One of the biggest bullshit phrases around is when companies pay a massive fine to various regulators (SEC, Justice Department, etc) and then the two release a statement saying "Company [XYZ] neither accepts or denies responsibility for said infringements."
I hate that phrase.
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http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=boiling_blood
Made me think of this.
Ha yeah, that's a good one.
If you were wondering what sparked this thought, I believe it was Pfizer just payed a record fine (2.25billion or so) for marketing products incorrectly. But of course they aren't responsible, it must have been those damn terrorists. Or liberals.
I don't see an issue. It is the same as saying "no comment."
Obviously they can't admit it, or else they'll get swamped by civil suits. They can't deny it either, or they may get swamped for deceiving customers.
Plus, often the one speaking isn't sure of the truth, so they can't actually confirm or deny.
With intelligence agencies, it is one of a few ways to say "no comment" without actually implying a comment.
Of course you wouldn't see an issue, you're a lawyer. I understand why they do it, but it doesn't make it any less stupid.
I think the fact that our legal system forces us to make up these impossible statements is pretty telling.
Telling of what? Telling that when someone admits liability, they're actually held liable? Or accepting liability for harm is going to cost you? Or people don't like to lose money? Or lying can get you in trouble?
Or is there something actually bad the legal system is forcing us into that I'm missing? I'm not seeing the problem.
PS: May or may not is not an impossible statement. There's no contradiction and it is almost certainly true, though it doesn't tell you anything useful.
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