Response to logical fallacies expressed in Daily Show clip

dailyshow.immigrant-disease

     The Daily Show's staff of writers are experts at pointing out logical fallacies in political media.  Naturally, when facing a topic as controversial as illegal immigration, they are working with a wide array of potential firepower.
     The first comedic jab, through the use of logical fallacies, is when the guest is introduced as a "resident expert."  When the commentator, John Hodgman, is presented as a leading authority in the field of immigration, he cites his own work, "My Grandparents Were Slav Or Something," as proof of his authority.  This is a glaring example of a logical fallacy appealing to an authority that may not be an expert at all.  If the man is not certain of his own past involving immigration, then what makes him an authority in the first place?
     The next fallacy presented in this clip, is a clear argument for ignorance.  After shooting to clips of other false authorities on the subject, who are all in agreement that immigrants are re-introducing older problems with disease to the United States, Hodgman vomits the bold claim, "Illegal aliens have tuberculosis and leprocy!"  Since there has been no opposing argument or physical proof presented to Hodgman contrary to his view of the subject,  he feels warranted in blurting out such a strong statement.  Just because something is not proven false, doesn't mean it is true.
     After Hodgman makes this statement, the satirist takes his argument further and further down a slippery slope.  When evidence is finally produced, taming the numbers and figures presented by our so-called experts, they begin to introduce scare tactics.  Suddenly, immigrants are no longer just diseased. They are gang members, drunk drivers, drug addicts, and rapists.  None of these claims are warranted as hard evidence.  We are expected to believe that even if we are not effected by disease, we may still, for some reason, be in danger.
     Logical fallacies are everywhere in today's media.  We are lucky to have comedians, such as Jon Stewart or John Hodgman, to keep us on our toes and able to point out these untruths.