Overcome bias to understand seriousness of Jan. 6

Two scenarios:

1. A woman marries a man for money. Impatient at his good health delaying her expected inheritance, she falsely complains to a friend about her husband's mental and physical abuse. Based on her lies, the friend kills her husband thinking that he is saving her. Eventually the scheme is discovered and they both go to prison.

2. A woman had been asked to meet with the principal of her son's school. The boy was caught on a surveillance camera stealing items from a locker. Despite the video and supporting evidence, the Mom insists her son “could never do that.” After considerable time and effort, she is eventually forced to deal with the truth.

The first lesson is that a person who, through lies and persuasion, manipulates others to commit crimes is also guilty of crimes. The second is that we humans all suffer from something called confirmation bias. When we have a firmly held belief we are naturally and powerfully inclined to deny any evidence which contradicts those beliefs.

As the Jan. 6 hearings continue, it has become clear that our former president and many of his top supporters planned and orchestrated crimes against America. And, as difficult as it may be for his followers, the evidence of these crimes is stark and overwhelming: witnesses, emails, audio, video, and documentation.

It is time to acknowledge and overcome our bias and fairly examine the evidence. And demand justice. Blind faith has no vision.

William Green

North Liberty