Political Analysis: Enhanced Argumentation Techniques (Jonah Goldberg, National Review)

Radko C. (United States of America)
108 words 6 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. enhanced
    increased or intensified in value or beauty or quality
    Enhanced Argumentation Techniques
  2. technique
    a practical method or art applied to some particular task
    Enhanced Argumentation Techniques
  3. critic
    a person engaged in the analysis and interpretation of art
    Too many critics of waterboarding aren’t honest about its effectiveness.
  4. honest
    marked by truth
    Too many critics of waterboarding aren’t honest about its effectiveness.
  5. author
    a person who writes professionally
    About Author Archive Latest E-Mail RSS Send Follow• 76196 followers
  6. archive
    a depository containing historical records and documents
    About Author Archive Latest E-Mail RSS Send Follow• 76196 followers
  7. operative
    producing a desired effect
    A CIA operative confronts a terror suspect in Zero Dark Thirty. inShare2
  8. confront
    oppose, as in hostility or a competition
    A CIA operative confronts a terror suspect in Zero Dark Thirty. inShare2
  9. terror
    an overwhelming feeling of fear and anxiety
    A CIA operative confronts a terror suspect in Zero Dark Thirty. inShare2
  10. suspect
    regard as untrustworthy
    A CIA operative confronts a terror suspect in Zero Dark Thirty. inShare2
  11. zero
    the mathematical symbol 0 denoting absence of quantity
    A CIA operative confronts a terror suspect in Zero Dark Thirty. inShare2
  12. text
    the words of something written
    Text
  13. comment
    a statement that expresses a personal opinion
    Comments 251
  14. laden
    filled with a great quantity
    Zero Dark Thirty, the film about the hunt for and killing of Osama bin Laden, got a fresh infusion of buzz over the weekend when outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta confirmed again that enhanced-interrogation techniques aided the effort to find bin Laden.
  15. fresh
    recently made, produced, or harvested
    Zero Dark Thirty, the film about the hunt for and killing of Osama bin Laden, got a fresh infusion of buzz over the weekend when outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta confirmed again that enhanced-interrogation techniques aided the effort to find bin Laden.
  16. infusion
    the act of introducing a modifying element or quality
    Zero Dark Thirty, the film about the hunt for and killing of Osama bin Laden, got a fresh infusion of buzz over the weekend when outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta confirmed again that enhanced-interrogation techniques aided the effort to find bin Laden.
  17. outgoing
    at ease in talking to others
    Zero Dark Thirty, the film about the hunt for and killing of Osama bin Laden, got a fresh infusion of buzz over the weekend when outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta confirmed again that enhanced-interrogation techniques aided the effort to find bin Laden.
  18. secretary
    an assistant who handles correspondence and clerical work
    Zero Dark Thirty, the film about the hunt for and killing of Osama bin Laden, got a fresh infusion of buzz over the weekend when outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta confirmed again that enhanced-interrogation techniques aided the effort to find bin Laden.
  19. defense
    the act of guarding someone or something against attack
    Zero Dark Thirty, the film about the hunt for and killing of Osama bin Laden, got a fresh infusion of buzz over the weekend when outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta confirmed again that enhanced-interrogation techniques aided the effort to find bin Laden.
  20. confirm
    strengthen
    Zero Dark Thirty, the film about the hunt for and killing of Osama bin Laden, got a fresh infusion of buzz over the weekend when outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta confirmed again that enhanced-interrogation techniques aided the effort to find bin Laden.
  21. interrogation
    an instance of questioning
    Zero Dark Thirty, the film about the hunt for and killing of Osama bin Laden, got a fresh infusion of buzz over the weekend when outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta confirmed again that enhanced-interrogation techniques aided the effort to find bin Laden.
  22. aid
    the activity of contributing to the fulfillment of a need
    Zero Dark Thirty, the film about the hunt for and killing of Osama bin Laden, got a fresh infusion of buzz over the weekend when outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta confirmed again that enhanced-interrogation techniques aided the effort to find bin Laden.
  23. effort
    use of physical or mental energy; hard work
    Zero Dark Thirty, the film about the hunt for and killing of Osama bin Laden, got a fresh infusion of buzz over the weekend when outgoing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta confirmed again that enhanced-interrogation techniques aided the effort to find bin Laden.
  24. tactics
    a plan for attaining a particular goal
    “Some of it came from . . . interrogation tactics that were used,” he said.
