Lost Lessons From Vietnam And Watergate

(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.
By Bob Schieffer

[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.

[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!