Congress Searches For Another Word For "Liar"

Washington, D.C. - Rep. Mel Watt (D-N.C.) doesn't think too highly of President Bush's honesty. On July 12 Rep. Watts offered a statement on the floor of the House that in 2003 Bush had lied about the reasons for going to war with Iraq. Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT) jumped to the president's defense by objecting that Watt's words were "unparliamentary" and violated House rules on debate and decorum. The House rules of debate and decorum forbid "personal attacks" on other House representatives, the vice president and the president.

There was some procedural back and forth about the parliamentary acceptability of 'lied' and 'liar' with administrative laws sub-chair, Linda Sanchez (D- CA) first ruling the words were "not unparliamentary", but then reconsidering her ruling on procedural grounds. All the strong words about the strong words ended amicably enough when the decision to defend the words as "not unparliamentary" was vacated from the record. This bi-partisan agreement reassured all observers that Congressional representatives are spending their time and citizens' tax dollars focused on what matters most for the nation.

The incident, however, illustrates a pressing need: there has to be another way in which to call Bush, Cheney and whoever else fits the definition of "liar", a liar, without using the actual word "liar."

Written for Assimilated Press by roving reporter pinko