Fallacies

A Raw Deal for Guest Workers

6 .2 .2007 Editorial Los Angeles Times

Source http /www .latimes .com /news /opinion /la-ed-workers2jun02 ,0 ,2992941 .story coll la-opinion-leftrail

There is a bill currently under consideration that would allow a guest worker to secure employment in the United States for two years - then he would have to leave the country for at least one year before being allowed to return to work . The writer of this editorial is in favor of an immigration reform bill that will ultimately allow for the eventual integration

of illegal immigrants into mainstream society because it is said that they are often willing and able to take jobs the average American would not be caught dead performing

One of the fallacies in his argument is the fundamental attribution error . Sen . Jeff Bingaman (D-N .M ) intends to propose an amendment eliminating the one-year absence rule . Rational people will support it Better still would be to offer a way for guest workers to pursue permanent residency ' First , he places the onus of unthinking emotionalism on those that are not in favor of passing this law , even if the opposition has logical , rational arguments for opposing it . There is also an element of an ad hominem attack . In a debate , this could be phrased , If you were a rational person , you would support this law Secondly , he fails to separate foreign guest workers - valuable members of society that bring great contributions - from illegal immigrants people that have no legal right to live or work in the US in the first place . While some illegal immigrants are very hard working and honestly looking for a better life , there is a significant percentage that is a drain on the healthcare and educational system . Lastly , there is also an element of self-serving bias because the writer is focusing on the benefits of the guest worker /illegal immigrant while downplaying the drawbacks . Appealing to the audience 's sense of rationality , fairness and humanitarian good will are its strongest points

Doug Giles : Why God Needs the Atheists

Source : Townhall .com

Below the surface of the War on Terror and the current campaign battles between the Democrats and the Republicans , is the age-old debate between Christians and Atheists . In this article , Doug Giles discusses how atheists have contributed to his ironclad faith . Since most Americans profess some form of Christianity , it is easy for him to argue from tradition and accept unproven premises . While he writes an incisive valid commentary on the lack of apologetics in the Christian church , he slips in summing up the purpose of his article , God needs the atheists to help the Christian not waft in his profession of faith ' This presupposes the existence of a God , which is unproven and the basis of the revealed religions is hearsay . Evidence based on that is inadmissible in a court of law and is not taken seriously in most mundane situations . Empirical proof is often required to engender acceptance and belief , unless one has been...