Michael Atherton is critical of the Clean Air Minneapolis smoking ban survey, and rightfully so. The Strib headline on the story totally misrepresents survey results. The survey was limited to registered voters who represent what percentage of city residents? And, I'd venture that those not registered to vote may have very different feelings regarding a smoking ban... speculation on my part, however. This survey simply gives local politicians cover if they support a smoking ban. The broader measure of ALL city residents of legal age to smoke would provide a more accurate estimate of a smoking ban's popularity. After all, ALL residents use bars and restaurants and have a stake in any outcome, as most bar/restaurant owners would attest. I believe that registered city voters actually represent a minority portion of the city population that should have been surveyed, to say nothing of possibly getting input from non-city residents that also frequent city bars and restaurants regularly.
Michael Hohmann Linden Hills > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Behalf Of Michael Atherton > Sent: Thursday, May 27, 2004 8:51 AM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: RE: [Mpls] 72 percent support bar/restaurant smoking ban snip > The List Manager posted: > > > ...that's what a Clean Air Minneapolis survey of city > > residents claims.... > > > > http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/4797883.html > > This story illustrates a few of things about the > misuse of surveys: > > 1. It shows that surveys can be statistically valid > and still misrepresent their implications. > > 2. It shows that even groups espousing "good" causes > can use unscrupulous methods to try and achieve their > ends. > > 3. It shows that the news media often doesn't take the > time to present balanced arguments to the public. > > Michael Atherton > Prospect Park snip.... REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
