PolitiFact for Halloween: Our scariest fact-checks

Follow us on For Halloween, PolitiFact's scariest fact-checks To celebrate Halloween, we're highlighting some of our scariest Truth-O-Meter items of the past few years. Scare tactics have a long and rich history in American politics. Opponents of Thomas Jefferson warned in 1800 that his election would mean that "murder, robbery, rape, adultery and incest will openly be taught and practiced." Joseph McCarthy tried to frighten us about the red menace. And President Lyndon Johnson tried to scare voters with suggestions that Barry Goldwater would nuke the planet. Scare tactics are alive and well thanks to the Internet and chain e-mails. So today we're highlighting some scary claims and how they rated on the Truth-O-Meter. We've also been doing lots of fact-checking on chain e-mails, which remain a persistent way to spread falsehoods. We've recently checked claims that Barack Obama is the first president to terminate America's ability to put a man in space (Pants on Fire) and one that says Medicare premiums will be going up to $104.20 in 2012 and $247.00 in 2014 due to "provisions incorporated in the Obamacare legislation, purposely delayed so as not to 'confuse' the 2012 re-election campaigns." (another Pants on Fire) And while you're checking out our site, make sure you get the latest on the presidential campaign, and the latest items from our partnership in New Hampshire. Cheers, Bill — Bill Adair Editor, PolitiFact.com Washington Bureau Chief St. Petersburg Times ADVERTISEMENT More from PolitiFact: The latest ratings on President Obama's campaign promises on our Obameter. Our latest Pants on Fire ratings. Get our PolitiFact app for iPhone, iPad and Android. About PolitiFact: PolitiFact, a feature of the St. Petersburg Times, is an impartial site that helps you sort out the truth in American politics. We rate the accuracy of statements by elected officials, special interest groups, pundits and talk show hosts. We also are tracking more than 500 campaign promises made by Barack Obama. PolitiFact has won numerous awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting. Advertise on PolitiFact Reach PolitiFact readers with your message. Email advertise@politifact.com   © 2010 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Unsubscribe from this newsletter or manage other newsletter subscriptions at tampabay.com Contact Us | Join Us | Advertise with Us | Subscribe to the Times | RSS Privacy Policy | Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

DayStarter | Today, three death penalty trials

Top News Doctors find robots may be a cut above for hysterectomies By Richard Martin, Times Staff Writer But most surgeons don't use the technology — for now. Today, 3 death penalty trials By Alexandra Zayas and Curtis Krueger, Times Staff Writers By a rare coincidence, the infamous murder cases are all set to be tried this week. With Kabul blast, insurgents send a message By Rod Nordland, New York Times The Pakistan-based Haqqani network wants to show its reach in Afghanistan, officials say. Psst, this place has lots of free stuff By Kameel Stanley, Times Staff Writer Every step rewarded by supporters By Will Hobson, Times Staff Writer Walk throughout Pinellas raises $3.9M for breast cancer research. Nelson to praise for BP video? By Becky Bowers, Times Staff Writer Florida's senior U.S. senator says he and a colleague helped lift veil on the extent of the gulf oil spill. Junior League of Tampa's holiday gift market packs some nifty ideas By Ernest Hooper, Metro Columnist Top Sports News Stewart has all the right moves Times wires A gutsy late pass gives him this third Chase win this year and vaults him to No. 2 in points. Stunner lets Bucs close gap in South Times wires Tampa Bay gains on the Saints, who fall to the previously winless Rams. Top Features Making news By Eric Deggans, Times TV/Media Critic NBC anchor Brian Williams' Rock Center promises to be a TV newsmagazine for quality, prime time journalism. ADVERTISEMENT   For more, go to: http://www.tampabay.com Unsubscribe from this newsletter or manage other newsletter subscriptions at tampabay.com. ©2011 • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact Us | Join Us | Advertise with Us | Subscribe to the St. Petersburg Times Privacy Policy | Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

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Sports | Bucs gain on Saints, who fall to Rams

