My first question when people share with me scandalous gossip or dubious political news is often, “What’s your source?”

I become suspicious when I hear bizarre or erroneous “facts” being presented as the gospel truth. To believe anything, I have to be able to verify the information myself, using sources I know and trust.

Some people make a habit of jumping to wild conclusions. Even worse, they do not keep their misguided thoughts to themselves.

My wise grandmother used to tell us kids, “If you’re not sure it’s true, don’t say it.” I wish a lot of folks today would heed her admonition.

I used to think some people separate their minds from their tongues. But lately it seems their tongues are reflecting the content of their minds. That is even scarier.

Not everyone wants to follow my grandmother’s sage advice. The drama of false perceptions is much more exciting. Real scenarios sound boring to such people, compared to the fabrications in their minds.

In these days of so much hateful speech, words seem to be used as weapons. But rather than inflict damage on bodies, as most weapons do, these verbal weapons wound minds.

Many insulting and malicious words are being used to denigrate others’ points of view. Other words are used to intimidate or taunt.

But are these messages true? Are they based on fact or on the desire to incite and create trouble?

Why can’t people admit their differences and disagree in a civil manner?

I have often heard it said that the weakest argument has the loudest voice.

If folks cannot present their observations and opinions without resorting to humiliation or criticism or exaggeration, does that mean their positions are weak and need to be embellished in order to be believable?

Other than in a theater, drama has no place in society. Our nation and the world are facing multiple serious and complex problems.

To solve any of these challenges, we need adults who can see more than just black and white, more than, “You’re either with me or against me.”

Is there no longer a middle ground? Can’t we agree on some issues and disagree on others? How do we mend such divisions? How do we quell our suspicions and open our minds to hearing other world views?

For me, I need verifiable truths. If I doubt the source, I most certainly doubt the validity of what I am hearing.

Not everyone feels the way I do, of course. Sometimes I wonder: Do people want the truth, or do they prefer to believe whatever pops up in their imaginations or in the imagination of someone they admire?

If it’s the latter, fine. Just don’t utter it out loud in my presence. Otherwise, be prepared to answer my ever-ready question: What’s your source?