Definition and Examples of Red Herrings in Logic

In logic and rhetoric, a red herring is an observation that draws attention away from the central issue in an argument or discussion; an informal logical fallacy. Also called a decoy. In certain types of fiction (especially in mystery and detective stories), authors deliberately use red herrings as a plot device to mislead readers (metaphorically, to throw them off the scent) in order to maintain interest and generate suspense.The term red herring (an idiom) supposedly arose from the practice of distracting hunting dogs by dragging a smelly, salt-cured herring across the trail of the animal they were pursuing. Examples and Observations A red herring is a detail or remark inserted into a discussion, either intentionally or unintentionally, that sidetracks the discussion. The red herring is invariably irrelevant and is often emotionally charged. The participants in the discussion go after the red herring and forget what they were initially talking about; in fact, they may never get back to their original topic.(Robert J. Gula, Nonsense: Red Herrings, Straw Men and Sacred Cows: How We Abuse Logic in Our Everyday Language. Axios, 2007)Some analysts even question the widespread assumption that rising consumption in developing nations will continue to force up food prices. Paul Ashworth, senior international economist at Capital Economics, calls that argument a red herring, saying that consumption of meat in China and India has reached a plateau.(Patrick Falby, Economy: Panicked About Expensive Food And Oil? Don’t Be. Newsweek, Dec. 31, 2007-Jan. 7, 2008) Alastair Campbells Red Herring Credit where credit is due. In the space of a couple of days, Alastair Campbell has managed to turn an argument about the way the government presented its case for war in Iraq into an entirely different dispute about the way the BBC covered what was going on in Whitehall at the time. As a piece of news management, it has been brilliantly done. Hats off to Mr Campbell for the way he pulled the trick. It is easy to imagine, in years to come, how a new generation of trainee spin doctors will be raised on this case study of how the master was able to wrongfoot his tormentors so successfully.Brilliant or not, what Mr. Campbell has achieved is largely a classic use of a very pungent red herring. The BBCs reporting, though important, is not in fact the real issue; that is the strength of the case for action against Iraq. Nor is the red herring within a red herring about single sourced stories really relevant either; if your source is good enough, then the story is too.(Labours Phoney War, T he Guardian [UK],  June 28, 2003) Red Herrings in a Henning Mankell Mystery Novel There is something in the report that disturbs me, [President de Clerk] said. Let us assume there are red herrings laid out in appropriate places. Let us imagine two different sets of circumstances. One is that its me, the president, who is the intended victim. Id like you to read the report with that in mind, Scheepers. Id also like you to consider the possibility that these people intend to attack both Mandela and myself. That doesnt mean Im excluding the possibility that it really is Mandela these lunatics are after. I just want you to think critically about what you are doing. Pieter van Heerden was murdered. That means there are eyes and ears everywhere. Experience has taught me that red herrings are an important part of intelligence work. Do you follow me?(Henning Mankell,  The White Lioness, trans. by Laurie Thompson. The New Press, 2011) The Lighter Side of Red Herrings What about Red Herring, maam?Im not sure. Is Red Herring a red herring?  Or is it the fact that were meant to think  Red Herring is a  red herring that is actually the red herring?Or perhaps the fact youre meant to think Red Herring isnt a red herring is what makes Red Herring a red herring after all.Were talking serious metaherrings here.(Jasper Fforde, One of Our Thursdays Is Missing. Viking, 2011)

