General Petraeus and Move-On.Org

A few days ago, the Liberal PAC, Move-On.Org, purchased a full page ad in the New York Times, with a personal attack on General Petraeus and his testimony before Congress.  The Ad referred to the general as "General Betray us."  In my view, this was unethical in the extreme and politically a really bad idea. 

A number of Democrats (too few in my view) and most all Republicans have criticized Move-On for its action.

Move-On's action was unethical because it attacks the motives and patriotism of a man who has spent his life in the service of his (our) country.   There is no need to do this.  If the General argument, his facts, or his conclusions were faulty, we should tear them apart, but there is no need what ever to attack the man personally.  I spent a good part of my life in a classroom trying to teach students to think critically and argue effectively.  Ad hominem attacks are logically faulty and just plain lousy argument.  I always encouraged students to recognize faulty and especially unethical argument and to criticizd it when they see it.  I wish some of the people from Move-on had attended my class.    

Some say it is a free speech issue.  Move-On can say what they want.  This is not a free-speech problem.  I would fight for the right of Move-On to say what it wants.  Nevertheless, faulty argument and unethical communication should be noted and condemned.  What Move-On did is the sort of thing Democrats have been criticizing Republicans for doing, for many years.   

I've heard some say, "Well, Republicans have done this sort of thing, we should give them a dose of their own medicine."  This is a "two-wrongs" fallacy.  Others' unethical behavior does not give one license to behave in the same manner. 

Politically, Move-On's action did Democrats and their efforts a great deal more harm than good.  Democrats wanted to engage in a discussion and debate on the Iraq war and troop withdrawal.  Now, as soon as the debate starts, Republicans turn the discussion to Move-On and its attack on General Petraeus.  Republicans that I have seen interviewed on this subject has been practically bubbling with pleasure as they dodged questions on the war with a remark condemning Move-On and Democrats who support it. 

So, for what it is worth (actually, few are listening to me), I suggest that all Democrats make a proactive statement condemnin Move-On's action, then try to get the discussion back on trying to end this ill-conceived war. 

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