Times Publishes Myths as Fact

New York Times reporter Micahel Lou appears terribly unfamiliar with the voting process in the United States and voters’ behavior because he presents two myths in single paragraph for an otherwise dreary story about potential Libertarian Party presidential candidate Bob Barr.

Saying his name 3 times will make him president

Oh, No

Reading Rees and Schnepel causes uncontrollable ralphing.
We have read nearly half of Daniel I. Rees and Kevin T. Schnepel report on fan behavior at NCAA Division I-A games.

And, we feel waves of nausea as we read through the study because we rarely read something with so many methodological flaws. Indeed, the paper appears so flawed, we can only wonder how this paper managed to see the light of day. lousy reviewers

We will have a full post on Wednesday.

Audi Goes No Where Fast

Vroom goes the oil burner
For the past few years, no manufacturer has dominated an automobile racing series as Audi has done with the American Le Mans Series, or ALMS. More surprisingly, Audi accomplished this dominance through a race car powered by a V12 diesel engine. Yes, Audi’s power lies behind a fuel most Americans’ consider smelly and believe produces underpowered cars (see the Oldsmobile Delta 88).

Lost in the twaddle emanating from Consumer Reports’ branding survey came disheartening news for Audi’s attempts at creating a TT stable mate that burns diesel. No one in the sample considers Audi as superior in the Technology category. Specifically, blame Audi’s promotions efforts on American’s complete ignorance of Audi’s technological achievement compared toToyota Honda other automobile companies.

Generally, the Consumer Report survey calls into question whether automobile manufacturers generate value by sponsoring cars in racing series like ALMS, NASCAR, and the sundry open wheel racing circuits.

Hieroglyphics Represent the Next Step

Would you like a sidebar or political analyst with that order?
The Cleveland Plain-Dealer wants columnists to write at a fifth grade level based on the Flesch-Kincaid test.
Money quote:

The memo says she wrote about Dennis Kucinich at a level appropriate for high school seniors, or subscribers to The New York Times.

The editors at the Plain-Dealer believe columnists can be effective when using words that a fifth grader can understand. The declining circulation numbers take the form of the 800-pound elephant that no one wants to discuss. The newspaper’s memo hints that readers will respond to those super great stories written for a fifth grader. If the paper’s writers can hit that level, the circulation will at least level off if not improve. If that apporach does not work, they can always try pictograms or hieroglyphics.

We Need Better Foreign Policy

We agree with Stephen Walt’s argument that newspapers need opinion writers who reflect a more realist approach to foreign policy. Unfortunately, newspaper face a tough slog finding writers who have worked over seas because they keep shuttering their foreign bureaus. The price we pay because newspaper owners need to maintain their 20% profit margins.

Bad Statistics II

Tops in the Dick Envy category

Simply, in a word, wow. Rarely has Blipverts seen such piss poor research methodology. Too bad Blackberries from Detroit to Nashville to Torrance must be in full meltdown mode after Consumer Reports ‘ automobile brand perception rankings (HT: The Truth About Cars).

Money observation:

Among new-car shoppers, safety (63 percent) is the most important consideration, followed by quality (58 percent).

However, Consumer Reports’ survey has nothing to do with sales. If it did, Volvo would hold the top selling brand spot.

Help Wanted

For 2008, two food retail companies needed a new chief executive officer. A CEO has been named at the first company while the second company cast about for a new leader. At first glance, the company with the new actually old CEO, Starbuck’s, appears to have an easier task. However, a deeper look reveals the second company, Krispy Kreme, represents the easier task.

Steal this mug to save this company

Return to Retailing Roots

For fourth quarter 2007, Wal-Mart ditched its George label, its attempt to widen the aisles, and its push to offer fashions that are more contemporary. Instead, the Bettonville Behemoth did what it does best: ever day low pricing. The move paid off as Wal-Mart reported strong stales.

For the next two years, this strategy will work. After that period, though, all bets are off.

Happy days are here again

Arena Remains Half Full

Helping to solve New Jersey’s problems since 1966.

New Jersey Star-Ledger’s ace reporter, Maura McDermott, relies on a single source to rally support for the 10-week old white elephantPrudential Center, never mind the looming recession or New Jersey’s mammoth budget shortfall. Arena manager Dale Adams ticked off thrilling events like the circus, Spice Girls, and Celine Dion that will inflame the passions of the residents from New Jersey’s northern suburbs.

The money statistic:

The Devils are attracting 23 percent bigger crowds to their home games than they did at the Meadowlands last year and Seton Hall Pirates basketball home attendance is up by 21 percent.

The readers correctly take McDermott to task for using percentages to paint a rosy picture. The use of Seton Hall’s percentage, though, represents misleading and dodgy reporting.

Don’t Run Electricity Through My Body, Bro

Shockingly hot

At Blipverts, we enjoy listening to Grammar Girl’s podcasts because they help us (1) write better and (2) correct other people’s mistakes. Okay, the second reason represents why we like Grammar Girl. Well, that, and the girl geek thing.

In a recent podcast, Grammar Girl weighed in on the use of Taser and tase as verbs (Podcast 77: Verbification of a Noun). She settled on using tased as the verb form of the noun Taser. We disagree completely. Our logic stems from another Grammar Girl podcast.