Credibility . . .
Credibility — “the quality or power of inspiring belief“
How do you know if someone is telling the truth? You don’t. You have to take what you hear, weigh it against what you already know, and see if it logically fits. When things fit together seamlessly, what is said is credible.
When you do not know a lot about a subject, things can seem to fit together more easily — like the early stages of a jigsaw puzzle. When you do not know a lot about a subject, you tend to trust the other person if that person is thought to have higher knowledge — is an “expert,” or if that person has been given a position of trust. It is assumed that the person is being truthful.
Sometimes trust can be used to mislead.
That is the issue raised by Assemblyman Townsend last week in a press release on “Why we need an independent study of our water supply.” He cites several reasons to question whether or not the public is getting a true picture from the Mohawk Valley Water Authority, and reason to question Mr. Becher’s assertions in particular.
For some reason the major media outlets in Utica-Rome have not sought to print this press release. Perhaps they think it not polite to openly question the credibility of a public official.
But Mr. Townsend seems to think there is good reason to.
Here is some reading on the subject.
- NO ONE KNEW HOW MUCH WAS IN THE TILL – HOW SYRACUSE CITY HALL LOST TRACK OF YOUR MONEY
- HOW SYRACUSE CITY HALL LOST TRACK OF YOUR MONEY – TALE BEGINS WITH BLANK LEDGERS
- FORMER CITY BUDGET DIRECTOR: “I FACED ENORMOUS ADVERSITY’
Now you decide for yourself whether you want to believe what you hear from the MVWA . . . or not.
