Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on

Does The Truth Even Matter?

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Lifestyle

I read a recent article about how the family of former Pirates pitcher Fritz Ostermuller was upset about how their father was depicted in the movie about Jackie Robinson, "42".  Historians now say that the movie represented more of a charicature, symbolic of all of the hatred and racism faced by Robinson, rather than an accurate portrayal.  In is not an unusual tactic for a writer and it probably is harmless to those who aren't in the Ostermuller family.  What I don't understand is why they didn't use a fictitious name instead.

 

This story was followed by one about the Tonight Show skit that went viral on the internet, which now apprears to have been a hoax, after NBC re-attested to its authenticity (seems they were actors).

 

We won't even engage what is happening in our government right now. 

 

The question is, does the truth even matter anymore?...or can we do whatever we want for personal benefit?

Comments

Sherry Rivera

I still hope it does but I suppose I am an idealistic fool. It is unfortunate that so many of the public figures and government and have no regard for truth or integrity. I suppose their behavior is seen as model behavior including the horrific lies, deception, cheating, stealing, and total lack of ethics. Society begins to emulate it and that is what we are seeing.
Corey Bearak

Truth ALWAYS (emphasis intended) matters.

I recall my daughter following her viewing of 42 emailing me to query why Larry Doby received very little play in 42 as he trail-blazed in the AL.

Caricatures, composites etc. can all replace the truth, if not clarified and it can matter.

Of course movies which take liberties and other media that cause folks to delve further into a subject and learn the truth, can be helpful. I recall reading up on T.E. Lawrence after viewing Lawrence of Arabia.
Erik Scheibe

Do the people emulate the government or is our government simply a representation of the people. We seem to be completely prepared ro re-elect Anthony Weiner, Mark Sanford (and dare I mention Hilary) despite their past transgressions as if sitting out for a little while (like going to the penalty box) wipes away what happened.


BTW, idealism doesn't make you a fool. I asked if it mattered, I didn't say it didn't. I guess it was meant to be asked of each of us and you answered the way I would have. I certainly don't consider myself a fool :)

Submitted by Vincent_Serro on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 00:13

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Vincent Serro

I'm sure it was only a low level IRS employee that targeted only conservative groups. I'm sure it was only an overreaction to an anti-Islam movie that got 4 Americans killed in Libya just like Hillary and Susan Rice told us. How can you be so cynical Erik? After all you might be guilty of a "thoughtcrime" for thinking our leaders aren't being truthful to us. You just might get a visit from the "thought police" for expressing such views. "The Ministry of Truth" clearly needs to convert you into a "goodthinker" before you encourage others to engage in such "crimethink" against "big brother".
Rona Gura

Didn't the movie "Lincoln" get it wrong about whether Connecticut voted to abolish slavery? If I remember, when the movie came out there was a lot of press because, in the film, Connecticut votes to continue slavery when, in fact, they had voted to abolish slavery. One would think Spielberg would have checked those facts.
Erik Scheibe

Great point. In the end the amendment was passed, so it doesn't really matter...I guess unless you are from Connecticut, right? The definition of democracy is majority rule with respect to the rights of the minority. I often point out to people that just because the majority rule is stated first doesn't mean that it is more important than the "respect to the rights of the minority"

Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 01:54

In reply to by Vincent_Serro

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Erik Scheibe

Isn't it amazing/ironic right at this moment that we look back at the 2004 election and hear how many on the left were talking about how the Bush administration was "tearing up the Constitution" and how we were losing our civil rights.
Erik Scheibe

Perhaps Larry Doby would get more credit if the American league hadn't bastardized the sport with the introduction of the designated hitter!!! Just kidding, LOL
Fred Klein

2 things: The truth will set you free (and I can't remember the other)
Fred Klein

Oh, there are 3 sides to every stort: my side, your side and the truth
Amparo Connors

The truth, and lack thereof, are ingrained in our daily lives in what seems like more than half of current TV commercials. This is not a 'scientific' statistic but an observation made by hubby (Jeff) and me. Try counting how many commercials "lie". I mean where someone asks stupid stuff like 'did you eat my burrito' and they deny it although we've seen the truth, or where a parent lies to his kid about who's on the phone, or other deliberate deceptions. Watch carefully and observe how being deceptive is seen as an ok part of daily life! Sad commentary on our society so it's no wonder movies, media, politicians (of all ilks) lie to us every day. The truth in the public domain apparently no longer matters.

I remember when I was younger, the advertising industry was considered to be corrupt or immoral because they were willing to say or do anything to get people to buy something. A celebrity who did a commercial was expected to either be personally vouching for the product or "selling out."

Submitted by NULL (not verified) on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 06:25

In reply to by Fred

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if telling them apart were only that simple

Submitted by TheodoreLanzaro on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 07:14

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Theodore Lanzaro

People, companies and the government all stretch the truth for personal benefit. Sometimes we call it advertising/marketing, other times we call it a conspiracy. I personally don't believe anything the government tells me. I assume it is all b.s. On the other hand, I am pretty sure that I am happy the government does lie because the truth would probably be pretty scary. Like the movie A Few Good Men, I am pretty sure "I can't handle the truth".

However, in personal relationships, you better tell the truth. Nothing destroys a relationship faster than dishonesty and I have been known to cut compulsively dishonest people completely out of my life.

Submitted by Erik_Scheibe on Wed, 05/15/2013 - 08:00

In reply to by TheodoreLanzaro

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Erik Scheibe

Love that movie...always say that Col. Jessup was right!

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