Does Anybody Else Think BH Obama is Losing It?

[rushmc 23]

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As you say, a lot can (and will) happen between now and Nov.

What might that be??

Convention of dems will be by end of Aug., of Reps begin of September.

What "a lot" could happen???

Willing to learn from an insider.

I dont know of anything specifically but, if histroy is any indicator the campain will be a full contact fight untill election night is over. Speaking gafs, as of yet unreported associations, or stuff in ones history can all happen between now and then.

I am speaking both ways here. Insider though? Thanks but no thanks. Way too close where I am

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[mnealtx 0]

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I am speaking both ways here. Insider though? Well I will just assume you are again taking some kind of shot at me and I will ignore

Simmer down, Marc. She's from Germany and doesn't fully understand our political process - hence, she's asking for someone on the 'inside' (an American) to explain.

Christel - what most every election boils down to is getting the undetermined / independents to vote for a specific candidate.

There's going to be a LOT more political ads flying around the airwaves in the next couple months (gag), all trying to convince the undecided how GOOD their guy is and how BAD the other guy is.

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[rushmc 23]

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I am speaking both ways here. Insider though? Well I will just assume you are again taking some kind of shot at me and I will ignore

Simmer down, Marc. She's from Germany and doesn't fully understand our political process - hence, she's asking for someone on the 'inside' (an American) to explain.

Christel - what most every election boils down to is getting the undetermined / independents to vote for a specific candidate.

There's going to be a LOT more political ads flying around the airwaves in the next couple months (gag), all trying to convince the undecided how GOOD their guy is and how BAD the other guy is.

OK, I took it another way. I modified my original post.

Thanks
I did know she was not from the US, I just did not know where specifically....

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[christelsabine 1]

Correct, Mike. I do not understand what events now! - in these very last weeks - possibly could change anything important.

How about anyone from your side of the pond would give a prognosis?

It's astonishingly docile over there .....

Or is it just the calm before the storm?

dudeist skydiver # 3105

[rushmc 23]

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Correct, Mike. I do not understand what events now! - in these very last weeks - possibly could change anything important.

How about anyone from your side of the pond would give a prognosis?

It's astonishingly docile over there .....

Or is it just the calm before the storm?

Which ever way it goes it will be close. At this time I feel Obama has lost the momentum and he is feeling the presure. The Dem convetion is coming up and the first look at how the start of the real campain will go will be seen then. Soon followed by the R's convention but, I think Obama will have the chance to frame the debate for a while.

At this point I think it is Obamas to screw up. About 70 days left before the vote. Stay tuned

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Muenkel 0]

It's definitely the calm before the storm. Many voters do not pay attention during the summer. We also have had the Olympics going on. Things will heat up after the conventions are over.

To answer your earlier question in regard to when independents will make up their minds: Some after the conventions, some after the debates (late Oct.) and some literally in the voting booth.

In the case of McCain vs. Obama, if the economy is front and center; Obama will most likely have the edge. If it is foreign policy and homeland security, McCain would most likely have the edge.

I didn't mention the secret girlfriend stashed away. if there is one on either side, that will come out in late Oct.

_________________________________________
Chris

[rushmc 23]

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It's definitely the calm before the storm. Many voters do not pay attention during the summer. We also have had the Olympics going on. Things will heat up after the conventions are over.

To answer your earlier question in regard to when independents will make up their minds: Some after the conventions, some after the debates (late Oct.) and some literally in the voting booth.

In the case of McCain vs. Obama, if the economy is front and center; Obama will most likely have the edge. If it is foreign policy and homeland security, McCain would most likely have the edge.

I didn't mention the secret girlfriend stashed away. if there is one on either side, that will come out in late Oct.

The proverbial October surprise!
One is threatened every cycle. Suppose there will be one this time? Either way?

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[Muenkel 0]

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The proverbial October surprise!

One is threatened every cycle. Suppose there will be one this time? Either way?

I have no idea but I'm sure both sides are digging up the skeletons as we speak. If Edwards won the nomination, his girlfriend may not have been exposed until late October. I would imagine though that Edwards supportive media would have exposed it long ago before the primaries were over.

_________________________________________
Chris

[christelsabine 1]

Bah, the secret girlfriends .... it's old news, we have the same here.

McCain is much too too reserved. He should have left his country to bring himself into the game much more.

Where are McCains favours in foreign policies?

dudeist skydiver # 3105

[Lucky... 0]

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Honest Question.

Seems he is might angry lately.....

W/o reading the whole thread, propaganda for a losing party? No substance to start it off with? SHould I follow with statements about McSames diaper being full? Nah, my party is in the lead.

[SpeedRacer 1]

cartoon:

Speed Racer
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[rushmc 23]

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cartoon:

Your point?

