February 14, 2008

I reject your rhetoric

In an article about the Obama-Clinton delegate duel, in today's New York Times:

"We don’t think our lead will drop below 100 delegates,” David Plouffe, Mr. Obama’s campaign manager, said in an interview. “The math is the math.”

Once and for all: Can people stop saying stupid things like that? (Or, at a minimum, can newspapers stop printing them?) Is it just me, or has this construction -- along with such brilliant turns as "It is what it is" -- suddenly become acceptable as worthwhile analysis of any given situation? Does anyone else think this is the laziest possible way to make a point? Does anyone else realize it doesn't actually mean anything?

I guess it's a useful rhetorical tool -- it's kind of hard to argue with someone who puts forth that "the math" is, in fact, "the math." But I think we need a new rule. If any sentence you're speaking begins and ends with the same two-word phrase, separated by another singular word, you should just shut up.

Sorry, you can't disagree with me. I write what I write.

2 comments:

"Highland Park" Attorney said...

I dont think that anybody has to post any further comments to todays entry, because your blog entry today clearly "Says what is Says." Thank you.

Anonymous said...

What's the logical fallacy for this that you learn in, oh, high school?

Is it begging the question? Something is true because it's true.

I think that's it. Maybe I didn't learn it that well.