69 million page views

Allowing a fallacious critique of Rex Tillerson shows bias

Reader comment on item: What Rex Tillerson Thinks

Submitted by Rich Mc (United States), Jan 7, 2017 at 23:37

Dr. Pipes,

I found your implicit critique of potential SOS Rex Tillerson through the eyes of "obscure source" Herb Jackson (relating a meeting between Tillerson and noted Democrat partisan, Sen. Bob Menendez) lacking both in objectivity and analytical mettle.

In effect you allowed a biased and potentially false view of Tillerson to be presented, by not attempting to point out the logical fallacies of his questioner:

One example:

"Menendez: "...Does this mean we are willing to accept authoritarian figures and dictators as part of our foreign policy?" I'm surprised you would provide this vacuous quote, as it sets up a classic straw-man argument. When has the U.S. under any modern President, not encountered "authoritarian figures" as heads of foreign states, and not had to deal with them diplomatically? Since when has it ever been an option whether to "accept them?" This says nothing about HOW Trump intends to deal with such figures, which, while situation-specific, is the relevant question.

As far as Cuba is concerned, this country doesn't pose an existential threat to the U.S. and doesn't rank within the top five of U.S. International concerns, thus Tillerson requesting more time to fully understand its issues is completely acceptable. (In fact, his honesty is refreshing – can anyone recall SOS Kerry exhibiting similar humility?)

Dr Pipes, by not 'having your head in the game' sufficient to objectively critique obvious fallacies uttered by Trump's detractors, you allow yourself to be rightfully accused of similar bias. You're on record as being willing to give his Presidency a chance and to be objective in evaluating it. Is departure from this something you really want?

Submitting....

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".

Daniel Pipes replies:

Objectivity? Analytical mettle? All I did here was find an early source of thinking by the likely next secretary of state.

Submit a comment on this item

Reader comments (31) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
1Obama and tyrants [68 words]helenJan 13, 2017 13:13235317
Rex Tillerson, a true climate believer - NOT [91 words]ThomasJJan 8, 2017 12:38235209
3Tabula Rasa: "Make America Great Again" [414 words]RobertJan 8, 2017 11:53235208
American Business [96 words]diana s. hamiltonJan 11, 2017 16:12235208
Chill out! [128 words]Elspeth R HuntJan 8, 2017 02:31235202
1Caste distinctions are out-of-place in America [83 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Michael SJan 8, 2017 01:36235200
I think the next four years will be good for America, compared to the past 28 [325 words]Michael SJan 11, 2017 04:00235200
1Allowing a fallacious critique of Rex Tillerson shows bias [271 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Rich McJan 7, 2017 23:37235199
Hit piece on Tillerson [49 words]dgdJan 7, 2017 21:00235195
1So what [10 words]RealityCheckJan 7, 2017 20:30235191
1Funny how Democrats didn't mind Obama's sucking up to Erdogan [41 words]AnonJan 7, 2017 19:07235189
Re dictators... [89 words]KephaJan 27, 2017 20:27235189
2Bob who? [132 words]WartyJan 7, 2017 18:59235188
Tillerson [39 words]Fred SchwartzJan 7, 2017 18:22235187
1Shallow Thinking Makes For Weak Convictions [131 words]DaveJan 7, 2017 18:15235186
1Cuba [130 words]GaryJan 7, 2017 17:53235185
Tillerson As Sec of State [97 words]Martin SchaffelJan 7, 2017 15:37235184
1Tillerson [16 words]Morrie AmitayJan 7, 2017 15:16235183
4Ridding the Mideast of Authoritarian figures [97 words]Steve KleinJan 7, 2017 15:04235182
1Secular democracy in the so called Islamic land is everyone's business [152 words]PrashantJan 7, 2017 22:06235182
1The intent of Reader Steve Klein's message was not very clear [195 words]PrashantJan 8, 2017 14:47235182
Prashant, you understood my intent perfectly [101 words]Steve KleinJan 10, 2017 10:55235182
China - Secular Oligarchy & Sustainability [432 words]RobertJan 10, 2017 14:31235182
It's time for America to rally around our chosen leader [Trump] and stand up to our enemies. [747 words]Michael SJan 12, 2017 15:53235182
knowledge of the outside world [111 words]Erin CorriganJan 7, 2017 15:02235181
2Menendez 's take on Tillerson? Really? [67 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
PA StrongJan 7, 2017 14:40235180
...and I guess I wonder why don't. [7 words]P.A StrongJan 7, 2017 20:46235180
Is Cuba Really Going to be Trump's Foreign Policy Center Piece? [395 words]M ToveyJan 9, 2017 11:07235180
Businessmen can be leaders too -- and make money at it! [474 words]Michael SJan 10, 2017 10:50235180
1So much Kabuki theatre [283 words]jd willJan 14, 2017 13:24235180
3Time for a Different Strategy [38 words]Barry BlackJan 7, 2017 14:33235179

Follow Daniel Pipes

Facebook   Twitter   RSS   Join Mailing List

All materials by Daniel Pipes on this site: © 1968-2024 Daniel Pipes. daniel.pipes@gmail.com and @DanielPipes

Support Daniel Pipes' work with a tax-deductible donation to the Middle East Forum.Daniel J. Pipes

(The MEF is a publicly supported, nonprofit organization under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Tax-ID 23-774-9796, approved Apr. 27, 1998.

For more information, view our IRS letter of determination.)