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...absurdly specific: in 1850, data collectors were instructed to "ascertain if there be any person in the family deaf, dumb, idiotic, blind, insane, or pauper." The 1870 Census distinguished between farmers and "farm laborers" and between housekeepers and those just "keeping house." (Enumerators were also instructed to "use the word huckster in all cases where it applies.") Until the Civil War, surveys differentiated free people from slaves, who had historically counted as three-fifths of a person...
Despite the evolution of data gathering, miscounts have occurred, particularly among the urban poor. Democrats tend to say sampling--the extrapolation of data from smaller groups--is more accurate, but Republicans, suspicious of overcounting in left-leaning areas, argue that the Constitution's use of the word actual mandates a nose count. Getting it right is important: in addition to its role in doling out congressional seats, the Census influences the allocation of more than $400 billion in federal funds that affect the lives of some 300 million Americans. How many, exactly? It'll tell us that...
Last week, President Obama agreed to a meeting that set presses running around the world. His controversial decision to speak with the Dalai Lama generated anger and threats from China. However, despite this vehement response, Obama’s choice to stick by his word and meet with the Tibetan spiritual leader was an admirable one. We agree with the president that the United States should not acquiesce to China’s demands...
...when a company wants to dissociate itself with a negative trait. For example, Philip Morris switched to Altria in 2003 (of course, by now most people know that Altria is associated with cigarettes). Accenture was fortunate. In 2001, the company changed its name from Andersen Consulting right before the word Andersen, as in Arthur Andersen, became synonymous with cooking the books. Now when you think Accenture, you think Tiger Woods scandal. (Guess they're not so lucky after...
...week. My ninth-grade English teacher assigned us to write fairy tales in Holden’s voice, and she was taken aback by my willingness, sweet little 15-year-old and all, to adopt Holden’s goddam style right down to the goddam word...