[camccann]

it all seems to be based on the ridiculous agrument that we have to try something...anything...for the children's sake.

This seems to be an instance of a type of reasoning known as the Politician's Syllogism:

   Premise: Something must be done.
   Premise: This is something.
   Conclusion: We must do this.

[mdemare]

This quote is from "Yes Minister": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vidzkYnaf6Y