Comments on: Alameda Point Leases: The smartest guys in the room http://www.johnknoxwhite.com/2010/01/14/alameda-point-leases-the-smartest-guys-in-the-room/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=alameda-point-leases-the-smartest-guys-in-the-room Mindfulness in the face of challenge. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 07:24:20 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jon Spangler http://www.johnknoxwhite.com/2010/01/14/alameda-point-leases-the-smartest-guys-in-the-room/#comment-1324 Jon Spangler Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:57:48 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1177#comment-1324 If Howard and Morrison had followed good professional and journalistic practice as reporters and analysts (roles they are de facto performing by "broadcasting" their "facts"), then--at the very least-- they should have verified both the numbers and their own analysis by checking them against independent and reliable sources such as Leslie Little of the City of Alameda. Furthermore, as accurate and careful reporters, they should be happy to "show their work" and declare who (or what) their sources were for verifying both the numbers they received (or generated?) as well as the accuracy of their analysis. Any professional reporter or journalist would do the same, as John Knox White has documented in his post above. If Howard or Morrison failed to justify, verify, or otherwise corroborate the accuracy of their sources, their numbers, and their analysis (analyses?), then their statements should not be viewed as being reliably accurate or trustworthy. If their "facts" or conclusions are not independently supported (and they do not seem to withstand scrutiny) then Howard and Morrison should stop misrepresenting the truth and apologize for deceiving their readers and fellow citizens. If Howard and Morrison had followed good professional and journalistic practice as reporters and analysts (roles they are de facto performing by “broadcasting” their “facts”), then–at the very least– they should have verified both the numbers and their own analysis by checking them against independent and reliable sources such as Leslie Little of the City of Alameda.

Furthermore, as accurate and careful reporters, they should be happy to “show their work” and declare who (or what) their sources were for verifying both the numbers they received (or generated?) as well as the accuracy of their analysis. Any professional reporter or journalist would do the same, as John Knox White has documented in his post above.

If Howard or Morrison failed to justify, verify, or otherwise corroborate the accuracy of their sources, their numbers, and their analysis (analyses?), then their statements should not be viewed as being reliably accurate or trustworthy. If their “facts” or conclusions are not independently supported (and they do not seem to withstand scrutiny) then Howard and Morrison should stop misrepresenting the truth and apologize for deceiving their readers and fellow citizens.

]]> By: Lauren Do http://www.johnknoxwhite.com/2010/01/14/alameda-point-leases-the-smartest-guys-in-the-room/#comment-1323 Lauren Do Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:15:45 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1177#comment-1323 DLM: Perhaps you should check with the creator of the initial spreadsheet before you assume that the City was the entity that created the first column which totals items like the "Projected Fund Balance" in a lump sum. As suggested by John above, the formulas used to calculate the first "Total" column are incorrect. Something that I doubt that the City would have produced. DLM: Perhaps you should check with the creator of the initial spreadsheet before you assume that the City was the entity that created the first column which totals items like the “Projected Fund Balance” in a lump sum.

As suggested by John above, the formulas used to calculate the first “Total” column are incorrect. Something that I doubt that the City would have produced.

]]> By: dave http://www.johnknoxwhite.com/2010/01/14/alameda-point-leases-the-smartest-guys-in-the-room/#comment-1322 dave Thu, 14 Jan 2010 19:01:25 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1177#comment-1322 You and David have put yourselves out as experts who have irrefutable data, something you’ve done many times. ========================== slow day, I needed a laugh, thanks John You and David have put yourselves out as experts who have irrefutable data, something you’ve done many times.

==========================

slow day, I needed a laugh, thanks John

]]> By: John Knox White http://www.johnknoxwhite.com/2010/01/14/alameda-point-leases-the-smartest-guys-in-the-room/#comment-1321 John Knox White Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:44:07 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1177#comment-1321 Darcy, You and David have put yourselves out as experts who have irrefutable data, something you've done many times. over and over again, it often turns out that your info is either bad or misrepresented. It's not "personalizing" a criticism to make the connection between incorrect information and the continuous fount of said info. Darcy,

You and David have put yourselves out as experts who have irrefutable data, something you’ve done many times.

over and over again, it often turns out that your info is either bad or misrepresented.

It’s not “personalizing” a criticism to make the connection between incorrect information and the continuous fount of said info.

]]> By: DLM http://www.johnknoxwhite.com/2010/01/14/alameda-point-leases-the-smartest-guys-in-the-room/#comment-1320 DLM Thu, 14 Jan 2010 18:31:54 +0000 http://johnknoxwhite.com/?p=1177#comment-1320 John: This is so garbled that I have difficulty following it but in any event: 1) This is the city's spreadsheet in Excel, with all the totals in place in the original version. Nobody "added up" anything -- why would they? 2) I got this spreadsheet via SunCal and the AARP (?) group. Ask them for a copy to compare against the one above, and you'll see that they're identical. In any event, I doubt that anyone will understand what you're saying here. And finally, I think it's inappropriate to personalize this issue. It has nothing to do with the subject at hand.. If you disagree with someone, then come up with a better argument. John: This is so garbled that I have difficulty following it but in any event:

1) This is the city’s spreadsheet in Excel, with all the totals in place in the original version. Nobody “added up” anything — why would they?

2) I got this spreadsheet via SunCal and the AARP (?) group. Ask them for a copy to compare against the one above, and you’ll see that they’re identical.

In any event, I doubt that anyone will understand what you’re saying here.

And finally, I think it’s inappropriate to personalize this issue. It has nothing to do with the subject at hand.. If you disagree with someone, then come up with a better argument.

]]>