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Politics : Clinton's Scandals: Is this corruption the worst ever? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: George Coyne who wrote (8162)	10/13/1998 1:49:00 AM
From: Borzou Daragahi	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 13994

you misunderstand the real problem with this president's behavior George, here in a nutshell is my basic understanding of the Lewinsky matter. I would very much appreciate your corrections if you believe I've gotten something wrong: a) The president had an affair with a subordinate b) He lied about it under oath c) Evidence shows he may have tried to use the powers of his office to silence the underling through the promise of a job. d) Evidence shows he may have tried to use the powers of his office to cover up the affair in order to thwart a civil proceeding against him. e) Evidence shows he may have tried to use the powers of his office to thwart an investigation by the Independent Counsel into whether he tried to thwart the civil proceeding. As I'm sure it must be with any country, it is difficult for an American to view the world other than through an American prism. Many Americans, including myself, agree with that it's ridiculous for intelligent people to argue whether Clinton by his actions somehow dirtied a cherished, pure and hallowed position in the American political system. Ask yourself this question. Has the presidency in recent decades been about much more than managing the orderly flow of global and domestic capital while keeping the bad p.r. from the the human and social side effects at a minimum? That goes for both parties. What's the mythic honor in that? It's like being a corrupt precinct captain in 1920s Chicago trying to keep the kickbacks from the booze business up and the body count from the gangland shootings down. The bottom line is, many Americans never really believed there was anything other than a myth for him to disgrace. If you understand this, you'll understand why there's so little outrage and indignation about Bill's behavior, both in the U.S. and abroad. But I'm not talking about those in other countries. I suggest you go to the Robert Taylor Homes on the south side of Chicago and see what they think of the presidency as an office. Go to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Anyone who has even a passing familiarity with the ways of the world--and doesn't have a stake in the status quo--understands that you don't get to and stay at the top of the heap by sprinkling sugar and spice on those around you. You get there and stay there by killing off anyone in your way. As a reporter, I've spoken to people from many walks of life. Press them on it, and you'll get the same jaded response: they're all (presidents, congressman) a bunch of crooks and liars. That's not just knee-jerk cynicism, that's the people recognizing the political system as inherently corrupt. Why do you think 50 or more percent don't take part in national elections? Because they know it's a waste of time. your suggestion that the people of this or any country should tolerate criminal behavior in their leaders because criminal behavior may have occurred in the past. That's not what I was trying to suggest, I apologize if it came off that way. I was saying that it's somewhat disingenous to be "shocked, shocked" by the behavior of this president especially in comparison to presidents' past. I was saying such a pose was beneath the intelligence of someone such as Michael Cummings, whose posts are always interesting and well-thought out. (If Clinton weren't cut from the same cloth as the power-lusting careerists and opportunists who generally run this country, he would have done the honorable thing--for the good of his country, his party, and his friends--and resigned when the Starr report became public. Not as an admission of guilt, but as a way for the country to close this chapter and move ahead.) In any case, thank you very much for your serious response to my post. I always try to remain as flexible and open minded in my thoughts and opinions as possible, and very much appreciate different perspectives.