> Of course, snowstorm spin is possible only if the public (and journalists) are statistically illiterate. The inability or unwillingness to do statistics, esp

> Of course, snowstorm spin is possible only if the public (and journalists) are statistically illiterate. The inability or unwillingness to do statistics, especially on the part of the media, is indeed a problem. However, it doesn't require statistics to clear up the motivating example-- confusion between weather and climate. Fifteen years ago, one could laugh or feel sorry for those who couldn't make this simple distinction. In 2010, it feels more like willful ignorance. In other words, Inhofe's family built an igloo as a political act, not as a result of statistical illiteracy.