Facts are stubborn things, even in Trump era

Let’s see. The sun still rises in the east. A circle is 360 degrees. Water still boils at 212 degrees. The average human body temperature is 98.6 degrees. Perfect eyesight is still 20/20. These are facts.

I believe in Jesus Christ. I believe that all people should be accepted; I do not care about their religions, their sexual orientation, or their skin color. What I believe is that most all folks are simply good people, and I choose to treat them that way. I choose to respect and trust first, and if I get burned, shame on me.

You may well strongly believe differently. Our beliefs are based on how each individual sees the world based upon their values, upbringing and how they’ve been treated.

Since personal beliefs are highly individual, they should be honored when thinking about others. Have you heard the adage, “live and let live”? It seems like these things are accepted by the masses.

A recent article was written by Avery Wilks and titled, “S.C. Republicans don’t care about Trump-Russia probe.”

Then they do not care about our democracy. They do not care or believe that people at all levels of government should do the right thing. They do not care whether folks tell the truth.

If those who call the Trump-Russia probe a nothing burger would spend time learning about the facts, as reported by respected print media like The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times, they would be better informed. And if they would watch, as I do, MSNBC, and check out the facts, as reported by Rachel Maddow, they might just change their minds. “Morning Joe” is also be a fact-based, informative medium for learning.

One day, you will be thankful for investigative reporters who research and validate information on topics that are important. They choose to search for the facts and report them. In Russia, these reporters would be killed, as many there already have been.

All the Republican Party wants to do is be in power. There are a few principled Republicans, such as Sen. Ben Sasse of Nebraska.

Bob Mueller is interested in facts, too, and he and his team continue collecting enough factual information to demonstrate that our checks and balances will produce consequences for a president who lacks character and competence and has a penchant for lying.

Leaders need be honest, competent, forward looking and inspiring. They need be promise-keepers, respectful, fair, and accepting of others. Trump fails miserably on all these dimensions. His administration will, I predict, one day be the context for the most effective case study ever developed that show future leaders how not to behave when leading a country.

Because when it comes to the law, facts trump beliefs!

This story was originally published July 23, 2017 at 10:22 AM with the headline "Facts are stubborn things, even in Trump era."