Making Hay Out of Straw Men

[kskiska]

By Dana Milbank
Tuesday, June 1, 2004; Page A21

For President Bush, this is the season of the straw man.

It is an ancient debating technique: Caricature your opponent's argument, then knock down the straw man you created. In the 2004 campaign, Bush has been knocking down such phantoms on subjects from Iraq to free trade.

In a speech on May 21 mentioning the importance of integrity in government, business and the military, Bush veered into a challenge to unidentified "people" who practice moral relativism. "It may seem generous and open-minded to say that everybody, on every moral issue, is equally right," Bush said, at Louisiana State University. "But that attitude can also be an excuse for sidestepping life's most important questions."

No doubt. But who's made such arguments? Hannibal Lecter? The White House declined to name names.

(snip)

On May 4, Bush was discussing the war on terrorism, when he said: "Some say, 'Well, this is just a matter of law enforcement and intelligence.' No, that's not what it is." On May 10, he posited: "The natural tendency for people is to say, oh, let's lay down our arms. But you can't negotiate with these people. . . . Therapy won't work."

It is not clear who makes such arguments, however. All but a few lawmakers in both parties support military action against al Qaeda, and Kerry certainly has not proposed opening talks with Osama bin Laden or putting him on the couch.

(snip)

"I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein."

-- Oval Office, May 25.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A4757-2004May31?language=printer

[gristy]

1. Good to see an article on this subject

Straw men are hard to spot, I think, because they exist below the surface of the topic at hand. To spot their existence, you have to stop thinking about the point being expressed in order to judge the validity of the manner of that expression. Especially difficult if one is listening, rather than reading.

[Fridays Child]

3. Straw arguments have been the neocons' stock in trade for years.

It's just about the only way they know how to debate--well, that and yelling.

[saigon68]

2. Smoke and mirrors

disgusting

[DemoTex]

4. Bit-by-bit (horse-mouth thing, not computer thing) ..

The Washington Post is turning. Why?

The last segment, as quoted, was:

The Quotable Bush

"I'm honored to shake the hand of a brave Iraqi citizen who had his hand cut off by Saddam Hussein."

-- Oval Office, May 25.


For real? In the WP?

DT

[Imperialism Inc.]

6. Well they sewed it back on first of course!

Actually I'm kidding. Unfortunately , the brave Iraqi only had enough to buy passage for his hand, with the state of the Iraqi economy and all.

Oh please please someone do a photoshop of that with the quote at the bottom.

That article was great. Good for a belly laugh or two also.

[Beetwasher]

5. Milbank's Been Towing A Long Hard Line For A While Now

He's been one of the few real journalists around...

[Zhade]

7. First the article on negativity, now this.

No doubt in my mind anymore - the corporate elite have signaled to the media that it's okay to take down b*sh, because he is harming their business interests.

It's clear as day to me.

[Cocoa]

8. Milbank is not "taking down" Bush

this is simple, and very obvious, reporting. The only extraordinary thing about it is that it hasn't been done all along.

Notice how he includes Kerry in there? The example of Kerry's supposed straw man isn't a straw man at all. It is in fact valid to say the choice is between tax cuts and spending programs.