Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Your Wednesday Morning Takedown



This is about a week old, but entirely worth it.

http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/80140/nick-gillespie-responds-and-his-point-i-have-no-idea

Jon Chait is perhaps the only semblance of credibility The New Republic has left.  He is very bright, astute in his observations and a good writer.

Nick Gillespie is a libertardian who wears a leather jacket.  Someone (John Cole) dubbed him the "Fonzie of Freedom."

Gillespie wrote a piece of libertardian drivel about balancing the budget with magical arithmetic.  Chair pointed out that it was magical arithmetic.  Gillespie responded.

And then Chait hit him upside the head with a 2x4 of facts.

To dissect the takedown, I should note that Chait never "raises his voice" or employs any histrionical devices. He uses facts and knowledge as a cudgel to beat Gillespie about his head and neck.

A really good rhetorical takedown usually is reserved and calm.  To keep your head when all about you lose theirs is the sign of a good takedown artist.

No comments:

Post a Comment