There is a variation on this fallacy, in fact. It goes: There is a crisis; something must be done! What we propose to do is something. Therefore, it must be done!
This invalid argument is otherwise known as false choice, of course, because the alternative to the particular something being proposed is not nothing (even if one accepts the initial premise that there is a crisis about which something must be done) — it is a variety of other somethings, some of which may be the something that is actually key to solving the problem, even if their own is not necessarily.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Another Reason Not To Buy Into The Global Warming Hysteria
The hysteria rests on a fallacy:
Color Me Surprised
San Francisco is not the best-run city in the country:
Despite its good intentions, San Francisco is not leading the country in gay marriage. Despite its good intentions, it is not stopping wars. Despite its spending more money per capita on homelessness than any comparable city, its homeless problem is worse than any comparable city's. Despite its spending more money per capita, period, than almost any city in the nation, San Francisco has poorly managed, budget-busting capital projects, overlapping social programs no one is certain are working, and a transportation system where the only thing running ahead of schedule is the size of its deficit.But they're good "progressives" so we must look the other way.
It's time to face facts: San Francisco is spectacularly mismanaged and arguably the worst-run big city in America. This year's city budget is an astonishing $6.6 billion — more than twice the budget for the entire state of Idaho — for roughly 800,000 residents. Yet despite that stratospheric amount, San Francisco can't point to progress on many of the social issues it spends liberally to tackle — and no one is made to answer when the city comes up short.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
The Hot Tub Is Warming Up
Recently the Ultimate Frisbee Club at school challenged the faculty to a game, played after school today.
Is it amazing how fast those kids move, or how slowly we do now?
As far as I'm concerned, the faculty/alumni team won. There are ways to interpret the final score, however, to give the opposite result.
That tub can't heat up fast enough!
Is it amazing how fast those kids move, or how slowly we do now?
As far as I'm concerned, the faculty/alumni team won. There are ways to interpret the final score, however, to give the opposite result.
That tub can't heat up fast enough!
Those Wacky Libertarians!
They seem to think those first 10 amendments to the Constitution actually mean what they say.
Math Can Be Fun--And Tasty!
Sometimes the most trivial-sounding problems can involve some intense math. Who ever would have thought that cutting and eating pizza could involve decades of work?
The problem that bothered them was this. Suppose the harried waiter cuts the pizza off-centre, but with all the edge-to-edge cuts crossing at a single point, and with the same angle between adjacent cuts. The off-centre cuts mean the slices will not all be the same size, so if two people take turns to take neighbouring slices, will they get equal shares by the time they have gone right round the pizza - and if not, who will get more?...
As with many mathematical conundrums, the answer has arrived in stages - each looking at different possible cases of the problem.
Tuesday Trivia
The answer to yesterday's question is:
The Go-Gos.
Today's question is:
What is the only US possession/territory that lies south of the equator? (No, the Antarctic bases don't count as possessions/territories.)
The Go-Gos.
Today's question is:
What is the only US possession/territory that lies south of the equator? (No, the Antarctic bases don't count as possessions/territories.)
Monday, December 14, 2009
Double Down on Teacher Retirement Losses
The major Sacramento newspaper reports that the State Teachers Retirement System not only lost big bucks in real estate, but is going to throw good money after bad to try to recoup some of the losses:
When I try that strategy in Reno it usually doesn't work well. Here's to hoping that it works better for CalSTRS.
I guess I don't have to worry, though. The taxpayers are going to pay for my retirement regardless of whether or not CalSTRS makes good investments.
Ricardo Duran, a spokesman for the pension fund, said CalSTRS has written off $64 million invested in Fairfield Residential LLC, a major apartment developer based in San Diego. Fairfield filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization Sunday.
"It's been written off at this point," Duran said. "Current market value: zero."
However, the California State Teachers' Retirement System isn't abandoning the deal. It still plans to invest an additional $6 million to complete its original commitment of $70 million and believes there's a chance to recover at least some of its losses, he said.
When I try that strategy in Reno it usually doesn't work well. Here's to hoping that it works better for CalSTRS.
I guess I don't have to worry, though. The taxpayers are going to pay for my retirement regardless of whether or not CalSTRS makes good investments.
