Archives for: September 2009

Ken Burns--a slight error

Ken Burns makes excellent documentaries with pictures and music. He tells a story well. He aims to shape the consciousness of his audience. His latest work is on the National Parks. He sees their creation in epochal terms. He says:The sanctificat… more »

Ad Hominem Attacks

By now you know that ad hominem attacks (name-calling) are fallacious and cannot be used in rational debate. What examples of name-calling are you aware of in the discourse around you? (in "discourse"I include radio and television, entertainment, ch… more »

Crony Capitalism

The following article gives what appears to be a good example of what is meant by "crony capitalism": the writer implies wrongdoing. However, the fact that Russia does a favor for G.E. after Obama does a favor for Russia, does not prove that it resulted… more »