Text The Times.

‘The truth is out there’ but not seemingly in the media, given the front cover of many of the newspapers.

How can a person face 161 years’ jail for talking about the Australian Tax Office?

How can going through a journalist’s underwear drawer help us have a freer country? Why can’t politicians actually answer a question with ‘yes’ or ‘no’? There is something to reflect on in the words of George Orwell, ‘In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.’ Telling the truth is surely the only option in a free country. Telling the truth is vital, but more important is the freedom to be able to tell the truth without fear or favor.

[Editor’s Note: Australian Tax Office? Who is going through journalist’s underwear drawers? I need to know. As a journalist with an underwear drawer, this concerns me… As for your question about politicians answering “yes” or “no,” I’m willing to say that it’s not always possible to give such a simple answer on a wide array of complicated questions. That’s actually, from what I’ve seen, one of the problems with the current political climate.

You’re either “with” or “against” one party or another. It’s like we decided there was no such thing as having some liberal views and some conservative views. We can’t have that! I mean, isn’t it at least possible to have a person who is both pro-Second Amendment AND pro-gay marriage, or anti-abortion and anti-border wall? And in the best case scenario, we’ve got the tail wagging the dog in both major political parties, so when there’s an election, you can at least get a handle on where the nation’s voters loyalties lie, but it does nothing to actualy help get policy into place. You mention the George Orwell quote, and it’s true. When you own the information, you can twist it to suit your agenda. And with the proliferation of online media with zero credibility or accountability, it’s only going to get worse]

*** I see the lights under the bridge are working again.

Who is paying for that electric bill? [Editor’s Note: There’s just no pleasing some folks is there?

I mean the complaints in the past have been about the lights not working, and now that they are, you’re complaining about how much the expense is for keeping them on? In case you’re actually curious and not just trying to stir up trouble, the City of West Memphis actually gets billed by the West Memphis Utility Department each month. While that might sound a little strange, the Utility Department operates as a separate entity and has even loaned money to the city for special projects and expenditures, which works out great for both parties because the city can save money on interest as compared to a bank loan]

*** I am appreciating the coverage of the Memphis Tigers in the paper. As a former Memphis resident who refuses to support the sad Commercial Appeal, it’s nice to see my Tigers in the paper. Will you continue to do this during basketball season. [Editor’s Note: I can’t say we’ll have comprehensive Tigers hoops coverage, because we only have one or two sports pages per day and we’ll still be keeping our focus on local high school sports, but you can expect Tigers, Razorbacks, Red Wolves, and even the ASU Mid-South Greyhounds to be in the Times, at least periodically this basketball season, along with some Grizzlies news every now and then, right next to your Blue Devils, Patriots, Bulldogs and Black Knights]

*** Crossword puzzle looks like it has been fixed!

THANK YOU!!! [ Editor’s Note: For my mental well being, I hope it stays fixed.

The new puzzles are pretty challenging, from what I’ve seen. Also, FYI, I’m getting ready to relaunch the allnew Cryptoquote, so look for that pretty soon]

Here’s what everyone is talking about this week: