OCR Text |
Show Dedicated to the Progress And Growthof Central Utah THE HERALD, Provo, Utah—Page 33 Wednesday, December 15, 1971 Ax-Grinding Via Statistics “~Tain't what we don’t know that hurts so much,” said 19th-century humorist Artemus Ward. “It’s what we knowihat ain’t so.” The words were never more apt than in this day when we toss around figures in the millions andbillions, whether dollars, populations or distances to planets, as if we knew what we were talking about. And like Hitler's “biglie,” the bigger the statistic we use, the morelikely that people will believeit. Tell someone that highways are paving over the country at the rate of one million acres a year, as the Sierra Club tells us, and he'll not dispute you. After ail, it’s obvious; wesee it going on all around us. We “know” it’s true. Thefact is: Most road building in the past half-century has been in improvements to existing roads, not building new ones. In 1916, the United States had nearly 3 million miles of roads and streets. Today, while population has doubled and the number of motor vehicles has increased 30-fold, road mileagehas increased less than onefourth to a total of 3.7 million miles. Another often-heard example is the claim that 750,000 Americans have been killed by firearms sinc the turn of the century. This wholly unsubstantiated statistic seems to have originated in the mind of the authorof an antigun book, and a lot of well-meaning people have taken it from there. The fact is: Nobody knows how many people have been killed by firearms since even as recently as 1960 because the FBI did not begin compiling data until 1961. Only very limited and incompletefigures exist for the years back to 1910, and they do not always distinguish between handguns and long guns, between deaths due to firearms and deaths due to explosives or between children allegedly injured by toys every year. This oft-repeated charge originated in a staff report of the National Commission on Product Satety in June, 1970. The fact is: The figure is a sheer “projection” -- that is, a guesstimate — based on an assumption that toys cause 3.5 per cent of all household accidents. But no one <eally knews the number of accidents connected with toys, both because no one has ever counted therm and becauseit is not alwayseasyto attribute the cause of an accident. Ifa child carrying a toy falls down a flightof steps andis injured by the toy, did the toy really cause the injury? There definitely are dangerous toys, and government and responsible manufacturers are trying to eliminate them. But nothing is helped by throwing around alarming and meaningless figures. A different kind ofstatistic is the one that is true enough asfarasit goes, but somepeople gotoo far with it — for instance, the lamentable fact that the United States ranks something like 15th among industrial nations in infant mortality, behind such nations as Sweden, Norway, Finland and Switzerland. Can the United States, with 200 million people, with its large minority groups, its big cities and vast farmlands, its slums, its Appalachia, its diverse climate, be compared with a country like Switzerland? Butit is, if a statistic is needed to prove a point or grind an ax. No, ’tain’t what we know that hurts us so inuch.It’s what we know that just ain’t so. Grain Sold to Russia? ia? Is the U.S.S.R.the actual destinationor, in some guise,its close ally India? Military andintelligence authorities, who were not consulted when this huge grain sale was authorized, are raising this moot jestion in view of two indisputable facts — ie close ties between Russia and India and the latter’s urgent need for additional large-scale food supplies. India is not self-sufficient in food production even in normal times. Of the mor.than $8 billion in economic aid the U.S. has poured into that country — more than anywhere else in the world — approximatelyhalf has been in grain and other food. In the past several decades when, due to drought and other disasters, millions of iisdians faced famine, the U.S. gave and sold (for Indian rupees which, in the form of socalled counterpart funds, remained in that country) immense quantities of wheat and \other products. As a result of such aid, the U.S. has more than §1billion in counterpart sba cet lA ela recovered and are constantiy depreciat due to the steadily declining value To "Barenthetically, it is noteworthy that the Indian governmentdid absolutely nothing to publicize this country’s huge famine-ayerting oe of food. In direct contrast, a tively small amountof grain provided by Russia was propagandized to the skies, Certain to compound India’s inherent food deficiency