The latest Sports news Stunner lets Bucs close gap in South Times wires Tampa Bay gains on the Saints, who fall to the previously winless Rams. Not enforcers; more like Lightning's protectors By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer USF player charged with two felonies By Greg Auman, Times Staff Writer ADVERTISEMENT   For more, go to: http://www.tampabay.com Unsubscribe from this newsletter or manage other newsletter subscriptions at tampabay.com ©2011 • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact Us | Join Us | Advertise with Us | Subscribe to the St. Petersburg Times Privacy Policy | Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright

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Save 70% at Massey's Outfitters

Having difficulty viewing this e-mail? Click to view online. Today's Big Deal: Save up to 70%! Get up to 70% off purchases at Massey's Outfitters.   For additional offers, click here A week's worth of easy meals Treat your family to great sit-down meals that are nutritious and easy to prepare. And we promise they’ll be there for dinner.   Halloween Spree This family friendly night of safe trick-or-treating includes bobbing for apples, spooky stories, Halloween games, costume parades and candy. Hellview Cemetery What started out as a simple yard decoration has grown into a full-blown temporary attraction at Halloween time. Unsubscribe from this newsletter ? 2011 St. Petersburg Times, 490 First Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, 727-893-8111 Contact Us | Join Us | Advertise with Us | Subscribe to the St. Petersburg Times Privacy Policy | Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright Click here if your email reader does not read HTML. Sunday, October 30, 2011 DayStarter | Fightning Florida's alien invaders Top News Alien invaders By Craig Pittman, Times Staff Writer The pythons in the Everglades are just one of the non-native problems we have. Kabul blast kills U.S. troops Associated Press A suicide bomber kills a dozen troops and contractors. Another assault kills three Australians. Obama team plays one on one for 2012 By Marc Caputo, Miami Herald The president's re-election plan calls for supporters to meet voters with personalized pitch. Pulling out of a spiral By Gary Shelton, Times Sports Columnist For a former Buc, pills were a bigger problem than the pain they eased. Authorities seek 'sovereign citizen' By Alexandra Zayas, Times Staff Writer Jacob Dyck, known for filing deeds on properties, faces arrest over a missing pickup. Where the legends played By Danny Valentine, Times Staff Writer The Manhattan Casino, once a musical and social hub, swings anew after four decades. Political veteran in new world By Adam C. Smith, Times Political Editor Sen. Bill Nelson can remember when partisanship wasn't quite so bitter. All on the line for White By William R. Levesque, Times Staff Writer The ex-Hillsborough County commissioner's bribery trial starts Monday. Special honor for WWII service By Waveney Ann Moore, Times Staff Writer Japanese-American man is part of group hailed by Congress. Top Sports News And bounce back Roloson does By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer Lightning goalie, returning as starter, gets a shutout. UF's forlorn fourth By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer The Gators' skid hits four, their longest since 1988. Fall from elite isn't really so sudden By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist Florida State Seminoles 34, North Carolina State Wolfpack 0 Times staff and wires Freeman's fundamentals appear fixable By Stephen F. Holder, Times Staff Writer Top Features The portrait of a young artist, man Once considered by others to be shy, even weird, a young man uses art to push out of his comfort zone and find meaning in the world. Curves ahead?You can say that again. By Janet K. Keeler, Times Food and Travel Editor These roads of the world are enough to induce sheer terror, even if the views are worth it. ADVERTISEMENT   For more, go to: http://www.tampabay.com Unsubscribe from this newsletter or manage other newsletter subscriptions at tampabay.com. ©2011 • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact Us | Join Us | Advertise with Us | Subscribe to the St. Petersburg Times Privacy Policy | Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright Click here if your email reader does not read HTML. Sports | Georgia rallies past Florida; FSU thumps N.C. State The latest Sports news UF's forlorn fourth By Antonya English, Times Staff Writer The Gators' skid hits four, their longest since 1988. Fall from elite isn't really so sudden By John Romano, Times Sports Columnist Florida State Seminoles 