Everybody was Kung-Fu Talking... (Wizbang)

Years ago, I discovered a debate tactic that I utterly fell in love with. I've heard it most often called "verbal judo," but from my admittedly skimpy knowledge of martial arts, "verbal aikido" might be a better analogy. It involves taking your opponent's own words and actions and turning them back against them, much like a judo or aikido artist uses their opponent's strength and attacks against them.

It can be wonderfully fun, and I've indulged it quite a bit in the last few days. I took the liberals' own terms of highest praise, and found a way to apply them to President Bush. I perverted some of the arguments in favor of rights for illegal aliens into an endorsement of the 2nd Amendment. And this morning I took their despicable race-baiting against a black Republican and turned it into a threat to some of their staunchest supporters.

It's probably not a good idea to spell out one of my favorite tactics, but after a couple of people who usually agree with me questioned my sanity, I thought it might be safer to let the curtain slip a little.

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Comments (5)

It's a great tactic, and ev... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by LCVRWC | November 3, 2005 1:28 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

LCVRWC:

It's a great tactic, and even better when you use their exact words. The Chinese students in Tienanmen Square (sp?), before the massacre, quoted Chairman Mao constantly.

Posted on November 3, 2005 13:28

I used to try to reason wit... (Below threshold)

2. Posted by Paul | November 3, 2005 1:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Paul:

I used to try to reason with them. Then I tried use various analogies. Then I tried reason again.

Now I just call them a dumbass and move on.

I don't make many friends but it does wonders for the blood pressure. (smirk)

Posted on November 3, 2005 13:36

<a href="http://sharpmarble... (Below threshold)

3. Posted by Sharp as a Marble | November 3, 2005 3:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Sharp as a Marble:

This is a tactic I do all the time. It's fun to watch people wriggle and squirm as they try to justify why their positions are correct, even though I only changed a single word or two.

Posted on November 3, 2005 15:17

The danger in such a tactic... (Below threshold)

4. Posted by Faith+1 | November 3, 2005 3:17 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Faith+1:

The danger in such a tactic is to avoide appearing to just degenerating into a:

"I know you are but what am I?" or a "I'm rubber you're glue..." style of argument.

This is an example of Kant'... (Below threshold)

5. Posted by John | November 3, 2005 4:43 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

John:

This is an example of Kant's Categorical Imperative, stating (paraphrased) if a rule applies one way, it also applies the other way. It's nothing new, but it is effective at exposing the flaws in ones argument.

Posted on November 3, 2005 16:43

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