well, probably done nothing more than not believe you.
But even so! Chris Adams, Robert Benincasa (NPR) and Dave Levinthal (opensecrets.org) really did a fantastic job of explaining how you can get all detective-y and unearth dark secrets from seemingly cryptic databases.
I am not one for numbers. Or math. (or computing or science or raw bananas - are you supposed to chew them or just mush and swallow??) But I've been so inspired to go onto some of the websites they recommended today and dig up some juicy scandals and be a national hero for my astounding and initiative-taking skill set.
Here, for your reading pleasure, are the best (according to top NPR staff member Robert Benincasa) and most revealing/helpful public databases:
RealtyTrac, Census Beureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Fatality Analysis Reporting System (a gruesome but telling compilation of accident deaths), Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and National Center for Education Statistics.
Now you have all you need (except maybe a motivating, over-sized triple shot latte) to go digging for days and years and months to break the next big and fabulous news story.
Scandalllouusssss, as Recess's 'Ashleys' would say.
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| David seemingly doing some digging on his spare time |
Also, David Levinthal from opensecrets.org told us some pretty salacious stuff today about the midterms and who's funding them. More money is going into this midterm election than ANY before it - and it's coming from unlikely sources, like professors, NFL officials and players, and journalists (gasp!). So, go to opensecrets.org to enter your zipcode and find out who your area's top donaters are.
Go forth now, my friends, and investigate.
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| Mr. Gil Klein astutely paying attention to 2 of the panelists |
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| Chris Adams (is it just me, or does he not look a wee bit like Mr. Darcy?!?) |
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