Readers encouraged to do their own research

Dear Editor:

I would like to thank Lynn Meier for providing readers with examples pertaining to my main point of what a primary source is or is not; exemplifying how people blindly believe what the mainstream news is feeding them without verifying the information.

In your last letter you cited four news agencies and nothing else. Let me ask, where do news outlets get their information and is what they are telling you correct? 

What is a primary source? “An account or record reflecting direct experience.” (Merrian-Webster.com). In a meeting regarding immigration Biden said, “I’ve asked her, the VP, today — because she’s the most qualified person to do it - to lead our efforts with Mexico and the Northern Triangle and the countries that help - are going to need help in stemming the movement of so many folks, stemming the migration to our southern border... When she speaks, she speaks for me.” (whitehouse.gov March 24, 2021) From the primary source we learn what Harris’ role has been since 2021. 

Comparatively, look at NBC News, March 24, 2021: “Biden tasks Harris with ‘stemming the migration’ on southern border.” Now, compare that to what NBC wrote on Aug 2, 2024: “Harris was only assigned to look at the root causes of immigration.” It is clear the story has changed. News agencies are not a reliable source of accurate information which is why one must use primary sources to check the facts. Even high school students are not permitted to use news reports as a primary source for research projects unless it’s a live interview. 

Regarding project 2025 you stated “Chapter 10 is a scary read.” I agreed and wrote my thoughts on what was scary; you had made no specific mention of your own thoughts. A reader only knows what you tell them. Project 2025s’ forward was written by Kevin D. Roberts, PhD titled, A PROMISE TO AMERICA (https://static.project2025.org/2025 MandateForLeadership FOREWORD.pdf). It was not written by JD Vance; however, “JD Vance endorses the ideas of Kevin Roberts, leader of Project 2025, (www.guardian.com) which are written in the book titled “Dawn’s Early Light: Taking Back Washington to Save America” by Kevin Roberts (Author), J.D. Vance (Foreword).”’ By only reading the google AI or blurbs, you do not receive all or correct information, so you must follow through and read the documents. 

Instead of correcting every point you make, I believe readers can do their own research. It is not my intention to tell readers how or who to vote for, only to educate, allowing readers to make their own decisions. 

Terri Hobmeier

Basin