Republicans Can't Do Stats on Job Data

BlueRidgeData (@BlueRidgeData) 6/4/11 9:40 AM R's can't grasp time series data variation, regression fit of job data shows strong + beta-sub-1 slope coeff. Prez O knows stats, Repubs not

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May jobs data falls below trend line mean and the math challenged Red Team chortles. 

Stats Note: A fundamental of time series analysis... One Data Point Does Not Define A Trend. D'oh!

If any journalists out there need a little schooling on time series regression, let us @BlueRidgeData know, we can help.

From Riley's iPod Touch 

Augusta Farmers irate over 4H cuts

see today's story at News Leader "Changes coming at Augusta Cooperative Extension" Folks in the know, agree with us here at BRD, that many county family farmers are not happy with Augusta County Administrator Patrick Coffield's decision to make drastic cuts in the county 4H staff that supports national-award-winning youth programs in Virginia's 2nd largest Ag production county. A full generation of 4H kids and their parents, are mighty aggravated at the loss of well-regarded, 17 year veteran County Ag Extension agent, Jennifer Mercer. Appears to be an ill-advised decision. Natural consequences will occur as a result. There will likely be a backlash at the ballot box. It is a rare issue that crosses all political lines, All flavors of Republicans, Independents, Tea Partiers, Greens and Democrats are upset. The Board of Supervisors appear to have rubber-stamped the county executive's decision with apparent disregard for public sentiment. Expect to see this added to boiling pot of issues in upcoming Board of Supervisor races. It appears that the "staff" reporters at the News Leader missed the back story. Maybe news-hound Bob Stuart at the News Virginian will follow-up to find the story-behind-the-story. We'll see if our local newsies can practice digging a little deeper. Background - from Minutes of April 20, 2011, Augusta Co BOS budget hearing, public comments on 4H program cuts: There were several people who spoke concerning the dismissal of an Extension Agent position. They were disappointed in the removal of the Extension Agent who had been involved with encouragement and planning of such groups as “4 The Love of Horses”, “WHEP Nationals Team”, “Honor Club”, “County Council”, FFA Market Animal Show”, “Willing Workers Club”, and “Health and Fitness 4-H Club”. They commended Ms. Mercer on her “tireless and endless” work for 12-14 hours a day. “It takes someone with an education and personal skills to lead our youth to help them realize they can reach the goals that they set for themselves. We have that with the Augusta County Extension Agent that we have now. Jennifer Mercer is top of the line.” Ms. Crummett stated that it “takes a leader to produce a leader. The youth you see here tonight are our future leaders.” Art Salatin read an excerpt of a letter written by Josh Salatin who was unable to be here tonight expressing disappointment of Ms. Mercer’s dismissal. Ms. Persinger said that Ms. Mercer had helped her children to “know and understand their role as stewards of the environment, particularly in the realm of wildlife.” She also stated, “A good leader will let programs run themselves; however, an exceptional leader will encourage our youth to not only step out of the batting box and up to the plate, but she will encourage them to eye the fence and go for the home-run every single time! That is the type of leader Jennifer Mercer has been for the Augusta County 4-H youth.” Ms. Short felt that the public should have been allowed to give their input before a decision was made regarding Ms. Mercer’s dismissal. Ms. Murray asked that the 4-H Agent and Secretary position be restored to the budget. “The Agent and Secretary are always busy helping the leaders and the kids.” Nate Salatin commented “by cutting this program, you’re cutting long-term investment. You’re cutting long-term investment in the youth of Augusta County.” Ms. Fisher expressed concerns of funding being cut for 21 extension programs.

US Needs a Stronger Industrial Policy

 

IAN FLETCHER: Why Johnny Can't Innovate: The American Economy's Most Surprising Deficit

To get our economy back on track, we need to stop dreaming that innovation is purely a self-financing private-sector game and start paying for the innovation we need. Either that, or we're not going to get the economy we want.