There is too much usage of these persuasive argument techniques to keep track of.
We use these outside the media and outside of politics. We use them in family arguments, in social settings, and at work. Is it that the same culture, which tells us an argument is for winning instead of finding the truth, which pervades our politics, has crept into our personal lives? I’ve used quite a few of these instinctively. How about you?
Let’s get this straight, Condoleeza Rice is going to testify (NYTimes), in public and under oath. That’s great news and about time.
On the flip side, the GOP is making so that anyone who criticizes the federal government must register as a political committee. Scary.
And two links to two Metafilter threads….
Whenever Google changes, even as subtly as its latest, it’s big news (Metafilter). I like what they’ve done. There are more search results “above the fold” and the placement of Froogle on the home page says something.
newsmap, found in the Metafilter post, is a pretty nifty attempt at graphically presenting news headlines.
You use asfunction to have a hyperlink, in Flash, execute an Actionscript method.
flashmagazine: Linking to Flash frames.
actionscript.com: getting to know asfunction.
Jesse Warden: How to break a Flash MX chatroom.
Mike Chambers: asfunction alternative.
Just for reference…
This link of simple tips is for some loved ones that just refuse to get web design. Read it please. Pretty, pretty please.
While our sons and daughters are fighting in a foreign land, the President cracks jokes about it: “Those weapons of mass destruction have got to be somewhere”. Har, har, har. (Yahoo! story)
And….
“Your government failed you,” he said. “Those entrusted with protecting you failed you. And I failed you. We tried hard. But that doesn’t matter, because we failed. And for that failure, I would ask, once all the facts are out, for your understanding and for your forgiveness.”: Richard Clarke, in testimony before the 9/11 commission. (NYTimes story)
How can anyone vote for Bush? How can you not vote?
I was in an emergency waiting room for a loved one this afternoon. She thought she had a stroke, but everything looks ok so far thank God. We will know more tomorrow after more tests are done.
I had a long stint in the waiting room that coincided with Clarke’s testimony playing on a TV. I came away further pissed off at how the Bush administration flails at his character instead of answering the important concerns he has brought up. Two of the Republicans on the board, instead of asking hard questions, made insinuations into his motives and morals.
Folks – when people attack the messenger instead of the message – they are attempting to hide you from the truth.
Fred Kaplan, a journalist for Slate who had been stiffed by Clark 15 years ago and hasn’t spoken to him since says he’s telling the truth. How he handled the stand made me further believe it. He comes off as a true public servant.
Where are you Condi? If you had any honor – you would be on the stand. If you loved your country, you would be on the stand. Instead, it’s obvious you value your loyalty to the President over that of the American people.
“Ultimately, you?re answerable to We the People, not President Bush, Condi. We the People want to know what the hell went on ? not what you think of Mr. Clarke.”: dangerousmeta says it better.
I’m not pointing to this just because it has a nice compliment (although that helps :)) but because it contains info about a book that sounds like I want to buy: check out “Your Voice” at Uncle Horn Head.
Sometimes the thought of getting involved can be overwhelming (it is for me) and it looks like this can help.
This reminds me of a post by another great Philly weblogger, slacktivist, on guerrilla voter registration.
Uncle Horn Head meet slacktivist, slacktivist meet Uncle Horn Head.
I think it would be novel if a few webloggers got together and attempted a local voter registration effort. I wouldn’t know where to begin, but slacktivist’s post might be a start.
From John Fisher (About.com) comes details about the great teamwork it took to make it happen. Special thanks needs to go to Young Involved Philadelphia and campusphilly.org for their work to keep the Real World in here. Weblogs spreading the news and furor had a part to play as well.
Right on cue a national magazine trashes Philly style, our looks and calls us rude (Philly.com). Da bastards.
Earthquake? Here? Just across the river? Read all about it in The Daily News. USGS wants people who felt it. Follow the link.