That is a symptom of our times. I am frequently forced to form an opinion based on the opinion of those I respect because the "facts" are not available. One of my hobbies is the option market. Options are derivatives. And that is what we are frequently compelled to do in politics. We determine an opinion from a derivative of the facts, i.e. a person closer to the facts than we are. This is a particular problem with this Administration that keeps so much info close to the vest. The Clinton approach was to either bury, obscure or classify everything so as to limit access.
"That is a symptom of our times."
....and also the source of my major complaint with the zombie media: The turkeys are so busy pushing the latest story line, they wouldn't recognize a fact if it jumped up and bit 'em on the arse.
I really don't give a rip if my newspaper's staff is entirely tie-dyed, card carrying screaming communists or charter members of the John Birch Society; They start presenting their personal opinions at the expense of going out and gathering FACT, and I'll drop them both like a bad habit.
Which, BTW, is something that I've practiced over the years from coast to coast.