22 June 2004

Here we go again

I plan on reading Bill Clinton's book as soon as I can.  I watched "60 Minutes" last night and will watch a few other shows this week that interview the former president.  It's no secret that I like Clinton, and I miss him being in the White House.  I think GW is a horrible president, a huge disappointment, and having him leading the country has me pining for a man like Clinton even more.

It bugs me, though, that the release of this book has escalated the polarization of this country.  I didn't think that was possible, because clearly, the USA has never been more polarized than it is now, but I have seen and heard things in the last few days that make me think that it is going to get even worse.

Why do some people despise Clinton so much?  He might be the most hated man in America, maybe not in numbers of people, but by how much hatred there is for him.  I've seen people foaming at the mouth with contempt for him recently.  I was watching Fox News yesterday afternoon when they were discussing the negative review of the book that appeared in the New York Times, and the three person panel was bouncing off the walls of the studio with absolute glee. 

As much as I think he is a terrible president, I don't hate George W. Bush.  He is completely unequipped to be the leader of this country, but I am sure that he is a nice guy.  I have seen plenty of people question his policies and actions, but I have never seen a level of contempt and hatred for him as I have for Clinton.  Why? 

As a Democrat, I have many reasons for choosing not to support the GOP (though if I may disclaim, I have voted for Republican candidates in the past.  It hasn't happened often, but it has been done), mostly because I disagree vehemently with their social policies.  But I also find them extraordinarily arrogant.  I thought the GOP ignited the negative campaigning that is so prevalent in present day with the election of 1988, and they have been smug since.  I realize that politics is all about blaming the opposite group for failure while you take credit for success, but the GOP seems particularly adept at slime.

Does anyone really think that Clinton would have been impeached if the Congress had not been under Republican control?  Of course not, it would not have even come up for a vote.  Look at the vote, straight along party lines.  Same for the prospects for his removal from office; there were not 67 Republicans in the Senate.  Again, straight down party lines.  From his first day in office, the GOP had an agenda to completely destroy Clinton.  It wasn't enough to sabotage his presidency, they wanted to personally bring the man down.  And they probably would have succeeded, if they had enough people in the Senate.

Personally, I think that there have probably been many more impeachable offenses committed by this current administration than there were in Clinton's, but since the GOP still controls the Congress, the topic will never be approached.  It is amazing to me how history is being controlled by partisan politics.

Do you think I am exaggerating about the level of hatred for this man?  Consider this: as Clinton's Presidential library gets ready to open in Little Rock, there is a group of conservatives building what they call an "Anti-Clinton library" a few miles away.  People have willingly donated money to see this built.  Clearly, no other president has had to stomach the building of an "anti-library", though surely some may have deserved it (Nixon?).  There is a personal hatred for this man that exceeds my level of understanding.

Clinton was surely not a saint.  He made a huge mistake, and compounded it by attempting to cover it up.  He was a lousy husband.  Big deal.  There's a ton of people out there just like him.  Do you think his behavior is any more deplorable than GW's past discretions when he was an alcohol abuser?  Is that my business?  The point I try to make is that all presidents are indeed human.  They make mistakes. 

If someone were to contact me when GW's library is being built and asked me to support an anti-Bush library, I'd decline and let them know that I don't feel that is an honorable thing to be doing.  How are we supposed to achieve anything in this country, solve any of the immense problems facing us when all anyone does is convey hatred to the other side?  What ever happened to debate, saying that someone is just "wrong?" 

I will read Clinton's book and remember how fortunate I felt when he was in the White House, but it will also be tough to continually remember also how his time in office brought this escalation of hate, of how personal everything became, and how it continues today.  And how a majority of it comes spewing from the Grand Old Party.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

it is certainally no secret where i live, and with whom i associate with, that i have always defended  and voted for this brave and careing man. My heart bled for him for the 8 years in office, and the hatemongers are still at work on him. I am 82 years old, and will not live to know how this country will treat his legacy, but my honest openion is: " the best president this country has ever had.
He has a special felling for those in need. He loves this country, and showed the whole world, that we were kind, loving people. He is loved all over the world. We were so respected and we all had a job. the ecenomy was the best in history, and he had to fight his way through the rich gop and did it all with a smile. He never lost his reasin for why he was there. I am ashamed for our country today. We are disgraced and our  friends around the world despise us. So-- much harm, lost so many young men, and for what??? i hope people with your good sense and carachter will carry on after i am gone. It's people like yourself, who make this the greatest country in the world

bless you,
lucille jones
lsj812@aol.com



Anonymous said...

Bill Clinton had a party for us in the WHite House in Feb 1993 for those who worked on his NH Primary campaign. It is one of the most memorible event in my life. He is a great man & deserves better recognition for the good things he did for this country. Bush is tearing this country apart. Clinton made us feel good about ourselves. Too bad he can't run again because this country needs Clinton more then ever !!!!!

Anonymous said...

You are a far left liberal to believe a man who lied from his first day in office and
probably before.  The other great liar we had was "Tricky Dick" Nixon.  I have no
respect for either man.

