In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
~George Orwell
Sunday sayings: an Orwellian moment
Posted: November 10, 2013 in Political, Sunday sayingsTags: being revolutionary, George Orwell, how to live, lies, life, political, truth
Comments
This, that and the other thing 
I agree with Mr. Orwell.
Unfortunately, it’s all too true today.
janet
Wow! Was that from 1984 or what? Our society gets more and more blind to the lies and self-deceptions we swallow daily. What can we do? Tell the truth to ourselves at least.
Helen, I looked to see if I could find out and as I was reading more, it appears the statement was attributed to Orwell and “1984” but it evidently isn’t in the book and perhaps Orwell never said it. It’s a truth, no matter what said it, isn’t it?
janet
The difficulty here is with the word “truth.” Ted Cruz keeps saying that the government was shut down not because of him but because Obama refused to negotiate and change the ACA. Is that the truth? Many say yes.
However, the ACA was and introduced a bill, debated in Congress, voted on by Congress, and turned into a law by Congress. It was backed up by the Supreme Court. All truth. Does any president ever have an obligation to renegotiate any law that Congress has passed? Not at all.
What is or is not the “truth” Is less and less definite until enough layers of skin are pulled away to get to the guts of the matter.
Truth is always a difficult word, Rich, no matter where on the political spectrum you fall. That shouldn’t keep us from searching for it and from seeking to back up what we perceive as the truth. Even when layers are pulled away, there are subjects where truth is subjective. However, I believe there are things that are true. Period.
I didn’t post the quote for any political purpose. If you want to talk about this law, by the same token, a President isn’t allowed to only enforce parts he feels like enforcing or completely ignoring a law with which he doesn’t agree, such as DOMA. I think it behooves all of us to strive for truth and to do so in a non-hateful manner (and no, I’m not saying or intimating you’re being hateful). And we must be willing to realize that those who disagree aren’t necessarily evil, stupid or any other pejorative too often applied to those with whom we disagree.
As always, thanks for reading and commenting. I value the fact that despite our basic disagreements about many things, we can talk about them without demonizing the other person.
janet
oh, i know you didn’t mean this in a political realm, but it gets pulled into that gravity all by itself just because of the word “truth.” i know that more often than not, our opinions or leanings are governed or at least influenced by both our upbringing and our personal experiences. should one live through poverty, one would understandably be inclined to favor social programs. should one earn millions and have half taken by the feds, one would likely be unhappy about the “redistribution of wealth,” which although is a recent label, it is a practice we’ve had in america since our beginning.
as for partial enforcement of a law, that falls upon the justice department, not the president. one could argue that the president directs the justice department, and another one could argue that’s why we have three branches of criminals, i mean government.
either way, at the end of the day, we all put our skirts on the same way. i just wear mine a little shorter than you. 😉
Rich, you missed my minis in the 60’s and I still wear skirts that show my legs but not that make me look “skanky.” I wear dresses and skirts to church quite often. Hats, too, when I get the chance. 🙂
dresses and hats to church. that’s a wonderful era.
As for the president and the justice department, I would imagine they’re both required to enforce laws that are on the books rather than publicly say they won’t. Whether you like a law or not, it’s the law until changed.
that last sentence is something that ted cruz needs to learn.