This page was last updated on March 25, 2010.
Common sense; Editorial; Beaver County Times; March 25, 2010.
Wow! This editorial couldn’t even get past the subtitle without accusing those who disagree with the Times of “scare tactics.” I think it’s fair to say claims of “scare tactics” are now running a close second to the Times “go to” tactic of claiming racism. The most recent previous claims of “scare tactics” can be found in - wait for it - “Scare America” and “Scare tactics.” I’d like to think most of us are familiar with the story of The Boy Who Cried Wolf. I think this fable would make a great read for the Times editorial board.
I noted something that got by the editorial’s proofreading process. This editorial distinguished between illegal and legal immigration. Historically, Times editorials tend not to make this distinction because it allows them to refer to those against illegal immigration as being against immigration. “Of little faith” is the most recent example of this tactic.
If you disagree with the Times position, the editorial refers to you as “demagogues, nativists, know nothings and right-wing populists” who will employ “scare tactics.” Just two paragraphs after this name-calling rant, the editorial says “It’s time to solve this problem by using … common courtesy.” What a hoot!
© 2004-2010 Robert W. Cox, all rights reserved.