The holiday season is a time for reflection, taking inventory, giving remembrance and thanks for all that has been good in our lives over the past year. It is also a time for forgiveness, mercy and generosity. In these times, we surely need all of those things; for this has been the year of the liar.

This is the year of the liar not because we have become particularly proficient liars or because we lie so much more than we have in the past. It deserves this designation because never before have we been so proud of our lies and willing to publicly adore the lying of others.

We have always been liars. Sure, some lies seem innocent enough. The lie about whether or not your wife looks fat in that dress has good intentions. It is told to avoid conflict (heaven knows nobody really wants that) and to avoid hurting your wife