Nation and United States Essay - 833 Words

Words like country, nation, state, and even nation-state are used to define social, cultural and political relationships in the United States and around the world. There are many defining characteristics that allow countries and groups of countries to understand each other, and in some cases, for unions. The purpose of this essay is to briefly discuss nations, states, and nation states, how the United States constitutes a nation state, and the European Union. A nation is a union of people who share social similarities such as language, beliefs, culture, possibly religion, and values. A state is defined by laws and politics, uniting people by geography, population, and government. The modern nation-state is more of a combination of nation†¦show more content†¦Two examples of foreign policy objectives for the United States include ending the war in Iraq and promoting peace in the Middle East. President Oboma has made it clear that he aims to end the war as quickly as possible, although many Americans do not feel like enough is being done. He has mandated that â€Å"Operation Iraqi Freedom has been replaced by Operation New Dawn, and we have fundamentally changed the mission of the remaining United States forces in Iraq† (Foreign Policy, N.D). There is also a goal in place to create peace in the Middle East, not just between countries, but within the Middle East as well. In Fact, â€Å"The President believes that we cannot a fford to wait to work for peace in the region, so he appointed a Special Envoy for Middle East peace on his second day in office† (Foreign Policy, N.D). The European Union is transnational meaning multinational or international. Some of the major historical events, which occurred during the twentieth century, which led to the creation of the European Union, include World War Two, communism protests in Hungary, the launching of Sputnik, and the creation of a common market in Rome. Some of the nations that make up the European Union include France, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. Today the European Union assists in creating alliances and safety partnerships, especially after the terrorist attacks in the United States. Two examples of foreign policy objectives for theShow MoreRelatedUnited States And The United Nations2105 Words   |  9 PagesParticipation of the United States and the United Nations in Korea in late 1950s affect Cultural and Political Reconstruction? Danny Choi #003318-0046 Internal Assessment History of America HL Instructor: Leslie Grisham Spring 2015 Word Count: 1963 A. Plan of Investigation After a devastating civil war in Korea in early 1950s, South Korea faced a new, unprecedented phase in forming a constitutional government with assistance from the United States and the United Nations. Korea especiallyRead MoreUnited States Involvement With The United Nations1511 Words   |  7 Pages The United States Involvement With The United Nations Hassrat A. Chaudry New Dimensions HS Mr. Toy Author Note First Section: The Establishment of the United Nations Second Section: The UN involved in WWII Third Section: The Involvement in the Cold War Fourth Section: Post Cold War (Hubbard,Ben.2017 )The United Nation served few purposes from the beginning of their existence, focusing on the strategy and tactics of the ongoing World War II. President Franklin Delano RooseveltRead MoreThe United States As A Christian Nation1277 Words   |  6 PagesMost people believe that the United States was founded as a Christian nation. After all, our money is emblazoned with â€Å"In God We Trust,† our Pledge of Allegiance declares that we are â€Å"one nation under God,† and in court we swear to â€Å"tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God.† It’s true that the Founders were heavily influenced by Christian ideals. And while the U.S. Constitution prohibits any religious test or requirement for public office, the majority of U.SRead MoreThe United States : A Nation Of Immigrants1434 Words   |  6 Pagesimmigrants arrive in the United States each year. For this reason, the United States has often been c alled a nation of immigrants. The United States in a way is a melting pot for so many different cultures, religions and even races in the world (Scheuerer, 2012). These immigrants come to this nation wanting a chance at a better life; others are refugees whom are escaping persecution and civil wars in their home country. 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An Analysis of Obesity in America Free Essays

