For example using the phrase "human dignity," he introduced the issue of Aids, human trafficking, human cloning, poverty, corruption, debt burden of the developing economies, ethnic and religious violence and democracy. This attachment of important values to various serious issues gave his speech a flow and a dramatic effect. Organization of his speech around these values helped him in putting forward complex issues. However, the world was waiting for his reaction to violence in Iraq and cases of abuses in Iraqi prisons. These issues were conspicuously absent and were not even a minor part of overall organization of the speech.
On a number of occasions President used language to draw the attention of audience to issues at hand. For instance, President asked international community and nations to help in rebuilding of Iraq. He substantiated his point of success in Iraq by naming Iraqi Prime Minister who was sitting in the general assembly. "The U.N. And its member nations must respond to Prime Minister Allawi's request and do more to help build an Iraq that is secure, democratic, federal and free," he said.
Bush referred to many events that took place in the past to support his speech such as crimes in the Darfur region of Sudan, torture of children in Beslan etc. By mentioning past events he tried to support his points related to fighting of terrorism and intolerance.
Not just past...
He ended his speech on the same theme of liberty and freedom as the values that he cherished and would like them to flourish everywhere. He ended his speech with a prayer, "may God bless you."
If judged from just the point-of-view of words, ideas and delivery, Bush's speech can be considered effective. He effectively put across his agenda of freedom and democracy to the world while avoiding some serious issues. The audiences were particularly interested in Bush's speech after spate of violence in Iraq. People were expecting some condolences or some apologetic attitude but in a typical Bush manner his stance was unapologetic. However, the overall tone of the speech was not as aggressive as it was in the last two years. The speech at general assembly would have shone if he had included even brief references to the issues in Iraq, their causes and possible remedies.
Bibliography
"President Speaks to the United Nations General Assembly'. (2004). Retrieved on October 20, 2004 from: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/09/20040921-3.html
