In my observation often the greatest lies are those wrapped around a core of truth, sometimes mostly true, almost true, but with a barely noticeable taint of lie. Our minds seek to go to the core, see the greater truth, and gloss over the tiny lie which obviates the truth.
Concomitant to that is for the liar to weave a lie bundled in threads of euphemisms as you mention so the recipient is not quite sure what was heard. Yes, simple words and simple truths are the antidote.
The Terri Factor applied...
Congratulations. If the prognosticators are correct, you are about to win a victory that will shift the balance of power in one or both houses of Congress. Of course, if the prognosticators are incorrect, you will soon be committing hara-kiri. In which case my only advice would be: one hard thrust and then pull up.
But this letter proceeds from the assumption that the prognosticators are right. On that basis, I want to make a plea.
Snip...
So, if you win power here, please don't assume it validates anything you've done. If you win, it's because of Mark Foley and Theresa Schiavo and Randy "Duke" Cunningham and Donald Rumsfeld and George W. Bush and Jack Abramoff and Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter and Dick Cheney and Hurricane Katrina and 2,800 dead soldiers and because, as my mom used to say, enough is enough and too much stinks.
A letter to the Democrats: Don't gloat, get to work
8mm
Yes, and does it not reflect that we are children of God, fueled by His good? We were seeking the good, even though we let a lie get through our defenses.
C. S. Lewis was brilliant portraying the way evil bends good. Creation was good, so there is no such thing as pure evil, only the warping of good by a sinful will. The second book of his "space" trilogy, Perelandra, takes on the whole question directly -- it is about the temptation of Eve. You hear the Tempter bend words and thoughts to deceive Eve, to tell her she will grow in God's eyes if she disobeys him. In case you haven't read it, I won't spoil the ending :-)
The other two books of the trilogy are Out of the Silent Planet, book one, and That Hideous Strength, book three -- a fictionalized version of Lewis' Abolition of Man lectures. Recommended!