When the Government Lies

The US government is lying to us, and we know it because some things don't add up. People try to get you to listen, like the information below.

This information is by  Anthony Marro

Governments, at times, mislead the public through official deceptions, half-truths, and outright lies. This imposition creates significant challenges for the press, requiring journalists to navigate a landscape where truth is often obscured. Notable examples include:

1957: Eisenhower’s Stroke

President Dwight Eisenhower, after a heart attack and surgery, experienced a stroke. Initially, the press was told he had “a chill.” It took 24 hours before the nation learned the truth about his serious condition.

When they already knew what was going on!

1971: Kissinger on India-Pakistan

Henry Kissinger assured the press that the U.S. was not anti-Indian during the India-Pakistan war. However, a leaked transcript revealed President Nixon’s insistence on supporting Pakistan, contradicting Kissinger’s public statements.

 

This has been going on for years and continues to this day.

1980: Iran Hostage Crisis

Carter administration officials dismissed the idea of a rescue mission for hostages in Iran, calling it impractical. Yet, as newspapers reported this stance, Delta Force was already en route to attempt the rescue.

1983: Grenada Invasion

White House spokesman Larry Speakes denied any planned invasion of Grenada, calling it “preposterous.” U.S. troops landed the very next day.

Navigating Government Lies

Journalists must discern and report the truth amidst government disinformation. Stephen Hess from the Brookings Institution notes that while most government spokespeople prefer truth, political pressures and national security often lead to deception. The result is a complex relationship where reporters expect “less than full candor” from officials, complicating the pursuit of honest reporting.

In conclusion, while some government lies are rooted in national security, others stem from bad judgment or attempts to cover up errors. The challenge for journalists remains constant: to seek out and reveal the truth to the public.

Government lies and half-truths have long been a challenge for journalists. Notable instances include:

1960: U-2 Incident

Pilot Francis Gary Powers was captured by the Soviets, revealing the U-2 spy plane’s true mission. The U.S. initially claimed it was a weather reconnaissance mission.

1966: Johnson’s Ancestry

Lyndon Johnson falsely claimed a great-great-grandfather died at the Alamo.

1971: Tricia Nixon’s Cake

The White House said Tricia Nixon’s wedding cake was from an old family recipe, but it was actually created by a White House chef.

1975: FBI Break-ins

FBI Director Clarence Kelley understated the number and legality of warrantless break-ins, which numbered in the thousands and targeted many innocent Americans.

1954: Guatemalan Revolt

UN Ambassador Henry Cabot Lodge misrepresented a CIA-orchestrated uprising as a local Guatemalan revolt.

1981: Reagan’s Central America Paper

The Reagan administration falsely attributed key documents to guerrilla leaders.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

The government lied about the origins of bombing raids, claiming they were conducted by defectors.

1984: Presidential Debate

President Reagan misstated food stamp statistics, and Walter Mondale exaggerated Reagan’s cuts to a housing program.

Watergate and Beyond

John Mitchell, Richard Helms, and Rita Lavelle were all indicted for lying about their respective scandals.

Press Secretary’s Gaffe

Ron Nessen, Ford’s press secretary, was met with sarcasm when he prefaced a statement with “To tell you the truth…”

The Nature of Government Lies

Journalist I. F. Stone believed every government is run by liars. James Deakin concurred, noting that officials must convince the public their policies are correct, facts are accurate, and they control events. This often involves deception, slanting, and glossing over unfavorable information.

The list goes on, like Project Blue Book. You can read the files and watch the TV series showing how the government investigated and lied to the public about UFOs. Whistleblowers were threatened, and the media, controlled by them, paints truth-tellers as problems. Just watch and see. Thanks for reading.