It's a damn shame so many disregard the truth simply because of who happens to be speaking it. Thoughts?

@GeniUs: Humor and truth in tandem!

I love the song by Simon and Garfunkle The Boxer(without checking), with the line - a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.

I love that song also, and I can't deny being guilty of that myself a few times at least....

I probably still do it but a high profile court case in the UK has changed my outlook to the world. I think I changed my mind 3 times as to the outcome before thinking, 'just hang on a minute, read up as much about this as is possible first, then make a decision.'
It has had a very positive effect on my judgement, I now like to hear from both sides (seems obvious but when somebody you like tells you a story it's hard not to just take their word).
Gather as much other information and check the sources.
Be willing to change my mind if new information comes to light.

True, but in some cases, as Mr Zimmerman so aptly put it, "It doesn't take a weatherman to know which way the wind blows"