is its crass aggression against Pakistan and seizure of East Pakistan — with its impoverished 75 million people eking out a bare subsistence. The U.S. has given more than §4.5 billion in aid to Pakistan, much of it food for East Pakistan. Feeding and caring for these hungry and poverty-wracked millions will now devolve on India,It will be up to .udia to provide their “daily bread.” Where’ll It Come From? This inescapableresponsibility will greatly complicate andintensify India’s own already difficult food problem. Prime Minister Indira eee self-righteous governmentnot only have to makeup the “‘normal”food shortagefor its. own pecple, but also take care of the 75 million destitute East Pakistani being “liberated.” In this dire situation Mme. Gandhi unquestionablywill turn forhelp to her great good friends in Moscow. They provided her with the planes, tanks and other combat hardware to attack and batter her weaker and smaller neighbor, With U.S.food and other aid cut off, Mme. Gandhi will seek grain and other food supplies from her staunch Sovietallies. They can hardly turn her down under the Rg Qe pressive, is the statistic of 79%,000 Is India Getting U.S. WASHINGTON — Whoreallyis ge! the 3 million tons of U.S. grain recently sold to Ks homicides and accidents. Somewhat smaller, but still im- Inside Washington By ROBERTS, ALLEN RATS } KX NX) circumstances, The Kremlin actively abetted and supported Delhi throughout its devious and sanctimonious plotting to attack Pakistan. Russia is just as guilty of bald and vicious aggression against Pakistan as India. This is where the 3 milliontons of U.S.grain comein. But Russia, too, has food problems. That's why it sought this grain —chiefly corn,barley and oats.Its last big purchase of wheat was during the Kennedy administration, The Soviet grain crop this year was not exceptional; certainly not of bumper proportions. Additional quantities are needed to meet increasing feed grain requirements. ‘The imported U.S. grain is presumably for ‘his purpose primarily. Instead of diverting homegrown grain to produce more cattle (meat), the U.S. grain will be used. But Mme. Gandhi will be stridently pounding on Kremlin doors in clamorous quest for grain. Whether they wantit cr not, the Soviet rulers will have to respond. The ambitious goals set for expanding Russian meat supplies may have to be curtailed or delayed. But in one way or another unctuous Mme. Ganchi will get grain. ‘That's why knowledgeable authorities are convinced that is where the U.S. grain will eventually wind up. Not directly, of course, but circvitously very probably. The grain is being shipped to Russia, and mostlikely will be usec there. But Soviet grain it will replace will go to India. Andthatis wherethe 3 million tons of U.S. grain, costing upwards of $125 million, will ultimately go — in a typically Eastern roundabout manner. Some authorities are even betting that, despite this country’s indignant condemnation of India’s rapacious aggression against Pakistan, Mme. Gandhi will have the consummate gall to appeal to the U.S for large food shipments and other supplies for the “‘starving women and children” of East Pakistan. It would be just like her — piously calculating and sanctimonious. Foreign Flashes French ambassadorCharles Lucet is slated to be replaced next spring — probably by Olivier Wormser, a governorof the Banque de France. His wife is noted in Paris for her modish wardrobe and as a tess, ‘The Lucets have been relatively restrained in their entertaining in the several years they have been in Washington. The India-Pakistan war crisis was a real hardship for Secretary of State Rogers. it shattered his weekend. The former New York corporation lawyer is accustomed to taking his ease on weekends, his staff under strict orders not to disturb him “unless absolutely essential.” RANAN LURIE IN LIFE MAGAZINE Ray Cromley U.S. LosesAllies By Not‘Hating’ WASHINGTON (NEA) The India-Pakistan ward demonstrates again the difficulty this or ny country has in attemptingto bring about peace, a « ase-fire or even truce negotiations in the ".aeasy re, ms of the world Thedecline in U.S. influence in this instance, and the gains being achieved by R ussia and mainland China in the subcontinent, quite terribly illustrate how effective it has become to “hate” the right” country and back the “right” nation in order to wiafri and gain power in South Asia, the Middle East and Africa. If India triumphs, the consensus here is that it will become the dominant state in South Asia. The Soviet Union, as India’s sponsor and friend, will come into new influence andprestige throu ghout the region. At the same