President Obama's Speech

President Obama spoke tonight about the terrorist organization ISIS. The same group that is responsible for the killing of two American journalists. Obama ordered an escalation of the US military campaign against the Islamic State. He authorized US airstrikes in Syria and Iraq. He made it known to the public that the objective is to destroy ISIS. He spoke about how ISIS is not Islamic because no religion condemns killing. He is sending 475 more troops to Iraq. He is not going to put troops on foreign soil to fight.

Obama delivered his message resolutely, he is determined to protect our country from any further attack from terrorist organizations. When he started talking about 9/11 his tone changed to make him sound determined to stop ISIS. He becomes more passionate when saying that "if you threaten America, you will find no safe haven."

For me, the most important part of Obama's message is that we are not going to back down from any terrorists. America needs to stand up to terrorist, because if not they will just keep attacking. We need to take their threats seriously. We need to wipe out as many terrorist as we can to prevent future jihad or war. "It is America that has the capacity and the will to mobilize the world against terrorists." He brings his message full circle when he tells the story of the time American troops helped prevent massacre of civilians trapped on a mountain. The civilians trapped said that they will always remember America for helping protect innocent people. It is important to help protect innocent civilians and towns form falling victim to terrorism.

The mass media truth that stands out to me is truth number 3, Everything from the margin moves to the center. Before the president's speech, we didn't really know what for sure was going to be said. As soon as he stepped to the podium, multiple new channels/outlets played his conference. And many websites have their point of view on what he said and his full speech transcripts. So even if you didn't watch it live, there are plenty of websites and channels you can get analysis and the speech from. Before they were all kind of waiting to hear what he had to say. Now that he has said it, they are analyzing every word in his speech. So something that was not important necessarily before his speech, now has become the main topic for most media outlets.

President Obama Addresses The Nation on ISIL

President Obama spoke about the issue of the Middle East based terrorist organization ISIL, which calls itself the "Islamic State" on Wednesday night. Our Commander-in-Chief pointed out that ISIL is not Islamic because no religion approves killing and also because the majority of ISIL's victims have been Muslim, in addition to not being a state because no government recognizes it and neither do the people it enslaves. The President called these terrorists unique in their brutality, which in turn makes them a potential threat towards the United States. Obama then announced that America will lead a coalition to destroy ISIL. In his address, the President unveiled the four parts of our strategy to defeat ISIL which are: 1. A systematic campaign of airstrikes against ISIL, 2. Increased support to forces fighting ISIL on the ground, 3. Drawing on our substantial counterterrorism capabilities to prevent ISIL attacks, and 4. Providing humanitarian assistance to innocent civilians displaced by ISIL. Lastly, President Obama stressed to the American people that this situation is very different from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and that America holds the responsibility to lead.


President Obama delivered his message with great poise and enthusiasm to let all know loud and clear that the US is taking this situation very seriously and will see the mission through no matter what. The part of the speech that most illustrates this is when he said "There is no safe haven if you threaten America". The President further showed his determination and commitment to this cause when he uttered: “Our objective is clear: We will degrade, and ultimately destroy, ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counter-terrorism strategy.” Obama also showed great body language as he stood tall and delivered his words with a calm and collected demeanor.

The most effective part of the message was when President Obama brought up America's critical leading role across the globe by mentioning the positive things we have done for Ukraine's struggle with Russia, the outbreak of Ebola, Syria's chemical weapons crisis, and now helping the Muslims fight terrorism, for opportunity, and tolerance, and a more hopeful future. This piece of the message is so important because it gives concrete evidence that the US is the right country to be handling the ISIL issue as our past successes in other global issues can't be ignored or downplayed since they are still very recent and fresh in the minds of people worldwide.

The Media Truth that stands out in relation to this situation is Truth Four: "Nothing's new: Everything that happened in the past will happen again", because the US has already been through this issue of fighting to destroy and end terrorist groups when Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein were still alive and here we are again with the issue of ISIL. This truly shows that history repeats itself and that we live in a copycat world where things that have happened are aimed to be outdone or replicated by someone else.

Kirstyn Flood - Obama ISIL Speech

Kirstyn Flood

In response to the brutal, inhumane acts of the Middle Eastern terrorist organization, ISIL (most commonly known as, ISIS), President Obama stated, “If you threaten America, you will find no safe-haven.” With heavy brows and a commanding voice, he described ISIL as “a cancer”—one that has taken the lives of innocent civilians, including Muslims, Christians, and two American journalists.

