No Lie Left Untold

I’ve been involved in political blogging fairly actively since the summer of 2004 and from this experience I’ve learned a couple of lessons.

First, I don’t believe any allegation made by the left without a vast amount of corroborating data.

Second, I don’t denounce people who are, at least for the moment, on my side. The left has devoted millions of dollars to this activity, I see no reason to devote my free time to the activity.

The danger of violating those rules was best exhibited on these pages by a post back on March 23 by Professor Vatz. The incident, as you probably recall, was an alleged confrontation between a group of American citizens exercising their rights under the First Amendment and a couple of members of congress who decided it was politically expedient to turn the confrontation into textbook case of racebaiting.

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The video, posted by Andrew Breitbart, is conclusive:

Not only is the audio devoid of any racial slur, but the scene at Cannon clearly shows the congressmen coming down the steps completely unobstructed, and with a clear path to the Capitol. And, when we juxtapose the audio accusation Rep.Carson made moments after the alleged event occurred with actual video footage of the moment Rep. Carson claims he first heard the racial slur, it is as plain as day that Congressman Carson was not isolated by a mob and facing a racist throng that could conceivably hurl rocks at him. As you can see for yourself.

At the time I posted my take on the event.

But more to the point. If there is one thing conservatives should take away from out dealings with the left going back well into the Clinton administration it is that lying to demonize your opposition is part and parcel of their playbook. Whether it was Clinton blaming talk radio for the Oklahoma City bombing, the actions of the DNC during the 2000 election recount, or the scurrilous stories that appeared every day concerning President Bush, lying is just the way they do business.

The second thing we should have learned is that when you find yourself agreeing with someone like Bob Herbert, who has only a fleeting acquaintance with Truth, you really should stop and rethink your position.

A final thing should be considered. If you find a story like this, one that dovetails so neatly into the Democrat meme-du-jour — in this case the “Tea Parties are racist” meme — dig a little deeper.