Edison’s public apology aroused my attention, not only for the pornographic pictures, but also for the speech itself. As is a rule that whenever celebrities, especially the stars are going to make a speech, their dictions are most carefully chosen, and probably proofread by a lawyer or other professional. Thus, there is something for us to savor and to learn. I have watched the video for more than five times, mostly astonished by his beautiful accent, the formal wording, and the serious facial expression. Edison was born in Canada, which should be the reason for his mastery in English. His vivid facial expression could be attributed to his acting career. So I am more interested in the text itself, because that is what could be beneficial to any English learner. And let’s have an analysis on his speech. “I've decided to break my silence today and make this statement to the media and to all people involved in this strange ordeal. Recent documents being posted online have been intentionally hurtful and malicious not only to the victims, but to our whole community. I've already handed matters over to the police, and have been assisting them with this case from the first day onwards. Due to ongoing investigations, I'm unable to comment any further upon this case. The lives of many innocent people have been affected by this malicious and criminal conduct and in this regard, I'm filled with pain, hurt, and frustration. I hereby use this opportunity to apologize to anyone who has been affected by this strange strange ordeal. I now call upon everyone to help and assist the victims of this case. If you have ever downloaded any of these images, please do not forward them to anyone. Please do not send them to anyone. If you are still in possession of these images, I urge you to please destroy them immediately. Let's help the wounded heal their wounds. I urge you to help the victims and not make anything worse.” There are some useful expressions in the text. “break one’s silence”, “make a statement”, “hand over to”, “from the first day onwards”, “comment upon”, “in this regard”, “be filled with pain, hurt and frustration”, “in possession of”, “urge sb. to” Keep them in mind would surely enrich your active vocabulary for serious occasions. “Recent documents being posted online have been intentionally hurtful and malicious not only to the victims, but to our whole community.” When one makes confession, one tends to aggrandize the matter; but when it comes to penalty, he would minify it. And here is an evidence of the successful application of that strategy. “Let's help the wounded heal their wounds. I urge you to help the victims and not make anything worse.” Notice the attitude of the speechmaker has changed. The former pain-inflictor who is at the mercy of the jurisdiction, of the public has turned into an advocator who encourages the general public to ease the pain of the victim, and thus shifted the attention. At first, he seems to be the only one who should be responsible for the incidence, but now, not anymore, it is the wrong doing of the netizens that should be the blamed. Actually it is wrong for the netizen to spread the pictures, and he did point it out. But that is also a successful application of strategy – blame someone else. That is still a lot to learn in the text. I am extremely fascinated by the wording, for instance, “ordeal”. I guess to recite it would be wholesome.

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