Let’s consider some recent high-profile liars and the lies they told. A reader writes: “William
Jefferson Clinton lied about a blow job in the oval office. Cost to the American public:
Embarrassment and wasted millions in federal funds for the Starr
investigation. Cost to Clinton: He was impeached, but not convicted, and lost his
license to practice law.
“Martha Stewart is accused of lying about information that may have motivated her to sell her
shares of Imclone immediately preceding their decline in value. Cost to the American public:
Difficult to determine. One could make the case that, if guilty, she undermined faith in the stock
market. Cost to Stewart: A jury in her upcoming criminal trial could send her to prison.
“Pete Rose bet on baseball and lied about it. Cost to
the American public: Disillusionment. Cost to Rose: He is forever banned
from the sport (so far), and possibly a spot in the Hall of Fame.
“George W.
about the Al Queda link to Iraq. Cost to the American public: Hundreds of American dead,
more wounded (and uncounted Iraqi dead and wounded), billions of dollars wasted, international
credibility and prestige at an all-time low. Cost to the Maximum Leader: None that I can
tell.”
