Pet Peeve

[infrogmation]

I havn't gotten ranty in my own LJ for a while, so it's time.

Is there a term for the type of logical falicy where someone falsly defines a group they are part of to exclude themself? Then define themself as being in opposition to that group?

I heard Rush Limbaugh's show once where he went on at length about he was the most listened to radio commentator, and then a few minutes later was railing against "the media" in a way that tried to make it look like it was something that didn't include him. What sort of doublethink do his listeners have to go through to swallow that one?

This is the same sort of lie as is often heard from folks in elected office who tell voters "I'm not a politician". I'm amazed anyone falls for it at all.

Comments

[vyoma.livejournal.com]

I don't think this is one of the classic informal fallacies. The closest I can think of would be suppression of evidence.

[mshollie.livejournal.com]

A politician is, by definition, someone who runs or holds a public office. When will they ever learn?

h.