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.
Drugs/Alcohol
We’re On It
A story in this week’s newsletter is already being discussed intently online, so let’s jump in. Let’s start with True’s version of the story, from the 24 November 2019 issue:
052: Uncommon Sense the Easy Way
In This Episode: Can you quit a bad habit with willpower? Allen Carr thought that was the hard way, but he had insight into what he called the “Easy Way” that would work better, and saved perhaps millions of lives by quitting his day job to help teach others how. It’s a great story of Uncommon Sense at work.
051: Out of Thin Air
In This Episode: Now here’s a fun example of Uncommon Sense in action — in the adult beverage category…?! You could call it another concept for “neutral spirits,” and it ties in with a very interesting early episode.
045: Right Place, Right Time
In This Episode: Sure, being in the right place at the right time helps. But it often takes Uncommon Sense to step back to consider the bigger picture, and what the implications of a profound event might be. This is the story of how someone I knew as a young man did just that, but rather than take advantage and get rich, he leveraged his luck to help millions. It’s an amazing story.
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):
009: The Headlines Lied
In This Episode: There’s a lot of talk about accuracy in the media these days, up to and including frequent accusations that the mainstream press publishes “fake news.” The real “fake news” isn’t what you may think — and it starts even before you click.
Cosmic Comeuppance
This Week’s Newsletter (dated 1 July 2018) is the first in True’s 25th(!!) Year. It’s a solid issue with tragedy and comedy, and this blog post has examples of both. While you may seethe at the first story, you’re almost guaranteed to laugh by the end of this page.
When “Reporting” Just Isn’t Enough
I’m taking a quick break from writing the stories for this week’s issue to tell you why I’m rejecting a story, even though it’s mind-boggling in its implication.
Die Like a Dog
I know a story this week will raise eyebrows, so I’m posting it here so there’s a place to explore it a bit in the comments. Let’s start with the story, from the 9 October 2016 issue:
How High is Too High?
Often, a photograph really completes a This is True story. This time, it’s another little snippet of media. Let’s start with the story, from True’s 11 October 2015 issue:
Bonfire of the Gravities
I don’t tell many stories about the ambulance calls I run on as a volunteer medic here in rural Ouray County, Colorado, but this one is worth telling.
At 12:51 a.m. this past Saturday morning, my pager went off for an injured 16-year-old female, just a few miles from my house. It was in an odd location for a middle-of-the-night rescue, and as my wife and I got dressed, I was a bit confused.
The Drunk Zone
A reader has a very interesting point of view on True’s stories — from the perspective of a (recovering) alcoholic.
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:
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:
Another ZT Success Story
I’ve long railed against Zero Tolerance in True, with the first such story appearing way back in 1995. And there have been plenty … more … since.
Dude! I Got Trashed Last Night!
Another story that isn’t really complete without the photos mentioned. Even before I posted them, a couple of readers thought I was too hard on the guy; I’ll let you decide on that point. Let’s start with the story, from True’s 19 July 2009 issue.
Weird News Video #34 — Booze Meets Stupid
Episode #34: “Booze Meets Stupid”, from True’s 25 January 2009 issue.
Udderly Ridiculous Photos
[Updated] Sometimes the photo that goes with a story is funnier than the story. Sometimes the story is pretty good all by itself. This one, from the 19 October 2008 issue, is a toss-up: I’m not sure which part is funnier. But then it happened again, and then again! We start with the first story:
Weird News Video #10 — DUI D’oh!
Episode #10: “Right Here In River City!”, from True’s 10 August 2008 issue.