Craig's Musings

You know, it's funny how we have so little reverence for such speeches.

Used car salesmen turn national holidays into parodies, with the Lincoln on stilts bit, Independence day becomes 'Give me liberty or give me johnsonville brats', and so on.

There's no substitute for a really good, moving speech.

Sometimes, a soundbite doesn't do it.

"Well, I don't know what will happen now. We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter to me now, because I've been to the mountaintop, and I don't mind. Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has it place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's Will, and He has allowed me to go up to the mountain, and I have looked over, and I have seen 'The Promised Land'. "

Or "Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!"

Perhaps I should instead say:

"I will use my iPhone on the seas and oceans, on the beaches, on the landing grounds, listening to music in the fields and streets, watching videos in the hills. I will never give it up..."

True, these historic speeches have made their way everywhere. For me, it isn't so much about lack of reverence (although I certainly am an irreverent bastard!) - it is that they are part of the culture and so I use them. It is remarkable the impact these speeches made - how they have become so ingrained into the culture.

And you are right – the sound bite is no substitute for the full impact of the original.