How Invalid Logic is Becoming the Norm in Nwkt Twitter Wars

The fun thing about twitter is that sometimes its like peeling an onion.  You need to uncover a few layers before seeing the truth behind some one's spin. 

Case in point, here is something that Ward 1 Councillor Tom Vegh tweeted seemingly out of the blue:

Tom Vegh‏@tomvegh

Arrest warrant issued in ON for Chris Scullino,Co-Founder York Region Taxpayers Alliance, for theft over $5k#newmarkethttp://www.linkedin.com/pub/christopher-scullino/31/970/137 …

 

On the whole, intriguing but without allusion to context, he left many residents wondering, "what is he talking about?"

 

Shortly afterward, ex-Newmarket Era crime reporter Joe Fantuzzi chimed in:

 

Joe Fantauzzi‏@jjfantauzzi

Scullino, who seems to be in Halifax, apparently worked on @KevinGaudet's Ontario PC bid http://bit.ly/P0MUPz #onpoli #cdnpoli

 

One layer of the onion peeled away.  If that's where the story ended, all would think that Vegh was dog-hunting the star candidate for the Ontario PC party, Kevin Gaudet.  After all, there was a news story that Ontario is going into an election in the spring so its about the time when Liberals start sniping Tories and vice-versa.  Ontario Liberal Vegh is baiting Ontario PC Gaudet about his association with an alleged felon. 

 

However, that's not necessarily the case because here's a tweet from the ratepayer's group, York Region Taxpayers Alliance:

 

York Region Taxpayer‏@yorktxpyr

York Region Taxpayers is NOT affiliated with Christopher Scullino @scully546 We hope he resolves his personal and legal issues.

 

Which was immediately followed by a tweet from Newmarket Ward 3 Councillor Jane Twinney:

 

Jane Twinney‏@JaneTwinney

@yorktxpyr hey Chris, I think there are some people looking for you.

 

Ah, so the onion is down another layer.  It looks as though the two councillors are trying to implicate the YRTA into some nasty business by the Alliance's co-founder.  Again, its not unusual for tax and spend politicians to squabble with ratepayers.  So this seems like "politics as usual". 

 

But here's the revealing tweet, from none other than the Ward 3 Councillor's husband of all people:

 

joe twinney‏@joetwinney

@dsmerek Perhaps our #newmarket ward 6 Councillor Dimuccio could fill you in as he was her "date" for Ford Fest in Sept.

 

Ah ha.  So that's it.  It's yet another clumsy, fumbling shot at the hardworking Ward Six Councillor. 

Despite Counillor Twinney later claiming not to be attacking anyone, her tweets in concert with her spouse's clearly reveal otherwise.

Let's test the logic behind what Vegh/ Twinney are implying:

Allegedly Christopher Sculliano is wanted by the police for theft; and
Christopher Sculliano once attended a picnic with Councillor Di Muccio;
Therefore, Councillor Di Muccio must also be involved in alleged criminal activity.

Obviously that's not true and we seriously question why Vegh and Twinney(s) are implying that there is a connection.  Their implication makes no more sense than:

Members of Scouts Canada have been convicted of sex crimes involving children; and
Councillor Jane Twinney promotes Scouts Canada in her twitter;
Therefore, Councillor Jane Twinney must be promoting pedophilia via twitter.

Both arguments are invalid and not supported by the facts.  I think Vegh and Twinney owe Councillor Di Muccio and the York Region Tax Payers Alliance an apology forthwith.  I doubt we'll see one anytime soon (look at Vegh's past behaviour with the C-Word and W-Word to describe Di Muccio). 

One last note:  as the @yorktxpyr author points out correctly, here are some arguments that are indeed valid:

Councillor Emanuel is a convict; and
Councillors Vegh and Twinney support Councillor Emanuel and don't want him to resign;
Therefore, Councillors Vegh and Twinney support having criminals represent Newmarket

And

Councillor Emanuel is a convict: and
Councillor Di Muccio demanded his resignation because of his conviction;
Therefore, Councillor Di Muccio doesn't want criminals to represent Newmarket.