Saturday, July 10, 2010

What is a “red herring” anyway? � Tangerine, Florida

What is a “red herring” anyway? � Tangerine, Florida

What is a “red herring” anyway?

It is an observation that draws attention away from the central issue in an argument or discussion; an informal logical fallacy favored by those who don’t want to confront the real facts in a debate.

Red herrings are brought into a discussion to sidetrack the discussion. They are invariably irrelevant and is often emotionally charged. The participants in the discussion go after the red herring and forget what they were initially talking about; in fact, they may never get back to their original topic.


Support Hometown Democracy? Write a letter to the editor!

Via Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment 4 on Facebook

Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment 4 Want to help get the word about about Amendment 4? Write a Letter to the Editor – connect the dots for local voters between bad city and county commission decisions and the need for Florida Hometown Democracy. Be sure to include the website address and our tollfree telephone number: 866-779-5513. If you want to write a letter to your local newspaper editor, or a guest column but would like some idea of what to write, please visit our website for talking points…and thanks for voting YES on Amendment 4!

Comment of the week: “If Amendment 4 “will have a devastating effect on Florida’s economy” what have we had in the past 5 years? How’s the current system working for you? The growth machinen has led us into this devastation. The people can’t do any worse. I want a vote since my commissioners are owned by the developers and lobbyists.”