> Date sent: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 14:36:22 -0800 (PST) > Send reply to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Doug Henwood) > To: Multiple recipients of list <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Subject: [PEN-L:8009] Re: contingent work > At 2:17 PM 12/31/96, James Michael Craven wrote: > > >These so-called BLS Stats best belong in a Stats Class on how to > >miscategorize, formalize, structure and contrive surveys to yield > >contrived results to support contrived assertions and "axioms" to > >support contrived syllogisms to support contrived policies to support > >some parochial interests and paradigms. There is nothing more to it > >in my opinion. > > Hmm, that doesn't seem to be the way Marx used official statistics in > Capital. But I guess you know better. > > Doug > > -- > > Doug Henwood > Left Business Observer > 250 W 85 St > New York NY 10024-3217 > USA > +1-212-874-4020 voice > +1-212-874-3137 fax > email: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > web: <http://www.panix.com/~dhenwood/LBO_home.html> Response: What is this about? Whatever Marx did is the sole test of legitimacy? But since you have mentioned how Marx used official statistics, Marx also noted that they had to be used carefully and that the very categories and analytical approaches and parameters of analysis employed in the Official statistics were system-specific and not "apolitical" or without class content in terms of the paradigms employed to construct and operationalize them or in terms of the paradigms/interests served by them. Further, you may have respect for BLS (whatever that means or on whatver basis you grant respect); I personally do not--I am not talking about particular individuals who work for BLS. Even an examination of their methodologies in terms of who is or is not counted in the labor force or who is or is not counted as unemployed shows where they are coming from--although they are essentially servants. That is my point and I stand by it. If disagreeing with your holiness entials "attitude-copping" then I plead guilty. Happly holidays. Jim Craven *------------------------------------------------------------------* * James Craven * "Reason is a narrow system swollen * * Dept of Economics * into an ideology. * * Clark College * * * 1800 E. McLoughlin Blvd. * With time and power it has become a * * Vancouver, Wa. 98663 * dogma, devoid of direction and * * (360) 992-2283 * disguised as disinterested inquiry. * * [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * * * Like most religions, reason presents* * * itself as the solution to the * * * problems it has created." * * * * * * (John Ralston Saul in "Voltaire's * * * Bastards") * * MY EMPLOYER HAS NO ASSOCIATION WITH MY PRIVATE/PROTECTED OPINION *
