'Facts' are often opinions in disguise

When I read that Mitt Romney “got a conscience” and became pro-life at 56, it does not make him a bad guy. It might mean he is a little confused and is still trying to figure out who he is and what he stands for.

I am concerned that he may be our next president and apparently lived his first 55 years without a conscience. He may not know what he really stands for, but he is intelligent and appears leagues above Dubya regarding capability.

What I have typed about Romney so far is opinion, not fact. And I am not blaming him for struggling to stick to what he stands for. It is frustrating to think he might be our next president and appears to have a huge acceptance issue, but again this is only opinion.

I felt verbally assaulted the other day by a friend’s father who hurled blame and “the truth” at me when I mentioned what is being referred to as “the Eastwood moment” at the Republican National Convention. His voice got much louder and he spewed pure Rush Limbaugh “facts” at me for several minutes. Mainstream America refers to his “facts” as opinions but my friend’s father wasn’t hearing any of that nonsense from me, an independent with democratic tendencies.

Our friendly conversation quickly devolved into immature attack and defend language reminiscent of my middle school days or our current government. This is my opinion, not the truth, and I am trying not to blame.

JUSTIN HENNEY

Sandpoint