Re: MD The Long & Winding Road

From: Arlo J. Bensinger (ajb102@psu.edu)
Date: Thu Jan 20 2005 - 01:46:57 GMT

  • Next message: Ron Winchester: "Re: MD Logic, Analogy, Metaphor"

    Platt,

    > Arlo:
    > > I didn't realize "ad hominem" was a "leftist" argumentative technique. How
    > > impressive that only "liberals" use it.
    >
    > All you have to do is read some of the attacks on me, a conservative, by
    > the liberals on this site.

    Better then to say that "ad hominem" attacks are used by "people", not
    "leftists". Just because people use "ad hominem" attacks against you, does not
    make it "leftist argument" form. In other forums, like the O'Reilly Factor, it
    is "liberals" who are commonly the recipient of "ad hominem" attacks.

    > > Notice two key elements, though: (1) this is in no way an "ad hominem"
    > > attack, it is recognizing that historical similarity exists between the
    > > rhetorical tactics employed by the neocons, and the propaganda tactics
    > > described by Goebbels.
    >
    > Who do you think your kidding? Your intent is to smear conservatives with
    > the Nazi label.

    It's truly sad that many of the tactics enunciated by Goebbles are the same
    tactics employed by Rove and the conservative propaganda machine. I do not feel
    the conservatives are political fascists, but propaganda serves any master,
    regardless of ilk.

    > > (2) This response shifts focus from the undisputable
    > > point, that "conservative" government is as intrusive and expansive and the
    > > so-called "liberals" Platt derides. The fact that they "say" they favor
    > > less government and "individual responsibility" is meaningless.
    >
    > If the point is so indisputable, how come you don't supply a scintilla of
    > evidence?
    >

    But I have, and others have as well. The Wired article, on several key agenda
    items of the "conservative" administration, warned repeatedly of increasing
    loss of privacy and invasive government. I posted a link to a Newsweek story,
    that also ran over CNN, about the memos of the soon-to-be attorney general.
    This is gaining some press, sure, but ask why the first agenda for this term
    will include being able to declare US citizens as "terrorists", and hold them
    without representation or inditement. There is also Patriot Act II, which will
    likely pass with ease, which further increases the breadth and invasive power
    of the federal government.

    Arlo

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