I have been reading the ongoing debate about talk radio and television with great interest. It’s like watching people try to decide which of two skunks smells worst.

So who is God? Hannity or Franken? They both tell the truth? They are both infallible? So we don’t need to read the Bible anymore?

The purpose of radio and television is to entertain. In order to entertain, one must provide programming that people want to hear. Therefore, the programming must reflect the beliefs of the audience. In order to do that, the entertainer or station must twist reality to cater to the clientele that they are dependent on.

A few months ago I was watching Fox News. The newscaster stated: “In order to provide fair and balanced views, and in the absence of a person from the liberal side (I guess all 100 million of them were unavailable), I will present the liberal position in this debate.” He then proceeded to state things as the “liberal agenda” that a 5-year-old would have been able see through.

Conservatives are not the only people to do this. Both sides distort the truth in the interest of entertainment.

I feel as though I am stating the obvious, and am surprised that people don’t automatically realize this.

I guess the most important thing for some people in the world is to believe that they are right about everything, and anyone who reinforces that belief is unquestionably telling the truth.

How sad.

Bill Giasson, Lewiston