X + Y

 The Truth of the Matter - Credibility by Shawn K. Inlow In last week’s article, we started by introducing the subject of “Sources” and the concept of attribution in critical thinking.  By using the fictitious story, below, we got as far as counting two possible sources for a typical news story; the police, and, indirectly, the defendant.” This is where we left the story last week. "Local authorities say they have solved a robbery that occurred last winter at the Altoona Quickie-Go. Police say Roberto Dominguez, 27, of Miami, Florida, appeared before local police and confessed to the crime which occurred during an overnight snow storm more than a year ago, last January 7th. According to the Affidavit of Probable Cause, police say Dominguez appeared on station driving a car reported stolen from Miami.  Dominguez said he'd hoped to reconnect with a former lover from Juniata, but that he had died of AIDS. Dominguez was arraigned and lodged in Blair County Prison ...

 X+Y: The Truth of the Matter - Sources by Shawn K. Inlow "Local authorities say they have solved a robbery that occurred last winter at the Altoona Quickie-Go. Police say Roberto Dominguez, 27, of Miami, Florida, appeared before local police and confessed to the crime which occurred during an overnight snow storm more than a year ago, last January 7th. He was arraigned and lodged in Blair County Prison without bail on charges of robbery, recklessly endangering another person, and multiple counts of theft, receiving stolen property, theft of a motor vehicle and drug charges." This fictitious police story you might see in the newspaper, or hear on television or local radio, would seem to be true.  But today, I'm going to take you on a journey of critical thinking where you need to sharpen your wits and try to separate the truth from the fiction. You ready? One listener who hears this story might think nothing more about it and take it at face value.  Another reader, who is...