Iraq - The war that just keeps on giving

[Wezil]

The usual idiots seems to have posted

Yeah I noticed. Took about 30 secs this time.

I see Ben is on the idiot side (well duh!).

I feel reassured.

[KrazyHorse]

So perhaps you can explain what the point of the nonsense you posted was?

[Wezil]

Nah, I'll save you the effort.


Just call me a **** and put me on ignore please.

[Wezil]

If your poodle would do the same it would be nice.

[KrazyHorse]

I accept your surrender. Mods, please close this thread.

[KrazyHorse]

I really wish there was somebody left who could at least make it difficult.

It's no fun to win all the time.

[Wezil]

Eventually you and Kuci will get tired of talking at each other.

[KrazyHorse]

Still not going to even try to defend your breathless posting of the statistics of homicide commissions by returning veterans?

Be a man and admit that you simply didn't think the numbers through before you posted. 121 murder charges sounded like a lot to you and it confirmed your previous beliefs, so you didn't bother to think too deeply.

[Wezil]

.

Nah, I'll save you the effort.


Just call me a **** and put me on ignore please.

[KrazyHorse]

Wish I could, but my heart's not in it.



You just rolled over. No fun in it.

[Wezil]

You are undoubtedly a very smart guy KH. Unfortunately you also happen to be a complete and utter *******. The combination doesn't lead to pleasant interactions.

[KrazyHorse]

Pleasant interactions don't lead to learning.

Only those who are already intellectually open can be taught. Those who are not need to be punished. It's behavioural training.

Think of me as an incentive to improve the quality of your thinking.

[Blaupanzer]

I really wish there was somebody left who could at least make it difficult.

It's no fun to win all the time.

Since you can't stand to even contemplate losing, I suspect this expressed sentiment is insincere.

However, in this particular case, you is right. By selecting a small enough sample size anyone can cause alarm bells to seem to ring. However, Americans seem to understand very little about statistics, sample sizes, and relevant conclusions. In this case, the soldiers are the ones getting the bad rap.

[KrazyHorse]

Since you can't stand to even contemplate losing

I love losing arguments. When I lose it means I get to learn something.

However, in this particular case, you is right. By selecting a small enough sample size anyone can cause alarm bells to seem to ring.

I have no idea what this has to do with the point I made.

[KrazyHorse]

To be explicit, instead of toying with you:

My point was simply that homicide commission rates by Iraq & Afghanistan veterans in the US appear to be, if anything, lower than those of the average American (adjusted for age and sex).

This has nothing to do with the size of the sample or statistical uncertainties. These issues often arise, especially with very small numbers of events, but the problem here is more fundamental.