Everyone does it. Oh, really?
The scene is so familiar.
Someone in the public eye, often a politician, but not always (OJ) is connected to a disappearance, a bludgeoning, a break-in, dirty tricks, larceny, whatever.
It’s exhausting to watch. At every step, we view:
The First Announcement
(babble, babble, guess, guess, assume, wonder, theorize)
The Second, slightly different ‘hastily called news conference.’
(babble, babble, guess, guess, assume, wonder, theorize some more)
We have been in the middle of many such political shenanigans, especially during the last year, but it’s all so familiar. It's exhausting. Oh, Spitzer, Foley, Craig, Vitter: What were you thinking? Really.
The Ten Steps of The Public Lie:
1. No information. “The Big Whatever has come as a complete shock.”
2. No useful information. “Whatever contact we had was professional.”
3. No germane information that would help the authorities. “Would help if I could.”
4. Eager to cooperate. “Except I’ve told you all I know.”
5. Would be inappropriate to say more at this time.
6. Eager to cooperate at the appropriate time. “But upon advice of counsel, I cannot say anymore.”
7. Accuse the press of harassment
8. Admit a little. “I was not completely forthcoming at first out of respect for.....”
9. Stall the big lie even more. “I did not have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.”
10. Eager for the truth to come out. “Where I will be completely vindicated.”
THEN admit and apologize, sort of, but for only part of it, and there were extenuating circumstances, and say something like, “Mistakes were made.” Roger Clemens.
Plea bargain or request immunity. Make big bucks on speaking fees.
Except for OJ.
The scene is so familiar.
Someone in the public eye, often a politician, but not always (OJ) is connected to a disappearance, a bludgeoning, a break-in, dirty tricks, larceny, whatever.
It’s exhausting to watch. At every step, we view:
The First Announcement
(babble, babble, guess, guess, assume, wonder, theorize)
The Second, slightly different ‘hastily called news conference.’
(babble, babble, guess, guess, assume, wonder, theorize some more)
We have been in the middle of many such political shenanigans, especially during the last year, but it’s all so familiar. It's exhausting. Oh, Spitzer, Foley, Craig, Vitter: What were you thinking? Really.
The Ten Steps of The Public Lie:
1. No information. “The Big Whatever has come as a complete shock.”
2. No useful information. “Whatever contact we had was professional.”
3. No germane information that would help the authorities. “Would help if I could.”
4. Eager to cooperate. “Except I’ve told you all I know.”
5. Would be inappropriate to say more at this time.
6. Eager to cooperate at the appropriate time. “But upon advice of counsel, I cannot say anymore.”
7. Accuse the press of harassment
8. Admit a little. “I was not completely forthcoming at first out of respect for.....”
9. Stall the big lie even more. “I did not have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky.”
10. Eager for the truth to come out. “Where I will be completely vindicated.”
THEN admit and apologize, sort of, but for only part of it, and there were extenuating circumstances, and say something like, “Mistakes were made.” Roger Clemens.
Plea bargain or request immunity. Make big bucks on speaking fees.
Except for OJ.
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