TRUTH IN ADVERTISING

 And there you have it. Americans and in fact people round the world no longer know how to distinguish truth from falsehoods, reality vs. imagination, truth vs. skewed interpretation.  In fact, we can no longer trust what a picture shows as photoshopping techniques are amazing and can present false images indistinguishable from the actuality of the original photo. What I find absolutely abhorrent is the egregious, blatant nervy words spewed forth from the mouths of politicians and 'news analysts', self- declared and self- appointed interpreters of world events, local events, for it makes not a whit of difference. 

These lies have effects which trickle up and down and this very real game of telephone causes much damage to trust, as truth of supposed knowledge is severely damaged. Lies pile up, lie on lie, posing challenges unavoidable and often insurmountable and another pillar of knowledge is gone. What was once known is now deemed false. Disbelieve this? Checkout the latest claims re vaccines and other purported new science facts. 

Nope, no more truth in advertising and that most definitely impacts upon us as we absorb the presented 'truth' from professional liars who know and have improved upon all the twisted ways in which to gull the audience into believing, buying whole hog, hook, line and sinker to their dangerous, harmful lies. Lives then built upon, relying upon these innately shaky foundations of lies outrageous in import will inevitably fail, with horrendous results. Rebuilding those wrecked lives will be difficult if even possible, and, in any case, there will be lingering remnants of wounds and scars, of emotions too powerful to ever dissipate fully.  

The most egregious of those spouting falsehoods, utilizing false advertising are of two groups, at least those whose words and actions have consequence. These two categories pontificate, oh so impressed with their own verbiage and ability to communicate to one and all their opinions, right or wrong, selfish or not. They are rampant within our society and the air is suffused with their words, truth a rare commodity within those words. 

Who are these groups and their followers who spread the lies and increase the ill effects tenfold? Their spreading of false doctrines instigate negativity all the way to enmity and intolerance and finally violence.  Politicians and the self-declared interpreters of the news, the media of all types, print, social, podcasts, whatever the chosen format.  Politicians lie and twist and evade as part of their natural composition. They are adept at convincing onlookers that the sky is green and the statement of it being blue is merely a long-term lie imposed upon the electorate for some nefarious purpose.   

The cooperative aspects of the media world, print and online, jump on the bandwagon, spouting conflicting 'truths', contributing to the further division, intense and angry, of the nation, indeed, of the world. Little time to think and ponder, to investigate and find the kernel of truth hidden beneath heavy obfuscating lies meant to benefit one group over another, never the twain to meet, never encouraged to do so at all. Total anathema.

How is one to proceed in this world and maintain a sense of sanity, an equilibrium, a willingness to admit that others might have worthwhile contributions to the discussion, that we do not know it all, that opinions can change when provided with the truth - as is -and not manufactured. We must be people of courage and resist the easy way out, fight instead for truth, to pull back the curtains of deceit we don't even see anymore. We must harken to the voices of those seeking the right, the just, the true, particularly within the very important and susceptible world of education - at all levels, especially from middle school thru graduate years.  

Today we live in a world of blather, voices eager to hear themselves rather than listen. We are falling prey to authoritarian riffs, and they attack from all sides. We fail to distinguish between claims. For example, we have a Trump who is busy as ever enabling growth of his personal fortune, via his crazed dictates, all the while the nation becomes more impoverished in a rather hostile world, also a consequence of his demented polices. Despite the warning of Powell and other financial experts that recession and worse is imminent unless prompt action is taken. A President who conducts his policies on the basis of someone kissing his rather repugnant ass -his words-is obviously one who has singlehandedly crashed and crushed the economy of this nation, especially the farming area. The truth beneath is becoming ever clearer to all and there are now sparks of rebellion and regret. Thankfully.

His use of fear and bombastic lies, his growing suppression of free speech, the censorship reaching deep into the schools and press coverage, unhinged, his defiance of the courts, his blatant use of fighting antisemitism as a justification for repression and suppression is backfiring. We now find ourselves as a nation, well down the slippery slope of constitutional crisis and national despair. 

We must choose the difficult path to remediate the mess he has caused. It will be challenging. It will cause more division before we reach sanity and unity, but it must be done. Truth must be the guiding rule by which we live if we are ever to trust each other again, if the nations of the world will accept us, trust us and welcome us back into the fold.  

Truth in policy. Truth in statements. Truth in economy. Truth in interpretations and presentations. Truth will overcome fear, meld together the divided and allow for a better world and certainly a better beneficial true nation of the American people.

 Edward R. Murrow said, "We will not walk in fear, one of another. We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason."

Remember that for all our yesterdays that were, 

for all our todays so challenged, 

for all our tomorrows to follow.

Yesterday, today, tomorrow - one truth. Intact. 

If we make it so.