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The Library => The SGA => Topic started by: Townhallsavoy on June 10, 2011, 09:08:29 AM

Title: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Townhallsavoy on June 10, 2011, 09:08:29 AM
From the 2008 election:

Number of States won by: Obama: 19 McCain: 29

Square miles of land won by: Obama: 580,000 McCain: 2,427,000

Population of counties won by: Obama: 127 million McCain: 143 million

Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Obama: 13.2 McCain: 2.1
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GH2001 on June 10, 2011, 09:13:09 AM
From the 2008 election:

Number of States won by: Obama: 19 McCain: 29

Square miles of land won by: Obama: 580,000 McCain: 2,427,000

Population of counties won by: Obama: 127 million McCain: 143 million

Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Obama: 13.2 McCain: 2.1

You just hate him because he is black. These facts are skewed. They mean nothing.

 :sarcasm:
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Townhallsavoy on June 10, 2011, 09:23:50 AM
You just hate him because he is black. These facts are skewed. They mean nothing.

 :sarcasm:

Actually, they don't.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/government/a/election_stats.htm

 :facepalm: 

I'm definitely not  #winning with this post.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GH2001 on June 10, 2011, 09:47:10 AM
Actually, they don't.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/od/government/a/election_stats.htm

 :facepalm: 

I'm definitely not  #winning with this post.

The facts may not be accurate but the general trend of them is. Especially that last one. I think the murder rate in Chicago, DC, NYC and LA are SLIGHTLY higher than Kansas,  Alabama, Nebraska and Texas.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 13, 2011, 09:26:22 PM
Well, even if the facts are slightly true, there's still one problem.

Murder = felony.  Felony = can't vote (in most instances).

So I'm not sure what the murder statistics would have to do with voting or election results.  Or crime in general, considering that 48 states don't allow current inmates to vote.

Of course, there are always those unsolved murders.  But unsolved murders make up about 39% of homicides, not to mention that many of those were probably committed by convicted felons, so those people are in the minority and probably can't vote anyways due to other convictions and/or current incarceration for those convictions.  Felons who have regained their voting rights could vote, but they're far and few in between; there's about a 40% recidivism rate nationwide for felons.  I don't see much of an actual correlation.

And as an aside, the largest cities typically don't have the highest murder rates in the nation (higher than the Mayberries of the country, yes, but not the highest).  I think Philadelphia is the only city with a population of over one million that typically makes it into the top 10.  A few years ago, New York City was #50 out of a list of 75 cities with populations of 250,000 or more.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 14, 2011, 10:13:55 AM
Well, even if the facts are slightly true, there's still one problem.

Murder = felony.  Felony = can't vote (in most instances).

So I'm not sure what the murder statistics would have to do with voting or election results.  Or crime in general, considering that 48 states don't allow current inmates to vote.

Of course, there are always those unsolved murders.  But unsolved murders make up about 39% of homicides, not to mention that many of those were probably committed by convicted felons, so those people are in the minority and probably can't vote anyways due to other convictions and/or current incarceration for those convictions.  Felons who have regained their voting rights could vote, but they're far and few in between; there's about a 40% recidivism rate nationwide for felons.  I don't see much of an actual correlation.

And as an aside, the largest cities typically don't have the highest murder rates in the nation (higher than the Mayberries of the country, yes, but not the highest).  I think Philadelphia is the only city with a population of over one million that typically makes it into the top 10.  A few years ago, New York City was #50 out of a list of 75 cities with populations of 250,000 or more. 

Of course, we all know that individuals should be responsible for their own actions, but a community (or village of morons) that produces or fosters an excessive number of felons will likely lack the standards or morals that are beneficial to a society.  The correlations are there, and while they may not meet your constrained definition of highest, they do have elevated incidences of irresponsible behavior.  Appealing to that irresponsible element may help you win the next popularity contest or election...
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GH2001 on June 14, 2011, 11:24:51 AM
Of course, we all know that individuals should be responsible for their own actions, but a community (or village of morons) that produces or fosters an excessive number of felons will likely lack the standards or morals that are beneficial to a society.  The correlations are there, and while they may not meet your constrained definition of highest, they do have elevated incidences of irresponsible behavior.  Appealing to that irresponsible element may help you win the next popularity contest or election...

Thanks for saving me from having to write all that.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 14, 2011, 02:27:01 PM
Of course, we all know that individuals should be responsible for their own actions, but a community (or village of morons) that produces or fosters an excessive number of felons will likely lack the standards or morals that are beneficial to a society.  The correlations are there, and while they may not meet your constrained definition of highest, they do have elevated incidences of irresponsible behavior.  Appealing to that irresponsible element may help you win the next popularity contest or election...