Oh my gosh, I forgot dear LBJ, who should be buried face down for the way he
lied about and conducted the Vietnam war.

Anonymous said...

Bill Clinton stunk up Washington. Gore should hate the man because he was the victim of Clinton's stench. The American public cleansed Washington of the Clinton stink by getting rid of anything associated with the man. Clinton did nothing but took credit for much. The disbarred adulterer is a disgrace to the Office of President and how people can have anything but outrage and contempt for the man is amazing to me.

Anonymous said...

For all of you who are quick to label Clinton a liar, let us look at the current occupant of the White House, no one died when Clinton lied. When I vote, I vote on what they can do for me, my family, and this country .... not their personal life or their political party. Do not discuss morals with me because GW is about as evil and immoral as they come. For the first time in my life, my pride in being an American is dimmed. That doesn't make me a terrorist, or anti-American ... it simply means I am ashamed of the current direction the administration is taking America. We must stop the politics and labels against eachother and work for a safer America that is built on principles, real morals and not bullies. We must keep our allies on our side. Bush and the administratin's bull-headed, closed-minded tatics has done world-wide damage. An open-mind is a wonderful thing.

Anonymous said...

FOR ME THE FORMER PRESIDENT WAS THE BEST FOR THIS COUNTRY.  AS A WIDOW WITH 5 CHILDREN, HAVING LOST MY HUSBAND EARLY IN LIFE, IT MADE ME GLAD THAT HE WAS IN THE WHITE HOUSE.  ECONOMY WAS UP AND WE ALL HAD SOME MONEY IN OUR POCKETS.  I SURE HOPE WE GET ANOTHER DEMOCRAT  LIKE HIM.  MORALLY, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES.  "LET HE WHO IS WITHOUT SIN CAST THE FIRST STONE"  HE STATED REMORSE FOR HIS MISTAKE.

Anonymous said...

I couldn't agree more with everything you said.  I am presently reading President Clinton's book, and no, I didn't jump to the end to pick out specific people or situations.  I am so tired of all these self-righteous do-gooders, which, interestingly enough, seem to be mostly men feeling they are in a position to judge another man's infidelities.  By the way, I try to never watch Fox News.  Their "fair and balanced" reporting is a joke.  Try MSNBC NEWS ...at least they give both sides.

The only comforting thought to me about Bill Clinton is that he is not going away because he is so popular as much as it may infuriate some.

I miss listening to Bill Clinton speak.  He was so eloquent and made everything seem possible through his optimism.  Not since Jack Kennedy have I been so engaged.

I don't suppose we will ever get that lucky again but, hope springs eternal.

   

Anonymous said...

i do agree with you. i am a clinton fan. i think the reason many americans have jumped on the clinton bashing bandwagon started by the gop is this: people love to side with the morally correct and so-called wholesome (george and laura look so serene, don't they). another reason i see is that they just were so incensed by clinton's cavalier attitude and dishonesty. as if no other person in a position of power ever got away with anything. it is nobody's business how many people he was intimate with. it is between hillary and bill. we need to learn from the europeans. mitterand's wife and mistress sat next to each other at his funeral. i couldn't sanction my relationship to be so open, but i don't have the right to dictate my beliefs on the president of the country. i don't blame monica either for her actions only for her lack of discretion.

Anonymous said...

I purchased Bill Clinton's audio book, as I wanted to have it read to me by the former president himself.  I am proud of the job he did as President and am sorry the Nation had a Congress that would waste our time and tax dollars on something that had nothing to do with it's business.  There were so many things to take care of.  American's are dying from lack of health care, Cigarettes and other drug abuse, Aids and Cancer.  We could have used the seventy million spent on so many other things instead of what was Hillary's business and not ours.  There was much more damage done from the public trial.  How could so many BIG men and women been so small as to partake in such a trail.  Most other nations thought we were nuts.  Then we turn around and ask them to go to war with us and die for ours causes.  Is it a wonder they questioned our judgment?

I am thankful I had Bill and Hillary Clinton as my President and first lady. May God bless and be with them in their service to this Great Country.












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Anonymous said...

Ber144, thanks for the comment.  I agree with you 100% and I could not have said it any better.

Anonymous said...

I also agree with you. Bill Clinton had the interest of the common man in mind. He cared about everyone having a fair chance of making a success of their lives.

As far as the impeachment, it was all driven by jealously and hatred. I was always taught that if you lived in glass houses that you didn't throw stones. I wander how many broken windows are in Congress and Star's home. Only God knows

Anonymous said...

I also agree with your comments. I have a lot of respect for Mr. Clinton and I wish he could run again so that we could get Bush out of there!!! What Bill Clinton did was personal and none of anyones business. What Bush is doing is political and he should be ashamed. We should be building up our own country instead of building up a country of people who hate us anyway.

Anonymous said...

I plan on reading Mr. Clinton's book. I love you Mr. Clinton.

Anonymous said...

