You’re Entitled to Your Opinion

One of the things that really bugs me these days is the huge
number and variety of people who are calling me and sending me emails trying to
trick me into giving them either money or my personal information. So many people
want what little I have and are willing to say anything to get it. As
irritating as this is, I see it as part of a broader category of people: people
who are willing to lie to me to get what they want.

Here’s an example: “I am entitled to my opinion.” On the
face of it, that seems like a harmless; even virtuous statement. Aren’t we all
entitled to our opinion? Of course, we are. However, when it gets irritating is
when someone uses that statement to try to pass off something that is blatantly
not supported by evidence as the truth.

Let me give you a few examples:

Our climate is changing. This is a statement
that is supported by a HUGE body of evidence. However, there are quite a few
people who say, “That is your opinion, I believe something different.”  I’m sure it is just a coincidence that those
people usually are directly involved in the fossil fuel industry or politicians
supported by the fossil fuel industry.As Americans, we have the right to bear arms.
The false opinion promoted by some people is that any restriction on that right
means we will lose it altogether. This is clearly false, because that right is
already restricted. Very few people think is a good idea for individual people
to possess a functioning atomic bomb. The evidence shows banning assault style
weapons reduces the number of mass shootings. What’s your opinion?This might be my favorite example: This morning
I watched Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana tell us that Fiona Hill is entitled
to her opinion that the story of Ukraine meddling in our election instead of
Russia is a false narrative promoted by Vladimir Putin.

Well let’s just examine that, shall we? If my memory serves
me correctly, 17 American intelligence gathering agencies agree that Russia
interfered in our election. And really, why would Ukraine do it anyway? We are an
ally, supporting them in their defense against a Russian invasion. Not only
would it be against their best interest, but they need what ever resources they
have to defend against the Russian invasion.

In spite of this, Senators Kennedy, Graham and others continue
to promote the idea that Ukraine meddled in our election—in spite of being
briefed by intelligence agencies to STOP DOING THAT.

I will leave it to you to speculate about their motives, but
it really bakes my cookies that they continue to propagate this false narrative.

So, here’s my opinion: My PayPal account has NOT been suspended;
a Nigerian prince does NOT want to send me money; I did NOT win the Publisher’s
Clearinghouse; “Alternative facts” are NOT facts and Ukraine did NOT meddle in
our election. So, stop lying to me about it.