Letters To The Editor

IN THE PUBLIC EYE

Petty distraction benefits the greedy

Who is really benefiting from this national sex scandal? Certainly not the American public.

As both Republicans and Democrats squabble over whether impeachment is warranted, two vital issues are being ignored. Campaign reform is one. Politicians who have compromised their representation of constituents by succumbing to financial “gifts” from lobbyists and special interest groups pose a far greater threat to the American public than a president who lied about marital fidelity.

Campaign reform has the greatest potential for helping clean up the immorality in American politics today. It gives us the opportunity to address the promises made directly to us, the public, and to curtail many individuals from making further indiscretions.

Health care reform is the second issue getting pushed aside. Who is to gain by this delay? Could it be the special interest groups of insurance companies, doctors and HMOs? What about our concern for the families that must choose between food, shelter or seeking medical attention? Failing to make health care reform a reality is as immoral an act as our representatives voting themselves a pay raise during the same year they passed welfare reform.

We must all focus on the greater good by allowing our vision to shift from this far too common sex scandal back to the vital issues of campaign and health care reforms. We must not allow the evil of greed to force our focus on the immorality of a man’s sexual addictions. Our focus must be far larger. Kim M. Klein Coeur d’Alene

Impeachment grounds lacking, but hey

Perjury is most simply defined as lying under oath, so the definition of perjury hinges on the definition of a lie. I was educated by the good fathers at Gonzaga University and, as I recall from my ethics class, here is the definition of a lie: To withhold information from or deliberately misinform a person or organization which has a right to said information. Clearly, Persecutor (excuse me, Prosecutor) Kenneth Starr, the grand jury and the public have no right to know anything about Clinton’s private life. Therefore, there is no lie, no perjury and there are no grounds for impeachment.

It is likely, however, that the self-righteous hypocrites in Congress will have their way and that Clinton will resign before November. They will then attack Al Gore for campaign finance abuses while continually voting against campaign finance reform. Dennis D. Harr Spokane

Revenge of the sexually challenged

The president of Austria, Thomas Klestil, not only had an affair with a younger woman, his affair led to his recent divorce. In the process, he got re-elected in April. Does that mean the Austrians have no moral values?

Unlike in Austria, stupidity goes unchecked in America. A man or a woman who has or has had an extramarital affair is supposedly bad in everything he or she does and can’t be trusted at all. The person’s duty is to tell the truth about that affair. So, President Clinton should be removed from the office, along with Rep. Helen Chenoweth.

I suspect that those slogans are supported mainly by people who for some reason are frustrated by their own sex lives or lack thereof. No wonder the majority still supports Clinton.

We should, however, create a climate in which if a serious statement is presented, it should also be backed up with serious reasons. If that was the case, we would not waste our time and resources on “scandals” that are, in reality, about nothing. Peter C. Dolina Veradale

Disgusting exercise in hypocrisy

So you think Clinton’s behavior is profane, obscene and sick. Nothing he has done is as sick as the way Kenneth Starr, Congress, the media and the American people have grabbed onto and seemingly enjoyed every juicy tidbit of his private life.

Oh yes, he did some of these things in inappropriate places and yes, he no doubt has a serious problem with judgment, when it comes to sex.

But wait, hasn’t anyone ever heard the story about the woman taken in adultery, where Jesus Christ himself told her pursuers, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”? Or did we not learn in elementary school that people shouldn’t tattle, or that people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones?

God help this country if it can ever get out of the mess that the people of this country have created! The repercussions will be far reaching for years to come, because we have exposed ourselves and our children to so much filth and hypocrisy that we and they may never recover emotionally from the exposure, never again learn what is right and proper behavior.

Even many of our churches have been sullied by the gossip, rumor and hatred. This is the saddest thing to come out of this destructive situation. People we believe in and trust have stooped to the most disgusting outpouring of self-righteous indignation. Pathetic! Judy D. Gage Spokane

Congress not meeting responsibility

Concerning the latest actions of our congressional representatives in releasing the videotape of President Clinton’s grand jury testimony, I find this and the release of the Starr Report very troubling from a legal perspective.

Congress is the appropriate body to investigate allegations of impeachable offenses which would be treason or high crimes or misdemeanors against the state. Our Constitution does not provide for the public to make this decision through popular opinion. Yet, this is what the House Judiciary Committee has resorted to.

