Sub-referencing attack (logic)

A sub-referencing attack is a basic logical attack where you quote numerous sub-references, articles or items (usually quotations in short-hand) to back-up one of your main points.

Sub-referencing (as opposed to referencing) implies doing research for those subtle 'sub-references' that may not be apparent in the main reference.

Usage
Let's say Person 1 presents a well-written article from a company epousing platitudes about environmentalism and supporting the environment.

A sub-referencing attack would involve looking up the company's history; legal wranglings; previous mistakes, if any; direction of funding (look for front companies, shell accounts, slush funds or propaganda/PR companies) and generally any history which would suggest, contrary to their reassuring platitudes, they actually have messed up the enviroment numerous times and actually pay front-companies to cover-up the damage.

Counteraction
There's little to say on counteraction, other than you shouldn't lie in the first place, and should avoid being inconsistent, hypocritical or contradictory.

If the point you're making is valid (for example, you're a smoker who has trouble quitting and you're saying smoking is bad and someone is calling you a hypocrite), there is a partial defence in Ad Hominem tu quoque (against the man, 'you too'), in that you might be committing the wrongdoing, but your warning about the wrongdoing might not be any less valid.

For those of you dealing with unfair harassment, see the internet is not your laundry basket for tips on evading, disposing or outsmarting trolls or harassment.