I was eleven. I was watching a documentary about the Cuban Missle Crisis with my father. That sounds impressive for a tween, but it was 1973 and there was only one television. Since I was almost as quiet as Dad, I was allowed to stay in the room.
The program was relating how Kennedy cut a press trip short with the excuse that he had a bad cold.
Dad turned to me and said – and I clearly remember, it was a Friday, because Dad didn’t speak to me unless it was Friday and he had been drinking, which he only did on Fridays – Dad turned to me and said solemnly, “And that lie was the FIRST time a president EVER lied to the American people.”
i was amazed. Amazed. First, amazed that Dad knew so much about American history, and specifically about Presidential lying. Also, I was amazed that presidents didn’t lie, but he had specified that it was a Lie to the People, so maybe there were other lies, but maybe presidents had vowed to be straight up with the People?
I remembered that for years. Enough years, thankfully, that I grew up and:
- Understood sarcasm and
- Could put his comment in historical context, given that it was mid-Watergate era.
I wonder what on earth he would think of the current president, who – who just – I can’t even use the term “lies all the time” because, honestly, for something to be a lie you have to have some idea of what the truth is.
2 responses to “Presidential Lies Through History”
Yes, our current president is kind of amazing. There should be some interesting film portrayals when his term(s) is done. But, I’m not sure anything will match the reality.
Arlene – it’s just horrifying. They said LBJ was certifiable. I almost pray this is all an act.