From My Desk – This and That – December 12th 2007

It is so astounding to hear from the political party whose name is a derivative of the word “democracy” to criticize the opposite political party that is supposed to represent a “republic” (of which the founders had created a democratic republic) with the following words that are really self descriptive of the leftist political elite presently residing of what was once called the Democrat Party:

When I talk about the Two Americas, this is what I mean- the very wealthiest and most powerful have manipulated our government for their own ends. They use their wealth and their power to keep themselves wealthy and powerful at the expense of everyone else. And when they do that, they’re holding America back. [John Edwards]

Myth Blaster – Blockbuster Coupon

Diane S., Wisconsin sent an email and asked if it was for real …

Hi Everyone,
Here’s a free coupon to Blockbuster for two free movie rentals, a tub of popcorn, and two 20oz Coke products. It is a printable coupon that expires 12/31/07. Don’t be selfish, forward this on to as many people as you can … but you can use it only once; Blockbuster notes the coupon on your account!

Myth Blaster Verdict: Absolutely False. It is a copied Blockbuster coupon that has been doctored.

Also see: Snopes.

Myth Blaster – Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus

Well, here is an odd Myth Blaster entry that Kritter Girl (Kritter Korner – the original of that name, others are copycats ) received from one of her readers. It is a website dedicated to saving the “Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus”.

Myth Blaster Verdict: Hoax. No such animal. The person who sent it

According to Wikipedia:

The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus, is also known as “Octopus paxarbolis” (which means, roughly, “Pacific tree octopus”), is a fictitious endangered species first published on the Web in 1998 by Lyle Zapato. It is supposed to be able to live both on land and water and is said to live in the Olympic National Forest and nearby rivers, spawning in water where eggs are laid. Its major predator is the Sasquatch.
The Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus website is among a number of sites commonly used in Internet literacy classes in schools that are real, although it was not created for that purpose. Despite falsehoods shown on the sit, such as its support by “GreenPeas.org,” the mentioning of other hoax species such as the Rock Nest Monster, and its affiliation with People for the Ethical Treatment of Pumpkins (P.E.T.P.U), …

The website is actually a “spoof” as the St. Joseph School Library Web Evaluation Site calls it.

The following is a list of hoax sites, mostly just spoof for humor:

Americans for Cloning Elvis [Diane S., Friend of LPJ should dig this one]
Bonsai Kitten
British Stick Insect Foundation
Burmese Mountains Dogs
Clones-R-US
Dihydrogen Monoxide
Feline Reactions to Bearded Men
Global Monetary Inc
GW Bush for President
IRA (Insect Rights Activists)
Jackalope
Manbeef
Mankato, MN Home Page
Martin Luther King.org
MoonBeam Enterprises and Lunar Travel Agency
Mountain Walrus
Republic of Molossia
Sasquatch
Surprisingly Useful Devices for the Web
Tree Octopus
What Does Crime Taste Like?
Whitehouse.net
Women and Aids