99.9% of What? Huh?

hgc · 23rd March 2010, 02:37 PM

Tonight on Hardball, Representative Barbara Lee (D-Ca), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, had an arithmetic incident.

There's no video up yet, so I'll paraphrase as closely as I can.

Quote:

Matthews: Did every member of the Congressional Black Caucus vote for this bill?

Lee: We had one member vote no. But 99.9% of our membership voted for this bill.

The CBC has 42 voting members (+ 1 non-voting DC Delegate).

Has "99.9%" come to mean something other than than a perfectly quantifiable concept? Something of a non-numeric cliche for "almost all?" I wish public figures would protect the integrity of numbers. One day, "99.9%" could end up like "decimate" -- divorced from its numeric intent.

shadron · 23rd March 2010, 02:44 PM

It's the new "99 and 44/100's percent". This is also a litmus test for whether you're old enough.

I Ratant · 23rd March 2010, 02:52 PM

That has to do with purity and floating.

Cavemonster · 23rd March 2010, 02:55 PM

23 Skidoo?

BenBurch · 23rd March 2010, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by shadron

It's the new "99 and 44/100's percent". This is also a litmus test for whether you're old enough.

I miss Marilyn Chambers.

hgc · 23rd March 2010, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by shadron

It's the new "99 and 44/100's percent". This is also a litmus test for whether you're old enough.

Oof. I actually use "99 and 44/100's percent" as a non-numeric cliche, on occasion. But, you know, it was already transformed by Madison Avenue into a cultural touchstone.

Skeptical Greg · 23rd March 2010, 03:16 PM

I'm sure it floats too; and I'm not talking about soap ..

23rd March 2010, 02:37 PM	#1
hgc Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 13,019	99.9% of What? Huh? Tonight on Hardball, Representative Barbara Lee (D-Ca), chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, had an arithmetic incident. There's no video up yet, so I'll paraphrase as closely as I can. Quote: Matthews: Did every member of the Congressional Black Caucus vote for this bill? Lee: We had one member vote no. But 99.9% of our membership voted for this bill. The CBC has 42 voting members (+ 1 non-voting DC Delegate). Has "99.9%" come to mean something other than than a perfectly quantifiable concept? Something of a non-numeric cliche for "almost all?" I wish public figures would protect the integrity of numbers. One day, "99.9%" could end up like "decimate" -- divorced from its numeric intent.
	__________________ Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse assail him and wail him with monster truck force. - Cake, The Distance Was there a second singer on the grassy Knowles? - Stephen Colbert

23rd March 2010, 02:55 PM	#4
Cavemonster Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,916	23 Skidoo?
Cavemonster Illuminator Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 3,916	__________________ The weakness of all Utopias is this, ... They first assume that no man will want more than his share, and then are very ingenious in explaining whether his share will be delivered by motorcar or balloon. -G.K. CHESTERTON

23rd March 2010, 03:12 PM	#5
BenBurch Gatekeeper of The Left Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: The Universe 35.2 ms ahead of this one. Posts: 32,190	Originally Posted by shadron It's the new "99 and 44/100's percent". This is also a litmus test for whether you're old enough. I miss Marilyn Chambers.
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23rd March 2010, 03:16 PM	#6
hgc Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 13,019	Originally Posted by shadron It's the new "99 and 44/100's percent". This is also a litmus test for whether you're old enough. Oof. I actually use "99 and 44/100's percent" as a non-numeric cliche, on occasion. But, you know, it was already transformed by Madison Avenue into a cultural touchstone.
	__________________ Bowel-shaking earthquakes of doubt and remorse assail him and wail him with monster truck force. - Cake, The Distance Was there a second singer on the grassy Knowles? - Stephen Colbert

23rd March 2010, 03:16 PM	#7
Skeptical Greg Agave Wine Connoisseur Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Just past 'Resume Speed' Posts: 12,873	I'm sure it floats too; and I'm not talking about soap ..
	__________________ " Somewhere between Jesus dying on the cross, and a giant bunny hiding eggs,there seems to be a gap in information. " Stan - Southpark Prove your computer is not a wimp ! Join the JREF Folders ! Team 13232

23rd March 2010, 02:44 PM	#2
shadron Philosopher Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 5,719	It's the new "99 and 44/100's percent". This is also a litmus test for whether you're old enough.

23rd March 2010, 02:52 PM	#3
I Ratant Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 15,305	That has to do with purity and floating.