Politics can produce some top notch lying.  If the average American lies 20 times per day, the average politician probably lies 200 times per day.  You can always tell when a politician is lying.  In response to any question, he will precede his answer with the salvo “Quite Frankly” (QF). 

Individuals who frequently use the QF dodge include: Dick Cheney, Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh, Bob Barr, Dick Armey, Tom DeLay, Orrin Hatch and Trent Lott.  Anytime one of those individuals utters a QF, you can assume they are lying.  Bank on it.  In addition, when politicians use a QF, they will invariably talk out of the side of their mouth.  That’s why I like watching Dick Cheney interviews.  He can talk from the side with the best of them.  However, for the penultimate side talker, I’d have to vote for Dick Morris.  Dick is not only a QFing side talker; he’s also a toe sucker.  What is up with that?

Another way politicians control their environment is through semantics.  It’s the use of semantics that can swirl around an idea and let that idea take on a life of it’s own.  Take for example President Bush’s “Economic Stimulus Plan”.  We all know the story.  However, it’s the semantics that now dominate the idea.  In recent press conferences, Ari Fleischer has changed his description to the “Economic Security Plan”.  Stimulus or Security, 220 or 221, Half Full or Half Empty, it all boils down to semantics.  It’s what allows Republican’s to call their ideas plans while referring to Democrat ideas as schemes.

Semantics, when used in politics, is considered a key mechanism of control.  Control language can fall into two categories. Optimistic, positive governing words that can be used to describe a political candidate’s vision for the future.  Contrasting words can be used by the candidate to defame and slander an opponent.  Examples of optimistic words include: change, moral, family, liberty, empower and principle.  Examples of contrasting words include: crisis, sick, pathetic, looser, bizarre, corrupt, liberal, taxes and spends.

It’s this use of semantics that allows a guy like Rush Limbaugh to get on his radio show and bellow something like “Tom Daschele’s continued grid locking of George W. Bush’s Economic Security Plan is an affront to all God-Fearing, peace loving Americans.  This sick, pathetic, corrupt, bizarre, tax and spend liberal is hell bent on destroying the advances made by morally principal led lawmakers who have been empowered by their constituents to effect change in this society.”  Amen!

Semantics can also be considered in how we deal with each other.  As an example, I like to use the phrase “Get out of Dodge” in casual conversation for a number of circumstances.  Another Raptorism I like is “Man In The Boat Overboard.”  Still another is “Go Ahead…Make My Day.”  Obviously, most of these are borrowed from the popular movies of our generation.  It’s why I use the phrase “The Sheriff Is Near” on an almost daily basis.  Other phrases that “trip my trigger” include: “Chewed Up,” “A Few Good Men,” “Sustained and Continuous” and “Hallowed Ground.”  I could go on indefinitely but the Daytona 500 starts in about an hour and Quite Frankly, I’m a little parched.

It seems that Golfweek, an excellent publication, is sponsoring a “Spring Retreat” in Pinehurst, NC March 24-27, 2002.  The details are: three rounds of golf at Pinehurst courses 2, 4 and 8.  Evening events include: three dinner programs and a special reception at Old Sport Museum and Gallery.  Dinner speakers include Brad Klein, Tom Fazio and Golfweek writers Dave Senor and Jeff Rude.  Klein, who is author of “Discovering Donald Ross”, will speak on Ross and his impact on Pinehurst and the many courses he has had a hand in building.  Senor and Rude will be speaking on life on the PGA Tour.

I am planning to fly out of Erie on Friday March 22.  After landing in Raleigh, I will rent a vehicle and drive the rest of the way.  Since I’m not checking into the Carolina until Sunday, I plan to rough it Friday and Saturday night.  If everything goes according to plan, I will play Saturday at either Pinehurst 5, 6 or 7.  As an alternative, I might try The National, Plantation, Pine Needles or one of 50 other courses there.  Since Krista and I are members of Pinehurst, I am going to try and wedge another game in on Monday or Tuesday while playing 2 or 4.  I will then return to Erie on Wednesday March 27.  It should be noted that Sunday March 24 is my birthday.

What I’m looking for are a few good men who would like to get out of dodge.  These intrepid individuals will get to play golf on some of the finest courses in the world.  The will be staying at the Carolina Resort.  The food will be excellent the service outstanding.  The dinner speakers promise some fascinating repartee.  There is no doubt going to be some sustained and continuous drinking which will lead to some individuals getting chewed up.  Go ahead…make my day; it will be one hell of a birthday celebration.