Barack Obama to Tackle Urban Myths on Discovery Channel

(Oct. 18) -- President Barack Obama, the target of widely circulated falsehoods about his religion, birth and experience, is going on a Discovery Channel program aimed at dispelling urban legends.

Obama will appear on the Dec. 8 episode of "MythBusters," a cable-TV show aimed at young teenagers whose recent subjects have ranged from tornado decapitations to the bridge-building capacities of duct tape, the president announced today during the annual White House science fair.

The Discovery Channel said the president will challenge the show's hosts "to revisit an ancient and somewhat controversial myth: Did Greek scientist and polymath Archimedes set fire to an invading Roman fleet using only mirrors and the reflected rays of the sun?"

The White House said Obama picked the show because it "uses science to determine the truth behind urban legends."

And as president he has certainly had to deal with a lot of controversial myths of his own.

Among the falsehoods that have traversed the world via the Internet, and often inflamed the passions of Obama's political opponents, are that he's a Muslim, was born outside the United States -- and would thus be barred from the presidency by the Constitution -- and that the Fort Hood, Texas, shooter served on the president's Homeland Security staff.

Obama, a practicing Christian, was born in Hawaii -- two well-documented facts. And Pentagon investigations have shown Maj. Nidal Hassan, charged with 13 counts of murder and 32 of attempted murder for the shootings last November on the Texas Army base, was never more than a middling military psychiatrist whose superiors had misgivings about his competence and mental stability.

Obama said he has already taped his special guest appearance for the show, which is known for using fun, hands-on exercises that appeal to young teens and especially boys.

"I didn't get to blow anything up," the president added ruefully. "I was a little frustrated with that."