A Rose By Any Other Name
I couldn't say this any more clearly myself:
Quote of the Week. "When your boss gives you a check and says you either have to give up part of it or lose your job, that's extortion." - Stephen Conn, former (and future?) candidate for president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers, discussing the district's proposal in which teachers would agree to a $250 deduction from their bi-weekly paychecks to close a $219 million budget deficit. (December 12 Detroit News)
All right, Stephen. If it's extortion when your boss does it, what is it when your union does it?
Media Bias
al-AP assigns 11 writers to "fact check" Sarah Palin's new book, but only 5 to analyze the leaked emails from the Climate Research Unit in Britain.
Media bias? No, nothing to see here, move right along please.
Media bias? No, nothing to see here, move right along please.
Monday Trivia
The answer to yesterday's question is:
The Happy Hooker.
Today's question is:
What early-80's band consisted of members Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine, and Gina Schock?
The Happy Hooker.
Today's question is:
What early-80's band consisted of members Belinda Carlisle, Jane Wiedlin, Charlotte Caffey, Kathy Valentine, and Gina Schock?
Not Looking Good For The Home Team
All teachers have heard the old saying that begins with, "Those who can, do..." and this doesn't give us any wiggle room:
Scores vary greatly with the gifted programs, not surprisingly, leading the pack. Among the programs with abysmal math scores and very poor English scores is the Teacher Training Magnet at troubled Crenshaw High.
$7 Coat At Wal*Mart
Even though I'll be boycotting my local Wal*Mart during the month of January (see here for the reason), I still enjoy stories like this.
I'll bet they put his groceries in a bag, though.
And I've got to toss in this quote:
I found the basketball court sized area marked ‘MEN’ and turned in. Fleece coats, fleece vests, overcoats, Dickie work coats, and then winter coats in the quilted style that simply shouts, “You’ll stay toasty inside even in Nome!” And, amidst three or four circular racks, I saw a selection in blue, grey, black, green, and red of bright and shiny new winter coats. Above the racks was the simple sign in red and it said: “$7”.
Yes, I blinked and looked away. I looked back. It still said: “$7”. Above it a smaller sign said, almost in apology, “Was $15.”
I'll bet they put his groceries in a bag, though.
And I've got to toss in this quote:
Then I remembered that this town has something that Seattle didn’t because Seattle is just far too “smart” to have one – A Wal-Mart.True enough.
Wal-Mart, the greatest thing to happen for working people in the United States since trade unions and, today, a lot more beneficial to them as well.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Coed Bunking At Columbia
I think this could be a valuable learning experience:
This is awesome. Let these kids (and yes, college students, to someone my age you are kids) shack up. Learn how difficult it can be to live with someone. Learn about the compromises that must be made to keep a "home", and how just enjoying sex isn't enough.
After they move in and out a couple times, maybe they won't be so quick to shack up in the future, when they're out in the real world. And maybe they won't enter into marriage blindly.
Columbia University students of the opposite sex will soon be allowed to share dorm rooms -- or, as the New York Post puts it in a 1950s time-warp of an article, "live in sin ... on their parents' dime"...
As of next fall, the school will institute "gender-neutral" housing on campus for all students except for freshmen. This will mean that students can select roommates regardless of their sex, and hetero couples can shack up together. You know what that means: Sexy time.
This is awesome. Let these kids (and yes, college students, to someone my age you are kids) shack up. Learn how difficult it can be to live with someone. Learn about the compromises that must be made to keep a "home", and how just enjoying sex isn't enough.
After they move in and out a couple times, maybe they won't be so quick to shack up in the future, when they're out in the real world. And maybe they won't enter into marriage blindly.
Sunday Trivia
The answer to yesterday's question, the last in UN Week, is:
San Francisco, in 1945.
Today's question is:
What was Xaviera Hollander's nom de plume?
Next Sunday will begin another theme week--Classic Movie Lines Week!
San Francisco, in 1945.
Today's question is:
What was Xaviera Hollander's nom de plume?
Next Sunday will begin another theme week--Classic Movie Lines Week!
