(no subject)

[pat]

I have seen several references to that group of parents in Illinois supposedly objecting to kids giving Valentines in school to kids of the same gender.

It's clearly satire. The story below it is "Fewer Terrorists Celebrate Christmas." While I realize that we have reached a point in this country where it is difficult sometimes to differentiate between news stories and late-night talk-show monologue jokes, it's important not to latch on to every item that confirms our preexisting beliefs about X, Y, or Z group without doing a minimum of checking. (Googling shows no other references to the story than on one website.) The fact that right-wing nutjobs frequently toss their critical thinking skills out the window is no reason to do likewise.

Comments

[tenacious-snail.livejournal.com]

Thank you. My first thought upon seeing the story was to think "must go to Snopes." Then I looked at the other content and didn't need anyone to confirm that it was satire.

[griffen.livejournal.com]

Sorry. I was tired and didn't realize it was a satire site. My post will be edited to indicate that.

[patgreene.livejournal.com]

You're not the only one who didn't catch that it was not real. As I said, I've seen several references to it.

[lorelei-o.livejournal.com]

The same "think twice" mentality allows you not only to spot the satire hidden in the picture, but also allows you to escape being sucked into factoids masquerading as fact by virtue of their emotional costumes.

After 9-11 a series of articles/emails circulated about all the "anti-american political correctness" that was running rampant amongst those soft on terrorists. (Student-aid workers asked to not wear flags, fire-trucks not allowed to wear red-white-and-blue bunting while in parades, etc.) But following up on each of those "infractions" yielded an explanation far beyond the running amok of political correctness. (ie, fire-trucks on active duty and not allowed to be draped in flammable decor.)

Really...thinking is a good thing. ;)