From Ron Turner:

I get some good internet fun in my inbox most every day, but this is really a Classic – labeled “Political Spin – this is a real classic” and sent by one  ‘George Tsotos’:

Judy Wallman, a  professional genealogy researcher here in southern California , was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She discovered that Harry Reid’s great-great  uncle, Remus Reid, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889.  Both Judy and Harry Reid share this common  ancestor.

The only known  photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in Montana territory.

On the back  of the picture Judy obtained during her  research is this inscription:  ‘Remus Reid, horse  thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885,  escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.’

So Judy recently e-mailed Congressman (sic) Harry Reid for  information about their great-great uncle.

Believe it or not, Harry Reid’s staff sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research:

‘Remus Reid was a  famous cowboy in the Montana Territory . His business empire  grew to include  acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the  Montana  railroad.

Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume  his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889,  Remus  passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed.’

NOW THAT is how  it’s done folks! That’s real SPIN.