The Week

The American Bar Association has criticized the use of military tribunals to try al-Qaeda terrorists. It wants them reserved for Republican judicial nominees.

A word, in the wake of the State of the Union address, on modern rhetoric. All Americans like rhetoric [Applause]. Rhetoric expresses our highest values, and our deepest dreams [Applause]. But there cannot be true rhetoric in one-and two-sentence bursts. Speeches on that pattern read like a bag of fortune cookies [Laughter and applause]. American speakers need to stretch themselves, and American audiences need to listen [Applause] . . . need to listen, or the American spirit cannot stretch its wings [Standing ovation]. Thank you, and God bless America [Applause].

Featured Tags

The American Bar Association has criticized the use of military tribunals to try al-Qaeda terrorists. It wants them reserved for Republican judicial nominees.

A word, in the wake of the State of the Union address, on modern rhetoric. All Americans like rhetoric [Applause]. Rhetoric expresses our highest values, and our deepest dreams [Applause]. But there cannot be true rhetoric in one-and two-sentence bursts. Speeches on that pattern read like a bag of fortune cookies [Laughter and applause]. American speakers need to stretch themselves, and American audiences need to listen [Applause] . . . need to listen, or the American spirit cannot stretch its wings [Standing ovation]. Thank you, and God bless America [Applause].