http://www.canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/23238
3. Personal Attack (Ad Hominem)
This fallacy is committed when a person is insulted for delivering criticism.
Example: After broadcaster Rush Limbaugh launches a blistering attack upon Obama, claiming his actions were "socialist," Obama asks a friend to respond. US Senator Al Franken officially replies, pointing out that claim is wrong because... "Rush Limbaugh is a Big, Fat Idiot."
Analysis: Even the most ponderous commentators can deliver accurate critiques of politicians. Further, doing counter-commentary like explaining Sarah Palin is a transparent "moron," or that Dick Cheney is clearly "evil" is not so much a way of sharing genuine information, as a manner of circling the wagons against officially denoted enemies to destroy them. It's a tribal response designed as a defensive maneuver.



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