# Ascertained: Yahoo is guilty of a highly-crafted Liberal bias. **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [February 17, 2004, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602 "2004-02-17T04:08:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/41 "2004-02-17T16:18:00Z")
> [@Tigers2B1](#): > > There’s no debate even IF he “coughs up the data” **Revtim** ---- it’s a “private independent study” for god sake. > > Look, my ‘babe in the woods liberal friends’ - suppose **Milum** comes back and produces his private data gathered during his private study ----- unless there’s other “study” out there to compare it to, which I doubt, what you going to do? He is free to say or produce anything he wants. > > Actually this is more of a study of the liberal thought process – :rolleyes: You shouldn’t accuse people of trolling, Tiger. If it is his own “private independent study”, bereft of debate, then it’s in the wrong forum. Milum’s been here long enough to know where to put his threads. Take your lawnchair elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![MrVisible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@MrVisible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrVisible)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/42 "2004-02-17T16:19:07Z")
> [@Tigers2B1](#): > > Look, my ‘babe in the woods liberal friends’ - suppose **Milum** comes back and produces his private data gathered during his private study ----- unless there’s other “study” out there to compare it to, which I doubt, what you going to do? He is free to say or produce anything he wants. And we are free to shoot it down. The idea that everyone is entitled to their opinion comes with the corollary that everyone is entitled to their opinion about your opinion. The more ridiculous an idea is, the more impetus there is to demand facts, provide counterarguments, and make fun of it. Challenging absurd contentions keeps people from accepting them as fact. > [@](#): > > Actually this is more of a study of the liberal thought process – :rolleyes: And the conservative stance is to allow bizarre mockeries of the scientific method to stand unchallenged? Hmm. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/43 "2004-02-17T16:31:15Z")
I don’t know how Milum got those results. A key aspect of the scientific method is that results must be reproducible. I, trying the same technique (assigning a value to each headline, compensating with a floating point, except on Wednesdays when I had a pint of bitter to compensate), and discovered that 36% of Yahoo’s headlines were angled toward Poughkeepsie, NY. From where I stand, that means they’re slanted **north**. **Tiger** , you better hope that you’re misunderstanding **Milum’s** motives; the behavior you describe is unambiguously against the rules. Daniel ---
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/44 "2004-02-17T16:35:06Z")
> [@MrVisible](#): > > And the conservative stance is to allow bizarre mockeries of the scientific method to stand unchallenged? Hmm. OK **MrVisible** - suppose **Milum** comes back and says — _"During my private study I collected 20,678 private samples over the course of four non-concurrent years. In that sampling I found 19,986 articles which were described by a group of 788 people from different parts of the country, different ages, sexs, religions, national origins, races, disabilities, and sexual orientations to be of a “liberal slant.” Of the remaining articles only 1 was found by that group to be of a “conservative slant.” Yada yada yada…_ Challenge away! The point is **MrVisible** , that if you go back and read the OP it is clear that he having fun at your expense ----------- so debate 'em all you want. As I’ve already stated — I’ll watch :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/45 "2004-02-17T16:40:20Z")
> [@](#): > > Look, my ‘babe in the woods liberal friends’ - suppose Milum comes back and produces his private data gathered during his private study ----- unless there’s other “study” out there to compare it to, which I doubt, what you going to do? He is free to say or produce anything he wants. Look, my condescending friend (I can call you ‘friend’ even though I’ve never met, or even heard of you before, right?), what gives you the idea that everyone questioning the OP’s premise is a liberal? ---
**Author:** ![Tigers2B1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc29f/32.png) [@Tigers2B1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tigers2B1)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/46 "2004-02-17T17:04:03Z")
Well I’m not going to say I’ve done a private study using appling “_a floating point system that is used at my discretion._” But you’re right — ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/47 "2004-02-17T19:28:13Z")
> [@Tigers2B1](#): > > There’s no debate even IF he “coughs up the data” **Revtim** ---- it’s a “private independent study” for god sake. > > Look, my ‘babe in the woods liberal friends’ - suppose **Milum** comes back and produces his private data gathered during his private study ----- unless there’s other “study” out there to compare it to, which I doubt, what you going to do? He is free to say or produce anything he wants. it would be interesting to see what Milum thinks is a liberal slant. My guess, it will turn out to be a report of something that either just happens to bad for a conservative, or good for a liberal, and slant will have nothing to do with it. But we’ll only know if he puts up with the info. > [@](#): > > Actually this is more of a study of the liberal thought process – :rolleyes: You mean asking for facts to support a assertation? If thats a “liberal thought process”, you’ll find most people on this board, even the conservatives, apparently have a “liberal thought process”. ---
**Author:** ![MrVisible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@MrVisible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrVisible)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/48 "2004-02-17T19:36:09Z")
> [@Tigers2B1](#): > > OK **MrVisible** - suppose **Milum** comes back and says — _"During my private study I collected 20,678 private samples over the course of four non-concurrent years. In that sampling I found 19,986 articles which were described by a group of 788 people from different parts of the country, different ages, sexs, religions, national origins, races, disabilities, and sexual orientations to be of a “liberal slant.” Of the remaining articles only 1 was found by that group to be of a “conservative slant.” Yada yada yada…_ Then all the pigs in the world will take wing, under the light of the lovely azure moon, and head deep into the bowels of hell for their long-awaited figure-skating debut. > [@](#): > > Challenge away! The point is **MrVisible** , that if you go back and read the OP it is clear that he having fun at your expense ----------- so debate 'em all you want. As I’ve already stated — I’ll watch :rolleyes: Actually, you’re not watching. You’re defending the absurd OP, and accusing people of being liberals, with the implication that liberal is equal to stupid, while claiming to be a simple observer. That’s bizarre. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/49 "2004-02-17T19:54:03Z")
