[Arktwo] Survey Progress

[Bruce Beach]

Initially we had planned to do the survey
all in one day -
but that didn't work out -
and it doesn't really matter
if we take a bit longer -
so long as no major news event happens -
that might change people's responses.

At this point
I am still waiting
for 17 pollsters
to report in.

Coincidently there are also
an additional seventeen states
in which we do not have a pollster.

If you would be willing
to be a pollster in
one of the following states -
please let me know at:

DawnSayer@webpal.org

and I will send you the survey forms
and instructions.

---------
1. California
2. Delaware
3. District of Columbia
4. Idaho
5. Iowa
6. Maine
7. Massachusetts
8. Minnesota
9. Mississippi
10. Nebraska
11. Ohio
12. Rhode Island
13. South Dakota
14. Utah Vermont
15. Virginia
16. Wisconsin
17. Wyoming

---------
Several of the pollsters
have said that they have enjoyed
doing the survey -
and I haven't had anyone say
that they didn't.

It isn't absolutely necessary
that we get someone in EVERY state.
Most national surveys do not.
In fact we are probably doing
a more representative coverage
than is done by most national surveys.

We have covered Alaska and Hawaii -
which many national surveys do not.

We have covered several military locations.
Which many national surveys exclude.

Some of the groups that we have surveyed
have been a little strange.
One pollster found ten PhDs over 70.
Must have been a university club or something.

This was perhaps offset by another pollster
doing ten male farmers over 50 in a feed store.
The Alaska survey was all men also -
but that is pretty much the nature of Alaska.
The military locations were predominantly male also -
as was a skateboard group
of mostly young males all over twenty.

Some surveyors have done remote rural areas -
and others have done major cities.
Some have done colleges and universities -
one did a church school -
and another a high school with mainly teenage girls.

If we only had a few survey locations -
then such groups might distort the poll -
but with so many different pollsters
one group offsets another
so it all adds to the diversity
of the mix -
and it all goes into the pot.

I have asked the pollsters -
where they can -
to try to get an even mix
of males and females.
I think most have pretty well done this.
We haven't controlled for age -
and I didn't account for the fact
that some of our pollsters are a bit older -
so we seem to have an over representation
of geriatric institutions.

I could trim some of the older persons' responses
to make the survey demographically
more adjusted to the adult population -
but I don't want to exert that  kind of influence -
so we will keep everything.

Many of the surveys were done
on Wal-Mart parking lots -
in malls -
even with chaperones at a school prom -
in farmer's markets -
and at all sorts of novel places.
In all they give an overall perspective
on the American scene.
I can't think of anything that
we are doing to distort the picture.

A few of the pollsters
misunderstood their instructions.
They ended the survey with an individual -
if the person said no to the first question -
(which was the correct thing to do)
BUT -
they didn't count that survey.
I had to go back to those pollsters
and asked them how many 'No's they had gotten -
so that we could add them back in.

I have often had to go back
to get people's sex / age / education -
but eventually we work it through.

It usually takes a pollster
less than an hour
to conduct their surveys.

I have been spending fourteen hours a day
for the last several days
entering the results into the tally sheet.
Yesterday -
I started at 8a.m. and worked on it
until 11p.m.
Being in my seventies -
has slowed me down -
so I stopped for an hour's nap
in the middle of the day.
Jean just brings me my meals -
here at the computer.

BUT -
I am finding it very interesting -
and I think you may find the results
interesting also -
and that you will appreciate having helped conduct -
such a large national survey.

This is a scientifically conducted survey
conducted by a former professor in the social sciences
who had graduate training in polling techniques,
who taught statistical methods,
and who has previously conducted many surveys.

I hope that the way
that the survey will have been conducted -
is one that you can be proud of -
and pleased that you helped to accomplish.

--------
Lots else happening here.
Main date that I am pushing for is end of July.
Particularly the 28th.
Lots of people saying they will try to come then.

