How Do You Decide What to Believe?

[Plato]

So many versions of so many stories.

Something popped up on my Facebook with a headline about 5 facts to dispel misconceptions about the shooting in Tulsa.

Another report says that the deceased did "everything right" and was still shot.

 

Herald Leader made a post saying "wildly different accounts of what happened coming from the family vs what police are reporting.

 

How the hell can anyone know what to believe? What to be outraged over?

How do you decide?

 

[StrongSide]

People believe what fits their agenda.

[BigVMan23]

Well...lets just take the Tulsa shooting for an example. Family says all the rote stuff you usually hear..."great guy"..."did nothing wrong"...etc. Then his rap/arrest sheet comes out. Turns out the guy maybe wasn't as the family is describing. Most "great guys" I know haven't attempted to kill someone, aren't seemingly constantly in trouble with the law, or have spent multiple years in prison. Now, is this the case in every shooting? No...but it sure seems to be the case a LOT of the time here recently.

 

Now, in this particular case (or any case for that matter), the deceased's past isn't an invitation to just shoot the guy without cause, some sort of dangerous or life threating action needs to take place at that specific instance (which may or may not have happened in this case, we don't really know yet). But what the past does show is that he has made very unwise choices before and has put others in danger, as well as himself when the police come calling. PLUS, if the cops know the guys past and know that he is very capable of violence, even towards police officers, then they probably are on much more "high alert" and maybe, just maybe are quicker to react to what could be construed as a "perceived threat".

[Bengal Maniac]

I think it comes down to who rather than what. The what to me is best with an independent investigation. That I will usually believe. Not internal or DJJ, not the victim's lawyers, a true unbiased investigator not being paid by either party or equally by both. if there is such a thing.

[TheDeuce]

It's hard to believe anything that comes out right after one of these events. Emotions usually play a big factor into what is reported, and also how it's reported.