Lost Lessons From Vietnam And Watergate

Schieffer: Americans Won't Stand For Lying From People In Positions Of Trust

(CBS)  Weekly commentary by CBS Evening News chief Washington correspondent and Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer.

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In the wake of first Vietnam and then Watergate, government credibility and faith in politicians fell so low that Jimmy Carter won the White House with a simple promise: I will never lie to you.

I remember thinking at the time, well, isn't that the least we should expect of our politicians?

But Americans had been told so many lies about so much, they had become suspicious of almost everything.

As I have watched events unfold in recent weeks in Washington – the Army's cover-ups of the military hospital scandal and the facts surrounding the death of former NFL star Pat Tillman; and then the spectacle of an Attorney General who can't seem to get his story straight on anything – I had to wonder, does anyone in a position of power these days remember what happened in those days after Vietnam and Watergate?

Well, I was there. They threw the Democrats out after Vietnam, and they threw the Republicans out after Watergate.

We learned then what too many seem to have forgotten now. Spin gets you only so far. Cover stories can be more dangerous than what people are trying to cover up. No media strategy can work unless it is grounded in truth, and "I don't remember" has never been much of an argument, either to my mother or to Congress.

If there is one thing that Americans won't tolerate, it is lying by those who hold positions of trust, which is why we call them positions of trust.

Why is it so difficult for the powerful to remember that?

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E-mail Face the Nation.

[victoriarum]

Pray for Peace, around the world.

God Bless.

[hsmagst]

It depends on who's ox is getting gored whether we remember or care about lies. Bill Clinton lied to every American that watched his speach on tv and he lied so as too deprive a woman of an honest day in court but most Americans didn't care. The Democraps have no business screaming about liars at any point as far as I'm concerned.

[toldyouso21]

Those being summoned to testify must be required to do so under oath.

Why is the White House so afraid of testimony under oath? Perhaps because they recognize their guilt?

If they've got nothing to hide, they should be thrilled to have the chance to prove their innocence, right?
Posted by NativeWoman at 09:37 PM : Apr 01, 2007


spoken like a true patriot--whose heart is in the right place but who has less than a clue about politics or Congress. The Democrats "compromise" because if they don't they would have gridlock and get nothing done. The House has the votes (usually) to push some stuff through BUT can't get a law without the Senate. Democrats barely control the Senate. On top of that, many Democrats were placed there by moderate Republicans as well as Dems and Ind. they do not want to alienate their base (you know, the few people who actually get them elected) so they cannot agree to impeachment, war crimes, immediate withdrawals or over the top inspections--these are the people who often change sides and vote AGAINST their own party --they do it to stay in office. Dems must proceed slowly...and actually let the momentum and the ugliness leave Republicans to conclude Bush must go or be stopped--that is the only way, many of them dare play this--less their own electorate vote them out.

[toldyouso21]

CBS has explained over and over about those documents and they took the anchor off the air. What do you propose, whips and chain's? If, as a previous poster pointed out to you, you do not like CBS then go someplace else but for goodness sake stop with the Whine!! PLEASE!! Stop the WHINE!!!
Posted by skyk at 06:11 PM : Apr 01, 2007


LOL. Why stop the whine? It makes them look like the lying, pathetic sycophants that many Republicans have been reduced to.

I believe Republicans put out those phony documents as 'bait' to discredit Democrats and the media. it was ingenious and it worked, but the ploy was pure Rovian.

by all means continue the whine, it looks soooo good coupled with all the scandals and the swift boat scenario....in fact, we should offer them some cheese to go with that whine. LOL

[toldyouso21]

They lie and are corrupt because we allow them to be. it is okay to lie about a war, approve of torture and cause the death of thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) when your party is rubberstamping so much, they even grant immunity for war crimes and Constitutional crimes (breach of FISA immunity granted 2006). it tells the President in no uncertain terms that a Congress controlled by his own party will place him above the people and the country and back him no matter what--with this exception: they won't back him or defend him when they feel their azz is on the line--until that point, they will allow him to get away with murder. literally. Because they feel to call him out is political suicide. It is what comes of bedding the devil.

[carolschneid]

Mr. Schieffer,

I applaud your honestly !! Guess folks, especially from "our generation" are at an age where we speak our mind & always tell the truth & quite honestly, don't give a damm if people agree or disagree with us.

[ianlou]

Has anyone noticed that the automatic editor on this blog finds our Vice President's name too disgusting to print? watch as I enter *** Cheney.
I just can't figure out why we don't see George ***.

[sjc_1]

They used to call it a "credibility gap" back in the days. With this group it has turned into a Grand Canyon, which erodes people's confidence in government even further. But that may have been the intent all along.

[rharrin1]

Mr. Schieffer, so when then will Americans find out from CBS on who generated those lying documents from our President's national guard service?????

posted by perception5:

FYI when the draft was in effect, if you were in the guard it was your DUTY to live up to your obligation. If not you were supposed to be inducted into the service no ifs or buts.
bush was supposed to take a physical and he never showed up therefore breaking his agreement. He was supposed to be inducted but wasn't (thanks daddy )

The above is the truth and it was the LAW.

