The concept of "truth" sure has taken a beating in the media lately.  Apparently, you can make up whatever you want and as long as it's issued in a written statement to the press, we're required to believe it.

I just watched a NASA press conference on CNN stating that they had no knowledge of any of the shuttle astronauts being under the influence of alcohol during or prior to the launches.  Really?  In the interest of science wouldn't it be a good idea to obtain as many vitals on a human prior to space travel? I'm sure there is some sort of pre-flight physical that astronaunts undergo where bloodshot eyes, cotton mouth and the stench of "morning dew" would  be noticed and recorded.

Instead of lying about it, why not just come and say, "Look.. have you ever seen a shuttle launch and do you what can happen when things go wrong?"  I can't imagine anything being more stressful than sitting around the night before you strap yourself to tons and tons of explosives that get ignited to propel you into space.  These people are professionals and putting their lifes on the line, so if they decide to raise a glass to keep their nerves in check then tell it like it is.  It also would make sense that NASA would contol their diets in the 24 hours leading up to the launch, so keep the booze out of the green room if it's going to be a problem. 

I've been keeping up on the mess that Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' seems to be in.  I've been laughing through my tears as he offers explanations for alleged improprieties with, "I don't recall."  Lawyers gain respect and become successful for having studied and being able to recall, from memory, the most specific and obscure details of previous cases that have ever gone to trial.  It's hard to fathom that you can become the top lawyer in the US without being able to recall even the basics details like, who, what, when, where and why of some pretty important meetings that happend only a few weeks or months ago.   Saying you cannot recall the truth, when it's pretty certain that you should be able to, is the same as lying in my book.

But since it appears I'm casting judgement, I'm going to fess up to a lie that I told today.  While out for a walk with my wife earlier today, my 3 year old saw a dead bird laying in the road.  Later in the day she told me that she wanted to take me for a walk and show me the dead bird.  I told her that I didn't want to go.  Of course she asked me why to which I replied, "If I see the dead bird, I'll feel very bad that it didn't look both ways before crossing the street and I'll start to cry."  Telling that lie seemed like a much better solution than standing by the side of the road while people driving by watched my kid poke a dead bird with a stick.  

Sometimes lies can come in handy but they should be reserved for dealing with your children under the age of 5 and not an entire nation.