The Truth

Last night my Socrates Cafe group discussed how we determine true facts, especially with encyclopedias disappearing. Much was made of the unreliability of Wikipedia. I won't defend or attack that website, but a larger issue, I think, is how the media jumps all over a story and distorts the facts, creates its own truth, which, not surprisingly, seems to correspond with whatever brings the highest ratings.
We really don't know what happened down in Florida with the shooting of that 17 year old kid wearing a hoodie. But through all the protests and involvement by celebrities and even The President, until recently, no one scrutinized the police report, or this kid's history. His family claims the fact that he was on suspension for smoking pot is irrelevant. The guy who shot him claims the kid was the aggressor, making challenging verbal remarks before initiating a physical assault. How did this block watcher wind up with a broken nose if there wasn't a fight? No, he should not have been carrying a gun and I'm not a big believer in the block watcher concept. People are being profiled on a sickeningly regular basis, by cops and citizens. Until it's happened to you, do not underestimate how upsetting that can be.
This guy Zimmerman is being raked over the coals. Innocent until proven guilty has fallen victim to a rush for THE STORY. What happens if he's only cited for an unlicensed gun? Will there be larger demonstrations? The truth, the ugly truth is if you were walking alone and saw someone wearing a hoodie at night coming toward you, you would tense up. Probably cross the street, and when you got to the other side and were three blocks away, you could then resume being a liberal.