At some point in explaining to my 8th grade math teacher why the students were
boycotting the "hot lunch" (sort of a rolling boycot that was extraordinary in
concept if not in execution) I stated that the food was lousey...and the
portions were too small.

Mr. Greco laughed and pointed out the apparent contradiction...I got it.  But
I was not up to the challenge of explaining to a math teacher how
contradictory evidence does not require that one set of data be wrong.

So, I think the congressman's choice of explanation is unfortunate...but
humorous.  Surely it may be a hardship for some to replace four tires
immediately...those things are expensive...and those poor people may have
already maxed out their plastic.  Yep, that's a tear in my eye.

-jc

Bode Morin wrote:

> Message text written by "BP - \"It's a bit disgusting,              but a
> great experience....\" -- Squirrel"
> >
> So, following the logic of the sociology students, can we assume that the
> charging of a fee for riding on a subway is intended to keep the rich rich
> and the poor poor?
> <
>
> Probably not as evidenced by the concern shown them last week.   At the
> hearings on Firestone tread separation, one of the Michigan congressmen
> remarked that the fact that Firestone was taking so long to replace tires
> was having an adverse affect on the poor.  Especially those poor on fixed
> incomes who drive Ford Explorers with Wilderness AT tires on them.  There's
> no way those folks could afford new tires while they await replacements so
> said the congressman.  It was tantamount to murder.
>
> The government is clearly concerned about the helping the poor (that drive
> late model SUVs).  It's Firestone who's trying to keep the poor poor.
>
> This reminds me of  what an NPR commentator said about 10 year ago that
> 80's Camaros, whose combination of speed and lack of safety were a
> Darwinian tool eliminating a certain demographic of the population.
> Survival of the Fittest and all.
>
> Bode  (Explorer driver with the death tires, underinflated in Alabama.)