Page "Damaging quotation" Paragraph 2

In the case of malapropisms, it is a logical fallacy ( called argument ad hominem ) to conclude that the entire argument of whoever made the utterance is incorrect.

Yet it has become common in partisan argument in the United States.

For instance: former U. S. Vice President Al Gore, during an interview with Wolf Blitzer on CNN ( March 9, 1999 ) stated, " During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet.

I took the initiative in moving forward a whole range of initiatives that have proven to be important to our country's economic growth and environmental protection, improvements in our educational system.

" This has frequently been distorted by opponents to say that Gore claimed, " I invented the Internet.

" Partisans have so often used this distorted quotation to discredit him that Internet pioneer Vint Cerf ( and others who participated in actually inventing the Internet ) have made a point of noting Gore's support and the error of the discreditors.

See.