If you could ban one logical fallacy or debating tactic... (McCain, Congress)
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2. Comparing your opponent and his arguments with either Naziis or Communists. Whenever I hear this argument I automatically decide the person making it has lost his side. This is such an extreme argument that its just silly.
There's a name for it; It's called Goodwin's Law.
Strawman argument has been mentioned.
Red Herring; deliberate attempt to divert attention.
Eliminate those few and that would go a long way to bringing back some civility.
Red Herring; deliberate attempt to divert attention.
Eliminate those few and that would go a long way to bringing back some civility.
I don't think you are going to be able to bring back civility because one facton of America (and of this board) wants to destroy much of what has made the U.S. great, and replace it with socialism (onramp to communism), while others (such as myself) care manyfold times more about preserving, and retrieving the country from the brink of destruction that we do civility. We are not debating (as a nation) whether the top marginal rate should be 23% vs 25%, we are debating whether those on the bottom half of the economic scale have some right to the earnings of others. Our nation has degraded so badly, fully 47% of tax files pay zero in Income Tax, while 40% of said filers actually receive a subsidy from the fellow citizens.
There is precious little civility in war, and we as a nation are in a war for our survival fought against many of our own fellow citizens (as it was in the War Between the States). True, it isn't a shooting war, but it might be soon. What patriotic American wouldn't take up arms to defend this country.
We are so used to an unbelievably-biased media speak in the most disgraceful terms about our elected leaders (Bush/Cheney, eg), that it carries over everywhere. Look at the way they lambaste Sarah Palin, who by any measure is far more qualified than the current occupant (who had no executive experience whatsoever). We listen to walking bags of raw sewerage such as Maher and Oberman attack her relentlessly for no reason at all but that they disagree with her.
I read the posts of people who have an amazing command of a million factoids but can't manage to see a forest, who have no big picture grasp of things or what makes the U.S. function.
Oh no you don't. Maybe I'll see you in the Politics and other ... whatever it is Forums, and maybe not.
But being that you said the mouthful that you did, let me ask you a question; despite the fact that we may have voted the exact same way, where were the likes of you on voting day? Did Democrats outnumber us that day or were there a bunch of turncoats?
I voted one way and my candidates lost. My ******ing about it stopped on the late evening of November 4th 2008. Why not yours?
I say vote with your feet. Mine are planted firmly here and I've got my sleeves rolled up too. God Bless America.
Honestly, I'd just settle for some maturity and prespective. I'm just sick of things like "Bu****ler" and "Obama is an Al-Quida plant" and other just plain dumb ****. And it's not just politics anymore. It's not simply enough to simply disagree. Now, if someone disagrees with you, they are a racist, selfish, fascist, communist, evil, sociopathic, whatever-hyperbolic-discriptor, monster.
How about actually taking two seconds and think about what you actually feel about an issue rather than just mindlessly scream nonsense at "The Other Side"
I don't think you are going to be able to bring back civility because one facton of America (and of this board) wants to destroy much of what has made the U.S. great, and replace it with socialism (onramp to communism), while others (such as myself) care manyfold times more about preserving, and retrieving the country from the brink of destruction that we do civility. We are not debating (as a nation) whether the top marginal rate should be 23% vs 25%, we are debating whether those on the bottom half of the economic scale have some right to the earnings of others. Our nation has degraded so badly, fully 47% of tax files pay zero in Income Tax, while 40% of said filers actually receive a subsidy from the fellow citizens.
There is precious little civility in war, and we as a nation are in a war for our survival fought against many of our own fellow citizens (as it was in the War Between the States). True, it isn't a shooting war, but it might be soon. What patriotic American wouldn't take up arms to defend this country.
We are so used to an unbelievably-biased media speak in the most disgraceful terms about our elected leaders (Bush/Cheney, eg), that it carries over everywhere. Look at the way they lambaste Sarah Palin, who by any measure is far more qualified than the current occupant (who had no executive experience whatsoever). We listen to walking bags of raw sewerage such as Maher and Oberman attack her relentlessly for no reason at all but that they disagree with her.
I read the posts of people who have an amazing command of a million factoids but can't manage to see a forest, who have no big picture grasp of things or what makes the U.S. function.
Anyway, just my opinion
Thank you for all the vivid examples of the items that have already been enumerated.
Sheesh I was just kidding. I am aware there is a writing forum.
But, if you want me to put it into terms that make sense with the original post, here goes.
Since we are talking about both logical fallacies and debating tactics, I will file this one under "debating tactics". I would get rid of people using big words, in debates, incorrectly. For example, heretofore actually means "up until this time". However, I have heard it used like "therefore". I think that some people feel if they use large words, then they will sound smart and will win the argument. It irritates me.
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