I was having a conversation recently, to do with claims/beliefs made by folks suffering mental illness. Why are the vast majority of walts from (well not really from, that is) well known groups. I have met quite a few CIA agents, and many handfuls of ex SAS troopers (including some of the many thousands from Prince's Gate). Virtually none are ex mossad or GRU, why is this?
Does anyone have any theories on this? Surely it would add mystique for someone to say that they had done something secret, but could not talk about it, and thus show (fake) integrity and loyalty. Also, I wonder what percentage of story tellers actually believe their own hype?
On the other hand, many walts (an obvious politcian, and Jim Shortt spring to mind), carry on with their stories regardless of challenge, and seem to do very well out of it.
Just my two penneth.