January 15, 2008
Was out with a few friends last night, and invariably the conversation turned to the primaries going on–particularly since we're in Michigan, which is being blackballed by the DNC. For now. I'm hoping things will change by the time the national convention happens.
Anyway, the topic turned to the Democratic candidates, and then onto Hillary Clinton, and then Barack Obama. One of my friends said, "Yeah, well, he turns his back to the US flag! And won't say the Pledge of Allegiance."
I looked at her and said, "Where did you hear that?" (I mean, seriously, if that were true…wouldn't it be being blared from every media outlet you can think of?)
She looked surprised for a moment, and then said, a bit sheepishly, "It came in on an email a friend forwarded to me."
Uh. Doh!
The same kind of email that promises $50 from Applebee's if you send it on? The same kind of email that promises Bill Gates will pay you money for every person you forward the email to?
Helll-oooo!
I absolutely didn't believe it, but the first thing I did when I got home was check Snopes.com for the truth behind the rumors. If you're interested, here's the link.
Good grief. When will people get a clue?
I've taken to replying to anyone who sends me this kind of stuff–with a Reply-All (because they usually don't blind copy people), so it goes to everyone–with a link to Snopes.com and the polite suggestion that they check these things out in the future before sending them on.
What's the most outlandish email claim/promise you've received?
January 15th, 2008 at 10:56 am
I’ve been referring others to snopes too! I can’t stand all those missing children emails that try and tug on my heart strings when there is NO missing child *argh*!
January 15th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I do the SAME thing, Colleen! I love Snopes.
But my goodness, what a way to make an uninformed vote. Trust…but verify. Didn’t someone really smart say that?!
I was thinking about you today and wondering if you’re getting bombarded with phone calls/flyers/people ringing your doorbell.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Too funny about the Obama email. I’m gullible and even I don’t believe that one. You wouldn’t be able to sneeze without hearing about that one if it were true.
I have received both the ones you mentioned. I heard a lady on the radio this morning who got the Bill Gates email and was calling to ask if it was legit. The DJ referred her to Snopes too…LOL
If it sounds “out there” or too good to be true it probably is!
January 15th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I’m always referring my relatives to Snopes and they STILL keep sending me all those stupid emails!
January 15th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
*shaking head* Some people never learn.
And this, ladies and gents, is why my Music Man can’t stand the Internet.
January 15th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
I usually don’t read these at all, but the one I did read, about Lady Rita Mosley and her impending doom, was one I turned into a sarcastic post that has taken on a life of its own and still gets comments every month as other people discover it because they’ve gotten the email. It is wild.
And I believe taking one’s political education from spam emails is probably not the best way to go about it.
January 15th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
My father has been trying to tell me this as well! Sheesh. We are so far apart politically, I find it hard to believe we are related. He won’t even come to my house any more (since I have an Obama sign in my yard.) For goodness sakes. This is going to be one rough election year!
January 15th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
It’s amazing to me where people get their information on politics. I’ve never been to that site, but I’ll forward it to some of my silly friends who believe every story they read in emails.
BTW: I love that Johnny Depp cover. ((GRIN)))
January 16th, 2008 at 1:34 am
The most outlandish claim ever made by an email was the one that guaranteed to make my penis grow three inches. I can safely say that they would not achieve their objective.
January 16th, 2008 at 7:35 am
i think people get convinced by these smear-mail messages because they *don’t* like a candidate but they’re looking for a reason it’s OK not to like the candidate.
January 16th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Stupid ass Smear Email. Daily Kos has a nice email you can send back as a response on there site today