New Menace!

This just in:

"A freshman at Eagle Rock Junior High School won first prize at the Greater Idaho Falls Science Fair. He was attempting to show how conditioned we have become to the alarmist practicing junk science and spreading fear of everything in our environment. In his project he urged people to sign a petition demanding strict control or total elimination of the chemical "Dihydrogen monoxide."
And for plenty of good reasons, since it can:

1. cause excessive sweating and vomiting
2. it is a major component in acid rain
3. it can cause severe burns in its gaseous state
4. accidental inhalation can kill you.
5. it contributes to erosion
6. it decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes
7. it has been found in tumors of terminal cancer patients

He asked 50 people if they supported a ban of the chemical Dihydrogen, monoxide. Forty-three said yes, six were undecided, and only one knew that the chemical was… water.

The title of his prize winning project was, 'How Gullible Are We?' The conclusion is obvious."

The Gunslinger

[No link/confirmation, but hat tip to Lee G. for sending it.]
UPDATE: Sept 2, 2006 - SNOPES determines this story is TRUE. (Why am I not surprised?)

(Hmm, maybe we don't HAVE to shoot the bastards. Anyone this stupid is not fixed for longevity)