Madam, - Elaine Byrne (Opinion and Analysis, August 29th) assures us that "oratory is not just mere speaking, but a crafted speech peppered with passion which stirs our souls and arouses altruistic action".
I am afraid I must disagree. There was nothing altruistic about Hitler when he had them rolling in the aisles at the Nuremberg rallies.
The charisma of the orator appeals to the moronic, the gullible and the slave-minded in all of us. Advertisements are designed to do the same. We should all beware of the snake-oil salesman, however well-crafted the speech.
- Yours, etc,
READ MORE
A LEAVY, Shielmartin Drive, Dublin 13.