[frankbowers]

Now let us think back if we can do not throw stones until you know who to throw them. *** Cheney as the Sect of Defense the man who signs all discharges. G W bush was as deserter. cheney could not get elected to WH but gw could so he did and with cheney as his aid(VP). Now who signed discharges, think now. As I happened to live the Houston from 63 until 78 I know for a fact gw bush deserted and they the AP's from The TxAirNatGuard were there looking for him if you doubt my word ask kay Bailey the KIKK disjockey she hang out with him. Like I say I was there. the best of good byes frank bowers in austin, tx

[grumpas]

"Mr. Schieffer, so when then will Americans find out from CBS on who generated those lying documents from our President's national guard service????? Where did they come from? What was the role of the Democrat party?? .... specifically Joel Lockharts??? What was CBS role in coordinating these lies with the DNC????"
posted by perception5:
We all know by now, in order to be a card carrying Republican you have to prove just how utterly stupid you are! You have to be able to suck about anything out of your thumb on any given notice! You have to get your fix of hate radio daily! It must be rough living with your head stuck in a pile of sand! So you won't see any of the corrupt you are supporting! People like you aren't for real are you???? It takes a special human being to be that dumb and blind!

[sjs0946]

Dear Mr. Schieffer, Sir: Well, I was there too. As in I spent a year's tour of duty in Vietnam (not even a nice place to visit). And before that I was also in the Peace Corps in Ethiopia. I sort of feel all that makes me a true child of the '60s. When I heard your comments this morning, I must admit by their close I automatically, instinctively responded with a "God Bless!" to no one in particular but perhaps everyone everywhere. After all, the poem does read: "Beauty is truth, truth beauty." Thank you and my best wishes.

[caldwellptr]

I'm telling a lie right now!

[nativewoman]

Apparently Americans WILL Stand For Lying From People In Positions Of Trust.

It has been glaringly obvious for years that this administration wouldn't recognize the truth if it bit them on the arse.

So where is the outrage? The demand for truth?

Other than a few blogs and their comments sections, I see no demand for truth.

I certainly have not seen any indication that our officials elected in November 2006 are going out of their way to demand the truth. Nope, they are trying to negotiate a compromise with the White House.

There should be no negotiations and no compromises regarding the testimony from those allegedly involved in the depressing mess that is our government.

Those being summoned to testify must be required to do so under oath.

Why is the White House so afraid of testimony under oath? Perhaps because they recognize their guilt?

If they've got nothing to hide, they should be thrilled to have the chance to prove their innocence, right?

A liberal press? Don't make me laugh. If anything, they enabled Bush to lead us into the Iraq quagmire. Not until the reek of incompetence and dishonesty was too obvious to ignore did the media begin to question his actions.
Remember Clinton. Ask him whether the press is liberal. Within a few months of his inauguration, the press pounced on him, Hillary, (even his young daughter) and never let up!
Claiming the press is liberal is a ploy. It is actually an attempt at manipulating the media and spinning the news in order to take the sting out of the realities and consequences brought on by this incompetent administration.

[skyk-2009]

Mr. Schieffer, so when then will Americans find out from CBS on who generated those lying documents from our President's national guard service????? Where did they come from? What was the role of the Democrat party?? .... specifically Joel Lockharts??? What was CBS role in coordinating these lies with the DNC????
CBS, you don't have any creditability as long as you maintain a staff that is predominately liberal and Dems..... sad indeed.....and corrupt
Posted by perception5 at 03:02 PM : Apr 01, 2007

CBS has explained over and over about those documents and they took the anchor off the air. What do you propose, whips and chain's? If, as a previous poster pointed out to you, you do not like CBS then go someplace else but for goodness sake stop with the Whine!! PLEASE!! Stop the WHINE!!!

[skyk-2009]

As the rest of America sit's, watches and shakes their collective heads at the constant stream of lies from this Administration. What seems to amaze them most is that they LIE openly and then seem to say, well okay it was a lie but it was for good reason. Well those of us born and raised with Southern Fascism know where that comes from. It's just accepted from these people. They HONESTLY believe that the "Party" has to be protected and it's all about the "Party". They are no more American than the President of Iran and they would gladly sacrifice all of us to protect Bush and his Administration. The word Honor has no meaning to them and they are far to superior to the rest of us to EVER admit a mistake so a LIE is the only way to address it.

[mcvet]

CBS, you don't have any creditability as long as you maintain a staff that is predominately liberal and Dems..... sad indeed.....and corrupt
Posted by perception5 at 03:02 PM : Apr 01, 2007


Is there something wrong with you? Is you arms broken from carrying around that Cross to burn or something? ROFLMAO Now you have what, 10 - 20 well known Nazi sites out there that will tell you exactly what you want to hear. For God sake go to one of them and stop you CONSTANT whining!! But that's not the problem is it Sparky. It's not that YOU don't like CBS is it? No! I think it's you who want to control the News the rest of us hear and see. It's YOU who want to determine that these organizations are "Liberal" and thus we shouldn't be hearing or seeing what they want to tell us. That's it isn't it Swastika Breath? ROFLMAO You clowns have been sucking on that swastika way to long. You have a very small mind when you started out. Now there's little or nothing left. Well I'll decide for MYSELF when and where I get my news and you can keep YOUR opinion to yourself. Got that SWASTIKA BREATH? Sieg Heil America.

[sparks224]

Hey perception5, the documents were not legitimate but the story they told of W's National Guard service is true. Did you see the interview of the secretary who was there? Are you paying attention?

When Fox Noise Channel pushed a story about Obama that was ACTUALY FALSE no one got fired.

[elz523]

Way to go Mr. Schieffer. You are right. The cons have it down now. Don't claim the fifth. Just say "I don't remember". How many times have we heard this lately? This should embarass even the cons and their supporters. Somehow I have a feeling it doesn't.