"But the Arabs would do worse!"

Maraxus · Post by **Maraxus** » 2006-08-15 02:16am

A question for the board members at large.

When debating IvP for my speech and debate team, i'm often confronted with the arguement that "Well, if the Arab armies had the opportunity and power, they would do much worse than Israel" whenever I bring up Israeli atrocities. I know this is a red Herring, but i can't quite find a way to solidly crush this arguement.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Azrael · Post by **Azrael** » 2006-08-15 02:36am

As you said, you already know it's a red herring so, brush if off as such. Point out that this little nugget, true or not, does nothing to refute the atrocities we already know Israel has commited. That should be enough to dispatch it.

If "crush" = "Convince the other side they're wrong" I'm afraid nothing short of magic is going to do that for you. Having an illogical position has never stopped people from holding it.

Feil · Post by **Feil** » 2006-08-15 03:04am

You could try making an analogy to Certified Bad Things (tm).

"Your position is morally reprehensible. By your disgraceful excuse for logic, Stalin's pograms were justified because if Nazi Germany had remained in power, Hitler's Holocaust would have been worse. Were the subject not so grim, it would be laughable.

Evil deeds can only be justified if they are neccessary to prevent a greater evil."

Still, it's a Red Herring. Better to simply dismiss it as extranious.

Boyish-Tigerlilly · Post by **Boyish-Tigerlilly** » 2006-08-15 04:12am

Well, if it fact it is true, why not just agree with them and go "ok, I agree, but now does that make Israel's actions ok?, yes or no?" I think that should make them see it pretty clearly.

Boyish-Tigerlilly · Post by **Boyish-Tigerlilly** » 2006-08-15 04:12am

Edit:

If in fact it is*