Alternative Facts vs Fact Checking

Our White House feels that facts get in the way of the truth. I guess reality is only a tv show.

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It seems that anyone can put whatever outrageous fact out to the public and it is up to us to check to make sure what they said is true. Remember the good old days when politicians said things that were true?

Take for example Kellyanne Conway. Did I immediately go in to my microwave and hide it because she said it might be spying on me? No, I didn’t because I know to even begin to spy you have to have an appliance connected to the internet. Mine isn’t and are there any microwaves connected to the internet? If my microwave is spying all it is going to see 99% of the time is my refrigerator directly across from the microwave.

Kellyanne first brought “Alternative Facts” to the public thought process. President Trump has said that President Obama “wiretapped” Trump Tower. It seems that the new “thing” is to say anything that comes into your mind and it is up to everyone who hears it to check it for being the truth. Why should we expect people, or media, or elected officials to say the truth?

Well, here are some things you can check and see if they are the truth:
  1. Elected officials don’t read.
  2. Media people are interested in fast stories.
  3. Tax money is always used as the law dictates.
  4. Government agencies follow the law and check to make sure.
  5. Elected bodies work together to get things done.
  6. Lobbyists give politicians freebees.

First of all, there may be some people this doesn’t apply to but sadly, it is the way things operate now. Our own Governor Martinez vetoed a bunch of bills but the law states you have to give a reason for doing it. So now the whole mess goes to court. You would think someone in the Governor’s office would know what the law says OR does she think she is so important and can do what she wants?

And, did anyone check the new Trump Care proposed bill for being really bad? It doesn’t have any of the numbers needed to be voted on but many politicians did just that — voted on an incomplete bill. Would it have been too difficult to wait a minute and have it finished? I guess it was easier just to put it out and no one would have the nerve to object! Maybe in our jobs, we should not finish projects and see what happens!

I have had my own brush with people who don’t read the Inspection Of Public Records Act or don’t care to do so. In my newly settled lawsuit, I said that the New Mexico Public Education Department did not follow IPRA and I had the proof in writing. They must have felt they didn’t because they settled and are issuing me a check. You don’t send a large check to someone because they are nice. And the sad part is, I am not the only person this has happened to but I am one of the few people who got pissed off enough to sue. Does NMPED know how to read the IPRA law?

What does this have to do with books — everything. You have to know how to read now to check facts. Enough said ! Excuse me now because I have to unplug my microwave!


Barbe Awalt



Today's Rants: A Random Thought!
It’s official. The new name for the Republican healthcare plan is WEALTHCARE! Remember, only the wealthy can get healthcare.

You can support the effort to get Congress to fix our healthcare system by signing this petition at
https://www.change.org/p/remove-health-care-subsidies-for-members-of-congress-and-their-families


UPCOMING CALENDAR:
Rio Grande Books
April 8: Gallup Public Library, 9am-5pm "Author Fair"
April 20-22: Arizona-NM Historical Society Conference, Flagstaff, AZ
June 16-18: Sacred Art Market, Gallup Cathedral
July 15: Lavender in the Village, Los Ranchos Agri Center

Henrietta Christmas & Paul Rhetts
April 30: Santa Fe Public Library, 2pm "Basic Genealogy Checklist: 101 Tips & Tactics to Finding Your Family History"
June 24: Treasure House Books, Albuquerque Old Town 1-3pm "Basic Genealogy Checklist: 101 Tips & Tactics to Finding Your Family History"

Loretta Hall
March 18: Santa Fe Public Library, 2pm "New Mexico's Contribution to Space Travel"
April 2: Explora Science Center & Children's Museum (Albuquerque Old Town), 2:30pm "Miguel & Michelle Visit Spaceport America" new children's book
April 5: Bear Canyon Senior Center, 10:00-11:30, "NM is a Treasure Trove of Space History"
April 7, 14, 21, 28: LifeLong Learning Institute class, Covenant Presbyterian Church, 9315 Candelaria Rd NE, Albuquerque, 10:00-12:00, "New Mexico's Contributions to Space Travel"
April 9: Treasure House Books (Albuquerque Old Town), 1pm "Miguel & Michelle Visit Spaceport America" new children's book
May 3: Bear Canyon Senior Center, 10:00-11:30, "Getting Men to the Moon: Behind-the-Scenes Stories"
July 13: OASIS, 1:00-2:30, "What Sex Differences Mean for Space Travel"

Pat Hodapp
April 23: Collected Works, 2pm "Santa Fe Bucket List"

Ross Van Dusen
May 20: Treasure House Books, 1pm "Lyle Got Stuck in a Tree"