When President Clinton publicly admitted to an illicit affair with a consenting adult, the public was not swayed enough to oust him. Congressional representatives tried again by releasing the Starr Report. Still not achieving their political purposes, they have now tried to change public opinion with the videotape.

It’s not the sexually explicit nature of the material being poured into the public domain that I object to. Rather, it’s the abuse of the constitutional process that is so reprehensible. The Judiciary Committee is charged with making a full and fair investigation of the allegations and determining whether the allegations are substantiated by credible evidence. It hasn’t done this.

I did not vote for Clinton in either election do not condone his recent behavior. However, I do support the office of the president and the Constitution. He is entitled to a full, fair investigation. I want members of Congress to try to do the job they’re paid handsomely for. Ann E. Hurst Spokane

We asked for what we’ve got

I don’t know what all the complaining is about concerning President Clinton. This is the person 49 percent of the people chose to run the country. Anyone with ears, eyes and good sense knew what we were electing. We elected him in spite of his lying, draft-dodging, womanizing and dope smoking.

There is no question, we deserve to have this man as president for the full time allotted. We may learn from this to show up at the voting booth and elect our representatives with some thought for what is best for our country. Gary Garrison Kettle Falls, Wash.

Let’s get back to being realistic

The president could have handled the matter better. He should have told them that he would not answer any questions about his sex life and recommended they visit the shelves in the back of their favorite book store to get their dose of perversity.

Reasonable people know that there are no saints in Congress. I doubt even half of Congress could stand up to this kind of scrutiny - and that’s being generous. Congress needs to put this aside and get back to doing the job the members were elected to do: represent their constituents in the operation of the U.S. government.

If we allow this episode to establish new criteria for holding the office of president, someone had better find a messiah to run in the next election. Thomas S. Lowerison Spokane

This sequence has familiar ring to it

I read with interest Saturday’s article about Pat Robertson’s comments at the Christian Coalition’s Road to Victory Conference.

I was reminded of a book I once read in which a man was charged with some minor civil violations. He was questioned at an inquisition, scourged, a hearing was held in which he testified and admitted what he had done. He was sent before a high tribunal who could find nothing that the man had done that rated the punishments suggested by the representatives of the people. He was sent back to the representatives for judgment and they, supposedly on behalf of the people, found him guilty of high crimes. When it came time to mete out punishment, they mocked and defamed him, and treated him like the lowest.

Finally, when they had done all they could to humiliate him, they decided his punishment. Even though he had done nothing to deserve such harsh treatment, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” And they did. Arthur L. Clum Airway Heights

Clinton has acted ugly all along

Your front page headline, “Clinton foes willing to win ugly,” Sept. 20, is disingenuous, to say the least.

The House Judiciary Committee is doing precisely as instructed by a majority vote (including a heavy Democratic majority) of the full House, i.e. release of all information as soon as possible, and in no case later than Sept. 28.

A three-judge panel of the D.C. Court of Appeals had earlier granted authority to the independent counsel to release grand jury evidence in its entirety to the House of Representatives.

Complying with instructions of the full House is ugly?

You want ugly? How about the reputations and careers, if not lives, savaged by President Clinton and his minions - James Carville, Paul Begala, et al. - of those who have criticized or opposed the president. Also, the scorched-earth threat to dump dirt on Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee?

Even uglier, President Clinton sent his wife, lawyers, friends, staff, Cabinet members, congressional supporters, etc., out to lie for months, based on his deception. And then there are the ugly personal legal bills incurred by all those called to testify before the grand jury as a result of his deception.

Ugly indeed. Jim F. Smith Spokane

What a two-bit manufactured scandal

Up until this only-in-America debacle being forced upon us by the the major networks, I have chosen to remain silent in my opinion of our president’s actions regarding his personal life. But the showing of four-plus hours of testimony by President Clinton on every national TV station sickened me after only minutes.

What in hell was the point?

I’ve studied the Bible and found many references and stories on forgiveness, judging others, casting stones, etc. What I have not found is any justification for those self-righteous, sanctimonious, patronizing people who insist that because the president made a terrible moral decision, not without temptation, that they have the right and the duty to persecute - no, crucify - the man. If half of them knew what they were talking about, they might also know that a marriage that follows a divorce is, according to the Bible, adulterous! That sex without marriage is a sin. That they probably commit one sin or another 10 times a day!

