An Opinion from Bob

As children, we were taught to do as we are told rather than to think for ourselves.  As teens, we tried to think for ourselves with typical naiveté and often with disastrous  results.  Now that we are adults, thinking for ourselves is required.  Yet, we seem to not know the rules for doing so.  In consequence, we are led by a few disgruntled souls.  We are their tools spreading their trash rather than being those who pursue facts and the truth.

The rules are simple.  First is the foundation, to gather facts.  This is usually followed by critical thinking.  That is, to analyze the facts.  This means to ask: what is their accuracy, their appropriateness to the issue, and their validity.  More steps follow these two steps but we can stop here for the moment. 

For too many months there has been an astounding number of our citizens railing against several of our Supervisors.  Then there are the wild statements about our County Administrator.  We also remember how Mr. Wiley was treated. Who is orchestrating this folly?  Where are their facts?  Why are they not in the open debating the issues and presenting their case?  A worse question is why are so many of our citizens repeating their unfounded and abusive remarks?  Are we followers who move along without thought, soaking up their bilge, helping them achieve their agenda?  Are we satisfied with their unfounded stories, their innuendo rather than fact? 

We do not know why they are behaving in this vengeful manner.  However, we should be asking them to come out of the shadows.  

The only factual statement I have heard is, “He does not live here.”  That is a fact about Mr. Thompson’s place of residence.  How that disqualifies him, somehow puts his solid qualifications in doubt, becomes grounds for rejecting what he has found in this County’s finances takes us back to our teen years; our years of being ineffective, immature, and led by fads and gossip. 

Seek the facts.  Share them.  Explore them for the truth.  Debunk those whose stories from “credible sources” are worse than fiction.  In short, when you are drowning and a boat comes along in the raging waters and you are invited to come aboard and help paddle to safety, do not reject the offer because you heard that those in the boat have not the qualifications to lead us to solid financial ground.