Friday, March 25, 2016

Silliest Conspiracy Theory this week!

The dumbest conspiracy theory of the week started (of course) by right wing conspiracy crazies; but sadly, a few left wing election cycle watchers fell for it too.

The conspiracy theory is that Helen Purcell, the Maricopa, Arizona county recorder, the woman who so badly botched up the elections there that calls have been made for federal investigation and prosecution.  Right wingers have tried to float this as some Clinton conspiracy to steal the AZ primary, asserting that Helen Purcell was the wife of the Lt. Governor Joe Purcell, under Bill Clinton.

Except that nothing could be further from the truth.  It appears that Helen Purcell, the County Recorder, is not the widow of Joe Purcell of Arkansas.  She was, per her official county biography, born in Kansas, and lived the rest of her life entirely in Arizona - as a Republican.  I can find no evidence that she is or was married, or that Purcell is not her maiden name either.  Further the details of her professional life indicate a separate career of her own that is inconsistent with a life in Arkansas at the same time.

Don't be a dummy; don't uncritically accept silly stories without asking questions and doing at least minimal fact checking.  Only the most gullible fail to consider that there easily can be more than one person with the same or a similar sounding name.  That's grade school level knowledge.

For those who want to see it for themselves, here is the bio link for the Maricopa, Arizona County Recorder, Helen Purcell.

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