(no subject)

[vicarz]

Tony has demonstrated that brains = Kerry. Seriously...
EDIT - Er nevermind...the factors weighed in calling a state smart are complete and utter crap.

http://cutthecrap.org/2004/10/its-official-smart-people-support.html

Factors = Public Elementary and Secondary School Revenue per $1,000 Personal Income (Table 54) +
Per Pupil Public Elementary and Secondary School Current Expenditures (Table 108) +
Percent of Public Elementary and Secondary School Current Expenditures used for Instruction (Table 132) +
Percent of Population Graduated from High School (Table 168) +
Public High School Graduation Rate (Table 177) +
Percent of Public School Fourth Graders Proficient or Better in Reading (Table 196) +
Percent of Public School Eighth Graders Proficient or Better in Reading (Table 204) +
Percent of Public School Fourth Graders Proficient or Better in Writing (Table 212) +
Percent of Public School Eighth Graders Proficient or Better in Writing (Table 220) +
Percent of Public School Fourth Graders Proficient or Better in Mathematics (Table 228) +
Percent of Public School Eighth Graders Proficient or Better in Mathematics (Table 236) +
etc.
Load of crap. Smart kids?

Comments

[fenriss.livejournal.com]

By may calculations, that shows Kerry slightly ahead in the electoral votes. God, I hope so.

I also have heard that Virginia is currently a statistical dead heat. When was the last time VA went to a Dem in a presidential election? I'm positively thrilled to think that my vote might count for a change.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

I know! I'm voting like at least 3 times!

[eac.livejournal.com]

Are you sure that these numbers don't indicate a wealth (and therefore higher education, rather than smart-people) correlation?

Not that I'm complaining, mind you...and I'm voting in Michigan, where my vote might actually matter, too. ;)

[fenriss.livejournal.com]

Well, I was looking at the poll results that were included along with the "smartest states" results. So I *think* I was looking at whole numbers. Who knows.

[underfiend.livejournal.com]

I hope one is for Nader.

[littlekitty78.livejournal.com]

i have to send you something, in relation to that comment. you rock, man

[vincec.livejournal.com]

If you drop the "likely" voters requirement VA sure is close. If everyone makes sure to get 3 other Democrats to vote, or tries to we will take it.

[tiana67.livejournal.com]

If you look at the 21 factors they consider and the point system they are using to determine the "smart states".........um. I'll just have to say that I don't like how it appears that they are gathering the data. It seems it is not based on actual intelligence levels, or IQ's or number of grades completed, or college years attended, etc.

Here is an example - They subtract points for:
Percent of Public School Teachers Who Reported Being Physically Attacked in the Past 12 Months

They add points for: Percent of 4th Graders Whose Parents Have Strict Rules about Getting Homework Done

It just appears to me that the data is very biased based on environment, pay scale of teachers, drop out rate, etc. Although those factors DO play into a groups intelligence, I think that if a better means of determining the "smart states" were presented , then I might buy into this idea.

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Good analysis - I hadn't taken the time to check the measure. I'm guilty of not doing what I always recommend others to do.

I KNOW NEVER TO TRUST TONY AGAIN!!!

Heh.

[tiana67.livejournal.com]

Well, I am not saying that it is incorrect....it very well could be close to the truth, if the data were to be gathered based on another formula that includes GRADES, SAT scores, etc. However, I think it's validity begs to be questioned.

ALSO, I give you another twist to this "smart state" thing. LESS VIOLENT states are voting Kerry:
Have you ever wondered why New Mexico year-after-year rates as one of the bottom 5 states in quality of life (Morgan Quitno surveys), while our sister state, Colorado, consistently rates in the top 5 states, although both states are very similar in demographics, physical characteristics and climate? I, too, have wondered about it. My conclusion is that New Mexico is in the dung heap because we have just about the most corrupt politicians of any state. I've heard it said that New Mexico has the best politicians that drug money can buy. One of the biggest factors that Quitno uses is crime statistics.
(text above copied from this link)

[tiana67.livejournal.com]

I forgot the dang quotes around the text I copied....just to be sure you understand - the whole "Have you ever......New Mexico....." thing is NOT my words, the are from the link I provided ;-)

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Gathered...I really hate taht yo ucan't edit hte postss

[tiana67.livejournal.com]

I couldn't find 2003 data on crime rates per state, all I could find was 2002 (just for shits-n-giggles) and I complied it all in a spreadsheet to analyse. I do not see a pattern for high crime states per candidate. But it was an interesting enough concept for me to at least look at...if I find 2003 data, I'll check again.

GOOD GOD I AM A HOPELESS NERD....

[vicar.livejournal.com]

Next time I spend from 6am to 11pm writing a paper, I'll give you a call. Oh, and another one after I get a C on it. People wonder why I'm a drunk...

[littlekitty78.livejournal.com]

I only know like 2 people who are actually voting for Bush, seriously. I got free Kerry Bumper stickers and dog tags. :)