Once More Into The Breach, Dear Friends

[poliphilo]

Kerry doesn't make eye contact. The arm movements are stiff. He bounces about behind the podium like the Swedish chef.

Bush has a more natural stage presence, but when he speaks he seems only inches away from panic and collapse. He talks gibberish and flunks his punch-lines.

Few public figures have any talent for public speaking. I find it odd. You'd think it was a core skill and that they'd work at it.

Look at the Queen. We pay her millions to open things and make gracious speeches, but she's as rubbish at it now as she was fifty years ago; no empathy, no wit, no warmth. She's been doing it for a life-time and she still puts on the reading glasses and hides behind a script.

When a real communicator comes along- a Churchill, a Reagan, a Clinton- we're amazed. O look, a politician who's good at the job, a leader who can lead. What a prodigy!

Comments

[archyena.livejournal.com]

You all need the ability to fire the Queen, put the fear of job in the old bag so she'll take some motivational speaking courses.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I think she's too old to change.

I'll make no secret of the fact that I'd like to sack the lot of them. I want Britain to grow up and become a Republic.

[archyena.livejournal.com]

I really think it ought to as well, but I'm more of a proponent of radical democracy, you know? Monarchs and titles and the lot are an anachronism that ought to be buried in the modern age.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Exactly. and I find it demeaning that we're still in thrall to their glamour.

[archyena.livejournal.com]

Do they still call you "subjects?" To me, there would be nothing more demeaning on this Earth. That's a term of feudal inferiority so infuriating I'd make it a point to sign everything with my title as "Citizen." Even if I was elected to Parliament, even when being formally introduced (if I attended a function that required it) I'd have myelf introduced as "MP, Citizen." Sic semper tyrannus.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Yes, we are still "subjects". It makes me furious. My default line on royalty- which I repeat so often that I run the risk of becoming a bore- is that the Russians had the right idea. Take 'em all down into the cellar and- rat-a-tat-tat!

[geodesus-christ.livejournal.com]

Did you see Barack Obama's speech? If so, what did you think of him? People here in Boston saw the DNC and immediately talk arose of 'first black president'.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

I didn't catch him more's the pity. But first black president sounds good .

[geodesus-christ.livejournal.com]

http://www.dems2004.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=luI2LaPYG&b=125925&ct=158769 (http://www.dems2004.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=luI2LaPYG&b=125925&ct=158769)

if you're interested.

[poliphilo.livejournal.com]

Thanks.

I've taken a look at him and he's good. He's not in Clinton's class- he hasn't got that ability to make love to the audience- but then he's only starting out.

I like how he takes his foreign parentage and his African name and makes them work to his advantage. Yeah, I guess we'll be hearing a whole lot more from him.