Bush Administration question: What is the difference between a false statement and an outright lie?

Question

A term never really used before seemed to be introduced during this administration and that is the false statement. It was first widely used when that study came out that the Bush Administration had told some 400 + "false statements" in the run up to the Iraq war (obviously the study include statements on 9/11).

Since then a whole host of politicians including Hillary Clinton have been caught making these so called "false statements".

So what's the difference between a misstatement and a lie?

Answer 1

False Statement - unknowingly saying something that isn't true.

Lie - knowingly saying something that isn't true.

Misleading statement - saying something, while leaving out information, that might change the meaning of whats said.

Answer 2

for the bush admin.. a lie is when you get caught! and actually admit it! a false statement is inaccuracy (percentages, ratios, numbers, or a half truth)

thats what i atleast think

Answer 3

A false statement is one that is factually incorrect.  It may be a lie, or the person stating it may just not be correct.

A lie is a statement made by someone who knows the information to be false.

Answer 4

A false statement is like when Dan Rather used counterfiet documents against George W. Bush during the election and the lie was when he said they were legit .

Answer 5

A false statement sounds like you could blame it on another guy.   An out right lie. . .you did it

Answer 6

Politicians will lie. This is a known fact. That didn't start in this administration. It's been going on for a long time.

I wish everyone would stop with the Bush bashing and stick to the election issues. It's getting ridiculous. I hope that the way people act on Y/A's, is not the way things are going to be in real life. This election is a very important issue. It's too important to be wasting time with nonsense and non-issues.

Answer 7

Same Difference

If I make a false statement - I am in contempt/obstruction

If I tell a Lie - I am aiding/abetting

Either way, I go to jail, just a citizen.

Since, the administration did - that is Executive Privelage.

Answer 8

There is no difference. A lie is a lie.

Answer 9

basically they have the same definition,but when you call some one a liar other than  a fabricator,it just sounds so harsh.how come so many nice sounding words have the same meaning as harsh ones?

Answer 10

false statement: saying something which is believed to be true, but turns out to be false.

Lie:  saying something is true, while knowing it is not.  INTENT..

Here's the problem with FALSE STATEMENTS AND LIES IN POLITICS.  

These people know very well what the difference is and knowingly lie.. and if at any time they are 'found out'.. then they call it a FALSE STATEMENT... so that the public doesn't call them liars..

So, in essence.  a false statement and a lie in politics, mean absolutely the same thing.

Answer 11

#1  a  False Statement:  Is Meant and Intended as a LIE,  To Cover Up The  Truth  ...    #2   an Outright  LIE:   *Please  See  #1 .....       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5JkHBC5l...

Answer 12

A false statement is a statement made in good faith because you have recieved information from a reliable source that leads you to believe the validity of the statement. i.e. I tell you the garbage has been emptied and you tell someone else the garbage has been emptied because you believe me. In actuality the garbage was NOT emptied - I lied to you, but you believed me. You have made a false statement to someone else but you did not intentionaly mean to lie.

A lie is a statement made as an intentional deception.

Answer 13

I think it has to do with faulty intelligence i.e. CIA or Military reports. If the CIA said that Iraq has a million tons of uranium and were in the process of making a nuclear weapon but the report was made in 1998, then that could be seen as a misstatement because of how old the report is but I am unsure if that's correct.

If Bush just walked up and said "I saw Saddam dancing on a nuclear weapon yesterday, so we need to invade Iraq.” That would most likely be a lie and not a misstatement.

Answer 14

A lie is a misrepresentation of the truth; unless you are in court then it is anything aside from the truth the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help one's self God.

Answer 15

Knowledge & Intent.

Answer 16

Timing or lack thereof... when referring to politicians.Which is what you're driving at.Not actual definitions.I refer you to Sylvester's statement saying the government has a right to lie to the people.No outcry.And that was from a government spokesman over 40 years ago.It's gotten much worse since that time.Besides,partisan politics are a shell game.Both parties have denuded this erstwhile great nation,and as we steamroll into fascism,people continue to throw stones from the left and right as if there truly is a difference[there is in lay terms,but not in practice].Most people know Bush is a liar,just as most know Hillary and Obama are leftists,and John is a Rothschild puppet.But they don't care.That's what is scary and far more interesting than an examination of liars.