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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
April 17, 2006
/ 19 Nissan, 5766
When a bundle of joy is a barrel of lies
By
Mitch Albom
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
Six babies is a lot of babies. Especially at one time. If you knew a husband and wife who just had six babies, and they asked for help, you might say yes.
But would you first make them prove the babies exist?
No, because it's not common decency. But that trait is disappearing fast in this country. It's clearly gone from a conniving Missouri couple named Sarah and Kris Everson, who tried to pull off a six-headed fraud.
Telling a local newspaper reporter that their babies were in critical condition in an unnamed hospital, the Eversons laid out a story that was as rich in detail as it was in deception. They had names and weights for the six kids, they talked about their looks, their lips, their hair, they had fake sonograms, they even posed for photos holding up six tiny outfits.
Sarah Everson reportedly wept when she spoke of her inability to hold the tiny, delicate infants. "I don't like being away from them," she told an Associated Press reporter, who said she broke into tears.
Not surprisingly, people in their community rallied to help. A realtor tried to raise money for a new home. A Web site was established. An address was given to receive gift cards or money.
Only one problem: There were no babies.
The whole thing was a fraud.
Now, this is not the first time people have tried to bilk money from strangers. Snake oil salesman did it many years ago. Unscrupulous preachers have done it forever. The Internet is chock full of phony pleas for financial help. But what makes the Eversons' case notable is the extent of their charade, and how well they knew to use the media.
They claimed the secrecy was for the protection of the infants. They had a photo ready of a pregnant-looking Sarah. They had a nursery room. They even spoke of how difficult it had been for Sarah to sleep with six babies inside her.
"You see programs on TV with people who have multiples," Kris Everson told a reporter from the Independence (Mo.) Examiner. "You never expect it to end up happening to you."
Unless, of course, you fake it happening to you. I'm not surprised the guy mentioned TV. I'm guessing this couple had seen enough TV news reports on multiple-birth parents to know how it works. You act surprised, but happy. You get on a morning show. You talk about how you'll love the kids all the same. Sometimes, you even drag religion into it.
"If G-d was going to let it happen," Sarah Everson told the Examiner, "I was going to be able to get through it."
Wow. She was good.
Now, I don't know this Missouri couple. But I wasn't surprised at their hoax. We have created a society where fame is a drug, where attention can mean money, and where everybody wants a piece. Just as men once rushed west to dip pans in rivers, so do people now race to the spotlight, looking for gold.
People see Hurricane Katrina stories, they see the outpouring of generosity, and some say, "How do I get me some of that?"
They see human-interest features, tragedy turned into bestsellers, and they say, "I want mine."
You wonder how dumb or conniving the Eversons had to be to think they could pull this off without ever producing any babies. But their sick plan isn't the worst part.
The worst part is that people who were willing to pitch in authorities said the couple already had collected $3,500 before their hoax was revealed may be less inclined to do so next time around.
And that's a shame. After all, the response to the sentence "I need help" should never have to be "Prove it."
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© 2006, THE DETROIT FREE PRESS
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