Jolo's is, alas, no more - departed along with the US Navy. Things are a bit quieter around here than they once were. I'm a little older than I once was too, and I prefer it the way it is.
I appreciate the tax break, but I shiver at the memory of George Bush getting off a plane in Manila and telling Marcos how much we Americans loved his devotion to democracy and democratic principles. Our boy Ferdie, the best friend the Philippine Communist Party ever had. I introduced myself as a Canadian for a few months after that - it was easier than trying to explain why we could be so fond of somebody who stole so much of their (and our) money. Aside from a few other unmentionable things the old boy got around to.
As for the immorality and the perjury, well, extramarital sex is something everybody lies about. The question is why anybody asked the question. In most countries, people would ask no questions and hear no lies.
About the other issues, I'm probably not sufficiently well informed to comment credibly. I do think that, despite whatever was sold to China, we are probably farther from nuclear war then we have been in generations. I wouldn't give credit for that to Clinton, but I'd have to say that, judged purely on the basis of results, you'd have to rate him fairly well. And I suspect that serious digging into any recent administration would bring up scandals at least as bad - and sometimes with far greater negative effects - than Clinton's.
Not a Democrat, though, or a Republican. I'm conservative on economic issues, more liberal on all that "social" stuff. Foreign policy needs to be conducted on the basis of reality, not ideology - and there has never been anything so twisted by ideology as the "unrealpolitik" of the Kirkpatrick years. I voted for Bill over George purely because I don't believe any party should sit for 16 years in a row. Feeling the same way now about 12 years, and I hope the GOP can come up with a candidate that is neither a fossil nor a villain next time around.
I will definitely have that San Miguel for you... and one for anybody else that asks as well.
Steve |
