Copacabana

Lies, damned lies, and statistics

I always think it's funny how people actually report polling results when everyone knows they're just another part of the PR machine. They always are. Things will play out the way they will and the polling predictions are as reliable as opinions about how the economy will fluctuate. Paying attention to the polls -- and reporting the results -- are nothing more than attempts to swing your vote one way or another. Make no mistake.

Just wanted to get that out off the top. I think I'll try to go tomorrow and vote early. I know where I stand and it's not with Marx. And those who try to discount the obvious interest in that philosophy from one of the candidates should remember that revolution usually happens from the inside. And Marx was a pretty bourgeoisie fellow who really couldn't identify with the "worker" he was lamenting as downtrodden. Sound familiar? It reminds me of the foolish fellow I once dated who had a fascination with Nietzche. "You know he was insane, right?" I asked foolish fellow. He didn't know. That's a vital piece of information about the usefulness of his point of view. I'm not saying that fact changes someone's message, just puts it into context. And we can always use a little context. In fact, I believe it's the only way to make informed decisions.

[UPDATE: just because it's hilarious, here's a quote about Nietzsche from someone named "Matty" responding to a thread on surveycentral.org concerning whether or not a quote of his was true or false. It came up in a google search and I just thought it was the funniest thing -- and yet, so, so true -- so here it is:

"Nietzshe was an [sic] butt-hole; plus, he died a lonely old drunk because nobody liked him. I believe the technical reason was pneumonia and related complications, but I think that was brought on by depression because he tortured himself with his own bullcrap."

Sage words Matty. Sage words.]

Anyway, I'm with Krauthammer. I'll go with the one who can tell the lion from the lamb.

And here's something my brother sent me. It speaks volumes. And I changed the last part to "conservative philosophy" from "Republican party" because I'm not sure either party really has the humility to claim the simple truth this story seeks to promote.

I was talking to a friend of mine's little girl, and she said she
wanted to be President some day. Both of her parents, liberal
Democrats, were standing there, so I asked her, 'If you were President

what would be the first thing you would do?'

She replied, 'I'd give food and houses to all the homeless people.'

'Wow - what a worthy goal!' I told her, 'You don't have to wait until
you're President to do that. You can come over to my house and mow,
pull weeds, and sweep my yard, and I'll pay you $50.

Then, I'll take you over to the grocery store where the homeless guy
hangs

out, and you can give him the $50 to use toward food or a new house.'

She thought that over for a few moments because she's only 6. And
while her Mom glared at me, she looked me straight in the eye and
asked, 'Why doesn't the homeless guy come over and do the work, and
you can just pay him the $50?'

And I said, 'Welcome to the conservative philosophy.'

Her folks still aren't talking to me.


Also, check out the newest, most awesomest blog on the block Loess is More. Go write snarky comments. She loves that...

posted by Lola @ 2:29 PM