"Special" Pages and Rants

Now and then, something gets under my collar and I go on a rant. The resulting posts tend to be pretty popular with readers.

Then there are “Special” pages, where I know readers will want to debate a story.

Of course, some posts are both. So here’s the list of both Rants and “Special” pages, in order (by date, oldest first):

Don’t Say I Didn’t Tell You So - I had spoken about spam here and there in True, but in this issue I published the first installment of what would become my Spam Primer — a warning that unsolicited email advertising was now officially a serious problem on the net.
Special Fornigate Edition - The Monica Lewinski scandal didn’t really break (or “Go Viral” as we say today) until President Bill Clinton’s famous angry denial, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman …Miss Lewinsky.”
The ‘Fornigate’ Response - Anytime This is True runs stories with (shall we say) controversial subjects, it generates letters. But nothing brings more letters than the division between left- and right-wing politics!
Balance in the Media - Sure, the Columbine killings got a lot of press. Ever hear the other side of the gun issue?
A Story Subject Responds - The editor of B.C. Catholic wrote me a note about the story. Here it is, unedited.
Losing my Tolerance for “Zero Tolerance” - “Zero Tolerance” Rules and Laws Require Severe Punishment Not Only for Possessing Drugs or Guns, but Also Any Item Which “Looks Like” a Prohibited Item.
Rants and Raves over “Austin Powers” - One of the first highly controversial stories in True, with some readers loving it, and others hating it. So let’s start with the story that started it all (in the 18 July 1999 issue):
Are You Sure? - If you found this page by yourself, consider that a point in your favor.
Why oh Why2K? - or, Ponderings on the New Millennium “I would like to take you seriously, but to do so would affront your intelligence.” –William F. Buckley, conservative newspaper columnist. It all started as a bit of musing in my author’s note in the first issue of the year 2000. Then, the more comments from readers I published, ... Continue Reading
Mike the Headless Chicken - Sure we've all heard about chickens who run around the barnyard after getting their heads chopped off. But for over a YEAR?
They’re Trying to Make it Hot in Here - Blasphemy! Yep, that’s what I’m guilty of, if you believe “Santa”, one of several people who wrote about a story in the 23 April 2000 issue. Here’s the story:
Unclear on the Concept - The HUGE difference between a flack and a public relations professional.
Religious Freedom in the USA - Many "preach" freedom of religion — but only for themselves, and are OUTRAGED if others want it too.
Grasp Of The Obvious - Email makes it easy to complain. Too easy. I find people will literally complain about anything they see online.
The Big Easy: Do As We Say, Not As We Do! - "It would be irresponsible of us not to respond to it. After all, we are the police department."
Isn’t Life Already Short Enough? - A story in the 22 July 2001 issue really captured my interest — it amazes me how people will adapt to their technology, rather than make their technology adapt to them.
ZT Madness is Spreading! - You might think “Zero Tolerance” is a playground issue — just a way for school administrators to deal with violent kids. If you did, you would be wrong.
Fundamentally Wrong - Written 21 September 2001. Also see the 2005 Update
Airline Insecurity — a Symptom of a Worse Disease - Some weeks after terrorists turned several of our airliners into guided missiles, I flew — and got to experience our greatly “improved” security. My experiences were recorded here earlier.
ZT: Legislative Action - I ran more “zero tolerance” stories last week, and I’m noticing a new trend: when I run the stories, I get mail from readers asking what they can do about this trend, since it obviously is a trend and not just an isolated happening. The new trend: many ask if I would please provide the ... Continue Reading
Your TV Wants to Control You - What, you don't remember signing a contract that requires you to watch TV commercials?
Let’s Go to Pluto! - Yes, True is about weird news. More importantly, it’s about thinking, which implies a quest for knowledge and understanding. That’s most evident in my editorials; here are two of them on the same subject, starting with one from May 2002:
The True Story of Leonard Carlo’s Bar - A reader didn't believe this story was true. Since it was reasonably nearby, I went there to prove it.
