Still Another Ad Hominem Attack. Will We Ever Get Past Them?

A number of Democrats worked themselves into an uproar over Rush Limbaugh’s name-calling observation that soldiers who come back from Iraq and criticize the war are “phony soldiers.”  Senator Harry Reid, for example called the remark “…beyond the pale of decency...”

Much of the Democrats’ criticism of Limbaugh rings hollow in the face of their support for Move-On.Org’s “General Betray Us” name-calling episode toward General Petraeus.

The selective criticism happens on both sides of the political divide.  Most Democrats were silent or even supportive of Move-On’s name-calling attack on General Petraeus, then vigorously slammed Limbaugh’s name-calling remark. 

The same thing happened on the Republican side.  Many leading Republicans practically worked themselves into a paroxysm over Move-On’s attack, while sitting on their hands (and tongues) over Limbaugh’s comment. 

My point here is not to support Limbaugh’s remark, except to say that he has a right to say whatever ridiculous thing he wants to say.  My point is to say that ad hominem attacks, no matter the source, are very poor very argument and an ethically questionable tactics.

Ad hominem attacks add little of consequence to the debate over an issue but they add much to the “gotcha” climate that pervades political communication today.  They make it more difficult for us to reach agreements on solutions to the many problems facing America today.  Well we ever learn?  I'm not confident.   

In this blog a few days ago, I criticized democrats who were unwilling to call Move-On for its ethically questionable tactic.  I feel quite justified in leveling the same criticism toward Limbaugh’s inane remark.

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