To the editor:

Childhood was a time for trust in my life. I believed everything I heard. I believed in Santa Claus and that fat people were healthier than skinny ones. Any airplane flying overhead was piloted by Lindbergh, and penny candy always came in a small white paper sack. Lowell Thomas was the only newsman in the world, and Amos and Andy were real people. My disillusionment began when the neighbor kids told me there was no Santa Claus. From that time on, I was deluged with talk, signs, claims and reports that were only partly true or were completely false. Skepticism became a lingering disease for me.

As I grew older, the assault of misinformation increased. Buy this, buy that. Grow hair, get rich, become a leader, prevent constipation, take a pill for erectile dysfunction, and have a healthy, happy retirement without arthritic pain. For me, it became a matter of questioning everything. Where was I to find reliable information?

This may seem like a brazen attempt to impress or please, and many of you will firmly disagree with the answer that was so obvious to me. The best way to receive reliable information of the world around us is from our daily local newspaper. Oh, I know that the paper often angers us by seeming to take sides or ignore reports that we think should be publicized. But newsprint is more accurate and thorough than TV soundbites. Sadly, many local newspapers are in trouble for lost ad revenue because of the Internet.

Personally, I hope the balance of my life includes a morning paper at my door.

Art Lamb,
Lawrence