Definition of the "Red Herring"

It has been suggested to me by a loyal Voxinfo reader that I explain what I mean when I refer to "the herring" (posted 5/5 & 3/12/05), or Red Herring (3/4/05).

The definition of Red Herring is this: "Something that draws attention away from the central issue."

And this is exactly what I mean when I refer to "the herring": "The idiom alludes to dragging a smoked herring across a trail to cover up the scent and throw off tracking dogs."
(Courtesy of http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=red%20herring)

Again I say: As Americans, we love to eat RED HERRING!