Some lies are white lies as when a friend asks you for feedback on something they've done and you really don't want to hurt their feelings hence you soften your comments somewhat. Everybody "lies" at one point or another. Pathological liars however get a rush out of telling lies and "fooling" whomever they're talking to. Sometimes the lies are for the purpose of self-aggrandizing other times to avoid censure for actions or mistakes made.
Then there are corporate and or business lies. These are the lies whereby an employee, manager or director feels an obligation to protect his business or employer. Perhaps there is also a loyalty to the shareholders as well as the others putting staff into a conflict of interest situation. These are the situations whereby staff are often expected to view the situation as them versus us. When the "us" is providing your food and shelter and the "them" is either the general public or even some authority (eg. Min. of Environment) the choice is easy.
These are the realities of corporate control over their staff. Especially in a non-union environment corporations can fire at will provided some notice or pay in lieu of notice is given. Take the example here in Elmira, Ontario. Any number of staff or employees could have ratted out the company (s) over the years albeit the risks to career and financial stability would be extreme. This is why both the public and the government (MECP) need verification of all facts and statements provided by the corporation. Many of the issues here could have (and should have) resulted in many more millions of dollars to clean up their mess. This ongoing corporate lying unfortunately needs to be expected.
Here in Elmira the corporation (Lanxess) has the best of both worlds. Not only can they lie at will but their lies have mostly been given the green light by the MECP. These lies not only save the company millions of dollars but they also protect the Ministry of Environment (MECP) and the government of the day from public condemnation. Corporate lying backed by elected officials both locally and provincially is very difficult to beat. Just ask Uniroyal Chemical, Crompton, Chemtura and now Lanxess Canada.
BUT NOTWITHSTANDING all of the above: these staff and bureaucrats who are guilty are liable for their individual omission and or negligence or worst ! They should in reality be far more concerned what the public and the courts could do to them legally! Politicians can be switched every few years BUT the bad staff and bureaucrats are a real damn dilemma. Many of the bad ones are easy to identify because of their attitude to the public when confronted. The more difficult ones to identify are those who are more isolated or hidden from the public. The most difficult ones to identify are the professionals who actually hide behind a false identity and false character. (THE GREENWASHERS and Bias Agenda Driven)
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