Here's my radical note to bureaucracies providing something of value (e.g., healthcare, insurance, finance). Please test the efficacy of your client communication. Do people understand the information? Do they read it all? Does it avoid useless jargon and prevent error? If not, who are you serving?
I once lived in Chicago. The Governor makes me want to go back.
youtu.be/MeevKgaYAjI?...
youtu.be/MeevKgaYAjI?...
‘Acting like jack booted thugs’: Gov. JB Pritzker slams Trump’s Chicago military deployment
YouTube video by MSNBC
youtu.be
If America really does come to an end, this will be a key chapter in the official history.
[gift link] www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/o...
[gift link] www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/o...
Opinion | The Comey Indictment Plunges the Country Into a Grave New Period
www.nytimes.com
Wait. So Amazon has to pay $2.5B for using misleading info to entice customers into signing up for something online, and then making it difficult or confusing to cancel it? Um, hello, most other online businesses... and newspapers!
[gift link] www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/t...
[gift link] www.nytimes.com/2025/09/25/t...
Amazon to Pay $2.5 Billion to Settle Claims It Tricked Prime Customers
www.nytimes.com
I'll promise to stop posting snarky criticisms of his ignorant behavior if he'll name me Ambassador to New Zealand. Or Norway. Yeah, I'd also take Norway.
by John Roman — Reposted by: Jeffrey A. Butts
Polls show most Americans think crime is rising because 'crime' is a catch-all term. But, there are dozens of evidence-based ways to reduce disorder and fight crime, and many of the most effective approaches do not involve the police. open.substack.com/pub/johnkrom...
When people say crime is a big problem, are they really talking about crime?
Sometimes, but not always
open.substack.com
The problem isn't RTM data. It's what communities do with RTM data. How about using it to strengthen employment support, housing supply, food access, and school quality? If the answer is always stronger, faster policing, RTM is just a quick way to replicate essential flaws of U.S. justice policy.
Amusing to hear journalists and pundits confused by the GOP abandoning "principles" like local control and "States' Rights." What? You believed those were principles? You thought the GOP based its arguments and political strategies on principles?
I just watched the whole statement. Makes me want to move back to Chicago.
Can't believe at my age that I would excitedly call out to my wife, "oooh, there's a new South Park episode!"
At my age, waking up at 5 a.m. is routine. Maybe your conference was organized by old, er, I mean, "senior" scholars.
A Department of Justice spokesperson said in a statement, "Jared Wise is a valued member of the Justice Department and we appreciate his contributions to our team."
www.npr.org/2025/08/07/n...
www.npr.org/2025/08/07/n...
Video shows Department of Justice official urging Jan. 6 rioters to 'kill' cops
The Department of Justice hired a former Jan. 6 defendant who was caught on tape urging rioters to "kill" police. The department calls him a "valued member" of the administration.
www.npr.org
Our only hope is that the U.S. hangs on until the 2026 midterm elections, and the nation's most gullible voters realize all the faux-patriotic stuff Republicans have been telling them since Nixon and Reagan has been utter bullshit.
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/u...
Trump’s Efforts to Control Information Echo an Authoritarian Playbook
www.nytimes.com
So, when BJS and the FBI report falling crime numbers, does Trump fire them for reducing the political salience of the crime issue?
(Gift link) www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07...
(Gift link) www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07...
Economy Updates: After a Weak Jobs Report, Trump Fires That Agency’s Commissioner
www.nytimes.com
Reposted by: Jeffrey A. Butts, Samuel L. Perry, John Jay , and 2 more Jeffrey A. Butts, Samuel L. Perry, John Jay, Nathan W. Pino, Cambodia
The sociology & criminology dept at gonzaga is hiring! We're searching for somebody with a focus on criminology, law, or social control (broadly conceived).
We're a liberal arts teaching university. Very collegial department. Spread the word to interested folks. I'm happy to answer questions!
We're a liberal arts teaching university. Very collegial department. Spread the word to interested folks. I'm happy to answer questions!
Assistant Professor, Sociology and Criminology - Gonzaga Main Campus, Washington, United States
Title: Assistant Professor, Sociology and Criminology
Area: College of Arts and Sciences
Department: Sociology and Criminology
Telework Availability: On-campus Position
Employee Classification: Tenure...
employment.gonzaga.edu
Well, we have to trust his judgment on questions of science, right? I mean, his uncle used to teach at MIT.
www.politico.com/news/2025/07...
www.politico.com/news/2025/07...
Trump administration moves to repeal climate ‘holy grail’
The repeal of the finding on the dangers greenhouse gases pose to human health and welfare will face fierce legal challenges.
www.politico.com
I live near Lincoln Center, where this event will be held on Sept 4. I look forward to seeing the protests and demonstrations that I assume are being planned now.
Does this happen in other places? In New York City, road crews partly tear up a street and then disappear for weeks. So, many places around the city have disrupted traffic from incomplete road maintenance. I suspect they are just protecting their contracts -- i.e., "Hey, you can't cancel us now."
Terrific. I still have questions about sample-specific trends. I know our failing federal systems made it necessary to report a few dozen cities rather than having national estimates, but has anyone tested it? Maybe go back before NIBRS and see if these same 40 or so cities were representative?
Reposted by: Jeffrey A. Butts
The last time I watched "South Park" was 20 years ago while visiting my 10-year-old nephew. Episode 1 of Season 27 greatly exceeded any expectations I had. Seriously.
This is great. Clear, open description of the role of crime statistics for public information. We used to have similar discussions in the U.S., but then we elected national officials who don't care about data. Or science. Or justice. Or truth.
Reposted by: Jeffrey A. Butts, Geoff Pearson, Juanjo Medina
UK Statistics Authority coming out swinging re crime stats
osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/news/osr-sta...
h/T Ed Dunn on linkedin
osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/news/osr-sta...
h/T Ed Dunn on linkedin
OSR statement on crime statistics
Over the past week there has been considerable discussion in the media about rates of crime and the reliability of crime data in England and Wales. Given the societal importance of crime, it is vital ...
osr.statisticsauthority.gov.uk
Need emotional support? Just 30 minutes and you'll feel better.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwOL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwOL...
Jon Stewart Reacts to Colbert's Cancellation & Trump's "Bawdy" Epstein Doodles | The Daily Show
YouTube video by The Daily Show
www.youtube.com