Anti- War Speech Topics?

Question

Next week I have to give a speech in front of my entire college about the war, and how to get kids involved in the voting process. My entire Speech class is giving individual speeches, and a lot of the more common topics have been chosen (i.e. bush's cut on financial aid, soldiers dying, ...)

i need a topic that will appeal to college level kids. i've looked at TONS of anti-war websites, and i am looking into the details of bush's speeches right now, but i'd still like to know your input. i'd appreciate only helpful answers please.

Answer 1

Well, as you may or may not know, South Korea is testing with nuclear bombs. Knowing bush, he'll see it as an 'act of terrorism' and attack them for no good reason. With the army being as depleted as it is, this would no doubt start another draft and guess who would be the first ones drafted... Your classmates. I'm sure that would be the most personal route you could take.

Answer 2

What about the Valerie Plame, CIA leak? For awhile, the story was on the front page but because of the Foley and the North Korea it's in the back of everyone's minds. It's a real debate of ethics and noone has been charged with the actual leak. However, Charles Libby, an ex Cheney-aid, is currently on trial about lying about the involvement. It ties into the war because Ms. Plame's husband is ambassador, Joseph Wilson, he was asked to look at the rumor that Iraq was trying to buy Uranium from Iran. He came back and said it was a rumor and criticized the Bush administration for going to war. Sometime later his wife was identified as a CIA agent by a times reporter. It's a fascinating case.

Answer 3

How about DEMOCRACY? You know, the single word that gives all the other students the right to rant about what is wrong with ths country? The word that we are trying to teach to those in the middle east... touch on the abuses of women and children in those countries and how democracy can and WILL affect them. Perhaps the stoning of women or other abhorrent treatments in the countries we are warring against?

BTW: Bush's "cut" on financial aid wasn't a cut (just as other "cuts" weren't cuts) but not agreeing to the huge increase demanded by others. If you actually look at the numbers, you'll note that they were INCREASED.

I would implore you to look further into this subject than your fellow students will and provide a speech of truth, justice, and the American way.

Answer 4

Imperialism is a good topic that is not taught in high schools or colleges. The following from Wikipedia:

US imperialism
A contemporary debate surrounds the United States, American Presidency, and whether the power they exert upon much of the world and its policy amounts to imperialism — the U.S. is therefore sometimes referred to as the "American Empire." This is because, with the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the United States is now the world's dominant economic and military power. Furthermore, the U.S. has, many times over the past century, used both military intervention and economic or political influence to shape other countries, especially those within the Western Hemisphere but occasionally also those in the Eastern Hemisphere. Opinions vary greatly within the U.S.: some regard the active use of military force abroad as a part of the nation's responsibility or national interest, while others argue for non-interventionism. There are also many shades of opinion in between..

The United States has also only enjoyed its status as sole superpower for a relatively short period, without the Soviet Union as its dominant political, military, and ideological opponent. The Cold War battle for geopolitical supremacy tends to be cast in terms of 'freedom versus repression,' thereby de-emphasising the imperial aspects of both powers. Furthermore, as the term imperialism tends to have negative connotations of tyranny and repression, the 'subjects' of a supposed empire may be naturally disinclined to use it in any reference to themselves.

In the early 21st century, the U.S. has directed military, political, and economic resources towards oil-rich countries in Central Asia and the Middle East. Beginning at the end of World War II, the U.S. largely took over from the United Kingdom certain roles of influence in the Middle East. Through assassinations and coups instigated and assisted by the United States, several Middle Eastern nations have felt the strong influence of Western societies. Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, and Israel have all been directly or otherwise substantially influenced by U.S. policy.

****

Michael Parenti writes a lot about this topic, some of his books might help. It definatly shows a connection between corporate American interests and how our tax dollars pay for military intervention, how our sons and daughters give their lives for corporate interests, and how Geo Bush is a pawn in their game. Something you wont see on CNN or Fox News. Good luck with it, I wish I could help you, it's one of my favorite rants!!

Answer 5

you have intermixed 2 diverse questions; a million conflict and peace as that coverage dispute performed out over the Viet Nam conflict 2The public loss of believe and self belief in national government before and after Watergate, and Pres. Nixon's resignation. the large differences you examine with resulted from Watergate, not the Vietnam conflict. seek for the standard public opinion tables in G. Lewy's e book on Vietnam public opinion. Even the draft-age cohorts, 18-25 consistently popular the conflict; it became the small minority of scholars in some faculties that have been given all of the media interest, and gave the impression to be the standard public. check out Gallup opinion polls in later '70s and the only national corporation that had a majority of public help became the U. S. militia, non the political areas, or events. Used automobile salesmen have been theory extra trustworthy than politicians.

Answer 6

The best speech ever given on the topic of war was "A Time To Break Silence" by the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr in 1967.
A different war in a different place, but a brilliant speech.
The entire text is here:
http://www.ccmep.org/Action/Kingspeech.html

I think you will find it inspirational, and offer some thoughts about the concept of war and how to construct an argument about war and militarism.

One key passage:

Somehow this madness must cease. We must stop now. I speak as a child of God and brother to the suffering poor of [Vietnam]. I speak for those whose land is being laid waste, whose homes are being destroyed, whose culture is being subverted. I speak for the poor in America who are paying the double price of smashed hopes at home and death and corruption in [Vietnam]. I speak as a citizen of the world, for the world as it stands aghast at the path we have taken. I speak as an American to the leaders of my own nation. The great initiative in this war is ours. The initiative to stop it must be ours.

You only need to change one word in the above paragraph, and it is every bit as relevant today.

Answer 7

You might consider the 40+ year long war that the United States has been waging. If you really want to open someone's mind, take a position on President Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty. The cost of that more than eclipses the cost of our current military operations.

Answer 8

You might think about a speech discussing the reasons why we go to war, and how we have decided whom to go to war with, or in what regions of the world. For example, we hear a lot nowadays about how we are in Iraq to liberate the people, to help them become a democracy, etc., however, there are regions of the world in far worse shape whose people also need liberation and help escaping a cruel dictatorship. Is it just oil, or something else? Why do we ignore Darfur, Sudan, etc.?

Answer 9

Why Are We At War. No weapons of mass destruction found to date, oil prices sill high, terror alert still elevated.
Compare and Contrast to Vietnam. That is a extremely juicy topic with an endless well of information and possible discussion points.

Answer 10

Listen to this speech.
It's the best speech I've ever heard.
Very inspirational. I'm sure all of your classmates will cheer and your professor will give you lots of praise...