The Argument Every Man Has Been Looking For - If you don't like crude, you've been warned.
One Brave Girl - Who does a bully's victim go to for help when the bullies are school officials?
Guns: Smoke Gets In Your Eyes - The way some people reacted, you’d think this publication was called Guns Digest. Truth is, True hasn’t run a real “gun story” since the bit on John Lott almost five years ago!
The Missionary’s Position - The basis of the complaint, by a Baptist Youth Pastor, is so eye-rolling in its cluelessness, you’ll begin to understand why some kids are so screwed up.
Hit Squad on Spammers? - I’ve been clamoring for action on the spam front since 1996. I’ve even dedicated a web site to a primer on what spam is, how spammers get your address, and other topics (which recently got some updates).
Home Schooling Looks Better Every Day - Sometimes I write taglines with the intention of provoking readers a bit, but usually they don’t rise to the bait. Other times, I’m astounded at what does trigger complaints. A good example of the latter is this story from the 15 February 2004 issue:
When is Racism OK? - No, I don't "have to account for" the "opinions and feelings" of my entire reader base.
Who “Deserves” Freedom? - We’re often told not to discuss politics or religion in polite company. But sometimes your hand is forced. It all started with two stories that appeared in subsequent weeks — in the 9 May and 16 May 2004 issues:
Cops Confirm: He Was Nailed! - So if a white lady isn't the best spokesperson for the Mexican-American community, who would be?
Proof I’m a Stinking Liberal? - Ronald Reagan died last week. I didn’t happen to mention that fact in last Friday’s free edition — which “naturally” brought a grumpy complaint from Jeffrey in Florida:
“An Insult to Every Black Man in America” - What happens when an academic type uses Political Correctness to excuse vile, reprehensible behavior — and then a lawyer gets hold of the idea? You get “justification” for beating a young child to death. True’s home page notes that the stories are not all meant to be humorous, and this one sure isn’t.
Equal Time …to Invoke Indignant Anger - They SAY than an official invocation isn't religious. "Thou shalt not lie," right? Wrong.
Just in Time for Halloween Or…? - Don’t you worry a thing about your little girl: she’s covered too with a little Ho costume of her own.
Thanks to Zero Tolerance, You are Not Safe - The silly concept of “Zero Tolerance” may have started in American schools, but it certainly did not end there. It not only has spread to schools in other countries, what’s the expected result when all those schoolchildren get out of school, and into the Real World?
Binge Drinking in College: No, Not Funny - I periodically remind people: the stories in This is True are not always meant to be funny. Even the funny ones are often chosen to drive home a point, but sometimes being funny isn’t the way to do that. A good example is this two-story line-up from True’s 3 October 2004 issue:
Dell Hell - A Few Reader Horror Stories Updates: A Happy Ending? Conclusion — and Lessons Learned I’ve recommended Dell computers for many years. But my confidence in them was shaken when I got a new laptop in Fall 2004, and I ended up in “Dell Hell”. This is the story: ridiculous, but even somewhat funny.
We Don’t Need No Education - This is True often deals with education. That’s due to several factors, including: 1) We all spend so many of our formative years in school, 2) Kids have a knack for doing really dumb things sometimes, and 3) School administrators and teachers always want to outdo the kids, and thus pull even dumber stunts.
These Photos are Not for Discriminating Consumers! - When is the discriminatory treatment of women not really discriminatory?
Skirmishes in the War on Drugs - This is True’s 4 September 2005 issue had a line-up of several stories about druggies doing incredibly stupid things. It’s a fairly common theme in True, in fact: drug and alcohol abuse very often makes people do stupid things.
Saaya Irie Photos - "If I saw this in a movie I would think how totally unrealistic it is. And I'd be wrong."
Bats, Iron Bars, and Bricks - Several readers wrote to complain about a story in last week’s issue (26 June 2005):
The Truth about PETA - Does PETA protect and nurture the animals placed in its care? Find out — this story is from True’s 17 July 2005 issue. Letters and More Commentary have been added farther down the page (jump there) — and be sure to see the several Updates (jump there).
