Peggy Noonan
The most important speech so far in the 21st century?
I’ve read it twice and I think it is. It’s actually kind of a masterpiece. It’s George Will at Washington University in St. Louis, on December 4, 2012. The language, vocabulary, diction, the assumption that the audience knows things and is capable of following a line of argument, even when that argument takes turns or doubles back – all these things are old school, and carry old school’s natural authority.
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Here’s the video
Schadenfreude on December 30, 2012 at 10:58 PM
If there really is something like an “important” speech these days – and I really doubt that – its certainly not given by somebody as inconsequential as a journalist.
Valkyriepundit on December 30, 2012 at 11:04 PM
You’re missing a good speech, indeed.
Schadenfreude on December 30, 2012 at 11:16 PM
Yes! The most important speech of the 21st century is…some surface interpretation of current events through American political philosophy. The kind of thing you hear in undergrad courses in political science. THAT is the most important speech of the 21st century?
ernesto on December 30, 2012 at 11:17 PM
What? Someone forgot about “The Cairo Speech”….The CAIRO Speech…the speech given by the first clean and articulate negr0 (ht: Biden and Reid) preznit.
Bishop on December 30, 2012 at 11:28 PM
FIFYRCG (Fixed It For Your Rose-Colored Glasses), George …
Yeah? But did anybody faint? I didn’t think so. TOTUS rules!!! /Obama voter
ShainS on December 30, 2012 at 11:46 PM
ernesto on December 30, 2012 at 11:17 PM
You either didn’t listen to it or you are truly a fool.
Schadenfreude on December 30, 2012 at 11:51 PM
Not a fan of dismissing people based on their occupation Valkerie. And ernesto, considering the US is the most important country so far this century and last, it’s not that hard to believe that a speech through the “American political philosophy” couldn’t be the most important thus far.
Donald Draper on December 30, 2012 at 11:55 PM
Affirmative.
OldEnglish on December 31, 2012 at 12:09 AM
Peggy is a twit.
Pork-Chop on December 31, 2012 at 12:12 AM
Peggy might want to pick up Mark Steyn’s book “After America.” That same quote is discussed at length.
Zetterson on December 31, 2012 at 12:29 AM
But I thought Obama just delivered the new Gettysburg Address or something
Fezzik on December 31, 2012 at 1:10 AM
thx…i’ve actually been in that building…now i can see the building too
i was only 1/2 the way thru the transcript. Lots of laugh lines (poor ernesto probably missed those)
r keller on December 31, 2012 at 3:07 AM
A great summary explanation of who we are, where we came from, and what has gone wrong as Americans. Hard going for the less educated but worth the struggle to understand. Oh how I yearn for the leaders of the past.
Scotsman on December 31, 2012 at 3:18 AM
Perhaps so, but you might make a more compelling argument against the article…
DrMagnolias on December 31, 2012 at 3:43 AM
I’d go with both.
davidk on December 31, 2012 at 4:09 AM
If so, God help us.
davidk on December 31, 2012 at 4:54 AM
Peggy you ignorant slut
bannor on December 31, 2012 at 7:11 AM
Ummm… yep it was that, not Bush’s 9/11 speech.. eyes roll Peggy.
Illinidiva on December 31, 2012 at 8:51 AM
It would appear from many of the comments that the Republic is not only in danger from the Left.
claudius on December 31, 2012 at 9:33 AM
George Will is a smart guy. Shrug. While that was an interesting and possibly correct interpretation, I don’t see any practical application to be derived from his analysis.
The slow death of religion is an unintended consequence of our high standard of living coupled with the free (in all senses) exchange of information. Even if those things go away, you won’t see the resurgence of a religious society. The cat is out of the bag.
ElectricPhase on December 31, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Comment in review. Fine, allow me to rephrase it.
Sure, one thing I’m sure of however, Peggy is a v a l i u m addict.
Bmore on December 31, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Religion for thee, but not for me.
Most important speech of this century? I don’t think so.
That speech will delve into and demolish the infantile devotion of so much of American Society to the preening narcissist and gross incompetent, Barack Obama. Perhaps then, there will be a turning back to sanity.
Basilsbest on December 31, 2012 at 10:12 AM