Quote Originally Posted by honedright
You object to the use of the word "Demogogy" to describe the Obama speech?
Well, I'm usually rather cynical but given that the target public is children I do have problems with the word in reference to the speech. I just don't feel comfortable with calling "popular prejudices and false claims and promises" the following:

- it is important to discover what you're good at and what is that you like to do
- hard work is how you become successful, even though you're tempted to believe it's just luck. in any case pure luck is the very rare exception.
- when you fail you need to keep trying again and not give up
- everybody has things they struggle with, just overcome them, give it your best shot and then again...
- get help
- help others if you can
- in america it is you who defines yourself

Sounds pretty much like an afterschool special.

The single thing I found demagoguish was the idea that people are/were motivated by patriotic feelings. But I am not an american, so I am willing to go with the benefit of the doubt on that one.

Now, I'll be very interested in the opposite perspective - I mean really am I missing something?