Help me dispel a couple of what I think are myths.

[Bullshot]

My RW friend constantly passes on e-mails to me that show his political leanings. Among other things he has sent the story about Ollie North's testimony on installing a $60,000 home security system because he knew back then about Osama bin Laden. Another was about Al Gore's "claim" to invented the internet that was taken out of context. The list goes on.

I think he's lobbed a couple more that I haven't been able to debunk:

He sent some story about an Anheuser-Busch beer distributor making deliveries on Sept. 11, 2001. He stopped at a carryout in the LA area and saw the owners--of Arab descent--celebrating wildly over what has been happening in NYC, Washington, D.C. and in PA. As the story goes, the distributor called management and they told him to pull all of their products from their shelves and never deliver to the place again.

Is this true, or another urban myth my friend has been circulating?


Another recent e-mail states that Target retail stores forbid the Salvation Army from setting up in front of their stores. Given Target's history for education, cancer research and other charities, I've found that hard to believe. Attempts at e-mailing the company through their website have not been productive.

Anybody know if these two situations are true? Any links for me to search?

Much appreciated.

[soup]

1. Anheuser-Busch beer distributor making deliveries on Sept. 11, 2001

false.
http://www.snopes.com/rumors/budweiser.asp

[Ian David]

2. The only thing he has right is Target. They forbid ALL soliciting.

However, if it makes him feel better, Target also refuses to allow rape victims access to emergency contraception.

That should make him feel better about shopping at Target.

Republicans love rape.

[blm]

3. Target doesn't allow any solicitation at all - Neither does Nordstrom's or

Nieman-Marcus or ANY high-end retailer. The groups who want people to boycott Target sure don't mind when the WEALTHY CLIENTELE STORES turn away Salvation Army ringers.

Sounds like a WalMart plot to push people away from Target.

[baldguy]

4. The internets are your friend

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/north.asp

I'm sure you can find info about the second, but if it comes from the RW then you can be 90% certain it's a lie.

[City Lights]

5. Here's a link to Snopes about Target and the Salvation Army:

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/charity/sallyann.asp

[liberal N proud]

6. The first one is definitely false

Snopes has the story: http://www.snopes.com/rumors/budweiser.asp

The second one, I can not find anything regarding it. I do recall seeing something last Christmas season about several retail outlets banning the Salvation Army, part of the "attack on Christmas" meme. Don't know about that one.

[soup]

8. an article from 2004

about Target and the S.A. contains this little blip:

>>The organization also will use more volunteers as bell ringers and hire fewer of its low-income clients so that 83 cents of every dollar donated continues to go toward providing services to the needy, Hubbard said.<<
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/201103_salvation25.html

So, they're going to use volunteers rather than clients who need the income, to have more funding for those who need it.

Rather convoluted logic, hey?

[lapfog_1]

7. As always, snopes is your friend.

http://www.snopes.com/rumors/north.asp

http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/charity/sallyann.asp

[mitchum]

9. Would your friend be willing to trade his car for a handful of magic...

beans?
He seems to be especially gullible.
Tell him to give mitchum a call in order to take advantage of a great deal.

[Toots]

15. Are they really magic beans?

If they are really magic beans I will trade you my car. It needs some magic...

[Name removed]

10. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[yasmina27]

11. I love debunking these

I get similar e-mails from time to time from RW relatives. I always hit "reply to all". Sometimes I comment and sometimes I don't -mostly because what I really want to say would be totally offensive. When I do comment, it's simple and along the lines of "Gee, 'fraid not", or "please research before you send these on". I always send a link to a site debunking the claim so they can see for themselves, not just take my word for it.

These e-mails have been coming less and less. Maybe I've taught them all something (I know I'm still on their mailing lists as I get other, non-RW stuff from them).

[tenshi816]

12. Here's a link debunking the Anheuser-Busch story.

Snopes, as ever: http://www.snopes.com/rumors/budweiser.asp

Edited to add: Why don't you ask your friend why he doesn't verify this crap before he forwards it on? Also, ask why the Republicans find it necessary to make things up to prove their points? If they're so right about everything, why can't they depend on the unvarnished truth?

[bunkerbuster1]

13. I'd like to hear the explanation as well.

I've been so aggressive in shutting down those few people who'd forward crap emails (right and left, btw--I can't stand ignorant shit from anyone) that not only don't I get 'em any more, I can't even remember what the excuses from these people were to send this stuff in the first place.

Why DO people regurgitate garbage that they haven't verified from at least one independent source? Is it that they're just stupid? Lazy? Both?

[tenshi816]

16. "All of the above" -

actually I prefer to think it's just laziness, but I think stupid plays a part as well, along with having an incurious mind. I think the incurious part is worst of all.

[trof]

14. I thought everybody knew about snopes?

www.snopes.com?
Just go there and search a few key words.