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Friendly Fire:; The Birth of an Anti-Kerry Ad
Topic Started: Aug 20 2004, 05:03 PM (431 Views)
Jim Miller
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If it is a biased source, would that not lessen the credibility of the argument that they try to present?
Jim

Pennsylvania in the Summer
Florida in the Winter
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Peralko
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Jim,

Of course a biased source would lessen the credibility, especially if they are trying to present an argument. I thought the article yesterday was fairly well balanced--don't remember the source, could have been New York Times--but it laid out the issues regarding Kerry's Vietnam experience fairly clearly, and examined statements from both camps. They concluded both sides are less than forthcoming, but the article probably got close to the truth.
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
Per, if he criticized all, that generalization on his part would imply to me his aim was the system, not the individuals saddled with it. Not that I can't see your interpretation as well, I can, and how it could add to the spitting attitudes of many back then. Those were difficult times.


Jim " If it is a biased source, would that not lessen the credibility of the argument that they try to present?"

How so? If a Dem, let's see, who would be a good example, oh, say, Molly Ivans said the sky is blue, would the fact she is extremely biased lessen the credibility of the fact? Hardly.

To me, and perhaps this is what you mean, and seems to be what Per is getting at, bias points to the possibility the conclusions drawn might be suspect. I might look for blindly accepted premises. I might look at the facts considered and note it ignores some. Or I might note that the conclusion is far stronger than the facts merit.

But a dismissive wave of the hand at bias is a non-argument, persuasively speaking much weaker than any biased one, for it ignores facts that must be considered in any unbiased account and judgment.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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Jim Miller
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"If a Dem, let's see, who would be a good example, oh, say, Molly Ivans said the sky is blue, would the fact she is extremely biased lessen the credibility of the fact?"

That is pretty silly for you Chris. This conversation isn't about the color of the sky.

Come on, get back into the game.
Jim

Pennsylvania in the Summer
Florida in the Winter
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
The intent was to show how silly the notion is, Jim, blanket dismissal of facts and ideas because biased is extremely silly.

But apparently you agree with my explanation.
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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Jim Miller
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Chris, there was no blanket dismissal. My point is, and I really don't think I need to explain it to you, if a politically biased source writes a political article, I have to read the article knowing that there probably is some bias in there and that lessens the arguments credibility. Now, come on. You knew that didn't you?
Jim

Pennsylvania in the Summer
Florida in the Winter
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
No, your didn't post a blanket dismissal on the grounds the messenger was biased.

No, knowing the messenger is biased does not automatically lessen the argument's credibility. I would agree it lessens a writer's persuasiveness. There is a significant difference.

Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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Jim Miller
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Chris, are you getting tired? (I know I am.) I never said or implied "automatically" Stop trying to put words in my mouth. In fact, if you look back, it was a question.
Jim

Pennsylvania in the Summer
Florida in the Winter
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cmoehle
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Chris - San Antonio TX
OK, makes no difference: "No, knowing the messenger is biased does not lessen the argument's credibility. I would agree it lessens a writer's persuasiveness. There is a significant difference."

Perhaps addressing the entire post instead of picking words out of context would clarify?
Politics is the art of achieving the maximum amount of freedom for individuals that is consistent with the maintenance of social order.
--Barry Goldwater
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