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'''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a [[pejorative]] term, not recognized by dictionaries, which expresses objection to using someone's quotes against him.  While the entire fields of law and politics encourage quoting an adversary to [[discrediting attack|discredit]] him, [[evolutionist]] do not feel their quotes should be used against them and have invented the term '''quote mining''' to criticize that practice.   

'''{{PAGENAME}}''' is a [[pejorative]] term, not recognized by major dictionaries, which expresses objection to using someone's quotes against him.  While the entire fields of law and politics encourage quoting an adversary to [[discrediting attack|discredit]] him, [[evolutionist]] do not feel their quotes should be used against them and have invented the term '''quote mining''' to criticize that practice.   

==Origin, in TalkOrigins.org==

==Origin, in TalkOrigins.org==

===Fact: Defining Quote Mining===

===Fact: Defining Quote Mining===

While quoting relevant parts of judicial decisions is indeed widespread, and lawyers and politicians often quote one's own arguments against them to show a contradiction, "quote mining" as used is something else entirely.  Quote mining implies selective quotation either that, either negligently or purposefully, omits relevant parts from an argument.  For example, consider the following ''invented'' quotation from an imaginary legal case.

While quoting relevant parts of judicial decisions is indeed widespread, and lawyers and politicians often quote one's own arguments against them to show a contradiction, "quote mining" as used is something else entirely.  Quote mining implies selective quotation that, either negligently or purposefully, omits relevant parts from an argument.  For example, consider the following ''invented'' quotation from an imaginary legal case.

:''"In the State of Commonwealth, it is well-settled principle of securities law that a corporate officer may not trade on insider information."  Smith v. Jones, 129 Commonwealth Reporter 332 (Commonwealth 2008).''

:''"In the State of Commonwealth, it is well-settled principle of securities law that a corporate officer may not trade on insider information."  Smith v. Jones, 129 Commonwealth Reporter 332 (Commonwealth 2008).''

===Fact: The Law on an Attorney's Quote Mining===

===Fact: The Law on an Attorney's Quote Mining===

Attorneys are under a well-settled duty not to misrepresent authority to a court of law.  In essence, they may not "quote mine."  By way of example, a Federal Circuit Court in 2003 disciplined an attorney for selectively quoting elements of a [[court]] [[Opinion (Law)|opinion]].  The attorney, faced with a charge of contempt of court for delaying filing a motion by ''twelve days'' when the court ordered her to do so "forthwith," explained that, by settled law,<ref>The attorney cited City of New York v. McAllister Brothers, Inc., 278 F.2d 708, 710.</ref> "Forthwith means immediately, without delay, or as soon may be accomplished by reasonable exertion."<ref>''Id.''</ref>  She neglected to cite the following sentence, which explained that "forthwith" generally means, "within twenty-four hours,"<ref>''Id.''</ref> apparently hoping that, without this qualification, the court would read "forthwith" as implying ''no time constraint other than necessity.''

Attorneys are under a well-settled duty not to misrepresent authority to a court of law.  In essence, they may not "quote mine."  By way of example, a Federal Circuit Court in 2003 disciplined an attorney for selectively quoting elements of a [[court]] [[Opinion (Law)|opinion]].  The attorney, faced with a charge of contempt of court for delaying filing a motion by ''twelve days'' when the court ordered her to do so "forthwith," explained that, by settled law,<ref name="ny">The attorney cited City of New York v. McAllister Brothers, Inc., 278 F.2d 708, 710.</ref> "Forthwith means immediately, without delay, or as soon may be accomplished by reasonable exertion."<ref name="ny" />  She neglected to cite the following sentence, which explained that "forthwith" generally means, "within twenty-four hours,"<ref name="ny" /> apparently hoping that, without this qualification, the court would read "forthwith" as implying ''no time constraint other than necessity.''

The court which received the attorney's brief was not amused.  In censuring the attorney, they wrote,

The court which received the attorney's brief was not amused.  In censuring the attorney, they wrote,