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Comment by randomtask | Hacker News Reader

I don't think having an opinion should preclude anyone from producing these kind of reports or reduce their persuasiveness. Personally I'd prefer to read a report from an organisation, such as the CATO institute whose political opinions are well known to me, than an "independent" government commission. At least then I know where they stand.

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Exactly, I know where they stand -- so I know to take whatever their findings with a grain of salt. What's that old adage about stats again?

How about "People who generically object to statistics KNOW their own position can't be rationally supported."

I haven't said anything about their stats or methodologies, but I don't know how you can outright dismiss the reputation of the organization when accessing those very things.

This is an intellectually lazy position, like dismissing a the findings of a scientific paper on the basis that the authors began with a hypothesis and sought evidence of its truth. Of course that happens, which is why the quality of sources and methodology should be taken into account.

I haven't real the full paper yet, but the sourcing is impeccable, using government statistics and peer-reviewed papers rather than private surveys or anecdotal evidence.

"What's that old adage about stats again?"

I think "he uses statistics as a drunk man uses a lightpost, for support rather than illumination" is apropos here.

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