Here's the difference, I suppose: A lie, according to the dictionary, is "a gross falsification." Deception is "falsification."
So I guess the question of whether the nation's chief law enforcement officer is a liar or deceiver comes down, appropriately, to what the meaning of "gross" is.
Those are a few of the words pundit Bob Franken has about the linguistic gymnastics politicians employ to try and get themselves out of tough situations. He proposes that American shave become so accustomed to this "truth-avoidance" that a justified cynicism has displaced public trust in our institutions. It's "shameless," he says.
Cleverness has so often blatantly replaced honesty that our leaders pride themselves on their ability to misrepresent for some "greater good," like national security, or whatever they believe is more important than being straightforward.
Low voter turnout, willful political ignorance, and widespread apathy are the results. The truth, he posits, is that this verbal play turns people off from participating. We, as a nation, deserve better. After all...
After a while, anyone gets tired of being treated like a damned fool.
