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Thread: How To Identify Misinformation According To Our Government

  1. #1
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    How To Identify Misinformation According To Our Government

    How to Identify Misinformation

    http://usinfo.state.gov/media/Archiv...formation.html

    How can a journalist or a news consumer tell if a story is true or false? There are no exact rules, but the following clues may help indicate if a story or allegation is true.

    First, does the story claim that vast, powerful, evil forces are secretly manipulating events? If so, this fits the profile of a conspiracy theory, which is rarely true, even though such theories have great appeal and are often widely believed. In reality, events usually have much less exciting explanations.

    Second, is the story startlingly good, bad, amazing, horrifying, or otherwise seemingly “too good” or “too terrible” to be true? If so, it may be an “urban legend.” Urban legends, which often circulate by word of mouth, e-mail, or the Internet, are false claims that are widely believed because they put a common fear, hope, suspicion, or other emotion into story form.

    For example, after the September 11 attacks, a story arose that someone had survived the World Trade Center collapse by “surfing” a piece of concrete from the 80th floor to the ground. Nothing so extraordinary occurred, but many initially believed this, out of desperate hope that some people trapped in the towers miraculously survived their collapse.

    Third, be aware of widely repeated allegations that are false, but which many continue to believe. The AIDS virus was not invented in a laboratory. Americans do not adopt children from other countries to use them in organ transplants. Likewise, there are many exaggerated fears about depleted uranium, probably because people mistakenly associate it with weapons-grade uranium or fuel-grade uranium, which are much more dangerous substances.

    Fourth, consider the source. Conspiracy theorists often circulate false or skewed information. Ideological extremists frequently spread false stories.

    Fifth, research the claim further and, if you wish, ask us. We can’t respond to all requests for information, but if a request is reasonable and we have the time, we will do our best to provide accurate, authoritative information.
    No One Knows Everything. Only Together May We Find The Truth JG


  2. #2
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    "First, does the story claim that vast, powerful, evil forces are secretly manipulating events? If so, this fits the profile of a conspiracy theory, which is rarely true, even though such theories have great appeal and are often widely believed. In reality, events usually have much less exciting explanations."

    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! I don't even know where to begin with this statement...
    No One Knows Everything. Only Together May We Find The Truth JG


  3. #3
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    Where in the definition of "Conspiracy" does it say vast, powerful, evil forces are secretly manipulating events?

    con·spir·a·cy
    n. pl. con·spir·a·cies
    1. An agreement to perform together an illegal, wrongful, or subversive act.
    2. A group of conspirators.
    3. Law. An agreement between two or more persons to commit a crime or accomplish a legal purpose through illegal action.
    4. A joining or acting together, as if by sinister design: a conspiracy of wind and tide that devastated coastal areas.

    As Dr. Griffin said on his C-SPAN appearance, conspiracies happen all the time. If you have an idea how the conspiracy happened, you have a conspiracy theory.

    If conspiracy theories are "rarely true", then how do the police ever capture their criminals? Don't they have to investigate the crime, and "theorize" on how it took place? If they're always wrong, then there are a lot of innocent people in jail right now.
    No One Knows Everything. Only Together May We Find The Truth JG


  4. #4
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    A "conspiracy" requires two or more individuals conspiring to take part in a crime.

    The Iran/Contra Affair
    The Savings & Loan Scandal
    Iraqgate
    Monicagate
    Watergate
    The Gulf Of Tonkin
    The Insertion Of Drugs Into City Streets

    All of these were a "Conspiracy". Those who broke the story, had a "Conspiracy Theory".
    No One Knows Everything. Only Together May We Find The Truth JG


  5. #5
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    "In reality, events usually have much less exciting explanations."

    19 individuals spent years training for a day that would live in infamy. They would cleverly plan an attack using hijacked aircraft to crash into prominent American buildings. They would manage to trick our entire Defense Systems, systems that have been in place, and proven time and time again. They would perform maneuvers that most pilots claim they wouldn't be able to do. They would get passed the Pentagon's anti-aircraft missles that are designed to fire on anything other than a military aircraft. They would plan all of this from a cave in Afghanistan. Without the help of ANYBODY. Oooh... Exciting... whoops, maybe not.
    No One Knows Everything. Only Together May We Find The Truth JG


  6. #6
    911=inside job Guest
    its all such a sick joke....

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by 911=inside job
    its all such a sick joke....
    I don't find it funny. Not one bit.
    No One Knows Everything. Only Together May We Find The Truth JG


  8. #8
    pcteaser Guest
    Second, is the story startlingly good, bad, amazing, horrifying, or otherwise seemingly “too good” or “too terrible” to be true? If so, it may be an “urban legend.” Urban legends, which often circulate by word of mouth, e-mail, or the Internet, are false claims that are widely believed because they put a common fear, hope, suspicion, or other emotion into story form.
    I think this article is a bit of misinformation in itself. Or misdirection.... "Don't look at the man behind the curtain."

  9. #9
    Ophie Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by pcteaser
    I think this article is a bit of misinformation in itself. Or misdirection.... "Don't look at the man behind the curtain."
    That's what I was thinking.

  10. #10
    Uber Commandante Guest
    Also, if the 'conspiracy theorist' is saying bad things about the president, you know they are part of the liberal agenda that is anti-God, and anti-religious folks, and that they really want to let the criminals out of jail to sodomize christians.

    So don't listen to them.

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