Re: "Sessions Denies Lying Over Ties to Russia"

To the editor:

The most generous conclusion one can make of Attorney General Sessions inconsistent remembering is that he is lying to himself while lying to others (Sessions denies lying over ties to Russia in '16, 11/15/17).  Last month, upon direct questioning he denied knowing anyone in the Trump campaign who had contacts with the Russians. With recent news reports including a photograph of his presence in a meeting with George Papadopoulos to assist he remains unclear what was said to him by Mr. Papadopoulos while certain how he responded.  

There is no neurological basis for this kind of patchy remembering.  Nor is there logic.  How can a man be certain of his response to statements made that have not been remembered? Only a psychological explanation makes sense.  When confronted with indisputable facts, the Attorney General falls back on 'not remembering' to defend himself against perjury but, when pushed, remembers just enough details to exonerate him from wrongdoing in the moment. 

If Attorney General Sessions spoke up as he said he did then he lied to Congress under sworn testimony.  If, on the other hand, he had no memory for the meeting that took place then there is no legitimate basis for his being absolutely convinced as to how he responded at the time.

Respectfully submitted

Larry S. Sandberg MD