I know that this sounds
totally weird
to those that we are surveying.
Nevertheless -
I have often had a date in the past -
and that is the date that I have at present.
If it proves wrong -
like the one's in the past have -
then I may set a different date -
in the future.
Won't be the first time.

---------

Battery expert who years ago sold us
our big storage batteries -
came and checked them last week
and said they are fine -
but have a low charge.
He says he will come again -
and I think that he and his son (now 30)
are going to get involved.

Perkins Generator not generating.
We had to replace the water pump
on the Perkins last summer -
but this is the first time
that the new generator
that we put on it -
has not worked.

The generator expert -
is also second generation -
and has been a tremendous help to us.
He is supposed to come next week.

Wilf is supposed to come tomorrow -
and of course we have lots of projects -
on the go.
We are now less than 90 days
from July 28th -
and Jean wonders how we are going
to get it all done.
She and some others
think I shouldn't be doing the survey -
but obviously I think it is important.
If I am right -
it will show afterwards -
what people's attitudes were.
(From their perspective -
it will show how great a nut I am.)

--------
Government gives expiration date on KI.
Shane says studies show that it remains fine.
Anyway -
we were gifted over another $10,000 worth
a few weeks ago.
Sitting in big boxes in the kitchen -
delivered by express company.

Only supposed advantage to KI03
is that it tastes better
and is easier for children to take.
Don't know -
have only tried KI.

------------
We have some really big projects
going on -
and I would like to tell you about them -
but some of the members are flipping out already -
that I tell people about as much
as I do.

Still -
I am always hoping
that more people will get involved.
If people can't participate here -
then perhaps they will be inspired -
to do more on their own.

---------
I haven't been doing
news and analysis of late
because everything happens so fast -
and usually changes
before my comments reach you.

Did see this interesting list -
this week:

Military expenditures by country
(latest available information)

1. United States (FY08 budget), $623 billion
2. China (2004), $65 billion
3. Russia, $50 billion
4. France (2005), $45 billion
5. United Kingdom, $42.8 billion
6. Japan (2007), $41.75 billion
7. Germany (2003), $35.1 billion
8. Italy (2003), $28.2 billion
9. South Korea (2003), $21.1 billion
10. India (2005 est.), $19 billion

World total military expenditures (2004 est.), $1,100 billion
World total (minus the United States), $500 billion

Yet, many people just don't see
the build up for war this summer.
Things are obvious enough, however,
that major MSM newspapers -
are taking note -
that war is expected this summer.

I saw a list of articles this week
from 15 papers
like the New York Times
and the Christian Science Monitor.
There is lots of news about
major troop and ship movements
plans being made by the Pentagon -
and statements being made by
Cheney, Gates, the leading
generals and admirals -
and other prominent persons
in both the US and Israeli governments.

Back on January 1st -
I sent you my
doppelgänger
doppelganger
Doppelgaenger
newsletter.

Now here we are
less than a half year later
and Bush is about to be off
on another trip to the Middle-East.
I must tell you -
that is very gutsy.
There are LOTS of terrorists
waiting / wanting / to welcome him
over there.

They will gladly be martyrs
to go off hand-in-hand
to heaven
with him.
Sometimes I wonder
if he has a death wish -
but I must say -
that it is a very gutsy thing to do.

This time -
it is for Israel's sixtieth birthday party -
which begins Monday -
although Bush is going
the middle of the month.

The potential of events
is immense.
One of MY greater worries
is that it won't hold off
until July 28th -
when I am trying to get everyone here -
(that will come).
I hope that you all will come soon -
before July -
but then at least.

----------
Still trying to update
the TEAM Leader list -
and I very much need to hear from you
if you live in:

Delaware
Idaho
Nebraska
Vermont

I am missing those four states
so I hope that you can help me find
TEAM Leaders for them.
----------

I was able to stop and write this newsletter -
because I had finally caught up
with entering into the spread sheet -
the survey reports that have come in.

No more have arrived -
so I guess it is time
for me to take a nap :)
Big day tomorrow - I hope.

Peace and love,
Bruce
DawnSayer@webpal.org