Nobly Battling Congress's Al Qaeda Wing

Quote:  “It is time to stand up and vote.  Is it Al Qaeda, or is it America?” Congressman Charlie Norwood of Georgia.

Figure of Speech:  antithesis (an-TIH-the-sis), the contrast.

The Republicans are sponsoring a symbolic resolution that supports the war in Iraq.  It’s time to take a stand, says the right’s wingman, Charlie Norwood.  He sums up the debate in an antithesis (“anti-thought”):  If you think the war in Iraq was a mistake, you’re for Al Qaeda. If you want our troops to stay in Iraq, you’re for America.

Never mind that Al Qaeda didn’t show up in Iraq until after we invaded it.  Never mind that most Americans think the invasion was a mistake — making a majority of us terrorist sympathizers in Norwood’s book.

It shows you the power of the antithesis, a figure that presents contrasting views side by side.  The antithesis weighs black against white, making you look decisive.  And Norwood knows that voters tend to favor bad decision-making over indecisiveness.

Which puts the Republicans at a decided advantage.

Snappy Answer:  “Is that a rhetorical question, or do you find it hard to tell the difference?”

Comments

[dogscratcher]

"If you think the war in Iraq was a mistake, you’re for Al Qaeda. If you want our troops to stay in Iraq, you’re for America."

Sounds like the old "false dichotomy fallacy" to me.

[Figaro]

It is indeed, Dawg.
Fig

[Rowlandkf]

omg.. good work, guy