The Chewbacca Defense: Maud's Secret Weapon

The Master of the Chewbacca Defense

The logical fallacy of Ignoratio elenchi (or the use of a "red herring") is pervasive within the power core of Vienna government. An especially good example can be seen in the use of The Chewbacca Defense [Wikipedia definition]. The Chewbacca Defense is a FAVORITE of Maud Machine members. What is the Chewbacca Defense? Watch the Video. Examples of the Maud Machine using some form of the Chewbacca Defense?

Statement #1: Vienna needs economic revitalization in its commercial corridor. Form-based codes will assist greatly.

Chewbacca Defense: Vienna just replaced a gas station with a bank. Vienna just tore a building down to create a Town Green. Everything is fine and growing!

Statement #2: Vienna needs economic revitalization in its commercial corridor. Form-based codes will assist greatly.

Chewbacca Defense: Quit trying to scare people. This is my neighborhood and it deserves to thrive. Quit the rumors and let the shopkeeper's businesses continue their success. I like this community and I like the diversity - ethnically and economically. If you can't handle it, MOVE. I like the affordable services and the racially and ethnically diverse population. I'm not for a white gentrification of Vienna. Keep up the good work, incumbents. Praises to Seeman and Cole - who seem to be targets by small minds.

Statement #3: Vienna needs economic revitalization in its commercial corridor. Form-based codes will assist greatly.

Chewbacca Defense: Since [Susan] Stich and [Blair] Jenkins were such ardent advocates of form based zoning, we can only surmise that it is something that will be BAD for the town and a tool for permitting the detrimental development that [various Vienna residents] want to carry out throughout all of the neighborhoods where their vast land holding [sic] lie.

Statement #4: Vienna's historic district is unconstitutional.

Chewbacca Defense: Let's vote to see if everyone wants it.

Statement #5: Vienna's historic district is unconstitutional.

Chewbacca Defense: You are rich developers who want to build hotels.

Statement #6: Vienna needs to embrace younger generations and their views.

Chewbacca Defense: You hate old people. Elections are over. Stop the personal attacks. You lost. Get over it. When you're 85 (if you're lucky enough to live that long), you'll probably rail against age-prejudiced comments such as those you just made. You'll no doubt ignore this advice, but remember that your sense of immortality is a fleeting thing.

NOTE: Chewbacca Defenses for #2, #3 and #6 (except for first sentence) REALLY are verbatim from Maud Machine members. The others are paraphrased from actual statements.