Ben Carson: “I Don’t Condone Lying”
Ben Carson looking foolish again:
When asked about Donald Trump‘s alleged former habit of calling journalists to praise himself under an assumed name, campaign surrogate Ben Carson told CNN’s New Day that he does not condone falsehoods of any kind.
Carson told host Chris Cuomo that it was a long time ago. “All of us have probably done things 25 or 30 years ago that we’ve forgotten about or that we wish we hadn’t done, or we have changed from that in a very significant way.”
“Right, there are much more important issues,” agreed Cuomo. “But if you lied about it… see, you’re ignoring the lying part, that’s why I’m asking about it.”
“I never condone prevarication in any circumstances,” Carson responded. “So that will be a consistent feature.”
Well sure you do, Dr. Carson. Sure you do.
Nobody claims Trump is telling the truth about this “John Miller” character when he denies it was him. Of course it was him. Everybody knows it was him. The best they can do is say “all politicians lie” or “there are bigger issues” or “Hillary is a liar.”
Our problem in this country is largely cultural. When confronted with a blatant lie, we should call it out. Ben Carson — once thought by many to be a paragon of honesty, virtue, and strong values — won’t do that. It turns out that Carson is just another politician, spinning and saying things that make him look stupid and evasive and ridiculous.
Hillary Clinton is also a giant liar. To take one example of many: when she tells you she ran across the tarmac to avoid sniper fire, and the video shows her strolling around, greeting teenaged children, and looking as relaxed as possible . . . she’s lying. Honest people will admit that, and call it what it is: absurd and even pathological.
Yes, virtually all politicians lie at times. You might even be able to find me an example of Mike Lee lying, although I rather doubt it. But we’re on the cusp of electing one of the most dishonest human beings in recorded history — whichever one of these big government Democrats we pick.
There has to be a better way.
I’m doing what I can by arguing that we should refocus on principles: the Constitution, liberty, and the free market. Rather than focus on another stupid partisan election where we harangue each other to vote for somebody who really doesn’t deserve it, and who we know will not represent those principles, we instead spread the message of constitutionalism. I’m trying to do my part in some small way with the Constitutional Vanguard: our little army (almost 500 strong and growing) of constitutionalists. Reject the false choices Our Betters are attempting to shove down our throat. Sign up here.
If anyone signed up and is not getting these emails, let me know!
Patterico (86c8ed) — 5/16/2016 @ 7:45 amTrump is going to have to face up to the media about this John Miller thing at some point, you know.
I think he’ll admit it is him and will say he didn’t really remember the call because it was so very very long ago.
Which will open a new can of worms.
He’s starting to see that Big Media treats him different now that he is running against a Democrat. They won’t let things go quite as easily. All the stuff they’ve been holding onto to is now coming out.
Patterico (86c8ed) — 5/16/2016 @ 7:45 amMy party gives it, just gives it away
Colonel Haiku (6047c1) — 5/16/2016 @ 7:56 amMy party gives it up every day… http://youtu.be/Gsxnn6S-_NQ
Tiny Donnie’s sock-puppeting his own publicist is a small thing. He didn’t hurt anyone. It just makes him look small and pathetic. Like his spray tan. And his wrinkle cream. And his combover. And his … ahem … hands. Small, insecure, pathetic Donnie will make America great. Nyuk, nyuk, nyuk!
nk (dbc370) — 5/16/2016 @ 8:05 amI think I got 2 emails, and that’s it.
John Hitchcock (c6f523) — 5/16/2016 @ 8:22 amYes. His hands. Obama had mom jeans. Trump has mom hands.
Bill H (971e5f) — 5/16/2016 @ 8:36 amAnd Dr Carson just needs to shut up about lying. He’s the one that backed Trump, specifically against Cruz. After Trump intimated that Carson was a pedo.
Bill H (971e5f) — 5/16/2016 @ 8:40 amBen Carson could have just gone back to his practice and carried on with his life. He didn’t have to sell himself this way. He has got nothing out of this whole mess that is worth is good name.
Gabriel Hanna (64d4e1) — 5/16/2016 @ 8:44 am“He has got nothing out of this whole mess that is worth is good name.”
