straw man
Some argument or position set up as an easy object of criticism, derision, or refutation. He spent the whole debate setting up and knocking down straw men about his opponent's supposed support of the terrorist groups in the Middle East. Come on—that's just a ridiculous straw man, and you know it! If you want to argue with me, then argue with what I'm actually saying.
straw man
a weak proposition posited only to be demolished by a simple countering argument. So you can knock down your own straw man! Big deal. The question is how can you deal with real problems.