Rumor Control

Before passing on that e-mail message with the plea for e-mails or cards to a dying child, or the various ways to catch AIDS or other diseases from seemingly improbable sources, please take the time to check and verify the accuracy of the information. The Internet has become the superhighway for Urban Legends. The first site that I go to in verifying the accuracy of a story is at http://www.snopes.com. A second site is at About.com: Urban Legends

Military to Pledge Oath to Obama, Not Constitution: Story is NOT True

02-01-09 In a story written by Michele Chang on News for the Rest of Us - Conservative News and Reporting, she wrote, "Secretary of Defense Robert Gates is extremely frustrated with orders that the White House is contemplating. According to sources at the Pentagon, including all branches of the armed forces, the Obama Administration may break with a centuries-old tradition.

"A spokesman for General James Cartwright, the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, states that the Obama administration wants to have soldiers and officers pledge a loyalty oath directly to the office of the president, and no longer to the Constitution."

This story is not true and the information was apparently copied by Chang from a political satire blog, according to snopes.com. The complete report from snopes.com can be seen at http://www.snopes.com/politics/satire/oath.asp.

Chang's story is making the rounds on the Internet, causing a lot of controversy and upsetting current and former members of the armed forces. News of the Force checked out the story this morning at the request of a reader.

Source: News of the Force (page 1), Jan 31, 2009

C-3 Visa Not Changed

09-18-08 Another rumor has started saying that holders of the C-3 (Tourist) visa cannot stay longer than 30 days per visit. This is not true. The C-3 visa remains unchanged, allowing up to 90 days per visit. What may be the source of the misunderstanding is that persons from some countries can come into Korea without a valid visa. In the case of U.S. citizens, they are provided a Transit Visa good for 30 days if they can show a ticket for a return or continuing flight.

Korean Driver's License Requirement

06-09-08 A new rumor is going around that government employees are now required to have a Korean driver's license. This is NOT TRUE. Only civilian contractors with SOFA status are required to have a Korean driver's license. For all others without SOFA status, there is no change. You must have a Korean driver's license, although a valid International Driver's License is good for up to one year from entry into Korea, after which a Korean driver's license is required to continue driving.

In God We Trust (?)

04-02-08 The Treasury Department has started issuing new dollar coins, and the rabid urban legend afficionados were quick to jump on it with this e-mail: "Please help do this... refuse to accept these when they are handed back to you. I received one from the Post Office as change and I asked for a dollar bill instead. The lady just smiled and said, "Way to go," so she had read this e-mail. Please help out. Our world is in enough trouble without this too!!!!! U.S. Government to release new dollar coins. You guessed it - 'IN GOD WE TRUST' IS GONE!!! If ever there was a reason to boycott something, THIS IS IT!!!! DO NOT ACCEPT THE NEW DOLLAR COINS AS CHANGE Together we can force them out of circulation."

As soon as I read it, I knew that it was wrong. And my knowledge was confirmed because another recipient of the e-mail had already responded with: "Please don't forward garbage like this. This is another untrue urban legend. The new coins do have "In God We Trust" inscribed on them as well as the motto "E Pluribus Unum". It is inscribed around the edge of the coin. You can go to the Urban Legends web site to view the actual details.