tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post542835573271485987..comments2024-03-28T10:18:52.493-04:00Comments on Doux Reviews: The West Wing: Lies, Damn Lies and StatisticsBillie Douxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-39378287533673390432014-08-03T07:54:42.237-04:002014-08-03T07:54:42.237-04:00I've always seen this episode as an interestin...I've always seen this episode as an interesting example of group character development in two ways.<br /><br />The first is the whole idea around the polling. The President and his staff are all Type-A overachievers. They have spent their lives being the best, first at school, now in their careers. I don't think it's an accident that in this episode alone Josh mentions his SATs and Sam talks about getting their report card. It is imperative to this group that they are not only the best administration ever, but that they are loved by the people. The looks on their faces as they see the results are telling.<br /><br />The second is the Barry Haskell story. Talk about school yard shenanigans. Let's take the biggest nerd in town and let him come hang out with the cool kids for a while. If we do this, we can get him to play the game our way. It is telling that both the President and Leo know exactly what they are doing, but they use those tactics anyway.<br /><br />And, Juliette, I am with you on "I could care less." When I hear it and I am feeling particularly snarky, I point out what a ridiculous statement it is to whomever has just uttered it. We grammar nerds need to stick together!<br /><br />Lovely review, as always.ChrisBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843864158239536750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-75713244132279806052014-08-03T02:56:49.864-04:002014-08-03T02:56:49.864-04:00Thank you, Chris!
Thank you, Chris! <br /><br />Josie Kafkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892717530356699008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-78557826006183506732014-08-02T11:22:03.926-04:002014-08-02T11:22:03.926-04:00Thanks Chris, I didn't know that was the origi...Thanks Chris, I didn't know that was the origin! I've always assumed it was option 1, but didn't know where it came from.Juliettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00203399623895589924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-18042086927888798372014-08-02T07:17:35.254-04:002014-08-02T07:17:35.254-04:00Josie --
The origin of the phrase is hotly debat...Josie -- <br /><br />The origin of the phrase is hotly debated, but is often attributed to Mark Twain who attributed it Benjamin Disraeli. The entire quote makes clear that he means the first of your interpretations:<br /><br /><i>There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.</i>ChrisBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10843864158239536750noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-61712717549737468592014-08-01T17:58:03.729-04:002014-08-01T17:58:03.729-04:00I haven't seen this episode yet, but once I sa...I haven't seen this episode yet, but once I saw the title I knew this was the place to ask a question that has bothered me for years:<br /><br /><i>Isn't the phrase 'lies, damned lies and statistics'? </i><br /><br />What the hell does that phrase mean? As I read it, it can be taken two different ways:<br /><br />1. There are lies. There are damned lies. And then there are statistics, which are the most damnable lies of all, as implied by the list moving from bad to worse. Or,<br /><br />2. There are lies. There are damned lies. Then there are statistics, which are honest, as implied by the contrast between damned lies and the term that comes after it.<br /><br />Does anyone know?Josie Kafkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17892717530356699008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13727952.post-16199557127130118792014-08-01T13:58:19.250-04:002014-08-01T13:58:19.250-04:00Why did Leo ignore the fact that C.J. had a differ...Why did Leo ignore the fact that C.J. had a different opinion than the rest of the senior staff? It's disrespectful and felt sexist, and I spent the entire episode waiting for her to be proven right, which she was. And then Leo yelled at C.J. for not calling him about the Sam and Laurie thing, too. <br /><br />The Laurie subplot has been pointless and boring, but Bartlet's speech to Sam about congratulating Laurie on her degree and apologizing for the inconvenience was just lovely. So was the conversation about briefcases while they were waiting for the poll results.<br /><br />And the shell game with the ambassadors was great. <br />Billie Douxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17141769005175631213noreply@blogger.com