Why I Love Rachel Maddow. “You’re Lying”

OK. I’m going to share a slightly personal story here. Last night I had the honor of speaking to my former journalism teacher’s class about this blog, and blogging in general. Interestingly, the subject of “truth” came up. My number one point to the class was this: As a journalist, as a writer, and as a person, your credibility is everything. EVERYTHING. To me, there is little more important than that. Without credibility, without an impeccable reputation, I believe you have nothing.

I owe my former journalism teacher a great deal. She taught me how to write, how to tell a story, and the importance of telling the truth and of getting it “right.” (Coincidentally, her name is also Rachel – and today is her birthday, so Happy Birthday, Rachel! Even more coincidentally, Rachel Maddow’s birthday happens to be tomorrow!)

As a journalist today, and as a businessman for the quarter century before I became a journalist, I built both careers on my reputation. For better or for worse (and, often, with great consequences!) I have tried to always tell the truth.

The group of students I spoke with were great! They are creating exciting and compelling blogs of their own, and it was an honor to be able to go back and speak at The New School, my alma mater.

Last night, while I was speaking with the class, ironically, Rachel Maddow addressed one of my biggest frustrations in American politics and political discourse: lying.

As I wrote above, I believe reputation is everything, and, to the best of my knowledge, I have never lied on this blog. I work hard to verify information before I publish it, and offer corrections if need be. Sadly, many in the media today do not. Sadly, many politicians do not. In fact, for many politicians, lying is just how they operate.

I’ve often lamented, to myself, to friends, and on Twitter, that there should be a cost to lying. Sadly, it’s rare there is. So, imagine my glee when Rachel Maddow said flat out to her own Senator, Scott Brown, repeatedly, “You’re lying.”

Roll tape: