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Introduction I received an e‑mail that is more than likely an e‑rumor, but it serves well the principle of spin‑doctoring that has become so prevalent in our culture today. The story is of Judy Wallman, a professional genealogy researcher in southern California, who was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She discovered that Harry Reid’s great‑great uncle, Remus Reid, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. Judy and Harry Reid share this common ancestor. On the back of the picture Judy obtained during her research was this actual inscription: “Remus Reid, horse thief, was sent to [a U. S. government prison] in 1883, but escaped [and went on to rob] the Montana railroad six times. He was caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.” For fun, Judy Wallman e‑mailed the photograph and the information to Congressman Harry Reid to tell him about his great‑great uncle. The photograph shows Remus Reid on the gallows with men putting a noose around his neck. Sometime later, Harry Reid’s staff sent back a statement, tongue‑in‑cheek – having a little fun of their own – putting a spin on the story as only the political culture can. The following is their response: Remus Reid was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory. His business empire grew to include the acquisition of equestrian assets and dealings with the Montana railroad. In 1883, he devoted several years of his life to government service, but took leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in an investigation by the Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor . . . when the platform upon which he was standing suddenly collapsed. How is that for spin?! The truth is that we would also probably cover up the story if he were our great‑great uncle.
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