Rant on Ditto-Heads

OK, those of you who know me best know that I am a political junkie. This presidential election cycle, for me, is better than just about anything including a good Merlot. The snarky sound bites, the conjecture, the negative ads - heaven!

It is infuriating, however, to get e-mails over and over again with the same information which has not been checked by anyone, just mindlessly forwarded by people who like the information they have received.

Case in point. I have gotten an e-mail at least 8 times over the last few days saying that if Congress just approved giving the bailout money earmarked for failing mortgage companies to each adult in the US, we'd all get $425,000! This is surely a better deal for us all - except a closer look at the math shows that it's actually $425, which won't even cover the minimum payments on my credit cards.

The Globe printed today a scathing piece on Sarah Palin, lambasting her for a policy in Wasilla stating that rape victims must pay for their own rape kits. Crazed, narrow-minded pro-life idiot! She wants poor rape victims to be forced to sit at home with their babies! Only, there is not proof. Not one instance of a victim having to pay for their own kit. In fact, the sheriff of the town reports that, actually, should the perp of the rape be caught he would have to pay. In other instances, the town paid. There are also only private hospitals in Wasilla - out of the reach of even Sarah Palin's hateful claws. Actually, I really love this woman, which makes me even more of a freak in most people's eyes.

How does this relate? I am starting today to teach my kids to check things out before passing them along, to be free thinkers and take the time to verify. Especially if they are planning to villify someone or make accusations against them. With all the information available, it can be trying at times to determine what is correct and what is spin. I think you can't look at the extremes. If all your information is coming from Media Matters, the Huffington Post, Fox News, One News Daily or a random blog you should probably check twice.

Meanwhile, I am just going to sit back, relax, and enjoy the political show.