TRUMP, MANAFORT, AND THE "STRAW MAN" ARGUMENT. part 1.

Someone should remind Self-Appointed Genuis Donald Trump, and Paul Manaforts Lawyers, that occupying a Political Office, or being a member of the BAR ASSOCIATION, does not exempt you from the RULES OF LOGIC. Specifically, the FALLACIOUS ARGUMENT CALLED THE "STRAW MAN."

On Friday, Donald Trump referred to a Federal Judge’s remarks during the sentencing of Paul Manafort, in a financial crimes case, to again criticize the Russia investigation and falsely declare a finding of “no collusion.”

He said the following on Twitter:

"The Judge and the lawyer in the Paul Manafort case stated loudly and for the world to hear that there was NO COLLUSION with Russia. But the Witch Hunt Hoax continues as you now add these statements to House & Senate Intelligence & Senator Burr. So bad for our Country! " 8:30 AM - Mar 8, 2019.

From Paul Manaforts Attorneys we get the following;

“There is absolutely no evidence that Paul Manafort was involved in any collusion with any government official or Russia.”

It's nice to see the Occupier of the Oval Office, and members of the legal profession using the same LOGICAL FALLACY to support Donald Trumps desperate attempt to divert attention away from his scandal ridden administration.

I am referring to the following:

THE "STRAW MAN" ARGUMENT.

A Straw Man argument takes a proposition or assertion, and refutes it by misstating or misapplying what was said.  Often this is done by claiming to argue against something that was not part of the original content, and attempts to create a position that the opposing side never proposed, endorsed or even addressed.

What do I mean?

(The following was Taken from the N.Y Times Article: "Trump Falsely Claims That Manafort Judge Declared There Was ‘No Collusion’ With Russia." March, 8, 2019. By Eileen Sullivan.

"What Judge Ellis actually said Thursday was that Mr. Manafort was “not before this court for anything having to do with collusion with the Russian government to influence this election.”

There was “no collusion” because Mr. Manafort was not charged with or convicted of any crimes of collusion...

THE "STRAW MAN."-  Donald Trump and the Lawyers took what the Judge said, and Misapplied the Meaning and Intent into a Conclusion that the Judge had made regarding the Truth of the Proposition that there was Collusion between Trumps Presidential Campaign, and sympathetic Russian Allies, that subverted the 2016 Election in Donald Trumps favor.

SEE PART 2.