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The 'line of the day' among administration spokesmen, confronted by masses of destitute and terrified refugees and solid reports of the mass execution of civilians, is to say that 'we expected this to happen.' They did? (They never told anyone.) If they want to avoid being indicted for war crimes themselves, these 'spokesmen' had better promise us that they were lying when they said that.

Christopher Hitchens#50

PoliticsAccountabilityTransparency

About this quote

What does it mean?
Officials claim they expected the refugee crisis, yet they never warned anyone, suggesting possible deceit.
In plain terms
Officials say they saw it coming but hid it.
What can you take from it?
Demand transparency from officials about crises.

Where it applies

  • political briefings
  • media interviews

Putting it to work

  • public inquiries
  • whistleblower protections

Questions to consider

  • What evidence would prove officials were lying?
  • How can societies ensure honest communication?

Another view

Officials may genuinely have limited foresight, not intentional lies.

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