Ad Hominem
How did Rush Limbaugh become so popular, when he can’t even make a good argument? Attack the idea or claim, not the man. It’s a shame that the MSNBC broadcaster, Keith Olbermann, and his host, Sam Seder, couldn’t follow this rule in their own rebuttal. They end up ridiculing Limbaugh for his past drug abuse. I guess they were trying to contrast Limbaugh’s past actions with his current behavior. It failed. Limbaugh’s inexcusable and poorly researched attack on Michael J. Fox was the subject here, not Limbaugh’s past drug use. Personal attacks don’t make your argument any stronger, it only makes the speaker look weak and ignorant.
Regardless of which side you take in the stem cell issue, Michael J. Fox made a great case for his cause. He simply wants the issue to be intelligently and openly discussed. Yes, his disease does give him an edge in making his case, but it only exemplifies the reality of human frailty. Both sides raise important issues. Communication is a beautiful thing.