Voice of the People

In the letter to the editor appearing in the Herald Sun on 2-02-2005, Judith Rona argued that the suicide bombers and the insurgents are anti-freedom fighters. Rona’s tone of voice was frustrated and condescending. Her audience would appear to be anyone that thinks the insurgents in Iraq are freedom fighters. Rona does not show any background but is, giving us the content of her letter, obviously biased against the insurgents.

Rona opens her letter by using an assumption question when she states, ‘The Iraqi people have spoken, loudly and unequivocally’. Assumption question works by assuming what they think is wrong or right but in this case they think insurgents are not freedom fighters they are anti-freedom fighters.

Rona continues her letter by using an attacking opposition, when she states, ‘The suicide bombers and gunmen labeled “insurgents” are not freedom fighters but anti-freedom fighters’. Attacking opposition is like trying to prove the other side wrong but in this case it would be to bring things straight with the freedom and