I JUST LOVE BILL CLINTON, THINK HE WAS A GREAT PRESIDENT.    TO DISLIKE HIM FOR HIS AFFAIR WITH MONICA JUST DOESN'T FLY, MANY PRES. HAD AFFAIRS WHILE IN THE WHITE HOUSE, THEY JUST DIDN'T GET CAUGHT.    WE ARE ALL HUMAN!!  CAN'T WAIT TO READ HIS BOOK.  

I WAS ONCE ASKED IF I HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE LUNCH WITH ANYONE IN THE WORLD WHO WOULD YOU PICK.    BILL CLINTON CAME TO MIND INSTANTLY, JUST THINK HE IS SO WELL VERSED IN SO MANY THINGS, THINK HE WOULD BE MOST INTERESTING!!

LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING HILLARY AND SOMEDAY CHELSEA FOR OUR PRESIDENT, THINK BOTH WOULD DO A TERRIFIC JOB.    YES,  BILL WOULD ALSO BE A GREAT 1ST MAN.    

BEST WISHES & GOD BLESS YOU BILL, WE LOVE YOU, THANKS FOR THE GREAT JOB YOU DID AS PRESIDENT.

Anonymous said...



I think Bill Clinton was a good president and wish he could run and again as I would vote for him. He didn't do any worse than anyone else in the DC I think all of them have had affairs they just didn't get caught. I think he is a good man and should be given some credit for things he did for the county while pres.

Anonymous said...

I have to agree with you. The GOP has done nothing but polarize this country since Clinton was president.  Clinton's indescretions was nothing compared to misling the country and spending billions of dollars in a war and rebuilding.  

Anonymous said...

Hi,  

I saw you featured on one of the front pages like I was too.  I really like this entry.  You tell the whole truth.  Bush is a lousy President.  My journal is also featured.  Here is my link anyway:

http://journals.aol.com/ginskia/whatdescribesanitaasanitaasanind/entries/589

Did you get to attend Mr. Clinton's chatroom tonight?  I was unable to.  Please let me know if you did.

Thank You,
:) Anita

Anonymous said...

First of all, let me identify myself as a registered INDEPENDENT black, minister of the gospel.  So I'm free to tell the truth, without fear of reprisal from anyone.

Mr. Clinton disgraced the presidency, WAS IMPEACHED for lying-making mockery of our entire judicial system.  AND HE WAS IMPEACHED FOR IT!!!

Your contention that Clinton would not have been impeached, had it not been for the Republicans, suggests that you, sir, fail to grasp the fact that it was not the Republicans who put this man in a position to even be voted on for impeachment, but Clinton himself who elected to lie, under oath, before the legal system and legislative bodies-cheapening the office of President (as chief law enforcement officer of the nation.)  

You, sir, cannot alter the following facts of history no matter how hard you try.   While he was sitting in the Oval Office, playing sex games with cigars and receiving oral sex from Ms. Monica, he let Osama bin Laden get away not once, but twice.  REMEMBER THAT THE NEXT TIME AL QUEDA launches a major chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or cyber attack on the mainland and our economy is completely decimated and millions (not thousands) of people lose their lives!!  

On his watch, Mr. Clinton  presided over the most inept CIA and FBI in history, whose incompetence paved the way for 9/11.  

He, further, traded national security secrets with China for campaign cash-endangering and jeopardizing the future of America.  

This man actually attempted to insult the intelligence of American citizens by "redefining" the word "sex", and continues to make specious excuses for his sexual addiction (which is characterized by making self-serving excuses for one's misbehavior-which was glaringly evident on the 60 Minutes broadcast).  

I could write volumes on still other reasons why Mr. Clinton must be regarded as one of the worst presidents in history wh

Anonymous said...

I love Bill Clinton as president matter of fact he was the best president we have had in a while the economy was a lot better we need more like him.

Anonymous said...

IMHO, President Clinton was a phenominal leader!  I have much love and respect for the man, his ideals and his passionate desire to make this country into a true 'democracy'.... I could care less about his personal life, the only difference between President Clinton and countless other presidents is 'he got caught.'...... I'd vote for him again without hesitation!  LadyPanther

Anonymous said...

education is key for a brighter future for tomorrows children, only time will tell how people vote...
I like Hillary's stance on education.
Well I am a daycare owner of 20 years. I like to get my clients help when I see they need it. I'm talking babies up to 7 yr. olds
I work with many agencies. D.S.S./ parent classes for behavior, red cross  parent training, luck- for anger issues, police for domestic issues. Drug counseling help if they need it.
-early intervention, food programs for our poor clients. screening  to be sure development is ok.
like Hillary Clinton's book which I love, it take a village. it the old day we all had so many relatives all watching out for our kids, now families are far away in most cases or too busy to help.
if we all do our part as teachers to see and know that times have changed and we all have to do our part to be of the village that raises its children. The children that fall through the cracks, the children we don't help. we pay for in prison cost down the line.

Just my take,
Cheryl


http://journals.aol.com/cste609371/writingsshortstoriesbyStewart/
Comment from cste609371 - 7/13/06 6:44 AM