As a professor in the sciences department at USC Upstate Dr. George Labanick tries to teach his students the importance of being skeptical.
He's a frequent user of Snopes.com to find answers, and he often asks his students about a popular claim from the 2008 election:
#7: President Obama's Religion
"I asked them how many of them thought that he was a muslim and maybe 10 -15% of them raised their hands," said Dr. Labanick.
LaBanick used Snopes.com research to show that's a myth. Obama is Christian.
#6: Invitation Virus
The claim? As reported on CNN, a virtual card is circulating that spreads a destructive virus to your computer.
Snopes says it's a hoax, repeated in different forms year after year, and never reported on CNN.
#5: Dial #77
The claim? A Collegiate saved herself from a police impersonator by dialing #77 and connecting directly to dispatch.
The truth, Snopes.com says a mixture: Dialing #77 won't connect you with dispatch. But Snopes says some people do try to impersonate police officers.
#4: The 28th Amendment
At the time of the healthcare debate, an email had circulated proposing a 28th Amendment that would forbid members of Congress from passing laws that didn't apply to them directly.
Snopes says it's mostly false "politicking".. Because it was never brought to the floor.. but slightly true because the next Amendment would be number 28.
#3: New Pepsi Can
The claim? Pepsi's patriotic design after September 11 purposely omitted the words "under God" from the Pledge of Allegiance to not offend anyone.
Snopes says it's false, citing Pepsi which says it was, quote, "due to space limitations."
#2: Pop Rocks and Soda Will Kill you
The truth? Snopes.com cites the Food and Drug Administration which says that combination is safe. And No, Mikey from the Life Cereal Box did not die from it.
#1: Mars will be as big as the full moon tonight
"About every 15 to 17 years it gets closer than usual and it gets brighter but it doesn't look like a second moon anywhere near the size of a normal moon in the sky," said Dr. Labanick.
That's just what Snopes says... showing the claim stems from an element of truth... magnified into the realm of fiction.
Other Fact Finding Websites:
About.com has a section on Urban Legends and Myths
Quackwatch: fact finding dedicated to health issues
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