is not wrong-a country could not grow unless its citizens had a degree of pride for it-the danger comes when people stop asking why, and not only stop questioning, but also believe their country is

Compared to people in other countries, Americans express pride in their country the most. They really don’t care whether they are in their country or out of their country, they just express pride in their country as much as they can. A great example of how patriotic Americans are, is from senator John McCain essay, “VETERANS DAY: NEVER FORGET THEIR DUTY.” In the essay, Senator McCain recalls a moment when he was captured by the Vietnamese as prisoners of war. While he was captured, he met a man whose name was Mike Christian.

All Americans should find their opinion on patriotism and voice that opinion. There are many different views of patriotism and many will clash, but if we continue to talk and use our minds instead of our fists or guns, we can eventually come to a compromise of both ideas, which will best represent everyone’s opinions on patriotism. Through more clearly and fairly defined ideas of patriotism we can better understand the actions of our fellow Americans and avoid more unnecessary conflicts caused by extremist ideas being the only ideas heard.

Too many people have associated being an American with being in favor of the President's decisions. False. "Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the President." President Theodore

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Patriotism means to stand by the country. It does not mean to stand by the president or any other public official, save exactly to the degree in which he himself stands by the country. It is patriotic to support him insofar as he efficiently serves the country. It is unpatriotic not to oppose him to the exact extent that by inefficiency or otherwise he fails in his duty to stand by the country. In either event, it is unpatriotic not to tell the truth, whether about the president or anyone else.”

"Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country," is a well-known quote among Americans that has so much meaning behind it. John F. Kennedy was a president for the United States and loved among many American citizens. His speeches were always thought out and used many rhetoric devices to reel his audience in. Therefore, making his speeches brilliant and known the citizens of America. By going over the main points of rhetoric JFK used in his innagural speech like antithesis, pathos, and the theme one can realize how deep the speech actually is.

Because he was the youngest president at the time and the election results were close he uses a lot of ethos to build his character. Kennedy gives himself a benevolent likable side by telling people who are “struggling to break the bonds of mass misery” that he will lead the United States to help them. In contrast to this he also gives himself credibility of strength by stating that under his leadership the United States will do anything necessary to “assure the survival and success of liberty”. Using quotes from the Bible and referencing God, Kennedy furthers his ethos and backs up his ideas as well. He also gains more ethos by including himself with the people in his statements to show that he doesn’t view himself as better than them.