Why is it not called lying anymore?

Mr. Loverman

This is something I've noticed recently. People lie all the time but it is no longer called lying. They just use clever wording or leave out information so they can later say "I never said that" and it is somehow your fault for misunderstanding. They deceived you but somehow it is your fault.

Here's an example:

Fine Gael before the election: "We will impose burden sharing on senior bondholders of loss-making banks".

Fine Gael today after saying there will be no burden sharing: "We haven't broken our word, we meant we will impose burden sharing on senior bondholders of loss-making banks if the EU say it's OK to do that".

(They conveniently forgot to include the bit in italics until now).

This isn't just a problem in politics; if you work in an office there's probably one or two snakes (e.g. the boss) who use this slippery talk all the time.

Anyone else notice this trend of lying clever wording becoming commonplace and acceptable?

Biggins

Its all about perception. PR-wise, its a word some would rather obviously avoid.

who what when

It is lying an they should be held accountable for it!

fred funk }{

It's not a lie it's an untruth.

Biggins

fred funk }{ wrote: »

It's not a lie it's an untruth.

A double-plus ungood?

policarp

Because they had their fingers crossed behind their backs when they were telling you all this...

AskMyChocolate

Upon mature recollection I realise now that this was a mistake.

admiralofthefleet

i can see the headline: politicians in lying shocker

AskMyChocolate

With the benefit of hindsight...(add any two toppings of your choice)

squod

Mr. Loverman wrote: »

"We will impose burden sharing on senior bondholders of loss-making banks".

I don't believe FG lied. M Noonan made it abundantly clear pre-election that we would pay our way and that any notions of burden sharing would have to wait till after agreement with the ECB.

It's 100% true that the electorate voted in favour of austerity instead of making the banks sort their own mess.

oppenheimer1

Always read the small print...

Lying by omission, the best way to do it. Leave it up to the listener to fill in the gaps and when it appears you've gone back on your word it can be explained that you never actually said it.

OutlawPete

We were on a break!

RHunce

People don't do that 't'all 't'all...

Lol I lie :pac:

jackiebaron

"Mr Press Secretary, the President promised that, within 12 months of taking office, he would close the Guantanamo Bay Prison Centre. Can you explain why this hasn't come to pass?"

Press Secretary: "The President 'misspoke', next question".