First, I find it's unproductive to make psychological diagnoses of people you haven't met before. Having met actual pathological liars there is not remotely enough evidence that Lehrer is one, unless you're just using the word to mean "a liar I don't like," in which case you're cheapening the phrase.
Second, do you really want a world where errors -- even massive ones -- automatically disqualify you from being relevant again? Where there are no second acts in American life? I do think there are places where that makes sense, but they tend to be places where the supply is perceived to be abundant and commoditized. Ergo why we encourage failure amongst entrepreneurs.
Nobody automatically deserves forgiveness, but I do think Lehrer is a giften enough storyteller that we should not necessarily consign him to the dustbin.
If Lehrer gets a second act, he will earn it by convincing people that he is worth giving one. That's something each person will have to decide individually, and some will be convinced more easily than others.
Perhaps he will succeed, after some soul-searching and change. This article represents a step in the right direction: some people seem to already be on the cusp of forgiveness, while others would like (as is their right) some more assurance. Or maybe he'll fail in this: his sins may be too great, or he may prove to be incorrigible. Either way will be telling.
And this is as it should be. Forgiveness is earned, one way or another, and should be.
Second, do you really want a world where errors -- even massive ones -- automatically disqualify you from being relevant again? Where there are no second acts in American life? I do think there are places where that makes sense, but they tend to be places where the supply is perceived to be abundant and commoditized. Ergo why we encourage failure amongst entrepreneurs.
Nobody automatically deserves forgiveness, but I do think Lehrer is a giften enough storyteller that we should not necessarily consign him to the dustbin.