As a schoolkid 70 years ago – and for some time after – I had a couple of very good friends who were complete and utter liars.
Even a simple question like ‘Where have you been?’ would trigger a long, nonsensical monologue every time. Their lying was part of their character, and we’d just listen without arguing because their stories seemed harmless.
But now, I’m starting to think that this habitual lying quirk should have been addressed early on. A few kind words in childhood might have helped – or, if not, perhaps the public could have been taught to recognise and beware of their fantasies.
What troubles me now is that I still remember those departed friends, both of whom met a ‘sticky end’.
And today, I see many people in powerful positions with those same strange traits – including the president of the ‘Greatest Nation on Earth’?
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
