Friday, January 9, 2009

ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND

The following was sent to me in an email.
I do not know whether it is true, for I just got it and have not checked it out. (Now I have and it is not) But true or not, it does illustrate a fine political tradition, so keep on reading.
Judy Wallman, a professional genealogy researcher in southern California, was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She discovered that Harry Reid's great-great uncle, Remus Reid, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. Both Judy and Harry Reid share this common ancestor. (Not really true after all)

Harry Reid


The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in Montana territory.



On the back of the picture Judy obtained during her research is this inscription:

'Remus Reid, horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.'

So Judy recently e-mailed Congressman Harry Reid for information about their great-great uncle. (No, she didn't - but keep reading)

Harry Reid's staff is reported to have sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research (His staff didn't really do that):

'Remus Reid was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory . His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed.'

Can you say the word, "Spin?"

BTW: If it turns out not to be true (it didn't), my deepest sympathy goes out to Remus and his family.

ADDENDUM: Lone Ranger has directed me to a site that verifies (or not) things purported to be true (see the comment section and/or the blog roll).

It turns out that this is not really true.

However, it is an example of how words could be parced, twisted and spun.

I stand by my apology and condolences to Remus' family.

(I should have known. Think about it...Uncle Remus?-give me a break!)

4 comments:

Lone Ranger said...

That sounds like a pretty good joke.

Lone Ranger said...

Here is one of the first places I go when I see something on the Internet that seems too good to be true.

Joe said...

Lone Ranger: You are quite right, therefore I stand by my apology.

It is a pretty good example of how words can be parced and spun, though, isn't it?

Tapline said...

Sounds like that's what has been happening at the MSM for the past 8 years. people are so brainwashed they don't know what is the truth and what isn't. That's really what angered me about this whole bias reporting thing. In the miliary we use to call it brainwashing and it continues even today with Hamas news reports, faux pictures and the beat goes on.....