There are lots of web pages about logical fallacies, but this looks like a good introduction. "Straw man" is on the index list there. (Russ' mantra of "you believe that rocks turn into humans" is a good example of a straw man argument.) Basically you want to avoid logical fallacies in your arguments because they are errors in reasoning. You also want to be accurate when you accuse other people of using logical fallacies. Creationists here seem to be fond both of using logical fallacies, and wrongly accusing others of doing so without explaining their reasons for saying so. (CTD is particularly fond of crying "straw man" and "circular reasoning" in this way because he seems to think that by doing so, he invalidates anything that's been said.) An interesting exercise would be to look through this forum and spot some more examples. Other creationist favourites here are (working down the index list on that particular page) ad hominem, appeal to authority, appeal to belief/consequences of belief (also known as wishful thinking), appeal to emotion, appeal to ridicule, appeal to spite, begging the question . . . gosh, we're still only on the Bs. Better stop there for now.
I think logic should be taught as a standard in school curricula. It sure would be a handy life tool for people to use.
