Dust Storms and Chilling Accusations

From War Paint Pilot Susie:

We drove from Fallon, NV to Winnamucca, NV today through a huge sand storm along I-80. It looked like thick fog but sand blasted the side of the vehicle from the north all the way. We crossed the 40 mile desert where there is nothing but sand and alkali and very little else. The event at Winnemucca Colony was sparsely attended because of the wind and sand. Still people stop us in the streets and comment on the beautiful design of the vehicle wherever we go and often mention they have returned their Census form. Thanks to Linda McCauley for the great photos of the Nevada events.

That's the neat narrative stuff, but on this trip there have been many questions about the 2010 Census, and some times they turn into downright dirty rumors. Here's one that Susie fielded in NV:

We were stopped in town (Winnemucca, NV) by a guy who tried to convince us that Census is selling information and it says so on the Census website under something called "Tiger". I assured him Census information is secure for 72 years.

And that's true. The census bureau does not share any personal information with any government agency or person.

He might be talking about Tiger, which is the basis for Google Maps and some of the most important mapping technology to date. It's a gov't program that uses census bureau information to create maps, but there is absolutely no personal information used (or sold).

The confidentiality of information collected by the Census Bureau even trumps the President and the Patriot Act. IT IS SAFE. And just as important, participating in the 2010 Census means for American communities better roads, schools, job programs, health care and more. So just do it for Pete's sake--heck, for YOUR sake!

Shoot us an email if you have a question, or go here to find out more about the 2010 Census.