Politicians use statistics in the same way that a drunk uses lamp-posts—for support rather than illumination. Andrew Lang, 1844-1912, Scottish poet, critic, anthropologist; best known for collecting folk and fairy tales like those of the Brothers Grimm. (quote often mis-attributed–in my estimation–to Mark Twain).
While going down an unrelated rabbit hole, I stumbled upon a post at The History Tourist that included an entertaining image and story of life in the Arizona Territory, reproduced from a display at the Arizona State Capitol. The display reads, PANTS TREE One Phoenix City Ordinance declared it a misdemeanor for a Native American […]
I was copied on an email to the Scottsdale city council and mayor today, in which a word caught my eye: “Quango.” Quango (quasi non-governmental organization) is an acronym that describes arms-length bodies funded by government departments but not run by them. They are given power and paid for by government departments. One of my […]