BLUMENTHAL ACTS LIKE A TYPICAL POLITICIAN AFTER ALL

I know this is a long video. It is worth watching.

If you don't want to watch the whole thing, I will suggest a few times to which you can fast forward for some poignant moments.

Politicians have a special way of speaking in which they say, without saying, declaring without declaring, and insinuate without being definitive.

Blumenthal's main point here is that he "misspoke," using the word "in" instead of "during."

Aside from the pure popycockedness of that claim, he went on during the press conference to prove that he did, indeed, mean "in," and that it was a deliberate lie intended to make himself look worthy of extra praise.

Lets look a a few features and statements made during the conference.

To begin with, notice that he was surrounded by "Marine" veterans, including one woman, whose reactions bear watching. She got pretty emotional, sometimes more emotional than the moment called for.

Let's also recall that at a veterans event in Shelton, Conn., he said, "When we returned from Vietnam, I remember the taunts, the verbal and even physical abuse we encountered..." (Note the use of the word "we," indicating that he was a part of the group receiving the taunts).

In this conference, he states that he is proud of having stood up for the members of all branches of the military. He tells us that he attends many military events throughout the year. And he always honors those who did far more than he did.

That might well be, for he has, indeed seemed to have worked for veterans' issues...at least on the surface. Now we know that there might be darker motives at play.

The implication of these statements is that doing something good in the past negates any lies you might have told or are telling.

Then he gets to the meat of the press conference.

At 3:40 into the video he stated: "On a few occasions I have misspoken about my service and I regret that, and I take full responsibility."

Politicians deliberately ignore the meaning of "responsibility." They think that by stating that they take responsibility they have done so. Janet Reno and Bill Clinton both did that at Waco.

If I drive a car over the speed limit at the urging of my passenger, am pulled over, to whom do you think the officer will hold responsible, my passenger or me? Me, of course, and I will pay the price of that responsibility. There is always a price to responsibility.

Not only that, but he did not misspeak once, not even twice, but multiple times on the same subject, in the same context and with the same words.

An accident? Not on your everlovin'-blue-eyed life. He was trying to enhance his role in Viet Nam in order to make himself look more authoritative and important...in order to make himself look impressive.

He goes on (4:55):"...I will not allow anyone to take a few misplaced words and impugn my record of service to our country. "

Pardonez moi, sir, but you do not get to allow or disallow the results of your words.

You are free to choose your actions, but you are not free to choose the consequences of your actions.

Furthermore, that statement is a deflection. It attempt to cover his misstatements with things that are true, but not relevant to the misspoken words he uttered.

The floor was opened to questions from reporters. Here are some of the things that took place.

Question (6:37):"When you entered the us marine corps, did you know that you wouldn’t be deployed to Viet Nam, or was that still an open question?"

Blumenthal: "There was no knowing with certainty where anyone would be deployed at that time. It was during the Viet Nam period. As it happened…within a very few years, the U.S. made different decisions about Viet Nam."

Yeah. Key words: "with certainty."

Only a look at the process at the time reveals that for him there was some degree of "certainty," or at least some heavy probability.

Finally it became impossible for him to have been deployed there and he could relax.

Question (7:04): "…what does misspeaking mean?"

Blumenthal: "Absolutely unintentional. A few misplaced words…"In" instead of "during…"

Question (7:21): "…why wasn’t it clear then?" (This was a reference to the fact that these misspeakings had taken place over quite a long period of time.)

Blumenthal: "I was unaware of those misplaced words when they were spoken, in fact, I was unaware of anyone taking note of them..."

Translation: "I don't pay attention to what I say...I just say what seems most impressive at the time I'm saying it. "

And: "I didn't think anybody would challenge me on the actual facts."

Question (7:47): "There have been a number of articles written where the reporter said that you had served in Viet Nam…Why didn’t you correct the record until now?"

Blumenthal: "There were a few articles, not many. I am responsible for my own statements and for any of my misplaced words,… I can’t be responsible for all the articles. I may not even have seen them …sometimes journalists do make mistakes."

See, here's the thing: they weren’t the reporters' mistakes…they were reporting on what you said! The mistakes were yours, not theirs.

And so it goes.

The Bible says, "But let your communication be , Yea, yea; Nay, nay..." (Matthew 5:37), meaning tell the truth...period.

William Shakespeare said, "“Honesty is the best policy. If I lose mine honor, I lose myself.”

Could we find one or two politicians who subscribe to those statements?

Please!