Clinton Style Honesty with George Washington and the Cherry Tree
We all remember being taught that George Washington said, "I cannot tell a lie," when asked by his father, "Who chopped down the cherry tree?"
If we fast forward to Bill Clinton, here is how the future president would have responded as a child to the question.
FATHER: William Jefferson Clinton, did YOU chop down the cherry tree?
BILL: No, Father.
FATHER: Are you sure you didn't chop down that tree, Bill?
BILL: I swear I did NOT chop down the cherry tree.
FATHER: Son, I SAW you out here with your ax. Your punishment will be much worse for you if you lie. Now, tell me the truth!
BILL: Dad, I answered your question truthfully. Still, I must take complete responsibility for all my actions. While my answer was legally accurate, and your question is not specific, I did not volunteer information.
Indeed, Father, the cherry tree is lying on the ground. I deeply regret that. I can only tell you that you failed to ask me the correct question. I WAS present when the cherry tree fell. My answer may have misled you. I can only tell you that I was motivated by many factors. First, by a desire to protect myself from embarrassment by my own conduct. I was also very concerned about protecting Mom.
You asked if I chopped down the tree. I spoke truthfully when I said I did not chop down the tree. I admit I did saw the trunk of the tree with my little saw until it did fall of its own accord. Then, I DID chop off the LIMBS of the tree with my ax. If you will carefully examine the tree, you will find that there are no ax marks on the TRUNK. There are only saw marks. Therefore, my "No" answer to your question, "Bill, did you chop down the cherry tree" was both legally correct and honest. I did not lie to you Father. Now, had you asked, who SAWED down the cherry tree, I would have answered differently. But, surely you cannot expect me to help your form your questions, when they do, indeed, invade my privacy.
I ask you, Father, to turn away from your investigation, your invasion of my right to privacy and your trick questions and let us turn our attention to more important and pressing matters in these trying times. Only by your abandoning your narrow views can we build a strong, supportive, family which is concerned about important matters of the day such as education, health care and improving housing in the slave quarters.
Used with permission
The Reagan Information Interchange
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