For your amusement, here's a man who is "deftly adeptly adroitly glibly talented at defending" ANYTHING.
The "whiskey speech"
The "whiskey speech" concerned the question of the prohibition of alcoholic liquor, a law that was still in force in Mississippi at the time the speech was delivered.
My friends, I had not intended to discuss this controversial subject at this particular time. However, I want you to know that I do not shun controversy. On the contrary, I will take a stand on any issue at any time, regardless of how fraught with controversy it might be. You have asked me how I feel about whiskey. All right, this is how I feel about whiskey: If when you say whiskey you mean the devil's brew, the poison scourge, the bloody monster, that defiles innocence, dethrones reason, destroys the home, creates misery and poverty, yea, literally takes the bread from the mouths of little children; if you mean the evil drink that topples the Christian man and woman from the pinnacle of righteous, gracious living into the bottomless pit of degradation, and despair, and shame and helplessness, and hopelessness, then certainly I am against it.
But, if when you say whiskey you mean the oil of conversation, the philosophic wine, the ale that is consumed when good fellows get together, that puts a song in their hearts and laughter on their lips, and the warm glow of contentment in their eyes; if you mean Christmas cheer; if you mean the stimulating drink that puts the spring in the old gentleman's step on a frosty, crispy morning; if you mean the drink which enables a man to magnify his joy, and his happiness, and to forget, if only for a little while, life's great tragedies, and heartaches, and sorrows; if you mean that drink, the sale of which pours into our treasuries untold millions of dollars, which are used to provide tender care for our little crippled children, our blind, our deaf, our dumb, our pitiful aged and infirm; to build highways and hospitals and schools, then certainly I am for it. This is my stand. I will not retreat from it. I will not compromise.
Sweat later recalled, "When I finished the first half of the speech, there was a tremendous burst of applause. The second half of the speech, after the close of which, the wets all applauded. The drys were as unhappy with the second part of the speech as the wets were with the first half".[2]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noah_S._Sweat
This post was edited by tom jackson at May 31, 2017 3:48 AM MDT
Thank you for going to so much trouble to provide that speech to us tj. I had never heard of it but it certainly is a most splendid example of arguing a case to an unchallengeable conclusion. Both parts are stirring and hearfelt and true. How can you beat that? I shall have to look up this Noah S. Sweat. Never heard of him before. I've led a sheltered life I guess. Happy Wednesday! :)
You know I am a deeply superficial person ~ Andy Warhol and I distinctly remember forgetting that ~ Clara Barton So, with those both being said, I'm sure you'll understand why The budget was unlimited but I exceeded it ~ Donald Trump. You'd be surprised how much it costs to look cheap ~ Dolly Parton And in concluding my answer, We must believe in free will. We have no choice ~ Isaac B. Singer I can resist anything but temptation ~ Mark Twain
I'm not sure if oxymorons are the answer to your question but they sure are fun!
This post was edited by Merlin at May 31, 2017 3:51 AM MDT
This is way too funny Merlin. Seriously deeply and most superficially funny as he**! Love all of 'em! I can't decide which among them is my very most favoritest. I had only heard the one attributed to Mark Twain. At this particular moment perhaps my favorite is "We must believe in free will. We have no choice"! Geez that's hilarious as he**! That is if you think he** is funny! I happen to but perhaps you don't. Thank you, merci, gracias., danke schoen for sharing these gems Merlin. You done real good m'dear! Happy Wednesday! :)
Pearl 