I never thought I would find myself in agreement with Mike Ruskovich. However, I am very much in agreement with Mike's recent My Turn about truth. Americans want more than deceptive words, phrases, and political correctness from their politicians and the manipulative media. American people are tired of deliberately being misled. I like Mr. Ruskovich's statement, "Political language has a way of telling it like it isn't." It appears that the days of fair, honest, objective media are a thing of the past.

While Mr. Ruskovich makes some valid points his liberal bias is quite obvious when he speaks about pro-life issues. He says it would be more accurate to use the term pro-birth. I am sure Mike and the liberal crowd would say that I have a conservative bias. I will readily accept that. I am guilty as charged. However, if Mike is really trying to be honest with his labels on this issue he would say the pro-choicers are pro-death or pro-murder. Yes, there are politicians on both sides of this issue who use words they think will give them a political advantage.

During the Democratic Convention a reporter was talking to a political pundit about the party's position on same sex marriage. He asked if President Obama's recent public admission that he supported same sex marriage was a political decision. It is important that we understand that these aforementioned issues are moral issues. Trying to politicize these issues will not change the facts. This brings us back to Mike Ruskovich's thoughts about truth. His assertions lead to further questions such as: How valid is the liberal philosophy that gives us the right to determine our own truth? Do all assumed truths have equal value? Does one's own immoral beliefs and practices have equal value to moral beliefs and behaviors? These questions lead to a further question regarding the principle of moral absolutes. What is truth? Perhaps Webster can help us. His definitions are: An obvious or accepted fact; actuality or actual existence; agreement with a standard or original; conformity with fact or reality.

Speaking of absolutes the question should be - who determines what is absolute truth? We can only conclude that there is a Creator who created man and gave him principles regarding life, speech, marriage, and sex to live by. These principles work very well. Self-centeredness and rebellion tell us we can improve on God's plan. Ultimately, we and those in our social circle have to live with the consequences. Sometimes some of the consequences are God's judgment. Some people choose not to believe in God. That is their right to make that choice. However, I do have a question. If God does not exist why do some people get upset and angry at the mere mention of God, Jesus, Christmas, or Easter?

Perhaps the Bible can shed more light on the definition of Truth. It says God's Word is Truth. In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the Truth, and the life." Why is it when one chooses to believe this truth, those who choose not to believe in God call it hate language. If one believes what God says about homosexuality he is called homophobic. John 8:32 says, "The Truth shall set you free." That means freedom from the guilt and the consequences of violating God's principles. I recently saw a commercial for a TV show called "Deadly Affairs," subtitle love, marriage, and sometimes murder. I can only imagine the destruction to relationships and shattered lives. In response to those who have chosen to live a life of deviant behavior, God has called Christians to help them by speaking the truth in love and showing compassion.

It is obvious that people want others to tell the truth. Over 90 percent of the people interviewed for The Press column "In Person" when asked what quality they admire most in a person say honesty. In her recent column Hilde Shetler's answer caught my attention when she answered "nonselective honesty."

In closing I would encourage everybody to see the movie "The Last Ounce of Courage." It is about fighting for truth and freedom.

Ron Vieselmeyer is a Coeur d'Alene resident.