The Casual Observer | wprnPublicRadio.com
Lies: The New Normal?
Written by Rob Demarco – Read by Adam Scull
Lies: The New Normal?
John Lennon wrote, “All I want is the truth. Just give me some truth.” In the movie A FEW GOOD MEN, Jack Nicholson’s character states, “ You can’t handle the truth.”
Some people take the Lennon view and want to hear the truth. Some people hear what they want to hear. Many people in the public eye, however, seem to side with Jack Nicholson’s film quote, particularly politicians, celebrities, news media and many on social media. (“That’s not what you saw, I’ll tell you what you saw.”).
In the 1980s, the term ‘SpinDoctors’ was used to describe media consultants, publicists, pollsters, etc., hired mostly by politicians or celebrities who wanted to improve their public image after some public blunder. Carefully prepared sound bites, edited video footage, and cleverly worded excuses were addressed to the public to disguise the facts purposely.
This practice has become so accepted that people seem to expect to be lied to. Another form of lying is simply withholding information from the public. Not reporting something that makes the opposition look good. This is just as destructive as deliberate disinformation.
If we want to unite and move ahead together, this ‘Culture of Lies’ can no longer be acceptable behavior. Solving issues that face the nation must be based on facts, not agendas.
Could you give us the truth? We can handle it.
