October 4, 2006Failure to Tell the Truth
Bob Woodward referred to
- A failure to tell the truth
In my book, “a failure to tell the truth” is a lie and to use that phrase is a “failure to SpeakStrong.”
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While I completely agree with you, to hear a politico use a direct phrase or word just might be more than my little heart could take. Wouldn’t that rank right up there with admitting to a “mistake”?
Comment by Connie — October 5, 2006 @ 5:29 am
I agree. If you posed the question that way, most people would say failing to tell the truth is the same as a lie. But in the world of the English language at least, and in the murky world of politics and “news”, I believe there is a nuance that comes into play. In the world as it is played out on news broadcasts and even “reality” television marketed as entertainment, we are so inundated with accusations and counter accusations. Most have a grain of truth and a whole lot of inuendo. Madison Avenue has turned lying and implication into a highly rewarded art. So I believe we are numbed to a degree. When I hear someone say “…he lied…”, my reaction may be something like “..yeah yeah, well we’ll see…” But when I hear the phrase “….failure to tell the truth…” I may be apt to pay a little bit more attention, or to pay attention in a slightly different way. I may suspend my skepticism a little. And that’s part of the goal of anyone with a message to deliver to the public.
Comment by Kathleen — October 5, 2006 @ 7:10 am