Canada: Outpruding the U.S. - See Update Below! The U.S. has its Janet Jackson scandal; Canada has a scandal over a completely clothed woman with a modest neckline. And naturally, I have the photos to illustrate this earth-shattering story, from True’s 21 August 2005 issue:
Still Fundamentally Wrong - After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I dubbed Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson “The American Taliban”. In the four years since, not much has changed. In 2005’s 9/11 issue of True came this story:
Higher Education - Arcadia University thought its new name was "rude proof."
Another Self-Proclaimed Religious Scholar - So I got this email from a reader demanding to know why I make my world-famous “Get Out of Hell Free” cards available. I’ve written about that quite a bit over the years, so I don’t intend to repeat it all here (see the GOOHF site if you’re not already aware of the story. The ... Continue Reading
Happy Politically Correct Holiday - Last week’s issue included this story, which naturally brought an incredibly whiny complaint by someone who clearly didn’t understand the concept at all:
True: It’s Not for Everyone - Some people even whine when I say maybe they wouldn't like to upgrade. Really.
Story Subject Demands Deletion - For the first time in years, someone featured in a This is True story has complained about it.
Zero Tolerance — the Next Step - The lead story last week brought an outraged response from a reader. First, here’s the story, from the 2 July 2006 issue:
Sadly, This Isn’t a Lawyer Joke - I Expect to Get a Few Complaints from lawyer readers about the lead story this week — a lot of my readers are lawyers. (I also have a relatively high number of cops and preachers in my distribution. Apparently those three professions particularly like this kind of reading.)
Define “Political Correctness” - A story this week is notable not just because of my offered “definition” of “Political Correctness,” but for some interesting commentary it brought. First, the story, from True’s 28 August 2006 issue:
The Power of Collective Outrage - He "searches" for the "real killers" on any golf course that will let him in.
Peace Sign - In the 3 December 2006 issue I led with this story:
War on Drugs - I fully expect to be called “anti-police” for the lead story this week. One doesn’t have to be “anti” anything to decry stupidity, or even to call to task organizations you fully support when they do something wrong. Here’s the story, from True’s 17 December 2006 issue:
Another Day, Another Cry-Baby - Quite a few Premium subscribers actually stay on the free distribution specifically to see the advertising. That’s cool: the advertisers pay for this free distribution, so it’s nice that people actually look at the ads! But now and then people whine about the ads. That’s dumb: without them, they wouldn’t be getting the newsletter at ... Continue Reading
Zero Tolerance: The Backlash Has Begun - Here we go again: more Zero Tolerance stories. This week (7 January 2007 issue) is, I think, the first time ever that the entire issue consists of ZT stories, starting with this one:
Super Bowl vs. Churches — NFL Loses - This week’s lead story brought a fair amount of mail from the Premium subscribers, many of whom were surprised by my take on the story. Here it is:
The Public Be Damned - In the 28 January issue I ran a story about two murderers who escaped from prison in England. I noted the story was an example of “zero tolerance” mentality migrating to the real world:
Zero Tolerance: Fighting Fire With Fire - Just when I think there can’t be even more outrageous examples of Zero Tolerance — in schools or in real life — I come across more that I just can’t resist telling you about. But there is hope, which I’ll get to in a minute. First, one of the ZT stories from this week’s (25 ... Continue Reading
Pluto Planet Day - Long-time readers know I have a special place in my heart for the planet Pluto. It’s not just that I spent 10 years working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and worked on the precursor project to the probe that’s on the way there now.
True Milestone: Issue #666 Special - I started getting notes last month about whether I had “special plans” for issue #666. “Not that the number actually means anything, but it tickles me to have noticed the landmark,” noted one, Jordan in S.A., Australia.
Randy the Anti-Christ? - Religion and Politics. It’s said those are the two subjects one should never discuss in polite company, because it just leads to impolite arguments.
