I could use some help preparing a speech.

[chrisbur]

Hi, I'm a long time lurker and infrequent poster here at DU. Today I was asked by my mother in-law(the president of a teacher's union)to help prepare a 3 minute speech she will giving at a peace rally in Hartford, CT.

She asked me to send her an e-mail with pertinent talking points. We both agreed that she would stick mostly to the economic and domestic costs of the war. Example: The underfunded federally mandated NCLB in light of the multi-billion dollar under-estimation of Iraq war costs. Paul Bremer's Coalition Provisional Authority's loss of almost 9 billion dollars etc.

I'm most interested in thoroughly vetting any information we might use as this is a big step up from firing off e-mails of articles to my contact's list! I really appreciate any help. Damn this feels good! I have direction!

[NJCher]

1. I can help you arrange the points

I'm a speech instructor in NJ. I can't help with the research because I'm tied up for awhile but if you can get you reserach together, I can write it for you. "Writing" for a speech means keywords in an outline.




Cher

[chrisbur]

4. Wow thanks!

I'm not sure how she usually goes about writing speeches. I was really only asked to go on a fact finding mission but I will indeed relay your offer.

I didn't have a very in depth discussion with her about this and I'm afraid I might get "over-enthusiastic" and overstep my bounds. After thinking some more on it I feel the need to ask her more questions like: Will her speech be framed in terms of labor and unions? Education? Or.. just anti-war, peace, etc.

[OhioBlue]

2. maybe these links will be helpful.

War's Stunning Price Tag
by Linda Bilmes and Joseph Stiglitz


http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0117-20.htm


Iraq war is costing $100,000 per minute
By Mark Mazzetti and Joel Havemann
Los Angeles Times

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002780385_spending03.html

Compare with

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5230499

The cost of defending New Orleans against another big hurricane could be as much as $32 billion. Federal, state and local officials are at odds over whether levees and floodwalls will be rebuilt to withstand a Category Five storm.

[chrisbur]

3. Thanks for the replies.

I'm doing a bunch of chores around the homestead this Sunday afternoon but I'll be on the job tonight.

[Horse with no Name]

5. This post has quite a few of the talking points

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=575171&mesg_id=575171

Good Luck!

[Neil Lisst]

6. a 3 minute speech will be about 1.5 - 2 pages typed

Say what you want to say.
Say it.
Say what you said.

That means repetition - the opening, the body, and the conclusion.

Don't get all over the place. Stick to one simple theme: Money for Iraq v. unfunded or underfunded education programs.

Write a body of 300 words, saying what you wish to say in simple, plain terms. Then use that to write the intro and conclusion, as applicable.