> [@Tigers2B1](#): > > Calling all liberals in this thread — the ‘OP guy’ is pulling your chain, having a bit of fun, - it’s a joke - > > Gees, talk about knee jerk (sic) – :rolleyes: Wow. The second time someone uses (sic) in their own post. No, just search for milum’s previous opera. If this is a joke, it’s the most moronic out there. Robin ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/50 "2004-02-17T20:26:26Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > it would be interesting to see what Milum thinks is a liberal slant. Anything less than “George W. Bush is the most perfect and brilliant leader the world has ever known, and we should be singing endless praises to his glory for now unto eternity,” I’d wager. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/51 "2004-02-17T21:18:35Z")
I strongly believe that poodle-clipped marmots are dancing the minuet underneath my desk. People tell me I’m crazy, but I strongly believe it, and thus I know it is true. And if I look hard enough— Hey, what do you know, there they are. Dancing marmots. Don’t believe me? I shall now count them, as hard empiricism is the underpinning of all responsible assertions. There are… um… It’s hard to say, they’re moving around… wait, they paused… There are thirteen of them. Twelve are dancing, and one is playing the harpsichord. QED. ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 10:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/52 "2004-02-17T22:25:43Z")
> [@Tigers2B1](#): > > Calling all liberals in this thread — the ‘OP guy’ is pulling your chain, having a bit of fun, - it’s a joke - I used to think that, too. Then I examined **Milum** ’s posting history. ---
**Author:** ![Beagle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Beagle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beagle)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/53 "2004-02-17T22:40:13Z")
Someone is guilty of bias. Zatz it, takh zem out und zchoot zem. [Bush Tries to Boost Troop Morale in La.](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=544&ncid=718&e=4&u=/ap/20040217/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush) First, implies problem with morale – not in article. Then, “tries” – c’mon. Actually the entire article is clearly biased to the left. Wait… > [@](#): > > By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent ZATZ REALLY IT, TAKH HIM OUT! Also, the article mentions – yet again – the 30 year old, raised every election allegations against GWB, without mentioning VVAW, Hanoi Jane, Kerry’s lying before the Senate in 1971, possible family self-dealing with Vietnam, or the accusations of infidelity. Is that it? I await more dirt. ---
**Author:** ![litost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@litost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/litost)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/54 "2004-02-17T22:49:08Z")
Can someone teach me how to apply floating point at my discretion? Please (sic)? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2004, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/55 "2004-02-17T23:21:55Z")
> [@Gaudere](#): > > **Dutchboy208** : > > [Moderator Hat ON] > > Don’t call people “doofus[es]” in GD, dutchboy208. And don’t call people trolls, knorf. > > [Moderator Hat OFF] Technically, I merely expressed my worry that _other people_ were calling him a doofus. Sorry, though. ---
**Author:** ![Milum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ea666f/32.png) [@Milum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Milum)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/56 "2004-02-18T00:26:44Z")
My you people are impatient. It was just last night when I posted my Yahoo conclusions. Listen fellows, I think that you guys are a big box of laughs, but I hate to say it, but you guys kinda disapointed me too. Oh sure one or two related points were made that were incidental to my expose of Yahoo’s deviant departure from an objective presentation of the events around us, but all and all, you Straight Dopers behaved like mischievous little monkeys who need to be put back into their cage. By way of doing so I will now go directly to Yahoo and lift their headlines and return here with my objective analysis of their bias. Bye. I hope you all realize that this is a gamble. See you real soon. ---
**Author:** ![MrVisible](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@MrVisible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrVisible)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/57 "2004-02-18T00:36:01Z")
Oh, goody! ---
**Author:** ![cheddarsnax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@cheddarsnax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cheddarsnax)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/58 "2004-02-18T00:53:48Z")
I await your answers to my questions, **Milum**. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/59 "2004-02-18T00:55:15Z")
I don’t think he’s going to have too much luck right now, here they are: • U.S. issues wanted list for Iraq insurgents • Kerry seeks to clear field with Wis. win • U.S.: Taliban reduced to ‘cowardly’ attacks • Dutch MPs vote to expel asylum seekers • Intel unveils 64-bit boost for server processor • Trainer admits giving steroids to players The word “cowardly” is in quotes, though, probably because it’s a quote. But anyway, that should be worth some floating points. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2004, 6:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602/60 "2004-02-18T06:09:12Z")
Hell, I can’t wait all night for **Milum** to get round to it, so here: • U.S. issues wanted list for Iraq insurgents Subtext: US can’t find them on its own, thus requiring cooperation of suspicious foreigners. Liberal Slant 7.2/10 • Kerry seeks to clear field with Wis. win Subtext: Nothin’ but Democrats as far as the eye can see. Liberal Slant 10/10 • U.S.: Taliban reduced to ‘cowardly’ attacks Subtext: US might has failed to eradicate the enemy. Bad for morale. Liberal Slant 7.2/10 • Dutch MPs vote to expel asylum seekers Subtext: Let’s invite 'em to the States, then. Liberal Slant 8.5/10 • Intel unveils 64-bit boost for server processor Subtext: Well, I think it’s some sort of subtle stab at reminding us that Al Gore invented the Internet, but what the hell, oughta come in handy for the Total Information Awareness database, so…Liberal Slant 4.3/10 • Trainer admits giving steroids to players Subtext: And we all know how libs have destroyed the moral fabric of our society; need I say more? Liberal Slant 11/10 There, now I can go to bed. If I can possibly sleep with all those liberal bogeymen crouching under it, that is. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ascertained-yahoo-is-guilty-of-a-highly-crafted-liberal-bias/229602.md?page=4)