Not A Potted Plant: "Yeah But You're Fat" Is Not A Valid Rhetorical Technique

March 12, 2009

"Yeah But You're Fat" Is Not A Valid Rhetorical Technique

Meghan McCain: "I think that the strategy of constantly expounding upon the most extreme possible social conservative positions imaginable is starting to backfire on Republicans. It's really turning off younger voters."

Laura Inghram: "Shut up, Meghan McCain. You're fat."

Does anyone else see a disconnect between the argument and the rebuttal here? I'm gonna have to say that McCain won this exchange. Besides, Meghan McCain doesn't look particularly fat to me.

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Q: Why do you write under a pseudonym? And why did you pick “Burt Likko” as that pseudonym?
A: If I were writing under my real name, I might have to be more circumspect in offering provocative opinions. “Burt Likko” is an inside joke left over from an old friend of mine’s name being mangled by a careless person over the phone. If you don't get the joke, you aren't intended to. Move along, please.

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Q: What’s the “Potted Plant” thing all about?
A: The phrase “not a potted plant” comes from a famous quip made by a prominent lawyer named Brendan Sullivan while representing Oliver North, before a Congressional hearing in the late 1980's. It stuck with me.

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Q: Why do you refer to God as Jehovah?
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Q: So you were a Catholic, is that why you don’t believe in God anymore?
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Q: Evolution is just another kind of religion. Believe in it if you want, but it isn’t real.
A: You’re entitled to your opinion, of course. But you’re profoundly incorrect. A “religion” by definition involves the relationship of a person with at least one supernatural entity. Evolution, by its very terms, eschews reference to supernatural causal factors with respect to the question of the manner in which biological organisms speciate over time. Evolution enjoys overwhelming support in the forms of the fossil record, species diversity, and the ongoing, observable phenomenon of speciation.

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A: Yes it has.

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A: Generally from Wikimedia Commons, XKCD or FARK.

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A: No. I think it’s cool.

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A: Maybe it did. That’s what the “comments” section is for.

Q: Do you ever admit that you’re wrong?
A: Yes.

Q: Why the Green Bay Packers?
A: Because my family’s roots are in Wisconsin. I’ve rooted for the Packers since I was a little boy.

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Q: Why do you post recipes?
A: Life is lived best with good food and good wine enjoyed amongst good friends. When I cook, and it turns out well, I like to share the joy that brings. If food, cooking, and recipes do not interest you, skip the posts about them.

Q: You really hate Sarah Palin, don’t you?
A: No, I don’t. I admire that she achieved high political office at a relatively young age. She has charisma above and beyond her good looks and seems to be a basically likeable and appealing person and would probably be a great dinner guest. I respect that she is protective of her family. But she’s a) too socially conservative for my taste, and b) not been able to demonstrate a thorough enough grasp of public policy issues I care about to be the kind of President I would like.

Q: Do you think this blog got you dooced out of your job in Tennessee?
A: It certainly didn’t help. But I've no regrets about that.

Q: Why do you hate Tennessee so much?
A: I don’t hate Tennessee at all! Tennessee had some really good things going for it. Its politicians have figured out how to provide for an adequate state government without any income tax -- California should take a lesson from them. It’s beautiful and green. Housing was affordable. We made and still have some very good friends. I think it's something of a disadvantage there to not be (or at least claim to be) a Baptist, though. And I got a great offer to return to California.

Q: If you could be any kind of a tree, what would it be, and why?
A: Anything in a national park. That would minimize my chances of being turned into furniture.

Q: For someone who claims to not have a television, you sure seem to know a lot about what’s happening on TV.
A: The internet is a remarkable thing.

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March 12, 2009

"Yeah But You're Fat" Is Not A Valid Rhetorical Technique

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March 12, 2009

"Yeah But You're Fat" Is Not A Valid Rhetorical Technique

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