This is so common and really is effective to convince many, ahem, persons who have not experienced, ahem, rigorous academic training. Look for this fallacy on the RIA in postings. It is all over the place.

I had changed tampon brands just before I became pregnant. Therefore, o.b. contains something that gets you knocked up.

See how many people needed this government benefit? There is obviously a need for more money.

Yep, this certainly happens a hell of a lot more than it should. The English translation of post hoc, ergo propter hoc is after this, therefore because of this. This is also known as coincidental correlation. This would be like saying, After I finished working on my car, Chauncey logged onto Rate It All and said something stupid. In order to prove that a fallacy is present depends upon my ability to prove that B would have happened regardless of A happening or not. And since it's a safe bet that Chauncey would have said something moronic no matter what the circumstances, it can be stated with certainty that working on my car had nothing to do with it.

This is INCREDIBLY common. I added this item this morning because of the following item which I read in the local newspaper: my state now proposes to add feng shui standards to the building code. The argument used by a local feng shui consultant who was interviewed for the article is this, and I quote: Hong Kong is a good example of a place where this works. No one in Hong Kong would ever build something without first looking at its feng shui. And we all know that Hong Kong can generate plenty of money. Um, I feel a letter to the editor taking shape here. Better finish my coffee first.