Public Humiliation vs. Real Punishment - Well of course I have the photos of the bikini-clad fireman. But first things first — here’s the story:
99-Cent Divorce? - A story (or, rather, my tagline), led to an amazing letter from a priest.
Kumari Fulbright Mugshot - Stories in True can almost always stand on their own, without illustration. But now and then, a photo really adds to the story. In the case of a so-called “beauty queen” law student who allegedly committed a major crime, it is definitely enhanced by a couple of photos.
Men and Balloons - Yes 'Lawnchair Larry' is real, and he inspired more such stunts.
What Can I Do About ZT? - Ben in Victoria, Australia, sent me a note this week with the subject, “ZT — I’m just stunned.” He writes:
ZT v. Savana Redding: a Court Decision - A tremendous number of zero tolerance stories pass in front of me as I search for stories for True, and (contrary to what some readers think) I pass by most of them. I’ve previously encouraged those who are truly wronged by ZT to consider suing their schools.
The Right to Be Offended - I continue to be astounded at the number of people who choose to be offended by things that don’t exist. I refer this time to a story in the 31 August 2008 issue about the Republican vice presidential nominee, Sarah Palin:
Visiting the White House - Getting a private tour of the White House was surreal because of WHEN we were there.
Zero Tolerance Trick, No Treat - Zero Tolerance is insidious. An abdication of common sense and professional ethics, in schools it seeks to apply one punishment — suspension, usually leading to expulsion — to any level of “crime.”
Guns in America: Why? - I'm going to take a stab at helping foreign readers understand it a bit better.
TANSTAAFL, Baby - Very often readers ask me for advice about starting an online business — when I started in 1994, there wasn't anyone to ask, and I've learned a lot in the nearly 15 years since.
The War on Kids - There will probably be two responses to the first story in this week’s issue: 1) I was too hard on the public library/librarian, and 2) I wasn’t hard enough on her. To be sure, my tagline was judging her based on the standards of the American Library Association.
Don’t Talk to the Cops - Don't talk to the cops about any significant crime ...ESPECIALLY if you're innocent. Here's why.
The Future of Newspapers - When I started True back in 1994, there weren’t too many people online — especially compared to now. Once I quit my Day Job to pursue online publishing full time, I was constantly looking for peers — people to talk with that would understand what it was I was doing.
Zero Tolerance and the 800-lb Gorilla - The New York Times had an article today on a ridiculous zero tolerance situation: a kid in Delaware who was so excited to get his Cub Scouts camping utensil — a fork, knife and spoon combo — that he took it to school to eat his lunch with. Yeah, a Cub Scout: Zachary Christie is ... Continue Reading
Paul Clarke and British Zero Tolerance - Often when I include an article about “zero tolerance” in True, I hear from people outside the United States who claim some variation of “only in America!” Not so, of course. Some of the most outrageous examples happen in the British Commonwealth countries, including England. Such was the case this week (the 15 November 2009 ... Continue Reading
Ed Freeman and Political Manipulation - I generally don’t want suggestions for True’s Honorary Unsubscribe feature; my usual problem is having far too many possibilities for the one slot each week. In July 2009 a new trend started: people wanting me to do an Honorary Unsubscribe write-up for Ed Freeman, a brave Vietnam War helicopter pilot who saved about 30 shot-up ... Continue Reading
Patrick Timoney’s “Gun” - The “zero tolerance” stories just don’t stop, despite court decisions and legislators demanding “common sense.” A 2-inch hunk of plastic isn’t a gun, unless you’re a hysterical grade school principal who demands that 9-year-olds in your care sign confessions when they bring a toy to school.
1984 in 2010: a ZT Influence - My recent editorial analyzing a Zero Tolerance case (Patrick Timoney’s “Gun”) showed just how crazy people can get trying to control others, and their desire to punish non-transgressions just the same as if the person was actually doing something wrong. Most people fully got the point. Others, to my shock, didn’t.