  25. intelligence
    the ability to comprehend
    “But the fact is we put together most of that intelligence without having to resort to that.
  26. resort
    have recourse to
    “But the fact is we put together most of that intelligence without having to resort to that.
  27. advertisement
    a public promotion of some product or service
    Advertisement
  28. exaggerate
    enlarge beyond bounds or the truth
    In other words, the movie exaggerates the role played by enhanced-interrogation techniques — torture to some — but they did have a role in the hunt for bin Laden.
  29. role
    the actions and activities assigned to a person or group
    In other words, the movie exaggerates the role played by enhanced-interrogation techniques — torture to some — but they did have a role in the hunt for bin Laden.
  30. torture
    infliction of suffering to punish or obtain information
    In other words, the movie exaggerates the role played by enhanced-interrogation techniques — torture to some — but they did have a role in the hunt for bin Laden.
  31. event
    something that happens at a given place and time
    Like most films about real events, Zero Dark Thirty exaggerates all sorts of things.
  32. conduct
    the way a person behaves toward other people
    For starters, the hunt for bin Laden wasn’t conducted single-handedly by a very attractive red-haired woman, recruited from high school by the CIA.
  33. attractive
    pleasing to the eye or mind as through beauty or charm
    For starters, the hunt for bin Laden wasn’t conducted single-handedly by a very attractive red-haired woman, recruited from high school by the CIA.
  34. partial
    being or affecting only a segment
    To watch the film, torture was used every time a detainee — pretty much any detainee — gave a false or partial answer to a question.
  35. humiliate
    cause to feel shame
    The interrogators could beat, humiliate, and waterboard prisoners on an impulse.
  36. impulse
    an impelling force or strength
    The interrogators could beat, humiliate, and waterboard prisoners on an impulse.
  37. reality
    the state of being actual
    In reality, they didn’t beat detainees at all.
  38. aide
    someone who acts as an assistant
    As former George W. Bush aide Marc Thiessen notes, of the more than 100,000 prisoners in the War on Terror, only about 100 were ever held by the CIA, and of those, only about a third were subjected to any enhanced-interrogation methods.
  39. method
    a way of doing something, especially a systematic way
    As former George W. Bush aide Marc Thiessen notes, of the more than 100,000 prisoners in the War on Terror, only about 100 were ever held by the CIA, and of those, only about a third were subjected to any enhanced-interrogation methods.
  40. medical
    relating to the study or practice of medicine
    A total of three detainees were waterboarded — and then only under medical supervision and with written authorization from superiors.
  41. superior
    of high quality or performance
    A total of three detainees were waterboarded — and then only under medical supervision and with written authorization from superiors.
  42. dismay
    the feeling of despair in the face of obstacles
    Though the film exaggerates some things to the dismay of critics on the right (and in the intelligence community), it ignores other issues.
  43. community
    a group of people living in a particular local area
    Though the film exaggerates some things to the dismay of critics on the right (and in the intelligence community), it ignores other issues.
  44. ignore
    refuse to acknowledge
    Though the film exaggerates some things to the dismay of critics on the right (and in the intelligence community), it ignores other issues.
  45. issue
    some situation or event that is thought about
    Though the film exaggerates some things to the dismay of critics on the right (and in the intelligence community), it ignores other issues.
  46. instance
    an item of information that is typical of a class or group
    For instance, critics on the left fairly complain that the stark cost in Iraqi, Afghan, and Pakistani innocent lives is never referenced.
  47. complain
    express discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness
    For instance, critics on the left fairly complain that the stark cost in Iraqi, Afghan, and Pakistani innocent lives is never referenced.
  48. stark
    severely simple
    For instance, critics on the left fairly complain that the stark cost in Iraqi, Afghan, and Pakistani innocent lives is never referenced.
  49. innocent
    free from sin
    For instance, critics on the left fairly complain that the stark cost in Iraqi, Afghan, and Pakistani innocent lives is never referenced.
  50. relevant
    having a bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
    More relevant, nobody in the movie ever raises moral objections to the torture of detainees (in part, because the objectionable treatment doesn’t need a monologue for the audience to recognize it).
  51. raise
    move upwards
    More relevant, nobody in the movie ever raises moral objections to the torture of detainees (in part, because the objectionable treatment doesn’t need a monologue for the audience to recognize it).