Interviewing A Global Warming Nutjob
The video is 10 minutes long, but it's wildly entertaining. Lord Monckton shreds this Greenpeace supporter.
Lord Monckton: "What is interesting to me is that you don't know any of the facts about the climate at all, and yet you are wanting to change it in a particular direction. Can you explain why?"
Greenpeace member: "I think we're talking different planets."
Lord Monckton: "If you were to discover that everything I said to you about climate, that we've had global...cooling for 9 years, that we've had less hurricane activity recently than at any time in the last 30 years, that there has been no change in the extent of global sea ice, or virtually no change for the last 30 years--would you think that therefore the organization that you believe in (Greenpeace) has mislead you?"
Greenpeace supporter: "No."
There's a reason I call it the Church of Global Warming.
Update: The leaked emails from East Anglia mention this man. A lot. Has anyone shown him to be on the payroll of Big Oil?
Lord Monckton: "What is interesting to me is that you don't know any of the facts about the climate at all, and yet you are wanting to change it in a particular direction. Can you explain why?"
Greenpeace member: "I think we're talking different planets."
Lord Monckton: "If you were to discover that everything I said to you about climate, that we've had global...cooling for 9 years, that we've had less hurricane activity recently than at any time in the last 30 years, that there has been no change in the extent of global sea ice, or virtually no change for the last 30 years--would you think that therefore the organization that you believe in (Greenpeace) has mislead you?"
Greenpeace supporter: "No."
There's a reason I call it the Church of Global Warming.
Update: The leaked emails from East Anglia mention this man. A lot. Has anyone shown him to be on the payroll of Big Oil?
The political stakes are now so high when it comes to the “Climategate” scandal, and motives are being questioned so loudly on both sides, that few are noticing the remarkable story at the heart of it all: a 62-year-old mining executive and squash enthusiast has, for better or worse, found his way into the centre of a major scientific melée—almost by accident—and been able to make legitimate contributions.
McIntyre first became notorious in 2003 for his statistical critique, co-authored with economist Ross McKitrick, of the “hockey stick graph” that showed global temperatures rocketing upward in the 20th century.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Saturday Trivia
The answer to yesterday's question is:
Palestine, and the Holy See.
Today's question, the last in United Nations Week, is:
In which city, and in what year, was the UN Charter signed?
Palestine, and the Holy See.
Today's question, the last in United Nations Week, is:
In which city, and in what year, was the UN Charter signed?
Liveblogging Today's 110th Army-Navy Game
The first Army-Navy football game was played in 1890 at West Point. Navy won 24-0--and that's how it's been since 2001, with Navy winning the last 7 games by a combined score of 274-71 and holding Army to only 3 points total in the last 2 games. The series was tied in 2004, but now Navy leads the series 49-53-7. Army's season record coming into this game is 5-6, Navy's is 8-4.
Given that background, you might wonder why I'd want to liveblog a game that doesn't look good for Army. The answer is simple: Army is my team.
Beat Navy!
11:35 am PST: What an inspirational commercial!
And a proud "thank you" to CBS Sports for streaming today's game live on the internet.
15:00 in the 1st Quarter: Navy kicks off, and what a return by Army!
13:20 Lousy series, short punt by Army, covered well.
Strange defense by Army: 3 linemen, 3 linebackers, 5 db's. It's 4th and a foot, defense is disciplined and doesn't get pulled offsides, timeout Navy.
Fair catch by Army at their own 42. Bring on the offense!
And now the announcers mention the spirit videos. Navy always wins those.
10:30 Army gets the first 1st down of the game.
9:20 Army gets the second 1st down of the game. Let's keep this up.
7:05 47 yard field goal kick is wide left. As they'd say on Battlestar Galactica: frak.
4:00 Army holds against Navy and takes the fair catch inside their own 30.
3:17 Planned pass, crappy pass. Dance with the one that brung ya, Army.
2:00 Another planned pass, shoulda coulda woulda been caught.
1:55 Bad series for Army. Penalty on 3rd down is declined, Army will punt.
1:19 INTERCEPTION! on Navy's 40, runs it down the sideline to the Navy 12, first and goal!
