Nitwit Tidbits

Philip R. Klein writes on the SET Political Review:

Another week in the most corrupt county in Texas - so here we go - a few tidbits for you :

Commentary from the biggest liar in Texas follows:

Moving Further Left - We have some sources at the BE that tell us they are even getting an education. From what they can see from the inside - the BE will move even further to the political left with the new managment [sic] in. Great!

Hopefully these aren't the same sources who told him this in January 2009:

As we see it if the current management continues their tactics they will end up closing shop or selling off which is also another rumor running through the community. Backroom sources say that Hearst will try to sell off the paper within the next year after getting their numbers stabilized and at least hitting bottom on the decrease of subscribers. In the wings are the owners of the "Examiner" we are told.

Apparently these same sources changed their story by the time Klein printed this prediction:

The Southeast Texas Political Review has learned of internal "talk" and "planning" to stop the printed product of the Beaumont Enterprise - and only have a paid subscription on the internet to the Newspaper. Leaving one of the longest running papers in Southeast Texas to not deliver to homes as citizens continue there discourse with the Enterprise and drop subscriptions.

I'm certain the Beaumont Enterprise will outlive The SET Political Review. Consider Philip's claim from November 2007 when his talk radio show was canceled on KOLE radio:

As for our show, we are negotiating with another station in a new deal and if that does not work out and is good for all parties, we will explore the new frontier of INET Radio. We have hired a firm to start that process.

How's that INET radio show going, Philip? 

Bankrupt - That will be the spin this time next year to three cities that we have had discussions with.

Even though Philip R. Klein has more direct experience with bankruptcy than all three cities combined, he's previously claimed that both Beaumont and Port Arthur are already bankrupt. As an example from April 2010, he claimed:

Even we sometimes just shake out heads. Why would a bankrupt city continue with a "quality of life" project when simple public service program funding is considered to be cut back? 

On a similar note, Philip made a new prediction:

A Review Prediction - Write this one down kids - in September of 2011 a 37% decrease in sales tax revenue will look like the gravy train for Jefferson County Texas. That is when Motivia and Total will end their projects. The crash should come directly after that. Unless.....but there is nothing in the pipeline.

I'm not a kid - actually, I'm much older than Klein - but I've written this down. We'll revisit in September of 2011.  This is an excellent example of why Klein refuses to post his past articles; see this page for more examples of why Philip isn't credible.

Seafood Prices Go Up - So? If you cannot afford it - go eat a piece of meat? What is the big deal?

Philip plagiarized Marie Antoinette's comment, "Let them eat cake." This is such an abysmally stupid and myopic comment that it deserves no other response.

Media LALA - It is going to be a busy hurricane season! Oh gosh...run and run now!!!! Uh....the NOAA projections for Hurricanes for the past five years? Off by 97%, Do you catch the drift here kids?

The drift being, Philip is typically manufacturing statistics again. From USA Today:

NOAA forecasts for named tropical storms and hurricanes have been accurate in five out of the 10 years in this decade, according to a USA TODAY analysis. Their prediction was too low in four years and too high in just one year: 2006. Eight of the 10 years in the decade saw above-average activity for tropical storms and hurricanes.

The Scripps-Howard News Service corroborated the USA Today analysis:

One estimate puts their accuracy at around 40 percent. But different forecasters agree that this will be a busy season for storms.

Readers may remember that Klein complained about amount of coverage given to Hurricane Rita, even as most residents of Southeast Texas were without electricity and dependable sources for food and portable water.

Click it or Tickit  (sic) - Nanny says you have to wear your seatbelt or she will take money from you. Gezzz - like we are all stupid?

In the case of Philip R. Klein, yes, as evidenced by this abysmally stupid comment that also deserves no further comment. 

DNA - We hear that the case in PA against Gilliam may not be so cut and dry. Still no word from the DA. Imagine that.

As I've pointed out before, I'll reserve forming an opinion until I see something more credible than Klein's wild and unsubstantiated claims.

Speaking of the DA - Who knew? This is what you think of the Jefferson County DA. Over 68% of you the readers think this guy is being political or corrupt? Wow! We will keep the poll open for a few more days.

Here's the math. Since Klein posted this two weeks ago, he received 91 responses (as of Sunday, May 30).  Klein never includes the total of actual votes for obvious reasons:


This response rate underscores the credibility of Klein's statements that he has hundreds of thousands of readers every week.  Putting these numbers into perspective, 69 percent or a total of 63 people agreed with Philip. This represents the opinion of 0.025 percent of the county's total population. 

Readers may remember that Klein recently denigrated the City of Beaumont for a survey that generated a response rate of 13 percent.

All of this is dependent upon the notion that Klein didn't manipulate the poll's responses. I know that in at least one case, he fabricated the numbers entirely. From February 1, 2010:

The Southeast Texas Political Review has conducted two polls in two of the county commissioners races in Southeast Texas. The two polls were conducted over a two week period from January 15 - 29th. There was a total of 102 respondents to the phone poll in both races. The following are the results :

If the election for County Commissioner in your pct. was held today - who would you vote for:

• Mark Domingue: 39%
  Brent Weaver: 43%
  Undecided: 18%
  
  
• Bo Alfred: 41%
  Jamie Smith: 46%
  Undecided: 13%

Here's what really happened:

• Bo Alfred: 69%
  Jamie Smith 31%
  
  
• Brent Weaver: 51.24%
  Mark Domingue: 48.76%

For those who still think Philip has some credibility left, let's consider the last poll he posted on April 23, 2010:

Who Do We Dump? - We are just not happy with the local bloggers. Really - no meat. Other than one site. So we are posting a poll and tightening our standards. Meaning? You get to vote for one sight to drop off the "Local Bloggers Section." So vote.

After a month, Philip's poll generated only 125 responses:


Readers will note the blog, Beaumont Retro, is still contained in the link list found on the front page of the SET Political Review.