Random Grumblings

Herb and I began this site six years ago because we were sick of being lied to. Not that we really expected to have any positive impact on the larger world of information and events (although we briefly had hopes that we could make a difference) but we've published bits and pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that when properly assembled would depict reality. Assembling the pieces in their proper configuration is the responsibility of the reader.

I have been lied to my whole life and I'm still being told big lies by those whom I should be able to trust. I have learned to be skeptical of almost every source of opinion and information. All forms of media, all authority, and all venues of scholarship come under my scrutiny--and though some are admittedly well-intentioned they almost always fall short. Friends and family are much more problematic, and I have determined very recently that one should regard them with special caution.

It has nothing to do with the topic of this site, but it is illustrative that I was burned by my own trust of a family member who told me a whopping lie which I then repeated. Only after closely examining what was told to me did I understand that it did not hold up to logic and was almost certainly false. Since it was about a party against whom I have some grievance, I wanted to believe it. But I should have considered that this relative of mine has a lifelong history of compulsive lying and/or confabulation.

Whom do you trust? On the subject of the events of September 11, 2001 I regard Herb Smith as reliable. I have known him since 1974 and know that he has the same abhorrence of untruth as I do. We publish this site with a consensus and I consider his researches and conclusions to speak for both of us.

But I must maintain a skeptical view toward everyone else who offers theories and information on topics that concern us--including, and perhaps especially, people we like. I may think about what you say, but I will defend to the death my right not to believe a word of it. (But I still like you.)

The only thing I believe without reservation is that we must be kind to each other.

Happy New Year!