What happens when you “concede” a point?

Sen. Hillary Clinton has been saying for some time now she was “under sniper attack” while her helicopter was landing in Bosnia. 

Impressive. Heck even borderline heroic. But than again, it was a lie. 

It has been reported, despite all the talk about the attack, Senator Clinton has now “conceded” the point and was not really under a sniper attack. 

How does that work? When you “concede,” does it just go away? No one cares you said stuff that was never true? Any tactic you use to make yourself look better is OK? 

I could have used the “concede” tactic when I was a kid. 

“I concede, I took the cookie.”

“I concede, I hit my sister.”

“I concede, I broke the lamp.”

“I concede, my homework was not destroyed in an elaborate terrorist attack.” 

But why limit such an innovative use of the English language to children and politicians? Adults, from all walks of life, could benefit from this fancy “no repercussions” response.

“I concede, I was speeding.”

“I concede, I took company money for personal use.”

“I concede, I spent all my money on gambling and drugs.”

“I concede that is not really my wife.”

“I concede I appropriated my neighbor’s power tools.” 

Here is how to fix this behavior… 

Stop lying. Period. 

You don’t need to sensationalize your actions. Either you did something or you didn’t. I was impressed enough Sen. John Kerry served in Vietnam — he didn’t have to be a hero. He served and I respect him for that (perhaps not enough for my vote).

I was impressed enough, as first lady, Hillary Clinton went to Bosnia — she didn’t have to say they were under sniper fire. Just say what happened and leave the embellishment to Hollywood.

Lastly, if I made too many grammar errors or misspellings in this entry… “I concede.”

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