(I am looking forward to this answer)

"America will never be destroyed from the outside,
if we falter and lose our freedoms,
it will be because we destroyed ourselves."
Abraham Lincoln

[kallend 2,230]

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cartoon:

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[kelpdiver 2]

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Correct, Mike. I do not understand what events now! - in these very last weeks - possibly could change anything important.

Historically the vast majority of voters had decided by Labor Day (~Sept 1st), but most years the conventions are already done as well.

As noted by another, there is always the question of how many Democrats will vote - will they vote for a black man? They say so in polls, but the election is a different (and anonymous) act. I believe the young voters, who appear to actually have dismissed race as a primary factor, is the key. Who shows at the election - when only 50% do, it's important who it is.

Realistically, I think at this point you can take votes away (attack ads) much more easily than you can gain them. McCain hammered Obama this month, but payback will be coming, and it will probably hurt. McCain is doing everything he can to separate himself from the Bush administration, but he's promoting the same exact platform, the same Iraqi war plan. I believe the Democrats have been saving their ammo for Sept after their convention.

If McCain has a lead, expect him to duck the debates - the poll leader generally dictates the number and format.

[kelpdiver 2]

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we need a healthy and well educated population if we're going to lead the world in innovation,

agreed,

but have you noticed lately that a whole lot more native born are "investing" in degrees for law and political science and soft social sciences rather than science and engineering and math?

We'll have very few people building and inventing, and a HUGE glut of people trained and qualified to complain about and punish those few.

Worth repeating.

VR/Marg

We have a bunch of math freaks...the problem is they're all going to the investment world. As always, Americans go to where the money is. '2 and 20' is a lot of money.

Unfortunately, trading in derivatives produces nothing. It's very fascinating stuff to me - a mix of math, game theory, and high stakes gambling - but it's definitely a problem for the best and brightest to focus on something with no tangible products.

[likearock 2]

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we need a healthy and well educated population if we're going to lead the world in innovation,

agreed,

but have you noticed lately that a whole lot more native born are "investing" in degrees for law and political science and soft social sciences rather than science and engineering and math?

Where will the innovation come from if this is the focus, even if it's offered up free? Seems a trend of taking the easy way out lately.

We'll have very few people building and inventing, and a HUGE glut of people trained and qualified to complain about and punish those few.

I'd put it another way. We'll have very few people with a healthy respect for empirical truth, and a huge glut of people predisposed to manipulating the facts to suit their argument.

[birdlike 0]

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I'd put it another way. We'll have very few people with a healthy respect for empirical truth, and a huge glut of people predisposed to manipulating the facts to suit their argument.

I think we have that already.

Spirits fly on dangerous missions
Imaginations on fire

[jcd11235 0]

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We have a bunch of math freaks...the problem is they're all going to the investment world.

I resemble that remark, so I thought I'd offer my 2¢.

I left my Math/Physics program because I got tired of having to prove over and over that I can integrate by parts. I made my A in Calculus II; that should be enough, IMO. I despise spending 10-30 minutes doing integrations that I can do in 20-30 seconds on my calculator, with fewer "stupid" mistakes.

Personally, I believe it is more important to know why and when I need to integrate than to be able to do it with a pencil and paper every time. Yes, I can, but no, I don't like to.

I live in a world where a calculator or a computer with appropriate software is more common than pencils and paper. What am I supposed to do if I can't find a pencil and paper? Are future employers going to want me to do my calculations by hand, or with a computer? The professors typically disagree, which is their prerogative. It's their sandbox. I changed my major to one in which knowing when and why mathematical operations are valued more than knowing how to do them with pencil and paper.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[JackC 0]

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We have a bunch of math freaks...the problem is they're all going to the investment world.

I resemble that remark, so I thought I'd offer my 2¢.

I left my Math/Physics program because I got tired of having to prove over and over that I can integrate by parts. I made my A in Calculus II; that should be enough, IMO. I despise spending 10-30 minutes doing integrations that I can do in 20-30 seconds on my calculator, with fewer "stupid" mistakes.

Personally, I believe it is more important to know why and when I need to integrate than to be able to do it with a pencil and paper every time. Yes, I can, but no, I don't like to.

I live in a world where a calculator or a computer with appropriate software is more common than pencils and paper. What am I supposed to do if I can't find a pencil and paper? Are future employers going to want me to do my calculations by hand, or with a computer? The professors typically disagree, which is their prerogative. It's their sandbox. I changed my major to one in which knowing when and why mathematical operations are valued more than knowing how to do them with pencil and paper.

That's a shame. I only write code to solve my maths when analytical results are not possible. Maths software isn't infallible. Whatever code you use, it's always worth checking it against maths you can do before you ask it to do maths you can't do. But if you can't even be bothered to do the maths you can do...