time Peking, as Pakistan's patron, will gain a base for expanding its own activities. Reports indicate the United Statesis losing the friendship of India because this country is not willing to vigorously “‘hate’’ Pakistan and back India in the war. Instead, the United States shut off armsto India as well as Pakistan. To make matt ers worse, the United States brought the matter to the United Nations after New Delhi had warned bluntly against such unfriendliness The Soviet Union, by contrast, was willing to condemn Pakistan unmercifully. Moscow was wiiling to back India with arms and fight Delhi’: 's case all-out in the United Nations. Analysts say the United States is also losing the friendship, trust and respect of Pakistan because this country is not willing to “hate” Indi lia. Our chief sin was that in the India-Pakistan war of1 1965-66 we also shut off arms shipments. Peking stepped in six years ago, as it is doing now, with arms for use against the Indians. As one prominentPakistani told this reporter sometime Paul Harvey back on a plane trip to Thailand, “Communist China helpedus in our time of need. You deserted us. They, not you, are our real friends.” A Nixon Versus Kennedy Race Might Become Ugly Affair So Sen. Edward Kennedy has said again thatheis not aiming at the Presidency. His actions to the contrary are drowning him out. His world travel, public proclamations and his mother’s memoirs are all timed to take advantage of a potential Democratic National Convention deadlock. A Nixon-Kennedy face-off rize our population as no election ever has before; inevitably it would be real ugly. Histori litic‘ans have itter the home folks at every whistle stop, whateverthe contradictions. Since nationwide news media, expedient contradictions are less convenient but Sen. Kennedy is desperate. His public relations army sees to it that he gets quoted on everything, whatever the contradictions. Letters to Editor Last July 19 on the floor of The head of the POW Congress Sen Kennedy ap- organization in his home state of plauded es pan President’s Massachusetts criticized his doproposed ‘rip to as “a nothing approach, magnificent gesture,” had said, “President Nixon will carry the prayers of every citizen with him to Peking and the cause of peace will be richer.” Eight weeks later that same Sen. Kennedy told POW relatives that the President’s trip is a “smoke screen.” He said, “While he is over there in Peking, your husbands and sons are rotting!” But now, with another election year dawning — with somepolls showing increasing Kennedy popularity among younger voters — the professional imagemakers on his staff up their product. If he gets the nomination, there'll be nothing pretty about the campaign. ‘The nomination would go to Significantly, Sen. Kennedy Kennedy only over the locked bodiies "s had demonstrated little interest in the POW situation Old Guard. The sbeeiant be theretofore. For five years he Kennedy camel has been oneof the few senators geared to an all-out mobilization lagers. refusing to letters of minorities and All the contrived oy calling for release of the ick” worse Wi prisoners or for assurances of be pyramided toward a their humane treatment. calealated crescendo thus to try with slurs and sneers to overwhelm the public recollection of ‘Kennedy contradictions; Kennedy offers to “crawl Communists,’ Kennedy “dating” other women in Paris the run of waste (sometimes — and Chappaquiddick. : belly deep) due to the restriction Deomcrat regulars don’t want of so many head of cattle? that kind of campaign. If man’sattitudeis to neglect Most Democrats with personal his responsibility to animals, in intentions in the same direction my judgment (though we are are trying to ignore Sen, Kentold “Thou shait not judge”), I nedy; except Sen. Hubert assumehe is about the samein Humphry, Aware there's a nature and relationship to his er Wi up in fellow men, the bullpen, Humphrey has SiBenson it to shush him now and “Dabbling Scribbler” then with some mild paternal 2295 N. 650 E. Provo remonstrance. Unofficially, President Nixon is to have said that of all the present contenders Kennedy wi “easiest to beat.” Perhaps. But, inevitably, it would be a muddy, bloody, dreadfully divisive fight. Editor Herald: I agree with the Judkins familyin their article, “One Day Don’t Neglect Animals Editor Herald, At this time of the year and with the weatheras cold as it is, I believe some attention should be given to those animals that are neglected, underfetl, fenced in with no wind or natural storm I am a believer of the responsibility, love, joy and friendship that can come from ownership of pets snd other