<<Can you not feel a turn in the tide? The backlash could get big.>>
I'm not sure about the effects of any backlash, but I agree that public opinion does not favor the actions of the Republicans or Starr. I think that momentum will increase as the Tripp tapes or certain other evidence becomes public. Notice that the headlines on the online newspapers is no longer related to Clinton or the scandal. People may just ignore the whole thing as they become more disgusted.
<<what you are reading as a lack of principles, I would read as the presence of a sense of proportion>>
I don't think the two issues are related. If using your position of authority to gain sexual favors is wrong, it is wrong. You don't support someone who does that just because they have helped you in some other way. Otherwise, you end up having a far more difficult time convincing anyone you really believe the actions were wrong. If Clinton can convince people to support him even if he (fill in the blank), just by pushing their agenda, isn't he, in effect, bribing them? To paraphrase an old joke - "we've already established what you are, now all we're doing is dickering over price." No offense to anyone - I'm not calling anyone a whore - all I'm saying is that if you set a price on your principles, they aren't really principles.
What you are referring to as a sense of proportion should be directed at what the punishment should be. In that vein, the women's groups are saying that Clinton has suffered enough. That is a far cry from how they have reacted to conservative politicians such as Thomas. The same people when questioned on their reaction to Thomas made it very plain that they objected to his politics, and were willing to do whatever it took to make sure he didn't get on the court. Again, no principles, only positions. You should never take an "ends justifies the means" attitude, IMHO. Present the facts, make your case, and deal with the consequences, but don't abandon your ethics or your principles just to get your way. |
