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David Emery

Urban Legends

By , About.com Guide

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Vampire Trap?

Saturday May 18, 2013

Via Facebook:
Mortsafe
Were folks in the Victorian era really so scared of zombies and vampires that they built cages over gravesites to trap the undead? Answer here.

SCAM ALERT: 'Rapper Eminem Left Nearly Dead After Being Stabbed 4 Times in NYC!!'

Wednesday May 15, 2013

Rapper Eminem Left Nearly DEAD After Being Stabbed 4 Times in NYC!!
Don't click on links to purporting to offer surveillance video of Eminem being stabbed four times by a crazed fan.

The story is false, the video doesn't exist, and the links actually redirect users to scam websites promising "free prizes" (which don't exist either) for completing an online survey. Read More...

Zebra of a Different Color

Thursday May 9, 2013

Golden ZebraMeet Zoe, a "golden zebra" born on the island of Molokai in Hawaii. While Zoe is quite real, this widely circulated photo of her was manipulated by person(s) unknown to exaggerate her unusual markings. Read more...

Did NRA President Jim Porter Say 'It's Only a Matter of Time Before We Can Own Colored People Again'? No.

Wednesday May 8, 2013

NRA President Jim Porter: 'It's Only A Matter Of Time Before We Can Own Colored People Again'
A "news article" making the rounds via social media quotes incoming NRA president Jim Porter as saying, "I don't have to clarify. You know gall darn well what I mean. In fact, it's only a matter of time before we can own colored people again. They sure as hell won't be our leaders."

For those of you gullible enough to believe Porter actually said this — and I've seen a few of you spouting off on Facebook and Twitter, so don't deny it — take note of the fact that the source of the quote, FreeWoodPost.com, is a humor website (read the disclaimer). The article is satirical.

Now, it's true that Porter, like his predecessor, has shown a propensity to make controversial statements — he actually does refer to the Civil War as the "War of Northern Aggression," for example, and has called Barack Obama "a fake President." But he has never advocated a return to slavery or ownership of "colored people."

Previous 'news' from the Free Wood Post:
Mitt Romney: 'Of Course I'll Win, I'm the White Guy'
Mitt Romney: 'Too Important to Go to Vietnam'
Ann Romney vs. Equal Pay for Women

This Is Nancy Pelosi?

Friday May 3, 2013

Via Facebook:
Miss Lube Rack 1955
The Internet would have you believe that the swimsuit model in this 1950s-vintage photo is none other than Nancy Pelosi, the current minority leader of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Could the Internet possibly be wrong? Yep.

Hottest Rumor on Facebook Says Facebook Is Shutting Down

Sunday April 28, 2013

Facebook Will End on May 15th, 2013According to a "news story" copied and pasted the Weekly World News and shared a gazillion times by Facebook users, CEO Mark Zuckerberg can't take the stress of running the company anymore and has decreed that Facebook will cease to exist as of May 15, 2013. Sound familiar?

To Protect and Serve

Sunday April 21, 2013

This police officer brought two gallons of milk to a family with young children in Watertown, after they had run out during the lockdown. This is why I love living in Boston.
Authenticated: Viral photo of police officer delivering milk to a Watertown family during lockdown and manhunt following Boston Marathon bombings.

Boston Marathon Bombings

Wednesday April 17, 2013

Alleged 8-Year-Old Bombing Victim
Hoax
Status: False


The Man in the Red Shirt
Hoax
Status: False


Mr. Rogers Quote: "Look for the Helpers"
Authentic
Status: Authentic

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Friday April 12, 2013

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Did a German Study Show that Looking at Busty Women for 10 Minutes a Day Is Good for Men's Health? No.

Friday April 12, 2013

Nigerian Tribune

Nigerian Tribune, 4/12/13: "A German study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, concludes that staring at women's breasts for a few minutes daily is better for your health than going to the gym."

Daily Record and Sunday Mail, 7/9/11: "Just 10 minutes of looking at the charms of well-endowed females is equivalent to a 30-minute aerobics work-out," said author Dr Karen Weatherby, an expert on aging."

Fox News, 3/4/11: "Guys, listen up. A new study says it is actually healthy to stare at a woman's breasts."

Gullible men of the Internet, I regret to inform you that no such study exists.

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