If I'm understanding you correctly, then you're implying that a city or area with a high crime rate must be populated by morally reprehensible people.  I think it's important to point out that a "high" murder rate is 52 per 100,000 people.  Just because an area has a higher crime rate does not mean that a significant portion of that community is morally reprehensible.  It's the equivalent of saying that if five of your neighbors have been convicted of a crime, then you must be morally repugnant as well simply because you live in the same area as them.

Even if the majority of the people in these communities are morally lacking, then they're going to be arrested for performing illegal acts.  All of them?  No, but if they lack moral standards as you claim, then a significant portion of them will be.  You can't have your cake by claiming that people who live in these areas are criminally minded/morally reprehensible, yet also eat your cake by claiming that these criminals who are likely incarcerated are affecting the vote.  Felony or not, you can't vote while in jail in 48 states.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Snaggletiger on June 14, 2011, 02:33:08 PM
I think the entire Auburn football team is a group of morally reprehensible thugs. 
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 14, 2011, 03:13:02 PM
If I'm understanding you correctly, then you're implying that a city or area with a high crime rate must be populated by morally reprehensible people.  I think it's important to point out that a "high" murder rate is 52 per 100,000 people.  Just because an area has a higher crime rate does not mean that a significant portion of that community is morally reprehensible.  It's the equivalent of saying that if five of your neighbors have been convicted of a crime, then you must be morally repugnant as well simply because you live in the same area as them.

Whether you like it or not, higher crime rates in a given area is indicative of the quality of residents in that area.  I would never move my family into or stay in a neighborhood with high crime rates.  I am responsible enough to act accordingly, and I expect similar of others.  Others who are not responsible enough to act similarly are also indicative of their lack of standards. 

Even if the majority of the people in these communities are morally lacking, then they're going to be arrested for performing illegal acts.  All of them?  No, but if they lack moral standards as you claim, then a significant portion of them will be.  You can't have your cake by claiming that people who live in these areas are criminally minded/morally reprehensible, yet also eat your cake by claiming that these criminals who are likely incarcerated are affecting the vote.  Felony or not, you can't vote while in jail in 48 states.

Nobody is making those leaps.  Nobody is suggsting that criminals who may not be allowed to vote would affect the vote.  A community that fosters an excessive number of felons will likely lack the standards or morals that are beneficial to a society.  That does not imply that they're all criminally minded or morally reprehensible.  They might just lack those standards or values best suited for a peaceful, law-abiding society that would ordinarily be passed from generation to generation. 
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 14, 2011, 04:04:55 PM
Whether you like it or not, higher crime rates in a given area is indicative of the quality of residents in that area.  I would never move my family into or stay in a neighborhood with high crime rates.  I am responsible enough to act accordingly, and I expect similar of others.  Others who are not responsible enough to act similarly are also indicative of their lack of standards.

People live in certain neighborhoods due to financial constraints.  That's not always the case, but I would imagine that it happens more often than someone moving to a neighborhood just because they want to be a criminal or otherwise condone criminal behavior.  Yes, it's a bad neighborhood, but if I can't afford the $500 rent in Homewood, then I'm going to take the $250 rent in Ensley.  Does it mean I approve of the crime that goes on around me, or that I approve of what my neighbors choose to do with their lives?  Of course not.  I just think that it's a wee bit of an exaggeration to assume that most people live in a community with high crime rates simply because they themselves are morally repugnant or are more apt to commit crimes.

Nobody is making those leaps.  Nobody is suggsting that criminals who may not be allowed to vote would affect the vote.  A community that fosters an excessive number of felons will likely lack the standards or morals that are beneficial to a society.  That does not imply that they're all criminally minded or morally reprehensible.  They might just lack those standards or values best suited for a peaceful, law-abiding society that would ordinarily be passed from generation to generation.

You make it sound as if these "communities" are having Felon's Day barbecues and holding classes on how to properly commit a B&E.  Many of these "communities" are large cities that aren't actively trying to foster anything criminal.  When you have high populations of people, and when downtown areas of these cities have higher priced living arrangements and entertainment districts, criminals will flock to these areas for opportunity.  Just because a city has a higher crime rate doesn't mean that the majority of its residents lack moral standards; there are too many other factors at play which have greater effects.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 14, 2011, 04:54:47 PM
People live in certain neighborhoods due to financial constraints.  That's not always the case, but I would imagine that it happens more often than someone moving to a neighborhood just because they want to be a criminal or otherwise condone criminal behavior.  Yes, it's a bad neighborhood, but if I can't afford the $500 rent in Homewood, then I'm going to take the $250 rent in Ensley.  Does it mean I approve of the crime that goes on around me, or that I approve of what my neighbors choose to do with their lives?  Of course not.  I just think that it's a wee bit of an exaggeration to assume that most people live in a community with high crime rates simply because they themselves are morally repugnant or are more apt to commit crimes.

