Opinions! Everybody has opinions. This column I’m writing is my opinion, which is placed on the opinion page, in this newspaper. This is the only page where staff writers’ and submitted guests’ opinions are permitted. In over 38 years, I have written hundreds of opinion columns. All other pages in the newspaper are based on facts obtained from events and proper sources.
This differs from social media, in which apps like Facebook are mostly opinions of writers based on very few facts and false articles are often included. This causes problems, because many believe what they have seen to be the truth.
Prior to becoming publisher of this newspaper in 1987, I was employed by the late Al Smith at the Sentinel-Echo in London. While there, we would have a staff meeting every Thursday morning. At one of those meetings Al said to me, “Estep, you are one of the most opinionated persons I have ever met.”
It was said in a friendly manner, and I took it as a compliment.
We have always encouraged opinions from our readers, but there are rules to be followed. One of the first things I did when I became publisher was to eliminate an opinion column phoned in on a recorded line, which did not require the writer’s name. Awful things were said by people too cowardly to be identified. Thus, the first thing we require is a name associated with the author.
There are several other criteria, such as no slanderous opinions, and word limits.
With all of this said, I recently went against my better judgment and commented on a person’s opinion on Facebook. I did this to counter what I considered to be false and unfair statements by a writer. I did it in a nice, informative way, but the response I got wasn’t as nice.
Here’s the problem… It was obvious to me that the writer did not have any awareness of the accuracy of her statement. Nevertheless, she received several likes. It was obvious that she basically had nothing but an opinion, and little actual knowledge of what was the truth.
Had she read our newspaper or attended city meetings, she would have been better informed and her opinion may have been different. However, she was influencing others and spreading a false narrative.
When it comes to my opinions, I’m not as concerned about whether or not you agree with me as I am with being accurate. We may have different opinions, but it is no justification for becoming enemies or acting unreasonable. We’re seeing a lot of that now in our society, mostly in the political arena.
If everyone would stick to the absolute truth in their opinions, we would most likely narrow the gap in this country’s division. Unfortunately, that is not going to happen. Politicians, especially, have found that, no matter how dishonest a statement can be, if it furthers their cause and is accepted by many of their followers, that is all that matters. Too few are willing to believe and discover the truth for themselves. The Internet and certain media thrive on misinformation. Too many people, and again some elected officials, are willing to put party above country. I have heard false information uttered from many sources, because proper research had most likely not been done.
Even with a person’s endeavors, to be accurate it is not always possible. Even being right and truthful can have its consequences.
Several people have been fired from their jobs lately for expressing an opinion. We are said to have free speech, but it can be costly. Everybody has a right to their own opinion, but watch out!
My conclusion is that it is good to express opinions, but if a person is doing so with an ulterior motive, and when they have very little factual information, then that is when opinions can cause harm.
It would be good to live in a perfect world, but that is not happening. So, be careful about whose opinion influences you and be your own best judge. It can eliminate many headaches, and life will be better.
