More Stupid Reporting

Brother.

It's bad enough that they try to blame the weather for human foul-up, but Ruth Mantell has left an important chunk out of the lede of this Rupert Murdoch story, not to mention the typo:

U.S. jobless claims pumped up by hurricanes - MarketWatch

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. weekly jobless claims remained at their highest level in seven years, Labor Department data showed Thursday, as people [in] hurricane-hit Louisiana and Texas filed for benefits.

Without the hurricane-related claims, filings would have been lower -- but still at an uncomfortably high level as they approach half a million, economists say.

For the week ended Sept. 27, seasonally adjusted first-time claims for unemployment benefits rose 1,000 to stand at 497,000 -- the highest since late September 2001.

Um, Ruth, that would be well into the first stages of THE LAST RECESSION George W. Bush saddled us with. You left out the part about it being the same president.

Then, there's this:

The higher number reflects claims following the damage wreaked by Hurricane Gustav in Louisiana and Hurricane Ike in Texas.

Oh. Wow. OK. Who knew?

Without the hurricane-related claims, initial filings would have been about 439,000 last week, the Labor Department said.

Hunh? Um..., so, 12% of the number is responsible for the other 88% of the number...?

I love Right-Wing Math.

Also known as: Voodoo Economics.

Carried along by Stupid Reporting.