Throw the flag against: Rudy Giuliani.
Call: Twisting the face mask of truth.
What happened: Giuliani said Thursday in Las Vegas: "This country has never, ever, I believe, gotten in trouble by exaggerating a threat. We've gotten ourselves more into trouble when we underestimate a threat."
Why that's wrong: Where do we begin? How about going to war in Iraq to take out Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction? Going to war in Vietnam because of the alleged attack on U.S. ships in the Gulf of Tonkin? Destroying lives in the 1950s out of McCarthy-inspired fear of Communists? Throwing loyal Japanese-Americans in prison camps during World War II? Going to war with Spain over the suspected bombing of the Maine?
In truth, we get into trouble all the time when politicians exaggerate threats.
Penalty: 15 yards. Repeat down — and History 101.
Steven Thomma