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Behind the Aegis

(54,139 posts)
16. And maybe you will stop with the patronizing crap and actual read what I wrote.
Wed May 9, 2012, 02:40 AM
May 2012

You do know what a "strawman" is? If not, here...

A straw man is a component of an argument and is an informal fallacy based on misrepresentation of an opponent's position.[1] To "attack a straw man" is to create the illusion of having refuted a proposition by replacing it with a superficially similar yet unequivalent proposition (the "straw man&quot , and refuting it, without ever having actually refuted the original position.[1][2]

1.Person A has position X.
2.Person B disregards certain key points of X and instead presents the superficially similar position Y. The position Y is a distorted version of X and can be set up in several ways, including: 1.Presenting a misrepresentation of the opponent's position.
2.Quoting an opponent's words out of context — i.e. choosing quotations that misrepresent the opponent's actual intentions (see fallacy of quoting out of context).[2]
3.Presenting someone who defends a position poorly as the defender, then refuting that person's arguments — thus giving the appearance that every upholder of that position (and thus the position itself) has been defeated.[1]
4.Inventing a fictitious persona with actions or beliefs which are then criticized, implying that the person represents a group of whom the speaker is critical.
5.Oversimplifying an opponent's argument, then attacking this oversimplified version.

3.Person B attacks position Y, concluding that X is false/incorrect/flawed.

This sort of "reasoning" is fallacious, because attacking a distorted version of a position fails to constitute an attack on the actual position.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straw_man
If you are "disappointed", Mr. President, then get off the fence and demonstrate some leadership! markpkessinger May 2012 #1
And get off the fence you did! Thank you, Mr. President! n/t markpkessinger May 2012 #40
He is. After all, the convention, and all those dollars, go to NC. That will teach them! 24601 May 2012 #43
It's official: this issue should *NOT* be left up to the states!!! Initech May 2012 #2
Did Obama REALLY say this? Behind the Aegis May 2012 #3
Unbelievable. Your reaction to this news is to be angry at Obama?! SunSeeker May 2012 #4
Damn right I am angry. Behind the Aegis May 2012 #8
Then you want a perfectionist, not a president. Nt. armodem08 May 2012 #9
If asking for someone to stand up for civil rights is asking for a "perfectionist," then yes, I am Behind the Aegis May 2012 #10
It took 3 years for JFK to come out for civil rights. alp227 May 2012 #11
Don't use strawman, they burn easily. Behind the Aegis May 2012 #12
So JFK facing the Civil Rights Movement is not comparable w/Obama vs. gay rights? alp227 May 2012 #13
I was referring to this bullshit straw-dude. Behind the Aegis May 2012 #14
Why? I know NC Am. 1 is distressing for you, but maybe re-read my thoughts after calming down, alp227 May 2012 #15
And maybe you will stop with the patronizing crap and actual read what I wrote. Behind the Aegis May 2012 #16
OK, now I've reconsidered, if Obama can attack Republicans on everything from taxes to Medicare, alp227 May 2012 #17
Because there are alot of people who dont support it and challenging it now cstanleytech May 2012 #22
This line gets the 'Jean Dixon Predicts Award'. Bluenorthwest May 2012 #46
Uh huh: blkmusclmachine May 2012 #5
Maybe President Obama will announce his unequivocal support for gay marriage totodeinhere May 2012 #6
Wouldn't that be just perfect?! Rhiannon12866 May 2012 #7
My apologies Lil Missy May 2012 #18
We won in 2008 too bupkus May 2012 #19
You're equating people wanting their civil rights to being EFerrari May 2012 #20
It sure as hell is. Puglover May 2012 #24
The jury thinks it's fine and dandy. QC May 2012 #28
The juries always say it is okay Marrah_G May 2012 #30
Hopefully the member will either edit or self delete this post maddezmom May 2012 #25
+1 fishwax May 2012 #32
yup AngryAmish May 2012 #33
What a hateful, bigoted stereotyping thing to say. William769 May 2012 #26
Well, you win the prize for most offensive post of the day - that's for sure. enlightenment May 2012 #29
Interesting choice of words, Lil Missy... TeeYiYi May 2012 #31
She certainly offended me, as a gay person living in North Carolina. yardwork May 2012 #37
I agree with you... TeeYiYi May 2012 #39
Holy Wow. Just wow. ScreamingMeemie May 2012 #34
Hey, Lil Missy Vanje May 2012 #35
What a filthy thing to say. /nt yardwork May 2012 #36
Pooed? Who the fuck wants to be pooed? JVS May 2012 #38
It's uncool to insult your allies; they'll never forgive you. Duncan Grant May 2012 #42
So does the state constitution trump the federal? cstanleytech May 2012 #21
Fine then Iliyah May 2012 #23
"disappointed"; such harsh language for a presidential candidate NorthCarolina May 2012 #27
Allowing states to vote on civil liberties is DISAPPOINTING...nt and-justice-for-all May 2012 #41
President Obama should issue an executive order for civil liberties BamaFanLee May 2012 #44
He can't issue executive orders where he has no authority. former9thward May 2012 #47
smh WhiteShoesATL May 2012 #45
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