It's true, Bill, that people are generally not swayed by facts or arguments. What they do, in fact, is to look around for facts...or just rhetoric...which support their already established opinion. And they heap contempt on material which doesn't support it...or just ignore such material.

This is why it's always a good idea to look to a number of sources, and to bear in mind one's own fallibility...as well as that of leaders, the media, and so on.

Nothing beats direct experience, but most people don't have the time or means to seek it out. I did go to Cuba, and as a result of that visit I would never consider supporting a hostile action against that country...I have friends I really love there.

So that's one small bit of real experience in an ocean of speculation. It's a start.

- LH