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  1. Sep 22, '04 by gwenith

    Here are some of the new "tricks" that are being used to manipulate you the voter.

    An appeal to the majority (also called argumentum ad populum) is the logical fallacy of believing that because something is popular, it is right.
    For example, using the argument that most Americans support the death penalty is an appeal to the majority and does not logially support the argument.

    Argumentum ad nauseam or argument from repetition is the false proof of a statement by (prolonged) repetition, possibly by different people. This logical fallacy is commonly used as a form of rhetoric by politicians. In its extreme form, it can also be a form of brainwashing This logical fallacy tends to be convincing to people because, as Joseph Goebbels discovered, if something is repeated as true often enough, people will eventually come to accept it.


    "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror"


    An appeal to fear (also called argumentum ad metum or argumentum in terrorem) is a logical fallacy

    For example, "We must raise taxes or else even more hospitals will be closed" or "You should stop drinking unless you want to die young like your father." In both cases, existing fears are exploited to create support for the speaker's proposal. Neither fear is necessarily directly tied to the proposal in question however, and therein lies the fallacy.

    "If Kerry wins there will be a terrorist attack"


    false dilemma, also known as false dichotomy, either/or dilemma or bifurcation, is to set up two alternative points of view as if they were the only options, when they are not.

    "With us or against us"

    Argumentum ad crumenam is a logical fallacy of thinking a conclusion is correct because the person making the argument is rich e.g. If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?

    Poisoning the well is a preemptive logical fallacy where unfavourable information about someone is presented to an audience, with the intent of discrediting everything said by that person beforehand.

    The origin of this phrase comes from the belief in medieval times that outbreaks of plague were caused by Jews poisoning the water supply. Suggesting that someone was not to be trusted after accusing them of the unrelated crime of poisoning the water was effective rhetoric, but bad logic.

    "He has lied about his service in Veitnam"




    from http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com

    The light blue bits are mine!!

  2. 21 Comments so far...

  3. Sep 22, '04 by efiebke
    Excellent, excellent, excellent thread!

    This thread puts into words what we already know at least on a subconscious level. People get paid a lot of money to play "spin doctor". It's effective.

    I know that asking the issues be discussed/debated without the "spin" is asking too much. It's down right near impossible with today's politics. Hopefully this little thread and other sources of similar information can help us hold our elected officials accountable to at LEAST keep focused on the issues!!!

    (I can dream, can't I?!?!? :chuckle )

    Thank you, Gwenith, for posting this particular topic.

    Ted
    Last edit by efiebke on Sep 22, '04
  4. Sep 22, '04 by WashYaHands
    Obesa cantavit. The fat lady has sung.

    11:59 pm November 2, 2004
  5. Sep 23, '04 by Mkue
    "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror"
    Kerry's flip/flopping is not brainwashing, all one has to do is read Congressional transcripts to what Kerry has said in the past and what he says now. All one has to do is read how Kerry has voted in the past and what he says now.

    For the patriot act
    against the patriot act

    For NATO
    against Nato

    For the War in Iraq
    Against the War in Iraq

    I will send more troops to Iraq
    I will bring troops home

    Voted against funding intelligence

    Voted against Defense spending

    Going it alone
    Allies are window dressing

    For "No Child Left Behind"
    Against No Child Left Behind

    and so on and so on..

    mkue
  6. Sep 23, '04 by pickledpepperRN
    Quote from gwenith
    Here are some of the new "tricks" that are being used to manipulate you the voter.

    An appeal to the majority (also called argumentum ad populum) is the logical fallacy of believing that because something is popular, it is right.
    For example, using the argument that most Americans support the death penalty is an appeal to the majority and does not logially support the argument.

    Argumentum ad nauseam or argument from repetition is the false proof of a statement by (prolonged) repetition, possibly by different people. This logical fallacy is commonly used as a form of rhetoric by politicians. In its extreme form, it can also be a form of brainwashing This logical fallacy tends to be convincing to people because, as Joseph Goebbels discovered, if something is repeated as true often enough, people will eventually come to accept it.


