Straw Man Update

My November 4, 2005 post entitled "Political Straw Men" illustrated how the Republicans often use the straw man tactic in their political arguments, knocking down an argument supposedly made by Democrats or other critics, but which in fact was never made. The Associated Press recently ran an article over its wires entitled "Bush Using Straw-Man Arguments in Speeches" that makes the exact same point, using numerous examples from President Bush himself. A number of major newspapers, including the Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times, ran the article. I'd like to think the author got her ideas after reading my post. In any event, I'm glad to see that someone else is shining the light of truth upon this cynical tactic.

Read more!

Does Anyone Else Find It Strange?

Does anyone else find the following things strange?

--Saddam Hussein is on trial for ordering the deaths of 140 citizens of the Iraqi town of Dujail in 1982, when the Reagan Administration was supporting and arming him, sending special envoy Donald Rumsfeld over to greet Saddam. This is the time period that George W. Bush is referring to when Bush says that Saddam "killed his own people."

--The Bush Administration claims to be promoting "freedom" and "democracy" abroad, including a free press, yet in Iraq the Administration pays journalists to plant newspaper stories. In the U.S., Bush Administration officials attack and seek to prosecute journalists for publishing leaks unfavorable to the Administration, while leaking to reporters classified information favorable to the Administration.

--Americans kill criminals, euphemistically calling it "execution;" solve problems in other countries by invading and killing people there; and permit a ban on military-style assault weapons to lapse, then wonder why America has a problem of violence among our young people.

--Some people claim to be fervent followers of religions that preach tolerance, peace and the sanctity of life, yet the same people fervently support the death penalty and a war that has resulted in over 2,300 dead American soldiers and some 100,000 dead Iraqis.

--When Democrats propose a reduction in troop levels in Iraq, Republicans attack the idea and call it "cut and run." When Republicans propose a reduction in troop levels in Iraq, Republicans call it "draw down" and claim that it's a good idea. Watch for the mad Republican scramble to "draw down" troops this year as election day approaches.

--During previous wars fought by the U.S. during and after the signing of the Geneva Convention, the U.S. agreed not to torture prisoners from other countries, even if the prisoners were thought to have information critical to stop nuclear or other attacks on the U.S. or its citizens or soldiers abroad, but suddenly it has become necessary to violate the Geneva Convention and torture prisoners after a handful of terrorists crashed a few airplanes at U.S. targets.

--After being attacked by Osama Bin Laden and Bin Laden's Al Quaeda followers on 9/11, the U.S. went to war against Iraq, which did not attack the U.S. on 9/11 or at any other time, while at the same time the cargo underneath Americans on airplanes and entering American ports on ships goes unchecked.

--Since 9/11, worldwide hatred against the U.S., and the number of terrorists seeking to attack Americans, has increased rather than decreased.

Read more!