Monte is naive wrote:
Montesquieu wrote:And please don't be naive and think, "well, just tell the truth and if you're innocent you have nothing to fear."
Only liars have something to fear. You really are rather naive Monte Sq. You sully the name of the real Montesquieu.
Montesquieu is exactly right. Defending oneself in the court of public opinion against slanderous accusations is extremely stressful and dangerous for the defendant and relatively easy for the accuser.
I have personally been the target of a public smear campaign, and I thought I was ready for it. I thought "I'm a decent guy. I didn't do anything wrong. This can't hurt me. People will see the truth." I was wrong.
I always laugh at the naivete of those who say "If you're not doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about!". The underlying assumption that allows you to be so wrong and so self-righteous at the same time is that you assume the attackers are searching for the truth.
Most people aren't. They are trying to destroy someone else to improve their position, gain power, or simply to exact vengeance for perceived wrong. Or even if independent parties pursue the truth, how can it come out in such a toxic emotionally charged atmosphere?
Another assumption I want to challenge directly is the idea that "everyone does it", supported by the Lance Armstrong epic disaster. Well, after having personally been accused of doing something "that everyone does", and having the certain knowledge that I did NOT do it, I can tell the world that not EVERYONE does it! I wish I could pass that knowledge on to everyone else, but I think you have to live it to know it.
Cynicism is justified, but should not be used to declare all suspects guilty at the first sign of suspicion. There is a possibility that everything is as AlSal said it was. I'm not convinced either way yet, but I do see the witch hunt going on, and that puts me in AlSal's camp until further proofs are provided.