    "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror" "Flip-Flop!" "Terror"


    An appeal to fear (also called argumentum ad metum or argumentum in terrorem) is a logical fallacy

    For example, "We must raise taxes or else even more hospitals will be closed" or "You should stop drinking unless you want to die young like your father." In both cases, existing fears are exploited to create support for the speaker's proposal. Neither fear is necessarily directly tied to the proposal in question however, and therein lies the fallacy.

    "If Kerry wins there will be a terrorist attack"


    false dilemma, also known as false dichotomy, either/or dilemma or bifurcation, is to set up two alternative points of view as if they were the only options, when they are not.

    "With us or against us"

    Argumentum ad crumenam is a logical fallacy of thinking a conclusion is correct because the person making the argument is rich e.g. If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?

    Poisoning the well is a preemptive logical fallacy where unfavourable information about someone is presented to an audience, with the intent of discrediting everything said by that person beforehand.

    The origin of this phrase comes from the belief in medieval times that outbreaks of plague were caused by Jews poisoning the water supply. Suggesting that someone was not to be trusted after accusing them of the unrelated crime of poisoning the water was effective rhetoric, but bad logic.

    "He has lied about his service in Veitnam"




    from http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com

    The light blue bits are mine!!
    There has been so much nit picking on this board it reminds me of this thread:
    http://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78803
  7. Sep 23, '04 by Mkue
    Quote from WashYaHands
    Obesa cantavit. The fat lady has sung.

    11:59 pm November 2, 2004

    la signora grassa ha cantato
  8. Guide
    Sep 23, '04 by SmilingBluEyes
    Beautiful Italian language, Marie.

    I have gotten to the point where I just keep the TV off---so sick am I of both sides. I feel grossly under-represented by both of them. And this issue of Vietnam--sheesh, get over it already.

    Buncha pancakes we have running for office. Time for a non-partisan change!!!
    Last edit by SmilingBluEyes on Sep 23, '04
  9. Sep 23, '04 by Mkue
    Quote from SmilingBluEyes
    Beautiful Italian language, Marie.

    I have gotten to the point where I just keep the TV off---so sick am I of both sides. I feel grossly under-represented by both of them. And this issue of Vietnam--sheesh, get over it already.

    Buncha pancakes we have running for office. Time for a non-partisan change!!!
    ringrazia il DEB

    May I suggest to you... Home and Garden channel (HGTV) out of Canada.. Rocks ! it's nice to get away from Politics !

    Marie
  10. Sep 23, '04 by gwenith
    Quote from mkue
    Kerry's flip/flopping is not brainwashing, all one has to do is read Congressional transcripts to what Kerry has said in the past and what he says now. All one has to do is read how Kerry has voted in the past and what he says now.

    For the patriot act
    against the patriot act

    For NATO
    against Nato

    For the War in Iraq
    Against the War in Iraq

    I will send more troops to Iraq
    I will bring troops home

    Voted against funding intelligence

    Voted against Defense spending

    Going it alone
    Allies are window dressing

    For "No Child Left Behind"
    Against No Child Left Behind

    and so on and so on..

    mkue
    It is not the actual flip=flopping that is the issue it is the repeating of this ad nauseum that is the real problem. As is the repetition of any ONE issue.
  11. Sep 23, '04 by fergus51
    Quote from mkue
    ringrazia il DEB

    May I suggest to you... Home and Garden channel (HGTV) out of Canada.. Rocks ! it's nice to get away from Politics !

    Marie

    OMG! I LOOOOOOVVVVVEEEEEE HGTV!!! I actually met the designer guys when I lived in Toronto and nearly died on the spot! They are my favorite, but I also like Divine Design and Home to Go and Sensible Chic and Debbie Travis.... I am beyond obsessed. :chuckle