No Good Deed Goes Unpunished

I've been living in a snake pit the past two days, all because I tried to help someone. Rural folk and snakes are never a good combination, and last week, a rattler fell victim to a shotgun. Naturally, the family wanted a picture and a story about how the family was delivered from evil. I'm not a snake fan. I'd have a massive coronary if I saw one in my yard. However, I also realize they have a place in God's great world.
In my trek for accuracy, I told the guy writing the story that the shooter's estimate of 20 rattles on the snake's tail was probably exaggerated. He asked if there was anyone to call to comfirm that. I wish I had insisted he call the county agent--oh how I wish I had. Instead, being helpful, I said, "Oh, I'll call someone I know will know the answer." The guy I called was kind enough to speak with me, gave me the answer I was looking for and we spoke about 5 more minutes. He was distressed the people had killed the snake and asked me to tell the writer that the snake was not chasing anyone, which I did.
When the story came out, I was the target of his angry e-mail, as though I had written the story. He was upset the writer had not quoted him, certainly a bona fide expert on the subject, but an elderly neighbor instead, who was a supposed "expert" on the fanged ones. The "expert" opined that this particular snake was very aggressive and would chase people. I figured most of our readers would see that for the hogwash it is, but the guy e-mailing me felt differently.
The worst part was, he posted my e-mail on a newsgroup, still implying that I wrote the story, and before 10 a.m., I had been called pathetic, a moron and ignorant because I live in Alabama.
I can understand him being upset, but I sent him the link to the story, which clearly did NOT have my byline. Unfortunately, no one checked the link. They took his word and started hammering me with e-mails. I apologized to him, because I felt bad that the story had been published with inaccuracies, and that he felt he had been burned for taking the time to speak with me. He apologized to me as well, and asked the newsgroup to stop e-mailing me, since I didn't write the story. I appreciated his mea culpa and his efforts and told him so.
I was thinking the whole time these people e-mailing me were guilty of the very thing they mistakenly accused me of: not checking the facts. Had they looked at the link, they would have seen the writer's name at the top of the page.
I don't know why some people think name-calling is necessary, either. They don't seem to realize it makes them look just as bad as the person they're accusing. It puts their whole argument in a suspicious light, even if they have a valid point to make. Don't curse the darkness--light a candle. Educate people. Don't call them names.
The whole thing taught me a lesson, though. Even if I know for a solid fact that information is wrong, I'll just bring it to the writer's attention and let him or her sort it out. Never again will I make a single phone call to try to confirm anything. Not unless I'm writing the story. It isn't worth the headache I've had all day.