You need to be on your toes. We are all constantly being inundated with "data" these days and we need to be ready to interpret or analyze exactly what this data means at the drop of a hat. Another words, it's not "what is said" but "what is meant" that's important.

I'm going to try and steer away from politics here (and it's not easy given that there is an election around the corner), but certainly the government is always involved with something or other that needs to be "analyzed" it seems.

For instance, try to analyze this statement. "The Surgeon General states that smoking is bad for your health." OK, that's what they say, but what do they mean? The Surgeon General (the government, another words) isn't saying "don't smoke." Absolutely not. For crying out loud, there are billions of dollars in taxes that the government collects from cigarette sales, plus the money that the tobacco companies fork over to the politicians in the form of contributions (bribes). If the government didn't want you to smoke they would simply make cigarettes illegal. We all know that, don't we?

Here is another one, a little closer to home. "Because of the impending rain storm, we are going to cancel our upcoming event so that the racers won't have to drive in these highly dangerous weather conditions." Again, this is what is said, but what does it really mean? It means that "because of all this talk about a possible rain storm over the weekend, fewer participants and spectators will probably show up, and we will lose our shirt on the event, and by canceling it prior to the race, we can probably get our retainer back from the track owner."

You see, it's not what is said but what is meant that counts.

What is said: "To insure utmost safety for the racers, all driver restraint systems must be re-certified or replaced every two years."

What is meant: "Damn, these seat belts are almost indestructible and now we won't be able to keep the coffers full if we don't come up with a plan to sell the racers something new every couple of years."

Are you starting to get the picture?

Even the big boys like the NHRA get into the act. What is said: "Because of rising insurance costs, increased fuel prices and the increased costs associated with the development of additional safety equipment for our racers, it will be necessary to raise the price of tickets and entry fees for our Super Slurpy National Events."

What is meant: "Because we are unable to sell enough advertising on our lame TV show due to fewer viewers tuning in, and because our executive board has had a 25% pay raise, we have to get the money from somewhere."

Ok, I have kept my word up until now about staying away from politics, but I have been watching the Presidential "debates" on TV and I just have to throw this one in. What is said: "Vote for me and I will reduce government spending, stop the war, lower taxes, give everybody free health care and raise the minimum wage to $14.95 per hour." What is meant: "Lincoln was wrong. You CAN fool all of the people all of the time."