Freep Jihad Semantics (Kinda Long)

Submitted by mbrummer on
I'm not going to link the article but the latest one that Brian has talked about on the main page. The two quotes the Freep want to rake Rodriguez over the coals are: “We think we’ll break the record — 25-year record — for overall football team GPA this semester.” “They’ve recorded the highest GPA ever recorded.” Analyzing the first statement, the statement is a passive statement and really doens't say anything. WE THINK... It can't even be fact checked, unless you can mind read my thoughts in that case, I need to start wearing tin foil on my head. It would be the same case if you said to your co worker. "Hey I think I'm going to get a ham and cheese sandwich for lunch." You then go to sandwich store and are tempted by a delicious reuben. So does your co worker call you a dirty liar for not having a ham and cheese? Of course, he doesn't. You thought that at the time, the delicious Reuben avaiablity changed your mind. The 2nd quote is a little more interesting. "Highest ever recorded" is the important part. The rest of the article talks about how the ASP has not tracked GPA in previous years. So if last year's is the only one recorded, it is by definition the highest (and lowest) ever recorded. Is it dishonest..a little. But politciians, public figures, mangers, CEO's anyone who talks in front of people are guilty of this kind of stats manipulation. Politicians are really guilty of cherry picking stats to further their arguments. If the Free Press researched every Detroit Councilperson's statistics and speeches as much as they do with Rodriguez, every politician in the state of Michigan would be labeled with the same coat of dishonesty. They are holding Rodiguez to a higher standard than all other public figures. Finally, I apologize for still reading the Free Press. I moved to Houston last year, and love my Tigers. Also, I'm originally from Standish, the state prison place, and am still trying to stay informed on the subject.
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Beegs

October 16th, 2009 at 2:38 PM ^

...the whole thing is just so silly. Is the Freep really being critical of RR for challenging his team to have the highest GPA? For setting a high academic standard? Dammit...I told myself that I wasn't going to be sucked into any more Freep nonesense. That's it...stop...I will say no more....not another word....(crap)

Joined: 08/17/2009

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mbrummer

October 16th, 2009 at 3:02 PM ^

I don't think the Freep is being critical of Rodgriguez challenging his team to have a high GPA. I think they are criticizing for using a "truthiness" fact to defend himself during the first rediculous accusation of too many practice hours.

Joined: 07/29/2008

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4godkingandwol…

October 16th, 2009 at 3:08 PM ^

... I've resisted the boycott call on the Freep. I did not want to punish the whole paper for 1 really badly handled investigative piece and a couple horrible columnists. At this point, however, I'm joining the cause. This article really pissed me off. It's not a big deal -- AT ALL. How is this front page news? With everything going on in Detroit's local economy and political world, how is this news? I've tried to come up with various theories, but it comes down to Occam's Razor... The simplest theory is the best... This is a targeted effort to bring down an individual and has nothing to do with good journalism.

Joined: 08/06/2008

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wildbackdunesman

October 16th, 2009 at 4:52 PM ^

"If the Free Press researched every Detroit Councilperson's statistics and speeches as much as they do with Rodriguez, every politician in the state of Michigan would be labeled with the same coat of dishonesty.">>> If the Free Press researched their own Rosenberg's words they could label him a dishonest hack. Does anyone actually believe that Rosenberg really can't remember how many players in the hour controversy were currently on the team (excluding the 2 freshman that were deceived).

Joined: 07/16/2008

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Tater

October 16th, 2009 at 6:14 PM ^

.....Rosenpuke being held to the same scrutiny to which he holds RR. This is a graet idea. The problem is that nobody but us will take him to task. The other newspapers don't have the cojones to rake "one of their own" over the coals, or thaty have a tacit understanding to never do so. It sorta reminds me of the concept of "the blue line" that is appearing in police dramas lately. I am having fun with the time I used to spend reading the freep, though.

Joined: 08/13/2008

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