Chapter 1

An Introduction to Rhetoric: Using the “Available Means”

Lou Gehrig, Farewell Speech

•   Original news footage of Lou Gehrig�s farewell speech.

•   New York Times writer Ray Robinson briefly explores the power and lasting influence of Gehrig’s speech.

Albert Einstein, Dear Phyllis, January 24, 1936

•   A series of quotes in which Einstein expands on the ideas about faith outlined in his letter to Phyllis.

George W. Bush, 9/11 Speech

•   A CNN clip of then-President George W. Bush delivering his post–9/11 speech on national television.

•   A Web site launched by Alice Waters on the foundation of her ideas about “slow food.”

George Will, from King Coal: Reigning in China

•    An article by James Fallows addressing the shared global effort to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. It is directly referenced by George Will in his article.

Richard Nixon, from The Checkers Speech

•   Complete footage of vice-presidential candidate Richard Nixon delivering his famous “Checkers” speech to the nation.

•   A brief examination of the appeal and lasting influence of Nixon’s speech, which is said to have permanently influenced the shape of American politics.

Ruth Marcus, from Crackberry Congress

•    Major Garrett of the National Journal explains the reasons for speaker-designate John Boehner’s proposed changes to the rules in the House of Representatives, which are directly referenced by Ruth Marcus in her article.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Normandy Speech

•   A recording of the speech that future president Eisenhower delivered on D-day prior to the U.S. landing at Normandy.

•   Toni Morrison discusses her novel A Mercy and the election of Barack Obama with Sam Tanenhaus, long-time editor of the New York Times Book Review.

Tom Toles, Rosa Parks (cartoon)

•    A brief editorial describing the funeral procession of Rosa Parks and the influence that she had upon the nation.

•   An online database of cartoons by Tom Toles.

•   A BBC article addressing some of the negative reaction to PETA’s controversial campaign.

Anne Applebaum, If the Japanese Can’t Build a Safe Reactor, Who Can?

•    An article that briefly weighs the pros and cons of nuclear power, and directly addresses and considers Anne Applebaum’s argument.

Federal Highway Administration, Stop for Pedestrians (advertisement)

•    An article addressing the necessity of instructional, educational messages in traffic safety ad campaigns.

The Times, Man Takes First Steps on the Moon

•   Classic footage of the first moon landing in 1969.

•   Image and text of an original New York Times article reporting on the first moon landing.

William Safire, In Event of Moon Disaster

•   A follow-up article by Safire in which he discusses how it felt to write the original contingency plan for a “Moon Disaster.”

Ayn Rand, The July 16, 1969, Launch: A Symbol of Man’s Greatness

•   The official Web site of the Ayn Rand Institute, an online source for information on the life and works of novelist-philosopher Ayn Rand.

Herblock, Transported (cartoon)

•   An ABC News article discussing the Herbert Block exhibition at the United States Library of Congress. It briefly addresses Herblock’s life and legacy.

•   An informational page about the Herblock Prize for excellence in editorial cartooning, awarded annually by The Herblock Foundation.