The Safe Act is a gun regulation law, in the state of New York, that was created in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting. The bill passed the New York State Senate on Monday, January 14, 2013, the State Assembly on Tuesday, January 15, 2013- and was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo 30 minutes later. Described as one of the toughest gun control laws in the United States, many people were outraged that it passed through the Legislature in the middle of the night.
AAron Weiss, a Combat Veteran of Iraq and law enforcement officer, effectively uses Reich’s Cultural Parable of The Rot at the Top as he makes a short speech at the Dutchess County Legislature meeting in response to the Safe Act. Weiss paints a picture of those in power as being corrupt and irresponsible.
Within 30 seconds of starting, Mr. Weiss has put the legislators on blast because they said that it took a lot of courage for them to pass the Safe Act. He says that he has a much different definition of courage, as he doesn’t see the courage in passing a bill in the middle of the night so no one can see it or read it. He explains courage is taking the right and true course of action, not the politically expedient one. Cognitively, when you hear that a bill was passed in the middle of the night, it raises a red flag. Weiss goes on to say that the bill was passed, “mafia style,” likening the public officials to mob bosses, who meet in the middle of the night, to divvy up what is good for each of them. Weiss makes the accusation that the bill was fueled by emotional fear and pushed through in the name of public safety, with no regard for what was right.
Aaron Weiss effectively uses the Process Premise of emotions. You feel deeply for this combat soldier and law officer as you hear him talk about fighting for our freedoms, having to clean the blood and mangled bodies of his friends out of his humvee, and witnessing many give their lives for our country. Mr. Weiss addresses the legislators directly, asking them if they are willing to come and stand on the front lines to uphold the Safe Act, which makes use of the emotional process premise of guilt for requiring constituents who do not believe in this bill to risk their safety and well being to enforce it.
When I first read your topic, I new I had to comment. I have very strong opinions about gun control legislation. As I read however, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that this was less about the guns and more about the passage of a bill in this manner. Although some would argue that the word 'rot' may be a little strong in this application. But I believe it is a good example of politicians abusing power. They probably didn't even need to pass it this way. They could have used the tragedy as leverage and most everyone would have sided with them days after. Even I was sickened by the events and I believe in loose gun laws. And, the process premise is also spot on. Everyone is going to side with a veteran. Good example.
ReplyDeleteha ha... I *knew
ReplyDeleteShort and powerful. It shows that you can make up for a lot of inexperience and missteps in the public speaking realm if you are passionate about the topic because the passion will still hold your audience. I do think that he would lose five points on this speech for saying "fer" instead of "for":)
ReplyDeleteAh, but he's not taking this class now, is he.
DeleteWow. He spoke with such passion. I do believe that it fits with the rot at the top parable, and I appreciate that he called them out on their "courage" in front of everyone. We need to hold our elected officials accountable for their actions.
ReplyDelete