The topic of this sub-discussion, viz., "opinions are not facts," may well
be an oxymoron. The discussion, regardless of its topic, should surely
not lose sight of the ball?  The game here, not to be idiosyncratic, is
beekeeping. The debate over fact vs. opinion is a separate discussion
that belongs in the provinces of philosophy or jurisprudence or art or
religion or - take your choice.

Perhaps I can refer to a British publication, The Economist, which
weekly publishes the following:  "First published in September 1843 to
take part in "a severe contest between intelligence, which presses
forward, and an unworthy, timid ignorance obstructing our progress." "

That, truly, is the difference between opinion and fact. Those with the
facts in hand can press forward. The difficulty, always, is that it takes
intelligence to recognise the facts that count.

Barry Sergeant
Kyalami
South Africa