….but for Trump, Ben? For Trump?
There will be plenty of Sir Richard Rich Metals for Meretricious Service awarded over the next six months. We won’t know if Dr. Carson is working towards the Heavy Purse Cluster or just a post in the never to exist Trump administration for some time.
Rick Ballard (97c612) — 5/16/2016 @ 9:00 amAmong the further idiocies is Trump saying the remarks made by the Mayor of London are “nasty” and “rude”.
Granted his Mayorship may have said some unmayoral things, but for El Tupe to complain about rudeness and nastiness threatens to break the irony scale.
kishnevi (920484) — 5/16/2016 @ 9:21 amBut Pat, when you say these big government democrats that’s a lie. You know it’s a lie.
papertiger (c2d6da) — 5/16/2016 @ 9:40 am@Rick Ballard:There will be plenty of Sir Richard Rich Metals for Meretricious Service awarded over the next six months.
Always had mixed feelings on that movie, what with St Thomas More’s enthusiasm for burning heretics. But like today’s progressives I don’t think he saw any inconsistency about it.
Gabriel Hanna (64d4e1) — 5/16/2016 @ 9:44 amAnd now for something completely different.
Benjamin
became a successful newspaper editor and printer in Philadelphia, the leading city in the colonies, publishing the Pennsylvania Gazette at the age of 23.[7] He became wealthy publishing this and Poor Richard’s Almanack, which he authored under the pseudonym “Richard Saunders”. After 1767, he was associated with the Pennsylvania Chronicle, a newspaper that was known for its revolutionary sentiments and criticisms of the British policies.
Sockpuppet or pseudonym, only depends on the posture you assume when faced with the possibility of a Hillary admin.
I’m seeing a few people grabbing ankle in anticipation.
papertiger (c2d6da) — 5/16/2016 @ 9:50 amA lie is an intentionally false statement. Many people are of the opinion that Trump acts like and is a Democrat. An opinion cannot be a lie. We may be wrong, just as you may be, but we are not liars.
DRJ (15874d) — 5/16/2016 @ 9:51 amBecause writing a book under a pseudonym is exactly the same as pretending to be someone else while also praising and complimenting yourself.
DRJ (15874d) — 5/16/2016 @ 9:57 amLinda Stasi writes in her column in the New York Daily news on Sunday that Donald Trump did this as recently as 2004, when he promoting his new show “The Apprentice.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/trump-lies-compared-pols-article-1.2637211
She doesn’t think this is very big deal.
Sammy Finkelman (643dcd) — 5/16/2016 @ 9:58 am@papertiger:Sockpuppet or pseudonym
If Poor Richard wrote letters to the editor talking about how awesome Benjamin Franklin is and how people should totally buy his books, that would have been a sockpuppet.
Trump impersonated other people so he could talk about Trump. That makes it sockpuppetry.
Now does this make Trump worse than Hillary, in my opinion, no. But you don’t need to go the Ben Carson route and try to spin this for Trump: there is nothing of Trump worth defending at the cost worth YOUR good name.
Gabriel Hanna (64d4e1) — 5/16/2016 @ 10:00 amSockpuppet or pseudonym, only depends on the posture you assume when faced with the possibility of a Hillary admin.
My God, papertiger — you are going to assert that there is no difference between a sockpuppet and a pseudonym? In your mind, Mark Twain and George Eliot are just sockpuppets like Rick Ellsberg and Mike Koshi?
