A lie is a lie is a lie. Our very, very wonderful new commander-in-chief based his whole campaign on lies and deception. He called his opponent a liar, but he apparently doesn’t know the meaning of the word. His devoted toadies have tried to cover up his ignorance by redefining the meaning of the word “lie” so they are not caught up in the wide web of deception.

A few examples of the improvised words and phrases used to redefine lying include “alternative facts” (lies); “I misspoke” (I lied); “I was taken aback by the question” (I had to lie); “The media always misinterpret what I really meant to say” (It’s their fault I lie).

The next few months should be interesting as the new, very, very wonderful administration tries to untangle the lies and fulfill the promises he made to appease the misguided voters. His toadies are not only trying to improve his vocabulary by discouraging the word “very” but are hard at work trying to come up with new words to cover up for the ineptitude of the new administration.

His broken promises are just little fibs; lots and lots of jobs, a simple fabrication; tax breaks for the middle class becomes mendacity; and building a wall on Mexico’s tab is simply a whopper.

A lie by any other name is still a lie.

Carole Richards, Livermore