Is That A Fact?

Daniel Patrick Moynihan famously said "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts."

I agree, but this doesn't get us far.  While facts may be facts, there are plenty of opposing groups out there that either pick which facts they believe are significant, or, seem capable of manufacturing their own "facts."

Sentiments color perception.  So it's not always about getting people to agree on the facts, after which they'll argue about interpretation.  Once they have a certain interpretation, that allows them to agree with their group what the facts are.