|
Each month "Hoax of the Month" will look at
classic hoaxes from over the years. This month:
July 2010
Hoaxing can take several forms
Alan Abel prefers to carry out his via the news media, offering releases
to newspapers, articles to magazines (such as one last year for Esquire)
as well as numerous TV appearances. Bob Ross has a preference
for group presentations, appearing at conventions and corporate meetings
as an industry expert or a top government official. Bob Mays uses the
telephone to do some hilarious spoofs and they often are reproduced
on the Don Imus morning show. Others like to pull legs with letters.
For the next few months beginning here we will exhibit some of these
latter types of put-ons. The first, being quite timely, involves a letter sent
by prankster Bob Ross to San Diego supermarkets. It is self-explanatory:
* * * * *
June 4, 2010
Alan Meyers
Mgr. Albertsons Supermarket
La Costa, CA
Dear Mr. Meyers:
As a frequent customer of your store I notice that your clerks frequently request money for various charities during check-out. I know that many people find this annoying; however I applaud your tenaciousness in collecting funds for worthwhile causes such as the one I represent. I am chairman of the newly-formed organization, Clean Up, Inc. We were recently formed to raise funds to assist BP in their clean up of the oil spill in Louisiana. As I’m sure you are aware, the effort to clean up this mess is costing millions. BP has gone to court to try to limit their liability to $27 million but it appears fruitless. Also, a coalition of Republican senators and congressmen has petitioned President Obama for a bail out of BP for the costs involved in this effort. This also appears to be doomed as Obama is against it. Yet the costs of this operation are enormous. Just one blowout preventer costs $18 million!
Therefore we are going to the public and asking for their help in amassing a fund to help BP solve this problem. Donations will not only hasten the clean-up and help save various animals but financial assistance to BP creates goodwill with our British friends.
I don’t know how you determine who is next in line for your clerks to raise funds for but we would like to get in line for this. We will, of course, provide canisters and a placard to generate public support for this and Albertsons will be acknowledged as a major fund-raiser for BP and get appropriate recognition.
Sincerely yours,
Robert Ross
Chairman, Clean Up, Inc.
|
