Revisiting the Truth

In an earlier post (September 24, 2010), I suggested that a way to move toward more civility in the public discourse is to take the time to check the facts. Once we check the facts, it's necessary to take another step and that is to insist (graciously) that those with whom we may agree philosophically tell the truth. It's not enough to know the truth for ourselves; we must hold candidates, office-holders, and media personalities accountable for their statements, insisting that public falsehoods and exaggerations be publically recanted with a public apology. It may help us grow toward greater civility if we make it clear to politicians that those who are cavalier with the truth will not receive our vote and we will "turn off" media personalities with a disregard for the facts.