Apparently Army has a crappy record inside the red zone, and today is no different. 23 yard field goal is GOOD! Still, it's been over 2 years since Army's been in the end zone. This is Army's first lead in the game in 3 years.
With seconds left in the 1st Quarter, both defenses have been playing well.
13:07 in the 2nd Quarter: FUMBLE! ARMY BALL!
13:00 Fumbled snap, Army recovers.
11:30 Army punts, fair catch inside the Navy 20.
During the commercial, Navy has an awesome CGI spirit video.
AFLAC trivia question: when was the last time both teams qualified for a bowl game in the same season?
9:33 Long pass for Navy, shoestring tackle inside the 10. Flag on the play....
9:21 Timeout, Army. Still no indication what the foul is.
Holding, Navy. No long pass. Ball back inside Navy's 30. I'm sure we'll see that long pass again.
8:40 Very next play! Ball off the player's fingertips, another penalty (declined), 4th down. Long punt, Army downs it inside the 18.
8:21 Army tries a reverse with a pass downfield, almost intercepted.
7:00 Army comes up short, 4th down.
6:10 Crappy punt, fortunately Army could protect the roll down to the Navy 30.
CBS announces the 5 Heisman winners from the two schools, the first 3 from Army and the last 2 from Navy. Staubach in '63 was the last one.
AFLAC trivia answer: 1996. Army went to the Independence Bowl, Navy to the Aloha Bowl.
4:10 Another long pass for Navy, brought back by holding.
1:53 Army is 2/8 in 3rd down conversions, now 2/9. Punt coming up after the commercial. Navy will have a shot at the end zone before the half, and they'll receive the kickoff after the half.
1:37 Another crappy punt that the announcer correctly says never got more than 10 yards off the ground. Army covered the roll down to the 39.
Navy's out of timeouts, will play for the sideline.
1:09 3rd and 11, now 4th and 9. What will Navy do?
Army tried to block the punt, fair caught at the 20. 55 seconds remaining in the half. Army has 0 yards passing. Run it up the gut to run down the clock, and then a stupid pass! Go in to the locker room with the lead, don't try to be a hero--there's a whole half remaining.
:15 Army takes my advice and kneels.
Stat on the screen: first halftime deficit for Navy since 2001--Army's last victory.
I called and left a voice mail for one of my midshipmen--just in case the outcome at the end of the 2nd half is reversed!
14:55 in the 3rd Quarter, Navy 1st and 10 on the 32.
13:33 Second 3rd down conversion for Navy, as a pass down the right sideline is complete.
11:10 Army is having trouble tackling the Navy quarterback....
10:14 4th and a foot, Navy timeout.
10:06, 1st down Navy.
Navy has a good drive going, now down inside Army's 30. Defense needs to tighten up, and wrap up when they're tackling.
8:55 Touchdown, Navy. Wide open on the pass. Army has been doing a lousy job all day on pass defense, getting lucky with a couple penalties, but no such luck this time.
8:04 Official timeout for an injured Navy player on the sideout. He appears to be holding his arm.
Compared to other football games, this one has been relatively flag-free. Good discipline being shown by both teams.
Now we get to see if Army can get its offense working.
7:47 Army cannot. 4th down. Another pooch punt, covered and downed by Army inside the 30.
4:50 And now Army jumps offsides, with Navy on our half of the field. Tighten up guys, don't fall apart.
4:18 I write that, and now Army has a man down. Looks like a knee injury.
:11 Army holds Navy to a field goal, now trailing 10-3. That's a small victory, but too many such victories and I won't like the outcome of this game.
Army needs a touchdown.
12:00 in the 4th Quarter, Army's thrown a couple passes and now the receiver fumbles. Fortunately he recovers.
10:22 Another missed field goal for Army. Are we to go three full years without getting in the end zone?
8:00 Turnover, and Navy's in scoring position.
7:00 Army cannot tackle that Navy quarterback, 1st and goal at the 1.
6:15 Another touchdown. Army's going to have a very difficult time coming back from this deficit this late in the game. 17-3.
2:47 and Army's in the red zone again, but 3 bad pass plays bring up 4th down. Timeout, Army.
2:36 and Navy intercepts in the end zone. Frak.
