[Vision2020] Wal-Mart impact studies

Sun Sep 10 13:47:07 PDT 2006

Ms. Swanson, Mr. Solomon, et al.,

What would an objective, unbiased presentation on the effects of Wal-Mart
look like?

Deacon

On 9/8/06, B. J. Swanson <bjswan at moscow.com> wrote:
>
>  Mr. Harkins,
>
> I attended Steve Peterson's presentation to the Chamber.  I expected an
> objective presentation.  It was not.  I believe many others were
> disappointed including Bill Parks who expressed dismay about the bias during
> the meeting.  I'm wondering why Steve or the Chamber didn't disclose that he
> was hired to do a pro-Wal-Mart job and why they won't release the data used
> in his presentation after he publicly announced that he would.
>
> I also find it amazing that you express an opinion on something you didn't
> attend.  That makes me wonder about your other assumptions.  Like your
> assumption that I agree with you because I didn't respond to your long
> winded essay.  Wrong again.
>
> B. J. Swanson
>
>  ------------------------------
>  *From:* Jeff Harkins [mailto:jeffh at moscow.com]
> *Sent:* Thursday, September 07, 2006 9:09 AM
>
> *To:* bjswan at moscow.com ; vision2020 at moscow.com
> *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] Wal-Mart impact studies
>
> Ms. Swanson,
>
> Since the work by Mr. Peterson was completed as a consulting project, I
> fail to see why you would denigrate his services because he accepted a fee
> for his work. Do you use similar references for all professional folks who
> earn fees for providing services - e.g., lawyers, accountants, dentists,
> doctors?
>
> Asserting that his presentation was "totally biased" is a rather serious
> indictment.  Fortunately, because the work was completed under the protocols
> of academic research, it will be relatively easy to determine whether there
> was a significant and/or persistent bias introduced in his model.
>
> Since you posted on a public forum, please enlighten us as to your
> assessment of his model.  There are a number of issues that you might have
> concerns about, including
>
>
>    - Are his assumptions inappropriate?
>    - Is his econometric model predisposed to an outcome?
>    - Does he exclude relevant variables?
>    - Does he include irrelevant variables?
>    - Does the model suffer from multi-collinearity?
>    - Does the model suffer from auto-correlation?
>    - Does he fail to properly interpret the research findings
>    - Did he fail to note potential shortcomings or limitations of his
>    work?
>
> Again, please provide some rationale for your assertion of bias - my
> instincts suggest that unless you can point to specific elements of bias
> that you are invoking the "I don't like the message, so let's kill the
> messenger" strategy.
>
> Your charge that Mr Peterson behaved as a "smart alec" is interesting.  I
> don't know exactly what you mean by that.  But I was not at the Moscow
> Chamber session and have no first-hand knowledge of that presentation.
>
> However, I have heard Steve present on numerous occasions and I have
> always known him to be polite, knowledgeable, forthright and willing to
> answer questions related to his research.  Perhaps you could expand on your
> assertion of "smart alec"?
>
> Finally, since you did not offer any additional comments on my
> contributions to understanding Barry Lynn's writings, am I to assume that
> you agree with me that Mr. Lynn is advancing an agenda of returning the US
> economy to a more highly-regulated by government state (e.g., pre-Reagan
> era)?  And as you ponder that, are you willing to have the US banking
> industry return to the level and type of regulation that existed before the
> Reagan era?
>
>
>
> At 10:23 PM 9/6/2006, you wrote:
>
> Mr. Harkins,
>
> A deeper meaning of Hack:  Economist for Hire.
>
> After Steve Petersons totally biased and smart alec presentation to the
> Chamber of Commerce on August 23, I think he earned the title and lost
> credibility.  I hope he can manage to be a bit more objective when he
> presents Why is Moscow Growing to the City Council later this month.
>
> B. J. Swanson
>
> ------------------------------
>
> *From:* Jeff Harkins [ mailto:jeffh at moscow.com <jeffh at moscow.com>]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 06, 2006 10:07 AM
> *To:* bjswan at moscow.com; vision2020 at moscow.com
> *Subject:* Re: [Vision2020] Wal-Mart impact studies
>
> Ms. Swanson,
> One final point - please explain the reference to "The Hack" inserted
> between Steve and Peterson.  What exactly are you attempting to say with
> that moniker? Is it just simple name calling or do you have a deeper meaning
> in mind?
>
>
> At 06:27 AM 9/6/2006, you wrote:
>
> Steve,
>
> Thanks for posting.  I hope Jeff Harkins and Steve "The Hack" Peterson
> read
> it, too.  Here's the link:
>
>         http://www.harpers.org/BreakingTheChain.html
>
> B. J. Swanson
>
> ------------------
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [ mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com<vision2020-bounces at moscow.com>
> ]
> On Behalf Of Stephen Cooke
> Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2006 2:17 PM
> To: vision2020 at moscow.com
> Subject: [Vision2020] Wal-Mart impact studies
>
> fyi,
> SCC
>
> Barry C. Lynn
> "Breaking the Chain: The Anti-Trust Case Against Wal Mart:" Harper's Mag.
> (July '06).
>
>
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