Nerve Endings Firing Away

If you thought Bono is a dumb rock-n-roll star who just hogs the limelight for personal benefit, then you must listen to his acceptance speech at the 2007 Liberty Medal Ceremony in Philadelphia. You’ll enjoy the celebration of America even if you aren’t an American:

I’m also a fan of Benjamin Franklin. Which I noticed earlier — Franklin who wore John Lennon glasses before anybody, before they were cool. Franklin who went electric before Dylan. Franklin who said, as you heard earlier, God grant that not only the love of liberty, but a thorough knowledge of the rights of man may pervade all the nations of the Earth so that a philosopher may set his foot anywhere on its surface and say “this is my country.”Well, in case you hadn’t heard, I am not a philosopher, I am a rock star, though after a few pints, this rock star starts thinking he’s a philosopher.So, not a philosopher, but let me set my foot here and say to you tonight this is my country. With humility and pride in my own country, let me say America is my country in the sense that anyone who has a stake in liberty has a stake in the United States of America.

For all you’ve been through, good and bad, this is my country too. For every time I wince, or gasp or punch the wall, when I read something that galls, there’s another time I’m reminded of your generosity, your resilience, your innovation, your work ethic, your compassion. Although today, today I read in The Economist an article reporting that over 38 percent of Americans support some kind of torture in exceptional circumstances. My country — NO! Your country — tell me no. (Crowd answers back “no”) Thank you [transcript].

Only if we could hear such speeches on the election stump instead of the current pandering vitriol at the expense of their ideological opponents and the world in general.

Are you aware of any such speeches made by Indians that stand out for their sheer brilliance? Swami Vivekanand’s speech at the the World Parliament of Religions comes readily to mind but anything in the post-Independence India? YouTube videos or MP3s? Please share them in the comments.