[christelsabine 1]

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Realistically, I think at this point you can take votes away (attack ads) much more easily than you can gain them. McCain hammered Obama this month, but payback will be coming, and it will probably hurt. McCain is doing everything he can to separate himself from the Bush administration, but he's promoting the same exact platform, the same Iraqi war plan. I believe the Democrats have been saving their ammo for Sept after their convention.

If McCain has a lead, expect him to duck the debates - the poll leader generally dictates the number and format.

As per Gallup poll dtd. Aug. 20, it was Mcain 44 % - Obama 45 %. Absolutely surprising, leaving many assumptions open .... Is there a poll "leader" already??

dudeist skydiver # 3105

[kelpdiver 2]

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Realistically, I think at this point you can take votes away (attack ads) much more easily than you can gain them. McCain hammered Obama this month, but payback will be coming, and it will probably hurt. McCain is doing everything he can to separate himself from the Bush administration, but he's promoting the same exact platform, the same Iraqi war plan. I believe the Democrats have been saving their ammo for Sept after their convention.

If McCain has a lead, expect him to duck the debates - the poll leader generally dictates the number and format.

As per Gallup poll dtd. Aug. 20, it was Mcain 44 % - Obama 45 %. Absolutely surprising, leaving many assumptions open .... Is there a poll "leader" already??

Because of the electoral college, it's more meaningful to look at the state polls rather than the national one, which can be slanted by voters in California, Texas, New York, where the state outcome isn't in doubt.

Florida, Ohio, Michigan should be the key ones.

[jcd11235 0]

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Maths software isn't infallible.

Agreed. However, I'm familiar with the strengths and weaknesses of the software I most often use. I generally know when a problem is going to cause issues. For that matter, it typically does to, and will give a warning with the results. Unfortunately, that usually only occurs on problems that my own analytical methods will be challenged by. I also utilize multiple software solutions, which have different strengths and weaknesses.

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Whatever code you use, it's always worth checking it against maths you can do before you ask it to do maths you can't do.

That's how I made it through most of my math classes. My calculator and I verified each other, with a little help from the student solutions manual. As much respect as I have for most of my Maths professors, I learned far more from my calculator while working assignments than from class.

At least for some people, the analytical journey is much easier to learn if one can see the destination from the beginning (i.e. instead of solving INT(f(x),x), showing that INT(f(x),x) = g(x) + C). Being able to slightly change the problem many times in a very short amount of time to see how those changes affect the answer is also a valuable learning tool, one that contributed to my understanding of the material. It never hurt that I could ask my calculator questions at 3:00 am, a practice my professors would generally not welcome had I directed the questions at them.

Proofs notwithstanding, I don't thing methods matter much when it comes to learning mathematical concepts. What can be understood using analytical methods can also be understood by utilizing software.
My experience has been that advanced maths software is next to useless unless one has an underlying understanding of the maths. The software can't teach when or why an operation needs to be done. That comes only with understanding.

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But if you can't even be bothered to do the maths you can do...

When I have a limited amount of time to take a Physics test, I don't want to waste time doing integrations or messy derivatives by hand. It's not a Maths class. If my calculator gives me the incorrect answer, that's a chance I'm more than willing to take. I'm far more likely to make a stupid (e.g. forget to copy an exponent or coefficient from one step to the next) error working a problem analytically, with pencil and paper (as opposed to analytically with a calculator), than in data entry. YMMV.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[Amazon 7]

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Florida, Ohio, Michigan should be the key ones.

I think the Diebold one is far more important

[kallend 2,230]

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Florida, Ohio, Michigan should be the key ones.

I think the Diebold one is far more important

blogs.computerworld.com/diebold_premier_fesses_lost_oh_votes

August 25, 2008 - 6:22 A.M.

Diebold/Premier 'fesses lost OH votes
IT TOPICS:Government & Regulation, Hardware, Security, Software, Windows & Microsoft

In Monday's IT Blogwatch, we discover that Ohio's voting machine irregularities aren't McAfee's fault after all. Not to mention misspelled tattoos...

A major electronic voting system vendor has changed its story in an attempt to explain how its machines dropped hundreds of votes in Ohio's March primary elections, saying it was a programming error, not the fault of antivirus software.

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The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[kelpdiver 2]

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I live in a world where a calculator or a computer with appropriate software is more common than pencils and paper. What am I supposed to do if I can't find a pencil and paper? Are future employers going to want me to do my calculations by hand, or with a computer? The professors typically disagree, which is their prerogative. It's their sandbox. I changed my major to one in which knowing when and why mathematical operations are valued more than knowing how to do them with pencil and paper.

someone has to write the software on which you rely. And innovation is more likely to come from those people than those who use the software.

Given some of the postings you've made here, the need for those basic math people is quite clear.