Linguistic Spin (Slanters) and Scare Tactic

At 5:42 O'Reilly says that he thinks Bush should put the FBI on two 911 Truth researchers in a classic scare tactic. Along the way are a selection of circumstantial ad hominem attacks (rhetorical explanations), personal ad hominem attacks, rhetorical comparisons, dysphemisms and proof surrogates.

FLAK--Circumstantial Ad Hominem/Rhetorical Definiton

In Richard Clarke's book 'Against All Enemies' Clarke claims that the Bush Administration turned a blind eye to warnings that could have helped prevent the attack on 9-11. He served as Bush I's, Clinton's and Bush II's Counter-Terrorism Adviser until his retirement in 2003. 

Needless to say this claim did not sit well with the Bush Administration. In this clip we see an apparently orchestrated attack on Clarke's integrity ("Flack") through the use of the technique of Rhetorical Explanation/Circumstantial Ad Hominem. 

In particular it is asserted that the reason that Clarke made this claim is because (1.) he is "auditioning" for a role in the Kerry administration and (2.) he just wants to sell books. Of course, this is essentially a Red Herring that distracts away from the real issue: What is the evidence for or against the claim that the Bush Administration was negligent?

[Note: In this clip from the documentary 'Outfoxed' the additional charge is made the Clarke contradicts himself in his book. It may be the case that the editors of this film (which is of course biased and thus subject to all of the normal suspicion one would cast upon an interested party) eliminated these more substantive charges. Nevertheless, the use of the rhetorical devices cited above is well documented.]

George Carlin: Euphemisms

Consequentialism: Ford Pinto

Evaluating Sources: Mannerisms

Evaluating Sources: Height

Begin at 6:00.

Evaluating Sources: Appearance

Implications for Autonomous Vehilcles