Why is "liar" off limits in public political discussion?

[Atticus]

Just saw Sen. Dodd suffering patiently and nodding his head in disagreement while Lindsey Graham characterized single payer as "government-controlled health care where bureaucrats stand between the patients and their doctor."

Why not just call Lil' Lindsey a lying bitch? I know he's lying. You know he's lying. Dodd knows he's lyiing and even Lindsey knows he's lying?

We don't (most of us) put up with such obvious liars in our daily personal lives. Why should politicians and pundits behave in this totally artificial way?

[GoesTo11]

1. One brave leader has taken on the taboo

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51P2RQK93HL._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-sticker-arrow-click,TopRight,35,-76_AA240_SH20_OU01_.jpg

http://www.amazon.com/Lies-Lying-Liars-Tell-Them/dp/0525947647

[vadawg]

2. i think its because of the old rule that a liar cant call another liar a liar

lets be honest if we can, our representatives would all steal, lie and cut our throats to maintain their office so we shouldnt kid ourselves on.

[rucky]

3. Because it can be used against any and all of them at one time or another.

honor among liars? professional courtesy?

[WeDidIt]

4. "Liar" has specific legal definitions

Most politicians are very careful to never outright lie. They muddy the waters. They mislead. But outright lying under the legal definition is only very rarely engaged in by politicians.

[Kaleva]

5. Doing so questions motive

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

6. The simple answer is that it take debate off the issue and onto the person

You're a liar. No I'm not, you are. You are so. And on and on and on on.

It's better to PROVE someone is a liar by discussing facts that undercut their position. Or Dodd could have said, "Nice full court coverage of all the Frank Luntz talking points - but the majority of the American public disagrees with your false presentation."

Or Dodd could have said "Do you simply not care about what the majority of Americans have stated they want and are willing to pay for?"

Dodd DID NOT do a good job. In light of his recent statement that he would be a strong advocate for a public option - he did a shitty job. He is on shaky ground in Connecticut - land that ousted Lieberman, so he really needs to step up his game.

[TayTay]

7. Because lying is a specific charge

that implies knowledge aforethought that the accused person knew the truth and deliberately chose not to say it. It goes to motive and state of mind which very few people can "prove."

It sounds like splitting hairs to say that someone was "not telling the truth" instead of the easier, "you're lying." However, what is the proof of the lie, the sure and certain knowledge that you knew someone knew the truth and deliberately said otherwise? Can you prove state of mind and intent in the public arena?

[Bucky]

8. Notice how it works. It doesn't advance a discussion; it ends it.

There's a time to call someone a liar; but you have to conserve your ammunition.

[Life Long Dem]

9. Because the liar will lie to make you look wrong.

Then what do you do?

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

10. The downside for Lindsey Graham is a loss of credibility.

As he was speaking, I turned to my husband and said "He KNOWS that every single thing he is saying is false."

It good that more and more Americans are recognizing this and knowing when they are being served a full plate of BS by a willing lackey of the BS Manufacturers Association. Now I have no reason to take ANYTHING Lindsey Graham says about ANY topic seriously in the future, since he has proved to me at least, that he is enthusiastically willing and able to "misrepresent" as a Senator.

[ixion]

11. because the vast majority of politicians are pathological liars

[old mark]

12. Lying is what they do for a living.

Of course they are liars.

But professional!


mark

[anonymous171]

13. Mutually Assured Destruction. nt

[elleng]

14. No need to say he's lying.

Didn't see this, but IMO Dodd should have carefully corrected Graham, informing him why his characterization is INCORRECT.

As to 'liar,' they'll be asked to 'prove it,' and usually its over a matter of fact that's not quickly proven in an interview, imo.

[LeftishBrit]

15. In the British parliament, 'liar' is one of a number of insults that are forbidden as

'unparliamentary language'.

The Speaker can send an MP out of the room like a naughty child for that!

As a result, politicians have come up with a lot of great euphemisms like 'uttering terminological inexactitudes' or 'economical with the truth'.

I assume the rules are there because such accusations have at times been literally 'fighting words', causing punch-ups in Parliament.

[alarimer]

16. Because all politicians are liars.

Every last one of them. So they can't call each other out because they are all guilty of it.