In the article on Steve Raymer, the author writes of the Raymers' 1998 move to Connecticut: "They wanted to buy a house but had only 5 percent of the required down payment. They needed twice that."
If they only had 5 percent of the required down payment, then they'd need much more than twice the amount they had -- they'd need 20 times the amount they had (5 percent x 20 = 100 percent). In other words 5 percent of the required down payment means that they were missing the other 95 percent of the amount.
I'm guessing what the author meant is that the down payment was 10 percent, and they only had 5 percent, hence they needed twice that. But written the way it is, the sentence makes the author appear to be mathematically challenged.
Funny, I read the article, read right over that and I knew what they author meant, rather than reading what they wrote. Nice catch.
I catch things like this at work all the time. People report that "something" went from 20% to 22% and call it a 2% increase. What they should report is a two point or 10% increase.
quote:Originally posted by Semtex: In the article on Steve Raymer, the author writes of the Raymers' 1998 move to Connecticut: "They wanted to buy a house but had only 5 percent of the required down payment. They needed twice that."
If they only had 5 percent of the required down payment, then they'd need much more than twice the amount they had -- they'd need 20 times the amount they had (5 percent x 20 = 100 percent). In other words 5 percent of the required down payment means that they were missing the other 95 percent of the amount.
I'm guessing what the author meant is that the down payment was 10 percent, and they only had 5 percent, hence they needed twice that. But written the way it is, the sentence makes the author appear to be mathematically challenged.
Sounds more like bad math to me. While we're criticizing, why on earth would someone choose the name of an explosive preferred by terrorists for posting messages on a cigar board?
Posts: 2204 | Location: New York, NY | Registered: April 23, 2002
I think this is all nitpicking. Also just because criminals use legit items in the crimes, these items shouldn't brand the product as a criminal one (case in point firearms).
Who do you think came up with semtex? More then likely the CIA.
But I guess you are voting for Kerry, so fiction is more appealing than fact.
I've done some reading on explosives. It's interesting from the point of view of thermodynamics and chemisty. So I guess you can brand me as a terrorist supporter, or even I terrorist since I have knowledge to manufacture such items.
As the "Director" please try to take the highroad next time, and don't sink to the level of the poster. Who has obviously nothing better to do then register at a board, just to point out a 5 year old mistake in a magazine, that was more than liekly insignificant when it came to the general idea of the article.
</rant>
"There are very few personal problems that cannot be solved through a suitable application of high explosives."
Are we being petty about what someone calls himself or herself?
Isn't this a place to air questions concerning or to editors of a nationally recognized slick page magazine, regarding the sophistication of the writing style and syntax used by the writers it chooses to publish? I would certainly hope that the standards are higher than those used in editing "People".
While it may be appropriate to defend the substance of what was written, there does not seem to be reason to ridicule the person who believes that he astutely noted a problem by commenting on his or her choice of screen name. After all, people have been placed on moderated status seemingly forever for lesser things.
___________________ Santa Cabilla...patron saint of Quericæstan. VIVE COULTER! VIVE CPD!
Posts: 9771 | Location: Avenida de las Nalgas, Quericæstan | Registered: May 02, 2002
Are you guys sitting in the shadows, ready to pounce? Chill out. What I find more disturbing than Dave's weak attempt at a comeback is the fact this guy signed up just to point this petty mistake out. Come on, this is his first post, can't you see why it irratated Dave?
I wasn't irritated by someone pointing out a mistake in the magazine, but as I was typing my response I was surprised to see the name that poster had chosen. And Depthfinder, that was a very funny post.
Posts: 2204 | Location: New York, NY | Registered: April 23, 2002
Okay, first off, good grief people, I didn't mean to cause an argument. There was no malice behind my post. It's not like I was trying to flame the editors for not catching a mathematical error. I was just a little surprised that something so obvious wasn't caught. But people make mistakes.
Second thing -- this is not my first post. It may be my first post since these forums were converted over to this new format, but I assure you I've posted many times before on the old boards. Moreover, I've had this login name on CA for oh, about 7 years now, if not longer. Indeed, I first started using it as a screen name on the internet back in 1994 (yes, before Al Gore invented the internet, even).
As for my choice in screen name, I chose it because I've always admired the explosive. It's remarkably compact, versatile, yet powerful. There's just something about that combination of traits that I find really admirable. Call me a weirdo if you want. Different strokes, right?
quote:Originally posted by Hardlined: Who do you think came up with semtex? More then likely the CIA.
Ahhh...no. Generally government agencies don't name things unless they've developed them. Plus the CIA is famous for giving things acronyms or code names.
Semtex is named after the town in Czechoslavakia where it was made, Semtin. So it is Semptin Explosive or drum roll please....Semtex.
quote:Originally posted by BinDerSmokDat: Semtex is named after the town in Czechoslavakia where it was made, Semtin. So it is Semptin Explosive or drum roll please....Semtex.
What? Are you setting up reasons to attack the Czech Republic.
QM Quality does not occur by chance. It is the result of intelligent activities.
Posts: 7620 | Location: Cigar land | Registered: March 10, 2003
No Mike, they'll just get sued for their product working as advertised. Of course this will be because terrorists and other law breaking elements will use it in the course of their work, and the product will be blamed not the person using it.
Alan
Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it. --Mark Twain
B.A.S.E. #0006 <(O)>
Posts: 770 | Location: Greater Boston Area | Registered: August 16, 2004
Have you seen the babes in the Czech Republic? And what about Hungary & Romania? Sweet pickings there. Gotta get Canada to invade. Gotta join the forces.
QM Quality does not occur by chance. It is the result of intelligent activities.
Posts: 7620 | Location: Cigar land | Registered: March 10, 2003
