This is the time of year when all of the newspaper columnists, TV news anchors, talking heads on TV and radio, etc., wish all of us Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, etc.

I have a request of all of them, just tell us the truth throughout the year! 

• Your guesswork is not needed.

• Keep your opinion to yourself.

• Conspiracy theories are just that, theories. Who cares?

• When you are on Zoom, we do not need to look at your ego wall.

• It is not necessary to always agree with the host.

• Host, when asking a question, ask the question, do not spend a lot of time giving your opinion first. Who cares?

For those of us who remember the early days of TV, there was a very popular program called “Dragnet." The main character, Joe Friday, had a famous line he used over and over again, “Just the facts ma’am."

There is another famous quote: 

“The first casualty of war is the truth.”

Hiram W Johnson, senator for California, to the U.S. Senate in 1917

Unfortunately, the citizens of the United States are at war. We are embroiled in a culture war the outcome of which will determine the future of our children and grandchildren.

The quote “the first casualty of war is the truth” is very much in play.

This nation’s “Founding Fathers” knew that for the citizens to truly be in control of their government they must have free and easy access to the truth: thus, the First Amendment to the Constitution:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”

Think of the awesome power of the first amendment! Think of the times in which it was written. Think of the people who wrote these words. But most important of all think of the responsibility these words require of every American citizen!

We are all required to be good citizens. We are required to be knowledgeable of what the government is proposing, legislating, and in some cases assuming dictatorial powers.  In order to be good citizens, we must have access to the truth. “Knowledge is power” and the American citizens need to know the truth, now more than ever before.

“Just the facts ma’am."  Every day, all day!  

Show that you are worthy of the protection of the First Amendment!

Tom Vaillancourt is a U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran. He is a retired small business owner and is married with two children and two grandchildren.