For the life of me, I don't know how you arrived at any of that, but all of this is actually related to a person's individual standards and values.  If you can't afford the rent or mortgage in a safer neighborhood with your current job, and you're unwilling to find one with better pay or take a second job to achieve your goals, you're likely contributing to the problem. 

You make it sound as if these "communities" are having Felon's Day barbecues and holding classes on how to properly commit a B&E.  Many of these "communities" are large cities that aren't actively trying to foster anything criminal.  When you have high populations of people, and when downtown areas of these cities have higher priced living arrangements and entertainment districts, criminals will flock to these areas for opportunity.
 
Nonsense...   

Just because a city has a higher crime rate doesn't mean that the majority of its residents lack moral standards; there are too many other factors at play which have greater effects.

It must be those damn law-abiding citizens breaking all the laws, committing rape and murder.  DAMN THEM!!!
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GH2001 on June 14, 2011, 05:13:56 PM
Bait set.....check
Initiate sparring....check
Entice VandyVol and GarMan to partake....check
All out war......almost

I love it when you two argue.  :thumsup:
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 14, 2011, 05:27:05 PM
 :vn:
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 14, 2011, 05:42:54 PM
For the life of me, I don't know how you arrived at any of that, but all of this is actually related to a person's individual standards and values.  If you can't afford the rent or mortgage in a safer neighborhood with your current job, and you're unwilling to find one with better pay or take a second job to achieve your goals, you're likely contributing to the problem.

You assume that people are unwilling to find a job, and so your perfect solution is for them to find a job.  Well, in this type of economy, your solution isn't very feasible.  Aside from that, there are educational barriers and societal barriers that can be too much for some people to overcome.  We'd all like to live the American dream, and those of us arguing on internet forums have probably been given various opportunities to do so or else we wouldn't be here, but not everyone has been given those opportunities.  Not everyone can find those opportunities, or for that matter, make those opportunities.  It's easy for us to look down from our high horses and tell people to get better jobs so that they can move to Bel Air.  It's not always as easy or as simple as it sounds.
 
It must be those damn law-abiding citizens breaking all the laws, committing rape and murder.  DAMN THEM!!!

When the city with the highest murder rate has an annual average of 50 murders per 100,000 people, I think it's pretty clear that a majority of the "community" is not out raping and pillaging.  We talk of "high" murder rates, but when you look at the statistics that qualify as being "high" compared to other cities, it's pretty clear that there aren't entire geographical areas comprised of sadistic murderers, twisted pedophiles, and insatiable thieves.  We're not talking about Thunderdome here.  We're talking about places like St. Louis, Philadelphia, Birmingham...places where normal, sane, law-abiding citizens do live.  Again, just because an area has a high crime rate doesn't mean that all of the residents condone or commit criminal behavior.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 14, 2011, 05:45:06 PM
Bait set.....check
Initiate sparring....check
Entice VandyVol and GarMan to partake....check
All out war......almost

I love it when you two argue.  :thumsup:

I love it when you whisper my name in the dark and blow softly in my ear.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 15, 2011, 10:31:26 AM
You assume that people are unwilling to find a job, and so your perfect solution is for them to find a job.  Well, in this type of economy, your solution isn't very feasible.  Aside from that, there are educational barriers and societal barriers that can be too much for some people to overcome.  We'd all like to live the American dream, and those of us arguing on internet forums have probably been given various opportunities to do so or else we wouldn't be here, but not everyone has been given those opportunities.  Not everyone can find those opportunities, or for that matter, make those opportunities.  It's easy for us to look down from our high horses and tell people to get better jobs so that they can move to Bel Air.  It's not always as easy or as simple as it sounds.

HorseSqueeze...  All of it...  This is nothing more than excusing mediocrity by establishing these poor, helpless people as victims of society.  The biggest barrier that most of America's poor experiences is themselves.  Do you know why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer every year?  It's because they both continue doing what they know best.  The rich continue to seek out opportunities to improve themselves and their economic situation taking action when appropriate, while the vast majority of our poor continue to make bad decisions, overspend and generally do a lot of stupid things.  They are victims of their own demise. 
 
When the city with the highest murder rate has an annual average of 50 murders per 100,000 people, I think it's pretty clear that a majority of the "community" is not out raping and pillaging.  We talk of "high" murder rates, but when you look at the statistics that qualify as being "high" compared to other cities, it's pretty clear that there aren't entire geographical areas comprised of sadistic murderers, twisted pedophiles, and insatiable thieves.  We're not talking about Thunderdome here.  We're talking about places like St. Louis, Philadelphia, Birmingham...places where normal, sane, law-abiding citizens do live.  Again, just because an area has a high crime rate doesn't mean that all of the residents condone or commit criminal behavior.

