A FEW GOOD WORDS
The accuracy of lie detector tests has never been completely decided upon. Although it is inadmissible as evidence in court, even the proponents of lie detector testing agree that it is not always accurate. Among the first lie detectors, considered by some to be the most accurate, was the donkey's tail! That's right, in ancient India, a suspect would be escorted to a darkened room. Only three would be present: the accused, the interrogator, and a donkey. The person being questioned was told that the donkey would bray if his responses were not truthful, and he was then asked to hold the donkey's tail. Forerunners of the modern-day lie detector include a portable unit, developed in 1930. As early as 1899, an Italian physiologist invented what is called the hydrosphygmograph, which simply recorded variations in pulse. Later came the galvanometer and the pneumanograph to measure electric conductivity of the skin and respiration. But none of these early devices was as tried and true and accurate as the donkey's tail! Remember, the suspect is in a darkened room with a donkey. He was told to hold the tail of the donkey, and if a lie was told, the donkey would bray. But the suspect was not told that the donkey's tail was covered with black soot! So those who feared the donkey's telltale bray, in the darkness of the room dared not to touch the donkey's tail. They would emerge with clean hands… thus proven guilty! Honesty is, always has been, and always will be, the best policy! It is priceless. Honesty paves the way for successful living. Honesty is a virtue. Ask yourself, "Have I been truthful in all things today. . .to my relationships. . .to myself? Have I been straightforward? Did I earn respect?" Honesty takes plenty of courage, but the rewards are tremendous. Folks will say of you, "There is a person we can trust, one on whom we can depend to act fairly, justly, considerately. This individual is worthy of promotion and recognition." And all this without using the donkey's tail!
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