Re: 'True meaning of "The 12 Days of Christmas"'

Mark Corcoran may have fallen victim to something that happens too often to too many people: the Internet hoax.

The Internet is a wonderful resource but we should all be aware of its dangers and pitfalls. We can buy software that will protect us from the spyware and viruses that abound on the Internet, but there are things software won’t protect us from: lies. The Internet is also a breeding ground for disinformation, hoaxes and scams.

We all recognize that we are family, friends and neighbors – citizens of a town, state and country. We all recognize that we have responsibilities that come from these relationships. Many forget that we need to extend the same vigilance to the Internet that we do to our brick-and-mortar lives.

We all want to believe what we see in print but, as in the “real” world, Internet citizens must discern the reliability of the source material they receive from the World Wide Web. Too many do not. Often this is because we read something we want to believe, so we just accept it without question. Then we pass it on, without ever checking it. That is a disservice; it makes us a poor citizen.

Mr. Corcoran’s letter to the editor is one example. His letter has been circulating around the Internet for nearly a decade. The real story is too long to print here but you may go to http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/12days.asp and read it yourself.

I urge all of you who use the Internet to be cautious. There are many unscrupulous people using it for some very evil things.

Also, be careful not to believe something just because it is forwarded from a “friend.” Your friend may be unknowingly passing on something that isn’t true.

Even if you don’t check the validity of everything you receive, at least check it before you forward it. If you don’t have time to check it, do not forward it.

If you do check and find something to be inaccurate, please let the person who sent it to you know. It could save them significant embarrassment.

Scott Herman