Father Biondi is Lying

There’s exaggeration, there’s hyperbole and there’s lying. It’s easy to say that someone is exaggerating. Saying so is a rather bland assertion and one that few really object to. Accusing one of hyperbole requires a little more substance. And to call someone a liar you had better know what you’re talking about. Father Biondi is a liar.

Of course he also exaggerates and is prone to hyperbole. Saying that Saint Louis University needs to demolish the Pevely complex to compete against hospitals in St. Louis County is an exaggeration. Stating that SLU Care physicians would flee the hospital if Pevely were to remain is hyperbole. Claiming that the university hospital and medical school would move to the county if Pevely is not destroyed is a lie.

The December Preservation Board hearing regarding Pevely was a veritable kitchen sink performance by SLU. University administrators testified that they thought the building was ugly. The school claimed that they couldn’t fulfill their mission of providing healthcare to the underserved is the building was left standing. They claimed they had exhausted options for reuse. Father Biondi reminded the board of the good things the Jesuit school does. The project architect claimed that while listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the National Park Service designation really doesn’t count because he says so.