by Joe Kandra (cartoonist) & Kathie Malley-Morrison
Monday’s post on Engaging Peace provided a warning about two obstacles to recognizing when someone is lying to you: 1) you don’t really want to believe people (at least some people) will lie to you; and 2) your personal biases. Now there’s a slippery slope!
Here’s a test. Whatever your personal beliefs are about global warming and other threats to sustaining life on earth, assume for the moment that you’re skeptical about all the global warming warnings (which some people assert are “fake news”).
Really try to get into the character of a doubting Thomas. Now suppose you have the opportunity to listen to a speech by one of the individuals portrayed below. Also suppose you’re actually curious about the ongoing climate debate. To whom would you choose to listen? Who looks sincere and honest and might even have some chance of converting you to the environmental cause?
Even if you’re dubious about this entire exercise, please choose one:
Okay. Which individual did you select as someone worth listening to, someone who wouldn’t lie to you? Why did you make that choice? Were you equally as likely to trust a woman as a man? a person of color as compared to a white individual?
Now think about the current candidates for political office who are trying to recruit supporters. Do you believe they are all telling the truth? If not, what factors are influencing your judgments about them? Do you know?
Pegean says, Personally, I’d be more likely to trust another kitty than a lot of people (but maybe I’m biased). Bottom line, I sure hope someone will put an end to fossil fuels and start reducing global warming. I’m already too hot!