1:27 Squids are singing Na Na Hey Hey Good-bye, and with good reason.
0:00 It's over. The last time the score was 17-3 was 1987. I watched the game on a Sony Watchman downrange Fort Carson, as someone had stupidly scheduled a Chaparral live fire on the day of The Game. We grads kept sneaking away to catch up on the game. The outcome then was more to my liking, that's for sure.
Navy played a good game. Army played better than they've played for awhile.
Here's to next year!
Given that background, you might wonder why I'd want to liveblog a game that doesn't look good for Army. The answer is simple: Army is my team.
Beat Navy!
11:35 am PST: What an inspirational commercial!
And a proud "thank you" to CBS Sports for streaming today's game live on the internet.
15:00 in the 1st Quarter: Navy kicks off, and what a return by Army!
13:20 Lousy series, short punt by Army, covered well.
Strange defense by Army: 3 linemen, 3 linebackers, 5 db's. It's 4th and a foot, defense is disciplined and doesn't get pulled offsides, timeout Navy.
Fair catch by Army at their own 42. Bring on the offense!
And now the announcers mention the spirit videos. Navy always wins those.
10:30 Army gets the first 1st down of the game.
9:20 Army gets the second 1st down of the game. Let's keep this up.
7:05 47 yard field goal kick is wide left. As they'd say on Battlestar Galactica: frak.
4:00 Army holds against Navy and takes the fair catch inside their own 30.
3:17 Planned pass, crappy pass. Dance with the one that brung ya, Army.
2:00 Another planned pass, shoulda coulda woulda been caught.
1:55 Bad series for Army. Penalty on 3rd down is declined, Army will punt.
1:19 INTERCEPTION! on Navy's 40, runs it down the sideline to the Navy 12, first and goal!
Apparently Army has a crappy record inside the red zone, and today is no different. 23 yard field goal is GOOD! Still, it's been over 2 years since Army's been in the end zone. This is Army's first lead in the game in 3 years.
With seconds left in the 1st Quarter, both defenses have been playing well.
13:07 in the 2nd Quarter: FUMBLE! ARMY BALL!
13:00 Fumbled snap, Army recovers.
11:30 Army punts, fair catch inside the Navy 20.
During the commercial, Navy has an awesome CGI spirit video.
AFLAC trivia question: when was the last time both teams qualified for a bowl game in the same season?
9:33 Long pass for Navy, shoestring tackle inside the 10. Flag on the play....
9:21 Timeout, Army. Still no indication what the foul is.
Holding, Navy. No long pass. Ball back inside Navy's 30. I'm sure we'll see that long pass again.
8:40 Very next play! Ball off the player's fingertips, another penalty (declined), 4th down. Long punt, Army downs it inside the 18.
8:21 Army tries a reverse with a pass downfield, almost intercepted.
7:00 Army comes up short, 4th down.
6:10 Crappy punt, fortunately Army could protect the roll down to the Navy 30.
CBS announces the 5 Heisman winners from the two schools, the first 3 from Army and the last 2 from Navy. Staubach in '63 was the last one.
AFLAC trivia answer: 1996. Army went to the Independence Bowl, Navy to the Aloha Bowl.
4:10 Another long pass for Navy, brought back by holding.
1:53 Army is 2/8 in 3rd down conversions, now 2/9. Punt coming up after the commercial. Navy will have a shot at the end zone before the half, and they'll receive the kickoff after the half.
1:37 Another crappy punt that the announcer correctly says never got more than 10 yards off the ground. Army covered the roll down to the 39.
Navy's out of timeouts, will play for the sideline.
1:09 3rd and 11, now 4th and 9. What will Navy do?
Army tried to block the punt, fair caught at the 20. 55 seconds remaining in the half. Army has 0 yards passing. Run it up the gut to run down the clock, and then a stupid pass! Go in to the locker room with the lead, don't try to be a hero--there's a whole half remaining.
:15 Army takes my advice and kneels.
Stat on the screen: first halftime deficit for Navy since 2001--Army's last victory.
I called and left a voice mail for one of my midshipmen--just in case the outcome at the end of the 2nd half is reversed!
14:55 in the 3rd Quarter, Navy 1st and 10 on the 32.
