I. F. Stone Quotes
All governments lie, but disaster lies in wait for countries whose officials smoke the same hashish they give out.
He warns particularly of politicians who believe their own lies.
I. F. Stone, 1908-1989, Investigative Journalist and Political Writer, In a Time of Torment, 1961-1967, 1967
Sourced by: Eigen's Political and Historical Quotations
This is a common rejoinder of third world country leaders to accusations of Western democracies about corruption. And doubtless it is true. However temptation has never been a good defense of improper behavior.
If a government can classify embarrassing information, then it does not have to lie which is why over-classification is so prevalent. But then the officials have to lie in the classification process by claiming national security is involved as opposed to their own or their party’s security from embarrassment. Most officials prefer to tell the truth and not deceive the public. However, a large proportion have their moral instincts compromised by confusing the national interest with the politicians’ interest
The Slavery issue was so contentious that many Northern Congressmen had just given up on the abolitionist cause or never agreed with it even though in many areas of the country the majority of their constituents supported abolition.
Blair had just led his party to its third successive election win—a new record for that party. Galloway, had campaigned against Blair and the Labor Party and had beaten the Labour MP in his district which was predominantly Muslim and had been vehemently opposed to the Iraq War.
McClellan after he left his White House Post, reflected on the experience, and wrote a book that described the George W. Bush White House practices many of which he was involved with.
I. F. Stone was a politically progressive American investigative journalist, writer, and author.