34, North Carolina State Wolfpack 0 Times staff and wires And bounce back Roloson does By Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer Lightning goalie, returning as starter, gets a shutout. Deadline on options near By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer ADVERTISEMENT   For more, go to: http://www.tampabay.com Unsubscribe from this newsletter or manage other newsletter subscriptions at tampabay.com ©2011 • St. Petersburg Times 490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 Contact Us | Join Us | Advertise with Us | Subscribe to the St. Petersburg Times Privacy Policy | Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright Click here if your email reader does not read HTML. 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DayStarter | Gambling plan has high stakes Sports | Bucs QB says he has been too aggressive Save 10% on hilarious e-cards Pasco Times: Budget cuts stretch P.E. instructors ... Hernando Times: All sides emerge from showdown bru... Trick or Drink? It's tbt* Drink Deals Easy Meal Ideas: Go out for dinner? Fuhgeddaboudit! This week: Halloween around Tampa Bay, Johnny Depp... DayStarter | Documents detail Rubio family's exit Sports | Tampa Bay Lightning defeats Buffalo Sabre... Spend $51– Get FREE shipping Pasco Times: Residents want Dade City sewer plant ... Hernando Times: Hernando County Administrator Davi... DayStarter | State's incentive plan falls short on... Sports | Rangers take 3-2 World Series lead over C... Save 12% on Super Hero stuff Pasco Times: Pasco man claims self-defense in 2005... Hernando Times: Authorities identify victim and su... Easy Meal Ideas: A tasty kick-starter DayStarter | A hard sell for Florida casinos Sports | Bucs fall to Bears 24-18 in London Save $15 on Thanksgiving travel Sports | USF falls on late Cincinnati TD Pasco Times: Mystery messenger delivers cheer to N... Hernando Times: Spring Hill neighbors want officia... DayStarter | By year's end, they'll be home Sports | Bucs may consider annual game in London Pasco Times: Skating rink owner wants school fundr... Hernando Times: Hernando teacher arrested, fired a... Easy Meal Ideas: Chop chop ... with wine DayStarter | State senator's comments about Hispan... Sports | Lightning ends five-game losing streak Save 20% on stylish women’s shoes Pasco Times: Whistleblower lawsuit alleges billin... Hernando Times: Whistleblower lawsuit alleges bil... DayStarter | Birthers call out U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio Sports | La Russa belongs with all-time greats Save 10% on your favorite women’s sleepwear Hernando Times: Former administrator Jim Knight ta... Pasco Times: New Port Richey seeks Brownfield stat... Looking to sample some craft beers and fine food? ... Easy Meal Ideas: Casserole deliciousness This week: John Oliver at the Straz, food trucks i... DayStarter | Social Security COLA returns Save $40 on your next vacation stay Hernando Times: Hernando School Board creates neig... Pasco Times: Starkey site drops out of the running... PolitiFact: Checking claims from Occupy Wall Street Sports | Lightning worried after latest loss DayStarter | Speedy track, uneasy drivers preceded... Save 20% on great women’s fashions Pasco Times: Pasco school district: Odessa Element... Hernando Times: Electrocution blamed in Brooksvill... Easy Meal Ideas: Meatless Monday is hot! DayStarter | Horrific rash kills St. Pete IndyCar ... Sports | St. Petersburg resident and IndyCar drive... Save 10% on your Halloween costumes DayStarter | Still haunted by 1961 slaying Sports | Rangers return to World Series Hernando Times: At Brooksville cement plant, envir... Pasco Times: Life of farmworkers’ advocate defined... DayStarter | Bishop charged with failing to report... Sports | Penalties at worst times costing Bucs Hernando Times: Lawyer questions why no arrest ha... Pasco Times: Trial postponed in death of Pasco tri... Save 15% on weekly car rental! Tampa Bay Bridal Show- this weekend in St. Petersburg Sports | Lightning falls to Islanders 5-1 DayStarter | Scott backs off on jobs Pasco Times: Trial postponed in death of Pasco tri... Hernando Times: Hernando schools’ magnet policy up... Times Festival of Reading DayStarter | Scott unveils jobs plan Sports | Bucs' WR Williams disappointed in his play Save 15% on Sean John apparel Pasco Times: Son recalls finding mother’s body as ... Hernando Times: Seeking equity, Hernando commissio... Sink or Swim, everyone drinks free! It's tbt* Drin... This week: Legoland opens, Kenny Rogers visits, cu... DayStarter | State fights Voting Rights Act Sports | Bucs' Jackson reinstated Save 10% on Mac software Pasco Times: Some customers hot over Aqua Utilitie... ►  September (147) ►  August (80)