[Miss Marple]

I appreciate your interest in having a large dose of history, but the speech was already long for American attention spans, and many references to history, while appreciated by the War College, would have gone over the heads of most Americans and certainly the Iraqis.

Remember, the speech was carried on cable which means CNN and Fox, both seen in Iraq. There were articles gauging the Iraqi reaction to the speech the next day.

It is easy to forget that presidential speeches are seen world-wide, but they are, and I think that needs to be taken into account.

[Torie]

Let me probe you again, CB: what should have been in the history lesson that would have made the speech more effective?

[LADY J]

I join with those who do not think that the speech fell flat.

He factually went over things as a reminder and outlined some of his thoughts.

I was not bored and found it to be inspiring. Everything does not have to be up-beat all the time. A serious speech in wartime is comforting.

Our President has the cares of the world on his shoulders and has many things to deal with. He is doing a great job and I am thankful that he is the one who occupies the office at this time.