With the support of Congress, Obama has decided that America must lead a broad coalition using strategies to counteract terrorism, in order to “degrade and, ultimately, destroy ISIL.” America must, first, work alongside the newly-formed Iraqi government to systematically carry out airstrikes to save Iraqi people and United States personnel. Obama will then send 475 service members to Iraq to support Iraqi communities in reclaiming their freedom. In an attempt to weaken ISIL, Obama will cut off its funding, improve American intelligence, and strengthen the national and foreign forces moving in and out of the Middle East. Finally, he will ensure that humanitarian assistance is given to those who have been targeted by ISIL.

While hunting down the terrorist organization, America must keep three key principles in mind: freedom, justice, and dignity. Obama’s hope in American leadership is clear, as he stressed the United States’ duty to help others realize a better future of opportunity and tolerance.

Obama’s optimism and fierce determination in America’s ability to handle foreign and domestic affairs is the most powerful aspect of his address. With strong posture and firm hand gestures, it is clear that Obama’s belief in American technology, manufacturing, business, and leadership will never falter. This reassured the nation that, even in the face of great danger, America has the ability to rise and lead others who have gone astray, due to political unrest and economic instability.

In his address to the nation, Obama proved that “Media is Essential” will always ring true. Without media, the nation would be ignorant to the threat of genocide in the Middle East; without media, we would be blind to the millions in need of our humanitarian efforts; without media, we would be unable to form an international support group for those who have been victimized, harassed, and killed in cold blood. Obama concluded his address with, “May God bless our troops and may God bless the United States of America,” a timeless statement that emphasizes the grace, resilience, and faith in this great nation.  

Obama's Speech

The United States will lead a “broad coalition” to defeat the Islamic State through air strikes and support for military partners on the ground. The offensive will not involve combat troops, but rather a “steady, relentless effort” that involves air power and backing for power forces. The goal is to destroy ISIL through a counter-terrorism strategy

Obama delivered the message with commitment and determination to destroy ISIL. He spoke with a confidence. He made it clear that he is confident in America’s forces, and that America will come out victorious in the mission. Obama reinforced this by stating what people in America have done, and what people in America are capable of doing. For example, he noted that America rallied against Russian aggression. He also stated how America’s scientists and doctors can help stop the spread of Ebola, and cure its outbreak. Furthermore, he also supported his decision by stating how America helped remove and destroy Syria’s chemical weapons, so they cannot threat Syrian people, or people around the world. Obama conveyed to the viewers that he believes America can be successful again in the mission to fight ISIL by reinforcing past accomplishments, and by reminding the viewer of the advantage America has through America’s great resources.

The most effect part of the message was the way Obama touched the emotion of the viewer. He reminds the viewer of the damage ISIL has caused on America and on the world; and how his mission is the only way to stop this damage. He references how ISIL execute captured prisoners, kill children, and enslave and rape women. In addition to all that, he notes that ISIL took the lives of two American journalists. Later in his speech, Obama reminds the viewer that tomorrow marks the thirteen anniversary of 9/11, one of the most dramatic events in American history, and that next week marks six years since America’s economy was at its lowest point since the Great Depression. Obama goes on to say that he believes despite our country’s setbacks, the United States is still better positioned then any other country in the world. By doing this, the viewer is emotionally appealed by Obama’s reasoning’s for going on with this mission, and makes the viewer have confidence in Obama and the United States to complete an effective mission.

The media truth that stood out the most is truth four: nothing is new. Although ISIL is a new terrorist group and Obama has a new plan to effectively destroy them, the United States have attacked different terrorist groups for years, and ISIL is just the group that America is currently targeting. The Al Qaeda situation was very similar to ISIL, as in both are terrorist groups, both fights were fought away from the United States, and both groups have been affecting people in America’s life in negative ways. The terrorist war has been going on for years, and to this day it still continues. The reasons America is attacking ISIL is very similar to the reasons America has attacked any terrorist group, and that is to keep the people in America safe, and to deplete a threat from our country.

President Obama's National Address on ISIL Crisis

      The main message of President Barack Obama's national address was to explain to the American people all of the measures that the U.S. and our allies will be taking in order to "degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL". President Obama throughly analyzes the steps that will be taken in destroying the pack of terrorist. He delivers this message full-heartily as he takes threats to the lives of American people seriously. He ensures the American people that "America will lead a broad coalition". He then continues to explain that he is determined to take down this group of terrorist as he asserts that "If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven".  

          America will continue to lend a helping hand to the innocent civilians who are directly affected by the barbaric actions of ISIS. In his address, President Obama also explains how America will protect others and our fellow Americans in the fight to hunt down terrorist. 

          The most effective part of Obama's message was his promise to the American people that this mission to "ultimately destroy ISIL" will not be like any of the wars that our nation has ever been apart of. He assures the American people that he intends to take out ISIL "wherever they exist using our air power", which means there will be no American troops on Syrian soil. This was the most effective part of the speech because it ensures citizens that precautions are being taken in order to protect and preserve the lives of our servicemen and women. The media truth that stands out is truth number 5: New media are always scary. This is true in this situation because through this address it is clear that ISIL is an even bigger threat to America than it was before. This is terrifying  because this terrorist group is the means for America being at risk.

