Brain storming for public speech

I am going to choose one topic among the following ones. I have written the first draft of introduction of the speeches.

I would like to achieve three goals through this presentation.
1) Introduce my own perspective or idea.
2) Introduce Japanese culture or Japanese way of thinking.
3) Address a topic which could be socially important or a useful idea to American people.

1. Architecture in Chicago

Which city in the United States would you like to go for sightseeing? Although I live in New York, I believe that Chicago is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States. Last summer, I stayed in Chicago for a couple of days after spending one month in Michigan. I enjoyed watching towering skyscrapers in the center of the city, as many other visitors. But there are not so many people who go out to the country side of Chicago. I found it more interesting to watch small architectures in the country side. This is why I like more Chicago than New York. One architecture is Farnsworth House, which was designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, a German-born American architect. The other one is the Oak Park Home and Studio, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, who was an American architect and interior designer. So, today, I would like to introduce unknown but great architecture in Chicago.



2. How a Japanese diplomat see the American presidential election?

Since I came to the United States last summer as a trainee diplomat of the Japanese government, I have felt that I am so lucky to see the presidential election. It is because I could have more chance to see how American people decide their future by voting. Which candidate and what kind of issues are paid attention by American voters? How the electoral systems influence the result of the vote? These are important question not only to American voters but also people all over the world. Japanese people are not exception. They are also interested in this election for many reasons. Today, I would like to introduce Japanese views on this election. I have no intention to intervene the domestic politics of the United States. As a diplomat, I know how important it is to keep away from domestic politics in other countries. However, I hope my introduction of Japanese perspective will shed lights on some issues in the campaign.


3. Japan’s approach to environmental issues.
Last month, G8 summit was held in Hokkaido, the northern part of Japan. In the summitry meetings, national leaders and heads of international organizations discussed many global issues facing them. One of their agendas in the conference was environmental issues. In the recent summits, environmental issue has been on the table, especially after the end of the Cold War. In the summit in Hokkaido, the Japanese Government introduced environmental friendly approaches in organizing this large scale conference. Today, I am going to introduce some implementations that the government of Japan took in G-8 summit. Also, I would like to show how Japanese people make efforts to contribute environmental issues. I know how much American people also are interested in this global issue, but I hope you can learn something new from what I am going to talk today.

My Three Goals in The English for Diplomats (EFD) Program in MIIS

I would like to achieve the following three goals in the English for Diplomats (EFD) Program in the Monterey Institute of International Studies.

1. Become more confident in using English. Erase as much as anxiety, ambiguity, and uncertainty when to use English. Building more confidence would improve English skills.

2. Improve speaking manners. Effective communication requires many kinds of skills, such as accurate pronunciation and intonation, body languages and face impression, straight logic and good structure. Acquire these skills, which will be essential to complete diplomatic tasks.

3. Establish the foundation for the future self training. Although my session in MIIS lasts only for three weeks, it is enough to find the best way to achieve higher English skills. Make a lot of efforts to get know how for language training, following guidance and recommendation by the coaches.

New Vocabulary 13: "Judge clears way for first Guantanamo prosecution."

From Matt Apuzzo, "Judge clears way for first Guantanamo prosecution," Monterey County Herald, July 18, 2008.
http://www.montereyherald.com/search/ci_9908657?IADID=Search-www.montereyherald.com-www.montereyherald.com


* plea: (1) an urgent and emotional request. (2) the answer that a person gives in court to the acccusation that they have committed a crime.

"The U.S. can begin trying Osama bin Laden's former driver next week at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba, a federal judge ruled Thursday, rejecting the defendant's plea to halt the historic first trial in the military system set up following the Sept. 11 terror attacks. "


* play out: When a situation plays out, it happnes and develeps.

"In a victory for the Bush administration, U.S. District Judge James Robertson ruled that civilian courts should let the military process play out as Congress intended—a decision that could clear the way for military commissions to begin prosecuting other terrorism suspects, including those charged directly in the 2001 attacks. "


* crumbe: (1) to break or to cause something to break, into small pieces, (2) to weaken in strength and influence.

"Had the trial been delayed, as requested by former bin Laden chauffeur Salim Hamdan, it would have been a sign that the entire terror-trial process might crumble under the weight of judicial scrutiny. "


* allege: (v) to state that someone has done something illegal or wrong without giving proof.

"Hamdan was captured at a roadblock in southern Afghanistan in November 2001, allegedly with two surface-to-air missiles in the car. He could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of conspiracy and supporting terrorism. The defense says Hamdan was a low-level bin Laden employee, not a hard-core terrorist. "

New Vocabulary 12: "What a way to run the world"

From Economist, "What a way to run the world," July 3, 2008.
http://www.economist.com/opinion/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11670305

* prattle: (v) to talk foolishly or childishly for a long time about something unimportant or without saying anything important.

"CLUBS are all too often full of people prattling on about things they no longer know about. "


* in tatters: (1) badly torn, (2) badly damaged or completely spoiled.

"The G8 is not the only global club that looks old and impotent. The UN Security Council has told Iran to stop enriching uranium, without much effect. The nuclear non-proliferation regime is in tatters. "


* dispense: (v) to give out things, especially products, services or amounts of money, to people.

"The critics are right to argue that global organisations should be more focused than they are, but wrong to assume they can be dispensed with altogether."