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Editorial
September 26, 1951
The Daily Express
Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio
What is this article about?
Walter Kirwan's opinion piece satirically critiques US government claims about powerful weapons ('butterfly statistics') while relying on infantry in the undeclared Korean War, questioning the contradiction between peace rhetoric and rising casualties.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
THE OHIO DAILY EXPRESS
WALTER KIRWAN
Opinion
Distributed by International News Service
My barber says he has been trying for weeks to find out what a "Butterfly Statistic" is and he finally figured out it's any statistic caught in a government net.
Mr. Truman referred some time back there to "Butterfly Statistics" and some thought maybe it was the same as "presidential bee in the bonnet" but no one can prove it.
I think myself a "Butterfly Statistic" may be one of those reports on the speed, power and smash of our terrible new weapons . . . all of which seem to be inadequate for use in Korea.
We probably are the first government in history to boast of the most awesome weapons in the world while continuing to feed infantrymen into a war that isn't even called a war.
If we're still at peace, how come the casualty lists get longer and longer?
And if it's war, how come congress never has certified it?
WALTER KIRWAN
Opinion
Distributed by International News Service
My barber says he has been trying for weeks to find out what a "Butterfly Statistic" is and he finally figured out it's any statistic caught in a government net.
Mr. Truman referred some time back there to "Butterfly Statistics" and some thought maybe it was the same as "presidential bee in the bonnet" but no one can prove it.
I think myself a "Butterfly Statistic" may be one of those reports on the speed, power and smash of our terrible new weapons . . . all of which seem to be inadequate for use in Korea.
We probably are the first government in history to boast of the most awesome weapons in the world while continuing to feed infantrymen into a war that isn't even called a war.
If we're still at peace, how come the casualty lists get longer and longer?
And if it's war, how come congress never has certified it?
What sub-type of article is it?
War Or Peace
Military Affairs
What keywords are associated?
Butterfly Statistic
Korea War
Truman
Weapons Inadequacy
Undeclared War
Casualties
Congress Certification
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Truman
Congress
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Criticism Of Undeclared Korean War And Weapon Boasts
Stance / Tone
Satirical Criticism
Key Figures
Mr. Truman
Congress
Key Arguments
'Butterfly Statistic' Refers To Unreliable Government Reports On Weapons
Us Boasts Awesome Weapons But Uses Infantry In Korea
Contradiction: Peace Claimed But Casualties Rise
If War, Why No Congressional Certification