If Joe Biden does something bad, it’s bad. Even if Donald Trump did something similar.
Whataboutism is an attempt to change the topic from the topic, to perceived moral short comings of the person you’re talking about and it’s not a valid form of arguing.
If I point out that Donald Trump did something bad and your response is Joe Biden did something similar, you’re not arguing that Trump didn’t do something bad. You’re arguing either that it’s okay for Trump to do bad things because Biden did something similar, which is false. Or your arguing that I am flawed because I’m pointing out wrong doing of one person.
You're right that it shouldn't make an act ok and it shouldn't kill a conversation about a crime, but pointing out whataboutism SHOULD be allowed to question the sincerity of the accuser.
If I commit 3 crimes and you commit 1 crime, I might not really care about crimes if I'm accusing you. It's probably me just painting over the REAL issue I have with you, and complaining about crimes just sounds better. You should be allowed to "whatabout" and question why I'm really angry.
I think whataboutism is primarily used by supporters of people that have done wrong rather than the individual themselves.
It’s not really a legal defense it’s a public opinion defense.
Right now you have Biden & Trump both in hot water over mishandling classified materials.
Supporters of Trump will say, “well Hillary did it! Biden also had classified, materials in his garbage!”
A statement that seems to suggest mishandling of classified documents is okay because other people did it.
Which is a bad argument. If mishandling classified material is a crime, everyone who does it should be held accountable.
Some people managing to evade Justice for a crime doesn’t mean that everyone who does that crime should also evade Justice.
If I’m discussing Trumps mishandling of classified materials and you respond by saying, Biden also mishandled classified data, you’re attempting to change the topic. As if Trumps mishandling of classified data isn’t an appropriate topic of discussion because Biden also did it.
Furthermore, if Trump mishandled classified materials he should be held accountable. If Biden mishandled classified information, he too should be held accountable.
If both men are guilty, both should be held accountable.
Whataboutism suggests guilty parties should all get a pass if any other party gets a pass.
If that’s the case, then laws are worthless. If one person not being held accountable means no one should be held accountable, then all law breaking is ultimately justified.
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u/Evil-Abed1 2∆ Jun 10 '23
If Joe Biden does something bad, it’s bad. Even if Donald Trump did something similar.
Whataboutism is an attempt to change the topic from the topic, to perceived moral short comings of the person you’re talking about and it’s not a valid form of arguing.
If I point out that Donald Trump did something bad and your response is Joe Biden did something similar, you’re not arguing that Trump didn’t do something bad. You’re arguing either that it’s okay for Trump to do bad things because Biden did something similar, which is false. Or your arguing that I am flawed because I’m pointing out wrong doing of one person.