FloriDuh - People often try to tell me California is the weirdest state in the union. No way, I always reply: Florida is. By far.
The Opposite of Zero Tolerance - Schools have "zero tolerance" for petty stuff, but actual crimes? Nah: no need for cops then.
Fighting the Good Guys - Tell me if this makes one bit of sense to you.
I Want to Complain, But… - It happens once in awhile that someone really wants to whine at me for something, but doesn’t have the guts to sign their name. Normally, such complaints are summarily trashed: if they can’t even sign their name to their opinion, then really, what’s that opinion worth?
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.
The End of the World: 2011 Edition - It takes a pretty big ego to think the world will end in your lifetime.
Ooh! Do It Again! - Last week I did a harder-than-usual “push” for subscription upgrades. You might like to know the excellent result: 32 upgrades. Just 32 upgrades is “excellent”?! Yep. The week before, it was four. The week before that was better: 15.
There’s No Such Thing as Writer’s Block - Stop using the "writer's block" excuse. If you're a "real" writer, no one can stop you from writing.
Don’t Forward That Warning! - What can happen when you forward a rumor: "It's been the bane of my existence, my worst nightmare."
The Euphemism Treadmill - I ran a story in this week’s issue in part to provoke. Before my editorializing here’s the story, from the 19 June 2011 issue:
Forever Doomed to Repeat History - OK, we can't legitimately prosecute you for that, but we'll do our best to make sure you can never earn a living!
The Few, The Proud, the Falsified News Story - The story of Tracey Attaway was modified (and went viral) for racist reasons. Here's what really happened.
Are You Liberal, or Conservative? - I think a couple of stories this week will make some people’s heads explode.
Rural Electrification, Meet the Rural Internet - As cities were starting to get electrical power, that was the problem: only cities were getting electrical power.
Christmas Blues - It gives me a deeper understanding of how so many feel everything from loneliness to despair this time of year, in stark contrast to those who feel joy.
Zero Tolerance: Alive and Well - When I run a string of zero tolerance stories, readers typically respond, “What should we do about this?” What I don’t want you to do is emailbomb the school officials or school boards involved.
The Worship of Joe Paterno - I posted this on Facebook on Sunday (22 January). The response was amazing:
Two Tiny Scandals - Two stories this week will, I think, generate some comments from readers. One has a zero tolerance theme, and the other is a minor political scandal. They’re both from True’s 19 February 2012 issue.
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:
“Gay-Baiting” - I’ve made no secret that I’m pretty much 100 percent egalitarian. I’ve defended the religious, the non-religous, the “the pagans, and the abortionists, and the feminists, and the gays and the lesbians,” and many others in True’s stories. I’m interested in whether people walk their talk, not whether they’re religious, gay, atheist, pagan, Muslim, employed, ... Continue Reading
Ethics Train Wreck - When a fake story made it into TRUE, I didn't just retract it, I put it here to explain why.
There Are Still Adventures - There are no more great adventures to be had. Been there, done that, seen it, ho hum ...right? Wrong.
“Never-Ending Pledge-Week” - After years and years on this distribution, Jeff in Virginia unsubscribed last week, complaining there were “too many ads for the premium edition — it like [sic] a never-ending pledge-week on PBS.”
Provoking Thought: Child Support Division - It’s nice when someone else goes on a rant, so I don’t have to! A story by Mike Straw in last week’s (30 December 2012) issue went for the laugh in the tagline. A reader — Wayne, in the U.S. military and deployed to Afghanistan — thought Mike should have gone more for “thought-provoking.” Let’s ... Continue Reading
Why I Embrace “Gay Marriage” - Simply put, I fully believe in the idea that "all men are created equal" and are entitled to equal protection under the law.
Bashing the “Lamestream Media” - The only thing “amazing” is that it took them ten years to notice.
Randolph Mantooth: Still Active in EMS - How a 50-year-old TV show helped save millions of lives by encouraging improved pre-hospital care.
