noun (n)

• a person used as a cover for some questionable activity(noun.person)

  Synonym:
  figurehead, front, front man, nominal head, straw man
  

  source: wordnet30
• a weak or sham argument set up to be easily refuted(noun.communication)

  Synonym:
  straw man
  

  source: wordnet30
• an effigy in the shape of a man to frighten birds away from seeds(noun.artifact)

  Synonym:
  bird-scarer, scarecrow, scarer, straw man
  

  source: wordnet30