OKAY, MAYBE IT WOULD BE TOO MEAN TO ACTUALLY DO, but reading this report of the “stimulus” debacle in Detroit gave me an idea:

There was some confusion at the sites after word spread that checks for $3,000 were being given away. That was not the case. Only applications were handed out. In fact, because of the heavy demand, the city halls had to stop handing out applications.

If you really were a Merry Prankster type, it would be funny to spread rumors that the local member of Congress was handing out stimulus checks, then watch the ensuing confusion. . . .

But that would be wrong — though it’s fun to imagine.

UPDATE: No, no, I’m not raining on the idea of pranks in general. Just pranks that might produce a riot . . . .