Regardless of how people feel about particular issues, such as abortions, or particular candidates, such as Romney, I think they should appreciate the fairness of this article. With so many people being ready to criticize politicians whenever they make a tiny mistake or silly comment or contradiction, it's nice to see someone who thinks before criticizing. With a combination of logos, ethos, and pathos, the author of this article convinced me that it's unfair to criticize politicians so quickly. In this particular instance, people are criticizing Romney from changing his opinion on abortions. He was once pro-choice and is now pro-life. Obviously, their are hundreds of critics ready to attack Romney for being inconsistent and "flip-flopping." However, the article argues that criticizing so quickly isn't fair. After all, it says, everyone changes their mind sometimes, especially when presented with new information or new circumstances. When you look at it that way, people who never change their minds appear rather stubborn. This article did not influence my personal opinions about the actual issues, but it convinced me that fairness is important when judging politicians. After all, everyone makes little mistakes or changes their mind sometimes. In the case of politicians, it just so happens that people are watching their every move and preparing to attack them when they do.
The article relied mostly on pathos. It made people stop and consider whether it is really so bad to change your mind occasionally. I think people reading this article would take a look at themselves and feel guilty for being such harsh judges. After all, we are all human and none of us are perfect. In addition, it describe Romney's careful consideration when considering the different sides of the abortion argument. In the end, it is hard to insist that it was merely a political move. Whether or not the reader agrees with Romney's pro-life decision, they have to admit that Romney seems to really believe in his decision. Logos is used as well. Facts and examples are included to support the author's assertions that Romney is not merely "flip-flopping" for political advantages. Much of the information on Romney's change of heart comes from William Hurlburt, who witnessed Romney's research and careful consideration first-hand. Finally, the author appeals to ethos when he identifies himself as "the man who instructed him in 2005 on the basics of embryonic life during the stem-cell research debate then taking place in Massachusetts" With these different rhetorical strategies, I find this article quite persuasive. I hope people will read this and be a little less quick to judge politicians.
article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/behind-romneys-change-of-heart-on-abortion/2011/11/29/gIQAi1CFAO_story.html
well written, and I feel bad for some politicians, we rip them apart!
ReplyDeletethat seemed like an interesting article to read because typically articles about politicians are only about how they are not well liked but I like how this author took a different approach. Good job Kelly!
ReplyDeletethe thing with topics like abortion is that there are so many people on either side of the arguement, that when someone with so much influence "flip flops" the people whose arguement went from being agreed with to being disagreed with become bitter. Good writing Kelly dear.
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