A very nasty political environment.

[Buns_of_Fire]

6. Thing is, the sword of truth must actually be wielded occasionally to be effective.

Personally, I'm tired of hearing all the namby-pamby circumventions to the plain word "liar."

If OxyRush or Boner or Cantor the Wedgie Magnet or Grover the Gnome tells an outright egregious lie with malicious intent (a pretty safe bet on any given day), I don't want to hear "he misspoke" or "he didn't have all the facts" or "he was indulging in hyperbole" or any of the other excuses that might be made. I just want to hear somebody say, plain and simple, "he's lying" or "that's a lie." No need to embellish that statement with adjectives (although several come to mind). Then followup immediately with the facts of the matter. (Naturally, it always helps to have the facts.)

Calling someone out as a liar is certainly not PC. Them's fightin' words. It's throwing the gauntlet right back in their faces -- but I don't really see it as sinking to their level. It's hardball. The truth can afford to play hardball.