You would think that after the Internet fueled circus that we fondly recall as Y2K has come and gone, we should have learned a lesson or two. Correct?

Nah.

It continually amazes me how normally intelligent people will get sucked in when reading all manner of BS on the Internet. There appears to be no end to the hoaxes perpetrated on this medium. Heres a great example of a recent urban legend that Im confident a good many of YOU believe to be true:

Recently, it was widely reported via e-mail and forum alerts that there had been HIV affected needles found taped to the handles of gasoline pumps. The one I recall reading supposedly came from a Florida State Highway Patrolman and supported these grave concerns with alleged incidents.

Well guess what? Pure Bullshit.

Heres my point. Many of you will leap to doubt information in the news media yet swallow most anything that is read on the net. Yeah, Ive been guilty of the same thing, especially if it supports my current point of view. Lets show ourselves how smart we really are and become immediate skeptics when borderline info is sent our way. I offer the following sites as a tool to debunk this crap if you have any doubts;

http://www.urbanlegends.about.com

http://ciac.llnl.gov/ciac/CIACHoaxes.html

http://www.netsquirrel.com/combatkit (No disrespect intended here King)

http://datafellows.com/news/hoax.htm

-- Ra (tion@l.1), July 15, 2000

Answers

-- (doomerstomper@usa.net), July 15, 2000.

shit -- sorry!

-- (doomerstomper@usa.net), July 15, 2000.

There used to be a thrid rate rock band in my area named Kidney Thieves

-- Butt Nugget (catsbutt@umailme.com), July 15, 2000.

Thanks, Ra. Could not agree more.

-- (retired@nd.happy), July 15, 2000.

Please FWD this message to 10 people within 10 minutes or you will die.

-- Lars (lars@indy.net), July 15, 2000.

Duh! The HIV+ needles aren't taped to the handles, you might see them. They are taped to the underside of the arm you have to lift after removing the handle to start the pump.

Boy you'd think these reporters could get it right.

Frank

P.S. It may be an ABSOLUTE FACT that right now someone is seeding Frito Lay onion dip with tapeworm proglottids at the factory. Remember that the next time you're at your local convenience store or market.

-- Someone (ChimingIn@twocents.cam), July 15, 2000.

I am going to close this forum

-- They just (keep.f@lling.for.it), July 15, 2000.

DOOMER MEME-SPEAK ON

It's not called "Y2k" for nothing!

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

Tick Tock!

DOOMER MEME-SPEAK OFF

Vindicated and Amused Regards,
Andy Ray

-- Andy Ray (andyman633@hotmail.com), July 15, 2000.

AND RAY SPEAK ON

-- (nemesis@awol.com), July 15, 2000.

AND RAY SPEAK ON

pathetic memetic doomers

vindicated regards

amused regards

ANDY RAY SPEAK OFF

-- (nemesis@awol.com), July 15, 2000.

Yea, I'm still Ticking Andy, but for a different reason.

Now, I'm counting down until the day that you run out of QQs.

Tick, (what is it, T-300) Tock... <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), July 15, 2000.

I never believed the STORY behind the Nieman Marcus cookie E-mail, but I DID make the cookies once, and they were so outstanding that SO asked me not to make them again soon. He said something about temptation and preserving his six-pack.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), July 16, 2000.