In a Recent AMA Video, I answered a question about publishing “horrible” stories, and when I’ll choose to do one.
Crime
Not Now, Cato!
I suspect readers will want to share a story from this week, or at least one of the images that go with it. This page gives them a place to point others to.
Hahaha, Psych!
More on a story from this week’s newsletter. Let’s start with the story:
Scot-Free
I was reminded about a True story published two years ago this week, and researched the resolution. Let’s just say it’s surprising.
Difficult Subjects
True sometimes covers “difficult” subjects, such as this week’s Predatory Pair of Pastors, which stories appear below. This post is about why I think it’s important to cover them, but maybe not for the reasons you think.
When Co-Sleeping with a Baby Is a Bad Idea
I “had to” look up more details on a story. While “I Hate This Story” does reflect my feelings, I do think it’s important to occasionally bring to light how horrible people can be, even to their own children, because we can and should learn from them.
Weird Coincidences
It’s coming up on True’s 30th anniversary, so there are bound to be some coincidences among story subjects. Get a load of this one from this week’s issue:
Front Page News
A fairly bizarre news story from the county seat of my recently-former Colorado home not only caught my eye, but quickly spread to national, and now international, headlines.
The Slapping Judge
You’ve heard of a “hanging judge”? I prefer a slapping judge, like this one. Let’s start with the story, then a follow-up story of a Florida finger-flipper:
When Scams Become Deadly
by Paul Myers
©2022 by Paul Myers, excerpted with permission from his Talkbiz News newsletter.
How Not to Call 911: A Real World Example
True contributor Alexander Cohen and I had quite the discussion about the Canadian woman desperately trying to get police help when there was an intruder in her home.
“He Kind of Groomed Me to Get to My Son”
I wrote a story for the 12 September newsletter, put it aside to await further details — and forgot about it. I happened across it again after writing this week’s stories. It’s definitely not a “fun” addition to that week’s lineup, but it’s got a very important message: How two parents saved their child from being the victim of a pedophile.
Marked Man: a Criminal’s Amazing Transformation
You might remember my long-gone site, Mug Shot Museum. It was active for a mere 9 months from January 2010: Google refused to show ads on the site, and the way other such sites, which weren’t running photos with social commentary, were making money was to demand payment from the people shown …and I didn’t want to play that slimy game. That’s why it’s long gone.
The Strange Case of Doctor Heiney
While looking for something else, I found an update for a story (and follow-up) from 2016 and 2017, and it’s fairly unbelievable …yet This is True!
Florida Man On Wheels: Marco Mazzetta Sets
Bar, Michael Popper Accepts Challenge
Florida Man Marco Mazzetta is an absolute obliviot, so why would anyone want to follow his example? Well keep reading, because Florida Man Michael Popper followed Mazetta like he was a recipe. [Jump to that 2022 Update]
Peak Stress
The lead story this week is mind-blowing …especially to me as a current first responder medic and former deputy sheriff. Here, I go through the incident step by step to show just how fast the deputy had to react — and make a life-altering decision along the way.
Aurora Police: Not Accountable
Two stories in this week’s issue make the Aurora (Colo.) Police Dept. look very bad. Let’s start with the stories from the 12 January 2020 issue, and then explore why they’re just the tip of the iceberg.
Betraying the Public’s Trust
True Can Never Put All of the Details in a story that might be interesting, or might even add to the commentary, but I can comment here! But first, let’s start with the story, from True’s 27 October issue:
Your Task: Decide Which is Illegal
I’m Sure You are Dying to Know the story behind this week’s extra-weird Headline of the Week (Issue #1310, 21 July 2019):
030: I Learned There Are No Boxes
In This Episode: An unthinking This is True reader was shown Uncommon Sense — and adopted the practice for himself. A profoundly moving episode that shows how even terrible humans can change. John’s story is one of the most powerful ever told by a reader.