I don't think that anyone really argued the hypothetical straw tiger that you're whining about, but you can continue...  :dead:
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GH2001 on June 15, 2011, 11:18:48 AM
I love it when you whisper my name in the dark and blow softly in my ear.

Nothing but love VV.  :thumsup:

I think you and GarMan are best friends merely putting on a show for us.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 15, 2011, 11:39:24 AM
I think you and GarMan are best friends merely putting on a show for us. 

I'm not gonna lie...  He can toss a mean salad.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 15, 2011, 12:23:26 PM
HorseSqueeze...  All of it...  This is nothing more than excusing mediocrity by establishing these poor, helpless people as victims of society.  The biggest barrier that most of America's poor experiences is themselves.  Do you know why the rich get richer and the poor get poorer every year?  It's because they both continue doing what they know best.  The rich continue to seek out opportunities to improve themselves and their economic situation taking action when appropriate, while the vast majority of our poor continue to make bad decisions, overspend and generally do a lot of stupid things.  They are victims of their own demise.

The rich get richer because they seek out opportunities?  Drug themselves from the muck and became triumphant due to their tenacity and hard work? Riiight...let's just look at America's examples of some of the richest people who "made it" from their "good decisions" and "hard work:"

Bill Gates - Son of a lawyer and bank board director.  He was sent to an exclusive preparatory school in Seattle.  Must have been hard work to convince his rich parents to do that.  Then he went to Harvard.  I'm sure it was a hard, long haul for him to go from a ritzy preparatory school to Harvard.  Definitely drug himself out of that shitty situation.

Warren Buffett - His father was a businessman and later member of Congress.  After school, he was employed by his daddy's business.  I'm sure that took some hard work and great decisions.

Michael Bloomberg - Son of a real estate agent.  Nothing spectacular, right?  Except when you look at the fact that he grew up in Brighton, Massachusetts, where the median home price is $495,000 and the cost of living is 30% higher than the national average.  His hard work took him from rich to richer.  Must have been a struggle.

Larry Page - Son of two computer science professors at Michigan State.  Went to Stanford.  He worked hard at becoming a computer genius; it obviously had nothing to do with his parents' income and knowledge of computers that they imparted on him from an early age.

Of course, the list goes on and on, but you get the point.  Many of the richest people didn't necessarily grow up in the lap of luxury, so to speak, but the vast majority of them at least grew up in comfortable situations.  I'm not stating that, in order to succeed in life, you have to start from financially comfortable beginnings, but it makes it much, much easier.  And, of course, I realize that these are extreme examples, but it's relatively representative of generally stagnant socioeconomic classes.

Take the educational system as a prime example.  If you grow up in a decent area, you get a decent education.  You have access to information and supplies due to your decent school.  You are placed into a better situation from which to advance.  That is, if your family can afford to live in a decent area.  What if you can't?  Then you don't go to a decent school.  We are encouraged to confine our attention to the child and to dwell on all his alleged defects, which are also allegedly shared by his parents due to their supposed unwillingness to try to succeed.  Labeling lower class children and families as lazy becomes a generalized explanation for the educational disaster area known as the inner-city school.

To me, it's a chicken and the egg debate.  Are they poor because they're stupid and lazy, or are they stupid and lazy because they're poor?  But then, what about the poor people who aren't lazy, but there's no chance of advancement for them?  They don't have the education or practical knowledge to invent something.  They don't have the education to advance to a management position, assuming that their line of work even has such a position available.  And in this economy, they may not even have a job or the chance to look for a "better" job.

I agree that there are tons of simply lazy people out there.  In fact, I'll even go as far as to say that most poor people have probably gotten themselves into that situation by only taking what comes easily to them and not trying for anything more.  But to suggest that, for those of you who aren't lazy, all you need to do to earn more money is get off your ass and get a better job?  I think that this "solution" fails to address a lot of problems and a lot of real barriers that prevent many people from just strolling into a new economic class.
 
I don't think that anyone really argued the hypothetical straw tiger that you're whining about, but you can continue...  :dead:

If no one made the argument that areas with high crime rates are mostly populated with morally reprehensible and generally irresponsible people, then my point stands as correct:  a high crime rate in an area has virtually no correlation to voting results in that area.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 15, 2011, 12:29:53 PM
Nothing but love VV.  :thumsup:

I think you and GarMan are best friends gay lovers merely putting on a show for us.

Fixed.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 15, 2011, 02:04:41 PM
I agree that there are tons of simply lazy people out there.  In fact, I'll even go as far as to say that most poor people have probably gotten themselves into that situation by only taking what comes easily to them and not trying for anything more. 

Bingo!  You finally got it right!!!

But to suggest that, for those of you who aren't lazy, all you need to do to earn more money is get off your ass and get a better job?  I think that this "solution" fails to address a lot of problems and a lot of real barriers that prevent many people from just strolling into a new economic class.

