Is someone telling the truth when they say "I've always tried to tell the truth?"

In response to last week’s question, "Is someone telling the truth when they say 'I've always tried to tell the truth?,' "  my writing and sailing friend Rich replied, "Show me a man who has always told the 100% truth and I’ll show you a man who has never been asked, 'Do these pants make my butt look big?'"

My temple friend Richard observed, "The key word is 'tried.' That doesn’t mean they are successful. Also, telling the truth is at times hazardous to one’s health or marriage (answering in the affirmative to the question 'Does this make me look fat?' for example).  and this week’s question did cause me to propose a new campaign strategy for the current Republican presidential front-runner: George Washington could not tell a lie.  Richard Nixon didn’t tell the truth. Donald Trump can’t tell the difference.”

My collaboration friend Tricia explained, "I believe in telling the truth - even when inconvenient. If I have to convince someone I'm telling the truth, I might not be. Right?  Just the same as when mean people say, 'I really try to be nice to everyone, but they don't deserve it.'"  In support of this, my cousin Greg wrote, "In the words of the great Jedi Master Yoda, 'There is no try, only do.' "

When my PR friend Stan share, "Technically, yes," my social media friend Mark pointed out, "Let me be honest (negating everything else I have ever said without the "let me be honest" preamble). No. They are not telling the truth. Nor am I being truthful when I end a compliment with "bless your heart".

My dad's beach buddy Bob pointed out, "The appropriate response would should have been 'When convenient,' " to which my equestrian friend Royce replied, "Only a politician."

Please share your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' “:

What do you do with an extra day in your year?

Give me a sense of humor; give me the ability to understand a clean joke; to get some humor out of life, and to pass it on to other folks. 

Hal

Happy Birthday Leaplings.  You are special although the rest of us get 4 times  more birthday cake than you do.

The tradition for today, according to an old Irish legend, or possibly history, is that St Brigid struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose marriage to men on this date.   Leap day is also St Oswald’s Day, named after the archbishop of York who died on February 29, 992.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.  Stop by NicheLabs to see what else I'm up to.