Do you fact check forwarded emails before forwarding them on yourself?

Question

Especially the political ones that say the 'other side' is doing horrible villainous things...

Also, in your answer, say where you stand, politically (just in a general sense - conservative, liberal, republican, democrat, libertarian, whatever works for you).

The only really inaccurate things that I get forwarded to me are from my more conservative friends. I'm just wondering if that's because all of the crazy made-up & exaggerated propaganda emails out thare are from the conservative side, or if it's because the liberal ones get stopped right away by people who say 'Wait, this isn't true, even if it feels like it should be and would make good points for our side if it was'.

Or, maybe my liberal friends just don't like to forward stuff.

Answer 1

I consider myself a "conservative libertarian" and I will always investigate outrageous claims before forwarding them. I usually rely on http://www.snopes.com but another good sight to check on things is http://hoaxbusters.ciac.org/ .

Most of the silly emails like, "George Carlin said this" or "Andy Rooney said that" are obviously bogus and I usually won't even read them.

A lot of the propaganda is spread by people that feel powerless because the GOP is in the minority now and this is one way for them to feel like they are "sticking it" to the libs. Especially when so-called leaders of the left call the president "evil", "Hitler" and "War Criminal" and assassinate his character every day without any repercussions from the press.

Answer 2

I don't forward stuff.

Plus, I almost always abide by the maxim of the great Neal Boortz: [paraphrased]

Don't believe anything you read on the web or anything you hear on TV or the radio, unless it is consistent with what you already know to be true, or unless you have taken the time to research the matter to prove its accuracy to your satisfaction. This is known as "doing your homework."

I think this is as much or more valid for stories that support your views than ones from the opponent.

You complain about your conservative friends allegedly sending unsupported items, yet do you also chastise the myriad false stories your non-conservative compatriots post on Yahoo?

Answer 3

Usually I don't bother because I have my own ideas on the subject at hand.

I will check if I find the facts preposterous or far fetched, other than that I go with what I know.

I might ask others for their opinions, but only so I can make a better informed statement or decision.

Answer 4

Islam is the marvelous notice of God. And it maintains to be unchanged, so that's far much less annoying to understand. Christianity has had books faraway from the Bible and has had different changes from mistranslating for 2000 years. hence there are a number of variations and it extremely is impossible to get a at cutting-edge answer.

Answer 5

I tend not to forward emails, regardless of their factual basis or lack thereof.

Answer 6

LOL, I never send them on. But I'll fact check them and send them back! (I'm conservative, but NOT republican)

Answer 7

Always. This is why 99.9% of stuff that comes to my e-mail box just gets deleted.

Answer 8

i generally DON'T forward anything (unless it's work related), and i hate getting them.

Answer 9

I don't waste my time forwarding that crap. 90% of it all is false anyway.