Straw Man
Definition of a "straw man" argument:
This flyer is currently making the rounds on lefty blogs (via Protein Wisdom).
The claim is that the flyer is being distributed in Milwaukee communities dominated by minorities. The important part being left out, of course, is who exactly is distributing them. The implication is, as you might have guessed, that Republicans are doing it.
Personally, I like the idea that someone making an accusation must actually prove their accusation to be true before I have to believe it. You know, that whole "innocent until proven guilty" thing.
You can see examples of said implications here, here, here, here and here.
And that's all rather convenient isn't it? You take a horrible example of voter suppression, post it up on some popular left-leaning websites and then imply that it is being circulated through minority neighborhoods by Republicans. And people believe it. No need for actual proof. Everybody on the left knows that Republicans are evil anyway so its not that hard to believe that they'd do something as remarkably stupid as this.
Its the ultimate straw man argument. The left makes a wild and unfounded accusation of voter intimidation and then attacks it ferociously while, in reality, the flier probably wasn't even being distributed by Republicans at all, if it was even being distributed.
I don't know which to believe more: That people on the left think Republicans are this dumb or that they think minorities are dumb enough to fall for it.
If it comes out that this flyer was distributed by members of the GOP, either officially or unofficially, I will condemn their actions, post an apology and a retraction and then publicly eat my hat.
But I don't think that's going to happen.
Update:
Apparently the source of the flyer is the Sierra Club via the AFL-CIO. You probably remember that last organization as the ones responsible for all the lovely attacks on Bush/Cheney campaign offices a few weeks back.
And they're talking about voter intimidation. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Sheesh.
If anyone has any information about this flyer being distributed by Republicans or anyone else please let me know.
A made-up version of an opponent's argument that can easily be defeated. To accuse people of attacking a straw man is to suggest that they are avoiding worthier opponents and more valid criticisms of their own position.
This flyer is currently making the rounds on lefty blogs (via Protein Wisdom).
The claim is that the flyer is being distributed in Milwaukee communities dominated by minorities. The important part being left out, of course, is who exactly is distributing them. The implication is, as you might have guessed, that Republicans are doing it.
Personally, I like the idea that someone making an accusation must actually prove their accusation to be true before I have to believe it. You know, that whole "innocent until proven guilty" thing.
You can see examples of said implications here, here, here, here and here.
And that's all rather convenient isn't it? You take a horrible example of voter suppression, post it up on some popular left-leaning websites and then imply that it is being circulated through minority neighborhoods by Republicans. And people believe it. No need for actual proof. Everybody on the left knows that Republicans are evil anyway so its not that hard to believe that they'd do something as remarkably stupid as this.
Its the ultimate straw man argument. The left makes a wild and unfounded accusation of voter intimidation and then attacks it ferociously while, in reality, the flier probably wasn't even being distributed by Republicans at all, if it was even being distributed.
I don't know which to believe more: That people on the left think Republicans are this dumb or that they think minorities are dumb enough to fall for it.
If it comes out that this flyer was distributed by members of the GOP, either officially or unofficially, I will condemn their actions, post an apology and a retraction and then publicly eat my hat.
But I don't think that's going to happen.
Update:
Apparently the source of the flyer is the Sierra Club via the AFL-CIO. You probably remember that last organization as the ones responsible for all the lovely attacks on Bush/Cheney campaign offices a few weeks back.
And they're talking about voter intimidation. Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Sheesh.
If anyone has any information about this flyer being distributed by Republicans or anyone else please let me know.
