By Jim Irvine

American novelist/philosopher Mark Twain once wrote, "There are lies, damned lies and statistics." Even in his day, he recognized -- especially in media reporting -- that legitimate statistics are often presented in such a way to create an impression that can be far from the whole truth.

For example, last month the FBI released preliminary data indicating an increase in 2005 violent crime. The USA Today reports there is new evidence that crime has continued to rise this year.

From the article:

A review of 55 cities' crime data from the first six months of this year indicates the overall number of homicides rose by 4.2% compared with the same period in 2005, according to the Police Executive Research Forum, a police advocacy group. In a report Thursday, the group also said robberies rose nearly 10% and that aggravated assaults were up slightly.

We have learned from past "research" by gun control advocates that sometimes data is looked at and then certain portions of the data (55 cities with the "right" trends) are presented to give a false picture of actual circumstances.

There is reason to believe this rise in crime is real, and the problems it brings may be affecting you sooner than you may expect.

By Linda Walker

Leading into this election, all of the politicians are busy on the campaign trail making speeches, shaking hands, passing out brochures, planting signs, walking in yet one more parade, promoting themselves until they are about to drop. That's the name of the game, so they can stay one step ahead of their opponents. There's one State Representative in Ohio who isn't doing any of that, unless it's to help out his fellow Republicans.

How could that be? Certainly, if he doesn't promote himself, he would never be re-elected for a second term? Unless...the rest refused to run against the man!

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