The Tactic of Intimidation

Intimidation, as a tactic, consists of creating real or imagined threats to control the thoughts of others or to control which thoughts may be expressed. It is more of a political maneuver than a way of framing an argument verbally. There is also a logical fallacy of proof by intimidation / argument from intimidation, which works by verbal threats. The two generally work together since a threat must be expressed. However, the tactic of intimidation is a set of behaviors that result in people knowing that they cannot express certain things or believe certain things without incurring retribution of some type.

Examples of the Tactic of Intimidation

The movie, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed and the book, Slaughter of the Dissidents, give many examples.

The bully or abuser who uses aggressive body language and a reputation for beating people up to control those around him.

Vulgarity and abuse in comments posted on youtube videos.

Peeling off individual members of a group for punishment, job loss, loss of respect, IRS audit, etc.

Refusing to discuss the problems with evolution or the evidence for creation with leading scientists who have become convinced that creation by God took place a few thousand years ago.

Isolation of creationists by getting public officials, community leaders, or opinion makers (newspaper editors, news anchors, etc.) to criticize or belittle creationists or treat them as part of a crazy fringe group.

Divide and conquer: Getting some Christians to compromise on creation with something that is internally inconsistent, theistic evolution, and then work the two resulting factions against each other.

Union members firing guns into various local Republican campaign headquarters during the Bush election campaign.

Union members of various public employee unions camping out in the Wisconsin State Capitol, crowding around legislators, shouting at them, and trying to make them afraid for their lives.

Gang members standing outside a voting location with baseball bats.