Loudest voices don't always belong to the majority

Cherry picking is a tool whereby one extracts text or statements from a document or conversation to selectively promote or support their position on a subject, be it the Bible, the Constitution, or a county commissioner’s meeting.

It is used most effectively by those who are the loudest voices in the room. It can reduce respectful discussions into bullying sessions where everyone walks away dissatisfied and they start cherry picking.

This is common in every facet of our lives — at home, in school, at work, and unfortunately, at every level of government. I can’t stop this from happening, and neither can you, but what we can do is recognize it when we witness it.

If we rely on only one source, be it television, radio, newspaper or the internet, we are not getting all of the facts on any subject or about any person. We must do our own due diligence.

County commissioners meetings are currently fodder for the rumor mills. Since January, a handful of people have attempted to control how county business is conducted. They maintain that they represent we, the people." There were 32,525 registered voters last November. 21,216 (65.2%) voted. Even if the people raising Cain number 100, that is less than 1/2 of 1% of Bonner County voters. 76% of those voters supported Commissioner Omodt, while the most outspoken state representative elected garnered only 46% of the vote.

HELEN NEWTON

Sandpoint