Contrast

Published in Le Devoir
(Canada) on 14 January 2017
by Pierre Deschênes (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by Beth Holding. Edited by Sarah Hamilton.
The circus-like, angry and aggressive atmosphere surrounding the president-elect’s first press conference appears in stark contrast to the festive mood present in Chicago during President Obama’s farewell address. One thing that I particularly appreciate, and one of my fondest memories of Obama’s speeches, other than their rhetoric, is their pedagogical side, in the sense that the president educates his people, reminding them – or sometimes even teaching them – the fundamentals of the U.S. Constitution and the origin of the democratic American dream. Currently, very few world leaders are giving us the opportunity to be the privileged witnesses of such demonstrations of eloquence and depth of rhetoric.


L’atmosphère de cirque, de colère et d’agressivité entourant la première conférence de presse du président en devenir Trump aura offert un contraste saisissant avec l’ambiance festive régnant la veille à Chicago lors du discours d’adieu du président Obama. Ce que j’apprécie particulièrement et dont je garderai le meilleur souvenir des discours de ce dernier, outre leur rhétorique, c’est leur côté pédagogique, en ce sens que le président éduque son peuple en lui rappelant — ou parfois même en lui apprenant — les fondements de la Constitution des États-Unis et l’origine de l’idéal démocratique américain. Peu de leaders dans le monde nous donnent actuellement l’occasion d’être les témoins privilégiés de pareilles démonstrations d’éloquence et de profondeur dans le discours.
This post appeared on the front page as a direct link to the original article with the above link .

Hot this week

India: Why Every New US-Iran ‘Deal’ Feels Like the Boy Who Cried Wolf

Saudi Arabia: Is Trump Redefining the Relationship with Israel?

Israel: Defensible Borders and American Guarantees

Venezuela: Trump’s ‘Ego-Politics’: Why Does the US Prioritize Venezuela in Latin America?

South Africa: Data Centres Take a Beating in the US: Any Lessons for South Africa?

Topics

Saudi Arabia: What Next for Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan?

South Africa: Data Centres Take a Beating in the US: Any Lessons for South Africa?

Venezuela: Trump’s ‘Ego-Politics’: Why Does the US Prioritize Venezuela in Latin America?

Spain: US Interference in Colombia*

Luxembourg: The Middle East Is Getting Away from Trump: No Solutions in Sight for Conflicts in the Region

Jordan: American-Sunni Alliance

Austria: Karoline Leavitt: Nothing but Trump’s Truth, with God as Her Witness

Japan: US-Japan-Coordinated Intervention: Structural Conversion of Weak Yen Is Essential

Related Articles

Saudi Arabia: What Next for Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan?

South Africa: Data Centres Take a Beating in the US: Any Lessons for South Africa?

Austria: Karoline Leavitt: Nothing but Trump’s Truth, with God as Her Witness

Saudi Arabia: Is Trump Redefining the Relationship with Israel?

Israel: Defensible Borders and American Guarantees