From: david@edenroad.demon.co.uk   
      
   SCIENCE JOURNAL   
   People Believe a 'Fact' That Fits Their Views   
   Even if It's Clearly False   
   By SHARON BEGLEY   
      
   "The rescue of Pvt. Jessica Lynch. U.S. troops firing at a van   
   approaching a Baghdad checkpoint and killing seven women and   
   children. A suicide bomber nearing a Najaf checkpoint and   
   blowing up U.S. soldiers. The execution of coalition POWs by   
   Iraqis. The civilian uprising in Basra against Saddam's   
   Baathist party.   
      
   If you remember it well, then we have grist for another verse   
   for Lerner and Loewe ("We met at nine," "We met at eight," "I   
   was on time," "No, you were late." "Ah yes, I remember it   
   well!"). The first three events occurred. The second two were   
   products of the fog of war: After being reported by the media,   
   both were quickly retracted by coalition authorities as   
   erroneous.   
      
   Yet retracting a report isn't the same as erasing it from   
   people's memories. According to an international study to be   
   published next month, Americans tend to believe that the last   
   two events occurred -- even when they recall the retraction or   
   correction. In contrast, Germans and Australians who recall   
   the retraction discount the misinformation. It isn't that   
   Germans and Australians are smarter. Instead, it's further   
   evidence that what we remember depends on what we believe."   
      
   The rest of the article is at:   
   http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB110746526775045356,00.html?mod=todays_us_   
   marketplace   
      
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