Bill Clinton and the Monica Lewinsky issue
By gifana
@gifana (4833)
Portugal
November 28, 2006 5:11am CST
The scandal was widely commented on here in Portugal. The majority of my friends and most of the people that asked me about it thought it was just something that happened to every political leader. I disagreed and was literally laughed at. Here is my view. I could care less about his actions. What he does, or tries to on the sly is no business of mine. I think he was stupid but that's another story. I deeply feel that Bill Clinton should have paid for his crime of perjury. The President is first a US citizen and secondly the President....he is not above the law just anyone else. Therefore, I feel that he should have resigned, or not doing that, be tried and if found guilty of perjury, be sent to prison for the crime.
The European view is that Americans are too puritanical. They just don't seem to get the point. My reasoning is not based on the act itself but rather on the fact that he lied under oath to the American people. Richard Nixon lied to them too and didn't get away with it. He resigned with dignity and was later pardoned by President Ford and the matter was closed. It gripes the hell out of me that Bill Clinton got off scott free. He is a criminal and should pay for what he did. PS: I am a Republican but if the same had been true of a Republican President my thoughts would be exactly the same.
3 people like this
7 responses
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
6 Feb 07
I am not an American, so possibly should not be commenting on this one at all but feel compelled to do so, because in fact it could happen to any leader in any country.
(1) Bill Clinton was wrong to have a "relationship" with anyone because he was and is a married man. If he wanted to wander off, then he should not be married and I don't care who the person is.
(2) He lied and that is not acceptable, again regardless of who the person is, it is not acceptable to lie and more so when it compounds a serious situation.
(3) Monica Lewinsky was a total and complete dolt for getting involved with him in the first place. Then to keep the dress does not sound like someone who has all her marbles in the right places. Then to tell her so called friend all the details is pretty rotten and if a man had talked in that manner, he would have been roundly criticised.
(4) The media have a lot to answer for here in that they continually harped on about the matter. I mean to say, since when has someone been having an affair the most important news story, yet this one headlined for weeks it seemed. No matter what paper or magazine you picked up or saw, there was the same tired old story.
(5) Bill Clinton was not the first President, or head of state, to committ such an act but today the media is more active and report every single thing. Also with the speed with which things can be sent around the world, the news travels much faster.
(6) I repeat that the man lied and as far as I am concerned that is just as big a sin as the fact that he was involved with some woman, apart from his wife that is.
From there it is up to the American people in how they deal with this matter but nobody should be above the law, regardless of the moral issue surrounding the lying.
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
6 Feb 07
That is the whole nine yards in a nutshell. Very well put. Adultry is not against the law of the land but it is indeed frowned upon in most countries throughout the world. I think it is sad that the eight years in spent in the White House would be wrapped up in one (?) stupid act that he committed in, of all places, the Oval Office. How can anyone hold such a president (whoever he/she may be) in high esteem. He made the biggest headlines, as you said, for the wrong reason and people, being who they are, gobble it up, spit it out, and then vote again....also a sad indication of the short memories of Americans. I believe in forgive and forget but there are, and almost always must be, limits. Thanks for your comments as a non-American. It seems that you were not taken in by the press. Always nice to see you.
@rainyl (671)
• United States
28 Nov 06
Ur right about if he did the crime then he shoudl be charged with it.
However I see it this way, what they did was a private matter and I could careless who he slept with or who he did not sleep with....not my problem when it comes to personal issues on that topic.
He should of never lied true however reproters should learn how to really report on REAL NEWS instead of reporting on news about who slept with who and who had such and such with who, to me that is not news.
It just brings back the question once again about News Reporters when do they know to stop and not to cross the line...
1 person likes this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
28 Nov 06
That is very true.....I think that some reporters take "Freedom of Speech" beyond its limits. Many (not all thank goodness) lack tact, privacy, and respect. But on the other hand you cannot fault them because that's what the American people want. Why is The Inquirer" one of the most read newspapers in the United States. People want to know the worst about people not the best. Good response...you get a big
@Marshell (60)
• United States
27 Jan 07
I do not care about Clinton;it is between him and his wife. I do though have a comment about what we Americans want: MOST (not me) Want to be entertained! No one really cares what the truth is, all they want is something to think about at work, talk about-at the corner bar, or argue about with there buddies.Look at all the crap on television; those soap operas!With all that is wrong in this world; not just this country, you would think people would want the truth. Go to a restaurant, start a conversation about politics. Most say there piece and change the subject. Start a conversation about what happened to Doc on Days and everyone joins in!
@suscan (1955)
• United States
31 Jan 07
I am a Republican,too but I agree it doesnt matter what party you are if you lied and comitted perjury you should be punished for it. After the vote at theat time, people were surveyed outside the polls. Many people said tehy believed he lied but they still voted for him. That makes me sad. It is not what he did,I think you are right that is a personal matter,but He lied
1 person likes this
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
3 Feb 07
Thanks for that suscan. That's what I don't get about the American voter. People knew he lied but voted for him anyway. I think it was one time that the media turned down the volume on the fact that he committed perjury and that he should have been tried. I wonder why that was?
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
4 Mar 07
You talked about a couple of sides to Bill Clinton and I'm not sure which you were wanting an answer to. I feel he had no business messing around in the White House. I don't feel it is right to mess around when you are married, but as the president, I feel everything he does should be of a good example. He has a responsibility to protect the office of Presidency. And I totally agree with you...he should not have gotten off when he was impeached and lying to the American people is just wrong when you are their leader. He lied about so many things, it is amazing he was so popular. The thought that he might be in the White House again if Hillary becomes president is downright scary.
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
15 Mar 07
Hi estherlou...nice to see you. Yes I quite agree with you. Both issues are of importance. Of course, we can't put all (only 99%) of the blame on him. It is true that the public should have been told but the way the media handled it was more "sensational" that factual. Why the media didn't put more emphasis on his perjury and demand his being tried (after he left office at least) is something I will never understand. I hate to so adament in my comments about one of my presidents but I feel that the people must understand that no president is above the law of the land. I too pray that Hilliary doesn't make it. As far as I am concerned she is more astute at conning people than her husband. I still don't understand why more wasn't done about the White Water Scandal...she was certainly the brains behind that scheme I'm sure. As Bill once said, Hillary is more intelligent that I am." And who am I to doubt the word of a president?....lol
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
18 Mar 07
In general I quite agree with you. I hate gossip and inuendos. But the issue here is the fact that a president of the United States liked under oath and should be held accountable before the people of the United States. Any US president is not above the law. Thank you for dropping by and for your input.
@minerc (1373)
• United States
3 Feb 07
I do agree with you, he split hairs and that is why he got away with it. My kid's do it all the time with me, I have taught them any attempt to decieve is a lie, unfortunately he didnt know that. I personally would of never allowed him to be president, and his wife sure won't have my vote in 2008.
@gifana (4833)
• Portugal
4 Feb 07
He really is a con man....no bout a doubt it. As for Hillary I hope the American people know that her part in the White Water Project went far deeper than his. She, according to clinton himself, is much more intelligent than he is. I don't think that he even had a clue as to what was going on in that real estate deal. I wonder how many women will be voting for Hillary because of her abilities rather than in her effort to make history by becoming the first female president. I think the latter is what is more important to her. God help the American people if she gets the nomination.
@kerbausama (1335)
• Malaysia
3 Feb 07
thats ashame for the leader.he should realize its foul and apologize to others.
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