Porthole

Trump’s Estimate of Dead Georgia Voters Was Just a Bit Off

Trump’s Estimate of Dead Georgia Voters Was Just a Bit Off

         Benjamin Hart, Intelligencer, December 28, 2021.

Trump claimed 5,000 dead people voted in Georgia's 2020 election. The actual result? 4. As in four. "A bit off" as in off by 4,996.

If you just read the headline and didn't read the article you'd miss the sarcasm and you could easily miss the entire point of the article.

Which is my point. Sarcasm doesn't do well in headlines, memes or even social media when people don't consider the context. I suspect most of us have said something on social media that was twisted and used against us.

It also shows how embarrassing jumping to conclusions can be (for those who can be embarrassed).

Let's look at me. When I say I've written over 5,000 pieces of crap I'm actually underestimating the number. I've averaged over 1/day now for 20 years. I'm ahead of my goal of 1/day by the end of the year 178 (20 March, 2022).

Someone will point out 'pieces of crap'. But I stand by that. Not everything is found here at WDC and some are in unedited forms scribbled in notebooks. Yes, I have written good stuff; most is crap.

When I say I'm on page 5200 in my journal that's not an estimate. I number every page. I literally penned 5200 in brown ink in the upper right hand corner this afternoon. I write in cursive. It would withstand any handwriting analysis. But... is it exactly 5,200? No. I've unwittingly skipped a number or duplicated at least once, maybe more.

You may conclude that I'm boasting. However, these are facts. I shy away from hyperbole. If it makes you feel better, let's just say that I've written a lot since I started to write in 1999.

So, back to my point. Numbers are inflated, deflated, used as a deflection, lied about, guessed at, and there are even typos to consider.

1. Context is important.

2. Stay away from sarcasm if you do not wish to be misinterpreted.

Many of my poetic efforts are short, like these written 2 days ago. Note that each is numbered [year.###].

A

the bear snoozes — oblivious in its cave
I sit by the cold window — watching snowflakes

[296a]

B

I sit on the toilet
thinking of today's meal
what comes out —
is yesterday's news

[296b]

C

cold descends on mountains — settles in the valley
Thoughts — like snowflakes — rise and fall and wander

[296c]

© Copyright 2021 Kåre Enga [178.296] (26.desember.2021)

On a much lighter note, today's trinket brought to you by KingsSideCastle

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