There is an absolute truth. Believe it. Take it to the bank.
On any sunny day, the sky is blue. And on any given spring day, the grass is green. You can argue on these two facts until you turn purple but a fact is a fact and believing otherwise will not change a thing. The truth does not change just because we don’t like it.
Anytime anyone makes an all-inclusive statement such as “The Memphis Grizzlies never win”, or “the media never gets ANYTHING right”, watch out because the red flags are flying. Statements such as these are made solely for the purpose of discrediting a person, group, organization or business.
Other statements frequently brandished about are, “All whites are greedy and ruthless,” and “all blacks are lazy and welfare dependent.” There is not an ounce of truth in either statement and are comments from racially prejudiced individuals in a vain attempt to lump a group of people into a less than desirable niche.
On occasions, the credibility of this newspaper comes under scrutiny, usually by those that something negative has been written. As editor of this newspaper, I welcome the scrutiny. People need to check the facts for themselves. Likewise, those who occupy the pews at church on Sunday morning need to read the scriptures and not take the minister solely on his word.
However, I resent any implications that my reporters or this publication is trying in anyway to purposely misrepresent the truth. We are not liars. A newspaper and its reporters are human and mistakes are made. However, I do not know of a single occasion that when a mistake has been pointed out to us that we did not correct it.
There is a big difference in being mistaken and lying.
Of course, this newspaper is not perfect. Humans do the job and all humans make mistakes. All people at one time or another have told a lie, whether to protect themselves, their job or someone they love. However, most people do not make lying their way of life.
To say that the newspaper does not get anything correct is an arrogant, ignorant and prejudicial comment. Normally, such comments are not worthy of a response but in this particular instance these irresponsible statements hurt some people unnecessarily.
Calling anyone a liar is a serious accusation that should never be made without proof to back it up. It is particularly unethical and disreputable coming from people who profess to be in a leadership position.
Using a closed forum to launch such tirade is inexcusable, cowardly and totally unprofessional under any circumstance. No one, and I mean no one, has ever approached me to discuss any problems they have about my staff, the content of this newspaper, or me. Nor have I ever been extended the courtesy to rebut any of the accusations.
I sincerely doubt the accusers have the courage to do that.
This is an absolute truth. I can assure all of our readers as long as I sit behind this desk, no one on this staff will deliberately distort the truth.
