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Thursday, September 21, 2006
Over-the-Top Rant Negates Intent
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez's extraordinary rant to the United Nations Sept. 20 made him look more foolish than macho.No matter the passion behind an issue, over-the-top rants, unverifiable claims and specious exagerations undermine the speaker's intent. Even trying to take into consideration cultural differences, Mr. Chavez subjected himself and his country to ridicule.
Now, I've always said that those who take the extreme position allow the rest of us to be moderate because they take all the arrows. But at what point does the extreme position undercut the goal? Issue advocates should take heed: keep your arguments verifiable, attack an individual's actions but not the individual.
An example of counterproductive activism: Environmentalists who oppose road construction in highly populated areas on the theory that they are protecting the environment by reduing impervious ground cover overlook the fact that traffic gridlock pours more exhaust into the air and oil into waterways.
What's your favorite exanple of over-the-top, counter-productive rants?
Comments:
As the owner-operator of a media training firm in Toronto I couldn't agree more. Chavez MAY have had a valid point to make but his vitriol obfuscated it. I would suggest the only real thing his address achieved is to sell thousands of copies of Noam Chomsky's book! "George Bush is the devil" is hardly an appropriate or effective key message. It is also what allowed Washington spokespeople to completely dismiss his ravings as just that.