President Obama Lays it Down for the Nation

Once again Americans gathered in front of their TV's and sat on the edge of their seats as the President delivered a speech. The subject of this particular speech was about the terrorist group known as ISIL and the United States' plans for combating it. Now that Iraq has formed a stable government, the United States is leading a coalition to help suppress the ISIL threat. How exactly does the President plan on doing this? President Obama explained a plan that involves effectively hitting ISIL targets with airstrikes. The President assured that no piece is off land, stating that the US will go into Syria if need be. President Obama pledged that the 475 US troops being sent overseas will not be fighting in a combat mission, but rather work towards training Iraqi fighters and providing intelligence and equipment to those in need. The plan also specified that the coalition would work towards preventing ISIL attacks and cutting off their funding. Lastly, President Obama promised that servicemen and women would be providing humanitarian assistance to anybody in need.
 
President Obama delivered his speech with the same firm voice and demeanor that he usually uses when he addresses the nation. However, tonight's address felt somewhat different than all the others. There was a much stronger sense of realism and seriousness to his voice. It sounded like he was very passionate about "eradicating the cancer that is ISIL." It almost seemed as if President Obama had been directly affected by ISIL.  If I was a member of ISIL and I listened to President Obama give that address, I would be pooping my ISIL pants and trying to find the best hiding spot before it was too late.

The part of the message that really stuck out was the way the President described ISIL and the language he used when talking about the group. President Obama began his address by belittling ISIL and making them out to be nothing more than a group of angry people throwing a temper tantrum. For example, ISIL calls themselves a state. President Obama said that "ISIL is not Islamic" and "ISIL is not a state." the President continued by saying "ISIL is recognized by no government nor by the people it subjugates." Finally, President Obama says that ISIL has "no vision other than the slaughter of all who stand in its way." To summarize, President Obama shrinks ISIL down from an apparently large, intimidating terrorist organization and makes them appear as a small, inferior, and helpless pack of animals. This made me actually believe that this plan could work and eventually, just as Al Qaeda slowly diminished, ISIL will be eradicated to nothing short of irrelevancy.

The media truth that stands out the most is truth four. Truth Four states that "nothing is new." Well ISIL isn't the first terrorist organization to haunt the world. Go back as briefly as Al Qaeda and you'll find a similar animal. AL Qaeda and ISIL both operated off of US soil, but terrorist groups ("terrorist" meaning "a person who terrorizes or frightens others") have been affecting American lives for over 100 years. Take a trip down Memory Lane and think back to The Soviets during the Cold War, the Japanese during World War II, and even the KKK. All were terrorist groups and each group, some more than others, was covered by the media. So there you go; everything that happened in the past will happen again. Once ISIL fades from our attention, it won't be long before another terrorist group takes center stage and commands an address from the president.

Obama ISIL Speech

President Obama had a clear and confident message that America, as an international power, will "degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL." The Commander-in-Chief was quick to reference recent, past success the United States has had against terrorism, including the killing of Osama bin Laden as well as other Al Qaeda leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The President also urged the nation that this effort will be much different than past attacks, with no use of American combat forces on the ground and many more air strikes to be used instead.  Obama used some persuasive language to leave as little doubt as possible in the minds of the American people, such as when he enforced, "I want you to know that the United States is meeting threats with strength and resolve."

The message was delivered with optimism and poise, with Obama assuring the country that the U.S. will not only be successful in defeating ISIL, yet will also continue to return troops home. The President had a powerful tone throughout the entire speech, seemingly ready to take on this challenge instead of shying away from it. There was no weak sign of body language, as Obama firmly stood and delivered his message that America "Welcomes our responsibility to lead." The part of the message that stood out the most to me was toward the end, when Obama got a bit off topic from ISIL but instead focused on how the United States are, "better positioned today to seize the future than any other nation in the world." While this message surely backs up the decision to continue to fight against ISIL, it also gives encouragement to the people of America on their futures and determination to keep working hard.  This quote shows that Obama truly believes that he has support from the country, as well as that he has faith in the American people to continue to support him as leader of the United States.

The media truth that stood out to me the most was that nothing is new, and that everything that happens in the past will happen again. This stands out because the war on terrorism has seemingly been going on forever. I can't remember the last time I have watched the news without there being a story on the war overseas, wether it be in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, etc. Whenever there is a war, there will be rulers assuring their country that they will protect them, and do whatever it takes to protect their best interests. That is exactly what Obama was trying to accomplish in this speech, and I'm sure he may make another speech very similar to it in the near future.