I Think Alexander Went Too Easy on the schools in a story this week. First, let’s start with the story, from True’s 23 February 2014 issue: (more…)
Archive | Crime
Walmart Hostage Situation
A tagline on a story this week was designed to provoke. I even talked about the tagline and said it was to provoke. Yet it still brought complaints and “disagreement” — even though it’s impossible to agree or disagree with my thoughts, since the tag didn’t reveal my thoughts. But I still made a huge […]
Thinking about Newtown
Posted December 14, 2012 in Crime, Death, Major Headlines
Is it guns? Is it violent TV shows, movies, or video games? Is it crazy America? (more…)
Fair, or Unfair?
A story — or, really, the tagline on that story — by Mike Straw brought some bristling feedback. “Unfair!” But was it? Let’s start with the story, from the 18 November 2012 issue: (more…)
What Nightmares Are Made Of
The first and last stories from this week’s issue (7 October 12) are posted here: the first because you’ve got to shudder at the thought of the poor kid trying to escape a kidnap attempt …when you see the guy’s mug shot. And the last because I want to talk about how the tagline came […]
Another Week, Another Pack of Clueless School Officials
Two stories this week deserve some follow-up: one that’s pretty light-hearted, and the other …much less so. Let’s start with the comedy; both stories are from True‘s 13 May 2012 issue: (more…)
The Worship of Joe Paterno
I posted this on Facebook on Sunday. The response was amazing: (more…)
The Nigerian “419” Scam
If someone — probably a friend — sent you to this page, read it carefully! This is a true story, from This is True‘s 15 January 2012 issue. (more…)
Fix-a-Flat
It’s another story that absolutely demands the accompanying illustration — in this case, a mug shot. But trust me: read the story first! It’s from True‘s 20 November 2011 issue: (more…)
Seeing Red
Another story where you just have to see the accompanying photo — an instant classic! (Warning: It looks a bit intense, but it’s fake: the woman is not only not dead, she’s not at all injured.) (more…)
Let’s See If You Can Picture This
There are times that a photo doesn’t just add to a story, it makes the story. This is this week’s most-suggested True story: from the 24 April 2011 release: (more…)
Father of the Year, Or…?
A story this week by True contributor Jennifer Weiner struck me the wrong way, so I sent it back for a rewrite. I thought you might find the original story intriguing, as well as her reaction to my rewrite request. (more…)
Illuminated (Security Camera Video)
Another story that’s immeasurably enhanced by its security camera video. From True‘s 12 December 2010 issue. First, the story: (more…)
The Opposite of Zero Tolerance
Yet another astounding story from the front lines — our nation’s schools. From True‘s 28 November 2010 issue: (more…)
A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Laughs
With a title like that, I certainly couldn’t run the story without providing the photo! As usual, the story first, from True‘s 14 November 2010 issue: (more…)
This is True List Break-in
From True‘s 17 October 2010 issue. On the whole, This is True readers are a pretty technically savvy bunch: many of you use “tracking” email addresses — addresses which readers have used only to subscribe to my newsletter(s) — and I’ve had a number of reports this week from readers who have received spam to […]
Family Feud
Sometimes there’s a story that I “have” to publish, even though I know it just won’t make it past the spam filters. (more…)
Smooth Move, Megan
This is a study of contrasts: this story was so good that I ran it both in This is True and in the now-defunct Mug Shot Museum. First, the True treatment, from the 7 March 2010 issue: (more…)
A Clever Disguise…?
Once again, a picture is worth a thousand words. But I’m not sure that in this case, two pictures are worth two thousand words! (more…)
Don’t Talk to the Cops
Some readers will be a bit puzzled why I would spread this message in my blog: “Do not, under any circumstances, be interviewed by the police without advice from a lawyer.” You have a right to remain silent, and I urge you to exercise that right. Especially if you are innocent. (more…)