Rumor Doctor blog archive

Did Obama really say that about vets?

By Jeff Schogol
Published: July 30, 2010

President Barack Obama recently met with veterans groups at the White House.

OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO

With November’s midterm elections approaching, chain e-mails are swirling about politicians’ alleged wrongdoings or political missteps.

One claims that President Barack Obama made outrageously offensive comments about veterans. That rumor has been debunked, but because it is still in circulation, it is worth a reminder that it is false.

Does pizza signal a crisis at the White House?

By Jeff Schogol
Published: July 27, 2010

CNN's Wolf Blitzer advises reporters, "Always monitor the pizzas."

ASSOCIATED PRESS

“Deep Throat” famously told Bob Woodward to follow the money, but would a better axiom for national security reporters be “follow the pizza”?

Does the presence of the pizza delivery man indicate a crisis at the top levels of government?

Will the Air Force really prick you there?

By Jeff Schogol
Published: July 23, 2010

Vaccines are typically given orally or in the arm, hip thigh, or buttocks.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

You may want to cross your legs before you read this.

For years, a rumor has percolated among Air Force recruits about a particularly painful shot they must get when they join the service, involving a square needle inserted into the scrotum.

Can winning the lottery get you out of the service?

By Jeff Schogol
Published: July 20, 2010

Seaman Don Burdette was one of thousands of sailors aboard the USS Nimitz in 2004. But he was the only one to win millions. And after Burdette hit the California lottery for a $6.5 million payday, it was only a matter of days before the Navy bid him bon voyage.

The Rumor Doctor came upon Burdette’s story after a reader downrange asked if it is possible to be discharged after winning a big jackpot. The Doctor scoffed at first, having shot down many ridiculous notions, but it turns out that all the services have some type of system in place that would allow the nouveau riche to slip off their boots and begin a new life.

Is photo of baboon with a machine gun fake?

This picture shows the "machine gun" is a toy. FROM STAFF SGT. ROY DUNIGAN

By Jeff Schogol
Published: July 14, 2010

This photo from the Chinese People's Daily makes the baboon look more threatening.

CHINA PEOPLE'S ONLINE

The Rumor Doctor has come across some monkey business regarding those photos purportedly showing a Taliban-trained primate posing with a machine gun.

The Chinese People’s Daily recently reported that the Taliban are teaching monkeys to fight U.S. troops in Afghanistan. The newspaper claims an unnamed British news agency took pictures of monkeys with AK-47s and other weapons, one of which shows a menacing looking baboon behind a machine gun.

Are Taliban training monkeys to kill U.S troops?

By Jeff Schogol
Published: July 13, 2010

Pictures have surfaced on the internet of the alleged monkeys trained to kill U.S. troops.

PAKISTANI DEFENCE FORUM

Could it possibly be true that the Taliban are training monkeys to fire heavy weapons at U.S. troops in Afghanistan?

The Rumor Doctor had to investigate this case of primal fear after the Chinese People’s Daily reported this week that “monkey terrorists” are being trained by the Taliban in Waziristan, near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Are the waters off Parris Island shark-infested?

By Jeff Schogol
Published: July 6, 2010

Sharks like Bertha here are present off Parris Island, but shark attacks are rare.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reliable Marine sources have told The Rumor Doctor that recruits at Parris Island, S.C., were warned not to try to escape boot camp by swimming for freedom because the ocean is filled with sharks.

The Doctor made several attempts to reach someone at Parris Island but everyone must have been busy asking recruits, “What is your major malfunction?”Finally, The Doctor got through to a spokeswoman who said drill instructors do not warn recruits about the shark-infested waters. We have it on good authority that the warning was a regular part of the orientation process in the past, so the Doctor will continue, undeterred.

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