Well, sorry if I made your head spin like the exorcist chick. I hope you didn’t get that green stuff coming out too.
I’m happy for you that you agree with most of my opinions. However, you clearly don’t agree with my assessments of the damage to communication that can be done with what we might politely call fallacious argument strategies. The character attacks or ad hominem strategy against individuals who voice their opinions or relevant stories is mean and also destructive to the type of communication required among citizens in a republic. It is the predominant goal of the red herring and Cassidy/West favorite, straw man technique, to obfuscate someone’s position or opinion deliberately rather than offer any credible refutation. Although it is generally done pathetically, this is done by cowards and bullies to silence dissent. Done by a pack of jackals, it can be extremely intimidating to those not so seasoned at receiving these.. Have you noticed that the full participation of the group I call the listserv jackals has temporarily slowed since some of us deconstructed these techniques on the list so that the techniques can be more easily spotted? As I’ve said before, no one is intimidated by me because they think I will satirize them for simply stating their opinions. But what is truly intimidating is to watch the list jackals attack an individual with nothing credible and make it almost impossible to enter into a civilized discussion with other mature adults. It was amazing to watch the free pass given to those that will dishonor themselves deliberately employing these mean obfuscation strategies because they don’t have credible arguments to offer. Then, to watch the indignant sensibilities come out of those whom refuse to confront the seriously damaging posts. You might not see it as such, but I see this as a terrible problem effecting our society and list. Van Helder is such an obvious punk that he can be ignored, but West and Cassidy should be ridiculed by citizens and not just avoided like Van Helder. Sometimes a macroexample better demonstrates the seriousness of the problem. It’s similar to attempting to silence a peace advocate by immediately insisting that his views prove his cowardice. It’s not a message designed to convince the peace activist but is a serious message to confuse and intimidate the majority watching. We’ve seen that particular argument help lead to the culpability of so many neighbors in the initial illegal invasion of Iraq still haunting us. I almost got myself beaten up just before the war by standing behind my principals asserting politely that it was a fallacious argument to call peace activists cowards. It looks as if you don’t think I should have taken a tone with Cassidy in which I treat him like an immature brat. Well, it’s my opinion that humorous literary techniques become more effective the more voyeuristic and the more ignorant or unsophisticated the audience. Not that they are not also fun to read or write at any time, but sometimes the technique is much more effective when conveying the essence of the relevant problem. On the list, we’ve already covered with exposition what a straw man strategy involves and Cassidy still relies on it like the addict relies on heroin. It also hasn't lead to a flurry of posts discouraging the strategy by folks who understand the destructiveness and intimidation it causes. Cassidy and others need to see how pathetic and disingenuous the strategy becomes and how it will lead to a lack of credibility. Swift could have written ignored volumes about proper treatment of the Irish but he attacked the principals of the oppressors best when he proposed eating the Irish instead. Please understand, I may not be able to help Cassidy and have nearly given up, but by treating him disrespectfully I may help others not be intimidated by him. Consider this post and you’ll find yourself agreeing with me again. Glenn ----- Original Message ----- From: Dan Myers To: Glenn Cc: Kyle Cassidy ; [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2007 1:29 AM Subject: Re: [UC] A UCD world record Boys, boys, boys, Lets all breathe a bit, all right? In......Out..... Ok better? No? Go back up a line and start again until you are. Good. Glenn will you ever face the reality that when you rant it makes my head spin? And not in a good way. I do understand (I think) where you are coming from Glenn. And dare I say it, agree with you on most of your opinions. However, your forceful tactic "voice" doesn't always deliver in a positive way (and that seems sad, because, if anything else, I think you want to do good in the neighborhood). Kyle has a good point on distraction. Most politicians have a good knack of distraction, and I think 46th was definitely a plan to do as such. There was no rhyme or reason. And when I did inquire, I received no indication what was going on our street until D-day. I called 6 different numbers, got transferred 4 times, wrote an email to Janine and left a voicemail with DuPaul Construction 4 days before D-day with no response from ANY of them. Kyle where do they keep those monsters of steel, asphalt, and tar? So I ask---Is this beyond my control? Do I just have to suck up the fact that the government spent my tax money unwisely on my own street? Who would complain about such a thing? Really? Well, I am because I knew 46th Street didn't need to be repaved. And I mean all 12 blocks! There are many roads in this neighborhood that would much more benefit from a facelift. Chester Avenue between 40th and 47th is bad-- real bad between the park during heavy rains, and pretty bad between 42nd & 43rd--all prime examples. I am sure more people on other blocks could concur. I saw other ones besides 46th Street being done, and don't really remember if they needed it either? Can I do anything more? Besides writing more question letters to my "elected officials"? Inquisitive mode on, Dan Myers PS I have nothing but respect for those who dare to write on this list and not be insulted, unless constructively. (which is what I meant for Kyle and Glenn) On 7/8/07, Glenn <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: My poor BID boy. You still can't understand this straw man tactic to which you're addicted. It is so difficult for you to understand why big boys consider this a fallacious strategy and would be embarrassed to rely on it. I read in the Public Record that Lewis is planning to deliver Tony and Melani a baby BID brother for you. Ah, the miracles of birth and BID. I want to leave you with a popular lullaby. It can soothe the savage beast by reaching the most primitive reptilian brains. I think the original was a hit in the late 70's or 80's. Try to learn it so you can sing it to baby BID. Whoa… Wank, wank, wank, Wank, wank, wank, Wank my booty, yeah, Wank my booty… Ooohhh…. Wank, wank, wank, Wank, wank, wank Wank my booty Wank my booty… ----- Original Message ----- From: Kyle Cassidy To: Glenn ; Doc Baldy Cc: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 9:03 AM Subject: RE: [UC] A UCD world record >UCD has had that tree under the saw all along and you let it happen as FOCP turned the park over to Penn. I'm amazed that you let UCD/FOCP get away with stripping the asphalt off of 46th street with no community oversight, public meetings or input. The tree removal was a ruse comitted by the Park and Rec department at the order of Tony West (who is the leader of the Star Chamber from which all city officials get their marching orders) to divert your attention away from the REAL PLAN -- which was to shut down our subway, steal our asphalt and spend our tax dollars on heavy equipment they can later use to bulldoze the Super 7 in a midnight raid. You don't even know where they keep all these road surfacers at night, do you? -------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.2/890 - Release Date: 7/7/2007 3:26 PM -- to the power of breathing, Dan Myers Intuitive Masseur 215.901.0899 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.476 / Virus Database: 269.10.2/891 - Release Date: 7/8/2007 6:32 PM