JVW (eabb2a) — 5/16/2016 @ 10:02 amDuring the Adams presidency, the Federalists rebuilt the military, levied new taxes, and enacted the Alien and Sedition Acts. Jefferson believed these laws were intended to suppress Democratic-Republicans, rather than prosecute enemy aliens, and considered them unconstitutional.[100] To rally opposition, he and James Madison anonymously wrote the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions, declaring that the federal government had no right to exercise powers not specifically delegated to it by the states.[101] Though the resolutions followed the “interposition” approach of Madison—in which states may shield their citizens from federal laws they deem unconstitutional—Jefferson advocated nullification, allowing states to outright invalidate federal laws.[102][g] Jefferson warned that, “unless arrested at the threshold”, the Alien and Sedition Acts would “necessarily drive these states into revolution and blood”.[104]
Historian Ron Chernow opines that “the theoretical damage of the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions was deep and lasting, and was a recipe for disunion”, contributing to the American Civil War as well as later events.[105] Washington was so appalled by the resolutions that he told Patrick Henry that if “systematically and pertinaciously pursued”, the resolutions would “dissolve the union or produce coercion.”[106]
In the effort to counter Hamilton’s Federalist policies, which he was promoting through the influential Federalist newspaper, the Gazette of the United States, Jefferson and Madison along, with the poet and writer Phillip Freneau, moved to Philadelphia and founded the National Gazette in 1791. The National Gazette made particular criticism of the policies promoted by Alexander Hamilton, often through, at Jefferson’s urging, anonymous essays signed by the pen name Brutus, which were actually written by Madison.
What was it “John Miller” was doing? Coming clean to his wife in a public way?
papertiger (c2d6da) — 5/16/2016 @ 10:08 amCertainly no tawdry political goal.
papertiger, knowing full well the distinction between sockpuppet and pseudonym, decides to double-down with more Founding Fathers.
Well, the first Richard Rich Award for Meretricious Service goes to papertiger then, 6th class with curbic zirconium clusters.
Gabriel Hanna (64d4e1) — 5/16/2016 @ 10:11 amNow you’re getting the picture, JVW. It’s the same thing.
As opposed to those other guys, Trump’s motives were personal, and of the best quality.
papertiger (c2d6da) — 5/16/2016 @ 10:12 amIt is amazing the rhetorical pretzels the Trumpkins will twist themselves into in their attempts to shield heir hero from criticism of his bad behavior.
And calling Trump a big government Dem isn’t a lie. It is a belief, borne out by his history.
JD (7fd277) — 5/16/2016 @ 10:21 amAccording to papertiger, Trump is better than the Founding Fathers because he only cares about himself, while they cared about freedom, states’ rights, and Constitutional limitations.
This is why we have Trump vs Hillary.
DRJ (15874d) — 5/16/2016 @ 10:23 amThis is also why people should consider being NeverTrump.
DRJ (15874d) — 5/16/2016 @ 10:24 amNow you’re getting the picture, JVW. It’s the same thing.
Oh brother.
JVW (eabb2a) — 5/16/2016 @ 10:25 amThere is no hope for papertiger and ropelight. They make Bones look logical, and most Trump supporters are so emotionally invested in Trump that there is no hope for them either.
This is where we are. To me, the only answer is to go back to our States and try to elect the most conservative politicuans we can find. The States will have to stand up to the federal government for the next 4 years, just as they have during the last 8 years. It will be hard with the Supreme Court we have but it is the only way.
DRJ (15874d) — 5/16/2016 @ 10:29 amWhat I said here about politicians in the run-up to the election of Obama:
L.N. Smithee (b84cf6) — 5/16/2016 @ 10:45 amThose were more interesting discussions, LN. Better debaters, for one thibg.
DRJ (15874d) — 5/16/2016 @ 10:52 amDRJ,
I’m not sure a NeverTrump declaration is worth the effort any more than obtaining a Master Manure Grader certificate would be worth doing in an effort to evaluate the two probable candidates. Neither candidate has any discernible principles and your suggestion re identification and support of down ticket candidates who appear to possess principles is a much better use of time (IMO) than dodging arrows from Trump supporters who insist all must swear fealty to their Sewer Lord. The occasional “don’t step in that pile of trump!” warning doesn’t hurt anything but argument clinics with manifest idiots doesn’t appear to have any great utility.
Rick Ballard (97c612) — 5/16/2016 @ 11:06 amMr. Trump has one job
he’s gotta beat that pee-stank for so the future is more brighter
Lispy fruit loop Dr. Ben Carson really doesn’t factor into this.
happyfeet (a037ad) — 5/16/2016 @ 11:07 am@Rick Ballard:argument clinics
These aren’t arguments; they’re just contradictions.
