Do You Know How To Argue Admirably? Here Is An Enlightening Exchange On Facebook Involving Ilocanos: Me & BBM

Fair Warning: I was born a “pilosopo” – wise guy, wisenheimer, smart alec, walking encyclopedia – and that came out in high school. And in college, I received a perfect grade of 1.0 from my UPCA (now UP Los Baños) professor in Western Thought, Mr Bituin.

Now comes this Facebook exchange (shortened), beginning with the text in above image:

Jim Leandro: There will be people who take arguments out of context and exaggerate it. Haha. Basta sure ako, di nakatapos ng degree Si #Cheetahmad kahit may resources… siya ng bansa. Weak.

Jim Leandro denies Bongbong Marcos (BBM) finished a degree even with resources at his father’s command (President Ferdinand Marcos). Actually, that is not the beginning of this exchange; Jim Leandro and Dave Manalo had earlier written on Facebook against BBM and I felt that they were unkind. So:

Frank A Hilario: Why do you love adding insult to injury, guys?

Jim Leandro: Merely stating facts. If he (were) running for Mayor, I wouldn't care. But he's running for the highest position in the land. There is a weight of responsibility (in) that position. For him not to finish his studies with the resources of the country at his disposal IS AN INSULT to the country.

Dave Manalo: The intention is to inform using the truth, not to insult. The truth will set people free. The truth may be an insult to loyalists.

FAH: Why don't you, Jim and Dave, talk instead of bigger, higher things, like Vision, Mission & Strategy of a national leader – then you can select who is the most qualified, without insulting anyone by negative comments true or false. Truth is not enough! Remember the Rotary 4-Way Test: Is it True? Is it Fair? Is it Goodwilling? Is it Beneficial?

DM: Anyone can talk about grand vision, mission and strategy. In fact all of the candidates can present excellent (VMS)… However, presidency is not just about vision. It’s also about track record. If one was not able to get a degree for himself despite all the abundant resources given to him, how can you think he can perform well to achieve the greater vision for the country?

FAH: You ignore the fact that not one of (the) candidates have come out with VMS! (And how can track record be a gauge when you have never been a leader or President?)

DM: Do you mean track record lang ng pagiging presidente ang mahalagang basehan?

DM: And you suggested to me and Jim to talk about vms and use it as basis (for) selecting who is more qualified, and now you're saying not one of the candidates have come out with a vms. So ibabase namin sa wala ang aming selection? Mukhang hindi mo na Alam sinasabi mo, Mang Frank.

FAH: My God, you are misunderstanding me – wake up!
(image of “Types Of Fallacies” from Your Dictionary, Yourdictionary.com)

Where is the misunderstanding there? Remember – You must know the rules of argumentation before you judge an argumentation. Fair enough?@517