Random Thoughts From Marybeth

Substance or Spin?

In an email from John Kerry about a speech at Brown University:

The Real Test of Katrina

This is the real test of Katrina. Will we be satisfied to only do the immediate: care for the victims and rebuild the city? Or will we be inspired to tackle the incompetence that left us so unprepared, and the societal injustice that left so many of the least fortunate waiting and praying on those rooftops?

I have a "Katrina Test" for speeches. Does it offer solutions or just politically motivated rhetoric? Does it tell the whole truth or just enough truth to lead listeners into false assumptions? You can read it, you decide if it passes the test.