... "The Truth Is, ..." Almost Never The Truth!

Perhaps I have been spending way too many hours listening to interviews lately, or perhaps there is a new school of oratory out there that is teaching a more modern style of speech-writing. However, I am encountering a phrase ubiquitous to political speech, and even the comments of experts on radio or TV interviews, ... a peppering of the speech with ... "The truth is ... " , inserted before some point the speaker desires the listener to believe. It is meant, I suppose, to lend validity to the argument being made. It is also, at times, meant to close the mind of listeners to the opposing point of view.

To me, it comes off as proof of the widespread belief among many "leaders" in our nation that they have special access to the Truth, writ large, that the rest of us do not enjoy. Their relationship with the Truth is a gift they bestow upon us lesser types, ... too foolish to recognize it when it comes our way. "For those of you too unschooled to know, ... the truth is, ... that is an elephant in the main ring there before you!" Some condescending circus master! One ring, ... one act, ... show over! Now go home, bestowed with the "truth".

So when you hear the phrase "The truth is, ... ", and I assure you that you will, you can almost be certain that truth is the furthest thing from what you are about to hear. Truth is, more lies begin with "The truth is, ... " than any other phrase I know. No lie!