Reader Opinion: Where's John Ward?

Many thanks, Beth Passi, for providing home school parents with a lesson plan in recognizing simple propaganda technique and logical fallacies.

First, the would-be propagandist creates a "straw man" argument. Then she speculates on circumstances not in play. Finally, she wraps herself in a false facade of niceness by proposing something everyone will find reasonable, while she and her allies continue with ad hominem attacks, and zero sense of shame.

Connie Lyscio's statement:

"I can't help but wonder if Mr. Heintzeman wasn't just a tad uncomfortable knowing the educational decisions he has made for his children. Why was he there? John Ward, I miss you."

becomes:

"Was she talking about Connie Lyscio's letter wishing that John Ward, who did so much for education here in the Brainerd area, had been invited to the award ceremony...?"

Next, she simply piles on the falsehoods in an attempt to turn an attack on Mr. Heintzeman and his family into yet another reason to feel sorry for poor John Ward:

"If that's the letter Ms. Bauer is referring to, I want to assure her that having Mr. Ward at that ceremony wouldn't have in any way damaged Heintzeman or his children, who do not attend the public schools."

Even a miseducated child could see through that!

Now, all a homeschooling parent must point out to students is the difference between right and wrong, and how boldly wrong stands out. Even to kids not attending "award winning schools." Maybe especially so.

You see, kids, Jane Bauer rightly called out John Ward for the antics of his propagandizing allies. His response was to let another of them prove that Jane had nailed him where it should really hurt, but apparently doesn't.

Wow. You even wind up with a lesson in political hackery! Bonus points!

Class dismissed.

Guy Green

Brainerd