nPostednon April 13, 2016
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nTherenhas probably always been lying and cheating, and there will probablynalways be lying and cheating. But we should all strive to minimizenthem – and we should certainly not reward them!
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nToday’snpost is about a big lie.
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Anwoman named Janet Cooke told some small lies about herself when shen
Anwoman named Janet Cooke told some small lies about herself when shennapplied for a job as a Washington Post reporter – and shendidn’t get caught (for a while, at least).
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nLike other journalists, Cooke researched and wrote various stories about true events for the newspaper.
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nIn September of 1980,nshe wrote a really upsetting article about a heroin addict who wasnjust eight years old!
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nShentitled the story “Jimmy’s World.”
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nManynreaders were moved and demanded that something to be done to helpnJimmy. The mayor of Washington, D.C., Marion Barry, organized anpolice search for the boy. No Jimmy turned up, and readers werenclamoring for someone to find the boy and help him! Finally, Barrynexplained that Jimmy had been found and was receiving treatment.
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nNotnlong after that, it was announced that Jimmy had died.
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nTragic,nright?
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Cooke’snassistant managing editor submitted “Jimmy’s World” fornconsideration for the most prestigious award in newspaper journalism,nthe Pulitzer Prize. And on this date in 1981, Cooke won!
Cooke’snassistant managing editor submitted “Jimmy’s World” fornconsideration for the most prestigious award in newspaper journalism,nthe Pulitzer Prize. And on this date in 1981, Cooke won!n
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nTroublenis – it was a big lie!
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nCookenmade up the story about Jimmy. She didn’t change the name to protectnthe innocent – she made the whole thing up. She didn’t meet ann8-year-old heroin addict at all!
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nYounmay ask, “What about what the mayor said?”
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Anothernlie! He was under public pressure to find Jimmy, to help Jimmy. Sincenthey couldn’t find him, he lied and said that they had – and thennhe lied again, saying that Jimmy had died, to cover up his first lie.nn
Anothernlie! He was under public pressure to find Jimmy, to help Jimmy. Sincenthey couldn’t find him, he lied and said that they had – and thennhe lied again, saying that Jimmy had died, to cover up his first lie.nnn
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nNaturally,nJanet Cooke resigned. She returned the Pulitzer Prize (it was laternawarded to another journalist). The editors of the Post apologizednpublicly.
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nCookenhad the Pulitzer just two days. But what bugs me about this story isnthat she still managed to profit from her lies, even after she wasn“outed” as a liar – another reporter and Cooke were able tonsell the film rights to the story about the fraudulent article forn$1.6!!
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nBy the way…
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| Jimmy’s World Grill and Bar has no connection to this fraudulent story. Nor does the rock band Jimmy Eat World. |
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nAlsonon this date:
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nAnniversarynof the coining of the word “microscope”
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nAmericannIndian Awareness Week Begins (April 13 – 19, 2015)
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nNationalnScrabble Day
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nThomasnJefferson’s birthday
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nApollon13 Day
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nAnniversarynof the arrival of the first elephant in the U.S.
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nNew Year’s Celebrations in Cambodia and Laos
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nPlannahead:
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Checknout my Pinterest boards for:
Checknout my Pinterest boards for:
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nApriln holidays
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nAndnhere are my Pinterest boards for:
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nMayn holidays
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nMayn birthdays
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nHistoricaln anniversaries in May
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