Case in point, I just got this email:

Now you know “the rest of the story”… Unfortunately the damage has been done.

———————————————————————–

This is unbelievable

Be sure and watch this video which was not allowed in America .

This video shows that George Bush tried to warn Congress in 2002 that this economic crisis was coming, if something was not done. But congress refused to listen, along with Barney Franks. This video says it all.

Also that the liberal AMERICAN media did not want this video on You Tube, so they had Time Warner threaten a law suit (proprietary rights) if it was not taken off.

This link is of the same video but is routed through Canada . Everyone in America needs to see this!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMnSp4qEXNM&NR=1

Can you already see how laughable that is? I’m not even talking about the merits of the video…. I mean, whatever. I’m just looking at the email itself. Whoever first wrote this claims that the video is “not allowed” in America (therefore censored), even though it obviously came from American station Fox News. (Don’t let the blue bar at the top fool you, that was added later by the person who uploaded the video.)

They also claim that the link is “routed through Canada” (what the heck?) but it’s clearly just another YouTube link that does nothing but take you to the video.

The email claims that “the American liberal media did not want this video on You Tube, so they had Time Warner threaten a law suit (proprietary rights) if it was not taken off.” Now, I could be wrong about this, but from what I can tell Fox News is owned by Fox Entertainment Group which is a subsidiary of News Corporation which has its roots in, I believe, Australia. From what I can tell, they have no connection to Time Warner, especially not in the way to make Time Warner the owner of the copyright on the video. Looks like Time Warner owns AOL, New Line Cinema, Time Inc., HBO, Turner Broadcasting System, The CW, UBU Productions, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Cartoon Network, CNN, DC Comics, Mohawk Productions, and more… but, gasp, no Fox News! Therefore, Time Warner would have no rights to bring forth a lawsuit about some video from Fox News being on YouTube! Not to mention, even if I’m wrong and they do own copyright, all they have to do is serve a DMCA and YouTube will automatically yank the video, no lawsuit needed.

Heh, I wouldn’t be surprised if the person who started the email was the same one that uploaded his video and is purposely trying to scare people into watching some big conspiracy just for his YouTube views/ratings.

I know these are small potatoes, but it’s been really bad lately. I’ve been getting tons of emails like this. Of course, I never forward them, I always check them out, and I sometimes respond with proper information. Also recently I’ve received one that said if you are ever being held up at the ATM, enter your pin in backwards and it will call the police (omg!!11!!1!!). Not. True. Apparently some dude tried to pass a law like that but it was deemed non-effective. (Try thinking of your pin backwards when you’re under stress, at gunpoint, or knife point, or whatever. Yeah, can you even remember your pin forwards? Not to mention by the time the cops get there, he’s either gone or you’re dead or both.) And it took me all of 2 seconds to find this out on Google. Then there was the heartwarming story I got about the mother tiger who lost all her baby tigers and was in depression so the zoo found some motherless pigs, put them in baby tiger fur and miraculously, the mother tiger nursed them! That one turned out to be real as far as the photos went, but fake in that it was just some gimic by a Southeast-area Asian zoo! A form of entertainment.

Now I love the people that forward me this stuff. I really do. Most are family. I just wish that they would stop a second and run a search on whatever it is. Any phrase plus “Snopes” will do it! Then if it’s incorrect, don’t pass it on!

Oh, well. I could have griped about this tonight or you could listen to me rant about Craigslist people again who don’t listen and keep emailing us saying, “I’m interested in xxx call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx” when our listing clearly states NOT to do that, that we can tell you anything you need to know via email. (Steve does not have the time to sit and return all these phone calls and start getting in a phone tag game with these people who are probably just going to try and scam him anyway. After all, he’d rather spend his precious few hours between work and/or school or tutoring and bed time with his family, ya know?)

Please listen to the following to hear the TRUTH about the Missouri Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative (Amendment 2)

Kerry for MFN, 1:00:47 – 55.6MB:

Also, for more information on these issues, please see these links:

nocloning.org
votenocloning.org
moroundtable.org
frc.org

* Just FYI, I am allowed to be posting this. I’m heading up this project, in the online terms, and have produced the video which led to the audio, etc.

ADDENDUM: Also, read this page for more information on 2006 Ballot Measures.

MIssouri Car Insurance Quotes free insurance quote

The other day we got this thing in the mail that says it’s from Saint Matthew’s Churches. This is probably the third time that we’ve gotten this mailing.

The outside of the envelope proclaims, “Two homes are about to be blessed… then it must go to another dear friend.” And, “Yours First!” The postage is non profit organization paid and it was mailed from zip code 52641.

The back reads, “Dear Jesus, we pray that you will bless someone in this home spiritually, physically & financially. And please dear Lord, bless the one who’s hands open this letter. Make good changes in this one’s life and give them the desires of their heart. We pray over and bless this letter in your holy name. Amen.”

