Are We Going to Have 4 Years of Lies?

Saturday, Jan. 21, was only the first full day of President Donald Trump's administration and already we have "alternate facts." That's how counselor Kellyanne Conway described the obvious misstatements by new Press Secretary Sean Spicer, who claimed the inauguration crowd was the "largest ever" despite widely distributed photos showing the opposite.

Let's hope that's not going to be the new norm for President Trump's minions. That could mean altered government statistics as Trump tries to continue building an alternate reality favorable to him just as he did during the presidential campaign.

Because the definition of "alternate facts" is simple: Lies.

If they're willing to lie about something as minor as crowd size, who knows what else they'll lie about? Maybe these:

"Everyone in the country now has a good-paying job and everyone's happy."

"President Trump did not say that!"

A Welcome Return to Entertaining Humor

Turbo Twenty-Three is the latest in the popular Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

Stephanie, as long-time readers know, is an unlikely bounty hunter working for her deviant cousin Vinnie. It's a formula that has proven durable for more than 23 books, and the gang's all here -- sidekicks Lula and Connie and love interests Morelli and Ranger.

Despite knowing the formula of a murder mystery involving bad guys, blowing up stuff, mooching dinner at mom's house and a wacky grandma, Evanovich's many fans enjoy the humor and the familiarity.

That enjoyment has dimmed a bit in some recent books in the series. But with Turbo, Evanovich rallies and delivers a book more consistent with her earlier books. There's even some twists and surprises for faithful readers.

Trump’s Inaugural Address

The Chrisman Courier has obtained an advance copy of President-elect Donald Trump’s inaugural address.

Reportedly, he hopes people won’t remember who he stole it from.

It begins: 

“Fourscore and seven years ago . . .”