I was recently provided with a link to this post from the female bloggers of Slate Magazine. Generally, I try not to respond to these types of attacks as my arguments aren’t likely to change any minds. However, I found this post to be incredibly offensive and as it seems to summarize the worst bits of the left’s attacks on Gov. Palin, so just this once, I’ll bite.
First, let’s look at this piece as a whole. A quick search provides us with this guide from Roane State Community College on how to write an effective argument. The most relevant suggestion (and the one most clearly ignored by Rosa Brooks in her blog post) is this:
“3. A convincing argument. An argumentative essay does not merely assert an opinion; it presents an argument, and that argument must be backed up by data that persuades readers that the opinion is valid. This data consists of facts, statistics, the testimony of others through personal interviews and questionnaires or through articles and books, and examples. The writer of an argumentative essay should seek to use educated sources that are nonbiased, and to use them fairly.”
The articles Brooks links to in her post all consist of the media’s view of events – where are the clear facts? Numbers, dates, timelines? Argumentative essays should also address the counterpoints to their data points. Clearly Brooks skipped this day in English 101.
For the sake of not turning this entry into a novel, I will only address the part of Brooks’s post which I find to be the most offensive – the allegation that Palin disparaged (to the point of emotional abuse) her nephew’s father. This is the same father who admitted to using a Taser on his child. Where I come from, physical abuse from your father generally trumps your aunt discussing said father in a negative light. Personally, I’d hope that any governor of mine would apply pressure to fire state troopers using their weapons on their children. But that’s just my opinion.
Speaking of opinions, did you happen to see what Michael Wooten, Mr. Trooper himself, had to say about Palin’s vice presidential nomination? “…I think her candidacy is exciting for the family, and it’s fantastic for Alaska.”
Guess Palin couldn’t have been too harsh.
Would you also hope that, if said pressure didn’t work, she’d fire an innocent party, an act that doesn’t seem to have aided one bit in actually getting Wooten out of his job?
And I’m confused about the significance of Wooten’s endorsement. What exactly about his lack of biterness for not being fired 2 years ago sheds any light on the situation? Or is he just such an all-round fantastic guy that you repsect his political beliefs?