PINOCHIKNOWS - 1

1. Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin was known for his deception, in both writings and political tricks. Having created POOR RICHARDS ALMANAC, writing under the fake name of Richard, he would attack political opponents with all kinds of accusations in an attempt to discredit them. Lastly, the whole “kite in the lightning” thing? It is of NO small note that MANY historians believe that event never really unfolded as we know it.

2. P.T. Barnum

PT. Barnum is the ultimate ring master. He gave the public a show in order to escape the realities of life. His FREAK SHOW was less freak as it was a staged elaborate misdirection of origins and added ‘attributes or abilities’. Leading people to believe a tribe of bearded women stronger than an ox existed or a war general only 2 feet tall was really 80 years old. Barnum himself said “there’s a sucker born every minute, so I give them a place to spend their money”

3. The Blues Brothers

Not real life, however fictionally two of the greatest liars in movie history. Two personas built upon lie after lie as escaped convicts! We as a public, loved every minute of the movie. So much that it became one of the most iconic of its time. Embracing the lie of Jake and Elwood sent on a mission from God himself. 

4. Frank Abignale Jr

Frank Abignale Jr has the distinction of living a life you would think is fictional, yet he’s as real as real can be. Having lived his early life as a lie, by practicing everything from a doctor, pilot, to a lawyer without holding any actual degrees. He did eventually earn a law degree years later. He stole millions of dollars from the government and people using hundreds of bad checks. How did this all end? Frank became an expert for the FBI, helping them to catch modern day swindlers and forgers of bad checks. Amazing!

5. OJ Simpson

Orenthal James Simpson made his fame and fortune as a professional football player and admired actor/spokesman. Sadly, this all came to an end when OJ became the main suspect in the murder of his wife and a delivery boy in Brentwood California. It is widely believed that OJ did kill both and got away with murder. Having been acquitted in court, he never escaped the court of public opinion. He himself writing a book stating IF I were to have killed them here’s how I would have done it. Hmmmm…

6. The Catholic Church

Ummmm, not to offend anyone but truth is truth and lies are lies. Enough said. Or does sexual abuse of children and all the cover ups not count?

7. Donald J Trump

Donald Trump is actually the 45th president of the United States. Now you would think being a politician, it goes without saying that lies and politics are perfect bed fellows. However, 45 has managed to exceed all expectations when it comes to lies. They go far beyond politics as usual. From sexual encounters, to pay offs, to Russia and what may have taken place to get him elected. He has the actual distinction of being the most misleading president ever, where facts are considered when speaking to the public, reporters and individuals.

8. Robert Ripley

Believe it or not, his facts were the basis of the modern-day National Inquirer, IF you can believe it. No pun intended. Ripley was born of a war-torn era where people wanted to escape from the truth. No matter Ripley sold the public a steady diet of non-attainable facts and features, home grown and from far off places that he would often muse…” No need for actual facts, as long as people are entertained”. With that in mind, perhaps it becomes easier to understand how a millionaire turned reality tv star can become the 45th president of the United States. 

9. The 1919 Chicago Blacks Soxs

Chick Gandil, Buck Weaver, Fred McMullen, Robert Felsch, Joe Jackson, Eddie Cicotte, Lefty Williams, and Swede Risberg. This group of men comprise what is widely believed to be the greatest collection of liars and cheaters in the history of sports. Having thrown the 1919 world series on purpose in exchange for a large sum of money arranged by the infamous gangster and gambler Arnold Rothstien.

10. George Castanza

Again, not all liars are based in reality. As for fictional liars go, you do not get much better than George from Seinfeld. Almost his entire persona and plot arcs for a decade, were about lies which his episodes were created around.

11. Santa Clause 

Formerly known as Krampus, Santa was not so jolly. He actually stole children if they whined and complained and would then force them to dig up coal. So just in case you ever wondered why these lyrics “you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I’m telling you why” really exist…

But the Americanized version is used for capitalism and well … commerce.