[MD] Gun smoke in the shape of a fake letter and not a mushroom cloud

[ARLO J BENSINGER JR]

[Ian]
I do not trust numbers (per se) I trust numbers (ie numbers, words, logic,
rhetoric too) provided by a "system" I trust.

[Arlo]
Right. This is why I said "I trust the numbers because..." (1) they are derived
from multiple inputs (and in this case predating Obama's remarks), (2) I find
no contradictory studies, (3) the numbers are confirmed by my experience and
(3) I can find no reasonable reason to "distrust" the numbers. I've been
waiting (as I always do) for Platt to provide ANY of these in rebuttal, but so
far its just the same moronic, pridefully ignorant talk-radio rhetoric.

Consider the reverse. The oil companies tell us that we will save x (maybe
eventually) if we open up unfettered drilling on our protected lands (lands you
and I own, by the way). I find more credible doubt to trust the oil companies
since they have a vested profit motive to "fudge" the numbers. And I can find
contradictory studies published that dispute the idea that "more drilling will
lower cost". So there is some dispute that must be addressed reasonably.
Finally, my personal experience has seen land devastated by industry, and so
before I sign off on a potential for even more of our wild, public, beautiful
lands to be ruined, I support all efforts at conservation first, and drilling
on in the dire end.

Consider too that Platt's only remark was to "distrust the government" (he's
been unresponsive to my remarks that the figures come from, and are supported
by, the auto industry), a criticism I find on the whole fair (when did I say
"the government said it so I will blindly accept it in the face of contrary
evidence"), but why then should I so uncritically accept what the government
tells me about the war? Do you think Platt is advocating not trusting the
government when it tells us the surge is working? (He's been silent on that as
well)

So yes, "trust the numbers because..." and articulate a reasonable proposition
why (which I have done, agreement with experience, lack of contrary evidence,
no reasonable motive for deceit that I can think of... I mean, if you told me
air-gauge industry paid for the study, maybe I'd have some cause for alarm). I
am open to reasonable disagreement, give me studies, logic, evidence, personal
experience, anything that would make me call this into question. Simply
squalking the moronic talking-points of talk-radio (elitism! arugula!) and
saying something is ridiculous over and over (the Mighty Wurlitzer) may make
the pridefully ignorant happy, but it hardly passes for any substantive
dialogue.

By the way, did you know you can also improve your mileage 4-5% by putting in
new plugs (with platinum tips)? Several years back, the auto-industry also
published reports stating that most cars on the road would benefit from new
plugs. But I guess that's the arugula-eating elitist in me who points that out.