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 [b]and[/b] 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"