Mobility from one socioeconomic class to another is easier in the United States than any other country.  Problems and excuses will always exist, but the ultimate solution always resides with the individual.  Those who fail to adapt, learn how to overcome those barriers and execute accordingly will continue to flounder. 
 
If no one made the argument that areas with high crime rates are mostly populated with morally reprehensible and generally irresponsible people, then my point stands as correct:  a high crime rate in an area has virtually no correlation to voting results in that area.

You took the original suggestion to an absurd extreme.  Nobody said, "areas with high crime rates are mostly populated with morally reprehensible and generally irresponsible people."  That perspective is incorrect.  Those areas with higher crime rates are populated by individuals who tend to have lower standards and values than those individuals who reside in safer areas.  Appeal to those lower standards...  You can draw your own conclusions from there. 
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 15, 2011, 04:51:36 PM
Mobility from one socioeconomic class to another is easier in the United States than any other country.  Problems and excuses will always exist, but the ultimate solution always resides with the individual.  Those who fail to adapt, learn how to overcome those barriers and execute accordingly will continue to flounder.

Easier than other countries, yes, but I still don't think it boils down to simply strolling out of your shitty, run down apartment and obtaining a better job just because you had the motivation to do so.  I will readily admit that there are tons of people who don't attempt to better themselves, but even for those that do try, it's not as simple as you make it sound.  You can't simply get a better job if there are none available.
 
You took the original suggestion to an absurd extreme.  Nobody said, "areas with high crime rates are mostly populated with morally reprehensible and generally irresponsible people."  That perspective is incorrect.  Those areas with higher crime rates are populated by individuals who tend to have lower standards and values than those individuals who reside in safer areas.  Appeal to those lower standards...  You can draw your own conclusions from there.

Being morally reprehensible is, to me, the equivalent of having lower moral standards.  If your moral standards are lower, that means that in the eyes of the general populace, you are immoral, and thus are morally reprehensible.  The same goes for having lower values.  You act irresponsibly?  Then you are considered to have lower values.

Nonetheless, even with this clarified statement that areas with high crime rates are populated by individuals who have lower moral standards and values, this is still far too generalized.  Based upon this generalized conclusion, people living in Philadelphia have lower moral standards.  People living in St. Louis have lower moral standards.  People living in Birmingham have lower moral standards.  This is obviously an overly broad statement, as certainly an entire city of hundreds of thousands of people don't have lower moral standards just because the large geographical area in which they live has a high crime rate.

Now, if you're talking more specifically to individual neighborhoods and communities, such as Ensley, Fairfield, Midfield, etc., then sure, it's a little easier to make such generalizations.  Still not completely accurate, as you can't definitively state what each person's moral standards are just based upon where they live, but at least with a smaller, more defined neighborhood, your focus is narrowed and such generalizations can be slightly more accurate.  But with the stats that were cited, the crime rate was by county.  Your argument, when applied to the stats that were originally cited, would indicate that anyone living within a county that has a high crime rate would have lower moral standards.  You might as well be telling the millionaires in Mountain Brook that they have lower moral standards because they live in Jefferson County.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: AUJarhead on June 15, 2011, 04:53:36 PM
People living in St. Louis have lower moral standards. 

Doom on you!
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 15, 2011, 04:59:28 PM
Doom on you!

Doom GarMan, not me...I'm just pointing out the fallacy of his generalization.  Hell, I'll be in St. Louis next weekend.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: AUJarhead on June 15, 2011, 05:10:42 PM
Doom GarMan, not me...I'm just pointing out the fallacy of his generalization.  Hell, I'll be in St. Louis next weekend.

It's been fucking balls hot.  Hope you can hit the Cards game!
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 15, 2011, 05:45:45 PM
It's been fucking balls hot.  Hope you can hit the Cards game!

Probably not...I'll be driving up from Gulf Shores on Friday morning, so I won't be there until late in the evening.  And on Saturday I have a wedding to attend, and then I'll be heading back to Birmingham on Sunday.

It would be cool to go to a game at some point though; I've been meaning to visit more MLB stadiums, but haven't really had the funding or time.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 15, 2011, 07:59:09 PM
Easier than other countries, yes, but I still don't think it boils down to simply strolling out of your poopty, run down apartment and obtaining a better job just because...

Really?  This doesn't even warrant a response.  We all know that you have to do a bit more than just stroll out of your apartment to improve your life.  You're stating the overwhelmingly obvious. 

Being morally reprehensible...

Again, your terminology and absurd application of the original comments...  Extending the original comments to these absurd conclusions is ridiculous.  Discussion is pointless...
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 15, 2011, 08:07:15 PM
Really?  This doesn't even warrant a response.  We all know that you have to do a bit more than just stroll out of your apartment to improve your life.  You're stating the overwhelmingly obvious.

