I think it is particularly reckless to release the President's Grand Jury testimony in videotape form, as opposed to by transcript, and including only the areas relevant to the issues of perjury.
The clear and reckless Republican purpose is to scorch and damage President Clinton to the maximum extent possible, however unfairly.
And it is fully predictable that the negative impact on respect for the President, subject to a secret star chamber inquisition now to be thrown on TV sets around the world, will indeed be overseas. And among our enemies.
They will be utterly transfixed by such intimate and belittling inquisition of so high a man. And Clinton understandable anger as a result will also hurt him greatly, and us, overseas. Clinton very well contains his anger to non-public situations. This normally sealed testimony is now thanks to these reckless Republicans going to be played on television, no doubt with only the most damaging parts pulled and played, around the world.
It is a terrible act.
When Congress controlled by an even stronger majority control by Democrats held the Nixon impeachment hearings, they did so with far more fairness, and with sensitivity towards the dignity of the office. As well as the views of Nixon's supporters. This was despite the fact that the charges in that case were far, far more serious, and hence the need for action far greater. The country was also at war. And facing an ongoing severe economic crisis. Yet Democrats acted far far better, with a much greater interest in compromise, and the appearance as well as reality of evenhandedness.
I feel huge backlash. I think it will spread.
Doug |
