Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Bill Clinton Scandal - SANITY CHECK -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: jlallen who wrote (15452)	11/21/1998 3:11:00 AM
From: Borzou Daragahi	Read Replies (5) \| Respond to of 67261

I'm counting on that being the legacy of the National Embarrassment. With all due respect, Clinton may be an embarrassment to a tiny portion of people in the United States, but worldwide--based on everything I've read and seen--he's hardly an embarrassment, but considered one of the best American presidents in a long time. I've read articles, editorials, and opinion pieces from Web sites of newspapers from everywhere in the world--Germany, Spain, Mexico, India, Kenya, South Korea, Japan--and almost all seem to agree that Clinton has been a good leader of whom Americans should be proud. (Maybe the White House spin machine has an overseas bureau). One very notable exception: the Economist, which has called on Clinton to resign. If you're really interested on how Clinton fares as a national symbol, use this tool: mediainfo.com which contains links to Web sites of newspapers and television stations all over the world [You got this one bookmarked, Joan?] In Germany, where I recently visited a friend who works in the Parliament, every newspaper I read (except for the conservative and very influential Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) and every person I spoke to voiced unambiguous support for Clinton. Even former Chancellor Helmut Kohl, a Christian Democrat who was friends with Reagan and Bush, has voiced unconditional support for Clinton. All our main European allies--who happen to head moderate-left governments--love Clinton. Jiospin loves Clinton. Tony Blair loves Clinton. Gerhard Schroeder loves Clinton. Remember when the U.N. General Assembly gave Clinton a standing ovation on the same day his Grand Jury testimony was aired? Why do you suppose that was? Let me offer some suggestions: He's loved by the Irish and many Brits for bringing together the two sides on the Northern Ireland issue. He's loved by the Africans for being the first U.S. President to visit the continent. He's respected by the French, who are charmed by his decadent sex life.;-) He's respected in the Middle East for showing restraint with regard to Iraq and pushing the Israeli-Palestinian peace deal along. He's doing well in Asia, where though he's wrangled with some over policy issues, he is considered a fresh and energetic advocate of global trade, which benefits countries like China and Japan. Even in Latin America, land of Yanqui Go Home!, he gets good reviews from the press and respect from not only the leaders but many of the populace, something Reagan and Bush (perhaps incorrectly perceived as backers of authoritarian regimes) never got from those nations. So, though I respect and even understand your opinion that Clinton is an embarrassment, I must tell you that from everything I've heard and read over the past few months--and I have relatives and friends in England, Sweden, Scotland, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Argentina, and Iran--the world views the impeachment process, not Clinton, as the National Embarrassment. Actually, the world considers our decrepit public education system and violent streets National Embarrassments. From everything that I gather only a small percentage of the population of only the U.S. views Clinton as a National Embarrassment. P.S. I would love it if I received a real reply rather than a zippy one liner.