The First Paramedics - The first most people in the world heard of paramedics was “Johnny and Roy” (Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe) — the lead medics in the Emergency! TV series (NBC, 1972-1977) based on the real life exploits of the Los Angeles County Fire Dept., which was one of the early pioneers in modern Emergency Medical Services. ... Continue Reading
Merry Secularmas, Then? - The world would be a better place if we chose to appreciate differences, rather than be offended by them.
A Hex on ABC News - This week several readers sent a story suggestion, and it’s a pretty outrageous story: a school accused a 15-year-old student of “putting a hex” on a teacher, making him ill. The assistant principal brought the girl in for “aggressive interrogation” and then suspended her for 15 days. No, this wasn’t in Salem in the late ... Continue Reading
Why People Die in Gun Free Zones - 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:
Transpositions - Two related stories that finish out this week’s issue may be a bit controversial, so I thought I would post them here to allow discussion among readers. They’re from the 7 December 2014 issue:
Freedom of Religion, Alabama Style - Very, very unclear on the subject.
Xero Reader Thought - A review of an advertiser's product in a free newsletter? WAH! UNSUBSCRIBE ME!
Another Politician, Another Hypocrite - Another politician, another hypocrite — this time, the Speaker of the House of Representatives in Missouri. Let’s start with the story, from the 17 May 2015 issue:
Forging My Own Path - How a “history” of the collision of weird news and the Internet got it completely wrong.
Dangerous in the Wrong Hands - When I said it was a “money-losing sideline” I meant it: I shut it down.
Land of the Scared - Yet none of this changes the point of this page: it’s still time for Americans to stop being afraid.
Alert the Media. - There Was a Protest Unsubscribe after I ran the plug (below) for Get Out of Hell Free cards in Friday’s edition.
“Ridiculous Reactions” - Oh, you want RIDICULOUS reaction from the reader base? Well, I have a story for you!
Gasping for Breath …Still - Amazing but true: schools are choosing to let children die. On purpose.
Why I’ve Removed Google’s Ads - Google has THREATENED me for doing things that even SEEM like what they do to make billions. So: I refuse to play their game.
Jay Jay is Cray Cray - It’s fun to poke at obliviots, especially when they’re truly oblivious to their idiocy.
Orlando: What YOU Can Do - You — Yes, YOU — Can “Do Something” about Mass Killings.
Behind the Scenes at JPL - Long-time readers know that This is True was created while I still had a Day Job. It was a very cool job: I was on the engineering staff at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (1986-1996 — True was started in 1994, so there was a two-year overlap).
What to Look for During the 2017 Solar Eclipse - Updated with Post-Eclipse photos and video. (Jump to Updates) A solar eclipse occurs when the moon gets between the sun and Earth, casting a shadow on the Earth’s surface. This can happen only during a new moon when the sun and the moon are in conjunction as seen from Earth in an alignment referred to ... Continue Reading
Mailchimp Makes a Monkey of Us All - In my recent post about watching the Internet “grow up,” I noted True was a driving force in setting the “best practices” around email publishing — I pushed the first true Email Service Provider to add features I wanted, and one of those features was “double opt-in.”
A Very Bad Gamble - I have a little bit to say about a story this week, so let me start with that story — from the 26 November 2017 issue:
When “Reporting” Just Isn’t Enough - This is why simple "news reporting" is far from enough.
When Good People Do Nothing - See Updates Below Last Week’s Story about the teacher-student sex scandal in a Colorado school — the principal and vice principal were indicted for failure to report the case, as required since they’re “mandatory reporters” of child abuse under state law — is followed up this week by another that really applies to the whole ... Continue Reading
Contempt of Cop - Settlements aren't enough: it's time to criminally charge cops who violate our right to photograph them on the job, and here's why.
Colorado Screws Over Small Businesses like This is True - I Will Stop Selling physical products to Colorado customers as of December 15, at least for the time being, and only because This is True is actually in Colorado.