LIB 111 9 October 2012 Our Responsibility: An Analysis of Obesity in America America is becoming obese. As a community we are becoming more accepting of being overweight. Americans must make choices about where they eat, and how much they eat, for themselves, as well as their families. We will write a custom essay sample on An Analysis of Obesity in America or any similar topic only for you Order Now It is a person’s own responsibility to choose what they consume, not their government’s. Fast food is the new tobacco. Only society, not the government will be able to change the way Americans view their food choices. Many people, such as First Lady Michelle Obama, in â€Å"Remarks to the NAACP National Convention† believe that it is the government’s job to help control America’s obesity rates (432). Obama states that the government is proposing, â€Å"a $400 million a year fund†(427), to promote health. America prides itself on the liberties of its citizens, and the government is supposed to ensure that American’s have rights, not take them away. Forcing Americans to change their way of eating is not the solution to obesity. In â€Å"What You Eat Is Your Business† written by Radley Balko, Balko talks about how America is â€Å"migrating toward socialism†(396). We are migrating toward socialism by not allowing the people to think for themselves and make their own decisions. Balko believes that we should not bring â€Å"government between you and your waistline†(396). He argues, â€Å"[w] e’re becoming less responsible for our own health, and more responsible for everyone else’s†(396). Balko makes the most valid of points by asking himself, â€Å"if the government is paying for my anti-cholesterol medication, what incentive is there for me to put down the cheeseburger? †(397). If the government is just going to take care of you once you have the negative affects of fast food, you don’t need to prevent it. David Zinczenko, chief editor of Men’s Health wrote, â€Å"Don’t Blame the Eater† in 2002. In his essay, Zinczenko voices that the public should know better than to eat several meals a day at a fast food restaurant, however he does hold fast food restaurants accountable for not telling the public how many calories a meal contains (397). It is the government’s duty to have fast food restaurants make nutritional facts available to the public. American’s find it easiest to blame others for their faults, instead of dealing with them. In society, many people are often careless when looking out for themselves, and always claim to need the government’s assistance when in need. Our government should help, but only as a last resort. Americans need to promote their own healthy lifestyle. If there is no inner desire for a healthy lifestyle, the government should not be able to change your chosen way of living. Food is related to emotions. All American’s can relate to the sweet smell of their mother baking cookies on a cold day, and the melt in your mouth taste of the warm cookies after playing outside in the cold. Judith Warner claims, â€Å"the Obama nanny state is, essentially, snatching cookies-I. e. , the pursuit of happiness- from the mouths of babes†(401). By regulating what children are allowed to eat, it is an â€Å"assault on the American way of life†(401). It is a parents job to control what their children eat, not the governments. Many find that their inspiration is from ads, other people, TV, and Internet. It is society that evolves and changes into a new mindset together. Tobacco sales, as argued by Judith Warner in â€Å"Junking Junk Food† did not decline due to the government’s involvement, but because of society’s modern outlook on smokers. Warner says â€Å"it was a shift in cultural attitudes, not laws or regulations, that led Americans to quit smoking†(404). If the harmful ingredients in tobacco can be outlawed by society, and influence Americans to live a healthier lifestyle, then society, not our government can and will be responsible for their healthy diet. One will not change their outlook on healthy living or healthy diets, based on what a government demands, it must be one’s own choice to change the way they and their families eat and exercise. When society begins to evolve, without the government demanding it, people will be confident with their healthy lifestyle choices. Warner believes that â€Å"social norms could change: that huge portions, or eating processed foods loaded with sugar, salt and fat for example could become socially unacceptable†(404). There is hope for American citizens to make their own decisions. It is up to American parents to control what their children eat, as well as what they are consuming. The government does not have the right to regulate one’s personal food intake. American’s must see their current faults, and allow for change in their lives. We must be responsible for ourselves, and not allow the government to constantly take care for their citizens as children. Works cited Balko, Radley. â€Å"What You Eat Is Your Business†. â€Å"They Say/I Say† with readings: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. Ed. Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, Russel Durst. 2nd ed. New York. W. W. Norton, 2012. 395-397. Print. Obama, Michelle â€Å"Remarks to the NAACP National Convention†. â€Å"They Say/I Say† with readings: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. Ed. Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, Russel Durst. 2nd ed. New York. W. W. Norton, 2012. 417-433 Print. Warner, Judith. â€Å"Junking Junk Food†. â€Å"They Say/I Say† with readings: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. Ed. Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, Russel Durst. 2nd ed. New York. W. W. Norton, 2012. 400-404. Print. Zinczenko, David. â€Å"Don’t Blame the Eater†. â€Å"They Say/I Say† with readings: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing. Ed. Gerald Graff, Cathy Birkenstein, Russel Durst. 2nd ed. New York. W. W. Norton, 2012. 391-392 Print. How to cite An Analysis of Obesity in America, Essay examples

Us Assignment free essay sample

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