The proliferation of "whataboutism"

No because if I can't whatabout how am I gonna argue?

What else can one do when one's arguing with idiots?

Oh yeah. The chief strategy of the hoi polloi to rationalize their support of fascism and Twitler. It will lead to the downfall of our democratic republic unless there are wide ranging interventions on the scale of The Great Society.

“What about Trump?”

It's the worst. For four years, Trump fucked this country up so bad, but every time we spoke up, his supporters proclaimed: "But what about KILLARY? What about OBUMMER? SLEEPY JOE? HUH?"

"Whataboutism" is fine when comparing equals, but it usually becomes strawmen and red herrings negating it's effectiveness

disgusting

One of the few things keeping the Trumpistas in check is the fact that "whataboutism" has failed quite spectacularly as a court strategy.

These idiots think they can spin anything and everything as PR. That shit don't play in court.

[quote] That shit don't play

Don't play with it! Drop it in a toilet!

The problem is, cries of 'whataboutery' are often raised to deflect legitimate claims of hypocrisy.

Hypocrisy is table stakes. No argument it exists, usually in the other side of question - broadly - but so what? Hypocrisy rarely settles a question. So many people around DL think it's enough to write off a failing with somebody's worse. Well, yeah, someobody's usually worse. It doesn't settle a question. It's lazy and a sign of emotion, not reason, and limited knowledge.

[quote] negating it's effectiveness

Oh, dear!

On cable news that's called presenting both sides. In education it's called teaching the controversy. No wonder the average American treats reality like an option.