Black Watch: Today’s Top Stories
Posted on April 19, 2007 by Douglas Bell
This morning’s barrage left me pondering two separate, though not entirely unrelated, notions. First, Godwin’s Law (also known as Godwin’s Rule of Nazi Analogies ), which states that the longer a discussion goes on, the greater the probability that a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler will arise. Second, the theory of cognitive dissonance, a psychological term that describes the tension resulting from having two conflicting thoughts simultaneously, or engaging in behaviour that’s contradictory to one’s own beliefs.
The example of Godwin’s Law is Conrad Black telling the Star’s Rick Westhead that he wouldn’t have dinner with him on account of his being too friendly with “those Nazis” (i.e., the prosecution). As for cognitive dissonance, I was struck by former Torys lawyer Beth DeMerchant’s assertion that she was “pressed” by Hollinger International’s internal investigators to admit that Jack Boultbee and Peter Atkinson had added themselves to non-compete agreements so they would benefit illicitly from the CanWest deal. Isn’t one lawyer feeling pressured by another sort of like an Indy driver complaining to officials that the guy who just passed him was speeding? Pressing people is what lawyers do. And as for Black calling the prosecutors Nazis—a clear violation of Godwin’s Law (even Mark Steyn agrees)—one wonders what the result might be if the shoe were on the other foot.
Black's not talking (to me) [Toronto Star]
Memo points to direct role in payments [Chicago Tribune]
Lawyer says she was pressed by investigators [National Post]
Meet the Pressed [Maclean's]
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Comments
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Daniel M. Ryan April 19, 2007 at 2:19 p.m.
You do have a point, but Richard Breeden is a former chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and "knows" President Bush through his dad. Mr. Breeden could swing a much bigger club than Beth DeMerchant ever could: she could threaten litigation, but he could wave a cell phone around with the White House's, or George H.W. Bush's, number in it. It's very unlikely that Ms. DeMerchant would have a similar level of political clout.
- Daniel M. Ryan,
http://conradblacktrial.blogspot.com
Malcolm Cullen April 19, 2007 at 2:24 p.m.
Mark Steyn must be so proud that he is so unbiased in his comments on the trial, and his total lack of emotion in his writing.................... such a gift
Ali Mohan alimohan@canada.com April 19, 2007 at 6:19 p.m.
Methinks, his Lordship was quoted out of context. Surely it is such a debasement of language to call the prosecution just "Nazis" without stating from whence they sprang. This is so out of character.
Are these historical, modern or even proto-Nazis? Just saying Nazis causes the hoi polloi to assume we are discussing those dreadfully Bavarian ones. Although voted to power, they were rather repressive, bellicose, humourless and inclined to kitsch in all endeavours. While the prosecution shares many of these characteristics, the Bavarian "bad" Nazis were sartorially superior.
Modern Nazis such as Jean-Marie Le Pen (France) and Jorg Haider (Austria) have a significant & grand social engineered "dream" they wish to execute via force of will. Somehow, I doubt that the public sector suits of Chicago entertain such musings.
Emma April 19, 2007 at 8 p.m.
Mark Steyn is an idiot - don't waste your time reading his junk - it's all just Conrad Black speaking through him anyway......nothing new here
Nala April 20, 2007 at 9:36 a.m.
Mark Steyn... an idiot??? Really?? I don't think I would exactly call a person whose articulate columns are carried in news publications world wide an "idiot". A person who is articulate, well informed on numerous subjects, and witty to boot, an "idiot"?? Not in my dictionary. You might not like that he is reportng favourably on the Conrad Black trial, but please don't show your ignorance by calling Mark Steyn, of all people, an idiot! Sheeeesh!!!
Steve B April 20, 2007 at 9:53 a.m.
Steyn sure writes like he's a pal of Black. However he is funny and quite a talented writer. There are guys that have raped children who are looking at less time than Black is. I think the regulators and prosecutors are over doing this.
Ali Mohan alimohan@canada.com April 20, 2007 at 2:34 p.m.
Dear Mr. Douglas Bell,
May I commend you on your command and leadership of this most fine web site. However, may I also most respectfully bring to your attention a soon-to-be-significant deficiency?
The site is loosing momentum! It is declining into petty whinging amongst wannabe members of the decadent chattering class. Worse, its potentially BORING!
May I suggest you enlarge on the great struggles being played out: effete entitlement vs. American egalitarianism, debate vs. lynch mob, Team Jew vs. the Nazis. You get the picture. We loved you in the "Newsroom"; win this one for the Lord.
Respectfully submitted, your most grovelling toady,
Ali Mohan, Esquire
African Brotherhood of Fidicuary Agents
offices in Scarbrough and Pemba