Sure, but your over-simplified response of "get a better job" is just that:  over-simplified.  We all know that getting a better job is not always possible, so it's not some easy, universal solution like you make it out to be.

Again, your terminology and absurd application of the original comments...  Extending the original comments to these absurd conclusions is ridiculous.  Discussion is pointless...

rep·re·hen·si·ble/ˌrepriˈhensəbəl/
Adjective: Deserving censure or condemnation.

Your terminology was that they have "lower moral standards."  Are you trying to tell me that someone who has lower moral standards doesn't deserve severe reproof and strong censure regarding their lack of acceptable moral standards?  I don't see where you're getting that my terminology and your terminology are somehow drastically different...it seems rather nit-picky, actually.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 16, 2011, 10:04:04 AM
Sure, but your over-simplified response of "get a better job" is just that:  over-simplified.  We all know that getting a better job is not always possible, so it's not some easy, universal solution like you make it out to be.

That's ridiculous.  You're just deriving and accepting more pathetic excuses here.  It was over-simplified to mock the pathetic nature of the majority of our poor.  Nobody's suggesting that jobs grow on trees, but jobs are still available.  This "not always possible" excuse holds no weight in the real world.  If a better paying job isn't immediately available, you get a second part-time job until you find that better paying job.  Excusing and accepting mediocrity is just another example of the lower standards and weaker values plaguing these subcultures (and political parties). 

rep·re·hen·si·ble/ˌrepriˈhensəbəl/
Adjective: Deserving censure or condemnation.

Your terminology was that they have "lower moral standards."  Are you trying to tell me that someone who has lower moral standards doesn't deserve severe reproof and strong censure regarding their lack of acceptable moral standards?  I don't see where you're getting that my terminology and your terminology are somehow drastically different...it seems rather nit-picky, actually. 

Actually, I didn't use the phrase "lower moral standards" in this thread.  That was also your terminology, and it implies something more extreme than my original statement.  You also introduced the term, reprehensible, which is also something that I did not use.  While I might mock and even berate the lessor standards that I referenced in this thread, I never suggested that they were necessarily reprehensible.  That was your play on words. 
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 16, 2011, 04:11:13 PM
That's ridiculous.  You're just deriving and accepting more pathetic excuses here.  It was over-simplified to mock the pathetic nature of the majority of our poor.  Nobody's suggesting that jobs grow on trees, but jobs are still available.  This "not always possible" excuse holds no weight in the real world.  If a better paying job isn't immediately available, you get a second part-time job until you find that better paying job.  Excusing and accepting mediocrity is just another example of the lower standards and weaker values plaguing these subcultures (and political parties).

And what happens when that part-time job barely pays (or even fails to pay) for the gas that you use in going to that job?  Again, I'm not saying that there aren't lazy people out there.  But what I am saying is that there are many real obstacles for many people, and those obstacles aren't always overcome by simply getting a "better" job, or a new job, or a second job, etc.  This is especially the case when you're talking about the current status of our economy.

Actually, I didn't use the phrase "lower moral standards" in this thread.

Again with the nit-picking...have a look-see at the following quotes:

Of course, we all know that individuals should be responsible for their own actions, but a community (or village of morons) that produces or fosters an excessive number of felons will likely lack the standards or morals that are beneficial to a society.

Those areas with higher crime rates are populated by individuals who tend to have lower standards and values than those individuals who reside in safer areas.

Sorry for not using your exact phrasing, but I didn't know that my use of "lower moral standards" was going to be viewed by you as the antonym of "lower standards" and "lower values."

You also introduced the term, reprehensible, which is also something that I did not use.  While I might mock and even berate the lessor standards that I referenced in this thread, I never suggested that they were necessarily reprehensible.  That was your play on words. 

Stating that someone's morals, standards, and values are "lower" or "lacking" indicates that there is an acceptable norm.  If your standards don't meet the acceptable norm, then they're deserving of censure.  Guess what censure means?  The expression of disapproval.  I'd consider mocking and berating their standards as a form of expressed disapproval.  But, of course, it wasn't the exact wording that you used, so I'm sure I'll still catch hell for it nonetheless.  Synonyms be damned!
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 16, 2011, 06:17:23 PM
And what happens when that part-time job barely pays (or even fails to pay) for the gas that you use in going to that job?  Again, I'm not saying that there aren't lazy people out there.  But what I am saying is that there are many real obstacles for many people, and those obstacles aren't always overcome by simply getting a "better" job, or a new job, or a second job, etc.  This is especially the case when you're talking about the current status of our economy. 

Excusing mediocrity is just as much a part of the problem as their psuedo-inability to improve their situation.

Again with the nit-picking...have a look-see at the following quotes:

Sorry for not using your exact phrasing, but I didn't know that my use of "lower moral standards" was going to be viewed by you as the antonym of "lower standards" and "lower values."

