Thursday, February 4, 2010

CNN Fact Check: Newt Gingrich

From YOTB's Dru Johnston

(YOTB) - The former speaker of the house is apparently not an actual Newt as his name suggests. Isn't he though?

Fact Check: Is Newt Gingrich an actual Newt?

(Get the facts and the bottom line after the jump)
  • Newt Gingrich was an elected official in the HUMAN congress, not the much discussed Newt Congress that occurs in the swamp behind a house in Sammamish, WA.
  • BUT, Newt's actions lead us to believe that he is inhuman...
  • Newts have been known in the past to live in water and land. Newt Gingrich lives on land.
  • BUT, the newt species are all registered republicans.
Bottom Line: Newt Gingrich is definitely a Newt. A weird Newt in human skin. John Boehner is also a salamander.

CNN Fact Check: Have it your way

From YOTB's Dru Johnston

(YOTB) - When I go to Burger King I am surrounded by signs saying I am able to have it my way. That is the main claim of their marketing campaign. Yet some say that in fact they have NOT had it their way. Can they back up their advertising?

Fact Check: Does Burger King make burgers your way?

(Get the facts and the bottom line after the jump)
  • Supposedly special orders don't upset them. The young man working behind the counter did not seem upset, certainly, but he seemed definitely irked when I asked him to "hold the pickles, hold the lettuce." I did get it my way however.
  • The burger still wasn't that good.
Bottom Line: Not true. I got it without pickles or lettuce, but the man was irked. Also, "my way" included an edible burger. I did not get that.

CNN Fact Check: Don't ask, don't tell

From YOTB's Dru Johnston

(YOTB) - The military has decided to make moves to repeal the controversial "Don't ask, don't tell" policy that has been in place. This move would make openly gay men and openly lesbian women be able to serve in the military. But some scholars, namely me, are asking: What the hell did Don't ask don't tell mean? Did it really mean people weren't allowed to ask nor tell?

Fact Check: Does "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" really mean people cannot ask nor tell?

(Get the facts and the bottom line after the jump)
  • According to high ranking military officers this policy restricts the army from asking the recruits sexual orientation. It also restricts the recruits ability to state their orientation.
  • According to the policy it also works in vice versa: officers are restricted in discussing orientation and cadets are restricted in asking.
  • One cadet told me that he was allowed to ask for other things, such as boots, saturday night off or silverware for his meals. He also told me this.
Bottom Line: Debatable. Asking and telling are restricted to sexual orientation, but open to other things you would normally ask and tell about... such as "Why this ridiculous rule existed in the first place?"

CNN Fact Check: CNN Fact Check

From YOTB's Dru Johnston

(YOTB) - CNN has repeatedly claimed that they are able to look at claims and fact check their validity to give the reader a more well rounded, unbiased view. Can these fact checks really work?

Fact Check: Can CNN check facts accurately?

(Get the facts and the bottom line after the jump)
  • CNN reportedly claims that they are a news network.
  • When you look in the background of any CNN show you normally see many computers, presumably all with the ability to check facts.
  • CNN.com resides on the internet, where facts live, and not in a politician's mouth, where they do not.
  • Anything Anderson Cooper says I believe... so charming...
Bottom Line: CNN has the ability to check facts.