DGS49
Diamond Member
Well, beneath all the bullshit there is a point here, a point so obvious that many people will miss it.
In our society, one of the unwritten rules of civility has been abandoned. Indeed, "abandoned" is too kind; it has been affirmatively obliterated.
The unwritten rule WAS that, advocacy must not encompass blatant lies. In the past, advocates could emphasize points that support a position and ignore those that didn't. Advocates could exaggerate. Advocates could denigrate opponents and opposing views. This is all good, clean fun.
But an advocate must not LIE. That was a bridge too far. Indeed, the various legal codes of ethics say as much. You can do all sorts of things to promote your client's case, but you cannot lie or knowingly present a witness whom you know to be lying.
Schiff's public persona says, "Fuck all that. I will lie when it suits me and when it promotes my agenda."
And he lies repeatedly. When challenged, he doubles-down on the lies, attacks the questioners, uses every unethical trick in the book. He is a vile, despicable human, who undoubtedly justifies himself with the belief that he is merely advocating for his positions.
But even in Congress there are limits. You cannot lie persistently without limits. Maybe, if Trump wins and the Republicans take over both houses of Congress, we shall see what those limits are.
In our society, one of the unwritten rules of civility has been abandoned. Indeed, "abandoned" is too kind; it has been affirmatively obliterated.
The unwritten rule WAS that, advocacy must not encompass blatant lies. In the past, advocates could emphasize points that support a position and ignore those that didn't. Advocates could exaggerate. Advocates could denigrate opponents and opposing views. This is all good, clean fun.
But an advocate must not LIE. That was a bridge too far. Indeed, the various legal codes of ethics say as much. You can do all sorts of things to promote your client's case, but you cannot lie or knowingly present a witness whom you know to be lying.
Schiff's public persona says, "Fuck all that. I will lie when it suits me and when it promotes my agenda."
And he lies repeatedly. When challenged, he doubles-down on the lies, attacks the questioners, uses every unethical trick in the book. He is a vile, despicable human, who undoubtedly justifies himself with the belief that he is merely advocating for his positions.
But even in Congress there are limits. You cannot lie persistently without limits. Maybe, if Trump wins and the Republicans take over both houses of Congress, we shall see what those limits are.