Degrees, Honey...  If you don't keep your yard maintained as well as the rest of the neighborhood, you don't necessarily have reprehensible moral standards.  You just lack the same standards or localized accepted norms of your neighbors. 

Stating that someone's morals, standards, and values are "lower" or "lacking" indicates that there is an acceptable norm.  If your standards don't meet the acceptable norm, then they're deserving of censure.  Guess what censure means?  The expression of disapproval.  I'd consider mocking and berating their standards as a form of expressed disapproval.  But, of course, it wasn't the exact wording that you used, so I'm sure I'll still catch hell for it nonetheless.  Synonyms be damned! 

Well SugarShorts, we could throw all thorts of thynonymths out there, but they would be just azth inappropriate.  Maybe, we could try one of the following; disgraceful, abominable, despicable, disgusting, abhorrent, rotten, vile, demeritorious, delinquent, deplorable, opprobrious, disreputable, ignominious, inglorious, miscreant...  After all, thynonymths mean the exact thame thing.  Intelligence be damned! 
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 16, 2011, 08:04:29 PM
Excusing mediocrity is just as much a part of the problem as their psuedo-inability to improve their situation.

This is like calling a paraplegic lazy for not getting off the couch and walking to the refrigerator.  Sure, there are those people who are just too fucking lazy to go to the refrigerator, but then there are also those who, for any variety of reasons, are simply unable to do so.  Many people make excuses, but not necessarily all of them do.

Again, I'm not even saying that most poor people aren't lazy.  There's not really a way to accurately quantify that.  However, I think it's a stretch to assume that all or most poor people are lazy, and that all they really need to do is just go find a better job.  There are too many factors to boil the solution down to this overly simple statement.

Degrees, Honey...  If you don't keep your yard maintained as well as the rest of the neighborhood, you don't necessarily have reprehensible moral standards.  You just lack the same standards or localized accepted norms of your neighbors.

You explicitly stated in an earlier post that they lack morals.  You also stated that they lack values.  Thus, you can try to hold onto this whole "standard" argument all you want, but you obviously made references to their lack of morals as well.

Well SugarShorts, we could throw all thorts of thynonymths out there, but they would be just azth inappropriate.  Maybe, we could try one of the following; disgraceful, abominable, despicable, disgusting, abhorrent, rotten, vile, demeritorious, delinquent, deplorable, opprobrious, disreputable, ignominious, inglorious, miscreant...  After all, thynonymths mean the exact thame thing.  Intelligence be damned!

Let's try this again, shall we?

I use the phrase "morally reprehensible."  You say, "No, no, no!  That's not what I said.  I said they have lower standards."  But, in reality, you also said they lack morals and have lower values, not just some vague concept of standards that could apply to the manner in which they manicure their pubic hair.  You then went on to state that you would "mock" and "berate" them for this lack of morals/values/standards.

rep·re·hen·si·ble/ˌrepriˈhensəbəl/
Adjective: Deserving censure or condemnation.

cen·sure/ˈsenSHər/
Noun: The expression of formal disapproval.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but if you mock and/or berate someone for their lack of morals, then you are expressing disapproval of their morals.  And if their morals are deserving of your censure, then they are considered morally reprehensible by you.  This is not some grand stretch using weakly related synonyms as you make it out to be.  But then, of course, you plainly deny stating anything about their morals when, in reality, it's clearly there in your post, so it's obviously going to take a miracle to have you acknowledge any of this if you don't even recognize what's blatantly stated in your own posts.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 17, 2011, 09:53:18 AM
This is like calling a paraplegic lazy for not getting off the couch and walking to the refrigerator.  Sure, there are those people who are just too effing lazy to go to the refrigerator, but then there are also those who, for any variety of reasons, are simply unable to do so.  Many people make excuses, but not necessarily all of them do.

Again, I'm not even saying that most poor people aren't lazy.  There's not really a way to accurately quantify that.  However, I think it's a stretch to assume that all or most poor people are lazy, and that all they really need to do is just go find a better job.  There are too many factors to boil the solution down to this overly simple statement.

You've essentially contradicted yourself in the same paragraph.  Discussion with you is pointless...  Yes, there are factors.  Some are preventable, and some are not.  When we focus on those factors that are not preventable, we're likely no longer addressing "most poor people" anymore.

You explicitly stated in an earlier post that they lack morals.  You also stated that they lack values.  Thus, you can try to hold onto this whole "standard" argument all you want, but you obviously made references to their lack of morals as well. 

Actually, I said that a community (or village of morons) that produces or fosters an excessive number of felons will likely lack the standards or morals that are beneficial to a society.  That doesn't imply that they all have reprehensible moral standards as you are asserting. 

Let's try this again, shall we? 

