Although 2003 could have just as easily been dubbed "
The Year of the Filthy Whore," the Cooper for President team has decided to give the honor to actor
Ray Bolger.
Due to the use (and repeated abuse) of the "Straw Man Argument" on both sides of the political fence (but mostly
on the left), 2003 was most certainly
The Year of the Straw Man. Nobody represents
the straw man better than Ray Bolger (who, for those of you who have been living under a rock for the past century was the
actor who played the scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz).
What is a "straw man argument?" It is (in its most simple form) defined by Person B misrepresenting the opinions or beliefs
of Person A, then quickly (and easily) knocking down the "straw man" he has created.
Here's an example:
Wife: "Honey, I just bought a new dress, how do you like it?"
Husband: "God that's an ugly dress. It makes you look like the fat cow that you are! I wouldn't be caught
dead with you looking that way."
Wife (clearly upset): "Fine, you won't have to worry about me going out with you in this dress, because
I'm not going out with you any more! In fact, I'm so tired of your cruel comments, I'm leaving you! Goodbye!"
2 months later...
(ex) Husband: "Well, it's been two months since she left me, and I'm doing fine."
Friend: "Why did she leave you, anyway?"
(ex) Husband: (creating a straw man
argument): "It was her tremendous ego. When I didn't bow down and genuflect to Her Magesty
and compliment her at every opportunity, she got all emotional on me."
.....did you see the straw man? (well it was in blue, so ya better have)!
Here's a quicker one: Martin Sheen (or the Dixie Sluts, Michael Moore, etc.) claiming that they're being "silenced."
Hollywood Dumbass: "Bush sucks! America sucks! We're an imperialist nation committing genocide on everyone
that isn't white!"
Talk Show Host: "These limosine liberals make me sick. Listen to the garbage they're saying about our
country. What a bunch of jerks."
Hollywood Dumbass: "I have a RIGHT to free speech! How DARE you try to censor
me?"
Hillary Clinton perhaps gave us the most typical example of the straw man argument.
Tom Dasshole: "I am deeply saddened that on this day, Bush has failed so badly at diplomacy that
our men and women are now in harms way."
Dennis Hastert: "Senator Dasshole's statements may not be "giving aid and comfort to our enemy
in a time of war," but it comes awful close."
Hillary Clinton: "I'm tired of everybody questioning
our patriotism when we simply want to DISCUSS or ASK QUESTIONS about the
way in which the Bush administration is handling the war in Iraq. With this administration, it's
either 'toe the line' or get called a traitor!"
So there you have it. The Straw Man Argument used without fear of rebuttal by the "mainstream" media. Congratulations
to Mr. Bolger (wherever he may be).
Check back later in the week for a list of other hackneyed debate tactics used to death in 2003. Hold on to
your hats, it's going to get worse.
