First, spelling…

lying liars who lie

Do not confuse with “lier” which is someone who rests or reclines.

Spin, Falsehoods, and Lies

There is a big difference between spin, which we all do, and lies. To spin is to present the best presentation of the facts. Knowingly telling a falsehood, is a lie. If someone tells a falsehood, the civil standard is to say they told a falsehood. Calling an act a lie is reserved for when you know the person intentionally told a falsehood. A liar is someone who knowingly tells a falsehood many times over time. A compulsive liar is someone who knowingly tells multiple lies over time.

Governmental Press Secretaries spin. They present the best possible version of the truth. They should not lie, ever, no matter what. After all, they work for us the American people. When pressed, good Press Secretaries say “no comment” if they can’t find a spin or pivot and feel the need to lie. Horrible Press Secretaries dip into lying and should be shunned by all of us no matter what party they are spinning for. The only exception is when the Press Secretary is lying to keep American secrets secret.

Politicians spin all the time. Do not confuse that with telling a falsehood and lying. When a politician tells a falsehood, is corrected, and never repeats the falsehood, that’s okay. That’s acceptable behavior. Why? Because everyone makes mistakes. The goal is to learn from one’s mistakes. However, if anyone, politician or not, knowingly repeats a lie, that’s bad. Very bad, and they should be shunned by all of us.