Which does one choose to believe: Facts or Fake?
I was again roaming through the 18th century seeking wisdom for the 21st when I recalled the thoughts of the English poet Thomas Gray in 1742 — thoughts that more than 30 percent of our country has seemingly adopted as their governing philosophy.
In “Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College,” Gray reflects on his alma mater, considers the pains of aging, and ends positing, “Where ignorance is bliss, ‘tis folly to be wise.”
Gray’s 18th century conundrum: Does willful oblivion beat informed awareness?
Our 21st century conundrum: How to treat a serial liar who happens to be president of the United State? Do we spot him for distaining truth or accept what he says, viciously attacking anyone calling out his deceit.
Clearly, it’s a situation no citizen should face — dealing with a president who consistently, flatly, deliberately lies with no apparent embarrassment, guilt or second thoughts. And lies a lot.
This is aberrant behavior for anyone, let alone one entrusted with the lives and fortunes of more than 320 million people. But what’s truly unfathomable is he lies despite modern technology recording his every utterance and fact-checking his every word. Is he truly that arrogant? Or that stupid?
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