General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhen a president simply lies too much
Posted with permission.
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/when-president-simply-lies-too-much?cid=sm_fb_maddow
When a president simply lies too much
03/22/17 08:46 AMUpdated 03/22/17 01:11 PM
By Steve Benen
The funny thing about Donald Trumps wiretap conspiracy theory is that, from the outset, everyone knew he was lying. The sitting president accused his predecessor of ordering an illegal surveillance operation, as part of a Watergate-like scheme, and nearly the entire political world quickly reached a consensus: these claims are clearly not rooted in reality.
As Trumps falsehoods go, these were hardly the most dramatic indeed, theyre not even the most shocking lie hes told about Barack Obama and it didnt take long before the claims were discredited in bipartisan fashion. But there was something about this lie that gained traction in ways most of Trumps other lies dont. Apparently, when a sitting president makes demonstrably false claims about his predecessor committing a felony, many are inclined to believe there should be some kind of consequences for dishonesty at this level.
Making matters much worse, when FBI Director James Comey testified before the House Intelligence Committee on Monday, confirming an investigation into the Trump campaign and further debunking Trumps wiretap conspiracy theory, the president used his official White House Twitter account to make a variety of related claims, each of which was plainly untrue.
The same day, the White House tried to tell the public that Trumps former campaign chairman and National Security Advisor were unimportant, peripheral figures.
And as a result, the bough is breaking. Discussions of the presidents uncontrollable dishonesty are becoming more open, more explicit, less guarded, and more widespread. Take, for example, this new editorial from the Wall Street Journal, which argued that Trumps falsehoods are eroding public trust, at home and abroad.
Two months into his Presidency, Gallup has Mr. Trumps approval rating at 39%. No doubt Mr. Trump considers that fake news, but if he doesnt show more respect for the truth most Americans may conclude hes a fake President.
In case this isnt widely known, lets note for the record that the Wall Street Journals editorial page is one of the most Republican-friendly pieces of real estate in all of national print media. When it calls out a GOP presidents mendacity in such a direct way, its emblematic of a change in perceptions about Trumps presidency.
Whats more, this editorial is a small part of a much larger indictment. The New York Times David Leonhardt wrote on Monday, Our president is a liar, and we need to find out how serious his latest lies are. That night, NBC Nightly News aired a hard-hitting segment on Trumps credibility unraveling.
The Washington Posts Greg Sargent, reflecting on Trumps presidency, wrote yesterday, This bad faith this deep contempt for process, fact-based debate and policy reality borders on all-corrosive. Slates Jamelle Bouie added that Trump has demonstrated a basic contempt for the idea of an independent, observable reality that stands as a baseline for his actions . Trump sees no advantage in accountability, no reason to honor the truth or even gesture toward its existence.
Susan Rice, the former White House National Security Advisor and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, explained in a new op-ed today that the foundation of the United States global leadership is grounded in the perception that the United States is steady, rational and fact-based. To lead effectively, the United States must maintain respect and trust. So, when a White House deliberately dissembles and serially contorts the facts, its actions pose a serious risk to Americas global leadership, among friends and adversaries alike.
Taken together, the political system is passing the tipping point. Theres an expectation that politicians are often less than truthful, but Donald J. Trump is stretching the boundaries not only of what a president can reasonably expect to get away with, but with what is safe and sustainable in a political system that expects to function in a reasonably healthy way.
Stuart G
(38,436 posts)How Trump lies too much .... Great Topic...and a exceptional reading...thank you.