But Clinton's act is phony and transparent.
Gone is the defensive, defiant Clinton. In his place is a dejected, humbled Clinton; head hung in contrition, eyes moist from sorrow, voice filled with emotion. Image upon image portrays the President penitently posturing. In the shadow of looming impeachment, the mea culpa will continue.
After months and months of righteous indignation over accusations he carried on a torrid relationship with an intern less than half his age, the new Bill and Monica show is more comedy than tragedy. The scene: leader of the free
world felled by reckless indulgence. The character: shrewd politician imitating a penitent sinner.
But Clinton's act is phony and transparent. Clinton's "apologies" are calculated sound bites; his pained expression and carefully clasp hands nothing more than a good photo op.
If we are cynical, it is because he has given us good reason to be. What can we truly believe from a man who has built a presidency upon lies? From I did not inhale to I did not have sex with that woman, Clinton has lied about things important and those not so. He has lied about affairs of state and affairs of the heart. He has lied to his closest allies and to his accusers
under oath.
There are the lies about draft dodging and Whitewater and a woman named Gennifer. Lies about travelgate and troopergate and "I will not raise taxes." A nd now, he asks us to believe him? Now, when his career is spiraling and he has everything to gain from a well-worded lie, we are to believe he is truly sorry?
Oh, he's sorry all right. Sorry he got caught; sorry that he must, at last, face the consequences of his actions. Clinton is as sorry as all guilty who are cornered and confronted with their crimes. It is only now that he cannot escape and the cameras are rolling is he sincerely "sorry."
Clinton says he has repented, he claims his sorrow is genuine. Where was his sorrow last January, when news of the scandal first broke? Where was his remorse Aug. 17th when he addressed the nation? No lip-quivering hand-wringing apology is believable now, not when his performance was so credible the last time. If Clinton is repentant, it is because he is compelled to be. An apology coerced may be worse than none at all.
According to the Bible Bill claims he adheres to, true repentance is more than an eloquent apology. It requires consequences for transgression. Justice extracts restitution as well as sorrow. Along with mercy for the sinner came the admonition to "go and sin no more." I wonder if Clinton remembers that part.
At a prayer breakfast on that infamous day, Clinton stated, "And if my repentance is genuine and sustained, and if I can maintain both a broken spirit and a strong heart, then good can come of this for our country as well as for me and my family."
And if it is not…what then, Mr. President?
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Natalie Walker Whitlock likes to comment on political issues when she is not busy commenting on political issues |
