1 August 2012 - denial

Denial is not just an overused pun, it’s a serious risk factor for official misconduct. Epidemiological studies show that frequent and vociferous denials are strongly associated with known wrongdoing, and yet no law restricts denials, even of the unsubstantiated rumors that are often our earliest sign. “I deny that I have anything to hide”—that’s as much as “I will gladly implement transparency Tuesday for a hamburger today.” It’s time to forbid denial so that the truth can be known!