Man of War

            Man of War was a speech from Mussolini to his in the beginning of Italy’s involvement of World War II. The speech is profound and very inspiring, if you were to be there to hear it.  Mussolini wrote this speech to empower his country and motivate his people to help promote morale.

            Mussolini wrote very smartly when making this speech. He focuses on the people and speaks of their misfortunes and perils that they must endure to receive what they deserve, a stronger Italy.  To empower his troops he uses intense statements, such as: “Great Italian people, who fight with the courage of lions on land, sea and air fronts…” or “We will continue the struggle until the last drop of blood.”

            These quotes are extremely important to his speech for a few reasons. First, these quotes would excite the people in the crowd. Second, they motivate the people to push through their suffering and continue their war efforts. Third, they elevate Mussolini’s reputation and the people’s allegiance to him because he is their motivation.  Finally, these words would cause the people to feed of each others energy, which would double their intensity to fight.

            Although Mussolini was a terrible fascist leader, he was an amazing public speaker. One of incredible charisma and the power to make people follow him through almost any situation. In contrast, his country did eventually turn against him at the end of World War II when the allies invaded Italy and Mussolini abandoned his country to hide in Germany. He then tried to return to Italy and take back his country, but was caught and brought to justice.

            This speech represents many aspects of public speaking that all people should demonstrate. He uses non-passive terminology, he involves his audience, and he is direct in his references. His words are also not confusing and he speaks of the past, present and future. This is especially good because it refreshes the audience’s memory of their struggles and what they hope to achieve.

            Politicians have speeches down to a science. There are rules to writing speeches and how they should be presented. Some with authority and strength, others with humility and kindness. This speech was most definitely one of authority and strength.  Mussolini is a man to be admired for his allure of speech. 

The Cove

             The Cove is a documentary about dolphin slaughtering that is currently and has been going on in Japan for years. The movie follows a cast of many wildlife enthusiasts led by Ric O'Barry. O’Barry was a founder of what became and enormous dolphin training community, which had a dark side that became associated with it. The Japanese produce the most dolphins for training in the world, but they kill the excess dolphins that are not wanted and used to sell the meat or secretly distribute it through government funded programs.  The Cove’s purpose is to expose the inhumane killing of these small whales and to exuberate the necessity to stop killing the creatures as well.

            The filmmakers played on emotions through out the movie to make their point. This is an effective approach as Americans are sensitized to dolphins from a young age due to movie like Flipper. The filmmakers also did a very good job of including multiple views on the dolphin killing. They showed that the killings are a “cultural” based phenomenon that only the Japanese understand, but this was contradicted a few times. The Japanese that were interviewed in the large cities, like Tokyo, had no idea about the dolphin killings and did not support it. However, the Japanese in the city of Taiji did support it because it is their major source of income and lifestyle.

            The filmmakers did leave a few key factors out. They did not mention how many people in Japan supported the killing of the dolphins or how many were opposed. They showed anecdotal evidence most of the time and failed to show any kind of polls. They did however show how many other countries in the world are opposed to it; many are opposed. The filmmakers made this film illegally by Japanese law. This is the main factor that the movie leaves out. This is important because although what is happening is tragedy evidence against the people in question must be obtained legally in order to end the killings.

            I do not agree with the “Trojan horse” metaphor. I think that it is a fairly factual film, but reflects almost no way as a “Trojan horse.” If the metaphor is supposed to refer to the way Americans kill livestock to the dolphin massacre it is a long shot. This is because when animal slaughter in the U.S. is flawed and comes under notice the government takes action. Where as the Japanese have not done anything to change their dolphin slaughter habits.

            The movie portrays most Japanese as a supporters of the slaughter with only few objectors that live in metropolitan areas. The Japanese most likely do not support this movie for a few reasons. First, it was filmed illegally. Second, it incriminates the Japanese culture. Third, it makes the Japanese culture appear to be corrupt.

            All in all, the movie was made well. It presented many sides to the subject although mostly supporting the humane side.