The scene in the old television series takes place in a bar. The hero cop, a Vietnam veteran worn down with age, approaches a man who is recounting his harrowing days serving in Vietnam.

The hero cop knows the man, knows he did not serve in Vietnam. The hero cop grabs the man by the collar, shoves him against a wall and, paraphrasing, says, you go ahead and say anything you want, but don’t ever, ever lie about being over there.

The scene ends as the liar, who was finally called on his lies, breaks down into a puddle of tears and regret.

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In the made-for-TV drama that now is our federal government, a Senate candidate in heavily Democratic Connecticut trumpeted his service in Vietnam on several occasions, a New York Times story published Monday reported.

The Times quoted Richard Blumenthal, a near shoo-in for a senatorial spot, in 2008 as telling a group in Norwalk, Conn., “We have learned something important since the days that I served in Vietnam. And you exemplify it. Whatever we think about the war, whatever we call it — Afghanistan or Iraq — we owe our military men and women unconditional support.”

The Times then reports Blumenthal had at least five military deferments from 1965 to 1970. In 1970, he landed a spot as a Marine Reserve. The Times reported: He joined a unit in Washington that conducted drills and other exercises and focused on local projects, such as fixing a campground and organizing a Toys for Tots drive.

The 2008 incident was just one of many references he made to serving over there and facing the reactions of an angry public upon returning home. Indeed, as any real Vietnam veteran will say, it wasn’t like the return home of wars past and since. Some arrived home and, if they were lucky, got spit on. Others were pelted with urine-filled balloons.

The candidate’s response was to characterize his statements as “a few misplaced words.” He said he “will not allow anyone … to impugn my record of service.”

The last thing we should hope to hear of Richard Blumenthal is an apology and a concession speech. To make claims about being over there disgraces the thousands who went and returned — and those who never made it back.

If only that hero cop were around to take him by the collar and slam him through a wall.

Some things you just don’t lie about.

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Sean P. Murphy is web editor. He can be reached at smurphy@vicksburgpost.com