Politicians define truth differently

Editor: Are there two types of truth? Let’s look at the word truth. What does it really mean? We often talk about telling the truth; getting to the truth, the whole truth. The dictionary defines truth as: “conformity with fact or reality; verity; honesty; integrity; a verified or indisputable fact, proposition, principle, or the like.”

Now, let’s look at another form of truth that might be termed “political truth.” By definition, it might read “thoughts and ideas expressed by political figures that they deem to be the truth as they have spoken them; been quoted on them or have written them.”

Sometimes the “real truth” and “political truth” are in concert with one another. However, more often than not, in recent times they seem to be at odds with one another. To verify this, one only has to look south of the border at U.S. President Donald Trump.

Not to be outdone, some of the pundits here seem to be in a similar place.

Trump has made statements that were recorded and broadcast that he now vehemently denies. He is in total denial as to the veracity of what he said. He tells the political truth, which seems to indicate that the truth is whatever an individual politician chooses to be the truth.

So too, is the political truth in effect as far as our MLA is concerned regarding the redevelopment of Skaha Park. He avows that he had nothing to do with the initial process of park commercialization.

There is concrete documentation that states emphatically he was involved in the initial stages. This was shown in his inaugural address.

What does any of this mean you might ask? It just means that sometimes certain folk choose not to remember what they said or did.

As far as the real truth goes, I learned something from Anthony Robbins some years ago. As a public speaker and high-profile promoter, he made a comment that I will never forget.

That comment was: “When you are talking with people, tell them the truth. That way, the next time you meet them, you won’t have to remember what you said.”

Too bad that some politicians don’t take that message to heart.

Ron Barillaro, Penticton