But that's my point exactly. We need to find a way to get beyond the age-old art of politics, where are governments are inevitably led by people who can not be trusted to tell the truth. We can't afford that any more; the stakes are too high.Anthriel wrote:Gosh, Imp, this is such a good point, and one I was thinking about yesterday (as I was planting my new ranunculus, and thinking about this thread )I see that there hasn't been one administration (with the possible exception of Jimmy Carter, who was, I think, a genuinely good man) that hasn't used tactics like these at some time or another
I think Jimmy Carter WAS a very good person, and tried, mightily, to be "above" the level of "political moves".
I think, however, ironically, he was one of the least effective presidents we have had. Perhaps BECAUSE he was unwilling or unable to manipulate the press and others in the manner in which politicians have for so many eons.
Because he was a poor politician, he was a poor president.
Discuss.
Take the controversy over the NSA domestic spying program. The justification is that it is needed to protect the nation from these dastardly terrorists. Okay, not too many are going to argue with that. But here is the crux of the problem. "They" say that they are only spying on the terrorists. How do we know that, "we" say. "Trust us, we are the ones that know what we are doing, and we can't afford to let even the secret FISA court know what we are doing. Well I'm sorry, I don't trust you, because you have proven yourself eminently not worthy of my trust.