RIMSHOTS:
Unethical to represent opinion as fact
By Noble Collins
Gazette Columnist
“Well, he’s entitled to his opinion.”
I hear it every day, and I absolutely agree. What amazes me, though, is the absolute refusal of some folks to understand the difference between stating a fact and stating an opinion.
Look at it this way - your only child needs one more passing grade to graduate with his peers from high school. His chemistry teacher gives him an “F”. Are you willing to say, “Well, he is entitled to his opinion.”?
When facts are needed, opinions only get in the way. Let’s say you are just entering a twilight sleep when you overhear the doctor say, “ Gosh, Fred, that sure looks like the gall bladder, whatta you think?” Or, over the intercom, accidentally left on by a pilot, “You know, this old bird will probably glide for a long way if it has to. We probably have enough fuel anyway.” Let’s say you take your winning Lotto ticket to the State Office, and an old guy says, “I don’t know, that could be a seven or maybe a one.”
Well, they are entitled to their opinion, right?
The reverse it also true. Your drill instructor barks, “Give me 10 pushups!” Would you answer back, “Well, Sarge, you’re certainly entitled to your opinion.” Let’s say you are lost in a forest and a ranger suddenly appears and tells you, “Just walk down that trail about a mile and you will find a paved road leading out.” Don’t you hope that is more than just his opinion?
There is a proper place for both. Facts and opinions are both needed and welcomed in an open society. It is vitally important, however, to be able to distinguish between the two.
If something is stated as a fact, then it better be. If, on the other hand, the information is preceded with, “It seems to me,” or, “I think,” or, “I believe.” that should alert us to the presence of opinion, even if those prefaces are merely assumed.
If I run into your home tonight and shout, “Your house is on fire! Quick, get out!” are you willing to grant me that as an opinion? Your stock broker tells you to sell everything except one stock. Your wife tells you she is pregnant with twins. Do these seem like opinions to you?
When these situations turn out to be incorrect, can I assume that you will merely say, ”Well, they’re entitled to their opinion.”? I can hear it now - Next Sunday, go right up to your preacher and say, “Well, Reverend, you are entitled to your opinion,.”
There are places where opinions should be welcomed and respected. As long as they are represented as opinions, they can make for interesting points of discussion or debate. In fact, opinions frequently invite other opinions as comparisons. Once something is stated as a fact, however, it must stand the test of responsibility and verity.
Facts and opinions are two sides of a coin. They can only represent one side at a time.
The next time a newspaper columnist or a broadcaster states something as absolute fact, hold them to the accuracy test. If it doesn’t seem right, challenge it, respectfully. Or, you
might at least use the same scrutiny you reserve for President Obama.
President Obama is entitled to his opinion, right?
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4 comments:
Fact: The us constitution gives us rights from our creators.
Fact: You have the right to freedom of speech
Fact: You have the right to bear arms
Fact: You have the right to the fruit of your labor
Fact:Obama has the right to his own opinions
Fact: Obama does not have the right to infringe upon your rights. That includes freedom of speech, right to bear arms, and the fruit of your labor
You are absolutely correct. And there is absolutely no indication that he will do so
Yeah, just look at his Obama Care plan. It ain't going to cost you anything. Er, ahhh, just skip over that 1.4 trillion debt it will cost on top of the existing national debt.
This wasn't the point of the article or the rebuttal, PaysonPlace, but just for your information -
First of all, it is not "his" plan. Whatever it turns out to be, it will have been agreed upon by Congress.(members from both parties.)
Secondly, it has long been known that regardless of which party ends up with passing the Health Care Bill, it will be enormously expensive, and a way must be found to pay for it. This is why it has taken so long to get some kind of bill out of Congress. No one wants to take responsibility for it.
Unfortunately, the nation can no longer wait. The insurance and drug companies are destroying the American Way of Life, and the future looks to be out of control. The lucky few who HAVE insurance are paying more than their mortgage payment just to keep their insurance. More and more Americans are losing their health care due to being laid off their jobs. More and more employers are cutting back on benefits offered.
It's a fact which cannot be denied, and only self-centered biased individuals against our new President will attempt to find a way to make a negative political issue out of it.
By the way, Payson Place, where were you when George W. was increasing our national debt by billions due to Iraq and Afghanastan? Billions which continue to impact our budget every year?
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