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At this point, the consumer advocate has proceeded far along the path of moving some type of proposal. It’s time to sacrifice a high-value card–the joker. The denialist throws a temper tantrum. This may sound distasteful, but it actually works.
There is a certain tone that an industry lobbyist can generate when truly pressed. It sounds porcine, and if you hear it, you’ll know that the Joker has been played. |
Denialists’ Deck of Cards: The Joker, “Temper Tantrum”
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8 responses to “Denialists’ Deck of Cards: The Joker, “Temper Tantrum””
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Any good examples illustrating this one?
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It usually happens behind closed doors. The last time I saw a temper tantrum, it was the California lobbyist for Lexis/Nexis, who squealed like a pig when the state was considering legislation that would give individuals privacy rights with respect to data broker companies. Sometimes, you’ll see lobbyists threaten others. For instance, in this Washington Post article, there is an alleged threat from a CDIA lobbyist:
…Fitzgerald phoned CDIA lobbyist Christopher DiPietro. Fitzgerald recounted that he had a polite but unproductive conversation. Toward the end of the 10-minute discussion, Fitzgerald said he asked what it would take for the CDIA to support a credit freeze bill in Delaware. According to Fitzgerald, DiPietro chuckled and said CDIA’s main policy goal for 2005 was exactly the opposite.
“He said to me, ‘We’re not going to give you any support for this Delaware bill. In fact, I’ll tell you our objective for 2005 nationally. We are going to drive a stake into the heart of the four states that have already passed these laws. That’s what we’re going to do.’”
And the WSJ is reporting today in their editorial page that Jack Murtha was threatening other members of Congress when they threatened earmarks for his district.
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There are lots of fun HIV Denier tantrum examples? Just go to Aetiology, click on any of the HIV threads, and look for posts by ‘lincoln’ or ‘Michael’ (same person).
Nothing from industry, though.
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One thing I can imagine showing up opposite to this card: Accusing your opponent of a temper tantrum when he gets tired of refuting the same fallacy over and over.
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There are lots of fun HIV Denier tantrum examples? Just go to Aetiology, click on any of the HIV threads, and look for posts by ‘lincoln’ or ‘Michael’ (same person).
Oh yes, I’ve lurked through many of those. Absolutely insane.
I was hoping for some juicy quotes from industry — I enjoy the illustrative examples that occur in very public arenas. They clearly demonstrate these tactics aren’t just the realm of the whackjobs like the ones who bombard Tara anytime she mentions HIV.
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This sounds like a variation of the argument from intimidation — if you don’t give me what I want, I will xxxxx you or yours. Sometimes it is name calling. Sometimes it is yelling or ridiculing. Sometimes it is shutting off your mike.
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There is a certain counterpoint to this –
The tactic is to – on one hand – constantly nitpick and demand evidence for the opponent’s position, carefully watching out for the slightest hint of flustration of exasperation, whilst at the same time behaving in a snide and arrogant manner, stating obvious falsehoods as fact and refusing to do even the slightest research on your own position.
Eventually, the other person will make some kind of statement that can be construed as an ad-hom (such as ‘I’ve already told you 25 times, you ninny’), at which point you can claim victory. A sort of argument-by-inducing a temper tantrum. (Red Joker?)
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One thing I can imagine showing up opposite to this card: Accusing your opponent of a temper tantrum when he gets tired of refuting the same fallacy over and over.
Ah, yes. You post a point-by-point refutation of someone’s faulty, fact-deprived argument, which elicits the response “Nice meltdown.”
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