Sounds nice… then you get inside…

Let me first say that if you’ve read here very long at all, or even just checked out a few of my pages around here, then you know I am a Christian. However, as you also know, I am not perfect. I am still a work in progress, I often do and say things I shouldn’t. But, I do know when something is a scam and not true Christianity…

So there are three pieces of paper inside the envelope. The first one tells you what to do, the second is a page of “getters” and “testimonials” and the third is a paper rug.

You are told to take this paper rug, about the size of two 8×11.5 sheets of paper, that has a rug printed on it with a picture of Jesus with his eyes closed, and “Look into Jesus’ Eyes you will see they are closed. But as you continue to look you will see His eyes opening and looking back into your eyes. Then go and be alone and kneel on this Rug of Faith or touch it to both knees. Then please check your needs on our letter to you. Please return this Prayer Rug. Do not keep it.”

The back reads, “‘This Prayer Rug is Soaked with the Power of Prayer for you. Use it immediately, then please return it with your Prayer Needs Checked on our letter to you.’ It must be mailed to a second home that needs a blessing after you use it. Prayer works. Expect God’s blessing.”

I am then addressed as “Dear… Someone Connected with This Address,” and the letter proceeds to tell me that this 54 year old church (like that’s such a long time) has sent me this “prayer rug” so that if I do what it says, send it back with a money contribution then I will have all the desires of my heart granted!

Sounds like a chain letter to me. A chain letter that preys on those who claim to be religious, but aren’t really.

So, apparently if I take this little rug (made of paper, I remind you) and kneel on it, or if I’m lazy I can touch it to my knees without kneeling, then I can ask God for $1,000,000,000,000 and He’ll give it to me… all because of this little paper rug.

Riiiiiiiight.

Sorry, people, but paper doesn’t have any power in it, I don’t care what you say.

Oh but, of course, I cannot forget to send in my money contribution to these people, or God won’t answer my requests. Not only is this St. Matthew’s church asking for my money, but they are so cheap that all of the paper in this mailing is the thinnest stuff I’ve ever seen in my life, and you’re not supposed to keep this “rug” thing but send it back so they can give it to someone else.

Oh, I almost forgot about the part where you’re supposed to check off your prayer needs. Here are your options, complete with exact emphasis and punctuation:
___ I received this Church Prayer Rug you loaned me, and I used it as instructed in this letter of faith. Now, I am returning it to you for another to use.
___ Yes, I do need the Lord’s blessings upon my family and me!
Pray for my family and me for…
___ My Soul
___ A Closer Walk With Jesus
___ My Health
___ A Family Member’s Health
___ Confusion In My Home
___ My Children
___ To Stop A Bad Habit
___ A Better Job
___ A Home To Call My Own
___ A New Car
___ A Money Blessing
___ I Want to be Saved.
___ Pray for God to bless me with this amount of money: $______
___ Please, especially pray for this person: ________
___ Also pray for (please print): _________
___ Enclosed is my seed gift to God’s work of $____.
SAINT MATTHEW’S CHURCH MUST HAVE THIS PRAYER RUG BACK. PLEASE DO NOT MISPLACE IT. IT MUST GO TO ANOTHER HOME AFTER YOU USE IT.

Um… okay.

Okay, “my soul” – sure, that’s a good thing to request prayer for, or “a closer walk with Jesus” or “my children,” etc. But the things that really stand out at me are some of the last options.

“Pray for God to bless me with this amount of money…”
Right. God is not a piggy bank!! That is one of the most selfish things I have ever seen. A true home that follows Him will not need to request a specific amount of money, all their needs will be cared for.

Oh of course, there’s the “I want to be saved” box as well. Sure, that’s good… but why is it almost last on the list? Shouldn’t something like that be first? This alone shows me that this “church” only cares about the money. Scam!!

And we mustn’t forget the “testimonials” thing. It says things like…
“…my husband listed 7 things that he wanted God to do for him… God blessed us with $10,700. He went out and bought us a car… enclosed is a donation…”
“…after I received your prayer package I was healed of severe pains…”
and more like that.

All because of a piece of paper. Right.

Remember how I mentioned that the mailing came from zip code 52641? Well, you’re supposed to send it back to 74121… hmmm…

I just really have a problem with those who seek to prey off of the fears and insecurities of others, especially when using religion. It’s not “organized religion” that’s the problem, it’s the wolves in sheep’s clothing…

No, a piece of paper or a ritual – neither of them have any power, and those who would lead you to believe otherwise, are lying.

I am considering mailing this back… without the precious prayer rug that must be sent to other families, of course. Let them pay for the postage. Scammers.

After getting this packet the other day, I did search these guys out on the internet and all I found was reports from the likes of the better business bureau and bloggers who all added to my beliefs that this is a scam. The only websites for Saint Matthew’s churches that I found are real churches that are named St. Matthew and not affilliated with these people. Of course, I could tell you more about this actual organization, but I think I’m going to leave off now…