In a message dated 12/29/2005 5:01:34 PM Eastern Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: For the last Friday of the year, I will have one of my special hours! We call it, "Myths, Lies, and Straight Talk." Looking back on 2005, I see that much of what I heard -- and what the media said -- turned out to be myths. Newsweek reported that U.S. interrogators had flushed a Koran down a Guantanamo Bay toilet. After Hurricane Katrina, reporters said that sharks from Lake Pontchartrain were swimming through New Orleans, and roving bands of armed gang members were attacking the helpless Myth after myth. So to celebrate the New Year, I'll take another look at 10 of my favorite myths: 10: We have less free time. 9: Money can buy happiness. 8: Republicans shrink government. 7: The world is getting too crowded. 6: Chemicals are killing us. 5: Guns are always bad. 4: We're drowning in garbage. 3: We're destroying our forests. 2: Getting cold will give you a cold. Is any of it true? Well, money CAN buy happiness for the two or three billion people in the world trying to eke out a living on a dollar or two a day. If you can't feed your family, money makes a big difference. Many people surveyed say they'd be happier if they "just made 20 percent more," Would that be enough? Would that do it for you, or would such happiness fade? Some researchers say that earning $50,000 a year is enough for happiness, and more won't make you happier. Do you think it's true? Still others say it's got nothing to do with "things" at all. ? that it's about good relationships, doing good deeds, purposeful work. What's up with happiness? We've got some straight talk. Reporters constantly say gun control would stop violence, and most reporters would look just as shocked as Rev. Al Sharpton does this Friday night when I raise the idea of gun "UNcontrol." I think I confused Rev. Al by asking what life would be like if adults were allowed to carry concealed weapons. He got very excited and said, "That is frightening. Can you imagine just walking up and down the street knowing that 90 percent of the people you pass has a deadly weapon and you could be their next target? I think that we'd be living in a state of terror!" A state of terror! He had no idea that most states already allow concealed carry and those states are among the safest in America. The politicians and the media are often clueless. I keep myth number #1 a secret for now, but will reveal that Cato Institute economist Steve Moore wrote a book about it, and to illustrate it Friday, I jump into the Hudson River. All this Friday at 10 p.m.! And airing on Friday, Jan. 13, at 10:00 p.m. my new special "Stupid in America: How We Are Cheating Our Kids." Are kids in the United States being cheated out of a quality education? American students fizzle in international comparisons, placing 18th in reading, 22nd in science and 28th in math -- behind countries like Poland, Australia and Korea. But why? School officials complain that they need more money, but the countries that outperform us spend less per student than we do. There are many factors that contribute to failure in school, but according to some foremost is the government's monopoly over the school system, which means that most parents don't get to choose where to send their children. In other countries, choice brings competition, and competition improves performance. I question government officials, union leaders, parents and students. I also examine how the educational system can be improved upon and look to some innovative solutions happening across the country. Please send your comments and "Give Me a Break" suggestions to [EMAIL PROTECTED] If you don't want your e-mail quoted, say you wish to remain anonymous. This email was sent to [EMAIL PROTECTED] John Stossel 20/20: Friday, December 30, 2005
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