Thousands of years ago, three reporters came to the banks of the Red Sea to cover a major, looming news story. The first reporter was from The Hebrew National; the second was from The Daily Egyptian and the third, of course, was from Farm World.

As they stood there, far from the action, they witnessed these facts:

•The Hebrew leader, Moses, appeared to pray causing the Red Sea to part and the former slaves of Egypt’s Pharaoh crossed the sea on dry land.

•Several hours later, the chariots of Pharaoh’s army pursued the Hebrews and raced between the mighty walls of the Red Sea.

•After the last of the Hebrews reached the far shore, with all of Pharaoh’s chariots still in the shadows of the water, the Red Sea came crashing down destroying nearly all of the Egyptian army.

The next morning, the three writers published their stories.

The Hebrew National reporter wrote:

JORDAN — Millions of former Hebrew slaves escaped the charging chariots of Pharaoh’s army yesterday. Moses prayed to God, the Red Sea parted allowing the people to cross on dry land, then the sea came crashing down on the Egyptian army. This miracle confirms Moses is “The Deliverer.”

The Daily Egyptian reporter wrote:

BANKS OF THE RED SEA — Thousands of Pharaoh’s bravest and most loyal soldiers perished yesterday while pursuing the slaves who caused many plagues in Egypt recently. In an unusual meteorological event, the Red Sea was divided into two great walls allowing the slaves to cross. However, when Pharaoh’s chariots followed, the sea walls fell, swallowing nearly all of Pharaoh’s valiant army.

The Farm World reporter wrote:

PYRAMID STABLES — After a dramatic event yesterday, thousands of chariot horses drowned in the Red Sea. The market for May chariot horses was up eight and a quarter during trading this morning.

Essentially, all three of these accounts are accurate. However, the difference is in the perspective of the writers. No news story is going to be completely free of bias because each person who witnesses an event will see that same event differently – and I believe that’s a good thing.

If we only read and understand the perspectives of those who are like us, then we will never really understand those people who seem to be against us.

This is as true in farm news as it is in any other media.

If farmers want to reach out and influence those who are against animal agriculture or perhaps slur organic farming, it would be wise to read and learn what those groups are saying so farmers know how to answer their charges.

Farm World’s columnists

Each week, on these pages labeled Views and Opinions, you will see three opinion-based items grouped together: Gary Truitt’s Hoosier Ag Today, Alan Guebert’s Farm and Food File, and political cartoons by Gary Varvel.

Gary Truitt has been involved in farm radio and related media for decades. He has a heart for farmers and a passion for agriculture that is genuine. Gary represents the more conservative views of farm policies. He would likely tell you that his opinions sincerely lie more on the side of the Republican Party or the American Farm Bureau Federation. However, when he sees their policies run afoul of the best interests of farmers, he will criticize them, too.

Alan Guebert grew up on a small dairy farm in southern Illinois. He is a family man with strong family roots. He once told me that no one should write farm policy unless they’ve cleaned manure off their boots several times. I believe Alan would tell you that his opinions sincerely lie more on the side of the Democratic Party or the National Farmers Union. However, when he sees their policies run afoul of the best interests of farmers, he will criticize them, too.

Gary Varvel has been a political cartoonist for The Indianapolis Star for decades. He is a faithful Christian man and a talented and creative artist. His role is to lampoon those who are in power. When George W. Bush was president, Varvel often drew him with a cowboy hat and a big “W” belt buckle. Obama, on the other hand, was often drawn with big ears and perhaps a little immature. With Trump, it’s “the hair” and the wild Twitter language.

These contributors to Farm World provide us with strong opinions. These views help us to find where we are on some issues, and what our opponents believe on other issues. And, these are our most read pages each week.

For obvious reasons, the bulk of our feedback from Farm World readers comes from what these three men produce. Often, anger with the opposing view seems to inspire the most feedback, which I find frustrating. Why not compliment the writer on the other side of the page?

In any case, I am not going to stop publishing their opinions, and I’m looking forward to working with them for many years to come.

American media is changing. Now, we can be comfortably validated by news outlets that only cater to our views while describing the opposition as evil.

I urge you to consider the opinions of those you don’t agree with. I also urge you to join the “conversation,” and not the argument. If you read something that you don’t like, then write a letter to the editor explaining your views. Except for the profane, I don’t believe I’ve ever rejected a letter to the editor in my 18 years with Farm World.

For whatever it’s worth, that’s my opinion. What’s yours?

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Dave Blower Jr. may write to him in care of this publication or send an email to davidb@farmworldonline.com