What Is the Truth?

"What we see depends mainly on what we look for."

       John Lubbock, English scientist (1834 - 1913)

Almost everything about Iraq that I'm reading in newspapers and seeing on the networks is negative.  There are a few bright spots, but the majority make it sound as if no part of the campaign is going well.  On the other hand, as I visit weblogs and read reports from soldiers and civilians who are there or have been there, an entirely different picture emerges.

Chief Wiggles, written by a soldier who is stationed in Iraq, just wrote a post on the situation there vis-a-vis what we see and hear in the news.  His view: "I am forced to ponder the value of a news media that only reports a distorted view of events."

Susan May Danseyar of the Belmont Citizen-Herald writes an account of soldiers who have been there: "Ninety-nine percent...is a good story," they say.

And Eric Olsen provides us with a civilian's view of what's happening at BlogCritics.  His friend says, "I would watch the CNN reporters describing...Iraq and think they must be living in an alternate universe."

Then a speech by Judge Don Walters posted by Barbara Bessent.  Judge Walters was sent to Iraq to evaluate their justice system.  He was against the war prior to his visit.  Now he's not.

Who to believe?  I lean toward the "regular" people who have been there and interacted with the Iraqis, and not with the media.  Why?

Why indeed?