It’s Not Always Easy to Get to the Truth

I was sitting at my laptop trying to decide which story to share with y’all next when my dear husband turned the TV from a lop-sided basketball game to the news. A vigorous political debate was in full swing and in a lot of ways, it was like nothing changed. On one channel two teams were fighting over a ball full of hot air and on the second channel the opponents were simply full of hot air. Naturally, they were all adamant that they were telling the truth and the other party was stretching it, but you can’t have it both ways. When the facts are poles apart, someone’s version has holes in it. The problem is that it’s not always easy to figure out who’s on the up and up. It reminds me of a cartoon I saw recently. In it a woman was lamenting the fact that no one’s pants really catch on fire when they’re lying through their teeth. I get that. It sure would help clear up the muddy water, wouldn’t it?

But back to business, it was that very line of thinking that helped me settle on today’s story. It’s a humorous account I once heard of the same sort of problem.  Once upon a time, in a town not far from here, a shady defendant placed his hand on the Bible and the deputy swore him in. Everyone in the courtroom knew this fellow was guilty, but it was still necessary to give him a fair trial. After his swearing in, the judge stared the defendant down until the man began to shuffle his feet uncomfortably.

“Mr. Jones,” he said, “Do you understand that you have sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?”

“Yes, I do, Your Honor.”

“And do you have anything to say to defend yourself?” the judge asked.

“No sir,” the defendant replied. “With all due respect, Your Honor, not under those conditions, I don’t.”

Hugs, Shellie