sometimes it is important to parse language precisely
if I say something is "absurd" or a notion is "ridiculous", then, strictly speaking, the claim has not been denied
Since I am not laughing, I conclude that, as might be expected, the White House press officer has a better command of the nuances of the english language than the former CIA director.
It is not that hard to actually deny something.
Oh, and as former CIA officials know, saying "I didn't do it" is not synonymous with "didn't happen" - saying "none of those people told me to do it" and "I don't know anything about it" are not denials either.
Just saying.
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