Gabriel Hanna (64d4e1) — 5/16/2016 @ 11:08 amyes yes beat that pee-stank
we need the goldy sacks poo-stank in there!
the future is brighter with poo
he will lie but that’s totally different than her lying
so who cares about pedo carson and what he thinks?
sadfeet (e04f50) — 5/16/2016 @ 11:44 amI’m so thankful for Mr. Trump he’s the only one that didn’t withdraw from the race
It’s that kind of dedication to duty what’s going to help beat her
and that my friends is how you get failmerica back on track
happyfeet (a037ad) — 5/16/2016 @ 11:47 amwhile they cared about freedom, states’ rights, and Constitutional limitations.
Naw. YOU’RE getting it totally wrong.
The main reason Franklin, Madison, and Jefferson, resorted to pseudonyms was to protect their reputations amongst their fellow foundlings.
Jefferson cloaked his self interest. He didn’t care about states rights. He cared about keeping his slaves, and doesn’t that make for an unattractive trait in a presidential candidate?
He thought so too. Hence the pseudonym.
papertiger (c2d6da) — 5/16/2016 @ 11:56 amTrump’s concern was with the well being of his wife.
papertiger (c2d6da) — 5/16/2016 @ 11:59 amyes, let’s listen to stasi,
http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/nb/randy-hall/2015/12/07/liberal-columnist-christian-victim-just-bigoted-isis-shooters
narciso (732bc0) — 5/16/2016 @ 12:02 pmThomas Jefferson didn’t care about states’ rights, we are told by the Trumper.
My, that is special.
Our educational system sure ain’t what it used to be.
Patterico (472d53) — 5/16/2016 @ 12:06 pmLast week carson “revealed” trump’s vp shortlist. Now Rump’s spokespeople say the list is wrong.
jb (846371) — 5/16/2016 @ 12:11 pmLyin’ Ben.
34.
Totally wrong. Totally trumpian, in fact.
Pseudonyms were the usual manner of publishing, not just political, but what we consider par for the course everyday things. Almost all the political pamphlets and writing in the 18th century was published that way: the Federalist Papers being the most famous, perhaps. Paine’s Common Sense may have been the one important exception (if it wasn’t published anonymously).
kishnevi (93670d) — 5/16/2016 @ 12:22 pmWe had a higher class of troll in the loquacious Levi, a profane Obamanoid who at least talked in complete sentences and used proper punctuation.
L.N. Smithee (b84cf6) — 5/16/2016 @ 12:31 pmis that some kinda crack
happyfeet (a037ad) — 5/16/2016 @ 12:36 pmIf the crack fits, wear it.
L.N. Smithee (b84cf6) — 5/16/2016 @ 12:45 pmsee i knew it was
happyfeet (a037ad) — 5/16/2016 @ 12:46 pmA bit of charity for Dr. Carson: I don’t think he sold his endorsement.
I suspect that Trump, in person, can be a very strong salesman. Scott Adams has called him a “master persuader”. Carson endorsed Trump after a personal meeting, and probably after Trump dazzled him with pledges of rolling back abortion and homosexualism. Carson is not a politician either, and might have swallowed Trump’s wild assertions about what he could do as President.
Also, Carson was probably rather depressed just after his campaign cratered.
Rich Rostrom (d2c6fd) — 5/16/2016 @ 1:29 pmI think Trump led Carson to believe his support would make it more likely Trump would find a place for Carson in his Administration, e.g., Surgeon General. That’s how the Art of the Deal works.
DRJ (15874d) — 5/16/2016 @ 4:32 pmis Surgeon General really an essential job
it seems kinda gay
happyfeet (831175) — 5/16/2016 @ 4:46 pmOne more subscriber to the Constitutional Vanguard and we hit 500.
Next email should go out tomorrow.
Patterico (86c8ed) — 5/16/2016 @ 6:36 pmIsn’t it amazing that the media is not calling out delusional Ben for his insane support for DJT? Why is the good doctor getting such a pass? If anything, he is receiving more deference than when he decided to run in the first place.
The man has well-earned Palin-level disdain, yet there is none to be found amongst the MSM reports/columns.
Ed from SFV (3400a5) — 5/17/2016 @ 1:44 amIts Time for Carson to go bye bye….. He showed his Ass ….
jrt (bc7456) — 5/17/2016 @ 5:10 am