The Ugly Side of Viral Marketing

Twice in the past five minutes I have received an email from close friends warning me that Howard Dean is anti-Israel and pro-terrorist. I am a fervent Dean supporter and have followed the campaign closely enough to know this is the ugly side of viral marketing ñ spreading lies to poison the well.

Snopes.com, the invaluable Website about urban legends, has a balanced view of the controversy, which is real. It is, as Dean said, "a despicable attempt to divide the Democratic party"

Better yet, check the Dean site for his policy statement on Israel, which says:

"Through it all, the United States will maintain its historic special relationship with the state of Israel, providing a guarantee of its long-term defense and

security. And the United States will have to take responsibility with its international partners for helping the Palestinians establish a middle-class democratic society in which women fully participate in economic and political decision-making. The international community must support these economic reconstruction efforts which are essential to the long-term success of any agreement between the parties. "

An excerpt from the email hoax circulating on the Internet: "HOWARD DEAN PROMISED THAT IF HE IS ELECTED PRESIDENT, THE UNITED STATES WILL NO LONGER SUPPORT ISRAEL THE WAY IT HAS IN THE PAST UNDER BOTH DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN PRESIDENTS. Ö "

"IF YOU THINK THIS MESSAGE HAS MERIT, " the email says, " PLEASE PASS IT ON TO AS MANY OF YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AS YOU CAN."

Those who have a brain check the facts and then send the truth.

Comments

Posted by: Rick Bruner at December 10, 2003 4:41 PM

Posted by: B.L. Ochman at December 14, 2003 8:01 PM

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