Text 6979, 112 rader
Skriven 2008-07-16 15:52:24 av Richard Webb (1:116/901.0)
   Kommentar till text 6976 av Bob Klahn (1:124/311)
Ärende: census, was the black exp
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Hi BOb,

Bob Klahn wrote in a message to Richard Webb:

BK>>>  Knowing the educational level of the residents gives an idea how
BK>>> well the school systems are working.

 RW>> Again, I have no problem with that.  I'll fill in that one
 RW>> usually.  AFter all, these schools are tax supported
 RW>> entities.

 RW> BUt what does it really tell them?  NOT whether I actually
 RW> learned anything in school <g>.  IT also doesn't tell them
 RW> about the local schools, because I don't live where I grew
 RW> up.

BK>  You may not, but most people do. Even today. And the annual 
BK> proficiency tests will tell them how much people are learning. 

THere again, that's my point.  And, if the local folks are that interested,
they'll get involved.  tHey'll attend school board meetings, serve on parents'
advisory boards, etc. yOu can't mandate good educational programs from
WAshington and just phone 'em in anyway.  IF the locals aren't involved and
interested then it doesn't matter how many mandates come from D.c.  IT ain't
gonna happen.

BK>>  They don't get your name, but they may build a railroad terminal
BK>> or a bus station if they find the numbers are growing enough to
BK>> justify it. Or *NOT* put up a big box store if the demographics  are
BK>> wrong.

 RW> Yah but that they can get from numbers alone.  I've been

BK>  Demographics include income levels, and personal preferences.  For
BK> example, everyone knows fundamentalist Christians wouldn't  shop at
BK> Victoria's Secret. (hint: humor)

TO some point, but there are enough ways to track that.  Look at the
institutions that *are* flourishing, e.g. churches, synagogues, merchants. THey
tell you more about the community.  WHat religion am I?  NOne of your business
MR. census taker, I'm a free thinking man who believes in my "right to be let
alone."  That's what religion I am.

 RW> quite involved over the years, especially back in the '80's
 RW> when very active with a blind activist group in advocacy
 RW> work for improved mass and public transit systems.  Plain
 RW> numbers will or should tell them what they need to know.

BK>  Ah, but how many of that number are blind?

True, but how many of that number will use good transport systems if they're
available. BUild it, make it accessible to the commuters by serving their
neighborhoods and workplaces.  WE as blind folks just had a stronger interest
than most in maintaining and strenghtening good mass transit programs. IN our
case, what we find to be quality service also enhances the service level for
the rest of the folks who live where we do.  AS frequent users of the system we
can probably tell them more about what it does well ,and what it doesn't than
the guy who uses it once in awhile to go to work when his car's in the shop. 
IN fact, back in those days the bus drivers would actually steer customers with
questions to some of us blind folks they knew to be frequent users.  THese
drivers would tell a passenger with a query that the guy that would be able to
explain how to get from point A to B in the most effective manner was that guy
with the white stick sitting in the middle on the left <g>.

 RW>> I pay cash, I don't use plastic.  YEs I use my atm card,
<snippage>

 BK>>  The landline is as tracable as the cell phone. Maybe more so.

 RW> YEp but my landline stays where it is.  YES they can find
 RW> out some data, but they don't know where I went last night,

BK>  You took that left turn a little fast, you know. And don't cross 
BK> against the light next time.

Yah, at least in CHina they're really making some strides, cameras on lamp
posts, facial recognition software.  A scary thought.

 RW> I don't get a call on my cell because I"m passing a
 RW> starbucks, for an example. when I travel I use those
 RW> prepaid debit cards for long distance.  IF I"ve got to use
 RW> the modem I use the motel or hotel's ld, pay the bill in
 RW> cash.

BK>  You definately sound like someone who would not want the Bush 
BK> Administration paying attention to him. And therefore are
BK>  someone they would want to pay attention to.
INdeed.  I"m no threat, I have no ill intention, I just don't want these snoops
snooping me.

 RW> THese days I'm even more strict regarding the safeguarding
 RW> of my data, or how easily it is to track my movements and
 RW> activities. AFter all, my government has told me that
 RW> safeguarding my privacy and my constitutional rights is
 RW> quite low on their priority list.

BK>  Ah, as I said above... you already knew that.
OH I sure did, and I could easily find myself in a trick bag.  tO wit, the type
of discussion this thread spun off from. Massage the data points and stats
enough you can make them show any damned thing you like, at least at a cursory
glance. E.g. A majority of junkes started with marijuana.
All alcoholics began life drinking milk.

Overly simplistic examples above, but I think you see my point here.  Massage
enough data points and draw your own conclusions, pick the data points that
reinforce your conclusion, ignore the rest.


Regards,
           Richard
--- timEd 1.10.y2k+
 * Origin: Radio REscue net operations BBS       (1:116/901)