009: The Headlines Lied - The REAL “fake news” isn't what you may think — and it starts even before you click.
The Core of the Educational Problem - The Degradation of Education continues. Last night, after slapping my forehead when reading a news story, I Tweeted (and “Facebooked”), “Rolling my eyes at inept news reporters: It’s ‘strong-arm robbery,’ not ‘strong armed robbery,’ which means the armed robbery was strong. Example: [link removed: no longer online].”
Crazy Tax Court Cases - After I finish writing the stories (and editing the contributions) each Sunday evening, I send them to a group of volunteer editors so they can check them that evening, or Monday morning (well before the newsletter comes out). They catch a lot of the typos, poor construction, and other goobers. (They only read the stories, ... Continue Reading
029: 32 Glasses of Water Go Down the Black Hole - I love watching others and recognizing signs of Uncommon Sense. I’m going to tell you about another friend of mine (who has no idea I’m going to talk about this), since it’s a great example of taking something you see with a grain of salt, and calling B.S. when it’s necessary. And then, I take on the universe. Show Page: https://thisistrue.com/podcast29
‘Distasteful’ Help Wanted - Honest advice for parents worried that their kids "might see something."
044: The Rants Get Serious - Do you want to know what TRUE is really about? Then listen to this one if you can — don’t read the transcript. You’ll hear the true passion behind one of my written rants, because now it’s literally in my voice. If you don’t have a podcast player, you can stream it from the Show Page: https://thisistrue.com/podcast44
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....
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.
Make Cheating Wrong Again - A bit of a rant about the Georgia State Trooper cheating scandal: their commissioner has the problem all wrong.
Political Hypocrites and Other Silliness - Really, would you want me to shy away from forehead-slapping obliviousy just because the obliviot was a politician? HELL no!
Covid: Think for Yourself (Dammit!) - “I’m tired of the state telling me I have to wear a face diaper as a method of control. That is what is at stake here.”
The Spammer (A Christmas Tale) - It’s absolutely possible to fight back against spammers …if you think about what would actually work. Pull up a chair by the fire and I’ll tell a story about how I did it this Christmas week, and turned The Grinch into a reformed marketer.
The Year of Covid - “Thought-Provoking Entertainment” isn’t just a This is True slogan, it’s an illustration of my mission in life: to promote more thinking in the world. If thinking was truly valued by society, the U.S. wouldn’t have had such a struggle with the pandemic.
Facebook Accused Me of Hate Speech — and I Appealed (Twice!) - To misclassify support as "hate speech" trivializes REAL hate speech, which social media SHOULD crack down on.
Amazon’s New Robot: Evil Wall-E? - My thoughts on Amazon's new personal robot ...and why I'll NEVER have one in my home.
Marked Man: a Criminal’s Amazing Transformation - What a difference 15 years can make: a criminal's life, mostly behind bars.
Father Tom Carten, CSC - A Special Honorary Unsubscribe — Over the years I’ve been accused of being “anti-Christian” so much that what gets lost is what I really am: anti-hypocrite.
Oh No, JATO?! - Just by the subject line I knew there was a 99.999 percent chance that it was fake.
The Slapping Judge - You've heard of a "hanging judge"? I prefer a slapping judge, like this one.
Texas Zero Tolerance - Actual Headline: “How a Texas Girl Scared of School Shootings Was Punished” (!!)
Behind Great Men - I suddenly realized that a story I was writing this week both stood alone in its breathtaking wonderfulness, and stood out in the context of recent headlines in an unexpected way.
Canada & Guns - I didn’t just have more to say about a story in this week’s issue, I have a suggestion on how to fix it.
Scot-Free - I was so floored over the resolution of this story, it took a blog post to explain it.
An Obliviot by Any Other Name - Is someone trying to charge a cell phone to my account? Well, WORSE than that! It's actually shocking.
Dan Sokol: a Barely Known Pioneer - "I became the world’s first software pirate." ...an ideal lifelong friend for Steve Wozniak.