No...  No need...  Your play on words bores me and clouds the point where we actually seem to agree to some extent. 
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GH2001 on June 17, 2011, 11:55:14 AM
I wish more Presidential debates were this good.

Ya'll two are in love.  :fag:
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 17, 2011, 12:10:06 PM
You've essentially contradicted yourself in the same paragraph.  Discussion with you is pointless...  Yes, there are factors.  Some are preventable, and some are not.  When we focus on those factors that are not preventable, we're likely no longer addressing "most poor people" anymore.

There is no contradiction.  You conveniently skipped over the sentence in which I stated that there's not really a way to quantify the number of lazy poor people.  This is why I said that I am not saying that most poor people aren't lazy; I can't sit here and tell you that they are.  I then went on to say that it's a stretch to just assume that all or most are lazy and that all they need to do is get a better job.  That doesn't mean that I'm claiming to know that most aren't lazy, I'm only saying that you can't simply assume that and also assume that they can just better their situation by getting a better job.

I'm merely pointing out that your over-simplified solution will not work for everyone.  I'm merely stating that the poor, as a class of millions of people, can not be stereotyped and given one simple command that will supposedly better their lives and bring them into the middle or upper class.

Even if getting a better job is the solution for many of those people, their failure to get a better job is not always due to laziness.  It's not always due to a lack of trying.  So even if your solution applies to the majority of poor people (which, again, would be hard to quantify one way or the other), it's not as simple as you make it sound.  That's the only point I'm making.

Actually, I said that a community (or village of morons) that produces or fosters an excessive number of felons will likely lack the standards or morals that are beneficial to a society.  That doesn't imply that they all have reprehensible moral standards as you are asserting. 

They lack of morals.  You mock and berate, or express disapproval of, those morals.  Thus, you find them to be morally reprehensible.

Of course, if you have some subjective connotation of what reprehensible means, then I guess you would disagree with the use of the word.  But if you take the actual meaning of the word, then it's accurately descriptive of your views on their morality.
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 17, 2011, 12:51:01 PM
You sonofawhoreson bitch! I wish I knew how to quit you.

So even if your solution applies to the majority of poor people (which, again, would be hard to quantify one way or the other), it's not as simple as you make it sound.  That's the only point I'm making. 

OK...  It's not as simple as I make it sound.  Does that make you feel better, Honey?  If you don't dedicate the appropriate amount of effort to improve your situation, your situation won't magically improve.  If you don't learn how to accomplish something, you'll never accomplish it.  Those are the points I'm making. 

They lack of morals.  You mock and berate, or express disapproval of, those morals.  Thus, you find them to be morally reprehensible.

Of course, if you have some subjective connotation of what reprehensible means, then I guess you would disagree with the use of the word.  But if you take the actual meaning of the word, then it's accurately descriptive of your views on their morality. 

Once again I said, a community (or village of morons) that produces or fosters an excessive number of felons will likely lack the standards or morals that are beneficial to a society.  That doesn't imply that they all have reprehensible moral standards or I find them to be morally reprehensible.  If you want to play with other colorful adjectives or thynonymthz to summarize that, go for it.  We all know that there are several alternative words with similar actual meanings that technically imply a degree of severity or contempt that exceeds my originally intended meaning. 
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: GarMan on June 17, 2011, 12:54:46 PM
I wish more Presidential debates were this good.

Ya'll two are in love.  :fag:

Is this for the Presidency?  Rockin... 
Title: Re: Interesting Statistics
Post by: Vandy Vol on June 17, 2011, 08:36:43 PM
You sonofawhoreson bitch! I wish I knew how to quit you.

No you don't.  I complete you.  We're like a gay transformer that combines to make...umm...well...something gay.

OK...  It's not as simple as I make it sound.  Does that make you feel better, Honey?  If you don't dedicate the appropriate amount of effort to improve your situation, your situation won't magically improve.  If you don't learn how to accomplish something, you'll never accomplish it.  Those are the points I'm making.

Yes, sweetie pie, that works.

Once again I said, a community (or village of morons) that produces or fosters an excessive number of felons will likely lack the standards or morals that are beneficial to a society.  That doesn't imply that they all have reprehensible moral standards or I find them to be morally reprehensible.  If you want to play with other colorful adjectives or thynonymthz to summarize that, go for it.  We all know that there are several alternative words with similar actual meanings that technically imply a degree of severity or contempt that exceeds my originally intended meaning.

Again, if you have a subjective view on the word "reprehensible" that makes you uncomfortable in using the word to describe your views of people who lack morals, then your opposition to that word being used is subjectively understandable.  But just go going by the actual definition as it is worded, it pretty accurately describes your view on their morality, especially given the fact that you are expressing your disapproval of it.  Something that is reprehensible is deserving of expressed disapproval.