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  By Alex Mahgoub · September 7, 2010
  "Our law enforcement agencies have found bodies in the desert either buried or just lying out there that have been beheaded," Arizona governor Jan Brewer said earlier this summer.
  If it sounds unbelievable, well, it is. There have been no beheadings in Arizona. What the governor said was a flat-out lie. What's problematic here (beyond destroying local tourism) is that the governor refused for months to retract the statement—even after it was proven to be false.
  Why would she say such a thing? To defend her administration's passing of a scary immigration bill that looks like it will lead to discriminatory practices. "Show me your papers," will become a harassing refrain for folks who are merely walking out without their wallet. Land of the free, home of the brave- well – as long as you have identification.
  After her most recent gubernatorial debate, she was asked repeatedly by reporters why she would not recant her previous false remarks. She stood there like a deer in headlights, pretending as if their questions were not being asked, following in the footsteps of Nevada Tea Party candidate Sharon Angle.
  Well- if they aren't going to ask any substantive questions…Brewer declared the press conference over and exited abruptly. If her poor performance during the debate (you can watch the precious moments here) wasn't enough to make her run; having to face her own lies seemed to seal the deal.
  The problem here though isn't only with Jan Brewer, it's with most if not all of our politicians. I am not talking about hyperbole here—making exaggerated claims is commonplace in American politics. But, what is truly frightening now, are the outright LIES being spread.
  Like Barack Obama being a Muslim, or death panels for the elderly; these are not mere distortions but often purposeful deceits to confuse, distract, or scare people into voting a certain way. This tactic of false information is being used by much of the ideologues leading our political conversation.
  As quaterlifers, we have the challenge -as the future of the world – to stand up to the lies, the dishonesty, the out-right corruption in our political world. Although Jan Brewer finally said that she misspoke, the greater problem is that she exists in a world where she's able to make such statements.
  It doesn't matter if you're Republican, Democrat, or Mike Bloomberg—we all have an interest in keeping the debate realistic and honest. We can no longer allow politicians (or anyone who would classify themselves as a leader – BP executives, I'm looking your way) say things that just are not founded in truth.
  If you're a liar, we will call you out. And the place we will do it will be the voting booth.
  Written by Alex Mahgoub · Filed Under Blog · Print This Article · Tagged: arizona, immigration bill, jan brewer, lie, politics, sharon angle, voting
  Benito says:	September 7, 2010 at 11:32 pm	In the last four months Jan Brewer has been caught lying, three times and counting.