For those who are selling the argument that the president broke the law by lying, I’m not buying. Show me the man or woman who wouldn’t react the same way when confronted by such charges and I’ll row my boat to them as they walk across Lake Coeur d’Alene.

The American media have created their own religion and produced their own zealots. We can only suffer more because of it. David T. Bray Spokane

Suppose soldiers carried on this way

About the White House “affairs,” everybody has an opinion, ranging from It’s his business, not anybody else’s to impeach him! But, if you look at it from a federal standpoint, you might think differently.

Proud members of our nation’s military deal with professionalism on a daily basis. If they don’t, they find themselves in a world of trouble. If a member of our military were to be caught up in an affair where one of the two in the affair is married, it could lead straight to courts martial.

What are the defenders of our nation suppose to believe or do when their commander in chief sets an example like he has, expecting that a public apology will reprieve him? While he enforces the laws that put individuals behind bars who follow his example? If he enforces those laws, should he not also be subject to them, regardless of his position? In our military, the higher your rank, the more likely you find yourself with a stringent punishment. For example, you might see a simple reprimand for someone of lower rank up to forced retirement and/or jail time for a senior officer.

Consider the laws that govern those who work for our government. Weigh those laws against violators. Then consider how you feel about what’s going on in our White House. After all, this is a democracy and we the people do have a say in what goes on. Brent A. Stalnaker Cheney

Severe consequences are called for

Bill Clinton has desecrated the highest office in the world by lying to the American people and cannot be trusted. The kind of lie is immaterial. He has shamed us as a nation and must be held accountable with severe consequences.

Let us not be fooled into succumbing to yet another one of his sly tactics - his emotional plea to the American people. Our duty as American citizens has only to do with preserving our Constitution in our decisionmaking process, which is at an intellectual level and not an emotional one. When we punish our own children for lying, look what happens when we use our emotions instead of intellect in that process!

One other point. Clinton claims to be fighting for women’s rights, yet personally he has exploited women with no remorse (hence, his defense). On one hand, he is repenting to the American people, claiming, “I am a sinner,” but the dichotomy is that he wouldn’t have a defense if he was sincere in those words.

We must bring dignity back to the presidency. Impeach him and impeach him now. The preservation of our Constitution is at stake. Cathy Womach Spokane

He’s still a ‘perverted liar’

Yes, I watched the Clinton taped grand jury testimony. I watched Clinton berate the grand jury, attack the witness who testified against him, evade direct questions, wander off on vague attempts to change the subject, stonewall the prosecutors and jury members who attempted to clarify the bizarre cigar sex act, lie under oath about his admitted sexual relationship with Monica Lewinksy, and most amazingly, attempt to convince the jury he was the victim. Nothing has changed with this man. It appears we are still stuck with a perverted liar. Dale D. Robertson Laclede, Idaho

Follow divine example of forgiveness

When someone hurts you, the temptation is to get revenge. “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44).

I know it is not easy to forgive when others do you wrong, but it is better to forgive and a blessing in God’s eyes. So forgive, allow God to deal with the wrongdoers and you will find profound peace.

In the same light, President Clinton sinned, hurt his family, his country and his God. But Jesus has forgiven our president because he repented of his sins. We can do no less. It is time to forgive. Krista D. Aman Spokane

Nobody does it like we do

Thanksgiving is on the horizon, and we Americans have so much to be thankful for.

Like the fact that we live in a country where absolutely anyone can invade the private life of the chief of state without even being beheaded. And our ability, after all these years, to still entertain the rest of the world with our bizarre sense of priorities. im P. McDonald Spokane

Clinton a Bart Simpson-type guy

I was reading a book on criminal sociology the other day and I believe found President Clinton. I think you may agree.

Having first gone to the section of juvenile delinquency, I then went to the four basic techniques used by delinquents to neutralize their situation when caught. The first is denial of responsibility. Second is blame someone else (Hillary blames a right-wing conspiracy). Third is denial of victimization (his actions were consensual and everyone else gets away with it). Fourth is condemnation of his condemners.

Having reflected on all these techniques, I realize Clinton portrays a striking similarity with Bart Simpson. Like a daily episode of “The Simpsons,” a cute, lovable, huggable and forgivable character who gets away with his chicanery and, what the heck, blames Millhouse. Frank Maycumber Kalispell, Mont.