  52. moral
    concerned with principles of right and wrong
    More relevant, nobody in the movie ever raises moral objections to the torture of detainees (in part, because the objectionable treatment doesn’t need a monologue for the audience to recognize it).
  53. objection
    the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
    More relevant, nobody in the movie ever raises moral objections to the torture of detainees (in part, because the objectionable treatment doesn’t need a monologue for the audience to recognize it).
  54. treatment
    the management of someone or something
    More relevant, nobody in the movie ever raises moral objections to the torture of detainees (in part, because the objectionable treatment doesn’t need a monologue for the audience to recognize it).
  55. monologue
    a dramatic speech by a single actor
    More relevant, nobody in the movie ever raises moral objections to the torture of detainees (in part, because the objectionable treatment doesn’t need a monologue for the audience to recognize it).
  56. audience
    a gathering of spectators or listeners at a performance
    More relevant, nobody in the movie ever raises moral objections to the torture of detainees (in part, because the objectionable treatment doesn’t need a monologue for the audience to recognize it).
  57. recognize
    perceive to be something or something you can identify
    More relevant, nobody in the movie ever raises moral objections to the torture of detainees (in part, because the objectionable treatment doesn’t need a monologue for the audience to recognize it).
  58. complaint
    an expression of grievance or resentment
    All these complaints are fair game as far as movie criticism goes.
  59. criticism
    a serious examination and judgment of something
    All these complaints are fair game as far as movie criticism goes.
  60. respond
    show a reaction to something
    And critics have every right to respond however they want.
  61. boil
    change from a liquid to vapor
    That said, most of the complaints from the left and the right can be boiled down to the fact that Bigelow didn’t make the movie her critics wanted.
  62. process
    a particular course of action intended to achieve a result
    In the process, many critics fail to appreciate some of the film’s nuance.
  63. appreciate
    be fully aware of; realize fully
    In the process, many critics fail to appreciate some of the film’s nuance.
  64. nuance
    a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
    In the process, many critics fail to appreciate some of the film’s nuance.
  65. protagonist
    the principal character in a work of fiction
    For instance, many on both the left and right tend to see the protagonist as a heroic character.
  66. heroic
    having qualities appropriate for brave figures
    For instance, many on both the left and right tend to see the protagonist as a heroic character.
  67. character
    a property that defines the individual nature of something
    For instance, many on both the left and right tend to see the protagonist as a heroic character.
  68. focus
    the concentration of attention or energy on something
    But her single-minded focus on justice — or revenge, depending on your perspective — should more properly be seen as a cautionary tale.
  69. justice
    the quality of being fair, reasonable, or impartial
    But her single-minded focus on justice — or revenge, depending on your perspective — should more properly be seen as a cautionary tale.
  70. revenge
    action taken in return for an injury or offense
    But her single-minded focus on justice — or revenge, depending on your perspective — should more properly be seen as a cautionary tale.
  71. depend
    be determined by something else
    But her single-minded focus on justice — or revenge, depending on your perspective — should more properly be seen as a cautionary tale.
  72. perspective
    a way of regarding situations or topics
    But her single-minded focus on justice — or revenge, depending on your perspective — should more properly be seen as a cautionary tale.
  73. cautionary
    serving to warn
    But her single-minded focus on justice — or revenge, depending on your perspective — should more properly be seen as a cautionary tale.
  74. hero
    someone who fights for a cause
    After bin Laden’s death, Maya, the hero, suddenly has nothing to live for and no place to go.
  75. suddenly
    happening unexpectedly
    After bin Laden’s death, Maya, the hero, suddenly has nothing to live for and no place to go.
  76. review
    look at again; examine again
    But I’m not looking to write a movie review.
  77. bipartisan
    supported by both sides
    A bipartisan group of legislators, led by Senator John McCain, (R., Ariz.), is furious that the film “credits these detainees with providing critical lead information.”
  78. legislator
    someone who makes or enacts laws
    A bipartisan group of legislators, led by Senator John McCain, (R., Ariz.), is furious that the film “credits these detainees with providing critical lead information.”
  79. senator
    a member of a legislative assembly
    A bipartisan group of legislators, led by Senator John McCain, (R., Ariz.), is furious that the film “credits these detainees with providing critical lead information.”
  80. furious
    marked by extreme anger
    A bipartisan group of legislators, led by Senator John McCain, (R., Ariz.), is furious that the film “credits these detainees with providing critical lead information.”
