Look, if you are accused of a terrible crime, one that has had a devastating effect not only on the victim himself but also on various passers-by - and, indeed, upon a whole town - then you may wish to protest your innocence.
This process will, however, be much more effective if you start off by expressing your horror and disgust at the crime that's been committed.
Other good moves might include an offer of sympathy and support to the investigating authorities, and opening up your records to the relevant international organisation.
On the other hand, a reaction that involves sarcasm, contempt, paranoia, and accusations of lying against the victims is unlikely to be persuasive.
It won't help, either, if you have already made threats of violence against the victim, and have a long track-record of (and have fairly recently passed a law allowing) the sort of attack of which you are accused.
Flooding the victims' country with misinformation from your famous propaganda factories is a mistake (as was allowing the propaganda factories to become famous).
Above all, having a reputation for telling lies - even small green ones - won't help you at all.
Yes, despite all that some people will believe you.
But I'm afraid that most will probably want to rely on that inconvenient probability thing.
And they may even want to look at your previous convictions, and the behaviour of your present allies.
Ah well!
Word To Use Today: paranoia. In its informal sense this word refers to an intense and unfounded habitual fear or suspicion. The word comes from the Greek paranoos, distraught, from para-, which means alongside or beyond, and noos, mind.
PS I didn't even need to name any names, did I?
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