animals. But to neglect and restrict much beyond a natural means of self preservation is wrong. Has notthe pollution of Utah Lake greatly been increased by BARBS By PHIL PASTORET Anyone who doubts that spring is just around the corner hasn't tried planting tulips without the aid of an air drill. The words “playing” and “bridge” contradict each other completely. The fellow whosaves his dough instead of vacationing WEN figures that a roll is better than a loaf. Don't study the stock Tolerance Is Keystone of True Religion in Seven,” but hasten to remind them that tolerance is a to know what the secre: taries are thinking Israel. In Israel, we are accused of being sympathetic to the Arabs. The Russians, willing to “hate the enemy” and back up their “‘hate”’ with large supplies of arms, are gaining influence in the Arab world. This is no argument for “hate,” or for picking sides. The victories cited above may be short-term. Dr. Lawrence Lamb Tendon Injuries Require Time Dear Dr. Lamb—I am a track runner. While running this past summerI hurt my Achilles tendon. I rested for one week and thentried to run Dut it hurt so I rested for two weeks, bathing the ankle in warm water and epsom salts. I am running now but there is the same pain in the tendon connecting the calf muscle with the heel. It is also kind ofstiff. lam wonderingif this could develop into permanent or serious injury if I continue to run. How can this be quickly and properly healed? What steps should I take to insure this won't recur? Dear Reader—These are often very difficult to treat. Aslong as the problem persists you simply can’t run You mayhavean inflammation around the tendon or an injury to the muscle whereit attaches, Some doctors have reported success by injecting the area with cortisone, or with Novocain, then gently stretching the muscle. More than oneinjection may BEARY'S. WORLD keystone of true religion, This means we permit our neighbors to govern themselves and not be answerable to the Judkins family or anyone except Brigham Young taught that the Eleventh Commandmentis “Mind thine own business.” If people desire to dress up their children aslittle devils and protest all evils in the neighborhood they will have a full time and thankless task, Please rather follow the French philosophy, “If thou wouldst reform the world, first reform thyself and make one market to learn where a corporation is headed: get This despite billions of dollars in U.S. aid to Pakistan and India over the years. Even now the United States is supplying considerable amot unts of help for the refugees. The Soviet Union followed a different course. It supplied the Nigerian government with weapons and a wide variety of assistance. Russian influence thereby gained tremendouslyin this African country, Western influence declined. Consider the Middle East. In several Arab lands, the United States is anathemaai mongst considerable numbers of the influential because this nation does not “hate” Sabbath keeper (for himself only) “I'll tell you why we never go out for dinner or travel any more—because ‘OU got us too far into MICROBIOTIC GOODS, that's why!” be necessary to obtain relief. Short of that I car only recommend heat, rest and gentle movementto gradually help regain full movement of the ankle. Poor running habits contribute to the problem. Be sure when you run that you let your heel take most of the body weight, not the toe. lf you run with your toe reachingoutfirst, let the foot sink to catch the weight or the heel. A lot of people get similar problems from jog- ging and running in excess of their level of fitness and through using their toes. Restof the ankle is absolutely necessary. Walking however mayhelp regain function earlier. Dear Dr. Lamb—First may I say your column is very interesting. I was wondering if you would enlighten me on what really is heart convulsions? Would you say they are dangerous? What causes them and what treatment is given? My mother, who is 57, has these quite often but went to a doctor only once. I am in favor of her going to a heart specialist. Dear Reader—There are several things you could mean. Whenthe heart beats so slowly that there is inadequate circulation to the brain, a convulsion occurs. Another condition is a gross irregularity of the heart to the poin' that it can’t pump blood. ‘This causes those dramatic “cardiac arrests” you have probably seen on TV. These don’t recur very often since they are fatal unless there is immediate medical assistance. Less complex irregularities may cause symptoms and would require an examination to identify. In any case you are right, she should go see a heart specialist, ‘ 4 4 |