  81. provide
    give something useful or necessary to
    A bipartisan group of legislators, led by Senator John McCain, (R., Ariz.), is furious that the film “credits these detainees with providing critical lead information.”
  82. explain
    make plain and comprehensible
    The senators have been badgering the CIA to explain how Bigelow could be so wrong.
  83. opponent
    someone who offers resistance
    This is something of a mantra from opponents of waterboarding.
  84. activist
    a reformer who works to achieve social or political change
    One activist lawyer, Jesselyn Radack, wrote on Daily Kos that the film is “revolting — for its blatant propaganda, glorification of torture and false narrative that torture led to the demise of bin Laden.”
  85. revolting
    highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust
    One activist lawyer, Jesselyn Radack, wrote on Daily Kos that the film is “revolting — for its blatant propaganda, glorification of torture and false narrative that torture led to the demise of bin Laden.”
  86. blatant
    without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious
    One activist lawyer, Jesselyn Radack, wrote on Daily Kos that the film is “revolting — for its blatant propaganda, glorification of torture and false narrative that torture led to the demise of bin Laden.”
  87. propaganda
    information that is spread to promote some cause
    One activist lawyer, Jesselyn Radack, wrote on Daily Kos that the film is “revolting — for its blatant propaganda, glorification of torture and false narrative that torture led to the demise of bin Laden.”
  88. narrative
    an account that tells the particulars of an act or event
    One activist lawyer, Jesselyn Radack, wrote on Daily Kos that the film is “revolting — for its blatant propaganda, glorification of torture and false narrative that torture led to the demise of bin Laden.”
  89. demise
    the time when something ends
    One activist lawyer, Jesselyn Radack, wrote on Daily Kos that the film is “revolting — for its blatant propaganda, glorification of torture and false narrative that torture led to the demise of bin Laden.”
  90. value
    the quality that renders something desirable
    She wanted the following disclaimer: “Torture does not work and was of no value in finding Osama bin Laden.”
  91. probably
    with considerable certainty; without much doubt
    Whether waterboarding is torture is probably the most emotionally fraught semantic argument of our lifetimes.
  92. fraught
    filled with or attended with
    Whether waterboarding is torture is probably the most emotionally fraught semantic argument of our lifetimes.
  93. semantic
    of or relating to meaning or the study of meaning
    Whether waterboarding is torture is probably the most emotionally fraught semantic argument of our lifetimes.
  94. argument
    a dispute where there is strong disagreement
    Whether waterboarding is torture is probably the most emotionally fraught semantic argument of our lifetimes.
  95. sincerely
    without pretense
    Opponents sincerely believe it is torture.
  96. stipulate
    make an express demand or provision in an agreement
    Even so, stipulating that it is torture does not suddenly mean that you must also concede it doesn’t work.
  97. concede
    give over
    Even so, stipulating that it is torture does not suddenly mean that you must also concede it doesn’t work.
  98. program
    a series of steps to be carried out
    Many in the intelligence community, starting with Panetta, who ran the CIA when we found bin Laden, will tell you that the interrogation program yielded crucial information.
  99. yield
    give or supply
    Many in the intelligence community, starting with Panetta, who ran the CIA when we found bin Laden, will tell you that the interrogation program yielded crucial information.
  100. crucial
    of extreme importance; vital to the resolution of a crisis
    Many in the intelligence community, starting with Panetta, who ran the CIA when we found bin Laden, will tell you that the interrogation program yielded crucial information.
  101. particularly
    to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common
    It’s a politically unpopular argument, particularly when waterboarding is the most extreme form of torture used.
  102. extreme
    of the greatest possible degree, extent, or intensity
    It’s a politically unpopular argument, particularly when waterboarding is the most extreme form of torture used.
  103. valuable
    having worth or merit
    But he has also said that it yielded valuable information we might or might not have gotten some other way.
  104. editor
    the person who determines the final content of a text
    — Jonah Goldberg is editor-at-large of National Review Online and a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
  105. enterprise
    a purposeful or industrious undertaking
    — Jonah Goldberg is editor-at-large of National Review Online and a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
  106. institute
    set up or lay the groundwork for
    — Jonah Goldberg is editor-at-large of National Review Online and a visiting fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.
  107. medium
    the surrounding environment
    © 2013 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
  108. service
    an act of help or assistance
    © 2013 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
Created on Sat Feb 09 20:25:48 EST 2013 (updated Sat Jan 18 17:26:20 EST 2014)

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