Pointing out dishonest spin techniques used this week. Huma Abedin & Gun Control talk. And pointing out the logical fallacies behind the spin.

Spin #1: “I’m just asking questions”

Both Michelle Bachmann and Newt Gingrich used this line as a defense to justify requests made to investigate assistant to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Huma Abedin.

Gingrich:
“There weren’t allegations, there was a question,” Gingrich insisted. “The question ought to be asked across the board, what’s the role of the Muslim Brotherhood, what are its various networks and to what degree does it now influence the United States?

First of all the questions weren’t across the board. They were about Abedin’s family specifically with unproven claims HER FAMILY have ties with the Muslim Brotherhood and that SHE was infiltrating and unduly influencing government. An employee vetted with a high-level security clearance.

I like to bust spin messages by playing my favorite game, “let’s go with that” and carry forward Gingrich’s defense premise to other scenarios to see if the logic applies. It should if it’s a principle. So imagine if some told Gingrich or you….

“Your daughter has sex with donkeys? Right? Hey, I’m just asking questions. I’m just investigating if women are sexually loose “across the board.”

I don’t know if Gingrich has a daughter, but I bet he wouldn’t tolerate an accusation sitting out there demeaning his daughter while giving the accuser time and freedom to do a fishing expedition for a valid investigation to tie it to. And having no proof at all to support a dangerous claim.

Spin #2: “Too soon to talk about gun laws”

I’ve heard strategist Ron Christie, Governor Chris Christie  and other Republicans use this line verbatim when addressing any public energy about talking about gun control prompted by the Colorado Shooting. A line both Christies seemed to express with outrage and offense. Chris Christie quoted from The Inquirer:

“I’m not going to get into the gun control discussion while these people are waiting to get buried,” Christie said after being asked about the incident three times in a morning news conference. “It might not offend you or bother you, but it offends me and bothers me.

This spin line is effective emotional pushback, but fails as a logical push back. Again, let’s play “Let’s go with that.”

If not, then just when it is a good time to talk about horrible things? For example, if your daughter is injured, or killed. Should you wait three days before doing something or talking about it? Ten? That’s ridiculous. It’s merely a way of shutting down conversation on gun control under the guise of concern for the victims. And ironically, many of these same people who claim “it’s too soon to talk about fun control laws” are against waiting periods to actually buy a gun. So it okay to access force to kill someone out of anger, but not to talk about being angry.