13:33 Second 3rd down conversion for Navy, as a pass down the right sideline is complete.
11:10 Army is having trouble tackling the Navy quarterback....
10:14 4th and a foot, Navy timeout.
10:06, 1st down Navy.
Navy has a good drive going, now down inside Army's 30. Defense needs to tighten up, and wrap up when they're tackling.
8:55 Touchdown, Navy. Wide open on the pass. Army has been doing a lousy job all day on pass defense, getting lucky with a couple penalties, but no such luck this time.
8:04 Official timeout for an injured Navy player on the sideout. He appears to be holding his arm.
Compared to other football games, this one has been relatively flag-free. Good discipline being shown by both teams.
Now we get to see if Army can get its offense working.
7:47 Army cannot. 4th down. Another pooch punt, covered and downed by Army inside the 30.
4:50 And now Army jumps offsides, with Navy on our half of the field. Tighten up guys, don't fall apart.
4:18 I write that, and now Army has a man down. Looks like a knee injury.
:11 Army holds Navy to a field goal, now trailing 10-3. That's a small victory, but too many such victories and I won't like the outcome of this game.
Army needs a touchdown.
12:00 in the 4th Quarter, Army's thrown a couple passes and now the receiver fumbles. Fortunately he recovers.
10:22 Another missed field goal for Army. Are we to go three full years without getting in the end zone?
8:00 Turnover, and Navy's in scoring position.
7:00 Army cannot tackle that Navy quarterback, 1st and goal at the 1.
6:15 Another touchdown. Army's going to have a very difficult time coming back from this deficit this late in the game. 17-3.
2:47 and Army's in the red zone again, but 3 bad pass plays bring up 4th down. Timeout, Army.
2:36 and Navy intercepts in the end zone. Frak.
1:27 Squids are singing Na Na Hey Hey Good-bye, and with good reason.
0:00 It's over. The last time the score was 17-3 was 1987. I watched the game on a Sony Watchman downrange Fort Carson, as someone had stupidly scheduled a Chaparral live fire on the day of The Game. We grads kept sneaking away to catch up on the game. The outcome then was more to my liking, that's for sure.
Navy played a good game. Army played better than they've played for awhile.
Here's to next year!
What An Awesome Excuse!
I'm going to file this excuse away in case I ever need a good one:
Nice one. Idiot.
Seven-year-old Lamya Cammon was absentmindedly playing with her braids, which have plastic beads on their ends. The noise annoyed her first-grade teacher. The teacher called Lamya to the front of the room, cut off one of her braids, and sent her back to her seat, crying. The teacher ultimately apologized to Lamya’s mother and was fined $175 by police for disorderly conduct. She remains in the classroom but Lamya was assigned to a different teacher.
That would be the end of this unremarkable story if not for the efforts of Mr. Hatch, who told WISN-TV on camera:“As budget constraints get tighter every year, the stress level and frustrations do increase.”
Friday, December 11, 2009
In Loco Parentis
Universities. Stupid rules. What a surprise.
Then passers-by need to get their glasses checked. And University officials need to concern themselves with more substantial issues than Nerf guns.
I'm just saying.
It was a rough week for gun rights in Colorado.
First, Colorado State University voted to ban concealed firearms on campus.
Then the University of Colorado went a few steps further and cracked down on another nefarious threat: Nerf guns...
"No guns of any kind, real or toy, from air rifles to paintball guns to Nerf guns, are allowed on campus under the laws of the regents," said a statement issued by Joe E. Roy, chief of police at the University of Colorado Police Department. "We are simply enforcing a longstanding policy, not inventing a new category of enforcement"...
Chief Roy noted that Nerf guns can look real to passers-by at a distance.
Then passers-by need to get their glasses checked. And University officials need to concern themselves with more substantial issues than Nerf guns.
I'm just saying.
Friday Trivia
The answer to yesterday's question is:
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Running a close second is The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and rounding out the top three is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Today's question is:
Identify either of the two non-member states/entities that are considered “observers” at the UN.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Running a close second is The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, and rounding out the top three is the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Today's question is:
Identify either of the two non-member states/entities that are considered “observers” at the UN.
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