http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071019/ap_po/obama_justice_12
2007-10-19 12:10:46 · 13 answers · asked by Iupiter Stator 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
Statistics are offensive if they point out a truth related to a minority group.
Some want to make publishing such statistics illegal.
2007-10-19 12:17:08 · answer #1 · answered by vote_usa_first 7 · 2⤊ 3⤋
People can be offended by statistics -- the same as they can be offended by any fact (true or not).
But the issue in the news article isn't the statistics -- it's the quote, which if true, is insulting..... and being insulting, people can certainly choose to take offense at it.
The quote being argued about basically said black people don't live long enough to count as senior citizens -- which is untrue, according to the statistics -- so, it's not the statistics that are the source of the offense.
2007-10-19 19:23:37 · answer #2 · answered by coragryph 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Sure they can, especially when they're used in a deceptive manner. I can say 2 in 3 adults surveyed* think your breath smells like manure, but it doesn't mean as much if it turns out I only surveyed 3 people. Then it's both a statistic, and offensive. See?
*This survey has not to my knowledge occurred, and is purely hypothetical, for the sake of making a point.
2007-10-19 19:21:00 · answer #3 · answered by Beardog 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
what he said wasn't statistically accurate?
it says it later in your own story you post:
"It is well documented that black Americans — particularly black males — have shorter life expectancies than whites. But blacks do live to become senior citizens.
A black person born in 2004 had an average life expectancy of 73.1 years, about five years less than for whites, according to the National Center for Health Statistics."
73.1 is the average... and that's elderly?
he said it wasn't an issue because they die before they become elderly?
statistics can probably be offensive... but that was a statistically incorrect statement
2007-10-19 19:20:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Democrat hate the results of the employment surveys, so they lie about it.
Facts is I see the signs of low unemployment every where I go. Job fairs where employers show up but few come seeking employment. They could not even find people for Eighteen dollars an hour to paint.
2007-10-19 19:34:42 · answer #5 · answered by phillipk_1959 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Statistics are just numbers, and numbers can mean whatever to whoever. What can be offensive is believing anyone who relies on statistics alone to back up a statement, because then it would be stupidity, and stupidity is offensive to right minded individuals.
2007-10-19 19:22:10 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Only if they tell one side of the whole story. Other than that, no.
You have to consider, Obama is behind Hillary with black voters. He is latching on to an issue to garner support among the black voting community. I doubt if this alone will do it. However, this can be used as one step toward that direction.
The circumstance goes to show that black voters do not vote simply on the color of ones skin.
2007-10-19 19:13:07 · answer #7 · answered by Chi Guy 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Did you know that 78% of statistics are made up on the spot...
2007-10-19 19:14:30 · answer #8 · answered by flaming_liberal415 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
No...but misusers of statistics can be very offensive.
2007-10-19 19:14:00 · answer #9 · answered by Mathsorcerer 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
As Mark Twain said "There are lies, damned lies, and statistics."
As Ronald Reagan said "Statistics are funny things."
2007-10-19 19:16:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